Introduction

Hello everyone! I'm an experienced pet parent to three cats and two dogs, and also a pet blogger. Honestly, taking care of these furry kids isn't easy, with new challenges every day. Through years of experience, I've gathered many practical tips, and today I'm sharing these long-kept pet care secrets with you, hoping to help fellow pet parents manage their pet care routines more easily.

Feeding Tips

When it comes to pet care, nothing is more important than food and drink. My Golden Retriever "Little Foodie" is a true "eating champion." Previously, every mealtime was like a race, with food being wolfed down, often resulting in stomach discomfort. Seeing it suffer made my heart ache. Later, by chance, I discovered a particularly effective method: placing a tennis ball in the dog bowl. This small change made a remarkable difference, as it had to eat around the ball, naturally slowing down. Now "Little Foodie" eats at a normal pace, and stomach issues have significantly decreased.

Weight management is another headache for many pet parents. My dogs love to eat, and without control, they easily gain weight. After multiple attempts, I found the "green pea diet" particularly effective. The method involves adding an appropriate amount of unsalted green peas to their regular dog food. Green peas are not only nutritious but also very low in calories, and most importantly, they create a feeling of fullness. Using this method, my Golden Retriever successfully lost 2 kg in three months, without showing any signs of hunger or irritability during the entire weight loss process, which made me particularly pleased.

Regarding cat feeding, my experience is that you absolutely cannot feed only dry food. Although dry food is convenient, long-term use may lead to urinary system problems. I now use a combination of dry and wet food, with wet food served morning and evening, supplemented with appropriate amounts of dry food in between. This not only ensures balanced nutrition but also prevents some common health issues.

Hydration is also an important concern. Many cats don't like to drink water, which can lead to urinary system stones. To solve this problem, I've placed water fountains in different locations around the house. Flowing water more easily attracts cats' attention, and multiple water points increase their chances of drinking. Additionally, I regularly clean and replace the filters to ensure water quality.

For picky eaters, my advice is not to change their main food easily. If you must change their food, do it gradually, adjusting the ratio of new to old food like 9:1, 8:2, 7:3, which can reduce the risk of gastrointestinal discomfort.

Cleaning Tips

As a pet parent, dealing with various "accidents" is perhaps the most troublesome, especially when pets leave urine stains on carpets - that frustration is indescribable. After multiple attempts, I finally found a particularly effective cleaning method: mix equal parts water and white vinegar into a solution, spray it directly on the urine stain, then sprinkle a layer of baking soda. After the solution and baking soda react, gently wipe with a towel, then use a vacuum cleaner to clean up the residue. This method not only effectively removes stains but also thoroughly eliminates odors.

Shedding is another headache for many pet parents. During shedding season, my house is like a snowfall, with fur everywhere. After years of experimentation, I found that a regular rubber broom is the best cleaning tool. It not only easily cleans carpet edges but also reaches corners that vacuum cleaners can't - with the rubber broom, fur immediately clumps together, making it particularly easy to clean.

Speaking of cleaning, I also want to share a tip for cleaning plush toys. Many pet toys become dirty and smelly with use, but it seems wasteful to throw them away. My approach is to put these toys in a laundry bag, hand wash them with warm water and mild detergent, then air dry in a ventilated place. For stuffed toys, it's best to squeeze them several times before drying to ensure the filling dries completely.

For litter box cleaning, I now use a "three-box system." This means preparing three litter boxes and rotating their use daily. This not only ensures cats always have a clean place to use the bathroom but also makes it convenient for us to deep clean. When cleaning, I first wipe with special disinfectant, then rinse with clean water, and finally dry in the sunlight. Although this method requires more initial investment, it's definitely worth it in the long run.

Furniture protection is also an important part of cleaning work. To prevent cats from scratching furniture, I've applied transparent anti-scratch tape to the furniture edges. These stickers not only protect furniture but are almost invisible, maintaining the overall aesthetics of the home. Meanwhile, I've also placed several scratching posts in different locations around the house, providing cats with appropriate scratching places.

Seasonal Care

Summer has arrived, so how can we help our furry friends comfortably get through the hot season? Besides air conditioning, I have a particularly cost-effective and fun cooling method: freezing pet toys in ice cubes. The specific method is to put small toys in sealed bags, add appropriate amounts of water, and place them in the freezer. Once completely frozen, take them out for pets to play with - they'll enjoy the process of licking the ice and playing with the toys. Now when my cats see me walking towards the refrigerator, they get particularly excited and follow along.

However, when using this method, be careful not to let pets contact the ice for too long at once to avoid catching cold. I usually prepare multiple ice toys and rotate them. Also, the ice cubes should be rounded to avoid sharp edges that might hurt pets' tongues.

Walking dogs in summer also requires special attention. I choose to go out during cooler morning and evening hours, and always carry water and a portable water bowl. I specifically choose routes with shade to prevent dogs' paws from being burned by hot ground. If I notice signs of overheating in dogs, such as rapid breathing or lethargy, I immediately find shade for rest and provide water.

In winter, keeping warm becomes particularly important. Before going out, I apply a layer of Vaseline to dogs' paws to prevent skin cracking from cold weather. I also dress them in appropriate warm clothing, being careful not to make it too tight to restrict movement.

At bedtime, I put a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel in their beds. This not only makes them sleep more comfortably but also prevents problems like arthritis. However, be careful not to make the water bottle too hot, and regularly check for leaks.

Indoors, I maintain appropriate temperature and humidity. When using heating in winter, I place a humidifier in the room to prevent skin problems caused by dry air. I also regularly groom their fur, which both builds bonds and helps detect skin abnormalities early.

Behavior Management

Walking dogs is an essential daily activity, and how to make this process easier and safer is something many pet parents think about. My experience is to carry a carabiner, which proves incredibly useful. It's not only convenient when you need to temporarily tie up a dog, but also practical for securing and organizing leashes when walking multiple dogs.

Additionally, I always carry treats and toys to reward good behavior. This positive reinforcement training method works particularly well - now my dogs follow commands well, making walks an easy and enjoyable experience.

Speaking of training, giving medication to pets is perhaps the most challenging. Many pets hide when they see pills, making medication time feel like a battle. Later, I invented the "pill pocket" - wrapping pills in a small piece of low-fat cheese or peanut butter. This method is particularly effective; now my dogs actively approach me when they see medicine, making it effortless to administer. However, it's important to first confirm whether the medication can be taken with food.

For cat behavior management, my advice is to fully understand their nature. For example, cats like to scratch - rather than preventing this behavior, it's better to provide appropriate scratching items. I've placed scratching posts and cat trees in different locations around the house, so they won't scratch sofas and wallpaper.

Night activity is also a habit of many cats. To prevent them from disturbing rest at night, I play with them before bedtime to exhaust their energy. I also prepare some self-play toys, like automatic cat teasers and cat trees, so they can entertain themselves while we sleep.

Health Monitoring

The most important aspect of pet care is monitoring their health. I recommend every pet parent create a health record for their pets, detailing vaccination times, checkup results, medical records, and other information. Many veterinary hospitals now offer electronic records services, which can be checked anytime through mobile apps, making it particularly convenient.

The importance of regular checkups cannot be overstated. Last year, my Ragdoll cat's mild kidney function issue was discovered early through regular checkups. After discovery, I immediately adjusted its diet structure, increased wet food proportion, and paid more attention to its water intake. Through timely intervention and adjustment, all its indicators have now returned to normal.

Daily observation is also an important part of health monitoring. I observe pets' mental state, eating habits, and bowel movements daily. If abnormalities are found, such as sudden loss of appetite, lethargy, or abnormal bowel movements, seek medical attention promptly. Sometimes seemingly small problems can develop into serious illnesses if not handled timely.

To prevent parasites, I regularly deworm my pets. Both internal and external deworming need to be done strictly according to schedule. Additionally, after each outdoor activity, I check their fur for fleas, ticks, and other external parasites.

Dental care cannot be ignored either. I regularly brush my pets' teeth using special pet toothbrushes and toothpaste. Although they might not cooperate at first, through patient training and habit formation, they now accept tooth brushing well.

Conclusion

While pet care indeed requires significant time and energy investment, with these practical tips, daily care isn't so difficult. Every pet parent has their own way of caring for their beloved furry friends, and I'm sure you all have unique experiences too. Welcome to share your pet care tips in the comments section, let's exchange ideas and grow together. Perhaps your experience will help other pet parents who are struggling!