Fun Facts

Keep Your Dog Safe During The Holidays

The winter holidays can be a hectic and confusing time of year for our dogs. Friends and family are loud and plentiful, young children chase them, food treasures are found in unexpected places, trees appear in the living room and there are long trips in the car.

Keep your pet happy, safe and happy with these tips:

1. Christmas trees attract pets – the smell is enticing! Remember that needles (both real and artificial) are indigestible.

2. Tinsel is dangerous. Sharp edges can cut the mouth and if digested, can block intestines and cause serious medical problems.

3. Don’t give your dog foods that aren’t part of their diet and discourage your guests from sharing food treasures. Keep your dog on their usual routine diet. Alcohol and chocolate are toxic.

4. Make sure electrical cords are out of reach or firmly taped to the wall or floor.

5. Turkey bones can lodge in your dog’s throat or block the intestinal tract. Remove leftovers to an inaccessible location, and don’t leave them in the garbage to tempt your dog.

6. Rock salt can irritate a dog’s footpads. Use dog boots or rinse and dry their feet carefully.

7. Just a small amount of antifreeze is extremely toxic. Don’t let your dog drink from puddles and make sure their paws are clean when they come indoors.

8. If traveling, pack their familiar dog bed, usual dog food brand, and travel bowls. I usually throw in their favorite toy for company, too.

Just like you, during the holidays your pet should maintain a regular schedule for feeding and exercise. Make sure he or she doesn’t feel neglected at this busy time of year. Finally, provide a quiet retreat for your dog. They may need a time out away from friends and family. Provide a comfortable crate or dog bed in a quiet area for a nap.

Pet Obesity is a National Problem

As many as one-fourth of cats and dogs in the Western world are overweight, according to the National Research Council, an arm of the National Academies. It's the council's first update since 1986 of its "Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats'' and, while aimed at veterinarians, pet food makers and scientists, the 500-page report also contains useful pointers for people with pets.

Acknowledging the current obesity epidemic among dogs and cats, the report describes ways to identify and address this problem in pets. For example, if one cannot feel a dog's ribs, the animal is probably overweight. Fat deposits on the back and base of the tail, or lack of a discernable waist when viewed from above, are other clues that a dog is eating too much. A dog is not getting enough to eat, however, if its ribs and pelvic bones can easily be seen, or if no fat can be felt on its bones. These signs may even indicate some loss of muscle mass. A dog is at an ideal weight when one can easily feel the ribs with a minimal amount of fat, and when the waist is easily observed behind the ribs when viewed from above.

The most obvious way to help a dog trim down is to feed it smaller amounts of food on its regular feeding schedule, and to make sure the dog is not being fed table scraps or getting into the food bowls of other dogs in the neighborhood. Owners may also choose a low-calorie "diet" dog food or food high in fiber, which may help the dog feel full without consuming too many calories. Too much fiber, however, can reduce the absorption of important nutrients.

The report stresses that fresh water always should be available to dogs, especially during exercise, to prevent overheating. Dog owners should be able to feel the ribs of a healthy dog, and it should have a discernible waist without fat deposits. However, if the ribs and pelvic bones can be seen, it's too thin.

The Web site can be accessed here.

How old is my dog in people years?

Dogs grow a lot in their first 2 years - so much that each year equals 12 people years! A dog of 12 months is just entering the teen scene, and by the end of the second year he's a young adult at 24. Starting with the third year, every dog year equals 4 people years. Your pooch is 28 in human years. Do you know how old you are in dog years?
Source: ASPCA