March 10th, 2010 by Johnson
Have you noticed that your dog seems to be struggling to get on and off of furniture or other high-up places? As flexible as dogs are, we often overestimate their ability to cope with the impact of leaping to and fro areas. To help prevent long term damage, we’re going to talk about the benefits of using steps for dogs.
Jumping, while a very natural movement for dogs, can encourage bone and joint problems if performed in excess. How often does your dog jump on and off of your bed, a chair, or the car? Say he does this three times a day. In just one week you dog’s joints will have absorbed the shock of 21 impacts. Imagine the effect this has over a lifetime? It’s no wonder that many dogs develop health issues such as hip dysplasia (arthritis targeting the hip region) and even scoliosis or other back problems. Preventative maintenance is the best way to reduce your dog’s likelihood of suffering from one of these physical issues.
Of course, you could incorporate certain limitations to your dog, such as not allowing him onto the furniture anymore—but does that really seem fair to him? When a dog leaps onto to the sofa for a cuddle, he isn’t simply trying to find a comfortable place. It’s natural for dogs to want to be with their owners—they love us and seek our companionship. To suddenly cut that sort of contact off with your dog could result in behavior issues.
The best alternative is to purchase some sturdy steps for dogs. Pet stairs allow your dog to disperse his weight over a series of steps rather than one jolting movement. The impact of walking down stairs is only slightly more than that of normal walking, and a great deal less than jumping from the full height of the furniture or vehicle. You will find that a lot of dog steps have a carpeted finish. This is a huge advantage for a dog as it minimizes his risk of slipping, especially if the floor (which he would normally jump onto) has a hard or slick finish.
There is a wealth of variety available when shopping for dog steps, including different heights, widths, and materials. Choosing the correct stairs is important, as steps that are too large or small for your dog could result in a stumble or fall. If you have a large breed of dog, try searching for steps that are at least 16” wide. This allows your dog plenty of room to maneuver the steps. Medium-sized dogs should have steps at least 14” wide, and small dog breeds do best with steps 12” wide or smaller.
Some breeds of dog are especially prone to joint issues later in life, but that doesn’t mean that these breeds are the only ones needing preventative care. Young dogs whose bones are still developing as well as older or special-needs dogs can too benefit from pet stairs. While there are many factors that contribute to your dog’s bone and joint health, dog stairs can certainly play a major role in staving off joint problems in your dog’s future.
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February 24th, 2010 by Johnson
If you’ve ever owned both a cat and a dog, you are probably aware that the ease of training a cat differs a great deal from training a dog. If you want to train your cat to use the litter box or a scratching post, then you have a fairly good chance of succeeding. Training a cat to use a human toilet or to sit simply are not very realistic goals to have, so it’s best to understand your cat’s limitations and stick within them.
It’s important that you understand the difference between a cat’s psychological attitude and a dog’s. Dogs are happy if they do something that pleases their owner. They are family-oriented and love to be included. Cat’s are quite the opposite in that they usually won’t do anything that doesn’t bring them personal satisfaction. They usually pick one “master” and aren’t too concerned whether they please anyone but themselves. You have to learn to play this attitude to benefit your training.
When training your cat to use the litter box, you have to make it an experience that he enjoys, or he won’t be keen on doing it again. First, go to great lengths to show him that the litter box is where he should go. You can do this by leaving traces of his soiled litter in there so he will associate it as a place he has used before. It is still important to clean the litter box regularly, but a few bits of soiled litter are okay until he gets the hang of using his box. Keep an eye on your cat and praise him when he uses the litter box. Cats usually respond better to physical praise rather than verbal, but a sweet “good boy!” and a nice stroke down his back will help to show him that there “something in it for him” when he uses the litter box.
Some pet stairs have hollow areas meant to store your litter box. This helps to keep your little box smell contained as well as to give your cat a quiet place to do his business. If your cat is comfortable in the space his litter box is placed, he will be more likely to use it.
If your concern is your cat’s habit of using your furniture or carpet as a scratching post, then pay attention! All cats have the impulse to scratch; it’s a form of exercise, helps to keep their claws in shape, and is a simple way of marking the things they like. There is an array of cat scratching posts available for you to choose from, but your cat’s personal preference may require you to go through a few before you find one that he likes. If your scratching post doesn’t already have catnip in or on it, try sprinkling or rubbing some along the post. This encourages playful behaviour in cats, so you might even consider attaching one of his favourite toys to the post. Also, consider the position of the post. If your cat spends a great deal of his time in your living room, place the post there where he is most likely to see and use it.
For more great tips on raising your cat or to purchase pet stairs with litter box storage, visit Help Your Pets.
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