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Biscayne Times PET TALK - Flat-Face Believers
Thunder storms are common occurrences in South Florida during the long summer-fall season, providing us with fascinating light displays and ample rain. For certain dogs, however, they are anxiety-provoking, causing a wide display of behaviors such as pacing, drooling, trembling, hiding, destructive chewing and even self-mutilation. Rescue Remedy by Bach, made from flower essences and found in health food stores, can take the edge off of a dog’s fear, allowing him to relax during storms. Administer four drops in the mouth and kennel up.
PET TIPS THAT WORK 3 – Litter Box
Without question, dogs and cats make excellent pets. Many families having both know they can harmoniously live together under one roof. Sometimes, though, Marmaduke sneaks into the litter box to consume what Garfield left behind. One simple solution is to use an igloo-style litter box rather than an open pan. Placed in a corner of the room with the small opening turned towards the wall, it makes it more challenging for a dog to get to the prize inside.
PET TIPS THAT WORK 4 - Pet First-Aid Kit - Dec. 2012
Every dog and cat owner should have an emergency first-aid kit. If prepared, anyone can handle the most common and less serious health issues with ease. Set aside a special drawer at home with emergency essentials:
Anti-biotic cream – for minor cuts
Rubbing Alcohol– for cleaning ears
Flat cotton cosmetic pads
Vet wrap (self-stick gauze) – for covering open wounds
Pedialyte – to restore fluids and prevent dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea
Pepto-Bismol (for dogs only) – safe for treating diarrhea and vomiting
Benadryl – for allergic reactions: 10mg for dogs 30lbs or less; 25 mg for 30–50 lbs; 50 mg for 50 lbs and up. Consult your vet for cat dosages.
Hydrogen Peroxide – for treating cuts and to induce vomiting if vet recommended
Syringes without needles – to easily administer liquid meds into mouth
Styptic Powder – for blood clotting, especially on toenails
Activated Charcoal capsules – binds toxins already in gastrointestinal tract
Ice Packs, Bags of Frozen Peas – in freezer, ready for heat exhaustion
Make sure to include any prescription drugs your pet may need. ALWAYS contact your vet in cases of serious allergic reactions, possible poisoning, vomiting or diarrhea that lasts for more than 24 hours, and heat stroke. The ASPCA Poison Control Hotline is 1-888-426-4435 and charges a fee; Tufts University Vet School is a free call: 1-508-839-5395.
iors such as pacing, drooling, trembling, hiding, destructive chewing and even self-mutilation. Rescue Remedy by Bach, made from flower essences and found in health food stores, can take the edge off of a dog’s fear, allowing him to relax during storms. Administer four drops in the mouth and kennel up. PET TIPS THAT WORK 1- Frozen Bandana - September 2012
PET TIPS THAT WORK 5 - Kidney Problems - Jan. 2013
Kidney disease is a term referring to a group of illnesses common amongst domestic cats. Animals with kidney problems have difficulty filtering waste products into their urine. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, muscle wasting, excessive water intake, increased urination and ammonia breath. Often inherited and with no known cure, this disease can be managed in some cats through medications and/ or simple dietary changes. Vet-prescribed medical diets low in protein, phosphorous and sodium ease stress on overworked kidneys, thus lessening symptoms, giving these cats improved qualities of life.
Pet Tips That Work 6 – Geriatric Dogs - Feb. 2013
Much like their human companions, pets in the United States are living longer. Geriatric animals have special needs that, when met, vastly improve quality of life, as well. With older dogs, maintaining joint health is a key issue. Low-calorie diets can help shed the extra pounds, reducing pressure on hips, knees and elbows. Supplements, such as glucosamine and chondroitin, target mobility, as do prescription pain medications. Thick orthopedic cushions take stress off of joints during rest, and long, rubber-backed bathroom carpet runners can make navigating slippery floors possible and injury-free. A brief extra walk or two will add a little low-impact exercise and can prevent housebreaking accidents in the aging canine.
Pet Tips That Work 7 – Collar Safety - March 2013
What causes a dog to become lost or hit by a car? There are just a handful of reasons, and one of them is an ill-fitting, loose collar. Walking a pet with a snug, nylon or leather-style everyday collar will prevent the back-up-and-out-and-run-down-the-block phenomenon. An attached ID tag should have the home address and phone number, and a current rabies tag should be secured, as well. If used, a choke chain must be properly fitted, with no more than 3 inches of extra link when pulled tight. Pinch collars have been known to break apart, so when handling this type of equipment, also clip the leash to a secondary collar. Chokes and pinches are only safe to use when dogs are leashed and supervised, and are exclusively meant for training purposes.
PET TIPS THAT WORK 8 – Picky Eaters - April 2013
Living with a picky-eater pet can be frustrating. Before caving in again and buying another brand of food, first try some simple adjustments to his routine. Factors other than the actual food could be why he’s not eating. Experiment with the following:
Feeding Time – Your pet might not be hungry when you put down his food. Change the hour of mealtime by at least three hours.
Bowl Size – Sometimes size does make a difference. A bowl which is too small for a muzzle can make the eating experience quite unpleasant. A bowl which is too big for the age or breed can be a challenge, as well.
Remove Co
llar– Hanging ID tags clink on the sides of bowls, and may distract or even frighten a pet away from his supper. Try removing the collar at mealtime.
Ceramic, Plastic or Stainless steel – The material with which the bowl is made is often the cause of poor eating habits. Switch to a new style.
Anti-Skid Bowls – A rubbed-based or no-spill design keeps a bowl from moving around. A sliding bowl can distract a picky eater.
Placement – Animals are either social eaters or anti-social eaters. Some like a quiet, off-the-beaten-path place to have a meal, while others need to be near the pack to feel secure enough to eat. Discover where your pet fits in this equation and establish his eating area where he’s most comfortable.
No Bowl – Ex-strays can sometimes be confused by food presented in a bowl if they were accustomed to eating off the ground. Try placing food on a paper towel or simply the kitchen floor.
PET TIPS THAT WORK 9 – Pool Safety - May 2013
Pool safety is a must for our kids’ sake – but did you know that our pets are just as vulnerable to drowning? 70% of U.S. pool owners have a dog or cat, and thousands of these animals perish in our backyards each year. Adopting the same child-safety procedures for our furry friends can save lives.
1) Adult supervision will prevent most pool accidents. Active pets can slip and fall into the water. If unnoticed, they may tread water and scratch fruitlessly at the nearest wall to the point of exhaustion. This is how most pets drown.
2) Teach your dog how to swim over to the shallow end and climb out using the steps. You can do this by leashing up the dog, leading him out into the deep area and returning to the shallow end. Encourage him to walk out using the steps and lavish him with praise for a job well done. Repeat this routine often.
3) An easy to see, white-colored floating ramp, such as the Skamper-Ramp, can help critters – even squirrels, frogs and snakes - to get out of the pool unassisted.
4) Pool fencing isn’t fool proof, but it’s often enough to keep a pet out of the pool.
5) A floating pool alarm can alert you when something falls into the water. It will emit a warning sound at poolside and also send an alarm signal to a monitoring station inside the house. A wearable alarm system such as Terrapin’s Safety Turtle can be attached to a dog or cat collar; it senses when it’s underwater and sends a signal to the base, which sounds the alarm.
6) Pool covers and pets don’t mix; in fact, they can be quite dangerous. A cover can collapse under an animal’s weight, trapping it underneath the fabric, resulting in a drowning death.
Let’s enjoy the summer even more by keeping our poolside pets safe.
PET TIPS THAT WORK 10- Frozen bandana - June 2013
Hot weather can be dangerous for dogs, as well as for dog owners. Giving both access to water and shade while spending time outside is a must. In South Florida, limit long walks to morning and evening hours from May to November.
According to findings in a 2007 Iowa study for the Trees Forever Project, sun to shade temperature differences are huge, as are grassy to paved surface temperatures. Sun to shade temperatures can vary 14 degrees on grassy lawns, but 35 degrees on asphalt roads. They also found that lawns versus paved surfaces can have as much as a 15 degree difference in temperature. So in our hottest months, it makes sense to walk our pets on grass rather than pavement, and in the shade rather than in direct sunlight.
Here's a cool tip for both canine and human: Keep a bandana in the freezer. Before venturing out in the heat, roll up ice cubes inside the fabric and tie snugly around the neck, making sure to make contact with skin.
PET TIPS THAT WORK – 11 Keeping Pet Birds Busy - July 2013
Birds in
the wild are endlessly active. In captivity, that’s not always the case. Besides
needing to feel safe in its environment, a pet bird really needs a job. A busy
bird is a happy bird. Depending on the species, adding a few unshelled
sunflower seeds or a peanut to the food dish can make the day more interesting.
A parrot can be endlessly entertained by an apple or carrot placed on the
bottom of the cage.
Switching
out toys offers fresh challenges to its intelligent brain. Noisy items like
bells and rattles are hardly irritating to a lively bird, and supplementing
toys with something as simple as a ball of crumpled paper can amuse a bird for
hours. It’s a rare feathered friend that doesn’t crave human attention, but
when that’s not possible, mirrors, TV and music will fill in the gaps. Changing
a perch height or moving a cage to a different area of the house is quite
stimulating for a bored bird. The bottom line is to mix things up – keep them
guessing to keep them interested.
PET TIPS THAT WORK – 12 Sunscreen For Pets - Aug. 2013
People are educated today about the dangers of sun exposure. Lots of shade, protective clothing and sunscreen have become healthy habits for those with active outdoor lifestyles. Our pets have joined us in our activities in the park, at the beach and around the neighborhood, but their skin protection has lagged behind, lingering in the last century.
Certain parts of a pet’s body are at risk for sunburn and skin cancer. Hairless areas, such as the belly, groin and nose are vulnerable. Ear tips are sensitive to harmful UV rays, and pink-skinned or light-colored breeds need extra protection. Summer close-shaves have become popular, especially in Florida, but that exposed skin should be given a dose of sunblock when outside.
SPF hasn’t been rated for animals, and some chemicals in human-grade sunscreen – like zinc oxide – are very TOXIC if licked. Pet safe products are readily available now, but cat owners must be more careful. Consult with your vet for a cat-safe sunblock before you purchase.
PET TIPS THAT WORK – 14 LOST & FOUND - Oct. 2013
Losing a pet is heartbreaking, as is finding someone’s lost pet. We all want a happy reunion, but the best chance for that to happen is by knowing what steps to put in place and taking quick action. Here’s a checklist of what do if you lose or find a pet in Miami Shores:
www.humanesocietymiami.org or call 305-696-0800.
Before you lose a pet, be sure to do these three things:
PET TIPS THAT WORK 15 - 8 Must-Dos - Nov. 2013
Not everyone is interested in obedience training. Commands are nice to have, but aren’t essential to living happily with a dog. Good manners are more universally desired, but even in that department, what’s considered acceptable behavior varies from household to household. It all boils down to a handful of things that all dogs need to have from their owners. Here’s my bare-bones list of the eight must-dos with any pet dog:
1) Get him used to a leash – Most towns have leash laws, so in order to be a good canine-owning citizen, you should introduce your pet to a leash. Even toy breeds aren’t exempt, even though they’re small enough to tote under your arm. Using a flat-style lead and a collar, leash walking teaches a dog to follow the boss and is the most practical way of controlling him in social situations.
2) Use a kennel crate – A cage offers your pet a quiet sanctuary from the busy world. It allows him to relax and de-stress in a den-like secure atmosphere. It’s an excellent housebreaking tool and prevents destructive chewing when you can’t supervise.
3) Exercise – Walking, swimming, playing ball, tug of war and rough-housing with other puppies are examples of necessary exercise to ensure a physically and emotionally happy dog.
4) Give your dog a job – Dogs were never meant to be couch potatoes. Just look at the names of the dog groups: Herding dogs, Working dogs, Gundogs. Most breeds were created to work side by side with humans; it’s in their genes to be workers, but in the 21st Century, not many of our pets have employment opportunities. Give your dog a job and you’ll see him have fun while doing it and be more relaxed when he’s not. Retrieving a toy, barking and protecting the fence-line, bringing in the morning paper or obeying sit/stay commands are examples of practical, modern day jobs for our dogs.
5) Grooming – Expose your pet to being combed, having teeth brushed, ears cleaned, and toes massaged. The more you do it, the more acceptable your pet will be to being handled this way. Your vet and groomer will thank you.
6) Socialize him with whatever you don’t have at home – If you don’t have kids, get your dog around the neighbor’s children. Get him used to members of the opposite sex if you live alone. If you don’t have stairs, take him someplace where you can practice going up and down steps. Visit the dog park so he can meet other dogs if he’s an only “child.”
7) No jumping allowed – For dogs over 40 lbs., it’s essential to correct this bad behavior. Teach him to show more respect, and you’ll start becoming a leader.
8) Car rides – Even if you live in the city without a car, get your pet exposed to riding in a vehicle. You’ll need to take him to the vet from time to time, and even most taxis allow dog fares. All dogs need to learn to behave while traveling.
PET TIPS THAT WORK 16 – Healthy Routines - Dec. 2013
Staying faithful to healthy routines can extend the quality and quantity of life for furry family members. Here are essentials for keeping your pet vibrant as long as possible:
Think Lean – Extra pounds put damaging stress on joints and organs. Feed a little less than the recommended amounts posted on pet food packaging. Ask the veterinarian what is your pet’s goal weight and work towards maintaining that. Many brands manufacture adult lite diets lower in calories that can help achieve weight loss.
Moderate Exercise – Physical activity aids in keeping a healthy weight, but overdoing it can be harmful. Brief, low impact workouts such as walking and swimming burn up calories but preserve joints such as knees, elbows and hips. Provide plenty of shade and access to water during exercise to stave off dehydration and heat stroke.
Nix The People Food – Staples in human diets can be dangerous for our pets, causing serious issues such as pancreatitis, digestive blockages, kidney failure and diabetes. Seemingly harmless foods such as chocolate, grapes, yeast dough, garlic, onions, walnuts, salt and coffee can lead to sickness or worse if eaten by a dog or cat. Cooked meats and milk are hard to digest. Stick with safe foods specially processed for pets.
Remember Heartworm Prevention – A monthly heartworm preventive is the only protection against deadly mosquito-causing heartworms, but also prevents other parasitic infections of hookworms and roundworms.
Attend To The Teeth – Help prevent gum disease and tooth loss through routine brushing. Provide toys or hard bones to scrape off tartar.
Brush That Hair – Daily brushing or combing prevents painful mats and loosens dead skin cells to promote health skin and hair growth.
Vaccinate - Many diseases are preventable if your pet is current on shots.
PET TIPS THAT WORK 17 – Trainer Pet Peeves Jan.2014
Over the years I’ve seen well-meaning dog owners make all sorts of missteps. Aside from the occasional quirk, there are common scenarios seen again and again. These mistakes are easily turned around to help any dog become the best he can be. It’s all a matter of letting go of old ideas that aren’t working, and letting in new ones that do and knowing the reasons why. Here’s the first installment of my top trainer pet peeves:
Say no to: Retractable leashes
Say yes to: Flat-style leashes
Why? Retractables encourage dogs to pull, to zoom out 20 feet from handlers and quite often into traffic. The cords can easily snap or wrap around canine and human legs, cutting into muscle. Bottom line is that flat leashes provide better control.
Say no to: Homemade “toys” like socks, old shoes, towels or plastic bottles
Say yes to: Toys purchased in pet stores
Why? There are disastrous consequences for allowing dogs to chew household items. Eventually, those expensive designer Jimmy Choos (no pun intended!) or irreplaceable, monogrammed wedding-gift towels will become fair game and destroyed; vet visits for bowel blockages are bound to follow.
PET TIPS THAT WORK 18– Trainer Pet Peeves 2 - Feb 2014
There are common mistakes made by well-intentioned dog owners that can be easily turned around to help, rather than hinder, training. It’s all a matter of letting go of old ideas that aren’t working, and letting in new ones that do and knowing the reasons why. Last month I wrote about retractable leashes and homemade “toys.” Here’s the second installment of my Top Trainer Pet Peeves List:
Say no to: Wee Wee pads in kennel crates
Say yes to: Empty kennel crates for housebreaking
Why? The aim is to teach puppies to “hold it” while in the crate, not to allow them to relieve themselves where they sleep. No towels, blankets or pillows either.
Say no to: 3 to 4 meals a day for puppies
Say yes to: 2 meals a day
Why? While it is true that young stomachs cannot hold large meals, splitting daily rations into two separate meals provides ample nutrition, but doesn’t interfere with housebreaking.
Say no to: Warnings that tug and fetch activities lead to aggression problems
Say yes to: Releasing prey drive with tug and fetch
Why? All dogs have prey drive, some more than others. Those with tons of prey drive need positive outlets for it, or it will come out in negative ways, such as going after cats or chasing bicycles.
PET TIPS THAT WORK 19 – Escape Artists - March 2014
Elephants aren’t the only animals that never forget. Dogs have good memories, too. Anyone with a dog that has escaped from the yard can attest to it. A dog that has dug under, gone through, climbed or jumped over a backyard fence will remember how to get out and will attempt it every chance he gets.
A pet owner should try to make the yard as “escape proof” as possible. Fence perimeters can be secured with chain-link tension wire, landscape timbers or poured concrete. Fence height can be increased to six feet in some communities (five feet in Miami Shores). Check with the building department to find out about fence-height restrictions and permits. Holes in wooden slats or chain fabric can be patched, and gaps between sections should not be overlooked.
Outside supervision is essential for anyone with a Houdini dog. Even then, some dogs are too quick at their escapes. On-leash walks are always a safe alternative. When all else fails, it’s smart to look into installing an underground fence system. Although costly, these electronic training systems are effective at deterring dogs from approaching property boundaries.
PET TIPS THAT WORK 20– Be Careful with Birds- Apr. 2014
Years ago, before gas detection technology, miners took caged canaries down with them into the coal mines. A singing canary meant the air supply was safe from low levels of carbon monoxide and methane. Today, canaries, as well as other popular pet bird breeds such as finches, cockatiels, parakeets and parrots are still quite sensitive to toxins in our environment. Bird owners can unknowingly place their pets in danger – right inside their own homes.
Beware of a long list of common chemicals: household cleaning products, air fresheners, aerosol sprays, pesticides, paints, nail polish, chlorine and glues. Fumes from cooking with Teflon-coated cookware are notoriously lethal. Cigarette smoke, suntan lotion and even perfume can be harmful to birds. Cold temperatures, drafts and prolonged exposure to heat or sunlight should also be avoided.
Potential dangers increase as a bird ventures out of its cage. Electrical cords and light bulbs can burn; ceiling fans, open windows and doors, toilets and swimming pools present their own set of hazards. A bird walking on the floor or on the furniture can be easily stepped on or sat upon, and other pets in the home are often its natural predators. Suffocation in a simple pile of laundry or under bed covers is a very real danger. Safe zones should be established in the home for a bird and supervision when it’s out of the cage is a must.