We all know the adage "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" and we're here to tell you that this is far from true!
When you first got your pet, you more than likely spent a lot of time training them and teaching them basic commands. Now that your pet is older, training might be far from the first thing on your mind.
Pets, particularly dogs, are happier when they are mentally and physically active! One-on-one training provides exactly that in addition to getting the attention they may be craving. Specifically when using positive reinforcement methods!
Positive reinforcement is when rewards come when you do something correctly, even though you may not know what you’re supposed to do. No punishments are ever handed out.
There are many benefits of using positive reinforcement training methods for pets, including:
❤️ Reduction in fear and stress of pets
🧡 A strengthened bond between pet and owner
💛 Faster learning of new behaviors
💚 Ability to teach unnatural behaviors
💙 Ability to teach complex behaviors
💜 Children can safely use this method (training involving punishment can be dangerous)
Petting, scratching, and cuddling your pet could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep as mediation! Today is #nationalcuddleupday ! Share your cuddly photos with us! 🥰
Have you ever noticed your pup's nose turn from its usual dark color to more of a pink or brown color? Guess what that's called!?
Snow nose! aka Winter Nose ❄️
Snow nose most commonly affects Siberian Huskies, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Bernese Mountain Dogs.
This condition is completely cosmetic! However, if your dog's nose gets smoother and smoother or raw with sores, you should definitely make a veterinary appointment.
The thought of holiday food makes our mouths water! Yours too? Guess what? Your pet's mouth is watering, as well! As tempting as it may be to share your amazing spread with your pets--beware of the following foods that are particularly dangerous for your fur-babies!
❗Chocolate
❗Pumpkin Pie
❗Corn Cobs
❗Gravy
❗Turkey Bones
💛 Did you know that owning a pet improves your cardiovascular health?
💛 The CDC and NIH found that pet owners display decreased blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, which can all minimize their risk of a heart attack.
💛 Furthermore, those who have already experienced a heart attack tend to have better recovery rates if they own a dog or a cat!
1 in 4 dogs will develop cancer in their lifetime. 50% of dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer. Those are some staggering statistics! The best thing you can do for your pet is to keep them healthy and recognize the warning signs of cancer:
❗️ Unusual or fast-growing lumps or bumps
❗️ Unresolved vomiting or diarrhea
❗️ Unexplained or unresolved pain or limping
❗️ Unexplained bleeding or discharge from the nose or in urine or stool
❗️ Difficulty performing basic functions like eating, drinking, swallowing, breathing, urinating, or defecating.
❗️ Foul mouth odor
❗️ Swollen lymph nodes
❗️ Sores that do not resolve or heal
❗️ Weight loss or loss of appetite
❗️ Lethargic with no interest in usual activities
Although all of these symptoms can be linked with a variety of other conditions, they can all be linked to various cancerous conditions in your pet and should be examined.
Fun Fact:
🐱🐱 cats is simply called a pair
But 🐱🐱🐱+ cats? Well, 🐱🐱🐱+ cats are called a "clowder"!
So...do you own a single cat 🐱? A pair of cats 🐱🐱? Or a clowder 🐱🐱🐱+?
Type your answer in the comments, below.
Don't forget about preventatives!
Your indoor cat still needs flea and tick prevention, even if your dog is on it!
Your dog ventures out into the wilderness and is naturally at a higher risk for attracting fleas and ticks. But, even your indoor pets can host these parasites!
You and your dog can easily carry home fleas and ticks that will go looking for another suitable host and potentially find a nice home on your indoor cat!
To keep everyone safe, administer year-round flea and tick prevention to each pet.
How often do you think you *should* bathe your dog vs. how often are you *actually* bathing your dog?
The answer to this question is not as straightforward as you'd think!
Here are some things to consider:
1. 🧼 Coat Type: Believe it or not, hairless dog breeds are quite care-intensive and may require weekly baths! On the other side, long-coated breeds may need bathing weekly to every 4-6 weeks depending on how well their coat is cared for in between bathing. Be careful not to over bathe, however. Overbathing can strip natural oils from the skin.
2. 🧼 Health: If your pup suffers from certain health conditions, your groomer or veterinarian may recommend medicated shampoo for your dog. For healthy pets, a grooming regimen is still important to maintain healthy skin and a healthy coat! Thorough coat brushing and combing and conditioning are integral to your dog's health, as well!
3. 🧼 Lifestyle: If your pup has an active lifestyle playing in oceans, lakes, hunting in muddy waters, etc, more baths may be required--regardless of breed.
An estimated 1 in 300 adult dogs and 1 in 230 cats in the US have diabetes 😩.
Pets with diabetes cannot produce or utilize insulin properly, preventing the conversion of food to energy.
Sadly, diabetes cannot be cured, but with proper treatment and monitoring your pet can live a long, happy life 👏.
✴️✴️ Help spread awareness by sharing this post with the #petdiabetesmonth hashtag ✴️✴️
If you've ever wondered what sets dogs and cats apart, look no further.
I know you're likely well aware of the glaring differences between dogs and cats. But both of them can very easily contribute positively to your family unit. Individually or even together!
Did you know? Cats & dogs can both be trained! Yep, it's true. Cats can be trained just like dogs can with a bit of patience and positive reinforcement.
Cats and dogs both need love and care. Alright, maybe you already knew that. But, cats are often considered easier to look after because they are much more independent and need much less input from their owners. However, cats still need lots of love, care, and affection. Just like dogs!
Lastly, cats and dogs can both be a part of the family. Despite their differences, they can live happily with each other in your home given they've been given a proper introduction.
Let us know how accurate is this video when it comes to the personality of your dog and/or cat!