Pets

Bringing a dog into your family causes great joy all around. But making a commitment to a dog is much like making a commitment to a human being: Both relationships require daily care and nurturing in order to flourish. So, as you embark on this new commitment, here are some promises to consider making to your dog.

There are many reasons why cats cry excessively. A healthy cat may cry a lot because of loneliness and boredom. An older cat will cry excessively because of illness or disorientation. A spoiled cat will cry incessantly because she is constantly rewarded, usually with food, every time she cries.

Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. In the United States, rabies is mostly found in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. However, in many other countries dogs still carry rabies, and most rabies deaths in people around the world are caused by dog bites.

Once your adopted cat has acclimated to her new home (see the Bringing Home a New Cat article), she's ready to meet the resident dog. As with any introduction (house, people, resident cat), the meeting process should be done slowly, calmly, and with lots of positive reinforcement.

As described in Adopting the Right Cat for You, set up a room as a home base for your new cat—this will allow for a gradual introduction to the family. For the first 72 hours, do nothing. It is important to allow your new cat to become accustomed to her surroundings. Your new cat is not only acclimating to home base, she also is using her fine-tuned senses to discover what is beyond the closed door of her home base, including resident cats.

Animals can be entertaining and educational. But children, especially children under 5 years of age, are more likely to get sick from germs animals can sometimes carry. Children can learn a lot from animals, and it's important to make sure they stay safe and healthy while they're learning.

Fleas are the most common external parasite of pets in North America. That means it's highly likely that your pet will encounter them at least once in their lifetime. Fleas are small wingless insects that use their specialized mouth to pierce the skin and siphon blood from their host. Learn how you can prevent, reduce or eliminate flea infestations.

Spot-on flea and tick products are liquid pesticides applied to a "spot" on the pet's skin, usually around the back of the neck or shoulder area. No flea and tick products are marketed specifically for use on reptiles, rabbits, ferrets, and other furry pets. Ask your veterinarian for advice on treating fleas and ticks on these and other exotic pets.

Animals can be entertaining and educational. But children, especially children under 5 years of age, are more likely to get sick from germs animals can sometimes carry. Children can learn a lot from animals, and it's important to make sure they stay safe and healthy while they're learning.

You must first decide whether or not you want a kitten or a cat. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. A kitten will adjust more easily to your lifestyle than will an adult cat. But, an adult cat will already have gone through that rambunctious, crazy period. It is easier to recognize the personality type, e.g., shy or outgoing, if the cat is half-grown or older. The most important consideration is whether or not the cat is healthy and psychologically undamaged.