The Surprising Benefits Your Kids Get From Playing Board Games
If you bring out board games on cozy Friday nights or over long holiday weekends, know that your kids get big benefits out of this special family time. In addition to teaching them about teamwork, patience, and how to win and lose gracefully, board games can actually benefit kids' brains and language development.Â
1. Board games offer opportunities for early learning.
Even simple games help young players identify colors, count spaces, and develop hand-eye coordination and dexterity in moving cards and pieces around the board. Plus, learning to wait your turn and follow the rules are important lessons that serve kids far beyond the living room floor.
2. They get older kids' brains buzzing, too.
Board games are an easy way to encourage healthy brain development in older kids and teens. âStrategy games are useful in helping the frontal lobes of the brain develop,â says Beatrice Tauber Prior, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist, author, and owner of the private practice Harborside Wellbeing. âThose frontal lobes are responsible for executive function skills, which include planning, organizing, and making good decisions."
3. They boost their language skills.
Board games can be a sneaky way of helping school-aged kids work on skills theyâre struggling with. Have a reluctant reader? A round of the BOB Books Happy Hats Beginning Reading Game will help them expand their vocabulary and flex their spelling skills.
Meanwhile, games in which players have to remember several pieces of information at once (who did what, and where) might help a child whoâs having trouble with reading comprehension â all while still having fun.
4. They sharpen your child's focus.
âBoard games, when played without interruptions, can help lengthen a child's attention span,â says Prior. But to reap the benefits, everyone needs to commit to seeing the game through to the end.
âIf your family sits down for a game of Chinese checkers, be sure to complete a full game without everyone checking their phone, asking Alexa to play a song, or turning on the TV for the latest football scores,â adds Prior. âFinishing a board game without interruptions will help lengthen the declining attention span of kids in a world filled with digital distractions.â
5. They teach the value of teamwork.
Board games often offer kids meta-messages about life: Your luck can change in an instant, for better or for worse. But in addition to teaching them that nothing is guaranteed, board games are a good way to encourage kids of different ages to team up and work together â something they'll need to do throughout life. Form teams of older kids working with their younger siblings, or choose a game like The Brainiac Game or Race Across the USA, which have questions tailored to grades 1-6, so everyoneâs challenged fairly.
6. Board games are an alternative to time out.
The next time you find yourself going through a rough patch with one of your kids, consider playing a board game together instead of sending them to their room. âI often use board games as a mechanism to work on the parent-child relationship,â explains Regine Galanti, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist and professor at the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University in New York City. âThey can also be used to increase frustration tolerance in a child.â
In other words, taking turns and practicing patience during a game â even when things don't go their way â can help little ones practice more respectful responses than stomping off and slamming their bedroom door shut.
7. Board games soothe anxiety.
They may help anxious kids learn how to navigate friendships more easily. âBecause they're structured, board games can provide an easier way to build interpersonal relationships with peers, since the child knows what's expected of them,â says Galanti. For kids who struggle with striking up conversations with others, Galanti recommends games that promote structured opportunities for chatter, such as guessing games.
8. They show kids how to be a good loser.
âIf you're playing with a child who has low frustration tolerance, and losing is really difficult for them, allowing them to break the rules at first can make the game more tolerable and fun for them,â says Galanti. âBut my goal is often to purposely play by the rules and encourage them to use coping skills and promote resilience when things don't go their way."
For instance, you might say: "I'm so proud of you for staying calm even though you picked a card you didn't like. I hope next time you pick a good one!"
9. Board games are a great way to unplug.
The lack of technology required to play board games makes them special. They are a simple way to get quality, screen-free time with the kids â and you might be surprised by how much they love playing. (Here are more screen-free activities to keep your kids entertained during the holidays this year.)
"Families are struggling to find the balance between digital and real-life connections, but board games provide a tool for that emotional connection to each other," says Prior. Order pizza and make it a way to celebrate the start of the weekend together!
Working from home is big news. During the COVID-19 pandemic, those lucky enough to have avoided layoff are more likely than ever to be adapting to a working environment that is familiar and alien at the same time.
It can be surprisingly tough. A partner on endless noisy team calls, a child who needs guidance on their homeschooling assignments, the loss of structure and continuity: they can all be disorienting and exhausting.
And yet, not having to go to the office can offer surprising opportunities to develop a better work-life balance, and to tailor your own working day.
In this article, we explore the possibilities offered by home working, and navigate a path through the pitfalls.
The Benefits and Challenges of Working From Home
Many people are working from home for the first time because of COVID-19. Others are more seasoned remote workers. Whatever your circumstances, working from home is likely playing a larger part in your life, or that of people you live with, than it ever has before.
At its best, working from home benefits everyone: you, your family or household, and your organization. Remain connected and positive, and you can work productively while maintaining a fulfilling home life â all without the stress of a daily commute.
As Sarah Harvey says in her book "The Ultimate A-Z of Home Working," "Organizations that don't offer home working may be missing out on a large pool of talent, many of whom now value home working more than they value a bonus."
However, there are challenges. Managers may be concerned whether home workers are in fact working. Meanwhile, many remote employees can feel isolated. They withdraw from the team dynamic, and suffer from stress and anxiety. That's why it is vital to maintain contact with your co-workers, and to cultivate a sense of belonging.
Working Safely at Home
At home, you're responsible for creating your own working environment, often in a space quite unlike an office. You also need to make sure that you stay mentally and physically healthy.
Designing Your Work Space
Creating an effective work space is essential if you want to stay on track and get things done. Have all the equipment you need to hand, and ensure that you've got enough room to work comfortably.
Make it a place where you'll enjoy spending time. However, you also need to be clear â to yourself and to your household â that, at certain hours of the day, it's a place of work. A few "office" touches might encourage you to be more productive, but you can still personalize your workspace, with fun posters or family photos.
A high-quality office chair is one of the best investments you can make. But if it's not one that you have the space or funds for, be sure that you can sit comfortably. If not, you'll likely find plenty of excuses to get up and go somewhere else!
If you share your home, be assertive and shut out people and pets as far as you can when you're working. At the very least, arrange your work area so that distractions aren't in your line of view â including your partner, if they're also working from home!
Pick your spot with light, air and noise in mind, too. Have enough light to see your keyboard clearly, but avoid reflected screen glare. Open a window if you can for fresh air. However, if your neighborhood is noisy, consider using headphones, while accessing online noise-canceling sites, such as mynoise.net.
Keeping to Healthy Routines
Working from home can present new challenges to your physical and mental well-being. So establish good routines to ensure that you don't lapse into unhealthy behavior.
Without the time spent commuting, it may be tempting to start earlier and finish later. This can make you more tired than usual, so make sure that you keep to regular times for starting and ending work.
Always ensure that you get enough sleep, and that you eat at regular times. Snacking can leave you feeling hungry at the wrong times, and irritable as a result. It's also not a healthy way to eat.
Regular short breaks can keep you energized and focused, and will also rest your eyes from continuous screen time. Try setting a countdown timer while you do, say, an hour of work. When the alarm goes off, reward yourself with a five- or 10-minute break to make a coffee, or get some fresh air. Remember, the idea is to take a screen break, so no swapping one screen for another by immediately picking up your phone!
While you need to be comfortable to concentrate and to avoid backache, it's also vital that you get out of your chair during the day. See our article, Improving Physical Health and Well-Being at Work for tips on building activity into your routine.
Working Securely at Home
You're likely accessing your organization's data and systems remotely, so be secure. Take all the protective measures you would when working in the office, and more.
Use only secure WiFi networks that require a password for access. Maintain strong password protocols and ensure that you're using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Your organization will likely insist on this anyway, but if not, ask them about it. It greatly improves cybersecurity.
When you back up your data, don't save sensitive material to removable media, such as USB sticks or flash drives. These can transfer malware and viruses, and you can also lose them easily.
Lock your computer when it's unattended, even if you're only going to be away from it for a few minutes. Your partner and family likely aren't security risks, but they shouldn't be allowed to see confidential data, while random keystrokes by your children or pets can cause havoc!
Keep your devices in a safe place, out of sight of anyone who might be passing your window or work space. This is particularly important if your home can be accessed by anyone you don't know well.
Being Productive While Working From Home
People working from home sometimes struggle with productivity. Working away from your co-workers, with only remote online meetings, risks emotional disconnection and apathy. It can also encourage procrastination .
So, build in cues to aid your transition into and out of work mode. These can include clear-cut start and finish times, and time put aside for exercise and meals. They can also be routines that you associate with getting started or winding down, such as listening to your favorite podcast, taking a shower, or calling your mom.
You might find that it helps to have particular clothes for working at home. Dressing for work can set the right mental tone for the day â and avoid the awkwardness of being dialed in to a virtual meeting while you're still in your pajamas!
Also, avoid going into certain areas of your home, or sitting in certain chairs, for example, so that you know when you're in "work mode," and when you're not.
Note:
You might feel that you need to prove your worth to a remote team and manager by working long hours without breaks. This is not healthy. Setting up boundaries and cues will enable you to work far more effectively and to avoid burnout.
Staying Focused at Home
A 2008 University of California report found that it took an average of 23 minutes 15 seconds to get back on task following an interruption. And it can be tough to stay focused when working from home, so use techniques to minimize distraction .
If you get caught up doing household chores, or suffer frequent interruptions from family or friends, reset your boundaries, and ask for help in maintaining them.
Control your social media use. Think carefully about which notifications to keep on, and which to mute until later. Allocate time slots for checking your phone, and put it to one side outside those times.
If your organization has busy internal communications channels, discipline yourself to check them at set times. If you don't, you'll find yourself being pulled away from your important tasks to waste energy on seemingly urgent but less critical activities.
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Building in Structure
Agree a clear set of goals with your manager. Along with short-term, task-related targets, make sure that you're also clear about the wider career goals that you're striving to achieve. Keeping them in mind will motivate you to do your best work, whatever your location.
Make a To-Do List to manage your workload. This builds structure into your day. But keep the items on it realistic, and broken down into sub-tasks, so that you get a clear sense of progress as you work through it. This will help you to avoid procrastinating, or losing focus by trying to multitask .
Tip:
You likely have a To-Do List for home responsibilities, too. Remember to plan these in as well to create the best work-life balance you can.
Motivation When Working From Home
Without people around you it can be difficult to feel motivated and valued. There's no scope for high fives or impromptu shout-outs for a job well done. In these circumstances, using self-motivation techniques can boost your confidence, promote positive thinking, and keep you powering on.
Don't be invisible! Instead, be bold in offering ideas and suggestions in virtual meetings or in discussions with your manager about working from home. But remember to ask for help when you need it, too. Your manager will be less able to see if you're struggling, so let them know earlier rather than later.
Recording Achievement
Find ways to make each task more enjoyable and rewarding in itself. Realizing the intrinsic value of your work can bring its own motivation. If tasks really are routine and humdrum, give yourself "treats" when they're done. For example, allow yourself your favorite specialty coffee for completing an awkward task successfully.
Make your To-Do List work for you by recording every completed task, too. This helps to develop a sense of satisfaction, and creates a measurable record of achievement.
Celebrating Success
People need to know that their successes are noticed, particularly when they're physically isolated. Otherwise, it's all too easy to fall into feelings of self-doubt and even Impostor Syndrome , where you fear being "found out" for supposed incompetence.
Remember to celebrate success on a team and personal level. You can do this when you get together online for team catch-ups. And if the success is significant for the team or the organization, broadcast it using positive narratives .
When a co-worker helps you out (pointing you to the right document, for example, or helping you to master a new app), acknowledge that openly. Even very small acts of thanks can help to bolster the self-esteem of others.
Maintaining Good Relationships
In remote teamworking, trust and transparency are vital. Ensure that your status updates on communications platforms are accurate, so that co-workers know at a glance whether you're available, in a meeting, or at lunch.
"Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’'re probably right."
The Biggest Obstacle to Learning
What have you always struggled to learn?
Whether youâre a poor writer or canât handle numbers, youâre no different to everyone else.
Weâve all experienced frustrations with learning.
If only more people knew that the first and most important step to solving these problems is surprisingly simple.
When we struggle to learn, we often put it down to a lack of innate ability.
At some point, weâve all used explanations like the one I told myself at school when wrestling with a hard math problem - âIâm just not good with numbers.â
This perspective frames our capacity to learn as something outside of our control, when in reality itâs influenced heavily by our own beliefs.
If learning is a journey from a place of knowing less to one of knowing more, then trying to learn something when we donât believe we can do it is like trying to drive with the handbrake on.
Unsurprisingly, the idea that we need believe weâre capable to succeed isnât new and often appears in childrenâs stories and motivational quotes.
Consider Henry Fordâs old adage âWhether you think you can or you canât, youâre probably rightâ or one of Muhammad Aliâs most cited quotes,âIf my mind can conceive it and my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it.â
But thereâs more to these statements than great word-smithery.
In fact, the work of Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck suggests that there is scientific substance to the idea that mindset matters - our belief systems directly affect our behaviour, which in turn affects our success in learning.
The Fixed and Growth Mindset
In 20 years of research with children and adults, Dweck placed learners into two categories:
Those with a fixed mindset, who believe their abilities are set in stone.
Those with a growth mindset, who believe their abilities can be developed.
Having a growth mindset doesnât mean we have to believe that anyone can become the next Einstein, Mozart or Da Vinci.
We only have to acknowledge that our potential to learn is unbounded and that the power to increase our own abilities is within our control.
Approaching things from this perspective creates a real passion for learning, and makes us more likely to apply the grit we need to succeed.
We become less discouraged by failure and more attentive when weâre struggling.
We start to see difficulty as an opportunity to stretch ourselves rather than trying to avoid it.
All these characteristics not only make us more likely to learn new things but they raise our chances of reaching our goals in our careers and personal lives.
The Research on Mindset
Dweck and her colleagues have consistently produced results that prove the positive impact of a growth mindset on learning performance.
In one of her early experiments, outlined in her book, she ran a workshop for a 7th grade class at a New York City junior high school.
Half the students were given a presentation on memory and effective studying, while the other half were introduced to Dweckâs ideas and were told their intelligence largely depended on their own effort.
After the workshop both groups went back to their classrooms, with their teachers unaware of the difference between what they had been taught.
Remarkably, as the school year unfolded, the students from the second group developed a growth mindset and became higher achievers than the students from the first group, who retained a conventional fixed mindset.
Dweckâs team has replicated these results across different locations, age groups and subjects with notable degrees of success.
The Takeaway
Our mindset is fundamental. Itâs more important than inherent ability in learning performance and has a huge impact on the other areas of our life such as our career and relationships.
All learning strategies, tools and techniques are almost useless if we donât combine them with a strong, growth based learning mindset - the simple belief that the power to improve our learning abilities lies in our own hands.
Try Thisâ
1) Explore and Identify Your Limiting Beliefs
What are your most limiting views about your learning abilities? Write them down in detail and give examples from the past which justify these beliefs.
Be honest with yourself and try to think of all the times in the past when your own beliefs were the major barrier to your learning.
2) Cross Examine Yourself
Now cross-examine these limiting beliefs through the lens of a growth mindset, just as a prosecution lawyer would analyse a defence testimony.
Think of examples in the past where your effort led to progress and ask if those limiting beliefs stand up to the test now.
Iâll be surprised if any do, because the growth mindset encourages you to take responsibility for the results you get, rather than blaming external factors.
3) Practice the Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is something you need to practice consistently over time, like anything else.
If your limiting beliefs pop up again in your mind, remind yourself that your ability is under your control.
When you wake up in the morning, ask yourself these three questions:
What are the opportunities for learning and growth today?
When, where and how will I embark on my plan?
When, where and how will I act on my plan?
This exercise is recommended by Dweck herself and reviewing these ideas has been hugely useful in my own learning projects.
The truth is that youâve already done some of the work by reading this post.
Apparently, the simple act of reading about the research can have a significant and measurable impact on your attitude and learning performance.
So if youâve reached this far, you can thank me in the comments!
Donât get us wrong, we love kittens (theyâre so teeny and cute!), but we have just as much love for their more mature counterparts as well.
Older cats often get overlooked in our adoption centres, and it boggles our mind as to why because theyâre such amazing companions, and in a lot cases, a more pawfect match for your family than kittens.
Donât believe us? Check out these 15 reasons why adopting an older cat is the best!Â
1. Toilet matters
99% of the time an older cat will be litter trained (actually, cats are known for being clean, itâs probably more like 99.999999% of the time!), so you wonât have to worry about training them yourself or cleaning up after their âaccidentsâ.
2. They know who they are
An older catâs personality is fully developed, they know what they want and who they want. So basically, theyâre the perfect date! But in all seriousness, if you want an affectionate cat, we can point you in the right direction. Want a playful cat, or someone whoâs more mellow? We can show you them too! With kittens, you can never be too sure as their personalities are still developing.
3. Keep your furrrniture fantastic
An older cat is more likely to know the difference between a scratching post and your couch. Always a plus!
4. That's ok... I didn't need to charge my phone anyway... ever again
If youâve got a toddler you already know that in the mouth go ALL OF THE THINGS!! This is also true of kittens. They will chew anything they can get their little paws on - shoes, shoe-laces, letters and bills (well... they can keep those!), hair ribbons, power cords (we were serious about your iPhone charger), books - the list is endless! An adult cat is far less likely to try and pull apart everything in their path.
5. Manners are a must
An older cat is more likely to know basic household etiquette, so theyâre less likely to spend their time sitting on the dinner table trying to steal your food, running a muck with the toilet paper in the bathroom, and pushing fragile ornaments off the shelf just because it seemed like a fun thing to do.
6. Our A+ students
While it is unlikely that you will be able to train your cat to roll over or stand on command (but if you have mastered these, please send us the video!), it is easier to teach an older cat basic skills such as coming when theyâre called and staying away from places theyâre not allowed to be.
7. No surprises
When you adopt an older cat, chances are that if there are any ongoing medical issues, you will know about them up front and can plan for any additional expenses accordingly. With a kitten, youâre unlikely to know if they need ongoing medical attention until after you bring them home.
8. Best friends furrever!
Itâs tempting to buy a kitten for your little human. Little human + little kitten = a perfect match, right? Wrong! Kittens have much sharper teeth and claws than adults and show a lot less restraint as well, meaning, it could all end in tears for your little human. An adult cat will generally have more patience and, if respect is shown for them too, can grow a beautiful friendship with your little human.
9. When the honeymoon period wears off
Kittens are incredibly fun and no day with them is ever the same, but once youâve fixed the lamp they broke, replaced the vase on the shelf, been woken up at 3am while they sing the song of their people, and your legs have been attacked more times than you care to remember when simply walking through the house, you will find yourself longing for the day when they would just calm the furr down! Cue adult cat: twice the love, half the destruction.
10. Yes, you read that last point correctly, TWICE the love
Itâs true, you will get more love from a more mature cat. Theyâre spending less time climbing curtains, so have more time for snuggles!
11. They're still a bundle of fun
While their destructive kitten days are long gone, older cats are still hella fun! Cats are natural hunters so, even in the older years, will still very much enjoy playing with jingle balls, that sneaky laser and, of course, boxes! They still love to play, they just now know the difference between their toys are your feet!
12. Age is just a number
At 10, they still have plenty of life left in them, with the oldest reported cat living until 28 years of age! As well as still being young at heart, they certainly donât look old either, not a wrinkle to be seen ;)
13. Because you could mend a broken heart
The only thing thatâs potentially broken about an older cat, is their hearts. They arrive at our doorsteps for many reasons, though no fault of their own. Sometimes they outlive their human companion and go from a comfy life getting petted on the couch in front of the telly, to a noisy room filled with other cats competing for the attention of passers by. You could be the one to mend their broken heart and give them the second chance at the life they deserve.
14. Because it takes a special type of person to adopt a senior - you!
The younger the cat, the quicker it gets adopted. Fact. They just have that new car smell. But adopting a cat isnât like buying a used car - they don't wear out with mileage. There are so many misconceptions about older cats floating around which makes them often get overlooked by families looking to adopt. Youâre already doing the right thing by adopting, and adopting a senior cat will make you feel even more special, because youâve saved them from what could possibly be months of homelessness and heartache.
15. Cats over 10 years old keep your wallet (and your heart) full
To help our seniors get back into a loving home, we have waived their adoption fee. They will still come desexed, vet checked, treated for worms and fleas, and microchipped, but at no cost to you. We just want to see these fabulous felines find fantastic homes as quick as possible!If  you'd like to take a look at all our cats over 10 years currently available click on the below adopt button
t is estimated that the average lifespan of a free-roaming outdoor cat is less than three years, compared to 12-15 years for the average indoor-only cat. These numbers likely have fueled the trend among pet parents to make the safety, health, and happiness of their cats a priority by keeping their cats indoors, creating safe enclosures for outdoor activity, and enjoying the outdoors with their pet in shared activity.Â
Virtually everything your cat needs - play, exercise, proper nutrition, rest, and companionship - can be readily had indoors. Your cat does not need to go outside to feel complete, and you should not feel guilty if you choose an indoor lifestyle for her. The notion that a cat must roam free to be happy is a myth that may end her life prematurely. She can get all of the fresh air and sunshine she needs safely under your supervision.
Outdoor hazards
IT'S A DANGEROUS WORLD OUT THERE
Accidents
Injuries
Predators
Fights
Cruelty
Diseases
Parasites
Poisons
Weather
Getting Lost
Cars, Dogs, and Predators
There are many outdoor dangers that free roaming cats must face. One of the most common dangers for outdoor cats is vehicles. An outdoor cat darting across the street is a perfect target for a moving vehicle, and cats that are hit by cars rarely survive. Another hazard is an unfriendly neighborhood dog. Dogs can inflict life-threatening injuries on cats, especially those who have learned to be trusting towards dogs. Predators such as coyotes and raccoons are hazards that many pet parents forget about in the city, but predators are not just found in the country. In many areas, wild animals are not only potential predators, but also possible carriers of disease.
Cats and People
Don't forget about dangers from other cats. Intact male cats tend to be especially prone to territorial fights with other cats. If your cat gets into a territorial fight with another cat and is bitten, it could result in the spread of disease or a painful abscess, with a need for veterinary care. Always check your cat for painful lumps and bumps. Other types of injury or cruelty may also be inflicted by a person who does not like cats. Cats have been known to have been injured by angry neighbors who dislike cats digging in their gardens or hunting birds.
Diseases and Parasites
Diseases can pose a big risk for outdoor cats. Contact with wild animals and other cats can result in the transmission of life-threatening diseases such as feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency virus, or even rabies. Be sure that your cat is current on all recommended vaccines. Your veterinarian can determine which vaccines are recommended for your cat's lifestyle. The risk of infestations with fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, and other parasites increases in outdoor cats.
Poisons
Poisons pose a very real danger to outdoor cats. Although you may have "cat-proofed" your outdoor area, others may not have, and your cat could be exposed to toxic substances such as antifreeze or pesticides. Poisons meant to control pests such as rat poison or slug bait can also poison other animals who ingest them. It is also important to remember that if your cat ingests an animal such as a mouse that was poisoned, your cat can be poisoned by ingesting that mouse.
Weather Conditions
Weather conditions can change abruptly and become harsh with little warning. Your cat could experience frostbite in the winter or dehydration and heat stroke in the summer. If your cat is outdoors, be sure she has shelter from the elements as well as food and water available at all times.
Getting Lost
Your cat could be trapped in a building, stolen, taken to an animal shelter, or adopted by someone who found her roaming in their yard. Many cities have laws against stray animals, including cats. Make sure you keep identification with current contact information on your cat at all times.
Make the Indoors More Stimulating
There are many ways you can make the indoors more appealing to your cat and give her similar activities as she would have outdoors. This can help prevent a curious cat from trying to escape.
Cat Trees, Scratching Posts, and Toys
Cat trees and play furniture provide tall places for climbing and observation, and scratching posts and toys for stimulation. Available in a range of colors, styles, and options to fit your decor as well as the needs of your cat. Find toys that appeal to your cat, and remember to rotate them on a weekly basis to prevent boredom. Simple things like cardboard boxes, paper bags (not plastic!), and rolls of paper can provide many distractions. You can also put treats or kibble into a treat dispensing toy to not only provide stimulation for your cat, but also exercise as well.
Treats
To keep her alert and active, break up your cat's routine. Stash delicious treats around your home to reward your pet for a good hunt. Provide an occasional catnip treat, for some energetic fun and excitement.
Window Perches
Install a window perch to afford your cat a warm place to nap in the sun, and a "birds-eye" view of the outdoors. Remember that if there is an animal hanging around your yard, your cat may become agitated by being able to see the animal but not being able to go outside.
Companions
Some cats will do much better with another pet in the house; another cat or a dog can provide companionship. Hours of play can also provide exercise.
Videos
Believe it or not, some cats love to watch TV! Special videos for cats will provide hours of mental stimulation and will distract them from wanting to go outside.
Making the Outdoors Safer
If you do want to allow your cat to go outside, there are ways you can make the experience safer.
Identification
In preparation for any outdoor activity, make sure your cat has a harness or breakaway collar with identification. An identification tag should include your cat's name and your current contact information. Microchipping is an alternative if your cat refuses to wear a collar or loses her identification tag frequently.
Preventive health measures
If your cat will be outside, be sure he or she is fully vaccinated, and spayed or neutered. Talk to your veterinarian about an appropriate worming schedule. Be sure to have fecal exams done periodically throughout the year to be sure your cat has not become infected with intestinal parasites. It is also a good idea to have your cat on a heartworm preventive (yes, cats can get heartworm disease!) as well as a flea and tick preventive.
Runs, Pens, and Fences
Commercial mesh cat runs set up quickly and protect your cat, allowing her to enjoy fresh air, watch birds, and bask in the warm sunshine. Sections can be connected giving her more space to roam. Because cats are great leapers, erecting a fence tall enough to keep your pet in, and others out, can be challenging. Wire mesh, hung at a 45 degree angle along the top of the fence, can effectively limit escapes.
Pet Doors
Installing a cat door connected to a screened-in porch, fenced yard, or a run frees your cat to enjoy the outdoors as he desires, and provides a quick escape from predators.
Leashes
Because most cats won't walk on a leash naturally, you must teach them. For your first walks, try starting in the late evening or early morning in a quiet area. Your cat is much more likely to venture out when there is no one else around. Most cats take a few days to adjust to the idea of leash walking. Because cats don't like to feel restricted, use a lightweight nylon leash that's about four to five feet long, or a retractable lead which will help eliminate tugging, pulling and straining, and enable your cat to roam up to 16 feet. For cats, it is best to use a harness instead of a collar.
Carriers and Pet Strollers
You can carry your pet anytime, anywhere, and protect her from other animals. With adjustable shoulder and waist straps, many carriers are comfortable for you and your pet. They are also ideal transport for ailing or disabled pets. Another option is a pet stroller which allows you to take your pet for a walk while keeping her safe.
A Few Final Tips
Attach a bell to your cat's harness or collar to prevent her from killing songbirds or small mammals and to alert people that she is around. Buying a reflective collar or harness can make your cat more visible at night to passing motorists.
Following this advice can help your pet have a happy, long, and healthy life.
So you may ask yourself, âWhy does my dog act hungry all the time?â The short answer is⊠weâre not absolutely sure. Some experts believe that dogs came to look to us as a food source after early wolves basically domesticated themselves the wolves that were curious but non-aggressive and came close enough to human camps to scavenge leftover scraps wound up being rewarded with more food.Â
This, combined with their natural instincts after a hunt â âeat it when the alpha wolves let you and before any other wolves canâ â naturally led to them gobbling up anything offered by a human. Of course, to a hungry dog âofferâ can also mean leaving it on a counter, dropping it on the floor, or putting it in the trash.
Wolves (or dogs) hunting in a pack also learn the concept of scarcity and food being a limited resource. They may not eat every day, or even every other day, so they fall into a âget it while you canâ mentality. This carries over even when the dog is getting two or three regular meals every single day.
Of course, our domestic dogs have not been wild wolves for a long time, so it can be hard to reconcile such an ancient trait with modern behavior. Our dogs probably never grew up going on a hunt and being allowed to share food in pack order. Another possibility is that our dogs really arenât that hungry. Theyâre just very good at manipulating us into giving them handouts.
How to Handle a Hungry Dog
If you do have a dog that would gobble down anything â and especially if that dog is overweight â then you have to take control as the Pack Leader. Consult your vet on your dogâs actual dietary needs per day, create a regular feeding ritual and schedule for your dog, and stick to it. Donât let anyone in the house give him human scraps or handouts, and only give treats when your dog has earned them by doing a job and then showing calm, submissive energy.
You can also slow the gobbling with special bowls that have pillars in them that the dog has to eat around or, if you want a cheaper low-tech solution, you can put a tennis ball in the dish, which sheâll have to nose around.
When you start with this schedule, leave the food down until the first time your dog walks away from the bowl, whether heâs eaten everything or not, then take the bowl away. This will help reinforce the idea that this is meal time and he wonât be finding more food until the next meal time.
A Sudden Change in Appetite
Maybe your dog isnât a voracious eater and knows when to stop. A dogâs habits can change. When they do, itâs usually a sign of something. If your dog goes from finicky to gluttonous, you need to determine the cause so you can take care of the problem as quickly as possible.
There are two reasons a habit as basic and instinctive as appetite might change suddenly: psychology or physiology. Psychological reasons include changes in environment. Have you moved recently, or has there been a change in the household pack? For example, have grown kids moved out, significant others moved in, or are there any new dogs?
Things like this can lead to insecurity and anxiety, which can trigger a dogâs feast or famine mentality. Part of the pack went away, or a strange new person is here and might be a threat to these resources. In the case of a new dog, that may actually be the case, and youâll need to monitor things to make sure that the new dog isnât trying to intimidate the old dog away from the bowl, then stealing the food when you arenât looking â or vice versa.
If a formerly docile dog starts to show food aggression, then the cause is definitely psychological, so youâll need to deal with that problem in addition to working on the dogâs anxiety over household changes.
If you have a new human member of the household, let him or her take over the dogâs feeding duties for a while. If someone has left the household, place something with their scent on it near the dogâs bowl. If you have a new dog in the house, make them both earn their food by sitting and showing calm, submissive energy, feed them with separate bowls placed at a distance, then monitor them and donât let either of them approach the otherâs bowl, even if itâs to sniff around for scraps once theyâve finished
Unconditional love. This is what dogs are famous for and what we always say when we describe what they feel for their owners. However, this does not mean happiness. Is your dog really happy or do you just imagine it? Believe it or not, this is one question that every single dog owner out there needs to ask himself. So, hereâs signs that your dog is happy.
Learning as much as we can about dogs is always a necessity when we decide to take on the responsibility of caring for one. They will offer that unconditional love and it is up to us to make them as happy as possible. By knowing the signs that your dog is happy you can avoid the unwanted situation in which the pet is depressed. This could lead to sickness and many other problems. You surely do not want something like that.Â
Itâs All In The EyesÂ
The eyes are the doors to the soul. This is something that applies to humans and dogs. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) issued an official statement some time ago that talked about dogs and their eyes. It was mentioned that when a dog is happy, the eyes will have a normal shape. When something is wrong the shape changes.
You need to pay close attention to the appearance of a dogâs eyes. Look at the eyes when the dog does different things and at different times of the day. After a short period of time you will realize that there are difference. It will take a little time but you will quickly figure out when the eyes are relaxed and when the dog is not actually happy.
Take it one step further and see if there is something that causes the shape of the eyes to change. As an example, it is normal to see that dogs are not happy some time before you go to work since they know that this will happen. They learned your schedule and anticipate your departure. In this case, it means you need to offer some sort of entertainment when you are away. This part of the dogâs life is surely shallow.
A Relaxed Body
There are many things that most dog owners out there do not know about their loved ones. This is one of them. We normally relate to ourselves when thinking about dogs. Because of this, we think that it is normal for the dog to have stiffer muscles or look bulkier as they run or they do something. What is not understood is that this is only a false belief associated with how bodies work. Just as with humans, when the dog is happy, the body will be relaxed, no matter what he does. (not considering really strenuous activities)
Look at the muscles. Are they relaxed or not? When you have a dog that is happy, the weight is evenly distributed and he will be relaxed. This is the case even when he bounces wildly, runs or plays with you.
Physical stress is a serious sign that something is wrong and you should act fast. It is possible that the dog feels some discomfort that makes him feel unhappy or he feels some sort of pain. Pay attention to him and try to see what the case is.
I Wiggle My Entire Body Because I Love You
The really happy dog will not show his happiness just through eyes or invitations to play. His entire body will tell you that there is emotion and that he is really happy. This is, most likely, the easiest way to see if the dog is happy because it is quite obvious.
You surely saw dogs that have a really strong brightness present in their eyes, that rapidly wiggle their tail with such a speed that even their behinds shake and move with the tail. The happy dog is so often funny because it seems that the entire body is wiggling in an anticipation of something great that is to happen. You can see such behavior in various possible moments like when you come home or when you grab the keys and the dog knows it is time for going out to play.
Keep in mind that this wonderful showcase of emotion is great and desired but you want to be sure that the excitement level does not go to dangerous highs. Obedience training is necessary if the dog is often moving around uncontrollably and disturbing people in the park. Some manners and restraints are easy to teach and the dog will still be happy.Â
A Relaxed Mouth
If you want to see if your dog is happy, you should take a close look at his mouth. For many pets there is a connection between feeling relaxed and being happy. They are simply really relaxed when they feel great. This shows in the entire body, including the mouth.
Dogs that are happy have their mouth closed. Alternatively, it is slightly opened. This is normal when they are outside and the weather is a little hot since they use the tongue in order to cool their body. You want to pay attention to possible body language modifications that highlight a change in the mood of the dog.
It has to be said that dogs that show panting when their mouths are open are normally stressed or too hot. In this case the dog is not happy. Try to remove the source of stress or cool him off. As with any body language analysis, look at the other signs too. Some dogs may feel hot because of the temperature but they can be really active, will wiggle their tails and will invite you to play with them. In this case the dog is happy. He is just a little hot. That will not stop him from wanting to spend some quality time with you.Â
Good SleepÂ
When the time comes for the dog to sleep, does he actually do it? Is he sleeping well or does he keep waking up or shaking during sleep? These are the type of questions you want to ask yourself. You can figure out if the dog is happy or not by simply watching him sleep. Ainât that cute?
Ringworm is a skin condition caused by a fungus that grows on hair, skin, and nails. It can infect cats and easily spread to dogs and people. Know the signs and symptoms of ringworm so you can treat and prevent it from spreading.Â
Ringworm is a pesky skin condition thatâs common in cats. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with worms. Itâs caused by a fungus that spreads among animalsâeven indoor catsâand can infect people, too. Learn how to spot ringworm in cats and get rid of the infection for good.
What is Ringworm?
Ringworm (dermatophytosis) is caused by a microscopic fungus thatâs found in the dirt. It feeds off of protein in hair and skin. Kittens and long-haired cats are more likely to get this infection, named for the circle-shaped sores it forms on the skin. Ringworm is a zoonotic disease, which means it can be passed from animals to people. Your cat can give you ringworm and vice versa.
Signs of a Ringworm Infection
Some cats with ringworm have no signs of infection but can still pass it to other animals and people. Other cats develop severe ringworm symptoms.
A dead giveaway that your cat has ringworm are round bald patches that expose scaly pink sores. Youâre most likely to notice these infected spots on the face, ears, tail, and feet. But not all cats will have that symptom. Other signs your cat may have ringworm include:
Bald spots with red, itchy bumps (which may have open sores on them)
Constant grooming and scratching of the same area
Ashy dandruff
In many cats, it can be tricky to tell whether they have ringworm. It can look like a lot of other common skin conditions in cats, such as flea allergy dermatitis and mange, says Jessica Lowe, DVM, medical director of VCA Beacon Hill Cat Hospital. She recommends making an appointment for an exam with your local vet, who can test for ringworm.
How Do Cats Get Ringworm?
One of the reasons ringworm is easily spread is because the spores (invisible seeds) it releases can live on surfaces for up to two years. Itâs even possible for indoor cats to get ringworm if they:
Have contact with infected cats, dogs, people, or other animals
Visit a grooming or boarding care facility where ringworm spores are present
Touch furniture, carpet, or other surfaces containing ringworm spores
Curl up in infected bedding.
Humans can get ringworm from petting an infected cat or touching anything in their environment. Young children, older adults, and those with weaker immune systems are more likely to get ringworm. Healthy adults are often resistant to it unless they have a break in their skin.
How Is Ringworm in Cats Diagnosed?
Healing a ringworm infection in cats takes time, so the sooner youâre able to get started with treatment, the better. The first step to treating ringworm in cats is to eliminate other skin conditions through a proper diagnosis by your veterinarian. Vets often use a Woodâs lamp (otherwise known as a black light) to identify ringworm. When exposed to its ultraviolet light, some types of ringworm have spores that glow green.
Even if your catâs skin doesnât glow under the special light, itâs still possible they could have ringworm. Your vet may need to send a hair sample or skin scraping to a lab for further study under a microscope. Technicians can also perform a culture test, which is a method that encourages spores to grow so they can be analyzed. A culture test is the most reliable way to find out if your cat has ringworm, though it can take up to three weeks to get test results.
How to Treat Ringworm in Cats
Be wary of home remedies and over-the-counter ringworm treatments for cats, Lowe says, since none have been proven to work. Veterinarians typically treat ringworm in cats with a combination of antifungal medications: Some ringworm treatments are applied topically to the skin, while others are medications that are given to your cat orally. Your vet may also recommend medicated baths.
Lowe says you should start to see an improvement in your cat within four weeks. But keep in mind, your kitty will still be contagious for at least three to six weeks after starting aggressive treatments.
Be sure to follow through with their treatment plan as directed, even if your cat starts to look and feel better before treatment is finished. Itâs crucial to continue giving your cat antifungal medication for the length of time your vet recommended since ringworm is likely to return if you stop treatment too soon.
How to Prevent Ringworm from Spreading
An essential part of treating ringworm in cats is to stop it from spreading in your homeâespecially since it can be contagious to other animals and people. Although it might be hard, avoid petting a cat with ringworm. Also, keep the infected cat separate from other pets and people at home, and wash your hands anytime you touch them.
To prevent ringworm from spreading, itâs important to clean surfaces and items where their spores may have spread, Lowe says. Wash all fabrics in the home. If they canât be washed, vacuum them. Sanitize cat toys, combs, and brushes, and clean surfaces with a diluted bleach solution.
Left untreated, ringworm usually goes away on its own, though it may take up to a year (and can infect others in the home during that time). To get your kitty feeling better faster and prevent ringworm from spreading, see a veterinarian as soon as you notice symptoms.   Â
COVID-19 continues to spread across the world. It seems there is frightening news each day about new variants and people dying from this deadly virus. And taken all together, this nonstop news can be very confusing for the average pet owner.
If you own a dog or cat, youâre probably asking yourself: Can your pet get COVID-19? Can you get COVID-19 from your pet? And what should you do if you, your animals, or all of you get infected?
To help answer these questions, we put together this comprehensive guide. Keep reading to discover the answers youâve been looking for!
Can dogs and cats get COVID-19?Â
Letâs start with the question on every pet loversâ mind. Can dogs and cats get COVID-19?Â
The short answer is âyes.â Recent studies suggest that pet owners who contract COVID-19 often spread it to their pets, especially if they share a bed with their cats.
In a Netherlands study of pet owners who had COVID-19, researchers found that six of 154 cats (3.9%) and seven of 156 dogs (4.5%) tested positive for coronavirus, while 31 cats (20.1%) and 23 dogs (14.7%) had coronavirus antibodies, indicating they had already had the disease.
If you contract COVID-19, itâs important to isolate yourself from your pet in order not to spread it to them. Have someone else take care of your pet and do not let your pet share your bed while you are contagious. If you have no one else in your household who can take care of your pet, wear a mask while you care for them and wash your hands before and after handling their food and supplies.
Pets can get COVID-19 from other animals as well, not just humans. So, while the pandemic is ongoing, itâs important to keep your pet socially distant from other animals outside your household.
Make sure to monitor your pet for symptoms of COVID-19, although some pets with coronavirus may experience mild or no symptoms.
Symptoms of an infected pet
How will you know if your pet has COVID-19? According to the CDC, these are the pet symptoms you should watch out for:
Fever
Coughing
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Lethargy (unusual laziness or sluggishness)
Sneezing
Runny nose
Eye discharge
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Taken on their own, these could all be symptoms of something else. But if your dog or cat has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and presents symptoms (especially multiple symptoms), you should treat this very seriously.
When is it safe to cuddle my pet?
For pet lovers, the hardest part of their pet getting COVID-19 is the isolation part. After all, you are watching your animal going through pain, and you probably just want to reach out and give them a hug. So that brings us to the last question: when is it safe to go back to cuddling your infected pet?
If the dog or cat has been officially diagnosed with COVID-19 from your vet, youâll need to wait 14 days or wait for the vet to complete tests to verify the virus has passed. And youâll need to make sure the animal has shown no symptoms for at least 72 hours.
If all of these conditions are met, feel free to reach out and give your pet the cuddles they have been missing!
