Holiday Safety Pet Tips

Merry Christmas!
With the holiday hustle and bustle it is easy to get wrapped up and forget that we need to pay extra attention to our fur kids. Holiday time can be fun and exciting but can also have some serious dangers to our pets.
Below are six things to be aware of and help keep your pet safe.

1.      Ribbons, tinsel, garland and Styrofoam are dangerous if ingested by fur babies. These materials can cause intestinal obstruction and/or severe damage to the intestines.

2.      Ice melts can damage a pet’s footpads; while anti-freeze can be toxic at very low levels. Be sure to purchase pet-friendly formulas.

3.      Toxic holiday plants – holly, mistletoe, poinsettias and some lilies – can be life-threatening to fur babies.

4.      Prevent your fur baby from ingesting tree water because it often contains preservatives that are sugar based which are very inviting to pets, but also toxic chemicals like fertilizers, insecticides and flame retardants.

5.      Keep holiday lights high on the tree because some lights can overheat and burn fur babies. Also, inquisitive fur babies can pull lights from the tree and become tangled in them, which increases the chance of chewing on the wires, which can electrocute.

6.      Prevent your fur baby from chewing on live or artificial tree needles because they are sharp and can irritate their mouth and digestive tract. Also, avoid using artificial snow sprays or scents on your tree.

As always if you suspect your pet has any health problems please seek treatment from your veterinarian. We hope you are having a great holiday season!

Thanksgiving and Your Pets

This is a season to say thanks to those we love, including our canine companions. Some dog owners do this by sharing some of their family feast with their pooch. While you may think that a few morsels of "people food" can't hurt, the fact is that some foods can be harmful—even lethal—to dogs.

The foods we eat during the holidays tend to be particularly rich and fatty, and that can cause health problems in dogs now and down the road. Vomiting and diarrhea are commonly seen in dogs given food that is not a part of their regular diet, especially foods that are high in fat.

How to ensure that your dog has a safe and healthy Thanksgiving:

• Never give your dog poultry bones—they can splinter easily and stick in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines.
• Keep him away from chocolate—it can be fatal to dogs. Bowls of candy, or pieces dropped by guests or children, may pose a real risk to your pets. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. But any chocolate, in large enough amounts, can kill a dog. An ounce of chocolate can be toxic to a 30-pound dog, and many dogs can easily consume more than that.
• Don't let your dog lie where food is often dropped. If he is not trained to stay out of the garbage, use a can with a lid, or keep it out of your pet's reach. Dogs are capable of amazing feats when food is involved.
• Make sure your pet can't access food left on counters or tables. After you've cleaned the kitchen, take the garbage out and dispose of it in a secure place where no pets can get into it.
• Watch the door as guests enter and leave. An open door is an invitation for a dog to flee a busy house for the world outside. So as guests arrive and leave, keep an eye on your dog—or, if he's shy and upset by company, keep him in a quieter part of the house during noisy festivities.

Thanksgiving meals may have all your favorites, but imagine what can happen to your dog if he chows down on mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. Keep in mind that the potential risks of feeding him Thanksgiving leftovers far outweigh his momentary delight. A little restraint and a yummy chew toy will keep your dog safe this Thanksgiving and for many holidays to come.

Article courtesy of

http://www.pedigree.com/All-Things-Dog/Article-Library/Thanksgiving-Hazards-And-Your-Dog.aspx

How To Keep Dogs Warm In The Winter

How To Keep Dogs Warm In The Winter

During the Texas winter season, many dogs feel the cold as much as their owners do, especially dogs that are not habituated to the cold, or that have specific cold weather traits. Keeping your dog warm through the winter months is important to maintaining top health, and it won't take you much extra effort to ensure winter coziness for your canine pal. Remember if you are cold chances are so is your pet. 

Understand your breed 

Some dog breeds are more prone to the cold than others, while some breeds are adapt extremely well to the cold:

• Dogs that are great in the cold include Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies and Chow Chows.
• Dogs that find it harder include Dobermans, toy dogs, low hair or hairless dogs, and Greyhounds. Any shaven or excessively clipped dog will fall into this category as well because the thick winter coat is a dog's insulation.

Provide Appropriate Shelter

Provide appropriate shelter. It is optimal if your dog can remain indoors throughout winter, going outside for exercising and answering nature's call only. This will ensure that your dog doesn't get cold while you're out or asleep. Young puppies should not be left outside as they don't have the ability of older dogs to keep themselves warm outside.  

If you have an outside dog that you can not bring int  make sure they have adequate bedding and shelter. Fresh straw is an easy and suitable bedding that provides an additional layer of insulation. Just be sure to change it on a regular basis.

Ensure You Have Appropriate Bedding. 

Bedding is an important part of keeping a dog warm through winter. If your dog sleeps on the ground or somewhere with drafts, place the bed up off the floor. A custom-made bed with cushioned insert, blankets, and old clothing make good, warm bedding.

• For old and arthritic dogs, consider using a heated dog bed.
• Make sure you clean and change bedding regularly to reduce fleas, germs, and mess.

Take Shorter Walks In The Extreme Cold

Don't try to take your dog on the same length walks as during warmer weather. A shorter walk can still accomplish enough exercise and relief breaks without causing your dog (and you) to become too cold. Even if you are indoors you can still get plenty of exercise. Play fetch inside as well as if you have stairs you can use them for agility practice. 

Most important have fun and monitor your pet. If you are cold chances are so is your pet. 

Rewarding Good Behavior

Reward Good Behavior

If your beloved, four-legged baby goes potty in the right spot, a reward is in order. This can be your praise and affection or it could be a special treat just for potty time. A mixture of treats, praise, and playtime works very well for puppies. Because puppy wants only to please and play with you, this small rewards mean everything to them.  They will do whatever they can to make you happy – including go potty in the right place.  Eventually, you will wean them off the treats, but always praise them for doing a good thing.

Potty Training Your Puppy - Assigning a Potty Spot

Assign a Potty Spot

Once you catch your little guy or girl doing their potty dance, you will need to show them where it is okay to go potty.  If you can, the absolute best thing to do is take puppy straight outside.  This will train your puppy that the inside of the house is not a potty spot.   If that is not possible, due to the puppy just being too young for example, then you will need to paper train the puppy first  with a spot in the house. You can purchase training pads that have special smells at most pet stores. 

 

Your puppy will be able to hold on longer and longer as time goes by, making it possible to plan an outdoor excursion to the potty spot.  This is not something that will happen in a day or even a week.  Some puppies are stubborn when it comes to this.  Keep at it and you will be rewarded.  Speaking of rewards...

Reward Good Behavior

If your puppy goes potty where you want them to go, reward them!  This can be praising and petting your puppy, a special treat, or a combination of the two.  A mixture of treats, praise, and playtime works very well for puppies. Because puppy wants only to please you and only to play with you, your praise and play means everything to them and they will do anything to get it – including go potty in the right place.

 

Libby Mitchell

Fetch Pet Care of NE Dallas

 

 

Housebreaking Your New Puppy

Housebreaking Your New Puppy

 

The springtime generally brings a feeling of new beginnings and oftentimes, new puppies to a family.   Over the next few weeks, we will be going over potty training puppies.

 

Successful Puppy Potty Training Depends On You

New puppies are just great fun. They're cute and cuddly, they're playful and friendly. Who can resist the charms of an itty bitty puppy. This new family member is so lovable, in fact, that you can almost forget one of the biggest challenges you'll face when that cute little puppy comes home - potty training.

 

Puppy potty training, also known as housebreaking your puppy, is rarely easy. In fact, it can be downright frustrating and upsetting at times. There are ways to make sure you get through the process positively. Let's start with these tips to get you, and puppy, off on the right foot, or paw: 

 

Know Your Puppy's Potty Dance

You'll want to catch your puppy in the act when possible, so you can teach puppy the right way to go potty. Start watching your puppy for a 'potty dance.' These signs often come right after eating or drinking,  and after a good bit of playful activity. In other words, after feeding or playing with your puppy, watch for signs of sniffing, circling, and squatting. 

 

Next Week:  Selecting a Potty Spot



Spring is Heating up - Watch Your Pets

Spring is here, being in Dallas and other dog walking areas, it can still reach high temperatures during the day. Whether you have an outside dog or an inside dog you take for walks, you need to be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion. Just like humans, our furry friends can suffer heat stroke and even death if the proper precautions are not taken.

The signs of heat exhaustion/stroke are:

o Heavy panting and gasping for air.
o A “drunken” stagger when they walk.
o Excessive foaming and/or drooling.
o Weakness and vomiting.
o Dark red gums.
o Decrease in urine production.

Action to take:

o Move the dog to a cool area and offer only small amounts of water (too much water will cause the dog to vomit).
o Wipe the dog with cool water, not cold water, and place wet clothes on feet as this is one of the places where a dog can get rid of the heat
o Call your vet immediately (especially if your dog losses consciousness) if temperature is over 103F as brain damage and death can occur at 109F.

Precautions to take in the heat:

o Leave your dog plenty of water and give them open access to it so it can as needed.
o Let your dog sit in front of a cool fan and wipe it down with a cool cloth after long walks.
o Give your dog shade to sit under outdoors and let them in if they start to show ANY signs of overheating.
o Freeze water bottles and wrap them in a tube sock so your dogs can lay on them while outside. (also works well for rabbits)

By Staff Writer Trish Harding
Fetch Pet Care of NE Dallas
nedallas@fetchpetcare.com
http://dallas-plano-richardson.fetchpetcare.com

Spring and Summer Break for Pets

You’re on vacation, but what about your dogs and cats? Remember to line your pet sitters and dog walkers up now while there is still room and you are able to the sitters you want and need and not just kennel your dog at the local dog run.  In the Dallas area, there are many great pet sitting companies out there.

Dogs and cats do much better when they are taken care of in their home as opposed to going to kennels. To make sure you get the best out of your pet sitting experience, you need to understand that pet sitters do so much more than water and feed your dogs.

Pet sitters spend time with your baby, gives them exercise, and can evaluate if there are any medical issues which may arise. Many will bring in mail, papers, water the plans, provide crime deterrents with making it appear as someone is home.

So for your spring and summer vacation time, choose a pet sitter and give your fur babies a break as well.

AntiFreeze Poisoning in Dogs

Antifreeze poisoning in dogs

Pet sitters, dog walkers, and pet owners, need to be aware of what can happen and the symptoms of antifreeze poisoning. Especially in areas like Dallas, where snow and dogs are not so common and people splash antifreeze around their car while getting it into the necessary receptacles. It takes only a teaspoon to kill a small dog.

When dog walking, please be aware of your surroundings and take immediate action if your dog begins drinking something in a driveway or roadway.

In 2007, my oldest daughter gave me her American Staffordshire Terrier, Charlie, to watch when she joined the Navy. He was six months old and just a doll. Unfortunately for us, someone did not like his breed and poisoned him with antifreeze. It was two days before he showed symptoms.
Symptoms of antifreeze poisoning
- walking drunkenly – it is alcohol
- vomit and drinking excessively
- excessive urination
- diarrhea
- mouth ulcers
- hair loss
- rapid heart beat
- depression
- weakness
- seizures
- coma

The quicker you act, the safer your pet will be. Once the urine begins to crystallize, it may be too late. If you do see it, give a simple hydrogen peroxide mixture to induce vomiting. Contact your vet first as he may want to do it, but if you know it will take a while to get to the vets, call them for step-by-step instructions.

Once at the vets, if the dog has not already vomited, your vet will begin that. They will also administer an antidote to the poison at the office such as activated charcoal or 4-methylpyrazole, which is very effective if administered early. Most deaths from antifreeze poisoning come from renal (kidney) failure. After ingesting antifreeze, your pet may seem better and then suddenly gets worse because it has gone from ingestion into the kidneys and livers.

We were lucky. Even though Charlie had crystals in his urine, he was at an emergency clinic where they started him on fluids until we could get him to the vets the next day. We then began a week-long outpatient fluid treatment to flush it out of his system. Against all odds, he did it.

If you do use antifreeze, please consider going over to propylene glycol instead of ethylene. It is still poisonous but will not have the kidney effects. Clean up your driveway messes, keep the antifreeze locked up and in a tight container, and most of all, keep aware of your pets.

Libby Mitchell
Fetch Pet Care of NE Dallas
http://www.fetchpetcare.com
214-969-3639

Holiday Tips from a Dallas Pet Sitter

Holiday Tips From Dallas Pet Sitter

Everyone is home for the holidays, the pets are barking and meowing; kids are crying, aunts are pinching your cheek; but, the food is good and the company is fresh.

As much as you may or may not enjoy Thanksgiving with your family, understand your pet is seeing this in a different way - FREE FOOD. Designate someone to keep an eye on the food and away from the family pets.

Many foods are toxic to animals. Cats have a problem with onion and garlic which can make them anemic. Also green tomatoes and raw green potatoes can cause explosive diarrehea. Milk can also cause stomach problems and gas while turkey bones can splinter.

However, cooked turkey meat, uncanned pumpkins, squash, cats can eat.

Dogs keep away from onions, chocolate, and bones. Onions can give gas, chocolate is toxic, and bones - well, you didn't want to head to the vets on a holiday!

If you do need a vet, check the emergency clinic or your vet's hotline to see who is minding the house while they enjoy holidays.

Prepare and watch out and all should be good for your dogs and cats. If you need to travel, find a reliable pet sitter, dog walker, and bird feeder to watch after your loved ones. It is worth it for your piece of mind.

Libby Mitchell is the owner of Fetch Pet Care of NE Dallas. Fetch Pet Care offers a variety of pet services in your area. Call us today at 214-989-3639.

Should You Hire A Petsitter for the Holidays

Pet Sitters are a much needed necessity if you have are leaving your dog or cat for the holidays. Pet sitters are an alternative to boarding and kenneling which allows home dog sitting, where the dogs stay in a comfortable environment, or the neighborhood kid down the street you don't know very well. Though more and more vacation lodging includes both dog and cat hotels, it is less stressful on both the dog and their human if they can stay home instead of traveling around the world.

In Dallas, dog walking can be a part of the pet care services which can be chosen as part of your vacation package with a professional pet sitter. Regardless of whether you use a franchise service like Fetch! Pet Care which is located nationwide or an independent contractor, please make sure they have insurance and well as bonding all their staff.

Pet Sitters are not all created equal. Many are members of NAPPS (National Association of Professional Pet Sitters) or Pet Sitters International. Some are associated with both vet and other pet services.

Home dog and cat sitting allows the animals to enjoy the holidays with someone who loves pets, takes care of your home, as well as takes the dog walking or plays with the cats on a daily basis. Many pet sitting services will also take care of reptiles, birds, rodents, and even the occasional tarantula.

Don't leave your pet with a neighbor who may be too busy to check on them daily. Hire a professional pet sitter who is there for you 24/7 regardless of whether your flight makes it back on time or your car gets a flat. And once the holidays are over and you and your pets have developed a report with your pet sitter, consider hiring them for dog walking or pet visits to keep your pet company while you work those long hours until your next vacation.

Libby Mitchell is the owner of Fetch! Pet Care of NE Dallas. Fetch! Pet Care provides many pet care services in around the nation.

Welcoming A New Puppy Into Your Home – Are You Really Ready?

Are you really ready to bring a little furry friend home? I mean, are you really ready? Sure it sounds all wonderful in theory, but before you run out and take home the first puppy who melts your heart, there are some things you'll need to consider carefully. Let's take a look.

Do You Have Time?

 
Puppies need your time and lots of it. If you're constantly rushing to get everything done, you may want to seriously reconsider the idea of taking home a puppy. A puppy is a new creature to this world. They need your time and attention to learn how to properly live in it. Your new puppy is going to need your help learning how to potty train, how to behave properly around other pets and people, as well as lots of your attention for playtime. Do you have that time to give a deserving puppy?

Is Your Family in Agreement?

This new family member is going to affect everyone in the family. That is why it's a good idea to make sure everyone in the family agrees to accepting this new family member. This ensures the puppy comes into a completely welcoming home and that you don't create any unwanted issues and tension between family members and the puppy, too.

Are You Ready For The Work?

Puppies take a lot of work. Are you ready for that? Are you prepared to have mop and paper towels in hand constantly?  Are you ready to get up in the middle of the night to tend to your puppy's needs, to play even when you don't feel like it, to make vet trips, and to make trips to the store to buy pet food? Are you ready to handle emergency situations with your puppy? Are you ready to spend the hours and hours it takes to physically care for your puppy; training, bathing, brushing, feeding, and other care?

Can You Afford a Puppy?

Puppies cost money. Even if you can get a puppy absolutely free, your puppy is not going to be free for long. Or, maybe you're buying a purebred pup from a breeder or adopting from a shelter. Either way, the expenses don't end when you take the puppy home, they just begin. You'll need money for food, bowls, toys, treats, bedding, crates, leashes, collars, grooming, shots, neutering or spaying, licenses, training or obedience classes, routine medical bills, unexpected vet bills, and more. Be prepared for this and honestly decide if you really can afford your furry friend.

Do You Have Support?

We've mentioned that it's hard work taking care of a puppy. Will you have any support to help you when you need a break? Think about this before you take puppy home and you'll save yourself a ton of stress. Support can come in many different forms; from hiring a pet sitter or dog walker, a neighbor who's willing to dog-sit when you go out of town, the friend who can offer puppy potty training advice and help.

If you've honestly answered these questions, then you'll be in a very good place to make a realistic decision about whether you can adopt a puppy or not.

If the answers show you're not quite ready for a puppy, then waiting until the time is right is the proper thing to do. You and your potential puppy will be much better off. If the answers show you are ready, congratulations! It's an exciting time as you venture into a whole new world of pet parenting!

Heat and Your Pets

Summer temperatures might be great for tan lines and boating trips, but the excessive heat and increased outdoor activities could spell disaster for your pets. As the mercury rises, take just a few moments to insure that your pets are safe and prevent an urgent trip to the animal ER with a summertime emergency! Our trained, professional Fetch! staff will do everything possible to make certain that your pet is properly cared for. We do ask that you allow us the judgment call when it comes to their comfort and safety. There may be times when our staff will shorten actual outdoor walks and continue with safe indoor play and loving attention.

The most common heat related problem for pets is heat stroke. Also known as heat stress or hyperpyrexia, heat stroke is a real emergency for dogs. Even on moderately warm days, an excited dog might show a body temperature increase of 2-5 degrees. Since dogs don’t sweat like we do, they are unable to dissipate the excess heat and heat stroke may soon follow.

Any outdoor pet can overheat on a warm summer day, but short faced breeds, such as Pugs, Bostons and Bulldogs, are at a higher risk. In addition, every year thousands of pets succumb to heat stroke because they were left in cars while their owners ran “just a few” errands.

Many cities and states have now made it a crime to leave your pet unattended in a vehicle. These are important laws as even on a 70 degree day, temperatures inside a car can soar to over 110 degrees in less than one hour!

Some owners try to help their pets by shaving the dog’s long coat. Although this seems like a good idea, a well groomed and clean hair coat can actually insulate the dog from the heat and help keep them cooler.

Veterinarians will recommend shaving specific areas in long haired breeds. For example, shaving around the anus and groin can help keep the area clean and free from infections.

In some cases, shaving the hair coat could expose a lightly pigmented dog to potential sunburn. For short haired lightly colored breeds, Canine solar dermatitis is another problem. Boxers, Pit Bulls and Dalmatians are just a few examples of dogs that are at risk. In these cases, chronic exposure to hot sunny days damages the skin and causes tender, red scaly lesions. Eventually, the skin becomes thickened and scarred.

When the sun goes down and the temperatures start to cool, your pets still face many summer challenges. The patriotic holidays during the summer months are often preceded by and celebrated with fireworks. The bright flashes and loud bangs, also associated with thunderstorms, are terrifying to some pets and can cause anxiety, stress and even escape. Normally calm pets may become distressed, destructive and even bite in an attempt to get away from the noises. While running, they are at risk for being hit by a car, becoming lost or encountering another animal who might be aggressive.

The warm summer season also brings out many pests that will actively seek out your pets. Fleas and ticks are two examples, but some species of biting flies are very fond of dogs’ ears. Repeated bites can cause a condition that can be serious and difficult to control known as “fly strike.”

It is possible to enjoy the summer with your pets by taking just a few precautions. First and foremost, always be aware of the weather forecast. Knowing the high temperature can help guide your plans for the day.

Never leave your pet unattended outside or plan heavy exercise on hot, humid days. If your pet is left outdoors, he must have access to adequate shade and fresh water.

If you find your pet disoriented, panting excessively or collapsed in the yard, move him immediately to a cooler environment. Use cool wet towels over his back, armpits and groin to help bring his temperature down. Fans are often helpful too. DO NOT USE ICE! Then, get him to your veterinarian immediately so that they can assess his status and begin life saving treatments.

If you are planning a vacation or to take your pets to any outdoor parties or cook-outs, find out first if pets are welcome or if fireworks are planned. It might be easier to simply leave the dogs at home rather than risk a run-away or injury. Fetch! will be more than happy to schedule multiple in-home visits, “paw-jama pawties” or in-home boarding!

Summertime should be a time for relaxation and fun…don’t let a pet emergency spoil your good time.

The information offered here is for general discussion and educational purposes only. It has been compiled from various sources and from many years of pet experience. You are urged to discuss all aspects of your pet's health care with your primary care veterinarian. As always, Fetch! will always be available for you and your pet with the finest, customized, personalized pet care service...‘we’ve got your tail covered!!

By Guest Writer Edward Zavala - Fetch Pet Care

Bring Home Baby - Introducing Your Pets

Our pets feed off of our routines and nothing can disrupt routine like a new baby. Your pet will see you awake at odd hours and will hear all sorts of new, and sometimes frightening, noises. Here are some things that will help the transition be safe for your pet and your new baby.

·         Trained behaviour. If your pet is not trained for the basic commands, sit, stay, etc, then you should train them as soon as your possibly can. There are a variety of books and videos available online to help you with training. You can also sign up for dog obedience classes.

·         Sounds. There are a few CDs available to the public that will prepare your dog for the many new noises associated with bringing a new baby home. www.babysoundsforpets.com

·         Smells. A new baby brings tons of new smells. The smell of the baby itself, diapers, baby powder, baby food, baby shampoo, baby blankets, etc. You can rub the baby with a blanket and let your pet get comfortable with that smell. Also putting baby lotion, shampoo or baby powder on your hands and letting your dog smell it can help. You just don’t want any jumping onto the baby and by bringing the smell to your pet the risk of such is greatly reduced.

·         Touch. Give your pet a treat with every touch so they learn to associate touch with a very positive experience. You wouldn’t want him snapping your child’s fingers when they become a toddler. You should also teach your child the appropriate roughness for family animals.

·         New routines. You could carry around a doll or something of similar size so your pet gets used to you carrying something. This will result in less curiosity when the baby does arrive.

·         Old routines. Keep some of your old routines and make sure to give your pet a little extra attention so they do not become jealous of the baby. Jealousy can result in many actions by your pet such as nipping at the child, urinating or defecating on the child’s things, barking when attention is given to the child and so forth.

·         Quiet time. Babies bring a lot of noise so it is a good idea to set up your pets crate or bed in a quiet place where they can get away from the stress of a new baby.

·         Watch. NEVER NEVER NEVER leave your pet alone with your new baby or any other small child. Things can and do happen.

A new baby is very stressful but with the precautions and tips you can make the transition as easy as possible for your pet.

Toilet Training Your Cat

Have you seen Meet The Parents and now you want a toilet trained cat also? That’s what happened to me. I got sick of always emptying the litter box and getting bits of litter stuck to my feet. I decided to toilet train my cat. It was surprisingly easy, although there are a few inconvenient steps. I ultimately found that it was one of the better decisions I have made.

You can go from litter box to toilet in just 8 easy steps. Pay attention to your cat and take note of whether or not you are moving through the steps to fast.

1. Move the litter box next to the toilet and show your cat where it is. Let a few days pass before altering his restroom location again.

2. After a few days have passed, start raising the litter box slowly. Since I am a student I used my old textbooks from subjects I vowed never to touch again. I would increase the height of the box by putting one 1-inch textbook under the box ever 2 days until the bottom of the litter box was even with the toilet seat. After a while I would just put a cardboard box underneath to replace some of the textbooks. They were getting unstable. My cat was about six months old when we did this so he adjusted to the changes in height very easily. If your cat is older you may want to raise it slower if you notice them in distress. Keep the toilet lid down so there are no slipping accidents when they use the toilet lid to climb into the litter box.

3. Remove the books and place the litter box on the closed toilet lid. Leave it there for 3 days.

4. Now you need to find a metal bowl, never to be used by you again, that you will rest inside the toilet and fill with 2 cups of litter. Show your cat that the litter box was replaced with a metal bowl inside the toilet.

5. Watch your cat as he goes to the bathroom. He will start with all four paws inside the bowl. I started with the front legs and would place them on the toilet bowl rim. Every time he would put them back I would place them back on the rim and praise him. I then started with his back feet once he got used to putting his front feet on the rim. The back feet were the most difficult as it was very awkward for him. I would always praise him though. After awhile he would come and get me to follow him into the bathroom. It was very strange at first but it turned out to be very helpful because he would let me know when I needed to watch him.

6. Every two days, after his foot placement was correct, I started decreasing the cat litter by ¼ of a cup. It will start to smell really bad so you will need to clean out the bowl after each use.

7. When there is about ¼ cup of litter in the bowl, you should empty it and start filling the bowl with ¼ cup water every 2 days. If your cat stops using the bathroom in the toilet you should go back to cat litter in the bowl and start all over.

8. Now that you have water in the bowl the smell will not be as bad. Once you reach 2 cups of water in the bowl, it can be removed and you have a toilet trained cat.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Symptoms of Arthritis

Arthritis can affect any dog regardless of breed. It can turn a friendly active dog into an angry sluggish dog. Many dogs, one in five, will get arthritis and have trouble with mobility as they get older. Other illnesses, including the flu and a stomach virus, can exhibit similar symptom.
So, how do you know if your dog has arthritis?

1. Favoring a limb

• your pet may start limping or using a certain limb less

Difficulty sitting or standing

• always leaning to one leg and completely avoiding the other

Sleeping more Seeming to have stiff or sore joints

• may not like to have certain joints or areas touched

Hesitancy to jump, run or climb stairs

• you may need to purchase a smaller set of stairs or a ramp if they have trouble getting up

Weight gain

• from loss of mobility

Decreased activity or less interest in play Attitude or behavior changes Call your veterinarian and express your concern for arthritis if these last more than two weeks or they get progressively worse. Waiting can cause more joint damage to occur.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Dangers of Human Medication

Animals, dogs especially, are known for digging around in the garbage and eating anything that smells remotely edible. The biggest problem arises when your pet eats medications that have been carelessly thrown out in the garbage.

Consumption of human medications can cause kidney failure, liver failure, vomiting and even death. If your pet has eaten any medication then you should contact the ASPCA Poison Control Center. It is a great resource for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call (888) 426-4435. A $65 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card if it is not a common poison and you need to speak with a vet. You can also check out their webpage at http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/

To prevent animals from eating medication you should:

1. Keep medicine out of reach and in a cabinet that cannot be open by them.
2. Keep human and pet medicine separate to avoid confusion in a hurry.
3. Do not keep medication in a plastic bag, this provides no barrier should your animal happen to discover the medicine.
4. Keep medication in its original labeled container.
5. Administer pills over something that will ensure they don’t get dropped on the floor to be quickly gobbled up by Fido.

If your pet is suffering from an illness NEVER attempt to self medicate. You should always contact your veterinarian.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Treating Fleas

Are you having a flea investation.  You are not alone! The fleas have four life stages and there are many options out there to treat fleas in every stage of their life. It is very important that you take care of fleas on small animals. In the mid-90s there was a horrible flea epidemic and, sadly, a few of our cat’s kittens didn’t make it through the year due to flea infestation. So treat for fleas as soon as you see them and if things get worse you should consult your veterinarian.

· Flea shampoos are good if there are a visible amount of fleas on your animal. It is not a permanent solution as it will only kill the fleas it comes in contact with and more will appear within the next few days if no other treatment is used as shampoo is only lethal to adult fleas.

· Flea dips can be used if the fleas pose an immediate threat to your animal. Mites can also be treated with a flea dip. There are some nasty chemicals in flea dips so I would suggest going to see your vet for this treatment.

· Flea collars work on adult fleas only by emitting gas around the collar and allowing some chemicals to be absorbed into the animal’s upper fat layer, killing fleas that try to feed. Flea collars can b put in a vacuum cleaners bag to kill any fleas that have been vacuumed up.

· Flea powders and sprays are only effective against adult fleas and have fallen out of favor in recent years. They can be messy and troublesome if inhaled. They are best used when sprinkled onto the carpet and vacuumed out and last about 2 to 3 days.

· Spot-on treatments such as Advantage and Frontline. Treatment can last anywhere from 1 to 6 months and are applied between the shoulder blades. Some treatments work on adult fleas only while others work on fleas in any stage of life. The amount used depends on weight so it is important that you read all included instructions and apply accordingly.

· Oral medications and injections such as Program and Capstar are one of the few treatments that work by ending the cycle of fleas. Since they are ingested by the animal the go into the blood stream to deliver the product directly to the belly of the pest. Female fleas will start laying unviable eggs so, therefore, larva never hatches and the life cycle does not continue. Read all instructions before proceeding. Consult your veterinarian if you have any questions.

· Don’t forget to vacuum daily and wash all your pets bedding. If fleas are still a problem you should try using a flea light with a sticky pad. After collection you can take the sticky pad to your vet and they will be able to tell you what you are dealing with and how to best treat them.

Only resort to flea bombing as a last resort as those chemicals are highly toxic when inhaled by you and your pet. If your animal appears to be having an adverse reaction to any of the above flea treatments it is imperative that you get them to a vet and discontinue treatment immediately. Just like humans, animals can have allergic reactions to drugs.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

End of Life Issues

For almost two years our cat Noriega has had a kidney tumor growing in size. When it was first discovered, it did not appear to bother him in the least bit. Now he is starting to lose hair all over and he is quieter than usual but he appears to be in no pain when picked up and he still eats normally, despite his major weight loss.

That leaves me with so many questions. How long will he make it? Is he suffering? Does his quality of life appear to have suffered? Deciding when to let an animal friend go can be just as upsetting as any friend’s death. Here are some things to ask yourself if you have a sick pet.

• Does your pet enjoy the same activities that it used to? Does it still play, run, and hunt like it used to? Can it do these things pain free?

• Does your pet eat normally? Can it keep its food down? Is it getting adequate nutrition?

• Is your pet able to control its bodily functions? If your pet is soiling itself or the house it will be in mental distress because it knows what it is doing is wrong but it just can’t help it. Reassure your pet that you understand and are not upset.

• Is your pet still a part of the family? Can you touch them without fear of snapping?

• Does your pet continue to recognize you? Or does your pet prefer to be alone and appear to not recognize anyone?

Deciding to euthanize your pet down is a very traumatic experience. Talk it over with your family member or veterinarian if you are not sure.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Kitten Proofing Your Home

Kitten’s are very, very curious animals and will get into anything you leave out, including toilet paper.

1. All harmful chemicals, poisonous houseplants, and fragile items need to be stowed away where they cannot be ingested or broken.

2. Sewing supplies, such as needles and thread, can be dangerous if swallowed. Kitten may also drag them out and “forget” them on the carpet. Ouch! Keep them well out of reach.

3. Cords that dangle, like those from blinds, can be a potential strangulation hazard. Keep them tied up where kitten cannot reach.

4. Your garbage should be covered and put away where it cannot be ripped into.

5. NEVER NEVER NEVER!!!!! Leave your dryer door open. If it has been left open by mistake ALWAYS check the inside before closing it. Cats love dark, warm places to sleep and the dryer has a very horrible ending.

6. Keep cabinets and drawers closed. If your cat can open the cabinet, which mine can, install a child lock so it cannot be swung open. Towels don’t work well when they are covered in cat hair.

7. Tie drapes up until kitten knows to use their scratching post for any stretching.

8. Make sure electrical cords and wires are out of reach. They pose a risk of electric shock if kitten decides to chew on them.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding