How to Spoil Your Pets

Isn't it fun to spoil your pets and hear their soft purr or see their fluffy tails wagging? From owning pets and hearing ideas from other people, I've learned a lot of great ideas to spoil the pets that bring us so much joy and entertainment:

• Get your dog little boots to keep his or her paws warm on those chilly winter nights.

• Sing your pet a little lullaby. If they aren't howling or complaining, sing till your heart's content!

• Brush your pet often, especially if they shed. Many pets love the attention and it prevents hairballs in cats and keeps dogs comfortable and looking debonair.

• Give them plenty of treats but be careful in feeding human food to your pets. Foods like chocolate and onions can be poisonous and many plants are toxic to cats.

• Give them their own warm cozy chair or blanket or they'll just take over yours anyway.

• Give your cat Catsip milk (it's easier on their digestive system than cow milk)

• Take your dog with you through the drive thru. They love the attention from the employees and you might find a place that will actually give your dog a little something.

• Give your kitty a box to play in or just don't kick them out when they try to jump in any open box lying around the house.

• Play with them lots. There's no better toy for your furry friend than you.

• Get your cat or dog a pet drinking fountain. They'll love the fresh running water.

• Put a window bench near the window or sometimes leave the curtains open on a low window so Fido or Fluffy can stare out the window and hear how cute they are from your neighbors.
  

• Give them little pet massages until their heart is content.

• Dampen and squeeze a wash cloth with warm water and wipe their head and ears with it to comfort them, especially when you're doing something they're not particularly fond of like maybe bathing.

• Regular vet care and dental care.

• Give your kitty a little bit of Tuna. They'll go crazy begging when they smell it

• Take your dog to Mounds or another pet store that will let you bring your dog in. Let them sniff out all the toys and have fun wandering around like a kid in a candy store.

• Put birdfeeders near the windows to amuse cats.

• Take your dog to the doggie park or go on lots of walks outside.

• Let your kitty out into a screened in porch or sunroom if you have one or a room with lots of windows. They love exploring and enjoying all the sunlight. It's great for the indoor cat.

• Tell them everyday you love them. I really think they understand.

Feel free to leave a comment and share all the ways you spoil your furry friends, so we can all get even more ideas for pampering our pets :)

Introducing a new cat

Introducing a new cat can take a little patience. Your existing cats may see the cute new bundle of joy as a threat to their status as king or queen of the house.

Here's some tips that can really help:

• Be sure to have any new pet examined by a vet before bringing them into your house. Especially have them checked for FIV and Feline Leukemia, which can be passed to your other cats.
• Give your new cat their own room where they can be away from all other animals. This is a good room to put the new cat's toys, bed, litter box, food and scratching post in.
  
• It is likely that the cats will hiss at each other even if there is a closed door between them
  
• Rub a towel on each cat and let the other(s) smell that cat on the towel
• Change places for the cats a few times. Let the new cat have the run of the house while the existing cat(s) are checking out the new cat's room.
• Wait a day or two, then open the door a little bit and let the cat's sniff each other.
• When you feel it's time, let the cat's play together under your supervisou. Some hissing and growling is nothing to be concerned about. However, it they start getting very physically aggressive, it's time for you to intervene.
• Reward the cats with praise and treats if they're being good.
  
• If things aren't going well, separate the cats.
  
• Make sure to separate the cats when no one is home until you're confident they've learned to tolerate or befriend each other.
• Try to give all cats equal love and attention, so they don't get jealous.
• Make sure they have their own litter boxes and food supply.

This can take a while anywhere from a few hours to months. Don't get discouraged. It took Grace and Korina quite a while to adjust to each other. Now they run after each other playing and wresting. Korina has even learned to copy Grace.

Yet another reason to spay and neuter

If you're a pet owner, I'm sure you've heard the list of reasons to spay and neuter your animals. It can help pets live healthier lives, prevent overpopulation and can keep pets from running away in an attempt to find a mate.

Yet, I discovered that living with a pet who is not yet spayed or neutered can be the best motivation of all to bring an animal in for spaying/neutering - and fast.

Growing up, we had a dog named Benji. When my parents were new in town, the pastor was nice enough to stop over for a visit. Benji was very quick to make friends with the pastor's leg. My parents were mortified. Between that and Benji's rambunctiousness, my parents decided it was time to get him neutered.

Recently, my brother's cat went into heat. She called out for a mate all night long and kept up the mrrrrooooowing during the day. She even managed to get me back for all the times I cut her nails - by peeing on my hand. My sleep deprived brother couldn't bring her in to get spayed fast enough.

If you've had any of these experiences, take comfort in knowing that you're not alone. And, if for any reason you are unable to spay and neuter your pets yet, a good set of earplugs and a sensor of humor can go a long way in helping.

If cost is a factor, you can search for low cost spay/neuter programs in your area

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/spayneuter/

I wish you the best. Take care.