The Basics

There's nothing like the companionship of a four-legged friend. They take such good care of us, that we wanna be sure to take good care of them. With a few tips and tricks, you can keep your pet happy and healthy no matter your level of vision. Let's think about safety first.

Some pets are not very picky about what they eat. That means almost anything lying on the floor is a tempting treat. So if it's hard to see things that have fallen on the floor, sweeping and cleaning more often than normal will help keep harmful objects from becoming your pets next snack. Hadley's workshops on sweeping, and cleaning offer plenty of techniques to ensure nothing is missed.

Smaller pets may be hard to see, and some pets seem like they're always underfoot. They can be a tripping hazard. Dress your pet up with a bright collar that's easier to see. Some collars even glow in the dark, and adding a bell or two will let you hear when your pet is nearby. Colorful bandanas work just as well.

Think about getting rid of area rugs. You'll be removing an inviting place for your pet to rest, and it'll be easier to see on a bear floor.

Pet beds should be out of the floor of foot traffic, and it helps if they are a color that contrasts with your floor and your pet's fur. If you're concerned about keeping them, and you safe at night, you can for instance, use a crate or confine your animal to avoid tripping over them.

And if you have a pet that loves to try, and make a getaway for the outside, keep them safely confined when you have to open your front door.

Finally, cats in particular love to settle down in warm places, so always feel the inside of your washer and dryer before starting a load. You might have an unexpected guest.

For most pets, feeding time is the best time of day. If labels on cans and packages are hard to read, keep your pet food on a separate shelf from your other groceries. Using a magnifier can help you know which box or can to open too.

Food and water bowls can be placed on a feeding mat. If bowl colors contrast with the color of the mat, they'll be easier to see. And a feeding mat really helps with cleanup. It's easy to spill water from a water bowl. They're wide and shallow for a reason. So instead of filling the bowl at the sink, leave the bowl on the floor, and fill it with a pitcher.

Place your finger on the inside edge of the bowl to feel when it's full, and this is a good time to check if the bowl needs cleaning. If the inside of the bowl feels slimy, it's time to wash it.

Your pet might not agree, but food portion control is an important part of keeping them healthy. If you use a measuring cup that is exactly the same size as their daily portion, you'll always be giving them the right amount without having to read lines on a measuring cup.

Keeping the cupboard supplied isn't always easy when you need a ride to get to the store. Online pet supplies stores offer a good option for food, toys, medicine, and other must-haves for your pet. Some even have an easy-to-use phone service. Supplies can come right to your front door. Check out the resource section of this workshop for more information.

A good diet isn't the only thing your pet needs to stay healthy. Take a health inventory of your pet daily by feeling their entire body. Notice if the hair and skin feel healthy. Feel under the belly to see if they're gaining or losing weight.

And your sense of smell can detect health problems too. If your pet still smells bad after a bath, or if their breath is bad or there's a bad smell in their ears, it might be time to pay closer attention.

Pet medicine bottles can look a lot like your own medicine so keep them in separate places. if labels are hard to read. For help in labeling medicine bottles, check out our labels for everyday use series.

Play keeps them healthy too. And most toys are easily adapted to make playtime fun. Balls with bells and toys that squeak or make other noises, let you hear where your pet is playing. And if you're throwing a ball with bells inside, you'll know where it lands.

It might help to keep toys stored, and only bring out a couple at a time, then they won't be a tripping Hazard. Toys with colors that contrast with the color of your floor are easier to see too. Use your sense of touch to tell when toys are damaged or torn or losing stuffing.

Pets give us so much. It's good to know that with time and patience, you'll continue to give them all the care they'll need in return.