However, it’s also not the easiest at times. Sometimes, it’s tough to complete even simple tasks, like feeding time, in a clean and efficient manner. Or, it’s hard to find the money to pay for more costly things like vet bills.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of 4 items that make being a pet owner substantially easier. Read on to see which ones you can take advantage of today.
When your dog is behaving feeding time can be great; but, when they’re not it can be a downright chore. That’s not to mention also having to deal with proper portion control. So why not eliminate the not-so-great feeding time experiences by automating the process?
The PortionPro Rx is an automated pet feeder for both cats and dogs that takes the hard work out of feeding your beloved pet. It prevents food stealing with built-in RFID technology, along with a range of other nifty features such as the ability to control portions and several safety features to ensure no harm comes to your pet. The PortonPro Rx is so effective that it’s recommended by top veterinarian leaders like Ernie Ward and Robin Downing. If you’re tired of mealtimes being a chore, this item is one you should put on your to-buy list, stat!
While we’re on the topic of feeding time, this list wouldn't be complete without mentioning one of the handiest food-related items, a dog feeding mat. Why? Well, as you’re well aware, pets can be quite messy when they’re eating, what with all of the crumbs and slobber. But with a durable feeding mat in place, any messes are exponentially easier to deal with.
All you have to do is place their bowl (or their PortionPro Rx!) on the mat and voila - you’ve made your job as a pet owner instantly simpler. The feeding mat will catch all manner of messes, and protect your carpet or floor from any damage. Look for waterproof mats, and be sure to purchase one that offers enough space to fit your pet’s food bowl or feeder and then some.
We all know the stress of trying to find a pet with a mind of their own. We might turn our head for a second, and they’ve already jetted off to the next block! This is precisely the reason why a collar with a GPS tracking sensor is a seriously good investment.
Not only can they substantially reduce the worry of trying to find your pet after they’ve run off. They also save your time as well. GPS tracker collars have become trendy in recent years, so there are now many options to choose from. Either shop online or head to your local pet shop to see what’s on offered. You may be surprised by just how many options are available, with many assortments of colors, features, and price ranges to choose from.
While this isn’t an item per se, pet insurance is one purchase that is sure to make your life easier. After all, when our pet is sick or injured, who wants to be thinking about all of the associated costs? If you’ve ever had to take your pet on an emergency visit to the vet, you’ll know it’s anything but cheap. Moreover, it can be an incredibly emotional time filled with worry and stress.
That’s why it’s far easier to pay for monthly pet insurance than to deal with paying an astronomically expensive bill for every visit to the vet. This is especially true of major operations, which can rack thousands of dollars in vet bills. While this tip will require you to “spend some money to save some money,” it’s well worth looking into - particularly if your pet has a health condition or is on their later years of life.
About the Author
Rebecca Desfosse is a frequent contributor to Pet Life Today. She’s a freelance writer who has been writing about pets and pet care topics since 2011. She has contributed to publications such as PetMD, Petcentric, Care.com and more. Rebecca, her husband and two boys live at the beautiful Jersey Shore. They are the pet parents and best pals to two Shiba Inu dogs and two rambunctious cats. She is passionate about sharing creative and unique ways pet parents can enrich the lives of their pets.
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Roundworms are a common parasite in dog and cats. Puppies and kittens get roundworms from their mother in utero through the placenta or through nursing. It important to deworm your puppy/kitten every 2 weeks from 6 weeks until 16 weeks and then every 4 weeks until 24 weeks of age. Furthermore, adult cats and dogs should have a stool sample every 6 months and be dewormed if they test positive for intestinal parasites. Commonly roundworms cause vomiting and diarrhea, but in some cases can also lead to serious illness. Roundworms can also infect people as well and in fact 14% of people in the U. S. have tested positive for the parasite. Infected pets can shed the microscopic eggs in the stool and infect the environment. Kids may swallow the eggs when they put dirty fingers in their mouths. When the worms hatch inside people, they can cause blindness and other tissue damage. Ask your veterinarian about doing fecal tests and deworming for intestinal parasites.
Millions of cats and dogs live on the street and end up euthanized because of unwanted litters. Despite this people are still reluctant to spay or neuter their cats and dogs. The fact is, it’s a healthy choice for the animal. It lowers the risk of breast cancer and infected uterus in females and testicular cancer and prostate disease in males. Neutered males also are less likely to run away from home, mark their territory, or act aggressive. Take the advice of Bob Barker, and please talk to your veterinarian about the decision to neuter or spay your pet.
The issue is that most cats and dogs will over eat and take in more calories than they need which can cause obesity, diabetes, arthritis, the need for chronic pain meds, liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, urinary disease, and increased risk of complications under anesthesia. In addition to the obvious negative effects to the health of their pets, free feeding wastes money…a lot of money. Quality pet food is expensive! It is easy to calculate that free feeding wastes thousands of dollars and all you get for that money is a less healthy pet whose life expectancy is shortened by up to 2.5 years.
Ok, let’s specifically talk cats for a minute. Cats should ideally eat at least 6 controlled calorie meals a day and while one option to allowing small frequent meals is free choice feeding, very few cats can eat free choice and maintain a healthy weight. The fact is if your female cat is over 7-10 lbs. and your male cat is over 9-12 lbs. they are overweight and at risk! Cats struggle when offered food all day because they will frequently eat when they are bored even if they are not hungry. It is important to know that following feeding guidelines on the bag/can of food is for the average pet and every pet has their own metabolic rate and should be fed on an individual basis. Therefore, it is important to consult your veterinarian and ask them how many calories your pet needs per day to be a healthy weight.
A puppy or kitten’s metabolic rate is decreased 24-35% after they have been spayed/neutered and therefore it is important to start portion control as soon as the growth rate starts to slow down. Take the time to consult your veterinarian on how much to feed your kitten/puppy to have them gain weight at a healthy rate. Healthy weight gain in kittens/puppies is important because it is much easier to prevent obesity than reverse it, especially in cats. Let’s develop healthy eating/ feeding habits early because those pudgy youngsters are more prone to become at risk and overweight/obese as an adult.
Telling the pet parent that their beloved pet is overweight/obese is a difficult discussion for the veterinarian to have with their clients and they don’t take that conversation lightly. Many pet parents can take offense and think that they are being bad pet owners; or, they simply do not believe that their pet is overweight. If I could tell you how many times I have heard “he’s big boned or that’s mostly hair or I like her chubby, she is sooo cute don’t you think?” Trust me, your veterinarians key motivation is your pets’ health. No judgement is involved and if your veterinarian says your pet is overweight, believe them and work with them to help your pet find a healthy weight. To your veterinarian who is aware of the serious risks your pet faces, there is nothing cute about your fat pet. There are many medical conditions that are associated with obesity: diabetes, arthritis, decreased quality of life, decreased life expectancy up to 2.5 years, kidney disease, urinary disease, heart disease, increased risk under anesthesia, and more. What is it worth to have your beloved pet up to 2.5 years longer?
]]>Some of the signs that your pet cat may be in pain include (but are not limited to): moving around less, decreased appetite, reluctant to jump, weight loss, poor grooming, and urinating or defecating outside the litter box. If you see any of these signs please contact your veterinarian for a comprehensive exam.
Osteoarthritis can affect both dogs and cats. It is common in large breed dogs and is easily noticed because usually the dog is limping, has trouble with stairs, lags behind on walks, or has trouble rising or sitting. Cats get osteoarthritis as well, but it can be difficult for the pet parent to pick up on the subtle signs. Osteoarthritis usually effects the joints including: elbows, hips, knees, and shoulders. Cats may also develop arthritis in their back. The most common sign in cats with arthritis is reluctant to jump on their cat condos, the bed, or countertops.
Treatment for osteoarthritis is challenging in cats versus dogs because cats have difficulty processing most pain medications. The most common medication in the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs is an anti-inflammatory prescription, which can cause certain medical conditions in cats.
So if my cat has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis what are my options?
Ultimately, the best course of action if you are unsure about anything related to the health and well being of your pets please call/visit your veterinarian for their professional opinion.
]]>The first step in resolving a house-soiling problem is to schedule an appointment as soon as you notice a problem because the longer the problem goes unaddressed the less likely it can be resolved. The two main reasons for house-soiling are typically founded in behavioral or medical conditions. Many of these cats, when they are evaluated by a veterinary behaviorist, are often diagnosed with medical problems as well. A medical workup may reveal bladder stones, arthritis, bladder infection, bladder inflammation, or intestinal parasites. Some cats can develop life-threatening urinary obstructions, mostly in male cats because their owners believe that their cat is acting out by not using the litter box.
First, know that it is important to understand the difference between marking/spraying and urinating. Marking or spraying cats tend to stand upright and back up next to a wall or piece of furniture and eliminate a small amount of urine on vertical surfaces. When cats actually urinate, they squat and urinate large amounts of urine on horizontal surfaces.
Marking can be further divided into two categories: sexual, which is seen in unneutered cats, and reactionary, which is seen in neutered cats. Cats should be neutered or spayed at 6 months of age to help prevent sexual marking as well as other medical conditions. Reactionary marking can be caused by a plethora environmental factors from new pets or people in the house, new furniture, backpacks with outside scents, and electronic equipment that can change the temperature; such as a toaster or stereo.
Marking by an exterior door or window may be caused by another cat outside versus marking in the interior of the house which is caused by a stressor within the house. Marking can also be caused by medical conditions like a bladder stone or stress, therefore, it is very important to take your cat to your veterinarian to rule out potentially life-threatening medical conditions.
It is important to stay positive and patient and not to physically or verbally punish the cat after a house soiling incident this only will increase stress and may cause the cat house soil-more.
Cats tend to house-soil the same areas over and over. Over time the urine odor will dissipate so the cat will continue to mark the area to keep the odor consistent. Therefore, it is extremely important to thoroughly clean the area with commercial natural enzyme-based cleaners that naturally degrade the urine odor. Do not clean the area with household chemical cleaners because they may decrease the effectiveness of the enzyme-based cleaners. Also, avoid ammonia-based cleaners because they smell like urine.
Pheromone treatment may work in up to 90% of cases to reduce or stop the urine marking.
As a last resort, some of these cats may need medications to help reduce or stop the urine marking. Ask your veterinarian about medication or for a treatment plan.
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