Off of the top of your head, how much did you spend on pet treats last month? If you’re like a growing proportion of the US population, you spent a small fortune on yummy snacks for your dogs and cats.
If you’ve joined the pet raw food movement and have put your cat on a raw food diet, you may be wondering if you’ve done the right thing. Perhaps you’re still on the fence and aren’t sure which way to turn.
Many people think that cats are untrainable; that the idea of walking a cat on a harness or teaching them to sit and give paw is the kind of dream dreamed by lunatics. The truth is that training cats is far more challenging than training dogs, but it’s not impossible. Follow these tips to train your kitten and you could be amazed by her skills.
There is one question that all cat owners ask: Is my cat’s behavior weird or is that actually normal for felines? Most of the unusual behavior we see in our cats is perfectly normal; we just don’t understand what they’re telling us. Fortunately we have the secret that will reveal cat behavior.
If you’ll pardon the pun, obesity in pets is a growing problem. According to the 8th annual National Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey (2014), 58% of cats and 53% of dogs in the USA are obese. According to the 2014 National Pet Obesity Awareness Day survey, 52.7% of dogs and 57.9% of cats in the USA are obese. Different studies, similar results.
Ear infections are one of the most common medical issues for both cats and dogs. Dogs and pups with floppy ears, like Cocker Spaniels, are more prone to ear infections than dogs with erect ears, like German Shepherds. Outdoor cats have a higher rate of ear infections than indoor cats, although indoor cats are not immune.
In general professional grooming services for dogs and cats are a luxury for show dogs and cats or pets with long coats. However, the value of regular brushing, nail clipping and teeth cleaning has benefits beyond best-in-show status. The question is: How to choose a pet groomer?
Cats are aloof and not as responsive to training as dogs. But offer a cat a treat they love and they’ll be as eager to please as any pup. Cat treats are effective training tools, and they help calm anxious cats forced into uncomfortable situations. These include introductions to an unfamiliar environment, or even worse, a bath.
Some cats are just too classy for cat food. Should you indulge their high-flying ways, or is it too much of a risk? According to vets, the best food for cats is a stable diet of vet-recommended cat food with the necessary nutrients. However, there’s nothing wrong with a little human food every now and then, provided it’s in moderation and it’s safe for cats. There are some food to avoid because they contain toxic ingredients.
Most pet insurance companies don’t cover pregnancy and breeding. There are simply too many complications that could arise and things that could wrong for a typical pet insurer to cover the risks. However, there are pet insurance companies that offer specialist products for breeders, so that they can give their breeding dogs and cats (and their offspring) the best medical care available.