8 Top Tips For Keeping Pets Happy and Healthy

It may seem obvious that the way to your pet’s heart is to provide them with plenty of food, exercise and cuddles. But just like us, pets have basic needs too. Part of the responsibility of owning a pet is to ensure they lead a happy and healthy life. So as part of NOAH’s “I Heart My Pet” campaign, here are some useful tips to brighten up your pet’s day and help them lead a happy and healthy life.

1. Think carefully before getting a pet and learn about their special requirements
Falling in love with a pet is easy but they do require a huge amount of your time, money and commitment. Owning a pet is a very rewarding experience, so before you jump right in, think carefully about whether you actually have time for one. Can you afford a pet? How will they be cared for when you go away on holiday? There are all sorts of questions to think about when deciding what would be your perfect pet.

2. Ensure your pet is sociable and well trained
A well-trained pet is a happy pet. If your pet is well behaved, they can take part in family activities and they will be welcomed to more places. Make learning fun, keep sessions short and reward them for their excellent behaviour when they do something well.

3. Provide a nutritious and well-balanced diet
Make sure you provide them with a nutritious diet that covers all their requirements. But just like us, our pets have to limit the treats they have, and we need to make sure their weight doesn’t creep up. If you have any concerns, your vet will be able to advise you on the most suitable food for your pet, and will be able to talk to you about how to keep your pet’s weight in check.

4. Give your pet plenty of exercise
Giving your pet enough exercise doesn’t mean you have to be an athlete yourself. Try to take your dog out for a walk at least once a day and play games together to prevent them from becoming bored – their minds need exercise and stimulation too! And it’s not just dogs that need exercise for mind and body – think of ways to play with your cat or rabbit too – particularly important if they are ‘house pets’. A pet that has restricted opportunities to exercise is likely to suffer from serious conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.

5. Protect your pet from dangerous diseases
Vaccinations are essential for protecting your pet from a variety of serious (sometimes fatal) illnesses. Whether you have a cat, dog or rabbit, it is vital to vaccinate all pets against these illnesses and to maintain their immunity by giving regular boosters.

6. Groom your pet regularly
Regularly brushing your pet’s fur coat gives you the opportunity to check for lumps, bumps, parasites and scratches that may need attention. Grooming also allows you to remove dead hair and distributes hair oils to help keep your pet’s fur coat and skin healthy, all whilst improving the bond between you and your pet!

7. Control your pet and ensure they are easily identifiable
Over 900 pets a day go missing in the UK. With it already a legal requirement in Wales and Northern Ireland, as of April 2016, it will also be a legal requirement in England and Scotland to ensure your dog is microchipped, so be sure to make certain your pet is chipped and that dogs are wearing an ID tag on their collar when out for walks.

8. Take out pet insurance for dogs, cats, rabbits and horses to cover against unexpected veterinary fees and third party liability

Source by: http://www.pethealthinfo.org.uk/8-top-tips-for-keeping-pets-happy-and-healthy

Collar Safety Awareness Starts with You

By Tenney Mudge, Inventor of the KeepSafe Collar

Putting a collar on your dog may seem like a normal safety precaution. You put on up-to-date ID tags and clip on your leash for walking. Many devoted dog owners are unaware of the risks of collar strangulation accidents until it's too late. Collar Safety Awareness Week starts next week, so it's important to be aware of hazards to prevent a horrific and haunting accident from collar strangulation.

The most frequent and the most fatal collar accidents happen during common playtime when a dog’s jaw or tooth becomes caught or snagged under a playmate’s collar, even if just for a few seconds. When caught, the dogs’ instinct is to pull, twist, and panic, and one or both dogs’ lives are in immediate danger.

Multi-Dog Households Are Most At Risk

Homes with multiple dogs who are highly active are at increased risk. Multiple dog Mom, Karin Schoultz, is thankful she is proactive about dog collar safety. Karin was filming her 2 dogs playing and unexpectedly captured the release of the KeepSafe Collar when that neck biting play behavior became too dangerous.

When her beloved dogs are loving life and playing hard, Karin knows they are protected from collar strangulation by their KeepSafe Collars.

More Tales of Safe Dogs from Their Happy Owners

Dog owners from across the country share their happy ending testimonials of the KeepSafe Collars protecting their dogs in the backyard, in the home, or wherever accidents may occur. Collars also can and do become snagged on fences, crates, kennels, deck boards, furniture, cabinet and door knobs, vegetation, floor vents, and many other objects.

Our vet told us about your breakaway collars after our dogs became entangled and nearly died choking each other.  I have felt more secure from the moment they arrived.  The play continues at full-speed but the KeepSafe Collars work like a charm and keep them safe.  Thank you! - C.D., Massachusetts
We bought these collars for our dogs a few weeks ago. Yesterday one of the dogs got her collar caught on a cabinet knob while we were in another room. The collar separated and freed her. I hate to think how that might have turned out without the KeepSafe collar. - Andrew
We purchased these collars after a near miss when one of our dog's jaws got tangled with the other dog's collar. We cut them apart; they both collapsed, but survived. Thank you for this product. I wish we could convince all our dog-owner friends to use these before they have to experience the terror themselves. - Jennifer
I have 2 puppies and they like to get a little rough playing at times. 1 was 9 months and 1 was 7 months old when they were playing in the yard. I heard the most awful screeching and noise that sounded like they were hurt, so I ran out there and found that the younger dogs had got her teeth under the collar of the other dog. The collar was in her mouth while still on the other dog, and they were rolling around trying to get unstuck. I was able to unclasp the collar and they were fine. I saw this product and it looked like a great solution. I took them for a walk with them and they work great. Just this morning I found the older dogs collar on the floor. - Dave (original review edited for spelling)

I lost a dog due to choking, plays with another dog and they got tangled. I will never put anything but this collar on my dog, because I love them as much as they love me. As an owner I am responsible for their care and well being. You are too. Buy this collar and save a dog. The extra bonus is they last forever - replacing an 8 year old one today. - Randy
I found my dog’s KeepSafe Collar released and hooked inside his crate.  I am still thankful for the day I understood that the KeepSafe Collars could save my dog’s life.  That day is a reality.  These collars are the best thing going. - K. H., Maryland
I came home to find my dog’s KeepSafe Collar released near the fence where she had had been digging and playing.  I don’t want to know what would have happened if she was wearing any other collar.  Luckily I don’t have to worry about it – she will always be wearing her KeepSafe Collar - C.C., North Carolina
The KeepSafe Collar has been a lifesaver for our rescue dog.  She likes to be helpful and is curious about the dishwasher when it is open.   With her head in the dishwasher the rack slid under her collar.  When she pulled back her KeepSafe Collar released saving both our precious dog and the dishes. - J.M., Ohio
Some relatives were visiting and the dogs were all in the yard playing. There was a lot of high energy neck biting going on. When the visiting dog got extra rough the KeepSafe collar snapped open and released my dog just like it was supposed to. My dog was able to escape without injury. I am so glad I made the switch. Thanks for a great product. - .J.M., Texas
KeepSafe Break-Away Collar Keeps Dogs Safe

The KeepSafe Collar with its patented break-away buckle is designed to be your dog’s everyday safety collar.  If you are home or away, whether dogs are supervised or unsupervised, the KeepSafe Collar is the best collar to prevent accidents.

things to hear is when a grieving dog owner says “If I had only known this could happen.”

Owners who would do anything in the world to protect their dogs wish they had been aware that their dog’s stanfdard collar could strangle their dog in an unexpected, tragic instant.

Collar strangulation accident prevention starts with you. Share this info with every dog owner you know who cares about trhe safety and well-being of their dogs.

Source by: http://www.petsafe.net/learn/collar-safety-awareness-starts-with-you

Safety Indoors and Out with Pet Doors & Wireless Containment

My kids were eating FunDip yesterday and we had a teachable moment. Remember FunDip? The stuff with the candy stick you dipped in the powdery and vaguely fruit-flavored stuff? My daughter, Gloria, ate the whole candy stick before the powdery stuff was all gone. She was sad, because she now had a bunch of vaguely grape-flavored powdery stuff and nothing to eat it with.

The teachable moment for both of us was this: sometimes having both parts of something gets you waaay more than you'd expect from just adding them together individually. Things work better together. This is what's known as an 'emergent property' - put both parts together and boom you're onto something big.

This same thing can happen when you take two parts of a pet access and containment system - a pet door and a wireless or in-ground fence - and use them together. Suddenly, you've got more than you expected and the world is a better place, and full of benefits for you and your pets. It might even be vaguely grape-flavored.

To explore this a little further, let's look at each piece of the pair individually, and then we'll see how they work together.

How Do Pet Doors Work?

A pet door is the easy and safe way to free yourself from having to let your pet outside all the time because it does the work for you. With a pet door, your pet can go outside when nature calls, or whenever the desire to smell the fresh air strikes them. Imagine never having to put down your Sunday paper to let the cat or dog outside again! Pet doors are inexpensive and can be easily installed in various types of doors (from hollow-core, to solid wood - even sliding glass doors!). It's like having a live-in butler without the added expense and hassle (and remember - in most murder mysteries, the butler did it, so there's that).

It's not only the outdoors that can be tamed with the help of a pet door. They work indoors, too, and can help give your pet access to only the parts of the house that you OK. Don't want a cat in your bedroom, but want them to use the laundry room litter box? A pet door is your answer.

My very own pet door allows my indoor cats, Crispy and Cupid, to head down the basement stairs to the area where the litter box lives. Before I put it in, I either had to leave the door open all the time (which was a hazard with toddlers in the house) or hope I was around when one of my 2 cats had to use the facilities. Needless to say, I installed it pretty soon after we moved in, it only took me about 25 minutes to get it done, and it was far less than a butler costs. Jeeves, you're fired!

If you want to make sure that only your pet can get through the pet door from outside and that nasty old tomcat that lives three doors down can't come in and kibble up your cats bits, there are even pet doors available that can only be opened if your pet has the magnetic key on its collar. It's like giving your pet (and only your pet) a key to the house.

Really, a pet door is freedom. Freedom for you and for your pet. Worried that a thunderstorm will brew up while you're at the farmer's market and your dog will be stuck outside while you're gone? A pet door gives you the freedom to go out for a while and ensure that your pet can safely come in from the elements. Work long hours and would rather Aunt Percy's perfect Persian rug be free of pee (or worse)? A pet door means your pet can use the yard instead of your family heirlooms for a bathroom.

How Do Wireless Fences Work?

If pet doors are freedom, then a wireless containment system is peace of mind. Too much freedom can be a bad thing, as any parent of a teenager can tell you. A wireless system gives you the peace of mind in knowing your pet is safely contained to the yard, without the drawbacks of a physical fence. Some places can't be fenced off, and some cities put limits on fences that may mean you can't have the kind of fence your pet needs to stay safe and at home

With a wireless containment system, there's no visible fence, just a defined area of security that your dog or cat learns to respect in a very short time. The in-ground wire transmits a signal to the training collar, which then emits a tone that gets your pet's attention. If they continue on outside the zone you've set, they receive a static correction - it doesn't hurt, but it gets his attention and teaches the limits of the boundary.

The safety of a wireless system complements the freedom of a pet door perfectly.

How Do You Use a Pet Door and a Pet Fence?

Putting it all together: Here's where the emergent properties emerge. When you combine the convenience and ease of a pet door with the safety and peace of mind of a wireless system, you've just opened up a new world of exploration and freedom for both you and your pets. No longer are they dependent on you to let them out, or limited to a life indoors. And no longer do you have to be there to open the door, or worry that they'll stray off the property. They can come and go as they please, and you can set the limits on when they do it and how far they go.

With a pet door and a wireless system working together, you and your pet move seamlessly through life. Either one alone is helpful, and both have made life easier for pet owners everywhere, but put them together and you'll have more time to enjoy life with your pet. You'll be glad you did.

source by:http://www.petsafe.net/learn/safety-indoors-and-out-with-pet-doors-wireless-containment

How to Use an Indoor/Outdoor Potty for Toilet Training

When people call me about training their new puppy, potty training is always at the top of the list. There are options - you can choose to train your puppy indoors, outdoors, or a combination of both. Regardless of your choice, the method to train him is the same, and your involvement is crucial, especially at the beginning.

*Take him where you want him to go when he has to go.

*When he goes in the right place, reward him          with praise and a treat.

*Watch him like a hawk or confine him at all          other times.

There are several products to choose from regarding potty training your puppy indoors, one of which is a puppy potty. There are 3 main types of puppy potties.

*Ones that have synthetic grass on top of a grate   with the urine draining into a containment area     underneath

*Ones that use litter

*Ones that use sod or grass
 
Puppy potties with synthetic grass are a great option for house training.

Reasons to Use a Puppy Potty for House Training

*It feels like real grass to your puppy's feet, which is important if you want to transition him to pottying outside because he develops a preference for a grassy surface and because the surface feels different than wood, carpet, tile, etc.
*If you spend time away from home (go to work every day) so you can't take your puppy out whenever he needs to go, he has a place to go indoors.
*You don't have to get up in the middle of the night to take him outside, which is especially helpful during inclement weather or if you live in a high-rise.
*It makes you feel better because he goes in one place. Your puppy has a specifically delineated toilet area inside your house rather than eliminating throughout your house.
*Many companies offer sprays to help attract your puppy to the potty, products to congeal the urine, deodorizing sprays, or replacement grass. These products not only help your puppy in the training but also help you in cleaning.

Reasons to Use a Puppy Potty Long-Term

*It's portable so you can easily move it from one area of your home to the other - for example, you can move it from your home office or kitchen to your TV area to your bedroom.

*Your pup may have been injured and can't walk long distances.

*It's good for smaller dogs who have a faster metabolism and tend to eliminate more frequently.

*It's an excellent choice if you live in a high-rise, are not home all day, have an erratic schedule, or have mobility or health issues.

*You can clean the indoor potties yourself, and most of them are easily cleaned.

*Since the urine drains or is absorbed, your dog doesn't track it on your floors.

*He doesn't have to hold it as long as he would if his toilet area were outside.

Remember that puppies develop muscle control and mental control every day and need repetition in order to learn where you want him to go. Take him to the potty when he has to go. When he does toilet there, tell him what a good dog he is as he is going and give him a treat in the potty area immediately after he finishes. Training your puppy where you want him to eliminate takes time, patience, and consistency, and it will pay off for both of you.

source by:http://www.petsafe.net/learn/how-to-use-an-indoor-outdoor-potty-for-toilet-training