Keep Your Pets Comfortable Often thought of as an additional family member, the household pet can bring unadulterated love into any home. That means you have to do you part to keep little Lucky or Fido happy! Here are few top tips:

Keep Their Water Cold: Summer is rapidly approaching and the temperature is already rising. Help keep your pet cool and hydrated by making sure you always have a plentiful supply of drinking water available.

TIP: Fill empty plastic margarine bowls with water and freeze. Remove the block of ice and refill for next time. I use the 1 lb size margarine tub for my 2 dog's water bowl but the half lb tub would be good for a smaller water dish for one pet.

Summer is also a popular time for people to move and/or relocated. Don't underestimate the effect this can have on your pet.

TIP: If you are moving to a new house or are getting a new cat this is a great hint for making your cat feel at home quickly. Rub a cloth around the cat's mouth and ears, where scent glands are, then rub this cloth on the walls, floor and furniture in the new house. Humans can't smell it but your cat can- they'll feel relaxed as it's marked out as their territory.

One issue many cat owners face is to claw or declaw. There are two schools of though: have nice stuff/be inhumane OR deal with a frayed couch/be humane. Thankfully, there's now a way to reduce the impact of your cat's claws without removing them.

TIP: If your cat scratches you, your furniture or your small children to the point where you are thinking of having it declawed, save your money and spare the cat a painful operation. Use glue-on claw covers, available online or through vets. They're made of vinyl or plastic, and the cat usually doesn't mind them. You may need the vet to help you put them on, and they will have to be reapplied eventually.

How do you keep that "extra" family member happy?  ¶ 8:45 AM