A new year is about to unfold and bring you 356 days of opportunity. We know that this year’s resolutions are not going to be only your own but are certainly going to include your pet. After all, your pet has brought you happiness, great memories, a healthier life (Pet reduce your stress and give you a bigger chance to exercise, that is just to mention a few of the ways in which your pet has improved your life quality), unforgettable moments and smiles! He has taught you to be more responsible and take better care of yourself and him, so why not make a decision now that you will help him live happier and healthier by making resolutions that aim to achieve that. If you are unsure what resolutions to make to better your pet’s life, Pet Barn has your back. In this blog, you find some inspirational ideas, some of which you will definitely like.

Tips to Make New Year’s Resolutions that Include Your Pet 

Okay, get a pen and paper ready. Now let us begin planning for the new year with the intention to make it fantastic for you and your furry buddy.

• First of all, remember that new year’s good resolutions aim to make your life happier and probably more wholesome.
• With that in mind, think of yourself first. No, that is not selfish because if you do not care about yourself, you will not have the energy to care for those around you.
• So, what are the things that you want to change? Do you need to get more exercise? Spend more quality time with the important people in your life? Do you need to set an eating program so that you can get rid of some extra pounds? Those might sound like repeatedly asked questions, but they are essential to make your year the best it could be.
• As you are posing the previous questions, and deciding on the answer, think about including your pet in the process. For example, if you have decided to get more exercise, you can set a schedule to take your puppy out for a walk three times instead of two. In this way, both of you will get more exercise and become fitter.
• If you have not started writing your resolutions list and still need more inspirational ideas, some will be introduced soon. Just keep reading!

Suggestions of New Year’s Resolution for You and Your Pet

1. Suggestions regarding your well-being  

• Find ways that can help you both get more exercise. We have already suggested taking your pup for more walks, but the options are endless. You can go hiking on weekends instead of spending them on the couch watching T.V.
• Food! It is delicious, yeah! But why not this year make it both yummy and healthy? You could learn to make nutritious meals for both you and your pet, too. If that sounds like too much work for your busy schedule, buy some ready-made healthy food for both of you and make sure it has the top ingredients your buddy needs to maintain a fit body and excellent health.
• Resolve to have regular checks for both you and your pet. Making sure that you are both okay is imperative for having a fun life.

2. Suggestions regarding spending more quality time with your pet 

• Set some extra time in your daily life to spend with your pet. You can play together, just sit and tell him about your day. Remember that your pet is a great listener who will never judge you. You two bond better when you talk to him, and he helps you remove some of your hearts’ burdens.
• Get your dog or cat at least one new toy and play with them, even if just for five minutes a day. This gives you an ample chance to become closer and make your pet more cheerful and focused. Some interactive toys can improve your pet’s mental health immensely.
• If you plan to take on a new hobby, you can join a class with your pet. These classes include agility classes, swimming, Frisbee, Search and Rescue. Find out what you have available in your area of residency and give those a try.

3. Suggestions regarding emergencies and society at large   

• To be prepared for any unexpected emergencies, start a saving account for your pet. In this way, you will have money ready if you need it to get your pet any necessary materials or pay extra for your vet.
• Include other pets in your plan. For instance, you can donate some pet stuff for charity or take a shelter for a walk.

So, ready now to start a new journey with your pet? Ready to have yet another splendid year full of great memories? We would like to know more about that so tell us about your plans. Do you have any that you have not mentioned in our blog? They could inspire other pet parents who are now getting ready for the new year, so do not hesitate to share your answers in the comment below.

As it is always the case, we cannot wait to hear from you!

When you first hear that the holidays are coming up soon, you buzz with energy and delight. You cannot wait to have some days off to spend with family and friends, or probably just alone. But, you forget the stressful part! Holidays also mean lots of visits and gatherings, and maybe some travel. Is it not the best time to pay that relative who lives far away finally a visit and spend some nights in that part of the world that you almost forgot when caught up in your busy schedule? Sure, it is. Spending some nights away from home is a great way to unwind and explore but can be stressful, too. You are not the only one who will feel stressed over the holidays, but your furry buddy will, too. You know how to adapt and manage while he probably does not. That is why Pet Barn has decided to give you tips to help your four-legged friend easily overcome holiday stress and tell about the signs of this kind of stress.

Signs Your Pet Is Experiencing Holiday Stress

1. Hiding

When facing fears or stress, pets tend to hide. You might find your pet cowering under the bed or in the bathtub. If they are really stressed, they might not leave their hiding spots even when it is time for their walk or food.

2. Changes in Appetite

Have you noticed that your cat stopped eating during the day? Does she only venture out to eat during the middle of the night when all is calm around her? These are signs that she is experiencing stress. As for your dog, he might eat less, tend to skip meals, or only show interest in treats when feeling stressed. He might start eating but stop when distracted by noises or smells.

3. Aggression

If your dog is usually playful and interactive around adults, he might bite or growl at kids. If he is used to living alone, he might try to defend his territory if another dog attempts to enter his house or yard. Cats hiss, growl or bite when a stranger tries to pet them. All these are types of stress your pet might show during some friends or family gatherings.

4. Licking, Yawning, or Averting Eyes When Meeting New Animals or People

It sounds cute when your dog yawns, licks his lips, or averts his eyes once he sets them on the new visitor but beware of what he is telling you. He is actually trying to inform you that the situation is overwhelming for him and that he wants to leave. In case you ignore his wishes, his stress may increase, resulting in growling and snapping, if not worse.

5. House Soiling or Inappropriate Elimination

Has your cat changed her litter box habits? This is a telltale sign that she is experiencing stress. Cats may even refuse to use the litter box at all when stressed and choose to do their business on your walls or furniture. On the other hand, dogs are likely to choose to do their business behind the furniture or under the table when they are feeling stressed.

4 Tips to Reduce Your Pet’s Holiday Stress

1. Give your pet the chance to exercise.

If your pet feels tired, he can rest more easily when visitors surround him. Therefore, you make your pet a great favor when you take your dog to the dog park or play with your cat. After all, pets feel more anxious and even bored if stuck inside the house doing nothing. If you are too busy with the next gathering’s preparation, try pet puzzles or get your pet some new toys.

2. Show your pet you are always there for him.

One of the most fun parts of holiday time is getting more time to spend with your family. Your pet is undoubtedly a vital member of your family, so spend some quality time with him. Show him how much you love and care for him by resting next to him, watching a movie, reading a book, or probably just talking to him.

3. Try to stick to a routine.

You think it is unlikely to maintain the routine for your pet over the holiday season, right? Remember that pets need a predictive schedule, so do your best to give them that. For instance, you can visit others and leave your pet at home when you usually are at work. If your dog is used to going for a walk at a particular time in the evening, excuse yourself from the party for a while and take him. You can ask a friend or relative to ensure everything is fine until you come back.

4. Create a haven for your pet when guests visit your home

Choose one room in your house that is located a little far away from where your guests are going together. Before an hour from their arrival, make it as calm as possible. You can use calming music, catnip, and add a comfy bed for your pet to relax. Do not forget to ask your guests not to knock on the door or enter that room.

Now, your pet is almost ready for the holiday. All that is left for you to do is tell us in the comments below if your pet has ever experienced holiday stress. How did you deal with it? Did it work? We hope you have a stress-free holiday with your family and your lovely furry friends.

Hey, there, winter people! How is it going? Have you bought some new warm clothes to enjoy winter walks? Are you enjoying the cold weather and the snow trips? Great! Are you now waiting excitedly for that end of the year party, which you have planning to throw? Awesome. Have you prepared some gifts for your loved ones and wrapped them with passion? It seems like you are ready for the chilly months and all the sweet moments they bring. Have you forgotten anything, though? Think about it. You spoil one with gifts all year round, so it has probably become difficult to get him something nice with the onset of winter! It is your four-legged friend! Your canine or feline friend. Pet Barn is there for your help and will give you a list to choose from. All that you need to do is relax, read and decide!

4 Great Gifts for Your Pet in Winter

1. A jacket for your dog

Though some dogs might overheat if they wear a jacket, others really need one to feel warmer when you take them on a snow trip, so why not choose one to make them feel comfier and take stunning pictures of them while wearing that new piece?

2. A blanket for your cat

If your cat has already gotten a blanket, you have probably noticed that those two are almost inseparable. Cats love their blankets and find them very important. First of all, cats need to knead against a blanket to relax, and they feel less stressed when they have their favorite blankets with them. Blankets carry their scent, so they consider them part of their home. Therefore, get your cat one and let her have it when visiting the vet, taking her on a trip, or leaving her alone at home.

3. A bed for your pet

It is beneficial for both cats and dogs to have their own beds to sleep in. It is also good for you because you will have less hair shedding on the furniture. As for your pets, sleeping on a comfortable and cozy bed help improve your dog’s structural safety and your cat’s and dog’s sleep, so they feel happier and more relaxed. Therefore, it is always a terrific idea to get your pet a bed gift, especially in winter when the nights are longer.

4. A new interactive toy 

Did you know that interactive toys offer your dog or cat a great deal of physical and mental stimulation and decrease his anxiety and boredom? Moreover, interactive toys help your pet get some good exercise, which will be great when the weather is too bad or cold to let your pet out. Now that you know this, don’t you agree with us that a new interactive toy could be an excellent gift for your furry buddy?

Why It Is a Good Idea to Give Gifts to Your Pet?

Some might say that your pet will not notice that you have brought them gifts on any occasion. Still, your pets deserve some presents. After all, it is about showing them that you care. They are going to sense that. Have you not witnessed that they know when you are not okay and try to cheer you up? We are sure you have.

Moreover, pets become part of the family very soon, especially with the cute moves and laughter they bring to every house. You know how important it is to show your family that you love them. Finally, giving is always a positive thing to do, as it will never fail to make you happy. Think about the last time you gave somebody you care for a special gift. Did not you enjoy it? When you give a gift to someone who has been there for you, you will experience even a more wonderful feeling. Your pet has always been there for you, and you know it is fun to shower him with love and prepare gifts for him, even if you are sure he will only be interested in playing with the wrapping paper.

In this blog, we mentioned just a few practical and useful gifts you can get your pet this winter, but we know you still have more suggestions to add. So please, provide us with your ideas and write them in the comment section below as some pet parents might like them. You can also tell us when the last time you gave your pet a gift was and describe how he reacted. Furthermore, you can share the reasons that encourage you to give your pet some presents now and then. We cannot wait to hear from you.

Once asked what your favorite season is, what do you say? If you are one of those people who are full of energy and like spending their weekends on the road or looking for a new adventure, you will most probably choose summer or spring. On the other hand, if you prefer to stay at home during the holidays and continue reading that old book, you will probably choose winter or autumn. Regardless of your preference, you might experience winter blues! Winter means less time spent out and less light to enjoy. Therefore, as the temperature drops, some could experience mood swings. This is not only true about you but also about your pet too. The poor furry ones can find it hard to adapt to the weather changes, even if they live in the warmer parts of our planet. Once Pet Barn noticed that winter is here, we ran to the rescue and brought you some tips that you can follow to help your pet overcome his own winter blues. So, enjoy a warm snuggle with your furry friend while reading this extremely important blog.

4 Tips to Help Your Pet Overcome his Winter Blues

1. Let your pet get indoor and outdoor exercise.

To start with, dogs need to go outside two to three times a weekly to relieve themselves and get the necessary exercise. The good news is that dogs do not mind going out in any kind of weather, so wear that heavy sweater and get ready for a short walk or a romp in the snow. Once outside, your dog’s natural play instinct is activated. Running, jumping, and chasing will help your canine friend energize and burn calories, in addition to boosting his metabolism. If going outside is impossible due to extreme weather conditions, try indoor games such as fetch, tug-of-war, and wrestling. They can all give your dog a great chance to exercise.

As for your feline buddy, brighten her day with 10 to 15-minute exercise even if she is stuck inside the house. Some cat toys, such as laser pointers, can get her into chase mode. In this way, you keep her busy and help her burn some energy. Moreover, you can get her a perch by the window where she can enjoy watching the birds or even bring her an outdoor enclosure that allows her to roam for a while in the fresh air.

2. Keep tracking your pet’s calories.  

In winter, we tend to go out less, which means we spend less energy. Therefore, it is good to monitor our body weight, which also applies to your pet. To do that, use a measuring cup so that you know exactly how much food he is taking. By reducing your pet’s food intake, you help him gain less weight and more energy.

If you want to give your pet treats, why not consider hiding them in toys or someplace that requires your pet to exert some extra effort on his part?

3. Expose your pets to light 

Ever wonder why we feel happier and more energetic during sunny days? This has to do with some chemicals our brains produce. Exposure to light is believed to help our brains and those of our pets secrete serotonin, which is associated with boosting one’s mood. So, do your best to take your pet out during the day rather than in the evening when it is dark. In addition, you can place your pet’s bed closer to a window to maximize the amount of sunlight he can get.

4. Change the scents around your house. 

Want your pet to stay occupied and mentally focused? What can be better than exposing them to some new scents so that they try to find the source of? Pets are extremely sensitive to smells, so having scented toys around the house can engage your puppy or cat’s interests and natural stalking instincts. Dogs respond to many different odors, so you will have no problem choosing suitable scented toys. As for cats, some respond to catnip and others to “play sprays” that can be squirted onto indoor climbing structures, cardboard boxes, and scratching posts.

Little Extra Care Can Do Magic

Winter is a time for love. On cold days, one needs more care and attention. This is true for both us and our pets as well. All need to do to make sure that your pet spends lovely and enjoyable chilly months is to care for him a little bit more. It might require you to go out despite the cold weather and that tempting feeling of spending the day in bed, or to get your pet some extra toys, and probably winter clothes if you want your pet to feel warmer, but it is worth it. Your pet will feel happy and energized throughout winter times, you will have great photos together, and you will remember for years to come!

So, did you enjoy reading this blog, and do you think the tips provided will help your pet overcome his winter blues? Try them and tell us what you think in the comment section below. It is always great to hear from you!

On the day you decided to get your pet, you bought almost everything you imagined they needed, got your home ready and pet proof and since then your life has never been the same. Your cat or your dog brought happiness to your house, and a lot of great memories. Little did you know that your choice of pet tells something about your personality. Think about it: do not you feel that cats’ owners share certain traits that are different from those that dogs’ owners exhibit? Of course, the individual differences have their great impact on you as a person yet it is fun to know what your choice of pet reveals about you, right?

Pet Barn would like to share with you four major differences between cats’ owners and dogs’ owners. Enjoy this read and see for yourself if the results the studies gave apply to you.

Main Differences Between Cats People and Dogs People

1. Cat people are more introverted

First, it is important to note that nobody is one hundred percent introvert or one hundred percent extrovert. We all lean one way or another or have a bit of both.

Generally speaking, cat lovers tend to be more introverted than dog lovers. After all, cat lovers choose cats as pets to spend quite nights at home next to their purring companions instead of going to parks and meeting other “dog owners”. That explains why most cat owners enjoy hobbies that they can do at home such as reading, drawing, or baking.

Dog owners, on the other hand, are more sociable. They enjoy social interactions and group activities as those offered at dog parks. Just like their furry pets, dog owners prefer hobbies that are more active. They enjoy sports they can practice with some friends such as running, swimming and hiking.

2. Dog owners are more obedient to rules

A theory suggests that because owning a dog is a widespread, popular choice, dog people tend to conform more, and lean towards more socially desirable personality traits. Therefore, they tend to be conventional people who believe in traditional values. Moreover, just like their four-legged pets, dog owners find it better to have structure in their life. You can notice that most dog owners have a kind of fixed daily routine that they try to follow as best as they can. Dog lovers do not only follow the rules they set for themselves at home. Researchers have found that dog people are more obedient to social rules in general.

Cat people, on the other are more inhibited and non-conformist. Like their pets, they feel that being independent and standing out from the crowd should be considered a positive thing, and one form of which is not always obeying the rules. They are mostly open-minded and ready for new experiences. That is why they do not try to impose a certain kind of structure on their lives.

3. Cat people are more intelligent

Sorry canine lovers! A recent study suggests that cat people are smarter, regardless of their pet’s level of intelligence. To tell you the truth, deep down cat people feel that cats are cleverer than dogs. This probably is just a reflection of what cat lovers think about themselves.

In the study just referred to, 600 students at Carroll University were analyzed by assessing a number of factors, including personality traits and interests. In the results, cat people were found to score higher intellectually and were considered to be more “intellectually curious” compared to others.

4. Dog people are seeking companionship; cat people are seeking affection.

Dogs are your buddies. They can go with you to faraway places. They are your companions in trips and they join you while you are practicing your favorite leisure time activity. In short, people who choose dogs as pets are looking for this kind of friendship and companionship.

Cats will rub against you and knead their paws to your fleshy folds when you are feeling lonely and cold at night.  So, people who opt for cats as pets are actually looking for affection.

Your Pet Tells about Your Personality

As you have seen in this blog, owning a dog or a cat helps people to know more about you. They could be able to figure out whether you are an extrovert, or an introvert, a traditional or an open-minded person just by knowing what pet you have chosen. However, keep in mind that owing a cat or a dog shows all around that you are a responsible and passionate human being who has a lot of affection to give to those fun creatures. Owing a pet tells people that you are ready to do all that it takes to keep your pet happy and healthy.

If you have enjoyed reading this blog, tell us in the comment whether you are a cat person or a dog one and whether the information provided is true for you.