Sensible Guides

There are a great many people in the world who enjoy having a pet as a companion. Pets are cherished, pampered and often fill the void of children that have left home or family members who have passed on.

Whether your choice of companion is 4 legged, a rescue, a purebred or a feathered friend our pets instill a lifelong attachment that offer a sense of comfort for both animal and owner for years.

The downside of this of course is that most pets will not outlive their owners and losing a pet can be devastating. The feelings of loss are similar to losing a close family member and should never be trivialized. The sadness and depression are very real. Continue »

The love of our pets is a well know aspect of family life and having them taken care of while we work or are away from home has become a big industry.

With dog walkers, doggie day cares, and overnight boarding, the idea of leaving our furry family members in unknown environments can cause great stress to both owner and pet.

Pet sitters are becoming a less expensive alternative to animal boarding. Having someone come into your home to take care of your pet in its own environment is a great way to have the best of both worlds. Your pets suffer less separation anxiety and stress and it eliminates worry from an active owner’s life. Continue »

As animal lovers we have had an assortment of pets throughout the years but cats and dogs have been the primary pets when it came to our 4 legged friends.

Having deciding early on to only adopt rescue animals, we often had behavior issues to address before peace would reign.

We quickly learned that when you are introducing new members to your home there are important facts to considered.

Dogs are territorial and will often show aggression to any new addition to their home. Cats have the same tendencies and will fight to defend their territory and mark their spaces to show their dominance. Continue »

Obesity is becoming an epidemic in our country today but it has not only affect the two legged species. As we have begun to over indulge ourselves with our hectic lifestyles, we have also begun to over indulge our pets and this unhealthy habit is particularly destructive.

Almost 25% of the pet population is considered obese and many under veterinary care for this reason. With our tendency to treat ourselves with food as a reward for a challenging day, we are doing the same things to our animals. But as we are doing so, we are putting their lives at risk. Continue »

Keeping fish is a great hobby and one that can be enjoyed from a young age. Though relatively easy to keep, there are a few choices that need to be made before you head to your local fish store and purchase your aquarium.

There are differences between having a freshwater and a saltwater aquarium and the types of fish that are required in each setting. If this is your first time with an aquarium many expert recommends that it is best to chose a freshwater aquarium in your initial set up. Continue »

When we think of pets, we usually think dogs and cats. But there is a large part of the population that has chosen to enjoy their lives with birds. They are entertaining, colorful and are the perfect pet for someone who may not have the space for a larger animal.

As in any home, there needs to be a match between the family and the pet, or you may end up with an unhappy situation and an unwanted pet. Often the first choice is a big, colorful exotic bird which may seem like a great idea but this type of bird may be too much to handle for a first time bird owner. Continue »

If you have ever owned a cat, you are sure to know all about their claws and how they use them. They use them for traction, climbing, accelerating, moving, turning quickly, defending themselves and even for such mundane activities as cleaning up after using the litter box. It’s part of their natural activity. Just watch a cat chase a toy in play and you’ll see how they use their claws to grip, pull and rapidly change directions.

All cats routinely scratch at things with their front feet. The main reason is to sharpen the front claws and to help shed the old outer husk-like layers. Scratching also exercises and strengthens the muscles in their front paws. Your outdoor cat will often use a tree to scratch at, but if your cat is confined within the home, he will look for alternatives, like furniture or carpeted stairs, especially the vertical surfaces. Continue »

We have recently received a request for advise on Cat Training Issues from one of our readers.  Since we have run into this problem a few times ourselves, I am happy to suggest what has worked well for us in the past.

“I have a young female cat, just over one year old. We have just recently had her spayed, and she seemed to be distressed and awake all night listening to other neighborhood cats. The problem is that since her operation 3 weeks ago, she will not use her litter tray, and is messing in different tiled areas in our home.

Please can someone advise me on how to prevent this, and also how to re-train her for the litter tray? I am looking for more of a natural option.”

Continue »

Who can resist an adorable kitten? But before you fall head over heels, here are a few things for you to consider before you bring your new companion home.

Breed And Background Info

You now have many choices to make, from mixed to pure breeds and where to go to choose the right kitten for you. There are so many ways to get a new kitten, it can be a bit overwhelming. The classifieds are full of people selling or giving away new kittens; shelters abound with more cats than they can handle; and you have the boutiques and breeders ready to offer exotic breeds at a premium price. Continue »

With the decision to add a new dog into the family, the initial excitement affects everyone from the children to the adults. Choosing a new puppy, who can be forgiven just about anything, to an older rescue coming into their new forever home, its a time for enjoyment for everyone.

However, left untrained, any dog can quickly become a problem and this can affect the pleasure of having this new family member. It’s not only unfair to the family but unfair to the animal itself. Continue »