Family pets guides today: A 2016 HABRI study explored the role of pets in the social networks of people managing a long-term mental health problem. Pets were found to contribute to a stronger sense of identity in pet owners with mental health conditions, including reducing negative perceptions of a mental health condition or diagnosis. Pets provide a sense of security and routine in the relationship, which reinforces stable cognition. Pets provide a distraction and disruption from distressing symptoms, such as hearing voices, suicidal thoughts, rumination, and facilitating routine and exercise for those who care for them. See more details at All about guinea pigs.
Traveling with a furry friend is one of the best parts about having a pet. But if your cat doesn’t like being in the car, trying to make it through a road trip can be stressful and miserable, both for you and your kitty. Luckily, there are several tactics that many cat parents have used to make their furry friends comfortable on car rides. Here, you’ll learn eight ways you can use to make your next car ride safer and more enjoyable for you and your cat.
Buy your dog a collar with an ID tag that contains all your information, in case he escapes and gets lost. When you take him to the vet, it would also be a good idea to have him microchipped as a precaution. In the event that your puppy gets lost, it would be much easier to locate you as the owner if someone found him. Here are the other things you should do if your puppy gets lost.
Practice walking indoors: The best way to acclimate your cat to a leash and harness is to practice inside, in a safe environment. Before you head out, consider practicing walking your cat indoors on a harness and leash first to help them get used to wearing one and walking with it. A cat who has never been walked on a leash will need time to get used to the idea. The key to success is patience and consistency. Get your cat used to a carrier: You should get your cat used to their carrier well before you plan on taking your cat anywhere. Put the carrier in a room where your kitty likes to hang out — with treats inside — and let them investigate it at their leisure. Once your cat is comfortable with that, try closing them in for short periods of time. Gradually increase that until you’re able to put them inside for longer periods without them freaking out.
Ears come in all kinds, because they can naturally take different shapes and sizes, especially if humans do not touch them. You can therefore observe short or long ears, straight or drooping ears, flexible or rather stiff. The amazing thing is that they are all mobile! Yes they move even when you don’t realize it. Its ears are therefore equipped with a minimum of 18 muscles per ear which allows it to control and move them in a more or less nuanced way. But the exact number of muscles will depend on the breed of your dog as some have around 100 muscles per ear. Which is why your dog can hear much better than you! Dogs with erect ears can hear better because their cone-shaped ears help focus sound waves. In all cases, dogs move their ears to facilitate hearing. Have you ever seen your dog “prick up” its ears when it heard a sudden sound? Have you ever seen your dog’s ears move like a periscope following the direction of sound without needing to move its head?
Go to the beach: Your cat will love running by the waves, playing in the sand, and watching as people swim nearby as long as you keep them hydrated with fresh water. Avoid going into the water because cats tend to be poor swimmers and could drown if they go too far from shore. Bring toys for your cat to play with and keep them away from children throwing balls at each other in case one hits their face or causes them to panic. Many cats love to nap in the sun, so set up a comfortable place for your cat outside. Make sure it’s in the shade, though, since heatstroke can be fatal. If you have an older cat or one who has health problems, ask your vet to recommend outdoor playtime and use extra caution in hot weather.
Consider increasing the frequency of your pet’s baths, especially if you often go for walks outside. Follow disinfection practices as soon as you get home. Wash your dog’s feet, wipe them down with a clean, wet towel to remove dust and debris, then use baby wipes or other pet-friendly sanitizing solution to wipe down your pet a second time. Also, remember to always properly and hygienically dispose of any waste and stock up on enough litter bags to avoid unnecessary contamination.
Have an emergency plan in place in case something goes wrong: An emergency plan is a good precaution, especially when you’re taking your cat out in public. Keep a list of trusted vets in the area and make sure they are open when you will be there. Bring your cat’s medical records with you, as well as a few days’ worths of any medication they’re taking. Have their microchip information on hand as well, just in case they get lost. And if your cat becomes aggressive toward people or other animals, bring them back home right away. Find even more details at https://yourpetassistant.com/.
