Traveling With Your Pet

ROAD TRIP

Trial Run:

A few days before heading off, take them for a short drive to see how they react. Do they get restless and anxious? Do they get carsick? These are some things you should know beforehand.

Seat Belt:

Always, always make sure they are in their carrier, and make sure the crate is secured and buckled up. Thousands of crashes each year have been chalked up to unrestrained pets, especially when they are in the passenger seat. It’s not only distracting, it’s dangerous.

Stay Inside:

While it seems harmless, letting your dog stick his head out the window is inadvisable. According to a study by the ASPCA, such an act can damage the lungs and cause lung infections.

Pit Stops and Water:

The ASPCA recommends that you let your dog out and do his business every two to three hours, and let them get some exercise as well. Also, be sure to have a gallon or two of cold water to keep them hydrated.

Stay Together:

Do not leave them in the car. Even with the window cracked open, the temperature can reach up to 110 degrees in 10 minutes on a hot day. If you are going somewhere pets are not allowed, either leave them at home or keep them in a pet-friendly hotel.

PLANE

Fit to Fly?:

Young pets, old pets, or sick pets do not do well in planes. This also applies to many breeds. Also, many airlines will not allow pets to fly in the cargo hold. Check with your veterinarian before you fly with your pet.

Papers:

If you are going out of the country, find out what vaccinations and paperwork your pet will need. Consult your veterinarian to find out more.

The Carrier:

Make sure that your pet has enough room to stand and turn around without hitting their head. If you have never had a carrier before, leave it out for several days before the trip so that they get used to it.

ID Tags:

Keep your information on your pets’ collar and on their carrier at all times. 

Exercise:

Before you fly, spend some time with your pet while exercising. Play. Go for a walk. The more tired your pet is, the more likely they may sleep during the trip.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/23/traveling-with-pets_n_3640948.html

http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/specialAssistance/pets.jsp

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/traveling-by-car-or-truck-with-pets/

Why Adopt a Shelter Pet?

-You Save a Life:

Millions of adoptable pets are euthanized each year for various reasons, but that number could be greatly reduced if people would adopt them instead of buying them. By adopting from a private humane society or animal shelter, rescue group, or the local animal-control agency, you'll help save the lives of two animals—the pet you adopt and a homeless animal somewhere who can be rescued because of space you helped free up.

-You Get a Healthy Pet:
It is a common misconception that animals end up in shelters or with rescue groups because they've been abused or done something “wrong". In fact, most animals are given to shelters or rescue groups because of "people reasons," not because of anything they've done. Things like a divorce, moving, and financial constraints are among the most common reasons pets lose their homes. Most shelter residents are healthy, affectionate animals. Many have already lived with a human family and have the basic training, socialization, and cooperative skills they need to become part of your household. Most shelters give their animals vaccinations, spay and neuter, and give other medical care when necessary.

Another myth is that shelter dogs are all mutts. In fact, 25 percent of shelter dogs are purebreds.

-You Save Money:

It is much less expensive to adopt than it is to buy them from a pet store. As mentioned, most of the pets in shelters have already been spayed, neutered, and vaccinated at no cost to you. Some even chip the pets for you without you having to pay a penny. Shelter pets are a bargain! For a reasonable cost, you can adopt an animal that would cost several hundred dollars elsewhere. Buying a pet can easily cost over one thousand dollars, while adoption fees can be kept as low as two hundred dollars.

-You Won’t Be Supporting Puppy Mills and Pet Stores:

This is the biggest concern. When you buy a pet from a pet store you are actually giving money to puppy mills, the breeding facilities whose one focus is making money, without a care for how the animals are treated. These pets are kept in poor conditions and are not given proper medical care. As soon as a pet is no longer marketable, they are discarded: killed, abandoned, or sold at auction.

-After Buying a Pet Store Animal, You’re On Your Own:

Most pet stores don’t give out support if you have questions or concerns, or if you are having trouble with your new pet. On the other hand, when you adopt from a rescue group, you will always have support and advice when you need it. The rescue group will also help you through the familiarization period, because they are invested in providing a good home for that animal.

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/adopt/tips/top_reasons_adopt.html

http://www.apsofdurham.org/why-adopt-a-shelter-pet/

http://hhhstopeka.org/top_ten_reasons_to_adopt_from_hhhs0.aspx

http://bestfriends.org/Resources/Pet-Care/General-Pet-Care/Getting-Started/Why-Adopt-Rather-Than-Buy-/

Preparing for a New Pet

Bringing home a new pet is an exciting event. But it can also be very stressful. Here are some ways of preparing for the newest member of your family, before and after you bring them home.

Dog/Cat Proofing: Adjust Spacing

Preparing for a new pet involves a lot of planning ahead. One area that many people don’t think of is temporarily rearranging a room for your cat or dog to acclimate to their big new home. It is much easier on a new pet to gradually introduce them to more and more space. 

When you set up the pet-proof room, make sure you include a bed, bowls for food and water, and toys. For house-trained pets include a litterbox or something else to collect excrement. If he or she had a blanket or special toy from their shelter days, include it. It can help your pet feel more at home. Both dogs and cats need some time to properly adjust to their new homes. They may spent days in small, dark places like under the bed or the sofa. 

Food and Other Supplies

Make sure you know what they were fed at the shelter, and for pets using a litterbox, find out what kind of litter they used. If you want to change their food or litter, do it gradually. New pets especially have difficulty coping with sudden changes. 

Collar and ID Tag

Every pet should have a collar and a name tag, even indoor pets. It should contain your pet’s name and your phone number, and it should be on hand when you pick up your pet. Without a tag, the likelihood of being returned home after running away is much lower. Some pets have a small chip, embedded under their skin, that can be scanned and traced back to their owner.

Veterinarian

Before taking your pet home, contact a local animal hospital or veterinarian and schedule a few appointments within a few days of the adoption. Making a connection with a vet early on is the start of a good relationship, both for you and for your new pet.

Housebreaking

This is going to take a lot of patience and love. You should begin almost immediately after bringing him home. Puppies need to urinate approximately six times a day, and keeping up with him will take energy. There are many resources with tips or step-by-step instructions that could help you through the process.

Bonding

Finding time for your pets is time well spent. It gets them used to you and makes them feel more comfortable. Sometimes spending just ten minutes a day playing with your new pet is enough. Not to mention that snuggling with your dog or cat can actually lower stress and strengthen your immune system.

Introduction to Other Pets

It may take a lot of time for them to be friends, but it is essential for them to get along. It’s also important too make the process gradual. Give both pets space and time to adjust to each other. Do some looking into reputable sites such as the ASPCA site and WebMD. There are a lot of tips on those sites that could help you.

Patience is key. It may take a while for your pet to acclimate to their new environment, but eventually, everything will return to normal. And congratulations on your adoption!

https://www.petfinder.com/dogs/bringing-a-dog-home/tips-for-first-30-days-dog/

http://dogs.about.com/od/becomingadogowner/qt/What-To-Expect-After-Adopting-A-New-Dog.htm

https://www.petfinder.com/cats/bringing-a-cat-home/tips-for-first-30-days-cat/

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/housebreaking.htm

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/introducing-your-dog-new-dog

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What Not To Eat: For Dogs

Alcohol: Any alcohol, even a small amount, is dangerous. When dogs become intoxicated, coma and death may follow. So keep their noses out of wine and other spirits. Hops, also, are a threat to any dog who ingests them. Both fresh and cooked hops have been shown to poison dogs, who show extremely high fevers and sometimes organ failure.

Avocado: The leaves, fruit, and seeds may contain persin, which is toxic to dogs. The Guatemalan variety, which is usually the kind found in stores, are the most problematic, but other types have similar effects.

Bones: Even though it may seem benign, giving a dog a real bone can cause many problems. Chewing on bone can cause cracked or broken teeth, slivers of broken bone can cause damage to the mouth, and pieces of bone can, if swallowed, cause lacerations in the digestive system.

Chocolate/Caffeine: This is a big one. Either one of these, even in small amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Also, damage to the heart and nervous system could occur. Do not feed your dog chocolate of any kind or anything with caffeine in it such as soda, tea, or coffee.

Citrus: Insecticides, dips, shampoos, bug spray, and other household items with citrus fragrances are toxic. They can cause liver damage or failure, vomiting, excessive drooling, and even death. If you suspect your dog has ingested anything of citrus-scented or flavored, take him to the vet immediately.

Fish: Fish of any kind, be it raw, cooked, or canned, can result in a B4 vitamin deficiency. Symptoms include loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. So, no fish for fido.

Fruit Pits: Dogs of any size should not be allowed to eat the pits of fruits such as peaches or cherries.  Not only are they a choking hazard, but they could also become an obstruction in the digestive tract.

Onions:

These and other close members of the onion family, such as shallots, garlic, and scallions, contain compounds that damage dogs’ red blood cells if they eat any amount. The stronger it is, the more toxic it could be.

Raw Meat/Eggs: There is a high risk of salmonella in uncooked meat or raw eggs. Vomiting and diarrhea may also occur. Keep dogs away from any uncooked eggs or meat. 

Xylitol: This artificial sweetener, found in sugar-free candies like gum and mints, Xylitol causes hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), vomiting, weakness, and in some cases, liver failure. Keep your dog away from the tempting taste of candy, even in small quantities.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659&aid=1030

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/foods-are-hazardous-dogs

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/ss/slideshow-foods-your-dog-should-never-eat

What Not to Eat: For Cats

Chocolate: Toxic to both cats and dogs, the ingredients theobromine and caffeine can have a devastating effect on their entire bodies. Chocolate is one of the deadliest substances for cats to consume. Chocolate poisoning can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, and seizures. If you see any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet immediately. There are treatments for chocolate poisoning. Inducing vomiting is sometimes recommended to purge the system of the toxins.

Wild Mushrooms: While the small, store-bought mushrooms will have no effect, these fungi can sometimes contain neurotoxins which causes multiple dangerous symptoms including toxic shock, kidney problems, and even death. A more severe mushroom poisoning symptom is hallucinations. Any behavior that makes a cat seem “high”, such as excessive saliva and uneven walking, means that you need to get to the vet ASAP.

Grapes/Raisins: This is a relatively recent discovery. Although the studies were carried out with dogs, it is believes that cats would show the same symptoms, but since cats are picky eaters, they may not even go after grapes. Just keep an eye out if your cat actually does ingest grapes or raisin, and make sure, if you see symptoms, to consult your veterinarian.

Raw Eggs: In years past, cats and dogs would eat the eggs right out of the nest. However, times have changed. They haven’t had the same access to raw eggs, which means that raw eggs are no longer harmless. Not to mention that the shell, once fragmented, can hurt their mouths. Raw Eggs contain an enzyme, avidin, which can decrease the levels of several vitamins in cats’ bodies.  In addition, raw eggs can contain Salmonella.

Raw Fish: Raw fish, like raw eggs, have bacteria that can lead to food poisoning. Consuming uncooked fish could result in a B-vitamin deficiency, or thiamine. This can escalate into loss of appetite, seizures, and, in a worst-case scenario, death, especially when fed regularly. A lack of thiamine can cause serious neurological problems and lead to convulsions and coma. In addition, Tuna, raw or cooked, and either prepared for cats or humans, can be harmful, especially when there is a serving every day.

Milk: Despite the common misconception, milk is not good for cats. Like most mammals, after entering adulthood, cats become lactose intolerant. Also, milk is high in calories for cats, and can lead to obesity. Other side-effects are diarrhea, upset stomachs, cramps, and gas.

http://pets.thenest.com/mushrooms-poisonous-cats-9179.html

http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/digestive/c_ct_chocolate_toxicity

http://www.petplace.com/article/cats/dr-debras-faqs-and-posts/dr-debras-posts/are-grapes-and-raisins-bad-for-cats

http://pets.webmd.com/cats/ss/slideshow-foods-your-cat-should-never-eat

http://www.pawnation.com/2013/01/11/7-facts-about-cats-and-milk/8

How To Tell if Your Dog is Sick

Like human babies, dogs do not have to ability to say what he wants. Instead, dogs show us what they need by their behavior. Sometimes its hard to tell if your dog is ill. These are some of the red flags that may convey that your pet is sick.

Vomiting:

Dogs vomit on occasion, most often without being sick. It could be something they ate or if they eat too fast. However,  if the bouts of vomiting are several times a day, it’s time to visit the vet. Another symptom consists of blood in the vomit. This can indicate other, more serious problems such as ulcers in the stomach or an irritation caused by ingesting foreign bodies such as sharp pieces of bone, socks, and even children’s toys. 

Diarrhea:

While in the same category as vomiting, diarrhea can a symptom of many other conditions. For example, problems with their digestive system and parasites such as hookworms, roundworms, and giardia all have diarrhea as an indicator.

Lack of Appetite:

Vague symptoms like this are hard to pinpoint, but if they persist, bring your dog to the vet. Dogs will stop eating for many reasons, such as a fever, pain, or stress. It is recommended by veterinarians that if the loss of appetite continues for over 24 hours, they need to be brought to a vet.

Decreased Activity:

This is another vague symptom, but it is sometimes an alert that something isn’t right. Many things can cause lethargy, including but not limited to heart disease. When there is no obvious reason for the lull in activity, you may need to consult your veterinarian, especially if other symptoms such as weakness or loss of consciousness present themselves.

Changes in Bathroom Habits:

More frequent urination can mean liver or kidney disease or adrenal gland disease, but a decrease in urination could be signs of a urinary tract infection or bladder stones. Both problems are enough to warrant a visit to the vet.

Hair Loss:

Fleas, ticks, mange mites, and ear mites are common reasons for hair loss, but there are other problems besides those. It can be a result of endocrine problems, staph infection, fungal or yeast infections, and many more. Have your dog checked out at the vet if he shows this symptom.

http://www.k9instinct.com/blog/tips-for-feeding-your-sick-dog

http://pets.webmd.com/features/pet-symptoms-6-signs-illness-dog-cat

The Coolest Cats

Maine Coon

The state of Maine’s official cat, this beautiful breed has long hair and longer whiskers. They are believed to be one of the oldest breeds in North America, and are known for their valuable hunting skills. Their long fur helps them keep warm in the winter.

Kurilian Bobtail

Straight from the heart of Russia, this short and fluffy feline has a very short tail. This breed, with its gorgeous white and grey coat, originate in the Islands of Kuril, off Russia’s east border. They lived for years on those islands for decades before they were domesticated.

Toyger

This breed shares with tigers its beautiful black and orange stripes. This breed is the result of a cross between a Bengal and a shorthaired tabby. While they have no wild blood, they have beautiful orange, brown, and black stripes.

Turkish Van

These unique cats are known for their peculiar love of swimming, against the notion that all cats fear water. This breed originated in Lake Van, Western Armenia. Turkish Vans enjoy playing games and learn obedience and commands easily.

Manx

The Manx is a tailless breed, which is a distinguishing characteristic. Another is that this cat’s back legs are longer than its front legs, which means that it has a very unusual walk that a some people say resembles a bunny hop. These cats bond closely with one individual, but they don't deal with relocation very well.

Dragon Li

Owning a cat of this breed is the closest you can come to owning a tiger. Like the Toyger, they have some of the visual characteristics of a wild tiger. They don't need much attention, but are very active and have bouts of energy lasting between ten and fifteen minutes.

Munchkin

Perhaps the cutest of all cats, Munchkins are best known for their unique spine curve and short legs. Also, they are one of the smartest breeds, very outgoing and friendly. Despite their legs, they can jump up on kitchen counters while also are able to squeeze through small spaces.

Egyptian Mau

This spotted short-haired breed with its beautiful spotted fur has been around for more than 3,000 years, and has not been shown to change appearance in all that time. This breed is the same as those cats worshipped by the Ancient Egyptians.

Siamese

While they are the most talkative breed, with cries comparable to a human infants, siamese cats are one of the most popular breeds as well. These beauties originated in southeast Asia, from Siam in Thailand. Social cats, they usually bond closely with one individual. Even as adults, siamese cats are very active, and are described by some as more dog-like than cat-like.

Sphynx

Sometimes called “hairless” cats, the sphynx is a rare breed that does not have a coat. Completely hairless, the sphynx goes unprotected from the extreme temperatures.These cats are reported to be quite energetic, but also intelligent and affectionate. Their namesake, the Sphinx, is a creature with the body of a lion with the face of a woman. The Sphinx is a part of both Egyptian and Greek mythologies.

Abyssinian

The gorgeous ticked coat and large ears of Abyssinians are not these cats’ only lovely qualities. They are playful, intelligent, and very active. They are not the kind who sit on your lap while you read; rather, they are more interested in exploring. These felines originated somewhere around Ethiopia.

Scottish Fold

Scottish Folds, named such for their folded ears, have a longer than average lifespan. These cats have a dominant genetic mutation that causes the cartilage in their ears to fold in on themselves. They are cuddly, friendly felines who don’t mind having other pets in the house.

http://abcsofanimalworld.blogspot.com/2011/08/26-most-beautiful-and-prolific-cat.html

http://www.petinf.com/10-most-popular-cat-breeds-in-the-world/

http://www.demolistic.com/view/most-interesting-cat-breeds