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.
I have watched my dog’s paws mimic running and heard her yipping when she appears to be soundly sleeping. My sister’s cat’s whiskers twitch, its tail whips and it swats at imaginary things in the air when it sleeps. Are they really dreaming?
Many scientists believe there is enough evidence that both cats and dogs and many other animals do dream. They have studied animal brains and found that they exhibit REM (rapid eye movement) type of sleep, where the brain is highly active but the person is unresponsive to the environment. During REM sleep, animals show the same kind of brain activity as humans. It is thought that the animal, like its human counterpart, relives experiences its had while awake.
Dogs spend an average of 10% of their sleeping time in REM sleep. Cats, who have been studied with EEG tests average about 30% in REM sleep. Puppies, kittens, and larger dogs can average even greater amounts. It is believed that REM sleep is a time when we sort and file our days events into our memory. So the next time you have an active day with your dog or cat, watch them sleeping afterward. You may just see that experience acted out in their dreams.
There are those who feel that dogs should be given a raw food diet. After all, dogs grew up in the wild before they became domesticated. They ate animal meat and plants and seemed to do fine with it. Those who promote the use of raw food say it has many benefits such as shinier coats, healthier skin, cleaner teeth, higher energy levels and better digestion. They feel that commercial dog foods contain additives that may be harmful to your dog or create allergies.
However, many veterinarians and even the FDA disagree with the raw food diet. They say there are inherent risks in giving raw meat to animals. There is the possibility of contaminants in raw meat, such as e-coli or salmonella. In addition, the potential for choking, breaking teeth or internal puncturing with the eating of bones is a big concern. It is felt that formulating a balanced diet is quite difficult and may lead to nutritional deficiencies if not done properly. Not all dogs are cut out for a raw diet. Puppies, who have yet to build up a strong immune system may not be able to handle the kinds of bacteria that may be present in raw meat. Immuno-compromised dogs should also not be given a raw diet.
There are many raw meat diet companies on the internet. However, it is best to consult your vet before embarking on a raw diet for your pet.
Dogs often know what we are going to do before we do it. They are very sensitive to our behavior and emotions. But what about them? We all wish we could tell what our dog is thinking. We know that he seems happy when he wags his tail and licks us. What we need to do is understand more about our dog’s thinking by observing his body language. Here are some indicators of what your dogs body actions may mean:
Whole body movements
pawing – appeasing gesture
play bowing – invitation to play and sign of happiness
freezing in place – frightened
licking another dog’s face – invitation to play or a sign of deference
Mouth and lips
panting – playful, excited, or hot
mouth and lips closed – uncertain or appeasing
licking lips – worried or appeasing
pulled back lips – challenge or warning sign
Hackles
raised – arousal, frightened, challenging another dog
smooth – calm
Tail
relaxed tail – calm, at ease
tail straight out and wagging slowly – cautious, on guard
tail down – worry, uncertainty
tail up and wagging fast – excitement
erect tail – alertness
tail between legs – fear
Ears
relaxed – calm
erect – alert and attentive
up and forward – challenging or assertive
laid back – worried, scared
Eyes
direct contact – bold, confident
averted – deference
dilated pupils – fear
casual – contented
Each dog is an individual and may use many body postures that have earned them rewards from you. My dog will bow when she wants a treat, which I guess is a sign of happiness too! Enjoy your special friend and watch that body language!
These days, many of us like to travel with our pets. Travel in the car is common, but what about on a plane? If your dog weighs more than 15 pounds, it must fly in the cargo area. If this is the case, the following tips will help to make it a safe and enjoyable flight for both of you.
What is it about catnip that energizes your cat? Catnip is a perennial herb of the mint family that comes from the napata plant. It can be purchased in pet stores or grown in your garden. The active ingredient is nepetalactone, a minty smelling oil that is released when the leaves are torn into small shreds. The fresh catnip retains the most oils. You will only need a small sprig of a leaf to get the full effect. If you use the dried variety, sprinkle a dose the size of a quarter in the palm of your hand. It is also available in cat toys.
Catnip’s effect lasts for about 30 minutes. The majority of cats get aroused by the scent of catnip. About one third do not. The nepatalactone has a scent similar to the sex pheromones of a cat. Even spayed or neutered cats can react to the scent. The effect of exposure to the catnip will be that your cat has more energy than usual and will act a little crazy. It should be used as a treat about twice a week. More than that can cause a cat to become tolerant or even immune to the catnip.
Even humans have found uses for catnip! It can be brewed in tea to help digestion, heartburn, as a sleeping aid and to lessen the pain of menstruation. However it should not be used by pregnant women for whom it can be harmful. Another great characteristic of catnip is that it is a strong insect repellent. You simply rub it on your skin to keep mosquitoes and other bugs away. Just be careful that you don’t become a “cat-magnet”!
Here is a blog that Jorge Bendersky,Dog Groomer, wrote about the wonderful and healthy benefits of dog ownership! I thought I would share it with you. Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone!
“This year, as Valentine’s Day nears, I have been thinking a lot about relationships, well, the relationship between a dog and his person that is. (What can I say, I’m not a romantic and my life has literally gone to the dogs!) My own Pomeranian, Tito, for example, is not just my dog, he lets me watch trashy tv, and wakes up to get coffee with me in the morning. Tito listens when I just feel like talking – we all know texting can be exhausting! – and he is always happy to see me after a long day of work.
It’s not just me though. In my line of work, grooming the dogs of New York’s elite, I see that whether you live uptown or downtown, everybody gets stressed. But when a little pup comes in the room, even a fashion diva or a big shot lawyer can’t help but smile. What if you don’t have a career in high fashion and carry your dog around in Gucci? Well, my experience says the positive effects of a dog are universal.
This is not just my opinion. Many studies, by doctors and psychologists, prove that owning a dog can actually help make you a happier and healthier person. Petting your dog calms you down and reduces your anxiety, which helps lower blood pressure and reduces heart related diseases. Having a dog to come home to, play with, and take walks with can help fight off depression or loneliness and will lead to a more active lifestyle. Being out with your dog could even help you get a date!
When it comes down to it, having Tito around might actually be making me a better person. Don’t tell Tito though, we don’t need his ego getting any bigger!” By Jorge Bendersky Visit his website at http://www.planetjorge.com/
When the temperature dips below freezing, there are several important facts to consider with your dogs and cats.
An outdoor or stray cat might seek warmth under a car’s hood. It is best to bang on the hood or beep the horn before starting your car. Both cats and dogs who are allowed to roam may become disoriented in a snow storm or blizzard. It is best to keep them inside under these conditions.
Just as in summer weather, do not leave cats or dogs in the car when it is really cold outside. Cars will trap the cold air making for fatal conditions for your pet. Leave them home rather than parked in a car while you do your errands.
If you walk your dog in the snow or sleet, wipe off their feet, legs and stomach when you return. Salt on the sidewalks and roads can cut into their pads and cause bleeding. Also, if your dog is allowed to lick the salt, it can be very dangerous. We all know about dogs and cats and antifreeze. If you use antifreeze in your car, be sure to completely wipe up any spills. Additionally, it is best to use products containing propylene glycol versus ethylene glycol.
A puppy’s fur is not as thick as an adult dog’s fur. Also, their feet are not as calloused. Older dogs may also be less tolerant of the cold due to weakened immune systems and arthritis. Only take puppies and older dogs out to go to the bathroom in freezing weather.
Let your dog grow his winter coat. When grooming, just trim the hair. Do not shave close to the skin. If you have a short haired dog, it is a good idea to invest in a sweater.
When walking your dog, be sure to avoid large patches of ice. Dogs can break a leg or rip a tendon or ligament if they go sprawling. These types of injuries take a long time to heal. So avoid the ice!
Cats or dogs left outside for extended periods of time can get hypothermia. This is a condition where the body temperature dips below normal. Signs of hypothermia include shivering and lethargy. Consult your vet if you think your pet is suffering from hypothermia. Frostbite can also occur in your dogs or cats. Do not rub the frozen tissue because this can cause additional tissue damage. Seek help from your veterinarian.
When it is cold outside, baby, keep ’em inside!!
In a perfect world, cats would not shed their fur and leave little furbunnies all over the house. The hairless cat such as the Sphinx does not have fur to shed. However, the great appeal of cats is that they are soft and furry. The Russian Blue and the Burmese cats shed a minimal amount. All black cats and the black tabby cat do not shed as much as other cats. If the furbunnies bother you, don’t get a white cat. My veterinarian friend says they shed a great deal more than other cats. White cats have dense undercoats which contribute to the excess shedding. The bottom line is, brush your cat every day, if he’ll let you. They are not fond of having someone else tend to their fur. I suggest you wear those heavy duty canvas gloves!
| Name: | Weezie |
| Nickname(s): | The Boss |
| Gender: | female |
| Characteristics: | One eye, white face, very large pointy ears |
| Personality: | stealthy, determined, quiet, funny |
