Heart Wisdom Animal Talk Blog
Dedicated to improved health, behavior and wellness for pets and the people who love them.
What an exciting present, the best gift ever! Maybe you’re thinking “what a wonderful gift, a baby animal!” could be for your child. Maybe they’ve been begging and nagging and reminding you to get them their own puppy, or budgie, or kitty, or bunny, or…? Then the week after Christmas (or their birthday…), you’re thinking, “OMG! What was I thinking! This is not working out…” Getting a baby animal for a pet shouldn’t be a snap decision. It takes some careful thought and research to do right and for everyone to benefit from and enjoy the experience. Is your child ready for the responsibility of a pet? If they aren’t old enough, it is up to you to be the teacher for both the pet and the child. Today my guest Christine and I are sharing 3 Worst Mistakes to Avoid so you, your family, your child AND your new […]
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Did you know that water should make up 60-70% of an adult pet’s body weight? But pets are hit-and-miss drinkers at the water bowl. They can leave more water on the floor than what ends up in their mouth… It takes careful observation to see if your pet is trying to tell you something about their health, so you should learn to read the signs… In the meantime, a pet drinking fountain can be a great way to keep them hydrated. They’re attracted to the running water… and fountains, compared to still (and stagnant) water dishes, harbor less of the bacteria that can cause serious health problems for your pets. via GIPHY Not only that, they can be a pleasant feature in your home, one that you and your pets can enjoy… Simple steps to make a pet drinking fountain Wet pet food is up to 78% water, while dry […]
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Holidays bring changes and changes… bring STRESS Holidays, vacations, and any change in routine are typically stressful times for most of us, and seriously stresses out your animals. But, they don’t have to be if you know what to do to minimize the stress in dogs, cats and other pets. Taking the right steps to de-stress your animal helps you de-stress too, because it helps you plan in ways that are more manageable, creates more certainty, and helps you be less emotionally imbalanced. via GIPHY Remember that your animal mirrors you, so if you’re stressed, frustrated, anxious, nervous or worried in any way, that’s the message they get and that’s what they’ll act out (mirror back) for you. Instability is not your animal’s friend! Your job is to make their environment as stable, safe and calming as possible. That includes preparing them properly in advance for all changes […]
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Is your pup trying to send you a message? Are they sick, worried, bored, angry, frustrated, grieving, sad, confused…? We don’t always pay attention to dog signals… and it can be very frustrating for your pet. “Hey you! I’m talking here…!” Worse yet, it can wind up costing your dog their life if you don’t make an effort to understand their form of communication. We have a tendency to assume our pets are “acting badly out revenge” or simply getting “old and grumpy” when they misbehave. In fact, your dog will never do anything to deliberately upset or disappoint you. So, when their behavior changes, you seriously need to have a conversation with them and find out what’s going on in their mind or their body. What are they aware of that you don’t know yet? via GIPHY Here are 3 dog signals that tell you it’s time to […]
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The holidays have arrived, and, like every day, it’s good to reflect on what we’re thankful for. Holidays with dogs are absolutely at the top of our list, because they’re our friends, teachers, and family rolled into one furry bundle of love. They possess the ability to better our lives in ways that no one else can. The last twelve months may have had more than its share of difficulties and triumphs, but our dogs were there through it all. As we anticipate a new year full of opportunities and change, we also want to remind ourselves of why our canine friends are awesome! via GIPHY via GIPHY We lucky dog parents have much to be thankful for… Here’s some of what they have done to brighten up our lives, through thick and thin. 1. A great affordable shrink for every day of their life. For the days that […]
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