Dog food aggression isn’t always a sign of dominance. For many dogs, it can be a sign of fear or anxiety. If your dog is a rescue or shelter dog, or if they haven’t received sufficient food in their lifetime, …
The post Dog Food Aggression Training first appeared on People Loving Animals.
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So you have a new dog or puppy. Congratulations!
Or, perhaps you want to train an older adult dog and you’re wondering what dog training commands you should teach.
Dogs of any age who are healthy can learn dog training commands. An “old dog” can learn new tricks!
Commands are a way of communicating with your pup. They help teach him the rules and what’s expected of him.
Commands can come in the form of verbal commands or in the form of hand signals. Dogs read our tone and body language.
They can learn many words when taught what they mean. One of my dogs even learned to perform different behaviors for over 170 words.
Consistency in using the same words—cues—is important or the dog will get confused.
Using consistent hand signals can also be taught. Hand signals can be useful as they often can help a dog pay more attention to the training.
They’re crucial in training deaf dogs too.
One of my senior Shelties became deaf at around 14 years old.
Because she knew hand signals and to watch for them, I was able to take her places and knew she would respond even off a leash.
Hand signals also are useful for training in loud environments and for distance work.
Dog training is a little bit like stacking blocks. The more a dog learns, the more he can learn.
For more detailed information on raising and training your dog, check out our puppy training 101 page.
Training builds the bond with your furry best friend. It also helps teach him the rules and what’s expected. It teaches him to follow what you say.
A trained dog is a pleasure to live with! He can accompany you to a friend’s house. To the beach. Or to the pet shop.
You won’t be dragged down the street. You’ll see your friends more often because they won’t be knocked over when they enter your house.
Your pup won’t be locked in another room while you eat. Your couch won’t become a chew toy.
Training also helps your pup get some impulse control. He’ll learn to get some self-control as he learns the commands.
Impulse control helps your pup be successful in all types of settings.
Dog training commands are great for young puppies or young dogs who often have little to no impulse control.
The benefits of training are infinite!
QUICK RECOMMENDATION: If you’re looking for a good book about training your puppy check out The Puppy Primer. It sets a great foundation for both the new puppy or dog owner.
Some basic dog commands will really help your day-to-day life. As a dog trainer, there are certain commands I recommend for every dog.
Once your dog has mastered the basic commands, the sky’s the limit!
In fact, one of our favorite local dog obedience schools requires basic obedience level 1 before going to any other class, but once you complete level 1 you’re welcome to attend any advanced training class including agility, sport dog, nose work, etc.
The below list starts with some commands that are basic, such as paying attention or sitting, and goes through more advanced commands like take it/hold it.
You can show your dog how to do tricks like speaking on command.
Or the useful trick of going to a dog bed and remaining there while you eat, which solves begging from the table.
Or even to fetch a tissue or a newspaper for you.
Here’s our list of 21 dog training commands that are important for every dog to know.
However, if you’re really interested in teaching your dog more advanced commands then check out our article about service dog commands.
Before we get started I’d like to make two recommendations.
Without further adieu…
Getting your dog’s attention is the foundation of all interactions with him. If he’s not paying attention to you, you’re just giving a command to the air. It can also help teach a new dog his name.
How Do I Teach the Attention Command?
This is one of the most important commands you can teach your pup. A reliable recall can save your dog’s life!
We all know of dogs who run the other way when called. It’s frustrating and embarrassing.
They’ll win the chase game. They have four legs and we have two.
One of my clients hired me because they lived on a busy street. Unfortunately, their prior dog escaped and was hit by a car. It’s heart-breaking.
They wanted to be sure that didn’t happen again. Their new pup learned to zoom toward them when called.
Their friends were impressed. And they were ecstatic and could trust that they wouldn’t lose their dog.
How Do I Teach the Come Command?
QUICK RECOMMENDATION: This is the long line we use when teaching our puppies to “come” when called.
We’ve all had the dog that wants to scavenge and pick up food wrappers on a walk. Or the tempting roast on the counter.
It’s not only frustrating but can lead to a sick pup who gets into the wrong things.
So you need to teach your dog how to never grab that forbidden item when you tell him to “leave it.”
How Do I Teach the Leave It Command?
PRO TIP: When training our puppies and dogs we start off by using their kibble as treats. However, sometimes you’ll want to give a higher value reward. We already mentioned the Crazy Dog Train-Me Treats. The other treats we highly recommend are Zuke’s Mini Naturals.
This is the first command that most people teach their dogs. A dog that will sit on command can’t jump.
You can greet people while taking a walk. Your neighbors won’t avoid you and cross the street. No muddy paws on your new shirt after your dog reaches you.
It will get some impulse control in all settings…
How Do I Teach the Sit Command?
Once your dog can sit on command, you can teach him to lie down.
This command is different than “off” for jumping. It’s lying down flat, tummy and legs on the ground.
A dog that will lie down on command can be taught to go to a place like a dog bed and be calm.
He can accompany you to an outside eatery without stealing food. He’ll also be unable to jump on people or counters.
How Do I Teach the Down Command?
PRO TIP: If you get too excited in your praise, he’ll pop back up.
We’ve all seen the helpless owner being dragged down the street. This can be dangerous. Loose leash walking is an important skill for you and your dog to learn.
Not only can you get injured but you can also unwillingly let go of the leash and lose your dog.
One of my clients had been pulled over by her Alaskan Malamute and broke her wrist before she hired me.
Panicked, and not wanting to rehome her dog, she called me. Understandably, she teared up when she told me what happened.
We taught her pup to walk nicely on a leash. They could then take fun leisurely walks around the neighborhood. And the dog got more exercise too.
How Do I Teach the Loose Leash Walking Command?
This command can stop your dog from darting out the door. Most dogs are so excited when a door opens, that they want to run outside to see where the fun is.
But this can be disastrous. Your beloved pet may run into traffic or get lost.
If he’s trained to wait and not run outdoors or even to wait at curbs when he’s on a walk, those nightmare scenarios won’t occur.
And your walks will be more pleasant.
A “wait” command is used in various ways by different trainers.
Generally, it’s used as a pause in which the dog doesn’t move forward but, unlike a stay, doesn’t have to remain in a certain position.
So, you can even use it to stop your pup from coming out of your car by saying “wait” before attaching his leash and then telling him to jump out of the car.
How Do I Teach the Wait Command?
This is another impulse-control exercise that can make it a pleasure to be with your dog. Dogs can, like people, become overly excited.
But, unlike people, they usually jump, tear clothes, and wreak havoc when over-stimulated. So it’s useful to teach them to settle down.
It helps if they’ve had enough exercise before practice. Once they learn what “settle” means, they can perform it on cue.
I’ve found that teaching a puppy to settle can really help the pup have some impulse control.
When my Lhasa apso was a puppy, he often was over-stimulated by many things.
Teaching him a “settle” command was very helpful in his being able to calm down, to the point that he became naturally calmer in those settings.
You want to make sure that the bed that you use to have your dog settle in is large enough for him to lie down on comfortably.
How Do I Teach the Settle Command?
After a dog knows the “sit” or “down” commands, you can start teaching him to remain in those positions.
Stay means to remain in exactly the same position, without turning around or moving up.
You want to teach him not to edge up or crawl away.
After he can stay, you can teach him to stay on a dog bed or even in a down when you’re out with him at an eatery.
How Do I Teach the Stay Command?
This is a great command for teaching a dog to fetch. It’s also useful for practical things like fetching the television remote or a can of soda.
You can also have the pup perform other tricks by taking and holding things. I taught this to many dogs, including my golden retrievers.
Though they naturally retrieved, I wanted them to take items on command.
How Do I Teach the Take It and Hold It Commands?
We all know a dog that tugs with all his might. He grabs your hat and runs off with it. When you try to take it, his teeth clamp down until your hat is in shreds.
Teaching a dog to give something up solves that problem and can help teach them not to guard the object.
How Do I Teach the Drop It or Give Commands?
QUICK RECOMMENDATION: Most of our puppies in training are Labs and Golden Retrievers who love to chew. One of our favorite toys is the durable KONG Classic which also works great when teaching your dog to “drop it” or “give”.
“Place” is a very useful command. You can tell your dog to go to a specific place, such as a dog bed.
When teaching it, it’s important to leave the bed in the same location so the dog understands what you want. On cue himself
It’s important to teach a down/stay along with this command, so your pup can lie on his bed while you and your friends munch some chips.
How Do I Teach the Place Command?
PRO TIP: Check out our video teaching Raven to “Go To Your Bed” using the Carlson Portable Dog Cot as her bed. We did it a little differently than what is described above capturing and shaping her behavior using a clicker.
Some dogs naturally go in circles chasing their tail. In this trick, you teach your dog to go around in a circle.
This is a fun party trick. It can also build a dog’s confidence and expend some of that extra energy.
How Do I Teach the Spin Command?
This is a fun trick. Your dog may become the next Frisbee champion! Not all dogs naturally catch an item.
I find the easiest way to teach this is to use a soft toy that your dog loves.
Most dogs love soft squeaky toys, but it’s important to have a variety of toys as dogs will sometimes get bored even with their favorite toys.
How Do I Teach the Catch It Command?
Many dogs love to bark. They sound the alarm when someone’s at the door. They’re communicating with us. But constant barking is annoying.
So it helps to teach a pup to bark only on cue.
One of the breeds I have is Shelties, which is a very vocal breed. When they herd, they let a high-pitched wail accompany their work.
It was crucial that I taught them to only speak on cue so that I wouldn’t go deaf and so that neighbors wouldn’t complain.
How Do I Teach the Speak/Quiet Commands?
PRO TIP: After training these commands, start really praising the quiet more than the speak command.
When your dog knows how to speak and be quiet on command, you can have him “count.” This is a neat party trick to impress your friends.
How Do I Teach the Counting Command?
Everyone’s impressed when a dog high-fives on command. It’s best to teach this after your dog already knows how to sit on command.
How Do I Teach the Shake Hands/High Five Command
Your friends are visiting you. As they are departing, you can have your pup wave goodbye. They’ll be so impressed that they won’t want to leave.
Once your dog knows how to shake hands/high-five, you can teach him to wave.
How Do I Teach the Wave Command?
This trick can be a show-stopper. With any trick, it’s often what you say that makes the trick seem polished. You can say something like “Crawl like a bug.”
After your dog knows a solid down command, you can teach him to crawl.
How Do I Teach the Crawl Command?
This is a command where you teach your dog to touch his nose or foot to an item. It’s called targeting. It’s useful to teach dogs to touch your hand.
It can teach a dog to pay attention to you. It can teach a puppy to be gentle with hands.
How Do I Teach the Touch Command?
We made a few recommendations throughout this post.
Here’s a quick recap of some things you might want to get before you start teaching these important dog training commands.
These are 21 dog training commands we like to teach most of our dogs and puppies.
However, it’s not important that you teach all of these commands what is most important is that you exercise you remember it’s not just about exercising your dog’s body, but his mind as well.
Also, if you want a real challenge you might consider teaching your dog these service dog training commands.
What dog training commands have you taught your dog?
Are you having trouble with any part of your dog’s training?
Tell us about your experiences in the comment section below.
Related Article:
UPDATE: This post was originally published on May 1st, 2022. We periodically update blog posts with new experiences and information to keep them as relevant as possible.
Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist.
Dogs bark. It is part of their normal and natural communication and behavior. Dogs can bark for appropriate and good reasons. The more you learn about dogs, the better your relationship will be. If you wish to know more about the reasons why your dog barks, here you go: Dog Barking Problem: Common Reasons For Your Dog’s Constant Barking
If we want to control barking, we need a dog that can obey us and relax. The dog needs to look to their owner for behavior clues. If we can call them, have them lie down (dogs don’t bark as much when lying down) and stay, we are well on the way to solving a nuisance barking problem. In addition, there are some common principles we can use in modifying barking behavior.
First, in most cases shouting “No” is only going to make matters worse since the dog is thinking you are barking too (and is probably happy you joined in).
Be consistent. Pick a one-word command e.g., “Enough” for the behavior you want and always use that word in the same tone of voice. Everyone in the household must use the same command and act identically.
Be patient with your dog and yourself. Changing behavior takes a lot of time, and you need to take it slowly, one step at a time. If you become angry at your dog, the chance to correctly modify the behavior will be gone.
Reward the dog for good behavior. Positive reinforcement is much more powerful than punishment. Physical punishment will do nothing but make your dog fearful of you and break down the bond you wish to have with them. Often, picking a very special treat like small pieces of cooked chicken or hot dog will make the reward seem even better. As time goes on, you will not give a treat every time, sometimes just rewarding with a “Good Dog” and a pat on the dog’s chest.
Control the situation. As much as possible, set up situations to use as training. Practice in short, frequent sessions, generally 5-10 minutes each.
Do not be afraid to ask an expert. Animal trainers, behaviorists, and your veterinarian can give you valuable advice. Having them witness your dog’s barking episodes may give them valuable clues on helping you solve the barking problem.
The key to knowing what to do with our dog’s barKing is to know why they do so in the first place. Here are some of the common reasons why they bark:
? “I need to relieve myself please.”
If this is the case, do not allow your dog’s barking to be its way of alerting you. You can try using a clicker to teach him a “Hush” command and then teach him an alternate alert signal such as pawing at the door. Every time he barks to go out, hush him, ask him if he has to “Go Potty” and then paw at the door with your hand. Repeat this process every time he barks to go out. Praise and treat every time he follows your lead.
? “I think someone is calling me.”
Sometimes you’ll find dogs barking at each other. This doesn’t happen very often unless you have a dog next door that won’t shut up. You can try to distract him by playing with him or starting a game of fetch but this won’t solve the problem. Teaching him the “hush” command is the best way to eliminate this behavior.
? “I heard a loud noise and I don’t know what it is.”
If you know that the noise does not pose a threat, stop the dog barking by playing with him or starting a game of fetch.
? “I’m thirsty.”
Try teaching him the “Hush” command by using a clicker, and then when he has quieted down, fill his bowl with water. You can teach him to paw at his bowl by tapping on his bowl when he’s alerting you to fill his bowl. He will pick up on this after a while.
? “Don’t you dare come near my food while I’m eating?”
Do not allow him to respond this way whenever someone walks by him while he’s eating. Next time it’s time to feed, place the bowl on your lap and feed him one morsel at a time. Do not allow him to reach the bowl. Show him that you are in control of his food. Do it until your pet gets accustomed to having someone touch his food. Have different members of the household try it as well. This will help desensitize him and show him he can trust you.
If you have an overly-aggressive dog, then we would not recommend this.
Your dog deserves the very best, that’s why you should learn how to feed them properly: Dog food for puppies: Why is it so important to get the best food for dogs.
Once you determine the cause of your dog’s excessive barking, you can begin to control the behavior. Below are the things to do as agreed by most pet owners and handlers alike regarding barking and resolving it:
Hey you, new dog owner. Now that you have a new puppy, this is the best time to train them the best way possible. So take a look at this: House and Crate Training 101: How To Crate Train Your Dog.
Now that we already are equipped with the knowledge about barking and their types, here are some easy steps in training our dog not to bark. They are simple and need not be professionals to be able to pull it off. All you need is patience:
Please feel encouraged to say hello – we’ll be happy to help with any questions you might have, and if you’d like to comment on our site, products or service, we’d love to hear from you!
Keeping our pets safe is something we should be continually aware of, not just when we get a new puppy or kitten! Any veterinarian’s office will tell you that there’s a ton of dangerous stuff around people’s homes and yards …
The post Pet Safety Checklist for Home and Yard first appeared on People Loving Animals.
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Start 2024 off right with your own Homeward Pet Calendar.
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Learning how to train a kitten isn’t hard when you realize that consistency, kindness, patience and the right training methods are key!
In this post, we’ll discuss:
…
The post How to Train a Kitten first appeared on People Loving Animals.
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This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
It may not seem like it, but your puppy’s first year will fly by, and that tiny pup will grow into an adult dog in the blink of an eye.
Transitioning from three to two meals a day is one of the biggest milestones in your pup’s life and has a huge impact on their overall health.
Knowing when to switch a puppy to two meals a day will put your pup on the right track to becoming a happy and healthy adult.
When my dog was still a puppy, I heard different advice about how often and how much he should eat. Some said once a day, others advised twice a day.
I was even told to keep the bowl full at all times and let my pup eat at will (we did this with our first puppy, Linus because he lied to graze).
To be honest, none of this made any sense, and I wasn’t willing to risk my pup’s health and well-being based on other people’s opinions.
I’ve come to find that puppies are a lot like human babies: They need several smaller meals throughout the day and do best on a strict schedule.
While all dogs are individuals, all puppies should start at four meals a day and gradually transition to two meals a day during their first year of life.
In this article, I’ll tell you why a regular feeding schedule is so important and when to feed a puppy two meals a day. Keep on reading to learn everything you should know about your puppy’s nutritional needs.
QUICK RECOMMENDATION: Our guide dog puppies are currently eating Purina Pro Plan Puppy Large Breed Formula. Remember our guide pups are mostly larger breed dogs – Labs, Goldens, and German Shepherds. This dog food may not be best for your pup.
Bringing a new puppy home is a huge responsibility! Not only do you need to survive the puppy’s first night at home, but you also have to create and stick to a regular feeding schedule from the get-go.
A good feeding schedule and high-quality food are essential for your puppy’s growth and development and have a huge influence on how healthy your pooch will be when they grow up.
Free feeding and low-quality puppy food put your puppy at risk of becoming overweight and developing serious health problems such as diabetes and musculoskeletal conditions.
Therefore, it’s vital that you know what the best feeding schedule is for your puppy, based on their life stage.
All puppies go through the same developmental stages during their first year of life, but some pups can transition to two meals a day sooner than others.
This largely depends on your pup’s breed and size. Smaller breeds need less time to develop and grow than larger and giant dogs.
Consequently, a small breed dog such as a Chihuahua may start eating two meals a day way sooner than a giant Great Dane puppy.
Generally speaking, you should switch a puppy to two meals a day when they hit the six-month mark. This is a general rule of thumb.
As you know, all dogs are individuals, and you should always talk with your breeder or veterinarian before changing your puppy’s food or feeding schedule.
With that said, I’ll give you a general timeline for what your puppy’s feeding schedule should look like during the first year of its life.
QUICK RECOMMENDATION: We’ve found the best bowls to use with our puppies are simple no-tip stainless steel dog bowls. We’ve had these exact same bowls since our first puppy Linus who we rescued from the shelter back in January 2005!
Very young puppies, like human babies, need to eat several times throughout the day to stay energized and grow properly. Most puppies are already weaned from their mothers by the age of eight weeks when they are sent to their new owners and forever homes.
Whether you purchased or adopted your puppy, the breeder or the staff from the shelter should have told you the brand of puppy food your pup is used to eating.
If there is no dire need to change your puppy’s food to another formula, you should continue feeding the same food after you bring the pup home.
At this stage, puppies grow fast and need a lot of food and frequent meals to grow and develop properly. You should feed four equally spaced meals and make it a point that meals are always given at the same times of the day.
Sticking to a regular feeding schedule will help you immensely in potty training your puppy, since they need to eliminate 10 to 15 minutes after eating a meal.
By keeping a strict feeding schedule, you can predict when your puppy will need to go outside and give them an opportunity to relieve themselves in the designated potty area.
From six to 12 weeks of age, you should be feeding a complete and balanced puppy food that is specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of a developing puppy.
When eating commercial puppy food, puppies can transition to unmoistened, dry puppy food by the age of nine to 10 weeks for large breed pups and by 12 to 13 weeks for small breeds.
If you are considering a homemade or raw diet, talk with your vet or canine nutritionist first. Preparing your pup’s food takes a lot of time and planning to get it right, and your pooch may be better off eating commercial puppy food.
QUICK RECOMMENDATION: If you are considering a different type of food for your puppy you might want to consider fresh dog food. Our current favorite is The Farmer’s Dog.
At the three-month mark, you should consider cutting your puppy’s meals from four to three meals a day. Ideally, aim for feeding your puppy equally spaced breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the same times every day.
While your growing puppy will be eating significantly larger meals than when you first brought them home, it will still need high-calorie puppy food.
Most dogs start to lose their trademark chubby puppy appearance when they are around 12 weeks old. This is one of the signs you should look for when decreasing your pup’s feedings from four to three meals a day.
If your pup still has a potbelly and looks chubby at this stage, continue feeding four meals until its body starts to lose its puppy pudge.
And if you think that your pup is too chubby or, by contrast, too lanky, schedule an appointment with your vet and have your pooch examined. The solution may be as simple as tweaking your pup’s portion sizes and feeding more or less food for each meal.
When they reach six months of age, puppies enter an adolescent stage, and their nutritional needs change. So, if you were wondering when you should switch your puppy to two meals a day, now is the right time!
By the time puppies reach six months of age, they stop growing and developing at a rapid pace, and they no longer need as much food.
However, most will continue eating puppy food. Still, you should talk to your vet and see what the best food would be for your pup based on their individual nutritional needs.
Bear in mind, that most veterinarians recommend spaying and neutering puppies at this age (although we tend to wait longer based on this recent study for spaying and neutering), since this is the time most males become sexually mature.
If you decide to spay or neuter your pup, know that the procedure affects your dog’s nutritional needs.
Desexed puppies and dogs have lower energy requirements than their intact counterparts and need a different type of food. Consult your vet about switching your pooch from puppy food to adult maintenance formula.
Feeding a nutrient- and calorie-dense puppy food to a desexed dog can lead to obesity, so don’t wait long to transition your pooch to a new food.
You should also know that most smaller breeds can make a switch from three to two meals a day when they are around seven or nine months old.
Small dogs need less time to grow up and reach adulthood than larger breeds and consequently have different nutritional needs. If you have a toy or small-breed dog, feed them with small-breed puppy food.
Small-breed dog foods generally have more calories and are specially formulated to meet the higher energy needs of a small dog.
You should keep this in mind when picking out food for your pup since feeding an inappropriate diet can have an adverse effect on your pup’s growth, energy levels, and overall health.
Large and giant breed puppies, on the other hand, can continue eating three meals a day until they are 12 and in some cases even 14 months old.
Larger dogs need more time to fully grow and reach adulthood and have completely different nutritional needs than their smaller counterparts.
When it comes to large breeds, getting the nutrition right is of utmost importance. Overfeeding a large breed puppy can cause rapid growth, which can lead to serious health problems.
Eating too many calories can cause musculoskeletal disorders in large and giant breed puppies, so pay close attention to how much food you are feeding your pup.
Another important consideration when it comes to large-breed puppies is the calcium-phosphorus ratio. An ideal calcium-phosphorus ratio for large and giant breeds is 1.2:1 and should ideally come from your pup’s diet.
Large puppies that are eating a complete and balanced food that contains recommended amounts of calcium shouldn’t take any calcium supplements.
There are a lot of things that can go wrong if you aren’t sticking to a regular feeding schedule or feeding complete and balanced food to your large breed puppy.
When it comes to bigger dogs, it’s better to err on the side of caution and continue feeding puppy food three times a day rather than switching to a large breed adult dog food too soon.
Remember, giant breeds such as the Great Dane may take two years to reach adulthood and their full size. Switching your pup to adult formula or cutting their meals too soon can deprive your pooch of essential nutrients and jeopardize their health.
On the other hand, feeding a puppy formula for too long isn’t a good option since it can lead to obesity and joint problems.
When it comes to your puppy’s diet and nutrition, you should have your vet involved every step of the way.
Knowing when to switch a puppy to two meals a day gives you enough time to schedule an exam with your vet and discuss your pup’s mealtimes and feeding schedule before making any changes.
Even though most puppies do well following these feeding guidelines and meal schedules, know that every dog is an individual. This means that your pup may need a specific feeding schedule and meal plan that will cater to their unique dietary needs.
Don’t hesitate to talk with your vet or your breeder whenever you have some questions or doubts. In the end, it’s their job to help you raise a happy and healthy puppy.
QUICK RECOMMENDATION: We feed most of our puppies dry dog food sometimes mixed with fresh dog food. Over the years we’ve found the easiest way is to use an airtight storage container like the Iris Pet Food Container.
The best time to switch your puppy from three to two meals a day is when they are between six and 12 months old. Keep in mind that most toy and small breed dogs can make the switch to two meals a day when they are between seven and nine months old.
Large and giant breeds, on the other hand, can continue eating three meals a day until they are between 12 and 14 months old.
There are many factors that affect your dog’s nutritional needs and the number of meals they should have during the day.
Spayed and neutered puppies, for example, are less energetic than their intact counterparts and therefore need less nutrient-dense food and fewer meals.
Generally, you can transition a spayed or neutered puppy to adult maintenance food, to lower their calorie intake and prevent obesity.
A two-month-old puppy should be fed four small meals a day spread evenly throughout the day and always at the same times.
An eight-week-old puppy will still only eat canned puppy food, which means that you will need to feed larger amounts to account for your pup’s daily nutritional needs.
At this time, you may also want to try adding a few bits of dry kibble into your pup’s wet food to start getting them used to the feel and texture of kibble.
Since your pup should transition fully to dry puppy food by the age of 10 weeks, now is the perfect time to start introducing them to it.
Even when you start feeding kibble, your puppy will still need to have four equally spaced meals a day until they reach three months.
Ideally, your puppy’s last meal for the day should be around 5 P.M., followed by a potty break and a playing session. Feeding your pup around this time will give them enough time to properly digest the entire meal and eliminate one last time before going to bed.
Wait two or three hours to take your puppy for a final walk for the day, making sure they have plenty of time to empty their bowel and bladder completely before heading back home.
Making sure that you stick to a regular feeding and potty schedule is the best way to housetrain and keep your pup energized throughout the day.
Most puppies can switch to two meals a day when they are between six and 12 months old and should continue eating that way for the rest of their lives.
But, while most dogs do well on a two-meal-a-day schedule, adding a third meal can also be a good option.
Dogs that have digestive issues may have less trouble digesting smaller meals and do better when eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Either way, you choose, make sure the meals are no more than 12 hours apart since your dog’s stomach can become too acidic leading to vomiting and nausea.
As long as you are feeding your dog the appropriate amount of food for their age, size, and activity level, feeding one meal a day isn’t cruel.
However, feeding an adult dog one meal a day for a long time can lead to some serious health problems such as bloat and hyperglycemia.
It’s far healthier for your dog to eat at least two smaller meals a day. Having breakfast and dinner will also help keep your pooch energized throughout the day and support proper digestion and bowel movements.
When I first started raising guide dog puppies back in 2006 we transitioned our puppies to once-a-day feedings at about 15 months old.
I was not a fan of feeding our dogs only once a day and apparently, the school decided it wasn’t a good idea either. By the time I raised my second puppy, they went back to twice-a-day feeding for our older pups.
We are not veterinarians but over the years we’ve fed our dogs many different types of food. Here are a few we’ve given our dogs that you might want to consider feeding your pups.
Over the years the guide dog program has changed the food we feed our puppies in training. Here’s a look at the foods we’ve fed our guide pups:
Over the years we’ve fed our new pups all different kinds of food. It will vary depending on what breeders, shelters, and rescues recommend and use with their puppies. Here’s a list of the foods we’ve fed our puppies that we like:
Dehydrated Dog Food
Fresh Dog Food
Hopefully, you can find food your dog loves. These are some of our favorites and worth checking out if you haven’t found something for your dog or puppy.
Knowing when a puppy should go from three meals to two meals a day is important for your pup’s overall health and development.
Making sure that your pup is getting all the right nutrients they need based on their life stage will ensure that they grow into a happy, healthy, and strong adult dog.
When it comes to a puppy’s feeding schedule here’s what you need to remember:
In the end, while most puppies can start having two meals a day when they are between six and 12 months old, ask your breeder or rescue center for their guidelines on feeding your puppy.
Also, talk to your vet and see if cutting your pup’s meals is the right thing to do.
That all being said these are general guidelines that you can apply to most puppies. However, as mentioned earlier every puppy will have his own individual needs based on size, breed, etc.
We’ve raised dozens of puppies and every breeder will have their own set of guidelines that are important to follow. After all your breeder will know her puppies better than anyone.
When we brought home our 8-week-old guide dog puppy, Stetson the school recommended soaking his kibble (Canidae All Life Stages) in warm water for 10 minutes and feeding him three times a day.
When he reached 4 months old they asked us to transition him to eating twice a day.
On the other hand, when we adopted a Labrador puppy from our local breeder their recommendation was to feed FROMM Gold three times a day without soaking then transitioning to twice a day when she was 6 months old.
I’ll say it again…every puppy is different.
How about you?
How old is your puppy and how often do you feed him/her?
Tell us about your experiences in the comment section below.
UPDATE: This post was originally published on March 25, 2022. We periodically update blog posts with new experiences and information to keep them as relevant as possible.
Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist.
Lola’s Journey Home
As Giving Tuesday comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on why I’m an avid supporter of Homeward Pet. It goes back to the summer of 2020 when I took in an acquaintance’s dog after she’d escaped from their home twice in the short time they’d had her. They asked me for help when they realized they couldn’t give Lola what she needed. Lola really needed a home with another dog to help her cope with anxiety. After fostering 60+ dogs, I was sure that my friendly dogs would boost Lola’s confidence and help her “learn how to dog” until she was ready to be adopted.
Lola was comfortable around other dogs but fearful and avoided contact with people. She was not at all aggressive, but didn’t like to be touched, wouldn’t eat with people in the room, and wouldn’t move around the house or go outside without a doggy helper to keep her company. Additionally, from what I knew about Lola’s background, it didn’t appear she’d ever had any vet care.
After another shelter wouldn’t accept Lola as an owner surrender, I reached out to Homeward Pet. Lola needed vet care and I needed support from dog behavior experts. Within 24 hours, Homeward Pet had agreed to take her in as an owner surrender and accepted me as a new foster volunteer. Homeward Pet’s Vet Clinic examined her, administered vaccinations, and spayed her. The Behavior Team consulted with me on Lola’s behavior and gave me pointers for monitoring body language, letting her make good choices, made suggestions about introducing her to other people, how to address her mild separation anxiety, and how to approach training at a pace that would build her confidence and not increase her anxiety.
Everything Homeward Pet did during this time was individually tailored to Lola’s specific needs. The shelter modified their normal intake, foster and adoption processes in ways that served Lola best and minimized her anxiety.
I fostered Lola for six months and, in that time, I became a Homeward Pet supporter for life. They truly “live their commitment” to give every animal the individual time and care needed to be ready for their adoptive home. It was no surprise to anyone when Lola and my other dogs decided she was already home, and I ended up adopting her. Today Lola still has some quirks that will probably be with her for life, but she’s relaxed and comfortable with people once she gets to know them and brings smiles to people we see on walks with her goofy grin and exuberant full body rolls.
I decided to give back by serving on Homeward Pet’s Board, fostering dogs when I can, and digging deep to donate to the programs that make Homeward Pet so special. There are many deserving animal welfare organizations in the area, but none, in my mind, more deserving than Homeward Pet.
Since I started volunteering for Homeward Pet, I’ve witnessed the shelter’s same commitment to many other dogs and cats that need medical care and behavior support so that they can live happy lives in adoptive homes.
Please join me in supporting Homeward Pet with a heartfelt donation during this holiday season. Every single donation makes a difference.
Sincerely,
Victoria Mabus
Board of Director Member and foster volunteer
Homeward Pet Adoption Center
Transforming Fear to Trust: Bowie’s Journey and why your support matters
How do you help an animal that won’t interact? That was the problem we faced when Bowie and his brother Magnet came to Homeward Pet. Here were two beautiful, healthy dogs who had spent their lives outdoors, away from human contact, and had developed no trust in people. When they came to Homeward Pet, these boys kept to the back of their kennel whenever anyone approached.
Homeward Pet’s Behavior Senior Manager, Jenny Black, evaluated both dogs as individuals even though they came in together. She saw what these boys needed, and the persistence and patience it would require. She engaged the Behavior Team, a group of experienced volunteers, which I am proud to be part of. We worked with both dogs multiple times a day. At first, we would sit outside their kennel, talking to them and tossing them treats to help them build confidence and trust.
We knew the care plan would take time – weeks or even months. While this is problematic at many shelters, Homeward Pet has the unique combination of trained staff, dedicated volunteers, and the ability to invest time in individual animals to prepare them for success in their future home.
Eventually, we were able to be inside the kennel with them. I remember the breakthrough day when Bowie stayed with me and let me pat him for the first time. I knew we were getting through! After deciding to train the brothers separately, we were able to acclimatize Bowie to his harness and leash, eventually taking him on walks.
Bowie began to thrive. He became more curious, more adventurous, and more engaging. It wasn’t long after that I took him for a walk and thought “finally – he’s just a normal dog!”
Bowie was adopted almost a year ago and continues to thrive in a loving home. Your dedication and support is why Homeward Pet can say yes to animals that may need more support in learning to be a well-adjusted household pet.
This dedication is one of the many reasons I support Homeward Pet, with my time as a Board Member and Behavior Modification Volunteer, and financially as a donor.
Today, on Giving Tuesday, I ask you to join me, and donate to support all the future Bowie’s that Homeward Pet will say yes to.
Sincerely,
Peter Bergler
Board of Director Member
Homeward Pet Adoption Center
Meet Sophie: Resilient, Loving, and the power of second chances
You know those cats that are always happy to see you, no matter the circumstance? That is Sophie. Sophie is a gorgeous 12-year-old tortoiseshell cat. Torties are usually considered the “divas” of the cat world, so you’d think she’d have some sass in her. But she ended up being one of the sweetest cats I ever encountered at Homeward Pet.
When Sophie first arrived at Homeward Pet, she was lethargic, wasn’t eating well, and was bit timid. After the clinic ran multiple tests, Sophie was diagnosed with both thyroid and kidney disease. Sophie was immediately started on meds to treat the symptoms and help her feel better.
I was fortunate to visit her on numerous occasions. At first, she was very shy and scared. But slowly she blossomed and started feeling better! During the last few times I visited her, she came out of her cat cave, purring and happy to see me. I learned that she loves head and chin scratches and is the ultimate lap cat. Once she started feeling better medically and less shy in her environment, she became the same way with everyone at the shelter.
Homeward Pet gifts their residents with whatever amount of time it takes for them to be ready to open up to the possibilities of a new home. Sophie took a little longer than many, but, for those of us who love the animals we get to interact with during their stay, that is often a bonus – for both us and them.
Sophie exemplifies why I chose to volunteer at Homeward Pet. Cats come to us from all over Washington State and have pasts that represent many circumstances. The older cats can be overlooked because it is hard to resist an adorable kitten. However older cats, like Sophie, are very special too and have so much love to give. Homeward Pet allowed Sophie time to showcase that she is a sweet and loving companion. And this time allowed her to select the perfect next home.
I hope we can count on your support for cats like Sophie that need a little extra time.
Sincerely,
Shannon Kilpatrick
Member of the 2023 HPAC Board of Directors and Volunteer
Homeward Pet Adoption Center
Finding Joy in Shelter Pets: Scarlett’s Journey and how you can help
When I tell people I volunteer at an animal shelter, a response I receive far too often is, “ohhh…that must be hard.”
Which is funny, because when I think of the time I spend with the dogs and cats at Homeward Pet, it’s the easiest thing in the world. And only one word truly captures my experience:
Soul-bursting, beaming, ear-to-ear-grinning joy.
The kind of joy that sticks with you no matter how much fur ends up all over your clothes. How much poop you clean up on a particularly messy morning. How much drool ends up all over your face from a rambunctious 125+ pound pit mix who is quite convinced that, yes, she IS a lap dog.
It’s this joy that keeps me coming back week after week.
Currently, I have a favorite little pint-sized snuggle buddy. When we first met, Scarlett was so shy and under-socialized that just sitting in front of her kennel was a Big Deal for her to grapple with. Was that hard to see? Absolutely. But, at Homeward Pet, devoting time, love, patience, and the invaluable expertise of our staff and volunteers to transform hard beginnings into happy endings is what we’re all about. Every little blossoming of confidence, every tentative step toward a piece of tossed cheese, every tiny tail wag when a familiar face approached? Now, that’s the stuff we live for. That’s the joy. Watching Scarlett transform from an anxious new arrival to a rambunctious, acrobatic ball-of-bounce who will gladly jump several feet in the air to lick your face has been priceless. Scarlett has brought us so much joy at the shelter, and I know that when she finds her family, they’ll adore her as much as we do.
This Giving Tuesday, I urge you to think about joy—how much pets have brought into your life, and how little they’ve asked of you in return. And I implore you to celebrate and honor that joy by joining us in making life better for the homeless dogs and cats in our community.
I hope we can count on your support.
Joyfully yours,
Samantha Robertson
Member of the 2023 HPAC Board of Directors, and Volunteer since 2012
Homeward Pet Adoption Center
Introducing the stars of this year’s Giving Tuesday Stories
As the biggest giving day of the year approaches, I’d like to highlight Homeward Pet Adoption Center. Homeward Pet has been serving our communities for 33 years, bringing together thousands of loving homes and the pets that need those homes.
In addition to making happy pet matches, Homeward Pet is a local leader in offering the community services needed to give a bit of extra assistance to help families keep pets in their homes when difficulties arise. Our in-house Vet Clinic provides spay and neuter services to the public 4 times a month, our animal behavior specialists provide support and referrals to the public in addition to the animals in our care, we operate a pet food bank, and our Home to Home team helps families that need to rehome a pet with tools to do so without putting their pet through a shelter stay.
This week you’ll get to hear the stories of some of the pets whose lives Homeward Pet has transformed — from the volunteers who worked with them while they stayed with us.
You’ll hear from …
Sam, who will share the story of Scarlett, a skittish pup, who is still looking for her forever home.
Shannon who will share a story about Sophie, a cat who needed a little extra time to learn to trust.
And Peter, who will share about Bowie, a dog who spent almost a year at Homeward Pet working through some challenging behaviors before finding someone who would love him and his anxiety.
And you’ll hear my girl Lola’s pandemic story.
If you love animals, I know you’ll enjoy hearing their stories. And if you’re moved by their stories, please join the Board of Directors for Homeward Pet and other supporters by donating to Homeward Pet this Giving Tuesday. Your donations are critical so we can continue to provide the programs that truly transform pets’ lives.
With gratitude,
Victoria Mabus
Dog Lover, Foster Volunteer, Board Member
Homeward Pet Adoption Center
P.S. Check back in on this post throughout the day on Tuesday and Wednesday to read the individual stories of the featured Giving Tuesday pets.
Before you decide to take on any kind of pet you need to understand that different breeds of cat are susceptible to different health issues. Even if it seems like you have a healthy cat in the beginning it is possible that they will be diagnosed with some sort of disease or health related issue as they get older.
You need to make sure that you read the label on the food that you are getting for your cat. Although it may seem strange because your cat is a pet, their nutrition is still just as important as yours is which is why you should read the ingredients so that you are aware of what is in the food you are giving your cat. You also need to pay attention to what formula of cat food that you are purchasing. They have food for adult cats, kittens, aging cats, cats on diets, and everything in between. You don’t want to be feeding your kitten the wrong kind of food.
After picking up the right food for your cat, there is a matter of where to feed your cat, when to feed your cat, and how much to feed them. If you have never owned a cat before this can be quite a tricky process to figure out all on your own. First and foremost, you need to find a place that is ideal for your cat to eat at.
Think about it from your cat’s perspective, you really wouldn’t want to eat while adults and kids are running all around you and being loud. This is why you need to find a place that is quiet and accessible for your cat to have their food and water bowl. Once you decide on a particular place, don’t keep changing it around because cats don’t always deal well with that type of change.
Keep in mind that your cat might make a bit of a mess when they are drinking and eating so it may not be wise to put the food and water in an area that is going to be ruined by the mess. You also need to make sure that you are keeping the bowls clean and changing the water out on a regular basis in order to avoid your cat getting sick.
If you are not a cat owner yet, or you are becoming one for the first time and want to be prepared for the commitment, you might find very useful the following entry: Owning A Domestic Cat 101: Important Tips, And What Supplies To Get. In this previous chapter we explain What you need to check before getting a new cat, how to deal with your new kitten, and more.
As far as when you should feed your cat, it is good to get your cat into the habit of eating at a particular time each day. Just as humans eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at certain times, so should your cat. Of course this might not be quite so easy if you are away from the house during the day, but there is a solution. If the cat is eating dry cat food you can simply put the entire day’s ration into the food bowl and your cat can eat from it throughout the day.
If you aren’t sure you want to put it all in, you can choose to be half of it in the bowl. It’s really up to you and your schedule as to what a regular and convenient feeding schedule will be, but it is wise to get a regular pattern started. Listed below will give you some ideas as to how to coordinate your feeding schedule:
You can also look on the package of cat food that you buy for what they suggest you feed your cat.
Just as there are certain things that you need to keep in mind when feeding your cat, there are also certain thing that you shouldn’t do when feeding your cat:
You shouldn’t give your cat bones; this is a good rule for any pet whether they are a cat or a dog. Chicken bones, pork bones, and fish bones are a big no because they can cause quite a bit of damage to your cats tummy and throat that could lead to a trip to the veterinarian or worse.
Again a good tip for any animal, don’t give your cat leftovers from the table. Although you think that you are doing them a favor by giving them a treat, you could be making a bigger problem when your cat begins to avoid their cat food.
Cats can’t eat two foods in particular, the first being chocolate and the second being onions. Both of these foods are considered a toxic food to your cat.
Despite what you may have seen on television or in the movies, cats do not need to drink milk. What more, if you give milk to your cat you might find yourself cleaning up after an icky mess since it can cause diarrhea.
The last tip is not to feed your cat any other animal’s food. They need the nutrients that are in their cat food and dog food won’t quite give them what they need.
As time goes on and you have your cat, you will find out what foods or pet foods your cat can tolerate.
Cats are very similar to people in many ways. Just as it is important to watch what is going into your cat’s tummy, you also need to keep an eye on how much is going into your cat’s tummy. When people eat too much food, over time they become overweight.
Cats are the same, if they become used to eating however much they want, when they want, it is a sure bet that you will have a pretty fat cat on your hands after a while. This is especially true as your cat gets older and less active. If you aren’t sure if your cat is fat or not, there are a few telling signs that you can look for that are pretty similar as to when you can tell if a person is overweight.
A double chin is always a telling sign of a weight problem. If you find that your cat has a bunch of fat underneath their chin, they might have a weight problem.
A big stomach is another sign, if their stomach is hanging, they might have a weight problem.
Another is whether or not you can feel your cat’s ribs. On a healthy cat you should be able to feel their rib cage, if you cannot feel your cat’s rib cage then your cat is definitely overweight.
Just as people think that their weight might not be a big deal, many cat owners might not feel it too distressing that their cat is a little overweight. The reality is that being overweight can cause many health problems in your cat. The more weight your cat has on their body, the more weight and pressure they have to carry around on a daily basis. This is why it is so important to pay attention to what and how much your cat is eating. If you do find that your cat is overweight you should probably speak to your veterinarian about it and look into buying a specially formulated cat food for overweight cats.
Are you still looking for the perfect feline companion for you and your family? Choosing a cat is a serious matter you need to pay attention to when you’ve taken the decision to be a proud cat owner. Different cat breeds have different needs and personality traits you must be aware of before bringing home a new kitten. Take a look at this: Owning A Domestic Cat 101: Selecting A New Cat Or Kitten. This article will help you realize what kind of cat is best for you.
Whether you have an overweight cat or not, it’s important to make sure that your cat gets the exercise they need. If your cat isn’t overweight then the exercise will help keep them active and avoid such a predicament, but if your cat is overweight then the exercise will help them to trim off a few pounds.
The great thing is that exercising with your cat doesn’t have to be a tedious activity; it can be a lot of fun. Below are a few ideas that will help you get an exercise program started with your cat:
Important Note:
Just because you like to switch your food around because something was cheaper at the store, or a new product looked better, doesn’t mean that your cat should jump around from one cat food to another. Once your cat becomes used to a certain type of food, switching to another brand because it was on sale doesn’t always agree with their stomachs.
If it happens that you want to switch your cat’s food then you need to do it slowly. Do not just decide to replace cat food A with cat food B the next day, if so you might find you have a cat with a very upset stomach. In order to switch your cat’s food without all of the digestion trouble you will need to put just a bit more into each meal, this process can take a few weeks before the switch is complete.
Dealing with a kitten is completely different than feeding a grown cat. A kitten is essentially a baby in every way and needs the right amount of nutrition in order to go from being a kitten to a healthy grown cat. Kittens are just like babies in that they need to eat right in order to have strong bones, muscles, and a nervous system. You can’t feed a kitten the same things that a full grown cat eats; they need their own special food until they are old enough to move onto the next step
It’s always smart to consult with your doctor before you start a regular feeding routine for your kitten, but you do need to recognize that because they have such high energy, they need the proper food to fuel their bodies. You will find that your kitten will nibble throughout the day because they have a smaller stomach than a full grown cat.
Just as with human babies, there are going to be times that your kitten doesn’t seem particularly interested in food such as when they are teething or have lost a baby tooth. In the same instance your kitten may eat a little more during growth spurts and such. Even when you kitten begins to look and act like an adult cat, don’t rush out and buy adult cat food, they need to stick with the kitten cat food until they are a year old because of their need for a lot of calories.
There might also come instances that you need to consult with your veterinarian about your cat’s food needs such as if your female feline becomes pregnant or if your cat has health problems that are related to what they eat.
Before you decide to take on any kind of pet you need to understand that different breeds of cat are susceptible to different health issues. Even if it seems like you have a healthy cat in the beginning it is possible that they will be diagnosed with some sort of disease or health related issue as they get older.
There are also certain that you need to do a little bit of research in order to be aware of the benefits and side effects. Also there are precautions that you can take as a cat owner in order to protect your cats health and well being.
Make sure that all harmful plants are removed from the area in which your cat lives. Some plants can be poisonous when a cat chews on them.
Cats can suffer from diabetes. Some might find it strange that humans and cats can share the same illnesses, but it is quite common for a cat to be diagnosed with diabetes. If you suspect this from your cat you should definitely call your veterinarian for further measures.
If there is anything that sparks your concern such as if you cat acts listless, has yucky stuff coming from their eyes or nose, or if they look like they aren’t eating, even though you know they are, you should trust your instincts and contact your veterinarian with your concerns.
Do not let your cat play with yarn or string. All can be fun and games until your cat swallows it and then it becomes a serious matter. If such an instance occurs you need to contact your veterinarian, but it might help to know that white petroleum jelly might help to coat the stomach so that the string or yarn can get out of your cat’s tummy with little harm.
Taking care of a pet is a serious matter, as a pet owner you must be informed of what is best for your beloved companion. In this entry you will find useful resources: The Best Homemade Pet Food According To Our Pet Food Advisor. Here you will learn about pet nutrition and homemade natural pet food.
If you aren’t sure what to expect with your cat here are a few bits of information that will help prepare you as your cat grows from a kitten to a full grown cat. Within the first month your kitten will begin getting its baby teeth. At two months old a kitten can be fully weaned from their mother who is why it is important not to purchase a kitten until they are six to eight weeks old.
Between six and twelve weeks you will need to take your kitten into the veterinarian for their vaccinations, other shots, and regular checkups to make sure the kitten is doing well. At three months you can look forward to taking your kitten to the veterinarian for their rabies shot in certain states.
After that, anywhere between three and seven months your kitten will begin to get their permanent teeth. The next step will depend largely on whether or not you have a male or female kitten. For females the time to spay is anywhere between six and eight months.
For Males you are looking to neuter them between eight to twelve months. Between four and twelve months you will need to get your kitten in for their rabies shot. Between six months and two years old, your cat will need various booster shots to keep them current with regulations and for health reasons. Once your kitten hits the twelve month mark, they stop being a kitten and become a grown cat.
Just as with humans, there are certain viruses that can attack a cat’s system if they are not properly protected. Even if your cat never goes outside, they still interact with whoever comes into your home and whatever germs that they are carrying. It is really easier to take your cat to the veterinarian for their vaccinations instead of dealing with all of the bills that come from a sick cat. Ask your doctor about any vaccinations that your cat may need and have them explain them to you if you have any concerns.
Another major decision when having a cat is the question of whether or not you are going to have your cat spayed or neutered. For those who plan on breeding their cats, this is not a major concern, but for those who don’t have any plans on breeding should strongly consider these options in order to avoid a lot of complications down the road.
Not only are you protecting your cat from contributing to a litter of kittens that weren’t exactly in the cards, but you might avoid a lot of behaviors that occur when a male or female is fertile. AWhen a male or female cat is not spayed or neutered they may demonstrate such behaviors as urination, spraying their spent, and having to deal with a female’s heat cycles.
Spaying refers to a female cat in which the cat’s reproductive organs are removed in order to eliminate any chance of having kittens. By spaying your female cat you will have a more relaxed, active, and happy cat. Neutering refers to the removal of a male cat’s reproductive organs. Again, they will not be able to reproduce but you will find that they are not as aggressive as when they are unneutered.
Part of having a cat involves keeping an eye on their general health and well being. This is why it’s important to have a good veterinarian that you can go to when you have any questions or concerns. You need to be able to ask questions and receive helpful answers; after all you need to keep in mind that your cat’s health is at stake.
After many question and answer sessions with your veterinarian as you become accustomed to your cat, you will begin to be able to decipher when something is wrong with your cat. It won’t hurt if you make it a regular habit to check out your cat for any indicators that they may have a health problem. Below are the main characteristics you need to look for:
If there is any cause for concern you should speak to your veterinarian immediately. Even if you keep your cat clean, well fed, and vaccinated there is a good chance that your cat is going to be sick at one time or another in their life. This is similar to people, no matter how hard you try, eventually you get sick.
As with people, there are things that you need to look for in your cat to recognize if they are sick or not. Below is a list of symptoms that might trigger some concern:
If any of these behaviors catch your attention you should take your cat to the veterinarian.
No matter how clean you keep your cat there is always the chance that some little parasite is going to call your cat’s body its home. If you are keeping a good eye on the health and well being of your cat, you might be able to determine when one of these pesky parasites are moving in.
Ticks or Lice: Ticks and lice can be a very annoying problem for you and your cat. In order to determine if your cat is suffering from ticks and lice; you need to check your cat’s body. You can decipher a tick because you will either see the parasite or will feel it like a bump on your cat’s skin. You can actually remove these yourself if you know what you are doing. You just have to pull the tick out with tweezers, but don’t break the body while doing so.
After the tick is removed you should clean the area with an antiseptic. Lice are much easier to remove; you might notice your cat scratching a lot and find that these pests are the cause, just use a spray or powder to send these parasites packing.
Fleas: Fleas are a common problem with cats. Again, you can find these parasites with a quick examination of your cat’s body, this can even be done while grooming your cat. Fleas are not something that you can get rid of on your own; you will need your veterinarian’s assistance for this.
You may also need to look over your cat’s environment to see if there is a particular reason they contracted the flea infestation. Make sure that after you have treated your cat that you do a thorough cleaning of your cat, wash beds, vacuum, and use other flea killing products to help clear these pests out of your home and away from your cat.
Ear Mites: Ear mites have been mentioned earlier in this book because they are quite common in cats and can lead to many other health problems. This is why it is recommended to clean your cat’s ears on a monthly basis. If your cat’s ears begin to look a bit questionable and are not pink and clean, but waxy and icky smelling, your cat might have ear mites. You should take this concern to your veterinarian and have your cat treated right away.
Mange: Mange can be transmitted by a variety of different mites, but you should be wary because this is something that humans can be affected by as well. If your cat begins to lose fur in patches, bleeds, or has issues around the ears, nose, and ears, your cat might have mange. You need to get your cat to your veterinarian right away if this is a concern for your feline friend.
Please feel encouraged to say hello – we’ll be happy to help with any questions you might have, and if you’d like to comment on our site, products or service, we’d love to hear from you!
Lea-Ann Germinder With Lola
“Love Your Pet Day and all the many pet holidays were in the distant future. It was the age of the .coms (as in pets.com). Goodnewsforpets’ parent company, Germinder & Associates, managed the traditional newsroom for WVC and concurrently launched a virtual newsroom. It’s hard to believe now, but he buzz about launching websites was very much like the buzz about AI today, although the pace was not quite as fast, it was still very exciting,” says Editor + Publisher Lea-Ann Germinder.
Original Goodnewsforpets.com Logo
The 2000 site included the Cat Writers’ Association of America (CWA) as the first media partner courtesy of CWA president emeritus Amy Shojai. The Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) signed up courtesy of Mordecai Siegal. Steve Dale was the first featured columnist. Later columnists included the late legendaries Mordecai Siegal and Ranny Green. Julie Lux also contributed her talents as an editor in later years. The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, Fort Dodge Animal Health, the American Animal Hospital Association, and Addison Laboratories were featured on the site. Other exhibitors at the conference could post their news in addition to “.com” companies from the Discovery Zone.
“We’ve attended dozens of veterinary conferences since, written thousands of articles, and posted an equal number of press releases. My special favorite still is the guest column interview. Now, most of my time is focused on responsible AI research, but I have learned so much from building a website with an incredible team from scratch. In particular, I thank the incomparable Shelli Manning and Amy Davis, the team who helped launch the site with me,” said Germinder.
Today, the core mission of providing “good news” for pets remains unchanged. Some content is sponsored, some are labeled Chewy affiliate content, and some is posted as a service to the veterinary community and pet-owning public.
“Before I launched Germinder + Associates, my team and I at another agency had launched a pet dental website for the “Pets Need Dental Care, Too” campaign for Hill’s Pet Nutrition, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the dental groups. The news hook at the time was we had a website. When I launched Germinder & Associates in 1998, we had several animal health clients, so it made sense to launch a website. However, I could never have imagined all the incredible experts I’ve had the honor to interview and the stories we’ve been able to share. I hope to share many more as our 25th anniversary year unfolds, “said Germinder.
Thank you to our Goodnewsforpets.com community, the sponsors and partner organizations, and our columnists and writers over the years. We share this celebratory day and year with you. #Goodnewsforpets25