Training

5 Tips to Help Your Overweight Pet Slim Down

It can be difficult to admit that your pet has gone from being a little tubby to being downright overweight. But the truth is, even just a few extra pounds make a big difference when it comes to a pet’s overall health, and heavier pets have a greater chance of developing diabetes, arthritis, and high blood pressure. If your dog or cat could stand to lose a couple pounds, here are five pet weight loss tips to help them slim down–and maybe even drop a few pounds yourself!

Sure, you take your dog out for walks. But when was the last time you and Spot took a jog together? If your vet has cleared your pup for strenuous activity, try incorporating a few blocks of jogging into your daily routine. You’ll build endurance, and maybe even discover a new hobby.

We’ve never met a cat who doesn’t love to chase a laser pointer. Just five to ten minutes of high-energy play per day can make a big difference for cats, whose main M.O. sometimes seems to be to move as little as possible. Remember–if you didn’t feed her every day, your cat would have to work for her food, burning major calories.

Don’t be fooled by “diet” foods

Think about what animals eat in the wild. Mostly protein, right? But “diet” dog and cat foods often contain low-calorie, high-carbohydrate fillers that your pet burns through quickly, only to get hungry again in a few hours. Instead of feeding diet food, feed high-quality, high-protein food in measured amounts two to four times a day. Stick to a strict feeding schedule–no table scraps between meals!

Try new things

About 40% of American adults say they don’t do any physical activity in their free time. So it’s no surprise that our pets get plump! Make a commitment to try something new, and take your pet along for the ride. Go for a swim at the beach or lake. Ride a bike while your dog runs alongside you. Explore a new part of town–preferably one with a lot of hills.

Monitor your progress

The scale doesn’t lie, and for pets just a few ounces of weight loss is a good indicator of progress. Check with your vet about doing monthly or bi-monthly weigh-ins to keep the two of you on track. Stick a calendar on the fridge to track your feeding schedule. Whatever works to keep you honest!

Remember: the key to your pet losing weight is that she burns more calories than she consumes. By combining a healthy diet with increased physical activity, the pounds will slowly but surely begin to disappear.

By Will Douglas Leave a Comment

7 Things To Be Aware Of As Your Cat Gets Older

If your cat is approaching the golden years, there are signs to let you know once they’re reaching the homestretch of those nine lives. Although we love our cats dearly, sadly they are like humans who don’t live forever. Here are a few things to be aware of if your cat is getting older:

1. Getting up isn’t always so easy

As your precious kitty reaches their twilight years, it may prove difficult for them to get up as quickly as they once did. Allow them extra time to move about or help out by giving them a loving lift.

2. Gradual loss of appetite

This sign may be easier to spot if you have a kitty that always leaves their food bowl dry. The older your cat gets the lesser amount of food they will need to take in, so be on the lookout for a drop in weight as well.

3. Here, kitty kitty?

If your cat is truly getting older, that selective deafness they may have been practicing at times could take a turn to impaired hearing. As your cat ages so will all of their senses. This completely normal transition into a new stage of life may be a telltale sign for you as an owner.

4. Your social butterfly may start to retreat

Your cat may once have been the life of the party, but if they retreat to a safe place to hide every time visitors are present definitely take this as a sign. Cats that are older prefer peace and quiet as opposed to the lively lifestyle they may have once enjoyed.

5. Catching extra catnaps

Older cats require more sleep than younger cats do. As your cat approaches their senior years you may find them sleeping even more than normal.

6. They need you more than they used to

Cats are loyal to their loving owners, that’s for sure. As your cat gets up there in age you may find them becoming a bit clingy with a desire to be close to you almost whenever you’re around.

7. Not so high, please

With a slow decline in the senses also comes a steady decline in cat-like reflexes. The same cat that you may have once repeatedly told to “get down” may now have a hard time getting up. If kitty sleeps with you on your high bed at night, try investing in a cat ramp/step ladder to make getting on/off the bed easier for your aging feline companion.

By Will Douglas Leave a Comment

Ask A Vet Why Does My Cat Follow Me To The Bathroom?

We all snicker at the images and videos of cats prying the bathroom door open or perching inside pants gathered around the ankles of the wearer when they are on the “john”.

Cats are curious and playful and we know that our cats like to be with us, but seriously…do they have to attend our potty breaks? Your cat does not like for you to stare at her in her litter box, but she clearly feels welcome whenever you attempt to take some “alone time”.

The answer to this question may lie in who cats really are instinctively. Your cat is a predator driven by the instincts of a hunter. But because of her size, she knows that she could also be prey. As her guardian or parent substitute, she may feel vulnerable in your absence.

Cats are “micro-managers”. Everyone knows that curiosity killed the cat and when you slip into a room and always close the door, you are doing something mysterious. Your home is your cat’s territory and the bathroom is within the boundary of his sphere of influence. How dare you shut him away from his own territory? You might be hoarding resources or making friends with other cats. He can only know if he checks.

Animals must place value on resources in order to prioritize their actions. High value resources are ones that are immediately desired and strong enough to motivate an action. Animal behaviorists utilize this trait to motivate animals for training purposes, using reward systems. When there is competition for a resource, its value increases. That is what you do every time you close the bathroom door. You elevate the value of the space by choosing it for yourself and denying her access.

Vulnerability, curiosity and resource value can all be explanations, but really, everyone with a cat knows the real answer. Cats are contrarians. It is in their DNA to want what they cannot have. Let a cat in and he wants out. Fill his bowl and he is quickly bored, but let it become even partly empty and get ready to hear about it. It is a “cat thing” and we love them for their silly and fun antics. The next time you go to the “reading room”, you can ponder which of these reasons is why your cat is knocking at the door!

By Will Douglas Leave a Comment

11 Signs You Should Take Your Pup To The Vet

Being a dog owner is an amazing and rewarding experience — but like many wonderful things, it comes with great responsibility.

You probably already know that a young pup should have an annual vet visit and dogs older than 8 to 10 years should have two visits each year. But an occasional extra visit might be worthwhile in certain cases.

If you identify the following symptoms in dog’s behavior, don’t panic — although a vet visit is a wise precaution, many of these ailments are entirely, and often easily, treatable.

I spoke with Dr. Ann Hohenhaus of the Animal Medical Center of NY about what dog owners should keep their eyes open for when they’re considering calling the vet.

Weight Loss or Gain

Both weight loss and weight gain could signify a problem. However, pet owners tend to not be the most astute observers of fluctuations in their pet’s weight. Hohenhaus encourages walking by the vet’s office and asking to use the scale every so often, a request she says they will happily oblige.

“Weight loss is more commonly a sign of disease in dogs than weight gain,” Hohenhaus says. “Weight gain is a little more unusual.” It can stem from retaining fluid, an under-active thyroid, a distended abdomen, or an adrenal gland disease.

Drop in Activity

A decrease in your dog’s activity could mean the dog is anemic, has joint pain, heart problems, arthritis, or just feels weak and low-energy. “Almost any disease has decreased activity associated with it — it’s a general finding, but an important one,” Hohenhaus says.

Scratching, Licking, or Chewing

Any of these three symptoms means your pet is itchy for some reason — and it’s by no means uncommon. According to Hohenhaus, allergies are the number one reason for vet visits, as reported by pet insurance companies. There is allergy medicine for dogs, and they also are sometimes prescribed allergy medicines made for humans. There are even allergy shots available.

Bad Smell

Any unusual odor your otherwise clean dog is emitting is something to examine further. If you notice a smell, Hohenhaus recommends immediately taking a look at the dog’s ears, skin, anal glands, mouth, and teeth. Still, it’s worth having a professional take a look to pinpoint where it is coming from and if it might be an infection.

Vomit and Diarrhea

Dogs, as any dog owner knows, will occasionally throw up. “If your dog throws up once, I’m not that worried about it,” Hohenhaus says.

However, if your dog is continually throwing up, or throwing up in conjunction with diarrhea, it is likely that something is wrong. The vet can check for intestinal parasites, or in the rare case the dog got into the trash and ate something that is stuck in its stomach or intestine, the vet can take care of this more urgent situation.

Drinking More Water Than Usual

If the water dispenser is going down faster than normal, it may be that your pup is be more than just thirsty! If you notice your dog going out of his or her way to increase water intake — the bowl is dry, the dog is trying to get more water from another pet’s bowl, or the dog is going to the toilet for extra water (i.e. making an effort!) — this can be a sign of diabetes, a kidney problem, or an adrenal gland problem, and is an important observation to get to your vet’s attention.

Cough and Sneeze

As with people, coughing or sneezing could just be an upper respiratory infection (a.k.a., a cold), kennel cough, or pneumonia. Your vet will likely be able to help alleviate some of your dog’s symptoms though, so again — worth a trip.

Bleeding

“Your pet really shouldn’t bleed, anywhere,” Hohenhaus says. If you see blood, it is a problem. “The only time it might be normal is for a female dog in heat who might drip a little blood from their vulva, but assuming that you have a spayed female dog, there shouldn’t be blood coming from anywhere.”

Dogs can also get nose bleeds, a cut in their foot, or blood in their urine. If there’s a bad cut, a vet might do a couple stitches, and if there is blood in the pup’s stool, it is advisable to test the stool and check for parasites. Bleeding in the mouth could be a dental problem. Your vet will help you get to the root of the issue.

Unexpected Accidents

Dogs face many of the same health problems that we do. Symptoms such as changes to bowel movements, blood in urine, or accidents in the house could mean similar things as they might for us — bladder stones or a U.T.I. — and needs to be treated. They’re uncomfortable for our, dogs too!

Limping

While this doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong, limping can be a sign of bone cancer, in which case it is best to get a vet involved immediately. However, even if it traces back to a twisted ankle, a veterinarian’s care can only help. Limping could also point to a ruptured ligament or arthritis.

Lump, Swelling, or Growth

A lump anywhere on the body, in the mouth, back, feet, or toes is worth getting checked out. The vet will do a very simple procedure — a fine needle aspirate — something Hohenhaus says they do “100 times a day to get a quick answer as to what the bump might be.” Many are totally benign, but it’s best to check, especially since it is not hard to do.

By Will Douglas Leave a Comment

4 Proven Ways To Keep Your Cat Off The Counter

Cats are naturally inclined to climb and jump, and sometimes they jump on the countertops. Given that this is the place where we often prepare food and eat meals, it’s not only inconvenient, it’s unsanitary. Keep reading to learn some of the methods you can use to keep your cat off of the counter.

Here are some methods to keep your furry friend away from the countertops.

1. Provide More Interesting Alternatives

Cats seek countertops because of their natural instincts to climb and jump. They generally enjoy high places because they’re warm and comfortable. These instincts are natural, even healthy for your cat, so it’s best not to discourage them completely. However, not only is it unsanitary to have your cat on the counter, it’s potentially dangerous. Your cat could eat food that’s unhealthy for him or burn his paws on the stove.

Instead of discouraging your cat completely from jumping, find him a better place to jump and climb on. Some great options might be a cat tree like Armarkat Cat Tree or a cat condo like Go Pet Club Condo House. Look for something that has material your cat might like, such as carpet or bark, and more comfortable, warm places for your cat to sleep.

2. Don’t Leave Food On The Counter

Some cats like to peruse kitchen counters and tables for food and leftover scraps. To remove this temptation, it’s a good idea to keep any food out of your cats reach. Keep counters nice and clean so your cat can quickly realize that he’s not even going to find a crumb there.

Dishes should be kept clean and free of food. Wash them immediately, or keep them in the dishwasher where your cat can’t access them. Be sure to feed your cat on a regular feeding schedule so he’ll have no reason to scour the counters for food.

3. Remove Other Attractions Off The Counter

In addition to keeping the countertop food free, it’s a good idea to try your best to keep anything off the counter that might interest your cat. This could include:

Running water from the tap.
Loose items your cat can play with.
Plants.
Food items and clutter.
Hanging items, such as pots or pans.

Observe your cat and if she seems particularly attracted to something on your counter, try to remove it or make it less appealing.

4. Discourage Your Cat From Jumping On The Counter

If the countertop alone is enough to attract your cat, you may have to find ways to deter your cat from jumping on it. Cats are sensitive animals, so you’ll have to take care during the training process. Avoid negative reactions to your cat in training him; he could develop negative associations to you or begin to fear you. Instead, it’s best to find environmental solutions.

Many cats learn quickly not to get on countertops if you place some sticky tape on the surface of the counter until the cat is trained. I like Sticky Paws. It is intended for furniture but I find it works well on countertops as well.

You can also try scents. Cats dislike citrus scents. A strong citrus smell might be just enough to keep your cat away from the counters. Try buying a citrus air freshener like this natural citrus air freshener, or making a homemade citrus spray.

A good spray can be made by combining about 2 cups of water and 1 cup of citrus peels (lemons, limes, or oranges work best) in a sauce pan. Let the mixture simmer over the stove for about 15 minutes. Once it’s done, filter the liquid into a spray bottle to create a potent citrus spray. You can add lemon juice or citrus soap to the mixture for an even stronger scent. Spray the mixture onto the countertop after cleaning each day to fill your kitchen with a nice citrus scent and to discourage your cat from jumping on the counter.

Another thing you can try is placing aluminum foil over the surface of the counters. Most cats dislike the way foil feels on their paws, so they’ll likely turn around and jump off.

Caution: Avoid Training Methods That Could Hurt Your Cat

Many people use squirt bottles to keep their cats off the countertops. While this shouldn’t hurt your cat, he could become fearful of you. He may also only associate the method with you being around, doing nothing to prevent him from jumping on the counters when you’re gone. Though it may do the trick, it’s probably not the most effective method available.

When your cat does jump on the counters, remember never to hit or yell at him. Don’t push him off the counter, he could slip and get hurt. Lift him off instead. If you’re using environmental methods to keep your cat away from the counter, avoid using devices that could cause physical harm to your cat.

With these 4 proven methods, your cat will be off of the counter and jumping in more appropriate places. Remember to always reward your cat for good behavior. Then, you and your cat can be happy together.