Fat cats & pudgy pups: pet obesity

By on May 2, 2012 in Pet Health

According to a survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 53% of adult dogs, or 41.1 million, are classified as overweight or obese in this country in 2011. And for cats, the number is even higher: 55%, or 47.3 million, classified as overweight or obese. Owners aren’t reliable indicators since only 8% of dog owners and 9% of cat owners classified their pets as obese — half of the actual figures. And 22% of dog owners and 15% of cat owners who had overweight or obese pets reported their pets weight as normal. These figures are worrisome since the chances of pets properly getting fit are slim when pet owners aren’t even aware there is a problem. The survey figures have been consistent the past 5 years and are trending up at at gradual rate.

Many pet owners are defensive about their pets’ weight, but with more than half of pets overweight or obese, it’s important to make sure you are not in denial. Overweight pets can lead to such pet health conditions as osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing problems, kidney disease, and shortened life expectancy. It’s easier to prevent pet obesity than to treat it. Pets don’t create their own diets, pet owners do, so as the owner you have full control in getting your pet healthy. Don’t let your pet eat table left overs. Only feed your pet cat or dog food and pay attention to portion control. Pet food labels offer instructions about how much to feed your pet based on its size and these are good guidelines to follow in achieving your pets’ ideal weight. Playing with your pet and taking your dogs for walks at least twice a day will help as well. Also, many pet treats are full of calories and can sabotage an otherwise strict diet, so be wary of these.

If you do have an overweight pet, consult with your veterinarian because there are medical conditions that could be a contributing factor, but chances are it’s diet related. If you are still unconvinced of bad pet dietary habits, check out this Animal Planet shocking image of a two year old 40 pound kitty.

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How your pets see you

By on April 27, 2012 in Cute!, Pet Videos

These cute ads show us how we appear to our pets – while making a serious point about pet adoption. If you are thinking of getting a family pet, we think adoption is the way to go!

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Pet Naming Trends

By on April 24, 2012 in Misc.
VetStreet has taken a thorough look at their records from the the past year, analyzing over 950,000 puppies and 450,000 kittens to determine which pet names were trending last year.  They’ve determined the trendiest names of 2011 are as follows:
Male puppies:
  1. Max
  2. Buddy
  3. Charlie
  4. Rocky
  5. Cooper
  6. Bentley
  7. Bear
  8. Duke
  9. Jack
  10. Buster
Female puppies:
  1. Bella
  2. Daisy
  3. Lucy
  4. Molly
  5. Chloe
  6. Sophie
  7. Sadie
  8. Lola
  9. Maggie
  10. Bailey
Male kittens:
  1. Max
  2. Oliver
  3. Charlie
  4. Tiger
  5. Smokey
  6. Jack
  7. Milo
  8. Simba
  9. Tigger
  10. Kitty
Female kittens:
  1. Bella
  2. Lucy
  3. Kitty
  4. Chloe
  5. Sophie
  6. Lily
  7. Luna
  8. Lilly
  9. Callie
  10. Daisy
They’ve taken it a step further and determined the trendiest pet names over the past 12 years.  The most evident difference in 12 years is the preference of more human names for their pets.  Owners are preferring short and cute names that actually mimic current baby naming conventions.  As pets become more and more a major part of the family, owners are naming them more like they would their own child.
They have also compiled a list of pet names that have been drastically dropping off in popularity.  Some names, like Scooby, no longer hold the same level of prominence in pop culture.  Instead, they are losing out to more topical pop culture references such as Bella from the popular Twilight series.  Unisex non human names like Snowball and Whiskers are being used less in favor of more human sounding, gender-specific names such as Bella and Max.
If your pet’s name didn’t make the trendiest lists, or even made the least trendy list, there’s no shame in that. The name should fit the pet and there’s nothing wrong with being a bit different and unique.  However, it’s not a bad idea to go over all their lists so you’re aware of what other people are naming their pets to see what else is out there.
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Introducing the latest virtual pet: the Japanese i-Puppy

By on April 20, 2012 in Cute!, Dogs, Misc.

While we normally talk about live pets, but we found the Wall Street Journal‘s recent article on the future of virtual robotic pets pretty fascinating. The featured robot dog, which was invented by Bandai Co., is the latest in a series of virtual pet technologies to come out of Japan.  It looks like a hybrid between Bandai’s previous efforts with their Tamagotchi pet combined with robotic functionality of something like Sony’s Aibo robotic dog. However, the Aibo dog cost thousands of dollars upon its release.  This new Smart Pet on the other hand will start at Y7,800 yen, or roughly $95 USD, assuming you already own an iPhone to serve as the brains of the pet.

By downloading the Smart Pet app onto your iPhone or iPod touch and inserting it into the robot dog body it becomes a fully interactive pet.  It can then perform over 100 tricks and requires you to take care of it as if it were a real pet.  There is are a large number of built in mood-related facial expressions. Using the built in camera and mic of the iPhone, Smart Pets will come when you beckon, perform tricks on command, and even recognize its owner.  It is capable of walking, dancing, and singing.  On top of that it can do things a real dog couldn’t do, such as charging your iPhone, snapping photos, recording videos, serving as an alarm clock, or turning into a hands free phone set.

Although the bond between people and their pets can’t fully be replicated, it’s no secret that real pets can be an enormous amount of work and a long term commitment.  Perhaps the Smart Pets can be used as a tool to teach first time pet owners or young children whether they are up for the challenge of making the major life decision of becoming a real pet owner.  Or it might just be a fun distraction.

The Smart Pets have been set for a Japanese release date of April 28th but there’s no information yet pertaining to their release in the US.  However, it might be an indicator of what’s to come.

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Doggie Language

By on April 17, 2012 in Cute!, Dogs, Uncategorized

A wonderful poster by Lili Chin of Doggie Drawings. See more of her wonderful dog training series.

Doggie Lanuage

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Animal Hoarding: Recognzing and reporting animal cruelty

By on April 16, 2012 in Pet Safety

Animal hoarding is a serious problem in which a person does not have the ability or resources to care for their unusually high number of animals.  According to the Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium, the definition of animal hoarding is:

  • Having more than the typical number of companion animals
  • Failing to provide even minimal standards of nutrition, sanitation, shelter, and veterinary care, with this neglect often resulting in illness and death from starvation, spread of infectious disease, and untreated injury or medical condition
  • Denial of the inability to provide this minimum care and the impact of that failure on the animals, the household, and human occupants of the dwelling
  • Persistence, despite this failure, in accumulating and controlling animals

Keeping too many pets can cause problems such as malnourishment, overcrowding, and neglect.  It can also raise sanitation issues, such as attracting rodents, insects, and disease, which create health issues for not just the pets but for the hoarder and the public, as well.  On top of putting pets at risk of starvation and death, it also has long lasting psychological effects on the pets, which make them harder to adopt after being rescued.  This creates an added burden to animal shelters already working at full capacity.

Furthermore, animal hoarding is considered a form of animal cruelty even if the original intention was benevolent.  All states have requirements for minimal pet care and, more recently, many states are also  passing laws specifically prohibiting animal hoarding.  The Animal Defense Legal Fund has a clickable map of animal protection laws in the United States and Canada to help you easily determine what is not allowed.

The exact cause of animal hoarding is up for debate, but the Humane Society states the general consensus is that “Animal hoarding is a symptom of psychological and neurological malfunctioning, which might involve dementia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.”   Removing the animals from the home is only a temporary fix as most animal hoarders are repeat offenders and may require psychological intervention.

If you suspect someone of hoarding animals, the first step is notifying Animal Care and Control in your area. The ASPCA has a fact sheet on recognizing and reporting animal cruelty.

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Bathing your cat

By on April 9, 2012 in Cats, Pet Health

Milk Bath

Cats are excellent at self grooming and can usually stay pretty clean on their own.  However, there are times when bathing a cat becomes necessary, such as controlling fleas, treating skin conditions, or helping a cat out when their extreme curiosity leaves them excessively dirty, sticky, or smelly.

If you find yourself in one of these situations, here are a few steps reprinted from ASPCA’s Bathing Your Cat guide:

1. Schedule baths when your cat’s at her most mellow. A play session with a cat dancer or other toy of choice can help tire out even the friskiest of felines.

2. For your own protection, ASPCA experts recommend trimming Fluffy’s claws before bathing.

3. Next, give your cat a good brushing to remove any loose hair and mats. Now’s also a good time to gently place some cotton in her ears to keep the water out.

4. Place a rubber bath mat in the sink or tub where you’ll be bathing your kitty so she doesn’t slip. Fill with three to four inches of lukewarm (not hot, please!) water.

5. Use a hand-held spray hose to thoroughly wet your pet, taking care not to spray directly in her ears, eyes and nose. If you don’t have a spray hose, a plastic pitcher or unbreakable cup works great.

6. Gently massage your pet with a solution of one part cat shampoo (human shampoo can dry out her skin) to five parts water, working from head to tail, in the direction of hair growth. Take care to avoid the face, ears and eyes.

7. Thoroughly rinse the shampoo off your cat with a spray hose or pitcher; again, be sure the water is lukewarm. Take good care that all residue has been removed, as it can irritate the skin and act as a magnet for dirt.

8. Use a washcloth to carefully wipe your pet’s face. Plain water is fine unless her face is very dirty—in which case, we recommend using an extra-diluted solution of shampoo, being very cautious around her ears and eyes.

9. You’re almost there! Wrap your cat in a large towel and dry her with it in a warm place, away from drafts. If your kitty doesn’t mind the noise, you can use a blow dryer—on the lowest heat setting. And please note, if your pet has long hair, you may need to carefully untangle her fur with a wide-toothed comb.

10. Your little bathing beauty deserves endless praise—and her favorite treat—after all this! And with such a happy ending, next time she may find that bath time isn’t so bad.

Chances are this will take some practice as most cats have an aversion to water.  However, the right preparation and care can make your cat more tolerant to the whole process.  If you really do find the whole ordeal proves to be too difficult, there are professional groomers and veterinarians that can do it for you.  However, getting your cat in the habit of accepting baths can save you time and money in the long run.  It is recommended to start experimenting with this when your cat is still a kitten, since it will be easier for them to adjust and become more accustomed to it.
The photo in this post comes from a series of photos entitled “Milk Bath” by Flickr user H.Y.C., who has some other great photos of the pretty cat named Milk.
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Don’t Buy Live Animals For Easter Baskets

By on April 5, 2012 in holidays, Misc., Pet Videos
The Humane Society is urging people not to buy animals for Easter.  It is an unfortunate yet common occurrence where people are including pets associated with Easter, such as chicks and rabbits, in Easter baskets.  Every year there is a surge of unwanted Easter pets that are given to shelters following the holiday, many of which are euthanized due to lack of available homes. Sometimes it was an impulsive purchase where the novelty wears off, other times the family did not accurately asses the costs associated with adding another member to their family.
Like any pet, there is much responsibility that comes along with ownership.  Large specialized cages are necessary since both chicks and bunnies require ample exercise areas, not to mention lots of attention, vaccinations and veterinary care.  Many underestimate the amount of work and care associated with owning these pets.  For instance, rabbits can live for well over 10 years and can be just as much work as owning a dog or a cat.  Another factor to consider is that selling chicks and owning chickens as pets is actually illegal in many states.

Instead, if you must have an animal for that Easter basket, the Humane Society is urging people to purchase plush toy animals or animal shaped chocolate instead. And if you are looking for a pet, it’s best to do a little research first to learn about the associated costs and responsibilities and to think through lifestyle issues to ensure that you get the right pet match for you and your family. And we recommend checking out your local shelter where many a fine pet is just waiting to find a good home!
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Experts Warn Tick Season Comes Early This Year

By on April 3, 2012 in Dogs, Grooming, Pet Health

According to the New York Times, the unusually warm winter is causing ticks to come out a month or two early this year.  This possesses a danger not only to humans but to dogs as well.  Once a tick attaches itself to your dog there is the chance that it can transfer lyme disease.  According to the article, dog owners should be checking their dogs everyday and applying tick lotion.  Even if the tick is not carrying lyme disease it can still cause infection and is something to watch out for.

Vaccinations can be given annually to prevent Lyme disease and are usually administered in the Spring.  Other than vaccinations, check out this informative guide to Lyme disease in dogs.  Here is a reprinted list of their prevention tips:

  • Keep out of woodsy areas when walking or exercising. Stick to mowed pathways or dirt roads. Even better, stick to neighborhoods and roads if you are concerned about ticks.
  • Keep your lawn clear of grass piles and wood piles. Keep your yard well-groomed by regularly mowing and clearing out leaves and weeds.
  • You can use outdoor pesticides to ward off ticks. Be sure that these are safe for your dog.
  • You can directly apply tick prevention products to your dog. Some are topical treatments that are applied once a month to ward off ticks. Some are tick collars that release a scent to protect your dog from ticks as well. Talk to your veterinarian about these options.
  • Always check your dog after walking or visiting dog parks. Groom his fur with your hands or with a fine-toothed comb if you are concerned about ticks.

Certain symptoms to look out for in your dog include foul breath, fever, lack of energy, swollen lymph nodes, joint stiffness and limping.  If any of these symptoms occur take your dog to your Veterinarian and they can prescribe a variety of treatments.  However, it is easier to prevent tick bites than to treat later.  That is why it is best to take precautions now.

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Amazing Returns and Real Life Incredible Journeys

By on March 22, 2012 in Cats, Dogs

lost pets

Barbara Bagley never thought she’d see her beloved Shetland sheepdog Dooley again after a harrowing car crash that claimed the life of her husband and her other dog. But Dooley survived and thanks to a statewide net of Facebook friends and supporters keeping a close eye out, he was found 58 days after the accident in rural Nevada. He lost 20 of his 44 pounds during his long ordeal but since his return to Bagley, he’s been steadily getting better.

Dooley’s story is remarkable but not unique. Lost dogs do get found sometimes. Take the Other animals have traveled just as far or even farther than Bear. Amazingly, Kuzya the cat made it over 1200 miles through the Siberian wasteland to be reunited with his family in Russia. Kuzya was undoubtedly one of the luckiest ones; while up to 73% of lost dogs do eventually get found, only half of all the lost cats make it home.

What can you do to ensure that your lost pet story also has a wonderful ending? Life is unpredictable and you can never be entirely sure that your pet won’t get lost. You can, however, take precautions so that he or she is identifiable. The simplest and most straightforward way to protect your pets is an ID tag. Every dog should have a collar with an engraved tag listing her name, address and your phone number on at all times. If you move or change your phone number, don’t forget to change your dog’s tag. Tags can get lost, though, and many cats won’t keep a collar on for long. Consider microchipping your pet; it’s a foolproof method of ID that every vet and shelter checks for routinely on all animals who are turned in. Your vet or local animal shelter will be happy to talk to you about microchips.

What should you do if, instead of losing your pet, you find someone elses? The Humane Society has some helpful tips, including keeping some basic supplies such as an old leash in your car at all times. One simple thing you can do is add the phone numbers for your local animal shelters and municipal animal control to your cell phone contact list. That way, if you see a stray on the side of the road, you can immediately call for help. Who knows? The lost pet you save might have traveled a long way for a long time.

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