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Prevent Pet Theft

Tuesday, July 26, 2016
posted by Jim Murphy

dogcopDid you know that dog and cat theft is on the rise this year? The American Kennel Club reported almost three times the usual number of dog thefts as compared to previous years. The most vulnerable were animals left alone in cars or left outside a store while the owner was inside shopping. Purebreds, small dogs were among the most stolen. We’ve talked about leaving pets alone in the car especially in the heat —–NEVER NEVER NEVER!

You can avoid theft by helping your pet keep a low profile. If you like a particular breed, don’t broadcast it by car stickers or outdoor signs. Be very wary of strangers who appear overly inquisitive about your pet. When you’re out, always keep your dog on his dog leash or in a fenced-in yard. Never leave him unattended in a car. So many people do this and besides the fact that it is cruel and unhealthy, you really run the risk of someone snatching him!. Many people also will attach his dog leash onto a pole and go inside a restaurant or store. You’re just asking for trouble if you do this.

Be sure that your pet has an adequate and up to date ID. Micro chipping is an excellent idea. The person who steals your dog does not have any idea that he has a micro chip. It’s also a great idea to get a GPS tracking device for your dog.  If and when the “stealer” takes it to the vet for the first time, there’s a good chance that the vet will scan the dog or cat. This will reveal the true owner. You also may be able to lead police to your dog if you have special dog tracker collar.

In combination with micro-chipping, the AKC recommends using a 24-hour recovery service that maintains your current contact information. This is especially helpful if you do a lot of travelling.

Remember, your pets count!

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A Cats Strange Chewing Habits

Monday, July 25, 2016
posted by Jim Murphy

catcheewhatSome cats have very strange chewing habits. Some will chew on clothing or cotton, mine likes to chew on string. Did you know that odd cat chewing behaviors could result in serious medical complications? If I catch any of my cats chewing on anything that I consider dangerous such as string, I immediately take it from them and get rid of it. Here are some tips that may help to curb a cats chewing habits.

If your cat feels the need to crunch on things, substitute his chewing on something dangerous with something that is good for him. Try carrots, lettuce or dry cat food or healthy cat treats. You can also get some cat chew toys.
You may want to create a window box that is filled with cat nip or wheat grass. My older cat loves to chew on grass but since I keep her indoors, occasionally I will buy her some wheat grass as a treat.
Try hiding some bits of dry cat food around the house. If will give them something to do rather than chew on things that may harm them.
If your cat insists on chewing plastic, wood or fabric, try spritzing those things with a bitter substance or a cat safe repellent.
Most cats don’t like the smell of perfume. Mix one part perfume with ten parts of water and spray in the place where you do not want your cat to chew.
Make sure that your cat is not chewing on electrical cords. If this is the case, use gaffer’s tape to wrap around exposed cords.

Remember, your pets count!

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dogpullingWhen we were growing up we had a Lab named Rocky. He was a large, muscular but very friendly dog. My mom, was a relatively small woman and she would take him out for walks regularly. There was one problem, when Rocky saw another dog, he would charge toward it and sometimes pull my mother or whoever was walking him down. I remember, seeing her come home with bruises on her arm. So how do we get a large dog from pulling on his dog leash? This could be a tough one.

The number one thing that you should do is make sure that you are using the proper dog collar. Make sure the collar is comfortable and fits fido properly.The collar shouldn’t be so tight that it is choking the dog, but should be tight enough so that it does not slide up and down the dog’s neck.
You should be able to slide your hand between the dog’s neck and collar when it is secured in place.
Many people choose to use a harness instead of a collar. The harness disperses the pressure to the dog’s back rather than its neck. This will allow you to train your dog to walk on a leash without having to rely on the choking feeling the dog gets when pulling at its leash.

If you’re training your dog not to pull, don’t use a retractable dog leash. This will defeat the purpose. Use a standard chain or cloth leash.

When your dog pulls, stop and stand still. No matter how hard he pulls, don’t let him go in the direction that he wants to. The reason is that if the dog pulls and you follow it, he is getting his way and going where he wants to.

Wait until the dog does anything to loosen his leash.The dog might stop pulling by leaning back, sitting, or changing direction. As soon as the leash loosens, you can start walking again.
You can encourage the dog to loosen the leash by calling it back to you.

Do this for the duration of his walk. This method takes a lot of patience. It will teach your dog that pulling gets it nowhere.

Remember, your pets count!

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largesmallThis is true a small dog will usually live longer than a larger dog. Also, a dog that packs on the pounds will not live as long as one who is a normal weight. Large size dogs take a toll on their body. The larger the dog, the harder the internal organs like the heart and lungs have to work. It works the same way with humans that are obese. Larger dogs are also more prone to achy joints and arthritis.This is why giant breeds, like Great Danes, tend to have shorter lifespans than other large breeds. Some breeds, even small ones, are prone to certain diseases that could shorten life expectancy.

A dogs breed dictates a particular weight but if he eats the wrong dog food or table food and does not chase around his favorite dog toys.  he will pack on the pounds. You may like your dogs round figure but the extra weight will have an effect on his overall health. There are no diet dog pet medications. If he develops arthritis, the extra weight will aggravate it. and his metabolism will slow down which will make it more difficult for him to lose weight.

Another interesting fact is that a dogs personality can affect his weight A well-behaved breed like a  German Shepherd lives longer than less-obedient breeds of similar size. A calm Labrador Retriever will live longer than an aggressive Great Dane. Calm dogs burn less energy that aggressive ones. A cool, calm personality is linked to lower energy and a longer lifespan.

When your dog reaches an older age, he’ll need a different diet to meet his slowing metabolism. Talk to your vet about the type of dog food that will accomplish this.Dogs that weigh less than 50 pounds should start on a senior diet around age 7. Large dogs should start by age six and giant dogs by age 5. You should also talk to your vet about the type of dog treats you should feed your dog when he reaches this age.

All pet owners want their dogs to live as long as they can. You should have your dog fixed, feed him quality dog food, ensure that they have adequate shelter and have regular visits to the vet.

Remember, your pets count!

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Benefits of Grooming Your Cat

Saturday, July 23, 2016
posted by Jim Murphy

catbrushEvery single day, when I get out of the shower, my cat Molly in sitting by the door waiting to be brushed. She loves it and even when I’m in a hurry, I always try to groom her. As I’m brushing Molly, my younger cat Millie is patiently waiting to be brushed next. She also loves being groomed. In addition to giving your cat, her favorite treats or buying her favorite cat toy, the feeling of being brushed, also gives them a lot of pleasure.

There are real benefits to grooming your cat.

Benefits of Grooming according to PAM.COM
1.     Brushing distributes the natural oil which helps maintain skin and coat health.
2.    With frequent brushing you can address tangles before they turn into mats.
3.    Grooming enables you to check for parasites such as fleas and ticks.
4.    Time spent brushing your cat can help deepen the bond between the two of you.
5.    Frequent grooming helps desensitize the cat to being handled.
6.    You’re able to check for any skin abnormalities or ear problems
7.    The more hair you brush, the less hair your cat will swallow

Get yourself a good pet brush and groom your cat regularly.

Remember ,your pets count!

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If You See Something, Say Something

Saturday, July 23, 2016
posted by Jim Murphy

dog rescueIn this sweltering heat, our pets must be kept cool and comfortable. Unfortunately many beloved pets are in danger during this extreme heat because of their irresponsible, selfish owners. Your pets should be kept indoors in air conditioning. Their water bowls should be kept filled up at all times. Keep dog walks short and try not to take them out in the hottest part of the day. Take them out in the early morning and the late afternoon or early evening. Keep exercise to a minimum. Dogs overheat very fast. Play with those dog toys inside in a comfortable, air conditioned environment.

NEVER !!!!! keep your dog in the car with rolled up windows and no air-conditioning.  Your dog will die in minutes in the extreme heat. Leaving pets locked in cars is never safe. But when the weather gets warmer, it can be deadly. High temperatures can cause irreparable organ damage and even death. Protecting animals from an unnecessary death is a problem we can all agree to prevent.

NEVER !!! keep your dog chained in the hot yard in extreme temperatures even if his water bowl is filled. Extreme temperatures will do damage to your dog.

The Humane Society has put together a list of things to do if you do see a dog in a locked car. Act immediately, you don’t have much time!

  1. Take down the car’s make, model and license-plate number.
  2. If there are businesses nearby, notify their managers or security guards and ask them to make an announcement to find the car’s owner. Many people are unaware of the danger of leaving pets in hot cars and will quickly return to their vehicle once they are alerted to the situation.
  3. If the owner can’t be found, call the non-emergency number of the local police or animal control and wait by the car for them to arrive. In several states good Samaritans can legally remove animals from cars under certain circumstances, so be sure to know the laws in your area and follow any steps required.

It’s going to be in the mid 90’s here in southern Delaware today. I’m not doing much outside. I’m treating this day like a very very cold winter’s day where you just don’t want to go out. Do the same for your pets, keep them safe and sound in a cool environment.

If you see anyone abusing their pets by leaving them chained in the sun outside, or in a car alone, say something immediately. You will save a life!

Remember, your pets count!

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Adopting A Rescue Dog

Friday, July 22, 2016
posted by Jim Murphy

adoptIf you’re thinking of adopting a dog, consider a rescue dog. There are many dog rescue organizations across the country. Some focus on rescuing certain breeds such as Greyhounds that are usually put down after their racing career is over. Rescue organizations also focus on other breeds that have been abandoned. You would be doing a good thing by considering a rescue dog. The first thing that you need to do is go to a rescue website. If you are looking for a specific breed, there will be a link for rescued dogs. Petfinder is also a good choice for all breeds. Select the breed, size, age and enter your zip code. A list of dogs will come up in your surrounding area. You can also check out Petfinder if you are not looking for a specific breed. Pick out a dog and learn more about. You will be asked to fill out an application with details about you, your home, your family and your knowledge of dogs. You must also give the name of a veterinarian who could vouch for you. You will then be contacted and asked more questions. The rescue organization just wants to make sure that the dog is going to a good home and is not left alone the majority of the time.

Be prepared for the foster parents to bring the dog to your home for a first visit. If the dog is at a kennel, you will be asked to go to the kennel. They will see how the dog interacts with you and how you interact with the dog. Make sure you have the supplies necessary like a dog crate, dog bed etc.

If all goes well, your cost will be about $150 to cover shots, spaying/neutering and any other veterinarian costs. Some of the money will be allocated to rescue another dog. Most rescue organizations are non profit and the foster parents are all volunteers.

Give your new best friend lots of love,dog treats, dog toys exercise and pampering. Feed your dog a quality dog food.

Remember, your pets count!

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catdogshoeMany puppies and kittens fail to complete learning tasks in the early stages of training. This according to Suzanne Britts, Phd. CAAB, is because they either stopped trying or showed signs of distress such as yelping or engaging in abnormal behaviors. Your puppy or kitten begins life wanting and needing to learn. Don’t suppress the behaviors that you don’t like but rather re-program yourself to reinforce and encourage the ones you do like. Dogs and cats that hear “no” much more than they hear “yes” become afraid to try new behaviors. So if your dog refuses to go upstairs or your cat avoids the new cat scratching post that you just bought her, it may be because her willingness to try it was suppressed by so many “no’s” when she was young. When your dog or cat does something that you like, reinforce this behavior with a “yes good boy or girl.” When they really do something that you like, you can always give them a cat treat or dog treat and get them a new dog or cat toy!

Remember, your pets count!

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Why Not Volunteer at an Animal Shelter?

Thursday, July 21, 2016
posted by Jim Murphy

dogshelterIf you’re an animal lover, you care about the health and welfare of our furry friends. There are many ways that you can help a shelter dog or cat find a new home. Volunteering at your local animal shelter could be one of the most rewarding experiences  of your life. Volunteering usually gives you more satisfaction than your regular paying job. There are many things you can do to make a difference in an animals life. You can put on that dog leash and take some of the dogs for a walk at the shelter. You could also toss around so dog toys and give the pups that all important exercise, after all, they’re cooped in their cages most of the day. You can also help stuff envelopes, help with a fund raising event etc. Whatever you do is so important and will make a difference in the lives of these sweet animals. You’ll join a network of hundreds of thousands of people working to make the world safe and more humane for all living creatures. You’ll make the jobs of everyone working for animals a little easier by lending a hand and spreading the message of responsible pet ownership and animal protection. Remember, you’ll never find a more grateful friend than an animal that you’ve comforted. Volunteer at a shelter today!

Remember, your pets count!

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Cats…..Did You Know?

Thursday, July 21, 2016
posted by Jim Murphy

cat wineCat lovers love their kitties but most of us don’t know why they do the things they do. Here are some facts about your feline friends that you may find interesting.

  1. Cats are the most popular pet in the United States: There are 88 million pet cats and 74 million dogs.
  2. Cats have over 20 muscles that control their ears.
  3. Cats sleep 70% of their lives.Make sure you have several cozy cat beds in your home.
  4. A cat has been mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska, for 15 years. His name is Stubbs.
  5. Cats can’t taste sweetness so it doesn’t matter if their cat food is sweet or not.
  6. Owning a cat can reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack by a third.
  7. The world’s largest cat measured 48.5 inches long.
  8. A cat’s purr may be a form of self-healing, as it can be a sign of nervousness as well as contentment.
  9. Adult cats only meow to communicate with humans.
  10. Cats are often lactose intolerant, so stop givin’ them milk! Make sure their water bowl is filled all the time.
  11. Female cats are typically right-pawed while male cats are typically left-pawed.
  12. A cat’s brain is 90% similar to a human’s — more similar than to a dog’s.
  13. Cats have a longer-term memory than dogs, especially when they learn by actually doing rather than simply seeing.
  14. Abraham Lincoln kept four cats in the White House.
  15. When cats leave their poop uncovered, it’s a sign of aggression and telling you that they don’t fear you. In my case, my younger cat Millie always leaves her poop uncovered but she is intimidated by my older cat Mollie.

I would like to thank Buzzfeed for providing these very interesting feline facts.

Remember, your pets count!

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