living with pets Archives

4 Things Every Pet Owner Needs

February 5, 2020 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

When you have a pet, there is a very long list of things that you will need to look after your new best friend. While all pets have different requirements on the level of care and attention that they need, there are a few common essentials, whether you have a reptile or a canine companion. It is important to think about how much of a commitment a pet is before you bring one home with you. When you have thought it through and come to the wonderful realization that you can look after one, make sure you have these things sorted!

1. Insurance

It is incredibly important to have pet insurance in place before you bring your new friend home. Vet bills can be very expensive, emergency callouts, and operations even more so! Hopefully, your pet won’t get into any serious accidents or fall victim to any horrible illnesses; however, these things can happen, and it is best to be prepared for them just in case. Having pet insurance can be very helpful in softening the blow when it comes to paying your vet bills and makes sure that you can afford to keep your pet happy and healthy.

2. A Quality Vet

Just like having pet insurance is vital; a reliable, quality vet is something that every dog owner needs. No animal likes a visit to the vets, and therefore you must find one that can calm your dog down when it might be frightened. It is also worth noting what other services your vet can provide beyond medical care. For example, these vets near Marlton offer grooming and doggie day-care services, too. Having these services in one place can be very useful to you if you decide to become a dog owner.

3. A Microchip

Losing your beloved pet is a horrible thought, but the reality is that they might get out and go missing, or even be stolen. If the pet can wear a collar, it is always important to have an ID tag attached with your contact details so you can be reunited quickly. It is also a good idea to have your pet microchipped as well, especially if they cannot wear a collar, as any vet will be able to find your information quickly by scanning the pet, and it can prove that you are the legal owner if someone does try to steal them. You need to remember to keep your information updated if you move house or change your phone number.

4. Non-toxic Cleaning Products

This point is extremely important to anyone with pets. It doesn’t bear thinking about your pet becoming seriously ill or worse after ingesting toxic products that you have used. It is an important change you will need to make to keep your pet safe from a potential poisoning!

You should always research what things you will need before you get a new pet, and the list is very long! But these are just a few main considerations to get you started.

Is Now the Right Time to Add a Dog to Your Family?

August 8, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

If you are a dog lover, it may always feel like the right time to add a canine companion to your home. Adding a dog to your family can be a fantastic and fulfilling experience for everyone. It can be hard to find anyone who loves you unconditionally and gives you the same amount of affection that a dog does. However, dog ownership comes with a lot of responsibility. There are many families who jump into it, and the only one who suffers from the impulsive decision is the new fluffy member. So, before you go out there and take the plunge, have a look at this list of things you need to consider before making that big commitment.

How Much Time Do You Have?

Any pet requires a lot of your time and patience. If you are planning on adding a young dog to your family, you will need to make sure you put some time aside to ensure your new family member gets the exercise and the training he/she needs. You will also need to consider how many times a day you need to feed your dog. Puppies need to be fed more regularly than an adult dog. If your job is demanding, you travel, or there are other reasons you may not be at home, then you need to reconsider dog ownership.

Can Your Children Be Responsible?

If your children are under 6 years old and have never owned a dog, then you should wait until they are a bit older before adding a dog to your home. Children that are too young won’t understand the responsibility or how to handle the dog properly. Ultimately, the responsibility of any pet in your household falls under the care of the parent/adult. You should never get an animal and expect your child to take full responsibility. This leads to pet neglect and abandonment.

Can You Afford a Dog?

Dogs are expensive. As well as food and enrichment, you need to pay for yearly vaccinations, annual vet check-ups, flea, tick and worming medication, licensing, neutering and microchipping (to name a few). The bigger the dog, the bigger the bills. Browse Lucy Pet to get an idea of some of the dog products you will need for your new furry friend.

Where Will You Get Your Dog From?

There are two options; breeder or adoption. Do not purchase from a pet shop. These puppies come from cruel puppy farms and will usually become sick and die young. If you purchase one of these pups, you will be contributing to the cruelty and it will continue to stay in business. There are pros and cons to the two options you can consider. Make sure you think very hard before making the decision.

If you are still undecided, then there are options. The best thing you could do is foster a dog from a shelter. Not only do you help the dog, but it gives you a proper taste of dog ownership without messing up a life, and if you fall in love with the dog you’re fostering, you can adopt him/her for good.

Is Your Home Ready For Your New Pet?

February 14, 2017 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

So you think you want a new pet? Adopting a new pet can be a fun and exciting experience for both the owner and the pet. It is important to plan for your new arrival in order to reduce stress and have a smooth transition.

Is now the right time to own a new pet?

Adopting a new furry four-pawed friend can require a 10 to 20 year financial and time commitment. Are you committed to caring for your pet over the long term? Your pet will be with you for baby births, career changes or relocating from one home to another. Most importantly make sure to consider:

Time – it is vital to verify that your schedule permits being able to spend quality time with your new pet. If your work schedule is super demanding or you spend a significant time away from home, now is probably not the ideal time to take on a new pet.
Money – While it is not necessary to be a millionaire, it is recommended to have funds set aside to assist with purchasing, food, grooming services, pet insurance, pet supplies and veterinary care.
Children and Current Pets – It is essential to consider whether your kids, alongside inhabitant pets, can handle the addition of large feline or a small canine to your family.

Do your research

After you have confirmed that now is in fact the right time to adopt a new pet, it is time to do a little research. Make sure that animal you plan on inviting is a good match for your:

Lifestyle
Personality
Space requirements
Time (again make sure the time you have available is enough to satisfy the animal breed you intend on adopting)

Create a list of house rules

If you live with family members or a roommate, it would be wise to create a list of house rules. Doing so will keep everyone comfortable for the introduction and transition of bringing a new animal into the home. Decide on the following:

What areas of the house are off limits?
Is the pet allowed on furniture?
Where will the dog go to bathroom (when they can not go outside)?
Who is responsible for walking the dog?
Who is responsible for feeding the dog?
Who is responsible for washing out food or bowls?
Who is responsible for cleaning up after the dog?
Who is responsible for changing the kitty litter?
Who will be responsible for grooming?

Depending on the size of your family these tasks and chores may change but it important to have a list of house rules so there is absolutely no confusion about who does what. The list can evolve as you see fit.

Stock up on equipment and supplies

It is important to be prepared with all of the equipment and supplies needed to welcome your new pet. At the minimum purchase the following items to get started:

Safety gates (to block off rooms, stairwells, etc.)
Bedding
Bowls
Collar
Harness
Leash
Food
Food dispensing toys
Grooming equipment
Kitty litter
Poop bags
Pooper scooper
Puppy pads
Quilts
Snacks
Toys

Safe-proof your home

A new pet will most likely be curious about her new surroundings, the first few days she will be probably sniffing around as she acclimate to her new home. Be she arrives safe-proof your home by:

Make sure that other pet’s in the home have updated vaccinations so that illnesses are not passed amongst pet’s.
Prepare children for the new pet, teach them that a animal is not a toy and to handle with care.
Conceal electrical cords by taping them down, relocating them or remove altogether.
Elevate or discard household chemicals.
Install safety gates if necessary.
Place trash cans in cabinets, pantries, the garage or outside.
Put expensive and/or fragile objects in a safe place.
Put children’s toys and small items away.
Repair damage or gaps in fences and gates.

Find a veterinarian

If you do not already have a veterinarian for your new friend, it is very important that you establish who will give your pet both emergency and primary care. In order to find a veterinarian, ask friends and family members for referrals and do some research online to find a veterinarian that is knowledgeable about your breed. Compile a list of a veterinarians in your area and schedule a visit. At each location assess the following:

Is the office clean?
Observe how the staff handle and treat both the animals and pet owners.
Hours of operation

Ask the veterinarian:

Ask them do they like dogs? Or cats? (This is important!)
What is their treatment philosophy?
How emergency care and specialty care referrals are handled.
What surgical procedures are they able to perform?
How is anesthesia administered?
Do they accept pet insurance?
What are the payment options?
How do I access pet medical records?

Obedience training

If your new furry friend is a dog, it could be very useful to sign him (and yourself) up for dog training or obedience classes to help with housebreaking and manners. Learn how to get your dog’s attention and handle him in various social settings.

Preparing your home for a new pet is an important task that (thankfully!) can be broken down into smaller tasks for the entire family to help out with. Keep in mind that the more prepared you and your family are for your new pet the smoother the transition will be.

Living with kids and cats – tips by Dr. Jessica Vogelsang

October 6, 2013 by dadofdivas 1 Comment

Dr. Jessica Vogelsang, DVM, better known as Dr. V, is a proud and accomplished veterinarian, working parent and author of PawCurious (www.PawCurious.com). One of her leading passions is pets and their place in the family, especially pets and parents battling litter box issues – the leading reason people give up their cats. And now, Dr. V is partnering with Swheat Scoop® to give my readers tips on how to better live in harmony with your cat.

Dr. V’s Litter Box Tips for Families:

Keep your cat happy and properly using the box by keeping it nice and tidy. Think of the box as your cat’s outhouse experience: No one likes a gross, stinky outhouse! Scoop once a day and clean the box entirely once a week.
If you have multiple cats, use the N +1 rule to determine the ideal number of boxes in your house. A two cat household should have three boxes. This reduces competition and inappropriate elimination (going outside the box, in your shoe, etc.).
Stick to unscented or lightly scented litters such as Swheat Scoop. This litter does not use harsh chemicals, and since it’s made from wheat, it’s all-natural.
Cats are very individual and each cat has different preferences for litter box types. Some like covered, others like uncovered. Setting two up side-by-side can help you determine your cat’s preference.
Involve the kids! As soon as your toddler is old enough to show interest in the cat, teach him or her how to interact – like with gentle pets on the chest. Teach them from the get-go to avoid pulling tails and that “when kitty walks away, that means he needs a break,” will help ensure a lifelong positive relationship. As the kids get older, you can involve them in daily feeding, grooming and litter box scooping. All of these activities should be monitored, especially in the beginning.
If you are expecting, there’s no need to get rid of your cat! Talk to your veterinarian and your OB/GYN about what you can do to stay healthy and consider investing in an automatic litter box.

For more tips or details on Swheat Scoop’s family of natural, eco-friendly cat litter, visit www.SwheatScoop.com.

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