By Emma Anderson from Shernbao USA
Having pets in the home brings a sense of joy and comfort that only pet owners understand. Wet, warm tongue greetings at the door, warm, furred body brushing against the legs, purring uncontrollably.
Benefits of having pets in the home
There are many benefits to having pets in the home. Some benefits of owning a pet are:
Increase Opportunities To Exercise And Be Active – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rigorously playing with pets or taking the dogs out for a walk or run can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and decrease blood pressure. Some studies have shown that activities with pets can vastly improve cardiovascular health.
Walking or jogging with the dog can also reduce symptoms of PTSD and feelings, such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness.
Increase Optimism And Other Positive Feelings – A study conducted by Indiana University showed that simply watching videos of cats increased feelings of positive emotions and boosted the energy of the participants.
Improved Mental Health – Having pets in the home not only increases positive feelings but is beneficial to one’s overall mental health. Interacting with pets also decreases the release of the stress-related hormone cortisol.
Improved Socialization – Owning a pet means more opportunities to socialize. Pets are great icebreakers when someone new visits the home. Also, approximately 68% of people own pets, which is a great conversation starter or a way to find common interests with others.
Improve Overall Wellness – Owning a pet can improve the overall wellness and quality of life by simply being around them. Science has proven that pets can be a source of therapy for some.
The Troubles With Owning Multiple Pets
When there is more than one pet in the home, it may be challenging to keep the peace, especially if the pets are of two completely different species.
For instance, sometimes cats and dogs don’t get along or cats and gerbils, hamsters, pet mice, or guinea pigs have been known to be sworn enemies. Maybe two pets of the same kind don’t get along because they have different personalities.
dog and fish
How To Keep Harmony In The Home
So, how does a pet owner keep harmony between two different pets? By creating that harmony. Some tips for keeping the balance in the home are:
Dogs And Fish
Dog-Proofing
One way to keep the harmony between canine and aquatic pets is to dog-proof the fish tank. Dog-proofing an aquarium involves:
- Keep the aquarium out of the dog’s view. Just like humans, dogs enjoy watching fish swim back and forth, however watching those colorful, little creatures dart from one side of the tank to the other may tempt them to play. Keeping the fish tank out of a dog’s view will certainly help keep fish safe.
- Keep the fish tank at a safe distance. Place the aquarium where the dog can’t reach.
- Place the aquarium on a sturdy table.
- Another way to dog-proof an aquarium is to distract them with toys or other entertainment to keep their mind off the fish.
Intense Playtime
Exhaust the dog with intense play. Before leaving the dog home alone for a long period, play with them and make sure they’re tuckered out.
This can prevent any problems that might happen while the dog is alone. Also, before leaving the house, ensure the lid on the aquarium is properly sealed.
Safe And Secure
If the dog resides in an apartment, there is always the option of putting them in a dog kennel.
A great way to keep fish safe when the dog needs care is to use dog grooming tubs. Dog grooming tubs are a safe, secure way to bathe the dog and prevent it from running around and possibly diving into or bonking over the fish tank.
After bathing the dog, ensure to dry their fur completely to avoid water droplets hitting the electric outlets where your aquarium is plugged in. This will also keep the home clean.
cat and dog
Cats And Dogs
Bonding
If the pets are youthful, introduce them at a young age and help them create a bond through socialization. If the pet is older and they’ve resided in the home and is introduced to a new pet, remember the older pet’s favorite spaces and keep the new pet away from those spaces until the older pet has adapted.
Personality
Consider each pet’s personality. Is one pet overly excited and energetic and the other calm and introverted?
The best way to handle a situation is to find similarities between the two pets and see if they can bond together. Also, see if a toy can create a bond.
Perhaps both pets like to play a specific game and enjoy spending time on the couch in front of the TV, snuggled up against their favorite owner.
If a fight breaks out between a cat and a dog, ensure to use commands your dog will obey. This will keep the dog calm and the cat level.
Author bio
Emma Anderson from Shernbao USA has been involved with dog grooming for the past 15 years and now wants to share her experience and knowledge with others.