In May 2013, the American Heart Association (AHA) released a scientific statement associating pet ownership with reduced heart disease risk factors and greater longevity. That means, having a pet at home adds to your healthy & Happy lifestyle.
Pets increase opportunities to exercise, get outside, socialize, regular walking or playing with them can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels. Pets can help manage loneliness and depression by giving companionship too.
Thinking of adopting a new furry friend? We have some tips on How to Pet Proof your Home:
Most domesticated pets are naturally inquisitive and will be keen to explore every and any aspect of your home and yard. Consider investing in tightly closing trash cans and pet food containers to help keep your babies out.
Cover up cords & wires
Blind cords should be tied up higher to prevent entanglement and electrical cords should be hidden or moved since puppies and kittens like to chew on them while they are going through the teething phase.
House Plants for Animals
Indoor plants attract pets because they mimic the outdoors, but they can be an extreme health risk – meaning they are toxic to dogs and cats if ingested. Take time to research if your current plants could be harmful and possibly think about swapping them for something safer (or just keep them out of reach). Some safe plants are Air plants, Christmas Cactus, Boston & Maidenhair fern, friendship plant, Orchids, some herbs including basil, thyme and sage, as well as some succulents like echeveria and haworthia.
Toys & Entertainment
Invest in some toys! Cats and dogs alike usually enjoy playing with a variety of pet toys. You could purchase balls or chew toys for a puppy or string toys and scratching posts for a cat. Pets explore with their mouths, especially puppies and kittens so make sure that anything that you buy can be bitten, licked or chewed on. Get a couple of basic toys to see what your pet likes before spending too much on it.
Secure your home and yard
Ensure that doors and windows latch properly to minimize the chance of your pets straying from your home. Cats also like to climb curtains and on open window screens, so do some research about cat proof items that you can add to your home. If your kitty will be staying in doors think of investing in a catio.
If your dog has access to the yard during the day, make sure that the fence is in good repair and completely secure. You can also invest in a pet door, either directly installed into your door, wall or a panel that can be added to a sliding door to make it easier for them to go outside while you’re away.
“Such short little lives our pets have to spend us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day. It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them.” – John Grogan, American Author
If you’re still looking to adopt, visit here:
Cataholics Kitty Shelter: https://www.facebook.com/cataholicskittyshelter/
Woodrock Animal Rescue: https://www.facebook.com/WoodrockAnimalRescue/
Randburg SPCA: https://www.facebook.com/SPCA.Randburg/
Sandton SPCA: https://www.facebook.com/SandtonSPCA/
