Introducing New Pets to Your Home

Introducing new pets to your older pets can be nerve wracking on both you and your pets. Keep in mind your old pet may see the newcomer as a threat and will try to put it in its place, let this happen. Do not break up a scuffle between your pets unless there is risk of injury to either one or both of them. Sometimes they just need to work things out. Here are some guidelines to follow when introducing new animals into your home.

· Do not leave your new pet unattended while with your older pets. They will need to be supervised until you can guarantee they will tolerate each other. Keep them separated at night until you are sure they will play nice.

· Introduce your pets in a safe environment, preferably indoors where they can both be observed. If you are introducing a cat to a dog do not let the dog chase or corner the cat. Even though the dog is only trying to play, the cat will become terrified of this large creature chasing it and it may invoke a prey instinct in the dog.

· When bringing a cat home, put the cat down before introducing it to any other animals. Cat scratches and bites easily become infected.

· Make sure your new pet is comfortable in its new home before introducing it to any new friends. Confine the animal to its own area until it has become accustomed to the change in environment.

· Your pets should be given separate food, water and, if necessary, litter boxes until they have grown used to each other. Your old pet may feel threatened if the new pet is eating and drinking from HIS food or water bowl.

· Be extremely careful when introducing a dog or cat to a caged animal such as a rat, rabbit or bird. Do not open the cage and do not allow your pet to get to close. Smaller animals can become so terrified that they die from stress on the heart. Keep the cage well out of reach and keep an eye on it at all times.

· Do not try to force to animals together. This will stress them out and may result in them injuring either themselves, you or your old pet.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Libby Mitchell
General Manager
214-989-3639
nedallas@fetchpetcare.com
http://dallas-plano-richardson.fetchpetcare.com

Pet Obesity

Up to 25% of pets in the Western world are obese or overweight. Obesity can have serious consequences for your pet. Here is a list of things to do to make sure that your pet is a healthy weight.

1. Find out if your pet is overweight/obese.

A cat from above should be trim and the waist should go in slightly. The abdomen should not be extended and there should be no fat deposits on the legs, stomach face and neck.
A dog will have a waist that tucks in from above and the stomach should point back towards to tail. There should be no fat deposits on the legs, shoulders, spine, face and neck.

2. Know the risks of obesity.

Obese dogs are at risk of many of the same ailments that people are. They can develop diabetes, hip dysplasia, arthritis and
Obese cats are can develop diabetes also. Excess weight can directly result in urinary tract disease and hepatic lipidosis, liver failure cause by brief stress. Because of the risk of liver failure you should contact your vet if your cat is obese as a sudden change in diet could be enough stress for the liver to fail.

3. Visit the veterinarian.

As with people, there could be a medical reason your pet is obese. Schedule an appointment with your vet so they can assess your pet for any health problems related to the obesity.

4. Look at your pets diet.

Animals that are obese need to follow a vets recommendation for weight loss but there are a few things you can do to ensure smooth sailing.
· Have only one person feed the pets so there are no mix ups and over feedings, because let’s face it, your pets aren’t going to let the food just sit there.
· Feed your pet in smaller more frequent meals throughout the day.
· Replace treats with pet friendly vegetable treats such as carrots, zucchinis or melons.

5. Get your pet plenty of exercise.

Be sure your pet gets plenty of exercise. Take your dog to a dog park or run around the house with a string for your cat. Either way both of you will be getting active.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding