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“It is amazing how much love and laughter dogs bring into our lives and even how much closer
we become with each other because of them.” — John Grogan (Author, Marley & Me)
4 PET TALES • WINTER EDITION 2017
Protex Pawz
Rubber Dog Boots
Waterproof and comfortable, Pawz Dog Boots
are made of natural rubber and have no pad-
ding so your dog can feel the ground beneath
products for your him for ease of movement. Perfect for protect-
ing paws in rain and snow. The natural rubber
is strong and stretchy, easy to put on and fit
secure once in place without zippers or straps.
Pawz are an economical choice because they’re
disposable and reusable. XX small to XL, $12-
$17 at Petco. www.pawzdogboots.com.
PET TALES • WINTER EDITION 2017 9
indoors or out?
SAFE OPTIONS FOR YOUR CAT
BY MELISSA ERICKSON | MORE CONTENT NOW
Most important is
the risk of a violent
encounter with
other cats, dogs
or wildlife
like raccoons
or coyotes.
— KC Theisen
Cat lovers can be divided into two categories: those who keep good Samaritan finds him? Do you want to risk having to go
their pets indoors and those who let them outside to roam. An to animal control to reclaim your cat and pay the fees? The
expert on the subject, KC Theisen, director of pet care issues vast majority of cats who enter shelters are not found and
for The Humane Society of the United States, answers some reclaimed by their owners. A little bit of fresh air isn’t worth
questions about what’s best for kitty. the worry that they may wander too far afield and become
Are cats deprived of something if kept indoors? The answer lost, or be picked up by well-intentioned neighbors and taken
to whether a cat is “deprived” of something indoors is quite to a shelter.
simple: Make the indoors a more fun, stimulating place for Can a cat get outside time safely? This is another chance for
your cat. We can watch our cats and learn where they like to cat owners to make smart decisions for their cats. “Catios” are
hide, what windows or perches they prefer and when they gaining in popularity. These are enclosures that allow cats to
are playful or tired. be outdoors while remaining confined in a safe space. Catios
What are some ways to stimulate a cat’s sense of play? It’s can range from a small access box all the way to a few hun-
easy to bring in some new and interesting hiding spaces (a dred square feet of play space that can be shared by cats and
simple non-handle paper grocery bag is great), build in or their families. High-rise dwellers can bring a wire mesh crate
organize furniture to provide safe space for climbing and or screened box onto their balcony, or even install a window
observing their world, and choose new toys that allow you box that’s perfect for cats to get fresh air without the risk of
and your cat to interact every day. Rotating the toys and play being lost.
space keeps your cat’s world interesting. Be your cat’s best Can cats be walked like dogs? Some owners train their cats
friend and play partner, and there won’t be anything appeal- to walk on a harness and leash. It takes a cooperative cat, of
ing outdoors. course, and a lot of patient training, but walking together
What health reasons are there for keeping a pet inside? gives you great bonding time with your cat as she explores
Most important is the risk of a violent encounter with other the outdoor world safely.
cats, dogs or wildlife like raccoons or coyotes. Cats are very What are some ways to keep indoor cats happy and active?
stoic about injuries, and you may not know they’ve been hurt Remember that cats are predators, so chasing, tackling and
until the wound is abscessed or infected. If they are hunting, “killing” are really important activities for them. Use a mix of
they may become infected with fleas and parasites from the toys that cats can use on their own when you’re at work or
animals they catch. Cats could also come into contact with school, and when you’re home have three or four play ses-
other cats who are carrying transmittable diseases like Feline sions per day where you are using a toy to play chase and
leukemia, or FIV, which put their health at long-term risk. The pounce. When you are ready to end the session, give your
risk of any of these problems is reduced to nearly zero by cat a couple of treats to reward her successful stalking. Play
keeping cats safely confined indoors. times are especially helpful if you have a cat who likes to zoom
What do people need to think about if the cat doesn’t come around the house at 3 a.m. A vigorous play session followed
back? Does she have a microchip? Is he wearing a collar with by some treats or a small meal will entice him to settle down
visible ID tag, so he won’t be mistaken for a true stray if a for a bath and a nap.
10 PET TALES • WINTER EDITION 2017
open sundays
to the rescue
GIVING PETS A SECOND CHANCE
BY MELISSA ERICKSON | MORE CONTENT NOW
N
atural disasters like hurricanes Emergency shelters often do not accept pets,
Harvey and Irma shined a spotlight and the ones that do will fill up quickly.
on the challenges facing pets and “First and foremost, have a plan that includes
pet owners, with animal rescue your pets,” Zheutlin said. “Unless your own life
groups mobilizing to save beloved would be in jeopardy by taking them with you,
pets who were lost or left behind. don’t leave them behind. They are counting
“Unless your own life
While pets may react unpredictably during would be in jeopardy on you. Practically speaking, and this applies
harsh weather and try to escape, homeless by taking them with you, especially to dogs and cats; be sure they are
animals are in an even more precarious don’t leave them behind. wearing a collar with identification and are
situation. Before Harvey hit, Houston, Texas, They are counting microchipped so they can be reunited with
was home to over a million stray dogs, and that on you. Practically you if you become separated.”
number ballooned exponentially afterward, speaking, and this Geography of pet overpopulation
said Peter Zheutlin, author of “Rescued: What applies especially to
Second-Chance Dogs Teach Us About Living For “complicated and cultural reasons,” there is
dogs and cats; a large migration of rescued dogs that move
with Purpose, Loving with Abandon and be sure they are wearing
Finding Joy in the Little Things.” An expert in from Southern to Northern states, Zheutlin said.
a collar with identification
Houston’s stray dog population, Zheutlin’s “The reasons why the problem is especially
and are microchipped
new book interweaves stories, lessons and acute in Southern states is attributable to many
so they can be
advice from families who have welcomed factors, but perhaps most important is that in
reunited with you if
second-chance dogs into their homes and the parts of the South people see dogs first and
you become separated.”
transformative effect of these adoptions. foremost as property, not as family members.
Before disaster hits And the lack of a strong spay-and-neuter
— Peter Zheutlin, author
culture in many places has led to a problem that
If your area should be hit with a disaster, it cannot easily be reversed. Even if dog owners
is usually safer to evacuate with your pet. Continued on next page ...
PET TALES • WINTER EDITION 2017 13
were spaying and neutering their pets in large
Ask a Vet... numbers, you now have huge numbers of strays that don’t
have people to take them to get spayed and neutered. I’ve
seen these street dogs struggling on the streets of Houston,
and it’s heartbreaking,” Zheutlin said.
Why consider a second-chance dog
Adopting a pet from a shelter is saving its life.
“Countless dogs that find themselves in shelters will be put
to death in those shelters within a short period of time if no
one steps up for them, because every day another wave of
strays and surrendered dogs arrives at their doorsteps. The
vast majority of these dogs are gentle, sweet dogs that just
need a second chance,” said Zheutlin, whose first rescue dog,
Albie, came from a Louisiana shelter where about 90 percent
of the dogs are put to death.
Q: My veterinarian keeps telling me that my dog “He is the sweetest, most earnest and beautiful creature. I
wasn’t prepared for how intensely I would love him,” Zheutlin
needs to lose weight. Is it really a big deal if he is a
said. “Rescue dogs are not damaged goods. If you work with a
few pounds overweight? — Sam, Rochester reputable rescue organization they will do their level best to
A: Obesity in our pets is a “big” concern. Just as we see an make sure your dog is ready for adoption. Nothing comes with
increase in overweight people we are seeing an increase in a 100 percent guarantee, not breeder dogs or children or rescue
obese pets. Obesity is defined as weighing 30 percent more dogs, but in the vast majority of cases these second-chance
than the ideal weight. You can assess whether your pet is
dogs will be ready to be loved and to return that love tenfold.”
too heavy if you observe the following: ribs are difficult
to feel and have a moderate fat cover, from side view no Living with a dog is not one continuous Hallmark moment.
abdominal tuck or waist, and from overhead view the back “Yes, a dog needs to learn to live with people, but it is, first and
is slightly broadened.
foremost, your job to learn how to live with a dog,” he said.
Cats and dogs are just as susceptible to health issues related
to carrying extra weight as we are. The diseases we tend to
see more commonly in obese patients are Type II diabetes,
heart disease, arthritis and metabolic issues. All of these
can decrease the quality of your pet’s life.
Cat have
As we all know it is very easy to overeat. Your pet relies on
you to monitor their diet. Many of the excess pounds are
gained from feeding table scraps and too many treats. These
extra goodies do nothing but add extra calories and could
be doing more harm than good. Eliminating table food
is a healthy decision you can make for your pet. Another
you curious?
sound decision is to increase daily exercise for your pet.
Daily walks can help maintain a healthy weight and shed
extra pounds. A good daily goal is 30 minutes of walking
twice a day.
If your pet is in need of a total body makeover then restricted
calorie diets are also available, and can help provide a basis
for successful weight loss. Weight reduction is 60 percent
diet and 40 percent exercise.
Weight loss can be a challenge for owners. Be consistent and Pooch have
diligent. Pounds that are lost gradually are more likely to
stay gone. A multi-step approach is a good way to start. By
decreasing extra calories, increasing daily physical activity
you puzzled?
and promoting a healthier lifestyle for your pets you will
both be rewarded with less visits to the veterinarian and
Want answers to your questions?
more trips to the park! Email your questions to
Rebecca Nealey, DVM marketingmva@yahoo.com!
Palmyra Animal Hospital
Monroe Veterinary Associates
14 PET TALES • WINTER EDITION 2017
P
ets make their owners feel special, but the
benefits of pet ownership are so much more
than unconditional love and someone to
greet you at the door when you arrive home.
There is much research that shows owning
a pet makes people happier and more
physically healthy.
Recognizing this, modern pet owners want their animals
to feel special, too.
“Young Americans are less likely to be homeowners or
parents than previous generations, but one category
they lead in is pet ownership,” said Brandie Gonzales, pet
lifestyle expert for Rover, a services site for dog owners.
“They shower their dogs with attention and splurge on
expensive gifts because their dog is their best friend, and
they want to be their dog’s best friend, too.”
Not surprisingly, all this love and affection lead to a
variety of benefits according to a recent Rover survey on
dog ownership:
• 94 percent of pet owners consider their dog family.
• 29 percent post more photos of their dog on social
media than of their family, friends or themselves.
• 79 percent of people said they would include their
dog in family moments like holiday cards, vacations
and marriage proposals.
• More than 25 percent of pet parents have brought
their pet on a date.
• 3 out of 4 dog owners have used their dog
or a dog video as a pick-me-up when they’re
having a rough day.
In addition to increasing a person’s
well-being and outlook, owning a
cat or dog brings plenty of health
benefits. According to the Centers for Young Americans are less
Disease Control and Prevention, pets likely to be homeowners
can decrease blood pressure and or parents than previous
cholesterol levels as well as feelings of generations, but one category
loneliness. One study of older men and they lead in is pet ownership.
women found that owning a cat or dog — Brandie Gonzales
helped maintain or even slightly enhance lifestyle expert for Rover
their Activities of Daily Living score. Pets can
also increase your opportunities for exercise and
outdoor activities.
PET TALES • WINTER EDITION 2017 15
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