Having a pet is a great way to teach your child responsibility and empathy for others. But for the interest of everyone involved, it’s important to choose a pet that is appropriate for your child’s age. Guinea pigs make a great first pet for children aged 3-5 years. They love to be held (and can fit into your child’s hands), make a fun whistling sound when they’re excited or happy, and rarely bite. At 5-10 years old, many children have an inconsistent attention span, and are better off with a small, lower maintenance pet such as a goldfish or gerbil. This is a great opportunity to teach your children responsibility- let them help to clean cages, fill water bottles and bowls, and measure out their pet’s food servings. Kids in their tween years are often very interested in animals, and can handle the responsibility of a larger pet, such as a dog, cat or rabbit. Taking on the responsibility for another living creature – daily feeding, changing cat litter, participating in dog training – is a great character builder for kids of this age. When it comes to older teenagers, while they can typically handle the responsibility for most types of pets, their busy and active lifestyles may not leave them with enough time to dedicate to nurturing pets that require a lot of attention. Aquarium fish and birds, which still require daily care but not quite as much attention as say a dog or cat, may be an ideal choice for kids in this age group.

There are many toxins in our homes and in our yards – some that you are aware of, some that you may not be – that can be dangerous to your pets. In recognition of poison prevention awareness month, we’ve compiled a list of the most harmful toxins that may be lurking in and around your home.

1. Prescription medications. This one seems like a no brainer; yet 25,000 calls were made to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) last year due to pets ingesting human medications. So be sure to keep your medicine secure and out of the reach of your pets.
2. Insecticides. Be sure to read the label on any insecticide product before using it on your lawn or in your home. 11% of the calls fielded by the the APCC last year were the result of pets being exposed to harmful insecticides.
3. Human food. Despite the warnings that chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and increased heart rate in pets, chocolate is the number one human food ingested by pets. Xylitol, a natural sugar substitute, is the second most ingested food by pets, and can cause seizures or even liver failure in dogs.
4. Lawn and garden products. Many fertilizers are made with ingredients that are harmful to your pets, such as dried blood, poultry manure and bone meal. Read fertilizer labels carefully to determine if they may contain ingredients that are toxic to your pets. And if you use them, store them in a place where your pet can’t get to them.
5. Rodenticides. Bait that is used to kill mice and rats is often grain based and can be attractive to dogs. But if ingested, they may cause kidney failure, internal bleeding, or seizures in your pooch.

Statistics show that approximately 10% of cats have problems properly using their litter box. Some of the factors that may be causing your feline to eliminate outside his or her litter box include:

• conflicts between the cats in your household
• a dislike for the type of litter or litter box you are using
• trouble accessing the litter box
• not cleaning your cat’s litter box often enough
• the litter box is too small for your cat
• there is too much litter in the box
• a medical condition, such as a urinary tract infection, kidney stones or feline interstitial cystitis

The bottom line is that if your cat isn’t comfortable with their litter box or can’t easily access it, they won’t use it. Following are some tips to make the litter box a clean and comfortable environment for your cat:

1. Have a separate litter box for each cat in your home.
2. Keep litter boxes in a quiet area of the house- just as humans prefer a little privacy in the bathroom, so do our feline counterparts.
3. Cats prefer a clean litter box, so be sure to scoop the poop from your kitty’s litter at least once a day.
4. Use no more than one to two inches of litter.
5. Try a clumping, unscented litter- most cats prefer this type of litter.

It’s an unfortunate fact that pet allergies have prevented many individuals from being able to become pet parents, or from entering homes where pets are present. While there are certain medications that can help to alleviate the effects of such allergies, they are unable to treat the root of the problem. Enter Allerpet. Available for both cats and dogs, Allerpet is a solution that helps to cleanse your pet’s coat of saliva, dander and urine, which are the primary causes of allergic reactions to pets. Simply dampen a washcloth, sponge or mitt with Allerpet solution and wipe over your cat’s hair, both with and against the way it lays. Allerpet also moisturizes and conditions your pet’s coat and skin, making it look more attractive and requiring less grooming for your pet, thus resulting in a decreased production of dander. In fact, dander levels will drop significantly in your home with proper weekly use of this moisturizing conditioner.

It’s not “shocking” that your pets may be experiencing static cling in the winter. Static is caused by the buildup of electrons on an object.  When an object comes into contact with another object of a different charge, electrons are transferred from one material and relocated to the other. The moving of the electron causes the static shock you experience. The hair follicles on your pet’s coat repel each other when positive charges build up; low humidity environments, such as a home heated in the winter, creates an ideal environment for static electricity on your pets’ fur. Here are a few tips to keep your pets’ coat shock free this winter:

•  Use a humidifier. Heating during the winter can dry out the air in your home and strip the air of the moisture needed to prevent static electricity. Using a humidifier or placing a pot with water on your radiator will help to balance out the moisture level in the air of your home, fighting dry skin as well as static.
• Brush your pets’ fur using a coat conditioner. You can also mist your pet’s coat with a little bit of water before brushing. This will add moisture to their coat, reducing friction as well as static shocks.
• Wipe your pets’ coat with dryer sheets. They work to reduce static on your clothes, and they also help to reduce static on your pet’s coat.
  

Ok, admit it- you love being able to take your pet everywhere you go, but sometimes that it just isn’t very practical. Cue the stylish, sporty and functional Pet Gear Sportster PetStroller. Whether you’re out for a walk through uneven park terrain or a stroll in the mall, this stroller will safely and comfortably protect your four legged friend. Fully collapsible within seconds for easy storage, this weather-resistant, full-featured stroller contains a large protective pet compartment with a safety belt that attaches to your pet’s leash, breathable bug-proof mesh that allows your pet full visibility and an internal fleece pad with waterproof tray. You and your pet will be set for a day out on the town with a large storage basket for your pet’s favorite snacks and toys, as well as a parent tray to hold your keys, phone and a cup holder to store  your beverage.

Features rear brakes, shock absorber and front wheel locking capability. Holds dogs or cats up to 45 pounds. So pick up for Pet Gear Sportster Stroller at April’s Window in lovely Lilac or mellow Mango color today for days of fun outdoors with your pet!

February is Cat Appreciation Month, and the ASPCA and Fresh Step^® cat litter have teamed up to celebrate beloved felines and to help raise awareness of homeless cats. To show your cat pride, Fresh Step is asking cat owners to step out this month in their favorite cat-centric article of clothing or accessory. For those who don’t own any, country music star Kellie Pickler, fashion designer Geren Ford and Fresh Step have designed a limited edition “kitty crooner” sweater that is the cat’s meow. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the sweater go directly to the ASPCA.

Additionally, Fresh Step will donate $1 to the ASCPA for every cat fanatic who posts a photo of themselves in their feline duds on the Fresh Step Facebook page from now until March 15, 2012. So spread the word to your fellow cat lovers, don your favorite feline getup and strike a pose- it’s for a good cause!

Just like humans, dogs have different dietary needs at different stages of their life. At around 7-12 years of age, dogs begin to show visible age-related changes, and also experience metabolic, immunologic and body composition changes. Some common canine issues that arise with age include deterioration of skin and coat, loss of muscle mass, more frequent intestinal problems, arthritis, obesity, dental problems, and a decreased ability to fight off infections. While some of these changes are unavoidable, some can be managed with a proper diet.

The main dietary goals for older dogs are to maintain health and optimum body weight, slow or prevent the development of chronic disease, and minimize or improve clinical signs of diseases that may already be present. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right diet for your dog as he gets older:

• Avoid senior diets that have reduced levels of protein. Protein requirements do not decrease with age, and optimum levels of highly digestible protein can help your dog maintain muscle mass.
• Because aging can affect your dog’s intestinal bacteria, which can result in symptoms of gastrointestinal disease, looks for senior dog food that contains FOS (fructooligosaccharides) to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.
• Look for foods with increased amounts of antioxidants such as vitamin E and beta carotene, which can help to eliminate free radical particles that can damage body tissues and cause signs of aging. Antioxidants can also help to increase the effectiveness of the immune system in senior dogs.

So when should you start to feed your dog a senior diet? Because smaller dogs tend to live longer and experience age-related changes later in life than bigger dogs, a dog’s size is often used as an indicator as to when you should switch your canine over to a senior diet. Small and medium dogs who weigh up to 50 pounds should be switched to a senior diet at 7 years of age, while large dogs weighing 51-90 pounds should be transitioned at 6 years of age, and giant dogs weighing 91 pounds or more should switch to senior foods at age 5.

If your furry feline is anything like ours, he has a whole vocabulary of sounds to communicate with other cats, and with you. Need some help decoding your cat’s messages? Here are some clues into what your cat may be trying to communicate with you.

Purring. The purr is the most common sounds made by cats. The purring sound is caused by built-up pressure created from the opening and closing of the cat’s glottis (the part of the larynx consisting of the vocal cords and the slitlike opening between them), which results in a sudden separation of the vocal chords. Kittens start purring as soon as a few hours after birth while they knead their mother’s chest and nurse. The most common reason cats purr is to show that they are content; however, cats who are in pain or are under stress also sometimes purr as a way to self soothe.

Meowing. The meow is the second most common sounds made by cats. And as anyone who has dealt with cats knows, felines often have several different “meows” depending on the message they wish to communicate. Your cat will project different sounding meows to make demands, complain, show anger, and try to attract a mate. A perceptive cat owner will quickly learn which meow means “I’m hungry,” vs. which meow means “I’m in pain.” A few other types of meows you may hear from your cat are:

• Chirping. Cats often make a chirping noise when they are aroused by the sight of prey.
• Chattering. Chattering usually occurs when a cat is frustrated, typically by prey he is unable to catch, such as a bird outside your window, or a fly that quickly buzzes out of reach.
• Distress calls. When a newborn kitten is trapped or isolated from his mother, he may emit a distress call, otherwise called an anger wail. Older cats produce anger wails when cat play becomes too rough or the cat is protesting against something.

Hissing. When a cat is feeling threatened, he may produce a variety of sounds, always with his mouth open as a sign of his intense emotional state. Cats often hiss when they are surprised by an enemy, even if it’s just a perceived enemy, such as a vacuum cleaner. When a cat is in pain, fearful or aggressive, he may emit a high-pitched shriek or scream. Snarling is the sound often heard when two male cats, or toms are fighting over territory or a female’s attention. A long, low-pitched growl is your cat’s way to warn of danger.

While canine companions get to enjoy long outdoor strolls with their owners, communing with nature and getting in touch with their inner animal instincts, their feline counterparts are typically relegated to a life spent entirely indoors. And while some felines are perfectly content filling their days with indoor play and catnaps, animal experts say that some cats may crave, and in fact benefit from, time spent outdoors. That’s not to say, however, that you should simply let your cat loose in your backyard or on your terrace. Many dangers await an unattended cat, and left to his own devices, your feline friend may choose to channel his inner hunter, attacking birds and small rodents.

Taking your cat for a walk on a leash may be a good way to allow your cat the freedom to enjoy the great outdoors in a safe and supervised way. If your kitty is confident, inquisitive and doesn’t mind being handled, he may be a good candidate for leash training. The key is to start small, getting your cat accustomed to wearing a harness and feeling secure being out in the open. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Get the right kind of leash. Opt for a harness or a walking jacket. A standard collar can choke your cat if he tries to dash off in the direction of a bird or interesting sound, and a breakaway collar will detach if your feline become frightened and darts up a tree.
• Start small and use positive reinforcement. First, get your cat accustomed to wearing the harness. As soon as you place the harness on him, give him a treat. Chances are, your cat may immediately sink to the ground as soon as you put the harness on him. As he gets used to the harness however, he may be willing to take a few steps. As he does this, be sure to reward the behavior with a treat. As soon as your cat becomes frightened or overwhelmed, remove the harness and end the training session with a treat. Also be sure to give your cat lots of praise during the session.
• Gently challenge your cat. Try to get your cat to walk a few steps further every day. Once he’s comfortable with the area he’s exploring, he’ll start walking around with his tail up. That’s your cue that he’s ready for more.
• Learn how to deal with the occasional setback. If your cat becomes alarmed by an approaching dog or a loud noise and freezes up, gently try to redirect his attention to a different area. Resist the urge to pick up and comfort your cat- this can undermine your feline’s confidence.
• Be aware of outdoor hazards to your cat. Substances used on city streets can be harmful to your cat if licked. If possible, try to take your cat to an area that’s more protected, such as a park or trail.