Help Your Pet Live Better

There was an interesting article in the Seattle Intelligencer the other day. It was all about how you can make our lives better for your pets.

GET ID YOUR PET: Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald of Animal Planet’s “Emergency Vets” and “E-Vet Interns” says pet ID is how you can keep your pets safe. Fitzgerald says that only 30 percent of the strays that they see at his Denver practice have a chip or a collar tag. If they had this chip they could have been returned home.

PREPARE FOR PROBLEMS: Put together a first-aid kit for your pets. Dr. Fitzgerald recommends that you keep gauze, sponges, cotton balls, triple antibiotic ointment, penlight and a thermometer on hand in case anything happens. If you do not want to put a kit together you can buy one at pet suppliers. You should also put your pet’s phone number on your speed dial for good measure.

EXERCISE YOUR PET’S BODY: Make sure that your dog or cat is getting the running, walking and playing they need. Like humans there is an epidemic of obesity among our pets. For dogs a walk around the park doesn’t do it. Your dog needs to be running hard so that it is panting or at least fifteen minutes a day to stay trim and slim.

EXERCISE YOUR PET’S BRAIN: Dogs and cats can end up being couch potatoes too. They need a feeling that hey has a job or purpose. Play with your cat or dog often. Buy him or her toys they can play with on their home. Above all talk to your pet often and see if you can teach them tricks. Remember too that more than half the time the pet thinks he is taking care of you and not vice versa so remembers to thank him or her for it.

KEEP ANIMALS CLEAN: Don’t let your dog or cat walks around mucky or with knotted or matted fur. Clip your pet’s nails regularly to prevent discomfort and the need for the animal to short their claws on doorposts and furniture. Clean the litter box regularly to avoid diseases and dirty litter to be tracked all over the house.

BUY BETTER QUALITY FOOD: Have you been feeding your dog or cat whatever is the cheapest food or the same old food that he likes. Make an attempt to feed them ore healthy food at least now and then. Yes it is more expensive but it will keep them in good health and also spare you future trips to the vet for health problems. You can find great food at  PetFoodDirect.com. If you would like to save money you can get PetFoodDirect Coupons at CouponKid.com . Getting a bargain with coupons is always great.

MAKE YOUR PET PART OF THE FAMILY , Dogs and cats know when they are not wanted. The sad trend is for people to start ignoring pets once they are no longer puppies or kittens. Resolve this year that you will make your pet feel as if he or she belongs and spend more attention with him or her.

If you think of all of the above like New Year’s Resolutions that improve your pet’s life you are on the right track.

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Pets and New Year’s Celebrations

The Hawaiian Humane Society recently put about an excellent advisory reminding us that New Year’s Eve can be frightening or traumatic for pets. It is because the celebrations can be noisy, include fireworks and also expose the pet to a lot of strangers or strange food if you are having party.

To keep your pet safe so he or she does not get sick or run away the Hawaiian Humane society recommended that you cage your pet if you are having a party. At the very least keep the pet safe somewhere where he or she feels safe and familiar like your bedroom and make sure he or she is off limits to party guests. Make sure that hewn you sequester the pet that he or she also has plenty of water and food.

Ensure that your pets have identification. In Hawaii more than 400 animals were reported lost during last year’s holiday season. Animals found running at-large should be taken to your local Humane Society’s 24-hour animal intake center,

Having current photos of your pet is also helpful. For dogs, a license is proof of ownership and should be attached to his collar.

Resist taking your pet to fireworks displays. Most animals don’t enjoy the holiday’s noisy spectacles and will run off.

Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you’ve removed any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed on. Leave a radio or television on at normal volume to provide him or her with some companionship while you’re attending the picnics and parades. If you can’t keep your pet indoors, consider keeping him in an enclosed garage.

If possible, do not leave pets outside and unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. Animals may panic, escape and get lost, or become injured by becoming entangled in their chain at the sound of party noises or explosions.

Don’t leave your pet in the car. In addition to the danger posed by pet thieves, cars can heat up to a deadly temperature in minutes, even with windows partially opened if you live in a hot climate.

You should also avoid exposing your pet to abusive or drunk individuals. Some people are not that nice when inebriated and can easily hurt a pet by picking it up wrongly or by simply jabbing it or kicking it. A pet can be seriously hurt if it is tripped over by a drunken person who is not even aware that it is there.

You should also not let your dog wander near any tables of food and particularly tables that might have chocolate on them as eating chocolate is fatal for dogs. It can also give a cat a heart attack.

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