Happy Cats: Indoors Or Outdoors

November 1, 2009 by  
Filed under Cats as Pets

Until my recent visit to my sister’s home, I have always felt sorry for cats that are never allowed to go outdoors. It just seems to go against the intentions of Mother Nature. My own two cats really enjoy their cat door we had installed just so they can go in and out as they please. And it gives me so much peace of mind knowing they can get in when I am gone, especially if they aren’t in when I go. Before having the cat door, if they weren’t in when I left for work, I would feel so bad knowing they had to spend the day outdoors waiting for my return, even though I knew there were places they could hide from bad weather.

However my sister has expensive, adorable cats, especially chosen to minimize allergy problems, and they are as happy as any cats I have ever encountered. Why? Well start with all the crazy and imaginative toys she has for them. This long tunnel thing they run around in; the circular toys with the balls they bat around. Various perches and hideaways. She even got a very nice bird cage and put several parakeets in it, made sure it was constructed so as to keep the cats out and sturdy enough to not tip over as they are checking it out, and it’s like their own personal TV show. Same with the aquarium, with colorful goldfish. They can’t get in but they sure enjoy looking in.

And here’s the clincher. They go out for

Getting A New Pet: Some Important Considerations

September 29, 2009 by  
Filed under Cats as Pets

Getting a new pet is a big step. Regardless of whether you’re getting a goldfish or a pony, there is a lot to consider before deciding to bring the pet home from the store. After all, this is going to be the pet’s new home and you want to make sure that it’s perfect for them.

Naturally the most important thing to sort out for your new pet is a place to sleep. For dogs this usually means a basket although if you would prefer your dog to sleep outside you will need to invest in a dog kennel. Rabbits require a hut and horses a stable. No matter what kind of pet you’re bringing into the family, all of them require a place to sleep.

If you are allowing the pet to live indoors, it’s always wise to consider where they’re going to sleep. Is the area warm and away from noise? These are small yet very important considerations when deciding where to put your pet.

Depending on the size of the animal, you may also need a place for your new pet to exercise daily. For example, most rabbits require a run outside. Here they can exercise, burrow and get fresh air. Dogs also require exercise and if you do not have a garden or yard for them to run about in during the day, you will need to consider the possibility that you will be walking them daily.

Food is another important consideration and it’s important to make sure you’re stocked up before bringing the pet home. While pets such as dogs are quite happy to eat the leftovers from dinner, other animals such as reptiles and fish require specialist food. Keeping a supply of this is recommended in order to avoid future problems.

If you have other pets already you will need to consider how they will react to a new pet in the house. If you current pet demands a lot of attention, there’s the possibility that there will be a strong rivalry between them and the new pet. Even if you’re excited about your new pet, it’s important to continue paying attention to your current pets so that they don’t feel left out.

While the cost of food and bedding may not seem like a huge chunk out of your paycheck, it’s important to realise that pets can be expensive to keep. A trip to the vet can amount to hundreds and sometimes even thousands or the alternative of parting ways with your pet. Many pet owners fail to consider the potential costs involved in keeping a pet and often put themselves in a tough situation, putting themselves into debt to pay off large veterinary bills. Although you will incur a small monthly outgoing, insurance programs such as pet insurance can help to cover the cost and protect you from those scary bills.

Finally, allergies can be a deciding factor in choosing a pet. If you or any of your family have an allergy such as to cats, you may need to reconsider whether or not getting a pet is such a good idea. While a pet may be an enjoyable friend to have around the house, if they are indirectly and unintentionally making someone else suffer due to their allergies, perhaps the cons outweigh the pros.

From food and bedding to deciding whether or not you need pet health insurance, Getting a new pet is indeed a big step. Understanding the responsibilities and necessary requirements is important to ensuring that both you and your new pet live happily together in your home.

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