October 14th, 2008 at 08:14am
Under Breeds+ Cat Care+ Cat Health+ Cat Owner
By Anita Hampton
Aside from dogs, cats are the next best pets for the home. In
fact, 34.7 million households in the United States own at least
one cat.
However, the benefits of owning a cat are not constrained to
having them as mere pets because cats, like dogs, can be trained
to do tricks as well. Even if they are known as ìhouse cats,î it
is important for them to be given the taste of the outdoor
environment. This can be done through walking.
Yes, it is important to engage a cat in outdoor activities such
as walking, just like the dog. This is because cats need further
stimulation by having a taste of the activities gained by being
outside. Walking them outdoors makes them feel entertained and
stimulated.
Studies show that cats that are constrained inside the house
show a significant sign of boredom and depression. These are not
likely to be noticed since cats cannot verbally or even
physically tell their owners that they are bored and depressed.
However, there were signs that were noted in a study that
projects the negative effects of not having occasional walks
outside the house. Scratching the furniture was noted to have a
direct association with depression that the cat is experiencing.
The problem with most cat owners is that they tend to pamper
their cats and they forget to give them the benefits of enjoying
the environment. Hence, a growing health problem arises because
most cats are found to be obese.
What people do not know is that even if they are known to be
domestic animals and have been in ìclose contactî with people
for more than 3,500 years, cats are known to be born hunters.
In fact, most zoologists contend that cats are the ìmost
graceful huntersî in this world.
For this reason, walking a cat is extremely important. Proper
use of materials should be observed when walking your cat.
Walking your cat does not necessarily mean it is okay to leave
your cats outside. They can encounter danger such as getting a
disease or being hurt by neighbors or vehicles..
Try to train your cat to walk with a leash and a harness on. It
is best to use a jacket as well so that your cat will be
comfortable while walking.
Walking your cat is not a hard work. You just have to use the
right tools and the proper training of your cat and you can be
assured of a happy and stress-free feline at home.
About the Author: Anita hampton
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By Fred
June 12th, 2007 at 07:20am
Under Dog Training+ Pet Behavior
By Yvonne Cunnington
For as long as I’ve been gardening, I have shared my love of the outdoors with one-of-a-kind dogs (”mutts” to most people). I certainly can’t imagine gardening without a dog keeping me company. Here are some tips to help you make this work for you too.
Set the ground rules first
Be clear about how you want your dog to behave in the garden. Set the ground rules for your dog from the start. As with people, pet habits, once established, can be a challenge to change.
Remember that bored dogs are most likely to get into trouble, so use walks and games to use up excess energy that might otherwise go into destructive garden behavior. (Your dog burns calories this way, and so do you!)
Decide where your dog is allowed to go and where you don’t want him to go.
Be consistent. It doesn’t help if you let the dog do what he wants when the flowerbed is weedy, but then expect him to respect the garden when it’s all tidied up.
Dogs and gardens - training tips
Dogs like to be where people are, so when you’re in the garden, take your dog with you for at least part of the time, and when you’re not, keep your dog with you indoors.
When you’re with your dog, you have lots of opportunities to encourage and train behavior you like and discourage actvities that are destructive to the garden.
To keep dogs out of flowerbeds, use a verbal cue such as “out of the garden.” This works best if you’re actually in the garden with your dog.
It may be expensive, but a fenced yard is a godsend for dogs and gardens.
Some people use invisible fencing – a system that delivers an electronic shock via a receiver in a special dog collar. Actual fences are more effective because they both keep your dog in the yard and other animals out. As well, your dog can’t escape, ignoring the electrical shock when chasing a squirrel, for example, and then getting shocked when trying to get back into the yard.
Garden safety and your dog
When you have dogs or other pets spending time in the garden, choose alternatives to chemical lawn and garden care.
If you use pest control products, even organic ones, keep pets out of the garden when you’re applying them.
Keep your dog away from treated areas for as long as recommended, usually until the treated area is dry or 24 hours.
Yvonne Cunnington is an avid gardener and dog lover. For more information about which garden chemicals you must keep away from your pet dog, see http://www.flower-gardening-made-easy.com/Dogs-and-gardens.html | If you have problems with dogs and lawns, visit www.flower-gardening-made-easy.com/dogs-and-lawns.html | For pet-friendly garden design ideas, see http://www.flower-gardening-made-easy.com/Pet-friendly-garden.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yvonne_Cunnington
By Fred
