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Halloween Decorations

Halloween decorations are the first thing to come out as we get closer to the big day. I know I have been working on my yard for the last couple of days once we got into October! However, decorations can present a multitude of dangers not only to our pets but to wildlife in general!

There can be wires that can be chewed and you have to watch for small decorations that can be swallowed as they present a choking hazard! I love to use a ton of artificial spiderwebs out in the yard as well, but be careful since these can entangle not only your pet but local wildlife! Last year I had to rescue a squirrel from mine…

Halloween Candy and A Safe Halloween With Pets

Candy and chocolate is a must at Halloween! And chocolate is a no-go where pet safety is concerned. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats due to the theobromine content as well as caffeine content. And the darker the chocolate the higher the theobromine content…According to the AKC one ounce of milk chocolate per pound of body weight is a concerning dose. If your dog consumes chocolate watch for vomiting and diarrhea, restlessness, and an increased heart rate. Since eating chocolate can also cause seizures and in some cases death you should consult your veterinarian.

Sugar free candy is another one to watch our for! This includes certain types of candy, mints and chewing gum. This is because sugar free candy contains xylitol which is also toxic to dogs and cats. Xylitol can cause listless and weakness in dogs as well as cause vomiting or collapse.

So really, the best thing to do is keep all Halloween candy out of reach to your pets (not only the contents but the wrapper can cause issues if ingested!). If your cat or dog manages to get into something they shouldn’t be sure to keep a close eye on them in case of adverse reactions. And of course consult with your vet.

A Safe Halloween With Pets and Costumes

Even as a fully grown adult with a daughter of my own, there is nothing I love more than planning my Halloween costume! And the dogs too! The cats? Ummmmm, yeah right haha. If I thought I could get away with it I would!

But did you know that there are things you need to take into consideration when picking out a costume for your pet? Pets can be prone to overheating in a cumbersome costume. So be sure to keep a close eye on your pet to make sure they aren’t showing signs of heat exhaustion in their costume. You can read more on heat exhaustion in dogs HERE.

Be sure to watch for anything that they can rip off or ingest as well.

And some costumes can be difficult to walk in and you definitely don’t want to put them in something that could restrict them from going to the bathroom! As I mentioned above I may just throw a sheet over my dogs this year…or another idea I have seen is just making a Ty heart and attaching it to their collar so they look like giant beanie babies! Sweet and simple!

Halloween Pet Safety On The Big Night

Although my dogs love Halloween because they love attention from anyone and everyone, your pet may not be the same. While you socialize your dog and get them used to many sights and sounds at a young age, costumes aren’t your typical everyday appearance and could be alarming. There are also lots of extra sounds and excitement and doorbells being rung.

If your pet isn’t a fan of the ghosts and goblins, you can consider crating them away from the action in a quiet spot. Or if a crate isn’t your dog’s thing then sectioning off a quiet room for them. White noise can also help mask the extra sounds that come with Halloween. CBD could also be a good option to help your pet stay calm. You can read more on CBD for dogs HERE!

We would love to see your Halloween costumes with your pets!! Post them in the comments below!

The post How To Have A Safe Halloween With Pets first appeared on Help! I've Got Pets.

It is so important to know what to expect on a yearly basis in terms of budget. Not to mention what the cost is over a lifetime of owning a pet. Having five pets I am fully versed in the costs of pet ownership! But it is heartbreaking for both pets and their owners to have to make the decision between keeping a pet or paying rent. A decision no one should be forced to make. So read on to find out what to expect before you bring a pet home and also for budget cutting tips!

This post may contain affiliate links at no additional cost to you.  By making your purchases through the links on this website HIGP may make a small percentage at no direct cost to you. HIGP only promotes products we use & truly believe in. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please refer to my Privacy and Disclosures for further information. HIGP thanks you for your support!

You’ve Made The Decision To Get A Pet

Congratulations! You have made the decision to get a pet! You are now likely doing some research and finding out more things such as the right breed/animal for your household and what to expect in terms of behavior and training once they arrive! But have you thought about the cost of the first year? Or the years after that? Or increasing costs once they enter their senior years?

Even the size of a pet alone can have a big impact on your budget. Got a big dog? That is a bigger food bill. And a bigger medication bill since many are dosed according to weight. I won’t even tell you what it costs to get Grace a monthly allergy shot…Not to mention it can cost more to find a dog walker willing to take on a large dog. And while you might be head over heels in love with that little pug face, you should be prepared for more health issues over their lifetime.

It sounds like a lot to consider. But by doing your research and knowing where you can save costs it can help you to prepare for a lifetime of joy with your pet! Read on to find out more!

Startup Costs

Yes there are costs you are going to incur before that new little fluffball even crosses your doorstep! The first being the cost of acquiring your new pet in the first place! If you are looking for a new kitten or puppy on a budget, a rescue or a shelter should be the first place you visit. Besides their adoption fees being fairly reasonable you will also be giving that pet a chance for a new life! You can read more on the importance of adopting a shelter pet HERE.

If you are going the purebred route be prepared to pay MUCH more out of the gates unless you consider a rescue. And don’t let that tempt you to go for the too good to be true deal on a purebred puppy or kitten. Because there is a higher chance it is coming from a puppy mill and you will likely end up incurring more health problems and vet bills down the road. If not immediately…Read HERE on what to look for in a breeder…and what to avoid…

Kitten and Cat Supplies

To be prepared to welcome a cat into your new home, at a minimum you will need to have food and water bowls, food, a kitty litter box and litter. I would also recommend a scratching post (unless you like the look of shredded furniture and rugs as they get used to sharpen kitty claws!) and some treats and toys. Kittens in particular are a bundle of energy! Tiring them out with toys leaves them with less reason to do acrobatics off your curtains!

You will also need to have a carrier to bring them home as well as take them to the vet. A collar with identification is also a good idea in case of escape…which they are masters at! And a brush helps to limit the amount of cat hair floating around and prevent matting in longer-haired cats. You can also look at a cat bed…But I have found mine are just as content (if not more so) to cuddle up on an old comfy blanket or sweater.

Puppy and Dog Supplies

If you are getting a new puppy you might find yourself needing more in terms of supplies than with a kitten out of the gates! Besides the same bowls/food/toys you are at a minimum going to need a crate, collar and leash as well as poop bags, chew deterrents, puppy pads and training treats. You can read more on what to expect with a new puppy HERE.

And you have to think about what that puppy could destroy…I had to rip up all of the upstairs carpet since Grace ever so kindly decided to use it as a giant puppy pad…Or the massage chair that had the wires chewed through and went to the curb…

The First Year – How To Budget With A Pet For Initial Vet Bills

Besides the initial checkup with your vet once they come home, there are many more vet bills to be incurred in the first year. Particularly if you have a kitten or a puppy! They may need to be dewormed, vaccinated, spayed or neutered and more. And if you have a female the spay is more expensive than it is to neuter a male since it is a more invasive/involved surgery. If your new pet has other issues (diarrhea is a common one…) there could be more costs to consider as well. Oh right, don’t forget about flea, tick and heartworm medication…

How To Budget With A Pet For Emergencies

Puppies and kittens are also mischievous and playful by nature! You can expect them to get themselves into all kinds of situations that could require an emergency vet visit. Be prepared to have something put aside for the “just in case” scenario. I have been fortunate with my pets so far! But went into panic mode when Benson chewed the hooked end of a hanging planter off…And I ended up sticking my entire hand down his throat to retrieve it…

How To Budget With A Pet For Food

And of course now that your new pet is home you need to keep them fed right? Sure the grocery store food might be a cheaper option than a better quality one at a pet store…However, the hidden cost is that your pet may not be getting the proper nutrition and it could impact their health and teeth down the road. Which of course leads to more vet bills…Dental care for pets is NOT cheap.

How To Budget With A Pet For Toys

Cats and dogs of all ages need enrichment. Which means you will be wanting to have some toys on hand! But beware many of the cheap toys which can be hazardous to your pet’s health! Rope toys can unravel and be ingested and create blockages that require surgery. Hard rubber balls can be swallowed and choked on. And other toys that get torn apart can have parts that can also be dangerous when ingested. Best bet is to get something more durable even if it’s a bit more…

How To Budget With A Pet In Terms Of Ongoing Annual Costs

Regular vet visits, vaccinations, parasite control and of course food costs will be ongoing. If you have a dog and work outside of the home for more than four hours a day you are probably going to be looking at a dog walker or doggy daycare. Which can add up in a hurry. You will likely also need to be replacing collars, leashes and toys due to regular wear and tear. With my Berners and their growth rate over the first two or so years of their life I went through many before they were even worn out!

But outside of emergencies, you should have a pretty good idea what to expect and budget for once they get older. Although recent upticks in inflation are making this more difficult.

Budgeting For The Senior Years

As much as we hate thinking about it, our pets will eventually enter old age. Which means we need to keep a more watchful eye on their health. I know with two of my cats getting into older territory we are now doing bloodwork at our annual wellness visits. And I am taking them back more frequently to address age-related issues. If you want to keep your pet comfortable as they age, put aside a bit extra if you can in case of age-related issues requiring vet visits. I think there is nothing sadder than seeing senior pets living out their last days in a shelter…

Creating Your Budget

Now you should have a good idea what to expect over the lifetime of pet ownership. And it’s important to make sure that you know how to budget for them.

Thinking Outside The Box When Preparing A Budget For A Pet

In terms of vet bills, you can get a wide variety of costs at different vets. Do your research before choosing a vet and when you have found a few to narrow it down to get referrals for the best option. For a neuter or spay your local humane society may be able to do it for a substantially lower cost than you would find at a vet. But make sure to call early because they can end up getting booked up pretty early…You don’t want to wait too long and end up with an oops…Or a male cat that sprays anything and everything in your house…

With so many pet stores out there (both online and in real life) it can be overwhelming. But many of them have sales that you can take advantage of. It may take a bit of careful planning but finding that great sale or coupon could be extremely helpful to a tight budget.

Also think about learning how to groom your pet at home since professional grooming can add up quickly! In terms of treats, consider buying a mold and making your own treats at home! It is also not only a great way to make nutritious treats but also great in terms of savings!

Budget With A Pet – In Conclusion

Knowing what you are facing when you get a pet is an important first step to ensure that you are fully prepared! With the additional first year costs with a puppy or kitten, if that seems out of reach for your budget you can always consider rescuing an older animal!

You can find a summary of the costs of owning a cat or kitten on the Ontario Veterinary Medical Associations webpage HERE and for a puppy or dog HERE.

In the US you can find the ASPCA’s table of pet ownership HERE.

If you find yourself in a dire situation reach out to some pet charities and see if they can help with some donations before considering rehoming or giving up your pet. After all, your pets are a part of your family.

The post How To Budget With A Pet first appeared on Help! I've Got Pets.

You have all the equipment, all the food, toys, crates, dog beds, treats…but somehow that still is not enough to figure out exactly how you are supposed to venture forward from here.

This post may contain affiliate links at no additional cost to you.  By making your purchases through the links on this website HIGP may make a small percentage at no direct cost to you. HIGP only promotes products we use & truly believe in. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please refer to my Privacy and Disclosures for further information. HIGP thanks you for your support!

At Home – New Introductions

When Grace came home the first thing I did was pick her up from the car and carry her directly to the backyard. I wanted the first place she went potty to be her yard so that she would start associating it with her space.

Anticipating some drama in what was to come next, I picked Grace up and carried her into the house…to meet the three cats…

Whiskers was the first one to come into the kitchen. He’s a BIG cat but really a softie. He also loves all other animals so I was not expecting too much trouble from him.

He got all hunched up and just stood staring at the far end of the kitchen! Poor little Grace just looked back at me, unsure of this whole situation!

Bubbles was the next one to come around. She had Nemo in the house before, so she was used to dogs. But Grace was already the size of Nemo and she had just come home! Bubbles did not seem too scared though, more curious than anything.

Now Miesha…Miesha is a special case…She is the most fearful and skittish cat I have EVER owned! If you move even an inch in her direction she is peeling off upstairs to hide. She came to see what was going on, and it was pure TERROR on her face! We did not see Miesha for about three months after that. During waking hours anyways!

Introduction To Crate and Feeding Area

The next thing I did was introduce Grace to her crate and pen area. I had set up a crate attached to a play pen in the living room area, complete with pee pads on one end and food and water on the other end.

Let The Chewing Begin!

It was pretty chaotic in the house after that initial period of calm. Grace kept to the living room area but wanted to chew EVERYTHING! My hands, feet, legs, hair, furniture, shoes…I spent a good amount of time running around picking things up only for her to turn around and find the next thing! I wish I knew about bitter apple spray at that time…

There were a lot of periods of sleep though, which were GREAT. As hard as she played, she would crash and sleep for a little while. Her naps were anywhere from twenty minutes to an hour during the day, which I used to tidy up or lie down exhausted on the couch. As they say with newborn babies…you rest when they do!

Cleaning Up Accidents

Enzymatic cleaners are something I would not be without during the early puppy days. As much as I ran that dog out to the yard, I would bring her in and she would go to the bathroom again inside as soon as I set her down! I bought a case of paper towels…Puppies have no bladder control at that young age and do not underestimate the amount of time it takes them outside to completely finish up. I think my mistake here was bringing Grace back into the house too quickly.

Nighttime

Nighttime was something I was definitely NOT looking forward to. I knew I would be up all night for at least the first week. And then there was the bedtime crate training. I put Grace into her crate, and she actually settled within the first few minutes and was fast asleep! Yay! I set my alarm for every hour through that first night, stumbling blindly down the stairs with her each time and standing out in the freezing cold January night until she did her business. It was quite pretty at that time of the night out in the yard, dark and quiet. And cold…

Start Basic Training

Grace slowly got better and I learned her habits and routines. We started training on basic commands almost immediately. She figured out “sit” within a matter of minutes. Gracie is a smart gal but with this came a level of stubbornness and attitude! SHE wanted to be the boss, and she did not let me forget it. We got into many heated arguments over the next few months as she had NO problems telling me what she thought of something I was trying to get her to do. I spent hours training her to walk and heel.

Puppy Socialization

Never underestimate the importance of proper socialization either! Puppies go through fear stages at varying levels of development, and fear in dogs can lead to aggression. I would take little Gracie out to Queen Street where she would be absolutely mobbed by people.

She met young to old, and Queen Street is a great place to see a lot of variety. She got used to loud noises and did not flinch at the garbage truck or streetcars. Grace went into as many stores as she was allowed. She is now one of the most social dogs I have ever seen! At the dog park she greets every single person in there, sitting on their feet and staring back up at them. More than one person has commented on how she wanted them to take her home…

A Different Approach To Socialization

With Covid, socialization was a VERY different experience with Benson! He came home on April 1, 2020, and we had just gone into our first lockdown. He learned a lot from Grace, and I did what I could with him but I can definitely tell the difference in how each one reacts to people and different situations.

There are still things you can do with your puppy, even in lockdown mode. I had them go out for walks twice a day with a dog walker. As soon as Benson had all his shots we went down to the dog park almost daily, where he had the opportunity to interact with other people and dogs. I sent him into the groomer even though I prefer to do it myself at home so that he would get another chance for interaction. But Benson is more aloof with people in general, preferring to be at my side. He also gets scared more easily and can require a lot of assurance.

Training was another area I got very lucky with Benson. With Grace, I signed her up for puppy kindergarten as soon as she was able to go. Many will allow you to enroll once they have had their second set of shots. It was a reward based training program, which Grace excelled at. In the classroom setting anyways…

Reward Based Training

A trainer also came out to the house a couple of times, but I found that the method she was using was NOT good for my dogs, who can be very sensitive souls. I did not like intimidating Grace into behaving a certain way, I wanted her to be happy to oblige. There are programs that use clickers as well, although I can say that I have NEVER seen anyone use a clicker out in public or at the dog park…

I recently came across Brain Training for Dogs. It is a rewards based training program done online. This is exactly the type of program that I would use for my dogs! And a great option to use if in-person training programs aren’t available (like here where we are in a never ending lockdown…). And the games make it fun for both you and your dog!!! Grace and Benson really excel with these types of training!

The experience I had with Grace was enough for me to train Benson. He LOVES to comply and is very, very happy to get praise from his Mom. He went through a period of testosterone brain for a few months and seemingly forgot everything I ever taught him, but now that he is neutered he has returned to his old sweet self.

Use YouTube As A Resource

General obedience classes had to be cancelled again due to Covid. I resorted to YouTube for any additional training I needed. I really wish I had known about the Brain Training program at that time! And you will find, as I did, that each puppy excels when trained in a certain way that may not necessarily conform to any one specific training type. With a little patience and experimentation you will find what fits best with your puppy.

Name Training

Name training was something that we worked hard on as well. I started saying their names to them repeatedly as soon as they came home. I would say their name and if they looked they would get a treat. You want them to learn their name as soon as possible.

Recall

Recall is another big one. You should spend a LOT of time working on this. Even if you never plan to have your puppy in an off leash situation there could be a time where they escape the house or yard, or slip their collar.

We started recall with the “touch” command. You sit your puppy next to you and tell them to “touch” while holding your hand in front of their nose. When they touch your hand with their nose, they get a treat. Gradually you can move further and further away from them and get your puppy to come to you this way.

I still use it to this day at the dog park. Benson was attacked by another (smaller) dog, and his hormone brain kicked in and I could see he was about to fight back. This would NOT have ended well for the much smaller dog. I yelled TOUCH and he spun around and came right to my side. They will both come to either “touch” or “come” and I have used it many, many times to get us out of what could have been a dangerous situation. It is never too early to start working on this command.

Make coming to you really fun. Make a game out of it. Outside of regular training, play hide and seek in your house. Get them really excited to come to you and find you. Lots of praise and treats. One thing I will caution is when your pup hits their teenager years and seemingly forgets everything. Continue to be persistent at this time with your training. It is frustrating.

Walking and Leash Training

Leash training also required a LOT of work with my bears. I spent HOURS walking Grace up and down Queen Street as she was a complete disaster in her early days on a leash. I started with regular collars, but switched to no pull harnesses after a rather disastrous walk to the vet. Someone commented “Our for your morning pull?” and that was when I knew I needed a different solution.

The no pull harness worked great for my two. They have a clip in the front and back. When you use the clip in the front, it gently pulls them to the side when they pull too hard which they don’t like the sensation of. My walks improved dramatically.

I still had to work hard with them though. Benson still pulled, and when Grace was recovering from hernia surgery I worked hard with him. Now the only time he really pulls is when he cannot resist the siren call of a nearby squirrel. I usually can tell when he is getting geared up though, and I correct and praise him for walking instead of pulling and chasing. But as with most other things, it is an ongoing process.

Dealing With Separation

The only other thing I really want to touch on here is leaving your puppy home alone. With Grace, I only had one day of downtime before I had to go back into the office so she was home alone for the day. I had a dog walker come to the house twice a day to take her out and play with her. It still was not enough though, and I noticed around 3 months that she was not doing well for the dog walker. She was depressed and didn’t want to eat or walk during the day.

I called my breeder, and decided that she needed a companion. This was how I ended up with two puppies three months apart in age! Yes, it was crazy. I was crazy. Sleep deprived. However, by the time Benson came home we were in our first lockdown. I have been working from home since, so Benson has never known me to be anywhere other than here.

Vaccines are now being administered, and the day will eventually come when we will need to go back to the office. Our pets will miss us terribly when that time comes. I have started leaving the dogs home alone for brief periods, a few hours at a time, so that they start getting used to being home alone.

A New Doggy Door!

A doggy door also went in recently. Just over three weeks to be exact. However, my dogs are VERY stubborn…I still can barely get them to use it even with treats and me holding it open for them fifty times or so a day. Grace has gone through a couple times on her own, and I am hoping that with persistence they will figure it out…After all, it is FREEDOM to go in and out as much as they want!! What dog wouldn’t want that??? Mine apparently…

Puppy stages can definitely be challenging. You have to be persistent in your training and efforts, even to beyond a year. There will be setbacks. But the unconditional love and loyal companionship makes it all worthwhile.

The post Congratulations on Your New Puppy! What Comes Next? first appeared on Help! I've Got Pets.