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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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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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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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Dog & Cat Food Allergies

By on February 24, 2012 in Cats, Dogs, Pet Health, Pet Nutrition

cat and dog

It’s probably no surprise to any pet owner that pets can have allergies just as humans do. Most of us have almost certainly encountered the dreaded flea allergy, when a dog or cat is driven so crazy by fleas that they scratch themselves raw. That allergy can be controlled relatively easily by eliminating fleas from the pet and environment, usually with the help of veterinarian prescribed flea medications. Other allergies, though, can be difficult, expensive and time consuming to diagnose.

The ASPCA has a checklist for dogs and cats that includes information on allergens, their causes and symptoms. The list is probably longer than you thought it could be. Allergies in pets as well as in humans seem to be on the rise in recent years and, as in humans, can appear at any point in your furry companion’s life. If your dog or cat is suddenly scratching incessantly, has a seemingly endless series of ear infections or manifests other puzzling symptoms such as vomiting or coughing, it’s time for a trip to the vet and a discussion of allergies. You may want to consult a pet allergist; your vet will have recommendations.

Food allergies can be possibly the most frustrating allergies for both the pet and the owner. Food allergies are the likely culprit in dogs with ongoing ear infections and cats who vomit on a frequent and regular basis. Both cats and dogs are often allergic to grains such as wheat, corn or soy. More surprisingly, they’re also often allergic to chicken and beef. Commercial pet foods, as you know if you’ve ever tried to read an ingredient label, are full of possible allergens.

The first step in figuring out which specific ingredient is causing your pets symptoms is an elimination diet. An elimination diet is a very simple diet that consists, for dogs, of one protein and one starch or for cats of just one or two protein types. While this wouldn’t be healthy to feed forever, it’s fine for the 6 weeks needed to get all the allergens out of his system. At that point, if the symptoms have diminished or disappeared, you can start reintroducing foods one by one.

Limited ingredient diets are available at large pet stores and specialty pet food shops. This vet has a good approach. You’ll want to always read the ingredient list of whatever you buy and remember, you can also make your own. Unfortunately, none of this is cheap. The protein source cannot be chicken or beef but must instead be something exotic like venison, duck, turkey, fish, kangaroo or ostrich. Okay, yes, most Americans don’t have a ready source for kangaroo or ostrich meat, but it’s good to know it’s out there. The key to an elimination diet is strictness. That means no treats: your pet can’t have anything except the elimination diet. Even a tiny amount of the allergen can produce symptoms.

Allergies can be time consuming, expensive, frustrating and just downright miserable for both pet and owner. Still, once you’ve tracked down the cause, it will all be worth it for your pet to enjoy a better, happier and healthier quality of life.

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Winter Pet Care

By on January 12, 2012 in Pet Health, Pet Safety

cat peeking out window

Dropping temperatures this time of year have adverse effects on not only humans but pets as well.  It is important to keep a careful eye on your pets in the winter months due to the many seasonal dangers present.  For example, more dogs go missing in Winter than any other time of the year.  Snowfall makes it harder for animals to track scents and find their way home.  Once missing, the cold can have extremely harmful effects on your pets.

The American Animal Hospital Association has posted a helpful Winter Pet Care Guide on things to look out for and ways to protect your pet.  Make sure to check out the link for the full details, but here is a quick breakdown of some of the things you can expect:

  • Take your animals for a winter check-up to check for winter vulnerabilities.
  • Keep your pets inside as much as you can.
  • Look for warning signs such as whining, shaking, or anxiety.
  • Keep an eye on pets seeking warmth as they will curl up next to anything warm, from flames, heating coils, to car engines, all of which can be dangerous.
  • Take care of their footpads when they come in contact with rock salt and chemicals used to melt ice.  Also make sure they don’t ingest any of these things as it may cause inflammation of their digestive track.
  • Keep your animals away from ponds and lakes as they can fall through the ice.
  • Make sure they have easy access to shelter outdoors.
  • Never take your dog off its leash.
  • Make sure their water bowl doesn’t freeze over.
  • Be especially careful with pets that are young, old, or have pre-existing health conditions.
  • Be aware of your pets susceptibility to Frostbite and Hypothermia and how to treat those conditions.
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Top 10 Winter Tips For Pets

By on November 10, 2011 in Cats, Dogs, Pet Health, Pet Safety

winterdog

PHOTO CREDIT

Outdoor shelters for dogs need to be warm, dry and windproof, with a heavy plastic or burlap door covering. The size should fit the dog, neither too big (your dog’s body heat will disperse), or too small. The floor should be padded with clean straw or cedar shavings, which is preferred to blankets, which can become wet and freeze.

Don’t assume your pets will be okay outdoors just because they have fur. Pets can develop hypothermia or frostbite after even a relatively short time outside, and puppies and young pets are especially vulnerable. Ear tips, tails, face, footpads, legs and the genitalia in male dogs are especially susceptible to frostbite; read more here.

If you are leaving water out for an animal, be careful that it doesn’t freeze and leave your pet with nothing to drink — and don’t use metal bowls outside for food or water because her tongue could stick to the frozen metal!

Feeding may need to be adjusted; if your pet is outside he or she may require more calories, while indoor dogs that are getting less outdoor exercise due to bad weather may need fewer calories to avoid weight gain.

If you’ve walked your pet where de-icers have been used, be sure to rinse his feet when you return home. Some de-icers are toxic when ingested, which can happen when your pet licks her paws. You should also check paws regularly after walking in snow and ice to be sure your dog doesn’t have frozen bits between the pads, or injuries.

Don’t allow your dog off leash in snow. The ASPCA says that “especially during a snowstorm, dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.” And of course, be extra careful near frozen ponds or lakes, where your pet could fall through the ice!

Remember that cats will seek warm places in winter, and that may include your car’s engine compartment; slap your hand on the hood before starting your car.

Cats and dogs are attracted to anti-freeze that contains ethylene glycol, a chemical that is highly toxic but which tastes sweet to pets (and humans — including kids!). Use antifreeze that has an additive to make it taste bitter, or one containing propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol as a safer alternative, and read about anti-freeze poisoning and treatment here.

Don’t use dangerous portable heaters in a dog house, garage or other unheated area, instead create a cozy space and and add a warming pad especially for pets. Inside, a nice pet bed or warm blanket will protect from drafts.

Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather! According to the ASPCA, a car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.

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Chocolate Interactive

By on October 25, 2011 in Dogs, Pet Health, Pet Safety

cupcake_dog

PHOTO CREDIT

So, by now you’ve probably read a million times that chocolate is dangerous, and even potentially fatal for your dog, but National Geographic has a fantastic chart that allows you to see exactly “how much” of “what kind” of chocolate can have what sort of effect.

Use the center slider to find your dog’s weight, then look on the right at the different types of chocolate and see how much of each kind will cause vomiting and diarrhea, rapid heartbeats, tremors and seizures, and potential death. The lesser symptoms are represented by the lightest colors, beginning with light peach, up to to the most severe — death, with deep crimson.

So, you can see by this chart that a 30 pound dog might get a case of vomiting and/or diarrhea after ingesting around 250 ounces of white chocolate, but may well die after eating less than two ounces of powdered cocoa.

Signs of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea or hyperactivity. As absorption increases, there will be an increase in the dog’s heart rate, which can cause arrhythmia, restlessness, hyperactivity, pacing, muscle twitching, increased urination or excessive panting. If you see these symptoms, get to a vet, or call them immediately!  You can call the pet poison hotline ($35 fee) if you can’t get your vet: 800-213-6680. And it’s a good idea to have some activated charcoal on hand in case you need it to treat poisoning at home.

But of course, the very best thing to do is secure all chocolate safely away from greedy pooches!

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It’s Just a Dog Eat WHAT? World

By on September 28, 2011 in Cats, Dogs, Pet Health, Pet Safety

The Veterinary Practice News website has released its They Ate What? 2011 X-ray Contest Winners, complete with radiographs showing the most bizarre items pets have ingested. The Grand Prize winner was a dog that required surgical removal of nine handballs from his stomach. Oh my.

Other popular items included jewelry, nails, stones, needles, spoons, toys, and even a set of false teeth. Most unique was probably this item:

A 1 1⁄2-year-old male Chi-weenie had chewed on a bottle of Gorilla Glue. The glue expanded in his stomach and molded to it perfectly. He had a complete recovery after the surgery.

Do you have a pet that likes to eat foreign objects? Here are some points to conside:

  • Keep plenty of safe and appropriate chew and play items around, so when your pet feels like chomping down s/he doesn’t have to look far. Puppies, especially, need a lot of chew toys!
  • Try to keep other items picked up so your pet won’t be tempted to sample them.
  • Check toys for loose bits and pieces of rope or string that could come loose and be swallowed. An inexpensive toy could turn into a very expensive vet visit!
  • If your pet is eating inappropriate items like dirt, rocks or plants, check with your Vet to see if they might have a medical condition.
  • Try not to leave your pet unattended where there are dangerous items to swallow. Don’t walk your dog off-leash, for example; don’t let your cat have the run of your crafts room.
  • Don’t feed your pets from a spoon or fork. These are pretty common items showing up in x-rays of dogs, for example, and it’s possible that they might associate delicious peanut butter with the spoon itself, for example.
  • Be alert for symptoms of intestinal blockage in dogs and cats.
  • Secure your garbage bins, and clothes hampers!
  • Make sure your pet has plenty of exercise and playtime; bored animals are more likely to offend!
  • If your pet has obsessive and/or compulsive behavior, check with your Vet about about possible medications to treat the condition.

and always keep your underwear away from Lola…

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Feed Better and Save Money

By on September 7, 2011 in Cats, Dogs, Pet Health, Pet Nutrition

chums

IMAGE CREDIT

Money is tight, the economic climate is depressing, and everyone is trying to find ways to cut costs… including pet owners. 21 ways to cut vet costs is a sensible general guide to approaching vet visit costs, but perhaps the most significant way you can promote wellness and fend off painful, often life threatening and always expensive diseases and ailments in your pets is to feed them a proper diet.

This is especially true of cats, who are obligate carnivores, meaning that they must eat the tissue of other animals in order to thrive. The #1 best thing you can do for your cat in order to reduce the likelihood of such diseases as Diabetes, kidney disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, obesity, fatty liver disease, asthma, and more is to stop feeding dry food and transition to wet food only, the higher quality the better — but any wet cat food is better than dry kibble. Catfood Info is a site that has absolutely everything you would ever want to know about the dry versus wet argument; here is their canned food page. It’s a lot to take in, but basically you ideally want to look for wet food with the lowest amount of carbohydrates.

This is important: “In general, it is best to stay under 10% of calories from carbohydrates – especially if your cat is diabetic. If you are caring for a diabetic cat please read Feline Diabetes – especially the STOP sign section – and make sure that you understand the highly probable need to decrease the insulin dosage if you are decreasing the carbohydrate intake of your cat. ”

Dogs also benefit greatly from a better diet, and luckily for us, there is another site out there that is just as passionate about food for our canine pals: The Dog Food Project can teach you everything you need to know about choosing better food for your dog. Like catinfo.org, this is very, very dense with information … but take it slowly, and soon enough you will get the hang of understanding canine nutrition.

The very best review source for finding the highest quality dry and canned dog food is The Whole Dog Journal, which conducts reviews for each once a year, but these are available only by subscription to the WDJ. DogFoodAnalysis.com has been a fabulous independent free review source, but sadly they have apparently not updated for over a year. Still, much of the information there remains good, and you can learn a lot by reading the reviews of the higher and lower rated foods. Most online review sites do not come from independent and/or reputable sources, so be wary.

Another word of caution: pet food companies are sometimes bought out, or change management, and may revert to lower quality ingredients, so it’s important to keep tabs on the ingredient list of your pet’s food, even for a trusted product. Some once-great brands are no longer healthy choices, but continue to coast by on their former reputation — which is why you often see changes in the Whole Dog Journal recommendations from year to year.

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Parvovirus: Some Surprising Facts

By on July 26, 2011 in Dogs, Pet Health, Pet Q & A, Pet Safety

vaccinate against parvo

PHOTO CREDIT

You probably know that Parvovirus is a serious disease that can kill dogs and puppies quickly… but did you know that there is no cure for Parvo? Veterinarians can only treat the symptoms for the course of virus, and try to keep the dog alive by preventing dehydration and loss of proteins. This is why it’s so important to keep our immunization vaccinations up to date. The only answer to Parvo is vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate!

Other well-known – and little-known facts – about Parvo:

  • Parvovirus can be fatal in as little as 24 hours.
  • Parvo spreads very, very easily; your dog can pick it up during a simple walk around the neighborhood block – no direct exposure to a sick dog is necessary.
  • Dogs and puppies can contract Parvo even if they never leave their yards; even a bird or squirrel drinking from your dog’s water bowl can spread Parvo!
  • You yourself can bring Parvo home to your dog on shoes, hands and even car tires, and the virus can live for months or years outside a host body.
  • Rain can bring the virus out of the soil and when combined with fly activity, can cause an outbreak.
  • The incubation period for Parvovirus is 4-7 days from the time the dog is first exposed.
  • Typical signs of Parvovirus include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea that may be bloody.
  • Black and tan dogs such as Dobermans and Rottweilers seem more prone to contracting Parvovirus, and have lower recovery rates.
  • If a dog becomes infected with Parvovirus, he has about a 50-50 chance of survival.
  • Puppies are more at risk than adult dogs, and puppies who do contract and survive a Parvo infection usually remain somewhat unhealthy and weak for life.
  • Puppies actually obtain some immunity from their mother’s milk, which contains the Parvovirus antibodies that temporarily protect the pup – the problem is these same antibodies also inactivate the Parvo vaccine, which is why puppies need a special vaccination schedule and isolation from other dogs until the vaccine kicks in.

Summer is Parvo season, but sadly, Vets around the country are currently seeing especially worrying spikes in outbreaks, probably as a result of tough economic times leading to failure to vaccinate… but treatment for Parvovirus is far more costly than the vaccination! In many places, SPCAs, humane societies and animal services are offering free or low-cost vaccines to try to keep the spread of Parvo down.

You can find a general vaccination schedules for dogs and puppies, including Parvo, here.

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