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Cat Care
When
you first get a cat, there are certain things you should have to make him feel
comfortable. You need a litter box and litter. This should be
shallow enough for the cat to jump into easily, but the sides should be high
enough to contain scattered litter as the cat scratches in it. You usually
won't have to train your cat to use the litter box, but you will need to show
him where to find it. Never put the litter box close to where the cat is
fed. Each cat should have his own food and water dishes. They must
be shallow; cats like to keep their faces and whiskers clean while they eat.
Even though cats groom themselves, they generally love to be brushed & combed.
Long-haired cats must be brushed daily to keep their hair from matting.
Use a daily brushing ritual to keep an eye on your cat's overall health and on
skin and coat conditions. Cats love to scratch things, so a scratching
post is a good thing to have. They can easily be trained to scratch on a
scratching post instead of the couch. The scratching post should be
untippable and covered in sisal rope or the webbed reverse side of carpet.
Don't cover the post with the same kind of fabric that you are trying to protect
in your home - upholstery or carpeting. That will just confuse the cat.
Cats will sleep where they want to, which is usually with you. If you
don't want your cat in your bed at night, you need to provide a different
option, like a soft pillow or an inviting old comforter. Anything soft and
warm can attract your cat. But let him discover it because a cat who is
forced to lie down on a restricted spot will usually reject that spot.
Many common household items can make great cat toys. Ping pong balls are
fun to chase, as well as bottle caps. Avoid string, ribbon or rolls of
yarn. Cats' barbed tongues make it hard for them to spit anything out once
they begin to swallow it. Besides the potential for choking, string can
cause serious problems if ingested. When buying commercial cat toys, pick
one that you could give to an infant. There should be no parts that can
come off and be swallowed. Keep small children's toys away from cats.
Contrary to the myth that cats only eat what's good for them, toy soldiers have
found their way into cats' digestive tracts.
Dog Care
You
should always outfit you dog with a collar and ID tag that includes your name,
address, & telephone number. No matter how careful you are, there's a
chance your dog may become lost - an ID tag really increases the chance that
your dog will be returned home safely. Follow local laws for licensing
your dog and vaccinating him for rabies. Check with your local shelter or
humane society for information regarding legal requirements, where to obtain
tags, and where to have your dog vaccinated. You should follow this simple
rule: Off property, On leash. Even a dog with a valid license, rabies tag
& ID tag should not be allowed to roam outside of your home or fenced yard.
It is best for you, your community, and your dog to keep him under control at
all times. Give your dog proper shelter. A fenced yard with a
doghouse is a bonus, especially for large and active dogs; however, dogs should
never be left outside alone or for extended periods of time. Dogs need and
crave companionship and should spend most of their time inside with their
family. Take your dog to the vet for regular check ups. If you do
not have a vet, ask your local animal shelter or a pet-owning friend for a
referral. Spray or neuter your dog. Dogs who have this routine
surgery tend to live longer, be healthier, and have fewer behavior problems,
like biting or running away. By spraying or neutering your dog, you are
also doing your part to reduce the problem of pet overpopulation. Give
your dog a nutritionally balanced diet, including constant access to fresh
water. Ask your vet for advice on what and how often to feed your dog.
Give your dog enough exercise to keep him fit, but not exhausted. Most dog
owners find that playing with your dog, along with walking him twice a day,
provides sufficient exercise. If you have questions about the level of
exercise appropriate for your dog, consult your vet. Make sure the
expectations you have for your dog are reasonable and remember that the vast
majority of behavior problems can be solved. If you are struggling with
your pet's behavior, contact your vet or local animal shelter for advice, and
check out The HSUS's Pets For Life campaign information.
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Send Us Your Input
- We want your opinions, tips or ideas. Any topic related to animals we
will post for you. Your input is always welcome! |
Information provided by people interested
in Pets all around Philly. We are always eager to link exchange with
you. This Magazine is for areas all around Delaware County, Delco, Chester County,
Montgomery County and Philadelphia, PA
Sent in to Contractors Solutions Inc. 02/06. |
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