Do You Know Someone Who Is A "Pet Hypochondriac"?

Some of you may have heard of Munchausen by Proxy in which the mother of a child will abuse the child and then take the child to the doctor for treatment.  It is a very rare disease and is very misunderstood.  The cause is yet to be determined so treatment is difficult.  Why do I mention this human psychological disorder in an animal blog?  Well, I mention it because it can also happen to varying degrees with pets as well. I know it seems strange but I have recently come across a similar situation with a pet owner.  While I do not believe she is physically abusing this animal, she is running to the vet every time the cat sneezes or looks at her strangely.  She has made up illnesses and somehow convinced her vet that something is wrong with the animal. 


http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001555.htm

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/factitious_disorders/hic_munchausen_syndrome_by_proxy.aspx

http://www.psychforums.com/munchausen-by-proxy/topic19799.html

http://www.natural-wonder-pets.com/munchausen-by-proxy-with-pets.html

Fortunately I am able to be involved with this animal's care currently and have gotten a second opinion and this lead to quite a different outcome much to her surprise and dismay.  This begs the question, does she really want the cat to be sick?  There is no real answer to that I do not believe.

I personally believe some people want others to look at them and see all they are doing for this

This mom poisoned her baby and then sought treatment

helpless animal and tell them what great people they are and I know people who do that with various things in their lives.  So what do you do if you know someone like this?

The first thing to do is not feed into their proven (by a vet) conceived notions that their pet is sick.  If their vet and possibly one or two others have told them there is nothing wrong then they should take that and move on, but this disease does not allow for that.  These people are convinced something is wrong and may potentially blame others for it as well.

Whether someone suffers from Munchausen by Proxy with a child or a pet it is a serious illness that can and will forever damage the victim.  If you do know someone, whether they are affecting a child or pet, please let someone know such as local law enforcement or a mental health professional.  If you are in a position to do so, seek help for them immediately to prevent further damage and injury to the victim.

As always we welcome any comments and questions.  Please send us your topics you'd like to see discussed as well.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to make sure you get the latest information we have posted and tell your family and friends about us.  Thanks for reading!

Do Animals Actually Grieve Or Do They Just Need Another Playmate?

Often times we as pet parents feel that our current pets are lonely and need a playmate.  This happens a lot after the passing of one pet that another pet played with or spent a lot of time with so we may feel the need to get another one for the comfort of the remaining animal.  This is not necessarily something that needs to be done.  At least not right away.

Animals do grieve more than we think and they do feel the loss of a friend.  We need to give the animal time to grieve and let them tell us what they need.  For instance, if you have two pets (be them two cats, dogs or one of each) and they play together, sleep together, etc. then they are clearly bonded.  If one of them passes away then the other one may not play as much or at all or do any of the things he/she normally did when the other one was with you.

What should you do?  Keep the schedule as normal as possible and show as much love and comfort as possible.  If you are crying because of your loss then your pet may know your sadness and try to comfort you as well.  Let them comfort you because it may help them as well.

For a lot of people this whole "animal grieving" thing may sound strange but it is very real.  When I lost my rottweiler, Breda, she had been best friends with my Dane, Lucien.  They were so bonded they shared a crate (yes it is very big).  The day I had her pts was the worst day of my life.  I had no idea how it would affect Lucien and quite frankly was so absorbed in my own grief didn't really think about how this loss would affect him.  He began breaking out of his crate to go look for her.  He wouldn't go in his crate at meal time at night.  The sedatives I tried for him only made him more hyper.  I thought the scent of her on their bedding would comfort him but it only seemed to make things worse because he knew she was missing and tried to find her every day.  He was so very sad and was losing his mind.  I had to take the bedding out, get a new tray for the bottom and buy all new bedding for him so he didn't have any scent of her at all.  He eventually calmed down and he is now a very happy boy again but it took almost a year.

My friends who have Newfoundlands are dealing with their oldest, Thor, being diagnosed with

This is Thor.

Wobbler's Disease.  This is not curable but they are doing what they can to make him comfortable until it is time.  This disease involves the spine in the neck (cervical spine) and is a compression of that part of the spine.  Over time he will be paralyzed and will have to be put to sleep.  It may be days or months or years.  This is a disease which most often affects larger breed dogs but can affect small breeds although it is rare.

http://vet.osu.edu/wobbler-syndrome

Their Newfoundland puppy, Megan, is bonded to him and this breed is more sensitive than most large breed dogs.  My friends told me they have heard of Newfoundlands almost grieving themselves to death after the loss of a sibling.  It will definitely take Megan some time to grieve the loss of Thor no matter when it happens.  Of course anyone who has met these dogs will be grieving to some degree because they are wonderful, loving animals and cannot get enough attention.

There is no set time for your pet's grieving process and there is no right or wrong answer as to whether or not to get another pet.  You, as the parent, just have to gauge your pet's needs and maybe consider temporary fostering to see how things go.  You don't need to make a commitment if you are not sure if your pet will accept a new family member. That never goes well, in my experience.

As always, we welcome your feedback through comments and questions.  Send us topics you'd like us to discuss and share with people as well.  Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and tell your family and friends about us.  Thanks for reading!

The Weekend! What Are You Going To Do?

Well it's the day most of us wait for...Friday!  So what do we do?  Wash the car?  Mow the lawn?  Why not take the dog out to the park or better yet walk down the trails in your area?  Take him/her to the local pet store if the weather is bad for some extra socialization.  My dog, Lucien, absolutely loves the pet stores because he gets tons of attention and gets to see other dogs which just makes his day.  I don't have to buy him anything at all.

What are some other ideas?  Why not work on some of your training with fido? If your dog is already properly trained then there's no reason you can't either teach a new trick or go over some old ones.  Working on recall is always a good one because if your dog runs toward something (a rabbit, for instance) then you want really good recall with your dog so you can get curious fido back.

If your dog loves to swim then there is always the local lake to take a swim in and maybe throw a ball or stick in the water if he/she likes to retrieve.  It's great exercise and also a really good way to show off how well trained your dog is because we all know what proud parents we can be when they actually do what we taught them to do.

This was too cute not to post.  Newfies are great water dogs and awesome swimmers.

Swimming is also very low impact so it's great on their joints but such a wonderful workout for them as well by strengthening muscles just like in humans.  It does the very same thing without the added stress of impact like running or even walking gives.

If your dog does love to walk or run then by all means take them out! We all need exercise so what better way than to take the dog.  It not only gets him/her out in the fresh air but also occupies their mind and you can also work on some things like sitting at intersections and sitting when a car passes which is always good and extremely safe.

Let us know what you like to do with your dog when you take him/her out.  Post some pictures too!

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 of course tell your family and friends about us.  Thanks for reading!

What Is Neglect? What Does A Neglected Animal Look Like? (pictures only available through link)

This is a very hard subject to discuss for some people for a variety of reasons.  Either they see the neglect every day, they care about animals so much they don't want to see it or they just didn't think it existed and don't want to admit that it does exist.  Whatever the reason, know that animal abuse and neglect does exist and it is in every neighborhood, in ever social circle, and in every race and ethnic background.

The definition of neglect is this:  animal neglect or abandonment is a common type of animal cruelty where people do not provide adequate care for animals in their charge. The neglected animal may be their own pet, a farm animal, or wildlife. A neglected animal is not provided with proper food, water, veterinary care, shelter and socialization. http://definitions.uslegal.com/a/animal-neglect/

This being said, note that the neglect is not limited to the lack of proper food and water; the definition also includes proper vet care, shelter and socialization.  In my state, the legal requirement for vaccines for any animal is rabies.  Distemper, bordetella, FIV/FeLV, deworming, etc. will be recommended by vets and most people in this area consider most of those things proper vet care to include heartworm prevention for dogs.

Socialization is also key because without proper human contact then the animals can become aggressive and a danger to humans.  If they get loose then they definitely will pose a threat and will be euthanized if they end up in a shelter because they are not able to be adopted.

Proper shelter is also important.  Some people feel putting up a dog house and chaining a dog to a pole is proper shelter.  "It's only a dog", but these animals end up having sores on their joints from having to lay on the ground, do not know love from a family, etc.  Having an outside dog with a pen and a large house they can get in out of the elements is one thing but chaining your dog to a pole and having a little house they might be able to fit into is something completely different.

Having outside cats is the same thing.  Although they are more resourceful, cats need shelter from the elements as well if they are outside cats.  Ideally they would be able to come inside and be indoor cats because they will ultimately live longer lives, but if that's not what you choose to do then give them a cool place in the summer and a warm place in the winter they can go.

http://www.spca.bc.ca/cruelty/what-is-animal-cruelty.html

According to the law, the following are the responsibilities of the pet owner:

Each owner shall provide for each of his animals:
(a) sufficient quantity of good quality, wholesome food and water;
(b) adequate shelter and protection from the weather;
(c) veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering; and
(d) humane care and treatment.

If you see these things not being done for an animal I would hope that the local authorities would be called so something could be done to help the animal and punish the offender.  Please help by keeping an eye out for the helpless and voiceless.  We are their voice.

As always, we welcome any comments, questions and topics you'd like to see discussed here.  Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and tell your family and friends about us.  Thanks for reading!

Dogs And Children...They Can Get Along.

You have a dog and you also have small children but are concerned that one day your dog will turn on the kids because they are so loud and rambunctious.  Do you give the animal up because of your concerns?  Has this already happened and you think the only thing to do is surrender the dog?  Here's some ideas that might help you reconsider this decision.

**What I'm about to say is completely animal dependent and will depend on the personality of the animal.**

What was going on when the incident happened?  If the dog was eating or had just got done eating then the dog is still thinking along the lines of food so anything that gets in the way of that might be considered a threat.  Keep small children, or any child, away from your dog until the dog is COMPLETELY done eating and licking the area around where the food was placed.  If you have an infant then do not let the dog around the child during feeding time as the dog might lick the child and may eventually see the child as a food source.

If the kid(s) are playing rather loudly and making quick movements around a dog that is resting then the dog may be startled and nip the kid(s) to let them know that's not appropriate.  That is what they do to their own children.  This is not aggressive behavior at all but merely behavior modification.  Just tell your children to play elsewhere the dog is tired and wants to nap.

So you're pregnant and the dog is great with you, maybe a little more protective, and you aren't sure how s/he will do once the baby arrives.  There are so many ways to get your dog used to the idea of the new baby such as having him/her around children prior to the birth, letting him/her sniff baby clothes, mention the baby's name a lot, etc.  Making it the most positive experience for the dog and for you is key.

This link is to a wonderful behaviorist who can answer any questions you may have as to appropriate introductions or any issues you may be having.  She has dealt a lot with rescue animals and has a rescue pittie (pit bull) herself (you have to ask her about Windsor if you contact her).  Her name is Jennifer Shryock and the business name is Family Paws.

http://familypaws.com/

It is also extremely important to remember that no matter how much training your dog has had or how good the dog is with children you must NEVER leave them alone together.  Anything can happen by accident and you MUST teach your children how to interact with any animal appropriately.  You, as the parents, are the key to that success.

There are trainers you can contact as well if you want to work on some things with your dog or have questions or need to start your puppy in some basic classes.  One trainer I am personally a fan of (I used them when I had my rottweiler and they worked wonders with her and me) is:

http://www.nck9solutions.com/

They are extremely professional and very easy to work with.  Donnie was my trainer and if you don't have a thick skin and can handle some direct constructive criticism then they have other very qualified trainers as well.

Above all, make sure everyone is safe and remember your dog is just that...a dog and not a human.  Responsible parenting doesn't stop with the non-furry children.  It extends to the furry ones as well.  Click on the above links or check out my other post about introducing pets to children to get some more ideas on this topic.

As always, we welcome questions, comments and topics you'd like to see discussed here.  Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and be sure your family and friends know about us as well.  Thanks for reading!

Kitten Season Is Here In Full Force...So What Does That Mean For Us?

So people are telling you that it's "kitten season".  What is that exactly?  Well about twice a year rescues and shelters are inundated with kittens and pregnant cats because unaltered cats are mating and having babies.  Seems pretty benign doesn't it, but if you think that just two cats (one male and one female) can have over 100,000 cats in a 7 year period then it might not seem so benign.  Then think that those 100,000 cats are having over 100,000 kittens who are in turn having over 100,000 kittens in 7 year periods of time.  That's a lot of cats that need homes, are going to shelters or rescues, are left outside to fend for themselves and potentially being abused or killed, or being euthanized in shelters to make room for the other animals being dropped off because the people don't know what else to do with them.

So what can we as humans do?  Well the best thing to do is alter your cats (spay/neuter).  This does a couple of things for the cat.  It not only prevents more babies that nobody has room for but it also exponentially lowers the possibility of cancer.  I know it sounds strange but it is true.  I have heard a number of vets tell me this very thing.  Here's a link from the ASPCA verifying this information:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/spay-neuter.aspx

Another things we humans can do is adopt from the shelters and rescue organizations rather than buy from breeders.  I'm not saying not to buy from breeders at all; however, there are a lot of unsavory breeders out there so if you do get your pet from a breeder please do your homework and don't just go for the cheapest price because there is a reason for the low price more than likely.  Even when adopting you should do your homework prior to taking your pet home so it really is no different.

If there are stray cats in your area then there are organizations who will manage the "colony" or will work with you if you are willing to feed the cats in order to spay/neuter the animals to keep the population manageable and show you how to make shelters, etc.  It's not as hard as you might think.  Here is a link to a great resource:

http://www.neighborhoodcats.org/HOW_TO_MANAGING_A_FERAL_CAT_COLONY

This is one type of feeding station for a feral cat colony.

We will probably never stop the cycle but that is what rescue people work towards.  What we humans can do to help is to spay and neuter the ones that are there and not only will it help slow the cycle but it will help the animals' health as well which is always a good thing. 

For those of you who haven't spayed or neutered your personal cats, talk to your vet about the consequences about that medically.  There are more pros than cons for having the surgery done and there are lots of low cost options around as well.  I'm sure your vet or local shelter can help you find one that is available to you.

Kittens are cute but they grow up and become adults.  Lets start looking at and talking about responsible pet ownership.  Educate the people around you because the people who read this blog and other blogs are already responsible pet owners.

As always, we welcome questions, comments and any topic you'd like to see discussed here.  Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and tell your family and friends about us!  Thanks so much for reading.

Thought for the weekend...

It has been a gorgeous weekend so far here in Raleigh, NC, USA.  I would love to hear about the adventures you've had with your animals so far!

The parks are filling up with people playing frisbee and other games with their dogs. If you have been able to get out with your dogs or cats tell us about it and if you have pictures we would love to see them.

Thanks so much for reading our blog and I look forward to hearing your stories!

Dry, Flaky Skin On Your Dog? Here Are Some Tips.

Every year I know someone who has dry skin during the summer or winter or both.  Humans can use lotions to help with this.  What if your dog has dry skin?  What do you do then?  Well there are some very easy and inexpensive ways to treat this condition.  First of all, you should make sure there isn't a medical reason for the flaking before treating things on your own so check with your vet to make sure your pet is okay if this is a new condition.  If fido is medically healthy and there is enough water being given, then here are some things that are sure to help.

First of all, what are you even looking for when people say "dry skin"?  What does it look like?  Well it looks just like human dandruff.  It will be little white dots/flakes on your dogs fur when you scratch him while petting.  I will scratch back and forth on my dog to see how dry his skin is periodically.  You will immediately be able to tell.  However, if your dog is white or light in color you can always scratch like I talked about and then pull apart the fur down to the skin to see if there are any flakes.

This is what you're looking for.

Safflower oil on your dog's kibble will help not only the skin but the fur as well.  A little goes a long way with this so no need to drench the food.  Just coat it so it's shiny.  Sunflower oil works the same way.  You could even go so far as to use a little vegetable oil but I'd personally only use that in a pinch.  I know the other two are more expensive than veggie oil but you aren't using but a small amount so it really does last a while.

http://dogfoodcoach.com/2012/11/14/is-safflower-oil-good-for-dogs/

Of course bathing your dog is good to do as well so using an oatmeal shampoo or even an over the counter human shampoo like Pantene is fine.  I have personally seen Pantene do wonders for a dog's skin and fur.  Medicated human shampoos and ones with insecticides are bad for dogs so please do not use them.  We want to treat the condition, not make it worse. 

Fish oil supplements are also good for your dog.  You can poke a hole in the end of the capsule and put the contents on the food or simply put it in some peanut butter (or other high value treat) and give the whole thing to them.  I personally suggest the treat simply because it's easier.

http://www.vetinfo.com/canine-dry-skin.html

There is also a product called Allerderm.  This product is administered like flea treatment (on their skin) and you should wait 24 hours before and/or after a bath before giving it but this will work by going through their skin instead of the intestinal tract.  My vet personally recommended it at my dog's last visit and said I should get it on Amazon because it is the cheapest place to get it (less than $30 for 6 pipettes).  I am going to be ordering this tomorrow for my dog, Lucien.

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&keywords=allerderm&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aallerderm

One final tip for this topic is food.  Of course the food you feed your furry loved one is important.  There are so many brands out there that it can be extremely confusing.  Once again, my vet recommends Purina products and I feed Lucien Purina One which she was happy with.  I feed dry only but she did recommend to make sure he gets extra water.  Most vets will sell Science Diet or other type of prescription food in their office or recommend some type of grain free food for some sort of allergy.  Every animal I have had on Science Diet has gotten fat (even giving the recommended feeding amounts, then cutting back) and the grain free doesn't seem to help any of the animals with allergies any more than the high protein wet food would.  My vet agreed with this and said grain free was simply a fad she felt would go away.  Maybe, maybe not but the companies make a lot of money off of the products.  My animals do not like the high end food like Blue Buffalo and Lucien's digestive system cannot handle that type of food.

So, all of that said what does it mean?  If your dog has dry skin just make sure he/she doesn't have a medical condition and then just try these tips I've given you.  I will personally buy the product from you if it doesn't work.  I'm that confident that one of them will work for your pet.  Always consult your vet before giving your pet anything new.

As always, we welcome any comments, questions and topics you'd like to see discussed here.  Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook (click the links on the right) and tell your family and friends about us!  Thanks for reading!

What Happens When I Get An Animal From A Shelter?

When people adopt an animal from a shelter most of the time your adoption fee will cover some initial vaccines and a spay/neuter surgery depending on the shelter you adopt from, but sometimes that is not the case.  Always make sure you know what is covered by your adoption fee before leaving with your new pet.  Nevertheless, as a new pet parent an initial vet visit should be one of the first things you do to establish a baseline evaluation and so your vet can meet your new wonderful pet.

Also, it is important to note that there are a lot of 'cooties' in shelters so your new pet may come down with a cold after you get him/her home.  This is not uncommon.  The stress of being in the shelter and then moving to a new home will lower your pet's immune system making him/her more susceptible to illness.  You may hear your vet say something like URI or upper respiratory infection.  This is nothing more than a cold that antibiotics will take care of successfully.

If you adopt a dog, you may hear things like kennel cough and distemper from people.  Those are two very good reasons to take your dog to the vet soon after adoption but no reason to panic.  Most shelters will vaccinate against these two things which protects the dogs against these two things.  Kennel cough is very contagious, however, which is why it is very important for shelters to not only do an exam in addition to vaccines to ensure dogs do not contract this viral and bacterial disease.  Antibiotics will treat the bacterial part of kennel cough but NOT the viral.

http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/respiratory/c_dg_canine_tracheobronchitis#.UW6inaASRsg

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/kennel_cough.html

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/dogdiseasesconditions/a/CW-Distemper.htm

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/distemper-symptoms-treatments-dogs

There are things you can do to help keep your pet as healthy as possible to help prevent illnesses in the first place.  L-Lysine for cats is a great way to help their immune system.  It's a human amino acid that stops the replication of viruses and allows their immune system fight off any viruses that may be trying to rear it's ugly head.

Some natural options for your dog are Echinacea and Dandelion.  The Echinacea will help the immune system much like the L-Lysine and the Dandelion will help with the liver and digestive health.  I do use the L-Lysine with my personal cats and have used it with former foster cats.  I have found it to be extremely effective in helping to prevent illness and the ones who were sick when I got them have gotten over their illness quicker.

http://www.nativeremedies.com/petalive/ailment/cats-dogs-viral-infection-remedies.html

I hope I have given you some information you can take home to your pets and you will use or tell your family and friends about.  It is our goal to be as informative as possible about topics you want to know about so if you have something you'd like to know more information about please send us a note.

As always we welcome any and all respectful comments and questions.  Don't forget to follow us from this page on Facebook and Twitter.  Tell your family and friends about us and once again, thanks for reading!

Indoor Only vs Indoor/Outdoor For Dogs And Cats!

There are a lot of schools of thought when it comes to whether or not an animal should be indoor only or be allowed to be indoor/outdoor or maybe even outdoor only.  Most of our parents probably had outdoor only cats or at least indoor/outdoor and maybe an outdoor only dog.  That was just the way things were then.  I had outdoor only animals growing up because that's what my parents told me was the right thing to do.  They loved the animals but thought they were supposed to be outdoors.  So what is the right thing to do?  Well, while I do have an opinion this can also be a personal decision as well animal dependent.

For instance, you would not want a feral cat in your home as a pet because these cats are pretty street savvy and know their way around and are not friendly to humans.  If you want to help them it is better just to leave out food for them.

If you want a dog and don't want to have him/her in the house then you'll need to consider your

climate and the living arrangements for the dog because in your area there may be laws regarding outdoor dogs and tethering.  In my area it is illegal to have a dog tethered (chained or tied up) for any reason.

Most dogs are very people oriented so having them be outdoor only dogs will only break their spirit which is not why you get a pet. Dogs love to please their humans and they cannot do that if they live outside. 

Some people who own what people call "pitt bulls" will chain them up outside because they feel they look vicious and people will stay away from the house if they see them outside.  Also, a lot of dog fighters will do the same thing.  These people are doing the animal a huge disservice and definitely giving those particular dogs a bad reputation.  Of course there are people who take very good care of their dogs who are outdoor only and the animals are very well socialized and very well taken care of so there are people on both ends of the spectrum.

As far as cats go, having an outdoor only cat goes I really feel it depends on the cat and if you have a

cat that doesn't like humans a lot then it's okay for the cat to be outdoor only but if the cat likes humans and wants to be around them then the cat really should be indoor only because he/she is going to be too nice to survive outdoors.  There are too many toxic plants, cars and mean people who try to poison cats  out there to leave your sweet pet kitty outdoors on its own.

The picture on the left is a great way to have your cat outdoors without worrying he/she will get hurt.  Cat runs are a great idea for times when you want to be outside with your cat but do not want them to run off and want them to be safe.  They are available online and are relatively inexpensive compared to the expense of emergency vet care if your cat gets violently ill or hit by a car.

Contrary to popular belief, most cats are people oriented and love their humans as well so having a cat indoor only will help them as well as you because they will feel loved and you will have your furry companion with you.  They will also live a much longer life as well.

As always, we welcome any comments, questions and topics you'd like to see discussed here.  Please click on the follow us button on this page to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.  Be sure to tell your friends and family about us!  Thanks for reading.

How To Introduce A New Cat To Your Current Cat...Is It Really That Hard?

So you've got a new cat...congratulations!  So how do you introduce him/her to your current cat?  Will they just work it out?  Sometimes they will and sometimes they won't.  It is important that a slow introduction be done and to work on their time frame and not yours. 

A slow introduction means they are separated for a while and the new cat has a space of their own to get used to the new sights, sounds, smells, etc. as well as the new friend on the other side of the door.  It's important that the new cat have a space of their own because more than likely he/she will be nervous and may hide for a little while.  That is okay for them to do because they are just doing what makes them feel safe.  It's important to establish a routine and to spend time with them in the room regardless of whether they come out to see you or not.  Eventually they will come out, I promise.

At some point the current cat will be interested in the new cat and there will be sniffing, pawing and probably some hissing under the door.  This is very normal behavior.  They are starting to establish the heirarchy in the household.  Cats are territorial animals so they have to figure out who is in charge, but this can be done slowly.  Here are some links to some great information from not only the Humane Society but Jackson Galaxy as well.

http://jacksongalaxy.com/2010/10/01/cat-to-cat-introductions/

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips/introducing_new_cat.html

So what do you need in order to set up the initial safe place for the new cat?  You'll need a litter box, food and water dishes, a scratching post, and what I call a 'hidey hole' which is simply a small space for them to hide such as a box with a hole cut in it or a cubbie from a pet store.  If you want to get them a bed in case they want to sleep in it that is fine but depending on the cat it may be a while before that happens. 

The most important thing to do during this process is listen to the cats and what they want.  For instance, if you crack the door so they can see each other and there is swatting and hissing then they are not ready.  You can also use food as a way to teach them when they see the other cat they get food which is good so the other cat must be good.  Whatever is of high value to the cats is what you will use to teach them the other cat is good.

This is what you want to see when they meet instead of hissing and swatting

A good meeting may involve a hiss or two and then ignoring the other cat.  It may involve what you see in the picture above or they may rub up against each other.  It just depends on the cats.  The timeframe also depends on the cats.

I have friends who have 6 cats and every single one of them walked into the house and within 24 hours they were integrated.  This is highly unusual and does not normally happen with new cats. 

In my experience, it takes about a week to a month for the cats to start accepting each other.  Depending on the background of the cat it can take longer, however.  I have fostered cats that never integrated and went to homes with no other cats and they are extremely happy.

All of this being said, segregation is a good thing at first and let them slowly get used to each other.  It will happen, it just takes time.  If you are patient with them they will reward you with a lifetime of love and companionship.

As always, we  welcome comments and questions and any topics you'd like to see discussed here.  Please do not forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.  Tell your family and friends about us!  Thanks for reading.

Shelters vs. Rescue Organizations: What's The Difference?

I'd like to discuss today the differences between shelters and rescue organizations because I've had a lot of people over my years of doing rescue be confused and ask questions about this very topic.  It can be very confusing when several places are supposedly doing the same thing.

Here's the difference:  most shelters do euthanize animals on at minimum a weekly basis while rescue organizations do not.  A local organization in my area has said they are no kill, but this has only served to confuse people because they think the shelter is no kill when in fact it's the adoption center that is no kill.  The shelter euthanizes animals on a regular basis.

Shelters do what they can to find homes for the animals brought to them but the reality is not every animal can be saved and there just isn't enough money, manpower or space to help all the animals that are in need.  I would love to say there is, but that's not reality.  The ultimate reality is these animals are in the cages like you see below, they get upper respiratory infections (most of them, especially the babies) and once they do they are euthanized because there isn't enough money to care for them.

Rescue organizations do not have enough of those things either (money, manpower or space) but most have a cap on the number of animals they bring in so they can wait until the right home for their animals is found.  Then they can take in more.  Pleas for help are constantly coming in so people do not have to take their animal to the shelter but another reality is there aren't enough foster homes for these animals.

Ok, so to answer the question "what's the difference?"  There ultimately is no difference except for grant money and the people backing the organization.  They are all working toward the same goal...the welfare of the animals and finding them new homes.

So the bigger question is what can you do to help?  If you have room for one animal to foster in your home, if you can volunteer your time, if you can donate some of your money then it will help.  Here are some rescue organizations in the Raleigh, NC, USA area that would be very glad to have you help out with anything you are able:

www.calvinspaws.org
www.bfpa.org
www.safehavenforcats.org
http://www.secondchancenc.org/
http://www.snowflakerescue.org/

These are just a few of the very many in the area.  Of course there are also breed specific groups as well if that is your interest for both dogs and cats.  Most of the groups I listed above have dogs and cats so if you want to foster or sponsor an animal just let them know.

Our economy is so tough right now and everyone is feeling the tightening of the belt, so to speak, and many of our animals are being surrendered because of finances.  Please search for groups to see if they can help out or if there are avenues so you can keep your animal with you so they aren't euthanized.  If it's not possible, then please consider fostering while the group is looking for a home for your pet.  That way there are few moves as possible which creates stress on the animal and that can create medical issues.

As always, we welcome comments, questions and any topics you'd like to see discussed here.  Our goal is to provide you with the information you seek.  Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and tell your family and friends about us!  Thanks for reading.

What Breed Is Right For Me?

So you've come to the point in your life where you want a pet.  That's great!  Cat or dog?  Male or female?  What age?  What breed?  So many things to think about before adopting.  These are all great things to think about but ultimately researching the breed in particular is what is more important because for the most part each cat will have the general personality of the breed.  However, there are exceptions to every rule so it is also important to visit with the particular cat as well to determine personality.  Remember, baby animals do not develop their personalities until they are a little older so at 2-3 months old you have no idea what their personality is going to be like at 6-8 months old and even older.

If you are wanting a laid back cat that loves their people and likes to snuggle and isn't much of a climber then an Abyssinian is probably not your cat because they love to climb and are extremely playful.  If you think you want a dog but aren't sure about the responsibility then maybe a Maine Coon is good for you because they are known as dogs in cat suits.  Leash training them is fairly easy and they are laid back cats but can get on the larger side.

Here are a couple of good resources for cat breeds and this will give you insight into their personality, intelligence (believe me that's important), playfulness, grooming requirements, etc.

http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/catselectorindex.do

http://simplycatbreeds.org/

Here are the dogs:

http://www.akc.org/breeds/

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/abc.htm

Finding the right animal for your family, lifestyle, and/or home is very important because if you get the wrong one it can go very badly and the animal can end up at the shelter which always a bad ending for the animal.

Just keep in mind if you are not an active person then most dogs probably are not for you.  If you are an active runner and like being outside then a very large, 'fluffy', dog is not for you.  Just because it's a pretty animal doesn't mean he/she is right for you.

In my experience, the most loving and affectionate cats are Ragdolls/Ragamuffins.  They are great family cats and are good with kids.  They tend to bond with one person, though.  Maine Coons can be very affectionate as well but are more aloof.  They have a small voice for their large bodies which is entertaining to me.  They can growl a little when they are talking but are in general very gentle creatures.  They are the gentle giants of the cat world.

This is a baby Maine Coon...cute!

In my opinion, though, the most appreciative animals are rescued animals.  Most of them have had a hard life or have been given up by their families and simply want a good home to live out their days and have a loving family to love on and give all their attention to.  Whether you find an animal on the street and take it in or go to the shelter and save a life they will be so appreciative and will love you for the rest of their lives.

I hope this has helped you in trying to figure out where to start in your search for the right pet for your family. 

As always, we welcome any comments and questions and if you have a topic you'd like to see discussed here please let us know.  Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and please tell your family and friends about us!  Thanks so much for reading!

Are You Really The Alpha In Your Dog's Life? What Does That Even Mean?

As dog owners it is our responsibility to be the "alpha" in the relationship.  This just simply means you're the boss.  Like with your children someone has to be in charge and that is YOU.  It really is not hard to become alpha but it does take persistence and consistency.  I personally learned that the hard way with my rottweiler.  She was hard headed and stubborn but I was more stubborn than she was so I won, but never stopped letting her know I was still in charge.

Training is very important as well.  This can never stop over the course of your dog's life because, depending on the breed, they always need something to learn and do in order to keep themselves busy.  Whether it is interactive toys, playtime, agility training, etc. it doesn't matter.  Keeping your dog's mind occupied and stimulated is important because a bored dog is a destructive dog.  Here are some links that have some great information:

http://www.dog-adoption-and-training-guide.com/alpha-dog.html

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/topdog.htm

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/alpha1.html

http://www.nck9solutions.com/

The last link you visited, as you noticed, is a trainer's website.  This trainer is in the Raleigh, NC, USA area and is one of the best I have found.  They are honest, knowledgeable and will work with you no matter what problem you are having.  Ultimately they are training you and not your dog.

Now, all of this being said, what is really the worst thing that could happen if you don't train your dog?  I mean you have the sweetest dog on earth right?  Yes, we all do.  However, if you don't train and socialize your dog then you will have a dog that will bite your visitors, makes walking very stressful because he/she will go exactly where he/she wants to and will take you with them because you let them, one that will growl at you if you try to take a food bowl away and one you can't take to pet stores or dog parks.  Now that sounds fun doesn't it.

A lot of small dog owners think it's cute when their little one barks their little heads off at other people or growls at them.  I can tell you it is not cute or appropriate behavior from any size dog.  This behavior needs to be changed by you becoming alpha.  Little dogs need an alpha just like big dogs.  Size doesn't matter.

 

As you can see from these two pictures, these dogs are showing aggressive or maybe territorial behavior.  The top picture shows the human walking away from the barking dog which means the dog has won and thinks he is now above that human which is obviously not what you want. A calm, confident dog that is social and most importantly listens to you is what you want.

So what do you do?  Well your stance says a lot to your dog.  So does your tone of voice.  I'm not talking about yelling, but a firm and stern tone definitely gets the point across.

Personally the most important thing for my dog has been consistency and persistence.  That really is key.  He gets really excited when I get home and tries to jump.  I simply ignore him until he's calm and then he gets love.  I actually do that with both the dogs when they are both in that mood and it has worked really well thus far.  It's always a work in progress but nonetheless it is working. 

I hope my few tips have given you some ideas and you will contact a trainer in your area if you are having problems with your dog.  Also, if you have a little dog such as a yorkie, maltese, etc. please do not think their barking incessantly or growling is cute.  It's not.  It simply means your 5 pound dog is in charge of you and your home.

As always we welcome any productive and respectful comments and questions.  Please let us know if you have a topic you'd like to see discussed here and don't forget to tell your friends and family about us!  Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter as well.  Thanks for reading!

What Is It Like To Have A Big Dog And What Should You Expect?

I have to say I never thought I would ever be owned by a large breed dog.  I love them and think they are great dogs but didn't ever think one would be in my life.  So what is it like to be owned by one of these gentle giants?  What should you expect?  There are a lot of pros and some cons as with anything.

First of all these dogs are the sweetest dogs and are some of the most gentle animals on earth.  They are excellent with children and make wonderful family dogs.  They ironically do not take up as much room as you might think but they do eat on average 6 cups of food per day.  They love human attention and are loyal to their family pack.  As with any dog, though, they should be well socialized so they are good with other dogs minimally. 

Here's some information on some various large breeds:
http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/great-dane

http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/newfoundland

http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/boxer

http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/great-pyrenees

http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/rottweiler

I put some of these links here because research of the breed you think you want is extremely important because just because a dog is cute doesn't mean the dog is good for your family.  For instance, smaller dogs may or may not be best for your family depending on the personality of the individual dog.  In my experience, small dogs such as chihuahuas, tend to be a little more snippy than other dogs and may not be the best around small children depending on the particular dog.  A lot of people are also afraid of rottweilers and they are honestly a wonderful family dog and are fantastic with children.  I was owned by a wonderful rottweilter for a few years (I got her when she was an adult) and we used to visit the children's playground and she would let the kids do whatever they wanted to her.  They are loyal dogs but definitely need training and are not for first time dog owners.

Some things to be prepared for prior to being owned by a large breed dog is the food bill (like I said...6 cups a day depending on the size of the dog), monthly heartworm and flea/tick costs, the loss of part of your couch, some drool (depending on gender and breed), and a great deal of love in return for just arriving home from work or school.  The larger breed dogs do not live the same life span as the small dogs which is honestly not fair but the love they give while they are with you is two-fold.

This is my Great Dane Lucien.  He's 4 years old.

Lucien loves to play with his humans, is great with dogs and cats, and is very loyal and protective.  However, if you call his name and give him a treat he will be your friend forever and show you where the good stuff is in the house.  Great Danes tend to be goofy dogs and will definitely keep you smiling and laughing. 

All of this being said, please research the breed of dog before you adopt or see a breeder.  There are so many misconceptions about a lot of breeds (ex. rottweilers, German Shepherds, "pitt bull") and the fact is any dog can bite or snap but if raised correctly and trained properly then they will be fine.  It is all about the owners and how the dog is trained and how kids behave around the dog, etc.  There are exceptions to every rule, however.  The key is personality and spending time with the dog prior to adoption.

As always, if you have any comments or questions feel free to let us know.  If you want to see a topic discussed please let us know and we will make it happen.  Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and tell your family and friends about us!  Thanks for reading!

Do You Have A Large Breed Puppy That Is Limping? It Could Be Panosteitis.

For those with large breed dogs, or any dog really, this post is for you because when they are puppies their bones and joints are so fragile.  Playing has to be careful and they mostly just sleep.  Then the training comes and for those of us with big dogs know sometimes the stubborn streak kicks in and training time comes to an end.

They are also prone to several health issues.  I'd like to talk about one of these issues...Panosteitis.  It is also referred to as growing pains.  It is a painful thing for animals to go through and each instance can last 2-3 weeks and can switch legs for another 2-3 weeks of pain for the dog.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2084&aid=466

http://www.vetinfo.com/canine-panosteitis-symptoms.html

There is no cure for Panosteitis (Pano) except for time.  The pain can be managed with a variety of medication such as Rimadyl or Meloxicam but know that this treatment is simply managing the symptoms and not treating the cause of the pain. 

While this painful disease usually strikes younger male large breed dogs between 5-18 months, it can happen in any dog so it's important to know your animal as well as you would if he/she were a human baby.  That way you can tell when he/she isn't walking right or is a little wobbly, etc.

While no one knows what exactly causes Pano, it is thought to have a correlation to nutrition; particularly a high protein and high fat concentration.  The breed specific foods out on the market are not known to be helpful in preventing this disease either.

This is an x-ray of a dog with Pano.  It is labled so you can tell the difference between normal bone marrow and the Pano.  It is important for your vet to do an x-ray for this because Pano manifests

within the bone marrow which is easily seen on an xray as you can tell.    Nothing has been found to be a definitive cause of Pano as of yet but one theory is this disease is viral and not bacterial which means antibiotics are ineffective.  This is frustrating for owners watching their dogs in pain and know that the only thing they can do is give them pain medication and an anti-inflammatory.

The majority of dogs will grow out of this without any complications or side effects which is definitely a good thing. 

So what are we big dog lovers supposed to do?  The only real thing we can do is feed them the best food we can (I personally feed my Great Dane Purina One and my vet is happy with that), love them, and make sure we do the best we can.  Sound like the same thing you do for your children?  It's pretty much the same thing.  We can never know it all and never know what to do every time.  However, keeping and eye on them and knowing what is normal and what is not normal is half the battle.

As always your comments and questions are welcome.  Please let us know if you'd like a topic discussed here and we will make it happen.  Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and of course tell your family and friends about us!  Thanks for reading.



Dehydration: How Do I Tell If My Pet Is Getting Enough Fluid?

Drinking water is important for every living thing from plants to animals.  Our pets are obviously included in this so how do we as parents know if they are getting enough?  How do we know if they are dehydrated?  There are a few simple ways to tell.  One very simple thing to do is to make sure to leave water out for them to drink at all times.  That really is the best thing to do.  However, if you are already doing that then just watch their activity level.  Are they playing normally (or not playing as normal)?  Do they seem interested in the same things they have always been interested in?  If the answer is yes...great!

Here are some physical signs you can look for if you want to check further.  Your pet's eyes should always be bright and shiny and alert.  If they seem dull or 'sad' seeming then more than likely he/she doesn't feel good.  Another physical test for dehydration that I use literally all the time is to test the animal's gums to make sure they are moist and pink.  If they feel tacky and are white then the animal is dehydrated.  They normally do not like it that much but if they fight you a lot then they probably do not feel too bad.

This is what you are looking for when I mention "white gums"

Another physical test is what I like to call the "tent test".  I pull up the scruff (skin on the back of the neck) so it looks like a tent and then let go.  If it goes right back down then you have perfect hydration.  The longer it takes to go down the more dehydrated the animal.  I have seen rescued animals so dehydrated the tent just stayed up when I let go.  That type of dehydration takes an IV of fluid in the vet's office for a day or two.  Also, keep a check on their breathing because if the breathing is a little faster than normal you'll want to check the other things mentioned here.  Cats are particularly sensitive to dehydration and can go into shock so keep a close eye on them if you think your cat is dehydrated. 

So, what do you do if your pet is dehydrated?  Obviously fluid but what else?  Unflavored Pedialyte

will work wonders for hydration.  It has to be unflavored or the animal won't normally drink it, though.  Any of the baby animal meal replacements you can find in the pet stores will work as well since they tend to like the taste and it's fluid.  You can also give them a little canned food (the kind with gravy) in with their dry kibble as well.  Just be sure to monitor how much they get at a time when hydrating them because if they drink too fast (and most of them do) they will vomit everything right back up which does neither of you any good.  Just give them small amounts of liquid at a time so their bodies have time to adjust to the liquid coming in and doesn't reject everything.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5852091_rehydrate-sick-dog.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_8671227_tell-cat-hydrated.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_8551695_keep-cat-hydrated.html

The important thing to monitor with this in addition to intake is output.  If your pet is taking in a gallon of water, for example, but only outputting a cup then a trip to the vet sooner than later is warranted because something is wrong.  There are many medical reasons this could be happening and you don't want to prolong a diagnosis or treatment.  If you do end up at your vet's office, be sure to mention all treatments you have done at home to help your pet so the vet can give you an appropriate treatment and diagnosis.  It's always important to tell your vet everything that is a change in your pet's life so he/she has the full story as to what is going on and what may or may not have contributed to your visit.  If you only feed dry kibble, though, it is extra important that you leave water out for your pet at all times so he/she has access since they are not getting this moisture through their food.  I personally feed dry only (wet only as a treat) and have a 2.5 gallon water container out all the time for two dogs and that lasts about a week or less depending on how long they have played and what the temperature is outside.  They go through more on the weekends.

I hope this information has helped you and maybe someone learned something they didn't know.  Feel free to research on your own or ask your vet anything you question here. 

As always we welcome any questions and comments and hope you will let us know if you have any topic you'd like to see discussed here.  We are always looking for something new and exciting to research and if you are interested in the topic then so are we!  Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and tell your friends and family about us!  Thanks for reading!

TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) and Feral Colonies: Are They Good For The Neighborhoods?

The term TNR (trap, neuter, return) has been around for quite some time and rescuers have been doing this for just as long or longer to help control the feral cat population.  What is a feral cat?  These cats are ones that cannot be touched by humans and do not like humans.  They normally will not come up to you but may watch from afar.  These cats can only be caught with humane traps in order to be spayed/neutered and then re-released back where they were caught.  It is important they are put back where they were trapped because introducing a feral cat into a new colony is nothing like introducing a new cat into a household.  The hierarchy is extremely different and there will be fights for this hierarchy.  Life threatening injuries can occur during these fights as well so it is just best to put them back where you found them.

Once the colony is established these cats will help control the mouse and bug population as well as some snakes.  If these cats are taken away the rodents, bugs and snakes will come into your area and you will have problems with them.  The cats go where the food is so if there is a colony then chances are there are mice.

The picture to the right is a cat in a humane trap.  The animal is not harmed in any way.  These cats are scared, confused and will strike out at you when you come close so you will need to be extremely careful.  Placing a towel over the trap can help them feel safer because cats like tight places to hide in to feel safe. 

Once this cat is neutered then recovery time will need to happen.  This only requires a day for boys and a couple of days for girls depending on the vet's suggestions.  Once this time is over, the cat can then be taken back to the place where he/she was trapped and released.  This is also a time to be cautious and stand to the back of the trap and make sure the cat doesn't try to come around the trap to get to you.  Most of the time they just want to get away from you and will run away. 

Here are a couple of good links for information regarding TNR and feral cats.

http://www.neighborhoodcats.org/HOW_TO_WHAT_IS_TNR

http://www.aspca.org/adoption/feral-cats-faq.aspx

Some rescue organizations will adopt out what they call "barn cats" which is basically a semi-feral cat that doesn't necessarily like humans but relies on them for some food but will control the mouse population in a horse barn, for example.  It is a great way to keep the cats safe from the various dangers such as cars, mean spirited people, etc. as well as solve a problem for people who may have a mouse problem in their horse barns.  If you are even considering an outdoor only cat this may be the way to go for you and something you might want to consider.  These cats are very outdoor savy as opposed to those who have never lived outdoors or who have grown VERY accustomed to living indoors and prefer the indoor life.

If you have stray cats around your area please contact your local shelter or rescue organization for ideas on TNR programs or organizations in your area because there are likely options for you and keep in mind they are there because there is a food source that you might be glad they are controlling.

As always thank you for reading our blog and your questions and comments are welcome.  If you have a desired topic please let us know and don't forget to tell your friends and family about us.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook too!

Feline Herpes...What Is It and Can I Get It?

This is an extremely common question and the answer to the second part is no, you cannot catch feline herpes.  The answer to the first part, "what is it", is a bit more in depth but I will try to give some insight.  The most basic answer to this question is it's a virus much like a cold which 99% of cats are exposed to very likely early in their lives.  While the exposure may not lead to any outbreaks the virus will lay dormant and stress will lower the immune system and can lead to an outbreak.

For instance, if you move to a new home and all of a sudden your cat starts sneezing a lot and his/her eyes are red and watery then it is likely he/she has an outbreak of the feline herpes virus.  The very long, complicated name for this is feline viral rhinopneumonitis (FVR), rhinotracheitis virus and feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) and can lead to upper respiratory infections, but not always.

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/cat-care-herpes.aspx    

The kitty to the right here appears to have an upper respiratory infection which is a bacterial infection which is what antibiotics will treat.  Vets often given antibiotics in order to ward off any bacterial infections that may be lurking behind the herpes virus itself.  This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but just keep in mind that if your kitty is on antibiotics for a number of times then he/she will build up an immunity to them and over time they will not work for any infection he/she may have and that is definitely a bad thing.

Giving L-Lysine every day to your kitten/cat can help ward off any viruses that may be laying dormant in their system.  L-Lysine is an amino acid that help stops the replication of viruses which allows their immune systems to fight off whatever is holding them down.  Several rescue organizations give it to their wards to help with the stress of coming into a new place, getting used to a new way of life, new kitties, puppies, etc.  It is available at any store you can get vitamins and is available in capsules so it can be pulled apart and the powder can be put on their food. 

Here is a picture of swollen conjunctiva in a cat which is pretty indicative of feline herpes virus.  It looks really painful and while none of them have ever told me it is I can only imagine it does hurt and it appears to also itch. 

I know this seems a little graphic, but I really wanted you as pet owners to know what to look for with this virus. 

Also, please know that it is really is not an emergency vet visit either.  If you'd like your vet to see your pet that is fine, however, giving him/her Lysine for a week or so to see if it helps and a nice quiet environment will more than likely help if there is no color to the discharge.  If you think to when you go to the doctor, don't they ask if there is color to the discharge?  That's because they want to know if there is bacteria or not.  Clear discharge means no bacteria.  If your pet doesn't appear to be doing better with Lysine twice a day and a calm quiet environment in a few days then you can call your vet.  I do NOT advocate not calling your vet by any means whatsoever.

If you'd like an eye professional to take a look at your pet that is wonderful too.  Those experts can definitely tell you if there is any damage to your pet's eye or not.  If you are in the Raleigh, NC, USA area I'd like to recommend Dr. English as he is one of the best.  Check out his website:

http://aecassociates.com/

All of his colleagues are wonderful and extremely knowledgeable so if you take your pet to any of them you will not be sorry and will get the best care available.

I know sometimes things with our pets seem emergent (I know they do with my own personal ones sometimes) but if we take the time to educate ourselves a little bit prior to anything happening then maybe things won't seem so bad at the time.

As always, we welcome your comments, questions and any topics at all you'd like to see discussed here.  Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and be sure to tell your friends and family about us!

Animal Odor...How Do We Get Rid Of It?

So we all have pet odor in our homes.  We can't get around it because we have pets.  The question is how do we keep our homes smelling nice with our furry friends?  Well there are a number of ways and one of which is to vaccum with baking soda.  I know that sounds strange but if you think about it baking soda is made to absorb odors.  People put boxes in their refrigerators and freezers for odor control.  There are those who use it in litter boxes (I have actually done this) for extra odor control and it really works.  Of course regular baths with oatmeal or scented shampoos help keep the odor down as do regular brushings. 

The less carpet in your house the better because fabrics hold odor as everyone knows.  Rugs are better because those are easier to be cleaned than entire rooms of carpet.

Now, there are always the commercial products such as candles which can be a little dangerous when it comes to animals, especially if you have cats.  One of my former roommates had a cat that would litterally back up to the candle and set herself on fire.  A few trips to the emergency vet can only be explained away so many times. 

Another option is scented wax in warmers.  This is available through various box stores such as Walmart.  These warmers come in various sizes and colors.  The scents available just depend on the store.

Another option is through a company called Scentsy.  Their scents tend to last longer than the box store waxes.  Yes, this is a selfish promotion as I do sell Scentsy products but I will tell you I have tried both box store products and Scentsy does last longer.  I do get the waxes from Walmart in a pinch though.

One thing about this whole topic is, though, your dog or cat or whatever pet will never smell like a rose.  He/she will always smell like whatever pet you have so if you want to try to minimize this in your home just try the tips I've given you today.

As always, I welcome your comments, questions or any topic you'd like to see discussed here.  Please feel free to send me a note and don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.  Tell your family and friends!!