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pets are family Your guide to the best life with your best friends

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Page 3 and cover images: toddrec.carbonmade.com

A HAPPY PET

ME ANS A HAPPY HOME In this pet guide, you’ll learn how to identify the best dog breed for your family, how to choose a veterinarian, how to introduce your new cat to your dog, how to properly walk your pets and how to care for your aging animals. But don’t worry— we haven’t forgotten about our other pet friends. We’ve also included info on rabbits, ﬁsh, turtles, ferrets and more.

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P RACT ICAL GU IDE TO

Ve t t i n g the vet

CH OOS IN G T HE I DEA L HEA LTH CA R E P L AN FO R YO UR P ET REQUI R ES HONESTY, R ES EAR CH By Marco Buscaglia

hen choosing a veterinarian for your dog, cat, bird, rabbit or any other member of your family that doesn’t ask to borrow the car, you’re probably tempted to type “veterinarian near me” into Google and pick a practice you see listed on the first screen. Sure, using the same approach you might use to find a pizza place that delivers after midnight might work in some cases but when choosing a vet, why use the same strategy you’d use to get the subsequent pepperoni grease stain out of your sweater? Part of being a responsible pet owner means providing your little buddy with the best possible care. That’s why choosing the right veterinarian should require more effort than typing a few words into a search engine. In fact, if you want to find the best veterinarian, you’ll have to do a little homework—and it’s OK to use the internet for that.

Be honest with yourself

The right vet matters

Before you even begin your search, the most important factor in choosing an appropriate vet is being honest about what you want, what you need and what you can afford. Your income or pet budget doesn’t define the amount of love you have for your new dog so don’t beat yourself up if you can’t afford the vet who is the talk of your puppy’s play group. Veterinarians, like their humantreating counterparts, offer a wide range of services at various costs, which may not reflect the quality of their care. Knowing what’s best for your pet is just one factor in knowing what’s best for your family. A household budget may not have the extra dollars for the vet whose client list includes the labradoodle of “that guy from the Denver Broncos.” That’s fine, because there’s a good chance that the vet who sees the boxer of “that guy across the street” may be just as—if not more—competent.

When you begin the search process, it’s important to understand how a good vet will serve your pet’s basic and potential needs. Here are six factors to consider: • Initial assessment: Bring your animal to the vet within the first 72 hours after they join the family. The vet will give your pet the appropriate vaccinations, set the baseline for their health and fill you in on any special needs your pet may have. You should know whether they offer services beyond the basics and who they recommend when specialists are needed. Bedside manner counts for those check-ups so it’s OK to ask questions that apply specifically to your pet: Do you treat older amphibians? Do you muzzle every dog you examine? Are you seeing any other Norwegian Forest cats? Who are the specialists in your network? By asking the right questions, you’ll be less likely to be surprised by certain policies or procedures later.

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• Diagnosing your pet: One of the most important elements of your vet’s job will be identifying and treating your pet’s potential illnesses. You’ll want to make sure your vet has enough knowledge of and experience with the diseases that could affect your animal, but also the basic equipment to diagnosis those diseases should they occur. • Sharing information: While this seems simple, it’s not always a given. Let’s say you’re an active dog owner, it’s likely your dog will see local groomers, interact with dog walkers and spend time at nearby extended care facilities who will want to see your dog’s records. Your vet should be willing to share information about your dog’s vaccinations, his or her general health and whatever other information might be essential to other service providers in your dog-care network. • Treating long-term health issues: Pets who have serious illnesses or sustained major injuries can still live long, productive lives if given proper treatment. Make sure your vet has solid, longterm options for you and your pet. • Emergency options: Having a good vet is important but what do you do when your Guinea pig starts violently shaking at two in the morning? Does the practice offer emergency services or will they refer you to a local 24-hour practice? Either way is acceptable but be sure you know the appropriate contact information and potential cost for late-night care.

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• Euthanization services: Most vets have longterm relationships with the pets they see and their respective owners. Putting a longtime pet down is always difficult so you want to find a vet who will be compassionate but realistic about possible options when the quality of your pet’s life begins to take a downward turn.

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In many ways, choosing the right vet is like choosing the right mechanic. Just because the guys at Big Joe’s Auto Repair say they’ll fix your ignition for $600, you still check with Fat Sam’s, who will do it for $250. But wait, the mechanics at Tall Suzy’s seem incredibly trustworthy. They tell you they’ll fix it for $400 and guarantee their work for 24 months. If you go through that process for your car, you should take a similar approach when choosing a veterinarian. Remember, you’re actually choosing a health care network for your pet. Since she’ll have no choice but to trust your judgment, you’ll want to put a little work in determining who gets to help her live a happy, healthy life.

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PETS

BY THE NUMBERS

2 3 16 30 32 43 400 1,000 1,500

As in twice as large, which is how big a hamster’s head can appear when their cheek pouches—or evaginations of the oral mucosa—are stuffed with food so they can store it or move it to different areas of their habitat. Three dogs—two Pomeranians and a Pekingese— survived the Titanic sinking, according to historian J. Joseph Edgette. Cats can sleep up to 16 hours a day. An iguana can hold its breath for 30 minutes.

Cats have 32 muscles in each ear. Tish, a goldfish in England, goldfish died in 1999 at the age of 43, the oldest age ever recorded for a pet goldfish not living in the wild. A bird’s heart beats 400 times per minute when they’re resting. Dogs can learn to understand 1,000 words or more.

There are 1,500 species of geckos.

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TO O T H O R DA R E ?

Your dog’s teeth—and breath—could use some TLC

ou may have built up a tolerance to your dog’s breath but that doesn’t mean those offensive odors coming from his mouth should be ignored. Brushing your dog’s teeth may offer some temporary relief from his breath but that breath can be the result of an abscessed tooth, excessive plaque or other problems if an infection spreads to the dog’s bloodstream. In some cases, plaque can ultimately cause damage to your dog’s liver and heart. And if

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you notice your dog is losing weight, check his mouth. Your dog may find it too painful to eat with broken teeth and sore gums. Also, it’s important to remember that those tasty snacks that promise they’ll keep your dog’s teeth clean aren’t all that effective. If you really want to clean your dog’s teeth—unless your dog is on the older end of the age spectrum—you’ll have to break out the toothbrush.

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Buy an enzymatic toothpaste that contains glucose oxidase, an antibacterial agent which will fight tartar and plaque, and find a toothbrush specifically for dogs, which have longer handles and smaller, softer bristle. If you’re new to the brushing process, begin with your fingers instead of

a toothbrush, if necessary, and after applying toothpaste, gently work your way toward the back of your dog’s mouth, brushing or rubbing each tooth. You’ll be finished in less than 30 seconds so it shouldn’t be difficult to brush your dog’s teeth every day.

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Wa lkin ’ t h e wal k THE RIGHT PET CA N OFFER EXERCI SE AND SOCI A L ENGAGEMENT

By Marco Buscaglia

racy Fisher says she gets a “big kick” out of watching some of her neighbors walk their dogs along Chicago’s Lakefront. “There are guys who will literally slow down in front of every girl they see so they can use their dog to get a little extra attention,” says Fisher, 58. “It’s kind of like if you don’t have a nice car that you use to impress girls, you get a cute dog.” Still, Fisher acknowledges that she and her husband both use their own dog to interact with others. “We probably do it differently,” she says. “I mean, I don’t stop and pet my dog in front of a group of guys who are sitting on a bench or anything. That would be weird. But when you walk your dog, you interact with other dog owners and other people who are either at the park or on the path. It’s nice, actually. It’s like a community within a community.” Sure, dog walkers are fairly common. But what about walking a cat?

Of course, says Angela Fromm, 37, and a resident of Cape Coral, Florida. “I usually do it in the evening when the sun’s setting and it’s cooled off a little,” Fromm says. “I worry about her little paws on the hot cement during the day but even after seven or so, we mostly stay on the grass.” Fromm says her cat, named Snowball—“Yes, I get the irony,” Fromm says. “But she’s named after Lisa Simpson’s cat. It has nothing to do with the weather.”—likes rolling around in the grass and stretching out on the patio. But that doesn’t mean Fromm gives her free reign. “Oh, no,” Fromm says. “She’s alway on a leash. If not, she’ll go running up a tree or she’ll follow a lizard out onto the street.” Fromm realized that Snowball, always an indoor cat, loved the outdoors when she’d join Fromm and her husband in the lanai. “She would get as close to the screen as possible and sleep there,” Fromm says. “I talked to my vet about it and he gave me some pointers and we took her outside.”

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‘Feels more complete’ Fisher says she and her husband raised three children in the Chicago suburb of Libertyville and then moved back into the city three years ago when their youngest son graduated from college and took a job in St. Louis. “We’d always planned on moving out of our house after our kids were gone,” she says. “Would you want to be empty nesters in a big house. We wanted to downsize and move somewhere more walkable.” Fisher said after moving into the new digs, she felt like there was still something missing. “We had to put our previous dog down about three weeks before we moved. And we really didn’t plan on getting a new dog but we talked things over and ended up adopting a three-year-old Sheltie named Charlie,” says Fisher. “He’s been a godsend for us. It’s just nice to have someone else at home to care for and offer you that companionship. Charlie is our glue. With him, our city family feels more complete.”

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Fisher admits that yes, Charlie could be a substitute for her children but she’s OK with that. “Look, we raised three kids and our house was always chaotic. When everyone leaves and you’re faced with each other and silence, it’s nice to have a dog to interact with and a dog to take care of,” she says. “And I love taking him for walks in the city. We can walk on busy sidewalks, we can walk through beautiful parks and best of all, we can walk along Lake Michigan.”

Benefits abound Both Fisher and Fromm agree that having pets has kept them more active.

“I’ve always wondered why more people don’t get a dog when they get older or why senior facilities don’t have in-house dogs that can roam among the residents,” says Erin Blount, a New York-based social worker. “Something as simple as petting a dog or cat can really offer assurance. And taking animals for a walk or playing with them inside is great for the body, mind and spirit. It’s a comforting feeling for people, especially those who are lonely or going through a significant change in their lives or living arrangements.” Blount says she’s seen those benefits firsthand. “My mother is 62, which isn’t old by any definition, but she can be pretty

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inactive,” she says. “She watched a friend’s dog for three weeks this spring and she felt rejuvenated. She took him for walks in the morning and after work. It gave her a reason to exercise and she didn’t have to give it much thought.” Blount says that when her mother’s friend returned to reclaim the dog, she immediately went to a nearby shelter and adopted a nine-year-old border collie. “They are adorable together,” Blount says. “The dog’s name is Babe and my mom’s texts are now all ‘Babe and I went to the store’ and ‘Babe and I followed an ice cream truck today for 20 minutes.’ It’s adorable.”

On the cat wa lk WITH WO R K AN D PAT I E N CE , YOU M I G HT BE A BL E TO TAK E YO U R FE L I N E FR I E N D FOR A STROL L

By Marco Buscaglia

hy should dogs have all the fun? After all, you’d like to take your cat out for an occasional walk to the park or around the neighborhood, but is it even possible? According to the Anti-Cruelty Society, it’s possible to train a cat to go for walks but it’s going to take some preperation and patience. The first thing is to make sure you use equipment that is specifically designed for cats. So forget about the small dog harness you used for your chihuahua and purchase a well-fitted cat harness instead. And the leash should be nylon or cloth, not a chain leash or one with an extendale lead. Here’s the Anti-Cruelty Society’s five-step process to teaching your cat to go on a walk:

1: Get your cat used to wearing the harness indoors

Place the harness on your cat without the leash attached. Give him a treat or two with the harness on, then slowly take the harness off. Only give treats when the harness is on; do not give treats when the harness is off. Repeat this process while gradually increasing the amount of time your cat wears the harness.

2. Begin walking with your cat on the leash indoors

After your cat is comfortable with the harness, attach the leash. Begin by allowing your cat to walk around as you follow with the leash loose. After a short time, remove the harness and leash and repeat this process for a few days until your cat is relaxed and freely walking.

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3: Get your cat used to tension from the leash while inside

Under your supervision, allow your cat to drag the leash behind her while freely moving around your home. This will allow your cat to get comfortable with a little bit of leash tension. Always make sure to supervise this and never leave a leash or harness on an unsupervised cat.

4: Walk your cat indoors

Put on the harness and leash and follow your cat as in Step 2. After the cat has walked a bit, gently try to lead your cat in another direction. Use treats either dropped on the floor or held in your fingers to lure your cat and then reward for moving if you need to. Reward your cat with praise and treats if he walks on his own, too.

5: Go outside

On a dry, temperate day, start by walking your cat to the door, opening the door and encouraging him to go outside. To help with this, toss a treat one foot outside the door to lure your cat. If your cat is frightened or hesitant, do not force him to go out. Instead, stop for the day and try again later. Make sure to bring treats for your cat when walking outside. Keep the time spent outside to a few lovely minutes. When it comes to training, it is far better to end on a positive note than a negative one.

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Paws an d e f f ec t A DI SC IP LIN ED DOG MA K ES WA L KS S O MU C H EASIE R

By Marco Buscaglia

• Take a pass on the extendable leash: “They might seem like they give your dog more room to roam but really, they take away your control,” she says. “You can’t pull back on a 20-foot leash if something happens. A nine-foot leash is best because you can control your dog while your dog still feels independent.”

or novice owners, walking a dog can be intimidating, especially if they head out to crowded parks and trails. But a take-charge approach can simplify those journeys, says Jill Showalter, owner of Yuppie Puppy and Doggie Day Play in Oak Park, Illinois. “It’s really about establishing patterns and making your dog comfortable, but don’t give your dog complete control,” she says. “If you want to enjoy your walks, your dog needs to work with you, not against you.” Showalter offers a few suggestions:

• Teach your dog to heel: “He should walk alongside you with his shoulders at your legs,” Showalter says. “Try it out in your yard and up and down your block. It may seem obvious but it’s a trained behavior and it will pay off for years.”

• Pick up your dog’s poop: “Under no circumstances is it acceptable to leave your dog’s poop on a neighbor’s lawn, the baseball diamond at the park or in the middle of the sidewalk—yes, the sidewalk,” says Showalter. “Before we curse the canine contingency, let’s point a finger at their caretakers. Dogs eat. Then they go to the bathroom. And dogs on walks seem to go more frequently. Maybe it’s the fresh air. Maybe it’s the extra exercise. Regardless, they’ll need to go, so the No. 1 rule of walking your dog? Be prepared for their No. 2.”

• Don’t make assumptions about other dogs: If you feel like your dog isn’t ready to socialize, too old to make new friends or in a particularly cantankerous mood, you have every right to say so. If a dog infringes on your dog’s space in an overly aggressive manner, pull your dog’s leash in tight and let the other dog’s owner know that your dog isn’t in the meet-and-greet mood.

• Manage the extremes: If it’s too hot for you, it’s likely too hot for your dog. Make sure you monitor your dog’s behavior on especially hot days and take breaks when appropriate. It’s a good bet your dog will enjoy a 15-minute pause under the shade of a tree just as much as you enjoy it.

• Trust your—and your dog’s—instincts: Is the hair on her neck standing up? Is he entering his low-growl mode? You know your dog better than anyone so react to his or her outward signs of annoyance. “Watch her behavior around other people and other dogs and react to any outward signs of annoyance or aggression,” Showalter says.

• Put your dog on a leash: “The sidewalk on your block or the path through the park aren’t the places for a freewalking dog,” says Showalter. “You’re just asking for conflicts with neighbors or other dog owners since you don’t know when your dog is just going to take off running after a squirrel or encounter a dog who isn’t as friendly as the owner claims.”

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FERRETS …

… make wonderful pets for owners in the right situation ‘Come here, you little weasel!’

Don’t worry, no one’s coming for your lunch money. In fact, if you hear the above phrase coming from one of your neighbors, there’s a good chance that they’re the neighbor with the ferret. After all, ferrets belong to the weasel family. But far from being a pest, they’re pretty adorable. Plus, they can have large personalities. They’re active, playful, affectionate and incredibly social. Iggy, a four-year-old ferret who lives with Jane Dylan in Madison, Wisconsin, loves when Dylan’s friends from school come over. “He won’t be more than five feet from us if we’re watching a movie or eating or drinking,” says Dylan. “My friends think he’s adorable.” Dylan brought Iggy with her to her apartment near the University of Wisconsin at the start of her senior year. Two years later, they’re still in the same apartment, only now Dylan is working. Iggy? “He doesn’t do much,” she says. “I have a roommate who is home during the day and she keeps an eye on him.” Dylan says she had no idea Iggy would be so playful. She also didn’t know he’d be so much work. “Ferrets are high maintenance,” she says. “I knew that to an extent

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when I took him home during Covid but it’s a lot of work.” Dylan says between keeping Iggy active, frequently cleaning his cage and tracking down his special diet, she can be exhausted by the end of the day. “And I’m sitting at a desk all day so when I come home, I’m tired but I’m still pretty fresh,” she says. “But at night, I sleep like a rock.” Iggy sleeps in a cage but Dylan says her vet advised her to not leave him in a cage too long. “He has to walk around the apartment,” she says. “He has to explore.” And all that apartment walking can lead to some misbehaving. “He knocks plants over if I’m not watching him but that’s nothing,” Dylan says. Dylan says Iggy occasionally gets a little aggressive so she says people with young children should proceed with caution. “He still tests me,” Dylan says. “But he’s adorable and I wouldn’t give him up for anything.”

Fun fact

Ferrets were popular in the United States in the late 1800s but not as pets. In Western states, ferrets helped protect grain from rodents. They didn’t become popular pets until the 1980s.

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Rohan Chang on Unsplash

All the toys are mine!

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Thera the ferret enjoyed enjoyed some time in the spotlight this year after a video of him reacting to an avalanche of toys went viral on TikTok and YouTube.

N e aring t h e e nd

OWN ERS FACE DI FFI CULT DECI S I O N S WHEN PET’S FATE I S I NEVI TA B L E By Marco Buscaglia

t’s almost overwhelming when you consider the joy a pet can bring into our lives in a brief amount of time. Depending on when you first bring that dog, cat, Guinea pig or hamster into your home, you’ll probably spend several years—and more— with a companion who will be with you through the good and bad, a loyal family member who will provide love and stability as you go through the paces of everyday life. Like humans, pets can’t live forever, but unlike humans, they can’t tell you when they no longer wish for medical care that may prolong a life well-lived, especially if medical care also means prolonged pain. Instead, they rely on you, the responsible pet owner, to see to it that they’re able to enjoy a comfortable existence. Sometimes, that means you’ll have to make difficult decisions knowing that certain actions may bring your pet peace, but they’ll ultimately bring you sadness. When you’re faced with understandably difficult decisions that come with an aging animal, here are three factors to consider:

Pain and discomfort

Our pets may act nobly when they’re feeling pain but their ability to quietly deal with physical discomfort doesn’t mean it’s OK. This is especially true when our

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in-home pets are no longer able to act on some of their basic needs without assistance. You may think you’re doing your dog a favor by carrying him up and down the stairs or helping your cat out by hand-feeding her every day but if their physical nature has worsened to the point where they’re no longer able to do the simplest of functions, are you actually helping, or are you taking away their independence and, to an extent, their dignity? Despite your intentions, you no longer may be giving your beloved pets the life that they necessarily desire.

Personal feelings

An obvious but often unspoken reason people allow their pets to live out their days in discomfort may be that the owner isn’t ready to give up that part of his life. Many pet owners depend on their pets for support and comfort, which makes it easier for them justify their decisions to keep their pets alive, even when that pet may be living in pain. It’s a difficult decision to give up what may be the most consistent part of your life but filling a personal void by avoiding an inevitable event shouldn’t be used to justify your pet’s unnecessary pain. After all, she’s counted on you for years to see that she’s properly fed, walked and given proper care. That responsibility never ends, even when decisions that fulfill your role as a pet owner are incredibly painful to make.

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Cost and time

Pet owners often have stories about feeling guilty about not being able to provide the recommended care for their pets as they enter the final stage of their lives, but your pet is your responsibility, meaning you’re the only one who knows what is and isn’t doable in regards to time and money. If your vet suggests a treatment plan that will cost thousands of dollars and may only keep your 13-year-old dog alive for less than a year, there’s no need to feel guilty about questioning that decision and considering other options. Decisions about your pets have to factor in the other financial responsibilities in your life. There’s no shame in being unable to afford high-cost treatment plans that may only numb an animal’s discomfort or briefly prolong their eventual demise. Those are personal decisions. You can certainly talk about them with family members and friends but no one has the right to make you feel guilty about the decisions you make that are best for you and your family.

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OLD ER P ETS MAY NEED EXTR A ATTE N TI O N By Marco Buscaglia

ost senior animals can live a happy, peaceful life. Like aging adults who need a second handrail on the stairs, senior dogs and cats can benefit from a few small changes around the house to keep them comfortable. Before you go out and replace all your stairs with ramps, observe your pet for a few days and make appropriate changes. For example:

• If your cat no longer sleeps in your room and instead opts for the couch in the living room, make her new resting place as comfortable as possible by bringing her favorite blanket and toys. If you fall asleep to music or the TV each night, your cat does, too. Re-create the bedroom atmosphere in her new sleeping quarters. • If your dog is making the occasional accident in the basement a daily occurrence, help him out by taking him on more frequent walks or increasing the number of times you let him out into the yard. • Your pet’s teeth may bother her more as she gets older. If she’s leaving half of her food in her dish, consider switching to a softer form of food so eating doesn’t become a painful experience. • Pay attention to their appearance. For example, if an older dog is taking fewer walks, there’s a good chance they’re no longer getting that daily pedicure from the rough sidewalks they usually walk on. You may need to trim those nails more often. Longer claws can get stuck in carpet or bedding. Be proactive. • Be patient. Your pet knows he’s getting old—or at least he knows his body isn’t working like before. At times he’s confused and frustrated by his inability to do the things that were once part of his normal routine. Show a little patience and return that unconditional love as he ages.

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1 0 TIPS TO AT T R ACT M O R E

WIL D LIF E TO YO U R L AND T HEY’RE NOT EXACTLY PETS, BUT … 2. Create food plots

BrandPoint

an’t wait to go hunting or fishing on your back 40? Or maybe you just love watching wildlife in the backyard through your kitchen window? If you want to attract more deer, wild turkey, quail, fox or other wildlife, there are a number of things you can do to make your land more attractive. Whether you own a hobby farm, a ranch or a few acres of land that you’d like to keep wild, according to the yardcare experts at Toro, manufacturer of the high-quality, reliable zero turn mowers built to mow big acreage, the key to attracting more wildlife to your property is to better understand the wildlife you want to attract and their habitat needs, which includes a consistent food supply, clean water and places to hide from predators or to nest. In other words, leaving your land wild is not enough. Follow these 10 tips from the folks at Toro to make your land more inviting for deer, birds and fish.

1. Cultivate buffer zones near water sources

Clean drinking water is essential to wildlife of all types. If there’s a stream, pond or lake that connects with your property, create buffer areas where you allow grasses, weeds, shrubs and trees to grow wild. Buffer areas reduce run-off from your yard, including lawn chemicals, mud, lawn clippings, etc., from entering the water, which can pollute water sources and accelerate algae growth.

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To attract more deer and other wildlife to your land, consider dedicating a portion of your land to planting food that wildlife like to eat, such as corn, soybeans, clover, alfalfa, grains and even pumpkins. Don’t forget to remove rocks and debris from your food plots, which can potentially damage a mower’s blades.

3. Create an access trail

Animals, like humans, can have difficulty navigating thick undergrowth and woody areas. To make it easier for wildlife, such as deer, turkey, bear and other creatures, to move around, clear a trail for them near habitat that also allows them to hide quickly should a predator be close by. If your land is fenced in, consider creating spots within the fence that allow certain types of wildlife to enter.

4. Mowing for a better wildlife habitat

First, check with your local municipality about ordinances regarding mowing requirements and the management of weeds. For wildlife-friendly yards, maintain a grass height of 3 inches. A Toro Titan zero-turn mower can be easily adjusted for precise cutting. For field areas, rotate mowing over a three-to-five-year period to control the growth of native shrubs and tree saplings. Designate blocks of field or meadow or wide strip areas that you won’t mow during the spring and summer when birds and other desirable wildlife are nesting.

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5. Create hiding and nesting spots

Use branches, grass clippings, mulch and other materials to create specific spots on your land where wildlife can hide or nest. Plant shrubs and tall grasses near food plots to provide cover for wildlife. For example, if you need to take down a tree, strategically place the branches into brush piles throughout your property to create hiding and nesting spots. Likewise, fish need protective habitat, too. Where permitted, consider sinking rocks, boulders, logs and discarded Christmas trees in water that is out of the way of boating navigation channels.

6. Bee friendly

Consider not mowing and delay clearing leaves during that transition time between spring and summer when bees are at their most vulnerable as they come out of winter hibernation. In addition, leave fall leaves until it warms up outside. Leaves serve as habitat for salamanders, mice, snakes, worms and small lizards, which wild turkey and other wildlife desire.

7. Have the right tools to do the job

Managing your land to more effectively attract wildlife is a big job that requires the right tools. For taking care of more than an acre of land, use a zeroturn mower that will cut your mow time significantly. Toro also offers a 60-volt line of battery-powered equipment that not only has the power to trim shrubs and trees, but also to work quietly.

Battery-powered tools like Toro’s 60-volt pole saw or chain saw can help you get the job done right.

8. Add bird feeders and bat houses

To attract more songbirds to your property, consider adding bird feeders around your property. Bats are very useful in keeping down mosquitos consider installing bat houses, too.

9. Plant nut and fruit trees

Many types of wildlife rely on the nuts and fruits produced by trees. For example, acorns are a key food source for wild turkey and other wildlife species. And because food plots can take a lot of P E T S A R E FA M I LY

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time, some deer hunters prefer to plant orchards of fruit- and nut-bearing trees, which also provide habitat for birds and squirrels. Consider planting Dunstan chestnut, white oak, apple, pear and persimmon trees.

10. Create patches of gravel, grit and sand

Birds such as wild turkey, pheasants, ruffed grouse and quail need to eat grit (crushed gravel) to help them digest food. Consider creating small patches of grit and sand near food sources and water to attract game birds. To learn more about how to tame your land, visit Toro.com/zeroturn.

Home & away PET-CARE PLA NNI NG A N ESSENTI AL PART O F MAPPI NG OUT YOUR VACATI O N

By Marco Buscaglia

ou’re all set to go on vacation this year, having skillfully avoided the issues that tripped you up in the past—no last-minute prescription refills, no “where’d-I-put-that-passport” searches and no dirty dishes in the sink awaiting your return. And then you remember … the dog. Skip the frantic phone call begging your sister to come spend a week with Fido or to welcome him into her own no-pets-allowed condo while you enjoy your week in the sun. Planning for what you’ll do with your dog—or your cat, hamster, fish, ferret, parakeet or others—during vacation is essentially part of planning your vacation. A few simple reminders will help keep you on track.

Consider this

You’ll need to decide what kind of care your pet requires. Do you want someone to come into your home and walk your dog a few times a day? Do you want someone to spend a few nights at your home with your cat so

she doesn’t feel anxious about being alone? Maybe you’d like to drop your pet off at a friend’s or an overnight pet-care facility. Before you decide, it’s important to consider a few things: Does your pet like being home alone? If you have a dog, is she easily scared by storms or fireworks? Do you feel comfortable knowing that they’ll be no one there at night if she gets lonely or anxious? Can your dog stay home alone if she gets a few visits each day or can your cat handle an every-other-day pop-in from a friend? If so, consider the person who will stop in and care for your pet, whether it’s feeding your fish or talking to your parakeet. Do you trust that person in your home when you’re not there, especially if they’re not a friend or relative? If you use a service, be sure that they run background checks on their service providers. If you’re going to hire a pet-sitter based on a recommendation of a family member or friend, it’s completely acceptable to ask that person to undergo a background check. You can use several online sites for the service at

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a nominal cost. If a person refuses to undergo a background check, there’s may be a chance that’s not someone you want staying your home when you’re 3,000 miles away. If you’re going to board your dog, an obvious question to consider is how your dog interacts with other dogs. It’s important to realize that not all interactions are indicative of what a dog is like when he or she enters a daycare facility. Dogs that maniacally bark at anyone who walks past the front of your house or dogs that lunge forward when they see another dog during a walk aren’t automatically on the “do-not-invite” list when it comes to dog-care facilities. Think about the restrictions your dog is on when he’s at home and sees an unfamiliar person walking near the house. Same with the leash. The best dog-care facilities take those restrictions away and place your dog in a social environment. A dog daycare facility isn’t a come-one, come-all setting with no supervision. The best include a fully trained staff that puts your dog in the best situation possible. Will there be staff on hand 24 hours a

day? It’s naive to think that things won’t happen after hours. For your own peace of mind and for the safety of your dog, you’ll want to be sure there’s someone on staff who can call for help or bring a dog to the veterinarian. Try a test run. If someone’s coming over to feed your cat, have them stop by a couple of times so your pet at least recognizes their scent when they show up when you’re not there. If you’re using a overnight facility or a friend’s house when you’re gone, It’s always good practice to let your pet warm up to a future temporary environment by scheduling a half-day visit or even an overnight stay before you head off on vacation. Not only does it give your favorite animal a chance to experience some time in a different setting away from you, it also gives your friend or the staff a chance to interact with them and learn more about their new guest before that lengthier visit. Bring what they need. When dropping off your pet, cover the basics: food, medication, and an emergency contact number for you and your vet. It’s also important to bring the things that will help your pet relax in this new environment. People with dogs should bring their bed, toys and maybe an article of clothing from a family member—the scent could provide some security and assurance. If your cats staying with a friend, an article of clothing is helpful, as are a few toys they enjoy playing with at home.

Share information. Let your pet’s caretaker know if they enjoy sleeping during the day, become aggressive when someone enters a room or won’t exit a space unless prompted, even if their path is wide open. It’s also important to remember

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that animals living together in new spaces can bring its own set of challenges so if your dog or cat’s staying with a friend, make sure their animals will make them feel welcome as well. OK, maybe not welcome; tolerated might be good enough.

Canines at the cubicle 1 0 T HI NGS TO KEEP I N MI ND I F YO U’RE B R I NGI NG YOU R DOG TO WO R K

By Marco Buscaglia

hile most employees know that it’s not exactly an open invitation to bring Fido, more companies were beginning to loosen the rules for pets at work a few years ago. After Covid, when employers were doing all they could to lure people back to the office, those rules became even more fluid. But it’s important that employees aren’t bringing their dogs to work unless they’ve covered their bases first. While most companies are explicit about other policies, they usually assume their coworkers know what should be covered. “Dog policies are pretty intuitive,” says Hannah Walsh, a Chicago-based dog owner who brings her seven-year-old border collie with her to work at one of the city’s shared workspace locations. “You either do the right thing or you don’t. And when you don’t, companies don’t adjust the rules or send out information, they just cancel the perk.” Unless you want to be responsible for rescinding your company’s dogs-at-work policy, follow these tips before you decide to bring your best buddy to work: Make sure your dog has all of his or her shots. This is a no-brainer. Anytime you bring your dog to a dog park or a friend’s house, other people assume your dog is properly vaccinated.

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Be sure your dog has the correct disposition for a day in the office. If you have an angry animal at home, there’s really no reason to think that mood will change once he or she is surrounded by the comforting buzz of copy machines and keyboard strokes. Be smart. If a dog doesn’t like other people, don’t bring him or her to work. Know your dog’s limitations. If your dog doesn’t like men or has a problem with grabbing food off the counter— or desks—they shouldn’t accompany you on the job. The same goes for people in uniform. I once worked in an office that allowed dogs and watched a nearby friendly golden retriever go into an all-out sprint when he saw the FedEx guy coming to pick up the afternoon deliveries. Quiet dogs make for the best co-workers. If your dog likes to bark at shadows or unseen figures, it might be annoyingly cute at home but it’s just annoying in the office. Think of those neighbors who let their dogs out at 5 a.m. every Saturday just so the dog can bark at every passing car and local jogger. Barking dogs should be left at home. Place your puppy’s water bowl under your desk or behind a file cabinet. Your co-workers shouldn’t kick it over every time they come by your desk.

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Beware of the overly friendly dog. And by overly friendly, we don’t mean the kind of dog who licks the outstretched hand. We’re talking about that dog that makes a beeline for your co-workers leg and goes to town until you need a firehose to pry him loose. And remember, there’s nothing cute about a dog in heat at the office. It’s gross actually. You should know if your dog is in a particularly amorous mood or if that particular mood is just part of his or her day-to-day disposition. If either is the case, just leave him back at the base. Bring some extra treats for other dogs in the office but don’t offer them anything without checking with their owners. Some people have their dogs on diets that would make even the most hardcore vegans roll their eyes so check first. Unless you work on a ranch, make sure your dog has a collar and a leash. Don’t assume all of your coworkers want to spend time with your dog. Not all of them will appreciate your four-legged friend but they’ll tolerate it as long as it’s not jumping on their lap. Be aware of the calendar. If something bad is going to happen on a certain day, it’s probably a good idea to leave the dog at home. Know your dog’s schedule. Unless you’re putting a diaper on that dog, you’ll need to be aware of their digestive daybreaks and plan accordingly.

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Fancy feast 3 G O U R M ET R ECIP ES YOU CAN MAK E FO R PO O C HY

SHERRY’S DOG BISCUITS

TEDDY’S CHICKEN RICE

• 4 eggs, divided • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • 1 tablespoon honey • 1 cup chicken broth • 2 1/4 cups (10 ounces) whole wheat flour • 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons (5 ounces) allpurpose flour • About 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (3 ounces) cornmeal • 1 cup peanut butter

• 1 cup jasmine rice (rinsed with cold water until water runs clear) • 1 1/2 cups water • About 1/2 ounce ginger, peeled and sliced thick so that you can easily remove it later (ginger gives the rice a nice aroma and is great for a dog’s digestive system)

Cooking/prep time: 50 minutes Makes: 3 dozen 3-inch cookies

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together two eggs, the oil and honey. Whisk in the chicken broth. 2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour and cornmeal. With the mixer on medium speed, slowly pour in the chicken broth mixture, then add the peanut butter. Mix until the dough comes together, about 1 minute. 3. Divide the dough in half. Roll out each ball of dough approximately 1/2-inch thick. Cut into desired shapes using small (3- to 4-inch) cookie cutters. Place on baking sheets sprayed with cooking oil. 4. Whisk the remaining two eggs, and brush the egg wash lightly over the cookies. Allow to dry for 10 minutes, and brush with the egg wash a second time (the second wash is optional but gives the cookies a darker brown color). Bake until firm and a rich golden brown, about 30 minutes, rotating halfway for even baking. Baking time will vary depending on size of cookies.

Cooking/prep time: 1 hour Makes: Scant quart chicken rice

To cook rice: In a saucepan, combine the rice, water and ginger. Cook over high heat just until the water comes to a boil. Stir the rice, cover with a lid and reduce the heat to a very low simmer. Cook for 15 minutes (do not remove the lid or stir), then remove from heat and set aside to rest for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice and remove the ginger. This makes a generous pint of rice; cover and chill until needed. • 1 boneless chicken breast To cook chicken: In a small saucepan, add the chicken breast and enough water to cover chicken by 2 inches. Cook over high heat until the water comes to a simmer. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer, and continue cooking until the chicken is cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain the chicken and refrigerate until chilled. The dish: Tear cooked, cooled chicken into bite-sized pieces, then mix with cooked rice.

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TURKEY AND WHOLE WHEAT MACARONI Cooking/prep time: 45 minutes Makes: About 6 pounds

• 2 1/2 pounds ground turkey (20 percent fat) • 1 1/4 ounces turkey or chicken liver • 2 1/2 ounces carrots, finely chopped • 2 1/2 ounces zucchini, finely chopped • 2 1/2 ounces broccoli, finely chopped • 1 1/4 ounces cranberries, fresh or frozen • 1 1/4 pound whole wheat macaroni • 2 1/2 teaspoons omega plus fish oil supplement • 4 teaspoons Just Food for Dogs Turkey and Whole Wheat Macaroni DIY Proprietary Nutrient Blend 1. In a nonstick skillet, brown the ground turkey and turkey or chicken liver over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Add the carrots, zucchini, broccoli and cranberries while the turkey is still slightly pink. Continue to cook until the turkey is fully cooked and the vegetables are soft. Do not drain. Set the mixture aside until it is cool to the touch. 2. Meanwhile, cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Set aside to cool. 3. In a large bowl, combine the turkey mixture with the macaroni, along with the oil supplement. Slowly sprinkle in the nutrient powder blend until fully incorporated. Portion into individual serving sizes and refrigerate or freeze. The product will keep, refrigerated, up to six days.

FIRST THE CONE OF SHAME — NOW THE HIDDEN-PILL TRICK? Here’s advice if you find yourself having to care for a dog recuperating from surgery. The wearing of an Elizabethan (aka “Cone of Shame”) collar to prevent licking and chewing, and daily doses of a variety of medications may necessitate a few tricks. Advice: For some dogs, medicating them can become a game of sniff-out-thepill-in-the-cookie. Once they figure out that there may be a pill lurking in the goodie, they tend to deconstruct every cookie offered, and it becomes increasingly difficult to hide the pill. But there is a nearly sure-fire way to get around this: Use your dog’s tendency to be a greedy little cookie pig to your advantage. Select a type of goodie that your dog really enjoys, also making sure it is moist and soft. Use string cheese, hot dogs or soft jerky. Carefully conceal a pill in one treat, and then add at least four “unstuffed” treats to the pile. Offer the dog the first treat, allowing him plenty of time to check it for the presence of the pill. When he has decided it’s “clean” and safe to eat, offer him the second treat. As soon as you do, show him the third “loaded” treat and place that one right at his nose. He will likely gulp the second treat in order to grab the third. Then rapidly follow up the third treat with the fourth, so the dog will gulp the pillladen third treat in order to get the fourth, and presto! You have successfully pilled the dog without arousing any suspicion.

Another approach is to utilize other dogs in the house in a competitive manner. You can give a treat to the dogs one at a time, and chances are each dog will be more focused on you and who gets the next cookie over what they are actually swallowing. Everybody wins as long as you’re certain to give the treat with the pill to the right dog! Having the dog wear an Elizabethan, or “cone” collar is a necessary evil, but one must remember that its function is to prevent the dog from licking or chewing when unsupervised. It is impossible for the dog to lick or chew at his incision when walking the neighborhood, so the cone is off, making the walk much more pleasant and stimulating. You can also give him some time without the cone by providing him with a chewing project, but you must be there to supervise. When focus is elsewhere, or you need to leave the dog alone, the cone goes back on. There are numerous cone options available, and many do the job of preventing your dog from licking and chewing while being much less cumbersome than the standard plastic, rigid cone. Kong makes an inflatable tube collar that can be very effective, depending on the area the dog needs to avoid. Another favorite is the Comfy Cone, made of a soft and flexible material; it’s easy to clean and seems to be much less stressful for the dog to wear.

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HAMSTERS… … can provide big fun in small packages

‘Don’t get too attached’

That was Pam Richards’ mom advice to her when she gave her two hamsters when she was in fourth grade. Richards’ mom knew most hamsters only lived a couple of years so she wanted to make sure her daughter loved her two new pets … but just not too much. “I was so excited to get them,” Richards says. “And I didn’t even pay attention to what she was saying. I just loved them.” Richards, now 37 and living outside of Denver, says the hamsters lived longer then her mom expected. “I think one died at three and the other at four,” she says. “But they weren’t best buddies so I don’t think they ever noticed each other after we put them into two different cages.” Like many hamsters, Richards’ pets enjoyed their metime and didn’t necessarily enjoy having a roommate—or in the case, a cagemate. That’s the norm with most hamsters, who enjoy hiding and solitude. But that doesn’t mean they don’t love to play. Most hamster owners like to allow them to roam around the room, provided they block off openings to heating vents and open doors. And despite hamsters enjoying their

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nighttime hours, they’re up for some playtime during the day, especially during the late afternoon. It may seem like hamsters love stuffing their faces with food, and it’s true—only in the literal sense. Hamsters often stuff food in their cheeks to save for later or store it under the bedding in their cage. Once they’ve had their fill, remove their food so it doesn’t go bad— especially if you’re feeding them small bits of fruits and vegetables in addition to their regular food—before their next feeding. According to PetMD.com, hamsters typically keep themselves clean and their cages organized. They don’t require additional bathing with soap and water, unless you’ve been instructed to do so by your vet. And hamster owners should clean their cages once a week to help them maintain a tidy, fresh home.

Fun fact

The hamster’s gestation cycle is one of the shortest in the mammalian class—only 16 to 30 days. If birth conditions aren’t right, hamsters can choose to put off giving birth for up to nine days. And once a hamster gives birth, it can get pregnant again that day.

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Ricky Kharawala on Unsplash

Top 5 songs about hamsters

Sure, “The Hamster Dance Song” from 2000 is probably still burned into your brain but Spinditty.com rounds out the top five songs about hamsters with several other precious ditties:

1. “The Hamster Dance Song,” Hampton and the Hamsters, 2000 2. “Hamsters,” King Missile, 2003 3. “Attack of the Radioactive Hamster From a Planet Near Mars,” Weird Al Yankovic, 1989 4. “Heavy Metal Hamsters,” Helloween, 1991 5. “Hamster Wheel,” Talib Kweli, 2013

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FISH…

… can provide calm, color for owners Pam Beaumont’s family had a dog when she was growing up outside Nashville, Tennessee, but she admits she never really warmed to “Snuggles,” a pug who, Beaumont claims, “needed a lot of attention.” After she graduated from the University of Kentucky, she moved in with her boyfriend who already owned a cat. “Couldn’t stand it,” she says. “That cat never warmed up to me either. ‘Warmed up’ is being nice. He hated me.” After she and her cat-loving boyfriend broke up, she moved back home, where her mom was now the proud owner of two finches. “Cute, I guess, but so loud,” Beaumont says. “I couldn’t take it. I’d walk around with earplugs.” So when Beaumont moved to St. Louis, Missouri, three years ago, she decided she didn’t want to live with anyone and, even more so, any animals. But then she started talking to her plants. And her TV. And her refrigerator. “I was going a little stir crazy when the pandemic started so I went out and on a whim, bought some fish,” she says. “I probably spent about 300 bucks on a tank, fish, little accessories and I have to admit, I’m a fish person now. I’m all in.”

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Beaumont says she loves watching her fish, asking about their day, telling them about hers. “I know they hear me,” she says. “They swim up to the glass and look. It’s very serene and it makes me happy. And it’s colorful and calming—it’s like built-in zen. To be honest, their silence is part of their appeal.” But fish, as quiet as they might be, still require care. If you’re considering purchasing fish, it helps to start with freshwater fish, like neon tetras, goldfish and mollies before moving on to others. And your local pet store owner should be able to help you choose the right aquarium, food and more but don’t stop there. Tap into their knowledge for the best location, the best feeding approach and more.

Fun fact

Contrary to popular belief, goldfish can remember things for much longer than three seconds. In fact, some scientists believe a goldfish’s memory can go back five months, if not longer

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Zhengtao Tang on Unsplash

Name that fish

Not sure what to name your new finned friend? Here are a few suggestions to help you get started: You could go the cartoon route—Nemo (“Finding Nemo”), Flounder (“The Little Mermain”), Cleo (“Pinocchio”), Mrs. Puff (“SpongeBob SquarePants”)

Or the obvious route—Goldy, Fishy, Swimmer, Squirt. You can also take the prestigious route—Lord McGillacuty (Gill for short), King Neptune, Queen Ann Chovie Or the tough-guy approach—Jaws, Moby Dick, Orca, Hurricane or The Kraken.

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PA R R O T S …

… can be a challenge but also longtime companions

f you’re considering buying a parrot, you’ll need to do your homework. Talk to your vet, breeders and dealers before rushing in and buying a pet that can provide years of fun and friendship but also a large amount of responsibility. You’ll need to consider where you live, who you live with and more before deciding whether a parrot is suitable for you and your family. And if and when you make the decision to move forward, you can begin choosing the type of parrot you’d like. Here’s a quick breakdown of just a few popular parrots—there are many more species. If you are interested in owning a parrot, remember that it’s essential that you learn all you can before bring one home.

African Grey Parrot

The most popular member of the parrot family is often the best talker—although it varies from bird to bird. And while these parrots can be friendly, they can also be difficult. They often pluck their feathers when they’re bored so plan on paying lots of attention to your parrot. And because of their feather dust, they’re not suitable with family members who have asthma or allergies.

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Amazons

These parrots can be quite the characters. They’re often good talkers and can vary in size and color, depending on their species. In many cases, Amazons can be loud and demanding. If you’re not paying attention to them, they can also become very noisy. If you can find the Pionus or Caiques species of Amazon parrots, you may be in luck. They can be more playful and gentle than other members of the species.

Conures

Normally bred in captivity, these South American parrots can make exceptional pets when acquired young; because of their smaller size, they’re good with children.

Lories

Lories can be friendly, playful and engaging pets. And they can pick up a few words as well. Potential owners should know that Lories’ diets consist of artificial nectar and fruit, which can make for messy droppings—in their cage and often on their floor below.

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Catherine Tobsing and Mitch Rezman, of Indiana-based Windy City Parrot, which supplies parrot food, toys, toy material and more, pose with Peaches, their rescue parrot.

These parrots require a bigger time commitment since their cages needed to be cleaned on a consistent basis. Still, for some parrot owners, Lories are the perfect pet.

Meyer’s Parrots

These popular African parrots are smaller and can be seen as less intimidating for homes with children. They are less demanding and less expensive than their larger counterparts, which makes them more suitable for a traditional home or apartment. They can entertain themselves with toys during they day, although they still enjoy interacting with others. Don’t expect a big talker with a Meyer’s parrot, although they may learn a few words.

Fun fact

Parrots are able to use their feet to bring food up to their beak and hold onto it with one foot while they’re eating.

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‘You be good, I love you. See you tomorrow’

Roi Dimor on Unsplash

Those were the final words of Alex, a grey parrot and the subject of a 30-year experiment by animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg at Harvard University and Brandeis University. Alex participated in a three-decade study that helped scientists understand the brain capacity of parrots. He was the focus of Pepperberg’s book, “Alex & Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Uncovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence— and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process.” Pepperberg claimed Alex had the intelligence of a five-year-old child and the emotional level of a two-yearchild when he died at the age of 31 in 2007. Alex’s final words to Pepperberg were the same words he would say to her every night when she left the lab.

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DOGS & CATS, TOGETHER IN HARMONY Carefully consider personality and breed There are certain breeds, such as sight hounds, like the Ibizan Hound, that were originally bred to hunt rabbits. They are most susceptible to trouble with cats because their hunting instincts are triggered by their sense of sight. When small animals move quickly, sight hounds react immediately. Make sure your dog does not have a lot of prey drive before you bring a cat into the picture. Keep them separated for the first few days It’s best to get your new cat acclimated to his new home by having him live in a room with the door closed. Make sure you provide him with a litter box, water and food so the cat does not need to leave the room.

The United States buys the most pet food Japan

After a few days, let your dog in the room with the cat When doing so, leave the door open, and make sure that it is after your pup has exercised, as he will be calmer. If the dog doesn’t behave around the cat, resort to some basic training commands in the presence of the cat. Giving your dog a food reward for appropriate behavior in the presence of the cat will provide an incentive for him to continuing acting appropriately. Always make sure the cat has a way to retreat from the dog Having a safe space that the dog can’t reach but the cat can easily get to, such as a table, is important for precautionary reasons. Until the cat and dog are comfortable with each other, supervise their interactions and continue to provide safe spots to which the cat can escape.

United Kingdom

6.6%

United States

Brazil

% 9.8

Even in times of economic strife, worldwide pet food sales have been steadily growing over time. From a geographical perspective, North America and Europe account for more than half of the world’s pet food sales.

Your dog will know there’s a new scent Let the dog sniff near the door of the room with the cat so he gets used to the smell. You can also let your cat sniff one of your dog’s toys so he becomes familiar with him.

France Germany Russia

5.9% 5% 4.3 3.7 % %

The American Kennel Club offers pet owners tips on the right way to introduce your cat and dog to each other:

Italy All others

% 4 . 28

29%

Source: Nielsen Graphic: TNS

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SNAKES…

… their owners know they’re a unique group Snake owners love what others may loathe, enjoying their time with animals that often have negative connotations. But Richard Pine, owner of Eddie, a 14-foot boa constrictor, says he gets nothing but love and positive vibes from his coldblooded friend. “He’s a great companion but that’s because I know what I’m doing and I’m an adult,” says the 41-year-old cable installer living outside of Houston, Texas. “Eddie’s like a member of my family—and it’s a small family because I’m not married and I don’t have kids.” Pine says he owned smaller snakes when he was younger but decided to purchase his boa constrictor five years ago when he moved to Texas from Arkansas. “I wasn’t at a great place in my life and I felt like more of an introvert than usual so I was looking for a pet but not one I had to that had to be taken for walks or anything,” says Pine. “And really, having a snake has probably made me more social. I’m involved with two reptile clubs and have become part of a great community of boa owners.” Pine admits owning a large snake like Eddie isn’t for the squeamish. “I don’t tell people about the frozen rats in my freezer,” he says. “And I don’t tell them about the live rats I feed Eddie either.” Still, Pine says Eddie is a definite conversation piece when people come over. “I think people are fascinated by what they see,” he says. “When they hear I own a large snake, I

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think they think I’m a freak, but when they see Eddie and how he’s just a normal part of my life, they realize I’m pretty normal.” Before purchasing a snake, prospective owners should weigh the pros and cons—and there are several, according to Animal Magnetism, a petcare agency that serves clients in Southern California. First of all, snakes require special care. Snakes may be low maintenance compared to a dog or a cat but that doesn’t mean they’re easy pets to care for. Although they don’t need to be walked, don’t shed and mostly keep to their cages, you have to be aware of your individual snake’s needs, as they can vary by breed and from snake to snake. Pythons are very different snakes than Corn Snakes. Each snake breed has its own needs and temperament. If you’re looking to get a snake, do your research to find the one that best suits your lifestyle. While snakes seem docile, their habits may not be. And how—and what—some snakes eat certainly isn’t for the squeamish. Some snakes are carnivores, after all. They eat meat, usually whole, and usually live. Also, while snakes may be easy to house, they’re hardcore escape artists so if you’re not careful securing their space, they may decide to check out your home while you’re not paying attention.

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Timothy Dykes on Unsplash

Fun fact

Snakes and other reptiles are cold-blooded but that term may not mean what you think it means. Cold-blooded animals don’t necessarily have cold blood. Instead, their blood’s temperature changes with the temperature where they live.

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5 TIPS TO KEE P YOUR H OM E CLE A N W ITH YOUR FURRY FRI E N DS IN MI N D TH I S S UM M E R

BrandPoint

ummer is a great time for you and your pets to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. However, with people and pets coming in and out of your home more often, you’ll find more dirt and mud tracked into your living space. Also, as the weather warms up, you may find that your four-legged family members are shedding more, making it challenging to keep your furniture and floors clean. While it can seem difficult to keep your home clean, there are some simple ways to stay on top of it. Check out these five tips all pet owners should know to help maintain a clean home during the summer months.

1. Groom your pets

The best way to maintain a clean home with pets is to groom your furry friends regularly. Frequent brushing removes hair and fur that your dog or cat would normally shed onto your clothing, furniture and floors. You can pair this with weekly baths to wash out hair and dandruff, and keep dog fur off your couch and rug. As a bonus, grooming time can double as bonding time with your pets.

2. Invest in the right cleaning products

Not all pet cleaning products are created equal, especially when it comes to removing pet stains and hair from your floor. You’ll want to look for products specifically

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formulated to deal with pet odors and stains. The Bona Pet System — a collection of floor cleaners and sustainably designed tools — simplifies cleaning pet hair and messes on hard-surface floors, including hardwood, stone, tile laminate and vinyl. The line’s multisurface floor cleaners for cats and dogs feature an odor guard technology that eliminates and neutralizes odors from urine, feces, sweaty fur and saliva, and discourages pets from re-marking the previously soiled area.

3. Wipe down your pets after outdoor play

Playing and spending time outdoors keeps your pets active and happy, but your pet may track in dirt and mud. Wipe your dog’s paws, belly and tail down before letting them inside. Keep towels or pet-safe wipes near the door to make this a habit for you and your furry friends.

4. Use microfiber cloths

Microfiber cloths are incredibly effective at picking up pet hair. Because microfiber is electrostatic, it easily picks up pet fur and dander, saving you time and effort. To quickly clean fabrics like couches and clothing, slightly dampen a microfiber cloth and wipe the clothing or furniture item.

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For your floors, look for microfiber mops. Bona’s Pet System includes a microfiber mop and two reusable microfiber pads. Not only will you be able to clean your floors more effectively, but using machine washable and reusable microfiber cloths is also a sustainable way to clean your home.

5. Keep mealtime tidy

If your pets are messy eaters, you know how hard it can be to keep your home clean during meals. To keep water spills and kibble crumbs from getting all over your clean floors, buy a couple of silicone pet food placemats. Set food and water bowls on these mats so your messy eater can enjoy mealtime while keeping spills and crumbs contained. Silicone mats are easy to clean, so when they get dirty, simply rinse and dry. Keeping a clean home as a pet owner doesn’t have to be complicated. Using these five tips, you’ll easily maintain a clean home you and your furry friends can enjoy this summer.

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D IS COVE R …

… THE REMARKABLE HEALING POWER OF THERAPY CATS BrandPoint

ou’re probably familiar with therapy dogs visiting hospitals, schools, senior centers and nursing homes to help alleviate stress and provide comfort in times of need. But did you know that time spent with therapy cats provides scientifically proven emotional benefits as well? A white paper by Pet Partners found that therapy animals have been shown to decrease levels of general anxiety and alleviate symptoms of depression. While it may take a sociable and easygoing cat to become a therapy cat, cats in general make ideal therapy animals and are a great alternative to therapy dogs. Plus, their smaller size and affinity for sitting on laps and cuddling can make them a good option for quieter environments and people who have limited mobility. At Pet Partners, the largest therapy pet organization in the U.S., the Therapy Animal Program has had more than 1,500 cats registered over the years and currently has more than 140 registered cat teams.

Therapy animal visits play a crucial role in helping during times of hardship. The Pet Partners white paper showed that therapy animals, including therapy cats, can especially comfort those with dementia, promoting socialization and engagement, and decreasing depression, anxiety and irritability in seniors. Time spent with cats can be a stimulating and highly engaging form of therapy — boosting mental health and enhancing one’s sense of well-being. And while nothing replaces the emotional connection of petting a cat, research by Pet Partners also reveals that even engaging with virtual pet content can still be impactful. To provide more seniors with access to the benefits of therapy cats, Purina Cat Chow partnered with Pet Partners and the Institute on Aging, a non-profit dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for aging adults, to offer free virtual therapy cat visits for seniors over age 60. In addition, Cat Chow is providing up to $25,000 in financial support to Pet Partners to support the cats in their Therapy Animal Program so more people can experience their therapeutic benefits.

The mental health benefits of therapy cat visits

Shining a light on the benefits of therapy cats for seniors

Pet Partners therapy cat handler Tracy Howell has seen firsthand the impact therapy cat visits can have. “During my time as a therapy cat handler volunteer, we have had the opportunity to visit locations from nursing facilities and assisted living centers, to Children’s Hospitals and universities,” said Howell about her cats Roger and Sal. “Cats have the unique ability to draw people out like no other interactions can. During a visit to a senior living facility, we were with a group of seniors who were taking turns petting

While everyone has experienced the emotional toll of recent world events, seniors have been especially impacted due to extended periods of isolation and increased loneliness. A study published in the National Library of Medicine found that decreased social life and fewer in-person social interactions during the pandemic were associated with reduced quality of life and increased depression.

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Roger when a woman came up and joined the group and said she liked cats. A nurse later told me that the woman had never joined the group before or spoken much to anyone there!” Howell loves to see how her cats affect others. “It is such a joy to be able to share your animal with other people and watch their faces light up,” she said. “I think therapy cat visits make them feel special. For those having a hard day, once you see the ways you can relieve or distract them from their hardship, even for a few moments, it’s one

of the most rewarding experiences.” And it’s not just the people who benefit—the cats enjoy their experience as well. “Roger purrs nonstop the whole time he is there,” said Howell. “I really think he’s into the healing properties of purrs!” To learn more about the healing power of cats, how you can get involved and how Cat Chow is helping, visit CatChow.com/therapy.

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TIPS FOR GE T TI N G A H E A D STA RT O N A HE A LTH Y FUTURE F O R YO UR PUPPY OR K I T T E N

BrandPoint

etting a new pet is like bringing home a new member of the family. Anticipation, excitement and joy are just a few of the many emotions you may feel when you bring home a new puppy or kitten. The first year of a puppy and kitten’s life is a busy developmental period, both physically and mentally. There are growth, behavioral and nutritional milestones to expect and plan for. Although it feels wonderful to welcome your new companion home, you will likely have various questions and concerns, especially about the nutritional needs of your growing pet. Purina veterinarian Dr. Callie Harris and Purina senior pet behavior expert, Annie Valuska, Ph.D., offer their tips and expertise for how you can help set the foundation for a healthy future.

Early nutritional insight

By weeks six to eight, your kitten or puppy should get all their nutritional requirements from food. To ensure your new addition gets the needed daily nutrition for their age, select pet food specifically for puppies or kittens. This variation of pet food has a different nutrient profile specifically crafted to support development compared to adult pet food. According to Purina pet nutritionists, it’s important to make sure you feed your puppy or kitten food that is balanced with essential nutrients, such as: • DHA: An omega fatty acid to help support brain and vision development. • Antioxidants: Help support developing immune systems. • Calcium and phosphorus: Helps support teeth and bones. • Protein: High-quality protein helps support growing muscles. Most dogs and cats are considered puppies and kittens until they reach

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12 months of age, so don’t switch to adult food too early. For dogs, smallbreed dogs will physically develop faster than large breeds. Breeds that weigh 50 pounds or more can take up to 18 months to reach maturity and should eat a large-breed puppy food. Be sure to always talk to your vet if you have questions. “Factoring in your puppy’s breed size is important to consider when choosing a puppy food,” said Harris. “Large breed puppies have a higher risk of developing joint problems as adults. Feeding them a large breed-specific puppy food can help support joint health and mobility into adulthood. Small breed puppies have smaller mouths, so they may prefer the smaller kibble found in small-breed specific puppy formulas.” Unlike puppies, breed isn’t a factor when choosing kitten food. However, Purina nutritionists recommend feeding kittens a combination of wet and dry food.

“In feeding your kitten a varied diet of wet and dry food, you are helping them develop their palate,” said Harris. “The more variety in your kitten’s diet, the more adaptable they will become to diet changes as they age.”

Establishing a feeding routine

Puppies: Typically, for the first six months, you should give your puppy their daily caloric requirement split into three equal-sized meals. Establish a feeding routine by feeding them the same amount of food at the same times each day. Doing this helps keep their digestive system regular, which can make housetraining easier.

Kittens: Keeping in mind their daily calorie needs, it is important to establish a healthy feeding schedule for your kitten. Cats are creatures of habit, so be sure to feed your kitten at the same time and place each day. Decide early on whether you plan to feed your kitten once, twice or three times a day and stick to the routine for consistency.

Preventative care and socializing

Beyond nutritional needs, it’s important to make sure your puppy and kitten receive their core vaccines, deworming against common parasites, and begin receiving preventative care during their first year.

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In addition to preventative care, socialization is an integral part of development for your pet. To make sure your puppy or kitten is comfortable around other people and pets, socialization should start early. “After receiving their core vaccines and preventative care, your puppy or kitten should be safely exposed to many people, places and experiences to help their behavioral development,” said Valuska. “Early socialization can help your pet grow into a confident, well-mannered adult.” For more information on puppy and kitten formulas and general tips, visit Purina.com/ Healthy-Start.

DETECTOR DOG PROGRAM SEEKS DONATIONS OF A FEW GOOD SNIFFERS BrandPoint

very year, nearly 400,000 shelter dogs are euthanized because of overcrowding and the inability to find them a fur-ever home. Now, thanks to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Services’ (APHIS) Detector Dog program, many of these pound puppies can have a new lease on life. APHIS’ National Detector Dog Training Center (NDDTC) trains purebred and mixed-breed beagles, Labrador retrievers and Jack Russel terriers to sniff out invasive plant pests and animal diseases that threaten America’s agriculture, food supply and natural resources. This elite sniffing force and their human handlers undergo 8-10 weeks of rigorous training before they can graduate from the Detector Dog program and go on to serve their country. More than 30 canine teams are working in airports, mail facilities and border crossings across the country. Every day, these dogs search, locate and respond to prohibited food, plants and animals harboring damaging insects and harmful diseases. For the past 37 years, the APHIStrained detector dogs have been working the front lines to keep harmful pests, like the Mediterranean fruit fly, out of the U.S. While Labrador retrievers and their handlers are protecting our nation’s fruit by patrolling citrus

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orchards along the Texas-Mexico border in search of infested or diseased crops. APHIS’ Detector Dog program is not only safeguarding U.S. agriculture and natural resources, but it is also partnering with countries like Canada and Taiwan to supply guidance, training and proof of concept testing of canine detection for foreign government support. There are even Detector Dog teams on the job at cargo airports throughout countries in the Pacific, tasked with identifying invasive species and stopping them from reaching Hawaii. The work these dogs and their handlers do is critical to help stop the spread of invasive plant and pest diseases that could ravage America’s crops, trees and plants. USDA APHIS wants to grow their fleet of super sniffers and are looking for more dogs to be donated to the program from animal shelters, rescue groups and private owners. To qualify, dogs must be: • Purebred or mixed-breed beagles, Labrador retrievers and Jack Russell terriers • 10 months to three years old • Friendly and in good health • Have a high food drive • No history of aggression If you or someone you know would like to donate a dog, please reach out to USDAcanineadoptions@usda.gov.

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TURTLES…

… can make great pets — just be sure to learn all you can about about them before bringing one home Turtles can make great pets but prospective owners should be sure to learn all they can about them before bringing one home. First and foremost, turtle ownership isn’t a short-term project. Some turtles can live for many years and will require special care and living conditions throughout their lives, so any decision to acquire one shouldn’t be taken lightly. While smaller turtles seem like great pets for children, they are often mishandled by eager, curious hands and can be injured or worse unless they’re handled with care. Also, be aware that those too-good-to-be-true offers about turtles shipped by mail don’t always make it to their destination alive. If you’re thinking about getting a turtle, your best bet may be working with a local rescue group or animal shelter. Before bringing a turtle home, you’ll need the right equipment. And despite

the plan to keep your turtle in a small tank on a bookshelf, you’ll probably want to pass on any enclosure that’s too small. Veteranarians say turtles need a lot of space to roam while water turtles need large aquariums that provide ample space for swimming as well as a spot to get out of the water and warm up under a heat lamp. Even small turtles need an aquarium that’s at least 29 gallons, essentially four feet long and 18 inches wide. So unless you have a pretty big bookshelf, you’ll need to look elsewhere for a permanent place for your turtle. Since turtles have been shown to carry salmonella, it’s incredibly important to handle them with care. Washing your hands is essential—wash them before handling your turtle and immediately after. Don’t kiss your turtle, either. And if you let your children handle them, teach them what not to do. Also, keep your turtle system clean—and out of the kitchen.

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Don’t use anything that comes in contact with your turtle or turtle’s environment for anything else in your house. Salmonella resides in a turtle’s gut so it’s important to properly dispose of any waste on a regular schedule. Change the water frequently as well.

Fun fact

Minneapolis-based Art Instruction Schools were responsible for the incredible popularity of Tippy the Turtle, who was featured in the school’s seemingly omnipresent ads in newspapers and magazines. Interested applicants were asked to draw Tippy or other cartoon characters to complete their application to the correspondence art school. Sadly, the school, which claimed “Peanuts” creator Charles Schulz as one of its alums, closed in 2018. Tippy, however, will live on forever—well, close to it, at least.

Fernando Maté on Unsplash

Why do turtles have shells?

It is common knowledge that the modern turtle shell is largely used for protection but a 2016 study showed that the earliest shells for turtles were an adaptation for burrowing underground, not for protection, according to paleontologist Tyler Lyson from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, who was among the scientists that helped make this discovery. “Why the turtle shell evolved is a very Dr. Seuss-like question and the answer seems pretty obvious—it was for protection,” said Dr. Lyson, lead author of Fossorial Origin of the Turtle Shell. “But just like the bird feather did not initially evolve for flight, the earliest

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beginnings of the turtle shell was not for protection but rather for digging underground to escape the harsh South African environment where these early proto turtles lived.” Dr. Lyson said one of the first signs of the shell was the broadening of the early turtle’s ribs. “The integral role of ribs in both locomotion and breathing is likely why we don’t see much variation in the shape of ribs,” said Dr. Lyson. “Ribs are generally pretty boring bones. The ribs of whales, snakes, dinosaurs, humans and pretty much all other animals look the same. Turtles are the one exception, where they are highly modified to form the majority of the shell.”

FL E A BE T T E R IT’S TO U G H TO GET RI D O F FLEAS SO PR EVE N TI O N, W H I LE D I FFI CU LT, IS KEY

Marco Buscaglia

very day, you can feel their presence, whether it’s tangible or imagined. And if they haven’t arrived yet, you know their presence is inevitable. No, not your in-laws. We’re talking about fleas. The old rules don’t apply when it comes to today’s outdoor pests. Cold weather seems to take hold later and later each year and things start heating up sooner. The month-long cold snaps of yesterday have been replaced with a few days of freezing temperatures here and a few inches of snow there. As a result, fleas begin their life cycle earlier than before. They thrive when the humidity rate is more than 50 percent and when the temperatures crack the 50s and 60s, so there’s a good chance they’re entering your neighborhood sooner than later. And by mid-summer, they’re out in full force. While there are more than 2,000 species of fleas, it’s likely that your dog or cat will encounter one of two varieties: dtenocephalides felis, which is known as the cat flea, and ctenocephalides canis, the dog flea. Cat and dog fleas claim no allegiance when it comes to their carriers. They’re equal-opportunity pests.

And since female fleas can only lay eggs when they’re attached to a host, which in this case, is your dog, they’ll be looking for a nearby warm-bodied blanket of fur.

Telltale signs

You can certainly take numerous precautions against fleas but it’s hard for your pet to avoid them. Fleas live in the grass and other areas of natural growth. The flea circus cartoons you grew up with may not exist, but you can be sure there’s a flea-frequented spot in your dog’s day-to-day life, whether it’s your yard, the park or the shaggy coats of his canine companions. Same with your outdoor cat. Or your indoor cat who comes in contact with animals who’ve been outside. One thing the cartoons got right is that fleas do indeed hop. That’s how they get from the grass to your dog, how they get from your dog to the neighbor’s dog and how they get from the neighbor’s dog to the neighbor’s couch. If you want to check your dog for fleas, look by their groin area, on their stomach and in their armpits—or any other place on their bodies that is especially warm. And don’t ignore the obvious. A good sign your dog has fleas is that he’s scratching more than usual. You can also take your hand and run it against the

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grain of your dog’s fur and look for flea dirt, which is actually small black specs of dried blood and are usually found on your dog’s stomach and tail. Despite the above advice, don’t wait for your dog to scratch herself silly before checking for a flea problem. Some dogs are affected differently by fleas and others may have a higher tolerance for scratching an itch, so you should be checking your dog for fleas on a regular basis. Flea baths, while important, kill the fleas but they do nothing to kill the eggs or larvae. And if you kill the fleas and leave their offspring, you’ll find your dog’s coat crawling with fleas again and again, no matter how many times you bathe her. That’s why the treatment is important. Check online for reviews of the most effective flea treatments. Spot-on treatments are the most effective and are fairly easy—but a little tedious—to apply it to your dog. But the treatments work. They kill off eggs and usually last 30-45 days, and that’s why spot-on treatments aren’t a oneand-done thing. You’ll need to re-apply the treatment as instructed, usually every three months, to make sure your dog stays free from fleas until the first frost sets in later this year.

CDC on Unsplash

My indoor cat has fleas! How did that happen?

While some of the flea-prevention collars sold at pet stores aren’t too effective, you can find a quality collar—the gray ones—at your vet. Again, you’ll need to kill the fleas and the eggs first. A flea collar doesn’t do you or your dog any good if he already has fleas.

Fleas in the house

Another thing to consider is that once your dog has fleas, it’s fairly likely that your house has fleas. You can bathe and treat a dog for fleas but if the couch she’s laying on or the dog bed she rests on are housing fleas and their eggs, your dog will serve as a vehicle

for a new community of fleas in no time. If you find fleas in your house—look on your dog’s bedding, on carpets, on clothing, on blankets—you should dig in for a long battle. Throw out your dog’s bed and begin frequent vacuuming and steam-cleaning, which will help collect and kill fleas and eggs. Some infestations may require a flea bomb, which will require that you cover or remove many of your home’s items and keep everyone away from the house for several hours, at least. Don’t let fleas ruin your dog’s time in the sun. A proactive approach can help you and your dog enjoy the great outdoors—and the great indoors—all year long.

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You know your dog can get fleas but how did the cat’s fur get filled with the little buggers? Here are five ways fleas can make their way to your feline: 1. Shared space with outdoor animals: Since fleas jump, there’s a good chance fleas on your dog’s back may decide to jump over to the cat for a little change of scenery. 2. Access to the same people: Why should fleas let dogs have all the fun? They can jump onto humans, as well as their clothing, and make themselves readily available when a cat happens to be nearby. 3. Shared furniture and rugs: Again, if Fido jumps up on the couch for a snooze, only to be pushed off by your angry cat, there may be some fleas left behind that could end up on your feline friend. 4. Rodents: Yeah, rodents. Mice, rats and any other unwelcome guest that may be lurking in your garage or under your refrigerator. If they come into contact with your cat— and they should, if your cat wants to earn his keep—there’s a good chance they’ll be sharing their fleas with them. 5. Trips outside the home: Something as simple as a visit to the vet can lead to flea-infested cats, so be aware that even the most wellmeaning excursion can result in a little pain down the road.

RABBITS…

… a lovable pet option for non-traditionalists Dog, cat, fish, bird—the list of standard pets is pretty well-known, but if you talk to people like Janet O’Brien, there’s nothing more “standard” than a pet rabbit. “If you’re looking for an animal that’s gentle and sweet, you can’t go wrong with a rabbit,” says O’Brien, who owns a Harlequin rabbit named Porridge. “She is an absolute doll. I’ve had dogs and cats that I’ve really loved but I never adored a pet like I do Porridge.” O’Brien says her “loving disposition” is what sets Porridge apart from her previous pets. “She’s always in a good mood,” O’Brien says. “And I feel like when I’m not in a good mood, she senses it and comes and sits with me until I’m feeling better.” While she loves her rabbit, O’Brien says they’re not the right pet for everyone. Officials at the Humane Society agree. First, they suggest finding a rabbit through a shelter or rescue agency. Second, they say if you’re going to own

a rabbit, plan its habitat—in most cases, a large cage in a room that has been rabbitproofed in case your rabbit gets loose. Also, according to the Humane Society: “Rabbits and very young children are generally a bad mix. Rabbits require safe, gentle handling and a quiet environment.” As prey animals, pet rabbits can be easily startled and stressed by loud noises and fast movements, so if you have young children, you might want to wait until they’re older. Don’t think of rabbits as sedentary creatures, either. While pet rabbits may not be as rambunctious as those in the wild, they still are incredibly active. And they’re not nocturnal, contrary to popular belief. Instead, they are crepuscular, which means they normally sleep during the day and night and are most active at dusk and dawn. You should plan on letting your rabbit out of their cage for at least an hour so they can exercise.

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If you’re a fan of farmers markets, you’re in luck. Rabbits love fresh vegetables so be sure to plan on regular trips to your favorite market or grocery store since you’ll need to keep plenty of fresh food for your rabbit’s meals. O’Brien says she and her husband are good about cleaning Porridge’s cage every day. “She can be like a hurricane in there and I know she likes it when it’s clean so I have no choice,” O’Brien says. “Like I said, she’s always in a good mood but if her cage gets messy, I can tell she gets a little upset.”

Fast fact

Because of the unique placement of their eyes, a rabbit’s vision covers nearly 360 degrees. They can see what’s coming from above, from behind and from the sides without turning their heads. The trade-off is that rabbits have a small blind spot directly in front of their faces.

Clever rabbit names Luke Skyhopper Mary Hoppins Cinnabunny Bunilla Ice Rabbit Downey Jr. Obi Bun Kenobi Barack O’Bunny Flufflestiltskin David Hasselhop Rabbit De Niro

Erik-Jan Leusink on Unsplash

Source: Ranker.com

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BEST BREEDS FOR CHILDREN

GROWING UP TOGETHER THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB SUGGESTS 9 BREEDS WELL-SUITED FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH KIDS

GOLDEN RETRIEVER

Personality: Intelligent, friendly and devoted Energy: Medium Size: Large Coat and grooming: This breed sheds seasonally and needs regular grooming and brushing as a weekly routine Exercise: Active and energetic and needs daily exercise Health: Generally a healthy breed Lifespan: 10 to 12 years

BEAGLE

Personality: Lovable, happy, easygoing and companionable Energy: Medium Size: Medium Coat and grooming: Short coat that is easy to care for Exercise: Active and energetic Health: Generally a healthy breed Lifespan: 12 to 15 years

WEIMARANER

Personality: Friendly, fearless, alert and obedient Energy: High Size: Medium Coat and grooming: Short coat Exercise: Very active Health: Generally a healthy breed, but hip problems are fairly common Lifespan: 10 to 12 years

BULLDOG

Personality: Calm, courageous and friendly Energy: Medium Size: Medium Coat and grooming: Minimal grooming Exercise: Not very active, but requires regular walks Health: Skin, respiratory and hip problems are fairly common Lifespan: 10 to 12 years

LABRADOR RETRIEVER

Personality: Friendly, outgoing and playful Energy: High Size: Medium Coat and grooming: Waterresistant coat that sheds seasonally and requires regular grooming Exercise: Active and highspirited Health: Generally a healthy breed, but sometimes subject to hip problems Lifespan: 10 to 12 years

BULL TERRIER

Personality: Playful, loyal and charming but can be mischievous Energy: High Size: Medium Coat and grooming: Short coat Exercise: Active breed that requires exercise to prevent problem behaviors and boredom Health: Generally a healthy breed Lifespan: 11 to 13 years

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BOXER

Personality: Fun-loving, bright, active and loyal Energy: High Size: Medium Coat and grooming: Short coat requires little grooming Exercise: Active and requires plenty of exercise. They love to partake in physical and mental challenges Health: Generally a healthy breed Lifespan: 10 to 12 years

NEWFOUNDLAND

Personality: Sweet, patient, devoted and good companions Energy: Medium Size: Large Coat and grooming: Regular grooming is required to keep coat healthy Exercise: Somewhat active Health: Generally healthy, but subject to hip problems Lifespan: 8 to 10 years

SOFT-COATED WHEATEN TERRIER

Personality: Happy, friendly and deeply devoted Energy: Medium Size: Medium Coat and grooming: Sheds minimally but needs grooming to keep fur mat free Exercise: Fun-loving and somewhat active Health: Generally a healthy breed Lifespan: 12 to 14 years

For the first time in its 145-year history, the 2022 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was won by a bloodhound. Considering there are 211 breeds eligible to compete, Trumpet’s accomplishment (that’s him, pictured) is pretty incredible.

15 TIMES Wire fox terrier

4 TIMES Airedale terrier American cocker spaniel Boxer Doberman Pinscher Smooth fox terrier Sealyham terrier 1 TIME Bloodhound

8 TIMES Scottish terrier 6 TIMES English springer spaniel 5 TIMES Pekingese Standard Poodle

ANIMALS IN THE U.S. The most popular animals by household in the United States ANIMAL NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS Dog 48.2 million Cat 31.9 million Birds 3.5 million Fish 1.5 million Rabbits 153,000 Pet poultry

140,000

Reptiles 367,000 Ferrets 326,000 Other mammals

198,000

Horses 893,000 Pet livestock

50,000

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association’s U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook

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westminster Kennel Club

BLOODHOUND TRUMPETS ITS OWN HORN

Here’s a breakdown of Westminster Best in Show top winners by breed

Creature comforts 1 0 P O DCASTS THAT PR OVI DE AUD IO INSPI R ATI ON FOR PET LOV E R S

IN DOG WE TRUST ON THIS AMERICAN LIFE

Marco Buscaglia

ure, you love your true-crime podcasts but what about those times you’re looking for something a little less intense and a bit more informative? How about checking out some podcasts that can help you understand and impact the pets in your life? We’ve included 10 podcasts that offer more than dry advice; in fact, most of these pet podcasts are a good listen whether you own a pet or not. Some podcasts are no longer putting out new episodes but they have archives that are filled with some wonderful audio offerings. You can find these podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Pocketcast and other apps and sites.

Speaking of NPR, you’d have to assume “This American Life” has done some great segments on pets and you’d be right. But none are better than this 2000 episode, which includes stories of pets and pet owners and how they’ve enriched the lives of each other. Sure, it’s a one-off, but it’s a solid 60 minutes of pure animal adulation.

CAN I PET YOUR DOG?

A podcast for dog lovers from dog lovers. Like, really, really serious dog lovers. And if you don’t love dogs before listening to hosts Renee Colvert and Alexis Preston, you certainly will afterward. Released weekly since 2015 and filled with interviews, anecdotes, advice and more, “Can I Pet Your Dog” is the perfect mix of information and entertainment, mixed in with the right amount of sentiment.

SPEAKING OF PETS

It’s no surprise that NPR has an excellent podcast about pets, and in true NPR fashion, that the podcast is filled with the type of real-life stories that will give you the warm and fuzzies. Mindy Norton hosts these brief two-minute episodes, which can pack a lot of punch. On the air since 1995 and later modified to fit the podcast format, these small episodes of “Speaking of Pets” offer a quick bit of pet advice or share a story that proves the importance pets can play in all of our lives.

THE PURRRCAST

Cat lovers—and even cat tolerators—get their due with the aptly named cat podcast hosted by Steven Ray Morris and Sara Iyer. Most “Purrcast” episodes feature interviews with cat experts or cat-loving celebrities but Morris and Iyer are the absolute stars of the show. Their feline-loving commentary, their shared adventures with cats and their informative interviews with people doing outstanding work with cats are a feline lover’s dream.

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Melanie Pongratz on Unsplash

CATEXPLORER

Who says you can’t travel with cats? Certainly not “Catexplorer” hosts Daniel and Hasara Lay, who lay out the groundwork for traveling with cats—and the training they’ll need to make it an enjoyable experience for both owner and cat. Although the Lays talk about their own traveling adventures with cats and offer helpful advice for others who would like to do so, the biggest takeaway from this podcast is the way the hosts take traveling with cats—something that seems incredibly difficult and, let’s face it, kind of odd— and make it seem normal, practical and lots of fun.

DOGS AND THE CITY

This BBC podcast is hosted by Jo Good and features walks with her Bulldog Matilda. Together, they walk with a notable London resident and chat about their dogs and what they’re seeing along the way. The beauty of this “Dogs and the City” comes from its joyful exploration of the connections between pet owners, urban environments and the communal approach to dog walking.

SPECIES

“Species” episodes focus on all animals, not just pets, and offer interesting info on animals’ individual traits and their place in the animal kingdom. Sometimes, host Macken Murphy talks about everyday animals but more often, the emphasis is on those unique creatures that can mystify and amaze us. And “Species” does a great job making those mysterious creatures relatable.

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GHOSTLY ENCOUNTERS WITH PAST PETS

Brandy Stark hosts a weekly podcast about all-things-pets that go bump in the night. According to Stark, her podcast about paranormal pets explores encounters with “ghosts, totems, psychic animals, animal souls, animal angels, animals in religion and more,” making it the perfect podcast for those long, lonely drives to nowhere or those evenings at home when you swear you keep hearing the indistinguishable purring of your cat Trooper, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge back in 2017.

DR DUNBAR’S iWOOFS PODCASTS

Dog training can seem incredibly intimidating, especially to the first-time dog owner. After all, dog trainers like to continually talk about consistency when it comes to getting your new puppy to comply with basic expectations but it can be daunting to keep up. “Dr Dunbar’s iWoofs” breaks down training into small, podcastsized chunks and can help dog owners feel better about themselves and their dogs. Ian Dunbar, an animal behaviorist, is often joined by his wife and son. Together, they answer questions, share stories and help take some of the mystery out of dog training.

KNOWING ANIMALS

Hosted by Josh Milburn, “Knowing Animals” is a 20-minute podcast that explores the role of animals in cases regarding advocacy, ethics, law and politics. Milburn’s interview subjects provide interesting examples of how society treats animals and offer helpful advice on what can be done to protect those creatures who bring us so much comfort.

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P E T S A R E FA M I LY

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P E T S A R E FA M I LY