Paw Nation

Winter Pet Safety - 7 Risks to Avoid

Mary Kearl — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST

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"Winter is actually a pretty good time for animals," says Dr. Jacob Cohen of Chicago's Animal Ark Veterinary Clinic. "They're out less -- which means less injuries and less illness." But there are still serious incidents of cold-weather-related health problems in pets that can and should be avoided, adds Cohen.

1. Space heaters. As with any electronic appliance, take care where you place these in your home. You want to prevent your pet from chewing cords. And either make sure your cat isn't tempted -- or able -- to jump on the heater, your cat or dog can't brush up against it, or that the temperature doesn't get too hot. Coming into contact with the heater could cause serious burns, says Cohen.

2. Temperatures below 45 degrees. "Frostbite is rare, but you really want to watch out for too much exposure to cold," says Cohen. "We start to get concerned below 45 degrees when a pet is in the cold for extended periods of time. Below freezing we have to be even more aware." Your pet's feet, ears, nose and tail are likely to be affected. "You may not see the clinical signs for a couple of days, but if the areas are severely affected, the tissue starts to die, it changes to blue-black color, and your pet will get severe infections. You may see limping or pain and licking at the area." Hypothermia is also a risk. Symptoms include weakness, shivering and lack of mental alertness, according to PetMD. Learn about dressing your pet for cold weather from Paw Nation.

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10 Holiday Season Pet Dangers

Mary Kearl — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Cats, Pet Health

The garbage can -- especially if it is overflowing with holiday trash -- contains big risks for your pet. Alamy.

Despite our best merry-making intentions, the holidays can be stressful for the whole family, pets included.

"The holidays are a dangerous time for pets," says Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM, at The Animal Medical Center in New York City, who specializes in oncology and small animal internal medicine.

So what can you do to ensure this really is the most wonderful time of the year for your cat or dog? We spoke with Dr. Hohenhaus to find out about the most common reasons pet owners visit her emergency clinic during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Top Holiday Dangers

1. Trash. Sure, you probably know whether your cat or dog is a garbage forager by now, and are normally very vigilant about keeping it out of your pet's reach, but during this busy time of year when unaware company can throw off family routines, a "pet is more likely to get in the trash," says Dr. Hohenhaus. There they'll find foods and other objects they shouldn't -- but will want to -- eat.

2. Unusual foods. Overindulging your pet with fatty treats, like gravy or too much turkey or ham, can cause upset stomach and even pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Onions, garlic and scallions can damage dogs' red blood cells. Symptoms you can expect include lethargy and red discoloration in the dog's urine. And as you probably know, chocolates are a no-no.

3. Decorations. The worst combinations are cats and tinsel, and cats and wrapping-paper ribbon, says Dr. Hohenhaus. Curious cats are likely to swallow these enticements, "which causes their intestines to bunch up, and cuts into intestinal wall, so cats can't pass food through the intestinal wall normally," says Dr. Hohenhaus. "It requires surgery to cut these out surgically." "Don't have icicle tinsel on tree at all," she cautions.

Holiday lights are also risky temptation to pets, according to the Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine website, which recommends humans, "check cords for any signs of bite marks, loose or frayed wires, proximity to the tree's water supply, or evidence of short circuits." Electrical shock that could result can cause burns, difficulty breathing, abnormal heart rhythm, loss of consciousness, and death, the website warns.

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8 Small Dog Nutrition and Feeding Tips

Mary Kearl — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Dogs, Pet Health, Animal Nutrition

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You adore your little dog, but are you taking care of his or her special nutrition needs?

It isn't just about feeding your dog the proper serving size (though that is critical), it is also about taking into account a variety of factors that determine a pet's metabolism requirements, including age, activity level and reproductive status. To help guide you, Paw Nation spoke with animal nutritionist Susan Lauten, Ph.D., of Pet Nutrition Consulting, and Liz Palika, author of "The Ultimate Pet Food Guide," about how to ensure that our tiny friends live long, well-fed lives.

1. Use food manufacturer's guidelines as the starting point for determining proper portion size.
Unlike humans, there is no specific recommended daily calorie allowance for dogs. So begin with what is on the package and then modify to keep your pooch at the right weight. (See more on this below.) If you want to create a special diet for your dog -- whether by mixing types of store-bought foods or preparing meals from scratch -- consult a professional to make sure you are meeting your animal's nutrition and portion needs.

2. Adjust food amounts depending on whether you have a lazy lap dog or an active dog.
As with humans, healthy eating is all about calories in versus calories out. "Calculated caloric intake can vary up to 30 percent based on a dog's activity level and breed. What they recommend for active terriers is 30 to 40 percent higher than active dogs in general. Terriers, like the Jack Russell, are zooming around. But small pets that are carried around everywhere don't require as many calories," explains Lauten. Most bigger dogs are inactive in comparison.

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10 Human Foods Dogs Can Eat

Mary Kearl — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Dogs, Pet Health, Animal Nutrition

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You know you're not supposed to feed your dog chocolate, onions, grapes/raisins, macadamia nuts and avocados. And you monitor for sensitivity to common food allergens such as meat, corn, wheat and soy.

But you're only human, and sometimes it's hard to resist your dog's sweet stare as he begs you with his eyes to share some of your delicious homo sapien cuisine. When you want to give him a treat from your table, do you know which "human" foods are safe to feed your pup?

To find the answer, we called upon Liz Palika, author of "The Ultimate Pet Food Guide," and animal nutritionist, Susan Lauten, PhD, of Pet Nutrition Consulting, to explain which fresh, frozen and canned foods people typically eat that are safe for dogs to consume too.

1. Melons: Watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew are all healthy options for your pooch. "My dogs will take me down over cantaloupe," says Lauten. "I am required to share the whole thing with them." Consult animal poison control before feeding your dogs any of the more exotic melons.

2. Sunflower seeds (shelled): Skip the salt if possible, or serve in moderation, recommends Lauten. "Remember, treats should not comprise more than 10 percent of your dog's daily calorie intake. If your dog gets 500 calories a day, 50 calories could come from treats."

3. Peanut butter: Peanuts don't appear to cause allergies in dogs like they do in people, says Lauten. "I have some highly food-sensitive dogs for whom peanut butter is a large part of their diet."

4. Berries (fresh and frozen): Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, huckleberries or raspberries -- all are good for your furry friend for the same reason they're good for humans: free-radical-fighting antioxidants. "A lot of dogs like them frozen," says Lauten.

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Allergic to Pets? Here's What You Can Do

Mary Kearl — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Dogs, Pet Grooming

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You love animals but sadly, your eyes, nose, and lungs don't. (Or maybe it is your roommate who has trouble with your beloved animals.) An estimated one in 10 Americans may be allergic to pets, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI). So what can you or your allergic roommates do to live with furry, slobbery animals while keeping symptoms such as sneezing, a dripping nose, itchy eyes, coughing, and difficulty breathing at bay? We have 10 tips to help you deal with your allergies without having to give up the joy of having a dog or cat.

1. Avoid the main pet allergy triggers. Humans are most sensitive to proteins found in the animal's saliva, dander and urine, so petting and snuggling with your pet can really set off your allergies. Depending on the severity of your condition, that may mean cuddle time to a minimum and making sure you wash your hands thoroughly when you're done.

2. Keep Fido or Fluffy away from the bedroom. Because pet dander can float in the air, collect in clothing and furniture fabric and stick to the walls long after a pet has vacated the room, Ricardo Tan, M.D. of California Allery & Asthma Medical Group recommends keeping them out of the rooms allergy sufferers spend the most amount of time in, especially the bedroom. According to the AAFA's website, humans spend from one-third to one-half of our time in this part of the house, so keep the door closed at all times. To further protect your place of rest, the American Academy of Family Physicians website suggests using allergen-resistant bedding.

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