How to remove ticks from dogs

Ticks carry diseases such as Lyme disease and that is why they should always be removed as soon as they are discovered on your pet. They are prevalent in grassy or wooded areas and and so owners must be particularly vigilant when taking their dog to a high risk area such as this.

The first stage for tick removal is finding one. Put on latex gloves and run your hands over the body of your dog, paying particular attention to the head and neck. If you feel a pea like lump then investigate further by parting the fur and having a look. Ticks are black or brown arachnids (they have 8 legs like spiders) and they attach themselves to your dog via the head which is the size of a pin. The body protrudes from the skin and can grow to the size of a grape.

Put the dog into a comfortable position, if possible finding a family member to try and calm/distract him. Use tweezers to get hold of the tick as near to the head as possible (being careful not to pinch your dog’s skin) and pull straight outwards. Don’t twist or yank or pull too hard as the head is likely to remain behind in these instances which can cause further irritation and infection for your dog.

Get rid of the tick by putting it in alcohol or throwing it in the fire. They don’t necessarily die when flushed down the toilet or down the sink, and sometimes crawl out of the sink an hour or so later!

Apply antiseptic cream to the bite, throw away the gloves and wash your hands thoroughly. The tweezers should be disinfected too.

Sometimes owners will use a lit cigarette, or match to try and remove the tick - the theory is the tick gets burnt so releases their grip on the dog and “backs out”. This is neither effective nor humane. The dog will suffer greatly and the tick will not necessarily come out.

If anyone has any other ideas on how to deal with ticks, send in your comments below.

How to clean out a hamster cage

Here is a step by step guide to cleaning out your hamster’s cage....First you must remove your furry friend. Place him somewhere that is closed in so he can still run around but can’t disappear!

1. Fill a sink with hot soapy water, making sure you aren’t using a harsh cleaning soap, but something mild and preferably unscented.
2. Empty the cage of all bedding. It can be put straight in the bin, although gloves should ideally be worn.
3. Remove all the accessories from the cage such as the water bottle and play equipment and leave to soak in the hot soapy water. A toothbrush or something similar should be used as a scrubber and everything should be thoroughly scrubbed clean.
4. Clean the cage by placing it in the water and scrubbing clean. Take care to ensure it is fully rinsed of all soap.
5. Once the base of the cage is dry, sprinkle some baking powder on the base which absorbs unpleasant smells.
6. Use fresh materials to replace the bedding. Lay enough so the hamster can burrow and make a warm nest.
7. Tear up some kitchen towel or toilet paper and place in one corner so your hamster has a little mattress to sleep on!
8. Refill supplies like water and food and put everything back together including the accessories.
9. If the wheel is squeaking at all, use a little olive oil on the axels and hinges to make the problem go away.
10. Find your hamster and pop him back in!

This should be done fairly frequently so your hamster is always living in nice clean conditions. It shouldn’t take too long and it is satisfying to see the gleaming cage at the end of the process. Your hamster will certainly thank you for it!

Are there any other tips to cleaning out a hamster cage? Send in your comments below.

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!

How much water does a cat need?

The water that a cat needs varies considerably from cat to cat. As size of the cat, age, activity level and even weather conditions play a role in determining the amount of water a cat needs, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. One thing that is sure however is that cats need plenty of water each day, and prolonged dehydration can lead to bad health and even death. Water is vital for flushing out toxins, and keeping tissues healthy so a good clean bowl of fresh water every morning is important. It should be replaced as soon as it runs dry. Dry cat food has very little moisture in it, so it is important to remember that cats will need to drink more if they are on a dry food diet.

Cat owners can use the drinking habits of their cats as a way of determining any ill health. A dramatic change in the amount a cat is drinking can be a sign that the cat is unwell and possibly needs vet attention. Cats drink larger volumes of water in very hot weather as humans do, so make sure you are particularly vigilant in making sure they have enough to drink in summer.

If you believe your cat may be dehydrated, pull the loose skin gently at the back of the neck. If it falls back into place quickly then your cat is fine, if it takes time to go back, your cat is dehydrated and needs fluids immediately. If you want to encourage your cat to drink, a fantastic trick is putting ice cubes in their water bowl. This makes it interesting for them and gives them something to play with.

Having a dirty water bowl could be a reason why your cat doesn’t want to drink. Plastic tends to soak up smells and grime, so ceramic or stainless steel are much better to use. If some food drops into a cat’s water, they may turn their nose up at it as they don’t like spoiled water. Be sure to thoroughly clean your cat’s water bowl every day, and run it through the dishwasher whenever possible too.

Do any of you have any other information about cats and drinking water? Has your cat ever suffered from dehydration? Do you have any tips for encouraging your cat to drink? Send in your comments below.