Pawryzad

13/11/2022

The importance of handling cannot be overstated. Paws and ears will need to be handled and examined sooner or later. Putting in a few seconds of handling at a time, when your pet is relaxed, will help them get used to this. Start early. Start small. Only do as much as is comfortable for your pet, increasing duration and complexity over time. You will thank yourself later. And so will your vet! 😊

12/11/2020

The importance of handling:

Habituating your pets to handling is extremely important. While starting at a young age is generally the easiest way, it can be done successfully at any age.

Dizzy here is 6 years old. When she is in a calm and cuddly mood, we put in short sessions of paw and ear handling between her petting sessions. If she shows signs of discomfort, we stop and go back to petting, if she will allow it. Being attuned to her needs will ensure that we proceed at a pace she is comfortable with. Watch how easily she lets us examine her ear and paw now.

This will make routine procedures like nail trimming or wiping paws, in case of animals who go outdoors, a hassle free experience. Ear examinations, teeth examinations etc are routine procedures at a vet visit. However, if you practice them at home regularly, it will help your pet be comfortable with it and be less stressed out when examined professionally. A relaxed pet means low stress handling, happy vets and happy parents too!

24/07/2020

A useful guide on how to approach a cat in your vicinity. 😅

22/07/2020

Yes, your child wants a dog or has always wanted one. No, that doesn't mean you should get one. Please consider how much time and space you have in your life for a dog, irrespective of the child's demand. Know and respect their limitations. YOU are going to be the one responsible for the dog's day to day life and welfare. Make informed decisions!

I WANT A DOG!
Kids will promise to walk, feed and train a dog in order to get one home; but parents should have a realistic understanding of what responsibilities a child can handle. Here is a simple guideline for kids under 12.
A three year old can groom the puppy with a soft brush. The child can also help select a collar or toy.
A four to five-year-old child can help take the dog for a walk with an adult. Attach two leashes to the dog and let the child hold one and the adult the other. That way, the child feels as if he or she is walking the puppy, but the adult is really in control.
A Six- to eight-year-old can feed the dog. Give the child water or food in a small container that can then be easily poured into the dog's dish on the floor.
A Nine- to twelve-year-old kid can attend puppy-training classes with parents. It is a great way to teach kids how to communicate effectively and to better understand your new puppy.
Parents should keep in mind, however, that children under 12 don't have the physical or mental ability to care for a dog on their own and should be viewed only as helpers.

18/07/2020

For those whose pets do not allow them to handle their paws at all:
It is important to start doing this young. However, it is never too late to start. It will have to be a slow process and you need to be patient. Wait till your pet is most relaxed and reach out towards their paw. If they're okay with this, do not push too far on day one. Keep building it up, a few seconds at a time, in the midst of whatever is most calming for them.

Dizzy is enjoying her cuddles and belly rubs, and I've got in a few seconds on paw handling here - video is sped up so that you can see the context. The actual paw handling was short and part of a very long relaxing session for her. She doesn't seem to mind it now, but if I continued to handle her paw for a whole minute, she probably would. Building up the tolerance slowly is important.

This is very useful for routine procedures like nail clipping and also for physical examinations by the vet, when needed. Get them used to all kinds of handling, it will make your own life easier in the long run.

06/07/2020

It is important to get your pets used to all kinds of handling, including opening their mouths and checking their teeth. This not only allows any dental issues to be caught early, but also teaches them to be calm while administering medication.

Here is Simba taking a pill like a champ!

03/07/2020

12/06/2020

The importance of habituation:
Humans often struggle to get their pets to cooperate during routine handling procedures such as physical examinations, grooming and nail trimming. Simba's dad has put in months of dedicated effort to get Simba habituated to handling that he was previously quite intolerant of. The result is here to see. While Simba does not "enjoy" this, he is now quite okay with getting his nails trimmed and does not protest or struggle. This means he regularly gets his nails trimmed and no one gets scratched! Since he particularly hates being held down or restrained, it was very important to work on this in a position that was comfortable enough to him and also allowed his dad to do the job carefully.

Important: Your pets' nails have blood vessels and nerves that are extremely sensitive and important to their functioning. If you are unsure about how to trim, how much to take off or if your pet is struggling all the time, DO NOT try to cut their nails at home. Visit a groomer or a veterinary professional to get it done. For indoor-outdoor cats, please leave the nails untrimmed. They need their sharp claws to survive outdoors.

Featured here: and

29/05/2020

"Usually at this time I'm napping in my window-balcony, with the warm sun on me, and the sound of rustling leaves and birds in the background. Since yesterday though, mom has shut all the windows... She said something about flying piranhas... I have no idea what those are but they sure sound yummy!"

19/05/2020

Work from home: Behind the scenes!