4 Good Reasons to Own a Pet

There are more than a few good reasons to own a pet. For one thing, pets tend to have a beneficial effect on human beings due mainly to the fact that they fulfil the basic need of human beings for touch. Even hardened prison criminals have shone favourable long term changes after having interacted with a pet, with many going through affection mutually for the first time. Touching, cuddling, holding or stroking an animal that is loving can rapidly soothe and calm you when you feel stress. A pet’s companionship can also help in easing lonely feelings. Some pets are good motivations for exercising which can boost mood substantially.

Great Buddies

Pets truly make great buddies. After a hard day at work, those who own pets truly feel the love. As a matter of fact, for almost twenty-five years, it has been proven by study after study that life with a pet can provide specific benefits to health. Not only can pets lessen anxiety, but they also lower blood pressure. They are also immunity boosters and to top it off, they can even help get you a date!

Good for Seniors

Research shows that patients going through Alzheimer’s have less outbursts of anxiety when there is a pet in the house. In addition, caregivers tend to feel less of a burden when a pet is indoors, particularly cats which require less caring than dogs. Caring for a pet or even just walking a dog for senior citizens who are able to is one way to provide companionship and exercise. When some insurance companies know that seventy-five year olds have pets in their lives, it usually helps tip the scales in their favour.

Magnets for Dates

Great for helping you form relationships, dogs help to start conversations easier. In particular, a pet dog can help ease individuals out of shyness or social isolation. People ask whether a dog can or cannot do tricks, what breed they are and which vet you go to.  Conversations around dogs are very easy to strike up.

Immunity Booster

In the past, families assumed that pets would increase the likelihood of allergies occurring and that kids would develop pet allergies. More and more studies, however, has made the suggestion that kids who grow up in homes with animals that have fur, such as a pet dog or pet cat or exposed to larger animals on a farm, have less of a risk of asthma and allergies.   

Mark Perry is a dedicated veterinarian for Canada Vet with over 20 years experience. A farm boy born and breed, Dr Perry loves all animals but he has a special place in his heart for working animals, particularly working dogs and horses.

The Low Stress Method of Moving Houses with Your Pet Cat

It can be a stressful time to move houses and often it gets even harder when you are concerned for the well-being of your cat. There are many things that you can do for minimizing the anxieties that is experienced by your feline, which will lessen the risks of cat loss when he first explores the outdoors in your new home.

Before the Move

Make sure your cat has an ID tag or a collar that has an updated address. Have a clear picture of your cat that is up to date so that you won’t have a hard time searching for your cat around your new neighbourhood if necessary. If your feline is unused to riding with you in a vehicle and you happen to be going on a long journey, it is a good idea to do some short trips a few weeks before the move. This way your cat will slowly become accustomed to riding in a moving vehicle. Make sure that all your pet feline’s vaccines are updated. Acquiring pills that are anti-sickness if you think your pet will go through travel sickness is also a good idea. In addition, ask a vet for a referral in the area you are moving to so that you can make a smooth transition.

On the Day Itself

When you take your cat with you on the day itself, this will require some planning. If your cat has never been boarded in a cattery in the past, taking him with you is the obvious option. In the course of moving to the new home, make sure you stop now and then to let your cat drink water so that he does not become dehydrated. In warm weather, never leave your cat alone in the car. If this is impossible, let air circulate by opening windows and make sure there is available fresh water. There are pheromones sprays available for cats that will help keep your cat calm while you travel. Put some newspaper or plastic beneath blankets in a carrier if you happen to be using one.

In The New House

If your cat does not seem to be willing to get out of the carrier, do not force him. Allocate a quiet room for your cat to relax in once you have moved. Ensure familiar belongings such as toys and beddings are near your pet cat. Before the move, do not wash the bedding so that there are familiar smells that will help relax your cat.  It can take a couple of weeks for your cat to get used to the new house, but rest assured, there will come a time where he will finally feel at home.

Mark Perry is a dedicated veterinarian for Canada Vet with over 20 years experience. A farm boy born and breed, Dr Perry loves all animals but he has a special place in his heart for working animals, particularly working dogs and horses.

The Necessity of Cat Boarding Houses

In many cases, it is ideal to care for your cat at home. On the other hand, with the rapid pace of life these days, it is not always a possibility. Now and then a time comes when traveling away from home is necessary. When this happens, having a facility for professional pet boarding becomes necessary. As a matter of fact, it can be the best possible solution to find a secure, safe and dependable pet care facility. Cat boarding homes operate on the concept that cats happen to be creatures that are quite ‘vertical.’ Many cat kennels include a condo with many levels, one for the bathroom, one for the dining and one for the bedroom. In higher quality facilities, the cats are let out to a peaceful area with the freedom to play and come out daily. This area does not have loud noises or barking dogs. It also includes cat towers and other play areas that cats can romp and climb up in.

Check the Facility

If this is the first time you have had to leave your kitten at a facility, it is important that you check this before committing to anything in person. When selecting boarding services for your pet, there are many features to look for. This includes emergency care, air ventilation, food, staff, price and location. There needs to have separate cat and dog areas for boarding and cats need to be provided with comfortable, clean and well-lit compartments. This ensures that your pet can nap and curl up in the daytime without disturbance. Daily play is something you need to ask about as well, and who administers medication if needed. Check to see how varied the menu is and make sure you communicate with the administrator with regard to any special medication your own pet cat happens to have. Let them know if there are special methods you use when feeding or handling your cat, for best results. Make sure that the pet cat boarding house you decide on gives your cat the optimal care that gives value to what you pay for.

Advance Reservations

Advance reservations will help you get a spot and keep your schedule smooth when it is time for you to travel. This is especially true around the holidays when services such as these tend to get filled quickly. Many boarding houses for cats require a forty-eight hour notice for cancellations.

Mark Perry is a dedicated veterinarian for Canada Vet with over 20 years experience. A farm boy born and breed, Dr Perry loves all animals but he has a special place in his heart for working animals, particularly working dogs and horses.