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Pet Talk

A list of Christmas food cats should avoid

12/20/2021

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By Elsa Smith
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Although cats are picky eaters, sometimes they like to hang around people and share some titbits. Many cat owners also find it hard to turn away the begging eyes and cuteness. But before you give her that morsel, remember that some foods could be unsafe for your cat. You need to be aware of five foods your cat should avoid. And if you must have a snack together, read on, and learn about healthy foods your cat will enjoy just as much as you. 

Chocolate
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Chocolate is irresistible to humans, but it contains a complex compound known as theobromine. Theobromine is toxic to your cat. If your cat ingests a significant quantity, you may notice the following symptoms:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Increased thirst
  • Increased urination
Chocolate also contains caffeine which is harmful to cats. Your cat would start breathing rapidly, become restless, and have an increased heart rate. She could also experience muscle tremors and seizures. 

Yes, there are healthy alternatives. First of all, get rid of the idea that your cat could have a sweet tooth. Find out which meaty treat, like chicken or turkey, is her favorite and serve it instead of chocolate. Remember to give treats only when your cat deserves it.

Grapes and raisins

Grapes and raisins are popular ingredients in Christmas desserts like puddings and fruit cake. But they can be harmful to cats. If your cat ingests these foods, she may lose appetite, have abdominal pains, dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhea. Your cat may also become lethargic. 

Although not all cats will experience adverse effects after ingesting grapes and raisins, it is not worth taking the risk. 

If your cat likes fruit, chop up some apples for her or even give her a raspberry as a treat. They are rich in calcium, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Or prepare some cantaloupe for her (a favorite for cats due to its meaty scent).

Turkey bones

If you have plans for turkey, you can be sure that your cat will want to share the dinner table with you. But avoid sharing scraps of meat and bones with her. It could be dangerous. 

Turkey's bones are hollow and brittle. Your cat could swallow a piece, and it could choke her. Worse still, a splintered bone could wreak havoc in her throat and digestive canal. 
If your cat fancies chewing on bones, look for special dental cat food and chews that will entertain your cat and clean her teeth.

The perfect Christmas turkey must have stuffing and is often accompanied by gravy. Stuffing and gravy contain garlic, onions, and other herbs which could be toxic to cats. They can cause anemia, panting, vomiting, and lethargy. 
Are you looking for healthy vegetables for your cat? Consider a little cucumber or steamed broccoli in their favorite meaty meal.  

Alcohol

No loving cat parent would deliberately serve alcohol to their fur babies. But your cat could inadvertently have a few sips. Cocktails containing creams like White Russians and eggnog are popular around Christmas, and they are a magnet for cats.
If you leave the concoctions unattended, she could take a sip or two or lick the entire bowl clean.

Cats are vulnerable to the adverse effects of alcohol. Even small quantities can adversely affect your cat. Significant intake of alcohol could be fatal. 
If your cat fancies a drink, give her some bone and meat broth or some kitten milk formula.
 
Christmas tree needles

Maybe it’s not human food, but cats need greenery, and guess what happens when you have a Christmas tree around? According to Christmas tree experts at Fantastic, most species found on the market have oils that could be toxic to cats. If your furry friend eats too many needles, that will probably cause harsh mouth and stomach conditions of heavy comfort which could lead to inflammation, unless you take action to stop that.

Avoiding festive foods for cats, a final word
We fancy the above foods during the festive season. But they could be toxic to our beloved cats. Taking them out of the diet list does not mean you can share other festive foods. The food could be safe for your cat but high in calories. Too much food could be unhealthy for the cat. 

We suggest you desist from sharing any human food with your cat, especially during the festive season. Also, store the food and handle scraps carefully. 

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Switching Dog Food: What You Should Know

12/2/2021

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By Melissa Kauffman​

Are you thinking about changing the diet of your pet? What about putting them on a healthier diet? Maybe your vet advised a prescription diet, or maybe you just want to test a different brand. Changing your dog's diet, for whatever reason, is more complicated than just dumping new food into a bowl. You must make the proper transition to the new diet in order to avoid disturbing your dog's tummy. There are different ways to incorporate changes in your dog’s diet. 


How to select the dog food

Selecting dog food can be a daunting task. A good amount of time should be spent in market research and in understanding your dog’s habits, amount of physical exercise, etc. Your dog’s willingness to try new things in terms of food also matters a lot. Your dog’s age, amount of food, and the number of times they eat in a day can help you determine the perfect dog food to choose. When selecting a portion of suitable dog food, consider your dog's physical qualities, behavior, and overall health. Puppies and nursing mothers need more calories each day, but geriatric pets need fewer. Similarly, more active breeds require more calories than couch potato breeds. Feeding your dog the right sort and amount of food will help your dog prevent obesity and other health problems.

Introduce a small amount of the new food

The first step to incorporate a new brand of food or even a home-cooked meal into your dog’s diet is to introduce it to them. There’s a reason for this step as many brands create foods depending on breed, however, the majority just differentiate between small and large breed recipes. The differences are mostly in kibble size, but your dog must be able to eat safely and comfortably. Once you know if your dog likes the food and shows no signs of allergy or reaction and has adapted to the new food in a healthy manner, you can increase the amount of new food and start phasing out the old meal. One of the most important factors is to read the ingredients list in the dog food brand. 

Keep a track of your dog’s digestive system. 

Paying attention to the quality of your dog's stool is the greatest approach to check his digestive health. While slight changes in stool color and consistency are to be expected, any significant changes can signal a problem that must be addressed. A Fecal Scoring Chart is an excellent tool for evaluating your dog's stool. A fecal score of 3–4 is ideal. Lower values would indicate dehydration or constipation, but larger levels could indicate gastrointestinal distress caused by a variety of reasons. If the feces repeatedly falls outside the normal range, you should visit your veterinarian to check your dog’s digestive health. It is important to give your dog supplements of calcium and multivitamin along with the diet. This adds value to your dog’s diet that keeps them healthy and immune from falling ill. 

Keeping a track of your Dog’s diet

If the diet of your dog consists of dry and wet food, it is important to keep a track of what you are feeding them and when. Another important aspect is to calculate the calorie intake of your dog. Controlling the portion size while incorporating a new brand of dog food or home-cooked meal is important. If you are not careful, your dog might be overfed which can cause obesity or digestive problems. Avoid table scraps, to keep better track of your dog’s intake. Unscheduled snacks can throw off the calorie intake of your dog and can make them lethargic. Keeping a food journal can help a dog owner a great deal. The majority of veterinarians welcome clients to bring their dogs in for frequent weigh-ins. This allows pet owners to know exactly what is  required for a pet to lose or maintain a specific weight. This will help you keep a track of the fluctuations in the weight of your dog and help fill any gaps in the optimal weight of your dog according to their age and breed. 

Is fasting a healthy option?

Animals, including dogs, benefit from fasting, which is unsurprising. Fasting can also act as a much-needed reset for healthy adult dogs going from kibble, making a fresh dietary start. Fasting has been proven by the National Library of Medicine to have beneficial impacts on the gut microbiome (the billions of bacteria that live in an animal's digestive system) and food flow through the stomach. According to research both of these may have a role in the gastrointestinal symptoms associated with a diet change. The idea of restricting your dog's food may seem strange. Dogs love to eat! Fasting, however, does not imply starvation. Many animals have evolved to go without food for lengthy periods of time, so a brief fast poses no risk and offers a lot of benefits for your dog's health. While there are other types of fasting, for our purposes, fasting is stopping food for a period of 24hrs and allowing the dog to drink only water.

Fasting causes a break in digestion, which in turn assists a dog's detoxification and immunity. This is especially beneficial if he's been eating highly processed kibble for a long time. The gut of your dog helps with digestion and metabolism, but that's not all. Nearly every physical process, including and especially immunity, is influenced by this interior ecosystem, either directly or indirectly. The gut assists the body in eliminating unwanted substances such as poisons and infections. Allowing this system to take a break from digesting food allows it to reset and detoxify the body.

Adverse Food Reactions in Dogs

As mentioned above, food can have adverse effects on dogs. There’s no known template of diet for your dog. It is more about experimenting while being careful and understanding what helps your dog and their health. Adverse food responses (AFR) are a prevalent condition in dogs that can produce gastrointestinal symptoms. Food intolerance, food intoxication, and food allergy are among them. The diagnosis and treatment of dogs with AFR is still based on their response to a dietary elimination experiment and the recurrence of symptoms after food provocation. It is therefore of utmost importance to be careful before introducing your dogs to new food and conduct research before doing so. 

Conclusion

If you are interested in fasting your dog, you may expect some vomiting and lethargy. Some dogs may show some allergies if they are fed with a new brand of food, in which case they should be taken to the vet immediately. Any sort of rash or infection if caused should be paid attention to stat. Dogs usually adapt to the food sooner and if they don’t they might vomit, which is a good way to know the food you are feeding your dog is not helping. You can switch the brand and look for a more balanced diet which is a mix of dog food and a home-cooked boiled meal. 







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How to Calm a Reactive Dog

10/26/2021

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By Elsa Smith

Not too long ago, President Joe Biden’s pet dog, Major, was sent off to “boarding school” for training. This was after two biting incidents at the White House. In the second incident, Major, who was yet to acclimatize to the new environment, reacted when he was surprised by an unfamiliar person. 

Most people are familiar with the bite rule - dog owners are liable for any injury or property damage the pet causes. As a pet parent, an easily reactive dog could get you into trouble. But we are here to help you out. Here are seven tips that will help you to calm a reactive dog.   



Photo by Sumeet Singh on Unsplash
  1. Understand what kind of reactions the dog exhibits
Environmental and genetic factors determine how reactive dogs are. Some breeds, like Pitbulls and Rottweilers, unfortunately have a bad rap. Others, like Shih Tzus and Poodles, are known for their overly friendly nature. The Great Pyrenees have a combination of caring and protective instinct that often leads to bold reactions. 

High alert dogs could be a response to different stimuli. It could be:
 
  • Motivated by fear. 
  • Due to the territorial instinct
  • Due to being overly possessive. 
  • A defensive or protective response.
  • Predatory instinct. 
  • A reaction to physical pain
  • Response to frustration. 
  • Motivated by the desire to mate. 

When you know the type(s) of reactions your dog is prone to, you can take steps to avoid the factors that elicit the negative behavior. But first, you need to know and read signs that tell your dog is becoming anxious. 

2. Know the signs that show your dog could become reactive
Before your dog snaps, they would usually display one or more of the following behaviors:

  • He becomes still and rigid. 
  • He menacingly shows his teeth.
  • He barks from the gut in a threatening manner. 
  • He displays raised fur, especially on the back. 
  • He tucks his tail. 
  • He growls or snarls.

When your dog displays any of the above behaviors, it is almost certain that he will become reactive and act out. Knowing these signs can help you to stop his next move, and could save you a ton of trouble. Take the following steps to avert the immediate danger and avoid damage. 

3. Take a deep breath and relax 
Don’t get excited or anxious whenever your dog shows signs of becoming reactive. The dog will feed off your negative energy and get further worked up. After all, he may feel like he is protecting you. 

4. Change the dog’s environment
Changing a dog’s environment is an effective way to calm him down. Take the dog away from the sight or scents or whatever is triggering the big reaction. It will help him to cool off.  

For example, if you were in a dog park, you could go to a secluded part or go back home and let him jump into a calming dog bed. Keep him there until you have a better understanding of why he behaved that way. Then start working on a long-term solution. Whatever you decide to do, never respond to the dog’s reaction with a dramatic one yourself.​
5. Consult a vet
Due to regular contact with different animals, the vet is an excellent place to get help dealing with a reactive dog.  If the dog is overly excited and becomes reactive due to his desire to mate, the vet will neuter him. Neutering can also take care of this type of behavior due to territorial instincts. Vets can also help to unearth underlying medical issues. Painful injuries and ailments like hypothyroidism, epilepsy, and brain tumors, could trigger reactiveness. Such issues often surface when the dog deviates from his normal behavior. If the dog exhibited regular pup energy to adulthood and suddenly became overly reactive, check with the vet. 

If the problem is not physiological, reach out to a dog behavior expert. 
6. Reach out to a professional trainer
Does your dog have poor social skills? Is he overly possessive? Or does he often default to instinctive reactions like being territorial, protective, or defensive? 

A professional trainer can help to build the right skills and responses to external stimuli. 
But don’t let the trainer work alone. Also, don't send the dog off to “boarding school.” Work together with the trainer and learn more about your dog and how to care for him.​
7. Know your dog and take care of him in the right way
Before you decided to adopt a dog, did you ask yourself if you are a dog person? Being a pet parent means many aspects of your life will change. Check if your lifestyle matches the dog’s breed. A dog can sometimes be reactive because something is lacking in his life. Breeds like Rottweilers, Pitbulls, and Dobermans still have strong animal drives. They require owners who are firm leaders. People who can command their respect and regularly exercise them to quench their energies. Are you available to do that?

A final word

​A reactive dog is usually a sign of an underlying issue. Don’t just brush it off. That’s not how pet dogs naturally behave. Take these steps to control the immediate danger, and avoid future incidences. 















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How to Handle Cats Who Display Overt Aggression

9/24/2021

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By Fay Smith
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Cats are among the list of favorite house pets of all time. They are cute, snuggly, playful, and lovable. But, sometimes, they hiss and display aggressive behavior, even towards their owners. 
Aggressive behavior in pet cats stems from their innate behavior as natural predators. This behavior can cause serious harm to other pets around the cat displaying aggression. 

Even a well-fed cat can be aggressive to its owner.

Handling Your Cat’s Aggressive BehaviorDetermine the Source of Aggression
Finding the source of aggression is essential to determine how to handle your aggressive cat correctly. Some of these reasons include:

  • Defensiveness
  • Fearfulness
  • Territorial aggression
  • Redirected aggression
  • Predatory aggression
  • Maternal instincts
  • Conflict with other cats
  • Irritability due to excessive petting
  • Pain
  • Health problems

It could be challenging to identify the real reason for your cat’s aggression. 

It is best to take your cat to the veterinarian to rule out any medical condition that may need immediate attention. 

Suppose that medical concern is not the reason for your cat’s aggressive behavior. The vet can suggest home treatments or a visit to an animal behaviorist.
Interrupt the Behavior
Once you notice that your pet cat is about to become aggressive, try to intervene immediately. 

Interrupt your pet feline by calling its name, tossing a soft toy in its line of vision, or shaking a jar of pennies. 

Whatever you do to interrupt the incoming aggressive behavior, do not touch or pick your cat up. A cat already showing signs of aggression could inflict injuries even to its owner.

Use Calming Products
Calming products designed to interrupt a cat’s aggressive behavior are now available in the market. 

Concerns about the safety of these products have arisen. Still, most of these alternative calming methods, such as sprays and diffusers, mimic feline pheromones. These substances give a reassuring familiarity that makes cats feel safe and secure. 

These products can also help lessen the cat’s anxieties and aggressive tendencies. 

Resort to Alternative Stimulation
Aggression is also a way for cats to release energy. 

One way of handling your cat’s aggressive behavior is to provide a stimulating environment. Here are some examples of such an environment:

  • A space to hide: a small space wide enough to conceal your feline friend serves as a refuge where a startled cat can run to safety.
 
  • Scratching posts: instead of your cat scratching on your precious furniture, provide them a scratching post. This wooden material can help your cat stretch its muscles, shred the outer layer of its claws, and have a territory to mark.
 
  • Cat-suitable toys: you can leave bits of toys around the house to shift your pet’s focus. 

You can also attempt to play with them by dangling a soft toy in their line of sight. 
The dangling or swaying movement will mimic prey and encourage cats to seize the toy. 

If you notice increased agitation, end the play. But if you see that your cat begins to place nicely, reward it with treats. That is a nearly aggressive mood shifted into good behavior.

Resort to Behavior Modification
A licensed animal behaviorist will best facilitate behavior modification, which entails using positive or negative reinforcement to change undesirable behaviors.  

Detecting Overt Aggression
Notable overt aggression in cats includes biting, swatting, or attempts to swat or bite. 

These behaviors are often reactions displayed by cats when an individual or a stranger would reach out into their cage. Those are the cat’s attempt to control its environment or the circumstances it finds aversive.

To detect aggression in your cat, you need to be observant of its postures. The feline body will help you identify when it is over-stimulated, fearful, anxious, in pain, or uncomfortable.

  • Eyes: The cat’s eyes are the windows to its soul. Dilated pupils mean a stimulated cat. But when it blinks at you, it is showing affection, meaning it is relaxed. A slowly blinking cat means a comfortable cat. Return the favor by blinking slowly back at it.
 
  • Whiskers: When a cat’s whiskers are close to its face, it means it is fearful. When the whiskers are pushed forward, this signifies that the cat is feeling confident.
 
  • Cat noises:
 
  • Purring is a sign of pleasure, but it could also mean that the cat is in pain.
 
  • Vocalization series: This is what you call the series of sounds cats make when they sense threats. Vocalization is initiated by a growl which serves as a warning.
 
  • Then it is followed by hissing to show aggressors that your pet is armed with sharp fangs.
 
  • A yowl usually follows the hiss. Shrieking is the last sound in the series, signifying that the cat is about to make a stand or retreat.
 
  • Chirping and chattering: This indicates excitement overlaid with frustration.
 
  • Trilling: It is more like purring but with a higher pitch. Trilling is a sign that cats are friendly and familiar. A cat would usually trill to its owner as a greeting.
 
  • Meowing is challenging to decipher because cats make this sound for many reasons. But if your furry friend is constantly meowing, it could mean that it is in pain. Visit a veterinarian when this happens.
Final ThoughtsPlaying with your pet cat is the best way for it to release excess energy. Keeping your feline friend busy will lower the chances of overstimulation.

References
  1. Cats. https://www.nps.gov/samo/learn/management/cats.htm
 
  1. Aggression in Cats. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/aggression-cats#:~:text=They%20have%20five%20potential%20weapons,and%20can%20easily%20become%20infected.&text=Aggressive%20cats%20can%20be%20risky,danger%20to%20family%20and%20visitors


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Top 5 Responsibilities Of A Good Pet Parent

7/6/2021

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By Elsa Smith

Bringing a pet into your world is exciting! It's also a huge responsibility as well. To help you and your pet adjust to your new life together, preparation is key. So with that in mind, here are some tips for becoming a great pet parent.

Prepare your home
Pets are usually quite curious by nature, so your home must be safe for them to explore. Protect your new pet from danger by blocking any off-limit areas, creating places for them to rest and play, and also giving them somewhere comfy to sleep. Move anything breakable or sharp, hide dangerous power cords, and make sure there’s nothing small which they could swallow and choke on.

If you have any outside pet like a dog, high backyard fences with no gaps underneath keep them safe so they can't escape. If your backyard isn’t properly fenced, you may need to keep them on an adequate length leash. 

Take your pet to see the vet
Just like us humans, it’s super important to have regular check-ups to ensure they’re healthy. Talk to your vet about nutrition, weight control, health screenings, parasite checks, and dental health, plus insurance options. Your vet will also recommend vaccinations for your pet when required depending on things like their age, breed, and health risks.
   
You should also arrange spaying and neutering of your pet any time from 6 to 8 weeks of age. Not only does this ensure you don’t end up with any surprise offspring, but it also benefits your pet by reducing their desire to roam as well as lowering the risk of some types of cancer.

Start grooming while young
Not all pets enjoy grooming, so start getting them used to the idea of being groomed from a young age. The sooner you start, the more likely it becomes that they’ll end up enjoying and the less stressful grooming will be for you. You can even do a grooming course yourself to ensure you’re doing everything right. 

Start slowly by handling their ears, paws, tail, and tummy so they are exposed to similar sensations to grooming while giving them small treats as a reward. Then you can start slowly introducing grooming tools so they get familiar with how they sound and feel, with more rewards and praise.
By making grooming a positive experience for your pet, they’ll accept it to be a routine part of their life.

Provide clean water & food
It doesn’t matter which type of pet you have, nothing is more important than giving them healthy food and water. Providing your pet with good quality and highly nutritious food with natural ingredients is one of the best things for their overall health. 

Check you have the right food for your breed and make sure you always follow their instructions for feeding frequency and recommended serving size for your pet’s specific weight and age. When it comes to drinking water, all pets need to have plenty of clean water available at all times. And they can never have too much water, so check their bowl a few times each day and refill it whenever necessary.

Clean up after them
Another important part of a pet parent’s life is cleaning up after them. You’ll find that most dogs relieve themselves in places they've gone already before, so it’s a good idea to clean up their number 2’s regularly for them and for you.

On the other hand, if you’ve got an inside pet like a cat, they’ll often avoid their litter tray entirely whenever it gets too dirty. So always ensure their litter box is accessible and also cleaned regularly. Not only is cleaning up after your pet essential around your home to keep it clean, but your neighbourhood will also appreciate you picking up after them when going for walks to the park.
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If you’re a new pet parent, simply follow the above guideline to give your new pet the absolute best life possible. 

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Best methods to Pet-Proof your home

6/22/2021

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By Elsa Smith

A lot can happen while you’re out. While adding a new pet to your household can be a lot of fun, leaving them alone for even a short period of time can mean disaster.

This is especially true if your pet is anxious, untrained or energetic. However, this destruction can be avoided by taking the time to set up your home, helping them to feel happy and comfortable in their new environment. This means thoroughly pet-proofing your home. 

There are a lot of things you can do to make your home a secure place for your animal. First, it's important to think about all the possible areas of injury throughout your home. Tackling the most dangerous areas first can help prevent major accidents from occuring as your pet gets used to their new home.

Like humans, pets can get lonely too. This sometimes is displayed as depression or anxiety, and many of the symptoms will predominantly manifest while home alone. So knowing how to deal with pet separation anxiety is very important. The result of these symptoms can often translate into a damaged piece of furniture or messy room. With a few pet-proofing protocols set up, you can rest easy that your furry friend would be a lot less likely to cause mayhem when they are feeling down. 

A common misconception is that training your pets is enough to ensure peace is maintained in your absence. However, even if you don’t have a puppy, animals often behave differently when left to their own devices.

Pet-proofing does not have to be complicated, nor does it need to be expensive. Below is a list of simple quick fixes from the team at Hippo that you can do to ensure that your pet’s home is safe and sound.
Breaking It Down Room By Room
​Living RoomPets love common spaces, and living rooms are no exception. While we can enjoy lots of cuddle seshs in the living room, it’s also a place with loads of opportunities for something to get damaged. To avoid foul play between your pet and the sofa, take these pet-proofing steps:

  • Place small objects on high shelves and cabinets
  • Keep potty diapers within easy access
  • Have anti-scratch tape for your couch and table corners
  • Tuck, cover and hide and electrical devices, wires or cables
  • Cover up HVAC vents and any other orifices where your pet could get stuck or hurt
  • Make sure to turn off any appliances that are not in use


BathroomYour pet might like to follow you around the house, and the bathroom is no exception. In order to make sure your animal is out of harm’s way, here are a few measures you can take:  

  • Leave any pills in the medicine cabinet 
  • Keep toilet paper out of reach and tucked away
  • Remove any rugs from accessible spaces to avoid potty problems
  • Leave the toilet seat lid down
  • Clear out the trash bin regularly
  • Maintain small objects inside bathroom drawers or away from the ground


YardWhether it’s a large backyard or a small terrace, this may likely be one of your pet’s favorite places to roam. If you have an outdoor pet and an outside space in your home, this list is an absolute must:

  • Keep your pets inside while using any pesticides or artificial fertilizers
  • Seal any holes or potential escape routes
  • Make sure none of your plants are poisonous to animals
  • Clean up any pet waste as often as possible to avoid insects or rodents
  • Throw out food or trash as often as possible 


KitchenEveryone knows the kitchen is probably one of the most inhabited places in the home. With everything from food storage to meal preparation, the daily habits often are centered around kitchen activities. To make sure that you keep your kitchen clean and your cat, dog, or other animal off your plate and out of trouble, here are some go-to pet-proofing precautions:

  • Purchase non-toxic cleaning supplies to avoid any accidental poison consumption
  • Keep liquids out of reach 
  • Consider investing in a stove guard to keep your animals from burning themselves on hot surfaces
  • Seal off small spaces that can be used as hiding spots like between big appliances
  • Regularly throw away any trash or recycling to prevent any curious sniffs or leaks
  • Invest in a pet gate or door to keep your pet outside when you need space to cook or clean


Bedroom
There are many factors that can influence how organized the bedroom is, pets being one of them. It doesn’t matter if you spend the night with your fur baby in the same room or if they just come in for an occasional snuggle, the key piece to pet-proofing the bedroom is about maintaining an orderly area. This will ultimately affect whether or not you, your pet, or your room, are left intact. 

  • Leave all liquids on high shelves or tucked away
  • Keep a daily practice of making the bed to avoid dirty paws or claw scratching
  • Have the floor cleared and clean  
  • Close the doors and windows to avoid unwanted entry
  • Stow away and cables or cords for safety reasons


A Healthy Pet is a Playful Pet What pet-sitters and pet parents need to know is that when you keep your pet active, it makes them a lot happier. A healthy amount of activity makes them a lot less likely to misbehave while everyone is out. 

It’s worth remembering that engaging in a good amount of exercise will ensure that your furry friend not only stays sane, but also so that they don’t take out all their energy on your precious furniture. This is why it’s so important to pet-proof your home, so that your pet doesn’t hurt themselves and stays clear from ripping up the table cloth. At the end of the day, taking a few simple measures will help everyone feel safer to leave the house and not worry about pet safety or home maintenance.  

Apart from keeping your pet active and hiring a pet-sitter, pet-proofing is the best way to keep your pet healthy and happy for the long haul.

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Microchipping Your Pet Can Save Their Lives

6/2/2021

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By Elsa Smith
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​According to the ASPCA, more than 6.5 million pets end up in shelters every year. Sadly, about 1.5 million are euthanized. Although the number of euthanized pets has been on a downward trend, it is heartbreaking. No pet (or pet owner) should experience it. Thankfully, technologies such as microchips help to increase lost pet/owner reunions. This research by the Ohio State University attributes 73 percent of reunions to microchipping. 

Currently, pet microchipping is not mandatory in most states in the US. But there are signs that we could be heading that way soon. Ten states have already taken that step, and many others are warming up to it. Shelters dedicated to happy reunions and adoptions are often for it. But blind buy-in is not wise. We would like you to know about microchipping and make the best decisions concerning your pet’s identification. 

Here are the facts about microchipping your pet. 

What is microchipping, and how does it work?

Microchipping entails implanting a small electronic chip - about the size of a grain of rice - under the skin of your pet. The most common position is the back - right under the neck and between the shoulder blades. Once the microchip is in, it stays in the pet’s body throughout the pet’s life. The microchip has a unique number that is detectable by a microchip scanner. The number links to a database registry that contains details about the animal and the owner. 

Microchipping works much like the barcodes on products in supermarkets. Vets and shelters can scan the animal, discover its details and contact you. So you need to ensure that your information on the database is correct and up to date. The database could also contain vital information about the animal’s health. For instance, it may have information about vaccinations and whether the animal is spayed or neutered. 

Contrary to what many pet owners believe, pet microchips are not GPS tracking devices. Microchipping does not substitute a GPS device. Whereas a GPS may give you information about your pet’s location, a vet or an animal shelter must scan the pet to get information about the owner and animal from the microchip. Therefore, it is a complimentary device. 

It is a quick and painless procedureWhen you take your pet for microchipping, the handler will use a needle (or needle-like instrument) to insert the rice grain-size chip under the skin between the shoulder blades. Vets should do it. However, a well-trained person (even if they are not a vet) can do it as well. It is a quick procedure that takes a few seconds. However, you will need to fill in some paperwork which may take a while.

Microchipping is not exclusive to dogs, cats, and other mammals. Other animals including reptiles and birds, can be microchipped. But the size of the pet matters. For young animals, the chip might be too large and uncomfortable. However, larger animals would not feel uncomfortable. 
 
The procedure is almost painless. The needle may look large. But it is not different from needles used to draw blood. Your pet may not even flinch when it happens. 

There are no privacy concernsThe microchip does not contain your details. It only carries a unique number that links back to a database. A vet or animal shelter must scan the chip and use their credentials to access the pet’s information in the database. Therefore privacy concerns are non-existent with microchips. Details in the database are the same as what you wrote when filling out the paperwork. 

It is essential to update your contact details regularly. 

Microchips are hard to remove or damageMicrochips are durable. They can withstand any condition and last throughout the lifetime of the pet. However, there are instances where severe trauma on the shoulder blades can damage the chip. But these are rare.

The microchips are also tiny and would be nearly impossible to remove. So, once you have microchipped your pet, Catvills say that you need to consider it a lifetime identification solution. 

It is safe for the animal?

Microchipping does not trigger disease or allergic reactions. However, there are reports of cases where a pet, or an animal, had an allergic reaction or developed an ailment after microchipping. 

Some animals have developed tumors around the location of the microchip implants. But these are incredibly rare and far in between. Compared to the vast number of healthy microchipped pets, the risk is almost nil. 

Conclusion

Scanty or incomprehensible identification information makes it harder to unite lost pets with their owners. Microchipping is a painless, easy, safe, and inexpensive way to identify your pet. 
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These facts will help you learn more about this type of identification and make an informed decision. 

Remember, it is essential to keep your contact details up to date in the database so that the vet or animal shelter that finds the lost pet can get in touch ASAP. Likewise, if you transfer the pet to a new owner, update the details on the database.


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How to Deal With Your Pet's Separation Anxiety

5/11/2021

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By Elsa Smith

Does your dog excitedly greet you, pouring plenty of affection and love when you get back home? If yes, have you noticed if he gets sad when you leave and sometimes freak out? 
If that’s the case, your dog probably has separation anxiety. 

It is a condition where a dog feels distressed whenever the owner leaves. Some dogs begin howling, try to escape, start barking, while others poop and get into all sorts of unusual (bad) behavior. Don’t punish your dog; that is torturing him. 

We’re going to tell you all about separation anxiety in dogs and what you can do about it. 

Why do dogs develop separation anxiety?For years, animal behavior experts have opined that a dysfunctional attachment between the owner and the pet is the root cause of separation anxiety. But an article in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior suggested otherwise. More recently, scientists have suggested that a dog may experience frustrations when separated from their owners. These frustrations are not necessarily linked to a hyper-attachment to the owner. The dog may be expressing these frustrations:

  • They desire to get away from something in the house, yet they cannot. 
  • They desire to get something that is outside the home, yet they cannot.  
  • A reaction to external noises or events.
  • They are expressing a form of boredom. 

Many dog owners label separation anxiety as a form of overdependence on the owner. Thus, they focus on making the dog more independent. However, overdependence is not the cause.

Stephanie Gibeault, an expert with the American Kennel Club, suggests that traumatic experiences or sudden changes could be behind it. Also, unlike dogs adopted from shelters, dogs raised by single families from puppyhood are less likely to experience separation anxiety. 
But there is no conclusive evidence pinning separation anxiety to specific causes. The best that an owner can do is prevent it or start treatment at first sight of the signs. 

Read on and learn about the symptoms and what to do.
Signs that your dog has separation anxietyDoes your dog exhibit these signs immediately after you leave or when you are absent? He could be suffering from separation anxiety.

  • Chewing or damaging items.
  • Defecating or urinating indoors, and coprophagia (consuming excrement).
  • Barking and howling. 
  • Digging through doorways or attempting escape through windows. 
  • Pacing, and other anxious behavior.
  • Excessive drooling

These responses could result in self-injury or property damage. It is best to address the issue while it is still mild. In case the separation anxiety is severe, the symptoms are more pronounced, and you may require the help of an animal behavior specialist to address it. 

TreatmentBefore you treat separation anxiety, you need to be sure that it is indeed the problem, then take steps to address it. The first thing to do is to rule out other possibilities. 

Rule out other possibilitiesFirst, rule out medical issues. Visit the vet and give the dog a good check-up. It will help you to cross out many illnesses that could cause symptoms like drooling or coprophagia. 

Secondly, rule out other behavior issues. Does the dog urinate when excited or ‘ashamed’? Or does he still mark his territory? Perhaps he is still not well-trained. Or he is bored and lacks something to keep him busy while you are away. You could take him to a doggy daycare facility or get a pet sitter for him.

Address the issue that triggers anxietyIs the dog expressing anxiety due to one or more of the four frustrations? Get help from an animal behavior specialist and try to identify which one. Then proceed to eliminate it (where possible) and counter-condition the dog to associate separation with good things and not with the frustration. Counter conditioning is a complex process, and you may require assistance from an expert. 

Change your routineSometimes the dog could be too familiar with your routine. He knows that freaking out could get some extra attention and affection. Break your routine. Pack up as if you are about to leave, grab your keys, then sit on the couch. It will help to stop the chain of events, and you can start training him anew. 

Wear him outA tired dog is a happy one. Research shows that lack of exercise is the largest environmental factor associated with separation anxiety. Make sure your dog gets enough exercise and then has a calming bed to retreat to. These routines and exercises will help to keep the dog healthy and strong. 

Start building new associations with separationAs you engage the dog in these treatments, begin incorporating short periods of absence from the dog. Give him treats whenever you leave and observe his behavior. Gradually increase the duration of separation as the dog gets accustomed to the safe separation. 

During these sessions, remember to maintain a calm posture and demeanor whenever going out or coming in. Also, shrug him off (in a gentle way) if he gets excited when you come back.

When the dog can consistently withstand at least one hour of separation without exhibiting the symptoms, you have succeeded. 
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A final wordPerhaps you have been enjoying the love and affection your dog exhibits. But at the same time, you’ve been perplexed by his behavior when you are about to leave. Find out if he has separation anxiety. If it is the case, do not punish or withdraw love. Instead, use the steps above to address the issue. 

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How much should you be feeding your cat?

4/19/2021

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By Melissa Kauffman

How Much Should I Feed My Cat?
Are you a cat parent? Do you keep pondering how much you should feed your cat? Then here's a brief feeding guide that you need to know for your cat. 
Cats, being couch potatoes, are adapted to ‘numerous small portion meals a day’ kind of food habit. So, leaving a huge amount of food for them will make them obese. The answer to how much you should feed your cat depends on various factors such as age, weight, activity level and metabolic rate, reproductive status (whether your cat is pregnant or nursing), body conditions, and overall health. 
Underfeeding your cat will also lead to a deficiency of nutrients, and it might suffer from malnutrition. In contrast, overfeeding, which is often a pervasive problem observed in cats, will lead to obesity and many diseases such as diabetes, heart problems, musculoskeletal disorders, high blood pressure, some common types of cancers, and hepatic lipidosis (a fatal liver disease). One way to make sure your cat does not get overweight is to keep them busy with games and exercising. 
Hence, it is essential to feed your cat just the appropriate amount of food and adjust the quantity and type according to your cat's growth. This will ensure that your cat remains healthy and happy. 
To know the right amount of food or portions to feed your cat, consider consulting a veterinarian who will guide you through the unique food requirements for your cat. 
When to Feed Your Cat?
When you adopt a cat and bring it home, make sure it gets accustomed to a routine food habit, which you can maintain by giving your cat the same portion of the same food at scheduled times of every day and then slowly change the schedule according to your way. 
Cats are susceptible to environmental changes, which include a change in diet. Hence maintaining the diet and schedule will ease transitions and will prevent random stomach upsets. 
Once you know that it's time to transition in your cat's food habits according to your way, you need to figure out the kind of food you will be feeding it. The different types of food diet a cat requires are - wet food, dry food, raw food, and combination food. Determine the calorie counts of each food and figure out how much of which food your cat requires. 
Amount of Wet Food or Dry Food to Feed Your Cat 
Once you know your cat's calorie requirement, you need to figure out how much food will suffice that requirement every day. The caloric contents are listed on the labels of the food which you buy from stores. It is written as kcal/kg. For wet foods, it is kcal/can and kcal/cup for dry foods. 
The basic math to calculate your cat's calorie requirement- divide your cat's calorie needs (kcal/day) by the calorie content of the food (kcal/can or kcal/cup). The value will give you a basic idea of how much to feed your cat. 

How Often Should You Feed Your Cat?
As stated earlier, cats are accustomed to numerous meals a day. To make sure your cat doesn't suffer from obesity, divide the everyday meal plan at a minimum of two meals a day or up to six. Remember, smaller meals a day is better. 
Always keep monitoring your cat's weight and health conditions to narrow in on how much they should be fed, and consider consulting your cat's veterinarian for routine diet plans and checkups.
Wet Cat Foods vs. Dry Cat Foods
A healthy cat's food habits are the flesh-based protein diet that includes meat, fish, or poultry. Dry foods should be containing higher animal proteins than plant proteins, which cats are not equipped to digest. Carbs should only make up to 10% of the total mix of ingredients. 
Cats do not drink water often. Hence enough water requirements should be met by the foods they are consuming. Wet foods are found to contain a high amount of animal proteins with a sufficient amount of water. It predominantly contains fewer by-products and fillers, which again suits the cat diet. 
According to experts, an eight-year-old active adult cat requires 30 calories per pound per day. On average, it sums up to be a total of 240 calories per day. 
Dry foods contain about 300 calories per cup, whereas wet foods contain 250 calories in each 6 oz can. Using these counts as a guide, you need to feed 4/5th part of a cup of dry food to your healthy eight-year-old cat or less than a 6 oz can of wet food per day. You can always manage the proportions as per your cat's preference for dry and wet food choices. 
Free choice of food eating will make your cat obese. Hence, portioning out the meals every time helps the cat to remain active and healthy.
Cat Feeding Mistakes  
1. Relying only on dry food
Feeding your cat only dry foods can make it suffer from urinary tract infections due to less water intake. Dry foods alone cannot meet the water requirements of a cat. Dry foods can only meet up to 5-10% of your cat's total water requirement. Whereas wet foods can fulfill water requirements enough and beyond. Hence, it is crucial to feed them with canned food that can provide them enough water.
2. Offering little water
Felines are believed to be evolved from desert-dwelling animals, and hence they have a low thirst drive. Even compared to dogs, cats have blunted thirst desire. So it is the food that must meet the water requirements of a cat. If your cat likes drinking water from a running tap, it is likely to smell chlorine in it and refuses to drink. So it becomes challenging to provide them boiled water which they will not consume willingly. Make sure you provide your cat with foods containing enough water content and meet the demands so that your cat remains healthy and happy. 
Summing Up
Now that you have formed a basic idea of how much and how often to feed your cat, remember that these points may vary up to 50% in either direction from an average individual's needs. To sum it all up, keep monitoring your cat's weight and body conditions and adjust food habits. Always remember to consult a veterinarian for a regular checkup and diet plans. 




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Grooming Your Dog From Puppy to Senior

4/9/2021

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By Melissa Kauffman
Bathing your dog is an essential part of caring for him. Dogs are a part of our lives, they give us unconditional love every day, and the least we can do for them is to feed and nurture them regularly. 

We must know that the coat is a mirror of health, that is why brushing must not be skipped. Don't let the dog you love be messy and dirty, because that is the shortest way to skin diseases and various infections. Every dog breed sheds differently - for e.g., Malamutes are heavy shedders, a Maltese is known not to shed. But, for example, you might not know how much do pomeranians shed? Or any other breed that you might consider adopting or bringing home. That’s why we need to remember that proper and regular combing of the fur will remove dead hair, reduce shedding and combing stimulates the growth of new and healthy hair.

Reasons For Bathing Your Dog
Although dogs love water, bathing is not exactly their favorite activity. However, if you start to get your pet used to shampoo and proper care in time, this procedure can be real fun. The first bath of the dog should be at an early age. Puppies are easier to train and adapt to the requirements of the owner, so later you will have less problems to "make" the dog to be calm during bathing.

The most important reasons for bathing your dog regularly are the following:
  • Dirt is removed from the coat.
  • It prevents the occurrence of allergic reactions, due to the accumulation of pollen and other particles on the animal's fur.
  • Irritations and itching are kept to a minimum.
  • Unwanted and unpleasant odors are neutralized.
  • The health and appearance of the dog's fur and skin is improved.
  • Shedding and hair loss are reduced, as well as the spread of dirt around the house.

Puppy’s first grooming
It takes a lot of patience and effort to raise your puppies the right way. They are small, gentle, they need help and require a lot of attention and care.
The first visit to the groomers should be from the puppy’s 12 week of age to acclimate the puppy. They also need to have had all of their regular shots. The first session is always about familiarizing the puppy and the owner with the process.
The grooming of the coat is essential to the health of fur. This includes keeping the paw, muzzle, eye area and buttocks clean.
You can familiarize your puppy with some of the grooming steps by introducing some stimuli to the puppy.

  • Brushing
The only thing important is to remember that you brush your hair every day to maintain your hair’s hygiene and health. The same implies to your dog’s coat. It doesn’t matter if your puppy is short or long haired, combing should be done regularly as it stimulates hair follicles. 

  • The Paw
Nail clipping is an essential part of grooming, for overgrown nails result in bed posture, possible infected ingrown nails, etc.
To make sure nail clipping at the groomer goes as smooth as possible, your puppy should have a positive affirmation about touching his paws. Dogs reflexly tend to pull their paws aways if being touched by their feet, thus, try to get him used to touches. With gentle caresses and massages your puppy will slowly learn that touching his paw is only a part of petting. 

  • The Ear
Part of the pup’s regular hygiene is cleaning his ears, and if he’s not used to his ears being touched, he’s not going to like it. However, if you pet and play with his ears, he’s soon going to think it’s a petting routine and nothing else. 

  • The Eye
As much as we don’t like anyone touching us around our eyes, dogs have the same aversion. However, he will have to get used to trimming around the eyes and wiping gunk out of the corners of his eyes. While playing and petting, touch him on his head, near his eyes so he would get comfortable with someone touching directly around his eyes.

  • The Tail
The tail is part of the dog’s spine, thus your puppy may be  a little reserved about someone handling and manipulating it. Follow the same steps as above so he would get used to someone lifting and touching it.

This first visit is memorable, even though it can be quite a stressful one as well. Let the groomer know it’s his first time so the session would be quick and short, exposing the puppy to less stress.
Make sure you are calm as dogs tend to mirror the owner's feelings. Groomers mostly recommend the following for the first visit:
  • Bathing
  • Light brush out
  • Nail trim
  • Ear cleaning
  • Light trim if needed

The puppy should slowly be table trained, never leash trained. He should also be loosely restrained at first, never tightly, so not to frighten him. It usually takes two to three sessions for the pup to acclimate to the grooming process. 
Adult Dog Grooming
A great way to bond with your adult dog is grooming. You can do it while playing or even while cuddling. If you’ve had your dog since he was a puppy and you got him used to grooming, from now on, it is pure maintenance. 
Generally, a dog’s grooming requirements depend on the breed and fur type. It is also important to use the appropriate grooming tools. If your dog has a skin, ear or nail condition, follow your veterinarian’s instructions regarding grooming your dog. 
On accession, you may need to pluck your dog’s ear hairs as a regular hygiene. This might seem a bit over the top dramatic at first, but it’s an essential step and it does not hurt as much as it looks. 
After bathing, we recommend using a hairdryer set to cool. This way the dog won’t retain that “wet dog” smell. 
The frequency of grooming is different for every dog depending on their fur.
  • Long-haired dogs usually require daily brushing to prevent matting and tangling of hair.
  • Medium-haired dogs may be prone to matting and tangles and should be brushed at least twice weekly.
  • Short-haired dogs can go up to a week in-between brushing.
Senior Dog GroomingOlder dogs can sometimes be grumpy. Some have joint pains, some have reduced ability to hear and see, and these things make them anxious enough. In these cases, grooming sessions should be kept very short. 
Dog’s coats change as they age. Much like humans, they get gray hair around their eyes and muzzle. Coats can begin thinning, and skin irritations, growths, or lumps begin to appear. A grooming session is the best time to note any changes in a dog’s health. A good bath will relieve itchy areas they can no longer reach themselves. Senior dogs are overjoyed with the extra attention they get during and after grooming. 

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