Thanksgiving is here! It is a time to give thanks for our families and furry friends. The smells and aromas fill the house with anticipation of the great feast ahead. Naturally, our pets are drawn to the yummy flavors that waft through the house. We are often tempted to give them some of the great holiday food. But there are certain things to watch out for. The following are some facts and foods to avoid with your pets:
-Turkey (or any meat) should be cooked well and should always be boneless. Turkey is an extremely rich meat and can cause digestive upsets in your pet
-Sage is especially upsetting to a cat’s digestive system. It can result in an upset stomach or central nervous system depression. So don’t give them turkey stuffing.
-Bread dough when in its raw form reacts with the pets body heat and will rise in the pets sensitive stomach. This will cause bloating and pain as well as vomiting. It can become life threatening and can require surgery.
-Cake batter contains raw eggs which can cause salmonella infection in your pet. It also contains too much sugar. So letting your pet lick the bowl is not a good idea.
-Too much of anything is not recommended. Even small amounts of human food can result in stomach upsets, diarrhea and, in some cases, pancreatitis. Pet owners should also follow this idea of eating in moderation. There are always leftovers to be enjoyed the next day.
-Wraps, wax paper and foils are to be avoided. While licking up the food from these wrappings, your pet may ingest some of the wrappings. These can cause intestinal obstruction so they should be kept separate from the food.
-Hot food carried to the table can be a hazard with pets who are eager to have a taste. Be sure your pets don’t cross your path on the way to the table or weave between your legs causing the food to spill on them.
-Chocolate or beverages containing caffeine are toxic to pets. It is best to keep them out of the pets way and serve only to pet owners.
Keep these ideas in mind as you enjoy your holiday feast. Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Most dogs will quickly lick a cone to the bone if filled with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. There are commercially available frozen dog ice cream treats. But many per owners are put off by the long list of ingredients that don’t sound like food. And, they are not cheap!
If you want to go “natural”, try making your own homemade frozen treats. Here are some recipe ideas you can use;
-32oz. plain yoghurt
-a mashed banana or other fruit (no grapes please)
-2 tbsp. peanut butter
-2 tbsp. honey
Mix these in a blender and freeze in silicone cupcake trays, dixie cups, or in cupcake liners in a regular muffin pan. You can also substitute fat free vanilla ice cream for the honey.
For a fun topping to your dog treat, freeze some shredded carrots, cut green beans and/or cranberries. Your dog will lap the treats up with his homemade ice cream. And you will know you are providing him with a healthy, additive free frozen treat.
Stay cool!
We all love to snuggle and hug our pets. But have you ever been taken aback by their breath? Both dogs and cats can suffer from halitosis. There are many causes of bad breath including the following;
-Dry mouth due to medications or lack of saliva
-Dental disease (affects 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over age 2 years)
-Consumption of yucky items such as feces or garbage
-Recent vomiting
-Food lodged in the mouth or teeth
-Metabolic disorders such as kidney disease
-Growths, tumors, or polyps in the mouth
-Diabetes mellitus
-Gastrointestinal disease
-Sinusitis or other respiratory diseases
-eosinophilic granulomas (also known as rodent ulcers) that occur with cats
So what is a pet owner to do to escape from this malodorous breath? If it is mild halitosis, gentle brushing with a soft bristled brush or finger brush with rubber bristles and a made for pets toothpaste will help. People toothpaste has detergents and flouride which is tough on an animal’s system. Most cats and dogs respond well to a poultry flavored pet toothpaste. It is best to start when your pet is young so they get used to it. Dental hygiene wipes are an alternative to brushing. There are also gentle hygiene toys and treats that are like brushing the teeth. Carrots are tasty and helpful in cleaning up a dog’s breath. You can also try switching from a wet to a dry food, though there is no research to prove that dry is better than wet. It is rare that the food itself is causing bad breath, though fishier foods can cause an odor. Natural pet foods that promote gastrointestinal health can help combat halitosis.
With severe halitosis, it is best to see your vet to rule out other factors such as dental or other disease. This is especially true if your pet also seems lethargic, lacking in energy, is drooling, or has bleeding of the gums. For dogs, a professional cleaning every year is recommended beginning at age 2 or 3 years. For cats, a professional cleaning is recommended at 18 months and yearly thereafter. Periodontal disease can result in tooth and gum infections, loss of teeth and may have a negative affect on organ function.
Remember to watch your pet’s oral health as much as you do his bodily health. It has been shown that maintaining your pet’s teeth can extend their life as much as 5 years. So start that daily brushing and hug your pet!
Dogs normally pant to cool themselves versus sweating like humans. After a workout or when the temperature rises, dogs will pant more frequently. Dogs with smaller nasal passages and short windpipes like pugs or bulldogs tend to pant harder than other types of dogs.
But when is panting excessive? As dog owners, we are usually pretty familiar with our dog’s typical panting behavior. What we should look for is an increase in panting or panting of greater intensity than normal. This is without having been exposed to high heat or intense exercise. If a dog seems to be breathing heavily, it can mean there is something physically wrong. Some of the common causes of excess panting include heat stroke, poisoning, obesity, stress or anxiety. In addition, a dog who is in pain will pant more than usual. You should watch closely for other signs such as restlessness, constant licking at one spot or difficulty getting up or down.
For older dogs, between the ages of 8-15, panting can be a sign of cognitive changes. Other signs that accompany cognitive changes include pacing, circling or bumping into things. There can be accidents or difficulty recognizing familiar faces. Older dogs may seem to forget their training and fail to comply with normal commands. Medications such as Prednisone or pain killers such as Tramadol or Fentanyl as well as thyroid meds can cause increased panting. Congestive heart failure, seen as heavy panting at night or more fatigue after exercise, may be the cause. With congestive heart failure, your dog may have difficulty with respiration, is coughing at rest or has an enlarged abdomen due to fluid accumulation. It is imperative that you take your pet to the vet emergency center right away, keeping him as relaxed as possible to keep from aggravating the problem.
Arthritis in older dogs causes joint pain which is reflected in excess panting. If your dog is not as lively or moving as well as he used to, it could be the onset of arthritis. There are medications that can ease the stiffness and pain, giving your older pet a more comfortable existence in his later years. Again, the best advice is that if you see changes in your dog’s panting behavior, it is a good idea to see your veterinarian. We all want our pets to enjoy the best quality of life they can after all!
We have all seen the cute advertisements and cartoons that show kittens and cats drinking cow’s milk. But it may not be a good idea. Very young kittens produce the enzyme lactase to help digest the lactose sugar that is present in their mother’s milk. Mothers begin to wean their kittens at about four weeks of age. The ability to produce the lactase enzyme decreases after weaning. Therefore, if a kitten is given cow’s milk, it may not be able to digest the lactose that is present in the milk. Undigested lactose passes through the intestines and draws water with it. Bacteria that is present in the colon can ferment the lactose and produce unwanted fatty acids. This can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Diarrhea can be deadly to a kitten as it quickly leads to dehydration.
So what is one to do if an orphaned kitten is found before the age of 8 weeks when it is able to drink water and eat solid food? Many pet stores carry mother’s milk replacement formulas. After 8 weeks, when the kittens eyes are open, able to focus, and it is steady on its feet, it will not need the formula anymore. However, it does not harm the kitten to give him this milk formula as a treat. If you are unable to obtain the milk replacement formula, it is best to give the kitten milk that’s processed to be lactose free.
With the cost of vet care tripling in the past ten years, it is wise to think about the breed of dog or cat that you choose. There are over 100 genetic diseases in cats and over 400 in dogs. Some have a higher prevalence in certain breeds since the animals in a breed share a smaller pool of genes. Dogs tend to have more genetic problems than cats due to cross-breeding, which cats don’t usually have. Yearly wellness check-ups can cost around $140 for kittens and puppies and up to $350 for geriatric cats and dogs. Before you shop for a new pet, it is wise to think about which breeds are more prone to inherited diseases. The following list is far from complete but gives an overview of some common health problem;
-The large dogs, such as the German Shepards and Labradors can have hip dysplasia, which is a loose fit of the ball and socket hip joint. This can require hip replacement. There is also elbow dysplasia, where the elbow joints of the front legs are malformed.
-Smaller dogs, such as Cocker Spaniels often have eye problems. These include such things as cataracts, glaucoma and dry eyes. Poodles tend to have difficulty with their trachea collapsing, endocardiosis and the pituitary gland disorder called Cushings Disease. Dachshunds can have herniated discs which are related to intervertebral disc disease.
-Mixed breed mutts rarely suffer from hereditary diseases. This should encourage people to adopt a non-purebred dog versus spending a great deal on a pet that is purebred.
-Persian cats and Himilayans are prone to hereditary eye diseases. Maine Coon cats and Persians can have a disorder of the heart muscle known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Polycystic Kidney Disease or (PKD) is also a genetic disease of Persian and other long-haired cats. It causes cysts in the kidneys which can lead to kidney failure.
-Both dogs and cats can develop diabetes. This is especially true in overweight animals.
So what is a pet lover to do? There are many laboratories that will do DNA tests to identify genetic disorders. Prices range from $50-$250 or more. It is advised that you pursue these test before you purchase your pet.
When you are thinking of getting a dog or cat, you can go to an internet website on dog or cat breeds and research a particular breed. It will show what health issues may affect your pet. If you get your dog from a reputable breeder, they will often have screened out hereditary breed-specific diseases. A prospective buyer should ask the breeder to see the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) results for the dog’s sire and dam.
Don’t be discouraged if the breed of your choice is more prone to these hereditary diseases. Many breeds live long and healthy lives in spite of the statistics. But as my vet says, a mutt is the best bet. And it sure helps the over-populated shelters and pounds!
In the United States, 10% of the population has pet allergies. The most common pet to cause an allergic reaction is the cat. Contrary to popular belief, it is not due to the cat’s hair or fur. There are proteins in a cat’s saliva, urine and dander (dried skin flakes) that trigger allergic reactions. We all know what meticulous self-groomers cats are. At any time, all three of the proteins can be on a cat’s tongue.
People who have allergies have overly sensitive immune systems. Their bodies think that harmless things like cat dander or pollen are invaders in their bodies. They attack these invaders as they might attack a bacteria or virus. The result is that symptoms, which are side-effects of this attack, begin to appear. These symptoms include such things as; coughing, sneezing, wheezing, rash, stuffy nose, itchy eyes, and runny nose, especially if a cat has licked or bitten the person. In addition, if your cat is an outside cat, it can bring in other allergens such as mold, pollen and other environmental triggers. These symptoms can occur within minutes or hours of exposure.
There is no way to prevent an allergic reaction. Some research has shown that exposure to pets at an early age may reduce the risk of developing pet allergies later on in life. You can reduce the amount of allergens on your cat through frequent bathing. Brushing your cat regularly will reduce the amount of loose fur (and attached saliva) in the air. Also, it may help to feed your cat a diet that is high in Omega 3 fatty acids. These acids help to keep the cat’s fur healthy and minimize dander.
Are there any cats that do not cause allergies? Some people feel that the “hairless” Sphinx will eliminate the possibility of allergies. However, since the allergy can be triggered by cat urine, saliva and dander, we know this may not be true. As cute as they are, if kitty is making you sneeze, think about getting a different pet.
We have all heard that cats see better in the dark than dogs. It is true because of the elliptical pupil a cat has. Dogs and humans have round ones which are less efficient in the dark. The cat’s eye shape allows for a much larger pupil size, thus allowing more light to enter the eye. However, no cat can see in pitch black darkness. They do see better than dogs in minimal light. So let the cat lead the way versus the round eyed humans and dogs. Otherwise it is the blind leading the blind! Just kidding!
| Name: | Weezie |
| Nickname(s): | The Boss |
| Gender: | female |
| Characteristics: | One eye, white face, very large pointy ears |
| Personality: | stealthy, determined, quiet, funny |
