Pretty much the only negative side to having companion animals is their short lifespan. For many people, pets are substitute children, who unfortunately only live for 8 – 16 years. They would do anything to keep their furkids with them for a few more years; a few more healthy years, at least. Advances in medical care for pets could hold the answer.
Play is an important part of your dog’s life, but sometimes playing with Fluffy is easier said than done. Some dogs are reluctant to play. They may simply not like it, or they might never have learnt how. Shelter dogs (especially puppies) who don’t get much contact with people, often don’t learn how to play. In fact, human play behavior and people-operated toys are a scary mystery. Don’t stress, because it’s never too late to teach your dog to play.
Last year a kitten made headlines when it nearly died because its owner had it on a vegan diet. It survived but only because it was given a steady diet of meat. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need to eat meat to survive. They cannot get the protein and nutrients they need from a plant-based diet. However, it’s not as simple as stocking up on beef, chicken and tuna to keep kitty well-fed as they have complex dietary needs. Fortunately, it needn’t be complicated to meet them. Read our guide on cat food and good cat diets to keep kitty healthy.
Cats might not be as popular as dogs when it comes to family pets, but they are a favorite among city dwellers who want furry companionship but don’t have the time for dogs. Unfortunately, a large percentage of pet parents are allergic to cats, and if they aren’t chances are good that someone in their family or social circle is. Cat allergies are twice as common as allergies to dogs, but that still doesn’t mean you can’t live happily with your kitty.
How often do you let loose and really play with your dog? Most of us don’t play with our dogs as much as we would like – life is just too busy. We can manage a couple of walks a day and some attention whenever our canine kids come looking for it, but finding the time for romping on the lawn is tricky.
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As most cat people know, cats are finicky eaters. What they scoff down one day they put their noses up the next and let you know in no uncertain terms that they’re not going to touch what you’ve dished up for them. Don’t be too annoyed because their fussiness is partly inherent, as they need to be careful about which foods cause damage. The system isn’t always perfect, however, because kitty may develop a taste for some people that you definitely should avoid feeding cats, such as canned tuna and sushi.
When bath time looms your dog either turns into a pile of quivering jelly, hides under a tree, or goes stiff as board at the first sight of dog shampoo. If your dog resists bath time with every fiber of her being, you may go to extremes to hide her fate. But even if you think you’ve got every base covered, your dog is always one step ahead of you.
Pet obesity is an epidemic, which is bad, but obesity also causes other serious diseases, which is worse. Diabetes is a growing concern among vets in the UK, and USA and dogs and cats are fairly equally affected. Diabetes is a chronic disease that can’t be cured. It requires lifelong treatment, and close management and monitoring.
Hip dysplasia in dogs is a condition in which the hip joint doesn’t develop sufficiently to support the leg bone. This results in gradual joint deterioration over time as the leg bone bumps and grinds against it.
Terriers are working dogs, bred to root vermin out of holes. They have more energy than most people can conceive and can going long after other dogs want a nap. Bear this in mind before you welcome a terrier into your home. They can be small, but they don’t always make good lap dogs. They’re far better suited to active lifestyles that include dog sports and activities.
