Drop a Little About Your Pet

Archive for September, 2009

Cat-fits in the car, guinea pigs escaped at the diner, the snake that got left behind, and the dog that bit the moving man… you could fill a book with tales of the trials of moving with pets. But it doesn’t have to be that way, if you do some planning and follow good common sense.

Firstly, remember that your pet is also a member of the family, and deserves some consideration in the moving plans. Your pet will also be leaving familiar surroundings, and you’ll have some trouble helping your pet understand what’s happening and why. Your goal will be to get your pet out of your present home and into your new home as securely and smoothly as possible. Think about your pet’s temperament and special needs and put together a plan to help your pet make the transition:1. Plan for your pet’s trip to the new home.

Most pets will make the move in a car with the rest of the family. In the event that you’re traveling by air, you’ll need to make arrangements for your pet several weeks in advance. If necessary, get your pet used to a carrier.2. Make a moving day plan for your pet.

Ideally, on moving day your pet should stay elsewhere, preferably in a familiar place: a favourite kennel service, or at a kind friend or relative’s home. With all the comings and goings at your house – strange people and vehicles, and constantly open doors – there are just too many chances for your pet to have a meltdown or meet with an accident. Stressed pets and movers don’t mix well. If your pet must be in the house, find an empty room with the least commotion and put your pet there. Put a sign on the door to clearly indicate that the room is not to be entered. Ensure your pet has comfortable surroundings, enough fresh water and some familiar toys.3. Try to keep a calm environment.

Your pet will be picking up on the family’s signals in the weeks before and after the move. If you’re experiencing stress, your pet will be tuning into the change. No matter how crazy life gets, try to maintain (as closely as possible) your pet’s feeding, watering, play, and exercise routines. Keep their familiar foods, toys, and bedding accessible. After all, there is upheaval enough in their surroundings now!4. Think about your pet’s own personality.

Cats are far more territorial than dogs are. Cats need to feel that they are in control of a changing environment, whereas dogs are far more attached to their owner than they are to the actual house. So make sure your cat always has a nook or cranny or box to hide in or under at both ends of the move.5. Make sure your pet is wearing identification.

Also, take a picture of your pet and jot down a written description. Pets can be unpredictable when their home life is upset. There is a higher risk of your pet escaping in the weeks before and after the move.6. Prepare your pet for travel.

When travelling by car with your pet, remember to restrict its food intake several hours ahead of the trip, and during the trip too. Animals should be in a carrier unless you are absolutely sure that they will not get under a brake pedal or cause a dangerous commotion. Most cats will sleep away their long trip. Your dog will be much happier if it has been well exercised before the trip. Use a tranquilizer for your pet as a very last resort, and then only with your veterinarian’s instructions.7. Pack a travel kit for your pet.

Be sure that the food is easy to digest, and use water from your regular home supply; changing diet or water sources are common causes of diarrhea and vomiting from upset stomachs. If in doubt, check with your veterinarian for food recommendations. Don’t forget extra food for the arrival (can opener too!), medications and vet records, familiar toys, new identification tags, and something with a reassuring scent.

Having multiple house pets actually seems to decrease the allergy risk of children, as long as the children have been exposed from infancy on. Recent studies have shown that children raised in a home with two or more cats and/or dogs in the first year of life are less likely to develop allergic diseases than are children raised without these pets. In fact, exposure to the allergens associated with pets very early in life seems to have a long time protective function.

What kind of pet you are looking for? Have you ever thought about a gecko? You will find different kind of geckos but there is only one which is perfect as a house pet.
If you have seen pictures of leopard geckos, you are probably aware of what beautiful reptiles they are. Because of the work of breeders, leopard geckos come in an astonishing array of colours and patterns, from tangerine orange all the way to black and white striped, and many of these are quite striking creatures. I have been breeding reptiles for years and years now, and let me tell you: leopard geckos are some of my very favourite. This is not just because of their striking appearance, however. It is because they make such great pets.
Many people complain that reptiles are lousy pets. They feel that snakes and lizards are bad tempered, unaffectionate, dull, and boring company. For many of these creatures, this is true. They are simply not very easy to socialize, and are at best indifferent to humans. But the leopard gecko is different. Leopard geckos, if they are brought up among humans for their whole lives, are friendly, affectionate creatures who are really quite easy to get along with for anyone. They are pretty easy to care for as long as you remember a few basic facts about them. All leopard geckos must receive adequate, but not excessive warmth. Leopard geckos also must be fed daily with insects, and the like, and have enough space to move around. Finally, leopard geckos must not be left all by themselves. They technically can survive by themselves, but as a leopard gecko breeder, I can tell you that they are much happier when they have company. Really, leopard geckos do best when raised in groups of two or more, but even human companionship will help keep your pet happy. And a happy pet is a healthy pet.
If you are thinking of getting leopard geckos, there are a few things that you must consider first. They are not cute in the traditional sense, and so if your idea of a perfect pet is something soft that you can pet at your convenience, then the leopard gecko is right out. Although they are fairly affectionate lizards, if you are looking for some creature that will be overjoyed every single time that you enter the room, ditch the leopard geckos in favour of a nice golden retriever. But, if you are a lizard person, you probably already know it. If your idea of a nice pet is an interesting pet, then leopard geckos might be just the thing for you. I hope you already made your choice; you will never find a friendlier house pet than a gecko.

If you’re a serious animal lover like me then there’s a good chance that you have a number of various house pets around your house. You’ll also probably have an intriguing number of other house guests roaming around your house as well. You know what I mean, all the strays and hurt little birds and four legged creatures that you just couldn’t desert.

That probably makes you a soft touch where all the extra house guests and your house pets are concerned but you don’t really care. You’re doing what you love to do, looking after animals. So it’s probably a good thing that you went into a veterinary practice early on in your life. That hasn’t stopped you from collecting as many house pets as you can though. In fact you probably have more house pets than you otherwise normally would have, but since your house is adjoined by your practice it doesn’t pose a big problem for you at all.

Having such a large number of house pets, you need to be careful about hygiene and spread of disease amongst them. You’ll need to keep a few litter baskets for the cats who deign to call you their pet, and you’ll need to keep enough food on hand to keep them from going hungry.

Both your cat and dog variety of house pets should have their own separate feeding stations, as well as their own types of food. Both these type of house pets will also need to be kept entertained and fit so you will need to provide a few toys which they can play with in your absence. If you have a large garden all the more better as they can then be free to roam around as much as they please and tire themselves out.

If you don’t have a large garden though and you don’t have too much time to spend on giving your house pets the right exercise then I would suggest you look into how to remedy that situation as soon as possible. All animals need exercise and if they don’t get it they will just become fat and sedentary which is really bad for them, as much as it is bad for you and I.

Another thing that you’ll need to consider if you have a variety of house pets and house guests of the non-human variety is whether they’re compatible. Otherwise you might end up with a situation on your hands that resembles the popular cartoon shows, with Sylvester and Tweety. Throw the dog into the mix and what you have is a kind of cyclic chaos. Dog likes cat, cat likes bird, bird has no where to go in tiny cage. And when I say “like” I don’t necessarily mean it in a good way! So take care that your house pets are happy and healthy, and that they don’t eat each other for lack of anything else to do.

If you have plans to fly with your pet, you are part of a growing trend that has been increasing for the last number of years. Most airlines will charge a nominal fee to allow your small pet to accompany you, if it will fit into a FAA approved pet carrier that is small enough to stow under your seat. The following important info can help you keep your pet safe, healthy, and happy on airplane flights

When booking a flight, it is a good idea to make reservations for yourself and your pet as early as possible. You must let the airline know that you want to bring your pet with you. It is very important to tell them, as they will only allow a limited number of pets on each flight. Some airlines do not allow pets at all, especially on international flights. Always confirm your flight the day before you leave on your trip. If you are traveling internationally you need to confirm your reservation seventy-two hours before you go.

Before you fly into the wide blue yonder with your furry travel companion, you need to take him or her to the veterinarian for a checkup, to make sure he or she is healthy enough to travel. You will also need to take its health certificate with you, showing that your pet is up-to-date on all its vaccinations, including rabies. Your pet must wear its current vaccination tag when traveling. As well, your pet must meet the health regulations of every country that you will be traveling to. Bring along a copy of your pet’s medical records listing its allergies, chronic medical conditions, and medications.

If you haven’t done this already, you should have your pet micro-chipped. That way, if your pet is lost and taken to an animal shelter or vet, where its chip can be scanned, both can be reunited. Keep in mind your pet’s identification tag will have both your home address and phone number on it. That won’t be of much help if your pet gets lost when you are on vacation. It may be a good idea to get another tag made up that has your destination address and phone number on it. What happens if you pet isn’t found until after you’ve returned from your holidays? It makes sense that you should leave both your home I.D. tag on your pet as well as attaching the new tag. That way you’ll have all the bases covered and stand a better chance of being reunited with your pet

You should carry a picture of you pet with you when you travel. It will help you prove that you are the pet’s owner if any problems of ownership occur. Also, the picture can be used to make some flyers up to post in the area where your pet was lost.

Flying with pets that are too large to fit into a FAA approved pet carrier is not a good idea as they will be stowed in the cargo hold. Putting your pet in the cargo hold of an aircraft is very traumatic and dangerous to its health. It makes far more sense to leave your pet with a friend, or a pet sitting service while you are vacation.

The American Veterinary Medical Association does not recommend sedating or tranquilizing your pet when flying, especially dogs. Dogs regulate their body temperature when they pant, so when they are tranquilized or sedated, they may not be able to pant. If this happens, it may leave them defenseless against the fluctuation of air pressure and temperature that occurs in the cargo hold of every flight. Also, keep in mind that pets do not enjoy flying, or being locked up in a cramped kennel and left alone in a dark and desolate cargo hold. It must be very terrifying for them.

There are a lot of websites that give additional valuable information in regards to traveling with your pet. Two excellent sites are the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) at aspca.org, and the Department of Agriculture at aphis.usda.gov, which has a great article entitled, Traveling With Your Pet.

If you want a great travel carrier for your small pet, you may want to consider the popular, FAA approved pet carrier, Sherpa On Wheels. This Cadillac of pet carriers can be a luxurious and comfortable home for your pet while flying. It has the convenience of a front and top entry, mesh ventilation panels, recessed wheels, as well as a detachable pull handle and a shoulder strap. It is available on line at SherpaPet.com.

Devoted pet masters or owners would easily get distressed upon knowing that their pets have illnesses. That is, I guess, is a normal reaction. Becoming restless because of a pet that’s not feeling well is just like a feeling of a parent having a child that’s suffering from pain or ailments. As pet owners love their darlings too much, they easily feel the pain that their pets suffer. But gee, we are blissful to have grown up in this fast-paced world. The Internet has provided us the resources on where to buy non-prescription pet medication that are ready to be diagnosed to our pets anytime. Yes, non-prescription, meaning, over-the-counter pet meds!

But are we sure that those kind of pet meds are safe – just as safe as those drugs advised by our vets?

The main reason that other pet owners opt for non-prescription pet meds is that they can get rid of the expensive consultation as well as the costly pet drugs that most vets give to them as prescriptions. Who doesn’t want to save money anyway? But putting the pets’ safety above anything, then those kind of medicines can be doubtful (although some really works).

There are famous and common pet meds that can be purchased anytime, this includes remedies for flick, tick or worming, etc… As they are commonly used and widely bought at any stores and OFFICIALLY, do not really require a vet’s prescription, it still does not take off the potential or possible hazards it may cause if not administered properly. And take note, even repetition of this kind of medicines may cause harm to your pets, too.

In this regard, having online sites that provide extensive information on the accurate dosage of any pet medication and the possible side effects of any medicine that you buy is an advantage for us. But we should not rely on them always, as we, the pet owners should at first, be very cautious in picking any non-prescription pet drug online, whether they may be considered genial. It’s in our hands, that our pets’ safety truly lies.

So talking about safety in our hands, as responsible pet owners, we should possess at least some basic or if great, ample knowledge, about taking cares of pets’ wellness. We should have imbibed learning on common pet cures. With that, if at any circumstance an unexpected situation arises, we will be able to determine and examine as well the symptoms and provide our pets the comforting remedy we know for the meantime. In that way, our distraught pets may feel relaxed from pain for a while.

Nevertheless, if the situation is really critical, you should not force yourself at all to become your pet’s hero. Never diagnose your pet’s illness yourself if you know that the pet’s condition is worse/worst, nor log on to any websites that provide the precise pet cure. If you so try to diagnose the worsening condition of the pet yourself, it may probably lead to a much more difficult consequence that you mat find harder to handle and for the pet to endure. As time is essential in this kind of predicament, it is otherwise not advisable to let the downtrodden animal to wait. Call you vet then.

You see, even if there are medicines that need not any prescriptions from experts, it is much safer to consult your veterinarian as they are the ones regarded to have the right knowledge in treating and examining your pet’s health condition. They still know what the best is and what’s not for your beloved pets.

To conclude, non prescription pet medications can still work best in treating your pet’s ailments. Nonetheless, try to look at the case – if it’s not that tough, then you can opt for non-prescriptive pet meds PROVIDED that you follow the dosage of each accurately; but if the condition is not good at all to be treated by yourself, consult your vets. As pet lovers and owners, we always wanted to give the best for our darlings’ health. Don’t risk it. Be sure to be wise.

Even the words “pets”, “dog” and “cat” can send cold chills down the spine of any landlord who has had a bad experience with tenants who thought that cleaning the litter box once a month was enough or let their dog tear up the living room carpet for amusement. However, accepting pets can mean better tenants who stay longer. Finding responsible pet owners to rent from you might take more time than a simple ad in the paper, but they can be worth it. Any pet owner looking for a rental can tell you that “no pets” or “n/p” is one of the most common sights in the Rentals section of the newspaper. This is for good reason; any landlord can tell you horror stories about pet owners who don’t clean up after their pets, prevent and/or repair damage caused by said pets, or keep their pets under control. People like these ruin it for the rest of pet owners, as many landlords feel that they can’t take the risk of accepting pets into their rentals.First, what are you planning to accept? Caged animals generally don’t leave their cage for any length of time and their mess is confined to the cage and immediate area. Birds can be an exception; a medium to large bird can cause a lot of mess if not cleaned up after regularly. Many more landlords accept cats into rentals than dogs, since cats can be happy living in small quarters and are often cleaner. Small dogs are more likely to be accepted than big dogs for the same reasons. No matter what kinds of animals you decide to accept, recognize that there is no such thing as a completely clean pet. Even fish need to be cared for regularly or their aquarium and area becomes a breeding ground for smell, mold and mildew. It’s not so much the mess that the pet produces; it’s the commitment of the owner to keep their pet and its surroundings clean and livable. Some landlords charge pet deposits for pets, which is certainly an option for you. Most responsible pet owners realize that deposits are a part of real life and will be willing to pay one in exchange for being able to rent a decent home. If the pet owner complains that they ‘can’t afford’ a pet deposit, reconsider renting to them – what is going to happen if there is some kind of pet-caused accident or damage to your property? Will they refuse to fix it, citing that they can’t afford to? When interviewing a pet owner, it is a good idea to see the pet(s) if at all possible. If you can interview the person in their present lodgings, you can see how clean they keep the place (of course, you may allow for packing/moving disarray), whether it smells of pet and how clean and well-trained their pets are. Well-groomed pets usually indicate people who have a care for cleanliness and the quality of their environment. A pet should have no strong odors about it and should have a healthy, glossy coat. Watch for scratching or chewing that may indicate parasites. Inquire as to the type of pest prevention used for the pet. An indoor cat may legitimately be left prevention-free, but pets that access the outdoors should have some kind of preventative program in place.Inquire into the training of their pets. If you are lucky enough to have a prospective renter whose dog goes to obedience classes and has won titles, seriously consider them. Dogs with temperament testing and obedience titles are more likely to be well-trained pets in the home. Other titles of achievement in the canine world are indications that the person is involved with their dogs and has a care for their welfare and living area. Cats can be harder to ascertain whether they are being regularly interacted with. You can look for signs of scratching on the furniture and carpet. A cat tree and cat toys are a good sign that the owner is committed to providing their cat(s) with items to exercise their inclination to scratch and rub on instead of walls and floors. Cats that are 100% indoor, or only indoor-outdoor under control & supervision are less likely to pick up dirt, parasites and disease. Ask for references, such as vets, groomers, trainers and other pet professionals the person claims to have interacted with. References from previous landlords can be a good indication of their treatment of rental property. References from the local SPCA or humane society can also be a sign of a good tenant, since most animal rescues have an interview process of their own for pet adoption. Take the time to consider those people who have anticipated your concerns by providing an upfront plan of care, maintenance and reimbursement concerning their pets. The people who take the time to alleviate your concerns about their pet and who show themselves willing to take responsibility for any damage that pet may do are more likely to care for your property in the manner that will keep it rent able after they leave. Renting to pet owners can be risky, but it can also bring great rewards for the landlord who carefully chooses a responsible pet owner. Pet owners who care for their animals are more likely to care for their living space and stay in a place that will accept their pet. With careful consideration and interviewing, landlords can find responsible people who take their responsibilities to their home as seriously as their responsibilities to their pet.