6 Things Everyone Needs to Know about Assistance Dogs

When a service dog ran up to a woman on a busy street, she tried to shoo the dog away. Meanwhile, the dog’s owner was seemingly in distress. Thankfully, the dog owner wasn’t having a seizure or another life-threatening medical emergency; had he been, he may have died. August 5-11 is International Assistance Dog Week and is a perfect time to learn what assistance dogs do and what you should do when you encounter them.

1. What Do Assistance or Service Dogs Do?


Service dogs are highly-trained canines taught to perform specific tasks for their owners to help their owners safely function on a daily basis. Their ability to perform their tasks can often mean the difference between life or death for their owners. Specifically, service dogs will:

  • Answer the door for their owner using a lever
  • Retrieve things for their owner
  • Bark to communicate with their owner or others
  • Assist their owner with mobility
  • Carries supplies for his owner in his backpack
  • Brings the phone to the owner to call for emergency help
  • Can bark at a speaker phone to signal there’s an emergency
  • Finds help when his owner is in distress
  • Calms his owner during a psychiatric episode
  • Alerts his owner if there is a fire or other disaster
  • Assists owners with psychiatric disorders by spotting unwelcome stimuli
  • Helping owners with psychiatric disorders keep from self-harming

Thus, when one sees a service dog with or without his owner, there are important behaviors and responses to observe as service dogs are more than just pets.

2. Don’t Touch Service Dogs without Asking Permission

It’s natural to want to pet a friendly dog; however, service dogs are almost always “on duty” with their owners. Passersby who stop to pet the dog without asking permission from the owner could put the owner at risk as they are distracting the dog from his duties.

3. Speak to the Owner, Not the Dog


Once again, it goes against many dog-lovers’ nature to not speak to the dog. For the same reason that you shouldn’t pet a service dog without permission, you should also not speak to the dog—it could distract them.

3. Don’t Try to Feed the Service Dog

Food is also a distraction for dogs that are out with their owners. Even if you happen to have a pet snack or some kind of food that is approved to give to a stranger’s dog, resist the temptation to do so. Service dogs are well-treated. They are well-fed and get plenty of play time, which helps to keep them healthy and well-rounded. 

4. Keep Your Dog Away from the Service Dog

There are no guarantees for how two unfamiliar dogs will react to one another, so it is best to keep the service dog focused and to avoid any kind of conflict between animals by keeping your dog away from the service dog. You can always ask permission for your dog to greet the other dog, but it is important to respect the owner’s wishes if they say ‘no’.

5. Do Not Act Offended if You See a Service Dog in Stores, Restaurants, Etc.

There are many reports of people who act offended when they see service dogs in settings where animals are not usually allowed; however, the dog is there to assist his owner and knows not to do anything that will disrupt that environment. The best thing you can do when you see a service dog and his owner is to leave them be just as you would any other person.

6. Follow a Service Dog without His Owner

The exception to leaving service dogs be is if you see a service dog without his owner. If you do or if an owner-less service dog approaches you, assume there has been an emergency and follow the dog. The dog is well-trained and will lead you to the crisis. Responding with a sense of urgency could save someone’s life.
Dogs are incredible companions and deserve nothing but the best, which is why we at Wellness Pet Food are committed to creating natural, nurturing foods, snacks, and treats that support lifelong pet health and happiness.

Wellness Pet Food Employee Completes His First Ever Cat Adoption!

Hi, I’m Rich, the Customer Marketing Manager for Wellness Pet Food. I consider myself a family man first and a marketer second. I started here a little over a year ago, and for the last few months, I was faced with my daughter’s daily requests to adopt a pet.

My coworkers can attest to how hesitant I was about bringing another pet or pets into the family. It’s been a while since my last pet, and since it’s such a big decision, it’s not one that I took lightly. but after talking with my coworkers at Wellness who are all animal lovers, I became compelled to take the plunge again into pet parenthood. And I’m glad I did! 

Pre-Adoption: Chase and Nadia Come Into Our Lives

As my daughter and wife were scanning for cats online, they discovered Chase’s photo. My daughter fell in love with Chase instantly. When they met Chase for the first time they discovered Nadia was Chase’s mom and that the adoption center really didn’t want to break the two apart. Since we were looking for both a male and female cat, one kitten, and one a young adult, it was a match made in heaven! 
 

chase and nadia in the shelter

The first time we met Chase and Nadia at the shelter.

Adoption Day

We adopted Chase and Nadia on July 6. Nadia and Chase are originally from the Jersey Shore. The owners of Cat Tales Rescue in Seabrook, NH, learned of Chase and Nadia through a friend. They believe Nadia to be a Russian blue but since Nadia was discovered with just Chase in early May, they are not sure of her background – if she escaped from a home, or was a stray. Either way, it was time to bring them both home!

 

cat adoption

My daughter with Chase, right before we brought him home!

cat adoption

Welcome home, Chase!

cat adoption

During the first hour Nadia came home, she started exploring.

cat adoption

Chase is a typical young kitty–he started playing almost as soon as he got home!

All Settled In

Over the short time we’ve had them, they’ve quickly become part of the family. Chase and Nadia have already shown us what wonderful cats they are, and we’re so lucky to have them.

cat adoption

Nadia was a little too excited for dinner. Can you spot what she did to the CORE bag?

cat adoption

On day two, Nadia and Chase were fully settled into our home.

So, what does the Wellness Customer Marketing Manager feed his cats?

We spoil our growing kitties with CORE Kitten and CORE Original for dry, and switch up their diet with CORE pâté for kittens, CORE Simply Shreds varieties and CORE pâté. And for treats, we alternate between Kittles flavors. They love their food. They eat it right up! Be sure to try Rich’s favorites next time you’re shopping for your feline friends!

10 Pet Safe Indoor Plants to Beautify Your Living Space

Nothing freshens your indoor environment like natural greenery. Many such plants are even known detoxifiers, but some plants (even the detoxifiers) are poisonous to cats and dogs; however, you can safely spruce up your interior with any one of these 10 pet-safe indoor plants.

Palms


Palms that perform well indoors (such as bamboo palms, areca palms, or dwarf date palms) add style and texture to your home. Not only that, but these palms also boost oxygen levels while removing various common toxins from your home’s air.

Spider Plant

spider plant pet safe plants
Like palms, spider plants add texture to any environment. Long—often variegated—leaves protrude from the plant’s center. Spider plants can hang in a pot or sit. Their sizes vary; the fact that they purify the surrounding air is an added benefit. 

Bamboo


Unless you’ve got an atrium or a courtyard, it’s probably best to go for the small, potted bamboo plants; however, bamboo not only creates an exotic aesthetic while serving as a detoxifier, it is also safe for cats and dogs. 

Boston Fern

boston fern
A homier plant that’s easy to keep alive and that looks great hanging from the ceiling is the Boston Fern. While ferns look lovely in any environment, keep in mind that not all ferns are pet-friendly.

Bromeliads


Bromeliads are a striking, colorful, tropical plant characterized by large, long green leaves and a brightly colored flower reminiscent of a pineapple. 

Lipstick Plant


Another popular, colorful pet safe plant is the Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanth). The plant is characterized by vibrant, glossy leaves and little flowers “peek” out of tubes, bearing a striking resemblance to lipstick in its tube. 

Christmas Cactus

christmas cactus pet safe
Don’t panic…unlike other types of cacti, Christmas cacti don’t have spikes or toxin dangerous to pets. Christmas cacti are small potted plants with small, colorful blooms. As suggested by their name, these plants flower around December, which is often a welcome pop of color during the winter.

African Violet


For a pop of year-round color, the African violet is an ideal choice. Placed in a warm location where there’s lots of light, African violets are very prolific non-toxic flowing plants.

Phalaenopsis Orchids

Orchid with cat
Not only are this varietal of orchids beautiful and not poisonous to cats or dogs, but their flowers are also edible. Consuming edible flora is a growing trend; though, most who grow Phalaenopsis orchids prefer them for their aesthetic, not their culinary, qualities.  

Many Succulents

succulents safe for pets
Succulents are a favorite of many who cultivate indoor plants. Among the pet-safe varieties are burros tail (sedum morganianum), haworthia, hens and chicks, echeveria, rosettes, etc. Some are, however, toxic. Before you get a new succulent or other plant, review the list of toxic plants available here on the ASPCA website. 

Keep pets from snacking on nontoxic indoor greenery by ensuring they’re fed a healthy diet rich in all-natural proteins such as those made by Wellness Pet Food. Visit our website to see wet and dry foods as well as snacks and treats. Wellness makes something for every cat or dog’s dietary needs. 

Dr. Alison’s Top Tips On Keeping Your Pet Safe On The Fourth of July

It is amazing how quickly the Fourth of July has come around. Next week people around the country will be celebrating the birth of our freedom with BBQs, parties, celebrations and fireworks. Although this is a very exciting holiday and time for us, it can be a very dangerous and scary time for our pets. As a small animal veterinarian, this is one of the busiest times of year for seeing pet emergencies at the animal hospital. So, today I would like to give you my top tips on keeping your pets safe during the Fourth of July holiday. Let’s get started!

Keep Your Pets Away Indoors and Away From Fireworks

Many pets are terrified of the loud sounds of fireworks. They can show mild signs of anxiety like hiding, and more severe signs like destruction, shaking and harming themselves. If your pet has a fear of fireworks make sure to be prepared. If possible, bring them to a place where the fireworks cannot be heard. I recommend not taking them with you to the fireworks display, even if your pet is not fearful of loud sounds. In areas with many people and loud sounds, your pets may become frightened and show unpredictable behaviors. Leaving your pet in the comfort of their home is always a safer bet. 

BBQ’s and Parties Can be Dangerous for Your Pets

The Fourth of July is a big holiday for BBQs, but these cookouts can be harmful to our pets. I see a lot of upset stomachs during this time of year because of table scraps and foods that guests give pets.

Dogs and cats are used to eating the same food every day. Their gastrointestinal tracts develop a natural flora or bacteria, that specifically digests their regular food. When they get something that they aren’t normally accustomed to, such as burgers or hot dogs, they can develop severe inflammation with vomiting and diarrhea.

It can also lead to more serious conditions such as pancreatitis. In addition to an upset belly, many of foods in large quantities are toxic to our pets, such as grapes, onions, garlic and raisins. Grapes and raisins are safe for cats, but keep onions and garlic away from them. Some cookout foods can also be a risk of choking or obstruction such as corn on the cob, fruits with pits, and foods with bones, toothpicks or skewers. Make sure to talk to any guests, especially kids, before summer parties and remind them not to feed your pets any food. 

You want to enjoy the party too, not spend it looking after a pet with an upset stomach. There is no need for your pets to feel left out. I tell all my pet parents to have treats and food easily accessible during the holiday festivities and spoil your pets rotten. I absolutely love and trust Wellness CORE and it is what feed my own dog. Wellness CORE is a balanced diet that is grain free, contains all the highest quality ingredients, added supplements (omega 3 fatty acids, and glucosamine) and higher protein for lean body mass and muscle tone. You can check out more details on hosting a pet-safe BBQ here.

Make Sure to Have Your Pet Microchipped and Properly Identified

Try to keep your pet calm and easily identified. With all the noise and celebrations, the Fourth of July can often be scary and stressful for pets. I recommend dogs and cats be kept in a separate room away from access to outside. Also, the Fourth of July is one of the most common times we see lost pets. With the celebrations and loud noises, pets become extremely frightened which leads to them escaping to find shelter. Always make sure your pet is wearing proper identification. I have reunited many pets with their families by using microchip identification. I always recommend microchipping your pet. 

Speak to Your Veterinarian About Giving Your Pets Probiotics A Few Days Prior to the Fourth of July

We all know the benefit of probiotics for ourselves, but did you know that they have the exact same positive effects for our dogs as they do for us? As a small animal veterinarian, I prescribe probiotics all the time for my patients. I utilize probiotics are preemptively if I know my patients will be stressed, such as the Fourth of July. Stress in pets can lead to upset bellies which result in diarrhea. Probiotics are a great way to keep your pets gut healthy and prepared for the stress of the holiday. Ask your veterinarian if your pet is a candidate.

Speak to Your Veterinarian About A Possible Sedative For Your Pet For The Fourth of July

I see many of my clients right before the Fourth of July for sedatives for their pets. If your pet exhibits extreme anxiety from the sounds of explosion, contact your veterinarian for mild sedatives or anti-anxiety medications that can be given to your pet in preparation for the holiday. 

Happy Fourth of July everyone! I hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday. I want to ensure that you get to celebrate and enjoy this holiday and not be spending it at the veterinary hospital with a pet emergency.  As always, your pets’ health and wellness are my top priority.

Add Variety and Make Your Dog’s Mealtimes More Exciting with Rotational Feeding

Rotational feeding cover photo

Note: Rotational feeding is not recommended for pets with food allergies or sensitivities. Some animals with food allergies can be predisposed to developing further allergies.

There are many ways to add variety to your pet’s mealtimes. Rotational feeding can add variety through flavor (ex. chicken, lamb, salmon or pork), texture (ex. kibble, wet food, freeze-dried, air-dried) and nutrients (ex. Amino acids, minerals, fatty acids). For some pet parents, adding variety means mixing kibble and wet food together in the bowl, while for other pet parents it might mean feeding kibble for breakfast and wet food for dinner. Others may choose to only feed dry kibble, but rotate flavors with each new bag that they purchase. Any of these combinations is acceptable – they all add variety!

While rotation is not essential, there are potential benefits of following a rotational feeding plan for your dog or cat.   

Don’t let your pet become food bored. Rotational feeding can help maintain and or increase your pets interest in eating. Also, while a complete and balanced dog food guarantees that your dog will get sufficient nutrients, rotating foods allows your dog to consume ingredients that could be  richer in certain vitamins, minerals and amino acids than others, which contributes to overall health and wellbeing.

OK, I’m interested – how do I start a rotational diet?

When starting a rotational feeding program, pet parents should look for recipes that have similar fat content, fiber content, and ingredients to minimize risks of indigestion.  When rotating from one product to another, be sure to follow the feeding guidelines for each product to ensure your pet is getting their daily nutrient requirements without overfeeding.

The most common approach to rotational feeding is through the variation of protein sources. Each protein source (such as chicken, lamb, beef, and fish) has unique benefits and differs in their amino acid, fatty acid, vitamins and mineral content. Since each protein source naturally contributes different levels of nutrients, complete and balanced pet foods are always formulated to prevent any nutrient deficiencies – meaning that other ingredients are added to the protein in appropriate amounts to ensure a healthy, balanced diet. 

Benefits of common protein sources:

  • Chicken is a highly palatable and relatively lean protein. It is a very good source of B vitamins, phosphorus, selenium, and linolenic acid (omega-6 fatty acid) chicken
  • Lamb is a highly digestible, energy-dense protein. It is a good source of B vitamins, phosphorus, zinc, iron, and linolenic acid and conjugated linolenic acid (omega-6 fatty acid). Conjugated linolenic acid is becoming an increasingly popular nutritional supplement as it can help with ideal weight management.lamb
  • Salmon is a very palatable protein source that is moderately energy-dense. It is a good source of vitamin A, B vitamins, phosphorus, selenium, iron, and omega-6 fatty acid (arachidonic acid). It is also an excellent source of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.salmon

Are you interested in trying rotational feeding? If so, you can browse our high-protein, grain-free CORE dry dog food options. And if you need some advice, our knowledgeable Consumer Affairs team is happy to help!

No More Boring Bowls™! How To (Safely) Bring Excitement to Your Dog’s Bowl with Mixers and Toppers

Wellness CORE dog food Mixers and toppers blog coverWellness CORE dog food Mixers and toppers blog cover

While premium natural complete and balanced kibble delivers all the nutrients your dog needs to thrive, mixing in a wet food or adding a topper is a great way to significantly improve the aroma, taste and texture of your dog’s meal – and make their bowl more exciting!

Mixers and toppers can add a boost of nutrients such as proteins, vitamins and minerals and can also be your saving grace if your dog is fussy or food-bored. Simply adding a mixer or topper to their dry food you can lead to bowls that are licked-clean and amplify your dog’s excitement about mealtime. 

Q. How do you add variety through mixers and toppers, without negative side-effects such as digestive upset or weight gain?

There is no golden rule about how you should add toppers or mixers, but there are general guidelines:

  1. Talk to your veterinarian. Some dogs have unique nutritional needs or need tailored life stage or lifestyle nutrition.  Your vet can ensure that you are serving the right type of food.taking dog to veterinarian
  2. Choose recipes appropriate for your dogs’ life stage and lifestyle. A puppy, a senior, an active athlete, a couch potato: these are all unique dogs that require customized nutrition. When selecting a mixer or topper make sure you choose one with a similar life stage or lifestyle classification as your dry so that your pet is getting all nutrition they need tailored to their needspuppy with senior dog
  3. Select high-quality products. Variety must not compromise nutrition or predispose your dog to suffering the risk of digestive upset. Select products from a brand that you know and trust, and one that offers enough variety that you can rotate through forms and/or flavors.
  4. Pay attention to feeding guidelines. All pet foods have unique, specific feeding recommendations. As you combine products, it is very important to follow these recommendations to avoid overfeeding. For example, wet food contains considerably less calories per gram than dry kibble, so if you decide to substitute combine wet and dry food, you cannot simply swap-out a cup of kibble for a cup of wet food. Check each mixer or toppers packaging for feeding guidelines.
  5. Introduce new formats gradually. Most dogs are used to eating the same thing every day. When you introduce a new form, flavor or brand to your dog’s diet, do so gradually over 3-7 days. Start with just a tablespoon of the new product and increase over the course of a few says until you are serving the perfect meal on day seven.
    Dog enjoying CORE Bowl Boosters Tender

    Heeler-mix, Choco, enjoying CORE Bowl Boosters Tender Whitefish & Salmon on top of his kibble.

  6. Don’t let wet food sit-out in the bowl. Some dogs like their wet on top, others like it mixed in, other like it as a separate meal. You know (or will learn) how your dog likes their wet food. Just remember that, once opened, wet food should not stay out at room temperature for an extended amount of time as it can easily spoil, particularly in warm weather. So, keep portions small and serve it how your dog wants it.
  7. Always keep plenty of fresh water available.

The Art of Naming Your Pet

In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare wrote that “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” which is true…while names don’t shape the person, there are some names that fit the personality. For example, Romeo and Barbarella don’t have the same ring. When it comes to naming people and pets, finding the right name to fit the individual character is truly an art. Here are some things to consider when naming your pet.

Tips for Picking a Good Pet Name

how to choose a name for your pet
 Getting a new cat or dog is very exciting, but before you dive right into selecting a name, keep these important tips in mind:

  • Select a one or two-syllable name; anything longer will be hard for your pet to recognize.
  • Don’t pick a name that sounds like a command. For example, Kit sounds like sit or Jay sounds like stay. 
  • Only consider names that you’ll feel comfortable calling out when your pet is outside or at the park. 

Where to Get Inspiration for Pet Names

how to choose a name for your pet Next, there’s the inspiration for finding names. Some pet parents look at baby name books for ideas. You can do that as well as:

  • Watching your pet’s personality for a while to see what name fits. It’s okay if your pet doesn’t have a name for a few days. It’s worth the wait to get the right one.
  • See what pets are named on movies and books. This could help you decide what to or what not to name your pet. Consider the popularity of the name Marley after Marley and Me. Many pet owners picked the name because it’s cute and playful; however, many steered away from it because it was so trendy.
  • List names that you have positive associations with. These can come from movies, games, literature, or people or other pets you know that have inspired you.
  • Consider the pet’s origins, too. Jacques might be a perfect name for a French poodle or Wolfgang for a German shepherd. 

What to Do When Naming a Pet as a Family

how to choose a name for your pet Sometimes, naming your pet isn’t a one-person job, and everyone in the family gets to weigh in. This is a great chance for everyone to get to know the new family member and for everyone in the family to feel like their opinions are of equal importance. However, it’s important to set ground rules. For example, if you’d rather not use adjectives as names (Shorty, Fuzzy, etc.), then make sure everyone knows that. If choosing as a family, to make it fair, either have everyone vote for their favorite name or draw one out of a fishbowl.

Testing Your Pet’s Name

how to choose a name for your pet After you select a name or while you’re still considering one, test it on the pet. Practice calling your new cat or dog by the top name(s). As you do this, you might find that you prefer to use a nickname for that name (ex: Wolf instead of Wolfgang). 
Above all, have fun with naming your pet. The right name will click into place just as your new pet will in your life.

how to choose a name for your pet Picking the right name for your pet is important just as picking the right food. Wellness Pet Food’s recipes are carefully created with all-natural ingredients by pet professionals who are dedicated to your pet having a long, happy, healthy life.

3 Easy DIY Pet Accessories with Wellness Natural Pet Food Packaging

This article was originally published on 4/13/2016.

Are you an eco-minded pet parent? Get creative with one of these fun and easy DIY pet accessories, brought to you exclusively by recycling leader, TerraCycle! If crafting isn’t your thing, you can still do your part to support the environment.

As the first US-based pet food brand to partner with TerraCycle, Wellness pet parents can recycle their pets favorite Wellness recipes for free, including our Wellness Complete Health dry recipes, Wellness CORE dry recipes and Wellness TruFood dry recipes for  both dogs and cats. Sign up here to get started, and you’ll begin accumulating points for all you recycle–points that can be used to support your favorite non-profits!

Easy DIY Pet Accessories

DIY Pet Cape Costume

1. Wellness Dog Cape

What You’ll Need

  • Wellpet Dog Food
  • Bagclear packing tape
  • ¼” flat elastic

Tools:

  • ruler
  • scissors
  • pen

Instructions:

1. Start with a clean pet food bag, and cut the edges off.

2. Use your rule to draw a trapezoid that is 6” wide at the bottom, 4” wide at the top, and 7.5” tall.

3. Fold over the narrow end, about .75”

4. Use a length of tape to keep the fold closed.

5. Cut a 17.5” strip of elastic.

6. Loop it through the fold on the cape.

7. Tie and adjust accordingly so it fits your pet!

Design Tip: Cut the bottom in a funky pattern!  Try a zig-zag or wavy shape!Endling line:  Super dogs super upcycle!

2. Collapsible Pet Water Bowl

DIY Pet Food Water Bowl

​​​​Materials:

  • Wellness Pet Food Bag
  • 4 velcro tabs
  • clear tape

Tools:

  • ruler
  • pen or marker
  • scissor

Instructions:

1. Start with a clean pet food bag. Flatten out the package and measure the width. Measure and mark lines on both ends to make the length of the wrapper the same size as the width. A 10” square or smaller will probably work best. Cut along your marked lines.
2. Mark a border 2” from the edge along each side of the square. Fold and crease firmly along this line. Unfold and flatten it.

3. Fold up two sides at one corner of the square. Make a diagonal crease from the corner to the folded border creating an upright triangle. Repeat this for all corners, then unfold them. 4. Take the Velcro tabs, unfasten them, and stick each one on either side of the corner of the square, one per triangle. Make sure that they will line up when fastened. 5. Fold up the bowl at the corners and press the hook and loop fasteners together. You are ready to dish up your pet’s favorite snack in your new bowl!

3. Pet Treat Holder

DIY Pet Treat Holder

Materials:

  • empty dog food bag
  • ruler
  • washable marker

Tools:

  • scissors
  • tape
  • 1 self-adhesive Velcro® fastener

Instructions:

1. Start with a clean, empty dog food bag. Cut a square that is 7 ½ inches on each side. Centered inside the square, draw a smaller square that is three inches on each side. This smaller square will be 2 ¼ inches from all edges.

2. On the top edge of the smaller square, draw a semicircle that hits the top of the large square and starts and ends at opposite corners of the small square. Repeat for the other three sides. Cut around these lines.

Pro tip: To give your treat pouch dimension, make an extra ¼ inch fold at the base of each semicircle.

3. Along the lines of the small square, fold all four semicircles towards the center.

Your piece should fold up to the size of the small square. Tape the bottom flap and two side flaps in place.

4. Attach one side of the self-adhesive Velcro® fastener on the inside of the top flap. Then, fold down the flap so the other side of the self-adhesive Velcro® fastener attaches to the outside of the bottom flap. Let the Velcro® fastener stick where it naturally landed after you folded the top flap down.

Fill your new treat pouch with your favorite treats for your favorite pet!

10 Steps for Choosing the Right Shelter Cat for You

The decision to get a shelter cat is exciting but it can also seem overwhelming. It’s a wonderful feeling to know you’ll be providing a forever home, but you may also be concerned with how to pick the right cat. Being impulsive when it comes to choosing a shelter cat may work out but to increase the chances of being the right home for the right cat, my recommendation is to be well-prepared. Here are my 10 tips.

1. Should You Get a Kitten or Adult Cat?

There are advantages to both but it’s important to look at the time you can take for training. A kitten will require more supervision and training. The house will may also need to be kitten-proofed as an inquisitive young kitten will want to explore just about everything. If you’re hoping for a cat with a certain temperament, then an adult cat may be the best choice.

2. Evaluate Your Home Environment

What is your family life like? Is it chaotic and busy or relaxed and calm? If your family life is very busy, think about whether you’d have time for the addition of a cat. Do you have children in the home? What are their expectations? If your children are very young, a kitten may not be the best choice because they are easily injured. Do you live alone and spend little time at home? Consider adopting two cats so they can keep each other company. You may find a pair of cats at the shelter who are already bonded.

3. Think About the Relationship You Want

cat snuggling person
Before going to the shelter, take time to think about what type of relationship you want with a cat. Are you looking for a cuddly lap cat who is quiet, or an active cat who will keep you on your toes? If you choose a long-haired cat will you have the time to do daily brushing? Are you looking for a cat who will sleep in bed with you or one who keeps a distance? To prevent disappointment for both you and your new cat, think about your relationship expectations.

4. Do You Already Have Pets at Home?

cat meeting dog
Be mindful of the furry family you already have. If you currently have a cat at home, try to match complementary personalities when choosing a second cat and be prepared to do a gradual introduction. If you have a dog at home, try to choose a shelter cat who has previous (and positive) experience with dogs.

5. Talk with Shelter Personnel

They can help you narrow down your search for the right cat. Don’t take offense at questions they ask because they’re intended to ensure a good match.

6. Do a Walk-Through and Look at the Cats Before Settling on One

shelter cat
Trust me, it can be so easy to fall in the love with the very first cat you see, but take a moment and do a general walk-through. That way, you may find a couple of cats with whom you’d like to spend more time. If you just stop at the first cage, you may miss that amazing feline love of your life in the last cage on the other end of the room.

7. Spend One-on-One Time

Once you see a cat who touches your heart, spend some one-on-one time together. Most shelters have “get acquainted” rooms where you spend quiet time. This is the time to see how you both react to each other. Are you able to pet the cat? Does the cat like being held? How does the cat respond when you extend your hand? Remember, the cat may be frightened and the personality you see at the moment may not reflect how the cat will be in a home environment without all the shelter stress. What matters now is whether you feel a connection. Let the cat come to you. Take the time needed for the cat to feel secure enough to come toward you, even just a few steps. 

8. Coming Home

cat with scratching post

Photo by Paweł Adamczak on Unsplash

Have a room set up for the newest feline family member. This room should have a litter box, scratching post, toys, feeding station, and places to hide. Even though you know you’re providing a wonderful new home for the cat, it may take time for the newcomer to get familiar. Coming from the shelter environment to a totally unfamiliar place can be overwhelming. Provide one room so the cat can get comfortable with the new smells, sights and sounds. Don’t ask your new cat to get to know an entire new home or apartment all at once.

9. Get to Know Each Other

cat snuggling with person

Photo by Paul Hanaoka on Unsplash

If your new cat is timid or overwhelmed, let him get to know you before you introduce other family members. Let the cat set the pace of how much interaction he wants. Trust-building is important and it happens by letting your new cat take the initiative. If he’s scared, provide some hiding places for him by scattering open paper bags or boxes in the room. This way, he can feel somewhat invisible which will lower his stress level. Trust-building may take time or you may have adopted a cat who is ready to investigate his new home the moment you walk in the door. What’s important is that you let the cat set the pace.

10. Be Patient and Ask for Help if Needed


If you adopted an adult cat, keep in mind that he comes with a history. It may take him a little time to shake off his past or his stress from shelter life. Don’t expect your new cat to be the perfect feline companion 24 hours after coming home. If you have questions or concerns, stay in touch with the shelter because in most cases, the personnel are more familiar with the cat and can help guide you through any early rough patches. 
Be patient, train with love and continue to build his trust. The time you spend now to help him feel secure, safe and loved, will pay off as you watch your newest family member blossom.

How to Honor Your Pet on World Pet Memorial Day

World Pet Memorial Day is on June 9 and is a time for pet owners who have lost a beloved pet to remember, to honor, to celebrate and to reflect on the life of a departed pet.

Honoring Your Pet Online

Social media is one of the most popular ways to honor one’s pet on World Pet Memorial Day. Here are some things you can do.

  • Post a favorite picture or series of pictures of your pet on social media.
  • Consider making a photo album of your pet starting from the time he was small or from when your journey together began.
  • Share stories about your pet on social media or on your website. A favorite moment or experience is a great way to remember the love you shared with a pet who has passed.
  • Create a website for your pet. This is a place for you to share pictures, quotes, videos, and longer stories about your pet. Not only does creating a designated page for your pet give you more quality time reflecting on your life together but reading it also could help other pet owners who’ve lost pets.

To help others find your online tributes, make sure to use the hashtag #worldpetmemorialday, so other pet lovers and mourners can share in the joy your pet brought and in your shared grief. You can also create a unique hashtag for your pet.

Special Ways to Memorialize Your Pet

In addition to honoring your pet online, there are many special things you can do to create permanent reminders of your pet.

  • Print photos of your pet for you to hang on the walls of your home or to put on your desk at work. Seeing the image on a regular basis will bring back fond memories of the happy times you and your pet had together.
  • Get crafty be creating a memorial stone for your garden or walkway. The stone could be painted or could have your pet’s name or image carved into it. Every time you see the stone, you’ll have a beautiful reminder of your pet.
  • Plant a bush, flower, or tree in honor of your pet. Just as your pet had a positive impact on your life, so will a plant on the environment.
  • Make a donation to a cause that your pet led to you. This could be a variety of things from donating to the shelter where you got your pet to donating to a research center that cures pets of ailments your pet may have suffered from. You can also consider volunteering or donating to the park where you used to take your pet.

Taking Time to Remember Your Pet

Whatever you decide to do on World Pet Memorial Day, remember to take time. No matter how much time has passed since you lost your pet, you still have strong feelings that you deserve to take time to feel. Take a walk where you used to walk your pet or sit on a park bench where you used to watch your pet play and think about those special times. Reflect on the wonderful moments that you had and help yourself find peace in knowing how much you and your pet brought to one another’s lives.

When you lose a pet, take care of yourself and allow yourself to grieve and honor your dearly departed loved one. Wellness Pet Food believes in the best physical, mental and emotional health for pets and pet owners. For those who have lost pets, we are sorry for your loss.

About This Page

Date:

09/06/2018

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