The Consideration of Age-Appropriate Pets

 My brother just lost his pet of 14 years and is debating getting a young dog to replace the one he just lost.  He will be 70 in a few years. While pet ownership can undoubtedly bring joy and companionship into the lives of many, it is essential to consider the specific needs and challenges that seniors over the age of 70 may face when choosing to bring a new pet into their lives. The benefits of pet ownership are well-documented, but it's equally important to ensure that the pet's requirements align with the senior's abilities and lifestyle.

Seniors over 70 may find it more prudent to consider adopting older or low-maintenance pets rather than young and energetic ones. This is not to say that seniors cannot have pets, but it's essential to choose animals that match their physical capabilities and energy levels.

Young pets, like puppies and kittens, often require a significant amount of attention, training, and exercise. Seniors may face challenges in meeting these demands due to reduced mobility and energy levels. It can be overwhelming for them to housebreak a puppy or chase after a playful kitten. Additionally, young pets may be more prone to accidents and can unintentionally cause injuries to their senior owners.

On the other hand, older pets, particularly those in their golden years, can be a better match for seniors over 70. Older animals are often more relaxed, and well-behaved, and require less intensive exercise and training. These pets can provide companionship without the same level of physical demands, making them a more suitable choice for seniors who may struggle to keep up with the boundless energy of young animals.

Furthermore, older pets tend to be more emotionally stable and adaptable, which can be particularly beneficial for seniors who may have specific medical needs or a quieter living environment. Senior owners can still experience the joys of pet ownership and build meaningful bonds with their furry friends by opting for more age-appropriate animal companions.

While the benefits of pet ownership are evident, it's essential for seniors over 70 to consider their physical limitations and lifestyle when choosing a pet. Opting for older or low-maintenance animals can provide the same companionship and emotional benefits without the potential physical challenges and demands that come with young pets. By making thoughtful and age-appropriate choices, seniors can enjoy the many advantages of pet ownership in a way that enhances their quality of life. So, I am discouraging my brother from getting a young pet, but I do hope he gets an age appropriate one.

Dog Training basic commands

One of my closest friends just got himself a new dog, and he is in the process of training the dog. I always wondered if the dog is being trained or the owner is being trained. However, there are of course many reasons for owners to want a calm, obedient and faithful dog. For one thing, obedient and trained dogs are happier dogs, less likely to get into tussles with people or with other dogs. 

Many people are afraid of dogs and want to make sure that when dogs are out and about, that they do not cause a danger to others. As a result, numerous cities require that dogs being in their communities should be well trained. This is true for many kinds of dogs thought to have aggression and behaviour problems.

If you have young children training your dog is very important so that the dog makes a better family companion. If you train your dog properly, there may be fewer dog bites and other problems.

Training starts with some basic commands which include:

Heel – it is important that any dog learn to walk beside its owner on a loose lead, neither pulling ahead nor lagging behind

Respond to the word No – the word no is one word that all dogs must learn. Training your dog to respond to this important word can save you a ton of trouble.

Sit – Training your dog to sit on command is an important starting point for your training.

Stay – This command is very important when training your dog.

Down – Lying down on command is a key element of any strong dog training program.

Dog training does much more than just create an obedient, willing companion. Training actually strengthens the relationship between you and your dog. Dogs need structure because they are pack animals, and they want their pack leader lead them. You will be successful in your training once your dog sees you as the pack leader.

There is only one leader in every pack of dogs, and you as the owner must establish yourself as the most powerful animal. If you don't do this, then the dog will try to become the leader and this failure on your part will lead to all manner of behavior problems.

A well-trained dog will respond to all of your commands, and should not display fear, anger or excitement. Your training program should concentrate on providing your dog with the chance to understand what is expected of it. One of the best ways to do this is with positive reinforcement to reward desired behaviors.

Obedience training is a great way to fulfill some of the dog’s own needs, including the need for exercise. Remember your dog, is a pack animal and only feels secure if it knows its place and role in the pack. Training allows your dog to know how you expect it to behave, which leads to a good working relationship with you as its handler. Dog training gives your dog an essential role to do.

Giving the dog a job is more important than you may think. Dogs were first kept by humans to do important work, such as herding sheep, guarding property and protecting people. Many dogs today do not know that they have an important job to do, which can lead to boredom and neurotic behavior.

High energy breeds like German shepherds and border collies need to be trained to help them. In the training sessions, these dogs can use up any extra energy while simply having fun.

Playing is an important relationship builder between you and your dog as it strengthens your bond.

7 Things You Should Know about Kittens

My grandson has his first pet, which is a kitten. As the kitten is now about six months old, here are some things that he should know or will soon learn about kittens.

1. They are not unlike fast-growing babies.  They start off lying in your arms looking at peace with the world but before you know it they’re at the “toddler” stage and running up drapes and under rugs!

2. They are fussy eaters.  Even the smallest kitten will spit out everything it doesn’t believe to be the very best available – oh and “the best” is very subjective, it depends less on the price/brand and more on the cat’s likes and dislikes!

3. Which brings us to number 3, a kitten will grow into an opinionated cat with strong likes and dislikes.  It won’t care if that’s your chair, your child’s bed, an antique sofa or fragile houseplant.  If your cat likes it, it’s his!  

4. If you have friends and family who don’t like – or even better, are allergic to – your kitten from a very young age will see these as their new best friend and insist on sitting on their lap!

5. Don’t believe what your cat tries to make you think – it is possible to train a cat to do certain things.  Just take potty training as an example, you can train a cat to use a litter box, so it follows a cat is capable of learning.  Unfortunately, an ability to learn does not automatically mean a willingness to learn, especially in a cat!

6. A kitten will grow and grow fast.  Remember this as you think it’s cute to have that tiny ball of fluff curled up next to you on your pillow at night!  Pretty soon that little kitten is going to take up all the pillow, and not be happy when it suddenly finds itself on the cold floor in a property fight over whose pillow it is!

7. A kitten will quickly worm itself into your heart and stay there – so make sure you only take enough money to buy one or you could end up bringing two or three home because you couldn’t choose between two of them, and then the third one looked so lonely!

Should seniors be allowed to get young pets?

One of my best friends lost his long-time pet dog to cancer about six months ago, and he is now looking for a new dog. I am sure it is a good idea for him and his wife but he tells me that getting a new dog will make them happy. I told him I was not sure that getting a new pet was a good idea for the dog. Let’s face it some dogs and other pets may live for 15+ years. As seniors, there is no guarantee that we will outlive our pet. In Canada, the lifespan of a male is about 83.5 years and a female is about 86.6. My friend is in his 70’s and he may not beat the odds and live more than the average, so what happens to his pet when he dies?

This raised the question in my mind, should Seniors be allowed to have young pets? I know that in BC, some adoption agencies for pets, will not allow seniors to adopt young animals, because of the issue of illness and life-span. They will, however, allow seniors to adopt older pets. I personally think this is a good idea. There are many benefits of having a pet as a senior. Pet ownership can: Lower blood pressure, relieve stress, combat loneliness, ease depression, and encourage activity for seniors, Offer a greater sense of worth and offer security to their owners.

Pets for the Elderly Foundation gives results from the Baker Medical Research Institute, Australia’s largest cardiac centre, on its research page. Studies show that pet ownership:

· Reduced rates of developing heart disease

· Lowered cholesterol levels

· Reduced systolic blood pressure in female owner

There are some negatives that come with owning a pet. Roughly 86,000 injuries a year are reported in the United States due to pets, usually tripping over them. If your pets are anything like my brothers, when it is dinnertime, they are running circles around him. Also, going up and down steps with an energetic pet can lead to a fall. Also, drivers over the age of 70 are twice as likely to be involved in an accident if a pet is in the car. Pets also can contract diseases, so seniors with comprised immune systems may wish to look more into their personal conditions and the risks of having a pet.

When my friend and I talked about his desire to get a new pet, he told me that he and his wife had talked about it and had considered the following when they made their decision. He told me that they considered the health and age of the pet they were interested in owning? They considered the fact that young pets require attention and training, and they decided on an older pet, even though old pets require care and accommodation. They recognized that cats and dogs, depending on the breed, can live up to 15 or 20 years, and it was a commitment they were willing to make.

I asked him if they had thought about what would happen if they could no longer care for their pet? They had and they had a commitment from their daughter that she and her family would take the pet.

Finances are always an aspect of life, and pets require money just like anything else. Since his puppy died, my friend has done a lot of research looking for his ideal pet so he and his wife have an idea of what they are getting into. He does not want the new member of his family to become a financial burden.

Dog Training

My grandson is learning to live with his new pet, which is a cat, When I was growing up we had dogs and learning how to train them was important. There are of course many reasons for owners to want a calm, obedient and faithful dog.  For one thing, obedient and trained dogs are happier dogs, less likely to get into tussles with people or with other dogs.  Another reason is that many communities require that the dogs living in their neighbourhoods be well trained.  This is especially true for many breeds thought to have aggression and behaviour problems – dog breeds like pit bulls and rottweilers for instance.

And of course, training your dog well will also make he or she a much better family companion, especially in households where there are young children.  Many studies have shown that proper dog training makes a big impact when it comes to cutting down the number of dog bits and other behaviour problems encountered by dog owning households.

When considering training your own dog, or having someone else help you train it, there are certain basic commands that must be mastered in order for a dog to be considered truly trained.  These basic commands include:

• Heel – it is important that any dog learn to walk beside its owner on a loose lead, neither pulling ahead nor lagging behind
• Respond to the word No – the word no is one word that all dogs must learn.  Training your dog to respond to this important word can save you a ton of trouble.
• Sit – Training your dog to sit on command is a vital part of any dog training program.
• Stay – A well-trained dog should remain where his or her owner commands, so stay is a very important command in dog training.
• Down – Lying down on command is more than just a cute trick; it is a key component of any successful dog training program.

Dog training does much more than just create an obedient, willing companion.  Training your dog properly actually strengthens the bond that already exists between dog and handler.  Dogs are pack animals, and they look to their pack leader to tell them what to do.  The key to successful dog training is to set yourself up as that pack leader.  

Establishing yourself as pack leader is a very important concept for any potential dog trainer to understand.  There is only one leader in every pack of dogs, and the owner must establish him or herself as the dominant animal.  Failure to do so leads to all manner of behaviour problems.

A properly trained dog will respond properly to all the owner’s commands, and will not display anxiety, displeasure or confusion.  A good dog training program will focus on allowing the dog to learn just what is expected of it and will use positive reinforcement to reward desired behaviours.

In addition to making the dog a good member of the community, obedience training is a great way to fulfill some of the dog’s own needs, including the need for exercise, the security that comes with knowing what is expected of it, a feeling of accomplishment and a good working relationship with its handler.  Dog training gives the dog an important job to do, and an important goal to reach.

Giving the dog a job is more important than you may think.  Dogs were originally bred by humans to do important work, such as herding sheep, guarding property and protecting people.  Many dogs today have no important job to do, and this can often lead to boredom and neurotic behaviour.  

Basic obedience training and ongoing training sessions provide the dog with an important job to do.  This is especially important for high energy breeds like German shepherds and border collies.  Training sessions are a great way for these high energy dogs to use up their extra energy and simply to enjoy themselves.

Incorporating playtime into your dog training sessions is a great way to prevent both yourself and your dog from becoming bored.  Playing with your dog helps to strengthen the all-important bond between you – the pack leader – and your dog.

A first pet

My grandson just got his first pet, which is a small kitten, whom he calls Poco (The cat is named after the city we live in). So as he is planning to be a pet owner, he must be ready for the long-term cat care. Everything must be planned in order to avoid mistakes.

Poco will be a nice companion for him and his family. But he has to understand the kitten's needs. First, Poco has to eat. But you can't feed your cat (kitten) your leftovers. It is better to look for the best cat food that can give her the energy boost as well as good health you want her to have.

He also has to make sure that the surrounding his cat is living in is free from anything that can cause her accidents. He has to make sure that he does not let anything that is lethal and poisonous hanging about. When it comes to neatness, he has the right pet. Cats are known to take ample time in grooming themselves.

My grandson lives in a rural setting, so watching his kitten for signs of fleas is important. One of the signs can be too much grooming.

And if his cat is going to be an inside cat, and because cats are vain, he must also be tidy with everything. He needs to keep the litter box clean and well maintained. Did you know that the cat's sense of smell is 14 times stronger than ours? You may not smell a thing but the cat will.

Poco will not do her thing on the provided litter box if it stinks. My grandson may get the surprise of his life to see his cat's poops well hidden under your clean carpet or how about that basket of clean clothes.

I recommend that he doesn't give his cat a reason to stray when it comes to those things. Give her what she wants. And what all cats want is a clean and odour free litter box.

He also has to find a good vet for your cats. My daughter and her family are friends with your local veterinarian. They need to be mindful of the simplest symptoms that your cat may show. Just by observing their pet, they will know if something is wrong. Call the vet immediately and ask their opinion.

My grandson and his family long before they made the decision to welcome a cat into the household, thought everything through over and over again. They did not act on impulse and my grandson had to commit to carrying out his responsibilities of being a pet owner and I look forward to meeting Poco when we next visit.

A Short History Of Cats

We have had cats for almost fifty years, our latest cat is about 18 years old and will not be with us for much longer, so we make his life as comfortable as we can. I am amazed at his ability to communicate his needs, which are simple, to us. I will miss him when he has gone. I was thinking about how therapeutic animals can be to those who are on their own or who are sick and I started thinking about how long humans have interacted with cats.

It seems strange that there was ever a time when cats were not a part of our lives. It's been less that 10,000 years since cats swaggered into our lives. Hardly an eye blink in  the grand sweep of life on this planet. Why were cats so late to join our team? The simple answer is they didn't need us to survive. Cats were surviving just fine on their own. Then, people invented agriculture. Agriculture resulted in large scale storage of grains which attracted the usual and well know group of freeloaders, mice and rats. Grain attracted rodents. Rodents attracted cats who consider them tasty meals. The result was that cats set up housekeeping close to human settlements. Eventually, cats being cats, moved right on in.

Who were these first cats? The first clue lies in where agriculture was first practiced. Agriculture first took root (no pun intended) in the Middle East in a great sweep from modern day Turkey to Egypt. Within this area ranges the African wild cat, Felis libyca. African wild cats are slightly larger that our modern house cats and are yellow in color with muted stripes. These cats have a docile, almost laid back nature. Interestingly, these cats still tend to live and hunt near human dwellings today. Locals still like to catch and rear young wild cats as pets. When mature, wild cats raised by humans tend to behave very much like our familiar housecats. A very good case can (and has) been advanced designating Felis libyca as the principal founding population for domestic cats. At least two other varieties of wild cat are speculated to have contributed to the genetic make up of domestic cats. One is Felis silvestris, The European wildcat who appears to have contributed darker markings and a peppery spirit to the African wild cat base. Also, from Asia, comes the Pallas or Steppe cat (Felis manul) that appears to have contributed long-haired coats to the mix.

The early period of domestication of cats is vague with only patches of evidence. However, by 6,000 B.C. statues found in Anatolia (modern Turkey) show women playing with domestic cats. Cats had clearly become common and affectionate pets by that time. The earliest written records about cats appear by approximately 4,000 B.C. in Egypt where they were frequently kept to hunt mice and rats from stored grains. It was a good time to be a cat in ancient Egypt. Domestic cats were thought to be the embodiment of the goddess Bast (or Bastet). There was a necropolis at her principal temple at Bubastis that contained mummified cats.

Romans spread the domestic cat northward into central Europe and westward to Britain during the expansion of their empire. Cats were quickly adopted and admired as great hunters.  And they continued to move north and east in Europe.  The Vikings used cats as both rodent hunters and pets. The Viking goddess of love and war, Freyja, was associated with cats. Huge winged cats drew her chariot. It also became the custom to give new brides a kitten in her name. 

The Middle Ages it were a very bad time to be a cat. Cats were said to be witches familiars, in league with the devil. Because of this superstition, cats were routinely killed during festivals. Sometimes they were even burned alive or thrown off tall buildings. The Europeans paid heavily for their cruelty to cats. The deaths of so many cats allowed the rodent population to rise out of control, bringing in the Black Death which killed so much of the European population. ventually, the cats' cleanly ways and hunting prowess redeemed them in the eyes of the people of Europe. By the 1600s, people in France began putting little holes near the bottom of their doors to allow their cats to enter and leave as they please.

In Asia cats continued to be familiar hunters and cherished pets. Cats were often subjects for drawing and painting in China. In Japan, cats in the form of Maneki Neko, usually portrayed as a sitting cat with one paw raised and bent, are considered good fortune. They are often found in businesses to draw in money.

The history of cats is a fascinating one, worthy of much more in depth study. It fosters an appreciation for the personalities and talents of our pets. It helps me as I watch our old tom lay on the steps waiting for us to take him up to bed.

Let’s Go For A Walk!

Why should dogs have all the fun? Many indoor cats would love to go outside and enjoy the sun but it is often far too dangerous to let them simply wander about as they please. Busy roads, large dogs and careless people are hazards many of us don’t want our cats exposed to. So why not teach him to walk on a leash? When I was younger we had a cat that used go on walks with us along the dykes and he seemed to enjoy the walks. I know that I could have kept him on a leash, but he came when we called and always followed us home. Unusual behaviour for a cat, I know but if you live in a big city or an area where there are dogs, you should train your cat to walk with you on a leash.

 But cats don’t walk on leashes! That’s the sentiment many people have when the idea is first introduced. It’s true that some cats will absolutely have nothing to do with the whole business. They apparently think it is entirely beneath them to be seen out of doors on a leash. What would the neighbors think! Fortunately, there are other cats willing to entertain the idea and some who actually come to like their walks. There really isn’t any way of knowing which way your cat will turn out unless you try. Let’s get started.

The first thing you will need is a properly fitting harness and a light weight leash. It doesn’t need to be fancy, just sturdy and well made. Trying to teach your cat with only a collar is not a good idea. Pressure around their necks seems to make some cats freeze. You want to teach him to move forward, not lock in place. The second thing you will need is a bag of treats. Preferably something he really likes but doesn’t often get. The third thing you will need is lots and lots of patience.

Begin training inside your home. Do not take him outside until he is walking freely and comfortably along with you on his leash. Place the harness on your cat and let him get accustomed to it. If your cat is particularly timid, you might want to leave the harness where he can investigate it and get used to seeing it first before you put it on him. Leave the harness on him for ten to fifteen minutes a day for the first few days. After that the period can be raised to fifteen to twenty minutes. Give him one or two treats during the time he is wearing the harness so that he associates it with good things. When he is fully comfortable with the harness, add the leash in the same manner, allowing him to drag it around for a slowly increasing period over several days. Don’t forget the treats.

By now, your cat is comfortable wearing both harness and leash. Pick up the end of the leash and just hold it. Don’t try to lead him anywhere. Follow him around if he moves. Do this exercise for a few minutes a day until he is comfortable with it. Now comes the big step, teaching him to follow where you lead. Place your cat to your left side, your leash should be in your left hand. Let your arm hang relaxed at your side. Take a treat in your right hand. Turn toward your cat and show him the treat. Now take a couple of step forward, continuing to show the treat. If he follows you, take a couple of more steps. If he follows to your new position, give him his treat and praise. If he is reluctant to move forward, place the treat closer to him. Praise him if he takes a step forward and give him the treat. If he doesn’t want to move forward no matter what you do, don’t drag him. Pick him up and take him somewhere else to take his harness off. Do not give him a treat since he didn’t do as you asked. Here is where patience comes in. Keep repeating the lesson every day, asking him to move farther each time.

When your cat is walking freely on leash with you all over the house, take him into your back yard and walk him around in it. If he freezes and refuses to move, don’t panic. Reassure him he is safe and take him back inside. Try again tomorrow. If he tries to take off on his own you can easily check him with your leash. Once he is comfortable in the yard you can start taking him farther. Before long you will be able to take nice walks wherever you choose.

Wildlife and pets

In the last while, we have been collecting other peoples pets and in one case it was very sad. We had a beautiful multicoloured parrot end up dead in our back yard. We gave the bird a proper burial and asked around the neighbourhood about who might have owned the bird, but no one came forth.

A few days ago I was in the back yard and what looked like a Ferret  came into the yard, sniffing around. The Ferret   as not afraid of me and almost allowed me to pet it, but I could not catch it. The Ferret    spent a good 15 minutes exploring my back yard, trying to get into the house and finally going into the garage and out the front of the garage to explore other homes and have other adventures. I worry that the Raccoons who have taken up residence close to us will take up against the Ferret, before the Ferret  can find its way home.

It is  interesting to live in a suburban yet rural area as the changing days make for some interesting visitors