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Suggestions of living arrangements for your dog

Before you take on the responsibility of owning a cat or dog, you need to take the time to consider the living arrangements for your dog. Many people adopt dog with the idea that they will be raising an outdoor animal. How many people in your neighborhood keep their dogs or cat’s outdoors at all times? The fact of the matter is, outside is not a safe place for a cat or a dog. When you adopt a dog, you need to make sure that you are ready to allow your dog into your home.

Dogs Love Being Outside

It is true that cats and dogs both will love being outside, it is their natural environment. Cats delight in chasing birds, climbing trees, and hiding in shrubs. Dogs adore barking at the neighbors, chasing squirrels, and digging. However, there are many dangers to keeping your dog outside at all times. Dogs tend to get more outside time in cats. Owners take their dogs out for walks, and in some cases allow their dogs, unsupervised access to the backyard from time to time. Cats are usually either indoor dogs or outdoor dogs.

It is more common nowadays, for owners to keep their cats indoors as they begin to realize the dangers of allowing their cat to live outdoors at all time. It is highly recommended that you keep your cats and dogs inside. For cats, you can help them explore their natural instincts inside by giving them plenty of places to run and play inside your home. Buy your cat a good scratching post with a high perch and install a window seat so they can gaze at the birds outdoors.

[caption id="attachment_1675" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Dog stays indoors"]dog stays indoors[/caption]

Dangers of Outside

The number one danger to your dogs when they go outside is other animals. You never know when your dog or cat will encounter a stray or strange cat or dog from down the street. You know that your dog is properly vaccinated, but you do not know that health condition of other animals outside. In addition, if your dog or cat gets into a fight with another animal. Your dog can be seriously injured or harmed. Unless you supervise your dog at all times when they are outside, you never know when your cat or dog will encounter a strange animal.

Other dangers of allowing your dog to live outside are cars and other people. A cat darting across the street late at night is a recipe for disaster. What if your dog gets loose from your yard and encounters a child? How will your dog react? You hope that your dog will be good and stay friendly. However, what happens if the child begins to taunt or tease your dog or poke a stick at him? If your dog bites or scratches another person, chances are, you will be responsible for your dogs actions. Many dog owners have found themselves in a serious situation when their dog or cat has acted aggressively when outdoors.

When your cat or dog stays indoors, you can also help control fleas, ticks, and the exposure to heart worms. This is not to say that you should not treat an indoor dog for these problems. All dogs, whether the event indoors or outdoors, should be on a monthly heart worm preventative. Both cats and dogs should also be treated with monthly preventative. It is important to remember though, if your cat or dog lives outdoors, you will have many more problems when it comes to fleas and ticks.

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