Useful Accessories Every Pet Owner Needs

Owning a pet will enrich your life beyond measure. Pets provide unconditional love and they pick us up when we are down. Stroking a pet provides stress relief and walking a dog is good exercise. The only downside is that owning a pet can be expensive. Vets bills, food, and pet accessories all add up, but if you want your pet to be happy and healthy, consider any money you do spend a good investment.

There are tons of fabulous pet accessories to choose from, so to make your shopping experience easier, here is a quick rundown on the best products available.

LED Pet Collar

Plenty of pet owners take their dog out for walkies late at night. It’s the last chance for Fido to go to the bathroom and catch up on some interesting smells. Nighttime walks are peaceful, but if you let your dog off the lead, you might have a problem finding him in the dark.

LED collars are a cheap but useful accessory for pets. As the name suggests, an LED collar lights up at night and helps you (and other road users) spot him in the dark. You can pick up LED collars relatively cheaply. The batteries can be replaced, but it is often cheaper to buy a new collar instead.

Clip Harness

Clipping a leash to a harness is much better than clipping it to a collar. Putting your pet in a harness spreads the load when he pulls. Walking a strong dog in just a collar can lead can cause irreparable damage if he pulls very hard. Some dogs will even pass out from a lack of oxygen.

A pet harness is kinder and more effective. Mesh harnesses are breathable and quick to dry, so can be laundered as often as needed. They are also comfortable for the dog to wear.

GPS Pet Tracker

A GPS collar for dogs will protect your pet, wherever he is. The GPS tracker transmits the dog’s exact location to a handheld device, so you can find him if he strays beyond a pre-determined perimeter. The technology is invaluable if your pooch has a habit of escaping the back yard or you are fearful of him being stolen. 

Travel Water Bowl

Dogs need drinking water throughout the day, especially if you are taking them for a long walk in the Great Outdoors. A travel drinking bowl can be flattened and placed inside a bag, along with a bottle of water. Open the bowl when your pet needs a drink and put it away when he’s sated his thirst.

Hi-Viz Pet Coat

Hi-Viz pet coats offer greater visibility at night and in poor weather conditions. Protect your pet from the weather and other road users by investing in a Hi-Viz coat. Used in conjunction with an LED collar, your pet will stand out for miles.

Pet Booties

Lastly, if you have wooden floors, invest in some non-slip pet booties. It could prevent a nasty accident!

Shop around for pet accessories. There are some great bargains online!​

3 Easy Tips for Bonding with Your Cat

Cats can be very enigmatic sometimes and are often seen as aloof and standoffish. This is one of the reasons many people tend to think twice about getting one. But if you’re a cat fan through and through and are willing to take the time to get to know them, cats can be very endearing and will eventually warm up to you to the point of forming a genuine bond with you. Here is a guide to bonding with your cat that any owner can use to build a strong connection with their furry friend.

Make Sure You Make Them Feel Secure

While it may seem counterintuitive at first, one of the best ways to make a cat feel safe is to give them a little bit of personal space for a while after you adopt them. And that goes for both adults and kittens. Allow them a space where they can feel completely alone, they will feel more secure that way.

If you can, arrange a room especially for them. Make sure you fill it with tons of toys and trinkets to keep them occupied, and a litter box. Make sure you add food and water as well, and also make sure that none of your other pets invade their personal space. If you don’t have the luxury of setting up a room solely for your cat, you could organize a small space especially for them and check on them gradually from time to time to start the bonding process.

Start Playing with Them

Once you start noticing that your cat feels comfortable, you can give them a little more space and let them roam free. Also make sure to keep their personal space intact and allow them to access it at any time they wish.

By now you should know what their favorite toy is. Pick it up and make sure to play with it with your cat at least once or twice per day. They will slowly start to make an association between you and fun. Many people try to pet their cats right away, but this is one of the most efficient ways to start building a connection with your cat.

Start Petting Your Cat

Now that you’ve gained your cat’s trust and you have a playful relationship with them, you can start petting them. Cats can be very apprehensive, and trying to pet them too early could put them off at best, or leave you with nasty scratches at worst. Cats love grooming, and petting is very similar in many ways. Make sure you use a soothing voice when petting your cat to show your good intentions. Cats are very territorial by nature and aren’t the most affectionate despite their appearance. But once your cat lets out a purr, you know that they are 100% comfortable with you.

Conclusion

If you follow the tips in this article, you should be able to form a deep connection with your cat in no time. Make sure that you make them feel secure at first and allow them their personal space. With time, let them roam free and start playing with them. Once they’ve formed a close bond, you can start being more affectionate. However, make sure that you don’t skip steps and take things easy at first if you don’t want to deal with unpleasant reactions.​

3 Ways to Help Dogs Suffering from Arthritis

If there's one thing we all love about dogs, it's that they are never short of energy and love to play and run around - and no caring dog owner is going to stand by and watch their pet lose its zeal for life. If your dog seems low on energy or is having trouble running, jumping, or climbing, arthritis may be to blame. There are many ways to offer your pet the relief it deserves. In this article, we'll share three simple remedies for arthritis in dogs.

1. Feed your Dog a Joint-healthy Diet

The latest research on arthritis - in humans as well as dogs - shows that reducing inflammation is probably the best way to provide relief and even cure this painful condition. A diet rich in healthy oils and antioxidants will boost your dog's immune system, reduce swelling, and improve its overall quality of life.

You'll want to avoid commercial grain-based dog foods and include oily fish, blueberries, goji berries, and plenty of green and yellow vegetables in your dog's diet. Supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine are great for your pet's joints - and you'll find special formulations for dogs that provide just the right dosage. After all, if you're not comfortable eating something, why feed it to your dog?

2. Fight Arthritis with CBD

CBD (cannabidiol) is taking the alternative medicine world by storm with satisfied users reporting increased health and big improvements in a range of conditions, from overall immune system health to seasonal allergies - and arthritis too. Despite its name, CBD for pets is not cannabis - and it's not illegal either. It's an extract of the cannabis plant that may reduce inflammation in your dog's joints, healing your pet's aches and pains.

3. Make Your Dog Comfortable During Recovery

Just like humans, dogs start to feel down when they're not well - and one of the best things you can do for your pet is to make them comfortable while their new diet and supplement kick in. Make sure your dog has a comfortable place to sleep at night and rest during the day, with soft pillows and blankets to support painful joints.

If your dog is in pain, it will always appreciate quality time with you - and you'll provide a much-needed distraction from the daily burden of your pet's painful joints. You'll also want to massage your dog from time to time, or if you're worried about causing them pain, you can ask your local vet or dog grooming center to recommend a massage therapist who specializes in canine customers.

Conclusion

When it comes to suffering from arthritis and longing for a cure, dogs and humans are just the same. Your dog relies on you to help it through its health issues, and by following the tips we've shared with you today, you'll soon see a big improvement in your pet's joint health. Recovery from arthritis takes time - and it may never disappear completely - but there is a lot you can do to reduce your dog's joint pain and let it get on with the business of living. Here's to the good health of your dog's joints!

3 Advantages of Crate Training Your Puppy

When you bring home a new puppy, there are many decisions you will have to make regarding its care and training. Whether you buy your puppy from a breeder or adopt from an animal shelter, the way you train your dog can have a lifelong impact on its behavior. One choice you will have to make about your dog is whether you will invest time in crate training. While not all training experts agree about the necessity of this type of training, there are several advantages it could offer you and your pet.

1.     Your Dog Has Its Own Space

From the time you bring your puppy home, offering it a crate can give it a safe place for it to retreat to when it feels tired, threatened, or fearful. The crate can act as a den for your puppy, and since it is natural for dogs to seek out an enclosed space to retreat to with food or for sleep, your pup will soon associate the crate with safety and security.

If you want your puppy to accept its crate as a safe space, put it somewhere out of the way in your home and do not shut your puppy away in the crate for punishment. Leave the door open for your puppy so it can enter it whenever it likes and encourage your puppy to take toys and chew bones there to reinforce the idea that the space belongs to your pet.

2.     A Crate Can Assist with Housebreaking

One of the challenges you might be facing as a new puppy owner is the housebreaking process. While some dog breeds are easier to train than others, crate training your puppy can assist with housebreaking because once your puppy accepts the crate as its den, it will be less likely to urinate or defecate in it.

If you want to housebreak and crate train your puppy at the same time, create a schedule that includes taking it to its designated potty spot each time you let your pet out of the crate, especially in the morning. Soon it will associate potty time with leaving its crate and housebreaking may be an easier task to accomplish for you both.

3.     Your Puppy Will Stay Safe

Puppies are a bundle of fluffy joy, but they are also mischievous and can get into trouble in the blink of an eye. From poisonous plants in your home to choking and electrocution hazards, a crate can help keep your puppy out of trouble when you are not home or otherwise occupied.

Crates can keep your puppy safe while they are in your car as well. Secure the crate with an approved belt or other device. Some states have laws about how animals should be transported, so it is a good idea to educate yourself about them. For example, if you live in Miami or Boca Raton, you can ask a Florida dog trainer for advice on how to crate your dog for transport.  

Crate training your puppy has several advantages that can benefit its safety and your peace of mind. From keeping your pup safe to offering it creature comforts, a crate can be your dog’s second-best friend.