The latest craze in pet grooming is the use of colored dyes to change the color of your cat’s or dog’s coat. In China, one owner of a white chow-chow dyed his fur to look just like a big panda bear. Another cat lover dyed her cat pink to match her bedroom colors. The use of dyes should be approached with caution. Animals, unlike humans, have hair/fur all over their bodies and not just their heads. Dye is absorbed into the skin of your pet. Like humans, if you are trying dye for the first time, it is best to test it on a small patch of fur first to check for allergic reactions. Cats, who like to groom their fur may injest the dye. Pet dyes have not been studied long-term to see how safe they really are.
If you decide to dye your pet, use non-toxic, made for pet dyes. Human dyes are much too harsh with the chemicals they contain. There are even recipes out there for homemade dyes. However, these can also be harmful. Talk to a groomer who specializes in pet dye services. The groomer can recommend pet-safe products.
There are also chalk-based paints for use on animals. They work best on short-to-medium coats and wash or fade out over time. Some people use stencils to emblazon the name of their favorite sports team on their pets. Now that’s a real “dye-hard” fan!
For many of us we love the natural beauty and appearance of our dogs and cats. But for those who are enamored with the idea of a color change, such as green for St. Patrick’s Day or Red, white and blue for the Fourth of July, keep these tips in mind. Have a colorful summer!
Now that summer is here, many of us flock to the beaches for fun in the sand and surf. We often would like to treat our dogs to the same enjoyment. However, not all dogs swim naturally and breeds like corgis and pugs do not swim at all. In order to find out if your dog will swim, find a gentle lake or calm day on the ocean. See if your dog will come in the water after you. Never force the issue.
In order to insure that your dog has a safe and enjoyable day, there are several things to keep in mind:
1. Dogs may like to drink salt water. It should be discouraged as it can lead to stomach upset. So keep plenty of fresh drinking water with you to provide for your dog frequently during your romp at the beach.
2. Believe it or not, dogs need sunscreen just like you do. Ask you pet supply store for one made for dogs. Apply to the nose and ears ahead of time. Repeat after swimming or strenuous exercise.
3. There are certain situations that can put your dog in danger such as high waves, currents and rip tides. it would behoove you to invest in a life jacket made for dogs. The best ones are those with 3 latch points and a handle on the back in case you need to get your dog out of a dangerous situation.
4. Watch out for underwater hazards like coral, sharp rocks and even jellyfish. Keep an eye out for cuts or scrapes after a swim. Beach hazards such as seashells can also hurt your dogs paws.
5. Loud noises from motor boats or jet skis can be scary to your pet. Find a dog-friendly beach where these power craft are not allowed if your dog is sensitive to loud noise.
6. Really cold water is not good for a dog with arthritis or joint problems. Shallow water and bays or inlets tend to be warmer and more comfortable.
7. Watch for signs of heat exhaustion. Symptoms may include excess panting, drooling, enlarged hanging tongue, pale gums and general lethargy. You and your pet should have a cool place out of the sun to rest after running on the sand or swimming in the surf. These activities can really tire your dog out. Portable beach cabanas are a good investment.
8. When you shower off, let your dog shower too. This gets the sand out from between his paw pads and the salt off his fur. Dry his ears thoroughly so moisture does not lead to ear problems.
9. You can find out which beaches at your destination allow dogs. One website is [Pet Friendly Travel.com]. It also includes pet-friendly campgrounds, off-leash dog parks and dog-friendly shopping malls.
Enjoy a fun-filled day at the beach with your dog with these suggestions in mind. And don’t forget the poop bags!
Summer is here and our pets are enjoying romps in the yard and long naps on the grass. It is a time for feeding and weeding the yard to obtain that lush green look. However, we need to be careful about what we put on our grass. Some lawn fertilizers are generally low in toxic additives. But some contain toxic ingredients like high concentrations of iron, herbicides, pesticides and fungicides. Cocoa mulch contains the compound theobromine which is enticing to pets but quite toxic. Certain types of organic products can be just as poisonous. These include blood meal, bone meal or fish meal. They are designed to increase nitrogen content in our lawns and gardens but can be very palatable to dogs and cats. Meal based fertilizers can create bowel obstructions or severe inflammation of the pancreas. Even small ingestions of these many products can result in stomach upset or even bladder cancer.
After a walk or romp in the grass, watch your pet for signs of poisoning. These include drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing or muddy colored gums. Remember that dogs and cats like to lick their fur and that can lead to ingestion of unwanted substances. Call your vet if you suspect poisoning.
Take care that your pet does his business in an area away from a recently fertilized lawn or garden. If you use fertilizers, be sure to put a sign on your lawn to let other neighbors know to keep their pets away from the area. After treating an area with fertilizers or pesticides, wait until the substance dries or, if recommended, water the lawn after fertilizing to allow the chemicals to wash into the grass.
The best rule of thumb is to look for pet-friendly fertilizers that keep your lawn and pets healthy!
A new baby is on the way and your pets will need to adjust. After all, they were the new babies first. It is a lot like preparing a sibling for a new family member. Pets, like children, may feel resentful that they are no longer the center of your attention. Work on this by gradually pulling back on the amount of time you spend with your pet before the new baby arrives. Have another family member become closer and more engaged with your pet, especially if he is very attached to you. Invite friends over with their babies so your pet can get used to the sights and sounds of a little one. You can even play recordings of baby’s crying and let them hear the sounds of the baby swing or crib toys.
Before you come home with the new baby, have a family member bring home a blanket with the baby’s scent for your pet to become accustomed to. Give your pet lots of exercise on the day the newborn will arrive so he is relaxed and tired out. When you arrive, have another family member take the baby so you can calmly give your pet a warm welcome. You can help your pet associate the baby with something positive by giving a treat for good behavior as you sit by him with the new baby. Always supervise the pet and baby interactions and never force them on your pet. Maintain your regular routines as much as possible and spend quality time with your pet each day.
Your calm demeanor and positive rewards will go a long way in helping your pet know this new family member is one more person to love!
(Photo courtesy of William Beil)
There are many dogs who crave attention, exercise and socialization with other dogs. If you are considering daycare for your dog, the following factors may help in your decision:
If you feel your dog is a good candidate for doggie daycare, There are several things to consider when looking for the right facility for your dog:
The benefits of daycare for an energetic and social dog are many. It provides needed recreation for the dog who might otherwise be left home alone while the owner is at work. With the right placement, you will be happy knowing your dog is with professionals who can give him the exercise and attention he desires.
I always wondered how my dog could walk on the hot road or pavement on a sizzling summer day and not run for the cool shade or grass. Our own feet are so sensitive that we would never go barefoot on the hot street.
Dog paws are much tougher and more complex than human feet. The paw pads are very tough, thick and well-insulated. They are made of fat, connective tissue and are the thickest skin found on the dog’s body. The thick pad layers keep your dog from feeling the heat of the pavement or freezing surfaces when it is icy or snowy. Dog’s pads also act as cushions for the paws when walking on rough surfaces.
However, even though a dog’s paws are built to take the heat, cold and rough terrain, they can still be hurt. This is especially true if your dog is not used to prolonged exposure to environmental extremes. The pads can blister and peel. It is important to look for cool paths to walk on during those extra sizzling hot days. In the winter, be sure to remove any snow or ice that may accumulate between the toes after a winter stroll. A little petroleum jelly on the pads will help if they are extremely dry or cracked.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we had paw pads on the bottoms of our feet? Then we could spend more on luxuries such as pedicures and less on those “Manolo Blahniks”!
One of the joys of owning a pet is the hair or fur that we find clinging to our clothes, couches, cars and carpets. Nearly every dog or cat sheds, though some shed less than others. Their skin is less than one-half the thickness of our own, so they are more prone to dermatological issues and greater hair loss. Dogs and cats shed to get rid of old, damaged or extra hair. This occurs year round and occurs in cycles. These are affected by the amount of light the pet is exposed to as well as the change of seasons, stress, hormones, health issues and lifestyle. They typically grow new coats in early spring and late summer followed by shedding in late spring and early fall. During the middle of the summer and winter, shedding is minimal. House pets natural cycle is affected by artificial conditions of their indoor environment. Interior lighting, air conditioning, and heating disrupt their natural cycle and can lead to year round shedding.
What is a dog or cat lover to do? The first line of defense is to keep your pet well-groomed. Regular brushing removes dead hair and decreases mat formation. There are also commercially available pet grooming tools that attach to your vacuum and are great for very hairy pets. Bathing is also helpful using a mild pet shampoo. Be sure to rinse your pet thoroughly. Most experts do not recommend bathing too often as it may dry out the pet’s skin. Cats tend to groom themselves and should only be bathed when extra dirty. Many pets are sensitive to pollens and other irritants in the environment. This requires bathing every few weeks to curtail itching, shedding and dandruff.
Many dog and cat foods contain fillers that can cause allergic reactions, including excess shedding. Your pet needs a proper diet using food with high quality ingredients. Read those labels and be sure the first ingredient on the food label is meat such as chicken, beef, or lamb. Hypo-allergenic foods can often be purchased at your vet’s office.
Shedding is inevitable and pet owners can do their best to keep it under control..but a lint roller goes a long way for keeping our darker clothes hair-free!
Small dogs have special needs. In terms of grooming, they need more nail trimming as their nails grow faster than large dogs. They also tend to need more frequent hair grooming, especially the longer haired ones, as they are closer to the ground.
Small dogs have faster metabolisms than larger dogs. They require more food relative to their body weight and they burn through calories faster. Their needs for food intake can be 2 to 4 times greater than large dogs. In addition, they can tend to dehydrate faster than large dogs because of their faster metabolism. Small dogs need food that is small in size so they can chew it properly. It is best to avoid food with more grain fillers as are often found in the cheaper brands of dog food. Also, grains are harder to digest especially in small dogs whose digestive tracts are still developing. This can lead to a build-up of sugar and cause health problems such as hypoglycemia, hyperactivity and diabetes. There may also be gastrointestinal problems like gas and diarrhea.
Where your keep your small dog is important as well. If you keep your dog outside, be sure the fence or enclosure does not have weak spots that your dog can wriggle through.Bird attacks are also a real possibility from larger birds of prey. You should have a large covered kennel with fresh water and a cool shady place where your dog can feel enclosed and comfortable.
Small dogs and large dogs are no different when it comes to temperament. What makes a dog’s temperament different is that humans tend to treat small dogs differently. They tend to be babied and overly protected. Both large and small dogs need to know who their alpha dog is. Just as you wouldn’t let a large dog jump on you, small dogs, no matter how cute, should not be allowed to either.
In spite of their small stature, small dogs are very loveable and will respond to your attention with great affection.
There are varying opinions on whether to declaw a cat or not. Many owners are fearful of the destructiveness of their cats clawing the furniture. It must be kept in mind that a declawed cat cannot go outside. It needs claws to defend itself.
Cats walk on their toes, unlike most mammals who walk on their paws or feet. Their bodies are designed to support and distribute weight across their toes as they move. The cat’s claws are used for balance, exercising and stretching muscles, which they do by digging their claws into a surface and pulling back in an isometric kind of movement. They also scratch to sharpen their claws. If you trim their claws, they will want to sharpen them all the more.
Cat’s claws are unlike human fingernails. In order to declaw a cat, you have to remove part of the terminal bone in a cat’s toe. It would be the equivalent of cutting off the fingers of a human at the last joint. Declawing, called onychectomy, involves 10 separate amputations. When the amputation is done, it also takes ligaments and tendons. It is very painful and recovery takes about 2-3 weeks before the cat can walk comfortably again. There are added risks of infections, bleeding to excess or nail regrowth that may be misaligned. Many cats have a loss of balance because they can no longer get a secure foothold.
What can be done, then, about destructive clawing? Cats should be trained while still kittens to use a scratching pad or post. There are also vinyl nail caps that are also known as soft claws. They can be put over the cat’s claws with adhesive, but this has to be applied properly. Plus, you have to trim the claws first, which is often very difficult to do. The caps last about one month. This works best for cats that have to be kept indoors for a short period, but it can be done long term as well.
All in all, it is up to the cat owner to decide. If it means having to get rid of the cat, then declawing may be the only answer. If you want your cat to live considerably longer, it is better to keep the declawed cat as an indoor cat than make it a defenseless, declawed outdoor cat.
Older dogs may be susceptible to Cushings disease. Cushings disease is caused by an overproduction of the hormone ACTH by the pituitary gland which in turn controls the release of cortisol by the adrenal glands. It is mainly a disease of dogs, not cats. The most common cause is a microscopic benign pituitary tumor which triggers the overproduction of ACTH. These tumors are often found in older dogs. Cushings can affect the function of many organs. In addition, the excess cortisol suppresses the immune system allowing for bacterial infections. The most common infection is in the bladder.
The symptoms include hair loss, primarily on the body, increased appetite and thirst, frequent urination and a pot-bellied look to the abdomen. The skin may be thinner than usual and may bruise more easily. Diagnosis involves hormone injection and monitoring of the dog’s blood and needs to be done over several hours at the veterinarian’s office.
Treatment is with medication to suppress production of glucosteroids. It is a complex plan that involves close monitoring by the veterinarian. The average life span, with treatment is two years or longer. When presented with symptoms of frequent urination and thirst, one might assume diabetes. It is best to consult your veterinarian and suggest he look for Cushings disease as well as other more typical metabolic disorders.
| Name: | Weezie |
| Nickname(s): | The Boss |
| Gender: | female |
| Characteristics: | One eye, white face, very large pointy ears |
| Personality: | stealthy, determined, quiet, funny |
