Most of us treat our pets as real members of the family. They couldn’t imagine the hurt and pain if one of their pets have fallen ill or in danger just like any other human family member or relative. If you feel that you are one of these animal-loving people, try our tips on keeping pets safe and healthy.

If you have taken in a new pet, have him checked by a trusted veterinarian immediately. All new pets should be tested for parasites. Additional tests should be done to cats for feline leukemia and dogs for heartworm. Make sure that all pets have annual vet visits. Old and sick pets may need to see the vet more frequently.

Avoid giving pets human food — left-over or not. Food from your kitchen might giv you all the sustenance and nutrients you need but it doesn’t necessarily hold true for pets. Pet food from supermarkets offers all the nutrients you pet needs for their daily needs. Make sure that clean water is available to your pets at all times. Also, supplements are only given to pets if they are precribed by the veterinarian.

Pets need regular exercise no matter how domesticated your pet is. Dogs need to be walked at least twice a day while cats should be provided with scratching pads and climbing posts to stretch their muscles. If pet exercises are frequently done outside of the house, make sure they are checked for worms and parasites regularly.

Cats are gaining popularity for being the preferred pets. They can fit in any household whether it may be a big house with a picket fence or a small apartment in the city. Even if they do not crave for much outdoor activity like dogs doesn’t mean they need less care. Here are some tips on cring for our feline companions.

Spray a little water on your cat each time he did something wrong or dangerous while you sternly say “NO”. You cat will slowly associate the word NO and the water to what he is doing and eventually stop. Be consistent with this disciplining tactic and your cat will learn just as quickly as dogs do.

Give him the proper nutrition he needs everyday. However, even the most well-fed cat can become malnourished. Rush him to the vet if he is showing unusual symptoms like frequent loose stools, lackluster coat, and constant eye discharge.

Cats like to play around with anything they can find. You don’t have to buy expensive toys for your cat. You can give him a pill bottle with pebbles, a sock rolled up to a ball, a tennis ball or even a ball of crumpled paper. Just avoid giving him a ball of yarn since he could get entangled and accidentally strangle himself.

Having a pet for a companion is truly joyous experience. Pets are known to be very loyal and playful and sometimes, they even contribue positively to the owner’s well-being. But before you rush to the pet store, here are some things to consider if you are really ready and able to own a pet.

Size of the pet vs the size of the home. Do keep in mind that puppies and kittens grow up to become big dogs and cats and rather faster too compared to humans. Consider the size of the pet when he/she matures. If you have a house with a fenced lawn, you can house any pet of any size. However, you should think twice if you only live in a small flat since your would-be pet will not have enough tail-wagging space.

Total costs of keeping a pet. Ask yourself if you can shoulder all the expenses that comes with a new pet, which includes food, water, shelter, immunizations and grooming. You’ll be also spending a lot of time with your pet since he/she needs love and attention too. If you are running low on funds or running on a hectic routine, maybe you should think twice before choosing a pet or change your lifestyle all together.

Make pet ownership a family decision. Consider the input of the rest of the family and don’t rely on your opinion alone. Find out if there’s anyone in your family who is prone or can develop animal fur allergies. Survey everyone on their most preferred pet and stick with the consensus. Everyone will appreciate the pet more if each one is involved in the decision process.

Cats are cute. They’re adorable and certainly fun to have around. But one thing that can annoy you about them is that most of them shed too much hair.

Rubber will be your best mate here. You can don a pair of runner gloves and run them along the couch and other pieces of furniture. Cat hair will surely stick to the gloves. You can also do this qith a rubber squeegee. Vauum your carpet afterwards.

For beddings, you can try using a lint brush, running it on every inch of your bedding. You’ll see clumps of fur sticking to the brush. You can also use this on clothes such as coats ans sweaters.

Or, you can try cutting a piece of duct tape and place this over left-over strands of fur and pull. Repeat until satisfied with the results.

Some food may be harmful to cats so try to avoid giving the following to your precious pets:

Corn. Some cats are allergic to corn products but these type of cat food fillers are cheaper. So always check cat food if they have fillers made out of corn or corn glutten. This is also the same for soy, wheat, and eggs.

Those that have too much coloring additives. Some cat food have coloring added for appeal but some cats are sensitive to these additives.

Not all seafood are good for cats. There might be some to which your cats are allergic. So always read the label of cat food made out of seafood before buying them.

Cow’s milk should be fed to cats as some can be lactose tolerant! This can in turn brings on allergies. For kittens who still need milk, consult your vet for formula that is good for them.

Toilet-training pet cats can be a hassle – especially on carpets and furniture fabric. Here are some tips on how to clean your pets’ misses:
Finding the soiled areas can be difficult if you are not able to see it during or immediately after the deed is done. You might want to invest in a hand-held black light which you can buy in pet stores.

Many people will recommend cleaning solutions that can neutralize the ammonia in your pet’s urine such as enzyme cleaners, hydrogen peroxide, and even vinegar and water solution.

Before attempting to use any cleaning solution to the spot, you might want to check labels of furnitures and carpet for cleaning instructions.

Some chemicals might damage the materials. You might also want to check cleaning solutions in a very small area of the material.

Are you finding it difficult to find or maintain an apartment because you have a pet? Well here are some tips to help you with it:

Before you find an apartment, make sure that you train your pet first. If you do find a property that allows pets, the first question that your landlord will ask is if it is house trained. Pets that are well-behaved will surely find a good home too.

While finding an apartment, offer a pet deposit for whatever damages your pets can might cause. You can also have a pet clause included in your lease.

Once you find a home, make sure that you diligently make sure that your pets stay in good behavior. Clean any mess that they make and have a pet sitter for it if you have to leave it alone for long periods of time. This will make sure that your pet will not cause trouble (or messes).

Do you have problems keeping your pets from shedding on the furniture, rugs, and other surfaces in your home? Here are some suggestions to make sure you keep your home fur-free:

Vacuum daily. You don’t have to get the entire house vacuumed, just follow the trail of animal traffic (where your pets usually walk).

Purchase a fur magnet from the home and garden section of your local pet store. These gadgets are used to scrape fur from furniture and clothes. The fur simply gathers together and you can just bunch them up and throw them. Other variants of this fur magnet come in lint brush types and sticky paper.

Cheaper alternatives to the ones above is the use the adhesive side of duct tape and a clean dryer sheet to collect fur from furniture. You can also use a balloon by letting the static electricity pick up the fur.

Brush your pet. Groom your pets outside and brush the fur off. This will help in lessening the shedding inside the house.

Dogs can be man’s best friend, but they can be vicious enemies as well. Here are some things you need to know about dogs and dog bites:

Dogs do not bite just because. They might be provocated by various reasons and they are the following:

Dominance and Protection of Its Territory. This happens when the dog considers himself as the head of the pack. If it feels that you have overstepped the bounds as a member of its pack, the dog might be provocated. Dogs can also be territorial. They will protect what they consider theirs if they feel that there is a need.

Fear. If the dog is afraid of a particular person or situation, it might also feel provocated. If the dog is ill or feeling injured, then it may bite anyone approaching. Sometimes when a dog is in a fight with another dog and someone attempts to separate them, the dog(s) might bite that person.

So how do you prevent from being bitten?

Treat dogs with respect. They feel pain so stop those tail or ear pulling. Leave their food and toys alone. Never approach a strange dog. Before you pet a dog, stand still and let it sniff you. Do not disturb a sleeping dog or a female dog that is caring for its puppies.

Avoid getting involved in a dog fight unless necessary. Never run away from a dog, it’s instinct will tell it to chase you. Just avoid direct eye contact and stand still with your hands close to your sides.

If you’ve been bitten, confirm if the dog has received rabies vaccination and how often has it been given. Wash the wound with soap and water. Apply pressure to the wound with a clean towel to stop or slow down the bleeding. Cover the wound with a sterile bandage and keep the injury elevated above the level of the heart. This will slow any swelling and prevent infection. Contact your doctor.