Challenges that Pet - parents can face

Being a pet owner is no child’s play. It can get tedious at times. We understand that. Which is why we have listed some common issues/challenges pet owners face or new owners can face. Not only do we list down the challenges but also ways to combat the situation. Read on to find out more.

When your dog ‘digs’ your carpet…

The natural environment for dogs is the outdoors. To make a comfortable, soft and cool sleeping area outside, they dig a depression and trample down the grass around it. And since there is no dirt or grass in your living room, your dog chooses the next best thing – your prized Persian carpet!

Some dogs tend to dig holes in the garden, mainly due to confinement and frustration; escape behaviour and to bury bones. To solve this you can encourage digging in a particular place by burying; make the hole aversive. Some also dig the garden to go after insects or burrowing mammals: moles, voles, mice and the like. This is because they smell something. A dog’s sense of smell is ten thousand times better than ours. If you’d like your dog to stop this behaviour, give him a soft bed or blanket of his own.

If your dog still digs in the carpet, say “No”, then show him his bed and praise him for lying there.

Why do puppies bite household things and chew on shoes, etc. …

Young puppies go through teething phases and they start chewing on items in and around the home. Please use Stop Chew Spray to rid this habit in puppies and dogs. The bitter taste will prevent them from doing further damage. It has worked extremely well with some of our pet owners.

When your dog chases motor vehicles…

Chasing cars and bikes can be very dangerous to all involved. Even scientists aren’t sure why some dogs do this.

If your dog amuses himself this way, the first thing to do is take him to a good obedience class so that he learns to ‘sit down’ and stay reliably when there are no distractions. Then take him to a place where there are bicycles or cars, but keep him at a distance from them. Practise your commands using a lot of praise and food rewards such as chewable Jerky treats or Science Diet Canine Growth Treats. (Make sure you have your dog on a leash at all times).

Gradually, practise closer and closer to the exciting objects until your dog is more eager to listen to you than to chase. If at any time your dog tugs at the leash, respond immediately with a jerk on the leash and a firm “NO!”

When your dog disturbs the peace…

It’s been said that some dogs just like to bark and do so in response to almost anything? A doorbell or a person approaching the house? When your dog barks do not go out to reprimand him because he will associate barking with your attention. A dog left alone for long periods of time is the likely candidate. As we all know some dogs bark to protect you or their territory, but end up overdoing it.

Excessive barking is a bad habit that may have developed during the critical socialization period of a puppy. Usually it results because a dog is lonely, frustrated or uncomfortable as would be natural if it were tied up to a dog house or tree for extended periods. Exercise your pet on a leash and play with it as much as possible.

If your dog barks at night and you praise him, he may not realize that it is wrong and he may bark at everyone and everything in the daytime, since he would think that’s what he’s supposed to do. The solution is to spend as much time as possible with your dog to prevent him barking. Make sure he has a kennel or a mat to lie down and rest. Dogs are naturally denning animals, as were their ancestors-the wolves who used to go into their den during the day and sleep.

Others have learned to bark to get attention or food from their owners. Still others bark only when left alone. These are usually dogs with separation anxiety that bark and whine (just as puppies do when separated from their mothers) in an attempt to get reunited with their owners.

If he is barking in response to almost anything, make sure you are there at all times to supervise him. After he has barked a few times, let him know “that’s enough!” while giving him a correction either with a slight jerk on the leash.

If your dog bites…

Biting is a dangerous act, in that, once learned, can quickly become a habit. Most dogs won’t bite unless they are threatened or have been trained to do so. With the chronic biter, get professional help from an experienced dog trainer or behaviorist, but only after a health examination by the veterinarian.

When your pet tries to vacate the premises …

Does your dog try to slip out the front door every time it’s opened? Before opening the door, always ask your dog to sit and stay. Make sure you praise him or give him a treat after he does.

And when leaving together, make sure your dog stays and allows you to pass through the doorway first.

Challenges related to Cats And How You can overcome them…

If you find your cat spraying around the house, then he should be taught to use the litter tray. Use the cat litter sand which clumps easily and is also scented such as clumping cat litter sand. You can easily remove the soiled litter which clumps by scooping it up and the remaining can still be used afterwards.

Scratching the furniture and carpet is a bad habit in most cats. A good method to deter your cat from doing this, is by using repellent sprays which are environment-friendly, safe and easy to use in the doorway, garden bin, even furniture and any other place where you feel your cat will make a nuisance of himself.

Hairballs, a common problem found in some adult cats is often caused because cats swallow large amounts of hair while grooming themselves. Cats who groom themselves excessively and those with longer, thicker hair are more prone to the problem. Other factors may include lack of brushing, hair shedding due to season, unhealthy skin and coat. If you see your cat gagging, regurgitating or vomiting hair and mucus due to hairball problems and has been verified by a veterinarian, only then you should give him a hairball laxatives available in the market. Now we also have hairball control formulas which are in-built in the cat’s digestive system.

Feeding this diet, not only is convenient but is also enriched with complete and balanced nutrition to help your adult cat stay healthy and free from hairballs