Tagged with 'pets'

Many cats will respond excitedly to tasty treats as rewards, but others might prefer something like playing with their favorite toy.

Do you need to make-over your pet’s health? Understanding their habits is the first step in determining which resolutions will work best for your furry friend. Not all dogs or cats have the same needs. They’re all individual creatures, and you need to take that into account.

Tips to ensure your pets are happy and healthy in 2018:

BE ACTIVE EVERY DAY

Cabin fever is a real thing, and far too many dogs live with it. Lack of activity is the root of many doggie behavior problems, and exercise often is the best medicine. A tired dog is a good dog. Walking with your dog is great, but off-leash time is important because it lets your dog be a dog. They need time interacting with other dogs, so if your dog is an only child, visit the dog park often or set up puppy playdates.

Just because you’re a week-end warrior doesn’t mean that’s ideal for your dog. Being sedentary all week, and saving the fun for the week-end, increases your dog’s chances of getting injured. If you’re heading out for a 5-mile hike with Fido on Saturday, getting your dog out during the week is important. Just like people, pets need daily activity to stay in shape.

REEVALUATE THEIR DIET

The first three or four ingredients in your dog’s food should be meat or meat by-products, so read labels carefully. Because dogs have evolved to omnivores, it is OK to include some vegetables and fruits in Fido’s diet too. If you’re feeding kibbles, choose grain-free brands.

Some real food ideas for Fido: raw chicken breast, beef trimmings, meaty beef bones, liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, sardines, bone broth, and coconut oil.

As far as snacks go, limit the “extras.” Offering a kernel or two of your dog’s regular kibble and a pat on the head is treat enough. Really.

Cats are true carnivores and need a diet that’s 80 to 90% meat. Cats love variety in their food, so switch around their flavors, but go easy on fish which can upset a cat’s digestive system.

How you feed cats is important, too. In nature, cats are hunters, not grazers. Vets doesn’t advocate leaving out a bowl of kibble for kitties to nosh anytime. Instead, feed your cat at designated times, but play with her first (to mimic the “hunt”) before serving food (as the “kill”). Mealtime play also ensures she gets her exercise.

SPRUCE UP THE HOUSE

It’s your duty to make the house as pet-friendly as it can be. Provide toys that appeal to all the senses, and rotate them to prevent boredom. That’s especially important for indoor cats. Yes, cant should live indoors since the life span of an outdoor cat is, on average, about four years. For an indoor cat, it’s 14 years. Keep your cat entertained with a bird feeder hung outside the window, within view of a high-rise cat condo with ample space to climb, hide, and relax.  

A few simple habits will help Spot stay spotless – and keep you both healthy.

No one expects pets to be pristine, but good hygiene is essential, not only for your dog’s or cats health, but for yours, too. That includes everything from frequent litter changes to wiping down a pup’s paws, not to mention regular baths. Want your furry pals as clean as can be? Follow these routines to keep allergens and germs off your animal – and out of your home.

Suds Up

Aim to bathe your dog at least every three months. Extra wrinkly breeds may require more frequent attention. If not cleansed, skin folds can become moist and irritated, leading to bacterial and yeast overgrowth. Clean wrinkles with antiseptic wipes or solution several times a week. Dogs (and owners) with allergies may benefit from more regular bath sessions, to remove pollen.

Prep Paws

Protect your pup from potential irritants (like sidewalk muck and harmful plants) by cleaning paws with a damp washcloth or hypoallergenic baby wipes. In the winter, when dogs are walking on salt or de-icing agents, it’s recommended to wipe after every walk. Patients with allergies should wipe at the end of every day to remove pollens and other allergens.

Mind the Box

Beyond being smelly, a stale litter box can pose health hazards. Leaving soiled litter in the box can lead to overgrowth of bacteria, which can be a concern for both pet and human health. Scoop the box at least once a day and clean it out fully once or twice a week. Scrub with water and unscented soap or baking soda, rinse with very hot water, dry, then fill with fresh liter.

Curb Dander

The protein animals shed from their skin can trigger allergic reactions I people who are sensitive to it. Keep pets out of the bedroom so at least the room where you sleep stays dander-free. HEPA air purifiers are also very effective, especially for things like cat dander, which is very fine and floats through the air.

Ever Wonder?

How Bad Is It To Kiss Your Dog?

Real Talk: Dogs lick their butts; some eat poop (one in four has done so at least once, per research). In theory, a smooch from your pooch could expose you to feces-borne parasites or bacteria. But most likely you’ll be fine. To get you sick, your dog would need to lick your mouth making you ingest its saliva. Even then, your immune system would probably fight off infection. 

It's also a myth that a dog's mouth is less germy than a human's. 

article courtesy of Health.com

If you love alternative medicine, why can't your pet get a little love too? Here are three types of complimentary therapy and what they can really do for your furry friend.

Acupuncture

There are very few side effects from acupuncture, so it can be used in conjunction with a number of different therapies. Acupuncture may be effective for chronic conditions such as arthritis, back pain, and neurological conditions.

While research is promising, it’s hard to measure the success of treatment because the cute, furry patients can’t describe how they’re feeling. There’s also a “caregiver placebo effect,” in which owners (and even vets) may perceive a treatment to be helping when it’s actually not. That’s one reason why it’s important for vets to do a thorough examination to determine the effectiveness of the treatment.

Acupuncture, like other alternative therapies, can supplement but shouldn’t replace conventional diagnostic and treatment methods, such as X-rays, medication, and surgery.

Chiropractic

Like chiropractors who treat humans, veterinary practitioners face skepticism from the mainstream medical community, since their evidence of success is overwhelmingly anecdotal—and many neurologists don’t recommend spinal manipulative therapy. Supporters argue that chiropractors can produce results when conventional diagnosis and treatment come up short.

Chiropractors can really help with older dogs. They don’t just manipulate the spine; they handle the digits and the hips and do tail and jaw traction. If you want to give this treatment a try, look for a practitioner who’s certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association.

Massage

Will a good rubdown do more than leave fluffy feeling super relaxed??

Massage – or the use of fingers, hands, and machines to manipulate soft tissues - - can address pain from injuries and surgery, provide relief from inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, and help rehabilitate animals like dogs and horses that have been sidelined from sports.

As with other therapies, be sure to check first with your pet’s primary care doctor. If your vet seems to not be open to it, you can say, “Well, I’d like to see somebody who is.”

article modified from Health.com

How well do you really understand what your pooch is trying to tell you? Many of us are still struggling to interpret our animal friends’ barks, growls, and whines, as well as wags, shakes, and licks. It can be tricky to read the signs correctly.

There are a lot of misunderstandings about behaviors in animals and how they express them. See if you can recognize the meaning of these common mutt moves.

1. Your Doggie is Licking her Lips.

    A. She’s hungry.
    B. She’s stressed out.
    C. She just ate some peanut butter.

Answer: B. No, dogs don’t worry about their e-mail inboxes or to-do lists, but they can still experience both short-term and chronic stress. When the dog is not happy, it increases the probability of our getting bitten, so avoid any sudden moves (like approaching from behind or petting immediately) that could cause your pup to snap.

2. You can see the Whites of your Pup’s Eyes.

     A. He’s surprised.
     B. He’s curious.
     C. He’s afraid.

Answer: C. The whites of the eyes appear whenever the head turns one way and the eyes go the other. In lay, this can happen when the dog is faking you out by appearing to look away but coyly looking at you. But if you’re out in public and see the whites of a dog’s eyes, that’s usually a sign he’s trying to look away out of fear, or to signal his desire for this interaction to be done.

3. Your Hound Freezes Up.

     A. She needs space.
     B. She’s getting ready to pounce.
     C. She’s feeling nervous.

Answer: A. Dogs will freeze and have a lack of behavior when they want a person or another animal to back off right away. You may see this happen in a crowd or even at the vet’s office.

4. Your Dog’s Tail is Wagging Like Crazy.

     A. He’s happy.
     B. He’s upset.
     C. It depends.

Answer: C. You may think a wagging rear means a happy dog, but that’s not always true. It’s important to look at the rest of the body for context. If his muscles, face, and ears are relaxed, he’s probably in a good mood, but tense body language can be a sign that your pup is actually unhappy. In fact, in both dogs and cats, a neutral tail is the best sign they’re content. It shows their body is at ease and there’s no tension in their muscles.

Your pup may have a better understanding of language than you think. Researchers used fMRI to monitor 13 dogs while they listened to human speech. The scientists discovered the animals processed both the meaning of words and the tone in which the words were spoken, using similar areas of the brain that humans do. 

Article and quiz courtesy of Health.com

Communication is key in any relationship, including the ones we have with our pets. Dogs make great efforts to communicate, and the tool they use most with the people they know is body language. Understanding the basic components of those nonverbal cues—facial expressions, ear set, tail carriage, hair, and posture—is the first step toward interpreting a dog’s message.

Also keep in mind many expressions have more than one meaning, like trembling, and you’ll need to consider the extenuating circumstances. The secret is to put all these elements together to reach the best conclusion.

Here’s How to Interpret a Canine Conversation:

TAIL WAGGING

A content dog will move his tail slowly in a kind-of sloppy way. The dog’s tail will be fast if he’s really happy to see you. But if the tail is stiff, that can signal aggression, whether it’s barely quivering or quickly whipping back and forth.

RAISED HACKLES

If the hair that runs along her spine stands up and she’s also crouching, your dog may be afraid. But if she appears otherwise relaxed, that raised fur could just be a sign that she’s itching to have fun, particularly if her eyes are focused and alert.

EYE CONTACT

Dogs usually avert their eyes when approaching other dogs to let them know they aren’t a threat. A hard stare, however, often indicates they’re ready to rumble, as do eyes that appear larger than normal. Some dogs, though, stare at other dogs when they want to play; in these cases, the dog is typically down on all fours in a pounce-ready position, or standing with a jaunty tail wag.

A dog with squinty eyes may be anxious, especially when also hunched over. If you can see the whites of his eyes (sometimes called “whale eye”), that can mean he’s guarding a favorite toy or resting spot, especially if his body is rigid, in which case it’s best to let him be.

LIPS TOGETHER (OR APART)

A dog that’s in a good mood will usually have his mouth slightly open in a relaxed manner. If he’s baring his teeth with the sides of the mouth pulled back tightly, stay away: this is the most recognizable sign of canine aggression.

A dog that’s anxious may lick his lips or yawn excessively, even when he’s not feeling sleepy.

STIFF AND STILL

The classic “play bow” position, where the dog’s front end is on the ground and his back end is up in the air, is the clearest invitation to play in a dog’s vernacular.

Beware of a dog whose body is coiled like a spring, however, with his weight shifted forward in a confident manner and his tail straight up over his back or quivering; he’s most likely angry.

A dog that’s crouched over (often with his tail tucked under) and frozen still, as if trying to be invisible, may be feeling fearful or defensive.

EARS UP OR BACK

If the ears are erect and pointing forward, it’s one of two things: he’s being frisky or combative, and you’ll need to look to the tail (happy wag or stiff flagging?), eyes (staring or not?), and stance (play bow or not?) for other clues. If the ears are pulled back or flattened, this may be a sign of fear—especially when the dog’s entire body seems to be tucked.

TREMBLING

This can signal anxiety (ie: thunder storm!), but can also mean he’s excited (I see a squirrel outside!) and ready to play. Of course, sometimes the answer is the easiest and most obvious one –he’s chilly and needs to warm up!

Dogs have a complex vocalization system that goes paw-in-paw with their body language. In general, high-pitched barks accompany excitement or need, while a lower pitch suggests aggression. When a dog “chuffs,” with quick, breathy barks, he may be feeling anxious.

Article courtesy of Martha Stewart

Communication is key in any relationship, including the ones we have with our pets. Dogs make great efforts to communicate, and the tool they use most with the people they know is body language. Understanding the basic components of those nonverbal cues—facial expressions, ear set, tail carriage, hair, and posture—is the first step toward interpreting a dog’s message.

Also keep in mind many expressions have more than one meaning, like trembling, and you’ll need to consider the extenuating circumstances. The secret is to put all these elements together to reach the best conclusion.

Here’s How to Interpret a Canine Conversation:

TAIL WAGGING

A content dog will move his tail slowly in a kind-of sloppy way. The dog’s tail will be fast if he’s really happy to see you. But if the tail is stiff, that can signal aggression, whether it’s barely quivering or quickly whipping back and forth.

RAISED HACKLES

If the hair that runs along her spine stands up and she’s also crouching, your dog may be afraid. But if she appears otherwise relaxed, that raised fur could just be a sign that she’s itching to have fun, particularly if her eyes are focused and alert.

EYE CONTACT

Dogs usually avert their eyes when approaching other dogs to let them know they aren’t a threat. A hard stare, however, often indicates they’re ready to rumble, as do eyes that appear larger than normal. Some dogs, though, stare at other dogs when they want to play; in these cases, the dog is typically down on all fours in a pounce-ready position, or standing with a jaunty tail wag.

A dog with squinty eyes may be anxious, especially when also hunched over. If you can see the whites of his eyes (sometimes called “whale eye”), that can mean he’s guarding a favorite toy or resting spot, especially if his body is rigid, in which case it’s best to let him be.

LIPS TOGETHER (OR APART)

A dog that’s in a good mood will usually have his mouth slightly open in a relaxed manner. If he’s baring his teeth with the sides of the mouth pulled back tightly, stay away: this is the most recognizable sign of canine aggression.

A dog that’s anxious may lick his lips or yawn excessively, even when he’s not feeling sleepy.

STIFF AND STILL

The classic “play bow” position, where the dog’s front end is on the ground and his back end is up in the air, is the clearest invitation to play in a dog’s vernacular.

Beware of a dog whose body is coiled like a spring, however, with his weight shifted forward in a confident manner and his tail straight up over his back or quivering; he’s most likely angry.

A dog that’s crouched over (often with his tail tucked under) and frozen still, as if trying to be invisible, may be feeling fearful or defensive.

EARS UP OR BACK

If the ears are erect and pointing forward, it’s one of two things: he’s being frisky or combative, and you’ll need to look to the tail (happy wag or stiff flagging?), eyes (staring or not?), and stance (play bow or not?) for other clues. If the ears are pulled back or flattened, this may be a sign of fear—especially when the dog’s entire body seems to be tucked.

TREMBLING

This can signal anxiety (ie: thunder storm!), but can also mean he’s excited (I see a squirrel outside!) and ready to play. Of course, sometimes the answer is the easiest and most obvious one –he’s chilly and needs to warm up!

Dogs have a complex vocalization system that goes paw-in-paw with their body language. In general, high-pitched barks accompany excitement or need, while a lower pitch suggests aggression. When a dog “chuffs,” with quick, breathy barks, he may be feeling anxious.

Article courtesy of Martha Stewart