If you have been looking for a furry little pet to add to your family home, there are several things to consider before the purchase. Sometimes there are severe downfalls and disadvantages to choosing a pet from a pet store. Understanding what can go wrong when you buy a pet store pet, may help you reconsider where you get your fur baby from.
Pet health
Pet health is a very important factor when it comes to purchasing a pet. If you are considering a specific breed such as a pug or French bulldog, they can have issues with their breathing and be more to prone to certain seizure activity as opposed to other toy or larger breed dogs. It is extremely important to ask the pet store where they get their animals from. A pet store is more likely to obtain certain toy breeds or other animals from a backyard breeder or puppymill. A backyard breeder only has one intention and that is to continue to breed the female dog as frequently as possible to produce the most litters. The dog is designed to strictly breed repeatedly with very little breaks in between having litters. This is hard on the dog and can also affect nourishment with the puppies, the result is sick adult dogs and underweight and ill puppies. Many times these puppies are not up to date on shots and underlying illness is not addressed. Making a profit is the main concern of most backyard breeders and buying from a pet store only benefits the backyard breeders and not the dogs.
Living conditions
A puppy mills is similar to a backyard breeder except they often raise hundreds of dogs at a time for pure profit and ship then to auctions on a frequent basis for a quick sale. Puppymills often recover a very horrible living condition for puppies, cats and other pet store animal breeds. Over packed cages, severe illness, malnutrition and dead animals are what these animals face throughout their young lives. Never purchase a dog, cat or farm animal raised at a puppy mill or other type of mass producing animal farm.
Early environment
A good dog breeder will assure that the mother and puppies are well taken care of from the very beginning. The dogs are often AKC registered and their bloodline is tracked to show any potential health problems that could occur down the road. Reputable cat breeders also make sure their kittens and cats are well nourished and have lots of human contact before finding a good home.
When it comes time to choosing a family pet, second question bringing a pet home from the pet store. Talk to other pet owners about where they got their pet from and find a list of reputable breeders.
Possibly the most pressing concern when getting a new puppy is teaching him to go to the bathroom where they are supposed to. For the majority of dog owners, that means outside. The methods can vary depending on the size, breed, and living arrangements, but they all follow the same general principles.
You’ve just brought your new puppy home and he is as excited as you are to assimilate into your family. The puppy will not understand right away where you do and do not want him to relieve himself, so he will need to be taught. That’s where you, the owner, come in. There are a few basic steps to start you on your way:
- The first step is to always feed your puppy at the same time each day. This will put his body on a schedule, meaning that you can roughly predict when he will need to go to the bathroom.
- Utilize a portable kennel, commonly referred to as dog crates. The size of the kennel should be just large enough for the dog to stand and lie down comfortably. Any bigger and you run the risk of him using any excess space as a bathroom. A quick note on this is to limit the amount of time your puppy spends confined in the kennel relative to how long he has been able to hold his bowels in the past.
- If you catch him in the act of treating your floor like the bathroom, interrupt him and place him in the correct spot as soon as possible. Once the animal finishes his business, move on to the next step.
- Positively reinforce him whenever he goes where you want him to. Make the puppy feel like he has just done the best thing in puppy history. This affection will make him want to recreate the event just for the attention.
Special note: Dogs have short term memories. This means that if you find a pile or a puddle inside, do not negatively reinforce after the fact. Your puppy will not understand what he did wrong, will be confused as to why you’re upset and just think you are being mean.
Owning a dog is a rewarding experience, and one you aren’t likely to forget in your lifetime. The stress of training a puppy can be mitigated somewhat, but success or failure is in your hands.
Making sure a pet has the right type of insurance for their health is very important, especially when a person is very attached to that animal. There are a few things to know about having this as well as the benefits. Knowing more about it is what will help to make sure you choose the best one for your specific pet.
Health insurance for humans can also apply much in the same way for animals as well. You would use in the same way and for the same reasons. If they get sick, then it will help to ensure they get the best possible treatment at a price that is affordable.
Plans for this are simple and can sometimes be added on to your regular health insurance. The range in the price can vary from $8.00 on up to $70.00. The best part is that most plans do not actually go above this price range. So you can get low cost treatment and make sure your animal stays as healthy as possible.
Now there are a number of reasons that you will need to have this type of coverage for your animal. The main reason is that there are different types of symptoms to an illness in an animal that cannot easily be diagnosed. If your pet is suffering from various symptoms it is important to find out what has caused this. The only way to make sure of what the cause could be is to seek treatment with a veterinarian. They will be able to run tests to see what is wrong and figure out how to go about treating it.
This is where pet health insurance comes in handy again. In many treatments, medicine is a huge part of the recovery process and many of these medicines can become too costly to pay right out of pocket. Having this coverage not only allows you a huge discount in price but it will also help you being able to afford more than one medication if it is necessary.
There are many veterinarians that are part of this coverage and will therefore, make it much easier for you to find the perfect one for your pet. It is also good because it will be easy to find the right one if you happen to live in a small area where there are not many vet clinics available.
Many pet owners make the mistake of thinking that the brand of food hey buy for their pet is safe because it is made by a large manufacturer that heavily markets their products with graphics and commercials promoting wholesome and nutritious ingredients. However, this could not be further from the truth. Sadly, there are no required regulations in place to ensure such labeling. Even products that illustrate a high percentage of protein can potentially be misleading. Protein derived from animal fat or meat meal may not be digestible for pets. Despite the sad lack of regulation, pet food manufactures must still list what is in their products. This is the consumer’s most revealing tool for learning the truth about how healthy these products really are.
The ingredients listed on the packaging are specified in order by weight. You want to pay close attention to the first two ingredients since they are the bulk of what the food consists of. Both cats and dogs are omnivores so the primary ingredients should be consisted of protein. Look for protein labeled as chicken, salmon, lamb, or beef. You don’t want to buy protein that is generically labeled as meat or any type of ‘meal‘. Though all pet food sold in cans or bags must be preserved, some of them may use preservatives that should be avoided. The top three preservatives sometimes used that are linked to cancer and other health complications are Ethoxyquin, BHT, and BHA. Dry foods higher in fillers with soy, corn meal, or wheat grains are not the best choice because pets are commonly allergic to them.
Many large retailers are starting to provide a frozen section in their pet food isles so that they can sell raw food alternatives. Raw pet food is often sold as human grade and completely lacks fillers and preservatives.
Animals, just like humans, can be born with certain handicaps, or they may become handicapped due to an illness or injury during some point in their lives. Just because an animal may not be completely “normal” does not mean that they won’t make amazing companions. For the special person who is willing to take the time and responsibility that comes with raising or caring for a special needs animal are not as rare as one might think, many simply do not know how to prepare themselves or know what to expect from a special needs animal.
Understand Their Special Needs
There are any number of special needs an animal may require. It could be something as simple as providing a certain type of food, or as extensive as having to medicate the animal daily. Before bringing home a special needs pet, it is imperative that one truly understands what they are getting into and what will be required of the individual should they take the animal home. One of the biggest reasons some avoid adopting special needs animals is simply a lack of understanding of what the animal needs.
Patience, Tenderness and Compassion
Special needs animals can require a lot of attention and it can be, at times, frustrating and heartbreaking. It is important, if you want to adopt or otherwise take in a special needs animal, that you practice patience and tenderness with the animal. They rely on their human to provide for them and they need someone who can handle the emotional aspect of living with and loving a special needs animal, as well as one who can provide for their individualized needs.
Preparing oneself for a special needs animal takes a bit of thought and a lot of compassion. One needs a thorough understanding of the animal’s needs so as to ensure that they have the ability to provide the appropriate environment for the animal. Special needs animals can often take more time to care for and can require more veterinary care than animals without special needs. A big heart and a lot of understanding are all it takes to raise a special needs animal and form an incredible bond with an amazing creature.
Your pet is your best friend, and more or less it can be hard leaving your pet home alone when you have to go to work. But unfortunately there is no way to avoid the daily trails of life. But there is a few ways for you to at least attempt to keep your pet busy and away from boredom city while you are away. And whether you know it or not, implementing these few little tips will create a much happier space for your pet.
The first thing you can consider when trying to curb your pet’s boredom when you are at work is by adding interactive toys to your home. There are hundreds of different interactive pet toys being sold and they add fun to your pet’s environment. It’s all about keeping your pet busy and out of trouble during your away time, and that is exactly what these interactive toys are all about. There are also treat filled interactive toys that keep your pet trying to figure out how to retrieve the treat. This can kill hours and keep your pet busy until you walk through the door.
You can also purchase talking toys that actually engage your pet. They talk with your pet, and keep your pet’s attention for a long period of time. It’s like having a companion on the house to keep them company.
The old school trick of calling your pet and talking with them over the answering machine, can deem to be beneficial to your pet. It allows them to hear you and feel as if you some where near.
Pet walking services is something that can be considered. If your pet enjoys mid day walks, hiring a service to take your pet for a short walk can help them relieve anxiety, as well as boredom.
It may seem small and not so important. but making sure that your pet has a place of their own, whenever they wish to curl up and relax is highly important. Little do you know, most pets enjoy frequent nap times throughout the day.
There are several animal day cares that are available for you to drop your pets off at. If you feel as if you can’t keep your pet from being bored throughout the day, dropping them off so they can interact with other animals alike may be more suitable for not only your pet but for your happiness as well.
Imagine that you’re going on vacation, but you can’t take your pet. What should you do? Even the most dedicated pet owners have to get away once in a while, so fortunately for you, there are many safe options for pet care while you take a much deserved holiday. No matter how near or far your trip will take you, you are guaranteed to have a worry-free time, without stressing about whether or not your pet is in good hands.
Friends and Family
One of the least expensive and most reliable ways to ensure your pet is well taken care of while you are on vacation is to ask a good friend or family member to take their pet in as their own.
If you have a relative with another pet that gets along well with yours, that may be the ideal place to have your furry friend stay, as they won’t be lonely; and you will be sure the “pet sitter” knows how to take care of your precious companion.
If you choose this option for pet care, it is important that you remember to bring your pet’s favorite toys, bed, and his or her own personal food. If your sitter doesn’t serve the same food, the sudden change (along with your absence) could put unnecessary physical and emotional stress on your pet.
Pet Hotels
Pet hotels are a wonderful option if you want your pet in a licensed facility with trained professionals. These luxurious lodgings for dogs and cats can be very pricey; but they are equipped with groomers, walkers, and medical staff.
This is a wonderful option for pets that don’t mind new faces. If your pet does not like to be around strangers, going to a pet hotel could prove to be a stressful endeavor for both your pet, and his or her care team.
Pet Comfort Comes First
It is crucial to remember that a pet should only be left somewhere that they will feel safe, cared for, and loved. Choose arrangements wisely, and be sure to give your companion extra love and attention when you return from your fabulous vacation.
