Kids and Animals

Many conditions need resolving for your pet in winter.

First, some breeds of dogs do not handle cold as well as others. For example, a Miniature-Pincher with a short coat cannot handle cold weather like the dogs used in sled dog races. Even they have hay, to lay down on when there is a rest period. Animals are not meant for winter weather, some breeds may do better than other breeds; but they still need fresh water, warmth, and food just as they do all year long.

You need to make sure they have water to drink. Check their water to make sure it isn’t frozen.If you exercise your pet, be careful of the deicing agents, they can harm your dogs pads. If it is cold and snowy, plus icy outside, consider cutting back on the exercise time. Watch your bet for anything unusual. When you get home, clean your pet’s feet and check the pads for snow or even ice between the toes.

Second is the warmth of your pet. If you take your pet out for exercise, consider boots and a coat. Pets need to keep warm. If your see your pet shivering, consider taking them back home. This is especially true for puppies, and older dogs.

The older pet may have arthritis, the cold weather make your pet feel badly and have trouble moving. Never give your pet any over the counter human medicines. Tylenol can kill a cat. Always speak with your veterinarian before you give any medicines to your pet.Human medicines are not meant for animals.

In all types of weather, your pet needs to have shelter, both from heat and cold, adequate food, and water. In winter, you have to make sure your pet has shelter from the cold. Some place out of the elements where they can keep warm and off the ground which could be frozen.

Take extra precautions in winter if you have a puppy, kitten, or an older animal. They may suffer from arthritis, which can be aggravated from the cold, of if they have ever broken a bone, which can cause arthritis where the bones have healed. You need to watch for this, and make sure you pet is warm which will help alleviate some of the pain. Again, never medicate your pet with human medicines; they are not good for animals. Some can even kill.

If you have a space in your garage, or somewhere where you store things like antifreeze, or other chemicals, never leave them where your pet can get to them. Especially if you keep, or you make a spot for your pet in the garage, or for your pet to go in and out of the garage in summer of winter to get out of the elements.

Have you ever considered adopting an older pet? For some reason, most people want a puppy or a kitten. Older pets might be in a shelter because their previous owner has passed away, needs to be placed in a convalescent hospital, or just can’t take care of the animal anymore for a number of reasons. If there is no family member to care for the animal, it most likely will be placed in a shelter. Since older pets are not as likely to be adopted, they may be euthanized before they can find a forever home.

Many older pets are already trained, housebroken, and are very loving. It may take them some time to adapt to a new family, but older pets have loads of love, companionship, and loyalty for the family and its members that takes it in. Older animals are most likely up to date on their injections and spayed or neutered, so you won’t have to worry about the expense of having it done by a veterinarian.

While it may be true that an older pet may not live in your household for as long as a puppy, but why should that make any difference? For as long as the pet lives, you will have a friend and loving member of your family, and you will feel good about taking in a pet and offering it a forever loving home.

Adopting a puppy or kitten is nice, but older animals need a home also. When thinking of adopting a pet, please consider an older pet; they will love you, and you will feel good about it.

When considering adopting a pet, try checking with groups like PetFinder.com for dogs and cats from shelters and animal rescues, your local shelter, or your local animal shelter. Why a shelter and not a pet shop? Some pet shops don’t know much about where the puppies or kittens come from. Some breeders may or may not give the pet shop all of the information. Then there are the puppy mills (not all) that just look for money and may sell animals to pet shops. A pet from the shelters or rescues have had their shots, and are usually neutered or spayed when you pick up the animal.

If you adopt a mixed breed dog, they usually have fewer problems like purebreds do; like the German Shepard with possible hip dysplasia. A mix may not be as prone to this condition. Other purebreds are subject to other conditions considered Genetic disorders in dog breeds.

When looking to adopt a pet, be sure to visit breeders (if a pure bred is what you want) and ask questions about the animals. When visiting a shelter, ask questions of the workers about the temperament of the animal you’re considering. Do your homework and make sure that you choose the right pet for your environment and schedule. Do you have small children? Do you have other pets? Is this your first pet? Why do you want to adopt a pet? These are some of the questions that need to be answered.

To bring a pet home and put it out in a fenced yard and no socialization or interaction with family members is not what a pet is for. Pets need socialization, exercise, discipline, and love. Disciplining a pet doesn’t mean yelling, hitting, or throwing things at the pet; that is cruelty. The dynamics of a pet and family is like that of a normal family member. By that, means the relationship between pet and family is for life. A pet shouldn’t be something you discard when you are tired of it. If this might happen, you should not adopt a pet. A pet is an unassuming, loving companion and should be treated as such. Parents should teach their children this fact.

Many children want a pet, then the parents end up taking care of the pet because the novelty wears off in time and the child moves on and forgets about the pet. Children can learn a lot from taking care of, and interacting with a dog or cat.

Some children want an exotic pet, such as lizards, snakes, or something different than the normal dog or cat. If parents consider getting such a pet, the child should be required to learn about the diet, living conditions, and everything they can about the exotic pet so they will know how to care for their pet.

There is much for parents to consider when getting a pet for their child. The child should be taught what having a pet means in time and actions. Parents should not be the one to take care of the pets because their child tires of it.

Bringing a pet into the home can teach a child about life, and instill a sense of responsibility when they are required to care for, interact with, and socialize the pet to the all family.

Enjoy your new family member.