All About Dogs and Cats!

Dogs

Cats

Why Does Dog Pee Stain the Lawn?

Why Do Dogs Kick Out Their Back Legs after Toileting?

Tips to Reduce Pet Hair Everywhere

Treats for Pets

Common Household Poisons

Chewing

Choosing the Right Dog Toy

How can we tell if our pet is in pain?

Hearing Loss in Senior Dogs

Is Your Pet Ignoring You?

Cool Games in the Sun

How to Stop Puppy Biting

Safety Tips When Exercising Your Pet

How to Train Your Pet to "Sit"

Keep Your Pets Out of the Garbage

Do Cats Always Land Naturally On Their Feet?

Kitten-Proofing your Home

Cats can hide an illness

Understanding the Cat Purr

Bored Cat Syndrome

The Exercise Program for the Fat Cat

Top 10 Wildlife Threats to your Pet

What is Catnip?

Cat Aggression

Open Windows

Ringworm

Why Does Dog Pee Stain the Lawn?

As with people, animals have high levels of nitrogen (a colorless, odorless, nonmetallic element) in their urine. This high level of nitrogen can burn and kill grass.

The safest way to minimize urine stain is to:

Train your pet to toilet on a gravel or dirt area; OR
Pour water over the urine after your dog has gone. This will dilute the nitrogen effects.

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Why Do Dogs Kick Out Their Back Legs after Toileting?

Does your pet kick their back legs out, as if to kick grass over their toilets?
Although thought by many to be a way of covering up their doings, it is actually a way of further marking their territory after they pee or poop. Dogs have scent glands in their paw pads and the act of kicking out their back legs helps to mark their territory. This action is predominantly a trait of intact males, but neutered males and occasionally females will be seen doing this too.

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Tips to Reduce Pet Hair Everywhere

The following tips are for pets that shed hair regularly and evenly. Pets that have suddenly lost hair in a particular area or have become thin in the coat all over should be taken to see the vet.

Reduce pet shedding hair. Brushing daily means that you will remove most of the hair before it has the chance of falling into the environment or onto you. Natural-bristle brushes are often very good at removing loose hair from your pet. Bathing every two to four weeks will also help to reduce the shedding.

Environmental Cleaning. Vacuuming regularly will also reduce the environmental clumps of hair. Roller brushes will also help to remove hair o clothing and furniture.

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Treats for Pets

Treats are a great way to help with rewarding good behavior. So, it is important to choose the right treats and to give no more than 1-3 a day. Each treat adds to the daily calories for your pet and therefore should be given in small amounts.

Good Treats:

Dried liver treats
Dog-approved biscuits for dogs
Dog dry food for dogs
Cat-approved biscuits for cats
Cat dry food for cats
Natural popped popcorn
Puffed rice

Bad treats:

High salt and high sugar treats
Candy
Fatty foods such as chips or hotdogs

Poisonous treats:

Chocolate
Grapes
Raisins
Macadamia nuts

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Common Household Poisons

Without toys and exercise, pets can become bored and start looking around the house for something to play with. There are various household items that should be securely stored. Most insecticides, pesticides and cleaning agents contain poisonous chemicals.

If you see any of the following, don’t touch it, tell a grown-up immediately:

Ant Poisons
Antifreeze
Battery acid
Bleach
Brake Fluid
Cleaning Products
Crayons
Deodorants
Drain Cleaner
Dye
Fertilizer
Flea Products
Heavy Metals (Lead, Zinc)
Insecticides
Matches
Paint Remover and Thinner
Perfume
Rat Bait

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Chewing

Chewing can occur for a number of reasons – teething, boredom, or anxiety. Most dogs have all their adult teeth by 2 years of age. Teething should definitely stop by this age. If teething is a problem, give your pet ice cubes to help alleviate any discomfort that they may be experiencing.
Bored dogs need to be exercised more or given chew toys to help entertain them throughout the day. If you work, consider dog day care or a dog walker to help alleviate any boredom your pet may experience during the day.
Anxious dogs can chew everything and anything when left alone. If a pet is to be left for long periods of time it is important that they are left with chew-proof toys. Exercise and training can help reduce anxiety. Making sure that you do not make a big deal about leaving and returning will also help your pet to remain calm.

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Choosing the Right Dog Toy

There are many different types of toys to choose for our pet. It's important to choose the right toy for the right situation and the right size of dog or cat.
Training Toys: used to teach your dog what is ok to chew on.
Interactive Toys: toys that can be enjoyed by owner and dog i.e. tug of war or fetch
Durable Play Toys: toys that can be safely chewed on by your pet all day
Comfort Soft Toys: toys that your pet can bond with or sleep with i.e. plush toy
Treat-dispenser Toys: toys that provide mental stimulation for your pet i.e. KONGs that allow you to put food in the center
If you’re unsure, ask your vet to recommend the right toy for your pet.

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How can we tell if our pet is in pain?

Pets show pain in many different ways. Change in behavior or activity are certainly early signs of a problem and should not be ignored. Here are some signs that may indicate to you that your pet is in pain

Physical Signs:

Increased heart rate
Increased breathing rate
Big pupils
Slow reflexes

Behavioral Signs:

Decreased appetite
Difficulty rising or sitting
Restlessness
Quiet
Personality change
Licking or biting at itself
Grumpy

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Hearing Loss in Senior Dogs

It’s not unusual for a dog’s hearing to deteriorate with age. You may notice your pet not responding to your call, sleeping longer, or your pet not being alerted to sounds they would normally hear.
Tips:

Teach your pet hand signals with verbal signals
Avoid sudden movements
Use the ground for sending vibrations
Keep to a strict routine – meals and toileting

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Is Your Pet Ignoring You?

If your dog chooses to ignore you when you call their name, it could be because they associate their name with a punishment. Think about the last time your dog toileted in the house or did something bad. Did you call him/her by their name before scolding them?
This is just one reason for why your pet may not come to their name. But, it’s not too late to re-train them. Over the next few weeks, practice calling your pet enthusiastically followed by the word “Come!”. As soon as your pet runs towards you, call out praise such as “Good Boy/Girl!” and reward with a big hug. Try this in a confined area first before using it in open areas.

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Cool Games in the Sun

A perfect time to bond with your pet is when the sun is out. But, it is important to ensure that your pets stay cool.
Here are some tips:

Wading Pools: create a shallow wading pool for your pet to play in.
Frozen Treats: Dogs often like to play with ice blocks. For those fussy pets, add a bit of chicken or beef stock before freezing them.
Kong Fun: Add some frozen treats to the Kong and watch your pet play for hours
Keep to a strict routine – meals and toileting

And don’t forget the sunscreen! Pet sunscreen are often the best protection and important to put on the nose and ears. Avoid human sunscreen as they can be toxic if ingested. Peaked hats are also a good option.

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How to Stop Puppy Biting

It is normal for puppies to bite as they often use their mouth to explore and play. Biting is considered an undesirable behavior and can be prevented through appropriate training. Physical correction should never be used as this can result in fear and aggression.
Always get your puppy checked first to ensure that there is no medical reason for their biting.
Tips:

Teach your pup basic commands such as sit, stay and come
Exercise your pup in a set routine
Avoid wrestling and rough play
Frequently leash-walk your pet (ensure all vaccinations are up-to-date)
Provide chew toys
Isolate the pup when it starts to play bite
Reward your pup for good, calm behavior
Enroll your pup into puppy classes from 6-14 weeks of age

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Safety Tips When Exercising Your Pet

Check with your local veterinarian to choose which exercise is right for your pet
Always keep your dog on a leash unless in an enclosed supervised area such as dog day care
Always have an adult with you when exercising outside your home
Frequently leash-walk your pet (ensure all vaccinations are up-to-date)
Know exactly where your dog is at all times
Check the path in which you walk the dog to ensure there are no hazards
Do not tie the leash to your wrist
Do not exercise when the weather is too hot
Bring water and a travel bowl for your pet

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How to Train Your Pet to "Sit"

Use a treat and hold is directly above your pet’s head.
Move the treat so that your pet follows it with it’s eyes.
As you move the treat forward, your pet’s legs should start to fold under
You may need to give a gentle push if your pet does not start to bend the legs
As this begins to happen, say “Sit”
When the dog fully sits, give the treat or praise
Practice, practice, practice

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Keep Your Pets Out of the Garbage

Our trash appears very appealing to our pets. So, it is important that the garbage is secured to prevent our pets from getting into it. Garbage contains toxic bacteria, sharp objects, food scraps and other possible foreign bodies that are not good for pets.
Tips:

Always secure the garbage and if possible keep it in an area out of reach from pets
Keep your pet on a harness when walking to steer them away from garbage on the street or in the park
Train your pet to "Sit" and "Stay" so they can be stopped from eating garbage

If your pets are to get into the garbage, tell a grown-up immediately.

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Do Cats Always Land Naturally On Their Feet?

Cats, on most occasions do appear to land on their feet when pouncing from tall heights. The reasons for this are:

Terminal Velocity: Cats reach terminal velocity (constant speed of falling) at a much faster rate than humans when skydiving. It is estimated that they reach terminal velocity at 5-storeys.
Strong “righting” reflexes: Cats can easily twist their bodies until they are the correct side up.
Flexibility: They have the ability to extend their legs to increase their surface area to minimize the fall.

But in saying all this, it is important that we prevent our cats from being in a position of falling from great heights as not all cats can land on their feet.

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Kitten-Proofing your Home

Kittens can get up to a lot of mischief and explore all ends of the house. It’s important to make sure that the house is free from the following common dangers:

Keep cupboards closed
Close any potential crawlspaces
Close fireplaces
Cover air vents
Close toilet lids
Remove any choking hazards such as rubber bands, buttons, paperclips
Remove string, wool, ribbon, shoe laces
Remove electrical cords or cover with plastic tubing
Lock away poisons
Prevent access to the garage
Remove potential toxic plants
Lock away medicines

Tips:

Always close your windows when your cat is around
Always know where your cat is
Prevent your cat from being on a balcony
Always close your doors

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Cats can hide an illness

Cats are notorious for hiding illness and have developed this from their wild counterparts. Subtle signs can exist but you often need a keen eye to be able to pick them up. Early signs are important to be picked up so that early disease prevention programs can be initiated.
Early signs:

Changes in chewing, eating and drinking habits
Weight loss or gain
Changes in social interaction
Avoids petting
Increased vocalization
Increased urinating
Urine accidents
Straining to urinate or defecate
Grooming less or more

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Understanding the Cat Purr

Cats purr for different reasons – when they are content and when they are stressed. It is thought that purring releases endorphins, a natural stress reliever, to reduce pain during a time of healing.

Recent studies have also shown that the purr of a hungry cat is one of a higher-pitched sound – likened to a more urgent baby cry or meow. It is a behavior that some cats have picked up to get the attention of their owners.

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Bored Cat Syndrome

If your cat spends all day, every day indoors, it could be at risk of Bored Cat Syndrome. As cat people, we need to make sure that our home is enriched with fund things for our cats to do all day. Keeping our cat active and stimulated will also prevent boredom and obesity.
Here are some fun things to add to your home to entertain a cat all day:

Tall cat trees with shelves
Carpeted shelving
Runways around the rooms
Window perches
Hanging toys for your cat to try and catch
Treat balls
Urine accidents
Hide a couple of healthy treats around he house (always find them when you get back to avoid rotten treats around the house)

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The Exercise Program for the Fat Cat

Obesity is an excess in body fat and is one of the most common disease in cats. Excess fat can also lead to a number of other diseases that can reduce the quality and quantity of life. Alterations in lifestyle are needed to reduce body fat and include: increasing physical activity, and changing the diet
Increasing activity should be a gradual process:

Increase play time
Provide toys that encourage the cat to play itself
Increase your cat’s movement through the use of food

Good cat toys are those that encourage rapid movement, give out sound, are small to represent prey and have the ability to supply small treats as a reward. Examples of toys include the fishing rod toy, climbing toys, dangling toys and hollow toys that small amounts of kibble can be placed into.

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Top 10 Wildlife Threats to your Pet

Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) recently released the most common wildlife attack claims on pets for 2008.

Snakes
Coyotes
Raccoons
Squirrels
Scorpions
Javelina or Collared Peccary (Pig-like mammal)
Porcupine
Groundhog
Skunk
Rat

Wildlife are not only a source of attack on our pets, they can also be a source of disease such as rabies, fleas, ticks, worms. For this reason, it is important that we do as much as we can to prevent wildlife coming onto our property or having access to our pets.

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What is Catnip?

Catnip is a plant from within the mint family. The plant contains a chemical nepetalactone which cats go crazy about—whiskers twitching, head butting, body rolling and generally having fun. But, not all cats are susceptible to the plants charms. Only two thirds of cats have inherited the gene.
Catnip is nontoxic to cats but can have these effects on cats for up to 15 minutes. After this time they often are calm and content.

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Cat Aggression

Cats are very social pets when well socialized from a young age. Studies have shown that cat personality appears to be linked to the personality of the father. A male cat that is adventurous, friendly and outgoing is more likely to have friendly kittens than that of an unfriendly, timid cat. There also appears to be genetically-programmed, timid and unfriendly cats that remain this way no matter how much training. Needless to say, most cats respond extremely well to early experience and exposure as a kitten.
Between the age of 12-14 weeks, kittens start to show predatory play behavior – hunting, scratching, fighting, spraying etc. Rewarding good behavior and soft play and ignoring bad behavior is essential from this age and earlier. Without this, aggression can develop.
Treatment of Aggressive Behavior:

Use food rewards for good behavior
Isolate your pet for small amount of time when bad
Talk to your local vet about your cat’s behavior

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Open Windows

It’s not all that uncommon for pets to accidentally fall from a building or car out of an open window. Unfortunately, our pets do not quite understand the concept of open windows and the consequences of jumping out. Although cats are known for their ability to land on their feet “cat righting reflex”, they are not invincible when it comes to high-rise apartments and moving cars.
Prevention is achieved by making sure your pet is secure:

Close windows when possible
Pet crates
Pet barriers
Car seat belts

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Ringworm

Ringworm is a fungus that causes skin disease in our pets and can also be transmitted to humans.
Prevention:

Adopt from reputable shelters or breeders
All animals should be screened for ringworm before sending them home
Any animals found to have ringworm should be isolated to avoid other pets from contracting it
If you notice a itchy pet, hair loss, visit your veterinarian immediately
Wash your hands thoroughly after handling a pet
Wear gloves when handling an infected pet
Do not touch an infected pet if you have open wounds

Ringworm is usually self-limiting in short-haired pets, which means that it will resolve on its own. However, veterinary examinations should be considered to determine whether treatment is needed to help prevent it from getting worse and being spread to other pets.