Keeping Your Dog Safe During the Holidays

Christmas, New Year's, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and all the celebrations the holidays entail pose safety problems for dogs. Aside from the overexcitement and confusion caused by too many guests, there are purely physical problems.

• First, the food. A dog can over indulge in holiday foods causing gastrointestinal upset or possibly even toxicities - such as chocolate or grape/raison toxicity.
• Second, consider your holiday tree. Trees can be knocked over. Needles can be swallowed. Bulbs and ornaments can be broken and subsequently ingested or stepped on. Electrical cords can be chewed. It is ideal to keep your pet away from the tree. A baby gate may be an effective way to separate your dog from the tree. Allow supervised visitations only until you are comfortable with your dog’s behavior around the tree.
• Third, consider your holiday decorations. Tinsel is dangerous - especially to cats however it can also be dangerous to dogs. If a pet swallows it, it can block intestines, causing decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, listlessness and weight loss. Treatment may involve surgery. Use unbreakable bulbs. You may want to keep the lower branches that are within reach of your dog bare. Avoid edible and fragile ornaments. Avoid wire ornament hooks that can easily snag an ear or a tail, or, if swallowed, can lodge in the throat or intestines. Instead, fashion loops of yarn, ribbons or thin twine.Next, the gifts. Dogs can chew on or swallow small parts; plastic items can be easily broken and swallowed, too. Gift-wrappings can be dangerous to a pet's health: String and ribbon can cause obstruction of the small bowel if swallowed.
• Lastly, take special care with candles, fireplaces, space heaters, wood-burning stoves and fireplaces can cause burns if animals get too close. Candles are a great attraction for pets, but don't leave them alone in a room with a menorah or candelabra blazing-the swish of a tail can be disastrous.

-- Dr. Jon, Pet Place

Low Cost Medical Care for Dogs and Cats

If your dog or cat is sick or injured and needs veterinarian care, but your budget this month can´t afford the bill, call your local animal shelter/dog pound, humane society, ASPCA, or rescue organization. They have lists of low cost vets in your area, and can even help pay for vet bills in some cases.

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Controlling Hairballs

Hairballs are more of a problem in longhaired cats than short. Hairballs are caused by too much hair in the cat´s stomach from their own grooming.

Although there are many different remedies, preventative health care measures are essential:

• Daily brushing is the best tip to prevent cat hairballs, especially during the warm months of the year.
• If your cat´s pattern of coughing up the occasional hairball changes, take your cat to the vet to find out why.
• Feeding your cat or kitten Iams or Science Diet´s Hairball Control will work wonders.

How does a cat show affection?

Despite the common misconception, cats are not showing affection when they rub against you with the back of their head and the rest of their body. It´s just cat instinct to mark you with their scent; they are actually claiming you as their territory.The only time a cat is truly showing affection is when they bump you with the front part of their head, known as head bonks, a cat behavior also called "bunting". He might rub along your chin and nose, engaging in the bunting behavior that began as a kitten when he´d rub around his mother´s head seeking to nurse. Some cats get so carried away that they even drool.The next time your cat jumps onto the bed and seems to butt you in the face with the top of his head, don´t get irritated, realize the loving compliment your kitty just paid you.

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Teething Puppies

When your dog is teething, instead of have him chewing on couches, walls etc. Buy a few (cheap) wash clothes. Soak the wash cloth and put it ion the freezer. When fully frozen give it to the dog to chew, it will thaw out so have another one ready in the freezer. (be careful when doing this with very small dogs, as they may get a chill. I have heard of small dogs getting too cold too quickly when chewing on ice.)

Teach your cat tricks?

Despite popular belief, you can train your cat to perform tricks. You will get the best results when you offer food rewards such as a morsel of moist cat food or a treat. Work with one command at a time. Be consistent and be patient.

Shaking Hands
With your cat sitting in front of you, touch its paw and say “shake.” As soon as your cat reacts and lifts his paw, shake it. Reward your cat with verbal approval along with a treat. Remember to repeat the command exactly the same way each time.

Come
Say your cat’s name followed by the command “come.” If necessary, tap on her food bowl to gain attention. When your cat comes, praise her lavishly and reward her. This is a good trick to try around mealtime, as your cat will eventually associate food with the “come” command.

Is your dog digging?

Is your dog digging? Try putting cayenne pepper in the holes - they don't like the sensation when they go back to dig again.