Pet Bucket Blog

1. Stay indoors. Snow is for the birds!   Image credit   2. Make full use of the sun’s energy…you know, for snoozing, stretching, squinting and smiling.   Image credit 3. Find someone suitable to snuggle with. Image credit 4. Mums are a great snuggle option.   Image credit 5. Or even something bigger. Go on, take that huggy warmth. It's yours - take it all! 6. Find a good position in front of the fire.    Image credit 7. No fire? No problem. Just find another warm spot.      Image credit   8. Or create your own. Image credit   9. Wrap yourself up in a cosy blanket, and cats really, totally, completely wrap themselves up.   10. Don't be afraid to layer on the cosiness either. Of course, it helps if you can also get out if needed.  Image credit   11. Don't forget your paws.   12. And never forget your ears. Remember to remove any ear-wear around meal times so you don't miss any important signals that food is on its way. Image credit   13. Let your hair down. By that, cats mean grow out your winter coat. Image credit   14. If you’re not capable of growing one yourself, you can always buy a coat. There’s no need to compromise on style either.  Image credit   15. Or borrow a friend's coat for the season.  Image credit   16. Finally, the most effective way to ward off the cold is to enjoy a nice, long, warm soak regularly.   Image credit

Image credit Bringing a puppy or kitten into the home can be a great way to teach life lessons to your children. Unlike a toy, a pet is a living thing and it needs constant care and monitoring to stay happy and healthy. Children who live with pets can learn responsibility, empathy, compassion and other traits that will serve them well throughout their lives and help them in their interactions with fellow humans as well as other animals.    But how do you know when your child is ready for the responsibility of a pet? Many children beg their parents for a puppy or kitten, only to lose interest when the new pet becomes too much work or ceases to be sufficiently interesting. That leaves mom and dad with all the responsibility of the new pet, and it teaches the child nothing.   Image credit    In fact, getting a pet before the child is psychologically ready for the commitment can actually be counterproductive. If your son or daughter gets to enjoy the fun of having a pet but does none of the work, you are just teaching your child that someone else will take care of things; not exactly conducive to a life of future responsibility.    There are a number of ways parents can determine whether or not their kids are ready for the responsibility of a pet. One of the basics is the age of the child. A 5-year-old child is probably not physically or psychologically mature enough to properly care for a pet. That does not mean you should not have pets in the home; it just means you cannot expect such a young child to be responsible for its care.    A good guideline is to go by the minimum age requirements set by various animal rescue organizations in your area. Check with the rescue organizations in your area and review their applications. You should see something about the minimum age of the children in the home and what kinds of homes they are willing to adopt to. If your child is under the minimum age that would allow you to adopt a pet, you may want to wait a few years.   Image credit    Parents can also test the readiness of their children by adopting smaller and less demanding pets. The next time you are at the pet store and your child starts begging for a puppy, buy a bowl or small aquarium and bring home a goldfish instead. The goldfish will need daily care and feeding - just like the puppy your child wants. Teaching your children how to properly care for the fish will help teach responsibility and let you see how ready they are for the responsibility.    If your son or daughter cannot properly care for a goldfish, you can be sure that caring for a puppy or kitten is still beyond their abilities. If the goldfish receives wonderful care and your child clearly loves it, you might want to start thinking about adopting a new family member.   Image credit    Adopting a new family member will definitely be the way to go, especially if one of the goals is to teach your child responsibility and compassion. You can explain to your child, in age-appropriate terms, why the animal needs to be adopted or rescued, while reinforcing the need for responsible care once the animal joins the household. A good rescue organization will also be able to help you choose an appropriate pet for a household with young children. A quiet cat or dog or a puppy with a laid back personality can be an excellent first pet for any child, and the rescue organization should be able to help you find just such a 4-legged friend.     

Image credit Vitiligo is a rare condition that results in unusual coat patterns in dogs. Affected dogs display white splattering or overall fading of an otherwise dark coat. Whilst it is classified as a ‘disease’ it is not a life-threatening condition. Animals with vitiligo do not suffer pain or health issues other than an increased susceptibility to sunburn in de-pigmented areas. Symptoms may first manifest in puppyhood, but generally vitiligo has a later onset, with adult dogs spontaneously exhibiting white-coloured patches. The causes of vitiligo remain mysterious. It is thought to derive from antibodies mistakenly targeting melanin, which is responsible for skin coloration.   Image credit The condition cannot be ‘caught’ as such due to the strong genetic component. It is common for a number of animals in a certain bloodline to display the unique coloration. As such, a number of breeds are more likely to be affected, including German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Belgian Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Siberian Huskies, Old English Sheepdogs and Dachshunds. It can however appear in dogs of all breeds. Vitiligo appears in other species as well. Approximately 1% of the human population is diagnosed with the condition.   Due to the condition’s mysterious causes, no treatment options exist. However for unknown reasons, skin re-pigmentation may occur as quickly vitiligo markings appeared.    Image credit  The extent to which the condition manifests varies. Commonly, depigmentation begins in the nose and eye areas. In some cases, the depigmentation stops there. Such dogs are described as having ‘snow noses’. In other cases, the entire body turns white. Sometimes even the retina (inside of the eyeball) will discolour. Diagnosis can be conducted visually by a vet, however a skin scaping test may also be necessary to ensure the condition is from vitiligo and not a number of other skin infections that can cause similar fading. 

Owners know the look of horror their cat gives if they are accidentally splashed with droplets of water in the bathroom - or the wretched expression they wear if locked outside in the rain.  Water, according to cats, is evil.    Image credit It is a somewhat counterintuitive horror. Since cats are so particular about keeping themselves well groomed, one would not think the idea of a bath would be so utterly abhorrent. Additionally, big cats such as tigers are often seen paddling across lakes and streams in the wild.  So what is the reason behind a domestic cat’s hatred of swimming, bathing and all things wet?    Water aversion most likely stems from the modern domestic cat’s desert ancestors. These ancient wild cats, living in arid regions such as Africa and the Middle East did not experience watery environments often and so did not adapt the skills to cope with it when it was encountered. This suspicion of water has continued to the present day.  The nature of cat fur is another possible reason for the distaste. A cat’s coat traps water  and if it should get soaked, it drastically reduces the animal’s ability to keep warm. Tigers on the other hand, who have been recorded to swim over 30 km in a single day, have oily, wiry fur which dries quickly.    Image credit That said, not all cats despise water. Certain breeds in fact are known for their love of taking a dip. The dog-like Turkish Van, nicknamed ‘The Swimming Cat’, adores water and will jump in the kitchen sink, ponds and pools to enjoy a swim – some owners have even found their Turkish Vans frolicking in the toilet. In their homeland, they would traditionally swim out to greet boats returning from a days fishing to beg for snacks.   Image credit Other breeds such as the Japanese Bobtail, Bengal, Manx and Abyssinian are also known for their fondness of water. These breeds were developed in coastal regions, which inbred an unusual feline relaxation around water.  Other varieties of cat can be trained to tolerate water, but it is certainly an uphill battle.             

Image credit If you have just added a new cat or kitten to your home, you may be wondering how to make the cat feel comfortable and happy. Here are five tips that will help you to create a strong, stable bond with your new pet.    1. Take charge of feeding your cat If you want your cat to view you as the most important person in the house, one smart trick is to make sure that you are the one who is responsible for providing food. If you establish a reliable, sensible feeding schedule, you will teach your new companion that you are providing care and can be trusted. You can also use cat treats to your advantage, but avoid dispensing too much of these (as they tend to be high in salt and fat). In addition, stick to food designed for cats, as many human foods can be very dangerous to a cat's body.    2. Focus on the cat's sweet spots All cats have subtly different preferences when it comes to being petted, but there are some approaches that seem to please almost all cats. In particular, try scratching the cat behind the ears, under the chin, and down the back (in the direction of the hair rather than against the grain). After a while, you can also try to administer gentle tummy rubs, though most cats will not reveal the stomach area until they are already in a close relationship with a human.    3. Pay attention to body language When you are petting your cat, look out for cues that indicate enjoyment or dislike. When cats are happy, they often push up against your hand, knead their paws (as they would when suckling from a mother cat), and purr. In contrast, cats that feel defensive will often flatten their ears, crouch low to the ground and rapidly move their tails from side to side. Of course, hissing, growling and biting are also negative signs, but hopefully you won't see these from your cat in normal circumstances.    4. Don't punish your cat If your cat ruins a piece of furniture or does something else that you deem unacceptable, you may feel the instinct to shout or even smack the cat. However, studies on cat behavior show that these methods only frighten cats and create further behavioral problems. If you want to teach a cat to stop doing something, ignoring the pet usually proves to be a more useful approach.    5. Engage in play Playing with your cat also sends out strong signals that you can be seen as a trusted friend and companion. There are plenty of fun toys out there, ranging from squeaky toys that you can throw to long pieces of material that hang from a stick. You might need to try a wide range before you learn the information required to pick out your cat's favorites, but you will be in for hours of fun once you figure it out.     

Image credit One of the biggest and most important decisions any pet owner needs to make is which veterinarian to choose. Medical care for your pet is an essential part of keeping it happy and healthy, and getting the right veterinary care can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.    So how do you choose the right veterinarian for the four-legged friend in your life? There are a number of criteria you can use, depending on the type of animal you have, where you live and where your priorities lie.   Image credit    Breed-Specific Experience If you have or are adopting a specific breed of cat or dog, it is important to seek out a veterinarian who has practical experience with that particular breed. There is an enormous amount of specialization in cats and dogs these days and every breed has its own specific health issues.    If your veterinarian is unfamiliar with a breed-specific health condition, your pet could be misdiagnosed or important signals could be missed. This could lead to serious health consequences down the line, but someone with the right experience could help you avoid that. Unless you have a more common breed like a Labrador, Golden Retriever or German Shepherd, it is important to ask the potential vet about his or her experience with your chosen cat or dog.   Image credit    Available Technology Veterinary technology is nearly as impressive as medical technology these days. It is not unusual for today's veterinarians to work with MRI machines, CAT scans and similar technology. Choosing a vet who is familiar with the latest medical technology and keeps up with current trends can help ensure your pet will get the best care possible if something serious arises.    Your veterinary office does not necessarily need to have an MRI and CAT scanner on site, but they should know how to use one and where to find it. In many parts of the country, there are clinics that house this high-end equipment, and area vets refer their patients to those locations when they need specialized care.   Image credit    Location and Emergency Hours The location of the veterinary office can be a major factor, especially if your pet already has a complicated medical history. The ability to get your cat or dog to the clinic in a matter of minutes can be very important, especially in an emergency. Location should not be the deciding factor, of course, but it can be an important consideration.    The emergency policy of the veterinary clinic is even more important than its location. You want to know that your vet will be available to treat your pet even after the clinic closes its doors for the night, so be sure to ask about emergency procedures up front. Some vets will happily go to the office to see a sick pet in the middle of the night, while others will refer clients to an emergency clinic or alternate veterinarian. It is important to know the philosophy of your vet before your pet becomes a patient.   Image credit    Reputation A quality veterinary clinic will develop a stellar reputation in the community over time, and you can learn a lot by asking others about local clinics. If you adopt your pet from a local rescue, you can ask the group for recommendations and advice. If your friends and work colleagues have pets, you should ask them which vets they use.    Word-of-mouth advertising is very important for service-oriented businesses like veterinary offices, so you should take their reputation very seriously. People who have had bad experiences with vets are often willing to share their thoughts, so do not be afraid to ask for the good and the bad. Choosing the right veterinarian is important, and you do not want to leave this important decision to chance.   Image credit         

Image credit Proper training is important for every dog, and in the end the dog owner needs to act as the trainer. Even if you spend money on puppy kindergarten and expensive training classes, you will need to reinforce the lessons the professional trainer teaches your dog. If you fail to provide that reinforcement, your dog will quickly revert to its old ways, and all the money you spent on training will have been wasted.    There are some common mistakes that dog owners tend to make when they train their dogs or reinforce the training professionals have provided. Whether you hire an outside trainer or work with your dog on your own, these common blunders could undo all your hard work.   Expecting Too Much Too Soon Expecting too much progress too soon is one of the most common mistakes dog owners make. It's easy to see why so many dog owners make this blunder; we see dogs on TV and in the movies every day, and they always seem to behave perfectly. It is only natural to want your own dog to do the same.   Keep in mind, however, that those canine movie and TV stars are the product of years of careful training by professionals. You cannot expect your own dog to master the same tricks or display the same level of competence with part-time training. So cut your dog some slack and give it time. Your dog will master the basics and then move on to more advanced training.   Image credit   Not Rewarding Your Dog for Trying Positive reinforcement is the key to success when training your dog. As the owner, you will need to recognize when your dog is trying hard to please you and understand what you want. Rewarding your dog for trying to do what you ask is one of the best ways to get results.    Keep an assortment of treats with you as you train your dog, and be ready to provide a reward when your dog understands what you want and attempts to do it. Reward the try, even if the result are not as perfect as you might like. The positive reinforcement you provide will keep your dog motivated and moving forward.   Sending Mixed Messages   This is a big one, especially in big families. Sending mixed messages will derail even the most comprehensive training strategy and could set your dog's progress back weeks or even months.    If you want your dog to stop jumping on people, your friends and family are not doing you any favors if they allow the behavior. Be clear about what you are trying to achieve with your dog, and make sure everyone - family members, friends and visitors - knows to enforce the same level of discipline.    Avoiding these common mistakes is one of the best ways to keep your dog moving forward in its training. Dogs are pack animals, and they seek strong leadership. As the dog owner, you need to be the pack leader, and that means providing consistency and authority as well as love and affection.     

With more and more people choosing inner-city high density living, it’s becoming more common for dogs to be apartment dwellers. Keeping a dog as a pet in an apartment is much different to having a dog in a house. In an apartment there is less room to move and you have to deal with common property such as landings, lifts and perhaps even high balconies. You can’t just open a door, you have to put your dog on a leash and accompany them outside rain, hail or shine. Image credit Apartment building living is not appropriate for really large dog breeds or canines with serious behavioral problems. The following suggestions are five breeds amongst those best suited to living in apartments and townhouses: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Ideal for adults, families with children and elderly people. Prefers indoor living, where it is quiet, with low to medium activity. A daily short walk is recommended.    Image credit Miniature Poodle Ideal for singles, families and elderly people. Its low-shedding coat is an advantage for indoor living. Requires a daily medium-length walk.   Image credit French Bulldog Ideal for adults, families with older children and elderly people. The compact French Bulldog is quiet, with low to medium activity inside and outdoors. Requires a daily short walk.   Image credit Bichon Frise Ideal for adults, families with children and elderly people. The Bichon Frise is small enough to burn off some energy indoors but requires a daily short walk. It is a companion dog and enjoys the indoor life where its low-shedding coat is an advantage.   Pug Ideal for adults, families with children and elderly people. The Pug is a small, quiet dog with low activity levels inside. It is best suited to an indoor life. Requires a daily short walk.   Image credit Regardless of their breed, many types of dogs can live happily in an apartment as long as their needs for exercise and companionship are met. To make sure you and your furry friend stay on good terms with your landlord and/or neighbours: Make sure your apartment building allows dogs as pets and find out if there are there any size or breed restrictions before you move in.   Always carry a plastic bag and clean up after your dog.   Ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise and has a variety of toys and treats to keep them entertained and happy while at home.    Always have your dog on leash when inside the common areas of your apartment building.    

Gone are the days of a simple tennis ball being good enough for Fido, or a feather on a stick enough to capture Puss’s attention. This is the modern age, where technology and animal science are revolutionizing how we play with our dogs and cats.    Here are five new generation pet toys to take your pet into the future! Image credit   FroliCat:    FroliCat manufacture interactive, high-tech toys for cats. They gained popularity initially with their FroliCat Bolt, a laser toy that automatically projects random patterns over the walls, floors and furniture that cats love to pounce on and chase.            Image credit   They soon followed with other inventions that allow cats to play when their owners are busy. FroliCat Flik is a yo-yo like robot that throws out a piece of string and then reels it back in. Cats are entranced trying to hunt the yellow string and capture it before it pops back to ‘hide’ in the toy.    Image credit   FroliCat Twitch simulates live prey, bouncing and flicking a teaser toy for cats to hunt and battle. It can be programmed to activate for a single session, or at multiple times throughout the day so your cat can play chasing games when no one is home.    Since their creation, the company has found dog, ferret, rabbit – and even spider – owners have found their pets enjoy the toys as well.    PetCube:  Pet owners often feel guilty leaving their pets at home especially when they pull sad faces and slink around dejectedly when they know they are leaving for the day. PetCube is a recent innovation which allows owners to play, talk to and monitor their pets remotely – all from their smartphone.    Image credit   The device allows a person to watch their pets through a camera, play with them using a low-intensity laser pointer, and talk to them through a speaker all housed in the cube. The PetCube lets the owner’s friends digitally look on and play with the pet as well.    Image credit Nina Ottoson:    Nina Ottoson specialises in creating toys that twist and stretch the minds of pets. Toys like Dog Smart and Dog Brick hide treats beneath bone decorated blocks. Your dog or cat must discover which blocks hide treats, and push them off with their nose and paws for their reward.    Image credit   Dog Tornado is a pet feeding bowl that has five levels that rotate. The dog has to manipulate the levels to locate the areas the owner has chosen to hide treats.   Image credit   Dog Casino Wood is for the brainiac pet. Drawers must be pulled out in different directions to locate the reward.    Image credit   Go-Go Dog Pals:   Often times the owner’s arm gets sore before the dog is tired of playing fetch. Go-Go Dog Pals solves that problem, and lets dogs play to exhaustion while their owner sits relaxed on a park bench. Operated using a long-range remote control, the Go-Go Dog Pal toy zooms over the ground, stimulating your dog’s hunting instincts while giving it great exercise.        Image credit   The casing is made from lightweight, durable material able to withstand excited dog’s teeth. It comes in a variety of patterns which look like various chase-worthy animals, including squirrels, turtles, rabbits and porcupines.    Image credit   Ipad:      For the ultimate futuristic pet plaything, look to Apple’s Ipad. The Friskies Jitterbug app causes creepy crawlies to jump and skitter across the screen for your kitty to bat. Your cat can ‘win’ if it smacks all of the bugs and move to the next level. Cat Toys Lite let your cat hunt a mouse and Cat Fishing allows them to paw at goldfish in a digital pond.    Image credit

There are many rumours about the preferences, behaviors and needs of cats, many of which can be unhelpful. In addition, some of these claims are even dangerous. Here are the top five myths that you should discount when thinking about whether to adopt a cat (or when considering how to take care of a cat you already own). Image credit    1. All cats hate water While it is arguably true that the majority of cats dislike water, some cats truly love swimming. The Turkish Van is one breed of cat that is particularly famous for liking baths or pools, but a cat of any breed may turn out to like spending time in water. Even cats that don't enjoy swimming may like to play with water by dipping a paw into a running stream of water.      2. Cats need to drink milk The stereotypical picture of a cat involves a full bowl of milk that is available on a daily basis, but it is vital to be aware of the fact that many cats are lactose intolerant. If a lactose intolerant cat drinks milk, the cat's body will be unable to process the milk and could end up suffering from bouts of vomiting or diarrhea. Instead, make sure that your cat has constant access to fresh water.      3. Declawing your cat is a smart choice Almost all vets now tell their customers that they do not recommend declawing cats, as the practice is cruel. During the procedure, the first joint of every toe is amputated, and many cats experience both chronic pain and trust problems after losing their claws. Regularly clipping the claws is a much more humane alternative, but there are also caps that can be placed over the claws to prevent them from damaging furniture.   Image credit    4. Cats are not sociable creatures This myth can discourage people who want an affectionate pet from choosing to adopt a cat. The other side of the coin is that those who want an independent pet can end up with an unhappy cat who deeply craves more social interaction. The level of affection displayed by cats will vary between breeds and depends on early socialization, but cats can be very loving creatures. Many of them enjoy cuddling in bed, sleeping on a lap or watching you while you do household chores. If that sounds appealing, breeds like the Siamese, Burmese, Tonkinese and Persian might make an ideal pet for you.     5. Cats must be allowed outdoors Don't simply choose to let your cat go outside because you think it is cruel to keep the pet indoors. There are many dangers lurking, ranging from speeding drivers to people who might steal the cat. While some cats do seem to need an outdoor life, it is always best to try keeping the pet indoors first in order to see if this environment is acceptable. Indoor cats can live very happy, full lives as long as they have plenty of toys and lots of places to sleep.   Image credit