The Definition and Cause of Separation Anxiety in Dogs

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Did you know about 10% of puppies and dogs experience separation anxiety? Separation anxiety is characterized by destructive or bad behavior while the dog’s parents are away. A dog may bark excessively, destroy items in the home, or even harm himself. You may notice that your dog chews the furniture, the woodwork in your home, or your clothes while you are away. Your neighbors may complain that your pup constantly barks while you are away. And sometimes your dog may urinate or defecate on the floor while you area gone. These actions are not because they are “bad dogs” but because they are experiencing separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is defined as acting out, usually with “bad” behavior, do to unpleasant feelings or nervousness when left alone.

No one knows what exactly causes separation anxiety, but there is a strong belief that separation anxiety is due to a dog’s strong bond and dependence on their pet parents. Dogs are pack animals. In the wild, they were always around other dogs and relied on them for safety and comfort. So dogs naturally enjoy being around others, whether it’s other dogs or people. And when they are left alone, they begin to feel anxious and nervous, and thus act out on your home.

Typically a dog that shows signs of separation anxiety was taken from his or her mother too soon as a puppy or they were neglected by their previous owners. When you leave the home, they may think you will never return and thus become overwhelmed with anxiety and act out in fear. The emotions dogs with separation anxiety feel are similar to that of a human anxiety attack. They are intense and scary, and a dog’s best way to deal with fear is to attack, and many times these attacks are on your possessions.

Other times separation anxiety may be brought on by a traumatic experience. The dog may have been abused by a previous owner or lived through disaster, like a house fire or tornado. The dogs who survived Hurricane Katrina have been noted to have severe separation anxiety now due to the trauma from life during and after the storm. The horrible things they lived through create a constant fear in them, and their anxiety gets worse when their beloved pet parents leave the home.

Dealing with separation anxiety is not an easy matter, but it can be done. Luckily my brothers, sisters and I have never had to go through this, but many dogs have.

Stay tuned for tips on how to help your dog if you notice signs of separation anxiety.

XO,
Maizee

 

 

How to Safely Take Your Dog for a Hike

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Around this time of year my Mommy & Daddy want to spend as much time playing outside as possible. My Mommy & Daddy like to go for hikes in the local parks and they sometimes bring me. I love to hike! It’s a great way to get some exercise, see new sights, smell new smells, and experience new things. Plus I like to meet all the other people and doggies on the trails! If you like hiking and are thinking of taking your pup along the next time you go, follow these simple tips for a safe and fun trip.

First, make sure your dog is healthy enough to go hiking. Your dog should be getting annual physical exams to make sure they are healthy inside and out. Your pup should be clear of any joint or muscle problem, as well as any major medical disorder. If your pup has a problem joint or an illness, they should not go on the trails. Also, growing puppies under 1 year and senior dogs should avoid hiking. Even if they seem to have the energy, they are more prone to muscle and joint damage, so they should stick to your neighborhood and local parks.

Just like humans, dogs need to be in good shape to go for a hike. You want to avoid being a weekend warrior human and doggie. If you and your dog have not exercised (gone on long walks or jogs) in a while, then you should not try hiking. Build up your endurance by taking longer walks or try jogging before you hit the trails. If one or both of you do not have the endurance and fitness level to survive the hike, then you risk injury and a lot of soreness the next day. And don’t just think the day after exercise soreness is just for people, dogs get that muscle soreness too! So work up our fitness levels until we can safely go to the top of the trail with no regrets the next day.

You should always keep your dog on a leash in a public area. This is not only for the safety of others but for your dog as well. We may decide to chase after a small critter in the woods and get ourselves and you in a sticky situation. Countless things can happen if we go off trail, from getting cut on a fallen branch, twisting a joint, or getting bitten by a snake. To avoid the even small chance that we may go exploring on our own, keep us on a leash.

Finally, when going on a hike, you should always bring a backpack with water, a portable dog dish, a first aid kit for you and your pup, sunscreen for yourself and your dog, and small protein snacks for the dog. Always keep your cell phone with you and have your pet’s ID tags secured to his or her collar before hitting the trails. These “just in case” items may come in handy.

If you follow these simple guidelines, you and your dog can have a great time on a hike together! See you on the trails!

XO,
Maizee

 

The Benefits of Outside Time for Your Dog

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Most dogs love to be outside! I know I do! Lately with the warmer weather, I spend most of my time outside in our back yard. I love to run, play with my brothers and sisters or just lie down and soak in the warm sunbeams. Did you know that being outside is good for your dog? Outside time benefits our emotional health and our physical health.

A lot of dogs, like a lot of humans, don’t get enough exercise. With people becoming busier and busier, their lack of activity has translated to their pets. It’s very difficult for a dog, big or small, to get enough exercise indoors. Sure we will walk around, maybe chase a ball or play with our brothers and sisters while you are away or busy in the home, but most of the time we will spend our time napping. Being outdoors helps motivate us to move, whether it’s going on a walk or chasing a toy in the yard. It helps end the sedentary lifestyles of puppies and humans alike! Plus it helps us maintain a healthy weight, which translates into better overall health for your dog.

Have you ever noticed that your dog tends to either nap or follow you around the house a lot? Do you know why? Most of the time it’s because we are bored! And we are either sleeping away our boredom or looking to you for entertainment. Some pups actually may become destructive due to boredom. They create their own fun activity by chewing on your favorite shoe or clawing at your furniture. This may end puppy boredom, but it definitely does not create a happy dog owner. Spending more time outside playing or walking will help end our boredom. We are provided with a lot of stimuli, different sights, sounds and smells, that we are not exposed to inside. This keeps our minds active and alert. Plus the extra activity tires us out so we are less likely to be under foot or destroying your home décor.

Lastly, being in the sunlight helps keep our coats healthy and beautiful. When exposed to the sunlight and changing temperatures, our coats will shed on a normal cycle. Keeping on a regular shedding schedule, while it may be annoying to dog parents, is good for a dog’s coat. It makes our fur fuller and healthier. Sunlight also helps us absorb and utilize vitamins that keep us healthy and strong.

So take advantage of the longer daylight hours and beautiful weather by spending time outdoors with your dog. There are countless things you can do, from going for a walk around the neighborhood, visiting the local dog park, chasing a ball in your yard, or letting your dog chew on their favorite toy on the deck. Have fun!

XO,
Maizee

 

How Your Cat Shows You Affection

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Hi world! It’s me, Tory the cat. Maizee has had a bit of writer’s block so I thought I’d take over for the day. I’m writing about a subject near and dear to me. I hear so many people talking about how they love dogs because they are always so sweet and affectionate, but cats get no acknowledgement for being loving. There are even people out there who consider themselves “not cat people” for this reason. I don’t understand at all; cats definitely are loving and affectionate. We just show it in different ways that dogs do.

When dogs are happy to see you’ve entered a room, they wag their tails and some may jump all over you. It’s pretty hard to miss. But with cats, we like to be a bit more refined with our greetings. You have to look at our eyes to see our happy welcome. Slow eye blinks are considered “kitty kisses”. This is our way of saying we are happy you are around. And unlike with dogs, you can reciprocate with slow eye blinks with us. We will continue to communicate with kitty kisses as long as you interact with us!

Cats also show we love you by rubbing our face on you. This is actually a cat form of marking. We have glands that secrete pheromones to mark our territory. Every cat has a unique scent so we can tell who marked what. And when a cat rubs her face on your leg, she is telling the world this is my favorite human! It’s also a way for us to be close to you.

A cat rubbing its face against your leg is a sign of affection.

A lot of the other ways we show affection are similar to dogs; it’s just less in your face than with dogs! When you’ve been away and we can tell you are home, we do get excited! We don’t bark and jump at the door like some dogs I know, but we will get excited when we hear your car pull up and the jingle of the keys in the door. Cats will show their excitement by running to the door. This is us saying we missed you and are so glad you are home. We’ll even follow you around from room to room to be with you, because we love our parents!

And not unlike a dog submitting to a belly rub, cats will also show you their belly as a sign of love and trust. This is cat’s letting our guard down and becoming vulnerable, a true sign of affection.

Remember, cats are affectionate creatures. You may find the aloof cat personality who does not want anything to do with humans, but many cats do like people and love their human parents. I know I love my Mommy & Daddy! I’m just not as loud as the dogs about it! So look for these subtle signs in your kitty and know that your cat loves you just as much as you love your cat!

XO,
Tory

 

Can Dogs Get Cushing’s Disease?

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Hi gang! It’s me, Caroline. I snuck the computer away from Maizee today while she was napping in the sun. I wanted to share a story with everyone and decided today was a good day to do it! Thanks Maizee for sleeping so peacefully!

About a year ago my Mommy told me that I was getting a cousin. Now, I already had a boy human cousin, a female human cousin, and a guinea pig cousin. I loved them all – the boy and girl were sweet and loved to pet me. And I would just stare at the guinea pig for hours while he was in his cage. It was fun! But this time I was getting a doggie cousin. Oh boy I was so excited! He was a beagle and basset hound mix. Since I’m a dachshund and beagle mix, we would have a lot in common. I would have someone to run with, to smell interesting smells with, to scavenge for food crumbs with! I was so happy to have a doggy cousin!

Well, I have to admit when I met my cousin I was a bit disappointed. He was nice and all, but we had nothing in common. He didn’t show much interest in food (CRAZY!) or going outside. He never stared at the guinea pig with me. He liked being petted, but didn’t love it like I do. And he slept a lot!! And I mean a lot!! He definitely wasn’t the dog I had pictured in my head.

My Aunt & Uncle thought it was weird how often my cousin slept too. And then he started drinking a whole lot, and having accidents all over the house (even though they took him out a ton!). He was always on the heftier side for a dog, but he just was always so fatigued and had no interest in playing. They decided to take him to the vet to get him checked out. The vet checked his hormone levels and found out he had Cushing’s disease. Now my Aunt & Uncle had heard of Cushing’s Disease in humans, but they didn’t know dogs could develop it. But they can. Cats and horses can also develop Cushing’s disease, but it’s more common in dogs than other animals.

Cushing’s disease is when the adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone cortisol. The high levels of cortisol in a dog’s body cause all these symptoms: weight gain, fatigue, loss of interest/ability to exercise or play, frequent urination, excessive thirst, panting, poor wound healing, bruising, and aimless wandering. It is typically found in older dogs and a lot of times symptoms are thought of as just a normal part of aging. But being aware of the signs can help lead to a diagnosis of Cushing’s disease. Like my Aunt & Uncle, they knew something was off and took their pup to the vet, even though some people may think they just had a lazy older dog.

So now he is on medications that are helping ease his symptoms. There is no cure for Cushing’s disease, but his family is taking action to help reduce his symptoms and give him the extra care he needs. And now that I know he has an illness, I don’t think he’s that strange anymore!

XO,
Caroline

 

Stomatitis in Cats

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Tory, my cat sister, was telling me a story about one of her friends the other day. It was a horrible situation in which her cat friend, Moose, got stomatitis. I had never heard of this before and neither had Tory. So I asked her to write about it today. I thought all cat parents should know about stomatitis. Here is her story.

I hadn’t seen my friend Moose in a while and was excited when he came over to visit the other day. He told me that he got really sick last month. All of a sudden his mouth became very painful and swollen. He didn’t want to eat, had trouble breathing, and he lost weight. His Mom told him that his breath smelled really bad too. His Mom took him to the vet right away to see what was going on.

His vet did a thorough examination. He looked into his mouth and after seeing his red, swollen gums and smelling his bad breath immediately determined it was most likely stomatitis. He did do some tests to rule out allergies and did a complete examination of his teeth and gums to rule out periodontal disease. Test results showed the initial thought was correct and the diagnosis was stomatitis. The vet explained that stomatitis is the inflammation of the oral cavity, or mouth. (Stoma means opening, so in this case it’s referring to the mouth) Stomatitis is common in cats and can occur in any breed, though it’s more common in Persians, Himalayans and Somalis. (Moose is a Persian cat like me.) Stomatitis causes the gums to become swollen. It starts with gums in the front of the mouth and can move into the back of the mouth. Swelling in the back of the mouth can block off the esophagus making eating difficult and painful. Also, the swollen gums can envelop the teeth; the tissues can swell around the tooth and even cause holes in the teeth which is very painful! No one knows what causes stomatitis. Vets believe it is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to attack the cat’s teeth and gums.

Unfortunately stomatitis best treatment method is surgery. So Moose had to have surgery to remove his infected teeth, tooth roots, and any inflamed and infected tissue in the mouth. All the infected tissue must be removed or the stomatitis will reoccur. Luckily Moose’s vet knew a great cat dental surgeon who did a great job on his surgery. Moose is missing a few teeth now, but he feels much better! His Mom did a great job by taking him to the vet to get check quickly. If she had waited, it could have turned into a life threatening illness for Moose and treatment would have been much more difficult.

So, there you have it. Stomatitis is a scary illness I hope never happens to me. But if it does, at least now Cat Moms & Dads know the signs and can get their cat treatment quickly.

XO,
Tory

 

The Truth on Hypoallergenic Dogs

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The other day I was playing with one of my beagle friends, Lucy. She is really a great girl and we have a great time playing together! It’s nice because Lucy is closer to my size than my “little” brothers and sisters so I can play a little rougher with her. When we were playing last, I really got into the game and I noticed when I jumped on her playfully, a lot of hair came off of her. She is a breed of dog that sheds a lot. Many people don’t want shedding dogs in their home because it means they have to clean up a lot of dog hair. And some people are actually allergic to dogs (which sounds so strange to me!!) so their allergies act up more with a dog that sheds. That’s why you see so many people advertising dogs for adoption that are hypoallergenic. Since it sounds so weird to me that people can be allergic to dogs, I decided to do some research on the topic.

According to the Mayo Clinic Allergy Division, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Most dog allergies are not caused by fur, or shedding, but from a protein that is found in dog saliva and urine. Since dogs use their tongue to clean themselves, the protein in the saliva sticks to our fur when we groom. This protein turns into flakes called dander. Dander is the cause of most people’s pet allergies.

Dogs that do not shed, like the designer breed GoldenDoodle or my brother and sister Yorkshire Terriers, still have dander. But since their hair does not come loose the dander stays in their fur on their body. As all dog Mom’s and Dad’s of shedding dogs know, when hair gets lose, it flies into the air and lands all over the home – on shelves, counters, chairs and the floor. So dander is all over your home. With a non-shedding dog, the dander stays on their fur, and not around your home. This means allergy suffers will have less exposure to the dander and therefore less allergy symptoms with a non-shedding pup. However, you are still allergic to the dog.

So if you are allergic to dogs but want to be a dog parent, you should still look to adopt the non-shedding “hypoallergenic” dogs to lessen your symptoms. Also go for a smaller dog (smaller dog = less dander produced) and bathe him or her frequently to remove the dander from their coat. Make sure your new pup does not go into your bedroom. And you should use air filters in rooms where your dog does spend a lot of time as well as vacuuming regularly to get any dander that may have fallen off your pup out of your home.

Vacuum regularly to clean up any dog dander in your home.

So there you have it. Humans can be allergic to dogs (I still think that is weird!) and there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog. But you can have dog allergies and have a dog in your home by following some simple guidelines.

XO,
Maizee

 

Yes, Pets do Lower Your Stress!

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Whenever my Mommy or Daddy (or both!) have a bad day, they love to curl up with me and the rest of the gang, and love all over us. Now don’t get me wrong, they give us love and attention every day – but on bad days we get extra special attention! They spend even more time petting us! I love it because I like spending time with my Mommy & Daddy! The other pups love the extra special attention too! And it always helps Mommy & Daddy relax and forget about their bad day. They always end up smiling after only a few minutes of being with us!

There are several reasons why pets help lower a person’s stress level. Number 1 is unconditional love. Your dog and/or cat does not care if you made a mistake at work, forgot to pick up the dry cleaning, or spilled your breakfast all over yourself and the floor. (If it was a tasty breakfast, we actually appreciate the last one!) We love you and are happy you are around no matter what! Dogs are especially good at showing their affection with their happy greeting when you come home, wagging tails and lots of kisses (licks)! And cats, well just the sound of their purr and a rub against your leg shows you how much they care!

Another reason we are great for stress is that pets are a distraction. And while it doesn’t sound like a great trait, in cases where you’ve had a bad day, it is a good thing! We will get your mind off of anything that bothers you. Taking care of us, whether it’s taking us for a walk, feeding us, cleaning up after us, while sometimes may feel like a chore, is beneficial to your stress level. And no, I don’t mean that we won’t act up because we want something you are not providing! What I mean is that you are focused on taking care of us, and not whatever is stressing you out! Plus, when you are feeling sad and just want to sit on the couch, taking care of us will get you up and moving around. And moving around and participating in activities is always good for lowering your stress and improving your mood!

So the next time you are having a bad day, think about coming home to your sweet dog or cat. Remember how much we love you and depend on you – and how we think you are just perfect! That will put a smile on your face and make you shrug off whatever it is at work, school, and in life that is bothering you!

XO,
Maizee

 

The Best Methods to Manage your Cat’s Hairball Problem

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So Tory, the cat, has been bugging me ever since I started writing this blog to let her write an entry. Today I have finally given in to her constant pestering and am letting her write. She chose a topic that I don’t understand, but she and her cat buddies do: hairballs. So everyone, here’s Tory’s blog:

Tory

Today I am writing about something I hate: hairballs. Hairballs happen to all cats at one point or another. Some cats are more likely to get hairballs than other, like cats with long fur, or cats who groom themselves a lot, but all cats hate having hairballs. And all cat parents hate having to clean up hairball messes, so prevention is the key to the game for both parents and cat happiness.

Hairballs are caused by cats’ great attention to being well groomed. Yes, our grooming brings about these nasty little things. It’s a double edge sword really – we can’t stand to be dirty but we hate hairballs. A cat’s tongue actually has small hook like structures on the surface. This is why when a cat licks you it feels like sandpaper! These hooks are great for helping us get loose hair out when we are grooming, but the downside is that the loose hair is then digested. Most of the time the hair passes through our digestive system without any problems, but sometimes a nasty clump of hair can gather in our stomach, creating, you guessed it, a hairball! The only way for us to get this hairball out is through vomiting. It’s unpleasant for us to have to do, and unpleasant for our parents to have to clean up!

There are a few things cat parents can do to help lessen the amount of hairballs your cat will develop. The first thing to do is groom your cat regularly. While we will continue to groom ourselves as often as we had before, if you comb and brush out a lot of our loose fur on a regular basis, there will be less fur for us to digest. Daily brushing is recommended for the best prevention of hairballs. As an added bonus, most cats love to be brushed and it can help strengthen the bond between cat parent and cat. If you have one of those cats who doesn’t like to be brushed, consider taking him or her to a professional groomer at least every six months for a good brush and maybe even a haircut.

There are many specially formulated cat foods out there for hairball prevention. This food is high in fiber and has lots of vitamins for a healthy coat for your cat. The vitamins help reduce shedding while the fiber helps any loose fur pass through your cats system without forming a hairball. Speak to your veterinarian about what food is best for your cat.

Sometimes, hairballs can cause intestinal blockages. If you notice your cat vomiting or gagging without producing a hairball and if he or she has a lack of appetite, low energy, diarrhea or constipation, make an appointment to see your vet. This could be a hairball stuck in the intestines which can be life threatening, so getting medical treatment as soon as possible is best for your cats health.

Thanks everyone for reading about this not so pretty, but very important topic. I hope that Maizee gives in to my nagging again in the future so I can write another blog article!

XO,
Tory

 

 

 

 

The Reasons why Your Dog Digs and the Best Methods to Stop the Digging

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The other day I had some of my doggy friends come and visit. We had a lot of fun together, running and jumping, chasing a ball and playing with our squeaky toys. But one of my Jack Russell Terrier friends had a tendency to stop playing with us and go in the back of the yard and dig. My Mommy & Daddy would tell him “No! Stop Digging!” and he would. But in about 10 minutes or so, he would be back over in the corner digging. I tried to get him to stop and play with me instead, but he was more interested in digging.

There are a lot of reasons why dogs dig. One is primal instinct: the dogs smell prey, whether it’s bugs or rodents, and start digging to find it. This is what my pal was doing. Jack Russell Terriers, like most of the Terrier breeds, were bred to hunt vermin, which means they will dig for it when necessary. Usually you can tell when a dog is hunting prey because they will dig in the same areas of the yard, generally at the roots of trees or large shrubs. They will also tend to dig out a path instead of just a large hole.

If your pup is digging due to instincts, the best method to stop the digging is to get rid of whatever he or she is trying to catch. Whether this means barriers and fencing, or humane methods of capturing the critters, getting the prey out of your yard will keep your pup from digging for it. Punishing and scolding the animal for digging will not work. A dog whose instinct is to hunt finds the act of the hunt highly rewarding, and usually more rewarding than being on your good side. Doggy punishment will not work to stop the holes from showing up in your yard.

Another popular reason dogs dig is because they are bored and are providing themselves an entertaining activity to do. Dogs that dig for fun are usually left in the yard by themselves for long periods of time without any playmates or toys. They usually have a lot of energy as well. Holes will be found all over the yard, and not in a specific pattern.

Digging for entertainment is pretty easy to stop: just make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. Take long walks or runs with him at least twice a day. A tired dog will not dig up your yard! Also playing with your dog in the yard so he can find another outlet will help. Chasing a ball is a great way for a dog to get out some energy and redirect him from digging. Kong Toys and Busy-Dog toys are also great to have in the yard for your dog when you are not around. These will keep him occupied. Rotate the toys so he will not get bored with one in particular. An entertained dog will not dig up your yard!

On a related note, a dog may dig as a cry for attention. A dog that has separation-anxiety will dig to get your attention and to hopefully prevent you from leaving. If your dog has shown signs of separation-anxiety before, and starts to dig, it’s best to ignore the attention seeking behavior and reward good behavior with attention. If the separation anxiety becomes severe, talk to your local dog trainer or veterinarian for tips.

Finally, on a hot day, your dog may be digging a hole to get cool and comfortable. These holes are usually found in a shady spot or near a water source and your dog will lie in the holes once he’s done digging. The best method to avoid this behavior is to provide your dog with a cool place to lie down during the heat of the day. If your dog must be outside during the day, provide a nice dog house in a shaded area that he can lay down for comfort, and make sure he has plenty of water to stay cool!

As you can see, there are many reasons why your dog may be digging up your yard. Since there is not a single solution that will counteract all reasons for digging, it’s best to assess why your dog is digging before attempting to stop the act.

XO,
Maizee