Petpourri
Animal news, product reviews, and other useful information for pet owners.
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- Written by: DJ Geribo
- Category: Petpourri
Among all the cat myths we've heard, the one that states that 'cats always land on their feet', is perhaps one that is most well-known. But, you may wonder, is it true? The simple answer is 'no.'
In an article on Paw Nation, a cat has a better chance of righting himself if he falls from a height greater than one to two-stories. As he falls, he is able to spread his weight across his body to slow down his fall causing less of an injury than an animal falling from a lower height. Of course, the consequences of such a fall can also cause the animal to sustain a variety of internal injuries, from skin lacerations to organ injuries and fractures. Also, if a cat is obese or physically compromised in any way, it may not be able to right itself, no matter how long or short the fall. The bottom line: It is best to keep your cat away from an open window or area where there is a possibility of him falling a great distance and sustaining irreparable injuries.
In other words, don't test the myth!
Painting of 'Camouflaged Kitty' by DJ Geribo
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- Written by: DJ Geribo
- Category: Petpourri
We all know how much our dogs want to please us. But sometimes they can go overboard when they want to continue to play when it is too hot to do so. They can suffer from heat stroke the same as we can and it is up to us to assure that they are safe and kept cool.
If you are going out and want to take your dog or cat with you, be sure that, wherever you go, your pet will be cool. If you leave them in the car, keep your car running. In a matter of minutes the inside of a vehicle can reach temps well over 100 degrees. These temperatures can have devastating effects on your pet.
If your pet is overweight, put them on a diet and make sure they get plenty of exercise. Also, for long-haired breeds, those double coats can be heavy and uncomfortable. But remember, if you give them a 'summer shave', be sure to keep them out of the hot sun because their skin, like ours can get sun-burned. Although you might be tempted to put sunscreen on your pet, doing so can cause your pet to lick it off, which can make your pet sick.
If you put them outside, be sure to put them in an area that provides a lot of shade. And although it may be shady in the early morning before you leave for work, you should realize that the sun will move during the day and your pet may be stuck with the hot sun beating down on them with no place to go to get out of it. Also, provide an area other than on asphalt which can easily burn the sensitive pads on their feet.
Ice cubes are a good summer treat for your pet. They sometimes tend to drink too much water to cool themselves off and then end up throwing up some of the water. Ice cubes are a good way for them to get the water they need without drinking too much.
If you want to cool your pet down in a hurry, put cool water on their feet. Unlike people, dogs don't sweat but instead cool themselves through their panting and their feet. When one of my Pomeranians was a puppy, she would dig in her water bowl.
Again, although an ice cream always seems to make us feel better in the hot summer, avoid such treats for your pets who can be lactose-intolerant. All of my dogs have had a problem with dairy over the years. Dairy products can cause diarrhea in both dogs and cats. Ice cream is also high in sugar and fat, neither of which your pet needs. There are treats for dogs on the market that are milk-free or you can make your own. You can also put cat-nip into an ice cube for a treat for your cat.
(Painting of Pig Napping in Water Bowl by DJ Geribo)
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- Written by: DJ Geribo
- Category: Petpourri
I recently read an article in the Huffington Post that talked about a 'new study' that was conducted to find out who was smarter, dog people or cat people. I always question these studies, and ask questions like, who paid for it, and what did they want to find out, and why? Who actually benefits from this study? As someone who loves both dogs and cats, (we have dogs, no cats, only because my husband is allergic) my intellectual abilities were not in danger, so I read on.
The survey, based on the findings of 600 college students, found that cat people tended to be introverts and therefore stayed home and read a book with their cat curled up in their laps. They were also considered to be more open-minded than dog lovers and more sensitive, tending to be non-conformists and people who did not follow the rules. Dog people were more extroverted, getting out to walk their dogs and socialize more with others. They were more outgoing and tended to follow the rules more closely (not sure how that conclusion was made.) Dog lovers were looking for companionship from their pets and cat lovers wanted affection. People may also choose pets based on their own personalities. Cats are seen as more independent and keep to themselves.
This study sounds more to me like it is determining not so much if cat people are "smarter" than dog people but if cat people are more introverted than dog people. And based on what I read in this article and the findings that they shared, I would say that is a yes! Also, one would have to wonder, do these findings change once we leave college?
(Yes, he is on top of a cabinet, head next to the ceiling - looks pretty introverted to me!)
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- Written by: DJ Geribo
- Category: Petpourri
Whenever you ask someone how old their dog is in human years, they are likely to figure it out based on the old formula of 1 year for a dog equals 7 human years. This isn't really true though. It is actually based more on the kind of dog it is. Most of us know that small dogs live much longer than big dogs, with 10 years for an Irish Wolfhound or Great Dane being old age. But for a much smaller dog, 10 years is more like middle age and they have many more years to go, as long as you give them a reasonable amount of exercise and a diet better suited for seniors. I've had Pomeranians, mostly, and my Kameko, at 12 1/2 is still playful and does a 2 mile walk, with hills, without barely breaking a sweat. When a friend, a few months ago, asked us her age we said, 11. He asked, 11 months? At the time she was running around his office, barking, and greeting everyone who paid her just the tiniest bit of attention.
As for cats, since there isn't the size difference thing that there is with dogs, there is a formula that pretty much works for determining their age. Once cats are into young adulthood, say two years old, you can add four years for every year of life so that a four-year-old cat will be about 32 human years and an eight-year-old cat will be about 48 human years. And as with dogs, keeping your cat on a healthy diet with minimal treats and a fair amount of exercise will help them survive into old age (that's 20 years, or 96 in human years).
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- Written by: DJ Geribo
- Category: Petpourri
Is your pet having trouble climbing the stairs? Or going for a walk? Or jumping up on the sofa? If your pet is at an age where she is now considered a senior, it could be a touch of arthritis that is holding her back. If your pet is fairly young and healthy, it could be a weight problem.
We know that when we are putting on the pounds that we need to lose, not only to feel better and to climb those stairs without huffing and puffing at the top, but because we know it is better for our general health to lose the extra weight, when we start an exercise program we begin to see and feel the changes in our bodies. Well, it works the same way for our pets. These days, most people have busy lives and are constantly on the go: working, playing with kids, driving kids to practice, shopping, house cleaning, sports activities, etc. The list is long. All of that running around keeps us in pretty good shape. But think what you would look like if you layed around all day, eating and napping, with minimal exercise. Well, that is what your pet's life is like.
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), "An estimated 54% of dogs and cats in the United States are overweight or obese." (57.6% of cats and 52.6% of dogs) Although certain breeds are susceptible to obesity (Labrador, Cairn Terrier, Dachshund, Basset Hound, and Beagle, for example - there aren't any cat breeds that are predisposed to obesity) female and middle-aged animals are at risk, also. Bad diets, obviously, are largely responsible for the majority of overweight animals. Neutering also increases the risk. And lack of exercise, as I mentioned above, plays a large part in a pet's overall health.
Feeding a diet that is lower in fat and higher in fiber along with an increased exercise plan are two steps you can take to get your pet on the right track. Also, a pet that is overweight could have a health problem, such as a low thyroid level or another disease. If your pet has any symptoms that might lead you to believe there is a weight problem, consult with your veterinarian to set up a proper diet and exercise program.