Exercise and Your Pet

How many times have you wanted to shred some extra pounds but never got around to doing it? How many times have you planned to get some exercise with a buddy but they cancelled every time? Well, there is one buddy that would love to get some exercise with you and will never call to cancel.  Who is that buddy you may ask? Your dog!  As a pet parent, your job is to ensure the health, safety and welfare of your furry family member.  Part of that job is to give your pet exercise on a regular basis.  "All pets need some physical activity to live a happy, healthy life" (AAHA, n.d.).

Dogs

Dogs may be the best workout partners known to man, but an abundance of them aren't getting the exercise they need.  According to The Daily Treat, experts estimate that nearly 35 percent of pets today are overweight, which increases their risk for many serious conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, breathing problems, and heart disease.  No matter the size or age of the dog, dogs need to exercise daily.  "Without activity, your dog will become bored, frustrated and unhealthy.  Exercise tones the muscles, helps the body and metabolic system to function properly, and engages your [dog's] mind" (PetMD, 2012).  Basic exercise needs are based on a dog's age, breed, size, and health.  But most dogs should spend at least 30 minutes a day with exercise or activity.

Photo credit: blog.ningin.com

Some dog breeds are not born for large amounts of exercise unlike larger breeds such Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, and other working, herding, or hunting class dogs.  Small breed dogs with short legs or short noses like a Bulldog, are not built for long distance or rigorous exercise.  If your dog seems to be restless, chances are he probably wants to go for a walk.  Dogs that lack physical activity and mental stimulation can develop destructive behavior that may be hard to break without giving daily exercise.

Pets can't sweat and instead they pant to cool down, so be sure to exercise them in the morning or evening and provide plenty of water while on the move.  Remember that dogs don't wear shoes, so make sure to test the surface of the ground you plan to exercise on with your hand.  If the ground is too hot, take your dog to a grassy surface or cooler place to work out (Zerbe, 2009).  If you dog begins to pant excessively or hyperventilates, his tongue and gums turn dark red, or he can't keep up and tries to sit or lay down, stop exercising and seek immediate veterinary attention as this might indicate the sign of a heat stroke.

Cats

Cats can make laziness into a form of art.  But believe or not, your cat needs exercise too!  It's not considered to be an easy task when it comes to making your cat get up and move around, but to keep her healthy, it's best if you do.  Cats are different than dogs in the way they are designed for short, frequent periods of intense activity, rather than longer, slower-paced workouts.  Using toys that your cat can bat, chase, explore, or scratch consistently, will most likely take care of all her exercise needs.

Exotic Pets

Some small exotic animals such as rodents, small reptiles, or birds, can get enough exercise by simply moving around their cage (AAHA, n.d.).  Rodents, such as hamsters, usually meet their exercise requirements by running in their hamster wheel or rolling around in a hamster ball.  Letting your pet out to roam around the house under supervision is a great way to make your pet more comfortable around its environment and also get some good physical activity.  Reptiles love to swim, so swimming can also be an option if you're not comfortable with your pet running around the house.  For birds, allowing them to flap their wings or climb up and down cage ladders can be a great method for exercise although it can be tricky.

"Whatever their species, animals' need for exercise is just as vital to their health as their need for shelter, good food, and clean water" (AAHA, n.d.).  It's also a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your pet since both of you can be benefitted from exercising with each other.  Always be cautious of what the limits are for your pet when undergoing physical activity, because they are not the same as they are for you as a human.  Always ensure that there is plenty of water to quench your pet's thirst and cool them down when they are done for the day.  For information about exercising your pet indoors, read Nicole Pajer's article on Dog Exercise: How to Exercise Your Dog Indoors.


Works Cited:

AAHA. (n.d.). Exercising Your Pet. Retrieved February 13, 2013, from Healthy Pet: http://www.healthypet.com/PetCare/PetCareArticle.aspx?title=Exercising_Your_Pet

PetMD. (2012, April 6). Exercising with Your Dog 101. Retrieved February 13, 2013, from petMD: http://www.petmd.com/print/11168

Zerbe, L. (2009, June 18). How to Exercise with Your Dog. Retrieved February 13, 2013, from Rodale News: http://www.rodale.com/print/1243

The Daily Treat. (2010, April 16). 10 Ways to Exercise With Your Pet. Retrieved February 13, 2013, from Animal Planet: http://blogs.discovery.com/daily_treat/2010/04/10-ways-to-exercise-with-your-pet-.html

Dog Grooming

As you all may know, dogs love to get dirty.  They love to run around the house with muddy paws and shake their wet hair all over the place on a rainy day or get covered in some cake that they were trying to pull down from the kitchen counter.  Dogs will be dogs.  What can we do?  Well, there's actually a lot we can do.  Even though we can't prevent every moment when our dogs get messy, we can at least keep them clean and healthy before and after they've committed the crime.

Let's start with a bath.  Some dogs love water, some dogs do not.  Either way, they have to get into the water before they can be cleaned.  Dogs should be bathed at least once month to maintain healthy skin and a soft, shiny coat.  Baths are typically meant to remove any dirt and debris or any "doggy smell" that your dog can occasionally get.  Be sure that you do not bathe your dog too frequently as it can dry out your dog's coat and cause the hair to break and fall out or damage the skin by removing the natural oils produced to keep the skin moist and have a shiny coat.  When bathing, use a shampoo and conditioner specifically made for dogs and afterwards use a towel or blow dryer (whichever your dog is more comfortable with) to dry your dog off.

Most dogs should be brushed regularly without having to wait for after bath time.  Depending on the type of coat your dog has, different tools can be used to maintain the coat and the brushing frequency can vary between breeds.  A soft-bristle brush can be used to remove loose hair and dirt and also produce a neat and shiny outer coat.  For short-haired breeds, a palm brush can be used to remove dead hair and a polish the coat as well as a short-toothed metal rake for dense-coated short-haired dogs.  For long-haired breeds, pin brushes, slicker brushes, and long-toothed metal rakes can be used to groom long hair.  

Coats can be easily damaged if one does not know to handle a dog's hair properly.  Always brush or comb in small sections at a time, starting with the undercoat and working your way to the outer coat.  If a dog is not brushed or combed regularly, mats (solid clumps of hair) can form anywhere on the dog's body.  Mats commonly form behind the ears, under arms, around the rump, on legs and thighs, and between toes.  If mats are not removed, they will pinch the skin of the dog and become very painful.  Dog owners should not try to remove mats with scissors and instead have a professional handle it to ensure the dog's safety.

Another essential part of grooming is nail care.  Dogs that are active and have regular activity naturally wear down their nails on rigid or rough surfaces.  But for others, a good nail trim should be given at least twice a month to prevent damage to the pet or people that interact with it.  Untrimmed nails can overgrow into the dog's foot pads which cause painful sores that can become infected.  Some dogs have dewclaws (a little fifth toe that is a little higher on the foot than the other four) and if not trimmed regularly, the dewclaw can curl as it grows and eventually grow into the surrounding skin of the dog.

If you don't know how to trim your dog's nails, visit your veterinarian who can demonstrate where to cut, how much to cut, and how the nails should be cut.  Each nail has a "quick" which is a band of nerves and blood vessels that runs part way down the inside of each nail.  If the quick is cut accidentally, apply some styptic powder on the nail to clot the blood in a matter of seconds.  If you do not have styptic powder on hand, a little bit of corn starch or flour can be used as an alternative.

Naturally, dogs with pointed ears or open ears have less of a risk of getting ear infections because airflow can enter the ear canal very easily and regulate moisture within the ear.  On the other hand, dogs with floppy ears have a blocked airflow through the ear canal which can trap moisture and promote bacterial overgrowth, causing ear infections.  An unpleasant odor or discharge from the ear can indicate the sign of an ear infection.  Healthy ear canals are a light pink color and signs of ear infection can be present if the ear canal is brown or black.  If you see any sign of an ear infection, see your veterinarian as soon as possible and do not attempt to clean the ear as it can cause pain to the dog.

To clean your dog's ears, you use ear cleaning solution (specifically for dogs) or a mixture of white vinegar and warm water or hydrogen peroxide and water as an alternative.  Do not use alcohol to clean your dog's ears because it can dry out the ear and cause allergic reactions.  Always use a damp cloth or cotton ball with a small amount of solution on it to gently wipe out the insides of the visible ear.  If your dog wants to shake, let it because it will loosen the dirt within the ear.

Although many pet owners do not brush their dog's teeth, it is recommended that a dog's teeth be brushed about three times a week with toothpaste and a toothbrush made for dogs.  If you don't know how to brush your dog's teeth, think of brushing the teeth of a child except theres no need to rinse.  Dogs can develop gingivitis (a reversible inflammatory condition of the gums caused by bacterial build up) or periodontitis (an irreversible continuation of gingivitis that affects the deeper mouth structures supporting the teeth) if their teeth are not brushed regularly.

All information provided and any additional information needed concerning the grooming of a dog can be found at Pet Owner's Guide to Dog Grooming.



Works Cited:

Petwave. (2013). Pet Owner's Guide to Dog Grooming. Retrieved February 6, 2013, from Petwave: http://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Basics/Care/Grooming.aspx

Human Food Is For Humans, Not Pets!

Image from: cokelatrawkz.blogspot.com

Every pet owner has given their pet some scraps from the dinner table at least once in their life.  Those eyes that just seem to glisten and grow big and round with fake tears can be so hard to ignore.  Believe me, I know.  But have any of you thought of what harmful effects your pet may endure from eating human food?

Chocolate

Whether you're a pet owner or not, most people know some of the common foods that are dangerous for pets to consume such as chocolate.  But why is chocolate so bad? Chocolate, especially dark or baking chocolate, contains theobromine (a bitter alkaloid that is found in cacao seeds) that irregularly increases a pet's heart beat and may cause death.  Chocolate is especially dangerous if consumed in large quantities.

Grapes

Another dangerous food for your pet (specifically dog) to consume are grapes or raisins.  The ingestion of grapes or raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs.  Although dogs might find it fun to roll grapes around the house and bite them to squeeze the juices out, it is imperative that dog owners keep grapes out of the reach of their pet.

Human Medication

Medicine is not considered food, but it is also another substance that can harm animals.  Many pet owners give their pets over the counter medication thinking that it will have the same effect on their pet as they do on themselves.  "The most common cause of pet poisoning is animals ingesting a medicine or drug normally prescribed for humans" 'People Foods' That Can Kill Your Pet.  In my experience, the worst case I have seen of an animal ingesting human medication was a cat that was given Percocet by it's owner and ended up dying at the hospital.  Remember to never give your pet any type of medication unless instructed by a veterinarian to ensure your pet's safety.

Some Good Foods For Your Pet

On the other hand, there are some foods that you can feed your pet without harming their health.  Vegetables, plain bread, rice or pasta, and some types of fruit are all good options for feeding your pet instead of other harmful foods.  Sometimes it can be hard to wean your pet off of human food if they have been eating it on a regular basis. My oldest dog, Buddy, is allergic to an unknown human food because since he eats so many foods, its hard to identify which one is causing him to have an allergic reaction.  Sometimes he will go days without eating if I refrain from giving him any scraps, but eventually, he will sneak off and eat his bowl of dog food.

It's heartbreaking to lose a pet over something that could have been prevented.  But if you start now, you can help your pet in having a long and healthy life.  For more information about foods that can be harmful and harmless to your pet, read this article 'People Foods" That Can Kill Your Pet by Sloan Barnett as wells as What Foods are Toxic For Dogs and People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.

Works Cited:

Barnett, Sloan. 'People Foods' That Can Kill Your Pet. 9 May 2008. 29 January 2013 <http://www.today.com/id/2454454/site/todayshow/ns/today-today_pets_and_animals/t/people-foods-can-kill-your-pet/#.UQhBdNPjm98>.

The Importance of Vet Care

Image from: petwellbeing

Most pet owners in society love their pets dearly and hopefully no pet owner wants to lose their little loved ones to something that could have been prevented.  Veterinarians are here for a reason: to ensure that your pet is healthy.  Some pet owners refrain from taking their animals to vet because of the expense.  I can tell you right now that if you love your pets, you will pay whatever the cost for their safety.  Now I understand with the economy and other various legitimate reasons that sometimes vet care does not fit your budget.  Most veterinary hospitals and care facilities will allow pet owners to have their pet be examined by a veterinarian and have them pay the costs when they can be financially stable.  So what other reason could there be to not seek medical attention for your pet?

Just as human babies go to the doctor every couple months for a check-up or shots, puppies and kittens do too!  At this age, puppies and kittens are very susceptible to parasites and viruses because their immune system is not fully developed.  As a matter of fact, when Tommy was a puppy he had worms.  The most common sign of worms in these baby animals is a swollen, enlarged belly.  Worms can be very dangerous because since they are parasites, they feed off the insides of puppies and kittens.  Anti-parasitic medications can be used to rid the young pet of worms and other parasites.  Giving regular routine vaccines and check-ups will help ensure that your baby animal is healthy and strong and should be continued as your pet ages.

For adult dogs and cats, it is recommended that your pet receives an annual wellness examination to make sure your pet does not have any health problems or risk of disease.  As pets progress in age, they become more at risk for diseases like cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease and many more.  And just like older people, older pets grow weak and tired as the years go by.  Increased veterinary care should be given to senior pets to help them stay on a healthy track.  For more detailed information on senior pet care, take a look at this AVMA Fact Sheet.  

Besides the times where your pet is healthy and should see the vet for annual exams, there are times when your pet gets sick and needs to be seen by the vet as well.  Unfortunately, it is more difficult to figure out what is exactly wrong with your pet because they do not have the ability to speak.  So it is the duty of a pet owner to make sure their pet is given proper medical attention and treatment.  Happy pets are healthy pets and every animal deserves to be happy just as much as they make their owners happy. If any of you would like more detailed information on the importance of vet care, read this article from the Purina Pet Health Library.  

Works Cited:

American Veterinary Medical Association. Senior Pet Care (FAQ). February 2009. 23 January 2013 <http://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Caring-for-an-Older-Pet-FAQs.aspx>.

Purina Care. Pet Health Articles. 23 January 2013 <http://www.pethealthlibrary.purinacare.com/articles/the-importance-of-taking-your-pet-to-the-veterinarian/>.

All Creatures & Critters Welcome!

Hey there! My name is Surika.  When I found out that I was expected to write and maintain a blog for this semester in english class, I honestly just wanted to drop the class.  But after a while, I started to think about it and I decided that I should give it a try.  My biggest problem was figuring out what on earth I was going to write about all semester.  Then it hit me: animals!

Since I could remember, my life-long dream is to become a veterinarian.  I've loved animals since I first laid eyes on one and my passion for them has grown along with myself.  As matter of fact, I own five pets and believe me I've had so many that the count would be well over 10!  I currently own 3 parrots (Perry- Maximilian Pionus, Penny- Hahn's Macaw, and Merry- Yellow Collared Macaw) and 2 dogs (Buddy- Shih Tzu and Tommy- Lhasa Apso).

One might think that my house probably smells and looks like a zoo, but really, it doesn't because I keep my animals healthy and well taken care of.  This is the purpose of my blog besides the fact that its required for my english class; to inform present and future pet owners about the health and wellbeing of domesticated animals.

As a pet owner and veterinary assistant, I know how hard it can be taking care of an animal no matter the size or type.  But it doesn't give anyone the excuse to mistreat an animal or inhibit an animal from receiving proper and routine veterinary care.  Also, many pet owners are unaware of some of the simple things they do that can harmfully affect their pet's health and wellbeing such as feeding their animal human food or bathing their animal with human toiletries.

My blog will consist of helpful tips and information for present and future pet owners.  I will post issues concerning the health and wellbeing of several types domesticated animals depending on the issue and provide useful information that pet owners can use with their animals.

I hope that you all will enjoy reading my blog and I look forward to writing for you this semester! (: