Living With Pets
These simple steps will make it easy for you and for your pet to cohabit together in a healthy, happy home.
Dogs and Babies
Having a baby? A few months before you bring your newborn home, start preparing the dog for your infant’s arrival. Play recorded baby sounds at a low volume for short periods every day (check out the CD "Preparing Fido"). Start keeping your canine out of the nursery. And, place your dog’s toys in his own area so they’ll be separated from your child’s toys.
Just got a new puppy? To properly house train him, set up his bed and some toys in an enclosed crate. Every hour on the hour, bring your pup outside, praise him, play for a while, and then bring him back to his crate to rest (it’s best to get a puppy when you have vacation time!). And, don’t worry, crate training is safe, humane, and dogs love that den-like feeling.
If you want them to hear you say "Sit!" and "Good boy!" clean your dog’s ears twice a month. Moisten a cotton ball with warm water or mineral oil, and gently clean the opening into the canal and flaps. Just be sure not to delve too deeply into the canal.
Make mealtime a little easier by serving food in a raised feeder. By allowing your dog to eat from a dish that is level with her mouth as she stands, she’ll have better digestion (it reduces the inhalation of excess air). Plus, it aids proper chewing while reducing strain on her neck, back and hips.
If you can’t have a dog or cat, set up a colorful aquarium. According to Feng Shui principles, bringing fish into your home invites good fortune and prosperity. Just be sure to clean out the tank once a month and try not to overfeed your fish. The extra food could clog the filter and break down into harmful toxins. One or two small feedings a day is sufficient.
Keep your indoor cat from eating your houseplants (which could potentially be toxic), and grow a bed of wheatgrass. Felines love to snack on it, plus it aids in digestion while the chlorophyll promotes sweet-smelling breath. Visit our link and learn how to grow your own.
You love your Lab, but not all that hair flying around the house? Invest in a good vacuum cleaner that won’t lose suction and stays constant. Choose one that comes with a compact tool designed specifically for removing pet hair from floors and stubborn spots such as upholstery, stairs and other hard-to-reach areas. And, make sure the vacuum includes a HEPA filter for trapping allergens--this is helpful to anyone who suffers from pet allergies.
Got a cat that likes to scratch your furniture? She must feel at home because that’s her way of marking her territory. Keep scratching to a minimum by regularly trimming her nails. And, to keep cats off specific furniture, try spraying with a citrus extract. Most felines aren’t fond of that fragrance.
If Fido’s got fleas, make an all-natural flea collar by rubbing a few drops of Lavender Oil or Eucalyptus Essential Oil on a doggy bandana. Also, when you wash your dog’s bedding (do this regularly in hot water to kill fleas and mites), add a few drops of these herbs into the final rinse cycle.
Sharing your space with a pet doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. Just plan your decor with them in mind. Stay away from delicate fabrics. Instead, use Ultrasuede on couches or chairs--it’s a microfiber that’s easy to clean and pet hairs won’t sink into it. Use semi-gloss paints on walls and windows--it resists stains and wipes clean easily . And, choose flooring made of wood, tile or go with a durable sisal rug.
