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PET Rx Food is not love:
Get the pounds off your pet
Obesity in pets causes a lot of the same problems it does in people. An overweight pet is prone to a host of related problems, including diabetes, joint, ligament and tendon difficulties, breathing and heart challenges. Overweight cats can even develop skin problems from not being able to groom themselves properly. The overall impact on comfort and longevity can be dire.
Is your pet overweight? Healthy pets have some padding on them, but a little is plenty. Rub your hands over the ribs of your dog or cat. The skin should move easily back and forth, and you should be able to feel the ribs. Your pet should have a definable "waist" at the bottom of the rib cage, a small tuck-in at the stomach. Take a look from the side: If your pet looks pregnant, he's fat. From above, a bump out from the middle into an apple shape is equally bad news. In birds, look for a thicker breast or rolls of fat.
Crash diets aren't good for pets, especially not for fat cats, who can develop a fatal liver problem if forced to reduce too quickly. A pet doesn't get fat overnight, and he shouldn't be forced to change course any more rapidly. What you'll need to do is change your pet's eating and exercise habits gradually.
The best place to start is with a trip to your veterinarian. You'll want to make sure your pet doesn't have any problems that might make lifestyle changes difficult or dangerous. Your vet can also suggest a food plan that might help.
Carve some time out of your schedule to walk your dog or play with your cat -- three times a week, at least. Be sure to work in some aerobic exercise, anything that gets a cat or dog really moving. Dividing the daily food ration into small portions and making pets work to find them or putting food in puzzles that require work to get at will also help.
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Pet Buzz
Cats Shortchanged by Many Pet Owners |
Cats receive only half of the health care protection that dogs do, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association. In another study by the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), pet owners with at least one dog and one cat in their household said they were more attached to the dog than the cat by a 3-to-1 margin. A third of pet owners surveyed believe it's more critical to take a dog than a cat for a wellness exam with their veterinarian, an alarming statistic as cats are less likely to show signs of sickness or pain than dogs.
Rabies shots for more than canines
The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that cats have a higher incidence of rabies than dogs, while horses and ferrets have less chance of being rabid than either dogs or cats. Talk to your veterinarian about vaccinating all -- for the health of your entire family, two- and four-legged both. In other rabies news:
More than half of pet owners sleep with their pets or allow the animals to lick their faces. A study by Kansas State University notes that this practice, along with not washing hands after handling pets or pet food, was a contributing factor in the development of new strains of E. coli.
Remember our motto: Get rid of the risk and keep the pet! Wash those hands!
Respondents to an informal poll with 2,000 participants on Dogster.com said that concern over pet-food quality and ingredients was the most likely reason for them to switch pet foods. Three-quarters of respondents had this concern when it came to food choice, far surpassing veterinary recommendations at 14 percent or price at 8 percent. |
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Sending the dogs to the farm
What farm, you ask? |
The one where many imagine their unmanageable dog will be welcomed, along with countless others. A farm where dogs run leash-free, with no children to bite, no cats to kill, no home or yard to destroy, and no nearby neighbors to hear the barking, barking, barking.
"We can't handle our dog anymore," someone will feel desperate. "We need to find him a home on a farm."
Of course, no such farms exist. The responsibility for correcting your dog's behavior problems rests solely with you. His quality of life is at considerable risk -- and likely his very life: Dogs with serious behavior problems whose owners give up on them are often euthanized after adoption efforts fail.
It doesn't have to be that way. While some behavior problems aren't fixable, most can be. To accomplish such change, though, you have to be prepared to put some time into changing the situation. Quick-fix, halfhearted efforts are doomed from the start.
The first rule of solving any behavioral problem is to make sure it's not a medical problem. Health issues that cause or contribute to behavior problems must first be accurately diagnosed and treated with the help of your veterinarian.
When your pet is healthy, your veterinarian can still be of use. While few veterinarians have the certified training or knowledge to help solve behavior problems, the number of those who do is growing -- and your vet may be one of them. Even those veterinarians who have no interest in behavior work can refer you to someone who can help. Loosely grouped under the term "behaviorist," these pet professionals can help you fix what ails the relationship you have with your pet.
Consulting a behaviorist can save you time, money and aggravation. Time, because someone with experience in animal behavior can quickly determine the root of the problem, without the emotional baggage that a pet owner may bring to the situation. Money, because a consultation or two is a great deal cheaper than replacing a chewed couch or blitzed landscaping. And aggravation? You'll understand that one if you've ever lived with a problem pet.
One of the best choices for help is a veterinarian who has received additional certification in solving pet-behavior problems. These professionals have gone through years of study in animal health and behavior and have done a residency in the field as well. One plus with this group: They can prescribe medications to help correct behavior problems as part of an overall program.
People with other academic degrees (such as psychology) and people who've picked up their knowledge in the field also make themselves available for advising on behavior. Some in the latter group can be excellent, so don't let a lack of degrees deter you from getting help from someone who has studied in the "school of hard knocks" (or would that be the "school of bites and scratches"?).
Behaviorists are not "trainers" in the sense of offering group obedience classes to sharpen a pet's manners. Instead, they work one-on-one with you to solve a specific behavior problem.
If you're in a situation where you're thinking of dumping your pet, ask your veterinarian for help, or call your closest college of veterinary medicine. And quit dreaming about that imaginary farm where all bad dogs are welcome. It exists only in those dreams.
Instead, get help to get the dog you dreamed of owning.
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Preparation key to safe air travel for pets
Planning air travel with a pet? Before your pet flies:
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Talk to the airline. You'll need a reservation, need to know where and when your pet has to be presented, and what papers you'll need to bring. Airlines charge extra even for those pets who fly in a carry-on bag, so ask about fees in advance so you won't be surprised.
Be sure your pet is in good health. Air travel isn't recommended for elderly or ill animals, and is likewise ill-advised for the pug-nosed breeds of dogs and cats. Contrary to popular belief, it's generally safer for your pet not to be tranquilized before flying. Talk to your veterinarian.
For pets who'll be traveling in the cargo hold, use a hard-sided carrier designed for air travel, and make sure it's in good condition and all bolts are tight. You'll need food and water bowls, and bagged food duct-taped to the top of the carrier. Pets small enough to ride in the passenger cabin will../../images/divider.gif be more comfortable in a soft-sided carrier.
Consider travel conditions. Don't ship your pet when the weather is extreme or when air traffic is heaviest. Some airlines offer terminal-to-plane transport in climate-controlled vans. Ask what provisions will be made to protect your pet and when the airlines will not allow your pet to fly because of weather conditions.
Choose a direct flight. If that's not possible, try for a route with a single connection and a short layover. Direct flights eliminate layovers, and short layovers reduce the time on the ground |
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PET BUY
Paperwork needed for pet purchase |
Adding a pet to the family is often referred to as an "adoption," but make no mistake: It's still a business transaction. Whether you're getting a pet from a shelter, rescue group or private breeder, you should come away not only with a new family member but also with a sheaf of paperwork.
At minimum, the rescue group, shelter or seller should provide you with a contract that spells out any guarantees for health and temperament as well as return policies if the animal isn't working out. A basic medical history -- vaccines, wormings, neutering -- should also be included, as should recommendations for future medical care, food and so on. If you're buying a registered animal, make sure you get the forms you need to transfer ownership with such organizations as the American Kennel Club and the Cat Fanciers' Association.
If you do not get all the breed registration paperwork, it can be difficult to track it down later. Some sellers flat-out disappear after a sale, while others will try to charge more for "papers" after you've already taken your pet home. Mind you, any breeder who'd do either is likely not someone you should have been getting a pup or kitten from in the first place. But that won't help you much when you've already fallen in love with your new pet, will it?
If you don't get registration paperwork, the breed registries will try to help with registration matters if you contact them. But in most cases they can't do much, since people rarely have enough information on the breeder or the animal's parents to get the matter cleared up. |
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New Gallery Feature |
We have added a new feature on our web site. We have received many great photos of your pets. Keep them coming.
You can upload images of your pets for all to view. Its easy to use so upload as many images as you want and enjoy those of other pets.
Click on image to go to our Gallery page to upload your images.
image courtesy of Honest Kitchen
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PET TIP
Bleach is a pet owner's pal |
Anyone who has pets should be well-acquainted with one of the most common household cleaning supplies: bleach.
This cleaning staple can't be beat when it comes to keeping animal-related objects and surfaces clean. Cages, perches, litter boxes, nonporous toys and more can be cleaned with bleach -- diluted a half-cup to a gallon of water -- then rinsed with clear water and left to air-dry.
Diluted bleach in a spray bottle is also perfect for cleaning off countertops after preparing meals for pets (or other family members), especially if you make meals from scratch. You don't have to pay for a pre-mix either: Just buy a spray bottle, label it with a permanent marker and keep it loaded.
Be sure to use bleach and all household cleaners far away from pets (especially birds, who have very sensitive respiratory systems) and in a well-ventilated area.
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DOG-e-STYLE SALON
(click image)
Grooming by our Pet Stylist
Appointment are recommended,
Walk-ins welcome
Call 858 259 DOGS(3647)
Stylist on location EVERYDAY
Walk In's Welcome
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ON GOOD BEHAVIOR
SURPRISE YOUR DOG FOR GOOD RESPONSE
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If you want your dog to come when you call without thinking twice, call your dog a few times daily for a fun surprise.
Call your dog to initiate play, to get dinner, to leave home for a walk or car ride, or to enjoy a petting session. Mix up the good stuff, so your dog never knows what to expect but learns that it's all good.
If you never make the mistake of calling your dog and then doing something your dog thinks is unpleasant, your dog will automatically come when you call with a wagging tail and happy look on his face.
Call your dog to initiate play, to get dinner, to leave home for a walk or car ride, or to enjoy a petting session. Mix up the good stuff, so your dog never knows what to expect but learns that it's all good.
Always praise your dog as he's heading toward you, since silence can worry dogs. If he hesitates, squat down to his level with open arms. Good routines become good habits |
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PET TIP
BY THE NUMBERS
People, pets share illness, too
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| Many of the same problems that make us sick are sources of misery for our pets, too. According to 2008 claim records from Veterinary Pet Insurance (PetInsurance.com), the top 10 human medical conditions that affect pets are: |
1. Allergies
2. Bladder infection
3. Arthritis
4. Diabetes
5. Skin cancer
6. Gum disease
7. Acne
8. Stomach ulcers
9. Cataracts
10. Laryngitis
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SEASONAL SAFETY
SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS WILL KEEP YOUR PET HEALTHY OVER THE HOLIDAYS |
In the interest of helping your holiday season go easier, I'd like to remind you of what to look out for in the weeks to come
Every year at this time I offer a list of the most common holiday hazards for pets, including foreign-body ingestion and accidental poisoning. The bad news is that many pets will end up at a veterinarian's office this holiday season. The good news is that yours won't be among them if you keep an eye out for these hazards.
The place to start? The Christmas tree. This popular sign of the season is full of hazards for dogs and cats. Tinsel can be an appealing target for play, but if ingested, it can twist up the intestines and may need to be surgically removed. This is a particular danger to cats and kittens, who seem to find tinsel -- along with yarn, ribbon and string -- especially appealing to eat.
Ornaments, too, are deadly in the mouths -- and stomachs -- of pets, and even the water at the base of the tree contains secretions that can at the very least cause a stomachache. Light strings are no good for chewing, and the whole tree can come down on the cat climbing in its branches. Some dogs may even be inclined to break the rules of house-training on a freshly cut tree -- why else, they reason, would anyone bring a tree into the house?
The best way to keep your pets out of tree trouble is by making the tree off-limits unless you're there to supervise. Putting the tree in a room with a door you can close is probably the easiest solution.
And how about holiday greenery? Holiday plants such as mistletoe may look intriguing to your pet, but they're also toxic, as are the bulbs of the amaryllis plant. (Long the poster child for holiday poisoning, the falsely maligned poinsettia can be safely welcomed into the pet lover's home.) Holiday food can be a problem, too.
The best way to keep your pet safe is to look at everything new that's in your house for the holidays and figure out the best way to keep it out of the mouths and paws of your pets.
And just in case the worst should happen, find the number now of the nearest veterinary emergency clinic and know how to get there if you have to. |
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Thanksgiving: Don't share the goodies |
We love to share food with our pets, and what better time to do it than on Thanksgiving?
Problem is, foods that are too rich, too fatty or too spicy -- or anything your pet's not accustomed to -- can trigger a bout of intestinal upset. For some animals, the treat can trigger a serious inflammation of the pancreas or intestine, and that means a life-threatening illness.
What to avoid? Anything that you wouldn't eat, your pet should avoid, too. And while a little bit of lean meat -- beef or poultry - can be added to your pet's meal, steer clear of the fatty parts and poultry skin. And no gravy!
While you're waiting for the Thanksgiving feast to begin, don't share the appetizers, either. And as for the sweets in festive holiday bowls? Put them out of reach, so your pets don't help themselves. |
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Our Location:
Dirty Dogs
4639 Carmel Mountain Road #101
San Diego, CA 92130 |
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Call us at:
858 259 3647(DOGS)
or email us wash@dirtydogsandmeow.com |
Hours of Operation
- Weekdays: 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
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