You are receiving this message because you have visited our site and requested to be contacted. If you no longer wish to be contacted, please use the removal link:Ā REMOVE. | | | | Maximize Your Reach With Targeted Newsletter Ads | | Welcome to Paws & Tails ā the ultimate newsletter for pet lovers who see their furry friends as family. Dive into heartwarming stories, expert pet care tips, and the latest in pet lifestyle trends, all designed to celebrate the joy cats and dogs bring to our lives. With every edition, Paws & Tails delivers engaging content that keeps readers coming back for more, while giving advertisers the perfect platform to connect with a passionate, pet-focused audience.
Our readership is 75% female and 25% male, featuring dedicated pet owners, animal enthusiasts, and pet care professionals who live and breathe all things paws and tails. Spanning ages 25 to 54, these readers earn $50,000 to $100,000 annually and are eager for insights on pet health, training, nutrition, and the newest pet-friendly products. Rooted in suburban and urban communities across the U.S., especially pet-friendly hotspots, this audience prioritizes the well-being of their four-legged companions.
Advertise with Paws & Tails to connect with an engaged community thatās as loyal as the pets they love! | | | | | Are Cats the Perfect Companions for Kids? | | | | Yes, cats make great pets for children. Their companionship often leads to emotional and social benefits that extend into adulthood.
While the playful nature of cats certainly appeals to children, the bond between kids and cats often goes far beyond simple affection for a cute pet. Many children learn valuable life skills such as empathy, responsibility, and social development through their relationship with a cat.
The Psychological Benefits of Cats for Kids Having a cat can significantly improve emotional well-being. Research indicates that cats help decrease anxiety, offer a sense of nurturing, and can be an emotional support for children. For many families, a cat serves as a comforting presence that helps children navigate their emotions, contributing positively to their mental health.
How Cats Help Children Develop Essential Skills The relationship between cats and children provides numerous advantages. According to research by the Human-Animal Bond Institute, children can experience: Increased Empathy: Interacting with cats helps children better understand non-verbal cues, fostering emotional intelligence and empathy. Emotional Support: Cats offer comfort to children dealing with tough emotions, from anxiety to trauma. Improved Social Skills: Attachment to a cat can encourage children to develop healthy social interactions and communication. Boosted Self-Esteem: Taking care of a cat can strengthen a childās sense of self-worth. Stronger Immunity: Children who grow up around cats are less likely to develop allergies and may get sick less often.
Cats: An Ideal Pet for Kids Cats are perfect pets for children, offering companionship and the opportunity to learn responsibility. Kids can take on tasks such as feeding, cleaning the litter box, and ensuring their pet gets enough play and exercise. However, parents should regularly check to ensure these tasks are being completed correctly and that the pet's needs are being met.
Avoiding Potential Issues with Cats and Kids To cultivate a healthy bond, itās essential to teach children how to care for their cats. Modeling gentle handling and demonstrating proper care tasks like feeding and cleaning will help children learn the right way to treat their pets. Parents should also keep an eye on their childrenās interactions to ensure theyāre not being too rough.
Not all cats are comfortable in noisy or busy environments, so itās crucial to choose a cat with a temperament that suits the family. Before adopting a cat, consult with the breeder or shelter to understand the petās background and personality.
Cats and Toddlers: A Special Consideration For younger children, particularly toddlers, the relationship with cats requires additional supervision. Toddlers are drawn to cats because of their soft fur and playful nature, but they may lack impulse control and not understand that cats are living beings with their own boundaries. To prevent issues, itās important to introduce the cat to the home gradually and ensure that interactions are closely monitored.
If a toddler is too young for a cat, it may be better to wait until they are older and more able to handle a pet appropriately.
Ultimately, cats offer numerous benefits, from emotional support to fostering social development. They can make wonderful pets for children, provided that care and supervision are in place. | | | | Does Your Dog Show Signs of Cognitive Decline? | | | | As dogs age, itās common to mistake cognitive issues for physical ailments. A dog may appear to be slowing down, experiencing accidents, or losing appetite, but these could be signs of something happening in the brain rather than the body.
Understanding the Risk of Cognitive Decline in Aging Dogs Dogs over the age of 7 are more likely to experience age-related cognitive decline. Research reveals that 28% of dogs aged 11-12 years, and 68% of dogs aged 15-16 years, show signs of mental issues. If concerned about your dogās behavior, here are the warning signs to keep in mind.
Signs to Look Out For Disorientation and Confusion: If your dog seems confused about their surroundings or forgets commands they once knew, cognitive decline could be at play. Decreased Social Interaction and Affection: Dogs with cognitive decline may forget familiar faces and shy away from interactions. They might show less affection than before, signaling a potential issue. Loss of House Training: Forgetting house training, such as having accidents inside, is a common sign of cognitive decline in aging dogs. Altered Sleep Patterns: Unusual sleeping patterns, like excessive sleep during the day or restlessness at night, may indicate cognitive difficulties. Pacing: Persistent pacing or restlessness could be a symptom of mental decline. Decreased Appetite: Dogs experiencing cognitive issues may forget where their food bowl is or their regular eating schedule, resulting in reduced appetite. Increased Aggression: Aggressive behavior toward familiar people or strangers may stem from a loss of recognition, leaving the dog feeling threatened or confused.
What Should You Do If You Notice These Symptoms? If your dog exhibits these symptoms, itās important not to make assumptions. The best course of action is to document the behavior and consult with a veterinarian. A professional can help determine whether the issue is cognitive or physical and create a treatment plan to improve your dogās quality of life. With the right care, your dog can continue to enjoy a fulfilling life alongside you. | | | | | | | | | | The 7 Foods Your Cat Should Never Eat | | | | While it may be tempting to share human food with a beloved pet, many common items can be harmful to cats. A well-balanced cat food diet, paired with fresh water, provides all the necessary nutrients. Human foods, such as milk or raw fish, should be strictly avoided as they can cause significant health problems. Here are seven foods that should never be given to a cat, along with advice on how to handle potential dietary mishaps.
7 Dangerous Foods for Cats Milk Although often depicted in cartoons, milk is not suitable for adult cats. After being weaned, many cats lose the ability to properly digest lactose, the sugar found in milk. Without sufficient lactase enzyme, milk can cause diarrhea, leading to weight loss if not addressed. From 10 weeks onward, cats should be fed a complete diet and fresh waterāmilk should never replace these essentials. Raw Eggs While cooked eggs are an excellent source of protein, raw eggs pose several risks. They may contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella, leading to severe symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Additionally, raw eggs inhibit the absorption of biotin, potentially causing skin problems, hair loss, and poor growth over time. Raw Fish Raw fish, including sushi-grade varieties, can be dangerous for cats. It may carry bacteria and parasites that cause foodborne illnesses. Frequent consumption of raw fish, especially herring and cod, can also result in a thiamine deficiency, leading to neurological issues such as convulsions. Offering cooked fish as a treat is a safer option. Raw Meats While cats are natural carnivores, feeding them raw meat can introduce harmful bacteria like Salmonella or E. Coli. A raw diet can also cause nutritional deficiencies, as it lacks the balance of nutrients cats need. Itās best to avoid raw meats altogether and stick to commercially prepared food. Bones Bones, even when cooked, are a dangerous treat for cats. Small bones can easily become lodged in a catās throat or intestines, causing severe injury. Swallowed bones could perforate internal organs, requiring expensive and risky surgery to resolve. Excessive Supplements Cats eating a well-rounded diet should not need additional supplements unless recommended by a veterinarian. Overuse of supplements can lead to vitamin toxicity, so itās important to follow professional guidelines precisely when administering any extra nutrients. Table Scraps Curious cats may try to snatch leftovers from your plate, but table scraps should never form a large part of their diet. Offering these foods may lead to digestive upset or imbalanced nutrition. Cat-safe treats should make up no more than 10 percent of their daily calorie intake.
What to Do If Your Cat Eats Something Harmful While itās best to prevent these foods from entering your catās diet, accidents can happen. If your cat consumes something unsafe, occasional exposure typically wonāt cause serious harm, but digestive issues may arise. Monitor your cat for signs of distress and consult a veterinarian if symptoms persist.
If your cat eats a bone, immediate veterinary attention is necessary to avoid life-threatening injuries. Regardless of occasional dietary mishaps, always ensure your catās main food consists of balanced, high-quality cat food, and provide plenty of fresh water each day. | | | | Fitness Tips for Senior Dogs: Keep Them Active and Healthy | | | | Regular physical activity is vital for dogs of all ages, including seniors. Whether looking to engage in fitness activities with an older dog or simply seeking ways to maintain their health, there are plenty of ways to help senior dogs stay fit. Hereās a guide to canine fitness for dogs aged 7 and older.
The Unique Needs of Senior Dogs As dogs age, their metabolism slows down, and they may have a harder time processing protein. This can impact their overall fitness, making it more difficult for them to engage in activities at the same intensity as younger dogs. Senior dogs are also more likely to develop medical conditions that can affect their ability to exercise, requiring special consideration when starting a fitness regimen.
Consult Your Veterinarian Before Starting New Activities Itās essential to have your dogās fitness level assessed by a veterinarian before introducing a new exercise routine. A comprehensive examination, including an orthopedic checkup of the dogās knees, hips, and elbows, will help determine which activities are safe and beneficial. Senior dogs often require a gradual approach to fitness, increasing intensity and duration as their strength and stamina improve.
Additionally, active senior dogs require proper nutrition to support their lifestyle. Special formulations, such as the Pro Plan Sport Adult 7+ formula, can provide the necessary nutrients, including glucosamine for joint health, EPA for mobility, and brain-supporting nutrients to promote cognitive function.
Fun and Safe Activities for Senior Dogs Walking: Regular walks are one of the best ways to keep senior dogs fit. Walking helps with joint stiffness and provides both physical and mental stimulation. Even short walks around the block can be beneficial. Casual Hikes: For dogs with a higher fitness level, casual hikes offer more of a challenge while remaining relatively low-impact. Always watch for signs of fatigue or discomfort, and provide breaks as needed. Swimming: Swimming is an excellent low-impact activity that helps with joint mobility while providing aerobic exercise. Introduce swimming slowly and consider using a life jacket until your dog becomes comfortable with water. Some areas offer specialized canine fitness centers with underwater treadmills, perfect for low-impact walking. Play Groups: Age-specific play groups at local dog daycare centers can provide socialization opportunities and age-appropriate activities for senior dogs, keeping them mentally and physically engaged.
The Importance of Staying Active for Senior Dogs Physical activity for senior dogs offers numerous benefits, including improved mental stimulation and better overall health. Regular exercise helps senior dogs maintain a healthy body condition, which contributes to a longer and higher-quality life. More importantly, these activities enhance the bond between dog and owner, ensuring shared moments of joy and connection. | | | | Understanding and Treating Skin Tags in Cats | | | | A bump on your catās skin can be concerning, but it may not always be a cause for alarm. While some skin growths are harmless, others can signal health issues that require attention. Skin tags, though uncommon in cats, are one such growth that many pet owners may encounter. Hereās what to know about identifying and treating skin tags on cats.
What Are Skin Tags and Can Cats Get Them? Skin tags are benign, fleshy growths made up of connective tissue. While less common in cats than in dogs, they can appear anywhere on a catās body. Typically flesh-colored and small, skin tags may remain the same size or grow over time. Some may even hang from a stalk. While skin tags are generally harmless, itās important to differentiate them from other skin conditions, such as cysts, warts, or tumors, which require professional evaluation.
Causes of Skin Tags in Cats The exact cause of skin tags remains unclear, but they tend to appear in areas where skin rubs together, such as the armpits, abdomen, and legs. Overweight cats are more prone to developing skin tags due to increased friction. As cats age, their skin becomes less supple, further contributing to the formation of these growths.
Types of Skin Growths to Be Aware Of Nipples: If a growth on your catās belly appears in a cluster of three or more, itās likely a nipple, not a skin tag. Ticks: Ticks may resemble skin tags, but they are darker in color. Have a veterinarian check for embedded ticks, as they require professional removal. Warts: Though rare, warts caused by the papillomavirus can appear as flat, scaly growths on cats. These can spread through contact with contaminated bedding or other materials. Mast Cell Tumors (MCTs): These tumors, which may occur on the head or neck, need immediate attention. They can change in size and shape, so a biopsy is required for a proper diagnosis. Abscesses: Typically caused by a bacterial infection from a bite or scratch, abscesses are painful, pus-filled masses that need veterinary treatment. Acne: Cats can develop acne, particularly from eating out of certain types of dishes. This condition appears as small bumps or blackheads on the chin and can be treated with medicated washes. Bug Bites: Bites from insects like mosquitoes or bees can cause temporary bumps or swelling.
What Should You Do if Your Cat Has a Skin Tag? In most cases, skin tags donāt require treatment and donāt affect your catās well-being. However, itās important to have a veterinarian confirm the diagnosis to rule out more serious conditions. If a skin tag interferes with your catās daily activities, such as eating or vision, removal may be necessary.
Treating Skin Tags on Cats Generally, skin tags donāt need to be removed. Attempting to remove them at home is not recommended. If the tag causes discomfort or complications, consult with a veterinarian for professional removal. The vet may use local anesthesia or sedation to ensure the procedure is as comfortable as possible for your cat.
Preventing Skin Tags in Cats There is no guaranteed way to prevent skin tags or other benign growths. However, maintaining your catās overall health with proper nutrition, including protein, vitamins, and minerals, can help keep their skin and coat in good condition.
If you find unusual bumps on your catās skin, a visit to the veterinarian will help ease concerns and provide a proper diagnosis. |
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