Ice does not cause bloat in dogs

Pet information

Ice does not cause bloat in dogsBloat is a dangerous condition caused by a dog or cat eating too fast, sucking in air with their food or water. If this happens, the dog needs to see a vet immediately and might need emergency surgery.

Many people believe that ice or ice water causes bloat in dogs, and this is caused by blog posts and images going viral on Facebook and other social media platforms a couple of years ago.

The important thing to know is that ice does not cause bloat. Drinking or eating too quickly causes bloat.

If a dog slurps down ice water on a hot day, it’s easy to get a connection between the ice and the bloat, but it’s the speed of eating or drinking that’s the culprit.

When a dog is hot and thirsty, portion out water. Don’t let them drink too much at once. If a dog eats very quickly, portion out their food on several small meals during the day. Also, dogs who eat or drink quickly should avoid exercise for at least an hour after eating.

Service dogs have access

Pet information

Service dogs have access to all places open to the public. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, they are not required to wear a special vest or collar, even though many choose to give service dogs special vests.

Keeping this in mind, it’s not a big surprise that a Walgreens store in North Texas recently made the news when the manager kicked out a war veteran and his service dog. The war veteran showed the dog’s special tag and ID card, but the manager still didn’t accept their presence.

A business can ask if a dog is a service dog and what it is trained to do.

A business cannot ask a service dog and/or owner to leave as long as the dog is behaving.

Many  people depend on dogs trained to do everything from retrieving objects to detecting upcoming seizures, and these dogs make important contribution to their humans’ lives.

If you see a service dog, do not approach, try to pet it, insist that your children get to pet it, or talk to it. The dog is working and doesn’t need distractions.

For more information on service dogs, check out these posts:
Different types of assistance dogs
What is a therapy dog
What is an emotional support dog

Singapura cats stay small even when they grow up

Pet information

Singapura is the world's smallest cat breed.Everyone knows there are many dog breeds, and most people can identify at least a few even if they’re not all that interested in dogs. Did you know there are many breeds of domesticated cats as well?

The Singapura cat is the smallest domesticated cat breed, and adult females can weigh as little as five pounds. Adult males usually weigh between six and eight pounds.

As the name hints, the breed was believed to come from Singapore. However, the three founding cats traveled from the US to Singapore and were then brought back to the USA. One working theory is that the breed is a mix of Burmese and Abyssinian. It is still considered a legitimate breed, and according to the Cat Fancier’s Association, there is at least one legitimate cat from Singapore behind the breed.

The breed has become a tourism mascot for Singapore, they have statues of the cats, and have even hosted Singapura exhibits.

Besides being small, the breed is known for being active, affectionate, and easy to live with. They thrive on attention and love to play, but won’t get excited to the point where they bounce around the house and accidentally destroy things.

Most Singapuras have a stunning coat. Each hair has two shades; ivory at the base and brown at the tip.

Bring your dog to work day

Pet information

Bonnie inspects sliding tracks on a PlexiDor and points out that they should be white and not silver when mounted on a white frame.

June 20, 2014 is Bring your dog to work day. The event started in 1999 and was founded by Pet Sitters International as a means to promote pet adoptions. Participation has exploded; the first year less than 300 businesses took part, and this year over 300,000 visitors have looked at the website.

Bringing a pet along isn’t always possible. Some workplaces are poorly suited for four-footed friends, and in other places allergies might make it unsuitable. When it is possible,  bringing a dog gives benefits. Pets lower stress and blood pressure, create a focal point for conversation, inspire walks and exercise, and cheer people up.

Some companies encourage bringing pets all around the year, and some larger corporations provide doggie daycare to employees.

What do you think? Would you bring a pet if you could?

 

Florida landlord implements reverse breed restrictions

Pet information

A Rottweiler requires an extra large PlexiDor dog doorRenters can have a tough time finding somewhere to live that accepts pets at all, and many landlords only welcome smaller pets. Some accept one dog or cat but not several, and many have breed or size restrictions. 

Jacksonville landlord Jade Rouzeau loves large dogs, particularly pit bulls, and she decided to turn these conventions upside down. She only rents to tenants with large dogs. Furthermore, at least one dog in the household must be of a breed most renters put on the “forbidden” list, such as German Shepherds, Huskies, Staffordshire Terriers, Dalmatians, Rottweilers, and Pit Bull Terriers.

Besides looking at the dogs, Rouzeau wants friendly and good-natured people who will appreciate the home.

It is difficult to find pet friendly rentals; only 12 percent of rentals nationwide welcome pets. The number in the Jacksonville area is even lower, and this initiative will be a welcome one for dog lovers.

Have you tried to rent a place to live and been turned down because of your pets?

Tip to teach a dog to play fetch

Pet information

Dog with tennis ballMany dogs love to play fetch and seem to get the idea naturally. Others might need some encouragement. If you want to play fetch and your dog looks at you like you’re a peculiar organism when you toss a tennis ball, this trick might help.

Cut a slit in a tennis ball and put some treats in. Make sure your dog sees the treats and give them one, so they know it’s something worth working for.

Throw the ball, and follow the dog to go get it. Once you and the dog have the ball, give a treat. Odds are your dog will figure it out quickly and go get the ball. Give a treat when he or she brings the ball back.

Soon you’ll be able to give a treat every second time the dog brings the ball, and then every third time. You get the idea =)

Brazilian multi-tasker protects gold and hunts jaguars

Pet information

A Fila Brasileiro would require an extra large PlexiDor dog doorThe Fila Brasileiro is a very large dog breed from Brazil. These dogs are intelligent, sturdy, and strong, and the Brazilian army uses them for work in the jungle under conditions no other dogs can stand up to.

These versatile working dogs have an interesting history; they have been used for everything from guarding gold mines to hunting Jaguars. A Jaguar can run 40 miles per hour, and few dogs can keep up. The breed is also often used as trackers, hunters, or herders.

This breed is loving and loyal to a fault towards their family and will put up with a lot from children and other pets, but they are inherently suspicious against strangers. This is a natural guardian who lives to protect their loved ones.

Puppies should get to meet many different people in positive situations, and since the dogs become very large – up to 180 lbs – and are very strong, it is extra important to train them well.

 

Kitty personalities

Pet information

Cats have personalities just like peopleWe mentioned yesterday that June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month. If you’re thinking about adding a kitty to the family it is be a good idea to consider the cat’s personality. They are as individual as we are, and matching personalities can be a big help when it comes to getting along.

ASPCA has put together a list with nine common cat personalities. This is more fun than serious, of course, but it serves as a good reminder that cats are individuals.

1. The Private Investigator

The P.I. cat doesn’t like trouble. It is good at staying hidden. It can vanish without a trace and reappear in the most unexpected places. This type of cat is likely to sleep with one eye open and constantly keep an eye out for danger.

2. I’ll Love You Later

This type of cat will love you from a distance, probably for a really long time, and the bond develops gradually. When the cat decides it’s time you’ll be subjected to intense head butting, purring, and napping on your lap.

3. Cuddle Me Now

These kitties are love bugs. There will be abundant purring, rubbing up against you, and demanding to be petted. If these cats could speak, they would say, “Adore me.”

4. The CEO

The CEO thrives on routine and order, and almost live on a schedule. He or she will put you on the to-do list, but you’ll have to wait your turn.

5. The Side-Kick 

The Side-Kitty-Cat loves to be with you and makes a great constant companion, but can also enjoy some “me-time”. If you want someone to share adventures with, this is a perfect choice.

6. The Helper

These cats love to be around their human, and live to help with the strangest things. If you’re cooking, the cat will be right there. If you want to use the computer, you’ll find the helper sleeping on the keyboard. The Helper generally feels that personal space is overrated.

7. The Golden Cat

Team player that pulls its own weight in whatever it perceives needs to be done. The Golden Cat is likely to do what you expect from it, and it likes to be pampered at the end of a long day of doing the right thing.

8. Wild Thang

These cats have a wild streak, and they’re pretty much the opposite of the Golden Cat. If you want a companion that’s always up to playing, breaking rules, and challenging limits, this is the kitty for you.  Having a Wild Thang can be exhausting, but also infinitely rewarding.

9. The Commander

The Commander Cat has a very clear perception of who’s the boss, and it loves to lead. It is super confident and demands respect and admiration. It will make time for you, but it will also make sure you know who’s in control.

June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month

Pet information

maine coon catJune is adopt a shelter cat month, and this is not a coincidence. During spring and summer, overwhelming numbers of homeless kitties arrive at shelters, and they all need homes.

The Watauga Humane Society has done some calculations, and one un-spayed female cat together with one un-neutered male cat can – together with their offspring – produce 420,000 kittens in just seven years. There are many cats needing home, and if you adopt one you don’t only get great company for yourself; you save a life.

So, what should you think about if you’re planning to adopt a cat?

Maybe you should take two?

If you’re considering adopting a cat, think about taking two. Cats are social, they need exercise, and they need mental stimulation. If you have two cats they’ll entertain each other. This makes it easier on you, and you get twice the purring, cuddling, and other kit tie benefits.

Consider the cat’s personality

Just like people, cats have different personalities, and it’s important that you match. Do you want an easygoing kitty, or an active one? Shelters and rescue groups have all kinds of cats. Do you want a playful and energetic kitten or a senior who’s happy to nap?

Make a budget and stock up on supplies

All pets cost money, and cats aren’t an exception. When you adopt, the cat might already be vaccinated, microchipped, spayed, or neutered, and  this is a great saving. But you still have to think about vet visits, litter box, cat litter, food, toys, scratching posts, bed, grooming, food bowl, and water bowl. It’s a great idea to have everything in place before kitty arrives, so he or she can feet welcome and at home.

Plan and kitty-proof your home

Cats are like children in many ways, and they get into stuff. It’s difficult to predict what will look like a great toy. You might want to put expensive decorations away for a while, until you and kitty get used to each other and figure things out. Make sure you don’t have loose things lying around the cat can accidentally swallow, keep food put away, and keep an eye on electrical cords. Kittens who don’t know better might try to play with them or even chew them.

Plan where you want to put the cat’s food and water bowls, and where to put the litter box. Many put it in a bathroom, closet, or laundry room, but that means that the door needs to be open all the time so the cat can get in and out. This isn’t always a feasible option, and we’ve seen some creative cat owners who put a PlexiDor cat door in the door to the laundry room or similar to allow kitty access while being able to close the human size door.

Take it slow

It will take your new furry friend a while to relax and settle in. Give him or her some time to get used to the new surroundings and new people.

Unique nose prints

Pet information

dog smallHuman fingers have little ridges that form our unique finger prints. Did you know that dogs have something similar? They don’t have fingertips, of course, but every dog’s nose is unique. There is only one, and no other like it.

The nose print of a dog is a unique as a fingerprint. If you take a peek at your dog’s nose through a magnifying glass you’ll see all sorts of patterns and creases. They are never the same between two individuals.

Thus far, nose prints aren’t used for dog identification. There’s no central dog database with nose prints, but rumors have it that companies are looking into offering nose print identification.

The dog’s nose is remarkable in more ways. An average dog’s sense of smell is about 1,000 times better than a human’s. Some dogs can smell dead bodies under water, they can smell termites, and natural gas buried under 40 feet of dirty. They can also be taught to detect cancer too small to be detected by medical equipment, and can sense lung cancer through a person’s breath.

Why do dogs love being stinky?

Pet information

Dogs love to roll around in smelly stuff and often look very happy with themselves as they’re doing it – at least until they end up in the inevitable bath. What’s so great with being dirty? 

In order to understand this strange behavior we need to go back in time.

The ancestors of our modern dogs needed to hunt to live, and the dogs’ prey was cautious. Dogs need to eat, but that doesn’t mean the food wants to be eaten. In order to make hunting easier, the dogs would attempt to disguise their scent, luring the pray into thinking they weren’t a threat. Disguising their scent could also protect them from being found and eaten themselves.

This behavior is so deeply rooted it’s difficult to break. Most dogs only roll themselves in icky stuff from time to time, but if it becomes a problem many dog trainers recommend making the pleasurable (rolling in something smelly) less pleasurable. For instance through squirting the dog with a little water when it does the rolling. Keeping the dog on a short leash can also help, so it doesn’t have a chance to roll in the stink.

Funny dog

Why do dogs like to walk around before lying down?

Pet information

XoloitzcuintliEveryone who knows a dog has seen the bedding dance; walking around and around before lying down with a contented sigh. Ever wonder why they do that?

Humans and dogs have  a lot in common. Both species like to be comfortable. The walking around in circles doesn’t seem to make much sense on a doggie bed or carpeted floor, but a long time ago dogs made little nests for themselves through stomping the grass. It exposed the cooler ground below the grass, and marked the area with the dog’s scent, signaling to others that the place was claimed.

Today, some dogs still do the circle dance, but others can be much  more particular with their sleeping area. Some want all their toys near, and others don’t like to sleep without their favorite blanket or towel. It’s like a human being uncomfortable when the pillow is wrong.

Having the sleeping area just the way they want it helps the dogs feel secure and comfortable. Removing a favorite piece of bedding can in extreme cases make a dog anxious and unable to relax.

Missing police dogs found

Pet information
Photo belongs to Douglas County Sheriff's Office
Photo belongs to Douglas County Sheriff’s Office

Late May, someone released thirteen police dogs from a kennel in Douglas County, Colorado. Ten of them were found quickly, but three have been missing for quite some time. 

The first of the missing three was found on June 2nd, around 10 miles from the kennel, and since it was only a couple of days after the disappearance he was in pretty good shape.

The second dog, Alonso, was found tied to a fence Thursday, severely dehydrated and around 20 lbs underweight. Alonso apparently spent most of the week tied to the fence with no food or water in the summer heat. He will be okay, but was found in the nick of time.

The last dog, Dux, was found in an abandoned house. He is underweight, but otherwise unscathed from the adventure.

At the moment, no arrests have been made and it is uncertain why the dogs were taken.

Guide dog makes it into middle school’s year book

Pet information

Hector Gracia Middle School’s yearbook is a little different this year; it features Taxi Benke, a seizure alert service dog.

Image from today.com
Image from today.com

Taxi looks out for his human, 14-year old Rachel, and predicts her epileptic seizures. He attends class with Rachel every day and can sense problems up to an hour and a half before something happens.

Taxi has been with Rachel for the last four years and prevented her from drowning at several occasions. When he senses a seizure coming up, he can alert her family and teachers, and he orients herself to break her fall.

Read more on today.com.

Are your dogs stealing your stuff?

Pet information

Some dogs steal blingThere are many stories about magpies being attracted to shiny things and taking off with silverware or jewelry, but other species than birds are also attracted to bling. Some dogs, for example, like to steal to shiny objects. 

Many dogs snatch up things such as necklaces or small sparkling purses, carry them off, and hide them. Owners who find their cell phone with sparkling cover in the laundry pile or a bracelet under the sofa cushions might be tempted to blame the children, but the culprit might have four legs.

There are several theories to why some dogs like to hide things. Some believe the habit is genetic and stems back to a time when meals weren’t guaranteed and all excesses had to be preserved. Burying leftovers helped preserve the food, and protect it from others. The dogs would come back later and eat the buried food when they wanted or needed it.

Other theories state that the dog might be bored, and hiding things gives something to do, or that lonely dogs feel better because they have something stashed away that smells like their human.

The behavior can also stem from wanting attention. Some dogs and young children will take whatever attention they can get, even if it involves being scolded. In this case, the dog hides your things because it likes the interaction it gets when you find the things – even if you’re yelling at it. These dogs need more interaction, and maybe a puzzle toy to help keep them occupied.