Recently in Pet Tips - Health & Safety Category

Lucy Postins, founder of The Honest Kitchen, offers some sound advice for how to safely include your pets in your holiday feasting. Don't Forget Your Pet When Preparing Holiday Meals is a refreshing departure from the typical advice, which is to steer clear of holiday foods when it comes to your pets. It's not that abstaining from holiday feasts for pets is bad advice, it's just not that much fun. And most of us don't really follow that advice anyway, since we love including pets in our family traditions. So I was happy to see Lucy's article earlier this month about what foods are okay to feed pets during the holidays - and what to avoid - it gives us some framework to help us make decisions. Here's a short summary of Lucy's article:

Turkey, Ham, Prime Rib and other meats. Okay in small amounts / moderation and focus on meat - not fat and gristle. However, never feed any type of cooked bones - they can splinter and damage the GI tract. Too much fat and gristle can lead to pancreatitis - a very uncomfortable and dangerous condition. Stay away from meats with added sodium, nitrates and preservatives - they are bad for you and your pet.

Green Bean Casserole. Okay in very small amounts, but don't include the onion topping. Fresh raw or cooked green beans are okay to add to your dog's food any time.

Sweet Potatoes. Excellent source of beta carotene and highly nutritious. Steamed or baked sweet potatoes are ideal and easy to digest. Avoid serving your pets the traditional holiday version of sweet potato casserole that contains lots of syrup, marshmallows or candied nuts.

Cranberries. A great addition to your pet's bowl any time of year and especially during the holidays. No cranberry sauce or jelly, though, as these can be full of sugar and other things that Fido shouldn't have. Cranberries are good to help prevent urinary tract infections.

Pumpkin & Squash. These are wonderful foods to share with cats and dogs in moderate amounts. Most pets love the taste of these yummy and nutritious vegetables.

Winter Greens. Chard and kale are awesome sources of vitamins and antioxidants. Brussels sprouts and cabbage are also loaded with good nutrients, but they can cause gas in your pet's tummy. These can be added raw, lightly steemed or sauteed, but without added salt, wine, soy sauce or butter.

White Potatoes. Okay in moderate amounts. Avoid serving your pet potato dishes loaded with cream, dressings, oil or butter.

Lucy's List of Holiday Foods to Avoid

• Stuffing and corn pudding
• Desserts and cheeses
• Relishes
• Onions
• Chocolate
• Macadamia nuts
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Candies with xylitol

Lucy also explains that as with any time you change your pet's normal meal routine, it is best to make additions to your pet's bowl gradually so you can ensure your pet is able to tolerate what you are serving. Don't allow your pet to gorge. Gorging can lead to pancreatitis or bloat. If you do experience an incident where your pet over indulges due to counter surfing, or getting into the holiday trash, keep a close watch. If you notice signs of bloating, vomiting or other digestive problems such as diarrhea or constipation, Lucy says a visit to your vet's office is recommended, without delay. Happy Holidays!

We all look forward to the holiday season, and we love to include our pets in the festivities. However, the ASPCAs Holiday Safety Tips warns it is best to keep your pet's eating and exercise habits as close to normal as possible. Plus, there are certain holiday traditions you should steer clear of for the safety of your pets. Here are highlights from the ASPCA's Holiday Safety Tips...

1. Got cats? Say "NO!" to tinsel. Tinsel is the equivalent of sparkly "crack" to the kitties and can lead to obstructed digestive tracts, severe vomiting and possibly surgery. It is best to keep it away from your cats.
2. No big feasts for the Fur Kids. You know not to feed your pets chocolate or anything sweetened with xylitol, but it is also important to resist the urge to let your pets feast along with the family. One splurge can lead to pancreatitis or worse. Ensure pets are kept away from the table and unattended food. Take extra steps to secure the lids on garbage cans. The best way to include your pets in the holiday feasting festivities is to get an extra special treat that you know is safe - so they can enjoy something special while the rest of the family enjoys the holiday meal. Groovy has seasonal baked treats, yummy bones and canned meals you can serve as special treats for your pet.
3. Joy to the Toys. Considering stuffing your pet's stocking with toys? Be sure to select toys that are safe. Not sure which toys are safe? Select toys for your pets much the same way you would select a toy for a small child - no small pieces to break off or chew off. For your cat, choose a toy that you can interact while playing with your feline pal.
4. Holiday plants are dangerous for your pets! Steer clear of holly, mistletoe and certain lillies that are toxic to cats. These traditional holiday plants can cause symptoms ranging from nausea, vomiting and diarrhea up to and including kidney failure. Choose artificial plants instead.
5. No leftovers please! Fatty, spicy and certain foods enjoyed by humans during the holidays are absolute no-no's for pets. Even after the holiday feast has past, continue to keep your pets away from holiday leftovers.
6. Watch that holiday glow. Don't leave lighted candles unattended. Pets can easily burn themselves or cause a fire if they accidentally knock over a burning candle. If you leave the room, put out the candle!
7. Wired up. Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws' reach.
8. Put meds away. Be sure your medications are locked behind secure doors, and be sure to tell your house guests to ensure all their meds are zipped up and packed away, out of pets reach too.
9. Take care with cocktails. If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place unattended alcohol where pets reach. If ingested, your pet could become very sick.
10. A room of their own. If you have the extra space, consider placing your pets in a quiet room where they can retreat -- complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle with their favorite blanket or toy. 

Also, read Five Holiday Pet Safety Tips written by Lucy Postins, founder of The Honest Kitchen, one of our absolute faves!

PHOTO BY INA JALIL

As we've discussed before, music can excite, agitate, or soothe and calm pets, and it's the relaxing aspect of music that most interests us: can music make your anxious dog calmer during or after the storm, or while you're away? Can the right symphony soothe kitty when too much activity or outside interference makes her skittish? Research says yes, and in fact we've discovered a whole micro-industry of sweet sounds for furry friends, including one online shop that actually sells "pet speakers" for purrfect acoustics. If you search Amazon for "relaxation music" or "calming music" for pets/cats/dogs, you'll discover you have a lot to choose from, but there's really no need to spend a lot of money on pet tunes.

Many experts recommend classical music (this article has some specific recommendations), so you could just mine your music collection for Bach, Beethoven, Vivaldi and the like for your furball's relaxed listening pleasure. This independent study [PDF] claims that solo piano with simplified arrangements at 50-70 beats per minute is optimal for calming canine anxiety, and this article says, "dogs appear to be calmed by music with slower tempos, fewer instruments and simpler melodies."

But guess what, you don't even have to bother rifling through your stash of tunes, because in the manic, magical wonderland that is the Internet, guess what I've discovered? Yep, radio stations for pets. For reals.

• Dog Radio plays very simple, classical compositions which should please skittish kitties, too. The page operates on auto-start (no controls), and worked for me in Firefox and Internet Explorer, but not Opera.
• Cat Galaxy radio says it plays only cat-approved tunes -- music that the cats of the website owners like, as well as as suggested tunes from other music-loving cats, via their owners. (Article here.) Cats apparently have way more adventurous musical tastes than dogs, according to what I've listened to on this station! :) Cat Galaxy worked for me in FF, IE, and Opera.
• Dog Cat Radio is another station for our furry friends, but it seems stuck on only one song for the moment... perhaps something to check back with later.
  

There's also an inexpensive Pet Acoustics iPhone app "music for your dog, cat or horse from your iPhone, iPod Touch or other music player" that I have not personally checked out.

Have you seen this popular video of a dog "faking his death"?



It's very cute -- as long as we feel that the dog is doing this on purpose: not exactly "playing dead," but enacting an exaggerated submission response, perhaps to encourage the reluctant dog: "see? ya got me! Come on and play and you can get me again!" But some of the people commenting on Patricia McConnell's blog post about this are speculating neurological disorder, although that's just one of the many theories. One commenter says:

"In my experience owning a pet resort and seeing hundreds of dogs play day in and day out...it looks like a very brief neurologic episode to me. I have seen these several times over the years. Some dogs bounce back extremely quick. (The head raise could have been "I want to get up, but my body needs another second to recuperate".) Some dogs take longer. I had a dog who collapsed just like the one in the video, and the only part of the body that she could move voluntarily was her head. I carried her to the car and rushed to her to the vet with her seemingly paralyzed in the back of my car. After driving 20 minutes praying she would not die on the way, we got to the parking lot and she sneezed. The moment she sneezed, all other body movement returned to normal. She trotted into the vet and all tests were normal. She never had another episode like that again. I also have had dogs in grooming which seem to have a "neurologic episode" which is not a seizure, but clearly the dog loses the ability to move and then rebounds quickly. I have had two vets equate these responses to the canine equivalent of a "panic attack-like episode" due to the heighten sound, smell and touch sensory stimulation in the grooming environment."

Hm. I've heard of panic attacks in dogs, but never fainting as a symptom... though there are several conditions that can cause a dog to faint. So... a bit of a mystery here about this "dog who played dead," but if you ever witness odd fainting or "frozen spells" in your pup, best to make sure it isn't a sign of illness.

How not to give your dog a bath:



Hmmm. Not exactly a soothing bathing experience, is it? I have a feeling this dog is not going to come away with a good attitude towards bath time.

So, how do you give a bath-shy dog a bath?

Here are my personal tips, from the owner (me!) of a dog who was so absolutely terrified of baths that the attempt was literally dangerous for both her and us because her panic was so out of control we were afraid she was going to break a leg, or maybe a tooth against the tub, or claw us severely in the struggle. Here's what I suggest:

• Get a handheld spray faucet attachment in advance, and practice a bit so you know how to control it

KRISTA SPARKMAN PHOTO OF "ARCHER" -- ADOPTABLE CAT AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF TAMPA BAY

As pet owners we often find ourselves in conversations with friends and acquaintances who are thinking of adopting or who have just adopted, and most of us are eager to offer our advice and pass on tips that would have been helpful, instructive and reassuring to us back when we were newbie pet parents.

This is fine, as far as it goes, but the problem is that such info is incomplete, not organized, won't all be remembered, and not everyone will face exactly the same challenges. We're usually only a phone call or email away if anyone needs on-the-spot help, but why not help them help themselves with a new rescue owner guide? Here are some excellent PDFs that you can you can download and save and share with anyone who needs a helping hand.

A Commonsense Guide to Selecting a Dog or Cat gives helpful advice on choosing what sort of pet to look for, and where.

Adopting a Cat is a simple one-pager from the Nova Scotia SPCA that covers the points potential owners should review before deciding to adopt a cat, including projected costs (Canadian dollar and U.S. dollar are roughly equal, so this should be fine).

CARE Cat Manual is a very good, extremely thorough guide from an Illinois animal rescue that discusses most every aspect of successful cat ownership. The first two pages can be disregarded since they are about adopting from the agency.

Adopting a Rescue Dog: The First Seven Days covers the pre-adoption period, beginning at a month before adoption, and continues through the first seven days of having a new rescue dog at home.

Adopting a Rescue Dog is another helpful manual for new rescue ownership, from a canine psychologist.

So! That's a good beginning, and enough to give any hopeful but inexperienced new owner some reassurance, and help them to plan for their new family member.

PHOTO CREDIT: ME! This is my dog :)

Do you have a white dog? Do you have problems with red/brown staining around the eyes ("tear stains" or red yeast stains)? Actually, lots of dogs have this, it's just far more obvious on light-colored dogs. I personally had given up on solving the problem (after spending untold hours researching the issue online). I had my dog's eyes checked by the Vet to be sure there was no blockage or infection, and I wasn't willing to use products that contain low-levels of antibiotic over the long term, or use topical applications containing peroxide (nothing like that near my dog's eyes!) ... so I resigned myself to just keeping the hair around her eyes clipped, and wiping away the muck with a washcloth a couple times a day... until ...

I just decided to switch her water from tap water to filtered (simple Britta filter). I had read advice about giving dogs bottled water or distilled water... but bottled water has plenty of minerals, and distilled water isn't readily available near me, and I do most of my shopping as a pedestrian. But I had finally rediscovered my Britta pitcher and filters after a move and started giving her the filtered water. I didn't see a change, to be honest, and hadn't really expected to -- but I was wrong. The change did occur, it just took months for me to realize it since it was winter, and we weren't having her trimmed so often. It turns out that for us, this one simple change has eliminated most tear stains, and without using any harsh or dangerous methods.

If you are having the same problem, you might try this. I'd advise against many of the products marketed online, since these actually contain antibiotics and aren't a good or healthy long-term solution. Other steps to take:

• Be sure your dog's food doesn't contain any dyes!
• and don't forget to check the treats... another source of evil dyes
  
• See the Vet to rule out allergies, duct deformities, or other ocular issues.
  
• Don't use plastic or chipped ceramic bowls for food or water, since they are more likely to harbor bacteria.
• Use stainless steel bowls, wash them daily, and always feed plenty of fresh water.
• On longer haired dogs, keep the hairs around the eyes clipped if they are causing irritation tearing.

Also, remember that it's completely normal for teething puppies to have tear staining.

I'm not terribly vain about myself, or my dog (though she's a beauty!), so I thought it wouldn't bother me so much... but the worst thing about the staining to me was that it made her look sickly and unhealthy, when I knew she was brimming with health. I love how brighteyed and vital she looks now, and I love that the solution (in our case) was so incredibly simple.

If anyone has their own success story with this problem, I'd be delighted to hear from you!

NYT PHOTO BY TONY CENICOLA

A recent question on Ask MetaFilter about indoor versus outdoor cats reminds me that I've been meaning to point out a great New York Times article and slideshow on "Catios" -- patio, balcony or other enclosures that allow some feline outdoor interaction and fascination in the fresh air while keeping kitty safe. Elsewhere online there's even a dedicated blog called Catio Showcase that documents the incredibly creative solutions careful owners have devised to bring a bit of the great outdoors to their indoor cats, as well as no-fuss commercial offerings.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to point out an excellent answer to a question many of us have wondered about: In the U.K. and many areas of Europe outdoor pet cats are the norm; why don't they seem to suffer the drastically reduced life-span (approx: 5 yrs vs.15 yrs) that cat owners in the U.S. are warned about? Cat fancier "Eyebrows McGee" breaks it down for us:

1) Car traffic in the U.S. is faster and far more prevalent than in Europe. There are few pedestrian footways connecting larger areas, and road crossings are not as pedestrian -- or pet -- friendly. Moreover, it is illegal in most incorporated areas of the U.S. to allow pets off-leash. This includes cats. People are NOT LOOKING for cats and dogs wandering even residential streets, in contrast to my experiences driving in Europe where this is considered quite normal. Pet accidents are much more common over here.

2) Cats have been in Europe more or less since people have been there, and there are few large predators in Europe. Cats have been in the US for 500 years. There are many larger predators here. There are coyotes in downtown Chicago. I have known cats and very small dogs who have been attacked by coyotes, alleged cougars (this one's tricky, big local debate about whether they're around), poisonous snakes, marauding lost BEARS who wandered down out of the mountains and managed to find themselves in a city, even a HAWK who mauled two neighborhood Chihuahuas! (Apparently he was out of rabbits to eat or something.) I have not lived in that many places in the U.S., and always in urban or dense suburban environments, so that's a very small sampling of "all the wildlife that wants to kill your cat."

3) As above, but there are pests, soil parasites, pathogens, etc., common to the U.S. that do not exist in Europe. Because cats are relative newcomers here, they have not evolved defenses to many of them. Furthermore, the United States is not a rabies-free country.

4) As above, but there are native birds and other animals that have not evolved the ability to escape cats. Native animal populations are suffering in many areas in ways that very negatively affect the ecosystem; outdoor cats are a part of that, and responsible owners do not participate in the destruction of the environment. It takes a special kind of lunatic to volunteer to help a species go extinct, I think.

There are other things, but those are the big ones. You can also take a look at how cats' lifespans in the U.S. jumped after the invention of litter so that they COULD be kept indoors -- you'll see the same five-year lifespan given for outdoor cats for the "before litter" kitties and it basically doubles once litter is introduced and cats can live indoors.

Great explanation, Eyebrows -- thanks!

PHOTO BY CONOR KELLER

A "Salty Dog" can be a sailor, a cocktail, or even a blues song... but when it comes to your canine pal, hide the Morten's, 'cause you don't want no salty dog. This CBS News list of 13 foods you should never feed your dog warns, "Eating even a little salt can make your dog excessively thirsty and cause frequent urination. Large amounts can cause sodium poisoning, a condition that can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures, and even death. So whether it's from a shaker or your favorite chip, keep the salt on your plate and away from your dog."

Okay, easy enough, but consider biggest salt lick of all: the ocean. If you are planning some fun doggy jaunts to the seaside, don't forget to bring plenty of fresh water for your buddy! In The Side Effects of Dogs Drinking Salt Water, PetInfo.com reminds us that frolicking on the beach will make dogs thirsty, which can leading to lapping seawater, and drinking salt water can cause vomiting and dehydration, as well as a phenomenon known as "beach diarrhea": "This type of diarrhea occurs because the salt water has caused excess amounts of water to accumulate in your dog's intestines... Beach diarrhea has the following characteristics:

• A liquid consistency
• Urgency and frequency
• Causes your dog to strain to evacuate
• Contains blood or mucous"

PetInfo advises taking a break in the shade for some fresh water every 15 minutes, and carrying a dish or collapsible bowl your dog is familiar with (willing to drink from) -- or squirting the water in his mouth from a sports water bottle if he won't drink from the bowl.

PHOTO OF KITTY UNDER THE CHART BY TAMBAKO THE JAGUAR

Here's something that will probably be of interest to most pet owners, especially pet owners who are numbers or data geeks, and definitely of interest to anyone working or planning to work in the veterinary field: a Bayer Veterinary Care Usage Study [PDF; summarizing articles here and here] on veterinarian economic issues shows a startling decrease in vet visits for 2010... in fact, 55% of vets responding reported fewer visits. Wow. Trends also show steep fee increases from 2004-2006, with slowing, but still-increasing fees since then.

However, trends show pet ownership increasing.

My non-scientific personal observations are that pet owners have not suddenly become careless or unwilling to spend money on their pets. From pet-related internet forums, blogs, and advice sites, It seems to me that many more (internet-using, at least) pet owners seem ever more interested in pet nutrition generally and in acquiring better food for their pets, and also more willing to spend money on pets in various other ways -- doggy day care, pet accessories, toys, training. I know that I, for one, hope to keep injury- and illness-related vet visits to a minimum by feeding the best that I can, training to help avoid accidents and injury, being careful about parasite prevention, and trying to create a stress-free environment. But I'm also willing to invest in preventative vet visits, which is one of the conclusions drawn by the study: veterinarians need to emphasis the importance of wellness visits.

My non-scientific personal observation is that such visits need to be easy and affordable; the Bayer study tiptoes around the affordable part by advocating affordable financing, but I don't want to finance my pets' routine wellness care; that's something we associate with extreme procedures, isn't it? Financing for surgeries or treatments that cost thousands? Well, we'll see how that plays out. Here are some of the numbers:

Asked of veterinarians: How did the number of patient visits for the first 9 months of 2010 compare to the same period in 2009?

• 2010 increased more than 5%:  13.0 %
• 2010 declined more than 5%:  25.1 %
• 2010 increased 1 - 5%:  16.4 %
• 2010 declined 1 - 5%:  30.0 %

About 29% reported increased visits, 55% reported fewer visits, about 15% remained the same.

The Bayer conclusions about "Why Visits Are Declining":

Environmental Factors

• Recession
• Fragmentation of veterinary services
• Internet Information

Client Factors

• Don't understand need
• Sticker shock
• Feline resistance

Has feline resistance suddenly increased? First Tunisia, then Egypt, Libya, now Felines? ^..^ As to sticker shock, the study shows that 76% of fees increased above rate of inflation from 2004 - 2006, and while the rate of fee increases slowed from 2006 to 2008; a quick poll from July of 2010 indicates that about 80% of veterinarians planned to increase fees. Eighteen percent from the quick poll were not increasing fees, and only 1.4% were lowering fees. Perhaps this is more pertinent than feline resistance?

This study is not always user-friendly; it would have helped if they had clearly included the original question asked of vets in every case, for one thing. In some results, I'm seeing charts reporting things like "more" of X, without indicating "more" than what? More than five years ago? More than none? More than I ever dreamed of? And, of course, this is a poll for veterinarians, so conclusions trend toward solutions more palatable to this group. Pet owners can draw their own conclusions, obviously. Do note, however, that this was an economic study, so don't bother worrying about why the focus is so money-oriented -- it's basically a study about money; that doesn't mean your vet doesn't care about all the other issues that mean so much to us.

My non-scientific Note to Vets: don't always assume that pet owners simply/only need to be educated about wellness; you must also understand that the dramatic increase in fees has caused backlash. How can you mitigate that? My non-scientific Note to Pet Owners: Wellness issues are not just some hype to get you to spend more money; in the long run, attention to nutrition, behavior, training, environment, and preventative care will reduce illness and injury, speed healing, and cost you less than radical medical interventions. It's in the best interests of vets and owners to achieve a meeting of the minds -- and pocketbooks -- about this concept.

(My totally scientific Note to Felines: Vet want you good make... feeder person love. Chill.)