Keeping Pets Safe in the Heat

Keeping pets safe in the heat of the summer can be easy.  Just use common sense and don’t keep them outside more than needed.  If you absolutely have to keep them outside, make sure they have plenty of shady spots to keep them cool.  Under trees, under decks, under a homemade tent or even a store bought tent is always a good idea.  Make sure they have plenty of water and even place ice cubes in their water bowl.  Pets that are more susceptible to heat are long haired cats, short nosed dogs, puppies, kittens, senior pets, obese pets and pets with respiratory disorders.

Never keep dogs or other pets in a car while you run errands.  Even with the windows open just a little bit, the car can reach 90 degrees in five minutes and over 110 in 30 minutes. Also, while riding in the car, don’t let your dog put his head and/or face out the window of a moving car!  Rocks or even pebbles can hit your dog in his face and injury can be caused to his nose, mouth or eyes.  Keep them confined to the back seat with a leash or in a carrier or crate. You can also use a booster seat and use a leash to seat belt him safely.

Dogs left outside all day will get bored and roam around the back yard.  They can get into other areas of the yard if left unattended.  Some plants can be very dangerous if ingested such as tulips, daffodils, azaleas, amaryllis, dieffenbachia and philodendron.  Train your pets so that some areas of the garden are off limits or put a barrier so that your dog cannot go into that area.  Also, if you have fertilized your plants or lawn, this cannot have a detrimental effect.  They also can lick it off of their paws and this includes cats too, not just dogs.  Symptoms can include vomiting and diarrhea and death. 

Tick and flea infestation can occur so make sure you groom and check your pet every time they come in from the outside. Make sure you check the head and neck area, ears, bellies, armpit area and the base of the tail.

Don’t worry if your pet eats less in the summer months.  This is normal.  Just make sure he has plenty of fresh water available.  Symptoms of heat stroke can include panting, not responding to usual commands, warm dry skin, rapid heartbeat and collapse.  If you believe your pet has heat stroke, move them to a cool dry place.   Do not immerse him in cold water because their body temperature can plummet causing hypothermia.  Just take your pet to your veterinarian as quickly as possible.

Some animal parents live to give their pets a short hair-do during summer months.  Your pet actually can get sunburn and the short haircut does not necessarily keep your pet cool.  Just groom your pet often and this should suffice.  A short hair cut is not recommended. 

Have your pet checked for heart warm and if he gets bitten by a snake, rush him to a veterinarian.  With prompt medical attention, most pets can survive a snake bite.  

 Good luck and stay cool!

Problem Foods for Your Dog and/or Cat

According to the ASPCA,

Chocolate, Macadamia nuts, avocados…these foods may sound delicious to you, but they’re actually quite dangerous for our animal companions. Our nutrition experts have put together a handy list of the top toxic people foods to avoid feeding your pet. As always, if you suspect your pet has eaten any of the following foods, please note the amount ingested and contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Chocolate, Coffee and Caffeine all contain methylxanthines which are found in cacao seeds which is the fruit of the plant that is used to make coffee.  When ingested, your pet can experience excessive thirst and urination, panting, vomiting and diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, hyperactivity and even death.   Dark chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate and white chocolate has the least amount of methylxanthines.  Baker’s chocolate has the most in it.

Alcohol can cause vomiting and diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, seizures, coma and death.

Avocado can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and more severe symptoms in birds and rodents, which can include death.

Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs.  Signs can start anywhere up to 12 hours and can last from 12-48 hours.  Be careful because macadamia nuts are found in many cookies and candies.  

Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure.  Some pets that already have kidney issues of course would be worse and the signs can be more visible.

Yeast dough can rise in your pet’s stomach and cause it to rupture.  This can also happen in the intestines.  Small bits of bread that has been cooked may be ingested, however it should not be more than 5-10 percent of your pet’s daily intake.

Raw or undercooked meat, eggs and bones may contain salmonella or E. colli.  Raw eggs contain a substance called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin, a B vitamin, which can lead to skin and coat problems.  Bones would be fine for a wild dog or animal, but a domestic dog can choke or a bone may splinter and cause digestive issues if an organ is punctured or it becomes lodged in the digestive tract.

Xylitol, a sweetener used in many types of candy and gums, baked goods and toothpaste can cause insulin release which can cause liver failure.  The increase in insulin can cause hypoglycemia, low blood sugar.  Sign if ingested can include vomiting, lethargy, decreased coordination and seizures.  Live failure can result in a few days.

Milk can causes them vomiting and diarrhea and excessive salt can cause them excessive thirst and urination.  Signs that your pet has eaten too many salty foods can be vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, depression, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death.  

Please be careful and try not to feed your pets human foods.  Stick to pet food.

Please visit FurryPetStore.com for dog crates,  cat furniture, dog travel, cat beds, etc....

How to Get Your Dog to Stop Excessive Barking

The longer your dog has the habit of excessively barking, the longer it will take to change it. 

 

Here are some solutions to help:

If he’s barking at passersby, don’t yell and shout at him.  He’ll think that you’re barking right along with him.  Just ignore him until he stops barking and then praise him and give him a treat. If it takes an hour, then wait the hour.  If you don’t wait, then he’ll bark for over an hour the next time.  If you give him any attention at all, including yelling, he’ll look for that the next time. It will be worth waiting for him to stop.  

If he’s barking outside, bring him in.  Don’t leave your dog outside all day and all night.  He’ll really be looking for that attention.  When he quiets down, again, praise him and give him a treat.  The idea is for him to catch on to being quiet and that’s the way he’ll get attention and praise and also a treat.  An easy walk harness is always a great idea for control and it won’t hurt your dog.  You can easily steer him in the direction that you wish.  Take a look on FurryPetStore.com for your harness.

                                                    

Another way is to actually teach him to bark on command.  Teach him the command to “speak” or bark in his language.   Have someone knock on the door.  This is sure to get him to bark.  Put a couple treats in front of his nose.  Wait for him to bark 2 or 3 times and give him the command along with a treat.  Keep doing this until he barks when you say “speak”.  Then teach the word “quiet”.  Be in a very quiet and calm situation.  Tell him to speak, place the treats in front of his nose, then say “quiet”.  When he stops barking, give him the treat.  Repeat this until he is quiet when you say “quiet”.  Practice this by having someone knock on the door.  When he barks, that’s fine, but when you say “quiet”, give him the treat when he stops and is quiet.  

Always stimulate your dog by having him exercise or walking him every day.  As they say, a tired dog is a good dog!  Play with your dog and make him run and sometimes it will take longer depending on how much energy he has and his age.  Make sure you are consistent with whatever you are trying to teach your dog.  Everyone in the household has to do and say the same things to him.  This is very important, otherwise he will get mixed messages and will not learn the trick or command. 

Happy training!

Why do I need a crate for my dog or puppy?

A crate uses a dog’s natural den instinct to keep your dog safe and to make him feel secure and comfortable.  It’s also a good way to keep from cleaning up messes, while you’re out running errands.  You might find anywhere from urine to destroyed furniture to your kid’s toys shred to pieces when you come home.  This can be avoided with the right crate. 

The primary reason to use a crate is for house training.  Dogs don’t like to soil their dens.  Crate also set limits for your dog while he learns what is acceptable and what is not in the house.  Crates can also be a safe way to transport your pet.  A crate is not a solution to all your training issues.  You have to learn to use it correctly.  Here are a few tips.

Don’t use your crate for punishment.  Your dog will learn to fear it and he won’t want to go into it. 

Don’t keep your dog in the crate for too long.  About 2-3 hours and if you’re planning on being away longer, use a play pen.   This way he is not confined and does not become frustrated or upset that he cannot move or stretch.  A dog that’s crated too long, day and night, does not get enough human contact and can become depressed and/or anxious.  

Puppies under six months old shouldn’t be crated for more than three or four hours at a time.  They cannot control their bladders and bowels for that long.  The same goes for adult dogs that are being house trained.  Physically, they can hold it, but they don’t know they are supposed to.

Crate your dog only until you can trust him not to destroy the house.  After that, he should go to his crate voluntarily.

They come in different sizes and are made out of steel, wire, and plastic and plastic covered steel.  Click on this link to view a nice variety of crates; http://www.furrypetstore.com/dog_crates.html.

Don’t go too fast while crate training.  You can introduce your dog to the crate and if he’s scared or won’t go into it, don’t force him.  You can place little treats inside and even feed him inside.  Once he’s used to going inside, start feeding him next to the crate until eventually you feed him where you would like to feed him.  Then, after he is used to entering the crate, you can start by keeping him in there a little longer each time.  At first, place him in the crate while you’re at home with him.  Sit with him for a few minutes then leave the room.  Eventually he’ll feel safe and secure in his comfy little den. 

Good luck crate training and don’t forget to go back to visit us at FurryPetStore.com for all your other needs too! 

Odd Calico-Colored Lobster Caught

For those of you who love to eat lobster, you might think that the crustaceans sport the bright red coloration they do after being cooked.  That's not the case.  There are many different species of lobster, but the ones caught in U.S. waters and most often eaten here are the American lobster (Homarus americanus).  While living, American lobsters are typically a dark red-brown color with lighter red mottling.

Rarely, a blue lobster is caught in a lobster trap.  Recently an even rarer color pattern has been making news: the calico.

Captured off the coast of Maine, this odd creature surprised everyone with its extremely unlikely coloration.  It's quite stunning to look at.

The lobster was captured along with its normal-colored brethren and purchased by chef Jasper White’s Cambridge Summer Shack restaurant, where one of Chef White's staff noticed it while cleaning the 1,200 gallon lobster holding tank.  

Luckily for this lobster, who has been dubbed "Calvin," its oddity has spared it from the cook pot where it was orginally destined to end up.  It's now living at the New England Aquarium for the Biomes Marine Biology Center in Rhode Island, an ocean education facility. 

Experts at the aquarium estimate that only one in about 30 million lobsters are calico, making Calvin an animal oddity indeed!

Photo by Tony LaCasse/New England Aquarium.