Meet dog lover and M.B.A student, Sarah! Sarah, originally from Connecticut, joined the WellPet Marketing team for six months in 2017 so she could learn the pet industry while working on her Masters in Business Administration. What we didn’t anticipate is how much she taught us!
Sarah with her golden doodle Ace
First Name, College & Program, WellPet Department Sarah, Northeastern University D’Amore-McKim School of Business, Marketing
Why did you choose WellPet for your Co-op/Internship? I chose WellPet because of the culture that was explained to me and the people I met with. I love the industry, and I love marketing so I thought it would be a great fit.
Any pets in your life? Yes, Ace, my 2 ½ year old golden doodle.
How did WellPet complement your education? I learned a lot from different departments that helped me to narrow down what I’m interested in doing. I loved learning about the different aspects of marketing from different people.
Describe a Wellie: Not only an employee but someone who has the WellPet spirit and is passionate about working here.
What was your favorite Wellie day? All of the Take Your Dog to Work days each month – especially the Halloween one where Ace dressed up as a hot dog.
Professionally, what did you find most useful about your Wellie experience? Working with knowledgeable people. Access to a lot of different people, even Camelle and Lisa being in meetings and learning from them. Working on projects people care about, and feeling like I was making a difference.
Do you see yourself as a future Wellie? Yeah, definitely. I love the people, so passionate about the industry and the work we do, it’s exciting to be here.
What advice do you give future Co-ops/Interns? Get to know people and learn about them – it was fun to socialize and make friends who I’ll keep in touch with even when I leave.
A well-trained puppy with great social skills in guaranteed to have a great social life because good manners opens doors ensuring he will be welcome everywhere.
Start Training Early
It’s important to start young. Dog trainers say that the puppy stage between five weeks and twenty weeks is critical because that’s when the dog sets its attitudes towards how it reacts towards other dogs and people. Positive interactions and experiences at this impressionable age means you are giving your dog great social skills that it will be able to carry forward into adulthood.
A good book on raising puppies will offer lots of excellent tips but it’s also a great idea to enroll him in a puppy class with a professional trainer. Not only will your pooch learning the basics but it’s a great opportunity to make friends with other dogs in his class.
Stay Consistent
When it comes to training, puppy basics actually apply to the person on the other end of the leash too. So, it’s important to be consistent and re-enforce what you have learned in class in your home environment. This means that one member of the household must be the designated in-house trainer.
Re-enforcement and encouragement should be in the form of verbal praise such as phrases like “good job!” and “well done” and further reinforced with a yummy training treat. Remember treats have calories and should be a portion of your dog’s daily diet. So be sure to manage the calorie count! You can treat with small chunks or carrots, celery and cucumber too.
Reward for a Job Well Done
Toys also make great training tools to teach young puppies basic commands and good manners. It’s a good idea to let your puppy “audition” a variety of different toys in order to select a favorite. Then when you bring it out, he will automatically be keen to play – and learn.
The texture of the toy is very important. So is the shape and any sounds it makes. It also needs to be lightweight and the right size so that your puppy can comfortably pick it up and carry it around. Fortunately, many toy manufacturers spell out the elements and benefits of their toys on the packaging and this will help with your final selection.
Socialize Your Puppy
Taking your puppy with you to a variety of different places is a great way to socialize him and make him feel really comfortable around both other pets and people.
Dogs are very empathic creatures so, they can read your feelings. That’s why it’s important not to be nervous when taking him out and out to test his skills. He will quickly know whether you are or aren’t in control!
Of course, there are going to be puppy accidents and he’s going to try and win you over with those big doleful puppy eyes, but it’s important to be firm, with an understanding tone in your voice and always remain positive. Puppies are no different to children, they know how to subtly manipulate you.
Your local pet boutique or pet supermarket is a great place for an outing to meet other dogs and owners. Because people come and go, it’s never too overwhelming for a young dog. Just walking around is a great way for a puppy to learn about new smells, noises and even about walking on slick store surfaces.
Some stores actually host play date afternoons, giving puppy owners the opportunity to meet and mingle – and talk about their pups and make new friends on both ends of the leash.
A new puppy! Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of fun as your exuberant pup turns your home and yard into an exciting adventure playground seeking out fun stuff to explore — and chew.
Puppy Proof Your Home
Just like small children and crawling babies, puppies are driven by curiosity.
Before you bring your new friend home, it’s a good idea to scan your house and garden from their view point by getting down on your hands and knees. Everything looks very different from a puppy’s ground-level perspective.
This will highlight hidden dangers within a small dog’s reach such as gaps behind furniture and appliances where an exploring puppy can easily get stuck and hurt.
Consider a laundry basket and trash cans with lids so that the respective contents don’t get chewed, as this can be very dangerous. Now you have a real excuse to put your shoes away and not leave them lying around, especially ones with laces.
Remove items of jewelry along with hair accessories, medication and creams and any other small objects from nightstands, as they are all potential hazards. Never empty pockets of coins and leave them lying around anywhere because the metals can be toxic if ingested. Instead load up a decorative piggy bank with small change and, when its full, spend the cash on a fun new doggie accessory or toy.
Make sure no shopping bags are left lying around especially plastic ones.
And, on the subjecting of shopping bags, a new puppy calls for a shopping spree in advance to ensure that you have all the right accessories, toys and food before you bring him home.
Basic Shopping List
Crates
By nature, all dogs have a denning instinct and a crate simulates this basic need and allows your puppy to have its own personal space.
There is a large selection of crates made from wire or plastic compositions in all colors. Select a size with your full-grown dog in mind and ensure it has a divider so you can initially create a puppy space and enlarge it as he grows. Also consider a two-door design to give you better access according to where its positioned in the home. To create a proper doggie den, kit it out with accessories including comfy mattresses, and foam bumpers similar to what you’d put in a baby’s cot.
Food and Water Bowls
There is no shortage of stylish food and water bowls that will slot in beautifully with your home décor. Stainless steel, glass or ceramic bowls are hygienic because they as dishwasher safe and thus easy to keep clean. Look for styles that have a rubber ring on the bottom so that your puppy can’t move it around the house.
Many veterinarians consider raised food bowls a good idea because the standing position for eating aids digestion. There are numerous models on the market with telescopic legs so that you can increase the height as your puppy grows.
A drinking fountain is an excellent idea to ensure that your puppy as a constant supply of fresh running water. This will replicate running water that dogs would drink in the wild and will ensure he stays properly hydrated.
Food and Treats
If you adopted your puppy from a shelter, the chances are you have been given a bag of the food he has been fed to date. A healthy grain-free diet will help keep your growing dog healthy and glossy. There are special puppy diets to help with growth. And, if you are planning to transition over to a new recipe, do it over a period of a week to 10 days. This way you will avoid any dietary issues such as a runny tummy that can occur if you switch over too quickly.
Look for low calorie treats and experiment with different flavors and textures to see what your pooch enjoys. Treats are a great training tool when you get ready to work on his social skills.
Toys
Stocking a toy box is something that you can do over time as all dogs need action, distraction and comfort toys. But initially, get your puppy something plush that he can sleep. Go for something cuddly but chew-resistant with lots of squeakers to ramp up the fun with and also purchase some fun non-toxic throw toys.
Joining a family can be very overwhelming for a puppy. So, it’s a really good idea to create a space for him in one room of the home with all his new accessories. And make it somewhere quiet too. Another good excuse to tell teenagers to turn that music down! Make sure the crate is not near a draughty door or window.
It takes time for a puppy to get acclimatized so take it slow with family introductions. Initially, do it one person at a time and supervise the meet-and-greets if small children are involved. This way everyone in the household can begin forming great friendships from the start.
Stress. We hear that word often as it relates to humans but it can be a big problem for cats as well. While stress can’t be totally avoided in life and a certain amount is necessary to help us all survive (Acute stress triggers fight or flight response), we can limit how much cats endure.
Types of Stress in Cats
Acute stress:
This is something cat parents more easily recognize in cats. Just picture your cat on the veterinarian’s exam table or remember the day you brought home a second pet or moved to a new house.
Chronic stress:
This can easily be overlooked. This is the day-to-day stress that a cat may experience from any number of causes. Behavior may change so gradually that cat parents miss things such as change in activity level, appetite, grooming habits or litter box usage. Short-term stress is something the body is equipped to handle but long-term, chronic stress can play a major role in the onset of behavior problems and even disease.
A Veterinary Check-up Comes First
Granted, a trip to the veterinarian is often stressful in itself, but if you notice a change in behavior, weight, appearance, litter box habits, appetite, or water consumption, have your cat checked out. Don’t skip this all-important first step.
Reducing Your Cat’s Stress
Here’s a list of 10 tips to guide you on ways to reduce some common stress triggers.
1. Maintain Your Cat’s Health
Don’t skip annual veterinary wellness visits. Catching a potential medical problem in the early stages increases the odds of successful treatment and maintenance. Also, keep up at-home health routines such as good nutrition, parasite control, dental care, grooming and nail care.
2. Less-Stressful Veterinary Visits
Stress is one of the most common reasons cats don’t see the veterinarian as often as dogs do. You can reduce that stress in a few easy ways. First, get your cat comfortable with the carrier. Leave the carrier out and periodically toss treats near it. This helps take the fear out of the carrier’s presence. When going to the veterinary clinic, bring an extra towel which can be used to cover the carrier opening to give kitty more privacy. When sitting in the waiting room, hold the carrier on your lap or on the seat next to you. Avoid placing the carrier on the floor since that can be more stressful. If you have a carrier where the top can be detached from the bottom, during the exam you can let your cat remain in the bottom part.
3. Consistent Cat Training
Reduce stress by making sure everyone in the family is on the same page with training. For example, if kitty isn’t allowed on the table by one family member but is permitted by another, it sends a confusing and stressful mixed message. Train with kindness and consistency.
4. Create a Peaceful Mealtime
It starts with feeding a high quality food that’s appropriate for your cat’s age and health. Next, create a peaceful mealtime setting by keeping the feeding station clean and inviting. Use a food bowl that’s a comfortable size and shape and doesn’t cause your cat’s whiskers to get squished. Locate the feeding area in a quiet place that’s free from sudden noises. Place food and water a little distance apart as many cats don’t like water right next to food. In a multicat household, give each cat an individual food bowl because cats aren’t social eaters. You can discourage one cat from nosing another cat out of the bowl if they each have their own separate dishes. If necessary, feed cats in separate rooms to reduce stress.
To encourage successful mealtimes, add a grain-free topper like CORE Simply Shredsto your cat’s meal.
5. Your Cat’s Social Interaction
Never force your cat to interact. Let kitty set the pace of how much he wants to engage. Don’t insist on holding or petting your cat if he doesn’t want it. If he doesn’t mind being held, always put him down before he starts to struggle. Keep the experience positive. You can give him incentives to be more sociable, such as offering a treat or playtime, but always let it be his choice of whether to accept or decline.
6. Happy Litter Box Set-up
Make sure the litter box is the right size and type for your cat. It should be 1 ½ times the length of your cat from tip of nose to base of tail. As for litter, most prefer soft, sandy, scoopable litter. Texture is important to cats. Scoop the litter box at least twice a day to ensure there’s always enough clean area for elimination. Locate the box in a quiet spot that’s convenient and comfortable to access. In a multicat home, provide numerous litter boxes scattered throughout the house so one cat doesn’t have to cross another cat’s area. The general rule is to have one more box than number of cats.
7. Environment and Resources
Cats live in a vertical world. Provide cat trees, perches or other elevated locations to create security and comfort. Cats also like to alternate between being hidden and being visible. Offer hiding places for those times when kitty wants to watch the household goings-on as an undetected spectator. Indoor cats have to share overlapping territories so reduce stress by making sure each cat has comfortable places for napping, hiding and resource availability within their preferred area. This can go a long way in increasing multi-cat harmony.
8. Cat Communication
Cats are masters of communication and just their body language alone can tell you so much about what’s going on inside their heads. Observe your cat’s body language and become educated about whether he’s saying I’d rather not be disturbed now or please play with me.
9. Stress-Reducing Playtime
Playtime is more than just fun and exercise. Playtime releases good brain chemicals and helps a cat develop positive associations with their environment and people around them. Playtime is beneficial to reducing stress on an everyday basis as well as when you’re dealing with a particularly stressful event. Engage in interactive playtime daily and also create fun activities for your cat for when you aren’t home. This can involve puzzle feeders, tunnels and other activities to keep your cat stimulated.
10. Less-Stressful Life Transitions
Cats are creatures of habit but unfortunately, life is full of changes. Some changes are unavoidably sudden but if there’s an upcoming anticipated change, ease your cat through it gradually. Whether it’s the addition of a new baby, new cat or any other disruption in his normal routine. Go at a slow pace and let him take small steps through the adjustment. Your cat will appreciate the extra effort made to help him through life’s surprises.
This Valentine’s Day, how far will cats go to get a taste of their favorite crunchy, savory, lip-smacking treats? Here’s an idea how far…
1. They’ll guard them
2. They’ll snuggle them
3. They’ll defend them
4. They’ll socialize for them
5. They’ll stretch for them
6. They’ll steal them
7. They’ll pose with them
8. They’ll paw them
9. They’ll whisper sweet nothings to them
.
10.Cats just LOVE their Kittles!
So treat them!
Pick up a bag of Wellness Kittles at PetSmart, Petco or your local pet store, or online at Amazon.com or Chewy.com. Then tag your cat enjoying their Kittles haul with #wellnesspetfood for a chance to be featured in an upcoming post!
With the majority of the United States currently locked in the throes of Winter, we know all too well how us humans tend to lose our mojo when it comes to getting out and about in this less than desirable weather. However, our dogs, for the most part, are generally unfazed by the elements (extreme weather on either side not withstanding) and are always up for a good time. So let’s do them a solid, get creative and go have some winter fun with our pups! Unless you have a family full of endlessly imaginative kids to occupy your pup’s time with entertaining days of dress up, fort building and long deep heart-to-hearts, I can assure you —your dog is bored. Let’s spice up your dog’s winter with some fun, creative ways to spend time together and beat the winter blues.
Road Trip It
If you have time to make a road trip this Winter, we have picked out some unique and wonderfully dog-obsessed destinations:
Just outside of Winter Park, in Granby, CO, the Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic Center is home to their very own dog-friendly cross country, snow shoe and hiking trails. If you want to explore more, the National Forest is close by where you and your pup can explore for hours on countless dog-friendly trails.
Not only do these beautiful cabins come equipped with a dog door and fenced in yard, but the entire 7 acres of Barkwell’s is fenced in! You and your pup have access to all the lush landscape, and pond for the swimmers out there, even in Winter.
The Paw House Inn is so committed to their canine guests that they have implemented a $10 service charge if you DON’T bring a dog. How awesome is that! The Inn is impeccable, so incredibly dog welcoming, and super close to countless cross country and hiking trails that you pup can adventure with you during the day, and be pampered at night.
As dog owners, we generally don’t like to leave our besties behind to run our errands or exercise on weekends. Well Yoga Force just of Los Angeles, CA is answering your prayers, you may now downward dog for real at Doga. Yes, Doga, let that sink in. The recommendation is for dogs on the smaller side, but if you have a big guy as your side kick, bring him along, they can offer modifications.
If you and your dog are both missing the beach days of summer, you for the Vitamin E and sunshine, her for the beach swims, know there’s a solution to satisfy at least one of you. Check out Dogs Gone Swimming in Portland, and let your pup get their dog paddle on!
Home-Spun-Fun
If a road trip isn’t in the cards for you this winter, then some home-spun-fun is the way to go, and we have some great ideas:
Go Back to School
Everyone can further their education, no matter if you are the proud parent to a puppy kindergarten drop-out or an obedience master, there’s always room to learn something new. Check out your local Animal Hospital, Dog Boutiques or Community Boards for postings on continuing education for your fur-baby.
Skijoring
What? Skijoring is a combination of cross country skiing and dog sledding, this Norwegian sport is starting to get some attention here in the US. Your dog is in a harness which is attached with a towline/rope to your skijorking harness. You use skis and poles to build momentum while your dog pulls and enjoys. If you have more than one dog that’s great it can certainly be a team sport, the more the merrier. This sport is recommended for larger, high activity dogs. Know your dog before you take on a high-intensity activity like this (maybe even ask your vet if your dog is fit enough), as some dogs prefer a more low key approach to fun.
Hide and Seek
Indoor fun for everyone! Test your pups smell skills and hide some treats in inconspicuous places. If your dog is a destroyer, maybe you want to avoid the couch…
Pinterest DIY Dog Toys
Even if you are, like me, not crafty in the least, you may be pleasantly surprised by the super easy and adorable DIY toys you find on Pinterest. From sock puppets to tug-toys made from old t-shirts, you may well just craft your dogs new favorite snuggle buddy.
The start of a new year can mean a fresh slate and a chance to improve the relationship you have with your dog. One great way to do this is by signing your dog up for professional training. If you’ve ever sought professional training for your dog in the past, you may have experienced conflicting perspectives between trainers. It can be overwhelming. Most importantly, know that not all training methods work for all dogs, so it’s important to find a training program that both you and your dog are comfortable with. What works for your friend and their dog might not be the right program for your situation. With that being said, there are some things that every pet parent should research when choosing a dog trainer. Follow these tips to prioritize your dog’s safety and set you up for the best chance of success with dog training:
Listen to Your Gut
It’s often best to find a trainer who uses positive reinforcement and emphasizes communication between you and your dog, nurturing ways in which you and your dog can read one another better.
Since dog training is an unregulated industry, when searching for a trainer, it is important to keep in mind that you are your dog’s advocate. If anything makes you uncomfortable, speak up, say no, or step out. It’s okay to walk out of a class for any reason, if an instructor is asking you to do something you are not comfortable with, wants you to use potentially harmful equipment or is degrading to you or your dog.
As the Behavior Consultant at Great Dog Rescue New England, I often get asked how to find a good trainer─ one who uses the most up-to-date methods. This can be tricky; it is up to us to do our due diligence in selecting who we work with, and how we want to treat our dogs. No one ever goes into training with hurting their dogs as a goal, but putting our trust in the wrong people can inadvertently do so. You can turn to friends, family and your veterinarian for a referral, but you’ll still need to do your own research.
Practicing “paw” command.
Do Your Research
So, what should you be looking for?
Certifications:
CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed)
CPDT-KSA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge & Skills Assessed)
KPA (Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional Program)
Terminology
Positive Reinforcement
Relationship Based
Clicker Training/Reward Marker
Organizations they belong to:
Pet Professional Guild- The Pet Professional Guild is a membership organization representing pet industry professionals who are committed to results based, science based force-free training and pet care
IAABC- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
Equipment:
You’ll find that some trainers only use flat or martingale collars and harnesses, while others may incorporate electronic collars or prong collars into their programs. You need to decide which equipment you’re comfortable with and which equipment you’d rather not use. Equipment alone will not bring dog training success. The key is to develop a positive relationship with your dog through training, and the equipment just supplements this relationship, serving as a tool to communicate more clearly with your dog. Without improving the bond you have with your dog, equipment is not so useful.
Detail:
Do they require you fill out an application/behavior questionnaire?
Do they have a liability form/insurance?
Do they offer a written behavior plan after one-on-one lessons?
Will they share contact information of prior clients they’ve worked with so you can get a referral?
Working on the “come” command.
Tips for Finding Potential Trainers
Many local Shelters and Rescues have excellent, modern, relationship-based training classes.
Your local branch of the SPCA is a good place to start when searching for a trainer.
Ask your veterinarian
Ask your family, friends and neighbors for recommendations
If you are looking for specific behavioral training for a problem behavior, the same rules as above apply, but you may also want to get a referral for a Veterinary Behaviorist. These are veterinarians who specialize in behavior. They can write out a behavior plan for you, prescribe medication if needed and set you up with a local trainer to help you follow through. Many trainers may also be able to help you with behavior problems and modification, but again, make sure they are experienced enough to be doing so, and handle the dogs and the behavior in a way you are comfortable with, and that won’t potentially harm your dog or make the problem worse.
We all love and want to help our dogs, while being able to live with them in a way that fits our lifestyle. Our dogs are always there for us, they love us unconditionally, and we owe it to them to slow down, breathe, educate ourselves and make sure we are doing the best for them we can.
Steph Du Preez is an Adoptions, Behavior, Returns and Local Intake Volunteer at GDRNE as well as, BS, CPDT-KA of Great Dog Rescue NE and Ohh, Sit! Pet Services.
Most cats are beloved furry members of the family but even though they are adored, they can also leave the human members of the family frustrated and confused by behaviors that don’t seem to make sense. What we label as misbehavior or random behavior is just miscommunication between the cat and human. All behaviors make sense to the cat! Let’s decode a few commonly misunderstood behaviors.
Why Does My Cat Like to Hide?
Cats need hiding places.
If your cat likes to hide, it isn’t because he doesn’t like you. If you’ve been trying to get your cat to be more sociable by dragging him out from under the bed, it’s only going to backfire. Being able to have hiding places provides security and allows the cat to feel invisible. If the hiding place gives the cat the opportunity to have his back up against something it also provides extra safety because he’ll feel that no one can sneak up on him from behind. If you set up comfy hiding places such as cave-type beds or boxes turned on their sides, you’ll give your cat a chance to remain hidden while still being in the room with you. As he feels more comfortable and has the choice of whether to engage or not, you may find him spending more time out in the open.
Is My Cat Asking for a Belly Rub When She Rolls onto Her Back?
Relaxed cat exposing that hard-to-resist, soft tummy.
You’re probably familiar with the image of a dog rolling over on her back for a good belly rub. What does it mean when your cat exposes her belly and looks as if she wants the same thing? If you’ve obliged in the past, chances are your hand was met with claws and teeth. Is it a trap? What is she telling you by this confusing behavior? In a secure, relaxed environment, a cat may stretch out on her back to sleep or enjoy a sun bath. It’s a sign she feels completely trusting about being in a vulnerable position. Don’t mistake this posture for an invitation to rub her belly because it will likely result in her grabbing your hand. Touching the bellies of most cats triggers this reflex behavior. The reflex is based on the fact that when threatened, a cat may take a defensive posture of rolling over to let an opponent know that she doesn’t want to engage in battle but if pursued, she will engage all weapons – teeth and claws.
Why Does My Cat Knock Things Off Tables?
Cats often love to explore objects on tables.
Many people may describe this behavior as cats just being jerks or deliberately knocking things over to be annoying. For cats, this behavior makes perfect sense and certainly isn’t motivated by a desire to annoy. Cats use their paws to investigate. It’s safest for a cat to explore an object with his paw before he puts his face close to it. Cats will also touch objects to test for potential movement during play, especially if they’re bored. Certain objects that fall to the ground and roll may spark play behavior. Cats may also knock things off the table as an attention-seeking behavior. This behavior gets repeated when it gets a response from you. The perfect example is if your cat knocks something off your nightstand by the bed in the early morning hours. If you get up and put food in the bowl to quiet him you’ve just taught him that this attention-seeking behavior was a success.
Why Does My Cat Scratch the Furniture?
The ability to scratch is a natural and important part of cat life.
Furniture scratching isn’t done just to sharpen claws and it certainly isn’t done to be destructive. So why does your cat choose the sofa instead of the scratching post? Typically, cats look for objects that are tall, sturdy and covered in a claw-appealing material. Objects also need to be located where the cat likes to scratch. Many scratching posts are too short, covered in a soft material and not very sturdy. To understand what a cat needs, you must understand why they scratch. First, it removes the outer dead nail sheath to expose the new growth. Scratching is also a marking behavior. In addition to leaving a visual mark, it leaves a scent mark from scent glands in the paw pads. Scratching is also how a cat stretches her back and shoulder muscles. Last, but not least, it’s an emotional release. These are all much needed functions in daily cat life. If you’ve tried to convince your cat not to scratch, you’ll only frustrate her. Cats need to scratch. Provide a tall, sturdy post and place it where your cat is currently scratching. Sisal-covered posts are often most appealing to cats. If you give your cat a better option than the sofa, she’ll use it.
Why Isn’t My Cat Affectionate?
Cats show affection in many different ways.
Actually, cats are affectionate, but we often expect them to show it in the same way as dogs. You may be missing signs of affection from your cat. A common sign of affection is when a cat rubs his cheek against you. If you thought that behavior was just marking, you’re missing the good part. It’s associated with affection, friendliness and familiarity. Another sign of affection is head bunting. This is where your cat touches or butts his forehead up against you. Kneading is another affectionate behavior. It’s a throwback to kittenhood where kittens would milk tread with front paws to stimulate the mother’s release of milk. Many adult cats engage in the behavior on soft surfaces (such as our laps) when feeling content and happy. There are many other affectionate signs from your cat as well, such as an upright tail flick when greeting you, displaying a vulnerable posture, slow eye blinks (also known as cat kisses), touching you with a paw or sitting close by. Your cat may even lick you or “groom” you, known as allogrooming, which is a clear sign of affection as well. This is how the cat mixes his scent with yours. And of course there’s always the magical, mystical purr! Although purring is complex and can be displayed in a variety of situations, chances are, the cat that’s curled up next to you is purring out of love and affection.
What Else Can I Do to Understand my Cat?
Learn to Think Like a Cat
Decoding a cat’s behavior is easier than you realize if you take the time to look at the environment from their point of view. Rest-assured that every behavior, no matter how puzzling it may seem, always makes sense to the cat.
Keep an eye on our blog for future articles and tips on how to better understand your feline friends! You can also sign up for our newsletter to receive insider content and savings!
I am a 2-year-old Golden Retriever who lives in Orlando, Florida. My curiously confident and affectionate nature helps me to be a great Therapy Dog, spreading love and happiness to everyone I visit. And that is just what I love to do this holiday season!
The holidays can be a difficult time for many humans, but Therapy Dog visits (or “Animal-Assisted Therapy”) can offer numerous and significant physical and mental health benefits for patients and residents in various settings.
Here I am with a new friend at an assisted care facility.
For example, interaction with a gentle pet has been found to release hormones (i.e. serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin – all hormones that have important roles in boosting moods) that provide an automatic relaxation response in the body. This positive response offers a plethora of physical and mental health benefits such as:
Mental Health:
lowers anxiety
provides comfort
decreases loneliness
lessens depression
reduces boredom
increases mental acuity
provides a happy distraction or “escape”
Physical Health:
lowers blood pressure
improves cardiovascular health
provides a calming effect
diminishes pain
slows down respiratory rate in anxious individuals
With my fluffy powers in tow, I strut into nursing homes, hospitals, and rehabilitation facilities; watching every room I enter light up with smiles at the first sight of me. Sometimes, I even go on Therapy visits with my brother Jack, who’s also a Therapy Dog!
Here I am getting ready to visit kids at the Florida Hospital for Children.
Depending on the environment, I typically do a combination of visiting people in common areas as well as private rooms. I spread love to patients and residents in the nursing homes and hospitals and their friends and family. Having a loved one in the hospital can be taxing. While the patients and residents are usually my main focus on visits, there are other people in the room in need of my healing paws.
Here I am at an assisted care facility spreading joy to one of the residents.
When my parents and I enter a room, they introduce us and walk towards the patient or resident. Sometimes they are in the bed, other times in a chair or wheel chair. I do not immediately go up to every person we visit, as some people want me to visit them, but maybe not come too close, or do not wish to pet me. Even my presence can bring relaxation and a happy distraction.
Most of the time, humans can’t wait to pet me! When we get the okay, I’m given my “Go Say Hi!” command; this means I have permission to approach the person. I calmly walk towards them–my wagging tail at work–showing everyone in the room just how important this job is to me. If there’s a request, I’m permitted to put my front paws on the bed so the patient can pet me. My command for this is “Paws Up!” which differentiates between my normal “Up” command, for jumping on something with my whole body, versus just two paws. (To keep both the patient/resident and myself safe, I do not ever put my whole 75-pound body on patient beds.)
Once I’m in the best position and settled close to them, they’ll begin to pet me, ask questions, share memories, talk to us about their families and share thoughts and feelings with my parents and I.
Everyone loves my Christmas reindeer antlers and light-up Christmas necklace I wear on visits around the holidays. Sometimes, I even show off my party tricks when we’re in common areas. I love the attention so entertaining with my fun tricks is something I’m always excited to do!
As a Therapy Dog team, my parents and I cannot forget some of the most important people that keep these facilities and health care institutions running! Many employees in the facilities are in need of a smile and are very grateful to get their spirits lifted by some time with me. Petting, hugging and cuddling me is an uplifting respite in the middle of a long shift or tough day.
Whether they’re patients, residents, friends and family or nurses, social workers and doctors I pass in the hallways I can help ground people from all walks of life, no matter their current struggles.
Here I am greeting some new friends at the Florida Hospital for Children.
My fluffy head, big golden smile and eyes brimming with unconditional love provide companionship for those who need it most. Whether it’s a few moments or an hour with me, my parents and I have seen just how powerful Therapy Dogs are in helping others open up, enabling them to find comfort, peace, and happiness in the most difficult times of their lives. There is an undeniable wave of joy that fills each room as all eyes lock on me, and ear-to-ear smiles spread like wildfire.
Our cats really know how to get a rise out of us during the holidays. But who can blame them? Sometimes, they need an escape from the holiday excitement, too. And when they do, they head straight for the tree.*
*Safety first! Although cats might sometimes find their way into the Christmas tree, it’s important to closely supervise your pets around your decorations. You can review our full list of Holiday Pet Safety Tips for other potential holiday threats to dogs and cats.
1.
Photo via Andrea N.
2.
Photo via “barkingb”
3.
Photo via “maurinek”
4.
Photo via “entgrty”
5.
Photo Via “lakesidens”
6.
Photo via “pdnitram”
7.
Photo via D. Young
8.
Photo via D. Nolan
9.
Photo via Katrina S.
10.
Photo via “laurene”
Let’s see how many cats love hanging out in the tree! Tag your cat in the tree via #wellnesspetfood #catinatree and post to Facebook or Instagram & we might feature your photo on our website!
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
