Top Reasons Pets are Abandoned

Often the pet you see at your local Shelter is there through no fault of their own. A survey of the most frequent reasons pets are abandoned include:

Allergies

allergiesOften a family member doesn't realize they have an allergy to cats or dogs until they are sharing their home with them. But having a allergy doesn't mean you can't coexist. Here are some things you can try:

Allergies are caused by pet dander (dead skin similar to dandruff) and not pet hair. You can greatly reduce pet dander by adding no more than a teaspoon of olive oil to the pet's food each day. This reduces dry skin and results in less dander. Their fur will also be shinier!

Carpets and rugs harbor allergens so vacuum frequently.

Create a pet-free zone. The best area is your bedroom.

Replace the filters in your heating/ air conditioning system at least once a month. HEPA filters are best for collecting the tiniest allergens.

Keep your dog or cat groomed. The more they are bathed, the less dander they will produce - IF the shampoo you use is moisturizing. Dry out their skin with too many drying baths and you'll increase dander!

Try one of the medications available at your local pet store to reduce shedding.

Ask your doctor what medications you can take - prescription or over-the-counter - so you can coexist.

Life Changes

Life is full of surprises but one thing you can always count on is change!life change

Before you adopt an animal, consider what you would do if you got married, had a baby, divorced, or had to relocate. A pet might live for 10 to 20 years; are you willing to make the commitment to include that pet in your family regardless of your circumstances?

Try not to make a decision such as giving up your pet without careful thought. Are your circumstances temporary? Perhaps a good friend or family member could care for your pet until your circumstances improved or became more stable. And sometimes in the worst of times, it's your pet who can help pull you through!

Housebreaking

Dogs and cats are creatures of habit. They respond best when presented with a routine they can count on.

Kittens are naturally litter-trained. However, if the litter reeks of ammonia or it obviously hasn't been cleaned lately, they won't want to use it. You probably wouldn't, either! So change the litter frequently to reduce the odor. If you have multiple cats, try more than one litter box and a kitty litter specially designed for more than one cat. You can also add baking soda to the kitty litter; it will naturally absorb many of the odors.

house breakingIf your cat suddenly stops using the litter box or begins leaving you "gifts" around the house, it could be responding to stress in the environment. Reduce the stress, create calm, and pay some loving attention to your pet. If something has changed in your family - such as a new baby, a divorce, or a recent move - help your cat adjust to the new circumstances by providing as much of your old routine as possible.

Spaying or neutering your cat will greatly reduce the likelihood of it spraying your furniture!

Puppies need to be allowed outside every two hours until they get a bit older. Then they can be walked or allowed outside on a less frequent basis. Reduce the likelihood of a dog urinating overnight by removing its water dish at least one hour before you go to bed. Or fill a bowl with water and place it in the freezer. Remove it in the evening and as it melts, your dog can drink from it. This reduces the possibility of the dog getting too much water overnight.

Crate training uses the concept that dogs will not normally use the bathroom where they sleep. The trick is to keep the crate as close to the dog's size as possible. Give them too much room and they could use the bathroom at one end. Give them too little and their bones become cramped. Never leave a dog in a crate for more than four hours at a time!

You can also limit the areas the dog has available to them. Do not allow your dog to run through the whole house if it isn't housetrained; otherwise, you'll possibly find "gifts" waiting for you when you least expect it. Keep them confined to a room or two, preferably one with tile or linoleum that is easy to clean. As they begin to show signs of successful housetraining, you can gradually increase the space they are allowed to roam.

You can purchase baby gates or pet gates that do not need hinges or installation, to help keep them confined to specific areas of the house.

Don't change their food if they are not housebroken. Keeping them on a standard diet eliminates stomach issues that can "erupt" at the most inopportune moments!

The keys to successful housetraining are ROUTINE and CONSISTENCY. With no routine and no consistency, it's a recipe for disaster. All of the family members should understand the routine your pet needs and help to facilitate it.

Behavior Problems - Cats

The most common complaints about cats is they scratch furniture, spray furniture or possessions, jump onto furniture or counters, or they destroy houseplants.

To stop them from scratching your furniture, purchase or build a scratching post. Or keep spray bottles filled with water and spray them when they begin an undesired activity like scratching. Keep their claws trimmed.bad cat behavior

If they are spraying, neuter or spay them. If they continue, it could be they are marking their territory. Do you have multiple cats in your home? Try limiting them to different rooms to create their own "space".

Have plenty of cat toys of varying materials so they will have plenty to keep them from becoming bored.

To prevent jumping onto furniture, tables or countertops, purchase a spray from your local pet store specifically designed to deter cats. Most have an undesirable aroma such as vinegar or a mace-like substance that the cats will try to avoid. Spray the area (or spray a paper towel and leave it in the area) until the cat no longer tries to jump onto that piece of furniture or countertop.

Place plants in areas where the cat will not have ready access. Add cayenne pepper or a spray designed specifically for this purpose, to the soil around the plant. The odor will deter them from digging or eating the houseplant.

Behavior Problems - Dogs

The biggest complaints about dogs include the dog jumping up on people or acting "out of control", chewing items, scratching or destroying baseboards or furniture, snapping or nipping, or barking excessively.

Dogs are social animals that are meant to be a member of a pack. In this case, that "pack" is your family. The best way to minimize behavioral problems with a dog is to spend time with it.

bad dog behaviorThe two most common reasons that dogs become destructive is through boredom or stress.

You can eliminate boredom by going for frequent walks with your dog, playing fetch or other games, or teaching them tricks. A tired dog doesn't have the energy to destroy things!

Take an old cardboard box and turn it into your dog's "toy box" - place their toys into that box. If you catch them with something they shouldn't be playing with - such as a shoe - take it away and replace it with one of the toys from the box. As the dog becomes accustomed to seeing you get toys from the same box, it will naturally go to that box and begin pulling out toys itself when it gets bored!

Never keep your dog closed up in a kennel or crate and kept away from the rest of the family. This can CREATE behavioral problems.

To stop a dog from jumping on you, cross your arms in front of your body and turn away, refusing to look at him. This sends a signal that you are disinterested. Once he stops jumping, pet him and praise him. Do NOT hold out your hands to try and keep him at bay - this gesture is actually a signal that is interpreted as you being interesting in playing!

If your dog is digging, try to find out what the attraction is. Dogs may dig because it's hot and the larger the hole, the cooler they find it. Or they may detect moles or other creatures underground and they are digging to find it. Some breeds are especially prone to digging for "prey". You can stop their digging by using any of these methods: place chicken wire on the ground beneath your mulch (if they dig in your garden); or place their own feces in the hole and then cover it up. Once they detect it, they will be disinterested in digging there again. You can also try cayenne pepper in the hole.

Are they scratching at the door? Use a spray bottle filled with water and spray them when they begin that activity. Just one spritz each time. and they will soon stop.

Do they bark excessively? What are they barking at? Some dogs bark out of boredom. Keep them active, and they will be less likely to bark unnecessarily. Other dogs are natural watchdogs and may be barking at passersby. Limit their ability to see the street by closing blinds or windows. You can use the spray bottle when they bark to discourage them. Or in extreme circumstances, you can even purchase a collar that emits a pepper spray whenever they bark.

If they roam, spay or neuter them. They will be much less likely to dig out and roam once they are spayed or neutered.

Not Enough Time

The last reason people abandon their animals is they simply do not have enough time to care for them. Never adopt a dog in the spur-of-the-moment and never purchase or adopt an animal for someone else. Taking an animal into your home is a huge commitment that can span one or two decades.not enough time

Think about your lifestyle and how much time you can commit to an animal. Perhaps your lifestyle is better suited to a cat who remains inside all of the time. Are you sedentary much of the time? Like to sit at a computer or watch television and would prefer a cat or a small dog who can curl up in your lap for hours at a time?

Or perhaps you have a more active lifestyle and would prefer to have an animal who can camp, hike, swim or participate in other outdoor activities.

Research the BREED carefully. Do not assume that a small dog is ideally suited for an apartment or confined living space. Sometimes a small dog (such as a Jack Russell terrier) needs a lot of exercise to keep it from becoming bored - and destructive.

And don't assume a large dog is better suited for the outdoors. One of the largest breeds, the mastiff, is actually an inside dog with a low activity level.

Carefully consider the time you have to devote to a dog or cat before adopting.

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