When you adopt a new feline, you probably want to make him or her a member of your family as soon as possible. But remember that it takes time to establish trust. Even cats that are affectionate upon the first meeting may still be skittish once you actually get home.

There's no telling how soon your feline will adapt. Sometimes, your new cat will settle in quickly. However, sometimes you will find that your cat is unwilling to be sociable and prefers hiding under the bed to joining in household activities. Normally, a cat will choose one person in the home that he bonds with. You'll know when a cat wants to bond with you, as he will hop on your lap seeking attention or snuggle up to you at night when you are sleeping. Although many experts have tried to figure it out, no one really knows why cats choose a particular person whom they will bond with. It could be the individual's manners, voice, or simply how that person treats the cat. Perhaps the individual just has the right personality for bringing out the best in that specific cat.

If your cat runs every time you enter the room, do not think that it means that she hates you! There are many possible explanations for this behavior. It could be that her previous owners were abusive or neglectful, or she could simply be stressed from being in a crowded shelter. Plus, she now has new territories, household routines, and people to get used to. Moving is one of the most stressful experiences for a human, just imagine what it must be for a cat that has had no preparation for the event! So allow the cat to hide away if she wishes. Simply make sure that food, plenty of fresh water, and a litter box are readily available to meet the cat's needs.

There's nothing wrong with trying to encourage your new friend into exploration and bonding, but do not try to force affection on or from your cat. A small treat or cat toy might make him curious enough to come explore. When your cat does appear, keep your voice gentle and refrain from making sudden loud noises. This might startle him back into hiding. Additionally, allowing him to sniff your fingers can be a good first step towards forming a bond. Sometimes the best way to make a new cat comfortable is by pretending to ignore him. When you stare at him and make too much of a fuss over his presence, he might feel overwhelmed. If you pretend not to notice him, he might feel secure enough to actually approach you. This is not unusual feline behavior; sometimes they'll even end up on your lap. But if your cat does not show curiosity, that's ok too. Remain patient, and he'll come to trust you soon enough.

If you have children, it's likely that they will be disappointed that their new friend doesn't want to play. However, it is important that you caution them to not try to pick up the cat before she trusts you. Explain to them that their new friend is a bit shy and scared, and therefore needs time to get comfortable with you. And some cats never enjoy being picked up, so watch for signs that your cat wants to be left alone. If your cat is so scared that she shows signs of aggression, such as a hissing, flattened ears, or even a swiping paw, it's a good idea to step back. She mostly likely doesn't mean any harm; she just doesn't want you to come too close. Therefore, it is advisable to monitor the interaction of your cat with your child just to make sure neither comes to harm.

It can take a few weeks for a cat to get used to his new home. And even after that, the road to true trust can be a lengthy one, but the bond between you is one that will develop and strengthen over the years. Even though there are a lot of theories and speculation out there, no one really knows why cats bond with humans. There's little to no proof available as well, other than cats and their natural instinct for physical survival. Those who own cats know that cats crave attention, simply to make them feel needed. They love to be pampered by their owners, and will shower you with attention and affection if you just give them the chance. Patience truly is the key. It will be worth it in the end, and before you know it, you'll have a loving friend to build many good memories with.

One of the most popular resolutions at New Years is to lose weight. But, have you ever considered that your pet might be the one who needs to drop a few pounds? People may not be aware of this, but obesity is one of the greatest health problems pets face these days.

America's portly pets are tipping the scales at an all-time high. As many as 40 percent of American household pets are obese or overweight -- that's 48 million cats and dogs -- yet few pet owners recognize the seriousness of the condition.
We love our pets, but sometimes that love can lead pet owners to pamper their pets just a little too much when it comes to food and treats. It can be hard to say no and not give them special treats when it results in getting the loving look that only they can give. But this over indulgence has the same effects on our pets as it does on us when we over eat or snack a little too often. And if you add in not getting enough exercise, then the problem is compounded.

Like humans, pets develop certain diseases too when they are overweight. Problems that can develop from obesity include arthritis, diabetes, skin problems, heat intolerance, respiratory problems, heart disease, gastrointestinal problems such as pancreatitis, and liver problems. These health problems can lead to serious complications and are indeed life threatening.

Thus, in order to stay healthy, pets depend on their owners to combat these problems. One of the best means to solving weight problems is a strict exercise schedule. So, it is a must that owners should create a healthy exercise schedule for their dogs. You should develop a regular exercise routine that includes a daily walks, playtime, or other activities such as hiking or running along a bicycle while on a leash. The best thing about this program is that not only the dogs get the chance to exercise but their owners do too. Exercise is not only important to your pet's physical health, but mental health as well. If pets do not get appropriate amounts of exercise, then they are not happy.

Next is to create a healthy diet for your pet. Nutritionally balanced meals are extremely important so that your pet obtains the necessary nutrients they need in order to stay healthy. This should include the right combination of fiber, meat, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals. Just keep in mind that when increasing your pets fiber intake that plenty of water is provided to prevent constipation.

If you think your pet may be lugging around some excess pounds, it is important to speak with your veterinarian before radically changing their diet or exercise plan. Your vet can advise you on how you can get your pet back into optimum shape should he weigh in a bit too much. In this way, only the proper methods of dieting will be employed. Keeping your pet at an ideal weight will make him happier and healthier member of your family for years to come.

The holiday season is a great time to capture memorable images of your pet. Previously we shared some tips for improving your pet photography; now we have some tips on how to preserve and display those photos. And to give you some inspiration, we're including some of our favorite holiday photos from last year!

Scrapbooking is a wonderful way to preserve your cherished memories. For many people their pets are an important part of the family, so it is just natural to want to capture those special times shared with a beloved pet. You can use your favorite scrapbooking tools to make unique pages that you can enjoy for years to come.

To get started, you'll need to have some good photos of your pet from a variety of different angles. Also, make sure that you capture your pet with different members of the family. And if your dog has a favorite toy, include some special pictures of that as well.

First, make sure that the scrapbooking materials you use are acid and lignin free. You'll need scrapbooking supplies such as an album, cut-outs, stickers, letter rub-ons, and any other creative embellishments you desire. Choose things related to your pet such as dog breed stickers or cat themed papers.

Next, you will want to consider what themes to include in your pet's scrapbook. We have a few ideas to help you get started, but you should include any moments you want to preserve for posterity.

My Pet's First _______
Focus on "the firsts". If you are fortunate enough to get your pet while he or she is still a baby, then create a scrapbook album around the "firsts". But even if you adopted your pet when he or she was older, you can still create some great "first" scrapbook pages. Create scrapbook pages around coming home, your pet's first bath, first visit to the park, first car ride, etc.

A Day in the Life
Tracking your pet's daily activities is another great scrapbook theme. You could include pages about your pet's morning routine, nap time, meal time, and outdoor time. Trace your pet's paw print and include that in the pages too!

My Favorites
A theme around "pet favorites" is also a fun idea. Take photos and create pages around your pet's favorite activities. For a cat you might include pages on favorite toys and nap places. For a dog, choose photos of favorite outdoor play or playtime with toys.

Special Occasions
In addition to holidays, there are other special occasions that you may celebrate with your pet throughout the year. Do you celebrate your pet's birthday? Then by all means include some "birthday" photos in the scrapbook.

Pets are wonderful. They keep you laughing, cheer you up when you are down, and love you no matter what. And there is nothing more heartwarming than seeing a child who has fallen asleep curled up next to a favored animal. So it is no wonder that pets are a very common gift for children at holidays. What child's eyes wouldn't light up at the sight of a brand new baby animal to hold and hug?

However, you should remember that pets are a long-term commitment. Little critters are soft, warm and fuzzy gifts but (and it's a big but) they all grow up. Cute little puppies become big romping, barking dogs. Cuddly little kittens turn into large aloof cats. Soon the baby ducks and chicks are no longer soft and fuzzy, but big, noisy and messy. And most surprising of all, those two bunnies, Fred and George, turned out to be Fred and Georgia!

Also, keep in mind that animals cost money way above and beyond the initial purchase price. Food, leashes, food, collars, food and water bowls, training supplies, food, toys, vet bills, food, licenses and tags, and more food!

Buying a pet as a gift should be a well-planned and thought out move, not a spur of the moment decision based on emotion. If you are honestly thinking of getting someone a pet for the holidays, even if it is not for a child, make sure the gift fits. Be sure it is something you would do even if there were no holiday involved.

Once the pet is revealed, promises to love, feed, and take care of the new addition to the family will flow like water. Therefore, it is important to choose an animal the recipient is capable of handling. For example, you don't want to get a dog that will quickly grow to the size of a small pony for a young child. In fact, you might want to expose your child to other people's animals before buying a pet of your own. This will let you know if your child by chance has allergic reactions to animals before you bring one home that they will fall in love with. It will also give you time to try to convince them that they would really prefer a turtle, lizard, or something else that doesn't have dander.

Finally, there is a great deal of time that has to be invested in getting any pet acclimated to your household, and the holidays are not always a good time to do that. The hustle and excitement of a houseful of friends and family is not the best setting for a new puppy, kitten, or any other young animal. A better idea might be to cut out a picture of the pet you have in mind, put that in a card, and make sure the child understands that as soon as the holidays have passed and things have gone back to normal, they can help pick out the newest member of the family.

I haven't been the best doggie this year... But it's just so much fun to bark at the mailman and chase kitty cats that I can't help it. Mommy say that it must be in my jeans, but that doesn't make sense because dog don't wear pants. Mommy is silly sometimes... Anyway, I decided that I would try bribery in order to get Santa Paws to visit this year. So I'm having Mommy bake some goodies that the reindogs should enjoy. My plan is that they will smell all the yummy treats and make a special trip to our house. If you think that you might be on the naughty list, you could have your Mommy or Daddy make some as well.
~Bandit

P.S. I also included some cat treats on the list to apologize for that time I chased a cat into a bush and to show Santa that I really want to be friends with all the kitties out there...

Homemade Pet Treats for Christmas

View more lists from Gifts by Genius

Whether you have children at home or simply encounter them in public, it's crucial for your dog to learn to "play nicely" with them. Here are some basic safety suggestions to keep in mind whenever you and your pet will be around children:

Young children and dogs should always be supervised when together. Children love holding a dog's leash, but an adult should be there to supervise. For example, a child may not be able to control even the most mild-mannered dog if they are approached by another dog. Also, children can hurt the dog by pulling too hard on his collar, causing him to snap or bite.

Consider your dog's personality. If she has shown signs of being aggressive towards children then do not allow any unsupervised contact. If you have not already, you might also consider asking your vet about evaluation by a certified animal behaviorist.

Learn to read your dog's body language. Pets can become upset by too much stimulation. Watch for signs that your pet wants to be left alone. Especially watch for warning signs like hissing, lip curling, and/or raised hackles.

Keep your pet calm. Some dogs get very excited and agitated when confronted by large groups of children. And the high-pitched sounds and quick motions of children playing may frighten some dogs. Consider using pet calming spray or treats to help your dog stay calm no matter how much activity is going on around her.

Teach kids good manners. Children should not disturb a dog while he's eating, taking a nap, or playing with a favorite toy.

Show respect for your pet's boundaries. Children should learn which parts of the dog's body they can touch and pet and how to touch gently. For instance, your dog may love belly rubs and having his head stroked but resent having his feet or tail touched.

Feel free to share the summary of these suggestions with other pet lovers, and as always be sure to get the professional advice of a veterinarian for any issues or concerns with your pet.

Dog Owner Vs Parents by egogenius

Especially when you are at someone else's home...

Visiting friends and family with either pets or kids inevitably ends one way -- in disaster. Take your eyes of either one and sure enough they will do the following:

• Run through the house and break something expensive
• Steal food off someone's dinner plate
• Find (create) mud, play in it, and then nap in host's bed
• Vomit, poop, and/or pee on a brand new rug
• And before the visit is over, someone is going to get bitten...