When it comes to switching pet foods, gradual, proportionate change over time is fine for cats but dogs are different. Most dogs will happily gobble down anything, new food, old food, ancient food or anything that winds up in their bowl. This appetite doesn’t mean that the sudden diet change is not a shock to the dog’s system. Indigestion, diarrhea and worse can result from abrupt changes in his diet. If your veterinarian has advised you to change your dog’s food, do it gradually.  He might recommend a ratio of feeding  50/50 old and new food at first.  Then 1/3 old and 2/3 new food for awhile.  This method will probably agree with your dogs digestive system.

Remember, your pets count!

It sometimes could be difficult to determine whether or not your cat has a sensitive stomach. The first thing that you should do is to look at is his litter box. Is it more messy than usual? Does he have diarrhea? Is he vomiting? Did you recently change his diet? I would then get him checked out by a vet to rule out any serious health issues. If it’s determined that your cat has a dietary intolerance, then your vet will recommend a food that’s highly digestible. Your veterinarian might recommend a low-residue food.This which works by providing a special blend of fiber, protein and fat sources.

Make sure that you pay attention to your cats entire digestive system, not just his stomach. This includes intestines, mouth, esophagus, gums and teeth. Tooth decay, bad breath and gum disease could also contribute to this problem. Your vet will recommend that you take care of your cats teeth by brushing them regularly.

When you do find a diet that your cat will tolerate, make sure that you stick to it.

Remember, your pets count!

Sometimes an older person becomes lonely and depressed. Studies show that having a pet to share their time with can alleviate anxiety and sometimes even loneliness. When selecting a dog for an elderly person, you should consider the size and the temperament.

Typically, it’s a better idea to select a small dog. You should also choose a dog the enjoys being petted and cared for. Dogs that require lots of exercise or are rambunctious are not good choices. A couple of dogs that do well with an elderly person are Pugs because they enjoy lots of love and adoration. They will also return this love in large quantities. Pubs like to play but they also enjoy sitting on their owners lap. The Schnauzer is also another good choice. They make wonderful pets for seniors. They’re always eager to please and keep their family safe. They require regular grooming and exercise. They thrive on human interaction, love and companionship.

Remember, your pets count!

I will be packing up today to head down to Delaware for a few days. I always take my cats with me. As soon as I start going through the closet gathering some of the clothes, my cats are probably thinking “Oh no, here we go again, another long car trip cramped up in a box.”  As soon as I make the final preparations like taking the suitcase to the car, they suddenly disappear. They go to their favorite hiding place thinking that their owner will never miss them and head of on that long trip without them. My younger cat, Millie always tries to find a new hiding spot. There was one time, I left my suitcase open just a little and when I went to zip it up, I noticed that my clothes were beginning to move. Millie had managed to get down in between my shirts and underwear to try out a new hiding place.

Our pets always surprise us. Cats are very intuitive creatures. They can always sense a change of routine. We’ll see if I can out smart them this time!

Remember, your pets count!

Many times, the character of the Bull dog is misunderstood. Many say that they are stubborn and lazy, but bulldogs have many wonderful qualities. The bulldog’s special talent in life is companionship. Their owner is their life and bulldogs are totally forgiving and loving animals. Bulldogs will do many funny things to make you laugh and they are great with children and the elderly.

Bulldogs can be very sensitive to your moods and will know when you’re happy. They also can be still and compassionate when you are sad or grieving. These dogs look so tough but they aren’t tough at all but they are also brave and will guard and defend their owner if they think that he or she is being threatened.  Bulldogs also defend children and will often bark when a child is being scolded by his parents. Even when bulldogs appear to be resting or asleep, they will still notice every single movement.

So if you’re thinking of adopting a bull dog, these are some good reasons to do so.

Remember, your pets count!

MELO

This is a direct quotation from yesterdays newspaper.

Corine Adams watched helplessly last month as a pit bull darted through traffic, lunged at her daughter’s dog and locked its jaws around the 5 pound bichon frise’s throat as the family walked home from a Teaneck park. Police rushed the dog, Melo to a nearby veterinary hospital where he died. The owner expected the township to impound the pit bull, but the Bergen County Animal Shelter – which serves as animal control for Teaneck and 36 other Bergen towns – didn’t schedule a hearing until nearly a month later. Nancy Mangieri, director of the Bergen County Department of Health Services stated that they have no legal right to impound an animal to animal attack, unless it meets some criteria to do so. (This poor dog is dead, what more criteria does she need!)

This is a very disturbing story about how the law can work against you. The owner of the pit bull should have been charged and the dog should have been impounded immediately.

One time a pit bull was off a leash in a park in Hoboken, NJ where I was walking my Chiwhawha, the dog charged at me and grabbed my dog by the neck. I was able to pull him free. I ran after the man and then went to the police who did nothing!  I had to take my dog to the vet for a couple of stitches. I was lucky, but there are so many inconsiderate people out there who should not own an animal and the law does nothing when situations like this occur. Protect your pet. As soon as you see a dog that is loose and not being watched. Grab your pet, pick him up and get away!

Remember, your pets count!

When you purchase a purebred dog or a puppy said to be AKC (American Kennel Club)  registrable , you should obtain an individual dog registration form from the seller. Complete the registration form and return it to the AKC with the proper fee. You can also register online. Once you’re registered, you may take advantage of the AKC  healthcare plan. They have  an introductory offer wherethe first 60 days of pet health care insurance is of no cost to you.

According Kennel Club, here is the information necessary for registration.

Filling out the Application

The Dog Registration Application must be filled out jointly by the litter owner(s) and the new owner(s) of the dog. The application is color-coded for the convenience of both parties. The litter owner(s) must fill out the most of the application, including the following information:

• Sex of dog
• Color and markings of dog
• Registration type (Full or Limited)
• Transfer date
• Name and address of all new owners and co-owners
• Signatures of all litter owners

The new owner(s) of the dog must fill out the following:

• Name of dog
• Signatures of all owners and co-owners
• Payment information
• Registration Options (For purchasing pedigrees and DVDs)

Processing fees are nonrefundable, and all fees are subject to change without notice.

Remember,your pets count!

Is it possible for someone who has never been allergic to cats before to suddenly become allergic?  The answer is yes. Sensitivity to cats or dogs and increase or decrease during our lifetime. Just as one can outgrow sensitivity to pollen or penicillin, we can also outgrow our sensitivity to a cat or dog. Our immune systems change with changes in the environment.

It is quite possible that you have a gene which makes your sensitivity to cat saliva fluctuate  during periods of say, stress, or hyperactivity. It is possible you’re on a medication, the side effects of which include cat sensitivity. In general, many conditions can increase or decrease our sensitivity to our pets. I’m sensitive to my older cat,Mollie while I have no reaction at all to my younger cat Millie. When I pet Mollie and touch my eyes, I begin sneezing and my eyes because itchy and teary. When I pet Millie and touch my eyes, nothing at all happens. It could be the kind of skin or the amount of dander produced by Mollie. So, there are many conditions that can trigger an allergic reaction. You can own a pet if you have allergies, just see your doctor for the proper medication.

Remember, your pets count!

Your pets immune system is working 24/7 to ward off viruses, bacteria and other foreign invaders that could make your pet sick. When any of these disease causing agents try to invade, a cellular fighting force is deployed to destroy them. Your pet cat or dog need a vigorous immune system to survive. What they eat plays an important role in maintaining a healthy immune system. That’s why your pets diets needs to be balanced in terms as major nutrients such as proteins and fats. Vitamins Zinc, Selenium, and vitamin E are also very important.Too much of one element could be just as damaging to the immune system as too little. As your veterinarian for a recommendation.

Remember, your pets count!

Brushing your cat removes dead hair so it winds up on the brush rather than on your furniture. Brushing is also necessary for keeping your cat healthy. It helps to limit hairballs which can cause your cat discomfort, it also helps generate the natural oils in your cats skin. My cat Mollie loves to be brushed. In fact she insists on it everyday so I don’t have a problem getting her to remain still. Lots of cats will squirm or run away.

Here are some brushing tips to help make your job a bit easier.

• Brush your cat when he is relaxed perhaps when he’s ready to fall asleep. Start by gently stroking your cat, then brush him using long gentle strokes.
• The best way to remove dead hair is to brush against the direction of the hair growth then go in the direction of the hair growth.
• Clean all of the excess hair off the brush.
• After brushing, wipe your cats fur with a soft cloth .The cloth will remove the dead hair and make the coat shiny.  ( If you have a cat with a short coat like a Siamese, this is all you need to do)
• If you have multiple cats, make sure that you clean the brush after each use. If one cat has a skin infection, the brush can transmit it to the other cat.

Remember, your pets count!