Are you moving? Having a baby? Think you've developed allergies? Well surely the only option is to give up your pet. NO! That is not necessarily true!
There are a lot of places in your area that will accept your pet if you are moving and if you cannot afford to pay the pet fees up front most places will work with you and allow you to make payments. Your local shelter may have suggestions as to which apartments allow pets and which ones allow "bully breeds". There are some that will allow them and most that won't and some will allow them if you get a note from your vet saying s/he is a mix of something that is not a "bully breed". In my opinion that is not appropriate since those dogs are normally very sweet but you can read about supposedly dangerous breeds on another blog I wrote on this site.
If you are having a baby and already have a pet then you can work with a behaviorist. Cats especially can sense hormonal changes in your body even before you can so your cat or dog may act differently toward you before you even know you are pregnant. If that is the case and you have been trying to get pregnant then take a test to see because you may be expecting! This does not necessarily mean you have to give up your pet unless there is some aggression involved that cannot be resolved through working with a behaviorist such as the one listed below.
http://familypaws.com/
Finally, what I want to touch on is quite honestly the most abused reason for giving up an animal...allergies. The truth is if you think you might be allergic to cats then spend some time with several cats prior to adopting one so you will know for sure if you are allergic to the one you want to adopt prior to take him/her home. Getting allergy tested is also an option. Once you bring this animal into your home then the dander is there. Cat dander is stickier than dog dander is can stay in your home for at least 6 months even after the cat is gone so the fact that you give the cat away doesn't mean the allergen is necessarily gone unless you wash every surface to include furniture and curtains. People also think that they are allergic to the fur but that is also not the case. It is the protein in the animal's saliva to which they are allergic.
http://www.asthmacenter.com/index.php/News/details/pet_allergy/
There are so many things to help with allergies, moving and babies and it doesn't necessarily mean you have to part with your furry family member. Adopting or even purchasing a pet should be a lifetime commitment so giving them up to a shelter where they may be euthanized should not be an option unless aggressiveness is an issue and even then that should be medically checked prior to rehoming.
Of course, not everyone will agree with today's post and I do not expect that however I am hopeful that it will create some thought in case someone is thinking about giving up their pet. Lots of things happen when animals lose their homes to include not eating, depression, not drinking, behavioral changes that can be perceived as aggression, etc. Please see some advice before surrendering.
If you have any comments or questions please let us know and tell your family and friends about us. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Flipbook! Thanks for reading!
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Allergies...Does Your Pet Have Them?
Many people are allergic to animals but what about your pets having allergies? I'm sure some of you know what it is like to have a pet with allergies and what has to be done to figure out what they are allergic to but let's go through the process for those who may not know what's involved and are curious.
First, let me start out by saying if your pet has a tremendous amount of fur loss and appears to be suffering from severe itching, won't eat or is not eating normally, etc. please take him/her to the vet immediately.
Now, lets look at some of the signs and symptoms of allergies. Obviously itching is one of them. Itchy watering eyes and red patches/pustules on the skin or between the toes are two more. Here is what that could look like:
So how do you figure out what your pet is allergic to? Well the first thing to think about is whether or not you have just introduced a new treat, food, shampoo or chemical into your home. Having the carpets in your home cleaned can aggravate sensitive skin and your pet may be allergic to the chemicals used during that process. Also, if you have started using a new pet shampoo your pet may be allergic to one of the ingredients.
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-allergies.aspx
http://happytailsspa-blog.com/2009/11/18/what-is-my-dog-allergic-to/
Of course there is the obvious and that is food and treats. It is completely possible for your dog to be allergic to rawhide (if you give them), bully sticks or literally any treat or food on the market. Even if it says it's hypoallergenic there is always that possibility.
So you haven't introduced anything new? Well allergies can develop over time and are most common to appear between the ages of 1 and 4 years. So how do we figure it out? Well the first thing is to cut things down to the basics. Cut out all treats, chews, etc. down to their food and water. Do this for at least eight weeks. It will be hard but it is necessary to figure out what's going on. If the signs and symptoms go away then you know it's one of the treats or chews. If it doesn't go away, then you know it's an ingredient in the food.
Assuming it's not the food, begin introducing one thing at a time for eight weeks at a time. For example, introduce a training treat back into their diet for eight weeks and if the symptoms do not return then you can introduce another treat or chew they are used to until you find the culprit.
If it IS the food then it is time for a trip or call to the vet to see if s/he can do some testing to find out what ingredient your pet is allergic to and go from there. Food allergies, while common, can be difficult to diagnose without testing. Sometimes it takes a dermatologist to do further allergy testing.
http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/caring-for-a-dog-that-has-food-allergies
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=74
It is also possible that your pet is allergic to the same things you may be allergic to such as grass, mold, pollen, dust, etc. and will need allergy medication. While this is not as common it is completely possible and something you should rule out when talking with your vet.
Above all, if you are nervous about your pet's appetite or condition please call your vet because there is nothing more important than their health so you shouldn't risk it if they are not eating and/or drinking normally or not acting appropriate or something just "doesn't feel right" to you as their parent because you ultimately know them best.
Let us know your thoughts, comments or questions. We'd love to hear from you! Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and Flipbook! Your family and friends who have pets or are just curious about animals might want to follow us so be sure to tell them about us too. As always, thanks for reading!
First, let me start out by saying if your pet has a tremendous amount of fur loss and appears to be suffering from severe itching, won't eat or is not eating normally, etc. please take him/her to the vet immediately.
Now, lets look at some of the signs and symptoms of allergies. Obviously itching is one of them. Itchy watering eyes and red patches/pustules on the skin or between the toes are two more. Here is what that could look like:
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-allergies.aspx
http://happytailsspa-blog.com/2009/11/18/what-is-my-dog-allergic-to/
Of course there is the obvious and that is food and treats. It is completely possible for your dog to be allergic to rawhide (if you give them), bully sticks or literally any treat or food on the market. Even if it says it's hypoallergenic there is always that possibility.
So you haven't introduced anything new? Well allergies can develop over time and are most common to appear between the ages of 1 and 4 years. So how do we figure it out? Well the first thing is to cut things down to the basics. Cut out all treats, chews, etc. down to their food and water. Do this for at least eight weeks. It will be hard but it is necessary to figure out what's going on. If the signs and symptoms go away then you know it's one of the treats or chews. If it doesn't go away, then you know it's an ingredient in the food.
Assuming it's not the food, begin introducing one thing at a time for eight weeks at a time. For example, introduce a training treat back into their diet for eight weeks and if the symptoms do not return then you can introduce another treat or chew they are used to until you find the culprit.
If it IS the food then it is time for a trip or call to the vet to see if s/he can do some testing to find out what ingredient your pet is allergic to and go from there. Food allergies, while common, can be difficult to diagnose without testing. Sometimes it takes a dermatologist to do further allergy testing.
http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/caring-for-a-dog-that-has-food-allergies
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=74
It is also possible that your pet is allergic to the same things you may be allergic to such as grass, mold, pollen, dust, etc. and will need allergy medication. While this is not as common it is completely possible and something you should rule out when talking with your vet.
Above all, if you are nervous about your pet's appetite or condition please call your vet because there is nothing more important than their health so you shouldn't risk it if they are not eating and/or drinking normally or not acting appropriate or something just "doesn't feel right" to you as their parent because you ultimately know them best.
Let us know your thoughts, comments or questions. We'd love to hear from you! Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and Flipbook! Your family and friends who have pets or are just curious about animals might want to follow us so be sure to tell them about us too. As always, thanks for reading!
Friday, May 17, 2013
Dangerous Breeds Of Dogs...Do They Exist? Is It The Owner And Not The Breed?
There are a lot of people in this world who will swear that there are certain breeds of dogs that are more dangerous than others. Here in the United States if you have one of the breeds that is deemed dangerous then you will have a hard time renting an apartment or getting homeowners insurance as well. Why is this the case? Are they really that dangerous? I personally do not think so and here is my experience with both sides of the fence.
My grandmother had a toy poodle when I was growing up named "Cupid" and I literally could not pet that dog because he would growl and bear his teeth at us every single time we went over there. My grandmother was the only one who could ever touch that dog. We all hated him. Years later a German Shepherd mix (yes this is one of the breeds considered dangerous) wandered up in our yard and she was by far the sweetest dog in the whole world. She played with my brother and me and was the best family dog. I rescued a Rottweiler from the shelter and was able to take her to a nearby children's park where she let the kids lay on her, pull her ears, etc. without so much as a growl. A pitt bull was rescued from a shelter having mange, being scared, etc. and he has turned out to be extremely loving and will roll on his back for everyone he sees including toddlers so they can pet him.
http://www.animallawcoalition.com/breed-bans/article/552
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Articles/OtherBreedBites/AllDogsBite.htm#Allbreeds
http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/dog-fighting/breed-specific-legislation.aspx
http://stopbslintn.tripod.com/id14.html
http://stopbslintn.tripod.com/id15.html
That is only three examples of experiences I have personally had with dogs. Humans do not understand the breed when they get them sometimes and just say "I've always wanted a rottweiler" or whatever the specific breed is. What they do not understand is rotties, as they are nicknamed, are very hardheaded, stubborn, strong-willed and definitely not for first time dog owners. They MUST go through training and consistency is key with them. They are fantastic family dogs and great with kids. The same goes for pitties (aka pitt bulls which are actually 4 breeds incorporated into one name).
Research is key with dogs, or any pet for that matter, and if it has teeth it can bite. The question when meeting a new dog is not "will it bite" it's "is he/she friendly" or "may I pet your dog". Also, do not ever go up to a service dog without asking first because these dogs may be working and it is not appropriate to interrupt that working process for them without the owner's permission.
So if people say small dogs bite more than these bigger dogs why don't we ear about it more? Well, my opinion is because the big dogs can cause more damage than the small dogs and people are more afraid of big dogs. Ignorance is the cause of a lot of fear in society for a lot of issues not just this one. Just because a small dog doesn't cause a lot of damage when it bites you doesn't make it right for the incident not to be reported.
What is the definition of a bite? A true bite will not only break the skin but cause blood to be seen and there will be puncture wounds with bruising. The picture below is healing but you can see the injury.
This picture is not healed and shows you what a bite can look like soon after it happens.
I don't show you these for shock value but merely to give you an example of what a real bite looks like. Often times people think because their dog nipped them that was a bite. That is not the case. Dogs will do that to let us humans know they are not happy with what is going on and they want to be left alone. It is best we listen to their request.
It is always best to supervise children around dogs regardless of the temperament of the dog because like I said before, if it has teeth it can bite.
Lets stop talking about specific breeds and start educating ourselves on personality and what it takes to be responsible pet owners. Stop expecting animals to be humans. Take your dog to training classes. Supervise your dog while he/she is with your children and anyone, for that matter.
We welcome respectful comments and questions. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Flipbook and don't forget to tell your friends and family about us. As always, thanks for reading!
My grandmother had a toy poodle when I was growing up named "Cupid" and I literally could not pet that dog because he would growl and bear his teeth at us every single time we went over there. My grandmother was the only one who could ever touch that dog. We all hated him. Years later a German Shepherd mix (yes this is one of the breeds considered dangerous) wandered up in our yard and she was by far the sweetest dog in the whole world. She played with my brother and me and was the best family dog. I rescued a Rottweiler from the shelter and was able to take her to a nearby children's park where she let the kids lay on her, pull her ears, etc. without so much as a growl. A pitt bull was rescued from a shelter having mange, being scared, etc. and he has turned out to be extremely loving and will roll on his back for everyone he sees including toddlers so they can pet him.
http://www.animallawcoalition.com/breed-bans/article/552
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Articles/OtherBreedBites/AllDogsBite.htm#Allbreeds
http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/dog-fighting/breed-specific-legislation.aspx
http://stopbslintn.tripod.com/id14.html
http://stopbslintn.tripod.com/id15.html
That is only three examples of experiences I have personally had with dogs. Humans do not understand the breed when they get them sometimes and just say "I've always wanted a rottweiler" or whatever the specific breed is. What they do not understand is rotties, as they are nicknamed, are very hardheaded, stubborn, strong-willed and definitely not for first time dog owners. They MUST go through training and consistency is key with them. They are fantastic family dogs and great with kids. The same goes for pitties (aka pitt bulls which are actually 4 breeds incorporated into one name).
Research is key with dogs, or any pet for that matter, and if it has teeth it can bite. The question when meeting a new dog is not "will it bite" it's "is he/she friendly" or "may I pet your dog". Also, do not ever go up to a service dog without asking first because these dogs may be working and it is not appropriate to interrupt that working process for them without the owner's permission.
So if people say small dogs bite more than these bigger dogs why don't we ear about it more? Well, my opinion is because the big dogs can cause more damage than the small dogs and people are more afraid of big dogs. Ignorance is the cause of a lot of fear in society for a lot of issues not just this one. Just because a small dog doesn't cause a lot of damage when it bites you doesn't make it right for the incident not to be reported.
What is the definition of a bite? A true bite will not only break the skin but cause blood to be seen and there will be puncture wounds with bruising. The picture below is healing but you can see the injury.
This picture is not healed and shows you what a bite can look like soon after it happens.
It is always best to supervise children around dogs regardless of the temperament of the dog because like I said before, if it has teeth it can bite.
Lets stop talking about specific breeds and start educating ourselves on personality and what it takes to be responsible pet owners. Stop expecting animals to be humans. Take your dog to training classes. Supervise your dog while he/she is with your children and anyone, for that matter.
We welcome respectful comments and questions. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Flipbook and don't forget to tell your friends and family about us. As always, thanks for reading!
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Should My Pet Lose Weight? Is It Really That Dangerous?
Some of us struggle with weight loss more than others and our pets may as well; so what can we do to help? Well we should probably read our pet food label like we do our own and talking to the vet or a nutritionist is part of that process. This will give you a myriad of answers depending on the person you talk to but I am confident one thing will be the same...lower caloric intake and increase exercise. Seems to be the baseline for humans as well.
One thing that is acceptable by a wide variety of vets to do is lower your pet's food consumption and substitute green beans for the remaining amount they are used to getting. So if they are used to getting 3 cups of food at a time then give them 1.5 cups of pet food and 1.5 cups of green beans. The beans have no calories at all but will give them the substance they are used to having and will help fill them up.
Feeding high protein, high moisture is important but the type of protein is just as important. If you're feeding a higher fat protein then it's unlikely your pet will lose weight. Lower proteins like turkey would be better for weight loss.
Another trick, if it's within your schedule, is to feed them several small meals a day to keep them full, their insulin levels steady and they do not feel like they have to eat as if their next meal isn't coming for several hours. This will also help their metabolism as well which is a key to helping their weight loss as well.
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/03/03/weight-loss-for-fat-cats.aspx
http://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/evr_ct_obesity_in_cats_and_what_to_do_about_an_overweight_cat#.UZTlpaAYGCo
http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/digestive/c_multi_Obesity#.UZTmLKAYGCo
So what can cause obesity in animals other than the obvious? There are actually medical conditions such as thyroid disease, diabetes and believe it or not the spay/neuter of your pet can contribute to it as well. This is not to say you shouldn't get your pet spayed/neutered but merely something to take note of and keep an eye on your pet's weight.
If putting your pet on a diet doesn't work then you may want to take him/her to the vet and have some blood work done to make sure there is no medical reason for the weight gain.
This is a chart that happens to be dogs that will show you how to tell if your dog is overweight. It is the same for cats as well. I try to make sure my dog has a waist (an indent toward the back legs) and if that starts going away then I know I am feeding him too much and I need to back off of his food or we need to start exercising more.
I hope you will take this information to heart because obesity in animals is just as bad or worse for animals as it is for humans. Diabetes, heart disease, and joint pain, are just some of the issues that can be created by extra weight in animals.
Let us know if you have any comments or questions and by all means ask your vet about anything you have seen in this blog. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and now Flipbook! Your family and friends might be interested in knowing about us too so don't forget to tell them about us too. As always, thanks for reading!
One thing that is acceptable by a wide variety of vets to do is lower your pet's food consumption and substitute green beans for the remaining amount they are used to getting. So if they are used to getting 3 cups of food at a time then give them 1.5 cups of pet food and 1.5 cups of green beans. The beans have no calories at all but will give them the substance they are used to having and will help fill them up.
Feeding high protein, high moisture is important but the type of protein is just as important. If you're feeding a higher fat protein then it's unlikely your pet will lose weight. Lower proteins like turkey would be better for weight loss.
Another trick, if it's within your schedule, is to feed them several small meals a day to keep them full, their insulin levels steady and they do not feel like they have to eat as if their next meal isn't coming for several hours. This will also help their metabolism as well which is a key to helping their weight loss as well.
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/03/03/weight-loss-for-fat-cats.aspx
http://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/evr_ct_obesity_in_cats_and_what_to_do_about_an_overweight_cat#.UZTlpaAYGCo
http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/digestive/c_multi_Obesity#.UZTmLKAYGCo
So what can cause obesity in animals other than the obvious? There are actually medical conditions such as thyroid disease, diabetes and believe it or not the spay/neuter of your pet can contribute to it as well. This is not to say you shouldn't get your pet spayed/neutered but merely something to take note of and keep an eye on your pet's weight.
If putting your pet on a diet doesn't work then you may want to take him/her to the vet and have some blood work done to make sure there is no medical reason for the weight gain.
I hope you will take this information to heart because obesity in animals is just as bad or worse for animals as it is for humans. Diabetes, heart disease, and joint pain, are just some of the issues that can be created by extra weight in animals.
Let us know if you have any comments or questions and by all means ask your vet about anything you have seen in this blog. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and now Flipbook! Your family and friends might be interested in knowing about us too so don't forget to tell them about us too. As always, thanks for reading!
Monday, May 13, 2013
What Information Should You Trust When Looking Online? What Information Is Reliable?
Since we're all searching for answers on the internet nowadays I thought I would address what we should all be doing as pet parents when searching for answers. The 'world wide web' is a fascinating place and full of great information and resources for us to gleen insight and answers. However, should we really be trusting this information and treating our pets ourselves?
My answer to that is no because there is no substitute for medical professional insight. I am a person who will admittedly research things prior to calling people but I have experience in medical problems with both animals and humans. While I will never know everything (nobody ever does) I feel I have the ability to recognize a true emergency and will rush my animal or myself or other family member to an emergency room in a heartbeat if I feel it's necessary.
So how do we know what's helpful and what is random information someone made up? That is the harder part. I personally look for things that come from vets themselves who have experience, trainers, behaviorists, etc. I look for the length of time they have been in their specific business. I look at the actual experience they have in the field in which I'm researching.
I try to stay away from sites such as wikipedia because if universities do not allow it as a reliable resource then I won't trust it for information I'm looking for regarding the health of my furry and non-furry family members. Wikipedia is also a site others can add information to which may or may not be verified by someone in that field.
Our society is so '.com' oriented that researching information isn't all that uncommon. When we get into trouble when we start trusting all of the information we come across. If we are uncertain so to what to do after looking at information and our pet is eating and drinking and not acting in immediate danger then I personally just call the vet and tell them what is going on and let them tell me what to do. Often vets will tell you to bring your pet in because they can't make a diagnosis over the phone; however, giving the vet as much information as possible (yes, including things like feces and urine output, consistency, etc.) will help him/her tremendously. I do that with a vet our animal rescue organization uses frequently. I will send her an email sometimes including pictures to give her the best idea possible as to what is going on. Sometimes a phone call is necessary as well. If I do have to take the pet in then it will also save the vet time in asking unnecessary questions because he/she already knows some of the history.
I will never tell anyone not to go see their vet if it makes them feel better. Ultimately that is the person who, besides you, knows your pet best. If you just don't feel right about their condition or know that something "just isn't right" then you should always go with your gut feeling because that is usually right. I have learned that the hard way through my years working with rescue animals.
We all have our pets' best interest in mind and they are family members, but like our children we can't run them to the doctor every time they sneeze once and in my opinion you shouldn't. Some things are just normal. It's okay not to be paranoid but I would not disregard any gut feelings you have either.
Just use common sense when researching information and when all else fails and you still aren't sure what to do or where to go then call your vet. They would rather you call and it be an easy question or nothing at all than to not call and it be something serious.
As always, thank you for reading and if you have any questions, comments or concerns please let us know. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook! We also have a magazine on Flipbook you can subscribe to as well! Tell you family and friends about us.
My answer to that is no because there is no substitute for medical professional insight. I am a person who will admittedly research things prior to calling people but I have experience in medical problems with both animals and humans. While I will never know everything (nobody ever does) I feel I have the ability to recognize a true emergency and will rush my animal or myself or other family member to an emergency room in a heartbeat if I feel it's necessary.
 |
| My personal cat Joleigh |
So how do we know what's helpful and what is random information someone made up? That is the harder part. I personally look for things that come from vets themselves who have experience, trainers, behaviorists, etc. I look for the length of time they have been in their specific business. I look at the actual experience they have in the field in which I'm researching.
I try to stay away from sites such as wikipedia because if universities do not allow it as a reliable resource then I won't trust it for information I'm looking for regarding the health of my furry and non-furry family members. Wikipedia is also a site others can add information to which may or may not be verified by someone in that field.
Our society is so '.com' oriented that researching information isn't all that uncommon. When we get into trouble when we start trusting all of the information we come across. If we are uncertain so to what to do after looking at information and our pet is eating and drinking and not acting in immediate danger then I personally just call the vet and tell them what is going on and let them tell me what to do. Often vets will tell you to bring your pet in because they can't make a diagnosis over the phone; however, giving the vet as much information as possible (yes, including things like feces and urine output, consistency, etc.) will help him/her tremendously. I do that with a vet our animal rescue organization uses frequently. I will send her an email sometimes including pictures to give her the best idea possible as to what is going on. Sometimes a phone call is necessary as well. If I do have to take the pet in then it will also save the vet time in asking unnecessary questions because he/she already knows some of the history.
I will never tell anyone not to go see their vet if it makes them feel better. Ultimately that is the person who, besides you, knows your pet best. If you just don't feel right about their condition or know that something "just isn't right" then you should always go with your gut feeling because that is usually right. I have learned that the hard way through my years working with rescue animals.
 |
| My personal cat Blackberry |
We all have our pets' best interest in mind and they are family members, but like our children we can't run them to the doctor every time they sneeze once and in my opinion you shouldn't. Some things are just normal. It's okay not to be paranoid but I would not disregard any gut feelings you have either.
Just use common sense when researching information and when all else fails and you still aren't sure what to do or where to go then call your vet. They would rather you call and it be an easy question or nothing at all than to not call and it be something serious.
As always, thank you for reading and if you have any questions, comments or concerns please let us know. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook! We also have a magazine on Flipbook you can subscribe to as well! Tell you family and friends about us.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Should I Give My Pet People Food?
We've all done it when our pet gives us the sad eyes we will give up a little piece of meat or cheese because "they're just so cute" or "a little won't hurt them". Well that little bit turns into "why won't they stop begging" or "why won't they eat their own food now; I haven't changed anything". Should we as pet parents be giving our pets people food? Does it really hurt anything to give them that "treat"? I personally believe it does.
Physically it is okay once in a while to do this and give them some people food here and there, but in the long run all this behavior does is create a begging animal that thinks every time you have a plate of food part of it is for them. This should not be the case. If you have people at your home for dinner you do not want fido or fluffy (or even worse, both) staring at your guests for food. Not only is it awkward for your guests, you end up continually telling your pet(s) to go away which is not good either because you cannot enjoy your time with friends.
So what do you do? Well if you have a puppy you are already training then you should make this part of your training. Have one place you have the puppy lay down during meal times. Give him/her
something to chew on like a bully stick or an interactive toy. Being occupied is the goal in this case so you and your family can enjoy meal time together. If you already have a dog you have been giving food to then treat the dog like the puppy and train them to go lay down in one spot with their item to occupy them. Do not give up and do not give them the option to do anything else but stay in that one spot. You may even want to say something like "place" or "mat" so they will begin learning a command. Praise them when they stay there throughout the whole meal. That will help them learn that staying there the whole time is what you want them to do. Eventually you will be able to use your command word and things will be smooth. You can NOT give them people food ever again though. That will ruin what training you have done and you will have to start over again. If you want to give your dog a treat then get them their own treats and keep them separate from your food.
This is particularly important if you have infants and small children. If your dog is used to getting people food and your child has food then the dog may go after the food and accidentally hurt the child. None of us wants that so it's best just to keep human and pet food separate.
If you just can't give up on giving fido or fluffy their human food because you feel they just can't live without it then at least give them their own separate place to eat. This will save you in the long run once they learn they can't eat from the table or that you aren't going to give them food from your plate. You will be able to have dinner guests without worrying if your pet is going to beg them for food as if you don't feed them.
If you have any comments or questions please feel free to let us know. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and please tell your family and friends about us. As always, thanks for reading!
So what do you do? Well if you have a puppy you are already training then you should make this part of your training. Have one place you have the puppy lay down during meal times. Give him/her
This is particularly important if you have infants and small children. If your dog is used to getting people food and your child has food then the dog may go after the food and accidentally hurt the child. None of us wants that so it's best just to keep human and pet food separate.
If you just can't give up on giving fido or fluffy their human food because you feel they just can't live without it then at least give them their own separate place to eat. This will save you in the long run once they learn they can't eat from the table or that you aren't going to give them food from your plate. You will be able to have dinner guests without worrying if your pet is going to beg them for food as if you don't feed them.
If you have any comments or questions please feel free to let us know. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and please tell your family and friends about us. As always, thanks for reading!
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
How To Potty Train Your Puppy...
Whether you have a puppy or an adult dog that needs house training there is a lot of work and time that goes into that process. It is also important to remember if you have rescued an animal that they may or may not have had the best history with humans so positive reinforcement is especially important with these animals.
So how does the process work? Well there are several things to remember when doing this for your dog. Having a crate can work to your benefit because dogs don't like to "go" where they sleep. Get a crate that is just big enough for them to stand up and turn around in so they don't have enough room to go to the back and do their business. While this won't guarantee a puppy won't mess up their crate it should help tremendously. Adult dogs should be able to hold it all day, however. Timing is also key when house training. Puppies should be taken out frequently and especially after they have eaten or drank water. They should be taken to the same area and when they do go potty then they should be praised so they know that was a positive action. Watching adult dogs in the house while training is important because they tend to circle when looking for a spot. When you see this happen, take your pet outside for a potty break and when they potty then praise them for that action just as you would a puppy.
http://www.dogtrainingbasics.com/Potty%20Training%20Basics.htm
Teaching a word for going potty is also good as well. I personally use "outside" for my dogs. They go crazy when I say it whether they have to potty or not and will at least try to potty when they do get in the backyard. They know it's playtime and mom time when they get out there as well so all positive things for them. If it's morning and I know they haven't finished everything when they want to go inside I will say "no, go potty" and point to the same area every time. It does usually work the first time but sometimes takes a couple of times.
http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-articles/house-training-your-puppy
So what is going on with your dog if these things don't work? Well your dog may have a medical issue such as a urinary tract infection that will cause him/her to urinate inappropriately. Animals do things like this to tell us something is wrong. Either they are not happy, they don't feel good or are uneasy about something. Separation anxiety will also cause a myriad of problems and inappropriate elimination is one of them. If you have recently changed your pet's food then s/he may have some gastrointestinal upset that is not pleasant for you or your pet.
Please do not punish your pet for these actions because they do not like for these things to happen. They simply want to please you and by doing these things they are telling you something is wrong. They can't talk so this is the only way they know how to tell us when they don't feel good. Take your pet to the vet or talk to a behaviorist or both. There is always a reason for the action; that I can promise you. I have worked with animals too long not to know this statement is true.
If you have any comments or questions we do welcome them. Tell us any topic you'd like to see discussed and don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook! Tell your family and friends about us and as always thanks for reading.
http://www.dogtrainingbasics.com/Potty%20Training%20Basics.htm
Teaching a word for going potty is also good as well. I personally use "outside" for my dogs. They go crazy when I say it whether they have to potty or not and will at least try to potty when they do get in the backyard. They know it's playtime and mom time when they get out there as well so all positive things for them. If it's morning and I know they haven't finished everything when they want to go inside I will say "no, go potty" and point to the same area every time. It does usually work the first time but sometimes takes a couple of times.
http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-articles/house-training-your-puppy
So what is going on with your dog if these things don't work? Well your dog may have a medical issue such as a urinary tract infection that will cause him/her to urinate inappropriately. Animals do things like this to tell us something is wrong. Either they are not happy, they don't feel good or are uneasy about something. Separation anxiety will also cause a myriad of problems and inappropriate elimination is one of them. If you have recently changed your pet's food then s/he may have some gastrointestinal upset that is not pleasant for you or your pet.
Please do not punish your pet for these actions because they do not like for these things to happen. They simply want to please you and by doing these things they are telling you something is wrong. They can't talk so this is the only way they know how to tell us when they don't feel good. Take your pet to the vet or talk to a behaviorist or both. There is always a reason for the action; that I can promise you. I have worked with animals too long not to know this statement is true.
If you have any comments or questions we do welcome them. Tell us any topic you'd like to see discussed and don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook! Tell your family and friends about us and as always thanks for reading.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Time For A Poll!
So we've been doing this blog for almost two months now and we'd like to get your input! What topics do you want to see here? What do you want to see discussed on any blog? What do you research the most? What is most concerning to you?
Let us know what YOU want to talk about. After all, you are the reason we do this in the first place. You and your pet are important to us. We just want to get the information out there to everyone and educate people.
I've been in animal rescue for going on 7 years and I have seen and done a lot of things. People can be very, very cruel or they can be very, very giving. There has been one constant, though...the animals. They are the ones who are 99.9% of the time forgiving and the ones who aren't can't help it because of emotional damage that is irreparable.
A friend and I even stopped and picked up a rabbit that had been hit by a car when we were on the way to our vet to see if it could be saved. That is the kind of people animal rescuers are. They want to save the ones that others drive by and think "oh that poor animal".
But I digress. We can talk about anything you want to read about. If we don't know the answer then chances are someone we know will know. We know the experts.
Send us an email, tweet, message on Facebook or just leave us a note here! Doesn't matter how you get it here, just tell us about it!
We love to talk about our animals and I know you do too. We research everything our pets do and I know you do too so why not have one stop shopping. Why not let us do the research for you?
Whatever it is please let us know. Doesn't matter if it's medical, physical, mental, social, behavioral, etc. Give it your best!
We look forward to hearing from all you regardless of where you're from. Thanks for continuing to read and we appreciate each and every one of you.
Let us know what YOU want to talk about. After all, you are the reason we do this in the first place. You and your pet are important to us. We just want to get the information out there to everyone and educate people.
I've been in animal rescue for going on 7 years and I have seen and done a lot of things. People can be very, very cruel or they can be very, very giving. There has been one constant, though...the animals. They are the ones who are 99.9% of the time forgiving and the ones who aren't can't help it because of emotional damage that is irreparable.
A friend and I even stopped and picked up a rabbit that had been hit by a car when we were on the way to our vet to see if it could be saved. That is the kind of people animal rescuers are. They want to save the ones that others drive by and think "oh that poor animal".
But I digress. We can talk about anything you want to read about. If we don't know the answer then chances are someone we know will know. We know the experts.
Send us an email, tweet, message on Facebook or just leave us a note here! Doesn't matter how you get it here, just tell us about it!
We love to talk about our animals and I know you do too. We research everything our pets do and I know you do too so why not have one stop shopping. Why not let us do the research for you?
Whatever it is please let us know. Doesn't matter if it's medical, physical, mental, social, behavioral, etc. Give it your best!
We look forward to hearing from all you regardless of where you're from. Thanks for continuing to read and we appreciate each and every one of you.
Friday, May 3, 2013
How Dangerous Are Fleas and Ticks, Really?
As some of us get into warmer weather the threat of ticks and fleas comes to the forefront of our vets' minds. Here in my area of the US people have started getting outside more with their pets. I personally have found 2 ticks on me personally from one outing! So ultimately how diligent should we as pet parents be with the flea and tick prevention? Very diligent! There are so many diseases these little creatures can pass along and it is so easy to prevent. What are the diseases? Well here are a few: flea allergies, fur loss from the itching, if the fleas are in large numbers then anemia can occur which can be deadly, ticks carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, can cause Ehrlichiosis, and Lyme Disease. Tapeworms are also extremely common when there is a flea issue. Tapeworms occur when a flea is ingested by your pet (dog or cat). They are not contagious but definitely need to be treated and you will need to treat all of your pets and your home and potentially your yard for fleas.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=318
http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/ticks-and-fleas-on-cats
So how do you know if your pet has fleas? Well something called "flea dirt" is the best way to tell. What does "flea dirt" look like? Below is a picture of flea dirt in fur. It literally looks like dirt; however, it is not dirt. It is actually flea feces which is really gross to think about. In order to help keep this from happening we can put the monthly flea prevention on our pets to keep them safe from this type of thing. It can be dangerous and life threatening if it is not take care of in a timely fashion. I have personally seen cats whose gums and paw pads were white from anemia due to flea infestation. It is not a fun situation for them or you.
So what about ticks? Are there ticks that are more dangerous than others? All ticks should be repelled regardless as they can all spread a disease. So my answer is no, there is no tick more dangerous than another since we should treat all ticks the same. I've included some links below to common ticks to two areas and a link to the CDC regarding ticks in the US and abroad. Just because you live or travel outside of the US does not mean you do not have to worry about bringing ticks back with you.
http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/ticks
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/ticks.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/diseases/abroad.html
If you find a tick on you and it is crawling, then just get it off you. If it is attached to you then precautions should be taken and there are lots of ways to remove the tick whole which is what you want to do. Do not use anything other than what is listed here on the CDC website and the suggestions from either the Drs. Fosters and Smith or your vet. There are a number of things you don't want to have happen and having the tick deposit more of it's diseased saliva into you or your pet is one of them. Just try not to panic first if you see one.
http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=62
The most important thing to do for you and your pet is prevention. Flea, tick and heartworm prevention is key for your dog and flea and tick prevention for your cat. Use Deet products on yourself while you're outside. This way everyone will have a great time and the bugs can stay where they were meant to be...outside.
As always, feel free to leave your comments, questions and topics you'd like to see discussed here. We like hearing from you. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and be sure to tell your family and friends about us! Thanks for reading!
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=318
http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/ticks-and-fleas-on-cats
 | |
| A picture of flea dirt |
So what about ticks? Are there ticks that are more dangerous than others? All ticks should be repelled regardless as they can all spread a disease. So my answer is no, there is no tick more dangerous than another since we should treat all ticks the same. I've included some links below to common ticks to two areas and a link to the CDC regarding ticks in the US and abroad. Just because you live or travel outside of the US does not mean you do not have to worry about bringing ticks back with you.
http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/ticks
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/ticks.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/diseases/abroad.html
If you find a tick on you and it is crawling, then just get it off you. If it is attached to you then precautions should be taken and there are lots of ways to remove the tick whole which is what you want to do. Do not use anything other than what is listed here on the CDC website and the suggestions from either the Drs. Fosters and Smith or your vet. There are a number of things you don't want to have happen and having the tick deposit more of it's diseased saliva into you or your pet is one of them. Just try not to panic first if you see one.
http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=62
The most important thing to do for you and your pet is prevention. Flea, tick and heartworm prevention is key for your dog and flea and tick prevention for your cat. Use Deet products on yourself while you're outside. This way everyone will have a great time and the bugs can stay where they were meant to be...outside.
As always, feel free to leave your comments, questions and topics you'd like to see discussed here. We like hearing from you. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and be sure to tell your family and friends about us! Thanks for reading!
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Why Does My Pet Eat Grass?
We've all seen our dogs and cats chew on grass and I'm sure wondered "why do they do that, they're just going to vomit it back up". Well there are lots of potential reasons for this behavior and they range from "just because" to legitimate medical issues. All of the reasons, while fairly benign, need to be watched because if your pet exhibits signs and/or symptoms that are new then you may want to put a call into the vet to see if it is something that bears a visit. So what are the reasons?
Well, the first reason I found is literally because they can and it might just taste good. If they are just chewing on the blades once in a while and not vomiting then really there is no need to be concerned. Some animals just like the taste and want some extra fiber. As long as there are no chemicals or pesticides to worry about then let them graze.
http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/why-do-dogs-eat-grass
Another reason is their tummies are upset so they actually eat the grass to make themselves vomit so
they feel better. If your pet seems to be less than him/herself lately and this is a new behavior then you will want to consider a call to your vet to discuss the behavior and a potential visit. Sometimes once is enough for them but if this behavior continues several times over the course of a week then I would definitely consider a visit to make sure nothing is wrong. Better safe than sorry, in my opinion.
http://www.vetlive.com/2011/02/21/online-vet-answers-why-do-dogs-eat-grass/
Dogs, unlike cats, are not carnivores and actually need roughage so when your dog eats grass it is really completely normal. While cats are carnivores they still need the nutrition that comes from plants in their diet as well. This is why nutrition is so very important for your pet.
http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/nutritioninformation/f/FAQ_eatgrass.htm
http://pets.thenest.com/dog-eat-grass-vomit-4440.html
So what do we, as parents, do about this behavior? Well, I have admit the answer to that is as long as your pet is acting normally and eating and drinking properly then we do nothing because it is very normal behavior. Maybe grow some for your pet to chew on inside if you are concerned about chemicals and pesticides.
If their behavior changes, vomiting continues for 24 hours or more or they are not eating or drinking that is the time to seek medical advice.
Any change in your pet's behavior should indicate something is wrong even if it is slight. They will always give us clues and indications they do not feel good so make sure you know your pet and his/her behaviors so you will know when something is not right.
As always we welcome comments, questions and any topic you'd like to see discussed here. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and Google+! Tell your family and friends about us and thanks so very much for reading.
Well, the first reason I found is literally because they can and it might just taste good. If they are just chewing on the blades once in a while and not vomiting then really there is no need to be concerned. Some animals just like the taste and want some extra fiber. As long as there are no chemicals or pesticides to worry about then let them graze.
http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/why-do-dogs-eat-grass
Another reason is their tummies are upset so they actually eat the grass to make themselves vomit so
they feel better. If your pet seems to be less than him/herself lately and this is a new behavior then you will want to consider a call to your vet to discuss the behavior and a potential visit. Sometimes once is enough for them but if this behavior continues several times over the course of a week then I would definitely consider a visit to make sure nothing is wrong. Better safe than sorry, in my opinion.http://www.vetlive.com/2011/02/21/online-vet-answers-why-do-dogs-eat-grass/
Dogs, unlike cats, are not carnivores and actually need roughage so when your dog eats grass it is really completely normal. While cats are carnivores they still need the nutrition that comes from plants in their diet as well. This is why nutrition is so very important for your pet.
http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/nutritioninformation/f/FAQ_eatgrass.htm
http://pets.thenest.com/dog-eat-grass-vomit-4440.html
So what do we, as parents, do about this behavior? Well, I have admit the answer to that is as long as your pet is acting normally and eating and drinking properly then we do nothing because it is very normal behavior. Maybe grow some for your pet to chew on inside if you are concerned about chemicals and pesticides.
Any change in your pet's behavior should indicate something is wrong even if it is slight. They will always give us clues and indications they do not feel good so make sure you know your pet and his/her behaviors so you will know when something is not right.
As always we welcome comments, questions and any topic you'd like to see discussed here. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and Google+! Tell your family and friends about us and thanks so very much for reading.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Want To Give Back To The Community But Don't Know How? Here's An Idea!
I am working in conjunction with the great people at Calvin's Paws to hold a fund raiser. This fundraiser will benefit animals like Bob (pictured on the right) who came from a local military vet who found him with his tail injured. The vet tested him for FIV and Feline Leukemia and Bob came back positive for FIV. Most vets do not understand FIV and want to euthanize the cat but not this one. He did not want to do this and did the surgery on Bob to amputate his tail and called Calvin's Paws. They said they would take him into their program and profusely thanked him for saving Bob's life. Bob is now a happy healthy boy waiting for his forever home.
On the left we have Mary Russell. She was found at a church by a good Samaritan covered in so many fleas she was anemic. She was given a couple of baths to get rid of all the fleas, lots of good food with liver (to help with the anemia) and all of her medical treatment. Her fosters were really afraid she wasn't going to make it but kept the faith and worked very hard with her and as you can tell by the picture she is very spoiled. She doesn't have a voice, however, and whispers which her adoptive mom (which just happens to be the foster home also) loves very much.
Here on the right is Meerkat. He was found with his brother, Manor. When these precious boys first came to their foster home they sat up like little meerkats which is where they got their names. Manor left his foster home to find his forever home. However, Meerkat's foster mom could not let his special little boy go so she adopted him! He was very sick as a kitten often running a temperature of over 103 which is definitely high for a cat whose normal temperature is 102. She would often stay home from work with him because she couldn't bear to leave him home alone so sick when all he wanted was to be held because he didn't feel good.
Yes, he is definitely a spoiled little boy who is able to get into cabinets and retrieve his own treats now. He is definitely mischievous but just look at that cute little face..how can you resist.
Animal rescue is thankless, tireless and ultimately rewarding when these precious furkids find their forever homes. I have had the pleasure of working with some of the most giving people I have ever met who have the biggest hearts in the world. Their pockets are always empty, their homes are never clean (to most people's standards) but their hearts are always full of love with these animals.
Whether they are fostering cats, dogs or both there is never a dull moment and always something to do but when you see them in a great home with a great family who spoils them more than you could ever imagine it is worth it.
These people need our help! It takes money to do what they do and they work off not only donations but their own money sometimes and there is truly never enough. If you want to give back to the community now is your chance! By purchasing some items from amyedwards.scentsy.us (the Calvin's Paws fundraiser party) you are giving to the cause. There are tons of products to choose from and 80 scents to choose from. If you are interested or have any questions at all please contact me and I can give you direction. You will be getting a great product and helping a great cause at the same time. What better way to spend your money and a little time!
For any comments or questions please send me an email with "Calvin's Paws fundraiser" in the subject line and I will get back to you quickly. If you have a topic you'd like to see discussed here please let us know. Please tell your friends and family not only about the blog itself but about this great fundraiser! Thanks for reading!
Yes, he is definitely a spoiled little boy who is able to get into cabinets and retrieve his own treats now. He is definitely mischievous but just look at that cute little face..how can you resist.
Animal rescue is thankless, tireless and ultimately rewarding when these precious furkids find their forever homes. I have had the pleasure of working with some of the most giving people I have ever met who have the biggest hearts in the world. Their pockets are always empty, their homes are never clean (to most people's standards) but their hearts are always full of love with these animals.
Whether they are fostering cats, dogs or both there is never a dull moment and always something to do but when you see them in a great home with a great family who spoils them more than you could ever imagine it is worth it.
These people need our help! It takes money to do what they do and they work off not only donations but their own money sometimes and there is truly never enough. If you want to give back to the community now is your chance! By purchasing some items from amyedwards.scentsy.us (the Calvin's Paws fundraiser party) you are giving to the cause. There are tons of products to choose from and 80 scents to choose from. If you are interested or have any questions at all please contact me and I can give you direction. You will be getting a great product and helping a great cause at the same time. What better way to spend your money and a little time!
For any comments or questions please send me an email with "Calvin's Paws fundraiser" in the subject line and I will get back to you quickly. If you have a topic you'd like to see discussed here please let us know. Please tell your friends and family not only about the blog itself but about this great fundraiser! Thanks for reading!
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