About Julie Walton

Internet Success Website Designer from Boise, Idaho. Designing websites for small businesses in the Northwest. Dogblog writer "A Dog's Eye View".

What You Need to Know Before Adopting Your First Cat

“I know, I know – this is a blog for dog people. No worries. We can all show a little love to the cat people.” – Blue Belle the DogBlog Canine Contributor

This guest post was contributed by Brandon Butler. Thanks Brandon for your contribution.

kitten

Preparedness is key when bringing any new pet home, especially if you’ve never owned a pet before. While cats are relatively easy to care for, understanding the basics makes life with a feline a lot easier. If you’re planning to adopt your first cat, here’s everything you need to know.

Cat Care 101: The Basics

Are Cats Really Low-Maintenance?

Cats have a reputation as a low-maintenance pet. And compared to high-energy dog breeds, that’s true. Cats don’t require long walks and can be left alone for most of the day. However, cats aren’t a no-maintenance pet. Just like dogs, cats bond with their owners and enjoy interaction. Cats can also be finicky when their living environment isn’t kept to their standards.

Most importantly, cats are a lifetime commitment. And that can be a long time: Cats live for 14 to 16 years on average, and many indoor cats live 20 or more years! In addition to the daily responsibilities, make sure you’re ready for a long-term commitment when you adopt a cat.

Litter Box Rules for Cats

One cat equals one litter box, right? Not so fast. Even with daily scooping, one litter box may not be enough. According to feline behavior expert Jackson Galaxy, the rule of thumb is one litter box per cat plus one extra. Instead of hiding litter boxes in the garage or basement, put them where your cat spends most of its time.

Feeding Your Cat a Balanced Diet

Maintaining a healthy weight is critical for cats. Just a few extra pounds can push cats into obesity, where they’re at increased risk of arthritis, hip dysplasia, and diabetes. In addition to choosing a high-quality, vet-approved food and controlling portion sizes, cat owners should pay attention to their pet’s digestive health. Digestive problems can manifest in vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and poor coat quality. While some digestive problems are caused by underlying health conditions, in many cases a cat’s digestive health can be improved with high-quality, well-balanced wet food, though it’s important to do a little research before you dive in.

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Pets With Anxiety: How to Help Before, During, and After a Move

Guest Writer: Sarah Hollenbeck

Moving is an exciting time and a fresh start for many. However, with an anxious pet, it can be difficult to ease their nerves in an unfamiliar environment. Your new home might be overwhelming to them, causing an increase in anxiety and bad behavior. Thankfully, there are various ways to help your furry friend feel at home when moving. Below is a guide from the team at MyMove on how to move pets safely before, during, and after your move. 

Before the Move

  • Make sure your home has sufficient space so that your pet has room to run and get in exercise.  
  • Before the move, try and set up their bed and play area beforehand to decrease stress when your pet arrives. 
  • If you can, consider bringing your dog to the new home early on to explore the area. This way, when it comes time to move, they will already be familiarized with the location.  
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Review – Dog Travel Water Bottle

Blue Belle tests out the portable dog water bottle by Pacific Paws Northwest to make sure your furry friends stay hydrated while on the go.

Portable dog water bottle

We all know that keeping our dogs hydrated, especially on a hot summer day, is vitally important. So, when we received a request to review a portable dog water bottle to keep your pooch hydrated while walking or hiking, it caught our attention. This is a 2-in-1 dog water bottle and bowl. It sounded interesting, so we agreed to review this product from PacificPaws Northwest.

The Package Arrives – The Dog Water Bottle Review Begins

dog water bottle review
The dog water bottle arrives.

The package arrived, and Blue Belle knew it must be something for her. We investigated. There is a leaf-shaped bowl made of silicone that rests on the side of the bottle made of hygienic food grade stainless steel which will keep Blue Belle’s water extra cold. The bottle holds 27 ounces of water. After filling the bottle with fresh cold water and putting on the bottle cap, unfold the leaf bowl and press the quick release button to release the water. There is another button to close the release. Once your dog has quenched her thirst, press the release button and the water will drain back into the bottle. Fold the leaf shaped bowl back down over the bottle and the all-in-one water bottle and bowl is ready for you to walk on.

Now the real test, take her to the park. It wasn’t a really hot day the beginning of March We headed to the park on a sunny day. One problem, there were distractions. Other dogs, silly squirrels, and grade school kids playing at the nearby school. In fact, too many distractions and Blue Belle just wasn’t in the mood to take a drink. But, when we returned to the car the thirst hit her and the PacificPaws Northwest water bottle was a hit!

dog tests PacificPaws Northwest dog water bottle
Blue Belle tests out the PacificPaws Northwest dog water bottle.

Last test was to put it in the dishwasher. We took the cap with the leaf shaped bowl off the bottle and washed both the cap and the bottle in the dishwasher. No problems.

Blue Belle says she really likes this product, especially if we take her to the park and for drives into the Idaho wilderness.

Where to Buy The Dog Water Bottle For Your Pup

You can find the PacificPaws Northwest water bottle on their website. Check out their video that shows how easy it is to quench your dog’s thirst while hiking. Here is their direct link to this awesome dog water bottle on Amazon.

One last thought. When I looked at Amazon, I see a lot of very positive reviews. I also noticed other water bottles. So I checked into a comparison of other dog water bottles. I like the fact that the stainless steel body keeps the water cold and the bowl is made of toxin free silicone. There is a quick release waterflow button and a lock button to stop the waterflow. It is very strong and durable and it has a large capacity of 27 oz.

Dog Water Bottle Comparison Chart

Dog water bottle comparison

9 Best Dogs For Apartment Living

Guest Contributor: Heidi Thiel

If you’re thinking about bringing a new furry friend into your small apartment, you need to make sure to do your research first. Not all dog breeds are equally suited to city living, and you’ll want to make sure that you and your dog will be happy in your small space. However, this doesn’t mean that you’re limited to just tiny lapdogs! The truth is that many mid-size and large dog breeds can also make great apartment companions. Take a look at the guide from TurboTenant below for a breakdown of the best small, medium, and big dogs for apartment living.

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How to Socialize a Puppy

Contribution from Richard Cross
Editor of TheDogClinic.com

Puppies that have positive experiences with a wide range of dogs, environments, people and objects grow up to be less stressed and more adaptable. This is why socialization is one of a new dog owner’s most important tasks.

It can be hard to keep track of your dog’s experiences though. To help new dog owners, The Dog Clinic has created a checklist for puppy socialization. This is great for printing and sticking on your fridge, so everyone in the household can see your dog’s progress.

Socialization isn’t just about giving your dog lots of experiences though – these experiences need to be positive and controlled. The article also contains a complete guide to safely socializing a puppy with almost any new experience.

Puppy Socialization Checklist
Click Here to Jump to Checklist

Amazing Apps for First-Time Dog Owners

dog owner apps
Image courtesy of Unsplash

Guest Post by: Penny Martin

Our furry friends are often the highlight of our world. We come home to curl up with them and find contentment in their love. They act as additional members of our family, bring us joy, fill our hearts – and even help us to be healthier. It’s normal to want to take care of them in the best way possible when you bring them into your life.

Of course, when you’re getting your first bright-eyed pooch, you need to be prepared. Whether that includes making your home a cocoon of safety and toys or simply buying your dog the most comfortable bed you can find, you want to feel like your home is your dog’s home, too.

Aside from the everyday essentials, however, there is a lot to learn about dog health and safety. Thankfully, there are plenty of apps that can help — as long as you have a device that can keep up. Newer apps tend to require more power and memory than older phones supply, so if yours is on its last breath, consider an upgrade. Look for pet parent-friendly choices, like the Apple iPhone 11 Pro, which has ample memory and speed for even the most intricate apps, and the amazing three-camera system can take terrific pics of your pooch. Android offers plenty of great options as well, like the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus. According to CNET, it has an especially generous display, an all-day battery, and stellar camera tools. Whatever device you use, just make sure you have a phone up to snuff so you don’t miss a trick, and so you and your pooch are set up for success with these terrific apps.

iKibble

The iKibble app provides you with an incredible search interface for foods your dog might enjoy. You can find new meals to buy them, mark things they dislike or have a reaction to, and read short descriptions on what exactly you’re feeding your pal. You can also learn what foods are toxic to dogs so you don’t accidentally share any leftovers that might make them sick.

Chewy

Made for pet lovers everywhere, Chewy gives you access to thousands of products that cater just to your barking family member. And you can shop for food during those moments when you know you’re running low but don’t have time to run to the store. Surprise your furry friend with a toy they deserve, from frisbees to chew toys, etc. You can even fill prescriptions from the vet when you’re pup is feeling a little under the weather, and much more. 

Animal Poison By ASPCA

Animals are sensitive to toxic substances, just like humans, and sometimes things you can eat can actually make your dog sick. Your dog can also develop allergies or experience a reaction if those things are consumed in small or large quantities. With the Animal Poison by ASPCA app, you can select your pet’s species on the homepage and plug in what was consumed. Learn how to deal with the reaction, and if needed, locate the closest and most recommended vet around, then bring your adorable dog back home with you safe and sound. 

Say Bark!

As App Annie explains, Say Bark! is pure entertainment! This app gives you the ability to use funny and creative filters or stickers on pictures you take of your four-legged friend. In addition, you can record a silly audio clip and share it with friends or family. It’ll have you all laughing and sharing cards and clips with everyone.

With each app that you download you’re creating a safer and more loving environment for your dog. Fall in love with the newest addition to your family, learn need-to-know information on taking care of him and spend forever making memories and sharing pictures and videos that showcase just how cool your little family is. Dogs are special and so extremely loyal, and these apps help you return the affection and make life better for you both.