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Brennan (a dog) and Lucky (a cat) received the most votes. You can see their pictures below and on our Auston Grove Pets Gallery.
We wish to thank all of our REALLY cute contestants for participating and making a Auston Grove a more beautiful place to live.
Brennan's and Lucky's owners will each receive a $25 Pet Smart gift certificate so they can spoil their pets.
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We had to modify our contest a little bit from the original "Cutest and Ugliest" pet contest because all we received were cute pet submissions. So now, we will give away two $25 Pet Smart gift certificates to the top 2 vote getters.
But we need your help. Please vote by visiting the Pet Gallery page and using the voting form to choose your pick as the cutest pet at Auston Grove.
Click on images below to enlarge and read caption.
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Your pet may not be able to recite Shakespeare’s sonnets or sing the Star-Spangled Banner, but, believe it or not, your furry, four-legged friend can talk. If you pay close attention, your dog or cat can communicate with you when something is wrong with his health.
Check out this list of common pet health care issues, and learn how to identify when your pet is trying to tell you that something’s wrong.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is one of the most common health care problems for dogs and cats. If you neglect brushing your pet’s teeth regularly, bacteria living in the mouth can enter the bloodstream through decaying, infected teeth and gums. The harmful bacteria can cause swelling and bladder infections. Rotten teeth also make it painful for your pet to chew her food and get proper nutrition.
Dental hygiene problems are common, but can be easily avoided with regular brushing and veterinary care. In between vet visits, watch out for the signs of tooth decay. Notice whether:
These signs may let you know that your pet needs veterinary dental care.
Obesity
Obesity is another of the most common pet health problems. You may be tempted to laugh off Fido’s “big-boned” heft, but obesity can actually cause a number of pet health problems including skin inflammation, heart disease, and diabetes, among others.
Your pet can tell you that he is overweight in a number of ways. If you see a large tummy from his profile view, can’t feel his ribs, or notice that he is often short of breath, it is probably time to consult veterinary care about a diet plan for your pet. The ideal size of a pet varies by breed, so rely on your vet’s help to determine the proper weight range for your particular pet.
Skin Problems
Skin problems are another of the most common health issues that veterinarians treat. Your pet can tell you that his skin is bothering him if he licks, chews, or scratches a certain spot excessively. Look for skin patches that are red and irritated or have lost fur — these are possible indications that your pet has skin problems, perhaps caused by allergies, bacterial infections, or bug bites. Raw areas on the skin may also indicate an internal problem, such as a break or sprain, as dogs will lick a painful area in an attempt to heal themselves.
Fleas
Fleas are a specific type of pet skin problem that you can also easily identify. More than just a nuisance for you and your family, the presence of fleas can lead to serious health care problems like anemia in pets.
Your pet will tell you if he’s got fleas: he’ll scratch! Also watch for the usual signs of skin problems and check his belly regularly for small, black spots known as “flea dirt.” You may even be able to see fleas crawling on his skin — especially around his hindquarters or neck.
Your Pet’s Demeanor
A pet’s health problems will often manifest as pesky behavior issues that might include destructive chewing, excessive barking, or urinating indoors. Fido isn’t simply being a bad dog when he does these things repeatedly; these behavior problems might be his way of telling you that there’s something wrong with him physically. When behavior problems persist, a vet visit may be a good idea to determine whether there’s a health issue behind the bad behavior.
Also keep in mind that a pet may “act out” when her routine is altered or she gets over-excited. As you live with a pet, you will come to recognize the differences in the clues that your pet’s behavior tell you.
How to Listen to Your Pet
The key to identifying pet health care issues is to pay close attention to your pets. Pay special attention to each animal every day, and watch for any sudden changes in a pet’s behavior. Be open to listening to what your pet has to tell you about his health; he’ll also be able to communicate to you when he feels great!
When you’ve got a pet, you benefit from the unconditional love that your furry friend showers on you. Research shows that besides making you feel warm and fuzzy, the love you experience as an animal owner can actually lead to better health for you, too. Read about these benefits here in these tips for healthier living with a pet in your apartment.
Health Benefits of Pets for All Ages
As a source of unconditional love and comfort, pets just make us feel good. When we dote on these lovable buddies, our brains release powerful mood-enhancing chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which make us feel calm and happy. Some of the benefits of living with a pet include lower blood pressure, an immunity boost, and a healthy dose of social interaction.
Fido, the Fitness Coach
One reason why life with pets leads to healthier living is that pets encourage us to get up off the couch and get physical. It’s easy to forget about exercise or make excuses not to go to the gym, but when your beloved pet is demanding playtime, it is hard to say no. Whether you’ve got a cat who likes you to toss her feather toy across the floor to chase or a dog who begs you for walks, spending time with pets helps you get healthy amounts of physical activity, as well. In this way, Fido or Kitty can become your unexpected fitness coach.
Allergy Fighters
There’s also research to indicate that living with pets in an apartment can help children overcome sensitivity to allergies. While the traditional school of thought was that allergy-prone families should avoid having furry pets, current studies show that children who grow up in homes with pets end up decreasing their chances of developing severe allergies or asthma. It turns out that exposure to these animals helps children develop a stronger immune system against allergens.
Friend (or Date) Magnets
Regular social interaction is another cornerstone of healthy living, and owning a pet is a shared experience others enjoy relating to. Dogs are like friend magnets because they are cute and are such great conversation starters. It’s nearly impossible to take a dog to the park without having someone ask to pet the animal or inquire about the breed. These social exchanges can mean a lot when you are looking to make new connections with people, say, after a move to a new city. And if you’re a little on the shy side, walking a dog can really help you break out of your shell.
Pets and Unconditional Love
Because dogs and cats encourage physical activity and social interaction, it’s not hard to see why life with pets can lead to healthier living. For the chronically ill, these benefits are just the tip of the iceberg. For those who may be dealing with a health crisis, living with a pet can be a big mood booster. That’s because caring for a pet takes the focus off of one’s own troubles. In fact, studies show that AIDS patients who live with pets are less likely to suffer from depression, and those with high blood pressure who live with pets are more likely to remain calm in high-stress situations.
Pets, then, are like powerful non-prescription medicine — not to mention that having a snuggly pet curl up next to you nightly can make you feel loved and needed. It seems amazing that something as simple as scratching your dog behind the ears can make you feel so good, but the simple truth is that living with pets is a meaningful way to help improve your overall sense of health and well-being.
1. STEP 1 is to submit a photo of your pet. Please visit the Auston Grove Pets Gallery page and complete the form top submit your pet's picture and info. DEADLINE: 1 May 11.
2. STEP 2 is to vote. Once we collect the photos in our gallery, we will change the form on the Pet's Gallery page to a voting form so the entire community can choose the cutest and ugliest pets in Auston Grove.
3. Who can enter? Any approved pet. Dogs, cats, or approved exotic pets.
Just because you’ve decided to become a pet owner doesn’t mean you know all there is to know about taking care of a pet - yet! There are a few other things to consider to ensure that you, your pet and your apartment home all fit together well.
Don’t be the pet owner who makes the common mistakes: read on and prepare yourself to give great pet care.
Getting a pet before you’re ready
In some ways, deciding to be a pet owner is similar to deciding to become a parent.
In both cases, you’re taking on the responsibility of being the sole provider for a living thing who will depend on you for everything. Your schedule won’t be completely your own anymore when you have a pet to walk and feed. You’ll need to be prepared financially for veterinarian bills, food costs and the expense of dog training and boarding when you’re out of town.
Be sure you’ve considered all the angles before you bring a furry friend into your life. A rash decision could lead to a bad situation for both of you.
Choosing the wrong pet for you
When selecting a pet, you should consider how well it will match your personality and the size of your home. Some pet breeds make better apartment pets than others. If you like a low-key home atmosphere and would prefer a pet happy with confined spaces, then a high-energy Jack Russell terrier, hound dog or retriever would not represent the best choice for you, for instance. There are a number of online sites that can help you identify just the right kind of dog or cat for your lifestyle.
First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure that you live in a pet-friendly apartment before you opt for pet adoption. Check with your landlord to make sure pets are allowed.
Not pet-proofing an apartment
In the excitement of adopting a pet, some new owners forget all about preparing their home for the new addition. Like a child, a pet can get into any and everything. Puppies like to chew and will eat all kinds of things left around - edible or otherwise. Garbage needs to be secured, as well as anything else your pet may chew. Secure heavy items that a puppy or kitten could knock over and electrical cords they could get wrapped up in. Balconies can also prove to be dangerous for your young pet. Without proper precautions, your apartment pet could hurt itself or destroy something you care about in your apartment.
Skipping obedience training
Some pet owners grow tolerant of their pet’s foibles or believe they can train them on their own. As pets grow older, however, it becomes harder to break bad habits. An untrained apartment pet may cause problems for you. (An incessant barker could disturb the neighbors, for instance.) An untrained pet will also be a problem at dog parks and pet daycare facilities. Failing to train your pet early may very well negatively impact quality of life for both of you.
You can avoid the pitfalls of many pet owners by thinking ahead and planning for all the details that owning a pet involve. This planning process will help ensure you make the right decisions for a furry friend who is counting on you for its happiness and well-being.
Finding the perfect roommate can be challenging, but if your roomie has four legs and eats out of a bowl, then you’ve surely found a friend for life. All the more reason to pamper your apartment pet with the finest luxuries around!
Check out these pet-pampering supplies that will truly show your BFFs (Best Furry Friends) how much they mean to you.
A better bed
You probably spent hundreds of dollars on your own mattress, so why not pamper your pet with the finest bedding around? Invest in a luxurious dog bed for Fido to relax on. The bonus is that he’ll love it so much, he might actually stay off the sofa. Feline friends need a special spot too, so go all out with a hiding hut that gives Princess her privacy.
Homemade treats
Pets spend all day dreaming about treats, so make it worth their wait by feeding them healthy homemade snacks. Pet supply stores stock many varieties of high-end treats, but there are also custom bakeries like Fuzzy Butz that provide baked goods for pampered animals. You can also channel your inner baker and make your own homemade treats for the hound you love. There are dozens of recipes available online – you can even buy specially-shaped dog bone cookie cutters.
In-home grooming
Getting groomed can be stressful for pets. The good news is that mobile grooming services are available in nearly every town, visiting pets at home and leaving them looking super spiffy from the comfort of their own apartments. Companies like Fritzy’s will come right to your door to wash and dry your dog or cat lickety split. Who knew looking good was so easy and convenient?
Spa Day
Everyone loves a day at the spa, so why not treat your pup or kitten to a little pampering? Pet spas have become quite popular and offer a multitude of services such as grooming, teeth cleaning, massage, gourmet meals and photo sessions. Most pet spas also provide overnight boarding, so you can treat your pet to a weekend getaway at the local pet resort the next time you go out of town yourself. They’ll have so much fun living in the lap of luxury that they might not want to come home!
Fashion forward
Grooming and spa treatment sure do make a pet feel good, but what about looking good? Don’t be afraid to deck your dog in the latest finery: pet fashion is a hot topic these days, and you could easily spend more on your furry friends’ duds than you might on your own wardrobe. Hot items include custom jackets, booties, collars and leashes and fancy costumes.
Pet supplies have skyrocketed to a new level of chic, making it easy to pamper your apartment pet. Step up your pet care and your loyal friend will be all the happier. Treats like these will help ensure your pet runs to you every time you walk through your apartment door!
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