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Archive for January, 2011

When cats get frightened

Monday, January 10, 2011
posted by Jim Murphy

cat-frightenedI’m sure you’ve heard your cat hiss and have seen him puff up his tail.  This means that he feels threatened. If you watch closely, when your cat gets startled, the pupils of his eyes will quickly become smaller.  Your cat may show several different signs that he is frightened. He may also run, hide, growl and arch his back. To help reduce your cat’s anxiety, it is much better to slowly introduce anything that is new or different such as new cat toy, object, person and even another animal. Slowly, over time he will become used to the new addition to his environment. If your cat runs off and hides because he his frightened, don’t run after him and try to pull him out from under the sofa or bed. You’ll just make things worse.  Be patient and let him come out when he is ready. One of my cats runs and hides when one of my friends comes over. My friend does not like cats and one time startled her. Since that time, she’s in her cozy little hiding place when my friend is over.

One important thing to remember with cats is that you should keep their routine as consistent as possible.  This includes feeding, playing and cuddling.

dog-destroyingIs it separation anxiety or just boredom?  How do you tell if your dog has separation anxiety? First of all, if your dog is stuck by your side all the time while your home , this includes sleeping times and any destruction that you find occurs within the first 20 minutes after you leave the house, then you probably have a case of separation anxiety. You would be able to tell if you have a video camera turned on during a short period of time. The dog will literately tear your house apart. My dog did everything from dragging a roll of toilet paper down the steps from the second floor to knocking over all the plants and taking all of the foam out of the cushions on the couch, chewing them up and scattering them around the entire living room!  He did this everyday!  If your dog can spend the night in his dog crate and doesn’t mind being separated from you while you are doing your thing at home, then it’s probably not separation anxiety but rather boredom and is usually limited to chewing and barking.

Some things that you could do is try to make your arrivals and departures very low key. Do things like pick out your keys and get prepared to leave but don’t actually leave. Do this several times a day until your dog does not associate your behavior with something that is negative.   Interact with your dog on your terms not his. Pet him, give him treats etc. when you want, not him. Give your dog more exercise and have lots of dog toys around for him to play with during the day. You can crate your dog but you must do this early on when he is a puppy and not later because he will think that he is being punished. You may also consider taking your dog to doggie daycare. Good luck, take it from me, this is not a pleasant experience.

dog-and-vetIf you’re like me, you’re  always concerned that a trip to the vet will burn a hole in your pocket. Because of the extremely high cost of health care, including pet health care in this country, we may  sometimes be reluctant to take our pets in for a checkup if there seems to be a problem. This is not only unfair to our pets but may delay necessary treatment thus putting your pet in danger and increasing the cost of health care.  Maybe you should consider getting pet health insurance. It’s been around for many years, but lots of people were unaware that it existed.  The industry has changed over the past several years, maybe for the better.  Pet owners with insurance are now able to provide their pets with level of care that was previously cost prohibitive.

Here’s something that you probably weren’t aware of. Veterinary medicine is one of the few health care professions that is not only based on insurance. Unlike most medical, surgical, dental and pharmacy cases in human medicine, the owners of veterinary patients are responsible for veterinary costs that include preventive and routine care, emergency and disease conditions.

Pet health care policies are similar to human policies with deductibles, premiums,  and different plans based on what the owner chooses.  Plans are also based on species, age and pre- existing conditions and in some cases, the lifestyle of the pet. For instance, it may cost more to insure an outdoor cat versus an indoor cat.

Most companies will start coverage at age 6 to 8 weeks and limits could vary. Most policies will include pet medication, with a co pay option. Some will only cover the pet for 8 or 9 years while other will provide coverage for 20 plus years.

If pet insurance isn’t for you, check with your veterinarian, some animal hospitals offer wellness packages which include discounts on  things like vaccinations and spay and neutering procedures.

Another source that you may want to check out is Pet Assure. This is a national program that offers a 25% savings on veterinary services and a 50%  discount on pet supplies and services. Only certain participating veterinarians offer this service as it’s not an insurance policy.

Each pet owner will need to decide if pet insurance is right for them but there are some other options to consider.

Visiting the Veterinarian

Friday, January 7, 2011
posted by Jim Murphy

dog-vetWhen you first get a puppy, you’ll need to take him in to the veterinarian for a proper exam and vaccination. Some puppy shots are administered in a series.  If it’s  a new vet, you’ll probably get to know him/her quite well during the initial period.  After the initial series of shots, most healthy dogs only need to visit the veterinarian only once a year for their annual vaccinations and a brief checkup.  Older dogs may need to get more frequent exams.  It’s a good idea to ask about special geriatric screenings. Most veterinarians will recommend a bi annual visit.  No matter what your dogs age is, any sudden changes in his behavior or eating habits should be reported to a veterinarian. Your treatment options are always better when you catch a problem early on. Always refer to your vet for pet medications. Never try to administer anything yourself. This will keep your new pet healthy and happy.

Supporting you local animal shelter

Thursday, January 6, 2011
posted by Jim Murphy

cat-prayingYour local animal shelter could use all of the help and support that it can get.  According to the ASPCA,  there are over 5,000 animal shelters across the country. These shelters play an important roll for millions of animals. The role that they play will help determine whether an animal will live or die. You can help by adopting a pet, volunteering your time or by making a donation. So many pets need you. If you are thinking of adopting a pet, don’t turn you back, visit you local animal shelter now. The result could be one of the most rewarding things that you’ll ever do. Adopting a cat or dog will not only enhance the animals life but it will surely bring lots of love into your home. Get some dog or cat toys and even do some exercise yourself while playing with you new pet!

Hypoallergenic Dogs

Wednesday, January 5, 2011
posted by Jim Murphy

dog-hairlessWhen the Obama’s searched for a dog, we were thinking about which breed would be the best for allergy sufferers.  Most people who sneeze and sniffle around dogs are actually allergic to a protein in canine saliva and dander which stick to a dogs fur. This is why breeds like the American Hairless Terrier which sheds very little are recommended for people with allergies.  However, no dog is truly hypoallergenic . All breeds produce some dander and saliva.  Certain people do seem to be able to tolerate certain dogs but most doctors agree that people who suffer from severe allergies should avoid pets that would trigger a reaction.  If you do have allergies and have a dog, bath him frequently and vacuum and clean you house often. There are some dog accessories such as pet wipes which can help reduce the amount of dander.

Taking your puppy to the park

Tuesday, January 4, 2011
posted by Jim Murphy

puppy-parkA puppy’s manners are important at a dog park.  Many cities now have places set aside where people could bring their dogs to run and play. These parks can be a wonderful and safe place for your pup provided that both humans and their canine friends follow some basic rules.  First, not all dogs should be taken to the dog park. If your pup is very young, don’t take him to the park until he is a  bit older and could run and play with the other dogs.  If your dog has behavioral or health issues, don’t take him to the dog park.  While you’re at the park, make sure that your dog comes and sits on command.  Keep barking to a minimum. To avoid conflicts, don’t give treats around other dogs and follow all dog leash rules.  Make sure you also watch you manners.  Avoid disciplining another persons dog and make sure you clean up after your own.

Keeping your dog comfy during cold weather

Monday, January 3, 2011
posted by Jim Murphy

dog-snowMany dog owners don’t give their dogs enough exercise during the winter months. They could become more destructive during this time because they need to use their energy. It is important that you continue to exercise your dog during the colder months. Here are some tips that can keep your dog warm in winter.

  • Keep your dogs nails trimmed so it gives him more traction in the snow and ice.
  • If your dog is fairly small and older with arthritis, carry him to his spot to do his business. It is difficult for older dogs in cold, snowy weather. Many times they won’t want to go out at all. Be sensitive to your older dog and make him as comfortable as possible.
  • Put a dog coat on if your dog has short hair.
  • If your dog has trouble walking in ice and snow, consider buying dog boots to make life a bit easier for him. The rock salt on sidewalks often burns your dog’s  paws and boots will certainly alleviate this problem.
  • If your dog has walked on salted snow and does not have boots, clean off his paws as soon as you get home.
  • Brush your dog more often in winter to keep the natural oils distributed on his skin. A dogs skin will dry out fast in colder weather.

Always give him some exercise. He may really enjoy running and fetching in the snow!

Finding a lost dog

Sunday, January 2, 2011
posted by Jim Murphy

dog-lostThis scenario is more common than you think. You’re in the park and a dog who looks distressed crosses your path or your in your car and you see a stray dog wander across the road.  What do you do?  You have only a few seconds to make a decision and act on it. If you’re an animal lover, you would certainly stop and try to help the animal. Here are some tips in dealing with a lost dog.

Keeping a few simple things in your car can make a world of difference when it comes to dealing with a lost, scared or injured animal.  Keep a dog leash and heavy blanket in your trunk.  This will help you restrain a lost or injured dog without the risk in injury.   Keep a can of food and a bottle of water in your car. These can be used to entice the animal.  Keeping a first aid kit is a good idea but make sure you do your research and know how to use it properly.  Always think about your safety first. Even a very gentle dog can attack if it’s injured or scared. Once you restrain the animal, take it to a shelter or a vet right away. Some dogs are micro chipped and their owners could be located just by scanning the dog. Sometimes there will be a name of phone number on his collar.

If you don’t feel confident about your own safety when trying to rescue a lost or injured animal, then call the local police or the ASPCA and ask for help.

Can your dog catch your cold?

Saturday, January 1, 2011
posted by Jim Murphy

dog-left-aloneThe time of year is here and it seems that everyone is sneezing and coughing. If you come down with a cold or flu, is it possible for your dog to catch your cold?  Well,the answer is no, your dog cannot catch your cold. The reverse however is not true. If your dog is sick with a cold and has watery eyes or a runny nose and you pet him, you can catch his cold. It’s important that you wash your hands thoroughly each time you touch your dog. If his cold persists, don’t try to administer any pet medication on your own. Take him to the vet to determine whether it’s a respiratory infection.