Since puppies are highly social creatures, being alone can be quite stressful for them. Fortunately, you can teach your pup to enjoy his alone time, or at least tolerate it. If he never grasps how to do this, you may end up with a dog who acts out through excessive barking, digging, and chewing - or develops a very serious case of separation anxiety.

When you leave your pup alone, make sure he's in a safe place--either a roomy crate or a secluded, puppy-safe, space. Puppies should be "crate trained" whenever you leave the house, until they're about a year old, though some dogs may need more time.

Before your pup goes into his crate, make sure all his needs are met--that he's been walked or let out, has had some playtime, and has food and water. If he cries, at least you know his basic needs have been attended to. With time and proper training, your pup will begin to adjust to being alone, and start to understand that you will always return.

Steps to teaching your puppy to be alone:

1. Leave your pup alone in his crate or secluded, puppy-safe space for at least 30 minutes to an hour each day. Gradually increase that length of time to up to 2 hours for pups 3 months and younger, or up to 4 hours for a 3-6 month old pup.

2. Make your pup's alone time the main time he eats, and he'll learn to enjoy these stretches more. Leave him with a couple of stuffed chew toys to make the experience more pleasant.

3. Once in a while, interrupt his playtime with short, quiet breaks. Teach your dog that quiet time is a good thing by telling him to "settle down," and lie still for a second or two. Then reward him and continue playing. When your pup is able to settle successfully for these brief periods, slowly build up to longer segments. Your dog will soon learn that quiet time is followed by playtime, and the wait is never more than he can handle.
Many pet owners wonder whether it's safe to dispense over-the-counter, "people" medicines to their cats and dogs. The fact of the matter is, some human medications such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) can be toxic, and even lethal to pets. Pound-for-pound, doses for animals are not always the same as for people. You could very easily overdose or underdose your pet. In addition, your pet may have a medical condition which could be worsened by the use of some human medications. As a rule, you should never use over-the-counter human medications on your pet unless you are advised to do so by your veterinarian. If your veterinarian does prescribe them, be sure to follow the dosage instructions exactly as written.
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While your pet is most certainly a part of the family, and it can be a joy to bring them along for family trips, it can often be a lot more trouble than it is worth if you're not prepared. Make sure you know all the ins and outs of traveling with your pet--depending on where you're going, how long you'll be gone, your method of transportation, health considerations, etc.--before you undertake the journey.

First and foremost, check to make sure wherever you are staying allows pets. If you're staying at a hotel or resort, find out about any restrictions, fees, etc.

Also check for a list of emergency veterinary clinics in the area of your destination.

Rabies vaccinations are a must for all travel abroad, and for returning to the United States. Most airlines also require these vaccinations. Check with your vet for the complete range of vaccinations required, and of course, check with the airline and country to which you're traveling.

If you're not traveling by car or plane, domestic travel in the U.S. can be problematic. While some local transportation authorities may allow pets, Amtrak and Greyhound buses do not. Therefore, your options for traveling with a pet are drastically reduced.

How many times have you seen a small dog sitting in a car on the drivers lap, looking out the window? Or a cat lying on the floor or back seat? An accident, or even a sudden stop can send your pet flying. They make special harnesses for dogs, similar to seatbelts, and a cat carrier can always be used to transport your cat safely. Of course, make sure the carrier is also secured with a seatbelt.

A loose pet in the car can also escape if someone opens the door, so make sure your pet is secured before someone exits the vehicle.

Many dogs and cats do not travel well in a car. If this is the case, talk to your vet about tranquilizers or travel sickness pills. Simply boarding your pet may be a better alternative, depending on the length of the trip and the pet's sensitivity to travel.

There have been too many incidents of cats and dogs suffering from heatstroke after being left in a hot car. If you must leave your pet in the car, make sure it is only for a few minutes. Leave at least two windows open slightly to provide fresh air. However, we strongly recommend that you DON'T leave animals in the car in hot climates or during the warmer months, as even a short time in a hot vehicle can be dangerous.
Pet friendly hotels, campgrounds and more...

Being aware of the needs of your older canine or feline friends makes caring for them easier, enhances your experience, and increases their quality of life. Here are some tips for doing just that:

Dogs
Moderately exercise your older dog every day. Try not to overdo it. Watch for excess panting and drooping tail.

Feed your dog high quality dog food specific to his dietary needs, as advised by your veterinarian.

Be consistent with your dog's routine and minimize household disruptions and stressful situations.

Groom your dog regularly, checking for lumps and bumps.

Keep your dog flea and parasite free using methods recommended by your vet.

Take your dog to the vet at least once a year. He or she will screen your dog for kidney, liver, and pancreatic cancers, and heart disease.

Pet and cuddle your dog frequently to let him know he is loved!

Cats

Visit your veterinarian at least once a year for recommended vaccinations and a complete physical examination including a fecal exam, blood work, and urinalysis.

Prevent your cat from becoming overweight by encouraging exercise and feeding her a proper diet.

Preventative dental health care is a key contributor to increasing both quality and length of life in cats.

Keep your cat flea and parasite-free, using methods recommended by your vet.

Provide a diet formulated to meet the requirements of older cats. Nutritional requirements begin to change when your cat reaches about eight years of age.

Use supplements such as antioxidants, chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine to help slow the aging process and the onset of joint disease.

Cats, especially older cats, like their privacy. Give your cat a warm, cozy place to take uninterrupted naps away from children and other pets.

Groom your cat regularly to prevent her from ingesting hair when she grooms herself. Older cats may not be as fastidious as younger ones.

Prevent your cat from becoming overweight by encouraging exercise and feeding a proper diet.

Keep your cat indoors for health and safety reasons, especially after the age of 12.

Give your cat lots of love and attention every day!
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Little Known Pet Facts
  • An estimated 1 million dogs in the United States have been named the primary beneficiary in their owner's will

 

  • A cat will almost never meow at another cat. Cats use this sound for humans


  • Contrary to popular belief, dogs do not sweat by salivating. They sweat through the pads of their feet

 

  • A cat uses its whiskers as feelers to determine if a space is too small to squeeze through


  • Dogs can alert their owners of an epileptic seizure up to an hour before it occurs

  • A cat can be either right-pawed or left-pawed
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