On the road again

Dog pets and cat pets run away for different reasons. Boredom, the drive to find a mate, frequenting another home where snacks are available and abusive owners are all reasons for a dog or cat to venture off. Then there is the “Squirrel” syndrome, the thrill of the chase. Both of these super pets have acute senses of direction and do not necessarily get lost however there are plenty of situations and environments which make these ventures dangerous and worthy of taking precautions. If you are planning to buy pets for your apartment or house, here are a few things I have personally observed which I believe prove the point.

Dogs need to run. Especially the bigger, leaner dogs. I had a friend who owned a retriever. He had a yard but it was never enough for the dog. After several incidents and because they lived near many busy streets the dog was usually confined to a leash. Once my friend got older, social and school activities began to take up much more of his time. His parents were a bit older too. This meant less walks for the dog and more time on the leash. After a while the dog became unhappy and would inevitably try to escape at every opportunity. This began to happen more often as the dog became more skilled at the art. One day he escaped, ran onto one of the busy streets and was hit by a car and injured. The dogs back was broken which cost the owners hundreds if not thousands of dollars not to mention the guilt and heartbreak of seeing their life long friend in such agony.

I do not own a dog but I am planning to get one. If I don’t my daughter will continue to torture me until I either give in or lose my mind and get hauled off to the loony bin. My biggest concern is the amount of available space for the dog to run. We have a medium sized yard and there are several parks nearby so my one condition is that the dog be small. We have decided to get a Doxie. These little guys don’t need a whole lot of room in order to run and if they do run I could definitely catch up. A bigger dog would not be happy. Some of the bigger breeds need acres to roam free in order to be happy. If confined to a smaller range it may difficult to keep them there making pet supplies like GPS dog collars necessary.

Cats on the other hand don’t usually run away. Cats are territorial and tend to monitor their claimed space, venturing out for whatever reason but always returning to familiar ground.

When I was in college I lived in a house with several other students one of which owned a male cat, Spike. Rent went up and we had to move to a more affordable apartment which was about half a mile away. We brought Spike along of course. The next day the cat was nowhere to be found. We searched everywhere, twice. Then we had a revelation, we decided to go back to the old house and look there. Guess what, there he was, in his usual spot under the trees in the lot next to the house. We grabbed him and hauled him home. Next day, same thing. When we tried to keep the cat in-doors in a feeble attempt to help him get acclimated to the new living situation he was obviously miserable. He did not eat and actually got sick. We had to let him go.

We worried because winter was approaching and no animal should be submitted to a New England winter without proper shelter. We visited the new inhabitants of our old house and let them know our situation. Fortunately they were delighted and agreed to take care of our cat. We gave them $100 to pay for food and visited often. In retrospect we were very lucky it turned out so well for him, the folks who moved into the house and for ourselves as well.

Dog pets and cat pets are awesome, they enhance any living space with their attitude, good nature, and unique personalities. However, if they are not treated well or if their environment does not suit their needs a good thing can turn bad. When deciding to get a dog or cat it is natural to consider the ramifications to your lifestyle, your environment, and routines. It is another thing to take into consideration the impact your lifestyle, environment, and routines will have on the animal.

Having a cat is a two way street. The higher the level of cat care you provide, the more energetic, affectionate, and well behaved it will be. Proper care will also make your feline more inclined to respond to training and behavior modification techniques. This does take effort. Start by creating a routine that you can both live with, set time aside for grooming, play and training if need be. Onve you are settled into the routine you will see that it really takes the headaches out of pet ownership. Excellent cat care often translates into a well behaved cat that responds more willingly than an attention deprived cat. The healthier your cat is, the stronger the emotional bond between you and your pet will be, and that bond often serves as the core of their training.

By educating yourself about cat behavior and practicing tested cat care techniques, you can make sure that your cat is as happy as possible. The happier your cat is, the happier you will be. A cat that is well cared for is a cat that will be interested in active playtime as well as in calm relaxation. Great cat care provides a strong foundation for your bond with your cat by making sure that he or she is always up for spending time with you.

Owning a cat means that you have taken on the role and responsibilities of being it’s caretaker. If your cat isn’t getting the right kind of care, from a proper diet to an ideal grooming routine, your cat will probably develop behavior issues that can make him or her feel like a problem child. On the other hand, conscientious and responsible cat care can help your cat overcome issues ranging from constant meows to over weight or skinniness to destructive behaviors. Proper care results in a healthier, happier cat, and any cat who receives enough of the right kind of attention can become a pleasant companion.

However, let it be known that dog grooming supplies not only make your pet pretty, they can make your pet healthier as well. A well kept, clean dog is much less likely to attract diseases and house ticks and fleas and other pests. This is why you should never borrow grooming supplies. Previously used brushes and combs may look clean but still carry diseases or ticks or fleas, all of which are acquired through direct contact. You wouldn’t borrow someones toothbrush or comb. Don’t borrow equipment for your dog either! If there is not a pet supply store near you there is always the internet. Selection will always be greater and the price may be less if you shop at an online dog supplies store. Yes, there will be a shipping charge and perhaps a small wait but in most cases, due to reduced overhead, an online store can usually offer better prices.

Brushes and combs for dogs are not all the same. There are grooming brushes for all types of dogs, short-hairs and long hairs, thin and thick fur. Using the right size and type of brush on a regular basis will keep your dog’s fur free of tangles and burrs, and massage out the oil from the surface of the skin giving the fur a nice healthy sheen.

It may not need to be said that not all shampoos and soaps are created equal. There are bath products just for enhancing the smoothness or richness of your dog’s coat, and then again there are bath products for eliminating pests and skin diseases. Shampoos and soaps that kill pests use chemicals that are good for your pet’s coat. Using medicinal bath products doesn’t mean your dog will have a duller coat. Keep in mind that some cleansers are stronger than others – a puppy or a  small dog will need a milder shampoo than a larger one. Use caution though, always consult with your veterinarian before using a pesticide on your pet.

Yes, they’ll complain and possibly head for the hills when you break out the soap and sponge but in the long run they always appreciate the attention. Its just a good idea to invest in good grooming supplies and keepping your dog clean. Good dog grooming supplies and all pet supplies are an investment, one that may well last you and your pet a lifetime.

Finding pet stores online is a snap, just type in “pet stores” at your favorite search engine. Kids may not be able to touch the animals but they can see what is available and gain an interest and perhaps even learn a thing or two. Buying a pet online is probably not a good idea, but using an online store for accessories and pet supplies is a great idea. You can find stores that offer incentives for repeat customers and you will probably find many stores with competitive if not lower prices. Some internet pet stores can even offer a bigger variety of foods and accessories than a local pet store. You will also find that bulk quantities are available as well.

One benefit of an online pet store is that it may have all your supplies in one place where as a local pet store may not be able to hold as much inventory due to space limitations. Dog cages, cat boxes and aquariums take up a lot of space. Online stores usually ship your purchase directly from the manufacturer, which enables them to supply most items as if they were in stock. They don’t have many of the upkeep expenses a brick and mortar store has which is why they usually offer the same products at reduced prices. You still have the same quality but have a bigger selection than a pet shop with limited space. Finding the right pet medications at your local store can be hit or miss, they usually only carry a small amounts whereas an online store that deals directly with manufacturers will have whatever you need in any quantity you want.

The pet store is a wonderful place for children to visit to gain a love of animals. While your kids may not be able to touch the animals at an online pet store, the variety of pet products is almost guaranteed to be far greater than your local store. Either way, at the local shop or online, kids love to look at animals and it is always a learning experience.