Front Page Pets

Pet cats and dogs have no way to say how sick they feel or where it hurts for them. By instinct our pets would just go through the sickness in silence, just like in the wild. As a pet owner it is a must to know normal daily habits and behavior of our pets. If we notice a difference in activity most likely indicates a health problem. Symptoms of sickness that is apparent: coughing, diarrhea, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, wheezing and foul odor of urine and feces. Consider a trip to the vet if the above signs are accompanied by any of these signs: loss of appetite, puffiness of face, inactivity and shuns attention.  
Bring a list of observations you noted about your sick pet. While waiting for the vet to finish examination try and remember your pet’s activities a day or two before you noticed the symptoms.
Have a clear head while consulting with the vet; making sure you’d be able to retain the information. It helps to keep tabs on the sicknesses your pet has had. These can be references for another bout of the illness. Organize this information in journal or desk calendar.
To make our homes pet-friendly it helps to know things we don’t think much of as dangers can do damage to your pets. Here are some stuff your should know…
Chocolate is poisonous to cats, dogs and ferrets
Be careful not to give leftover chicken bones. A shattered piece can gag or pierce your pet.
Dispose onions, yeast dough, coffee beans and any food with mold in it. Keep it away from pets.
Wash in anti-bacterial solution all rawhide doggy chews to avoid salmonella infection.
Keep in mind that household items are not only harmful to our children but to our children too. The danger can also come from items specifically for pets but have reached the date of expiration. It helps to practice common sense and take precautions.

Just like any promise, a commitment is needed to follow through. For the promise of loyalty, protection, unconditional love, and adoration; dog owners in turn have their end of the deal to fulfill:
  I promise to put a collar on you and attach an I.D. tag bearing your name, our address, your blood type/ health status and your vet’s name and number.
This is a primary action to owning a pet, this tag assures your dog will be safe from animal control and would easily be returned if he strays. This also ensures that if your dog has a medical condition, his needs will be recognized and treated.
I promise to have your licensed and vaccinated.
To protect your pet from deadly infections means a lot for your dog. The environment causes virus’ mutate and infect most animals. Pets with no vaccination are most likely to die during severe sickness.
I promise to keep you on a leash to protect you and those around you.
To avoid complaints and reprimands, all owners must follow the “off-on” practice. OFF your property, ON leash please.
I promise to take you to regular check-ups.
Some symptoms of a sickness could be latent. Treating it before it gets worse.
I promise to nourish you properly hydrate you body especially in extreme heat.
Your dog’s proper diet helps him maintain alertness and helps build up immune system. An ounce of protection is a pound in protection.
I promise to take you for walks and provide physical activity that will contribute to your health.
Proper exercise aids your dog by promoting good blood circulation
Strong bones.
I promise to train you in proper behavior and  teach you to do tricks. 
Dogs need stimulation by learning a new and useful skill. You’ll be saving your dog from boredom if their playtime is learning. Training for behavior can be taught in a fun way.
As pet dog owners, it helps to sit back and recall what we promised as we looked into a puppy’s innocent and sincere face. Of course the puppy has outgrown it’s youthful cuteness. True, a lot of patience, determination and swear words went into teaching the big dog not to dig into rosebushes. What never changed is at times of our own uncertainty and aloneness, a silent friend puts his head on your lap as if renewing his vow to be your best friend forever…

Cats are cunning and clever creatures. They have adapted and survived from the era of pyramids to the present day. These creatures are often branded as solitary and self-centered (not all cats are Garfield!), mostly concentrating on its survival. Observation by cat owners though would add loyalty to their description. How can anyone explain incidents of cats traveling miles to where its human family has moved?
It is said that the cat is a very fast learner and would never forget any stored knowledge. So the belief that cats aren’t trainable contradicts this. Anyway, around the globe cat owners have tried and often succeeded in training their feline a trick or two.    
Unlike dogs, the cat has limited vocalization abilities. Feline communication is primarily vocal and body language. To human ears a cat’s “meow” is one and the same. Cats vocal chords though limited have lilts that often go unnoticed by human ears. Their body language often supports the whole thought of what they would want to express.  
To own a cat (or any pet), a person has to be fully committed in its up keep. Here are rules of thumb if you are…
Single person: get a pair of shorthaired cats, they are low maintenance and will keep each other company while you’re out.
Retired and lonely: try cat sitting for a while. Try and experience having a feline run your life. Cat sitting would help you find out if you are really allergic to cats. *Studies shows at first people are allergic to cats but usually lose symptoms of allergy after a few days.
Part of a big family: decide on the gender of the cat you’d like to have. If possible get a male & a female. If a member of the family has asthma, choose shorthaired breeds/ strays or hairless one.
A cat is a joy to have. They are independent and have that uncanny ability to leave well enough alone. Among all the pets cats are active but never clumsy.
 
 

Dogs are animals and inherently live instinctively. Most often, we just expect more from them. Dogs react to their surroundings while we tend to over react to it. Before we worry that our pooch is a nuisance barker, read how your concern may be just a simple human-dog misunderstanding.
 
Is your dog just too anxious and jumpy at a certain times of the day?
Try to recall or find what significance that certain time has in your household.
Tiny my Mom’s dog has a barking fit at 3pm. apparently during summer my brother unwittingly established a playtime with Tiny. Like a normal teenager, all activity depends on his mood (read as: when not asleep!) My mom solved the problem by having playtime with her pet when my brother wasn’t in the mood.
  
Does your dog go bonkers after neighbor’s female dog passes by?
Yeah it’s because she’s female…but it’s not love at first sight. A female dog’s menstruation cycle happens every 6 months and lasts 21 days (more or less). The best way to keep sane is for you to catch his attention with food or an activity. Or maybe ask if your neighbor can pass on the sidewalk across your home (good luck!).
 
Your dog is suddenly inactive…
Unless you just sent his favorite family member off to college or his mate died, (which by the way is a valid) the problem may probably be physical health. Look for tell tale signs of sickness. If there is, go to your vet.
 
He annoys by letting you know its walk time, with leash in mouth…
Come on, he doesn’t understand you’ve got that deadline. Your pooch doesn’t even know what being “fired” is. Your dog only focuses on the time YOU set for a walk. 
 
Rely on your own observation and insight. Studies show that dogs are largely affected by their surroundings. Only when all simple remedies fail, it is when you can consult an expert.