Determining Your Approach

Animals are like people in that each one has his own temperament. Most likely, you already have a strong understanding of how your current pet behaves around strangers, deals with stress and handles uncertainty — as you do with any member of your family. Use this information to determine the best approach to take when introducing your new pet to your current one. For instance, if your current pet does not like sharing his toys, make sure each of your pets has his favorite toy handy during the introduction, so the two pets are not competing for the same toy during the transition.

When choosing which introduction approach to use, you should take other factors into consideration as well, such as the breed, age and sex of your pets. All these factors inform how one animal will react to the other. For example, a 9-year-old cat that has never shared her home with other animals might never acclimate to sharing her home with a new pet. In contrast, a kitten that has been separated from the rest of her litter might welcome another animal to keep her company.

Examples of Introduction Techniques

Again, there are several techniques you can try when introducing a new pet to your current one. Use your knowledge of your current and new pets to choose the one that’s right for your furry friends. Here are a few techniques you can try:

• Confinement. Keep your new and current pets in different rooms for several days or even a couple of weeks until they acclimate to each other’s scent. Make sure that each animal has a place to go to the bathroom (e.g., a litter box), a food bowl and a water bowl, in each room. Feed each pet on either side of a closed door, again, in separate rooms. Put their food bowls close enough to the door to allow each animal to smell the other. Continue feeding them in this manner, slowly moving the bowls closer to the door each time you feed them. Eventually, you can open the door, so the two animals are eating side by side. If they are able to eat calmly while standing next to each other, they should be able to get along. Another option is to keep each pet in an animal crate that are placed next to each other, giving the animals time to get used to each other’s scent.
• The Switcheroo. While keeping your animals in separate rooms, swap the blankets that each of your animals uses. Another option is to gently rub a cloth on one animal’s cheeks and put in under the food dish of the other. When the animals eventually meet, their scents will be familiar to each other.
• Neutral Territory. If possible, introduce your new and current pet to each other in a neutral space, such as a park (that you don’t usually frequent) or a neighbor’s yard. Using a neutral territory for your introduction will make your resident pet less likely to view your new pet as an intruder. If you are introducing two dogs to each other, make sure that each dog is on a leash and handled by a separate person.

Understanding Your Animals’ Cues

Animals use body postures and sounds to communicate their feelings. For instance, if one dog crouches with his hind end in the air and his front legs on the ground, he is inviting the other dog to play. This is a positive sign and typically elicits friendly behavior from the other animal.

However, if the hair on the back of your dog or cat is standing up, that animal is reacting aggressively, and you should calmly distract the animals until you can move them away from each other. Likewise, any growling or hissing sounds from either animal indicates aggression and stress.

It is important to remember that not every animal will be compatible. If your introduction does not go smoothly the first time, try again, slowly, at a later date. If several introductions still do not work, contact your veterinarian for help. He or she can provide useful information or resources to help your new and current pets make a smooth transition.

Sources:

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/10/26/preparing-household-for-a-new-pet-dog-or-pet-cat.aspx

https://icatcare.org/advice/understanding-your-cat/social-structure-cat-life

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips/introducing_new_cat.html

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/introducing_new_dog.html

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Are you concerned that your child’s allergies may mean that you will have to give up your pet? Although rehoming a pet may be necessary if allergies are severe, most children can live with pets if you are willing to make a few changes.

The Problem

About three in 10 people who have allergies are allergic to cats and dogs, according to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America. The Foundation notes that cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies. Many people assume all pet allergies are caused by exposure to dander, a combination of pet hair and skin cells, but dander is not the only allergen that triggers symptoms. Your child may also be allergic to your pet’s urine or saliva.

How You Can Reduce Pet Allergens

Decreasing your child’s symptoms starts with reducing allergens in your home by:

• Bathing Your Pet. A weekly bath can lower allergens, although dogs may be more willing to endure the experience than cats. Bathing not only reduces the amount of pet allergens but also removes allergens that collect in your pet’s fur, such as grasses and mold.
• Getting Rid of Carpeting. Dander and hair tend to collect on carpeting. Although frequent vacuuming is helpful, you may not be able to completely remove allergens. It’s much easier to keep hardwood, laminate and tile floors allergen-free.
• Keeping Pets Out of the Bedrooms. Your children may complain, but the sneezing and wheezing will decrease if you make your child’s bedroom a pet-free zone.
• Washing Pet Bedding and Other Items. Washing any item in your home that can be washed will also reduce allergens. Pet bedding, slipcovers, throw pillows, curtains and other furnishings all collect dander and saliva.
• Buying a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA)Cleaner. These cleaners are very effective at filtering out allergens and purifying the air in your home. Use one unit in your living area and another in your child’s bedroom. Add HEPA filters to your heating and air-conditioning systems too.
• Grooming Your Pet Outdoors. Brushing your pet indoors stirs up allergens. Do not let your allergic child brush your dog or cat, either indoors or outdoors.
• Considering Non-Furry Pets. Fish and snakes may not be soft and cuddly but they also do not cause allergy symptoms. They may be a good compromise if your child has severe allergies.
• Limiting Contact with Other Homes with Pets. Your child may have milder symptoms if she or he has lived with your pet from a young age. Although exposure to your pet’s dander, saliva and urine may not trigger a strong reaction, things may be different when your child visits a friend’s home, particularly if that family does not follow a strict cleaning protocol.
• Trying Immunotherapy. Allergy shots can help reduce your child’s symptoms, but he or she may not be enthusiastic about the idea. The shots work by exposing your child to a tiny amount of an allergen, then gradually increasing the amount over the course of months or years. Eventually, exposure to the allergen may no longer trigger a reaction or may only cause a mild reaction.

Exposure to pets during a child’s early days can also affect his or her allergy risk. Living with a cat during the first year of life reduced the risk of a cat allergy by 48 percent, according to a study published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy. Male teens who lived with dogs had a 50 percent lower allergy risk.

Do you have a question about the best type of pet shampoo to use to reduce allergens or concerns about your pet’s health? Give us a call and let us know how we can help you.

Sources:

Annals of Allergy Asthma and Immunology: The Effects of Maternal Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Infant Allergy, 3/14

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3961846/

American Academy of Pediatrics: When Pets Are the Problem, 11/21/15

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/allergies-asthma/Pages/When-Pets-Are-the-Problem.aspx

American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology: Pet Allergy Overview

http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies/pet-allergy

Humane Society of the United States: How to Live with Allergies and Pets

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/allergies_pets.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America: Pet Allergy: Are You Allergic to Dogs or Cats?, 10/15

http://www.aafa.org/page/pet-dog-cat-allergies.aspx

American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology: Prevention of Allergies and Asthma in Children

https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/prevention-of-allergies-and-asthma-in-children

Reuters: Probiotics Linked to Lower Risk of Allergies for Kids, 8/22/13

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-probiotics-linked-to-lower-risk-of-al-idUSBRE97L0UK20130822

Fit Pregnancy and Baby: Pets, Pregnancy and Your Baby’s Allergy Risk

http://www.fitpregnancy.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-news/pets-enhance-pregnancy

Clinical & Experimental Allergy: Lifetime Dog and Cat Exposure and Dog- and Cat-Specific Sensitization at Age 18 Years

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21668818

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Many of the same health problems that affect us, including hearing loss, also affect our pets. Fortunately, most pets adapt very well to the disability with a little help from their owners.

What Causes Hearing Loss in Pets?

Some pets are born deaf or hard of hearing, while others develop hearing loss at some point in their lives. Hearing loss can be caused by exposure to heavy metals, such as mercury or lead, or may occur after your pet takes certain medications, including chemotherapy drugs, diuretics or antibiotics.

Tumors in the ear canal or brain may be responsible for hearing loss or deafness. Other potential causes include untreated ear infections, hypothyroidism, distemper, injuries or exposure to toxic household products.

Hearing loss may also occur as part of aging. Deterioration of the nerves used in hearing or thickening of the ear canal can gradually reduce your older pet’s ability to hear.

Are Some Pets More Likely Than Others to Experience Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss is linked to genetics, in some cases. The problem is more likely to occur if the pet has white pigments in its fur. In fact, approximately 80 percent of white cats with two blue eyes will show signs of deafness as early as four days after birth, according to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. The problem occurs due to degeneration in the cochlea in the inner ear. The cochlea turns vibrations into nerve impulses and sends them to the brain, which interprets the nerve impulses as sounds.

Pigment-related deafness in dogs occurs when blood supply to the cochlea is restricted, causing nerve cell death. Although pigment-related hearing loss can occur in any breed, two genes that cause this type of deafness are more commonly found in certain breeds, such as Great Dane, Collie, Old English and Shetland Sheepdogs, Samoyed, Dalmatian and Bull Terriers, according to Louisiana State University veterinarian Dr. George M. Strain

What Are the Signs of Hearing Loss in Pets?

If your pet suffers from hearing loss, you may notice one or more of these signs:

• Your pet no longer comes when called or exhibits other changes in behavior.
• Your dog or cat doesn’t react to loud noises.
• Your pet can suddenly sleep through anything, even loud thunderstorms.
• Your cat meows constantly, or your dog barks more than normal.
• Your pet tilts its head to one side.
• Your dog or cat doesn’t show up the minute you open a can of pet food.

How Can I Help My Pet?

Take your pet to the veterinarian as soon as you notice any signs of deafness. Although treatment is not possible in all cases, if the hearing loss is caused by an inflammation, infection or tumor, medications or surgery may help restore some or all of your pet’s hearing.

If the hearing loss is permanent, it will take a little while for you and your pet to adjust to the new situation. Keep your furry friend safe by using a leash during walks. Getting your pet’s attention can be a little difficult. Pointing a flashlight or laser near your dog or cat (but away from his or her eyes) can be helpful. Teaching your pet some basic hand signals such as come, stay and good job can help create new ways to communicate. In the past, your furry friend may have known that a slamming door meant that you had left the house. If your pet doesn’t see you leave and can’t find you, he or she may become upset. You can prevent confusion by starting a goodbye ritual that you’ll use every time you leave the house.

Are you worried that your pet may be suffering from hearing loss? Call us today to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

PetMD: Hearing Loss in Dogs

http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/ears/c_multi_Deafness?page=show

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: Deafness

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/deafness

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals: Genetics and Inheritance of Canine Deafness

http://www.ofa.org/deaf_genetics.html

Whole Dog Journal: Training the Hearing Impaired Dog Is Not Difficult, 9/03

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/6_9/features/5570-1.html

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Can you imagine a life without pets? Our pets bring us so much joy and enrichment. Life wouldn’t be quite the same without them. Although pets quickly become cherished members of the family, they aren’t people and don’t always behave or the react the same way your human family members do. Examining these common pet myths can help you better understand your furry friends.

Myth #1 – People and Pets Can’t Share Diseases

Zoonotic diseases are transmitted between people and animals. Rabies is the most well-known zoonotic disease, but it’s not the only one. Others include cat scratch disease, salmonellosis, roundworm, hookworm, ringworm and toxoplasmosis.

You can reduce your risk of contracting a disease from your pet by washing your hands after you pet him or her or handle urine or feces. Do you kiss your pet? Although the habit may help you feel closer to your furry friend, it may sicken you. Your dog or cat’s mouth contains bacteria that can make you ill. Although you’re much more likely to become ill if you have a weak immune system, it’s a good idea to save your kisses for your human family members.

Myth #2 – Pets Know Why You’re Yelling at Them

Pets don’t place the same value on your possessions as you do. When they’re bored, they may tear apart the couch cushion, knock over plants or get into other types of trouble. Behaviors we consider “bad” also tend to occur if pets feel anxious or have separation anxiety. Although your pet may cower if you begin yelling, that doesn’t mean that he or she understands why you’re upset or realizes that it has anything to do with the cushion he or she destroyed hours ago.

Yelling at your pet serves no purpose if you don’t catch your dog or cat in the act. If you do spot your pet about to tip over your favorite plant or dig into the garbage, a sharp “no” is all that’s needed. Although a long, loud lecture may make you feel better, it won’t have any effect on your pet’s future behavior.

If your dog tends to get into trouble while you’re away, confine him or her to one room or to a crate. Keep in mind that crates shouldn’t be used all day long. Keep anything your pet finds too hard to resist out of reach to prevent mishaps.

Myth #3 – Cats Have 9 Lives

While it would be nice if cats really did have nine lives, they can become sick or injured just as easily as any other pet. The belief that cats always land on their feet after falls isn’t true either. Cats have a natural righting reflex that allows them to re-position their bodies in mid-air. Unfortunately, if they fall from fairly low heights they don’t have enough time to right themselves and can experience serious injuries. In 1984, veterinarians at The Animal Medical Center in New York City studied the phenomenon. They discovered that cats that fell from higher distances had the best chances for survival.

Myth #4- There’s No Need to Brush Your Pet’s Teeth

Pet’s aren’t immune from tooth decay. Tooth loss can affect your pet’s ability to chew and may even lead to nutritional deficiencies. If your pet develops a bacterial infection due to severe tooth decay, the infection may even spread to the heart or brain.

Brushing your pets’ teeth with gauze or special brushes that fit over your finger can help reduce tooth decay. It’s usually easier to start brushing when your pet is young, although older pets can adjust to teeth cleaning with plenty of patience. If your pet absolutely won’t cooperate, don’t force the issue. Although teeth cleaning is beneficial, it’s not worth the risk of an injury to yourself or your pet.

Myth #5 – You Only Need to Take Your Pet to the Vet in the Case of Illness

Just like people, pets need regular medical care to stay healthy. In addition to detecting health problems, such as diabetes and kidney failure, regular veterinary visits help ensure that your pet receives vaccinations that prevent common diseases, such as rabies, distemper, bordetella, parvovirus, adenovirus, feline leukemia and canine influenza. Veterinarians can also offer helpful advice on behavioral issues and provide suggestions that will help your overweight pet lose weight.

Protect your pet’s health by scheduling a veterinary examination at least once per year. Call us today to make your pet’s appointment.

Sources:

Hills Pet: Caring for Your Dog

http://www.hillspet.com/en/us/dog-care/resources/dog-myths

Prevention: 9 Pet Myths Debunked, 10/26/12

http://www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/pet-health-care-myths-to-ignore/slide/5

American Animal Hospital Association: Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth

https://www.aaha.org/pet_owner/lifestyle/your-pets-dental-health-how-to-brush-your-pets-teeth-(and-why).aspx

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Your furry friend’s wrinkles give him or her a very distinctive appearance, but the very characteristic that helps define his or her breed can also cause skin irritation and infections. In many cases, preventing problems is a simple as cleaning skin folds every day.

What Causes Skin Problems?

The folds and wrinkles in your dog’s skin trap dirt, dust, saliva and debris, which can irritate sensitive skin. Because skin folds are often moist, they provide the perfect environment for the development of pyoderma, a bacterial infection. If your pet has pyoderma, you may notice several symptoms, including:

• Frequent scratching
• Red, bumpy skin
• Oozing sores
• Pustules (Round, red blisters filled with pus.)
• Crusts or scales on the skin
• Hair loss
• Unpleasant odor

What Dogs Are at Risk?

Any breed that has wrinkles, such as English bulldogs, Pekingese, Shar Pei, pugs, Neopolitan Mastiffs, bloodhounds and bullmastiffs, have a greater risk of developing pyoderma. Dogs of any breed that develop wrinkles or folds as a result of a weight gain are also more likely to experience skin problems.

How Can I Prevent Irritation and Infections?

Within a few days of a bath, dirt and debris begins to build up in your pet’s skin folds. Without regular cleaning, your dog can soon develop an irritation or infection. Daily cleaning is the simplest way to prevent uncomfortable or painful irritations and infections.

In some cases, you may want to clean your pet’s folds and wrinkles more than once a day. For example, if food often gets trapped in the folds of your dog’s face after meals, it may make sense to quickly clean the facial folds after every meal.

Follow these steps to clean folds and wrinkles:

• Assemble the items you’ll need for cleaning. Whether you use washcloths or cotton balls, or baby or canine wipes, you’ll need soft, clean, moistened materials that won’t irritate your pet’s skin. There’s no need to apply shampoo to the washcloth or cotton ball. As long as it’s damp, it will pick up dirt easily. You’ll also need a separate cloth to dry the folds.
• Lift every fold and gently swab away dirt and debris. Pay special attention to wrinkles around the ears and eyes. Infections in these areas can be particularly uncomfortable. If you use a washcloth, be sure to rinse it frequently to avoid adding debris to a fold, rather than removing it.
• Use your cloth to pat the fold dry. Failing to dry each fold may actually increase your dog’s risk of a bacterial or fungal infection. Although using a hair dryer may offer a faster way to dry your pet, the hot, dry air can dry and irritate the skin. Before you use a dryer, even on a cool setting, check with your pet’s veterinarian.
• Bathe your dog on a regular basis, making sure that each fold is examined and thoroughly cleaned. Use gentle shampoos that won’t dry your furry friend’s skin.

What If My Dog Develops an Irritation or Infection Despite Daily Cleaning?

A visit to the veterinarian is a good idea if your poor pet can’t stop scratching or develops oozing sores or any other signs of an infection. If your dog does develop an infection, topical steroids may help reduce the itching or inflammation, while oral or topical antibiotics or fungicides will kill the bacteria or fungus responsible for the infection. Your pet’s vet can also offer recommendations for bathing schedules and products that will help your dog avoid further infections or irritations.

We can help your pet avoid uncomfortable skin issues with skincare suggestions and effective treatments. Contact us to schedule an appointment for your furry friend.

Sources:

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Wrinkly Pet Tips

https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/blog/2016/july/07/wrinkly-dog-care-tips/

PetMD: Bacterial Infection (Pyoderma) of the Skin in Dogs

https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/skin/c_multi_pyoderma?page=show

Pet Health Network: Skin Fold Pyodermas: Those Cute Skin Folds Can Be Dangerous, 1/5/15

https://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-diseases-conditions-a-z/skin-fold-pyodermas-those-cute-skin-folds-can-be-dangerous

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We can make conscious choices and small efforts to care for our planet and ourselves in our everyday lives, and we can incorporate these habits into the lifestyle of our canine companions as well. Not only will our efforts help maintain healthy living for our dogs, it will also help maintain the environment in which we all live.

Simply using earth friendly products such as pet shampoo, doggie clothing or even biodegradable waste disposal bags made out of organic or recyclable materials, your dog will be on his way to going green without drastically changing their everyday lives.

Just as with humans, dogs too can partake in an eco-friendly diet. There are many brands of dog foods and treats on the market which use all-natural, “green-footprint” ingredients. Consuming these types of products gives your dog the chance to be part of the greener way of living. Be sure to connect with your veterinarian before making any drastic changes in your dog’s diet.

The care we give our dogs through diet and grooming are the same habits that can be re-considered to be more eco-friendly. What may seem like an insignificant step towards a greener way of living is actually already being enforced in many grooming centers and kennels. Some even have taken their efforts a step further by providing dogs aromatherapy and all natural botanical oils so that our canine companions can enjoy an eco-friendly and relaxing day at the spa. Again, be sure to consult your veterinarian with any changes to your dog’s care or grooming practices.

Whether eco-friendly or not so much, simple or extravagant, the care we provide for our animals should be something seriously considered. With the help of your professional veterinary team, continue to learn about and implement daily pet care practices that allow your dogs to thrive in a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

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4.7 million people are bitten by a dog each year according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
No child under age five should be left alone with any dog. Not even for a minute. The age may be even older depending on personalities. Young children do not yet understand that a particular action may be hurt a dog. Their innocent tail pulling could lead to aggression or fear and become a recipe for disaster. Supervise all young children when around dogs, even the most gentle pet.

Do your homework.
Research which breeds best suit your family. Pay attention to genetics. Just because you pick a Golden Retriever doesn’t mean he will be exactly like your neighbor’s Golden Retriever. Assess the dog’s personality and that of his parents. All puppies should go through a puppy socialization class. More time invested with your new puppy now will make him a cherished member of your family for years to come.

If you have an older dog, it’s not too late.
All dogs will benefit from training. Have the whole family attend the classes. This way, everyone will know the same commands and how to enforce them. Training will be much more successful if you’re all on the same page. Consider using a Gentle Leader or Halti when walking and training your dog. These are head collars that use gentle pressure. They are wonderful for controlling pulling and even a small child will be able to walk the dog safely if used correctly.

Neutered dogs may be less likely to bite.
Dogs can harbor parasites that are of particular concern to children. Hookworms and roundworms can be transmitted to people. In some cases, they can even lead to blindness in humans. Hookworms and roundworms are intestinal parasites that dogs get from the ground where other infected dogs have defecated.

Children are more prone to ingesting the worm eggs and larvae unknowingly.
Infected dogs will shed eggs and larvae in their stool. A child who has played in that area is at risk for infection if they put their unwashed hands in their mouths. Keep your dog on monthly heartworm preventative year round. It controls hookworm and roundworm infection in your dog.

Ticks can carry diseases, like Lyme disease and Ehrlichia, to which humans are susceptible.
The fix for this is to Keep your dog on monthly flea and tick preventative. The risk of an infected tick detaching itself from your dog and attaching to the child will be greatly decreased. Many problems can be prevented by following simple steps. Your children and dogs can have a lifetime of safe, healthy friendship and companionship!

Top Ten Dog Books for Kids

Books about dogs have entertained us for decades. Here are some of our favorites!

1. The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey

2. Clifford the Big Red Dog Scholastic Series

3. Biscuit Storybook Collection by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

4. Henry and Mudge: The First Book series by Cynthia Rylant

5. A Day in the Life of Murphy by Alice Provensen

6. Walter the Farting Dog by William Katzwinkle and Glenn Murray

7. Sally Goes to the Vet by Stephen Huneck

8. Lassie Come Home by Eric Knight

9. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

10. The Call of the Wild by Jack London

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Register your dog with the town you live in. This allows the town to keep track of the neighborhood dogs and ensure everyone is properly vaccinated and cared for.

Some towns provide you with a safety sticker to place inside your mailbox when you register your dog with them. This alerts the postal carriers to a dog on the property. Be sure to place this sticker on the inside of the mailbox (or as instructed; or on the door the mail carrier pulls down to place the mail inside the box. Even if your dog is friendly and has never bitten anyone, it is better to let people know about your dog before something happens.

Place a “Beware of Dog” sign for everyone to see. Even if your dog is friendly, these signs will alert people to a dog on the property.

Some dogs, including certain breeds and older dogs, do not appreciate rowdy children in their presence. Place a fence around your property if this is the case. Small children do not understand boundary and property lines, and might walk right into your yard without warning. Protect yourself and others by putting a fence around your yard.

Always supervise your pets when they are outside. Leaving an unsupervised pet is asking for trouble. Even if your pet is friendly, someone else can walk into or pass by your yard and upset your pet. Keep an eye on your pet and children. Bring everyone inside when you go inside.

Always obey leash laws, no matter how well your dog is behaved.

Because children make up almost two-thirds of all dog bite victims, never leave children alone with a dog.

Keep your dog healthy and current on his vaccinations. If a dog is not feeling well, it could cause him to become annoyed and bite someone he would otherwise be friendly to if he felt better.

Train your dog to obey commands and listen to you. A trained dog who respects her owner is less likely to bite a human.

Teach children to never approach a strange pet without asking the owner first. Supervise them as they approach the dog. Show children how to let the dog smell them first and how to gently pet a dog. Let children know it is not okay to pull ears and tails.

If you are threatened by a dog, do not make eye contact, do not run, and do not scream. Stay as still as possible until the dog realizes you are not a threat and leaves.

If you or your family members are ever attacked by a dog, fall to the ground, curl up in a ball and protect your face. Seek medical attention immediately. If you know the dog or owner, be sure to let the police know about the incident.

Source **1,2 – http://www.cdc.gov

DID YOU KNOW?

About 1 million people a year require medical attention as a result of dog bites. **2

Dog Bite Prevention week is held during the third week in May each year.

Neutering dogs has been proven to prevent dog bites. Neutered dogs are not as aggressive as other dogs.

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Has your dog ever been sprayed by a skunk? Has he ever brought the stinky smell into your house? If so, you probably know just how difficult it is to remove that bad smell from your pet’s coat. As the weather warms up, your dog is undoubtedly spending more and more time outside. Whether you live in the country or the city, skunks are everywhere, and it’s likely your dog will encounter one. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to prevent your precious pets from being “skunked,” but there are some actions you can take after the fact to make sure your dog, and your home, goes back to smelling sweet as quickly as possible.

How to Wash Your Dog

First, keep your dog outside until you are ready to wash him. Otherwise, he might spread the smell around your house, and you do not want to have to wash everything in your house, if possible! Change into old clothes that you are comfortable getting smelly or throwing out, as it is likely that you will get dirty while cleaning your pet. Leave your stinky pup in an enclosed space outside or in a bathroom, wherever he is unable to spread the smell of skunk, and prepare the following solution.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide (3 percent is recommended)
• ¼ cup of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap
• Regular dog shampoo

Note: Do not prepare this solution in advance because the resulting chemical reaction can cause an explosion if it’s not used quickly. 

Wearing rubber gloves, combine all the ingredients in a large bucket. Wash your dog with the solution as soon as possible after he has been sprayed, to try to prevent the oil from the skunk from drying on his coat. Once the skunk oil has dried on the coat, it will be that much harder to get rid of the smell.

A skunk’s spray can irritate your dog’s eyes, so pay attention if they seem red or irritated. Also, avoid getting the cleaning solution in his eyes. Rub the mixture thoroughly through his fur and then rinse it off within 5 minutes. This is because the peroxide contained in the solution can irritate the skin and can slightly lighten your dog’s coat, if left on for too long.

Repeatedly apply and rinse the solution until the odor is noticeably gone. Once the solution is rinsed entirely from your dog’s coat, wash your pet with his regular shampoo and rinse thoroughly. Once your dog smells sweetly again, towel him down and make sure to place him in a warm space to dry off.

Although you cannot guarantee that a skunk will never spray your pet, there are a few things you can do to minimize how attractive your home is to the unwanted creatures. For instance, do not leave food or open trashcans outside. Also, placing moth balls around your property may deter skunks from getting too close. Lastly, keep an eye on your pet when he heads for wooded areas. If you do see a skunk, try to move away slowly and quietly.

De-Skunk Your House

Now that you have gotten the smell off of your dog, you will need to get the smell out of your house. The same solution that is described above works both for dogs and for items around your house such as carpets, couches, etc. However, the peroxide in the solution can bleach items in your house more severely than it can your dog’s coat. Here are some of the best ways to get the smell out of your house.First, open your windows, run your fans and replace any air conditioning filters.Shampoo your carpets and any towels, blankets, items of clothing or any other removable fabrics.Adding baking soda to your next wash will also help prevent the smell from seeping too deeply into fabrics.Wash yourself with the same solution you used on your dog. The smell can linger, and it’s best to wash it from your skin as quickly as possible.If you have any additional questions about caring for your dog and his coat, contact us for help.

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Following is a list of suggestions to make the move less nerve-racking for all.

1. When choosing your new place, be sure to ask about pet policies and check the zoning and any restrictive ordinances in your new locale. If you’re renting be sure the rental unit allows pets of the species, breed and size of yours. Some apartment complexes allow cats but no dogs. Others allow dogs, but only if they’re under 40 pounds. Find out if there’s a deposit for pets, how much it is and whether it’s per pet or per unit. Although small animals should be no problem if you own your new residence, some housing developments have homeowners’ associations (HOAs) that have restrictions on the type and number of pets you can keep. Even equestrian communities generally limit the number of horses you can have based on lot size. If you’re moving from a farm or ranch to an equestrian community and you own animals in addition to horses, such as goats, sheep, chickens or other livestock, but sure that they will be welcome as well. If you think you’ve found an ideal place but it means rehoming animals you don’t want to part with, keep looking until you find the ideal place or, at least, temporary boarding for the animals you can’t keep on your property.
2. If your move is local, be sure you have secure crates, kennels, etc. for moving your pets. Atlas Moving Co. provides an outstanding guide for selecting moving containers for pets. If you have larger animals, be sure your horse or livestock trailer is in good condition, that the lights are working and the tires and brakes are good. Especially with horses, practice loading and unloading them into the trailer several days before the move. If you own fish, you’ll probably need to transport them in smaller containers unless your aquarium is a five-gallon or smaller size. A good guide to moving your fish can be found online at the Pets Welcome website. With all pets, your objective is to make them as comfortable as possible in transit.
3. Never sedate an animal with human or veterinary tranquilizers and sedatives without first consulting your veterinarian. Cats, in particular, have very sensitive central nervous systems and are easily overmedicated. If you try the do-it-yourself method of calming your pet, you may end up accidentally euthanizing it rather than relaxing it for the move.If your move is a long-distance one and you have small pets that don’t tolerate car rides well, you might want to consider sending them by air. Check with your veterinarian or local breeders who ship animals to distant places for advice on making them comfortable for the flight. Check with airlines to see what their policies and prices are, and ask people who have shipped animals by air for recommendations. Air freighting large animals can be prohibitively expensive, so you may want to opt for a nationwide transport service instead. Be sure to check references and choose a service that is licensed, bonded, and insured. Inspect the truck and trailer that will be used for safety, modern conveniences, and signs of poor maintenance. Get a cell phone number and itinerary so you can check in with the driver periodically to monitor your animals.
4. Before moving day, prepare your pets’ new quarters and decorate them with familiar toys, food dishes, etc. from their old place. That will help ease the transition and get them to accept their new surroundings. Take a current photo of each pet and keep it with the pet’s health certificate, vaccination records, permits (for exotic pets), etc. Be sure your pet has an ID tag attached to its collar, harness, carrier, etc. In the event your pet becomes lost in transit, it will be easier to identify the animal and guarantee that it reaches its new home.
5. If your move includes hotel stays or camping along the way, be sure that the hotel, motel or campground allows you to have pets on the premises. Any problems can be avoided with a little advance research.

Did You Know?

Fish are the only pets that require no certificates or permits of any sort when they are relocated from one state to another. The more exotic the pet, the more complex the regulations are surrounding its entry into a new state of residence.

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