Pet Goddess

Once you have decided upon a particular pet, whether it’s a puppy, kitten, or other animal suitable for young children; even before the animal comes home for the first time, parents need to sit down with the children and talk to them about responsibility and care of the new pet. 

You will need to buy the basics for the pet, so have everyone help so they know the basic essentials of caring for the pet. 

Some kids are unreliable when it comes to new pets.  For the first few months they pamper the pet, play with the pet, and thoroughly enjoy the new addition to the family.   

Inevitably, however, as children grow, they become bored with the pet, and the responsibility of taking care of it falls in the parents’ lap.  

Owning a pet is a permanent commitment that an entire family has to agree upon, and it is for the life of the pet, not just for when it seems convenient.  

Pets offer so much unconditional love, it is unfair to do any less in return.  All they want in return is to be dutifully cared for, fed, walked, hugged, and loved.   

They can bring immense joy and happiness to a family, provided they are ready to share their lives with the pet. 

Which is why deciding if your family is ready for a pet requires thoughtful consideration, research, and an open dialogue among all family members.  Everyone in the family needs to contribute to the wellbeing of the pet, so everyone in the family needs to be part of the decision making process as to whether or not your family is ready for a pet.

Posted January 25, 2009 Comments(0)

Once you have gone through the pet questionnaire which we gave you in part 2, if all of the answers are satisfactory, then the choice of where to get your new pet comes next.  

Some pet owners prefer acquiring a kitten or puppy from a breeder, while others may decide that a shelter is more suitable.  Keep in mind, however, that both kittens and puppies are the first to be adopted, and it may take a while before you find a suitable pet in a shelter.    

On the other hand, if you are prepared to take what is deemed a young, or young adult dog, you might only get your choice faster, but also a dog that in most cases does not need so much training from scratch.   

It should be noted that some pet stores carry puppies that are purchased from puppy mills.  If at all possible, select a pup from another source, as most of puppy mill puppies have health problems that unscrupulous pet shop owners will never reveal to you. In addition, you will be helping to free all the dogs being treated cruelly in this barbaric industry. 

If you decide on another type of pet for your family, there are other important factors which you should consider.  There are some pets that carry diseases.   

The following group of pets should not be considered when there are small children in the home: turtles, reptiles, ferrets, or exotic animals of any type.   

Before deciding on any pet, ensure that no one in your family is allergic to animals in general or cats in particular. Studies have shown that more people tend to be allergic to cats than any other animal.

Posted January 23, 2009 Comments(0)

The following questions as to whether or not your family is ready for a pet can be applied to a puppy or kitten. 

·          Can we afford to buy a pet? 

·          Can we afford to raise a pet? 

·          Will the children, as much as they want one, be able to live well with a  

pet? 

·          Do we have enough space?  

·          Who will take care of the pet? 

·          Who will train the pet? 

·          Where will we find a vet? 

·          How will we afford the vet’s bills? 

·          Should we take out pet insurance. 

·          The children need so much our attention-do we have the time to address  

the many needs of the pet? 

·          Should we get a dog, cat, or other pet? 

·          What are the pros and cons of each pet? 

·          Do we want a specific breed of dog or cat? 

·          Which breeds are best with children? 

·          What health issues would each of the breeds have? 

·          What do we do with the pet when we are at work and school. 

·          What would we do with the pet when we went on vacation? 

·          Who would be able to look after the pet if it were ill? 

·          What happens to the pet when it gets elderly? 

These are questions parents have to ask themselves and the family members, and answer honestly. 

Posted January 21, 2009 Comments(0)

There are many things one has to consider before choosing a pet for the family.  While all pets require attention, there are some that demand more than others.   

In addition, there is the cost factor. 

Then there are the ages of your children, the number of people in your household, how busy the household is, and how much time you can realistically spend training the pet, giving it attention, and tending to its needs for food, love, companionship, toileting, and other essentials which help make it an emotionally secure and happy animal.  

Therefore, given all these considerations, the determination as to whether or not having a pet has to be worked through carefully by all parties concerned. 

Before making a decision, you have to ask: Is our family ready for a pet?  Let’s take a closer look at the most important issues regarding this decision. 

Here is a typical scenario:  It’s a beautiful spring day and you decide to take your small children into town.  While there, you happen to pass a pet shop.   

The kids naturally become quite excited at the puppies and kittens on display.  They press their noses up against the window and begin “choosing” which puppy or kitten they want to bring home.  

 “Please, mommy, please, can we get one?” they cry.   

What are you supposed to do!   

You can stall for time by telling them that you will have to discuss it with the other parent first.  You might be totally fibbing, of course.  

OR, you might actually have an eye on one puppy that you would love to take home as well.  Sound familiar? 

Now comes the hard part. Deciding whether or not your family is ready for a pet.  So the discussion begins.  The following questions can be applied to a puppy or kitten.

Posted January 19, 2009 Comments(0)

One of the most common problems affecting cats is an ear condition.  This is caused by mites that can reside in the ear canal.   

If you notice your cat’s ears are seeping a brownish discharge and they are scratching their ears constantly, they may be exhibiting symptoms of this condition.  To avoid this potentially medical problem, it is best to keep your cat indoors as these mites come from contact with other cats. While dogs can suffer from worm infestation, so can cats.  They can develop tapeworms from eating rodents, for example.  Tapeworms can be passed from cat to cat through the feces.  Thus, it is important to check their stool to look for signs they are infected with these parasites.  Visit a vet to determine course of treatment. Worms are particularly dangerous for kittens.  

Just as humans develop allergies, cats also suffer from this condition as well.  Fleas can cause a myriad of problems such as skin infections, tapeworms, and anemia.  

The best course of action to prevent cats from becoming infested with fleas is to consult your vet to determine what type of flea protection is best suited for their age and overall health. As with any pet, any change from their normal routine may signal that there is a problem.  Keeping a watchful eye on your cat’s behavior and habits can alert you when something doesn’t seem quite right.  

If your cat exhibits any sign that he or she is having a problem, it’s time to act.   

What signs should you look for?  A lack of eating or drinking is a clear sign that something is wrong. 

If you notice vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, inability to urinate, sluggishness, scratching of the ears, eating problems, or any drastic change in behavior, and or development of any lumps or sores under its coat, it’s time to visit the vet. 

No one knows your pet better than you, so keeping  a watchful eye on all of your cat’s activities will allow for immediate treatment before the condition becomes too serious.  No cat should go longer than 24 hours without eating. If it refuses, bring it to the vet. 

Your pet may look healthy, but it is relying on you to see the warning signs, and act fast to help it before it’s too late.  Make sure no matter if you have one cat, or several, you spend time with each one every day, and  note any change in habits.

Posted January 17, 2009 Comments(0)

Another condition that can affect a cat is kidney problems.  Usually associated with older cats, in cases where the kidney begins to malfunction, this can produce renal failure.  You may notice that your cat is drinking more water than usual, losing weight; and vomiting.   

While this is relatively common, you can prevent the onset of kidney failure by reducing the amount of protein and salt in their diet. There are many special diets now which can help you cope with these dietary restrictions. 

Always feed good quality cat food; the cheaper the food, the more likely they will have problems.  

Also make sure that you take your cat to the vet if you notice any significant changes in weight or amount of thirst, since this can also signal  the onset of feline diabetes.   

If you find that your cat is having a problem urinating, or the urine contains blood or mucus, this may be a sign that your cat has cystitis.  Make sure they have plenty of water, and take them to your vet.

Posted January 15, 2009 Comments(0)

Cats can have a variety of health problems as they mature.  Here are some common cat ailments and ways to avoid them. Cats have an innate ability to self-groom.  Observe any cat, from housecat to lion, and you will notice immediately after eating they lick their paws they gently “wash” their face.   

They groom themselves constantly and because they do, they swallow the hair that accumulates on their paws.  As a result, fur balls are swallowed and this leads to vomiting and gastric distress. In order to avoid this from occurring, brushing the cat’s coat frequently is recommended, as well as keeping the cat hydrated, and giving them a hairball treatment as needed to help the fur pass more easily through their digestive tract. 

Hydration also plays a vital role in bladder infections which cats often get, particularly in male cats because they have a much narrower urinary passage compared with a female. It is also advised to limit dry food intake by not keeping a plate of food available, but choosing the time in which they are to be fed. Wet food will help a male pass more urine.

Posted January 13, 2009 Comments(0)

Just as there are unscrupulous sellers throughout the world who sell prescription medications online that are tainted, or consist of placebos, so too, shopping for discount pet medications without the benefit of the expertise of a vet can be a bad experience. 

Talk to a qualified vet to determine what type of illness you pet has and whether or not the treatment is going to be long-term. Then and then discuss your medication options.  Discount pet medications may be safe, but they may not be practical. 

You might also consider Canadian pharmacies.  We have been using jandrugs.com very happily for over a year now for our cocker spaniel’s medication.  It is $200 for a 15 day supply in the USA, but only $40 in Canada, a huge savings for our family. 

For simple things like Frontline and Heartgard, medicines that you will use repeatedly over time, it make sense to shop around for the best price.  

So buyer beware when it comes to discount pet meds, but talk to your doctor about what your pet needs to take and why, and then shop around carefully, comparing prices, and also site reviews.

Posted January 11, 2009 Comments(0)

The question as to whether or not discount pet medications are safe is a valid one.  If your pet becomes ill, the vet will prescribe appropriate medication.   

If the medication is too expensive, you have an opportunity to ask if there is a less expensive medication available that is just as effective and safe.  It should be a medication that has very few side effects when administered over a long term. 

Sometimes in our endeavor to help our pets when they are sick, we may think that by researching the various medications online and finding one that is not only appropriate but inexpensive; that we are saving money in vet bills and the more expensive medications the vet may prescribe.  

The problem is that every pet is different; that medications prescribed by a vet depend on age, breed, and weight.  Can we honestly make the same judgment on what type of medication is best for our pet based on price?  Do we want to take the chance that the medication chosen is the correct one? 

If we assume that discount pet medications are safe, then it would be perfectly fine to choose among the many online companies who offer these medications.   

The question is whether or not we, as pet owners, are qualified to make such a diagnosis and administer the medication to our beloved pets.  If, on the other hand, a vet recommends a discounted medication, then it is appropriate to do so.

Posted January 9, 2009 Comments(0)

If your pet contracts tapeworm, or any one of a host of illnesses, that needs to be treated, the cost of medications to treat them can add up. Then there are the medicines each pet should have regularlly to protect against heartworm, fleas and ticks, and so on.   

Should you check online to find the appropriate medication?  If you find a specific type of medication that seems a bit costly, should you look further to find a cheaper brand?  Are discount pet medications safe? 

Due to the high cost of prescription drugs for humans, we are sometimes forced to purchase generic drugs to save money.  Does this mean the drug is not as effective?  Does it mean that it is less safe?   

With any drug, there may be side effects, but it doesn’t mean that it isn’t effective. It usually means that the dosage might not be the same, or that the inert ingredients are different and may thus affect the absorption of the medication when you take it. 

There are always safety factors to consider when taking a drug for the first time.  Unfortunately for most of us, it boils down to trial and error. 

While there may also be cost considerations when purchasing medications for pets, do we use the same methodology in determining the effects and safety of discount medications?   

Certainly; and just as we consult with a doctor regarding our own health, we consult with a vet to ensure that the medications utilized are safe, and effective at the same time.

Posted January 7, 2009 Comments(0)