Posts tagged "home"

Sometimes, we just don't know what a dog is thinking. Take Remi, for example. This weird pooch has a unique way of kicking back and taking it easy. Sure, he still has to rest his front paws on the floor, but if that's what makes him comfortable, we won't judge.

What do you do when your house isn't zoned for keeping pigs? If you're Rob Falk of Southwest Ranches, Florida, the decision is simple: You move.

Last week, city council officials gave Falk and his family 30 days to remove their pet pig, Strawberry, from their home, Fox News reported. But Falk balked at the suggestion.

Falk, his wife and their young daughter plan to leave their rented home -- and they're taking Strawberry with them, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.

The town does allow one pet pot-bellied pig per household, according to the Sun Sentinel. But Strawberry is no petite pot-bellied. She's a Yorkshire pig, and at nine months old already weighs 300 pounds. As a full-grown porker, she'll tip the scales at 400 to 500 pounds and sport a seriously big pair of tusks -- attributes that led the town council to vote down the pig.

For Falk, the choice was clear. "How do you tell somebody to get rid of one of their animals? The pig is like one of our children," he told the Sun Sentinel.

Before bringing your puppy home, you'll need to "puppy proof" your house. Puppies are like babies: they want to explore every corner of your house, and they want to put everything into their mouths.

Poisonous household items
Make sure all poisonous household items are securely stored out of the puppy's reach.
Place all household cleaners, insecticides, fertilizers, mothballs, antifreeze, insect poisons, rat poisons and other items in cabinets or on high shelves. Remember, as your new puppy grows, he will be able to explore higher places and be tempted to jump up on shelves.

Check your plants
Many plants in and around your house can be harmful to your pup. Did you know that the pits of apricots and peaches, as well as spinach and tomato vines, can make your puppy sick and, in large dosages, can even be fatal? Click here to learn about the plants that should be kept away from your furry companion. For a more complete list of plants that are dangerous to dogs, consult your veterinarian.

Click here for more puppy-proofing tips.

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Cats like stability so an environmental or social change may have a pronounced effect on their behavior. Your cat will adapt, but it may take some time.

Tips for Introducing a New Cat to Your Old One
Chances are your cat will react to a newcomer by distancing herself. She may hide for a few days refusing to acknowledge the newcomer, or she may act up in an attempt to persuade the newcomer to retreat. Here are a few tips to ease the transition:

- Give your new cat an area where she can retreat if she becomes threatened.
- Putting her in a spare room with the door closed for the first few days will give both cats the chance to adjust to each other's scents without hurting each other.
- Give your newcomer a litter box in her area along with food and water.

Selecting a New Cat
A kitten is an ideal choice, but should you want to introduce an adult cat, try to find one that has lived with other cats. A cat that is similar in age and sex to the resident cat will be accepted more readily.

Click here to read about multiple cat households.

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They may be small, but new puppies can be big work. So much so, that the second you tell someone you're getting a dog, the advice comes pouring in. "I think you get more advice when you walk down the street with a puppy than you do with a child," says New York-based pet trainer and author, Andrea Arden. We asked Arden for her five top tips for welcoming a new puppy into your home:

1. Get lots of toys
"A puppy, no matter what size, age or breed is going to have a lot of energy," says Arden, who recommends having plenty of toys around the house to keep your pup busy and out of trouble. A toy that can be stuffed with food keeps puppies busy by encouraging them to hunt for their meals, and burns calories at the same time. Arden suggests keeping five to ten toys on hand. Remember, she says, "a nice tired puppy is a wonderful puppy."

2. Create a confinement area
"There's a misconception about crating or confining your pet," says Arden. "It's not cruel. We use confinement to keep pets safe, like we do with children. If you were a visitor at someone's home, you wouldn't want to be set free to explore the home to then be reprimanded for going somewhere or touching something you weren't supposed to. It's the same with your new dog."

Arden advises puppy owners to purchase a crate that's an appropriate size for your pooch to stand up in, lie down, and turn around comfortably. This is meant to be used as a short-term confinement area. If you need to leave your pup alone for a stretch of time, consider an exercise pen – similar to a baby pen. Such pens give puppies more room while keeping them in one place.

Click here for more tips.

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