Pet Hacks: Quick Tips & Tricks for Life With Pets
How awesome it would be if we had some knowledge at the right time about how we could make our lives easier, and for our pets also! For example, how can you give your pet certain medicines, how can you help a fearful pet, how can you make its bathing more pleasant, or what to do if your pet eats too fast? All of these are little things that each of us, animal lovers and owners, have encountered at some point. Check out some of our favorite tips and trips to make life with pets a little easier!
Administering Meds
Some pets take medication without resisting, no matter how big, how bitter, or how smelly the pill is. But most of them have something to “say” when it comes to taking medication.
Want some hacks for giving pets their meds?
1. Teach your pet when it is a pup or kitten to receive a piece of something good to eat, such as cheese, yogurt, or sour cream (if it is not lactose intolerant), meat (if it is not allergic or suffering from any medical condition), bread, or anything else that is not toxic to pets and you know it will consume it with pleasure. If you teach it as a pup or kitten, when the time comes to give its medicine, your beloved pet wouldn’t even know what you’re hiding from it.
This method also applies to adult pets or those who have already received medication and you struggled with them.
If, however, your pet senses the medication and refuses to take the treat, do not be discouraged, there is another option (for some medications).
2. Grind the medication and then mix it with a little water, and it can be administered with a syringe or put on top of the food. But best of all, talk to your veterinarian beforehand to
decide if you can grind the medicine or not because some medications have a gastro-resistant protective film and those should not be crushed.
Cleaning Up Messes In The House
What do we do when our pet inevitably has an accident indoors? You can call a professional, you can purchase expensive cleaning products. But you can also follow these cleaning hacks:
1. Clean cat urine with warm water and vinegar to remove the stain and the smell.
2. For dogs, baking soda can be placed over the stain; leave for a few minutes, then vacuum.
How to Slow Down a Food Scarfer
Fast eating can cause all sorts of imbalances in your dog’s digestive system, including gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). GDV is actually medical emergency that can be fatal if not treated quickly. GDV occurs especially in large and giant dog breeds that eat and drink quickly and then do intense exercise.
In this medical condition, a portion of the stomach twists around its axis, causing the pet’s stomach to dilate. Pets can no longer vomit, the mucous membranes can become pale, they stretch on the front paws, become anxious, salivate excessively, etc. Due to gastric dilation, the stomach will compress the surrounding organs. (1)
So, how do you avoid this horrible tragedy with food scarfers? ‘
1. Put a ball or a stone in the food bowl; this will make the pet push it with his snout, making him not fill his mouth with food at the same time.
2. Use a muffin tin to feed your pup, putting a little bit of food in each spot.
3. Spread the food on an oven tray.
4. Pour a cup of water into the dog’s food bowl and then add the dried food. Floating food is more difficult to “catch” and will make the dog eat more slowly.
Trimming Your Cat’s Claws
I admit, my cat is a good and obedient girl, and most of the time I can trim her claws without problems, but there are days when she just doesn’t feel like it.
But how many times did you end up with scratches or bites on your hands when you tried to trim your cat’s claws? With the right patience and another pair of hands, this action can be really enjoyable and without any “victims”.
1. Use squeezable cat treats. There are treats on the market that come individually packaged as a squeezable, paste-like goo, and are perfect for when you want to trim your cat’s claws.
If the cat is somewhat cooperative, you can hold it in your arms, with its back to you, and take each paw at a time. The other person will make sure that the cat licks the treat until the time at the spa ends. It’s very simple, one trims the claws, and the other makes sure the cat is pampered as only kings and queens are!
2. Try trimming your cat’s nails when he/she is sleeping/sleepy.
3. If your cat is aggressive, then it’s better to go with it to a veterinarian or groomer for this action because you will stress your cat even more, you will end up with marks on your hands, or you can trim into the claws pulp causing bleeding.
Handling Fearful Pets
Ever had a cat that’s afraid to enter the bathroom? What about a dog that’s afraid of certain spaces ?
1. Try having grooming sessions in or near that particular space in the house. You can replace grooming with playing if your cat is not fond of it. The idea of this activity is the positive association – the cat will connect that place with something it likes (grooming, playing). You have to be patient and give it time. Don’t force your cat to do anything it doesn’t enjoy or trust because you will end up with a stressed and anxious pet.
Have a dog terrified of nail cutters?
2. Start leaving the item your pet is afraid of, in this case nail cutters, out in the open regularly. Leave them on the coffee table for a week. Place the item on the floor 6 feet away from your pet’s food dish. Occasionally pick up the item and put it back down again, then give your pet a treat. Again, you’re associating the feared item with positive and neutral experiences both. No major professional training required.
How Do You Get Your Cat Used to the Pet Carrier?
Without even realizing it, you start giving off signals to your cat before you ever start to collect him/her to put in the carrier. You get the carrier out. You get your keys. You get your purse.
Then when you go to get the cat, he/she has taken off in hiding. Try the same approach as described for feared items.
It is good to plan everything a few days before the visit to the vet.
1. Open the cage and let it be visible for the cat to go and explore on its own. Don’t force it.
2. In the cage, you can put its blanket or its favorite toy.
3. Once you see it enter the cage alone, you can reward it. If you see your cat bypassing the cage and still don’t want to go in to explore, you can play with it around the cage and in the cage to make it feel comfortable, and then reward her.
Time and patience are key when it comes to cats. In a couple of days, your cat will get used to the carrier and there won’t be any problem in taking it to the vet.
Bathing Your Cat
If your cat is showing signs of stress like growling, hissing, scratching, meowing hard, tearing, or difficulty breathing when you are trying to bathe it, it is best to give it a rest to calm down.
Maybe the cat has a more aggressive temperament or is more anxious – in this situation when you decide to bathe your cat, here are some tips:
1. Go into a dimly lit bathroom with the door shut. An open door can distract her and make her focus only on escaping. If the door is closed, the cat can start exploring the room and get acquainted with the bathroom.
2. Avoid eye contact with your cat if it is angry, otherwise, you will make it feel threatened. Focus on relaxing it with a soft voice and petting.
3. Also, if this is your first time doing this and you are afraid or if you have already tried and failed, do not do it alone. You can ask a family member or friend to assist you and help you in case of need.
4. Try to familiarize her with the tub before bathing in it – you can play with it there with her favorite toys and give it treats.
5. Don’t let the water running too loudly; it can scare it more.
6. When I want to bathe my cat, I jump fully clothed with her in my arms in the shower. For me, this trick works!
Senior Pets Who Are Fussy Eaters
Dogs and cats that have problems with their teeth due to old age may refuse to eat because they cannot break the kibbles. To overcome this, add a few tablespoons of warm soup (no onion or garlic – these are toxic for pets) over its dry food. This will soften the kibbles a bit and make them more appetizing. The same trick works for little puppies who still refuse to eat solid food.
References https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/gastric-volvulus-bloat-dogs#1