By Maggie Park   Many people think that only toy dog breeds are well-suited for apartment living, but this assumption simply is not true. Some small dogs are great in an apartment situation, and some aren't. The best dogs for apartment dwellers are those that are fairly quiet, well mannered, and calm. If you are away from your apartment during the work day, you also need a dog that is comfortable with plenty of alone time. Here are some surprising dog breeds that are perfectly suited for apartment living.   1. Bulldogs. Bulldogs have very calm demeanor, making them great for apartment living. While a Bulldog will never be your jogging buddy, he does enjoy a short daily walk. Pay attention to the weather when you take your Bulldog for a walk, however, since Bulldogs aren't very tolerant of hot, muggy conditions. A 50-pound Bulldog may not seem like the perfect apartment companion, but this breed is actually an ideal choice.   2. Rat Terriers. Since Rat Terriers look so much like their hyper cousin, the Jack Russell Terrier, many people shy away from these busy little dogs. While they do have plenty of energy, Rat Terriers are calm and affectionate as long as they have an opportunity to exercise. If you are looking for a workout buddy, a Rat Terrier may be the perfect breed for you. As long as this little dog has about 40 minutes of exercise per day, he is calm, quiet, and loving.   4. Bull Mastiffs. These huge dogs are devoted to their owners, yet they can be left alone for significant periods of time. Bull Mastiffs were bred to be watchdogs for large English estates, but their size is more intimidating than their personality. Although they are very large dogs, Bull Mastiffs thrive with only moderate amounts of exercise. Be warned, however, the Bull Mastiff does drool.   5. Greyhounds. You may assume that the Greyhound's speed makes her inappropriate for apartment living, but Greyhounds are actually very lazy. Their sprinting speed is impressive, but don't choose a Greyhound to help you train for a marathon. A Rat Terrier is a far better running buddy. Greyhounds are quiet, calm, indoor dogs who cannot tolerate cold temperatures. This impressive dog is perfectly suited for an apartment.   Other Great Apartment Dogs While the breeds listed above are surprisingly well suited for apartment dwelling. You may prefer a more conventional apartment-dwelling breed. Some great choices include Pugs, Boston Terriers, Bichon Frises, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Shih Tzus.   When you choose your apartment companion, make sure to consider the behavioral markers of the breed. Is the breed known for constant barking? How much exercise does the breed require? Finally, if you are going to leave your pet home while you are at work, you must investigate the breed's propensity to get bored and look for trouble. When you choose carefully, both you and your canine companion will enjoy each other's company for many years.

Whether you're thinking about adopting a stray or you want to make the cat you already feed into a more permanent member of your family, there are several advantages to bringing an outdoor cat into your home. The outside world is full of hazards for felines, including cars, predators, poisonous plants, and bad people, so it's no wonder why indoor cats have a much longer average lifespan than their outdoor counterparts. Of course, if Fluffy has always lived outside, you may (understandably) be nervous about how she will transition to a life confined by walls. Here is a look at some of the most important considerations when transitioning a cat to live indoors.   Litter Box Training Perhaps the biggest transition when adapting a kitty to live inside is the prospect of litter box training. In the past, you may have never seen Fluffy do her business--outdoor cats often try to hide their bathroom habits entirely--and you may have no idea whether she will understand how to use a litter box (or ever care to). The best way to get your furry friend in the habit of using the box is to fill it with unscented kitty litter that closely resembles the soil she's probably been squatting on outside. You may even want to opt for sand or topsoil in the litter box while the kitty figures out what it's supposed to be used for. You can start by placing the box next to the door leading outside and try to coax the cat into using it whenever she has the urge to go out. After the habit starts to stick, slowly move the box a little each day until you get it to the place where you want it to stay.   Indoor Stimulation Outdoor cats spend most of their days roaming the grounds and trying to find their next meal. Once this daily activity is taken away, your cat is likely to become bored if she's stuck inside all day. To combat the tedium, make sure to get plenty of cat toys that Fluffy can play with often. You should also clear a spot on the windowsill so that your kitty can spend part of the day surveying the world outside. Scratching posts and cat trees won't just protect your furniture--they will also keep your pal occupied and help her feel like this strange new place is actually her home.   Create a Safe Environment Depending on whether or not your new indoor cat has ever been allowed through the front door before, she may or may not know how to feel safe inside your home. If your cat is skittish and constantly hiding when you first let her in, don't be too alarmed. It's a good idea to dedicate one room of your house as a "cat sanctuary." Put Fluffy's toys and litter box in this room and keep her shut in until she starts to feel more comfortable. You should fill this room (and any others in which your cat will be allowed to roam) with plenty of adequate hiding places, such as cardboard boxes, paper bags, or cat tunnels. Your kitty is more likely to be happy indoors if she feels like she can always find a safe place when necessary.   Break the Outdoor Habit At first, you should be prepared for Fluffy to make a mad dash toward the front door every time it's opened. You need to use caution as you begin the transition until your cat realizes that the outside world is no longer her domain. If your kitty has a hard time getting used to the new situation, try making loud noises outside the door or spraying water from outside so that she starts to make negative associations with the great outdoors. You should also give your cat plenty of positive reinforcement for sticking inside. Try tossing a treat away from the door before you leave, and give Fluffy plenty of praise when she uses the litter box instead of yowling to get out.   While transitioning your cat to live indoors may sound like a difficult endeavor, there's a good chance that she will quickly discover the benefits of living with a roof over her head. Once the learning experience is complete, Fluffy will be kept safe inside, and you will have a feline friend you can look forward to seeing when you come home each day.

Most people assume that dogs become incontinent with age and while some senior dogs may lose control of their bladders, age is not always the cause. It is important to diagnose incontinence properly so to do this you will need to go to your vet and allow him or her to examine your pooch. This may involve some urine and blood tests, however if the tests come back free of bacteria or infection the cause may be behavioural. Dogs who urinate when they are fearful are NOT incontinent. This behaviour is called submissive urination and most dogs outgrow this behaviour. However older dogs may suffer from canine cognitive dysfunction which is when the pooch simply forgets his or her toilet training. This is not incontinence but part of a dementia diagnosis. If particular cultures grow in the tests done by the vet, they can then treat the incontinence. The most common cause of canine incontinence is a bladder infection and there are several types of treatments and antibiotics to treat this to get your pooch feeling happy and healthy again. Remember that just like us, when prescribed a course of antibiotics in order to work effectively the course needs to be completed, regardless of whether the symptoms have disappeared. If treatments have not been successful your vet may suggest surgical intervention in the form of a colposuspension and cystourethropexy. In laymans terms the surgery repositions the bladder neck in female dogs in the intraabdominat cavity so that the wall muscles can work on the bladder and the urethra, this enables your dog to control when she urinates. The Cytourethropexy is the male version of the surgery. They have about a 50 per cent success rate in patients but relapses can occur with time. It is important to discuss whether or not these are good options for your dog.

Every cat is unique. Each has his or her own traits, personalities and habits. Some may even have the very dangerous habit of chewing on power cords. This is often a bad habit picked up as a kitten, and as a responsible cat owner it's up to you to prevent this from happening. It is no secret that playing with electrical cords is very dangerous, can cause electrocution and even death. So before even bringing home a kitten you should cat-proof your home. This means putting away any electrical chords that don't need to be out and managing the ones that do so that kitty doesn't see them as their new chew toy. Things like the fridge, dishwasher or washing machine can't be avoided, so just ensure that there isn't too much of a gap between the wall and the large appliance for your kitty to get to them. Other smaller appliances such as TVs, kitchen appliances and even computers should be switched off at the wall until your kitty can be trusted not to chew on them. Smaller portable items such as phone chargers should be put away so they are out of sight for kitty. Because they are smaller, twine-looking cords they are bound to catch their attention so save your charger and kitty and put them in a drawer when not in use. Don't overload your powerboards or double adaptors, not only is this a fire hazard but with the extra power being used this could do some serious damage to your cat.  If you ever see your cat knawing at a cord you should firmly tell them 'no' so they are aware that chewing on them will result in a negative response from you. If your cat gets an electrical charge or is electrocuted take them to a vet immediately.  Feature Article Image

Sounds very medical and scary doesn't it? Periodontal disease! But what exactly is it? Put simply, it is a form of gum disease and is one of the most common diseases in cats these days. Your cat can be affected by this if food particles and bacteria accumulate in the gumline to form plaque and if not cleaned can transform into claculus. This causes irritation and gingivitis which can make the gums infected and puss-filled. This will cause stinky breath and much pain and irritation for your kitty. Gum disease starts with an inflammed tooth which develops into gingivitis. You may notice that the gum will also recede slowly to expose more tooth and root. You will need to see your vet if the whole rooth and tooth is exposed but try and treat the problem beforehand.   Your vet will need to x-ray your cat as the disease tends to hide under the gums. Up to 60 percent of the symptoms are hidden beneath the gum line. X-rays will reveal loss of density and sharpness of the root socket. In more advanced stages, it will reveal loss of bone support around the root of the affected tooth. The treatment for gum disease depends on the cat and how advanced the periodontal disease is. Early stages of the disease will mean controlling plaque and preventing bacteria from making a home in your cats mouth. A more vigilent dental care routine may be given to you by your vet. This can be achieved by brushing teeth daily with pet toothpaste, a professional cleaning and possibly even prescribed flouride. In later stages treatment can involve a professional cleaning the space between the gums and the teeth plus the application of antibiotics. However if the gum disease is in the advanced stages you may have to concider bone replacement, splinting and even tissue regeneration treatments. However it is important to remember that prevention is always better than treatment or a cure so ensure you are on top of your feline friend's dental health. A daily brush, a healthy diet and regular vet check-ups will go a long way to prevent getting periodontal disease. Feature Image Credit  

As dog owners, I'm sure we can all relate to at least one of these dog shames. The beauty of a dog shaming is that you shame your pooch out of love, and share the frustration that drives you to tears of laughter about what your pooch has just done. And also to hopefully find a fellow sufferer. Have you ever dog shamed? If so tell us about it below!

Forget Cat Island- Rabbit Island in Okunoskima, Japan is the latest tourist destination that animal lovers are swarming to. The island is overrun with adorable wild rabbits who hop about the forests, streets and love tourists because tourists tend to mean meal times. The island has a dark history being the HQ for Japan's chemical weapon manufacturers, so if you're not into bunnies, then check out the Gas Museum on the island. But really, how could anyone resist these little fur balls?!

When it comes time to get a family pet, kids make all kinds or promises about caring for it to the point you won't even notice the animal being in your home at all. Although kids have the best of intentions, the interest of caring for their new pet can ware thin after a few weeks leaving you with all the hard work. It is important to teach your kids not only the importance of being a responsible pet owner but you must also show them how to do this. Here are a few tips on how to involve your child in caring for their pet and in turn teach them how to become a responsible pet owner. Lead by example If your child sees you caring for the family pet by feeding it, cleaning up after it, exercising it and playing with it, he or she will want to play follow the leader and do as you do. You cannot expect your child to know how to care for a pet if you have not shown them how you do it. Remember, keep it fun and light hearted, as soon as they know you think it's a chore, it will become the same for them. Make it voluntary Don't force your child into it as this will only deter them further. Depending on their age ask for their help and if they choose to help good, if not, it's okay. You can start delegating tasks like walking the dog when the child is in their early teens but smaller tasks like helping feed the bird can be done from five years onwards. Positive reinforcement When your child shows initiative in caring for your pet, or when they perform a task you have asked them to help with make sure you give them the praise they deserve. Try not to get cross if they make a mess, or get things mixed up in the process, keep feedback positive. Remember, to tell them how their help is going to benefit the pet as this tends to resonate well with children. Respecting your pet's space Just like you and I, pets need their personal space. It is important to teach this to your children from a very early age. This is for safety and also for your pets comfort. Explain why it is important to respect their space as it better that they know the reasons why rather than just being told not to do something.  Here's a list of small tasks your child can help you with: Daily feeding and watering Letting you know when it’s time to purchase pet food and supplies Picking out treats and toys Daily walks and exercise Cleaning up after your pet (indoors and out) Bathing and brushing your pet Picking up your pet’s toys Teaching your pet new tricks Helping to ensure that your yard is secure so your pet can’t escape Keeping your pet’s bedding washed Keeping your pet’s leash and other gear where it belongs

We've all experienced that absolutely horrible stinky breath after being given a big wet one by our dogs. And of course our instinct is to gag and then tell Fido just how aweful that smelled. However bad breath can be an indicator that something is not going right in your dogs belly or inside his or her mouth. Bad breath is the result of odor-producing bacteria in your dog's mouth, lungs or even their gut. If the smelly breath is ever-present then it may be a warning sign that your pooch needs better dental care or that he needs a check-up by the vet to ensure nothing more sinister is going on in his stomach, liver or kidneys. If you've tried to improve your dog's dental health by brushing their teeth and giving them dental bones to help aid their pearly whites then it might be time for your vet to start his or her investigation. Don't succumb to the old school way of thought that dogs just have smelly breath. A simple physical exam may find the cause, however in some cases some extra lab work may be needed in the form of a blood test, a swab of his or her mouth or even a stool sample. These will determine just where the problem is and how to treat it. Treatment will depend on what your vet diagnoses. If plaque is the cause your pooch may need a professional teeth cleaning which most vets offer. Sometimes diet may be the cause and you will need to change your dogs diet to suit. A balanced diet of quality meats and grain and filler-free dry kibble will help keep his or her insides happy. But if these aren't the treatments rest assured that your vet will give you the best advice on how to tackle this stinky problem. Here are a few preventative tips to help avoid another stinky kiss from your pup: Get regular check-ups with your vet. Brush your pet's teeth frequently using doggy toothpaste. Feed your dog grain and filler-free food to make digestion easier. Give your pooch hard and safe chew toys to help clean their teeth. Choose dental specific treats that will help your dogs dental health Feature Image Credit

Just like us humans, our feline counterparts can also suffer from heart disease. The fancy medical word for it is Cardiomyopathy. There are different types of feline heart disease however the most common type is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which is when the walls and ventricles of the heart become too thick for blood to pass through them. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is most often hereditery and breeds such as Persians, American shorthairs and oriental breeds are predisposed to the condition. You are able to get your cat tested at your vet or even purchase tests online also. However you may not be so lucky to find out by testing prior to finding symptoms of the disease. Most cats usually develop the condition and start showing symptoms well after their kittenhood and into midlife but it can occur at any age. The way this disease damages the heart is by the heart changing it's structure due to the thickening of the walls and by doing this the way the heart works is changed. The muscles become less flexible and no longer allow the cavities to fill with blood or to push blood on efficiently. Symptoms can cary depending on the cat and the severity of the condition. However a kitty with significant damage to the heart will show difficulty breathing, leg paralysis or strokes. While there is no cure for feline heart disease as the changes made to the heart by the condition are permanent, there have been some advances in treatments by using ubiquinol and amino acids such as taurine, L-arginine and acetyl L-carnitine, which you can discuss with your vet. Early diagnosis with proactive treatment can give your kitty the best chance at slowing the changes to the heart and maintain a great quality of life. Feature Image Credit