Does Spot seem to be sporting quite a belly these days? As a dog owner, it can be very easy not to realize a decline in your pet’s health until the damage is already done. Obesity is a very becoming a very real concern for pets and it’s up to us pet owners to do something about it. This article is going to discuss a few tips for recognizing obesity in your dog and how you can help get him back into shape.
As sad as it is to admit, our dogs do not have free reign over their lifestyle as we humans do. Because dogs are dependent upon their owner for everything from food to trips outdoors, they have to adjust their daily life to accommodate ours. This is where canine obesity can come in. If a dog’s owner is a veritable couch potato and rarely gets out for exercise, the dog is also going to have to adapt to a lifestyle of laziness. It’s natural for dog’s to crave a little activity—heck, it’s natural for humans, too! All creatures need to perform some regular activity to remain in good health, so the first thing you can do to determine how your dog is keeping on those extra pounds is to map out a chart of his day-to-day activities. Does he go outside for an hour in the morning and again in the afternoon? What does he spend the majority of his day doing? Does he sleep more often than he’s awake? All of these questions are things you need to ask yourself when assessing your dog’s level of activity.
That brings us to our next topic: the great outdoors. Have you ever stepped outside on a nice crisp morning, taken a deep breath of cool air and revelled in how good it feels to connect with nature? Maybe you don’t do this all the time, but for a dog, this is a common comparison of how natural it is for them to crave the outdoors—because dogs are natively the “outdoorsy type.” Being outdoors can cause inspiration, not just ideas, but for activity—and this is what your dog needs. If your dog doesn’t get to go outside often enough, this could be an answer for why his spirit for activity has shrunk. Try taking him outside at least twice a day, and not just for a bathroom break. Encourage him to run about and play with toys. It might help to remember that your dog is more likely to want to play if he has someone to play with. If you don’t have a private yard, try taking him on pet-friendly walking trails or to do a dog park where he can socialize and spend some alone time with you. Walking is a great way to improve your owner-dog bond as well as lose weight. Going outside isn’t the only activity you can do. Dog steps are a great tool to use to give your dog a bit of exercise while staying in the comfort of your home (especially on rainy or snowy days!). Make a game of running him up and down the steps, such as pushing the stairs against your bed and hiding treats in your covers. This is a favourite of mine as I love watching my dog go crazy as he paws through the covers!
If your dog seems to be getting enough exercise but still seems to be overweight, it may be time to reconsider what you’re feeding him. Does he get a lot of table scraps? Most of the food humans eat simply doesn’t offer any health benefits to dogs. The canine diet is supposed to consist primarily of lean meat, supplemented with raw vegetables and specific types of grain. Feeding your dog leftover pizza crusts or the leftover casserole that no one else would eat is a sure-fire way to cause health decline. So cut out the human food! You can also try putting your pooch on a name brand diet kibble for a month or two to see if that helps.
If you have any worries that your dog’s health might be in jeopardy, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian. There could be underlying health issues causing a shift in your dog’s weight, or numerous other possibilities.
For more great information about caring properly for a dog, or to buy a durable set of dog stairs, please visit Help Your Pets.
Have you noticed that your dog struggles from time to time when it comes to jumping up onto the couch, chair, or bed? This could point to physical issues that need to be addressed.
When you allow your dog to jump to and from any surface that is greater than 12 inches from the ground, he can sustain serious injury. A foot of height doesn’t really seem like a lot, but it’s enough to cause a broken limb if your dog falls, or longer-lasting problems over time.
While small and large dogs are at a particular risk of sustaining bone or joint injury, any size or breed of dog is susceptible to harm through a fall or as a result of prolonged impact over time. Large dogs, like Great Danes, Golden Retrievers, and Labradors, are inclined to developing arthritis later in life, and condoning a large dog to jump onto and off of furniture everyday could cause arthritis to crop up earlier in the dog’s life. As for small dogs, they are more likely to break a bone in a fall or by attempting to leap down from too great a height.
This being said, you don’t have to necessarily deny your furry friend access to his favourite places—which are likely the places that you frequent. Through the use of pet stairs you can give your pet the freedom to go about his normal routine with the addition of safety and peace of mind.
Dog stairs come in a variety of colors and materials, though carpeted pet stairs are the most popular as they provide extra grip for pet paws. They also come in a variety of sizes to accommodate the size of your dog and the surface that you want him to access. For instance, if you want your dog to have access to your bed, you will need to know the height of your bed from the floor to the top of the mattress. You should know that it can be dangerous to provide your dog with stairs that are either too small or large for him, which can cause him to stumble or fall from the stairs. The general rule of thumb to go by when choosing your steps is this:
Small dogs = steps no wider than 12 inches
Medium dogs = 14 inch-wide steps
Large dogs = steps at least 16 inches wide
For more information about choosing and purchasing a set of pet steps, please visit Help Your Pets – Here.
Have you purchased a set of pet stairs for your dog, or are you considering doing so? You should know that you can get much more out of your steps than simply a means to help your dog safely access your furniture. We’re going to talk about just a few of the things we use our pet stairs for on a daily basis.
Dog stairs are most often used to assist your pet on and off of furniture such as beds, chairs, and couches. Did you also know that there are portable pet steps available? These come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials to accommodate all breeds of dog. Some portable pet steps are made of an ultra durable yet lightweight foam capable of holding up to 300lbs, depending on the brand/supplier. Not only can these steps be used in your home, but you can also take them outside to help your pet get on and off of a raised porch or to an SUV or tuck. There are pet steps specifically designed for loading your pet into a vehicle. They can be made of lightweight metal or plastic and vary in height to accommodate most vehicle heights.
Aside from portable pet steps, there are many uses for your standard indoor steps, too! If you have a shorter breed of dog, try pushing the steps up against one of your windows. This is a great way for your dog to satisfy his nosiness at what’s going on outside. Find out the maximum weight limit on your steps. If they will hold you, you can use them for all sorts of chores around the house! I’m fairly short, so I’ve received tons of use out of my dog’s steps, including getting stuff on and off the top of the refrigerator, changing light bulbs, and giving my daughter a boost to the sink. If your pet stairs have a storage area, make good use of it! You can store pet toys and treats or any number of odds and ends! Don’t be afraid to get the most out of your steps!
For durable cat and dog steps, visit the Help Your Pets website.
Have you recently added a new puppy to your family? If so, you might be stuck for ideas when it comes to building a solid relationship with him. Even if your dog isn’t a new addition, you may sense that your owner/pet relationship could use a bit of tweaking. We’re going to talk about a few tips you can exercise with your fuzzy pal that will help you to generate a trusting and loyal bond.
The first thing you need to understand is that all dogs want to be a part of a pack. It’s a natural way of life for them in the wild and it still holds very constant today—only the pack is your family (or you and the dog if you’re a duo). Dogs want to feel as though they serve a place in the pack, which means hanging out with the family and being included in everyday activities. However, it is very important that your dog understands his position in the pack. If you do not assert your authority as the “leader of the pack,” your dog is likely to assume the role, which can result in very hard-to-handle behaviour. When your dog is clear on the hierarchy of the family, he will respect you, which is a huge part of forming a solid foundation in your relationship. I know this all sounds primitive and even a little cheesy, but it’s very much true!
It’s also important that you show your dog that he can trust you. Trust is the fundamental element that creates a long-lasting bond and it must be maintained. One way that you can encourage your dog to trust you is by developing a steady routine that he can depend upon. You are his source of not only food and water, but it’s up to you to let him outside for play time and to do his “business.” Try to make sure he’s fed and watered around the same time everyday and let out to potty frequently. Your dog will have inherent trust in you if you prove that you are a good leader who can be depended upon to provide his basic needs.
Try to take up an activity that you and your dog can do together every day or a few times a week. Brushing your dog’s fur every night or taking him for one-on-one walks will help him feel appreciated and valued. Bath time and exercising can also be good bond-building routines. Keep your dog involved with your life every day through chores and other activities. Training is an excellent way to get your dog involved. If your dog is already housebroken, buy a set of dog stairs and train your dog to use them. Let him know that he is a cherished member of the family and you will see what a blessing the companionship of a dog can be!
For more great tips about raising pets, or to purchase a set of pet stairs, visit Help Your Pets here.
The effort you put into choosing the right set of pet stairs doesn’t have to feel like a burden; it could really be seen as an investment of sorts. To continuously reap the health benefits and sheer convenience that dog stairs offer, it’s wise to make sure that your purchase is well thought out and thoroughly researched. Luckily, technology has ensured that we are no longer limited to the wares offered in local retail shops—though that’s not to say that they should be excluded from your consideration altogether. There are pros and cons to both shopping experiences, which we’re going to discuss in this article.
Your Budget
The amount that you have to spend will ultimately determine where you make your dog stair purchase. Unless you have a pet furniture store in your hometown, you might be surprised that any pet stairs you run across in a local shop will probably cost a bit more than you were expecting to spend. This is because traditional retail stores–especially those that aren’t of the “chain” variety–can only afford to keep stock of the things that their local consumers purchase regularly. Unfortunately, pet stairs haven’t become quite that popular yet. Thank goodness for the Internet, which allows businesses to offer a niche product and still make money because their “local customer base” include every continent with Internet access. You can browse online and compare prices of several stores in minutes. Not bad!
Decisions, Decisions…
The beauty of shopping online for your pet stairs is that you have a large selection right at your fingertips. This is especially helpful if you are looking for something out of the ordinary–a particular finish, color, weight capacity, etc. You can use a search query on most sites to instantly weed out the steps that don’t meet your needs. If you’re looking for large dog stairs, your search for such will pull up only the products that match that criteria. You might not be in the market for cherry wood steps with a weight capacity of 300 pounds, but the option is likely out there on the Internet somewhere. The variety offered in your local pet shops is likely to be very limited, unless you’re lucky enough to find a shop that takes custom orders–which is not unheard of.
Assembly?
Assembling something–with or without instructions–is not a very fun process. Unfortunately, both online and traditional stores are more likely to sell their steps in an “assembly required” state. For local shops, it saves on warehouse and sales floor space if they don’t have a massive amount of pre-built steps lying around. For Internet-based businesses, it costs a great deal more in packaging and shipping to send a full-sized pet stair through the mail, so many online retailers also ship their pet steps flat-packed. Don’t feel as though you have to resign to the idea of spending hours on assembly for the sake of your pet. There are still online pet stair websites that ship their items pre-assembled, such as HelpYourPets.com, you just have to look around and even send an enquiry to see if it’s possible to have them built before shipment. One perk of ordering online and having the steps delivered, though is that home delivery means you can bypass having to load and unload the stairs from your car!
Now that you’re aware of your options, it’s time to start doing some research to weed through the possibilities. Remember, it’s much easier to find a supplier if you base your search on the three key points we mentioned above. Good luck with your purchase!
Have you noticed that your dog seems to be struggling to get on and off of furniture or other high-up places? As flexible as dogs are, we often overestimate their ability to cope with the impact of leaping to and fro areas. To help prevent long term damage, we’re going to talk about the benefits of using steps for dogs.
No matter what breed or size of dog you have, there are certain physical consequences that result from repetitive jumping. Every time your dog jumps down from something, his bones and joints absorb the shock of impact. Granted, he may only be leaping down from the sofa—which isn’t a fair height—but how many times a day does this happen? Multiply this by the number of days in his lifetime, and the result could be quite surprising! Physical hindrances such as arthritis and hip dysplasia can crop up earlier on in a dog’s life if his joints aren’t properly maintained.
Of course, you could incorporate certain limitations to your dog, such as not allowing him onto the furniture anymore—but does that really seem fair to him? When a dog leaps onto to the sofa for a cuddle, he isn’t simply trying to find a comfortable place. It’s natural for dogs to want to be with their owners—they love us and seek our companionship. To suddenly cut that sort of contact off with your dog could result in behavior issues.
The best alternative is to purchase some sturdy steps for dogs. Pet stairs allow your dog to disperse his weight over a series of steps rather than one jolting movement. The impact of walking down stairs is only slightly more than that of normal walking, and a great deal less than jumping from the full height of the furniture or vehicle. You will find that a lot of dog steps have a carpeted finish. This is a huge advantage for a dog as it minimizes his risk of slipping, especially if the floor (which he would normally jump onto) has a hard or slick finish.
You may wonder why you should opt for “made-for-dogs” stairs, rather than a normal step-stool. Dog steps are specifically designed to accommodate the size of your dog both in terms of weight as well as his stride. Small dogs take smaller steps, therefore the width of their stair steps shouldn’t be any greater than 12 inches. Medium dogs should have a stair step width of 14 inches, and large dogs—with consider strides—should have at least 16 inch-wide steps. Providing your dog with steps that are either too large or too small could result in your dog tripping or falling off the stairs.
Some breeds of dog are especially prone to joint issues later in life, but that doesn’t mean that these breeds are the only ones needing preventative care. Young dogs whose bones are still developing as well as older or special-needs dogs can too benefit from pet stairs. While there are many factors that contribute to your dog’s bone and joint health, dog stairs can certainly play a major role in staving off joint problems in your dog’s future.
You’re snuggled nice and warm under your comforter, dreaming that you’ve just gotten supernatural powers and you’re exploring the fun of running super fast…when suddenly you’re jarred awake by your dog had pouncing onto your bed. –Ignoring the part about the super powers, does this sound familiar to you? It’s great to have a fuzzy pooch to snuggle with during the night time, but sometimes it’s hard to overlook your annoyance at the dog for pouncing onto the bed while you sleep.
Even if you are overcome with annoyance when awakened by your dog, a part of you probably thinks back to all the times your dog snuggled with you while you cried or chilled out next to you while you watched The Godfather marathon on TCM. It just doesn’t seem right to suddenly deny your dog the tradition of sleeping with his favorite person—you!—when the reason he gets off the bed in the first place is likely to scope out the house to make sure you aren’t in danger. It’s completely natural for a dog to feel compelled to get up a few times during the night; he’s the watchman while the family sleeps. That being said, you DO need your sleep, which is why it’s highly suggested that you consider investing in a set of dog steps for beds.
As the bulk of your night time stress is in fact due to your mattress jolting as your dog jumps on and off the bed, then dog stairs are the perfect solution. Your dog is able to evenly distribute his weight from the stairs to your bed—and vice versa—so you needn’t feel a thing when your dog goes for his night time patrol. The fact that most pet steps are carpeted also means that the sounds from your dog’s movement will be completely muted.
Now that you are aware of the comfort that dog steps for beds can bring you, you should also know that they can play a major role in preventing your dog from developing serious conditions such as arthritis later on in life. Yep, dogs can acquire joint issues with age just like we can. Large breeds of dog are already susceptible to hip dysplasia and arthritis, and small dogs can actually break body parts from landing improperly from a jump.
See, there are JOINT advantages to both your dog’s health and your sleepy time happiness through dog stairs for beds. Just make sure that you have the measurement of the height of your bed (from floor to the top of the mattress) when you go to purchase your dog stairs. It doesn’t do you or your dog any good if he has to leap to and from the stairs. Best of luck to both you and your dog!
While training a dog can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience, cat training is considerably more difficult. We’re not talking about training your cat to roll over or sit—we’re talking simple things like teaching your cat to use the litter box or a scratching post. It’s important that your goals are realistic so you don’t spend a great deal of time and frustration trying to teach your cat something he simply can’t learn to do.
It’s important that you understand the difference between a cat’s psychological attitude and a dog’s. Dogs are happy if they do something that pleases their owner. They are family-oriented and love to be included. Cat’s are quite the opposite in that they usually won’t do anything that doesn’t bring them personal satisfaction. They usually pick one “master” and aren’t too concerned whether they please anyone but themselves. You have to learn to play this attitude to benefit your training.
When training your cat to use the litter box, you have to make it an experience that he enjoys, or he won’t be keen on doing it again. First, go to great lengths to show him that the litter box is where he should go. You can do this by leaving traces of his soiled litter in there so he will associate it as a place he has used before. It is still important to clean the litter box regularly, but a few bits of soiled litter are okay until he gets the hang of using his box. Keep an eye on your cat and praise him when he uses the litter box. Cats usually respond better to physical praise rather than verbal, but a sweet “good boy!” and a nice stroke down his back will help to show him that there “something in it for him” when he uses the litter box.
Some pet stairs have hollow areas meant to store your litter box. This helps to keep your little box smell contained as well as to give your cat a quiet place to do his business. If your cat is comfortable in the space his litter box is placed, he will be more likely to use it.
You may be struggling with a cat that is too liberal with scratching your sofa or carpet. Scratching is normal behaviour for a cat, as it helps keep their claws in shape and gives them a bit of exercise. It can also be a form of marking their territory. To encourage your cat to stop this, you’ll need to invest in a scratching post. There are many different types to choose from, and your cat will likely have his personal preference. If he doesn’t take well to the first scratching post you buy, try rubbing it with catnip. This is an herb that entices cats into a playful state where he is more likely to use the scratching post. You might even attach a toy to the post to help him get rid of excess energy. Placing the post in the room that your cat frequents most is another way to encourage him to use it.
For more great tips on raising your cat or to purchase pet stairs with litter box storage, visit Help Your Pets.
Any time you feel that there could be something amiss with your dog’s health, it’s always best to make an appointment with your dog’s vet to rule out the possibility of an underlying health condition.
While the thought of becoming a dog owner is a very exciting notion, it is also one that requires commitment and responsibility. Choosing a dog is an important decision, and there are questions you should ask yourself before you commit to caring for a dog. Read on to learn a few tips that will help you choose the best dog to compliment your family, as well as ways you can help your furry addition make a smooth settlement in your home.
You must bear in mind that when you take in a dog, you are taking upon yourself the responsibility of caring for a real creature—one that thinks, feels, and loves. Make sure that you or other family members are willing to take the time to train your dog (if he isn’t already trained) and offer attention/companionship and discipline. If you’ve sorted out the particulars on that front, then the next question you should ask yourself is this: what traits do I want my dog to have? Dogs vary depending on the way they were raised and the quality of life they have had, but there are particular traits that show up in certain breeds of dog. Do you want an intelligent dog (ie: easy to train)? Do you want a dog that is good with children? Are you looking for a low-energy lap dog or a beefy high-energy dog that can keep up with your active lifestyle? These are all questions you should ask yourself to help you search for the best breed of dog.
Your goal at this point should be to choose a breed of dog whose lifestyle will mesh nicely with your own. If you don’t lead a very active life, you might do better with a dog who can maintain good health with a short walk every day. On the opposite end of the table, you don’t want a dog who can’t keep up with you, either. Both you and your dog will be much happier if you can live similar lifestyles in contentment. The best way to find your ideal breed of dog is to do lots and lots of research. There are plenty of online resources you can access by doing a simple Google search. Try searching things like: best dog breed for children or small dog breeds. You will feel much more at ease bringing a dog into your home if you know roughly what kind of temperament you can expect from the breed.
After you’ve decided on the dog that you want, arrange a meeting with the dog’s owner or breeder so that everyone in your family can meet the new addition. Let the dog sniff everyone thoroughly so he can remember their scent later on. When you finally bring your dog home, he should be able to recall the scent of each family member quite easily, which will work to reduce his stress and help him settle. One thing I personally did to help my pup settle was to purchase a baby blanket (just the plain cloth kind) and gave it to the breeder a few weeks before we were due to bring our puppy home. We asked the breeder to place the blanket in our dog’s bed (which was shared by the litter and the mother) so the blanket would collect familiar scents on it. When we picked our puppy up, we also brought the blanket with us and put it in our dog’s bed. If your future dog isn’t a puppy, see if he has any toys or a blanket of his own that can come with him. Familiar scents and objects are always a good idea.
The more time you spend with your dog, the quicker you will begin to form a bond, which is very important! Try spending special play time with your dog or go for walks together. Training is an excellent way to let your dog know that you’re the boss, which gains his respect and obedience. You can get pet steps and teach our dog to walk up and down them. It’s a great source of indoor exercise and proves a health benefit when used to get onto furniture, as opposed to jumping. As long as you put thought and effort into choosing a dog you feel will fit your lifestyle the best, you can look forward to having many wonderful experiences with your pet!
If you’d like to read more about caring for dogs or purchasing dog stairs, visit HelpYourPets.com.
