Use These Fantastic Hacks to Look After Your Pet

You need to think about the best ways of looking after your pets. There are so many things they are at risk from these days. And you need to make sure you do what you can to protect your animals as much as possible. These are some ideas to help you do that.

Collar

When. It comes to protecting your pets one of the best things you can do is to fit them with a collar. You can get your address printed on the collar, so people know who the owner is. Another advantage of collars is you can get them chipped. That way you’ll have the means to track your animal if it goes missing. This is an important way of protecting against theft, as well as ensuring your cat gets returned to you if it goes missing.

Vitamins

We all know that we can buy vitamins to take ourselves, and how beneficial these are. But, did you know you can also get vitamins for cats?! Yes, you read that right! If you want to buy vitamins for cats you only use need to look online, or visit a pet store. This is an important addition to your any pet’s diet and daily intake. It’s the best way of making sure they get the valuable nutrients their body needs. Vitamins are important for development and growth, as well as helping your animal become strong and healthy.

Vet

There will come times when your pet might be unwell, and this will warrant a trip to the vets. The vet is there to make sure your pet is as healthy as it can be. Animals have no way of telling you they're unwell; they have to show you. You need to know the common health problems to look out for in dogs and cats. Once you get to know your pet well enough, you’ll be able to tell when something is wrong. This means you have to make sure you get them to the vets at the first sign of trouble. The worst thing you can do in these situations is leave it and risk things getting worse. Regular visits to the vet will keep your feline fit and healthy, and any problems can be caught as early as possible.

Be Careful

You need to be careful with your pets as much as you can. This means that you need to make sure the home and garden present a safe environment for them. You also need to make sure you keep an eye out for if they are wandering in the streets, etc. The more vigilant and careful you can be the safer you will keep your pet. Too many pet owners are neglectful and don't take the time to look after their animals properly. You need to make this a priority if you a want to be sure your pet is as well looked after as possible.

So, you need to make sure you put measures like this in place to help you. Come up with as many ideas as you can to help you protect them from harm and keep them safe. This is important for your peace of mind and helping you enjoy a lot of happy years with your animals.  

Man's Bestfriend: Champ and Bolt are Our Family's Bestfriends

Pets are a big part of the family so when you make big changes in your life, decisions involve them too.  We contemplated on  giving our fur babies for adoption  since the new home that we bought does not have a fence but we decided to keep them.  We couldn't bear the thought of waking  up without their tails wagging and always  readyto greet us.  The solution would be is to put  up a fence to the new home.

Our pets are the reason why we put  fences around our  current house.  So even though it would cost us money to put fence again on the new home, we will do it for them.  Our dogs are not trained to  just sit  without  running away so we have to use chain  to keep them but since we don't want to do that, a fence is needed so they can run around  in our backyard freely.  

 Our dog Bolt is such a character.  When I ask my kids to pose for me, Bolt is there posing with them.  He loves to be in front of the camera.

 These photos are just some of the many instances where they love to be around when I want to take pictures of the kids.

 They are always my daughter's photo buddies.

 Bolt is big  but he loves to cuddle.  When we are all sitting in the  ccouch, he would always  come and  sit by us.  

 Our lives would not be the same without them.

 So even though they  are sometimes an inconvenience especially wqhen we travel, it's worth all the hassle we go through because they bring us  smiles.

 They are the moist loyal individuals, mostly loyal than  many people I now.

 So Bolt and Champ, you are staying with us, no matter what.  I apologize that we even thought of putting you guys  for adoption but glad we didn't.

 So enjoy your stay and I hope that we could be  together for a very long time.

 Champ, I know that you don't like  Veterinary visit but  it is that time again, Friday will be you and your brother's  annual vaccination. 

 Champ is my gardening buddy when the kids are in school.  He keep me company when I am gardeing, trying to  give his ball for me to fetch.  He love to play.

 Bolt is a big fan of his sister.

 Funny when she is in school, BOlt  stays in her bedroom.

 So for these two, we have so many memories to make ahead on our new home.

Champ and Bolt are Our Family's Bestfriends.

Unmissable Checklist For A Dog Walk!

Going for a dog walk is a great way to give your dog some exercise and fresh air. It also means you get some exercise in your life and you will grow a close bond with your canine buddy. Here is our unmissable checklist for a successful dog walk.

Make sure you have a toy

You need to make sure you take a dog toy along with you when you go for a dog walk. They can often get bored if you want to stop and rest for a few moments on a bench. By taking your dog’s favorite chew toy along, they will sit happily for a few moments. It’s also a good idea to take some toy you can throw easily so they can run and get it for you. A frisbee is a popular choice and will be fun for you and your pooch. Just make sure you don’t drop the toy and lose it while you are out on the walk.

Ensure they have had flea treatment

Another thing you need to do before going on a dog walk is to ensure your dog has had flea treatment recently. When you take your dog out, they are likely to go places where other dogs may have been. If they have fleas, they are likely to have left some behind meaning your dog could become infested. It can particularly be bad during the summer months as fleas thrive in heat. You can get some treatments such as comfortis which will kill fleas and stop any arriving for the next month. It will mean you can take them for a walk without worrying about them picking up fleas. Here are some other health problems you should look out for.

Pack some poop bags

It’s highly likely that your dog will decide it’s time to go to the toilet when you’re out on your walk. Therefore, you need to ensure you pack some poop bags in your bag so that you can clean up the mess if it’s done on one of your neighbors gardens. You can get poop bags online or in stores. You still need to check in some parks and woodland areas if you need to move the poop. You could receive a fine in some areas if you do leave it there without cleaning it.

Take a water bottle

Another thing you need to take with you on a dog walk is a water bottle. If your dog gets tired while you’re out on the walk, you can stop and provide them with some water to stop them from getting dehydrated. It’s essential if it’s going to be a hot day as it will stop them from getting poorly.

Plan it in advance

You need to ensure you plan where you are planning to go with your dog on the walk before you head off. You don’t want to end up getting lost while on the walk. Also, if you end up going too far, you will end up carrying your pup back home. You should also check the weather to make sure it’s not going to rain while you are out.

You need to make sure you follow this checklist so that the walk goes smoothly.

Common Health Problems In Dogs To Look Out For

If you’ve ever owned a dog, you’ll know exactly why people call them man’s best friend. They’re always happy to see you, and unlike cats will stick with you for a lifetime! Like any pet though, dogs go through a range of health problems in their life. If you want your pooch to be as happy and comfortable as possible, then here are some common health problems to be aware of.

First of all, heartworms. I don’t want to alarm you, but this is one of the more serious conditions a dog can get. Heartworm larvae enter the dog through a mosquito bite, so it can be hard to detect. Once infected, the larvae can develop into massive worms, causing all kinds of pain and potentially death for your pet. The symptoms include lethargy and coughing. Some dogs have even shown depression; not reacting to their owners coming home and moping around the house. You can reduce your dog’s chances of getting heartworm in the first place by using mosquito-repellent medication, such as K9 Advantix ii. However, if they start to show these symptoms, take them to a vet as soon as possible.

Another common problem with dogs is obesity. This isn’t something which people usually associate with dogs, but it’s a very real health risk which you need to be aware of. Just like in humans, obesity can up the risk of many serious health issues in canines. If your dog is overweight, then it will have an increased risk of liver disease, diabetes, and joint pain. There’s an easy way to check if your dog’s a healthy weight or not. You should be able to run your hand along its back and feel its spine without having to press down. There should also be a visible waist between the lower ribs and back legs. Like the disease, we share the solution with our pets. Talk to your vet about a healthier food and exercise plan. Sites like Dog Food Advisor can be a big help in finding low-fat brands.

Finally, kennel cough. Don’t let the cutesy name fool you. What some people call “kennel cough” is a highly infectious kind of bronchitis. It causes inflammation of your dog’s voice box and windpipe, and is characterised by strange wheezing and coughing. It’s almost always caught from other dogs after stays in a kennel, hence the nickname. Your vet might be able to give you some antibiotics, but usually the condition will subside after it’s run its course. Although it’s not usually serious, kennel cough is extremely unpleasant for the dog. To reduce your chances, try to find a private dog sitter rather than sending your pet to the kennel. The longer your dog spends around its own kind, the higher the risk is of it catching kennel cough.

Keep an eye out for these three conditions in your dog. It can be tough to watch your furry friend suffer. However, preventative measures and a cautious attitude will keep this to a minimum.

Cicadas

When I was a kid, we always hear the  sound of cicadas wqhenevwer we go to the  mountain where my parents  plants their  root crops like sweet potato, corn, and cassava.  The local name for it in my place is "dule-dule", I guess they derive that name from the sound they make.  

According to wikipedia, "The cicadas are a superfamily, the Cicadoidea, of insects in the order Hemiptera. They are in the suborder Auchenorrhyncha, along with smaller jumping bugs such as leafhoppers and froghoppers."

Cicadas have prominent eyes set wide apart, short antennae, and membranous front wings. They have an exceptionally loud song, produced not by stridulation, but by vibrating drumlike tymbals rapidly. 

 The earliest known fossil Cicadomorpha appeared in the Upper Permian period; extant species occur all around the world in temperate to tropical climates. They typically live in trees, feeding on sap, and laying their eggs in a slit in the bark. Most cicadas are cryptic, singing at night to avoid predators. 

 The periodic cicadas spend most of their lives as underground nymphs, emerging only after 13 or 17 years, most likely to reduce losses by satiating their predators.

 This year is the 17th year where cicadas are suppose to emerge specifically in Maryland, New York, Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvannia, and West Virginia.

 When we were gardening on Mother's day, we  dug out so many cicadas, they were still buried on the ground.  Now that are out in full force.

They are invading my garden, they are everywhere especially in the sidewalks.  Our dogs are attracted to them and wants to chew on them.  Fortunately, they are not  poisonous to the furry babies.  In fact, I read an article that people eat them.  It said that you can roas them, boil them, or bbq them.  For me, no thanks, ewwww!!!!

Animal Intruders You Wouldn't Want To Keep As Pets

Have you woken up to the sound of scuttling or squeaking? Have you heard rustling in the garbage or footsteps on the patio? If so, you may have some uninvited visitors. Here are some common home invaders, which you wouldn’t want to keep as pets.

Squirrels

Squirrels are adaptable creatures, which means that they can survive very easily in residential areas. They may be a nuisance when they dart all over your trees and plants and eat your bird feed. But generally speaking, they don’t cause any problems. It’s uncommon for squirrels to approach humans and they’ll usually run in the opposite direction. If you’re not keen on attracting squirrels, make sure your garbage bins are sealed and don’t leave trash bags open.

Raccoon

Raccoons may be cute, but they’re not suitable pets. These inquisitive animals tend to pay humans a visit during the night. They are particularly keen on vegetables, pet food and any leftovers lurking in the garage. If you’re not a fan of unexpected disturbances during the night, close all your doors. Make sure there are no tempting treats lying around outside. Check out http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/raccoons/tips/solving_problems_raccoon.html?referrer=https://www.google.co.uk/ for more information.

Image from https://pixabay.com/en/raccoon-animal-cheeky-193647/

Bats

If you notice bats flying around the house or you hear them in the attic, try and stay calm. Flapping around and screaming will only make the situation worse. The chances are that the bat has simply flown in through an open door or window without really realizing where it’s going. In most cases, simple opening the door again will resolve the problem. If the bat isn’t moving and you’re desperate to get rid of it, you can move it. Put on some thick gloves and gently cup it in your hands. Put it in a box or a container and then move outside and release it. You can find more tips on effectivewildlifesolutions.com.

Mice

Some people choose to keep mice as pets, but they’re not for everyone, especially the ones that turn up at your house uninvited. Signs of a mouse infestation include droppings, gnawed wires and edges and scratching noises. If you think you have mice, there are various options. You can put traps down or use repellant. It’s also wise to patch up any holes, which may be providing the mice with a route into the house. You could also call pest control.

Image via https://www.flickr.com/photos/httpwwwflickrcomphotostopend/519649900

Skunks

Skunks are renowned for their pungent odor. They are common, but you don’t tend to see them around much. Nevertheless, they may decide to drop in and have a root around your shrubs or take shelter under a porch for the night. If you think you may have a skunk in your backyard, try not to worry. Skunks tend to avoid human contact, and they only spray if they feel threatened. They’re also a nomadic species and they don't stay in the same place for long. The chances on, your visiting skunk will have moved onto pastures new by the time you get home from work the next day.

Image taken from https://pixabay.com/en/skunk-wildlife-portrait-walking-1239764/

From time to time, you may get a visit from some furry creatures. Although they may look kind and cuddly, most won’t be suitable pets. You may be able to get rid of intruders without doing anything, but if not, there are experts out there who can help.