More on pets
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Get at least two rabbits because they do not want to be alone.
Bunnys don't want to be alone.
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Consider getting two kittens rather than one so they have a companion. This may help prevent behavioral problems from being under-stimulated.
They can keep each other busy and often learn social skills better than cats raised alone.
- Landlords or building management may only allow one cat.
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To help a lost cat find its way home, empty vacuum contents into the yard or place the litter tray outside so the scent carries further.
The familiar smell may attract the cat back.
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Send friends around the neighborhood using clickers to call a missing cat.
The sound may cause the cat to come running if it is within hearing distance.
- One person reported that this noise would make them hide and wait for the 'alien invasion' to end rather than come out.
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Hire someone to visit every two days to refill food and water and clean the litter box while you are away.
It is a cheap way to ensure basic care is maintained.
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Sterilize your pets to avoid surprise litters that need new homes.
Use capture traps for pest control to avoid inflicting pain on animals.
They are the most humane option and do not inflict pain.
- Capture traps are bulky.
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Sterilize your pets to avoid surprise litters that need new homes.
Surprise offspring should not happen, and this stops adding more animals to shelters.
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Charge a rehoming fee, such as $25 or $50, to ensure the new owner can afford to care for the pet.
Someone unable to pay a small fee likely cannot afford ongoing costs like food, toys, bedding, and vet check-ups; this also filters out broke optimists.
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If you have Live Photos of a deceased pet, export them as video files to preserve the short motion clips.
One person found this process warmed their heart by recovering short videos they didn't realize they had.
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Adopt cats from shelters rather than buying from breeders.
There are many stray cats in need of homes.
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Use shaping techniques to train pigs instead of luring.
Luring may be more difficult with pigs.
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Surrender unwanted pets to a shelter rather than abandoning them in rural areas or on roadsides.
Abandoned animals often face death by wildlife, starvation, being shot, or turning feral; shelters provide a kinder solution even if they are kill shelters.
- Shelter staff will not judge you for surrendering an animal.
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Keep a pre-made list of social media groups, nearby vets, and neighborhood spots for sharing missing pet posters.
Having the list handy ensures you know where to share your poster if you need to activate your plan.
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Name a backup guardian for your pets in your will to plan for their future.
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If you are facing a supply shortage for pet food or litter, try buying from specialized local pet shops instead of supermarkets.
One person found their local pet shop was fully stocked and empty of crowds while the supermarket had run out of stock.
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Transport animals from areas with a surplus to regions with a shortage to help with adoption.
There is often a high demand for dogs in certain regions, such as the Northeast or Colorado, while other areas have a surplus.
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File down any sharp bits or burrs on metal collar buckles.
Prevents skin irritation from burrs sticking out.
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Require new pet owners to make a financial investment in the animal to confirm their commitment.
People may acquire pets on impulse without being prepared to care for them properly.
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Allow surviving pets to see the body of a deceased companion pet to provide closure.
If they do not see the body, they may not understand the pet has died and might think the companion has mysteriously disappeared.
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Consider fostering instead of adopting if you want companionship but lack funds for long-term care.
Rescues usually pay for food, medication, and vet bills when fostering.
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Interview and vet potential new owners thoroughly rather than relying on fees or giving pets to the first responder.
It is a better strategy than profiting off an animal.
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Check animal shelters in the weeks following Christmas for designer breed dogs.
People often buy cute, fluffy dogs for their children without realizing the work involved and subsequently put them up for adoption.
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Volunteer at animal shelters by taking photos of animals to help them get adopted.
One person found it very rewarding over many years.
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Use an IKEA Detolf shelf unit without glass shelves as a cheap, chew-proof aquarium-style hamster enclosure.
looks classier and can't be chewed through
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Be aware that putting out food or litter may attract raccoons, neighborhood cats, or other animals rather than just your lost pet.
- may result in attracting unwanted animals instead of the target pet
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Avoid hiring coworkers as pet sitters to prevent workplace drama if issues arise.
Using a coworker can introduce drama into your livelihood if something goes wrong.
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Re-home a dog rather than mutilating it if behavioral issues are unmanageable.
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Consult local clinics about feral neutering programs to reduce stray cat populations without needing individual adopters.
Neutering helps control the population size.
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Take videos of pets in addition to photos to better capture their personality and sounds, as videos may become more cherished than photos after a pet passes.
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Do not put out food when searching for a lost cat.
Food may attract outdoor stray cats, whose territorial presence could scare your cat away.
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Place a pressurized air motion sensor can at your door to deter cats with sudden noise.
The startle helps you get sleep.
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If a cat bites during play, hiss at it; if it bites again, push your fingers into its mouth instead of pulling away.
The cat learned fast not to bite.
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Avoid feeding cats salty human foods like fries.
Salt poses risks.
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If your cat prefers moving water, leave a trickle running in the bathroom sink.
Some cats demand the sound or flow of a running tap over other sources.
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Apply bitter apple repellent to ducts to deter cats from climbing, biting, or scratching them.
Bitter apple is a nasty substance that may safely deter cats from using ductwork as a playground.
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Check your old home if you recently moved, as a confused cat may return there instead of the new location.
A cat's senses may take it back to its old place while wandering.
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Try Slide cat litter and Yeeeowww catnip for your pets.
One user found the litter to be the best and the catnip to be awesome.
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If you eat preprocessed food or takeout that may contain onion, do not let pets lick your plate.
Many preprocessed foods and carry-out items contain onion, which is very bad for pets.
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Brush long-haired cats frequently to remove trapped undercoat rather than shaving them.
Shaving removes whiskers that help cats navigate, which disrupts them.
- Do not shave unless necessary.
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Do not feed cats milk.
Cats are mostly lactose intolerant, which can cause diarrhea.
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If you use pine pellet litter, buy a specialized scoop designed for pellets because standard scoops have holes that are too small.
Standard cat litter scoops do not sift pellets easily as they are too big for the holes.
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If your cats beg or cause chaos at feeding time, set a specific alarm to signal mealtime so they learn to wait patiently for the cue rather than reacting to your movements.
It stops destructive behavior like knocking items off shelves and allows you to access storage without triggering agitation.
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Avoid feeding dogs small amounts of onion regularly over a long period.
Gradual ingestion causes toxic buildup in the blood that is more dangerous than a single large dose.
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Follow a 'sleep, play, eat' schedule for cats, allowing them to play before eating to exercise hunting instincts, which can help them sleep through the night.
Playing before eating exercises hunting instincts, leading to better nighttime sleep.
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Replace flexible foil ducts with semi-rigid dryer ducting to increase durability and potentially deter cats via its harsh tactile nature.
It is stronger than tinfoil and may deter cats due to its texture.
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Avoid giving cats distilled water as it is acidic and could lower urine pH levels.
It lacks minerals and is acidic.
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Place multiple cardboard boxes around or on top of flexible air ducts to provide cats with an alternative warm shelter.
Cats are interested in ductwork for the heat and shelter it provides; boxes offer instant shelter with both heat and protection.
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Cover countertops with vinyl tablecloths taped sticky-side up to deter cats from walking there.
The sensation on their paws is unpleasant and can break the habit of going there.
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Feed hamsters mealworms and boiled eggs for protein; avoid onion, garlic, and citrus fruits; limit sugary fruits.
great for protein
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Avoid giving pets treats immediately upon waking to prevent them from becoming early morning alarm clocks that wake you up progressively earlier.
Giving treats right after waking can condition pets to demand them slightly earlier each day, potentially causing issues if your schedule changes (e.g., shift work).
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Socialize feral kittens gradually.
they may stop running away and hissing, eventually purring and playing
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Clean litter boxes constantly to prevent permanent odors, and manage pet hair accumulation on furniture.
Uncleaned litter boxes cause lasting smells, and pets shed hair that becomes visible on dark clothing and couches.
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Ensure outdoor dogs are not chained in doghouses without proper shade, as the interior can be hotter than the outside air.
It is dark inside but likely 10-20 degrees warmer.
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Consider adopting deaf pets if fireworks are a major concern.
Deaf dogs do not hear thunder or fireworks.
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Ensure DIY leather collars have enough room for expansion, as heat causes leather to shrink.
Heat shrinks leather, which can restrict breathing if there is no extra room.
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Pretend to spot a rodent or bark at a squirrel to redirect a lost dog's attention.
One person reported this worked very well with their old rat terrier.
- This is based on one person's experience with a specific breed.
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Allow your dog ample time to sniff during walks.
Dogs need sniffytime; these walks are called sniffertunities.
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Save chicken scraps to mix into your dog's kibble.
Dogs love it.
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Ask local disc golf shops for used discs to use as dog toys; mentioning it is for a dog may result in receiving a box of warped or dented discs for free or cheap.
Shops have used sections where discs cost around $10-15, but owners often happily provide unsellable stock for pets.
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Use a ball launcher to throw longer distances and avoid touching the ball directly.
It keeps dog spit off your hands.
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Build relationships with neighbors so they can help identify and return your lost dog.
Neighbors may be able to retrieve a lost dog from dangerous situations like streets.
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Bring a spatula along with poop bags when walking your dog on hot days to scrape waste from the pavement.
Hot pavement can cause waste to stick or 'toast' to the surface, making it difficult to clean up.
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If your neighbor is open to it, install a doggy door between yards so their dog can play with yours and reduce barking.
One person reported that allowing dogs to play together kept them company and stopped the barking.
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Do not punish your dog after finding an old accident; simply clean it up without reacting.
Punishing later only teaches them to find better hiding spots.
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Use a flirt pole to keep athletic dogs occupied and enriched within the yard.
It keeps enrichment on-site.
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Close one eye or turn your head so you are not facing birds and squirrels directly to mimic prey rather than a predator.
Facing them directly mimics a hunter.
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Contact the city or local humane society to file a complaint about excessive dog barking.
One person reported receiving a warning from the SPCA after such a call.
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Kneel down and dig excitedly in leaves or dirt to make the dog curious and come investigate.
The dog will think you've found something interesting.
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Watch your puppy constantly indoors, like a toddler, to prevent accidents.
Fewer accidents lead to quicker potty training.
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If you are desensitizing a dog to loud noises, give high-value treats at every occurrence initially, then randomize the rewards so they only receive them for louder sounds or intermittently.
This builds anticipation and reduces fear by shifting the dog's focus from the noise to the treat.
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Take your puppy to the designated potty spot immediately after naps and meals.
They usually need to eliminate right after waking or eating.
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If a neighboring dog barks at your fence, urinate along the boundary to mark territory; one person found this silenced the dog.
Marking the perimeter as yours can deter the neighbor's dog.
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Remove chairs or perches from windows if your dog barks excessively at outdoor stimuli.
It makes time with your pet more enjoyable by reducing excessive barking.
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Show your dog you are providing security by putting your hand above your eyes and scanning the surroundings over-enthusiastically.
To show the dog you have the situation covered.
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If you need to deter a dog from chewing specific items like stairs or furniture trim, try using bitter apple spray.
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One approach that helped when an 80lb dog suddenly couldn't stand: ensure another person is available to help move the animal, as doing it alone may be impossible.
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Interpret submissive body language like tail tucking and avoiding eye contact as fear of anger rather than guilt, based on experiments showing dogs react this way even when they did not commit the mischief.
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Update your contact information in the microchip registry whenever you move or change phone numbers.
Write 'microchipped' on your pet's collar to encourage finders to scan thoroughly.
Finders often assume you don't have one if they can't find it at first; the label prompts them to keep looking.
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Check crash test results from the Center for Pet Safety before buying a harness.
Many commercially available harnesses fail in crash tests.
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Consider using a remote electronic collar with GPS and speaker capabilities for dogs that escape frequently.
These collars offer longer range, tracking, and the ability to give remote commands.
- They are much more expensive; an AirTag may suffice if escapes are rare.
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If you have a pet whose behavior makes it hard to tell if they have eaten, place a movable magnet labeled 'Fed AM/Fed PM' on the fridge to track feeding status.
It helps when family members have trouble coordinating care or cannot rely on the pet's behavior to indicate hunger.
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Verify that your chosen microchip brand is readable by standard scanners, preferring larger companies like Home Again.
Not all microchips are readable by every reader.
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Update your contact information in the microchip registry whenever you move or change phone numbers.
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- Confirm that the vet has uploaded your contact information to the registry after paying for chipping.1
- Register your pet's microchip with multiple registries for redundancy.3
Recognize that microchips can help recover pets lost for extended periods.
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