Obesity is a big problem for people. It’s an even bigger problem for pets. At least people occasionally have the wherewithal to go see a doctor and make lifestyle changes. Dogs and cats rarely have that luxury. Unfortunately, a lot of folks will tolerate an obese animal with quite a bit more humor than they will when their own waistline starts increasing. In the U.S. the obesity capital of the world, it’s estimated that a whopping fifty four percent of dogs and cats are either overweight or obese! So there’s a huge problem, people feed their fat dogs and cats too much. What can be done about it? Dogs are very much like humans in that a healthy diet and exercise are always the best way to achieve weight loss in a relatively short amount of time.  We’ve discussed the importance of proper exercise and diet for your dogs on this blog before, but as it turns out this information needs to be applied to your kitty cats as well.  It’s pretty easy to exercise your dog. Just take it outside, run around the block a few times, walk it on a leash for a while, or even visit your local dog park and let it go nuts with its friends and neighbors. Cats are as usual, slightly more complicated. Cats need constant stimulation, the trusty laser pointer works really well for a lot of folks. There are tons of other toys designed specifically with your cat in mind. If your cat hasn’t been declawed you might also consider letting it outside daily. Though coyotes can be a major threat in suburban areas depending on where you live, so be careful! Dog dietary needs are discussed in detail in this previous post, but cat’s need similar treatment. Every cat is different so you may need to do some independent research to figure out what the best diet for your pet is. However there are certain universal guidelines that you can start with. Always consult a vet before putting your cat on a diet. That’s the quickest way to determine proper portion size and dietary content. Look first at nutrients! The nutritional value of cat food is of supreme importance When trying a new dish poor a spoonful of chicken or beef broth over the food. It’ll go a long way in helping the cat accept the new taste and texture. Go for gradual weight loss. Fat cats aren’t going to take to “crash dieting” all that well. If you can use that as a start then follow your vet’s instructions to a “T” then you shouldn’t have any trouble turning your tubby tabby into a lean mean mouse catching machine. No matter whether you’ve got a dog or cat you want to ensure the best lifestyle possible for your animal companion. They only have you to depend on. So really consider what your best course of action is to tame your pet’s appetite and contain its waistline.

Most pet owners know that having a dog or cat around the house can enrich their lives immeasurably. What they might not have heard is that it can be a boon for a bouncing baby as well. Acoording to recent studies, a dog or cat can have a significant impact on an infant child’s respiratory health. What are the chances? The study comes out of Finland, a country renowned for its excellent education system and a hard line against financial corruption. They seem to be going for the feel-good hat trick with this fascinating news. This exhaustive study was undertaken by pediatricians monitoring nearly 400 children under a year old. The pediatricians looked for any health problems, defects, etc. and cross referenced that data with a weekly questionnaire presented by parents that examined their infant’s daily health and as many outlying factors as possible. Things such as siblings, daycare attendance, low weight at birth, or presence of cigarette smoke in their daily lives. The results? Pets that spent in excess of 6 hours inside the home usually meant healthier kids. 73% of the time to be exact. Children without pets were still fairly healthy, about 65% of the time. Still a majority, but what a statistical difference! If you were wondering whether or not to get a pet when you’re expecting, just know that dogs and cats give your baby a 7% head start on healthy living. As to what it breaks down to between cats and dogs, both showed a big statistical difference in infant health, but the stronger showing goes to canines. After all, cats infrequently have a pesky habit of sleeping on top of children to keep warm, that’s not all that good for a newborn. There were a range of individual health benefits, but the infants benefited most from their pets by contracting less ear infections and requiring less antibiotics. There was also a marked difference in the amount of fevers experienced by infants with dogs that spent time outside. But the question remains: why do dogs and cats prevent health issues in babies? The answer is pretty simple. Infants who are exposed to more bacteria, tracked inside along with dirt from the pet’s footsteps, develop stronger immune systems with which to fight off infections. So having a dog or cat serves as environmental training wheels for your baby to practice dealing with the elements. This research confirms what common sense has been telling parents for years. Interaction with a fluffy fun loving critter is just plain good for kids and adults alike.  The study can be read in its entirety here. It’s a fascinating read, and one more check in the pro column for pet lovers everywhere. So the moral of the story is don’t be afraid to expose your child to the outdoors or any pet on all fours, both can benefit your baby a great deal. So give your pet an extra treat for their life saving potential today!

Pet allergies are the worst. They can hinder your ability to live with pets, and make you miserable if agitated without treatment. Sniffling, sneezing, and a runny nose are the least of the problem for some. At the very worst stages of allergic reactions, asthma attacks can even prove life threatening. Unfortunately, some pet owners don’t even realize that they’re allergic to their dog or cat until after they’ve brought them into the home! Luckily, there are some preventative measures for highly allergic people to take to avoid family pet deportation. First off, there is some basic information that needs to be addressed; there are no allergy free dogs or cats. All pets have dander, (the skin flakes in an animal’s fur) and all dander has an effect. The determining factors are your own sensitivity to the stuff, and the amount of dander that your pet produces. As a general rule, a cat allergy is more prevalent than a dog allergy. However, the results are highly variable, as some people are allergic to specific breeds, or species to a greater degree than others. Another counter-intuitive pearl of allergenic wisdom is that breeds with softer continuously shedding coats are normally better for people with pet allergies. Which is somewhat odd, considering most people associate shedding with sneezing. So what to do? Begin by making certain of your allergies and go see an allergist to diagnose the cause. After all, it would be bad to blame a poor innocent puppy for something that your moldy polyester blankets in the back of the closet are responsible for. After you’ve made certain the pet is to blame, invest in an air purifier. Ideally you would want a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Purifier. These bad boys will pick all the worst bits of allergens out of the air and leave you breathing easy. If the dander your pet exudes is really out of control, you might need one in every room. Make sure to leave at least one room off limits to your pets, that way you always have a safe haven if the atmosphere becomes too disagreeable. Weekly baths are also a must. Keeping your dog or cat clean will immeasurably reduce the amount of pet pollution they’re producing. And if all else fails, you may consider getting some allergy treatments to help you deal with the dander. There are a wide range of treatment options for all but the most meager of budgets. The most common treatments can include: Antihistamine pills Antihistamine nasal sprays Steroidal treatments Allergy shots-->this one is particularly effective Beyond these treatments, the best method is to employ every method at your disposal. Proper house cleaning, weekly pet baths, air purification, and regularly scheduled appointments at your local allergist’s office are almost certain to clear up any avoidable allergic reactions. So unless you are just having a good time of suffering through the consistent nasal drip, try to make a trip to see a medical professional as soon as possible!

Only those who truly care about their families health, search for posts and articles like this one, which highlight the symptoms and potential side effects of different pet treatments. Which is why I know that you are a kind and compassionate person, who only wants the best for every member of your family.   And knowing that makes me proud to blog about the side effects of Revolution for cats and dogs, because I know that you will use it to compare against other pet parasiticide products, so that you make sure you get your pet's the highest quality of pest deterrent available.   Now, to start us out, I've always felt it's best to get the worst out of the way first. So let's discuss the worst potential side effects of Revolution Pet Treatment (as well as most other treatments available today).   If you notice your dog or cat showing signs of any of these symptoms, call your vet right away:   Muscle Weakness/In-Coordination - In 1% of clinical trials, some pets experienced extreme muscle weakness which lead to difficulty standing or walking. This can happen if your pet gets too large of a dose, or if they have a natural undiagnosed allergy to anything in the treatment. If this happens, your pet will need to see a vet right away. Because of this risk, it is always best to try any new pet treatments in the morning, so that if any adverse reactions appear, you will have plenty of time to get your pet into a vet within the same day.   Rapid Breathing/Panting - Because Revolution enters the blood stream, it can sometimes have a negative effect on your pets heart. In a small minority of pets, this can cause hypertension, which can lead to stroke or heart attach. If you notice these your pet is panting excessively or breathing very rapidly, take them into the near vet as soon as possible.   Muscle Tremors - If you notice that your pet is shaking uncontrollably or experiencing heavy muscle tremors, call your vet and schedule an appointment for as soon as possible.   Skin Burning - Out of 1743 animals tested, less than 2% had an adverse reaction that caused their skin to burn after application of any chemical pet treatments. If you notice that your pets skin appears is covered in a rash, peeling or your pet seems to be in great discomfort around the application site, you will want to take them into a vet right away.     Most of these reactions rarely occur in 5 out of 100 animals, meaning that it is not likely that your pet will have a serious reaction. Though being armed with this knowledge, helps you care for them if they do happen to be a part of the 5%.   And now that we've gotten through the tougher parts of this discussion, let's cover the more common side effects and some ways that you can help your pet cope with them, while the treatment relieves them of pests.   Temporary Hair Loss - More often then not, this happens with animals who already have sensitive skin, and with most of those cases, the sensitive pet is even more in need of pest treatment than pets who are not so sensitive. Though because the pet has sensitive skin, they will sometimes lose some of the fur around the site where you put the treatment. So long as they do not appear to have been burned, they should regrow the hair within a week or two at most.   Digestive Upset - Diarrhea, vomiting and stomach upset are the most common digestive side effects. They can cause your dog or cat to not want to eat or play for a little while until their body has processed the parasiticide. You can help them through these side effects by making sure they drink plenty of fresh distilled water, which will help keep them hydrated and help them process the treatments more easily.   Hyperactivity - When Revolution enters your pets bloodstream through their skin, it can sometimes cause them to have an elevated heart beat, as their body deals with the treatments reactions. This will make them anxious, as they will not be sure about what is happening to them, and that is usually what causes the hyper activity. You can help keep them calm by giving them their treatment in a dark and quiet room, and then staying with them for at least 30-45 minutes after the treatment.   Drowsiness - On the other side of the coin, some dogs and cats have seen the alter-reaction to hyperactivity, which is Drowsiness or Lethargy. As their body gives into the process of the pest treatments, they might need to sleep while the battle between bugs and love, wages on. If your animal finds themselves with this reaction, the best thing you can do is to help them get comfortable, and then check on them from time to time, to make sure they are still able to get up, walk around a bit and drink some water.   Drooling - It is recommended that every pet who gets a dose of Revolution, gets it right between their shoulder blades, to prevent them from ingesting the medication. That being said, we all know that our pets have a way of reaching the spot, no matter how crafty you try to be, and that means that there is still a chance that they might ingest the treatment.   When this happens, it most often causes excessive drooling as their body works to get the taste and the chemicals out of their mouth. You can help your pet through this by offering them plenty of fresh water to drink.   In most cases, the worst you're going to see is a displeased cat or anxious dog, whom are not very happy to have been treated, but who will be very happy in an hour or so, as they are finally flea and parasite free again.  

How to Litter Box Train a Kitten in 5 Steps     Step 1. Be Prepared   Most of the time, the worst chaos involved with litter box training, comes when we are not sure what to expect. Thankfully, there is not a lot of complication or complexity involved with the process of training your kitten to successful use their litter box.   You simply need to be prepared by having the right tools and the right attitude.     Step 2. Get The Right Gear   In order to effectively train you kitty to use their new potty, with few challenges, you'll want to make sure you obtain a shallow litter pan, some organic kitty litter, plenty of news paper, garbage bags and a litter scooper. If your young kitten happens to have a more headstrong personality, you might also consider investing in some treats that he or she really likes, to help you convince them that the littler box is a great place to go.     Step 3. Regular Introductions   In the beginning, the most difficult part about litter box training, is in getting your kitten to feel comfortable with being in the litter box with the litter and understanding that you want them to use the litter as a place to relieve themselves.   To overcome this challenge, I find that it is best to take your kitten and place them in the litter box regularly, even though it might not seem like they have to go. When they are in there, try and be as happy and positive as you can, as this will help your kitty understand that you want them to use the litter box.     Step 4. Remain Persistent and Patient As your training sessions go on, you should definitely see your kitten becoming more comfortable with the litter box. Though there will still be times when your little fur ball forgets that the litter box is just down the hall, or when they try to hold it in to long, and you will want to remain vigilant for those opportunities to remind them of where the bathroom is.   Stay patient and persistent and your training will be smooth and less messy.     Step 5. Keep It Clean   The last thing you want to do, is deter your kitten (or any other cats in the house) from using the litter box, and the best way to do that, is to make sure you keep the litter box as clean as you can. Cat has a particular fondness for clean litterbox's, and an extreme dislike of even a few lumps left in there, so the cleaner you can keep the box, the more often your kitten will use it.       Is your kitten old enough for Parasite and Pest treatments?    If so, make sure you check out the quality treatments available from Stronghold, which are made specifically to be safe for your  darling little kitty.  

Cats are of a much more independent nature than dogs, and are therefore far less prone to separation anxiety. However, their fickle nature makes this problem an ever present threat that can be triggered with very little warning. To make matters worse, cats rarely exhibit the symptoms as obviously as dogs will. When a cat is upset it will do any number of things to relieve stress. To keep kitty from suffering, here are some of the top symptoms and solutions for separation anxiety in cats. Separation Anxiety Symptoms: Excessive leg rubbing or clawing- While most cats are affectionate, there is usually a limit. If your cat insistently passes its daily allotment of rubbing every time you walk in the door, or likes to greet you with a scratch, you might have a problem. Shadowing and Blockading- If your cat is following you from room to room, or trying to stand between you and the front door, he or she probably doesn’t want you to go too far. OCD cleaning- Cats keep clean with daily grooming. However, if your cat is grooming to such an extent that it’s losing fur, then separation anxiety is a definite possibility. Ignoring the litter box- Cats know exactly where they should go, but depending on their attitude towards you they may just choose to do their business on the bed. This is not a sign of a contented kitty cat. Chewing, scratching, or biting- If your cat begins to have a problem keeping its destructive impulses confined to the scratching post, they may be suffering from separation anxiety. Loss of appetite or nausea- nervousness and anxiety can cause your cat to eschew its food and even retch. Be on the lookout for this unfortunate behavior. Cats, as always, end up being a little more complicated than dogs. As such the tricks you’ll have to use to keep your kitty behaving while you’re gone are a bit more complex as well. Separation Anxiety Solutions: Counter-conditioning-You’ll have to be extremely repetitive with your actions before leaving the house in order to reduce the amount of stress a cat has when it sees them. Cats pay a lot of attention to detail so anything that you do regularly including: Picking up your keys Putting on your shoes Opening up the door Carrying a purse/suitcase Packing a bag All of these should be repeated 10 to 50 times in a clear line of sight for the cat. Use catnip- Toss some in your suitcase so the cat correlates the bag with fun rather than you leaving, or leave some on the ground when you leave to keep kitty busy. Leave the TV on the nature channel or other cat-centered programming Leave harp music on the radio. Apparently, harp music is shown to have a soothing effect on felines. Who’d have thought? Toys- Just like dogs, cats can be easily distracted. Apply these cat tactics, and the anxiety problems should cease fairly quickly. But if your cat’s behavioral problems persist, it is advisable to consult your vet for further professional council.

The whole world may not revolve around you, but you are definitely the center of your pet’s universe. You provide the food, toys, massages, and affection that keeps them either purring or panting as the case may be. So when you leave the house, even for a short period of time, their reactions can seem severe. This Separation anxiety is a common problem with dogs, and an occasional one with cats. Its symptoms aren’t extremely obvious, and it can take a keen eye to pick up on anything amiss. Here are a few things to look out for, and some possible solutions to the problem. What’s the Deal with Dogs? Dogs are much more dependent on human interaction than cats. Because of this, separation anxiety can really strike a familiar chord for many dog owners. To make matters even more complex, symptoms of separation anxiety can easily be confused with a little overzealous behavior. Be on the lookout for one or all of the following symptoms: A dog shadow-dogs love to be underfoot, but when they can’t stand to be apart from you when you get up to leave the room, you might have a problem. Stressed behavior such as whining or relentless pacing while you’re preparing to leave. Barking, scratching, and whimpering at the door after you’ve made your exit. Accidents happen, but when the indoor pee/poop problem persists, something has to be done. Wanton destruction of carpet, plants, or furniture. If you notice trembling upon your return. Remember not to be a hypochondriac for your dog. This behavior when isolated and inconsistent isn’t necessarily grounds for alarm. Be wary when the pet’s actions become extreme and continuous. What to do? Some easy solutions for separation anxiety in dogs are as follows: Exercise- they can’t freak out if they’re too tired! Strategic meal times- food makes pets drowsy too. Different toys-Dogs get bored just like humans; keep them entertained with an abundance of chewies. Freezing food inside of a toy- This can keep them busy for quite a while! Teach the dog to sit and stay- If a dog learns that it can serenely stay in a room without you, you’ve won half the battle. If this all fails, you may want to consider asking your vet about anti-anxiety medication for pets. There’s a large variety of products available. You can also do a lot by creating a “safe place” that your dog goes to every time you leave. This place should include some dirty laundry that smells like you, some favorite toys, and a view of the outside to distract the dog. Or consider leaving your dog with a doggy daycare service, friend, or family member whenever you’ll be gone for a significant period of time. If you have a really persistent problem with your dog’s separation anxiety, then you’ll definitely have to consult your vet for further advice. That’s all the time we have for today’s post, but check back tomorrow, where we’ll cover the symptoms and solutions to a cat’s separation anxiety.

Stronghold flea and worm medication is another fine example of a multifaceted and all inclusive medication to defend your pet against all sorts of foreign invaders. The advantage of a treatment like Stronghold is that it is a sort of one stop shop for almost any parasitic problems you might encounter. True to its name, Stronghold turns your pet into an indomitable fortress designed to take out parasites at every turn. This simple spot on medication protects your pet on the outside from fleas, sarcoptic mange, ticks, and ear mites as well as the inside from worms that plague the intestinal tract and heart. The active ingredient in Stronghold is known as Selamectin. It’s a water resistant chemical that absorbs into your dog or cat by way of the hair follicles and skin, it then travels through the sebaceous glands, bloodstream, and intestines going to work on whatever foreign attacker is closest at hand and all set to be destroyed. It has separate uses depending on which animal it’s used on. In dogs it kills certain varieties of fleas as well as the aforementioned ear mites, while in cats the chemical takes its pound of flesh from intestinal worms. To be more precise, it works most notably against hookworms and roundworms. Like any other spot on medication that’s worth its salt, Stronghold is convenient in a number of ways. For starters, it’s fast acting. It begins killing parasites within 30 minutes of an application. It’s long-lasting as well. Just one treatment is worth 30 days of parasite protection. Another great feature is that bathing the dog won’t reduce the drug’s efficacy, at least not after a grace period of 30 minutes, right about the time you’d want to start washing off the dead fleas! Another lesser known bonus application of Stronghold is its effectiveness on newborn puppies. Puppies are too young and fragile to be treated with any pet medications directly. However, it’s perfectly safe to treat their mother before the litter has been weaned. Do you get where this is going? The lactating mother canine is able to act as a filter and transmitter for the puppies’ flea prevention. It’s a handy feature, because it’s absolutely heartbreaking to see a defenseless puppy fall prey to the negative effects of a filthy parasite. If this product is starting to sound a little eerily familiar, it may be because of a passing familiarity you have with another nearly identical name brand of pet medication: Revolution. In fact, it might surprise you to learn that Stronghold and Revolution are one and the same. They are identical products sold under different names in different parts of the world. Why the discrepancy? Only the fine folks at Pfizer (the manufacturer of both) would know. Regardless of their reasoning the only difference in the two products is the packaging, and no matter your choice in aesthetics, both products are available at Petbucket.com. Order your supply in advance and save on shipping today!  

There are a few more important aspects getting cats and dogs living together that we’ve yet to discuss. As we learned in the last post, introductions are important, and shouldn’t be rushed through at all. Instead, a slow, methodical, and supervised tactic should be observed over a number of weeks acclimatizing the cat to the dog and vice versa. Unrestricted face to face encounters should be saved until the dog can reliably be called to heel despite the distracting advent of the cat. The cat needs to be comfortable with its surroundings, and able to get away from the dog whenever it feels threatened. In addition to these hard and fast rules, there are a number of intangibles to look out for. When picking out pets to round out your household, a conscientious pet owner should always take temperament and attitude into account. Playful cats are more likely to get along with playful dogs. Independent dogs won’t be as likely to irritate more self-concerned cats. It’s a simple thought, but one that pays big dividends if it is observed. Choosing pets with complimentary personalities goes a long way in successfully getting cats and dogs living together. Earlier it was mentioned about cats that they need safe-havens to escape to when the dog becomes too overbearing. Most cats can manage to find these sorts of things out for themselves, but if you have a perchless homestead, you might want to invest in some kind of jungle gym climbing equipment for your kitty. A few steps with scratching post pillars and cat nip embedded within should do the trick. Just so long as it’s tall enough for the cat to retreat from the dog upon. One obvious dynamic that we’ve yet to mention is the age of the pets. Trying to get adult cats and dogs living together is far more difficult than teaching a puppy and a kitten to do the same. Younger animals are always quicker to socialize, play, and learn about one another. Such is the inquisitive and adorable nature of the youth. Even so, it is still important to regulate the dog when the cat is being overwhelmed, and the cat needs to be kept in line if it ever begins to bully the dog. Although it is okay to enjoy an initial laugh at the dog’s expense. Just be sure to correct the behavior soon thereafter. The whole idea to getting cats and dogs living together happily is balancing out the conflicts in their personalities. A dog can’t be overly dominant of the cat, and the cat can’t be overtly aggressive toward the dog. You have to have two equally submissive pets recognizing your authority as the alpha of your household. Once the pecking order is clearly established, the introductions have been made at the proper pace, and all of the intangibles have been observed and orchestrated you can move begin to enjoy the  silly displays of affection and merrymaking that your cats and dogs will inevitably perform for your entertainment.

As we discussed in the last article posted on the blog, having cats and dogs living together can be pretty complicated. They are two very different species with a two sets of completely different standards. Cats and dogs need some time to get adjusted to one another. However, with a bit of patience, hard work, and the ever present consistency required for pet training you can have a multiple pet household that gets along famously. To begin getting your cats and dogs living together, it’s important to focus on training the dog rather than the cat. An adult feline will almost always reject a forced friendship. Dogs are like tornadoes of instability to a cat. To a dog, a cat is either a new friend or a very different breed of squirrel that is still meant to be chased. That’s why it is imperative to have a fairly well behaved dog if there is any hope of this process progressing beyond step one. Your dog should be able to successfully and consistently perform the “sit,” “stay,” and “leave it” commands. Once your dog is capable of behaving itself, begin introductions via smell. Keep the cat in a separate room with some toys, food/water, and a litter box. This will help the animals to start recognizing each other’s scent. You can also crate the two of them and place the crates near one another. This is so the cats and dogs can see and smell one another without threatening the cat’s security. These introductions should be treated with caution keeping the dog under close watch, for at least a week before going any further. After this initial smelling out phase, you should begin bringing the dog into the same room with the cat on a leash, or perhaps allowing the cat to roam freely around the house with the dog on a leash. Be forewarned, this step can take weeks, even months, and some dogs will have such a drive to hunt that you’ll never be able to reconcile the presence of a cat. In such a case, you’ll have to admit you made a mistake and rehome one or the other. Be sure to keep them away from each other’s food dishes, or any other spots/toys that they might feel especially protective of. Every time the dog sees the cat, pay the dog lots of attention and praise. This is to make the dog understand that having a cat around is a good thing. As soon as your dog can become acclimated to the idea of leaving the cat alone with your supervision, you can let it off the leash. You may want to consider buying a remote control collar for even further assurance of a dog’s good behavior. Once all this is accomplished, you’ll have pretty  much succeeded getting your cats and dogs living together. However, there is still a lot more involved in the process. Check back in next time for the final installment of this three part guide on socializing cats and dogs.