after watching this, your brain will not be the same.

after watching this, your brain will not be the same.

The talent you will see is unbelievable if you teach yourself to read and write more but also teach teach others.  We find out so much about the universe we never thought possible when we read about experiences and/or the universe itself.

I’ve been writing since I was a child. I remember writing a 6-page paper (lined paper) in third grade about ghosts and haunted houses and my friends and the scary lady. I’m not much of a grammar person; I seem to do well in photography and literature naturally.

Other subjects I learn and still have a hard time grasping.  I was in lower math in high school, but both my parents are accountants.  I can’t hear as well in my left ear, and it’s just now, I’m seeing the parallels between having surgery as a child and the formation of the left side of my brain.

When I was six months old, I had a rare ailment. It’s called ectopic neural tissue, and it’s an excess or part of brain tissue that grows somewhere other than your head. It’s a congenital disability that I was fortunate to get fixed.  My parents noticed a small lump that was appearing on my neck’s left side was not getting smaller but growing.  It was proliferating, and causing me to lose weight, and I struggled to breathe.  Eventually, sooner rather than later, the growing ectopic neural tissue would completely cover my throat, and I would have suffocated to death. 

The lump was growing, daily, weekly, and monthly and eventually, I couldn’t breathe.  My parents had taken me to  many doctors, and none could help until the day I should have suffocated- I was saved by a scientific man with a creative mind.  I was saved by a genius brain because this particular doctor used skills I don’t see in Veterinary Medicine often, creativity, and common sense  to come up with the idea to invent a tool small enough to fit in my neck.  He envisioned this tool in his mind, thus, making it real.

 If you can dream it, you can believe it.

At six months, the lump had become and emergency as it grew too  close to everything on my heads left hemisphere near my eyes, ears, and nose, without the doctor who invented this microscopic sized surgical instrument, I would have slowly died infront of my family by suffocation.  This is because in 1990 there were no instruments small enough to save me.  Inventing a tiny tool that was small enough to extract the tissue in surgery from my tiny neck was him “just doing” he didn’t think, he didn’t wonder, he just tried to find the answer to a question, while the other doctors didn’t bother to try and fix anything.  The problem in society is once we get a degree we become all-assuming.  Doctors tend to think they know all there is to know since they graduated.  Science is endlessly learning.  There is no way to know everything, and humans barely know enough about science as it stands alone.  Learning is life long and this particular doctor use creativity and quick thinking.   He is the  why I’m here today.  This story is why you should consider reading.    

Other doctors had said nothing was wrong or they don’t know the diagnosis. This doctor created the diagnosis and the cure. Just because the doctors didn’t know what was wrong with me didn’t mean nothing was wrong. It’s the inability to be vulnerable and the craving to follow, not lead, and caring too much what people think of you and your reputation that blind you from actually thinking about the fact that peoples lives are in your hands.  I see it everywhere, in every human being, but not learning?  Well that’s just stupid.  No pun intended.  To read is to learn to learn is to write to write is to share to share is to save the world. The doctor who created the tool on my neck is a genius. He may have been the worst student, the crazy kid, perhaps suffers from drug and alcohol problems, who knows. A genius is simply someone that invents a mad idea. They try and try and try until something works.  A genius researches and asks why to absolutely everything.  They’re curious by nature, and find solutions to worldwide problems because they cant rest until something fits in their heads and they figure incredible things out. They love one thing for sure. Asking the question, how come? To everything and everyone. It understands the combination of the present and the things you’ve learned in the past that allow you to create or envision something.

I don’t know what it’s like not to be able to write or dream, but I do know what it’s like not to be able to count ounderstand numbers.  I think having Alexa, or Siri, or any assistant is very helpful.  You have google at the tip of your fingers.   Nothing should be an argument.

I know genius,’ “potentials” but they aren’t truly genius’ because they aren’t industrious. You have to have a mad imagination to figure out something like the idea of gravity. Good job, Newton.

You are not going to be good at every skill you try, and that is  okay! Does it suck that I can’t sing? Really, not at all. Now I know, and I do it for fun anyway. There’s a difference between trying to achieve the impossible and daydreaming. I know me, I know my capabilities, I can’t be everything I want to be. Sadly, I am very good at a few things, and I spread myself thin and spattered all over the place, and I feel this sort of every day is a different project day.

My WordPress blog doesn’t have a niche. My writing is multi versed. It’s impossible to choose just one thing for me to discuss. Trying to cover the topics I care about and I know about.  Being a scientist, and a creative writer?  Well, I just pictured myself doing it.  So it’s going to happen.

I’m a non actively working Veterinary Nurse, cat and dog behavior expert, Veterinary Medicine educated, Photographer, Writer, Reader, and Graphic Designer.

I run 17 different Facebook pages. Seventeen. One has over 1k, and the others are touch and go. I have too much to do, and this is anxiety at it’s finest.  I don’t even remember making a lot of them, that’s how many ideas flow through my brain.

What I’ve noticed is that everyone being home (pandemic couch lock) is the opposite of me, and I’m unemployed. They do their work either in the office or at home then watch depressing shit until it’s time for bed.

STOP FEEDING YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS MIND GARBAGE. 

Again, it can read, it can write, and it can listen.  You have to treat your brain with care, and I promise investigative discoveries murder shows bring absolutely no value to your life. 

Stop living to survive and live because you’re here! That’s scarce chances that you, specifically DNA wise, exist here on planet earth.

What if you are not miserable?  I mean you feel miserable, maybe, but that’s this moment.  What if you could just do what you wanted?

One year ago, today, I went through a tragedy where I had to surrender one of my dogs. Anyone that knows me knows that that could damn near kill me. It does still. It was also something that got me to quit drinking, go to therapy (online therapy bots), and live for the sake of living, not just for surviving. Like everything I’ve ever owned, I lost all my belongings, but nothing could hurt me more than losing my puppy. I raised my dog as a puppy, and the thought of her in a shelter destroyed me. Though the circumstances were unchangeable even to a Veterinary Professionals degree, it’s a wake-up call to some other actions that lead to the event of losing my pet. I had to think about what I was doing in my life that made my life horrible. I sat down with a notebook and wrote about my past couple of years. Reading back to myself, it seemed like I wasn’t reading my own words. I reread it the next day, and it was also like someone telling my story- I even used a word I don’t understand but in the correct way. Then it dawned on me. My subconscious mind can only read and write and listen.

What messages did I need to tell myself?  What messages HAVE I been missing?

 This past year, quitting alcohol and avoiding patterns has been the most significant year of my life. I don’t take any day for granted anymore. I stay ahead of the trends. Talk to me in person, I can’t explain how to use a mousepad, but my subconscious mind could write you a technical essay. It’s time to put your conscious mind to sleep for a bit. Ever get gut feelings or intuitions? That’s your subconscious. If your conscious mind is blocking you, then you need to trick yourself into learning something. It would be best if you were a teacher and a student. Anything can be fun. Have you ever cleaned and blasted feel-good pop music? Youl be dancing all over the place.  

We do not have enough writers in the world. Truly. We are missing things in society, especially in technological advances and IBM, because we’re all distracted by the ad our phones gave us. Is your life shitty? Then fix it. That’s my only answer, and it’s probably right. Look outside of the news.  Actually, fuck the news.  Don’t even watch that garbage.  Do something mentally feel good.  Watch Rick and Morty.

I can’t expect everyone to be as refreshing as me as again, I am an animated human being, I’ve always had too much energy, but I find people and strangers so interesting. It does confuse me why we naturally seem not to listen or do anything we know we should. How we don’t trust our neighbors, but we trust big corporations.  I love my iphone but I know that Steve Jobs wasn’t a good guy.  He was just a genius’.

If you read a little each day, you will, by pattern, learn it as a habit after 23 days and by 90 days have it engraved into you. Read ONE page of a book every day. Just one. 23 days straight. Then if you hate it, give up. I think youll love eventually reading  books. Reading is how we learn, and learning is fun when you’re a big kid like me. I’m bored of Donald Trump and all that junk- Dear ABC7 LAMEO’S tell me more about the artificial intelligent machine that is expected to understand the language of Dolphins and their secrets.  Now that, is some cool ass news.

Don’t bite off more than you can chew.   Like my dad always said: “Inch by inch life is a cinch, yard by yard life is hard.” No one wants to read. Reading was a taught skill, and books are personal because you need to read ones that cater to you, that fit your timeline of life. Being forced to read has created a society of anti-readers, which breeds nothing. We need more writers, and EVERYONE can write.

No one wants to do things unless they want to do it for  themselves.  Learning, do you want to learn?  If you tell me to do something, it’s a chore; if you dust and make it look neat, I’m going to want to try it. It would help if you liked the things you desire. Because if you don even take steps to get there, it won’t happen.

There is never going to be a time where everything you dream comes true because you sat around and didn’t even bother to do anything about your circulating thoughts. You have to just literally start. 5,4,3,2,1…

Whether you want my suggestions, or the random fortune cookie- pick a random prompt in a word of wisdom book, do not change it, it has to be written without you knowing how to write it.  I want you to meet your subconscious mind.  You wont meet your subconscious mind until you let it speak for itself.  What are you doing the next 12 minutes?

I started the 12-minute creative writing prompt with my boyfriend. He’s an excellent writer; from listening to him, I could tell. He never could jumpstart until he did. We were doing activities (love coloring), and I told him to write about a creative topic for ten minutes, and he could stop. He wrote for 12 minutes, and 12 more.

I’m proud to help anyone who needs a prompt and a coach as I’ll be adding the stories to my page if whoever is writing consents in honor of learning to write by just starting. I just demonstrated how to do it. I may even publish this without rereading or running it through Grammarly. [update 9:15 pm ran through Grammarly. Over 103 suggestions! Lucky I’m a writer, not a proofreader.]

 Make your next moment a different moment, because all we are is this moment

Comment, and I will give you a prompt; we can do this.

and here I present, the first, of what I hope is many, 12 minute creative challenge submission.

Title: Be prepared to lose once in a while

Written by anonymously submitting

December 18th, 2020

Shit, I’ve been losing for a long time. It’s almost as if the day I officially graduated college; I gave up. I didn’t care about finding a new job or moving out of my parent’s house. I would give up on every idea I had.

It didn’t help that I wasn’t getting laid ever.

Then again, I barely tried.

I’ve lost at most things in life. Positions, sports, competitions, school, friendships, deals, relationships…holy shit, it’s four in the morning.

For the first time in a while, I’m not losing. I wish I could be more creative with this.

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POISONING YOUR CAT OR DOG BY ACCIDENT; A TYPICAL HOLIDAY TRADITION

POISONING YOUR CAT OR DOG BY ACCIDENT; A TYPICAL HOLIDAY TRADITION

Photo by Snapwire on Pexels.com

PET TOXICITY: KEEP YOUR PETS AWAY FROM POISON DURING THE HOLIDAYS

When I was working at Banfield in 2013, our most popular days were the day after Thanksgiving, followed by Christmas morning. It’s not surprising that we happen to feast the most those holidays, especially turkey and ham. Unfortunately, wanting to share your meals and your merry behavior with your pets can be toxic, fatal, and cause liver, kidney, and pancreas problems. It’s important to remember that just because we are celebrating doesn’t mean we can start to feed our pets things we wouldn’t naturally. After one drunk Dog (Aunt Sarah brought over liquor-filled chocolates), two foreign body surgeries (inability to pass the turkey, chicken, and ham bones), cat E.R. transfers (plant toxicity), and other foreign bodies such as Sock removal, strings removal, and yes, wedding ring removal. I decided it best to write EVERY year to remind my fellow friends to be extra cautious with your pets on holidays.

There are a couple of main reasons your pet may or may not ingest something during the holiday season. There are also a couple of main reasons your cat or dog may be lethargic (tired), anorexic (loss of appetite), ADR (slang for ain’t doing right), and why your dog and or cat may be exhibiting destructive behavior. 

  1. Your pets don’t understand Thanksgiving and Christmas; they know that it usually causes us to sweat (anxiety, excitement, stress). They see that we are suddenly running around the house, rearranging our belongings and moving things around, including our pet’s stuff. They see an uprise in tidying up, adding trees and other foreign objects and food (chocolates, nuts, decorations) to our homes, and altogether it’s just a confusing time for them. After all, in doggy years, the last Thanksgiving was seven years ago. The joy of the holidays usually comes the day of or after, when everything goes great, and your home is back to being and smelling it’s the authentic way.

2. Something as little as moving your cat’s tree out of the way or rearranging his toys without his permission can cause not only anorexia but urinary blockage. In male cats predominantly, the urethra (straw-like body part that the pee comes from), which is already smaller than it should be, is curved. Suppose the urethra is blocked from excreting any of its urine through the passageway, often caused by the sudden onset of stress. In that case, that pressure builds up; it will cause urinary issues over time, and, when not addressed within 24 hours, will cause a blockage and 72 hours, death.  What happens to a cat during a backup? They are no longer urinating, they are straining, nothing is coming out after every attempt, and their bladder is large and hard to palpate. Not addressing promptly, your cat will suffer and then fatally and uncomfortably die. Dogs feed off of human energy. If you are anxious and running around, don’t find it uncommon that your dog mimics your behavior. If you are crating your dog for the first time, it’s not the time to experiment and add the pillows and toys in there. Please keep it simple, keep it toxic-free, and keep your pets safe.

We have extended family members and friends. I say this as in they are the ones who send us the nuts, chocolates, poinsettias, and other news and exciting things. We wrap our trees to look beautiful to impress our friends and family. We cover our tree with tiny, foreign body objects for our friends and family. It’s not uncommon that your baby nephew is feeding your dog under the table. It’s not unusual to find your cat playing with a string that came from your Christmas tree or nibbling on the leaves of a new plant.

 Bones are NOT okay for dogs to ingest; to start because they aren’t adequately digested.  If the dog can pass bones through defecating, it’s unlikely to be a pleasurable experience but more a less bloody. 

Overfeeding any animal can be toxic, plants are EXTREMELY toxic to cats, and of course, dogs cannot eat chocolate, just because It’s a holiday. 

Toxicities unaddressed with charcoal or induced vomiting within the first 15-25 minutes will require an emergency veterinary visit. Your local veterinary is unlikely to be open, so it’s a wise idea to have your nearest 24/7 E.R. vet’s phone numbers at hand as well as the poison hotline for pets. 

 It’s generally not a good time for your family to see and play with your pets. If you can make prior arrangements to put your cat and or dog away in a comfortable, safe spot, that is best. They have every day to roam freely, and though it may seem to mean, what’s more, meaningful is putting your pets at risk for ingesting foreign objects.  

Cats mainly CAN NOT HANDLE STRESS. I can’t say that enough. Do not mess with your cat’s belongings. As I said, something as little as moving the cat tree can set your cat off. If your cat is usually a little finicky, I STRONGLY suggest you ask your Veterinarian for a tranquilizer/sedative for your pets. 

No Veterinarian will deny your pet anxiety meds around a holiday or before a car trip. It’s the most common call we get. If you cannot pick up a prescription from your Vet, CALL THEM and let them know you’re worried about your pet’s anxiety during the holidays. 

After the front desk gets the doctor’s approval, they will let you know, and you can tell the staff where you want to pick up those meds. Vets can call into CVS, JEWEL, WALGREENS, COSTCO; you name it. The drug they use is a human-grade drug (generally Trazadone or benzo diazepam), so most pharmacies carry it. Online pharmacies such as 1-800-PET MEDS and chewy.com will send your doctor an authorization, which they will approve via fax. I urge you to get the medicine from your Veterinarian because if you choose an online pharmacy and your pet has adverse reactions, the company that makes the drugs will NOT pay for treatment. If you get your dog’s prescriptions (any kind) from your Veterinarian and an adverse reaction, the Veterinarian or the company that supplies the drug will pay for your pet’s treatment. 

Regardless, your Vet isn’t just there for your pet to see in person once a year; your Vet is like your doctor. You call when something is wrong, they call you to see how your pet is; most vets can remember most clients and pets, and keeping your cat and dog STRESS-free is very important. During this call, you can note some other issues or just how your pet has been doing, so the front desk can keep up to date with notes. No vet cares if your dog is behind in rabies, they won’t shame you. 

Just call them, and they will fill the script if you’ve seen them within the past year and most likely if you’ve seen them within the past three years. There is a Veterinary guarantee year (this is the duration of an active relationship with your pet and Vet). If you do not want to medicate your pets, products such as calming herbal medicine and Feliway infusions for cats work great.  

The point is, the holidays come and go. Your pets should be able to enjoy them with you, but there are just sometimes when it’s better to put them somewhere for their safety. You do not want a $6,000 foreign body surgery bill because you felt bad that your dog couldn’t be out during dinner time. These toxicities and surgeries are possibly fatal; they leave LONG-TERM DAMAGE to the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. 

Now for the moment, we’ve all been waiting for:

DOG TOXICITIES

pets.webmd.com

HUMAN OTC MEDICINE AND PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE

It’s easy for us to assume that what helps us when we’re suffering may help our pets. While some medicines are interchangeable at a veterinarian’s discretion, most are not. 

Dog and humans do not share the same genetics or operate their internal machinery the same way humans do. Cats are more likely to handle human medicine, as we do share some similar DNA with them. Either way, unless prescribed to your dog- any medication ingested should be reported to your Vet, even if they aren’t exhibiting symptoms.

·        acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen, and naproxen (AdvilAleve), as well as herbal and nutraceutical products.

Photo by Lum3n on Pexels.com

HUMAN FOOD

It’s hard to even for Veterinary Workers not to want to cave in to their dogs begging, sweet eyes as you’re enjoying your chocolate cake or pre-dinner chips & guacamole. Not giving them what they wish to is similar to not going for a walk with them when the weather is below freezing or the pavement is too hot. They are always going to beg, but YOU know they can’t eat these things. It’s important to print this list as a reference. Every household should have an open plan for everyone to see what is acceptable and not for their pet to eat.

  •  Alcohol. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning in animals are similar to those in people and may include vomiting, breathing problems, coma, and, in severe cases, death.
  •  Avocado. You might think healthy, but avocados have a substance called persin that can act as a dog poison, causing vomiting and diarrhea.
  •  Macadamia nuts. Dogs may suffer from a series of symptoms, including weakness, overheating, and vomiting, after macadamia nuts.
  •  Grapes and raisins. Experts aren’t sure why, but these fruits can induce kidney failure in dogs. Even a small number may cause problems in some dogs.
  •  Xylitol. This sweetener is in many products, including sugar-free gum and candy. It causes a rapid drop in blood sugar, resulting in weakness and seizuresLiver failure also has been reported in some dogs.

Other foods you should keep away from your pet include tomatoes, mushrooms, and most seeds and nuts.

Top Poisons for CATS, Beware of These Feline Toxins

Following is a list of the top poisons for CATS, according to the Pet Poison Helpline. If you suspect that your cat has ingested or been exposed to a toxic substance, call your Veterinarian, a nearby emergency animal hospital, or the 24/7 Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680. You can also download their Pet Poison Help iPhone app.

HUMAN OTC AND PRESCRIPTION MEDS

some human over-the-counter and prescription medicines are a serious threat to cats, so keep them in a place they can’t get into, including:

  • Antidepressants
  • Cancer medicines
  • Cold medicines
  • Diet pills
  • Pain relievers (acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen)
  • Vitamins and other supplements

You may have heard that some common drugs work for people and cats. Never give your pet any pills without first talking to your Vet, though — it’s easy to provide them with the wrong medicine or too much, which can kill them.

Human Foods

Your kitty may beg when you sit down to eat (or try to steal some bites when you’re not looking), but some human foods can be poisonous for them, including:

  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine (coffee, soda, tea)
  • Chives
  • Chocolate
  • Garlic
  • Grapes
  • Onions
  • Raisins
  • Xylitol (found in sugarless gums, candies, kinds of toothpaste)
  • Yeast dough

Indoor and Outdoor Plants

Common houseplants — and a few others that you may bring into your home — can be hazardous to your cat’s health, including the following:

  • Aloe
  • Azalea
  • Chrysanthemum
  • Hyacinths
  • Lily
  • Marijuana
  • Mistletoe
  • Poinsettia
  • Rhododendron
  • Tulip

Insecticides and Other Chemicals

Some chemicals taste especially good to cats. To keep them safe, keep any chemicals locked away, especially:

  • Antifreeze
  • Bleach
  • Detergents
  • De-icing salts (which pets may walkthrough, then lick from their pads)
  • Dog flea and tick medication (pills, collars, spot-on flea treatments, sprays, shampoos)
  • Fertilizers
  • Herbicides
  • Insect and rodent bait

More Household Hazards

Watch out for everyday household items that can choke or strangle your cat. Some may even block their intestines if they swallow them.

  • Chicken bones
  • Dental floss, yarn, or string
  • Holiday decorations, including lights and tinsel
  • Toys with small or movable parts

IN THE EVENT OF POISONING OR CONCERN FOR PET

Every moment matters if you think your cat or dog has been exposed to something toxic.

Call your Vet. Post the clinic’s phone number in a prominent place, along with the number for the Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435. They can help you know what to do next.

Collect samples. Take samples of vomit, stool, and the poison your cat ate to the Vet with your cat. Make sure to watch, and take note of behavior and timing.

Know your Resources: Depending on where you live, there ARE nearby 24/7 emergency veterinarian EMERGENCY HOSPITALS. The emergency you take your pet if there is a severe emergency, as Veterinarians generally don’t handle emergencies unless they are non-severe. Have these resources printed and available for you or a family member to access at all times? You’ll thank yourself when or if you ever come into a situation where you need emergency help for your furry family. 

Watch for symptoms of toxicity poisoning

  • Breathing problems
  • Confusion
  • Coughing
  • Depression
  • Diarrhea
  • Dilated pupils
  • Drinking more and urinating more
  • Upset stomach
  • A lot of salivae
  • Seizures
  • Shivering
  • Skin irritation
  • Tremors
  • Vomiting
  • Weakness

Educate. After your pet recovers, call your poison control center or humane society to let them know what happened so they can track problem poisons and help prevent harm to other animals. 

It’s essential to follow up with your Veterinarian too.

It’s possible that though the poison did not infect the body at the time, it did some damage to the internal organs down the line. It’s always, always, best to let your primary Veterinarian know these things.

References:

7 Mobility Exercises CrossFit Athletes Can Do at Home | BOXROX. https://www.boxrox.com/mobility-exercises-crossfit-athletes-can-do-at-home-stretch/

10 Dog Poisons: Plants, Foods, Medicines, and More. https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/top-10-dog-poisons

Top Cat Poisons: Plants, Medications, Insecticides, and More. https://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/top-10-cat-poisons

Top Household Hazards for Cats – Beare Garden Animal …. https://bgpanimalrescue.com/2020/05/top-household-hazards-for-cats-2/

Top 10 Poisons for CATS, Beware of These Feline Toxins. https://www.animalbliss.com/top-10-poisons-for-cats/

10 Dog Poisons: Plants, Foods, Medicines, and More. https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/top-10-dog-poisons

Top Dog Poisons – Famous Skin Care. https://famousskincarefordogs.com/blogs/news/top-dog-poisons

 

BEFORE YOU GET A PET- get this;

BEFORE YOU GET A PET- get this;

I’ve spent the better end of 29 years figuring out which items to get for my pets and how to get the best deals on products, living on a low income, and with only Dr. Google to advise me.

Once I got into Veterinary Medicine, I realized that most of what was on my “new puppy” or “new pet” list was garbage. So to simplify, it’s “best” in my opinion to have these items RIGHT off the bat; you will somehow eventually need them anyway- that I can guarantee you. Dogs and Cats have different needs, so the list is curated depending on the pet, but it’s generally the same. Yes, treats and toys are important, but they come near the end of my list. There are definitely items that need to come before the fun stuff.

These items may seem like NO BRAINERS, and they are! They are also the items you are most likely to forget.

ITEM 1: CRATE AND/OR CARRIER

If you are getting a cat or a small dog, it’s essential to have a secure way to travel with them. Cat’s should never be unattended in a car or anywhere. Even your vet will tell you off if you have an unleashed/unsecured animal wandering with you. It puts other pets, yourself, and ultimately anything surrounding your pet in danger- especially if you’re unsure if your pet is vaccinated.

A carrier is different than a crate. Dogs need crates for safety reasons while a human cannot attend to them, and sometimes little dogs can fit in carriers (depending on their size). Cats only need a carrier and do not need crates. We don’t like typically crate cats. They wouldn’t like that much.AmazonBasics Two-Door Top-Load Hard-Sided Pet Travel CarrierAmazon.com: AmazonBasics Two-Door Top-Load Hard-Sided Pet Travel Carrier, 23-Inch: Pet Supplieswww.amazon.com

I have supplied links to the essential items. However, with a little bit of thrifty shopping, I’m sure you could pull a lot of these items from your vet hospital (call and see if they have extra crates), garage sales, thrift stores. I have yet to go into a thrift store and not seen an abundance of pet supplies. Even the shelter is full of cat crates. Vet hospitals typically hold on to carriers after a pet has passed, incase, for instance, you and your new furry friend need one.AmazonBasics Single-Door Folding Metal Dog or Pet Crate Kennel with TrayAmazon.com: AmazonBasics Single-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate Kennel with Tray, 36 x 23 x 25 Inches: Pet Supplieswww.amazon.com

The crate is the first item on your puppy/dog list. I CANNOT EMPHASIZE THIS ENOUGH. No matter what any breeder or rescue tells you, no dog should be unattended until you know for certain they will not get into anything dangerous in your home. IT SEEMS LIKE PUNISHMENT, BUT IT’S THE OPPOSITE. After spending enough time in the crate, your dog will grow to see it as a “haven” or a place of solitude to go to when he/she wants a nap, but moms still up!

It might be annoying to come home to a house where the furniture is chewed, and your dresser is scratched at. It’s also really unhealthy for your dog to be chewing these things. It will cause acute pancreatitis none the less. As well, dogs prefer expensive things to chew on- in my opinion (expensive art utensils, makeup, etc.), which contain lots of chemicals. When the Vet tells you to get a crate, it’s not to rack up your pet bill. It’s to save you from surgery down the line.

In the circumstances, and yes, with chewer breeds, this is likely to happen; your dog may need to be created every time you leave for the first 4 years! When that was the case with my labrador, I slowly upgraded the crate to a “secure” play home.New World Pet Products Foldable Metal Exercise Pen & Pet PlaypenAmazon.com: New World Pet Products B552-30 Foldable Exercise Pet Playpen, Black, Medium/24″ x 30″: Pet Supplieswww.amazon.com

This was only done after I could trust my dog not to use the extra space in the play home as a place to go potty. If your dog is not potty trained, do not get that foldable fence until then. These foldable fences are really great for an entirely different reason among pets. Some choose to keep their little pets in there, so they have more room to run, and like me, I kept my dog in there with her blankets and a tough toy (once I knew she wouldn’t choke on), and I felt less bad about having to crate her. Remember, crating is the NICEST thing you can do for a chewing dog unattended. Keeping your dog crated when you are home, and attentive IS neglect. Never use the cage, carrier, or playpen as punishment- that’s super old school, and it’s not what it’s about.

2. APPROPRIATE FOOD/WATER BOWLS.

Surprisingly cats do not like drinking out of toilets. Your dog may man the toilet just fine, but your cat may be so particular it will ONLY drink out of glass or ceramic bowls. That meaning, they should be fed out of glass or ceramic bowls (a portioned amount) and avoid Anything where it can’t see its own shadow, but let their whiskers rub against the sides. In nature, cats don’t drink out of ponds and puddles; they drink out of streams. They use their whiskers to sense the circumference and “feel out” what they are drinking. Cats do not have particularly good “Day Vision” and really heavily on their static whiskers to guide their everyday needs. It’s incredibly easy for a cat to get dehydrated, especially if your cat is only eating dry food. If you have both a cat and a dog, this next recommendation works for both. Believe it or not, dogs mouths ARE NOT clean and especially aren’t cleaner than humans’ mouths. I wouldn’t own a pet before getting one of these, from again, wherever you choose. The filters are changeable, and you can be assured your pet is getting good quality water- not the remains of what’s left in your toilet.PetSafe Drinkwell Cat and Dog Water Fountain – Platinum, 1/2 or 1 Gallon Pet Drinking Fountain – 64…PetSafe Drinkwell Cat and Dog Water Fountain – Platinum, 1/2 or 1 Gallon Pet Drinking Fountain – 64 oz, 128 oz or 168…www.amazon.com

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It’s helpful to get a supply of the water filters as well since the water barrier needs to be cleaned every two weeks (depending on usage)

Again, with these items- it’s more of a shop around (if you have the time) thing. They should all be items you have BEFORE you get your new pet. It will make your life SIGNIFICANTLY easier to follow the rules and stories of those who have raised their cats or dogs without these items. If you have a MALE CAT, THEY ARE PRONE TO GETTING BLOCKED (URINARY CATHETER + EXPENSIVE HOSPITAL VISIT). THEY CAN GET BLOCKED IN ONE DAY FROM STRESS. ADEQUATE WATER FOR MALE CATS IS ESSENTIAL. WHICH BRINGS ME TO MY NEXT POINT IN CASE.

Wet animal food contains about 70% water. That’s good, especially if your new furry friend doesn’t drink enough, or, in my dog’s case, drinks TOO much too fast and risks bloat (poss. fatal illness where stomach flips on itself for drinking too much) Even though, yes, the teeth will go downhill a bit faster, I think every pet must have a healthy mixture of wet food and dry food. If cleaning the teeth is something you haven’t been keeping up with. You can start by getting these:Oravet Dental Hygiene Chews for Small Dogs 10-24 lbsAmazon.com: Merial Oravet Dental Hygiene Chew For Dogs (10-24 Lbs), Dental Treats For Dogs, 30 Count: Pet Supplieswww.amazon.com

3. DENTAL CARE OraVet is made by Merial and is backed by Veterinary wise. The best choice for cats would be The price is well worth the amount of plaque it takes off your dog’s teeth. Start with these and then slowly move to a finger brush or wipes to maintain healthy teeth for both your dog and cat. Like anything, the sooner in life your pet becomes accustomed to you doing these things (brushing teeth, cleaning ears, bathing, and trimming nails), the easier you’ll have it down the line. If you have an older pet who simply won’t let you brush their teeth, you have a couple of options. 1. Call your Veterinarian; it’s expensive, but the chances are your pet may have periodontal disease grades 1–4. When I say this, and it scares you, it’s meant to. If disease from lack of dental care gets above the gum line or the gum line recedes, then the bloodstream is compromised with bacteria and other crap your pet just doesn’t need. These are a clear pointer that your pet could be going into kidney and liver failure if untreated. If there is only MINOR bad breath and plaque, you can try and get it yourself with the vet chews, enzevete chews, and my favourite — wipes! Your pet should have his or her teeth routinely checked at office visits. Anything above a Grade 3 probably needs extractions and work done right away. That’s why prevention is your best friend.Petkin 40-Count Plaque Toothwipes (1 Pack)Amazon.com: Petkin 40-Count Plaque Toothwipes (1 Pack): Pet Supplieswww.amazon.com

this product can be purchased online and at most retail stores. It’s the best luck I have had personally in refreshing my cat & my dog’s teeth. In my ten plus years working in the Veterinary Industry, I truly only came across ONE dental product that I wish they would put more of on the shelf. That is Virbac’s Enzymatic Dental treats. They can be found online for cats and dogs at www.1800petmeds.com or sometimes amazon.com.

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This is the toothpaste form. The product also comes in freezer dried savoury snacks for cats and larger “hide” looking treats for dogs. WEIGHT IS VERY IMPORTANT WHEN PURCHASING THIS PRODUCT- purchasing treats too big or too small can cause choking hazards or G.I blockage and upset.
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Suppose you’re lucky enough that your dog will tolerate toothbrushing. Combining this with the C.E.T. Virban Enzymatic toothbrush could nearly eliminate your pet’s need of EVER having to go under for dental procedures. Again, it’s about the tolerability of your pet and how early/how bonded you two are to be able to get in there.

The C.E.T Enzymatic Cat treats are a tough find. When we sold them at one practice I worked at, they were usually off the shelf before unfinished boxing. They look like this, and they work the best, in my opinion.

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CAT ONLY C.E.T VIRBAC
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For those just starting with the product, I highly suggest getting the Virbac C.E.T Hextra chews. Familiarize your pet with the delicious taste. (side note; these pets take these threats very seriously, may be wise to separate cats and dogs while feeding). IN an outstanding pet owner’s closet, they have the treats, the wipes, and toothpaste. But we aren’t all made of money. It’s come to my knowledge that spending a little more on a good product is WAY cheaper than reaping the effects of fixing problems that the cheap products have caused.

REMEMBER TO READ LABELS TREATS ARE BY SIZE AND ALL PETS SHOULD BE MONITORED WHILE CHEWING IN THE EVENT OF A CHOKING HAZARD!

4. TOYS & BEDS

a) CATS: I’m going to break up the next items by animal species. Though cats and dogs co-exist, they are completely different animals. I’ve spent a fine dime PURCHASING the following for cat owners. Those who simply refuse to believe their cat needs this item, and those owners who are completely wrong. If you have a cat and do not have one of these- you are not allowing your cat to have its own higher tower in its OWN home. If you see those skittish cats that are always hiding under things- likely, they don’t have a higher place to go. Cat’s don’t need to be trained on how to use their toys or litter boxes. Unlike puppies- they self teach for the most part.

[A friend of mine insisted that his cat would never use a cat tree, as it’s older and had never used one before. I saw my friend’s dog constantly finding the cat and “playing” (harassing) the cat. I finally broke down and bought the poor cat, a cat tree, which he immediately started using. Like the dog crate, the cat tree had become this cat’s home, a place where he was unreachable and could do his favourite cat things (look down on people)] If you cannot get a cat tree, I strongly urge you to hold off on getting a cat. Not only is having the correct cat gear essential for your cat, oftentimes it can’t wait. Cat’s do NOT have the same rebound rate as dogs. As in, don’t piss on your cat, or you might have a pissed-off cat for the next 12 years. Aside from that, cats want to be respected, so place the tree by a window- where they can see birds. Make sure it’s high enough that the cat can look down on things and that no other dog/creature can reach it. Give your cat the feeling that it has some power in your home, and you’ll watch your skittish cat go from insecure to confident in days. This is extremely important in the early days of getting your cat as you are JUST STARTING to feel each other out. Give your cat space, and respect and you will get the same in return.

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Multi-levelled are the best, and make sure it’s appropriate for the size of your cat. This, a proper carrier, appropriate dry/wet food, a cat’s favourite toy, a grooming brush, and a water fountain are MUSTS for every cat owner. Whether you wait 8 years for problems to arise or if you prevent them right away, IT WILL affect both the quality of your life and your cats. Nobody can stand living with a furious cat.

Which leads to the next topic with cats. With a few select items, you can make your cat pretty happy. Water fountain, Cat Tree, Mixture of GOOD dry wet and cat food (we’ll get to later), and of course toys. As flimsy as cat toys seem, they are actually essential and built very precisely to satisfy the cat’s natural need to hunt.

[A client at our hospital had noticed that her once the all-loving cat was getting needier since the pandemic had started. Her cat not only went from basically trying to own the house but trying to own her. I asked the owner what toys she was using to get the excess energy out of her cat. The prey and hunting instinct was her cat’s natural reaction to being overstimulated, and it wasn’t something her cat could control. Instead of using negative methods like spray bottles, I encouraged her to get a cat toy, AT least one. Cats need something to do to get rid of that extra energy, and cat toys are made so intricately you can tell whoever designed them knew exactly how to get your cat to behave. Cat toys are a MUST.] You wouldn’t get your dog toys with the question, why would you not get your cat any toys??? Luckily, they come cheaper than dog toys too. They can be a little more fun and constructive as well. Such toys such a “Kitty City” are tunnels that you can purchase repeatedly and separately (www.walmart.com) and eventually build a “KittyCity.” When she finally purchased the cat toys and started her kitty city, she noticed her cat was less eager to bite her but more compassionate and tired.

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Kitty City Walmart

(Most things I have listed are just because finding them on Amazon was easiest. It’s by far NOT the cheapest, and as I said- if you’re good at digging around, making a list of the essentials and heading to Savers isn’t a bad idea)

B) Dogs: If you are creating your new pup, and we are sure that your dog isn’t a destroyer of beds. It’s a good idea to put a bed inside the crate- make it more “Cozy” for them. Some dogs might need a few years before they understand not to chew their beds; some understand the difference right away. I personally don’t like using towels because I’ve slept on towels. They aren’t comfortable, and if I’m bored in a cage with no toys all day, that towel is gonna look mighty fine to chew. Although putting toys in a dog’s crate while unattended is frowned upon, I find it virtually ridiculous to give your dog nothing to do while you’re at work or out. Dogs need mental stimulation; that’s why they get destructive. Now, from MY mouth to your ears, if you’re going to leave a dog unattended in a cage with a toy- only the following toys should be given. BASED ON THE DOGS BREED & WEIGHT! Puppies are teething. They lose their baby teeth between 4–6 months of age. Finding toys that can soothe/scratch their gums is very comforting to them.

(side tip: while you have a puppy, try to soothe the gums with your fingers as much as possible. This makes teeth cleaning a non-issue as the puppy ages)

Suitable Dog Toys: Puppies and Chewers

Rubber Kong Toys– These are virtually indestructible, which eliminates the choking hazard. They can be reused for generations with little damage by even the strongest dogs (pit bulls, labradors, you name it). They are also designed to be filled with treats that your pet must figure out how to retrieve from inside the toy. There are many different recipes online where you can create a mush of food, freeze it in the kong toy, and give it to your pet on your way out the door. For the lazier, they literally have KONG STUFFER. It’s more expensive than peanut butter, but it does the same thing. Just doggy made.

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I don’t suggest putting soft toys in your dog’s cage, even if they are more likely to play with a soft toy. The risk of the stuffed/soft toy getting destroyed and digested is far too high a risk for most people to take since “Foreign Body” surgeries can range from $1200-$1600. You can ask the few clients who left 29 pairs of socks out, and when their dog got bored and ate all of the socks and didn’t defecate them out. They had really wished they knew better before leaving their pet unattended by the laundry hamper.

I’m no expert on pet toys, but some people are. If you want to save money in the long run, you need to figure out the breed of cat or dog you are getting and what type of chewer they are. This website has the best toys in 2020 for dogs weighted by all breeds. Here are the best dog toys to buy online:

  1. Best Overall: Nylabone Flavored Dog Chew Toy
  2. Best-Selling: Kong Classic Dog Toy
  3. Best for Strong Chewers: Petstages Dogwood Stick Dog Toy
  4. Best Multi-Pack: ZippyPaws Squeaky Plush Dog Toys
  5. Best for Exercise: Chuckit! Dog Ball Thrower
  6. Best for Puppies: KONG X-Small Teddy Bear Dog Toy
  7. Most Affordable: Hartz Dura Play Ball
  8. Most Durable: Mammoth Cotton Dog Rope Toy
  9. Best Non-Toxic: West Paw Design Hurley Dog Toy

No matter your dog’s size, play style, or strength level, there’s a fun option for every type of canine here. Keep reading to learn why customers recommend each of these toys so you can pick one that both you and your dog will love.

Number 6: EYES & EARS

At some point (unless your cat or dog is fortunate), you may run into, or you most likely will run into an ear infection or eye infection. Not only are these extremely contagious to other pets, but they rarely EVER go away permanently once onset. That’s why PREVENTATIVE maintenance with your pet will save you tons at the Veterinary Hospital. You should be cleaning your cat and your dog’s ears weekly/bi-weekly. DO NOT USE COTTON SWABS!!!!

THE ONLY BRAND I completely back, and a lot of Veterinarians have come to agree on ZYMOX. It works magic for both maintenance, infection, and post-infection care. Remember, when checking the health of your dog, do as the Veterinarians do. Nose to tail examination. You check the eye for any signs of issues, ears for debris and infection, nose/respiratory, and teeth for periodontal disease. The Veterinarian will then check all four limbs to make sure they are in the correct motion/place and evaluate your pet’s weight, habits, and check the anal glands. If you are an owner who takes excellent steps in caring for your pet (thus reading this article, I assume you are), your Veterinarian will be impressed by your care and hopefully not push you on to new services. If your dog is diagnosed with Yeast or ear problems- Opt for the Veterinarians’ ear solution and get Zymox. The instructions for cleaning are simple

  1. douse a cotton ball in Zyvox
  2. put in ear and smoosh around
  3. take out a cotton swab with debris and throw it out
  4. dry ear most of the way with a fresh cotton swab
  5. Repeat with another ear.

Ensure that if your dog is diagnosed with an ear infection, you will not use the Zymox medication and then immediately clean the ear. You will just clean out the medication. The cleaning for maintenance should be done once a week, and the medication is usually prescribed but otherwise once a day or every other day. No competition, 15 years running, and Zymox is all I will use.

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Zymox can be purchased right from the Zymox site or Amazon.com.

NUMBER 7: FLEA AND TICK AND HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVE

WHENEVER doing routine grooming of your cat or dog, PLEASE make sure that the product you are using is appropriate for the species you are using it on. FOR EXAMPLE, Flea and Tick Preventative for dogs are 100% toxic to cats. They will start a seizure immediately. It’s important to have both breeds in your house to ask your Veterinarian about an edible flea and tick treatment.

Sadly, since heartworm disease is so fatal, you CANNOT legally obtain heartworm medication over the counter. This being, if you give a heartworm-positive pet a heartworm preventative — it will kill all the worms in the heart immediately, thus most likely killing your pet. Cat’s do not contract heartworm as easy (through mosquitos), but they DO still get it. Dogs and Cats both get fleas and ticks, and it’s not a scare tactic. FOR THESE PREVENTATIVE MEDS (Which should be given monthly for the rest of your pet’s life) It’s IMPERATIVE that you go to a veterinarian and you must get your dog or cats bloodwork checked and stool samples checked annually.

If you are at a crossroads with Veterinarians or in between (always take your time to research), Keep your pet on a flea and tick over the counter and preferably one with mosquito REPELLENT. There is no legal one to kill mosquitos, but the repellent will work until you can get into your regular vet. Which leads me to my next recommendation: Flea and Tick OVER THE COUNTER for dogs and cats. BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN READING THE INSTRUCTIONS/SIZE/SPECIES

My personal recommendations are K9 Advantage/Advantix. It is most likely not as good as Nexgard (a chewable you get from the veterinarian but does work and effective at repelling mosquitoes). REMEMBER: this is not a substitute for your dog’s heartworm test.

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Number 8: Food

Now food is a tricky topic. Unless you are certified in Pet Nutrition, there is really no one and done answer for every pet. I watch people spend hundreds and hundreds on expensive dog foods (blue buffalo, extremely rich in flavour) and have it actually cause the opposite effects on their pet. Your pet’s food needs to be enriched by your pet’s needs. Your pet’s needs? That’s for YOU to find out. What breed of cat/dog do you have? If they are mixed, what are they mixed with? Labradors are infamous for eating too fast, so a brand like Royal Canin Labrador Retriever, where they have designed the pellets to be easily digestible and harder to eat all at once, maybe the best option. If you have a dog with a TON of allergies (bulldogs, shar-pei, Boston terriers), you will want a decent brand with fewer ingredients. My Chinese Sharpei personally does well with Simple 6. GRAIN FREE is NOT THE WAY TO GO. Studies show that dogs that eat all grain-free food have a higher risk of cardiomyopathy and early death. If your goal is to eliminate the garbage from the food, then eliminate the garbage grains (I.e. corn, processed crap). The first ingredient in your pet’s food should ALWAYS be a protein source. If it’s a filler, that food is garbage. I will show you a picture of a good pet food label and a bad one. This works for both cats and dogs- though they have different nutritional needs, there are still good brands and bad brands. If you want just a quick list of the best brands for your pet- without money in mind always refer to www.dogfoodadvisor.com

Here is exactly what you WANT to see and what you DON’T want to see on your dog’s food label.

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www.feedingmydogbreed.com

Cats; being delicate as they require different nutritional percentages. Cats almost eat more similarly to humans than they do to dogs. It’s unwise to let your dog or cat each other others food/vice versa. Since cats can get very ill very quickly, you want to make sure ANY food you buy for them is AFFCO approved. This is the highest veterinary standard they have out for cat food since pet nutrition is just coming to light. Cats and dogs also put on weight quickly and lose weight quickly; when you are reading the back of the label, and your dog is 65lbs but should be at 55lbs, DO NOT feed them the amount for 65lbs but feed the amount for 55lbs. If you feed the weight for 65lbs, your dog will never drop the ten pounds, and ten pounds on a dog can do about ten years of damage to the vital organs and limbs. DON’T JUST PURCHASE! Make use of that cellphone. DOWNLOAD THE APP PETMD- Veterinarians and Veterinary Staff as myself are always looking for ways to spread good preventative care information!.

Below is a list of helpful websites for pet owners:Drs. Foster & Smith Pet Products | PetcoBrowse Petco’s wide selection of Drs. Foster & Smith products. Explore, read reviews, & shop Drs. Foster & Smith…www.petco.comFeeding Your CatTo live a long, healthy life, your cat needs proper nutrition. Here are some things to consider when selecting an…www.vet.cornell.edu

www.chewy.comUnderstanding Senior Cat IncontinenceUrinary incontinence is involuntary or uncontrollable. The condition manifests itself when a previously litter…petcentral.chewy.com

www.petMD.com

Written By: Emily Ridyard Veterinary Professional; Oct. 2020