Risky Mistakes Pet Owners Make Part 2

Misreading Body Language

Wagging tail may be a warning

You love your dog and you care deeply for him but do you really understand him? Most of us think a wagging tail is a good sign. He may hold his tail high and wave it stiffly back and forth. But did you know that's a sign he wants to threaten someone? You could get bitten if you mistake this for playfulness. Try to learn about pet's body language to avoid misunderstandings.

Providing Too Little Attention

Pets are like children. They will get bored if you don't play with them. Boredom may lead dogs to unlikely behaviors such as digging, chewing, whining and barking.  Cats on the other hand, may resort to scratching and excessive meowing. Help your pet fight boredom by hiding some treats for your pets to find around the house. Teach your dog how to play fetch, hide and seek, or tug of war.

Making Your Cats Share a Litter Box 

Making your cats share one litter box could result to elimination problems. It's as good as saying you're allowing him to poop on the floor. Cats are so picky about their litter box. They may not use it if it smells like other cats or is dirty. Vets recommend providing each cat a litter box plus one extra, spacing out each litter box around your house.

Not Socializing Young Pets

During the first seven weeks of life, kittens and puppies need  to regularly experience positive human interaction. Handling and playing with them will foster trust in humans. Breeders will begin this, and you may continue the process once you take your pet home. Play with your kitten or puppy everyday to build a strong bond with him.

Leaving Young Kids Unsupervised
 

Children simply adore animals, though sometimes this leads to someone getting hurt. Young children oftentimes play it rough and push a cat or dog to strike out in self defense. When a new pet joins the family, ensure supervision during play time to avoid someone getting hurt. Teach your children to recognize the signs when a pet wants to be left alone. Set some rules on how they should treat the cat or dog.

Giving Milk to Cats

Some of us think cats thrive on milk, which is a myth because most cats are lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance means the sugars in milk is not properly digested.  This may result to vomiting or diarrhea, although some cats can digest milk without any problems. Most vets recommend skipping the milk since cats don't really need it.

Feeding Cats Only Dry Food

Cats may not drink enough water to stay well hydrated due to having low thirst drive by nature. Feeding them only dry food may put them at risk for urinary tract problems. Some vets recommend canned foods which contain about 78% water, to promote healthy bladder and avoid urinary tract disorders. As for a cat with a history of urinary problem, it is necessary to set him a fluid rich diet.