ASPCA's Holiday Safety tips

Holiday Safety Tips

Holly, Jolly and Oh-So-Safe! Of course you want to include your furry companions in the festivities, pet parents, but as you celebrate this holiday season, try to keep your pet’s eating and exercise habits as close to their normal routine as possible. And be sure to steer them clear of the following unhealthy treats, toxic plants and dangerous decorations:
O Christmas Tree Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water—which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset—from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe.
Tinsel-less Town
Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching “toy” that’s easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It’s best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel.
No Feasting for the Furries
By now you know not to feed your pets chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but do you know the lengths to which an enterprising fur kid will go to chomp on something yummy? Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans.
Toy Joy
Looking to stuff your pet’s stockings? Choose gifts that are safe.

• Dogs have been known to tear their toys apart and swallowing the pieces, which can then become lodged in the esophagus, stomach or intestines. Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible.
  
• Long, stringy things are a feline’s dream, but the most risky toys for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery. Surprise kitty with a new ball that’s too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer—and tons of play sessions together.

Forget the Mistletoe & Holly
Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. And many varieties of lilies, can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet.
Leave the Leftovers
Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends. Pets can join the festivities in other fun ways that won’t lead to costly medical bills.
That Holiday Glow
Don’t leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface. And if you leave the room, put the candle out!
Wired Up
Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws’ reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable ornaments can damage your pet’s mouth.
House Rules
If your animal-loving guests would like to give your pets a little extra attention and exercise while you’re busy tending to the party, ask them to feel free to start a nice play or petting session.
Put the Meds Away
Make sure all of your medications are locked behind secure doors, and be sure to tell your guests to keep their meds zipped up and packed away, too.
Careful with Cocktails
If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.
A Room of Their Own
Give your pet his own quiet space to retreat to—complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or in a separate room away from the hubbub.
New Year’s Noise
As you count down to the new year, please keep in mind that strings of thrown confetti can get lodged in a cat’s intestines, if ingested, perhaps necessitating surgery. Noisy poppers can terrify pets and cause possible damage to sensitive ears.

Puppy Potty Training: How Dogs Communicate

Puppy Potty Training: How Dogs Communicate

By DoItYourself.com Staff
If you are new to puppy potty training or have never owned a dog before, it might surprise you learn that puppies communicate with their owner during potty training. For example, during the puppy potty training process, your new pup will communicate that he needs to go out by barking, whining, nudging, grabbing items like a shoe, or pacing, to name a few. It doesn't take a puppy long to make an association between your behavior (i.e., putting on shoes), items you regularly use (i.e., puppy's leash), and actions you take with those items (i.e., taking the puppy for a walk.) The following article will walk you through some of the common ways puppies communicate during puppy potty training and beyond.

How Dogs Communicate With Their Owners During Puppy Potty Training
If you are potty training your puppy by leash walking him to designated areas, your puppy may soon start to play with or bark at his leash when he needs go to out. This is a great day! Your puppy has made an association between the leash and going outside. By grabbing, barking at, or hanging out near his leash, your puppy is telling you he has to go out. A positive reaction on your part is to take your puppy out.

How Owners Unknowingly Communicate With Puppies During Potty Training
During the potty training process, puppies react in certain ways to your actions. In the previous example, if you did not take the puppy outside when he was barking at his leash, then you are communicating that it is okay for the puppy to relieve himself indoors. You may not realize it, but that is how your puppy reads it.

Another association puppies make during potty training is that shoes equal outside. Many stay-at-home dog owners we spoke with said the moment the shoes were on, puppies wobbled from out of nowhere. If your puppy does this, he has associated putting on shoes, with going outside.

As a dog owner about to potty train your puppy, it's up to you to decipher your dog's way of communicating, and understand how your actions, whether you like it or not, send a specific message to your puppy. If you've put your shoes on to check the mail and you decide not to take your puppy out, is it really his fault if he has an accident while you're gone? He did, after all, tell you he had to go out and you didn't respond. (Remember, this is puppy potty training, so be super conscious of your actions and what messages you may be sending your puppy.) Be aware and start to understand what associations your puppy is making during training, and respond positively. By doing so, your puppy potty training program will be quick and easy.

Correcting and Avoiding Bad Behavior During Puppy Potty Training
If you watch the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan, on the National Geographic Channel, then you've probably heard him say over and over that bad behavior in puppies is usually unknowingly fostered by the owner. Here is an example. If your puppy nudges and nips and your response is to take the puppy outside, then you have trained your puppy that nipping equals going out - not a good thing for the nipped area of your body. To correct this behavior in your puppy, look for other associations for going out during potty training, like ringing a bell, or sitting at the door.

Another example of behavior to correct during puppy potty training is the puppy that jumps up on you, and visitors, when he has to go out. Often times, the owner will say the puppy's name followed by "down" or "off." The puppy probably continues to jump up, and the owner, in frustration, has no idea why the puppy won't listen. The answer is that the owner is sending the puppy a mixed message during potty training. By saying the puppy's name before "off" or "down," the owner is actually rewarding the bad behavior in the puppy.

To correct this during the puppy potty training process, only say your puppy's name when he is doing well. If he is jumping up, that is bad, but if you say his name, he thinks it's good. Always look at your behavior and actions during puppy potty training, and make sure you’re not sending your puppy the wrong signal, which will only lead to bad behavior in adulthood.

© Doityourself.com 2006
If you are new to puppy potty training or have never owned a dog before, it might surprise you learn that puppies communicate with their owner during potty training. For example, during the puppy potty training process, your new pup will communicate that he needs to go out by barking, whining, nudging, grabbing items like a shoe, or pacing, to name a few. It doesn't take a puppy long to make an association between your behavior (i.e., putting on shoes), items you regularly use (i.e., puppy's leash), and actions you take with those items (i.e., taking the puppy for a walk.) The following article will walk you through some of the common ways puppies communicate during puppy potty training and beyond.

How Dogs Communicate With Their Owners During Puppy Potty Training
If you are potty training your puppy by leash walking him to designated areas, your puppy may soon start to play with or bark at his leash when he needs go to out. This is a great day! Your puppy has made an association between the leash and going outside. By grabbing, barking at, or hanging out near his leash, your puppy is telling you he has to go out. A positive reaction on your part is to take your puppy out.

How Owners Unknowingly Communicate With Puppies During Potty Training
During the potty training process, puppies react in certain ways to your actions. In the previous example, if you did not take the puppy outside when he was barking at his leash, then you are communicating that it is okay for the puppy to relieve himself indoors. You may not realize it, but that is how your puppy reads it.

Another association puppies make during potty training is that shoes equal outside. Many stay-at-home dog owners we spoke with said the moment the shoes were on, puppies wobbled from out of nowhere. If your puppy does this, he has associated putting on shoes, with going outside.

As a dog owner about to potty train your puppy, it's up to you to decipher your dog's way of communicating, and understand how your actions, whether you like it or not, send a specific message to your puppy. If you've put your shoes on to check the mail and you decide not to take your puppy out, is it really his fault if he has an accident while you're gone? He did, after all, tell you he had to go out and you didn't respond. (Remember, this is puppy potty training, so be super conscious of your actions and what messages you may be sending your puppy.) Be aware and start to understand what associations your puppy is making during training, and respond positively. By doing so, your puppy potty training program will be quick and easy.

Correcting and Avoiding Bad Behavior During Puppy Potty Training
If you watch the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan, on the National Geographic Channel, then you've probably heard him say over and over that bad behavior in puppies is usually unknowingly fostered by the owner. Here is an example. If your puppy nudges and nips and your response is to take the puppy outside, then you have trained your puppy that nipping equals going out - not a good thing for the nipped area of your body. To correct this behavior in your puppy, look for other associations for going out during potty training, like ringing a bell, or sitting at the door.

Another example of behavior to correct during puppy potty training is the puppy that jumps up on you, and visitors, when he has to go out. Often times, the owner will say the puppy's name followed by "down" or "off." The puppy probably continues to jump up, and the owner, in frustration, has no idea why the puppy won't listen. The answer is that the owner is sending the puppy a mixed message during potty training. By saying the puppy's name before "off" or "down," the owner is actually rewarding the bad behavior in the puppy.

To correct this during the puppy potty training process, only say your puppy's name when he is doing well. If he is jumping up, that is bad, but if you say his name, he thinks it's good. Always look at your behavior and actions during puppy potty training, and make sure you’re not sending your puppy the wrong signal, which will only lead to bad behavior in adulthood.

© Doityourself.com 2006

Pain Medication for Dogs: Be an Informed Pet Owner By Carol & Richard Eustice

Pain Medications for Dogs: Be an Informed Pet Owner

A decade ago, few medications were available to treat dogs in pain at home. Dogs were spayed or neutered at the animal hospital, stitched up, and sent home without pain medication. And dogs with painful arthritis limped along without medications that were safe and effective for long-term use.
Today, a new generation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is bringing relief to millions of dogs with arthritis, joint problems or with pain after surgery.
"NSAIDs are extremely effective for controlling pain and inflammation in dogs," says Stephen F. Sundlof, D.V.M., Ph.D., "These are very valuable drugs that help many pets live to a ripe old age."
But like any medication, NSAIDs carry a risk of side effects, or adverse reactions. Most adverse reactions are mild, but some may be serious, especially if the pain medications are not used according to labeled directions. Some reactions result in permanent damage or even death.
"It's important for pet owners to be aware of the risks and benefits of all drugs, including NSAIDs, so that they can make informed decisions about their pets' health care," says Sundlof. "Owners who give their dog NSAIDs need to know the side effects to watch for that indicate their pet needs medical attention."

Pain Medications for Dogs: Side Effects

The most common side effects from NSAIDs include:

vomiting

loss of appetite

depression

lethargy

diarrhea

Serious side effects include:

gastrointestinal bleeding

ulcers

perforations

kidney damage

liver problems

"The side effects of NSAIDs are very well known and very well documented," says Michele Sharkey, D.V.M. But this information is not always getting to the pet owner, she says. "If the pet owner can recognize a possible reaction, stop the medication, and get veterinary help, it could mean the difference between a good outcome and a disaster."

Pain Medications for Dogs: Safety and Effectiveness

The CVM (FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine), which regulates medications for use in animals, has approved some NSAIDs for use in dogs with pain from degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) or with pain after surgery. These medications include:

Etogesic (etodolac)

Rimadyl (carprofen)

Metacam (meloxicam)

Zubrin (tepoxalin)

Deramaxx (deracoxib)

Previcox (firocoxib)

Novox (generic carprofen)

NSAIDs help to control signs of arthritis, including:

inflammation

swelling

stiffness

joint pain

Inflammation (the body's response to irritation or injury) is characterized by redness, warmth, swelling, and pain. NSAIDs work by blocking the production of prostaglandins, the body chemicals that cause inflammation.
The FDA considers approved NSAIDs to be safe and effective when used according to the label and when dog owners are informed about common NSAID adverse reactions.
And veterinarians are becoming increasingly aware of the advantages of recognizing and controlling pain, says Charles Lemme, D.V.M., "We recognize that pets are healing better and faster with pain control."
Lemme says that the emphasis on pain management may be partly because of the availability of the newer NSAIDs. "The NSAIDs we have available now are a lot safer than what we've had before and we're seeing far fewer side effects than before."
Before the newer generation of NSAIDs came along, "people were using NSAIDs such as aspirin in an attempt to mitigate arthritic pain," says Michael Andrews, D.V.M., "We saw the consequence of their use," adds Andrews, who recalls seeing a client who gave her dog aspirin for six weeks, two times a day. "The dog had a bleeding nose that wouldn't stop."
"NSAIDs are used in many, many dogs and the frequency of problems is quite low," says Andrews. "The duration of use makes a difference in safety. If used for a day or two, the risks often are much lower than when used over long periods of time for a chronic arthritic condition."
Drugs used to control pain should be given only when necessary, and in the smallest dose that is effective, says Sharkey. "Arthritis waxes and wanes. Some animals get worse in cold weather. If the dog seems to improve to the point of not needing the drug, the owner should discuss continued use of the NSAID with a veterinarian."
An owner should never give an NSAID to a pet, or increase the dose or frequency of a drug, without the veterinarian's instructions, adds Sharkey. "Just like different people respond differently to a drug, the way each dog responds to an NSAID varies." Because of this individual response, no one NSAID is considered more effective than another, and because every NSAID can cause adverse reactions, none is considered safer than others.
If a dog is prescribed an NSAID, the CVM recommends that pet owners take the following steps to make sure they are fully informed about the medication and can make the best decision for their dog's health.

Benefits of Theraputic Canine Massage

10 Benefits of Therapeutic Canine Massage

If you are like me who patronize spas regularly, you will know how relaxed you feel each time after a good massage? Well, a good massage for your dog can be equally soothing and healing.
Surprised? Well, don’t be. Humans are not the only ones that deserve to be pampered. Your dog equally deserves a good massage once in a while, preferably on a regular basis.
A good massage for your dog doesn’t have to be just because he needs to relax. It can also help him when healing from certain illnesses.

10 Benefits of Therapeutic Canine Massage

1. Calms the Dogs
It has been proven by experts and dog lovers alike that dogs bark and make noise more when they are restless, tense, hyperactive or aggressive. A good massage therefore helps them relax and ultimately makes them quieter.
Without a regular dose of massage there is a tendency that your dog can be harsh and aggressive to people, especially when the children play with the dog too much and too roughly.
2. Eases Aching Muscles
Just as humans feel a lot of relief to their aching muscles after a good massage, the same happens to your dog. Extremely beneficial for athletic dogs; even for pet dogs who workout of a regular basis as massages strengthen your dog’s muscles.
3. Increases Immune System
Gentle massage triggers the chemicals called cytokines. These chemicals affect the dog’s hormonal system which brings down the level of stress hormones that weaken the immune system.
4. Improves Blood and Lymph Circulation
It stimulates blood circulation which then increases the amount of oxygen that reaches tissue and flushes out toxins and waste. Great on dogs suffering from obesity.
5. Disperses Pain
At the spot of the massage, it induces cells to release cytokines and then instructs the brain to release pain-killing endorphins.
6. Releases Stress
When adolescent dogs are introduced to routine massage experience less stress when they become older therefore increases his immune system to fight some common aging aliments.
7. Aids Injuries
Certain injuries that your dog has can be treated effectively with a good massage. For examples, injured tissues or arthritis tissues. It restores mobility and flexibility.
Please note: Recovering injuries should only be administered by a registered dog therapist. Do not attempt to administer it without any knowledge of canine anatomy.
8. Builds Trust
It helps to build trust and makes you aware of subtle changes in your dog’s physical conditions that maybe overlook during regular grooming sessions.
9. Heightens Concentration and Alertness
It helps to improve your dog’s performance and concentration during obedience or tricks training.
10. Promotes Longevity
Don’t we all want our best friends to live a longer and aliment-free lifestyle? Not only it improves and maintains his overall health, it also invigorates all dogs to want to stay longer with their caring owners – You.

A Brief Introduction of TTouch Therapy

Other than recovering injuries, you might want to try your hands on one of the best dog massaging techniques – TTouch Therapy. A professional therapist is not necessary needed for this treatment. Neither it is difficult to learn. There are books and videos available that explain the technique.
TTouch Therapy (also known as The Tellington Touch). This type of massage is used mostly to ease dogs with behavior problems like aggressive or frightened dogs. One of the techniques of this massage method is by making certain tiny circles on the dog’s muzzle and its jaw with your fingers. Then you tenderly move the skin of your dog in a certain clockwise direction beginning at the six o’clock position and completing a circle and a quarter finishing at eight o’clock. Pressure is adjusted for different dogs and different parts of the body, depending upon what is comfortable and non-threatening to the dog. Doing this tenderly and repeatedly will greatly aid your dog’s focus during their training sessions.