What food is best for cats?

Cats differ from one to the next when it comes to the best food for them. There are a number of different factors that will affect the type of food you give them. The age of a cat is a factor as nutritional needs change during their life depending on their age. Kittens need a different diet to old cats for example. The condition of your cat is another factor to take into consideration. Overweight cats need a special diet, as do underweight cats and there is no one size fits all solution. The health history of a cat is also important as existing conditions like diabetes or other illnesses mean a very particular diet may be required. Your vet can advise you on what food would be suitable if your cat is suffering from ill health. Cost also plays a part in cat food as prices vary considerably between brands. Generally speaking, the more expensive a food, the healthier and better for your cat it will be, but budgets often cannot stretch so a cheaper food should be found.

Cats have different tastes. Whilst some cats love tuna, others may loathe it. It is a good idea to try out your cat on a variety of foods to see which they prefer. Taste preferences should not be forgotten about when it comes to selecting a cat food. Understanding cat food labels is very important when choosing a food, as clever wording can mean something that looks healthy and delicious, may in fact not be. Look closely at the ingredient list on the back of the product when choosing a food and make sure the first product listed in a high protein item such as chicken or tuna.

If you are switching to a new food, your cat may need a little time to get used to it. If they turn their nose up the first day, that doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t ever like it, so a bit of patience and perseverance is required. If your cat continues to avoid a food, it is probably time for a change, and if your cat appears to become unwell and shows signs of sickness or diarrhea it could also meant the food is not appropriate.

Do any of you have any comments about the best food for cats? Send in your thoughts and advice below.

How to train your dog

It is very important to train a dog, not just because you don’t want to be cleaning up mess it has left in your house, but also because it provides the dog with a mental challenge. Training will help keep its brain active and ensure it doesn’t get bored which can lead to a host of behavioural problems.

In order to train a dog, you must first understand dog behaviour. As much as we love to cuddle them and dote on them as if they were real people, the thing to remember is that they are dogs, and dogs are pack animals. When a dog is welcomed into a home, the human members of that household become its pack. Within that pack the dog wants one leader, and they want to know exactly who it is. Dogs don’t really want to be pack leader if they can help it, but be assured they will step into that role if they feel there is no one else taking it. The humans must be above the dog in the pack, and there must be one leader of the pack. A dog will make mince meat of a family where these roles are not clearly defined.

Some ways to let your dog know who is boss is to feed him after everyone else in the house has eaten. This clearly demonstrates his position in the pack. Another idea is to make him give up his place on the sofa so you can sit down. It may seem mean to make him do this, especially if there is another place available for you, but you must remember that your dog will be happier in the long run when he knows his place. If your dog growls or barks when you make him do something, just stand your ground and growl back.

Being firm and consistent is crucial in the training process. If 99% of the time you don’t let your dog on the bed, but 1% of the time you do, all of your training will be wasted and your dog will believe it is acceptable to lie on the bed any time he wants. You should start training your dog as early on his life as possible, as this will make it easier and they are smaller and less headstrong. Try training a beast with a head twice the size of yours!

Never shout at or hit your dog to make him do something. You dog will simply become scared of you and make him less likely to concentrate when you are trying to teach him.

If you follow these guidelines you should have great success in training your dog. Whether it is to heel, sit, roll over, shake hands or not to relieve themselves in your hallway.

Have any of you any tips on training dogs? Send in your comments and suggestions below.

How to walk your dog

It may seem strange that there is a correct way to walk a dog, after all, don’t you just put on the lead and go?

Actually no, because the important thing about dog walking is that the dog must walk behind their handler and therefore it must learn to “heel.” If they are allowed to lead the way then this can give the dog the idea that they are the alpha member of the pack, when it is important for their own happiness and their behaviour that they understand their place at the bottom of the pack..

Sometimes dogs will walk next to their owner in the manner that they are walking to heel, however this may nonetheless still present the above scenario as it is the person who is making the decisions that teaches the dog who is boss. Did the dog walk out of the house first? Did they wander in another direction at any stage during the walk? If any decisions are made by the dog, even if they walk calmly to heel for the majority of the time, they still may see themselves as leaders over you.

Teach your dog to walk behind you at all times, and correct any behaviour that is dominant. Taking your dog for a pack walk is often a good idea, whereby a group of owners and their dogs walk together, each making sure they dog is walking to heel by their side. Any dominant or aggressive behaviour must be instantly corrected, and this will not only teach them who are the leaders, but will also socialise them well with other dogs.

Although you may feel your dog needs time off his lead, it is best to avoid this in public areas. If your dog is well trained and obedient, a retractable lead is appropriate to use. Whilst walking, let your dog stop to sniff the ground and trees around him, but remember to bring him back to heel when you decide, not when he does. It is fine for your dog to greet passers by or other dogs as long as it is done in a nice way, as this will socialise your dog well and allow him to get used to strangers and other animals.

Walking your dog is a simple process, with just a few golden rules to remember. Ensure he knows you are the leader by walking out of the door of the house first, making sure he walks to heel and making all the decisions of direction and time whilst out together. Otherwise just enjoy the walk and remember it is a great time to bond with your dog.

Have any of you got any tips on walking your dog? Send in your comments below.

4 Ways to stop a dog begging for food

Begging for food is an irritating habit that many dogs have, and when it results in passing the dog food scraps, it can also become a problem, both in terms of the dog’s health and their behaviour.

Dogs see their owners as their pack, and in order to stay friendly and loving they must understand their own place in that pack is below humans. One way for them to understand this is by feeding them last. If you pass scraps whilst you and your family are eating, you are indicating to the dog that they are as high as you in the pack which can lead to aggressive and dominating behaviour on their part. Furthermore, food for humans is often totally inappropriate for dogs who will have trouble digesting it and could lead them to gain weight and even develop other serious illnesses down the line.

Here are 4 ideas on how to stop your dog begging for food:

1. Remove him from the dining area. This is simple yet affective as it removes temptation from the dog’s path. If you don’t let him back in until everything has been cleared away, there is no chance he can get at any scraps or leftovers.

2. Feed him after everyone else. This emphasizes his position at the bottom of the pecking order. Dominant dogs are more likely to beg for food as this is a way of asserting their position. Always make sure they know their place as the omega dog in the pack.

3. Make them sit and stay whilst you eat. This reinforces his place in the pack and teaches him that quiet behaviour during mealtimes is necessary.

4. Never feed them scraps. This is very important as giving in could affect their behaviour and their health. It also encourages them to keep begging as they learn it works and they get rewarded when they do it.

Begging can be “trained” out of a dog, and it is important that it is. Not only is it a very annoying habit, it can also be detrimental to their health and cause your dog to become more dominant in the house. A happy dog is one that knows their place as the omega pack member, not the alpha pack member.

If any of your have had success from stopping your dog from begging, send in your thoughts, we’d love to hear them!