Dogs

How To Discipline Pets

Having a pet or two brings a tremendous amount of joy into our lives. Walking a dog or playing with a cat benefits both the owner and pet in a variety of ways. But there will be times, however, when your beloved fuzzy pal does something that is either annoying (like jumping on counters) or even dangerous. These are the times that a little discipline will come in handy. First off, it's important to know that you should never, ever hit an animal as a form of punishment. It's not only cruel, but it can harm your pet physically....

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Speaking Out for Pit Bulls

Pit bulls have a bad reputation, but is it deserved? A group of pit bull owners and advocates in Vancouver, Canada, says the breed has been misrepresented. HugABull Advocacy & Rescue Society works to help not only individual dogs, but the entire breed’s image. It also strives to build a community of responsible owners for dogs who often attract the wrong kind. Many of us have the idea that pit bulls have been bred to be aggressive – and, though they can’t help it, they’re not the kind of dog you’d want to have around. News reports and breed-specific legislation, like...

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Valentine’s Day Gifts for Pets

This upcoming Valentine's Day, don't forget the fuzzy friends that love you back! Buy a gift or two for Fido and Fluffy. It doesn't have to be expensive, and it certainly can be something as simple as a toy or treat. You can give your cat a beautiful collar or perhaps purchase a cute Valentine's themed sweater for your dog. Have a little fun and use your imagination for a present that your four-legged friend will appreciate. Read on for more ideas and inspiration. Gifts for a Cat We all know that most felines are finicky by nature, but that is...

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Your Pet vs. Wild Animals

If your cat has ever brought you a dead mouse or bird, you know about the unending war between pets and wild animals. It’s true that when a dog chases a squirrel, or a coyote eats a cat, they’re all just following their instincts. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing we humans can do about it. We can take steps to reduce the harm pets and wildlife do to each other. Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge has some advice for cat and dog owners. First, what doesn’t work for cats:
  • Simply feeding them enough. In one experiment, cats eating their...

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“Please Clean Up . . .”

Someone has to do it – clean the cat’s litter box or follow the dog around with a plastic bag and a scoop. We think of it mostly as keeping our streets and houses clean, but there’s another reason cleaning up pet waste is important: It helps keep contaminants out of our water supply. The EPA reports that studies in the Seattle area showed that nearly 20% of the bacteria in water samples came from dogs. (Wild animals and farm animals are also responsible for a lot of water contamination, but most of us can’t do much about them.) Contamination...

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