October marks a significant month for pet owners all over the world. Why? Because it’s Pet Wellness Month of course!
Our fur kids do not just deserve the best, they need it. We, humans, are able to communicate and express our emotions and well-being; when we’re sick. However, our pets can’t tell us when they’re under the weather. That’s why our goal as pet owners is to prioritize their well-being and it’s on us to ensure they stay healthy all year round — not just in October.
Here’s a simple checklist of things to look out for to ensure your pet is the picture of health!
Exercise, exercise, exercise!
Like humans, the key to living a long and healthy life is exercise. All dogs should, at the minimum, go for a walk or two every day, keeping in mind the limits for puppies. Get your cats active by playing with them in short but frequent sessions.
You may also supplement with a jog, hike, swim, and even canine conditioning if your pup is ready for it. Keeping active will help develop muscles that support their joints!
Keep them occupied
It doesn’t take long for your pets to get bored, and boredom leads to different problems. Play with them, even if it’s just five minutes. Fight the boredom by giving them activities to partake in — and one healthy way is through toys.
Pets benefit from mentally stimulating activities, like chew-toys and puzzle toys with hidden treats. So, hide their toys and let them go on a treasure hunt.
Dogs love tug of war. It is a great display of their predatory nature and it provides mental and physical exercise for them. Cats on the other hand get bored very easily. Hence, you need to understand your feline’s needs. You can get them a scratching post to help them ‘blow off some steam’ or release their excitement. Be sure to find the right one!
Keep an eye on your pet’s weight
Just like us, pets can face a number of health issues if they become too heavy. Obesity among pets has been on the rise with pet owners oblivious to the health threats that it poses to them.
Here’s how you can keep your pet’s weight in a healthy range:
Feed them a diet with wholesome ingredients that meets the requirements of their size, breed, and age
Schedule appointments to the vet regularly for check-up
Give them treats sparingly
Plenty of exercise
Schedule regular health appointments
Our pets age faster than we do, meaning changes in their health can occur quickly. Scheduling wellness check-ups often is the best way to keep them free from illnesses.
With a trip to the vet, you can seek medical advice regarding your pet’s health. This would often lead to certain changes in their routine, be it exercise or diet, which can prevent potential health problems.
Additionally, a trip to the vet can also increase your pet’s chance of survival as early detection can lead to early treatment. Veterinarians would recommend a trip at least once a year.
Don’t forget about dental health
Often overlooked, dental health is just as important for pets as it is for humans. Periodontal disease can occur when plaque build-up on your pets’ teeth leads to infection in the gums and bone loss. This infection can cause pain, tooth loss, and internal organ damage if left untreated.
Luckily, there are ways to prevent it. Regular dental exams can help veterinarians detect and treat dental issues before they become irreversible. At-home dental care consists of daily brushing. You can also complement brushing with a special diet, water additives or sealants.
Prioritizing their health
There are many ways to show our pets that we care. By taking steps to promote their physical and mental health all year long, we can help keep them happy and healthy throughout their lives.
Pet Wellness Month may be celebrated in October, but always remember that it’s a lifelong commitment that should be promoted all year long!
This article was written in collaboration with Karly, owner of @fluffy_boy_bear on Instagram.
My name is Karly, and I live in Canada. I currently own an adorable pyreneesXpup named Bear.
2 years go, my family and I watched as the pandemic in Canada approached us like a tidal wave. Every day, we monitored the news and heard about how close and how fast the virus was coming. We stocked up on supplies and got a new job that wouldn’t be considered non-essential so we could maintain working. We also chose to pull our daughter from school and homeschool her after the shutdowns.
We had no sense of certainty on what the next day would bring in terms of laws, freedom, travel, product availability, etc.
Losing Bentley
Our previous cockapoo was named Bentley. He was our first family dog. We adopted him at the age of 7. He was my shadow, my best friend, my security guard, my comfort. He was extremely under-socialized. We made it a goal to ensure he would not bark at every person that walks by our house. He was a challenge but one that we accepted with lots of love and determination.
He did not eat or drink during his first week at home. We vaccinated him quickly, put him on good food, took him for grooming, cuddled every night in bed and eventually managed to gain his trust.
After that, he was like a missing piece to the puzzle. Once he became himself and showed us his personality (as undertrained as that may be!) we were obsessed.
Unfortunately for us, he passed away. When we lost him, I felt like I lost my best friend. My shadow disappeared. My days felt empty. I stopped going for trail walks. I stopped going outside first thing in the morning. I stopped looking at other people’s dogs and cried when I did. I had never been so heartbroken in my life. I tried to cope with the grief by believing that he had the most amazing end of his life he could have possibly wanted. Filled with love, energy, health, exercise, treats, cuddles.
Yet with grief, we knew we needed to somehow fill his void.
Finding Bear
Adopting Bear was not a decision we took lightly.
When Bentley was around we would conspire to get another Cockapoo (dog breed) after him. We loved the breed. But when the time came, it hit too close to home for us to even consider thinking about the same breed. We needed a complete change. So we settled for a Pyrenees cross, either a puppy or an elder, large dog.
We took our time to search for a suitable dog. It took a while, but eventually, we saw Bear for the first time and knew that he was what we needed.
We instantly set up a meet and greet. His previous foster home consisted of 7 year old hence we felt assured that he would be good with our oldest daughter. We also brought over our newborn to see how he acted with her.
When we first met him he gave us a jump, hug, kiss, and instantly we were sold. The first thing we noticed was how big he was. We were warned he was big. But he was huge.
Secondly his hair. He has an Einstein hairdo, that you can’t help but love.
Third, how happy his energy was. He was exactly what we were missing and the energy we wanted back in our home. He was in our car on the way home that very same day. We met his foster mom outside of a school, took him for a little walk, gave him some love, then loaded up.
Healing during a Pandemic
Bear’s arrival helped to provide routine through uncertain times. We were happy to be back outside in the morning, at the park in the afternoon, going into pet stores, going to dog parks. We regained forms of socialization that we thought we lost.
Bear also promotes calm and happy energies which was a refreshing take amidst the annoyance and unsure ways of the pandemic.
Most importantly, having Bear helped to clear my impressions of love and grief.
Truly, I would never have Bentley back and that fills me with grief, but Bear provides a new kind of love. With him, we are constantly discovering new traits and routines to love.
Of course, we miss Bentley and will always miss him. He was our “grumpy old man”. He would bark at anyone and anything he didn’t know. He curled up on the couch and slept. He never ran always walked with us. He slept all night in our bed. He lost lots of teeth and could only consume soft food.
But, Bear is our energetic baby boy. He helped us to find, such a different form of love.
Have you ever thought about owning 10 cats, all of which are of different breeds, in the house?
Some common questions we always get include: Will they quarrel among themselves? How does it affect the house odour?
These are the most challenging part for pet owners who are new and inexperienced in handling house animals. Most cat owners in Singapore adopt 2 to 3 cats per house which are already considered difficult to manage. Many find it hard to juggle time for themselves as well as the cats.
The full Twinkle Babies family — as pictured on Instagram @loudtwinklebaby
For us, we never thought of owning such a big cat family. Rather, it all started when our very first cat encountered a terrible accident and died. For that, we could not forgive ourselves. At a first glance, owning a cat might appear all cute and cuddly. However, from our experience as the Twinkle Furmilies, we have grown to understand that there is more to it than just taking care of a cuddly little furry. The most challenging part as a cat owner is that we cannot control them like how we want to control a hooman. They are just unpredictable.
Sofe, Sofena and Sofea Lavender — as pictured on Instagram@loudtwinklebaby
Managing their Behaviours
As cat parents, we would likely understand the characteristics of our own cats in terms of their food, behaviour and affections towards others. They would fight and could possibly tear the house mercilessly down through their combined paw force. I can recall countless broken vases, destroyed sofas and incessant scratches on the wall which really tested our patience. We had to face that every single day and it eventually became a routine that we had to deal with.
Sofea Lavender plays with the dustbin — as pictured on Instagram @loudtwinklebaby
During the day, it is rare to see them active as they usually sleep in their comfortable areas and never wake up till the sunset. Once they do, they will start their ferocious engines and run around the house as though they are Olympic competitors. During the night, they will begin to hunt, and that is when you will see countless cockroaches and lizards who have lost their heads, tails and even half their bodies. Honestly, that is how we saved our money from buying insecticide spray. Due to the cats’ activity, our house has the best pest control service. Definitely an advantage to having cats in the house!
However, having cats at home also requires a lot of responsibility. We need to put aside a lot of things such as their expenses for needs such as food, hospital bills and as well catering to their environment. Among the Twinkle Babies, Mutiara (Persian) is the pickiest, prompting us to call her ‘The Selfish Queen”.
Mutiara — as pictured on Instagram @loudtwinklebaby
She is adorable yet requires a lot of high maintenance due to her behaviour (not her breed!). We spend about $40+ for her dry food alone. This is excluding expenses for her treats and wet food. Plus, Mutiara never shares. If she has to, she will not eat for several days after.
Elysya — as pictured on Instagram @loudtwinklebaby
Moreover, we also need to prepare medical bills for Elysya(DSH) the “Sensitive Skin Queen”. All of her shampoos are prescribed specially by the vet which can cost us upwards of $300+. This can include prescribed lotions, sensitive powders etc.
Facing Exhaustion
Photo Credit: Instagram @loudtwinklebaby
Raising 10 cats could be very exhausting.
Especially so if we happen to be rushing to finish work and the Twinkle Babies decided to be busy in their litter box one-by-one. It could take up to15-20 minutes before the last kitty finishes their business so we might find ourselves waiting in front of the litter box just to clean up their mess and clean them up.
“Cat Jealousy”
It may sound ridiculous but cats do have strong feelings especially if they are aware of a newcomer around them. Feelings of being ignored and insecurity can be shown. They might express this by biting, or sometimes even ignore you. Some might not even eat for several days. Our advice is to not worry! No matter how much they sulk amongst themselves, their only weakness is food especially treats.
Photo Credit: Instagram @loudtwinklebaby
Having said that– They might quarrel, growl at each other non-stop, but in nature, they actually have this soft instinct of loving each other. Some might think that animals have no sense especially in terms of looking out for one another and we totally disagree! Despite all the hard times endured when we are trying to get them to bond for the first time whenever one of them is in trouble, the others will automatically try to help and save them.
Photo Credit: Instagram @loudtwinklebaby
It truly touches our hearts to see that they care for each other no matter the breed differences. Despite the common belief that different breeds are not suitable to be together, we think it simply means that takes a lot of time and patience to bond them together.
In conclusion, we faced many hard times but never once did we think that they are a burden to us. For us, they are our family and even though it might take up a lot of our energy and finances, they are also the one who brightens up our day.
For Liang May, @mmlittlee on Instagram, parenting is never easy. She balances work as a Stay-at-Home Mum (SAHM) while taking care of her 1-year-old English sheepdog, Gypsie.
We reached out to learn more about her life, and the challenges she faces. Let’s appreciate the hard work she puts in to take care of her family!
1. Hi there! Tell us more about your family.
We are Meyer, May, Ewan, Faye and Gypsie; An out-going and uncontrollable bunch!
The kids are loud and their parents can be too especially when excited or in disciplinary mode. It’s no wonder the pup has the voice of a loud hailer! She must have been nurtured into it when she became a part of our family a year ago.
We work hard but play harder as a team. Though we do set ground rules, we are also believers in free play.
2. Bring us through a daily life routine at home.
On a regular day, our children hit school and spend six hours away from home. Every morning, we send Ewan and Faye to school as a whole family unit. We never leave Gypsie home alone even if school drop-offs are less than 20 minutes. Gyps patiently waits for us to leash her up for her morning school runs while the children put on their school shoes and bags.
As much as we miss Ewan and Faye when they are off at school, we get to spend quality time as husband and wife. It is especially nice when we detour to a cafe to partake in a leisurely breakfast before starting work [at home]. Plus, our lucky floofy little one gets to bask in the morning sun while we indulge in cappuccino and poached eggs.
The Work From Home [WFM] situation now is really quite a blessing for us and especially for Gypsie. We are hardly away for hours at length and she’s always got one of us home with her giving her belly rubs and playing fetch.
The Welcome Home [From School] ritual from the children and Gypsie is one that is extremely heart-warming to watch. From a distance, I will be able to hear Ewan and Faye squealing “GYPSIE!” as they run home. Gyps will portray her happiness with lots of pounces and licks. No rules here – just go crazy you guys with the Welcome Home!
For the rest of the day, we will go about our routines of school work, work work, relaxation and play. Dear Gypety Gyps will hang loose around us and wait patiently for her next walk!
When it is time to turn down, everyone enters the children’s room too, well, put the children to sleep. Mommy and Daddy will sneak out to enjoy the rest of the night with Gypsie in tow. She will watch Netflix with us, wonder if she could snack on that crunchy salty bowl of snack we dip our hands into, gets combed and has her teeth brushed.
If she is lucky, she’d get a quick midnight walk under the starry sky should her daddy feels up to it!
3. What would you say are the main challenges you experience working as a SAHM mum plus taking care of a furpup?
Oh wow. This is a story to tell. Two weeks after we brought Gypsie home with us, Daddy broke his foot from parkour. He was out of action for months and things were thrown out of proportion from then.
If you’ve never known about the challenges of raising a puppy, allow me to enlighten you. A puppy, like a newborn baby, needs to poo and pee almost every other hour. We had been taking turns to wake up in the middle of the night to bring Gypsie outdoors to do her business.
We decided to not crate-train Gypsie. Remember, we prefer Free Play and that includes “Freedom of Speech”, “Freedom to Live” and “Freedom to Poo and Pee”.
Initially, we thought of training her on a pee pad but quickly decided to have her outdoor trained as she showed a preference to it even as a three-monther. She is after all a large breed and would eventually “grow out of” a pee pad. We also kept in mind how we can cut down on wastes to help our environment, we sacrificed sleep and brought her out [whenever she called] five times a night between 12am to 7am every day for a few months.
The biggest challenge I faced during the time Meyer broke his foot was to single-handedly take care of every toilet runs, walks and feeds. Not to mention two other human rascals who needed help with school work and of course, cooking and feeding the family.
Without a helper at home, it got really draining but I persisted out of love for my family. Eventually, it became a routine and I got used to it.
What can’t break us, makes us stronger!
As soon as Daddy recovered and out of crutches, everyone rejoiced! Having Gypsie is a shared responsibility from everyone at home. With that understanding, life as a paw-family gets a lot more enjoyable. The dog is happy, the children are happy, mommy is happy and then, Daddy will naturally be happy.
4. What motivates you as a paw-rent?
The smiles and health of my children.
Additionally, I also look forward to every outing in the family calendar. When the week gets dreary, I count down to our next beach outing or the next dog run or staycation or anything that frees our minds from any kind of work. But one that involves every single member of our family.
5. What advice would you give to those struggling to balance their duties as a parent and a pet owner?
First of all, embrace the presence of your new Furkid. For us, Gypsie is our baby, our third child. The love for her burgeons and naturally, we struggle less even though the extra commitment is real!
Paw-rents, like parents, guilt trip themselves too when they see other puppies get more than their own. Social media can be a toxic space for comparisons and I must stress, how we should not compare or feel inadequate when judged by others.
To be honest, I felt a little sorry we did not have time to send Gypsie to puppy training when we had her. There were a lot of self-doubts about our paw-renting style and if we were doing it right for our dear puppy Gyps. But I just couldn’t, especially when Daddy had to go into surgery for his foot and the children going to school every day.
We decided to bring Gypsie up like how we bought Ewan and Faye up. There were no baby training schools or manuals to read. We parented them through trial and error and so we shall do the same with Gyps.
She is an extremely clever pupper but there was no time for fancy trick training because I would be knackered by the time I finished grooming her at night. I always say, “It’s her paw-rents who aren’t very clever.” *haha* But in reality, we are stretched with all that we have on our plates. That doesn’t mean we are doing her any less because Gypsie Gypety Gyps Gyps is one happy child. It doesn’t matter if she understands only Sit, Down, Paw, Stay and Let’s Go!
It matters a lot more to her that she is loved.
And that this family of hers loves her so very much.
A big thank you to Liang May for sharing her insight into double pa(w)renting! We are truly impressed by her ability to juggle both work and taking care of her family members.
Pawjourr aims to be the number one pet parenting platform for pet owners to find advice and products/services that best suit their pets. However, we also aim to help future or expectant pet owners in deciding whether they should get a pet, and what comes with it.
Dogs, cats, and other animals are all great companions to have, but with that companionship comes a lot of responsibilities that people are sometimes not aware of.
Therefore, team #TWA have put together some considerations for you if you’re looking to get a pet, but not sure what are some things you need to be aware of.
Can you afford it?
While rewarding, owning a pet in Singapore can also be one of the most expensive experiences to have, with a host of things being needed to be paid for in order to keep your pets happy and healthy.
There are the more obvious costs such as food, medical costs, and toys you would need to cover over the course of your furkid’s life. However, there’s also hidden costs such as grooming, logistical costs if you bring your pet out, repair costs if they damage anything, and many others.
Based on Valuechampion.sg, it costs “S$25,800 on average to own a dog over 10 years. Cats are less expensive, costing at least S$15,600 over 10 years”.
While that isn’t a particularly large amount given it’s over the course of a decade, this does means that there may be purchases you might have to sacrifice. Items that you’ve been wanting such as the latest gaming consoles, a new handbag or other things might have to be put on hold, so that you can buy your pet the things that they need or maybe even want.
Are you able to commit to the lifestyle?
Getting a pet changes your lifestyle entirely, even before the actual day that you bring them home. Things like planning where your pet will sleep, what they’re going to eat, what accessories they might need are all things you would need to settle before getting the actual pet.
For working adults, being in the office 8-9 hours a day means that if there’s no one at home to spend time with them they’ll be alone for most of their days. Dogs and cats are extremely social creatures and require a lot of attention.
Therefore, it’s important to weigh all the pros and cons in your head before getting a pet. Not only do they need to adapt to your lifestyle, but also to the lifestyle of your family or flatmates.
Are your family members/flat mates ready for a pet?
Owning a pet doesn’t involve just you, but also involves people that are close to or living with you too. Before you decide to get a pet, it’s important to ensure that the people living with you are okay with it too, especially for those that may have allergies or other conditions that makes having pets difficult for them.
For relatives who are scared, it’s important to let them get used to the idea first before getting one and hoping that they’ll adapt to the situation. If they’re never able to live with a pet, it may mean you having to give them up and delaying the process of them finding their forever home.
Training & Vets
Before you get your pet, it’s also important to know what kind of training you’d like to engage in to help them accustom themselves to your house. With a huge variety of training styles available, choosing one or two that you think would work best is important so that you can add structure from day one.
It’s also crucial to work with a pet trainer so you can get more accurate advice on what may or may not work with your pet for maximum effectiveness. They can give you tips and tricks, and help you refine your training style further to better suit your pets.
Conclusion
Having a pet is an extremely wonderful experience and it’s filled with lots of love, laughs, and moments that you’ll never forget! However, with these wonderful moments also come a lot of responsibilities when caring for your pet.
Once you’ve found ways to take into account the various considerations above (and any others that are relevant to your lives), you’ll be able to ensure a smoother transition for when your pet first enters your home.
While there will always be ups and downs regardless of how much preparation is made, part of the pet ownership experience is the journey of watching them grow up, in spite of both the good and the bad.
So, get ready for a fun-filled adventure with your future companion!
– – – If there are other things you think potential pet owners should consider before getting a pet, let us know in the comments below!
As a new dog or cat owner, the experience can sometimes be scary. How much do you feed them? How frequently do they need to be bathed? What kind of medical needs do they have? These are just some of the questions our pet owners at The Woof Agency have asked themselves when they first got their furbabies.
In order to clear some of your doubts, our team has put together a list of things you need to know when it comes to vaccinating your new puppy or kitten. This ranges from what the vaccines do, what the timeline is like, and what it protects your furkids against.
Are puppy vaccinations necessary?
As you’ve probably gathered, this vaccine is important because it protects your furkids from viruses that they may be susceptible to as a newborn. While it isn’t mandatory for owners to have their pups take the shots, vaccinating them gives you extra peace of mind when you bring them out for walks or an adventure.
How many vaccinations does my puppy/kitten need?
They need a total of 3 doses of the core vaccine, which will be administered 4 weeks apart.
The first dose should be given when they’re between 6-8 weeks old, second dose when they’re 10-12 weeks old, and the last one when they’re 14-16 weeks old. It’s important that you minimise your pets interactions with other animals during this period!
For those who are curious as to why there’s 3 doses, the reason is this: vaccines can wear off! 3 doses that are 4 weeks apart helps your furbabies build sufficient antibodies to stay protected.
What are the vaccinations for?
The core vaccine helps to stimulate the production of antibodies against deadly diseases in your furbabies. In doing so, it prevents them from contracting viruses such as;
DOGS 1 – Canine Parvovirus
What is it Parvo causes infectious gastrointestinal (GI) illness in puppies and young dogs, and can potentially be fatal for those that aren’t vaccinated.
It spreads via direct contact with a dog that’s infected or through their feces. Dogs that are infected can start to shed the virus four to five days after being exposed, sometimes before they even show any signs of infection. For pups that are diagnosed with parvo, it’s important to quarantine your dog not just for their health, but for the health of other dogs too.
Symptoms & Next Steps Here are some symptoms that you should take note of if you suspect your pup has Parvo:
What is it Canine distemper is a highly contagious virus caused by the paramyxovirus. It’s caused by the paramyxovirus virus. Animals get infected from contact with infected urine, blood, saliva, or respiratory droplets. Of these, transmission usually happens through droplets. It can be spread through coughing and sneezing or contaminated food and water bowls.
Canine distemper can potentially also cause brain inflammation and neurological symptoms, and is often confused with rabies. Neurological symptoms of canine distemper include:
What is it Hepatitis is defined as inflammation of the liver. As a specific disease, infectious canine hepatitis (ICH) is a viral infection caused by a member of the adenovirus family.
In the mild form the dog may merely have a decreased appetite, appear depressed and have a mild fever. Some dogs develop opacity (cloudiness) of one or both corneas of their eyes (so-called blue eye) one to two weeks later. Dogs may have respiratory signs such as eye and nasal discharge and a cough that is indistinguishable from other forms of upper respiratory tract infections or kennel cough (see handout “Kennel Cough or Tracheobronchitisin Dogs”).
Symptoms & Next Steps
Mild Symptoms: 1. Decreased appetite 2. Appear depressed 3. Mild fever 4. In some cases, cloudiness forms in one or both corneas of their eyes (“Blue Eyes”) 1-2 weeks later 5. Eye and nasal discharge 6. Kennel cough
Severe Symptoms: 1. Abdominal pain 2. Vomiting 3. Diarrhea 4. Edema (fluid swelling under the skin) of the head and neck 5. Jaundice
If your pup exhibits any of these symptoms above, it’s important that you bring your dog to the vet immediately as the severe symptoms can be fatal.
If detected, it’s important to bring your cat to the vet immediately.
2 – Pavrovirus
What is it Pavrovirus for cats is also a highly contagious virus, and is also a viral virus. It is able to infect rapidly dividing cells such as bone marrow cells.
Symptoms & Next Steps: 1. Vomiting 2. Diarrhea 3. Depression
It’s important to bring your cat to the vet immediately if you suspect that they’ve contracted this disease.
3 – Calicivirus
What is it Calicivirus is a highly contagious virus amongst cats, and is able to cause respiratory and oral diseases in them.
Symptoms & Next Steps: 1. Ulcers on tongue 2. Inflammation of tongue
It’s important to bring your cat to the vet immediately if you suspect that they’ve contracted this disease.
Summary
While it’s not a must, vaccinating your furbabies is a highly recommended practice to engage in when you first get your pet. It keeps them protected against common diseases, and gives you peace of mind when bringing them out to interact with both humans and animals alike.
If you think there are other steps that pet owners can take to keep their furbabies safe, let us know in the comments below!
Article originally published on Petfinder by Jennifer Sellers. Refer to the original article here.
When it comes to raising kittens, the philosophy is pretty similar to that of bringing up children. If you provide proper care and training when they’re young, it increases the odds they’ll grow up to be healthy, well-adjusted adults. So if you recently adopted a kitten, start incorporating this advice as soon as possible.
1) Don’t Treat Your Kitten Like an Adult Cat
Just as a human infant has vastly different needs than a teenager, a kitten will have care requirements distinct from those of a fully matured cat. In addition, you should consider a kitten’s various stages of development when caring for her:
Under eight weeks of age. At this early age, a kitten should still be with her mother and litter mates. Because kittens this young are unable to regulate their own temperatures, they rely on one-another’s body heat to survive. In addition, they are still developing vision and leg coordination. If you adopt or foster an orphan kitten in this age group, special care will need to be taken, including bottle-feeding the kitten for every two hours up to four weeks of age and possibly helping your kitten pee and poop. It’s best to consult with a veterinarian for specific instructions and advice.
Eight to eleven weeks of age. Kittens are usually weaned by eight weeks and should be eating kitten diet, which needs to be energy dense, rich in protein and highly digestible. Whether choosing dry kibble or wet food, be sure it is formulated for kittens. Other big changes will start occurring during this period as well. As your kitten begins developing complex motor skills she will become a force of nature — running, jumping, playing and exploring. This is a delightful period of kittenhood, but also one that can be dangerous to your kitten if she isn’t appropriately supervised. Start setting boundaries for your kitten and keep her in a safe, enclosed room while you can supervise her.
Two to four months of age. This is a phase of rapid growth for kittens in which they’ll have almost three times more energy than an adult cat. They’ll need three to four individual meals a day during this time. According to Vetstreet.com, these meals should be minimum 30 percent high-quality protein.
Four to six months of age. Kittens in this age group are reaching adolescence and, thus, sexual maturity. Talk to a veterinarian about having your kitten spayed or neutered before your kitten reaches this stage to avoid unpleasant habits like territorial spraying and accidental litters. (Learn more about spaying and neutering here.)
2) Reward Good Behavior and Socialize, Socialize, Socialize
The socialization and training your cat receives during kittenhood will affect how well she will likely interact with people and other animals when she’s older. “I remember the first time I fostered kittens and how worried I was about scaring them,” says Jane Harrell. “What I didn’t know was that that was a critical socialization period for them and not exposing them to things made them more nervous as adults. Now when I foster kittens I do everything I can to get them exposed to as much as possible – loud noises, walking on leashes, strangers, you name it! It all helps them become better-adjusted, healthy adult cats.” Just makre sure your kittens have a positive experience out of any socialization exposure you provide them.
As a new kitten’s parent, it will be up to you to guide her and show her that the world is a wonderful place. Consider trying some of these training and socialization methods:
Kittens will generally use litter boxes by instinct, however you can help teach her to use it by placing her in the box after meals and play sessions. Make sure the litter box is always available to your kitten and cleaned frequently
Pet her frequently
Get her used to weekly combing and grooming. (Learn more about cat grooming)
Introduce her to toys
Allow her to experience different walking surfaces (carpet, linoleum, etc.)
Take her outside on a lead or in her carrier (It can be very dangerous to allow a kitten outside without one.) However, before providing any outdoor exposure be sure your veterinarian has administered the proper vaccines and enough time has passed for your kitten to build immunity.
Give her objects to explore, such as boxes and paper bags
Play loud music and make noise
Have friends over and ask them to play with her and give her treats
Provide appropriate scratching alternatives (such as scratching posts) and reward her with toys, praise or treats when she uses them
Do not allow her to bite or scratch during play. If she does, redirect her attention to a toy.
Expose her to other cats and kittens (as soon as they’re up to date on vaccinations, of course!). There are even kitten socialization classes; do an internet search to see if any are available in your area.
Take your kitten on car rides, giving her treats the whole time, and get her used to her carrier. (Check out these tips for getting your cat to like his carrier.)
Reward friendly behavior with treats or praise.
Do not reprimand bad behavior, instead, ignore her when she displays inappropriate behavior.
Challenge your kitten to think by teaching her tricks. (Learn how to teach a cat tricks.)
Always be patient
3) Make Preventive Care a Priority
To help ensure your kitty has a lifetime of good health, start early in providing her with preventive care:
Schedule an appointment early. No matter what, schedule your kitten’s first vet appointment within a week of getting her. Early and frequent vet visits will help socialize your kitten with the vet and help the vet establish a baseline for your kitten’s health.
Ask about intestinal parasites, fleas and heartworm. Have a veterinarian check your kitten for worms and intestinal parasites, and have her de-wormed, if necessary. And while heartworms aren’t as much of a problem for cats as they are for dogs, some kittens may be susceptible, so also ask your vet if he or she recommends a heartworm preventative. The biggest parasitic threat to your kitten, however, is fleas. You can start administering topical flea preventatives when your kitten is around 8 to 12 weeks of age — although some brands are formulated for kittens as young as 4 weeks old.
Ask which vaccinations your kitten needs and how often: Preventive care for kittens may include vaccines for feline leukemia, rabies and distemper. These shots are usually first administered when a kitten is around 8 weeks of age, with boosters given every few weeks until she reaches 16 weeks of age. After that, your veterinarian can set her up on an adult vaccination schedule. He or she may also recommend additional vaccinations.
These building blocks will give your kitten the best possible start in life, but don’t forget that she’ll still need plenty of attention and care when she gets older.
Article originally published on Purina. Refer to the original article here.
When bringing a kitten into your home, it’s best to make sure you’re prepared. That will help create a smooth transition that is less stressful for your new cat. Here is a rundown of supplies you’ll need to prepare in advance. We think you’ll find that when you’re prepared, you’ll have more time left to bond.
When hitting the road, you’ll need to transport your kitten in a carrier. This will keep her safe and provide a sense of security. Travelling can be scary for a kitten, so make sure the carrier is roomy and well-ventilated. Try lining the bottom with a towel from her former home or shelter to comfort her with a familiar scent. And make sure your carrier is secure and easy to clean.
Food and Water Bowls
Your kitten has lots of energy, so select bowls that won’t tip over too easily. Some kittens are allergic to plastic, so opt for a different material like easy-to-clean stainless steel. You’ll want to wash her food and water bowls daily to keep things fresh. Plenty of clean, fresh water on hand is key for a kitten too.
Litter Box
Make sure the box is roomy to prevent scattering litter around the house. You’ll also need to buy cat litter and a scoop or strainer to remove soiled bits. A clean litter box is key because your kitten will avoid using a messy, smelly one. Wash her pan once a week with soap and water. It is best not to use strong disinfectants (containing ammonia); they aren’t necessary and may offend your kitten’s sensitive nose. Use a mild disinfectant such as bleach and water on the litter box about once a month, putting the box outdoors to dry in the fresh air, if possible. Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling.
IMPORTANT: Humans may contract an organism called toxoplasma from cat feces while cleaning out the litter box. Wear gloves while changing your kitten’s litter and always wash your hands afterwards. Pregnant women should be especially cautious and consider asking another family member to clean the litter box. This is because toxoplasmosis can cause severe birth defects. We recommend that a non-pregnant family member clean and change the litter box.
Bed
Most kittens like to have their own place to rest, but don’t be disappointed if she chooses to ignore her new bed. Until you see what your kitten’s preferences are, you may not want to spend a lot of money on a fancy wicker basket or plush bed. Begin with a simple, cardboard “bed.” Get a roomy cardboard box with sides high enough to keep out drafts. Cut out a doorway. Line the box with an old cushion and cover with soft, washable material for warmth. If possible, use an old sweatshirt for a lining. Your scent will be comforting and encourage her to use her new space. Cats are very particular, so make sure the bedding is always clean. Place the bed in a quiet, draft-free corner away from the main traffic in your house. This will be your kitten’s corner.
Scratching Post
Contrary to popular belief, cats do not use a scratching post to sharpen their claws. They use it for exercise (to stretch out to their full length), to clean away dead scales from their nails, and to mark their territory, both visually and with their scent. Get a scratching post right away to help train your kitten early. The scratching post should be sturdy and tall enough to let your kitten stretch out, full length. Train your kitten to use the scratching post as soon as she comes home. Encourage her to use her post by playing with her often, near or around it. She’ll get the idea quickly. Then when she gets the urge to stretch, hopefully she’ll use the post instead of your furniture. Try to place your kitten’s bed and scratching post close together so she learns to use it when she first wakes up and needs a stretch.
Collar, Harness, & Leash
A cat harness or leash can be a great training tool for your kitten, though they’re not a must. If you’re already thinking along these lines, a harness is probably best, as kittens often dislike the feeling of a leash. However, make sure your kitten always wears a collar made of lightweight material and an identification tag. Have her wear one early on, to get her used to the sensation.
Grooming Tools
Grooming helps keep your kitten healthy and beautiful. You’ll need both a flea comb and a brush, though the type of brush you use depends on the texture and length of your kitten’s coat. Ask your veterinarian or groomer to recommend one that’s right for you.
Toys
A kitten is naturally curious and needs toys that are safe and fun to play with. Choose toys made especially for cats—ones that cannot be splintered, torn apart or swallowed. A celluloid ball that rattles, a catnip mouse or a hard rubber mouse is perfect. To avoid accidents, some cat toys should be used only when you are playing with your kitten.
Toys don’t need to be store bought. Use your imagination. Some great play-things include:
Table tennis ball
Empty wooden thread spool
Unshelled walnut
Balled-up waxed paper
Cardboard toilet paper tube
Empty shoe box
Some items you may be tempted to give your kitten could be harmful. Keep the following away from your kitten:
Balls of string
Spools of thread
Rubber bands
Balls of aluminum foil or cellophane
Corks
Wire twist ties
Also avoid anything with hard sharp points that can break off. Be wary of toys (or items that a kitten may see as a toy) that can break, such as Christmas tree ornaments for example. Be careful not to give her anything small enough to swallow, like buttons, beads or paper clips. Keep your kitten away from children’s toys made of soft rubber, fur, wool, sponge or polyurethane. If your kitten swallows even a small particle, it could cause digestive problems. Avoid all toys with squeakers that could be swallowed.
We hope this list helped prepare you to make your home a happy place for your cat.
Article originally published on Purina. Refer to the original article here.
Kittens are adorable, but they can also be a handful. They quickly hide, chase after a piece of fuzz, and answer nature’s call without giving the slightest warning. In fact, if there’s a kitten in your home, she’s probably far too busy playing with your shoelace to notice the way you care for her health, safety and happiness. Nutrition is an important part of that care, which is why we’ve put together these tips on feeding a kitten.
First, a quick note about newborn kittens: Newborns get all of their nutrition from nursing or, if separated from their mother, from a kitten milk replacer. They may require other special care as well. Your veterinarian can provide the best information about how to care for kittens this young.
The tips below are for feeding kittens that are ready to transition from nursing to dry or wet kitten food.
1. Don’t immediately switch from a liquid diet to a solid diet. Once your kitten is three to four weeks old, try setting out moistened kitten food for them to nibble. The prep is easy: Just combine one part warm – not hot – water and three parts dry or canned kitten food. It should look like oatmeal. Over the next week or two, gradually decrease the amount of water and increase the amount of food each day to help with the transition to dry food.
2. Find a food that’s 100% complete and balanced for kittens. Kittens need special nutrition and lots of it. They’re constantly growing and playing, which means they require two to three times more protein, fat and other nutrients compared to adult cats. Check the bag to make sure you’re giving your kitten a food that provides 100% complete and balanced nutrition for kittens. If you have any questions, ask your veterinarian.
3. Give your kitten a chance to get used to the food.At first, she may play with it or even step in the food dish. If so, remember: 1) she’s a kitten, so everything is a toy; and 2) her concept of food is still very fluid at this point. (See what we did there?) At any rate, be patient, keep a moist cloth handy to clean up, and make sure your kitten stays warm and dry.
4. Keep an eye on the food dish. Switch out the food multiple times per day when serving wet food or moistened dry food. Even kittens with huge appetites turn their little noses up at food left out for more than a few hours. Frequent switch-outs also lower the risk of contamination.
5. The water bowl is just as important. Water isn’t food, but it’s crucial to these tips on feeding a kitten. Your kitten’s body mass is 70 to 80 percent water. The water in wet food and moistened dry food helps keep her hydrated, but there’s no substitute for access to plenty of clean water at all times, refilled at least once a day.
6. Feed undiluted wet or dry kitten food from 7 weeks old through your kitten’s first year.Once your kitten reaches eight or nine months, she’ll begin to look like a full-grown adult cat. Do not be deceived. Kittens continue to develop throughout their first year, so it’s important to continue feeding kitten food for a full 12 months before graduating to adult cat food.
7. Look out for signs of illness, including loss of appetite. Healthy kittens love to eat, so if you notice your kitten acting unresponsive and/or showing no interest in her food, call your veterinarian right away. The first several weeks of a kitten’s life can test her immune system, and there is a higher risk of illness. Be sure to let your veterinarian know, especially if your kitten suddenly stops eating.
With these tips on feeding a kitten, you can help your little bundle of joy get all of the nutrition she needs to play and thrive. Just one last tip: Try to enjoy every last adorable moment while it lasts. Before you know it, your kitten will be an amazing cat.
After a full year, it’s time for your kitten to transition again – this time to adult cat food.
Now, today, I want to talk about enthusiastic dog lovers/owners; not the ones that’s afraid.
So with the utmost respect, I say this on behalf of most dog owners, particularly owners that’s struggling or value dog training: don’t touch our dog without our permission.
1. Don’t bend down to stroke my dog. 2. Don’t call it over when it’s walking towards you and you’re walking in the opposite direction, standing outside a shop, or sitting at a table outside a cafe. Or doing sit stay exercise. OR ITS WEARING A “TRAINING” TAG. 3. Don’t stroke my dog when it’s sitting me waiting to cross the traffic light. 4. Don’t lean over and randomly stroke my dog when I’m walking by. 5. And don’t you even think about picking my dog up without asking.
What a miserable, stuck-up dude, you’re probably thinking I am. Talk about being possessive over his dog. Don’t touch then don’t touch lor.
No, I get it, all dogs are cute, they’re painfully cute and nobody likes being told they can’t stroke one (particularly children). Dogs/Puppies bring total joy to people’s lives; my Kobe, in particular, puts a smile on people’s face when they see him wagging his tail, and wanna lean against you for affection when you stood down to welcome him. Puppies and dogs are so powerful that they have the power to make you coo unabashedly out loud in the middle of the street when surrounded by total strangers. Puppies are great which is why (nearly) everyone wants to stroke them.
To you, dear dog obsessive, stroking a puppy seems normal yeah. why not? It’s also a complement saying your pooch is adorable what. But I’m here to break the bad news to you. When you stroke a dog without asking the owner’s permission or call it over to you, not only are you being disrespectful and incredibly rude, you’re potentially endangering yourself and the dog, and the owner.
Over the months of being a new Singapore Special / Mongrel dog owner, I’ve noticed there are 2 categories of enthusiastic dog lovers/ people:
1. People are dog owners and respect the importance of training. 2. People who just love dogs but have clearly never owned one (or did so without proper training).
The people who fall into the first category are the only ones who ask permission before meeting my dog and stroking it or even feeding treats.
The second category of people force themselves onto my dog and ignore my existence, and now I’m the invisible dog owner/walker. I tend to abruptly and unashamedly avoid the second category of people and return the favour by ignoring their existence.
If I hear someone coo my dog over to them as he’s walking on a leash, I will just carry on walking without stopping. Guess who’s labelled the rude one? Me.
Someone once said when I was training proper leash work on Kobe: “But I could see him (Kobe) looking at me, he was pulling at his leash to come over to me; he want to say hello to me. Yes, he does, but you know what else my Kobe was interested at and pulls at his leash to get to? Trash, birds, leaf… Oh, and every single person walking on the street.
I’m classified as stuck up because of my face, and rude because I don’t allow people who don’t ask permission to have access to my dog.
Part of that training includes not teaching my dogs to run up to EVERY strangers. Why? Because I am a responsible owners, I think for people that’s afraid of dogs, or due to religion.
Puppies love people, they want to meet everyone and everything because they love cuddles and play. If I allow my dog to run up to anyone once, I have to then justify allowing it to run up to everyone else.
The first time I ever took Kobe out after the circuit breaker, as a naïve new puppy owner, I was stopped 123456 times during a walk, but that’s ok, because people are concern about what happens to his missing limb, and also because we wanted Kobe to be friendly and not afraid of people, but then again, with that we also allow him to charge towards people/kids that’s afraid of dogs, then we become as “Owners that cannot control their dog”.
I’d never had a puppy on a lead before, but I boiled up with rage. I was utterly furious with the overt disrespect and invasiveness. It’s actually a miracle I didn’t punch this person; if it happened again I probably would. The first few weeks of a dog’s life are essential for puppy training and I was very positive and excited to embark this new experience with Kobe, but this random person had ruined my dog’s first associations with going out on a lead. I told that person that Kobe is on training on how to heel properly. “Nevermind la” “Let puppies be puppies la, why so strict” “Still so young don’t need training la” “You see you see, he want to come to say hello to me already!!”
Nobody would do this to a newborn baby. Nobody would run-up to a pram without acknowledging the mother, touch the baby or cuddle right: they’d be arrested for it. But dogs are public property, apparently, so it’s ok?
I’m not being a rude, tight-arsed or stuck up douche when I walk pass you with my dog ignoring your cooing, your tutting and attempts of getting his attention; I just want to be a responsible dog owner who trains my dog. Have you ever wonder if the dog you’re cooing might be actually aggressive? What if my dog bites you because your cooing is actually provoking him and making him anxious?
My dog’s life is my responsibility; he can’t give consent and he doesn’t know the world as well as I do, so it’s my job to keep him safe and protected. I don’t want him running up to random strangers, what if that person is scare and hit my dog as “self defence”, or my dog gets aggressive trying to defend himself and bite that person by accident?
The other day, I was at X dog cafe with a group of friends, Yes all the dogs are off leashed, running around and “enjoying” themselves.
Because its a weekend, that dog cafe was rowdy and filled with loud noise and commotion from big dogs and small dogs. I leash Kobe and walked to our table, and unleash him after he obey my commands. Well for people that met Kobe before, you know he is a sociable dog when it comes to strangers and other dogs. So he was mingling and running around wanting to make new friends with dogs and humans, but then again; due to his insecure nature, certain dogs makes him feel intimidated and he will become a little more anxious and wary.
So when I notice he was a bit “off”, I recall him back and put on the leash, because I am a responsible owner right? I don’t want my dog to be barking the cafe down, or terrorising other dogs while I’m sitting there enjoying my meal.
So as Kobe was sitting beside me with his leash on, someone approached him, X asked me if my dog is KOBE.SG, and I said “Yes! Hello nice to meet you too!” X asked me if X can pat Kobe, I was like sure, why not? Don’t want to be rude right, X asked permission, thats a rare one!
But X display signs of uncertainty, X hover the hand in front of Kobe’s face and not sure if X wants to pat him; I immediately told X that If you want to pat him, pat with confidence, because if you display uncertainty, he will be wary of you and gets anxious and defensive. But X did not adhere to my advise and continue hovering X’s hand in front of Kobe face, and I saw Kobe starting to snarl… Despite my nerves and a lifetime of people-pleasing tendencies, I finally broke my suppression, “Don’t touch my dogalready” calmly but sternly. And explain that he is gonna bite.
But…….. X did the predictable; which is ignoring my warning…. X is not the first one that takes my warning lightly.. Whats with people not adhering to warning? Do you think that I am joking when I say my dog is gonna bite you?
So after I told X off, X finally decided to move X’s hand forward and pat him, and this time I saw Kobe’s snarl and heard his low growl, shifty eyes and round forehead ready to lunge forward to the incoming hand, and I IMMEDIATELY YANK X’S HAND OFF, AND SAID “I TOLD YOU NOT TO TOUCH HIM ALREADY, HE’S GONNA BITE YOU”
If I can be honest, I was pissed. Was I wrong to feel this way?
And there was a awkward silence after that incident and X decided to excuse themsleves, and despite whatever happen few seconds ago, X decided to crouched down and wave X’s hand in front of Kobe’s face to say byebye… A FEW TIMES… And this time I have to tighten Kobe’s collar and pull him towards me…
Why? I don’t get it.
And this is not the only thing.
Parents. IF you want to bring your kids out to meet some cute little cuddly dogs, please go to a dog cafe that you get to pat their in house dogs. Its for the safety of your child and other peoples’ dog.
Don’t bring your kids to a dog cafe or a dog run to pat random strangers dogs who you have no idea what their temperament and trigger points are.
I cannot emphasise this enough. When I was at X dog cafe, I told this kid off 3 times, not to touch Kobe, and she just doesn’t listen, I even told her that he will bite. And my last straw, I raise my voice a little and gave a final warning, and suddenly her parents which is just the next table, decided to speak up after me and told his kid “People already told you don touch already, why you still do that?”
C’mon Sir, shouldn’t you be already educating your kid before she reaches her hand over once again?
When I was at X dog run, there’s this girl that’s just running free around the dog park, chasing every dog and touching all the dogs thats passing her, what if she met an aggressive one? I don’t see her parents around.
She was chasing Kobe and screaming at the same time, making Kobe super scare, and finally Kobe ran towards me, she wants to reach her hand over to pat him, I said no, but she wants to do it, What am I suppose to do? Obviously I told her off, but honestly what else can I do beside telling her again and again not to touch my dog and explain why..
I had to finally asserted myself and it hadn’t been as painful as I thought it would. I hate not giving people what they want, especially when I’m more than capable of giving it to them (after all, I could have just let them pat Kobe right), but it wasn’t about doing something just because I could do it. It was about finally demanding your respect and attention to adhere to my request of not touching my dog due to safety reasons.
It was about finally taking ownership of my right to say no; it was about me acknowledging to myself that just because I can do something doesn’t mean I should, especially if I don’t want to, because I’m afraid of the consequences.
Dogs are cute, but they also need a lot of training and all good dog-owners take training seriously. Whatever training works for your dog, as long as it’s trained. If you really do love dogs, please start showing respect for other dog owners and acknowledge they are part of the equation, you don’t have to agree to what they think is best for their dog, but at least have the same level of respect because we all just want the best for our dog. Just as you wouldn’t walk up to a baby or toddler without acknowledging the parent, don’t walk up to a puppy without asking the dog owner first.
After all, not only is it inconvenient and detrimental for a dog owner who is possibly training a dog, it’s also wiser for you: you don’t know the nature of a dog. That cute little dog could be utterly terrified of people, they may cower, bark or even bite you. They may be aggressive or anxious, they may even be blind or deaf, so don’t force yourself onto a dog which can’t give consent, no matter how cute they are.
But if you ask me then yes, I will release my dog from training and you can touch my dog. But if you’re wary and scare, then please don’t request to touch my dog. Thank you.
