Agro Kitty

Pain Related Aggression - First and foremost you must see a vet. If your cat has suddenly become aggressive for what appears to be no reason at all then you must first rule out any medical problems. An abscess or wound from a fight may not be visible to us but can cause the cat extreme pain. There could be any number of reasons why a cat is in pain so you MUST get the cat checked by a vet first to rule out any medical reason before looking at the situation from a behavioural point of view.
Fear Related Aggression - the period from 2- 8 weeks of age in a kitten’s life is very important. They should be handled for at least one hour a day and should see at least 8 different people during this period. They should then grow up to be comfortable with being handled by humans. Kittens that are not well socialised learn to fear humans and will be defensively aggressive towards us. Kittens soon learn that if they hiss and spit then we back off - in the end the behaviour is done automatically as soon as a human approaches.

Ingredients to look for/avoid in canned cat food

A cat needs several ingredients for their basic health. Cats need protein from an animal source, preferably chicken or fish or lean beef. A canned cat food should also have taurine, an essential amino acid. Cats also need a balance of vitamins, enzymes, fatty acids, minerals and enzymes. A canned food should not have corn, soy, colorings or artificial flavors. It also should have only 5- to 8% ash and a low grain content. Avoid foods with ingredients such as "bone-meal", added sugars or any kind of corn meal. Chemical preservatives such as ethoxyquin, propyl gallate, BHA and BHT or more than 8% grain are definitely bad for your cat. The best cat food contains at least 78% moisture. This helps your cat get the hydration it needs because a cat ingests moisture through the intestine. Some preservatives are necessary in canned cat food. However, the more natural the preservative, the better. Many natural cat food formulas use vitamin E as a preservative. Canned cat food should still be refrigerated and used within 3 days.

NO-Bark Collars

A safer method than a barking problem in a dog is training. Most dogs bark because they are anxious, especially small dogs. Shocking them when they bark is not going to resolve the anxiety. In fact, it will make it worse. Thus, you may eventually stop the barking, but you have not helped the underlying problem. Those anxious feelings will show themselves in other ways such as chewing, inappropriate elimination or even aggression.

If your dog is barking at a window or in the yard etc, do not give them access to that area when you are gone. Give them a quiet room with a comfortable bed, treats and bones. Don't let your dog practice the behavior all day. When you are home, teach a no bark command. Play with him in a way that will make him bark. Then say "quiet" when he stops. Reward with good treats. Practice this until he responds every time.

Say ‘bye’ to Ring worm

Ringworm can be spread by simple contact, so it's important to know with who your dog is in contact. At the dog park or other heavily trafficked area, it is impossible to know if your dog is coming in contact with ringworm or not. Ringworm survive in dark, damp places, so make sure to regularly clean areas where your dog spends a lot of time. Frequently wash bedding and clean water bowls, especially in outdoor areas. Groom your dog every two to four weeks, more frequently for long-haired breeds. If you handle a strange dog, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before handling your own dog since ringworm can be transmitted between species. Ringworm is more likely to infect puppies or undernourished dog, so providing your dog with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise will help prevent any type of disease. Check your dog food label and make sure the first three ingredients are high-quality protein (not meat by-products). The food should not contain any corn or wheat as dogs cannot digest this. It is cheap filler that provides no nutritional value. A higher value food may cost more, but you can feed less.

How to prevent older dogs from biting

In many cases, an older dog will have problems with biting. A dog who is older when purchased or adopted, or allowed to bite as a puppy, may have not have had the training as a puppy or may bite out of fear or aggression. It is vital that your dog understands that you are alpha and you are the one in charge. To do so requires changes in every day activities. Never allow your dog on your bed or couch. Doing so allows him to think of himself as your equal. Feed your dog only after you and your family has eaten. In a pack, the alpha dogs always eat first. When walking, your dog should always heal. Never allow your dog to pull or lead the way. If you have made it clear to your dog that you are in charge and you still have difficulties with biting and insubordination, contact a qualified dog trainer. If your dog is older, it will be more difficult to train this behavior out of him so patience is key. Work with him every day and seek professional guidance.