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According to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMA), more households own dogs than any other pet (the total number of cats might be higher though because you’re more likely to encounter a multi-cat household).
Given the rising trend in pet ownership, it’s essential to keep our furry companions in a clean, comfortable, and healthy environment.
Medication tips
[no_toc]There are various reasons for medicating your pet. You can do so to reduce pain, treat illnesses such as canine influenza, or as a treatment for seasonal allergies.
There are five common types of medication whose administration every pet owner needs to be familiar with:
Pills
Because pets tend to spit out pills, some owners try to mix this medication with their favorite meals. This sneaky method is not guaranteed to work. Your dog or cat might still discover the pill and avoid swallowing it.
The best way is to hand feed your pet. Open their lower jaw with one hand, and with the other, push the pill as far down the pet’s tongue as you can. This way ensures that they have swallowed the pill.
Herbal Tinctures
Although herbal remedies work slower than drugs, these are generally safer. Most herbal tinctures are alcohol based and are effective in treating digestion problems. This is a straightforward way of medicating your pet. Once you draw the recommended dosage into the vial, open the mouth of your cat or dog. Drop the medicine at the base of their tongue to ensure it’s swallowed.
- Homeopathic tablets
Homeopathy uses holistic methods to treat your cat or dog. These tablets are made of natural herbs and treat pain, allergies, injury, shock, and other discomforts. They do this by boosting the immune system of your pet.
pet’s immune system.
Don’t let your pets to swallow homeopathic tablets. You can administer them by lifting your pet’s lower lip and placing the tablet inside the cheek, where it will slowly dissolve.
- Pastes or gels
Gels and pastes are usually flavored, so your pet won’t have a hard time swallowing. Squeeze the recommended dosage onto a clean index finger, open the mouth of the pet and apply it at the base of their tongue.
- Liquid medication
An example is chamomile tea, which which you can use for treating stomach upsets. Before administering, make sure it is neither too hot nor cold. Although you can use a tablespoon, a syringe works better. Draw the liquid, open the mouth of your pet, and patiently administer in drops.
Although dietary supplements are not classified as drugs, they’re mainly administered the same way.
Common side effects to watch out for include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach upsets, and skin irritation.
In severe cases, it could cause ulcers and liver damage.
Avoid medication errors by ensuring you administer the right medicine, in the proper dosage.
Handling pet toys
Here are some tips to keep in mind when buying toys:
- Choose toys according to your pet’s size. Small toys for small pets and vice versa.
- Avoid toys with strings that can get your pet tangled.
- Avoid toys with small pieces or sharp edges. These are potential choking hazards.
- Buy toys made from natural rubber or organic materials.
Make sure to regularly inspect your pet’s toys for any sign of tear or breakage. If you find any damage, replace it with a new one as a safety precaution.
Remember, the government doesn’t have tight regulations concerning pet toy manufacturing.
To avoid buying toys containing toxic chemicals, buy from ethical brands that have a proven safety record.
Grooming tips
There’s no fixed schedule for bathing your pet.
However, you must do it anytime they start emitting an unpleasant odor or get dirt on their coat.
Some of the tools needed for bathing include brushes, cotton balls for their ears, shampoo, conditioner, washcloths, and towels.
To get your dog to take a bath, include treats, massages, and lots of praise. This will result in a pleasant bonding experience for both of you.
For larger pets, it makes sense to bathe them outdoors. Most dogs reflexively shake themselves in an attempt at drying.
Unless completely necessary, avoid using electric dryers as they might make pets feel uncomfortable.
Brushing your pet’s coat gets rid of loose hair and prevents hair knots. In addition to making them appear presentable, grooming helps evenly distribute essential skin oils.
Your grooming schedule will depend mainly on the pet’s coat size. Dogs and cats with long coats will naturally require more regular grooming than their counterparts with short coats.
Apart from brushes, other grooming tools include dog clippers, grooming gloves, groom vacuum cleaners, grooming combs, and de-shedding tools.
If your pet sheds a lot of hair, it can be tiresome and time-consuming to keep vacuuming the floor.
Buy a robot vacuum for pet hair to make your work easier. You can have the robot vacuum as many times as you need every day or set it on an auto-vacuuming schedule.
