Quick Pet Care Hints and Tips

Take Time to De-Ice Their Feet

Winter can be hard on your dog's feet. When you bring your dog inside, check his feet. Remove ice balls between his toes and wipe his feet with a damp towel, especially after walking on salted pavements.

Rock salt can cut into a dog's paw and become imbedded in the wound, causing intense pain. Dogs that lick their paws may burn their mouths or become ill.

Don't forget to clean droopy ears and low hanging stomach fur.

Signs of salt poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of motor coordination.

Antifreeze Alert

Be very careful with antifreeze. It is extremely poisonous to animals. To make matters worse, it has a sweet smell and taste, so your pet will be attracted to it. Only a few teaspoons of antifreeze can kill a dog or cat.

Did You Know?

      Dogs learned to bark to communicate with us. Since living with people, dogs have developed a wide range of barks aimed at getting our attention. Their wild relatives - wolves, howl and whine, but don't really bark.
      No one knows why cats purr, but since they usually don't purr when alone, experts believe it is a form of communication. Cats may purr when mating, or nursing, or when seriously ill. In fact, the only time they don't purr is when they're sleeping.

Have A Happy and Healthy Holiday

Holidays are exciting, but the hustle, bustle and glitter of Christmas and Hanukkah can pose special dangers for pets. Here are a few tips on keeping our pets safe this holiday season.

Christmas trees can be a hazard for both dogs and cats. If possible, put your tree in a room that can be closed to pets while you're away from home. But, even when you are at home, it only takes seconds for a pet to get into trouble, so here are the precautions you can take when decorating the tree.

      If your cat is a climber, use a heavy base to prevent the tree from toppling over, or fill the base with damp sand.
      Use unbreakable ornaments around the bottom of the tree.
      Glass ornaments can shatter and cut pets. Even worse, the glass can be fatal if swallowed.
      If you own a cat, consider leaving tinsel off your tree. Because it sways when people walk past or when the furnace is running, tinsel is a tempting target for felines. It can cause gastritis or intestinal blockage if swallowed.
      Hide electric cords under a throw rug or tree skirt to keep puppies and kittens from chewing on them.
      Don't put aspirin or other preservatives in the water at the base of cut trees. Aspirin is toxic to cats. Drinking the water could be fatal. Eating pine needles can also make dogs and cats sick.
      Packages can also tempt pets. Keep packages containing cheese, sausages, or chocolate away from pets. Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and cats in large quantities.
      Make sure that package decorations are not small enough to be swallowed and that pets can't remove ribbons.
      Keep lit Christmas candles and menorahs away from pets. Place them on a stable surface that won't tilt if bumped by a pet. Be sure melted wax can't drip onto pets.
      Many holiday plants are toxic. These include mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry and Ivy.
      When entertaining, make sure pets have a quiet place to escape to. Instruct young guests on proper pet etiquette.

Brush Away Potential Health Problems

This New Year's, when you are making resolutions to lose weight or quit smoking, why not make one that will improve your pet's general health. Resolve to provide regular dental care for your dog or cat.

"Too often we overlook the need for dental care for our pets," said Dr. Ed Eisner, a member of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), who specializes in veterinary dentistry. "Untreated teeth can cause serious problems in the pet's overall health."

Gum disease is the number one dental problem in dogs and cats. Cats often develop defects below the gum line which are hard to detect. Gum disease lets bacteria enter the bloodstream, contributing to kidney and heart disease. A regular checkup by your Veterinarian can help prevent serious problems and keep your pet healthy.

Pet teeth cleaning includes use of a short-lasting anesthetic that allows for gum line probes, removal of tartar and tooth polishing. A good way to remember to schedule a dental exam is to combine it with your pet's annual booster vaccinations.

Equally important as annual dental exams is home dental care - brushing your pet's teeth at least three times a week. Feeding your pet dry food, followed by hard biscuits after each meal, will also help keep plaque to a minimum.

"We encourage people to regularly examine their pet's teeth for signs of dental problems," Dr. Eisner said. Signs of dental problems include:
 


How To Brush Your Pet's Teeth

    1.To introduce your pet to brushing, wrap a gauze or washcloth around your finger and use it like a toothbrush. Wipe each tooth from gum line to tip. do this for one or two weeks until your pet becomes comfortable with the procedure.
    2.Progress to a soft toothbrush and plain water. After a week, add a small amount of dog or cat toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste as it may irritate the pet's stomach.
    3.Begin by brushing the front teeth and then the upper and lower teeth in the back. Hold the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle and move it in circles. Gently scrub where the gums meet the teeth, as this is where odor and infection begin.
 

The Behavior Corner

 Holiday puppies and kittens need special consideration. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, it is time for gifts. Although a less hectic and more relaxed atmosphere is preferable, many families will choose this season to add a pet to their family.

 Selection of a pet whose species, breed and personality are complimentary to your family's lifestyle is critical. Many problems can be avoided if issues such as energy level, time and financial commitment, and amount of shedding are considered.

The individual you select is also important. It is a good idea to meet your new pet's parents, and follow-up on references from families that already own siblings from previous litters. Aggression, fear or anxiety in either group signal possible trouble down the road for your pet.

Temperament testing, or predictions about how your new pet's adult behavior based on current behavioral patterns, is not an exact science. Most experts agree, however, that some personality types are at higher risk for developing adult behavioral problems.

The best pets are those whose temperament is middle of the road compared to the rest of the litter. Select a puppy or kitten that is friendly, confident and easy going. Individuals that are fearful or bold and aggressive to humans or their litter mates should be avoided. Fearful, anxious puppies and kittens are likely to mature into fearful, aggressive adults.

Early training is crucial! Owners should encourage appropriate behavior from the beginning. When in doubt, ask yourself, "Will this behavior be cute and endearing when my pet is full grown?"

Mammals use play to practice aggression, so games that involve biting and growling should always be avoided.

Your Veterinarian and hospital staff can offer tips on getting off on the right foot with litter pan training and housebreaking. Problems associated with these skills are the number one reason animals are surrendered to shelters in this country.

The golden rule with house-soiling problems is that physical punishment usually makes the problem worse, particularly with cats. If, after a short time, you are still having difficulty, the hospital staff can give you further instructions or refer you to a local animal behaviorist.

Pups and kittens have what is known as a critical period for socialization with humans. This is the optimal time when exposure to certain experiences influence proper development. For puppies, the range is 9 to 14 weeks of age with week 12 being the most important.

It is a little earlier for kittens - 3 to 6 weeks with week 4 as the most critical. The responsibility will often fall on the breeder because kittens are not yet ready to leave their mother. Ask questions to be sure the socialization process has been started before you bring your new pet home.

Your new family member should be provided with many opportunities to have positive interactions with different types of people, places and things. You need to be sure that all these introductions are pleasant. Small, tasty treats facilitate a fun experience.

Negative experiences can also have a great effect at this time. This is particularly true if there has been only limited experience.

For puppies, a greeting exercise that requires a sit before a stranger offers a treat accomplished two things. First, puppy learns people are fun to be around - they all come bearing gifts. Secondly, he is reinforced for a mannerly greeting. A puppy or dog that rushes up to someone and sits is welcome more than one who jumps up, barks, or mouths body parts or clothing.

Ohio's Winter weather will have the route along your walks and playgrounds empty, but there are other places to take your pet to socialize. Many Veterinary hospitals offer puppy kindergarten classes, and some are beginning kitten seminars. There are also pet supply stores that welcome pets.

Trips to your animal hospital, especially when you don't have an appointment, are a great idea. Not only do they provide an opportunity to socialize with some of the most pet friendly people in the world, but you can also create positive associations about visiting the hospital. Just a few minutes in the lobby with treats and a favorite toy go a long way. Future visits will be more enjoyable for everyone if your pet feels comfortable and relaxed. So brave the wind chill and get your holiday pets out there. Socialize! As far as critical periods go, there is no time like the present.

Holiday Gift Suggestions For Your Pet

If your holiday shopping list includes a special pooch or kitty, here are a few gift suggestions.

Not all pet toys are safe. Avoid toys with small parts, such as bells, glued-on eyes and metal squeakers that can be pulled off and swallowed. Also avoid soft plastic toys that can be chewed into pieces small enough to swallow.

Although rawhide toys can provide hours of chewing enjoyment for dogs, they can cause intestinal blockage if eaten. To be safe, keep rawhide toys for times when you are with your dog. Throw away toys that are soft or crumbling.

Size is important. If a large dog caught a small ball, it could become lodged in his throat. Pick large toys for large dogs and smaller toys for small dogs or cats.

Toys don't have to be elaborate or expensive to appeal to pets. In general, dogs like chew toys while cats prefer things they can bat around. For cats, a ping-pong ball in the bathtub is fun. Weighted balls that roll in unpredictable ways are also good. Stuffed mice or an opened paper bag are always a hit.

Toys that let you "fish" for kitty are fun for both cat and owner. But, never let a cat or a dog play with a toy that has a string, yarn or rubber band attached unsupervised. Strings and rubber bands can be deadly if swallowed or wrapped around the neck of a kitten or puppy.

For dogs, favorites include balls, hard chew toys, sturdy plastic toys, stuffed sheepskin toys and knotted ropes. You can increase a toy's "nose appeal" by storing it your dog's bag of dry food overnight.