I’ll bet that every single one of us who has a pet, has carried on a conversation with our animal at one time or another. The question here, however, is how many of us understand what our pets are saying?

I’ll bet that every single one of us who has a pet, has carried on a conversation with our animal at one time or another. The question here, however, is how many of us understand what our pets are saying? Granted some of our pet’s requests are fairly obvious and we understand them, but many times we do not have a clue, and this is where the trouble starts. Cats and dogs have been around as pets for hundreds of years.

In days gone by the household pets worked for their keep. The cat’s job was catching the small rodents and the dog had many chores from helping herd the sheep or cows to hunting with the farmer.

The pet of today has an easy life, or does it? Why do I say that?

In yesteryear, animals spent most of their days out in the open, doing whatever it was they did best.
Today, animals spend most of their time cooped up in a house or apartment waiting patiently for their person to come home from work.

They are unemployed; most pets were specifically bred to do certain jobs and now most of those jobs are gone. Unfortunately many owners do not even know what kind of work their dogs were bred for and that opens another can of worms.

Our pets want to please us and in subtle ways, they try to tell us what they need or want. You may not realize this, but our pets watch our every move and try to determine what we want from them. They are aware of our mood by the tone of our voice; they can determine how we feel by our footsteps, the expression on our face and even by the odor our body emits. They know if we are happy, sad or mad. Surprising, huh!

Dogs and cats can understand more of our words than we give them credit for, some can even understand when we spell a word. Sometimes though, they do not understand our actions.

Consider this: your dog is doing something you do not want it to do, so you start yelling and throwing your arms about. What does your dog think? You look like you want to play. You do the same kind of act when Miss Kitty is on the table or counter and she thinks, “well, I won’t do this again, when she is around.”
There are so many things we humans do that baffle our pets, and because they do not understand our actions, the signals get crossed and misbehavior happens.

Pets communicate to us through body language and some sounds. Every flick of the tail or blink of an eye means something in dog or cat language. This is why I have said many times before and will say it many times again in the future, “it is very important to take time to bond and know your pet.”

A dog’s language is very different from a cat’s. Their understanding of our language and actions depends a good bit on the breed, especially with dogs. A dog bred to be a guard dog and one that is best suited as a lapdog, do not speak the same language. A dog (not a puppy) that chews your favorite shoes is not doing it for spite, but may be trying to tell you that it is afraid of being alone and chewing something that belongs to you, helps it to feel closer to you. A dog that barks excessively may be telling you that it is lonesome, anxious or needs some exercise. Dogs have needs that need to be fulfilled, if their needs are not met, they will try to tell you. Sudden acts of misbehavior are usually signs of a need not being fulfilled. Dogs have a need for socialization, companionship with their owners and exercise. Boredom is a great cause of misbehavior. All dogs need stimulation of one sort or another. It is up to you, as the pet parent, to recognize and fill that need.

Cats on the other hand have a different way of communicating. Most cats like a few scratches, but when they are tired of being scratched, a sure fire way to let you know, is with a little nip on the hand. A rapid flicking of a tail is another sign that Miss Kitty is annoyed, along with a quiet growl or even a louder than usual purr.
If your cat is scratching your prize possessions, it is really telling to get it some scratching posts.

Pets do not do anything for spite. They do not know what the word means. What may seem destructive to you, may be normal behavior for them. Nature intended for cats to scratch, just as it created certain breeds of dogs to dig. The important thing here is awareness and knowledge. Take time to learn about your dog’s breed. Even a “Heinz 57″ variety of dog has certain breed characteristics. Learn what they are, become familiar with them and know what to expect from your dog. Pay attention to your pet; every dog and cat is different. Humans have different personality traits special to them and pets are no different.

Our pets are not furry children as we sometimes like to think they are. They are animals, behaving as animals should. They did not go to school to learn English, just as we did not learn animal talk. However, they understand us far more that we understand them. Why? Simply because they have taken the time to observe our behaviors and have somewhat of an idea what to expect from us. Do you not think, that we, the more intelligent of the two species, should take the time to observe and learn about what they need and expect.

Holistic Pet Care

Holistic Vs Traditional Vet Care
We have to understand that our bodies have more control over it’s own health than our medications in certain situations. By understanding the basic health mechanisms of our bodies, we can significantly improve our responses to illnesses and adverse factors. The same is true for our pets, and a holistic approach towards their health might be the right choice. Holistic pet care is based on understanding the pet’s needs and problems as a whole. Holistic veterinarians will approach a pet illness from a multi faceted point of view, not just treating a single health problem in comparison to traditional pet health care systems which aim straight at one problem, almost ignoring other related factors.

Differences between a holistic veterinarian and a traditional vet
In traditional pet medicine, if your dog or cat has a sore paw, the vet will look mostly at the leg. It makes sense, you will say. It does, but this also limits the doctor’s chances of finding correlated problems that might have lead to the sore paw. A holistic pet care approach will have a look at the “whole” rather than the “individual”. This means that the holistic vet will look for other potential, inner and outside factors that might contribute negatively to the problem.

Holistic pet care – a different approach
Holistic pet care aims to bring a multitude of healing elements for a multitude of potential problems, while classical vets target a specific element, using a one on one approach. This is not to say that traditional veterinary practices are obsolete – they do work well in most cases. However, the issue here is: can they be improved? Holistic vet care tries to find hidden factors for the problem, so that it will not become a reoccurring issue looking at the whole process, from past, to present and future. While traditional medicine focuses mainly on the consequences of an illness.

Work methods of the holistic veterinarian
A holistic veterinarian will show a more open-minded approach to an affliction. He or she will try to face the problem from a multitude of different angles, not just a one on one approach. Of course, the holistic veterinarian knows, as well as the pet owner does, that the treatments will not get a 100% response from the pet. However, since the problem is faced from different perspectives, chances that treatment will be successful are a lot higher. While traditional medicine should not be disregarded, every pet owner should consider a holistic approach to pet problems in order to ensure the highest chances of success and to improve the overall life quality of their animal companions.

Holistic pet care – is vaccination necessary?
Yearly vaccinations for our pet have become a usual thing, especially since traditional veterinarians tell us that this is the best action against all sorts of pet diseases. Many holistic pet care specialists have studied the effect of vaccinations on different sorts of pets and they found out that there might be more harm involved in regular vaccination than we would think. Most vaccinations occur in the multi dose pattern – which means that our pet’s immune system receives a large dosage of the vaccine. Repeating this process year after year may increase the side effects of the vaccine on your pet’s immune system. While holistic pet care is not against vaccination, many holistic veterinarians suggest more caution when vaccinating your pet.

Vaccination of young animals
In their early life stages, pets are supposed to get increased doses of vaccine, so as to develop a stronger immune system. Holistic pet care systems know that the baby animal gets the highest part of their immune system from their mother. This also means that a natural diet will help build a proper immune system, as the mother’s milk will have all the necessary nutrients. Holistic pet care focuses on natural nutrition as a way of eliminating many of the problems that plague our pets. Chemical and unnatural food, mostly used by pet owners today, diminishes the potency of the immune system, both in baby animals and in adults. Combined with pesticide prevention drugs, vaccines will only add to the dosage of unnatural elements in your pet’s life, thus actually reducing the strength of the immune system, instead of making it stronger.

Holistic pet care – why are vaccines potentially dangerous
Although our pets’ bodies do sometimes need outside factors to help their healing, in most cases, given the proper conditions, our pets are able to self heal. Vaccination brings a series of foreign elements in the pet’s bloodstream – and, as you know, vaccines actually contain a part of the disease they are supposed to prevent. The natural process would be for the pet to come in contact with the disease, get passed it and develop it’s own immune system then. Yearly introduction of the controlled disease found in vaccinations may have a series of adverse factors.

The pet owner’s choice
By constantly receiving small doses of the “disease”, through vaccination, your pet’s immune system is under constant pressure. Although this helps it get stronger for the actual encounter with the disease, it also wears out the immune system in time. Holistic pet care also notices several forms of negative responses to the forced immunization procedures. Allergies and skin irritations are sometimes found with pets whose immune system is unbalanced by the vaccination. Although the holistic pet care approach does not encourage vaccination, you, as a pet owner, should decide which option is best for your favorite cat or dog.

March is Animal Poison Prevention Awareness month

Some think finicky cats wouldn’t scarf down something unhealthy; somehow, cats might know better. Of course, that’s not the case.

With indoor/outdoor cats, you simply don’t know what the cat may get into outside, from grazing on a dangerous plant, to lapping up potentially deadly antifreeze to dining on a rodent that has swallowed rodenticide.

Indoors, chomping on dangerous plants might still be an issue even if you are there to supervise. What if you didn’t know the Easter Lilly, for example, is dangerous if swallowed?

According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the most common danger occurs when dogs and cats eat human pharmaceuticals. Another issue is dogs and cats who find their way into cleaning solutions. Most cats won’t intentionally swallow the stuff (unlike their canine cousins), but if they are forced to walk through it, they will groom if off.

The SPCA came up with came up with five concerns:

• Household Plants: The list of plants potentially poisonous to cats and dogs is long — 398 to be exact. That’s far too many to recall, but you can find a shorter list of plants poisonous to cats here. The full list not only includes what might be dangerous to cats, but plants that dogs and horses should stay away from are listed as well. For example, the commonly kept jade plant can make dogs and cats sick and so can Dracaena (often called the corn plant).

If your 10-year-old cat has never shown interest in your potted jade, you might not need to trash the poor plant. When you bring new pets or a new plant into a home, however, know what might cause a problem and avoid it by placing the plant out of your cat’s way. If that’s impossible, consider a plant exchange with a friend who doesn’t have a cat.

For cats, the best way to discourage them from nibbling on a plant is to provide a preferred (and safer) alternative, such as cat grass. You can find many cat grass kits (the idea is to grow your own) online, and at dog and cat stores. One of my personal favorites is made by SmartCat.

If you’re concerned that your cat has swallowed a part of a plant, and is now feeling the effects, immediately see the veterinarian, and bring whatever is left of the plant with you (to ensure identification of the type of plant it is).

• Human Foods: When it comes to foods, it’s true that some cats won’t eat what might be harmful, such as chocolate. But then some cats, like our Devon Rex, will eat anything.

Did you know that onion and garlic can cause serious problems for cats? While your cat is unlikely to scarf down a plate of grilled onions or lap up garlic soup, you still have to watch for these ingredients inside other foods. For example, sometimes veterinarians will advise baby food for cats who have lost their appetites. A good idea, as long as no onion, chives or garlic is in the food.

• Medications: My doctor recently suggested I take a baby aspirin daily for heart health. This isn’t a good idea for cats.

Dutifully following my doctor’s orders, I went to open the aspirin. The struggle between me and the child-proof top began, and as I finally turned the aspirin cover just right to open, aspirin flew all over the bathroom floor. Knowing my dogs and cats might ingest these, I carefully picked them up.

As I opened the bathroom door and walked out into the hall, I witnessed a hockey game, as our cat Lily pawed at an aspirin that had slid under the door and out into the hall. Eventually our cat might have eaten the aspirin. Would four baby aspirin have caused a problem? I didn’t want to find out.

• Rodenticide: Cats rarely make a meal of poison, but they do catch rodents or might eat vermin that had recently succumbed to the rodent poison. If you believe this has happened, contact your veterinarian, an emergency veterinary clinic or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately.

• Flea Products: A flea preventative meant for use on dogs only, and accidentally applied to a cat might cause a life-threatening emergency. This is one reason why veterinary input is so important before purchasing the right flea preventative. Also, a cat can become very ill chewing on a flea collar.

If you think that your pet has ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call your veterinarian, near by veterinary emergency clinic or the ASPA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435 (A $65 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card).

Pet Safety:Startling Pet Toxins

Did you know that some of your favorite foods are

dangerous to pets?

Some foods that are considered good for people can be very dangerous for pets. The list below highlights some of the most common foods that can be dangerous to animals.

This is not an exhaustive list and any decision to provide your pet with food not specifically intended for animals should be discussed with your veterinarian or pet nutritionist. For more information on foods that could be dangerous to pets, visit the American Animal Hospital Association's Healthypet.com website.

The following foods may be dangerous to your pet: 

• Alcoholic beverages 
• Apple seeds 
• Apricot pits 
• Avocados
• Cherry pits
• Candy (particularly chocolate, which is toxic to dogs, cats and ferrets, and any candy containing the sweetener Xylitol) 
• Coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans) 
• Grapes 
• Hops (used in home beer brewing) 
• Macadamia nuts 
• Moldy foods 
• Mushroom plants 
• Mustard seeds 
• Onions and onion powder 
• Peach pits 
• Potato leaves and stems (green parts) 
• Raisins 
• Rhubarb leaves 
• Salt 
• Tea (caffeine) 
• Tomato leaves and stems (green parts) 
• Walnuts 
• Xylitol 
• Yeast dough

11 Facts About Animal Cruelty

1. In many circuses, wild and exotic animals are trained through the use of intimidation and physical abuse. Former circus employees have reported seeing animals beaten, whipped, poked with sharp objects and even burned to force them to learn their routines!
2. Elephants who perform in circuses are often kept in chains for as long as 23 hours a day from the time they are babies.
3. More than 25 million vertebrate animals are used in testing in the United States each year. When invertebrate animals are thrown into the mix, the estimated number rises to as high as 100 million.
4. By 2022, 22% of all species will be extinct if no action is taken.
5. If you live in Pennsylvania, California, Florida, Rhode Island, Illinois, Virginia, Oregon, New York, New Jersey and Vermont you have the legal right to refuse to participate in dissection in class! In Louisiana, there is a State resolution and in Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland and New Mexico, there are Departments of Education resolutions in place that allow you to refuse to dissect, although it hasn’t yet become a law.
6. Dog fighting and cock-fighting are illegal in all 50 states.
7. It is estimated that on average it takes 1,000 dogs to maintain a mid-sized racetrack operation. New greyhounds are continually entering the system to replace greyhounds that grade-off due to injury, age or poor performance. There are currently over 30 tracks operating in the United States.
8. Tens of thousands of wild and domesticated horses from the United States are cruelly slaughtered every year to be used for horse meat in Europe and Asia. Since the last horse slaughter plants in the U.S. were closed in 2007, thousands of horses have been shipped to Canada and Mexico for slaughter.
9. Many studies have found a link between cruelty to animals and other forms of interpersonal violence.
10. Neglect and abandonment are the most common forms of companion animal abuse in the United States.
11. A fur coat is pretty cool—for an animal to wear. Eighteen red foxes are killed to make one fox-fur coat, 55 minks to make a mink coat.

You and Your Pet(s)

Pets play an important role in the home and can be wonderful companions to kids, adults and seniors. The bond that forms between a family and their pet is sometimes difficult for non pet owners to understand, but for all of us who have or have had a pet in our home, we know the joy and pleasure these faithful companions can bring.

Owning and caring for a family pet doesn't have to be a difficult or burdensome experience. Simplepetcare.com is a free resource that was created for pet lovers like you to take away the mystery and difficulty of everyday pet care. From dogs, cats and birds, to reptiles and small rodents you'll find all the necessary information to properly care for your pet.

Through a little knowledge and special care, you can make your pet a healthy, happy part of your home for years to come. We invite you to explore the wide variety of pet care information in our blog. Find new and exciting information by keeping up on all the latest pet care tips and tricks or simply let your voice be heard by sharing your own Pet Care expertise in our comments section. Additionally, we invite you to search our pet articles for essential information related to pet care and other health and lifestyle related issues.

Coexitence

As animal lovers we have had an assortment of pets throughout the years but cats and dogs have been the primary choice when it came to our 4 legged children. Having deciding early on to only adopt rescue animals, we often had behavior issues to address before peace would reign.
When you are introducing new members to your home there are facts that must be considered. Dogs are territorial and will often be aggressive to any new addition to their home. Cats have the same tendencies and will fight to defend their territories and mark their spaces to show their dominance.

There Is Hope
It is a challenge to get dogs and cats to coexist but it can be done with time and patience. The usual process is to separate the two physically however this is not a practical long term solution. Though caging and closed rooms can be used in the beginning for safety, creating a plan of action for new behaviors can help you achieve harmony with time and practice.

The First Steps
Obedience in the most important factor when introducing your older pets to the newest member. Both cats and dogs can be taught basic commands and NO must be understood immediately. Chances are your new pet will understand the command by word or by tone but it can also be reemphasized with treats and affection.
While the older pets are contained, allow the new pet to slowly acclimatize themselves to the new surroundings and smells. By letting them wander on their own for short periods, they can scatter their own scent within the home which allows the other to become familiar to the new scent.
Once the new pet is secured, allow the older pet to investigate and acquaint themselves to the new scents and reward them positively for acceptable behavior. This stage may take some time for both cats and dogs to adjust but the more they feel safe the faster the process.

The Introduction
Once you see signs of acceptance you can introduce physical contact. With each pet being held securely and only when they are calm in each other's presence, you can allow them to sniff each other. Be ready to correct negative behavior and offer protection from aggression swiftly.
By repeating this process often and increasing the time in each other's company, they will begin to learn to adapt to the new situation.
Dogs are pack animals and are happy to be with their families and though cats are aloof, they too enjoy affection from their owners. In time you will begin to see that your dog and cat can coexist peacefully without fear or aggression.
You may find they become the best of friends and they may agree to give each other a wide berth. Whatever the case, you can teach both dogs and cats to be comfortable in their new home safely.

The Fight

The crowd's roar dulled to a hum as the next two fighters appeared. The previous match had been short, as one contestant quickly outmatched his opponent, mauling him badly and tearing off an ear. But this final fight matched two skilled and highly respected combatants. They eyed each other eagerly from across the pit, muscles tensed in anticipation. Spectators came to the edge of their seats. Fathers lifted children to their shoulders for a better view as the referee stepped to the center, called the dogs to their scratch lines and yelled, "Let go!" A cheer arose as the dogs charged across the pit and slammed into each other, teeth flashing as they sought a vulnerable target. After half an hour of fighting, the brindle looked beaten. Wounded and panting, he turned away from his opponent. The referee called the turn, and, when neither dog had a hold on the other, the handlers picked them up. The dogs were returned to their scratch lines and held. Both were breathing hard and bleeding from their bite wounds. Because he made the turn, the brindle would be released first. If he failed to attack now, he would lose. "Let go," the judge called again. The brindle was exhausted and badly hurt—but he was a game dog. Responding to an impulse bred into him over generations and nurtured through training, he stumbled across his scratch line toward his opponent. The other dog’s handler released him with the encouragement, "Finish him off, Bo." Bo knocked the brindle to the ground, seeking a hold on his throat. Though getting the worst of the fight, the brindle managed to grab Bo’s right front leg in his powerful jaws. As he bit down hard and twisted, the snap of breaking bone was heard. Bo lurched backward and then turned away from the brindle. Now it was Bo’s turn to scratch. Barely able to stand in his corner, the brindle strained against his handler’s arms, eager to continue the fight. But when he was released, Bo would not cross the pit. The referee called, “One…. Two… Time!” The crowd cheered for the brindle. He would die from his injuries an hour later, but he had won his fight. Bo’s handler spit on the ground. He had a lot of money on this match. Muttering, “Worthless cur,” he dragged Bo out of the barn and toward his truck, where a shotgun waited.

For centuries, humans have deliberately pitted dog-aggressive dogs in staged fights against one another. Why are animal welfare advocates no closer to ending this brutal blood sport?

Four dogs have recently disappeared from a Bamburg, South Carolina “no-kill” shelter. According to the Mary Ann Morris Animal Society, it is believed that these stolen dogs are being used for dog fighting.
The dogs stolen from the shelter include popular breeds typically used for dog fighting: pit bulls. Board member Ruthie Morris says “All are sweet dogs who do not deserve the life that they are likely to have if we do not get them back.”

While pit bulls do have an inclination to hunt, with proper training pit bulls can be very loving animals. They are not naturally dangerous, and not any more dangerous than other breeds of dogs.

The "fighting dog" has few friends.

They live lives of brutality and unspeakable cruelty at the hands of those who gamble on their deaths, while betrayal and death await them at "humane" societies if they are "rescued".

These animals are victims of cruelty.

Don't support "humane" groups that don't include these dogs in their circle of compassion.

Where do you stand on dog fighting?

Ever thought about it?

How Do You Know if Your Pet is Sick?

Prevention is the medicine. Have your pet fully vaccinated every year; supervise your pet; and provide your pet with a proper diet and adequate exercise.

Even with all of the above, your pet may still get sick. While it can be difficult to know when to call the vet, here are a few guidelines in recognizing a sick pet:

• Diarrhea.
• Unexplained or sudden weight loss.
• Significant loss of appetite or increased appetite.
• Vomiting.
• Pawing at ears or shaking head.
• Lumps on body.
• Significant fur loss (not just shedding, which is normal); dull, patchy coat.
• Persistent sneezing or coughing.
• Abnormal discharge from the eyes or nose.
• Stiffness or weakness in any joints; pet moves with difficulty.
• Straining to urinate or defecate. Inability to urinate is an emergency - get your cat to the vet immediately.
• Injury.

Note: Keep the name and number of the closest emergency vet clinic (for after-hours pet care), as well as those of your regular vet, close by the telephone.

Christmas and your dog

When you think about Christmas and your dog, your thoughts may center around which items to put in his holiday stocking this year, however, preparing for the holidays with a pet in the home involves much more than gift giving.

About Christmas and Your Dog

There's no time of year quite as magical as the holiday season. As soon as those first snowflakes of winter begin to fall, most of us begin to contemplate how we'll celebrate the various winter holidays. There'll be meals to plan, gifts to purchase, and plenty of decorating to be done.
It's easy to get caught up in the festivities, but pet owners also need to keep their animals in mind to help assure they make it safely through this wonderful but hectic season. Let's look at some of the typical holiday preparations and how we can lessen potential hazards for our pets.

Decorations

For many of us, decorating our home is the first step in preparing for the holidays and many of the items we use are not typically found around the house all year long. Being naturally curious creatures, dogs will want to thoroughly check out anything new that comes into the house and here is where some potential problems can come into play.

Christmas Trees

Celebrating the holidays with your dog is bound to involve setting up the traditional Christmas tree. Here are a few ideas and tips to consider.Live or Artificial?
Of course, there's nothing like the look and smell of a fresh, live Christmas tree, but how will it affect your dog? Live trees often carry unseen molds that can cause allergic reactions and/or respiratory distress in some pets and people.
If this the first Christmas you and your dog will be spending together, you might want to try a little test before setting up the entire tree. Bring a sample of your chosen evergreen into your home for a few days, allowing your dog to sniff it under your supervision. If you don't observe any negative reactions, it's probably safe to put up a live tree.
However, if your dog does show an adverse reaction, remove the branch immediately; wash your pet's face to remove lingering traces of the allergen and plan on enjoying an artificial tree this year.
Set Up and Security
Choosing just the right placement for your tree also makes a difference to your pet's safety.

• Consider purchasing a smaller tree and setting it up on a table top, out of your dog's reach.
• Full size trees are best set up in a corner where your pet's access can be limited.
• If possible, wire the top of the tree to a drapery pole or staircase banister to lessen the chances of it tipping over if your dog accidentally bumps into it.
• Wrap the base of the tree and stand in plastic wrap to keep you dog from being tempted to drink the water, which can be toxic as fertilizers and other chemical compounds leach from the tree.
• Opt for plastic or resin ornaments instead of breakable glass, and resist hanging ornaments at the bottom of the tree where they'll present the most temptation to your pet.
• Hide those electrical light cords at the back of the tree, and hide any exposed cords or strategically place pieces of furniture to keep your dog from chewing them and possibly being electrocuted.

Seasonal Plants

Holly, Poinsettias, and Mistletoe are all abundant during the holiday season, but sharing Christmas with your dog means keeping these beautiful plants out of Fido's reach.Each of these plants carries some level of toxicity for our pets. The intensity of the reaction depends a lot on the size of your dog and how much he might ingest.
The reaction may be something as mild as a skin rash or excessive salivating, however, more serious reactions can include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Respiratory distress
• Heart complications

Don't risk finding out which symptoms might affect your dog, simply keep the plants out of your pet's reach on a high table or bureau.

Candles

Candles play a prominent role in many holiday celebrations. Advent wreaths, Menorahs and other lights may enjoy a prominent place in many homes, but they need to be kept in places where there is no chance that a bump or a tail wag may send them toppling causing a fire risk.

Food

Food is a big part of most holiday traditions, but many of the delicacies and treats we enjoy are not suitable for our pets.
Avoid feeding your dog:

• Chocolate: It's toxic to your pet.
• Macadamia nuts: These are another toxic item for your dog.
• Turkey, chicken, or duck bones: These may be tasty, but they pose a choking hazard.
• Onions: These can cause heart problems when eaten in volume.
• Raisins and grapes: These items can cause renal failure when consumed in high quantities.
• Alcohol: Not usually on your pet's menu, but holiday entertaining may include serving alcoholic beverages that might become available to your pet if left on a low table.

Gifts

The most pleasurable part of celebrating Christmas and your dog is picking out a few choice presents for your furry friend. The same items that would be appropriate any other time of the year are good at Christmas too.

• Watch out for small toys or pieces that could break off an item and pose a choking hazard.
• Be sure that any item you give your pet is size appropriate.
• Check the ingredients used in treats to make sure your pet isn't allergic to anything listed.

Conclusion

While safety is of prime importance, the most important thing to remember about Christmas and your dog is to watch him for stress. Lots of hustle and bustle, changes in the home, and strangers coming and going can all take a toll on your pet. Be sure to leave some quiet time in the schedule to give both of you an opportunity to decompress.

"Yappy Howlidays" from all of us at Paws-itive Experience.

Bloat can be deadly. Is your dog at risk?

A risk factor associated with death following surgery for bloat is when the dog has exhibited clinical signs of bloating for greater than six hours before seeing a veterinarian.When combined with the complications of GDV, bloat is a leading cause of death to dogs, second only to cancer. While the exact cause of bloat is still unknown, some evidence suggests a familial association.Most dogs with bloat are between the ages of 7 and 12 years old.In 1993, a statistical study involving 134 dogs with gastric dilation and volvulus was conducted by the School of Veterinary Medicine in Hanover, Germany. In this study, 66.4 percent of the bloated dogs were male and 33.6 percent were female.In a study done by the Perdue University Research Group, headed by Dr. Lawrence T. Glickman, the Great Dane was the number one breed at risk for bloat. Dogs weighing more than 99 pounds have an approximate 20 percent risk of bloat.

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GVD), commonly known as “bloat” in dogs, is a very serious and dangerous health condition. Bloat occurs when a dog’s stomach becomes abnormally enlarged or distended. Stomach torsion is the abnormal positioning of the stomach which is caused by the stomach’s rotation about its axis, i.e. twisting of the stomach. Bloat usually leads to torsion, although torsion can occur without bloat. Chronic gastric volvulus (ongoing mild torsion) may not cause typical signs of GDV, but should be suspected in dogs with intermittent vomiting, weight loss, mild bloating,rumbling sounds in the bowel (borborygmi) and/or belching.

Facts about bloat:

Emergency Disaster Kit

One of the key elements for disaster preparedness is the Emergency Disaster Kit. The best container for assembling your Emergency Disaster Kit is a plastic storage box with a tight-fitting, waterproof lid. Here is a list of supplies that you will want to consider:

❏❏A copy of your Emergency Disaster Plan
❏❏Road maps and street guides
❏❏Animal first aid brochure or book
❏❏Extra leashes, collars and harnesses
❏❏Dog stakes and cables
❏❏Muzzles
❏❏Evac Sack (for cats)
❏❏Gloves: Heavy gloves and disposable rubber gloves
❏❏Can opener
❏❏Utensils (spoon, etc.)
❏❏Pet first aid kit and generic pet medicines
❏❏Extra food for dogs and cats
❏❏Bottled water
❏❏Food and water dishes
❏❏Small litter boxes
❏❏Kitty litter
❏❏Pet shampoo
❏❏Flea spray
❏❏Paper and cloth towels
❏❏Blankets
❏❏Plastic sheeting or tarp
❏❏Pocket knife
❏❏Scissors
❏❏Flashlight
❏❏Portable radio
❏❏Extra batteries
❏❏Assorted plastic bags
❏❏Fire extinguisher
❏❏Disinfectant or bleach

Keep your Emergency Disaster Kit in a convenient location. Don’t put yourself in the position to be searching for it in the basement or attic when you need it. In addition to the animal care supplies listed above, you’ll want to have a written list of any personal items that you would want to have on hand. These may include cell phone, palm pilot, camping gear, bicycle, sporting equipment, outdoors clothing, hiking shoes, etc.

Get Your Pets Winter Ready

The change of seasons doesn’t just affect people-it also affects pets. And the harsh conditions that winter brings can quickly threaten your pet’s health and well being.

Before Jack Frost starts nipping at your dog or cat’s nose, (Your Business Name) encourages you to make these preparations to keep pets healthy, comfortable and safe when the temperature dips:

____   Plan to keep all young, old and short-haired pets inside. These types of pets are more vulnerable to cold weather and should not be left outside for long and without supervision.

____   Provide shelter for any pets that are left outside. Add straw for additional insulation from the cold and provide a snug, warm bed that does not sit directly on the ground.

____     Be sure to leave extra food and water in plastic bowls for any pets that are left outside.

____   Learn the signs and symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet is suffering from either of these conditions.

____   Clip the long hair on the bottom of your dog’s feet before the snow and ice fall. This will prevent the build up of ice balls which can be painful and difficult to remove.

____   Plan to trim your pet’s nails regularly during the winter. Pets may have a difficult time trying to maintain solid footing in icy conditions with long nails.

____   Find a warm place for your pets to sleep. All pets, including small caged pets, need to be kept warm and away from drafts.

____   Place pet-safe wipes by the door. Ice-melting chemicals and salt can irritate and burn the pads of your pet’s paws. Thoroughly wipe off your pet’s paws when they come inside.

____   Use antifreeze and other household chemicals that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol, which is extremely poisonous to pets.

____   Get in the habit of banging on the hood of your car before starting the engine. Cats and wildlife seek warmth and climb into the engine during the cold, winter months.

____   Should winter travel plans keep you away from home and your pets, make sure to book the services of a professional pet sitter in advance to ensure your pets are safe and happy while you’re away.

Which Pet is Right For You?

Children often beg their parents for a pet. Pets have proven to be very beneficial to people, reducing depression and increasing a person's overall happiness. There are many different types of pets to choose from. Dogs are not always the best choice for some as they require a lot of work and attention. Having a dog can be very rewarding, but it is also a big responsibility. At times it can be almost like having a toddler run around your house. Where as some other pets such as a fish is far less work. When a pet is adopted it should be a life long commitment, and not something you can just dispose of when you get tired of caring for it. One should choose their pets wisely. Do not just go out to a pet store and buy a pet without giving it much thought. Be sure you are ready for the commitment of the pet you are choosing. Do your research and you and your pet will be happier.

Dog
WHY IT'S GOOD A dog will play with you and love you more than any pet we mention here.
WHY IT'S BAD It takes a lot of time and energy to care for one. Dogs bark. Some people are allergic.
NEEDS Dogs, especially large ones, need room to run around. Every day you'll need to: feed your dog twice, walk it at least once, and let it outside four or five times to poop or pee. Long-haired breeds need to be brushed regularly, and most dogs must be bathed every month or so. If you take a trip, you'll have to bring your dog along or board it at a kennel.
COST There's a wide price range, from a free mutt at an animal shelter to more than $500 for a purebred dog. You'll also need to buy a license, collar and leash, and take the dog to a vet for shots and spaying or neutering, so it can't have puppies. Annual cost: $225 to $1,150, depending on how much food it eats.
BOTTOM LINE If you're energetic, this may be the pet for you. But puppies need a lot of attention.

Cat
WHY IT'S GOOD A cat can keep you company while you read or watch TV. Many even prove quite playful, plus they purr when they're happy.
WHY IT'S BAD Nearly all cats are more aloof than dogs. That means they don't always come when you call them or play with you when you want. Some people are allergic.
NEEDS Cats must be fed daily. You don't need to let them outside to poop, since they use a litter box. But you do need to scoop the litter box out daily and clean it weekly. Longhaired cats need to be brushed regularly. You'll probably need help clipping your cat's nails. If you must travel, your cat can look after itself for a couple of days, as long as it has plenty of food and water. Don't forget spaying or neutering.
COST From free, for a shelter cat, to $75 to $500 for a purebred; annual cost: $300 to $400, depending on types of food and litter.
BOTTOM LINE Not as much work as a dog but still a furry buddy who can curl up on your lap.

Bird
WHY IT'S GOOD Beautiful to look at, and relatively easy to care for. Some can be taught to talk or whistle. Unlike hamsters, birds are diurnal (active during the daytime), so they won't make a racket that keeps you up at night.
WHY IT'S BAD Not as playful as other pets. Many birds like to throw their seed, making an extra mess for you to clean.
NEEDS You'll need to give your parakeet food and water daily, and clean the cage weekly. You'll need to clip your bird's wings to keep it from flying away if you let it out of its cage.
COST Initial cost: $90 ($20 for a parakeet, $70 for a cage and equipment); annual cost: about $40 to $50.
BOTTOM LINE Although not cuddly like cats or dogs, birds are colorful, enjoy being around humans and are fun to watch.

Rodent
WHY IT'S GOOD Rodents such as hamsters, gerbils and mice are playful, friendly, curious and cute. And you don't need a big house or back yard.
WHY IT'S BAD They're small, and you can't play with them as much as with a dog or cat. Also, most sleep during the day and are awake at night.
NEEDS You need to check their food and water every day. The soft bedding in their cage needs to be changed every week or so.
COST $52 ($7 for a short-haired hamster, $45 for cage and equipment); annual cost: $30 to $50
BOTTOM LINE A good pet if you don't have much room or money but still want something warm to hold.

Fish
WHY IT'S GOOD A small aquarium takes up very little space, making fish perfect for apartments or small rooms. Fish also come in lots of sizes, shapes and colors, and they don't take a lot of work.
WHY IT'S BAD Let's face it, it's a fish. There aren't many ways you can play with a fish. Plus, they don't live long.
NEEDS You'll need to spend several hours setting up your aquarium with a good filtration system, the right type of water and suitable decorations. Plan on a few minutes daily feeding the fish, and at least half an hour a week changing some of the water.
COST Initial cost: $136 ($120 for a freshwater, 10-gallon tank set; $16 for a half-dozen community fish, such as neon tetras or mollies); annual cost: $5 to $20.
BOTTOM LINE Fish are beautiful and fun to watch. Once you've bought the tank, this can be the most inexpensive pet on this list.
No money? No time? How about:
A Rock
WHY IT'S GOOD Requires no work. You don't need your parent's permission to get one. Makes nice paperweight.
WHY IT'S BAD Just sits there.
NEEDS None!
COST Free. Look by the side of the road.
BOTTOM LINE Kinda pathetic, but may-be you'll feel better if you paint eyes on it.

Happy Holidays from Paws-itive Experience

DDDDDespite our best merry-making intentions, the holidays can be stressful for the whole family, pets included. The holidays are a dangerous time for pets. The holiday spike in pet accidents are largely due to changes in routine, amplified stress, more household traffic, and an increase in food as well as in unexpected situations.   Thanksgiving is all about sharing, and you might be tempted to invite your cat or dog to join you as you indulge in a mountain of goodies. While this seems innocent enough—after all, you love your pet and it is a part of the family—the truth is that it’s much more loving for you not to share your holiday meal. A large percentage of cats and dogs end up sick on Thanksgiving Day, or on the days that follow, and instead of celebrating with the family they end up in the hospital on medication.   Why must you resist the temptation of giving even a few giblets of turkey to your pet? Because there is a good chance you will end up in the vet’s office or, worse, the emergency room with a $1,000 bill and a suffering pet. The majority of emergency room visits during Thanksgiving revolve around the turkey. And don’t even think about adding a ladle of gravy to your pets’ kibble. Owners must abstain from feeding any table foods to their pets. Even a small piece of butter-coated vegetable can cause a life-threatening pancreatitis in certain pets. Don’t risk it. Strange foods and diet changes are hazardous to your pets’ digestive system and can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and a very sick animal.

If you can’t say no to those big brown eyes staring up at you while you savor your incredible meal, simply put your pets in another room with some of their favorite toys and their regular food and water. That way, you will resist the urge to share your holiday feast.

Toxic turkey

Refrain from giving any part of that beautiful bird to your cat or dog. While it may seem like just a little piece of turkey skin couldn’t hurt your pet, it can actually cause a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas called pancreatitis. The pancreas is a vital organ, which lies on the right side of the abdomen. It has two functions: to produce hormones, such as insulin and to produce enzymes that help in digestion of food. The production of enzymes helps break down food to allow the absorption of nutrients. But when pets eat high-fat foods, it triggers the pancreas to produce and release a large amount of enzymes. Subsequently, the pancreas malfunctions and the enzymes end up digesting the pancreas itself. Clinical signs of pancreatitis include severe abdominal pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and depression. Pancreatitis may occur as a single episode or a recurring event. Most cases need immediate medical attention as pets can quickly develop potentially fatal side effects such as dehydration, shock, blood clotting disorders, heart arrhythmia, and liver or kidney damage. If you suspect your pet has pancreatitis, take them to the vet immediately. Overweight dogs are even more at risk.

 The carcass can create dangers as it may harbor salmonella, an organism that lives in the turkey’s intestinal tract. The cooking process usually kills all of the bacteria, but occasionally the center of the turkey may be undercooked, especially if it’s large or full of stuffing. If the carcass sits out at room temperature for too long, the bacteria will multiply, and pets can become violently ill from eating it. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, listlessness, fever, and loss of appetite. Make sure you either freeze the carcass or tie it up in a plastic bag and throw it out in a secure dumpster where no pets can get to it.

Mind the Trash

Sure, you probably know whether your cat or dog is a garbage forager by now, and are normally very vigilant about keeping it out of your pet's reach, but during this busy time of year when unaware company can throw off family routines, a pet is more likely to get in the trash during this time of year.  There they'll find foods and other objects they shouldn't -- but will want to -- eat.

The following are some common hazards that could pose a threat to household animals during the Thanksgiving holiday:

Too many fatty, rich, or even just new types of foods can give your pet inflammation of the pancreas, stomach or intestines. Inflammation of these organs can be very painful and can lead to serious, even life-threatening, disease or illness.

Bones can irritate, tear or obstruct your pet's digestive tract. Turkey bones are especially harmful because they are hollow and can easily splinter in your pet's mouth.

The tasty string often used to tie up the turkey during roasting can tie up your pets' gastrointestinal tract, as can the bag your turkey came in or the little red "popper".

Onions, garlic, and chives often abundantly found in stuffing, are toxic to dogs and especially to cats. Ingestion of these common foods can cause destruction of the red blood cells, leading to anemia.

Too much chocolate, especially baking chocolate, can actually kill your dog, so keep it out of reach.

Raisins and grapes can cause kidney failure in dogs and cats.

So just follow these simple rules and you will ensure this really is the most wonderful time of the year for your cat or dog?   Happy Thanksgiving to All from Paws-itive Experience

Everyone loves a party!

 And this time of the year seems to be a constant party in some ways – with all of the holiday decorations, the food, and constant coming & going of friends and family. In the midst of it all though, as pet owners, it’s our responsibility to keep our pets safe. Each year, thousands of pets are seriously injured and/or become ill during the holiday season.

Animals are drawn to music, twinkling lights, decorations and food, which may be hazardous to their health. We tend to enjoy lots of rich, fatty foods during the holidays. Avoid feeding pets human food. There are many holiday goodies that can cause vomiting, diarrhea and pancreatitis. Food with bone fragments is especially dangerous.  Bones that have sharp points can perforate the animal’s stomach or intestines and cause potentially fatal illness.  Even without sharp edges, bones can become lodged in the digestive tract and require surgical removal.

Along with keeping holidays treats out of reach of the furry family member, pet owners should heed caution to several holiday plants that can also be harmful to animals if nibbled or eaten. Some of these plants include holly, mistletoe, lilies and pine. 
While decking the halls with boughs of holly and other holiday décor, there are some things to keep in mind that could help create a safe environment for the family companion.

Some simple guidelines as outlines by Americanhumane.org include placing candles on high shelves, putting tinsel, ribbon and garland out of reach and anchoring Christmas Trees to the ceiling with a string to prevent it from falling over.

Safety of your Pets during the Holidays

The holiday season is often the most joyous time of the year. However, joy can turn to tragedy if simple precautions are not taken to ensure the safety of your pets.

“Pets are curious by nature,” said Dr. Steve Hansen, a board-certified veterinary toxicologist and senior vice president of The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Hansen, whose department also includes the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center, asks pet parents to be mindful of their pets this holiday season.

“Thinking about your home from your pet’s point of view will help ensure everyone has happy and safe holidays,” Hansen said. “Pets have the ability to get into everything, especially during the holidays when there is more to see and do.”

Simple holiday traditions, such as trimming the tree and decorating the house, can pose potential problems to pets if not monitored carefully.

Dr. Leon Robbins, doctor of veterinary medicine at Grandview Animal Hospital near Winston-Salem, NC, warned that much like toddlers, pets are attracted to bright lights, shining ornaments and dangling tinsel.

Holiday decorations can be very hazardous to our pets. Use big, pet-friendly ornaments and keep the ornaments, as well as the lights, out of your pet’s reach.”

The most common pet-related emergency that occurs over the holidays is the consumption of human pharmaceuticals. Dr. Hansen said that many people keep their medications in daily pill minders, their luggage or even leave it lying out when staying with family or friends.

“All prescription and non-prescription drugs should be safely stored,” Hansen said. “Even in small doses, human medications can be potentially lethal to pets.”

Food is the culprit for the second most common holiday pet emergency. According to Dr. Robbins, pets should be kept on a normal diet, as it will alleviate digestive problems.

“If there is food left over, don’t give it to your pet as a holiday treat,” said Robbins. “Instead give baby carrots, green beans or broccoli as treats.”

To ensure a happy and safe holiday season for you and your pets, Paws-itive Experience recommends that pet owners be cautious of the following:

Dark and Baker’s chocolate. While milk chocolate is not poisonous, it will cause your pet to have an upset stomach. On the other hand, dark chocolate and baker’s chocolate contain high levels of theobromine and caffeine. Animals are extremely sensitive to both and ingesting either type of chocolate could be fatal.

Xylitol. This sugar substitute causes a dog’s blood sugar to drop quickly. This poisoning can be treated, but causes liver failure if not treated properly.

Macadamia nuts. Dogs experience severe weakness in their back legs, appearing paralyzed, after ingesting macadamia nuts. Dogs usually recover from this condition within three days.

Avocados. Avocados pose a serious threat to birds. Avocados cause respiratory distress in birds, causing fluid to build up in their lungs.

Bread Dough. When bread dough is ingested it continues to rise, causing an intestinal blockage.

If your pet ingests any potentially harmful product, call your vet or a local emergency animal hospital immediately

Winter Paws-itive Care

Exposure to winter’s dry, cold air and chilly rain, sleet and snow can cause chapped paws and itchy, flaking skin, but these aren’t the only discomforts pets can suffer. Winter walks can become downright dangerous if chemicals from ice-melting agents are licked off of bare paws.

During the winter, products used as de-icers on sidewalks and other areas can lead to trouble for our animal companions, potentially causing problems ranging from sore feet to internal toxicity. Pet parents should take precautions to minimize their furry friends' exposure to such agents.

To help prevent cold weather dangers from affecting your pet’s paws and skin:

Repeatedly coming out of the cold into the dry heat can cause itchy, flaking skin. Keep your home humidified and towel dry your pet as soon as he comes inside, paying special attention to his feet and in between the toes.

Trim long-haired dogs to minimize the clinging of ice balls, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals that can dry on the skin. (Don’t neglect the hair between the toes!)

Bring a towel on long walks to clean off stinging, irritated paws. After each walk, wash and dry your pet’s feet to remove ice, salt and chemicals—and check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes.
Bathe your pets as little as possible during cold spells. Washing too often can remove essential oils and increase the chance of developing dry, flaky skin. If your pooch must be bathed, ask your vet to recommend a moisturizing shampoo and/or rinse.

• Dressing your pet in a sweater or coat will help to retain body heat and prevent skin from getting dry.
  
• Booties help minimize contact with painful salt crystals, poisonous anti-freeze and chemical ice-melting agents. They can also help prevent sand and salt from getting lodged in between bare toes, causing irritation.
  
• Massaging petroleum jelly into paw pads before going outside helps to protect from salt and chemical agents. And moisturizing after a good toweling off helps to heal chapped paws.
  
  Brushing your pet regularly not only gets rid of dead hair, but also stimulates blood circulation, improving the skin’s overall condition.
  
  Pets burn extra energy by trying to stay warm in wintertime, sometimes causing dehydration. Feeding your pet a little bit more during the cold weather and making sure she has plenty of water to drink will help to keep her well-hydrated, and her skin less dry.
  
  Remember, if the weather’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet. Animal companions should remain indoors as much as possible during the winter months and never be left alone in vehicles when the mercury drops.

Effects of Aging on Our Pets

Like us, dogs don't stay young forever - they age. While some aspects of getting old may not be much fun, getting old is not all bad. Each stage of life has its joys, pleasures and drawbacks. Middle age for a dog, which is between 5 and 9 years of age, is a kind of gray zone during which the dog is busily engaged in the process of life without any particular physical or mental deterioration to hamper him. But somewhere towards the end of middle age, dogs start acting and feeling their age. The effects of the aging process are both physical and mental. Physically, structural and functional changes occur in virtually all organ systems throughout the body, affecting vision, hearing, stamina, susceptibility to drugs and locomotor activity. Mental changes are secondary to decreasing brain size and a reduced number of brain cells. In some cases, canine Alzheimer-like changes hasten deterioration. Aging does not affect all dogs in precisely the same way. Some dog breeds, and some individuals, are more successful agers than others. Some dogs, at the age of 10 years, may have no noticeable physical or mental incapacitation. Others of the same age, however, are already handicapped by age-related internal organ failure, failing senses or orthopedic problems.

Age-Related Physical Changes

The Kidneys. Kidney function in dogs is often impaired in old age. With advancing age, blood flow to the kidneys decreases, there is a loss of filtering cells (nephrons), and impairment in resorptive processes in the nephrons. The result of all this is a failure of the kidneys to concentrate urine, so that older dogs with this type of deterioration will necessarily have to drink more and, consequently, produce larger amounts of more dilute urine. It is extremely important to make sure that such dogs have constant access to water so that they do not go into kidney failure. Some special kidney diets that contain low quantities of high quality protein can help sustain dogs in the borderline kidney failure.

The Liver. Although some tests of liver function show progressive deterioration with age, most dogs survive to a ripe old age without this loss affecting them in any noticeable way. However, in some dogs, fat accumulates in the liver, sometimes secondary to other diseases such as diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) and hyperadrenocorticism. This can result in an increased size of the liver with higher levels of liver enzymes in the blood. Liver cirrhosis is also a disease of the older dog because of its chronic and progressive nature.

Thyroid Glands. Hypothyroidism has been reported to be the most common endocrine disease in the dog. Most cases are breed-related, with an early onset (2 to 5 years), but in other instances, hypothyroidism does not cause problems until the dog is aged. Hypothyroidism will cause increased shedding, bilateral hair loss, a dry lusterless coat, increased susceptibility to infections, weight gain, and heat-seeking behavior, to name a few of the clinical signs.

Adrenal Glands. The adrenal glands are affected in various ways by aging. The glands produce hormones involved in the regulation of blood sugar, electrolytes and stress, and serve other functions. Elderly patients under continued stress can suffer adrenal exhaustion. The opposite, hyperadrenicorticism, is a relatively common endocrine disorder of middle aged and older dogs. The latter causes signs such as muscle weakness, potbelly, hair loss, increased thirst, and increased urine production. If hyperadrenocorticism is diagnosed, it can be treated.

Pancreas. Diabetes mellitus is usually a disease of the older dog. Complications associated with this disease include increased thirst and urine output, wasting away of muscle, and liver disease. This type of diabetes can be controlled using dietary control and insulin, if necessary.

Pituitary Gland. Reduced production of growth hormone is supposed to be one of the main reasons for the overall aging process. In people, but not yet in dogs, injections of a growth hormone are given to delay the aging process.

Musculoskeletal System. While young dogs appear strong, well-muscled and can run like the wind, older dogs usually show muscle wasting and are often handicapped by arthritis or intervertebral disc disease. Analgesics and, if indicated, various surgical procedures can bring many dogs relief.

Cardio-respiratory System. As you might expect, both components of the heart and lung system are affected adversely with increasing age. A particularly common cardiac disease of older dogs is one in which the margins of the heart valves thicken (endocardiosis). This condition leads to cardiac murmurs and, functionally, to cardiac insufficiency. Meanwhile, aging affects the lungs, such as thickening of the walls of the small airways, leading to reduced efficiency of gaseous exchange.

Special Senses. Dogs' eyesight becomes poorer as they get older, due to age-related changes in the eye itself and in the processing of visual images centrally. The most common ocular aging change of all, lenticular sclerosis, in which the pupil of the eye appears grayish, does not significantly affect vision at all. Cataracts, however, which are also more common in elderly dogs, do impair vision, particularly when the dog is in bright light and his pupils are constricted.
Dogs' hearing deteriorates progressively with age so that many older dogs appear not to hear you when you issue commands, and they do not respond to outside sounds that formerly would have aroused them. Loss of hearing can be either peripheral, due to changes in the ear itself or, as with failure of vision, related to changes in central processing.

Central Nervous System. Dogs' brain weight decreases with age primarily because of neuronal death in the cerebral hemispheres. Functionally, there is decreased production and increased destruction of central neurotransmitters. If canine cognitive dysfunction is involved, there are plaque-like accumulations of beta-amyloid in the brain.

Behavioral Changes. Because of general central nervous system changes mentioned above, dogs progressively slow down mentally as they age. They become less interested in things around them, less reactive to things going on, spend more time sleeping, and tend to walk whereas before they might have run. "Normal" aging changes in dogs are not usually incapacitating but merely produce a gradual decline in mental function, which can seem quite appropriate. Dogs with canine cognitive dysfunction, however, may become disoriented, have reduced interactions with people and other animals, suffer sleep disturbances, and eventually become incontinent.

Halloween and our Dogs and Cats

There are many Halloween pet safety hazards related to this October holiday -- some are well-known (the dangers of chocolate toxicity), and some aren't (xylitol toxicity). Learn what to be aware of to protect your pet and stay safe this year!

Things to Watch For on Halloween
Halloween is a fun time for kids and many adults, but can be a frightening and stressful time for your pets. As a pet owner, you know your pet best, but here are some points to consider for your pet's safety.

Continual doorbell ringing and people at the door (in costume, no less!) can be stressful for a pet. Some pets may experience stress-related diarrhea or potentially injure themselves if crated or otherwise contained. Keep your pet in a quiet and safe place on Halloween.

Strangers in costume - some animals may become unexpectedly aggressive or fearful, even normally friendly pets.

Candles and Jack-O'-Lanterns within a pet's range are a fire hazard. Wagging tails and frightened cats zooming through the house can easily tip over a candle or carved pumpkin, causing burns or a fire.

Keep your pets indoors on Halloween night, especially black cats. Animals are at risk for cruel treatment by some Halloween pranksters. Many adoption agencies and humane societies will not allow adoption of black cats around Halloween for this reason.

Candy - For many people, Halloween = candy. Many pets have a sweet tooth. Please warn children not to share their goodies with the family pet.

Candy Concerns

Candies, gums, mints, baked goods and chocolate containing the "sugar free" sweetener xylitol are especially poisonous, causing rapid hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and liver failure in dogs and possibly other species (ferrets).

Chocolate is toxic to pets. Granted, a 50 pound dog would have to eat about 50 ounces of milk chocolate (but only 5 ounces of baking chocolate) for a toxic dose, but much smaller amounts can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Signs of chocolate toxicity include tremors, nervousness, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, and in severe cases, seizures and death. If you suspect that your pet has eaten chocolate, consult your veterinarian.

Other candies, such as lollipops and those with plastic components, pose a danger if ingested. Lollipop sticks and plastic parts can cause intestinal obstruction and potentially rupture the intestines, which is a life-threatening emergency.

Look at the variety of pet costumes! How can I resist?

Halloween costumes for pets have been around for many years. This year, however, I am finding them everywhere; even in the grocery store! While the costumes can be entertaining for the human counterparts, caution is advised before dressing your pet up.

While viewed as fun and adorable for some pet owners, caution is advised when putting a costume on a pet. A pet in costume should NEVER be left alone and unsupervised.

Tight elastics on the costumes can get lost in the pet's hair, potentially causing owners to overlook them, leading to swelling and pain in the area of the elastic.

Some pets, if left alone in costume, may chew it up and ingest it. This could cause intestinal obstruction if more than small shreds of material are consumed.

If the costumed pet escapes or is frightened away, the costume could entangle the pet on trees, fences, etc.

Pet clothing for safety and fun
Consider reflective collars and gear for pets (and people) - a great safety item for Halloween and all year-round. For more information on pet clothing, please see the related article: Should your pet wear clothes? Does your pet wear clothes on Halloween or any other time? You are invited to vote in the poll and see how your pet's wardrobe compares with other viewer's pets.

Play it safe and enjoy Halloween

With a little caution and some common sense, Halloween can be a fun time for kids and pets alike. If any acts of animal cruelty are seen or suspected, please call your local shelter or animal authorities. Happy and safe Halloween to everyone.