Here are helpful pet tips you may not know

Alyssa Landau
Columnist, The Friday Flyer

Everyone has something they don’t know about their pets. I might be able to help give you some tips on how to fix a few problems you may be aware of but don’t know what to do.

In today’s busy world, we oftentimes look for an easy fix, so I will offer some tips that might be just what you’re looking for.

Now, not every tip is for every animal, and if there is a physical or internal issue going on it is best to see your vet. But I will offer the insights I have acquired working over five years at a pet store.

• Do not give your dog/cat a bath more than once a week. Doing so will take out the natural oils in their coats.

I have many people telling me they bathe their animals every other day because the dog jumps in mud, etc. If you have an animal that tends to get dirty every single day, it’s best to invest in some bath wipes. This will rub the dirt off without taking too much of the oil and natural residue from the animal’s skin.

• If your animal squirms during nail cutting, try a nail grinder (often referred to as a Dremel). It is motorized and spins, grinding the nail down at a more rapid (and safer) rate.

If you do accidentally hit the quick (the blood vessel in the nail), don’t panic. The amount of blood is very minimal (usually less than a small drop even on a large dog), and you can easily stop any bleeding by rubbing baking soda on the nail, followed by applying pressure for a couple minutes. This sets it and you will be ready to go (it’s also cheaper than buying Quick Stop at the pet stores).

• If your cat keeps tearing up the carpet or furniture, but you don’t want to declaw him, there are gel caps you can buy and place over the claw (like a retainers) that will fix this problem for you.

Please don’t declaw your cat, (in my opinion) it is a horrible and sad thing to do to a cat. Imagine getting your nails pulled out, especially if they’re your personal defense.

• The same goes for dogs – if they’re biting furniture you can buy a product that is referred to as “bitter spray.” Spray the liquid on the item you don’t want them to bite. It has a horribly bitter taste in the dog’s mouth. More often than not, this fixes the problem.
• If you have an outdoor cat, do not buy a collar with a bell on it. This may attract predators and make it hard to conduct a sneaky retreat.

Or if they’re trying to hunt, it’s very hard to sneak up on prey when you have a jingling bell attached to your neck.

• Most puppies don’t know when to stop eating, so it is essential to stick to the recommended meal size in order to avoid gorging.

A lot of people keep feeding their puppy because “it’s still hungry.” But the puppy hasn’t yet developed the feeling of being full. So while it grows into an adult, it is your job to keep on top of this habit.

Also, obesity in puppies and adults leads to a whole new set of problems.

• To offer more oxygen into your fish aquarium, try incorporating live plants or even air stones. These will not only give better circulation but also add more beauty to the tank.

Another quick tip – if your fish tank is developing too much algae, make sure it is not placed next to natural sunlight.

• It’s better, in my opinion, to feed your fish granule-type food versus flaked. Flaked food tends to mush and not only clog your filters but settle at the bottom of the tank, promoting bacteria and moss growth.
• Lastly, this is the season many people are getting/giving puppies. Once you adopt or purchase a puppy, find out what food the shelter or breeder was feeding. Then continue to buy that food until you slowly transition it to the food of your choice. This will save a lot of digestive issues with your puppy and save the trouble of cleaning up messes you would rather stay away from.

I hope you enjoyed this month’s Things You Might Not Know.