According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, it is estimated that about 63% of American households own at least one pet. Are you among this percentage? Many pet owners consider their pet to be a genuine member of the family, therefore it is important that every pet owner is aware of his/her pet’s needs.
We’re going to talk about some of the most common pets, such as dogs, birds, and chinchillas, and provide tips to help you give your pet a healthy and happy life!
Dogs
Dogs are one of the most common household pets. There is the unfortunate belief that dogs are “easy” pets to have, however this is not always true. While owning a dog is not an entirely difficult responsibility, it does require effort and determination on your part, especially if you are house training the dog yourself.
All dogs could use a set of sturdy dog stairs to avoid knee and back injuries and to extend their lives.
The thing about raising a dog is that that their nutritional, physical, and emotional needs differ depending upon the breed and age of the dog. Some dogs require a high-protein diet with plenty of exercise, while other dogs may require less exercise but a strict diet to avoid obesity. Read on for basic tips on caring for common breeds of dog.
Basset Hounds are short dogs with hard, short coats of hair. They do not require much in the way of grooming, however they do require a good brush once a week. Basset hounds crave an active life and love to run and play. If you are considering this breed of dog for adoption, or if you already have one, it is important that you consider taking long walks with your basset, or possibly entering him/her into a “field trailing” group where they can put their nose to the test! These dogs are built for endurance, so this breed of dog will do well with an owner prone to an active lifestyle. Bassets have a tendency to become “fat,” therefore it is important that they be fed only 2 – 4 cups of food per day. Basset hound training is not a particularly difficult process, as long as the owner does not take pity on the basset (which often happens as a result of the basset’s typical sad-looking face). They are smart, happy dogs and are usually willing to please their owner. When training, take particular precaution with the basset’s chest, as it is heavily boned and can be harmed when jumping on/off of furniture, steps, etc.
Bloodhounds are noble yet affectionate creatures. They are great for families with children, however one should be aware that bloodhounds can be quite large, therefore babies and toddlers can easily be knocked over. This breed requires a lot of activity during puppyhood and are excellent at using their nose. A bloodhound will most likely need to remain leashed when out for a walk as they have a tendency to shoot off after catching an interesting scent in the air. A bloodhound should be fed twice a day with a good quality dog food that contains very little or no grains (filler). Bloodhound training is best handled with a firm attitude and gentle touch-correction. Bloodhounds can be quite stubborn, so a determined and patient approach to training is best with this breed.
Bulldogs are medium-sized and very muscular. They are perhaps best known for their courageous and non-demanding temperament. They are a very reliable breed, however one should be cautious as to where they purchase or adopt their bulldog from. In the past, bulldogs were once bred to fight and some lines can still reflect this ancestry in their temperament. As for exercise, there is a common myth that bulldogs do not require exercise. In actuality, all dogs need exercise, and that includes bulldogs. As puppies, the owner should indeed start the exercise routine slowly, starting with short walks that increase a little over time. This breed is particularly prone to heatstroke, so one must take that into consideration when devising an exercise routine. Bulldog training can be slightly difficult if you aren’t able to motivate your bulldog. They are highly intelligent and eager to please, however they have a tendency to lean towards inactivity unless you can prove it to be worth their while.
Chihuahuas are very small, delicate dogs, however their willingness to love and show affection makes up for their fragility. They do have a tendency to be protective and territorial, therefore they aren’t recommended for families who have small children. As this breed is prone to hypoglycaemia, it is important that they do not wait too long between meals, however they can be equally at risk of becoming overweight if they are overfed, which could in turn lead to joint problems. Try starting out with a ¼ cup of food twice a day, then make adjustments as necessary. Chihuahua training should be kept positive and move quickly from one training exercise to another to avoid boredom. Harsh scolding and heavy-handed correction will never elicit a good response from your Chihuahua and in fact could provoke them to bite out of fear.
Cocker spaniels are perhaps one of the most loyal and loveable breeds mentioned on this page. They love exercise and would make an excellent gun-dog or house pet for an active owner or one with children. Cocker spaniels need firm but loving owners to teach them that their place is under humans but still an appreciated member of the family (the owner should think of him/self as “leader of the pack”). They should be socialized with other dogs while they are young, otherwise they could end up being extremely shy-natured. A cocker spaniel should be fed twice a day and the portions should be carefully monitored. While they are very active dogs, they can gain weight quite easily and quickly. Cocker Spaniel training can be more fun that you might think. They are very keen to learn and love to keep active—so the more activity you can incorporate into your training, the better results you will achieve.
Dachshunds have a distinctive long body with short, stubby legs. They are largely independent but are happy when around their “human” pack. They can be easily irritated, but a dachshund will generally do well with children if they are introduced to them at an early age. A dachshund should be taken for a walk at least once a day to maintain physical health. Activities that require jumping should be strictly limited (even jumping up and down from furniture) due to the ease at which a dachshund’s spine can be injured. Feed your dachshund a high-protein dog food, but be very mindful as to how often you feed him/her, as dachshunds gain weight very rapidly. Dachshund training is notoriously difficult, as this is a very willful and stubborn breed. They need a persistent trainer who knows how to make it worth their while (food is an excellent incentive for dachshunds). They are very clever and must be trained at an early age, less they try to outsmart their owner!
Doberman Pinschers are naturally dominant and will try to assert their dominance if the owner gives them the chance. It is important that anyone considering a Doberman as a pet is willing to use a firm yet loving approach to training. You must show that you are the leader of the pack. That being said, Dobermans are also a bold and smart breed that can make an excellent family pet if raised in a loving and social environment. Dobermans have a high level of energy and should be played with and walked daily. A family with an active lifestyle is ideal for this breed, as the more activity you can offer a Doberman, the better! A Doberman should be fed a high-protein, dry dog food in which the main ingredient is meat and the fatty content is less than 20%. Doberman Pinscher training should be started at a young age. Dobermans will attempt to assert control if they pick up any fear or hesitation in their owner/trainer. In a family setting, let every family member have a go at training exercises and make sure that family members understand that a very unyielding and assertive attitude is essential to handling a Doberman.
All of these breeds would do well with a set of wooden dog stairs to aid in the training process. Training steps take impact stress off of the joints and encourages the dog to trust his owner’s commands and develop a bond with him/her.
Birds
There are many types of birds available to be raised as pets. You may have heard of Cockatiels, Parakeets (aka: Budgies), Finches, and African Grey Parrots, which are all different species of bird that are common as pets. All birds, no matter what breed, require a few essential pieces of equipment. First, any bird owner needs a cage. It is important that the cage you choose is the correct size for your bird. If you want a particularly large bird, such as a parrot, you will require a larger cage. The general rule is to make sure that your bird can stretch his wings with plenty of room in the cage. If you still aren’t sure about which cage to get, ask an employee at your local pet store. You will also need a food container that allows the bird open access to the food and a water dispenser. At this point, you should be looking into the proper food for your bird. If you aren’t able to find anything suitable on your own, consult the bird’s breeder or pet store employee.
After you have purchased the necessarypet bird supplies, you can start looking at items to keep your bird occupied. Many birds like to see their own reflection—it makes them feel as though they aren’t alone. You can purchase hanging mirrors for your bird’s cage at most pet stores for just a few dollars. You might find other toys that will interest your bird, but do make sure that they are specifically meant to be used by birds to avoid harming your pet.
Chinchillas
Chinchillas are furry rodents that resemble the look of a squirrel. The first item you will need to purchase is a chinchilla cage and bedding. There is a wealth of cages to choose from online, or you can visit your local pet shop for recommendations.
A chinchilla’s diet is strictly vegetarian, therefore you will need to feed your chinchilla pellets and hay. Seeds and nuts can be given to your chinchilla, however this should be considered a “treat” and given only once in a while.
We hope that you have found this page helpful in taking care of your pet!
