Heckin Happy Puppers: Keeping Your Pooch Healthy and Content

Our dogs have tell-tale ways of letting us know how they feel. The obvious one? A wagging tail. But there are also more discreet behaviors: playfulness, lack of destructive activity, sleeping belly up, a good appetite, putting on a show of exciting play when you return to the house. The list goes on. It’s important to keep an eye on your pup’s happiness and wellbeing at all times. But even if your four-legged friend seems content and happy, don’t slack. There’s always room for further improvement. Here are a few things to add to your pup’s happiness checklist.

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Walkies

Almost every dog’s favorite word tends to be the “w” one. The one you have to whisper in order to prevent them from running berserk around the house while you feebly attempt to get them into their harness and try to attach their lead. Every dog loves a walk. But it’s not just a treat. It’s a requirement. To keep your pooch happy and healthy, you need to ensure that you walk them at least once a day. This goes for any breed at almost any time (if your pup has had a surgical procedure or is ill, consult your vet and follow their instructions regarding walks and exercise). So get your walking boots and venture out, even if it is pouring down with rain. It’s the least you can do for the furry little bundle of joy.

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Treats

Second to “walkies”? Treats! Just like us, pups love chowing down on their favorite snack after a long walk, in front of the television or, well, at any time really. Young puppies generally can’t have treats, so check packets for a recommended age before feeding them any. Certain puppy orientated snacks are out there on the market, so check them out and allow your pup a few when they reach the right age. As time goes by and your pooch matures, you’ll soon learn to know their preferred textures, flavors and brands. Some will prefer biscuits, some will like fresh meat treats and some will like paste treats in a hollow toy. These require a little extra effort to get out, making the treat all the sweeter once they’ve earned it. Try out healthy treats for dogs too! Some of these will help to clean your dog’s teeth, improve their breath and control plaque and tartar build up in their mouths.

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Grooming

Your dog will have specific grooming requirements depending on their breed. Short haired dogs tend to require less regular grooming. Their hair generally sheds in a kind of self-cleaning process. So you will only really need to bathe them every now and then, or when they manage to roll in muddy puddles. Use dog shampoo, as human shampoo often contains harsh chemicals that may irritate your pooch’s sensitive skin. Long haired breeds and non-moulting breeds will often need to visit the groomers regularly. These professionals will be able to trim and cut their fur properly and safely, comb out any tangles or knots and give your dogs special treatments to soothe their skin. Remember that all dogs should have a checkup with the vet regularly. While you’re there, check whether they need their claws clipped or anal glands emptied.

The Coveted Cat Translation Dictionary

If there’s any problem with cat ownership, it’s that your cat can’t talk to you. Sure, they can communicate with purring and meowing, but they can’t be specific. However, there are a few ways to understand what your fur baby is trying to tell you. Unfortunately, since their faces aren’t as expressive as canines, their communication can be subtler than other animals.

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Your cat’s body language can tell you a lot, much like with people. If you’re scared, you naturally try and make yourself look smaller, in the hopes that nobody will notice you. It’s exactly the same in the feline world. So, if your cat’s trying to make itself look smaller, such as by ‘cringing’, or having its ears flat to its head, then something’s scaring it. It means the same thing as when they’ve backed themselves into a corner. This is pretty much the number one reason as to why people get scratched or bitten: they’ve tried to handle their cat when it’s scared, and it’s lashed out.  

However, when cats are angry about something, they try and make themselves look bigger and more intimidating. So, if your cat’s back is arched, and it has puffed its tail out like a bottle brush, then it’s furious! Usually, this also suggests aggression as well. They’re just like people: if they get angry, they’ll lash out. If your cat’s angry, the pupils of their eyes will narrow, whereas they dilate when they’re scared.

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Because cats can’t talk about specific things that are bothering them, a lot of us are often surprised when we find that our cats have fleas. However, there are a few signs that your cat will give you that will tell you if they’ve got fleas. For one thing, your cat might be more restless than usual. Can you blame it, if it’s got fleas all over it? Luckily, a flea collar, or any kind of flea treatment for cats will clear the problem up. However, it’s still good to know the symptoms; if your cat has fleas, it’s going to scratch itself more than usual, bite parts of its coat, or shake its head excessively.

If your kitty is grooming itself to excess, then it’s usually trying to tell you one of three things: it’s anxious about something, it’s in pain, or has a skin irritation. If you can narrow down the reason why, and sort it out, then your cat will be much happier as a result. Over-grooming can lead to bald patches, skin damage, and even tail amputation, if the problem is particularly severe. If you cat’s biting its tail, then it’s generally trying to tell you that something is irritating it there, and you should visit a vet as soon as you can.

So, cats aren’t that mysterious. They still communicate with us humans (even if they do think that we’re big kittens), and if you can understand them, then keeping your cat and home in harmony should be the easiest thing to do.