ePetDrugs Blog

So, Jack won’t stop barking at the squirrels, Boomer keeps nipping at guests and Lucy won’t come when called, much less fetch a ball. What in the world is there that can fix these things?

Not all pet training is created equal. Some systems employ, what I like to call, the Trick or Treat method, where after the trick the dog will get a treat as a reward. This is a great method if you are looking to get a little behavior modification such as a sit, stay, or lay down.

Another method is rewarding with actions rather than treats. For instance, scratching behind the ears when a trick is performed correctly. This saves the trainer from losing control of the dog just because there are no treats around.

Dog Whispering uses methods that work off of the pack mentality. The trainer assumes the role of Alpha Male and uses that authority to command his/her presence.

Finally, there are other methods such as pulse collars, mostly used for training dogs who hunt and are out in the field actively doing something that requires a lot of self-control.

Different training techniques work for different situations. For instance you probably wouldn’t use a pulse collar on a dog getting ready for a show. The best choice would probably be either rewarding with actions or something similar to dog whispering. Figure out what your needs and budget are, then start contacting local trainers and see what they suggest, but don’t forget to ask why. There is no point in paying someone to train your dog like a show dog if all you want them to do is to come when called.

Have you ever cut your fingernail too close to the skin? It hurts like the dickens doesn’t it? Sure it does, and it usually bleeds too. It is the same way with your pet.

The quick is the living part of the nail, that little pink triangle on the underneath side of the paw at the base of the claw. Think of it as your finger under your fingernail, that soft fleshy part that turns black when you hit it with a hammer.

The last thing you want to do is cut the quick on your pet. This usually is followed by a yelp or hiss and some blood on the nail. Here is the easiest way I found to cut the nail without getting too close.

Bend your finger slightly. Do you see how it creates little nooks? There is a little nook just like that between the tip of the quick and the bottom of the dead part of the nail. Position the bottom blade of the nail clippers right in that nook and then move the top blade down towards the tip of the nail, just a little bit. Make sure the nail clipper is perpendicular to the nail and cut.

Tadaa. You have a nail that is cut close to the quick, but not to the sensitive part. Your pet will love you for this and you will save yourself the hassle of chasing down a dog who doesn’t want his nails cut again.

Dental hygiene is just as important for pets as it is for humans. Most people think that by eating hard foods, the dog or cat will be able to maintain dental integrity. Just because you can chew through a pound of croutons, does that mean you don’t have to brush?

No! Of course not.

Pets are no different and there are numerous types of dental care items you can buy. Here are the ones I suggest:

C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit for Dogs - This kit includes poultry-flavored C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste, C.E.T. Fingerbrush, and C.E.T. Dual-Ended Toothbrush. To be quite honest, I like the fingerbrush the best. It lets you know you are getting everywhere you need to. Cats are a little more difficult and if you don’t feel comfortable restraining your cat (trust me, you will most likely need to do this) then make sure you have a dental checkup with your vet at least twice a year.

There are a few mouth rinses which can be purchased here and here if you would like. I don’t usually use these because they are a bit messy, but to each their own.

Finally there is an equivalent to a fluoride treatment to help protect and prevent plaque and tarter buildup. It is called OraVet and works quite well. It is rather simple to apply and works great as an in-between cleaning prevention.

No matter what you decide to use, just make sure you are consistent with the cleaning. It will make all the difference to your pet’s teeth.

Declawing cats, otherwise known as onychectomy, is a pretty touchy subject. Some rant about how nice it is to now have couch tassels and others boast of the inhumane procedure involved. Like all things there are pros and cons on each side of the ball of yarn.

It is a solid and unwavering fact: Cats naturally have claws. They are similar to our fingernails. Just think of all the things you do to your fingernails and then imagine your cat doing the same. OK, well maybe not painting them cherry red or anything, but cutting them down if they start to crack or filing them if they become too uneven. Cats have to go through the same process, only in different ways.

A cat with claws usually needs to file them down if they get too long. This is done on a rough surface, or some place they can dig their claws into. If your cat is able to go outside, trees are usually the prime victim, but for an inside cat, there is usually only furniture and the carpet. It is best to introduce your cat at a very young age to a scratching post so that they learn where to “cut” their nails.

Cats that have an abnormal destructive behavior or are in danger of harming people usually need to be declawed and at this point many vets would rather see a declaw than turning in to a shelter or even worse, letting the cat go wild outside. If you think your cat might fit this category, talk to your vet. There might be other methods to help such as a new vinyl cap that can be fitted over their claw to help keep it dull.

While cats with claws can be destructive inside the house, cats without claws have no form of protection outside the house. This is a giant factor when deciding whether or not to declaw. Once again, talk with your vet and know that like all surgery procedures, animal and human alike, there is a possibility for error and an altered outcome.

While the holiday season is filled with joy and fun, they are also a prime time for disaster to strike. There are a few things to consider if you are hosting a holiday get-together this year, especially if you have pets. Making sure you and your pets make it through the holiday season safe and sound is one of the biggest accomplishments you can boast about the day after, that and that amazing green bean casserole you made from scratch.

If you have a medium to large dog, please make sure they do not go table surfing, especially during the actual dinner. It is a great way for them to get sick, not to mention who wants to eat that amazing green bean casserole if it has a paw print in the middle of it. When dogs, and some cats for that matter, table surf, they tend to over eat big time. The result, you will have to clean up more than the initial mess they made. While food is out, let the pets outside to stretch their legs if you have a fenced in backyard. If not, put them in another room with a toy and a few treats of their own.

Turkey bones, or any avian (bird) bones for that matter are bad news when it comes to pets. The reason being, bird bones are lighter than others as they have tiny air pockets in them to help the bird fly. These bones don’t just break like a stick would, they fracture and shatter into tiny pieces. These small pieces can cause a choking hazard to cats as well as lodge themselves in digestive tracts and can wreak havoc on internal organs.

With the flow of guests this season, the door will open and shut enough times to heat the entire neighborhood. It is important to make sure you have a good eye on your pets as friends and family come and go. The last thing you would want on a Thanksgiving is to have to look for your pet because they just so happened to slip out when someone had the door open.

Along with the opening and closing of the door, you have to account for the number of people you will have at your place. Before inviting your friends, family, neighbors, home-owners association members, city council, and your long lost cousin’s father’s monkey, ask yourself how many people your pet has been around at any given time. If the answer is only 3 then you might want to scale back your festivities or find some way to keep your pet away from all the new people. When scared or anxious, pets sometimes lash out or try to get out. Neither of which would make for a good party vibe.

Most importantly, be conscious about your pet(s) and their behavior. If necessary, take them into a quite and dark room so they can calm down and relax a bit and when you do so, make it a point to let your guests know not to go in the designated room. Everyone will have a much better time if these things are considered.

If you are like me, your pet is a member of your family and there is no getting around the holidays without gifts for them. Today I am going to give you my top picks for cats and dogs. I guarantee that your four-legged family member will love these special gifts.

Dogs:

1. Kong Puppy Flyer - Puppies have a ton of energy, but they also have razor sharp teeth. What better to play with than a gift that will make them run, but is also indestructible to those little balls of fur. This gift will exercise all of the family and makes for a great time, especially when they catch it a time or two.

2. Aspen Leather & Floss - What dog doesn’t enjoy a good game of tug-o-war? I know my dogs love it. With this leather and rope toy they get to pull you around while helping their teeth. The leather makes for an easy grip (important for puppies and senior dogs) while the rope part gets those hard to reach places between their teeth. Have you ever tried to floss a dog’s teeth without one? I wouldn’t recommend it.

3. Eco Bones - For the environmentally conscious dog, these bones are soft and squeaky, plus they are made of eco-friendly materials so no worries when they get lost or better yet, torn to shreds. Great for low energy dogs who just like to sit around.

4. Powzer Flash ‘N Dash Ball - Tons of fun for the dog on the go. These balls come in an assortment of colors. When they hit the ground they flash for 25 seconds. Great for night games of fetch or the human that comes home after dusk. They also make good markers if you walk your dog at night so cars can see you. Perfect for winter boredom when stuck in the house.

5. Peanut Butter Bone - This is my Great Dane’s favorite. Take a hollow bone, fill it with peanut butter and put it in the freezer for a couple of hours. Your pup will go nuts trying to get the peanut butter out of the middle. It also works their jaw muscles (an important thing for dogs who love to chew) so they are less likely to go after a shoe or furniture.

Cats:

1. Eco Fish for Cat - Perfect little play toy for your kitten. They will roll around for hours, pouncing, clawing and biting these little fishies. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the messy clean up as with real fish, nor that old fish smell. Sounds like a win-win to me.

2. Kitty Lure Caster - This is fun on a stick. If you enjoy interacting with your cat, this will be a blast for the both of you. You can lure and move the dangling toy and watch your cat jump and flip for joy.

3. Good-Time Gecko - A rather large, 6″ toy filled with organic catnip. Your cat will flip out over this toy, guaranteed. Plus, it is large enough that they won’t be able to hide it from you or stash it away without your knowing. Those cats can be sneaky, sneaky sometimes.

4. Kitty Hoots Big Mama’s Scratch-O-Rama Scratchy Mat - Long name, amazing results. For the cat with claws, give them something to scratch other than the drapes or the carpet. This mat is filled with catnip and will provide hours of entertainment. They will roll on the mat, scratch the mat, and probably even fall asleep on the mat out of sheer exhaustion.

5. Laser Pointer - Some think that this is a cruel toy, but it can be a lot of fun if you are not cruel with it. My cat loves this as it simulates the hunting experience. It is fun to see them crouch down, wiggle their hind end, then pounce only to have the little dot move away. Then they go running after it like a lioness chasing a gazelle. Great for those cold winter weekends when no other cats want to come out and play.

There you have it, my top 5 toys for cats and dogs. Get them something nice this holiday season, wrap it up and put it under the tree. Don’t let them peek though, I already said those cats can be sneaky creatures. Enjoy!

To all of the new readers, as well as the older ones, welcome to the new installment of the ePetDrugs blog. I will be your new host. Let me tell you a little about me.

My name is Sal and I was born and raised in Louisiana. I spent 2 years as an understudy at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine to become a Vet Tech. I moved to South Carolina in 2003 and studied for another year and a half at the Dorchester Vet Hospital working mostly with dogs and cats. I also have an invisible sign on my front yard that only stray animals can see. It constantly flashes, in bright neon lights, “SUCKER LIVES HERE!” That being said, I have had every sort of animal from Great Dane to Sugar Glider and many in between.

I am looking forward to answering any questions you might have but let me preface with the fact that I am not a licensed Veterinarian, so I might refer you to such if the questions get too detailed. I can provide you with my opinion, but I do not claim to know everything about animals and some things will need to be seen by a licensed Vet.

I would like to start an Ask ePetDrugs column on Fridays where I will field any simple questions you might have. The email for this will be askepetdrugs(AT)gmail.com. If you have any questions on which toys are best suited for Chihuahua’s to how do I clip the nails on my German Sheppard, feel free to email us and we will field those as they come in.

Tomorrow we will do a toy review for all of you who are braving the traffic and lines to get those special holiday gifts for your furry loved ones. As always, feel free to leave comments downstairs and introduce yourself so that we can get to know each other a little more (don’t forget to introduce that little one of yours too, they are also important to get to know). Until then, find a tummy to scratch and a ball to throw. We’ll see you back here tomorrow.

Jodi Webb

A study by UK veterinarians found that 43% of the animals they saw were overweight.  Even though, in the tradition of that cartoon favorite Garfield, we think of cats as the fatties only 20% of cats were overweight compared with 47% of dogs.  And being overweight can cause or exacerbate many medical conditions for animals such as arthritis, diabetes, and kidney problems.  So it’s time to call in the fat busters.

Remember to discuss all your plans with your vet and keep him informed of your pet’s progress.  Cats shouldn’t lose more than a pound per month and dogs weight loss depends on their breed.  Larger dogs can lose up to 5 pounds a month.  Most vets will recommend the dieting triangle.

1.    Meals—With your vet, discuss diet dog foods and determine just how many calories your pet should be eating daily.  Feed your pet twice a day and leave the food out for only 20 minutes, not all day.  He might complain but he’ll learn to eat during mealtimes.  And you’ll eliminate the risk of your pet being fed over and over again throughout the day by family members who think everyone else forgot to fill the bowls.

2.    Snacks- Sticking to your feeding schedule doesn’t work if, in between meals, your pet gets a steady supply of treats. Treats full of fiber can satisfy your pet without adding a lot of calories.  Many dogs like vegetables such as carrot chips or green beans(no butter!) while some cats like a spoonful of canned pumpkin.  If you must stick to traditional treats cut the amount.  Instead of giving your cat three treats, give him one.  Buy the smallest size treats you can for your dog—no matter what size he is.  And start reading labels.  Not all pet treats are created equally as far as calories are concerned.

3.    Exercise—The third corner of the dieting triangle is exercise.  Try an extra walk for your dog or rev it up—a little faster pace if he’s up to the challenge.  Most cats won’t submit to a walk but you can add exercise to their daily routine.  One thing cats will exercise willingly for is food.  So divide his food into three smaller bowls that you hide around the kitchen or house forcing him to wander about or even jump if he wants to enjoy a meal.  Same with treats.  Both dogs and cats should have to participate in a bit of physical activity to get a treat.  Being cute just doesn’t it cut it anymore.

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Jodi Webb

For many pet owners, saying goodbye to their kids at the school bus also signals another goodbye: goodbye to worrying about fleas and ticks. But don’t heave a sigh of relief yet.

Although fleas prefer warmer weather, ticks are the opposite. They actually prefer the more moderate temperatures of autumn and spring. And with the cooler weather you and your pet may be spending even more enjoying the outdoors: romping in the leaves, hiking, watching your kid’s soccer game. And offering more chances for ticks to hitch a ride.

So don’t give up checking your pet for hitchhikers or using a prevention medication like K-9 Advantix or a Preventic tick collar. Don’t overlook your cat, even if he is strictly an indoors animal. Ticks have a way of getting indoors—on other pets or humans. Check your indoor animal for ticks also.

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Jodi Webb

We all know why we take our dogs for walks—physical activity. Just like we need daily exercise so does our dog. And a tired dog is a well-behaved dog. Sure, exercise contributes to a dog’s behavior but there’s another part to the equation—mental activity. Because a bored dog is much more likely to misbehave. So what is mental activity for a dog?

Well, walks can be one kind of mental activity. All that sniffing, wandering, and other exploring he does as he make your way down the road wishing he’d just WALK IN A STRAIGHT LINE? That’s him thinking. “Oh, a dog was here…someone dropped food here…what’s that weird smell.” But don’t rely solely on walks to get your dog thinking. Learning tricks, new toys, games, even just sitting watching a busy street can rev up his brain. Just remember, if you take time to play that old favorite “Find the Hidden Treat”, he has less time to create his own games “Chew the Shoe”, “Knock the Box of Cereal to the Floor(and Eat it), or “Destroy the Sofa Cushions”.

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Jodi Webb

We’ve all heard about chocolate and pets—a strict no-no. But what other foods can cause problems with your pets? And remember, it doesn’t have to be just the foods listed. Any food that has one of these foods as an ingredient can also cause problems. They may not kill your pet but they can cause a host of health problems ranging from anemia to digestion.

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Jodi Webb

I don’t know about you but I always seem to get invited to more parties where food is a key element once the weather cools—not just Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day—but get togethers for football games, PTA meetings, birthday parties. With all that yummy food around we’re all tempted to give our pets “just a taste”. There are several reasons to ignore those sad “I haven’t been fed in days” eyes staring up at you. First, it encourages bad habits. Sure, you don’t mind the begging but do you really want Fido howling for roast beef when you have the boss over for dinner? Second, for every bite of human food they have that’s on less bite of their pet food that they eat. Seems like a fair trade but the fact is that commercially prepared pet food also includes a mix of minerals and vitamins your pet needs—a mix they might not get from that slice of pumpkin pie. Third, the food could be toxic. Yes, we know you’d never feed your dog a chocolate bar. We all know chocolate and animals don’t mix. But there are plenty of other human foods that animals don’t eat and sometimes it isn’t that obvious. For instance, dogs shouldn’t eat onions. But what about meatloaf? Meatloaf’s fine. Except for the chopped onion that you forgot about inside the meatloaf. Oops. It’s simpler to just declare all human food off limits.

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Jodi webb

In 1930 a flat-coated retriever named Jack lived on the North Docks of Swansea, Wales with his owner William Thomas. In his lifetime he was credited with saving 27 people from drowning. He was named the Bravest Dog of the Year in 1936 and awarded two bronze medals by the National Canine Defense League. He was immortalized with a statue of Swansea Jack on the town’s promenade but this year the town is trying a little something new to commemorate his bravery.

This year’s Swansea Festival of Music and the Arts will feature “A Song for Jack”, a pre-recorded concert of some songs celebrating the relationship of man and dog. Some of the numbers will be a new take on an old Beatles favorite: “All You Need Is a Dog” and Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. All the singers will be making their doggie debut. The town had tryouts but only ten dogs made the cut including a Basset Hound, Bichon Frise, Border Collie, German Shepherd, Jack Russell, two Lurchers. The problem is a different song inspires each dog to sing: one prefers “Happy Birthday” another “Hooray for Hollywood” another “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”. Hopefully they can all come together at the same time.

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Jodi Webb

I’m sure that’s what our neighbor’s dog was thinking earlier this week as she paced nervously along the fence line of her yard. We thought she was just stressed by the picnic her owner threw and all the canine guests but that wasn’t it. Turns out she was trying to pass a few kidney stones(a few dozen it turns out). Eventually she was so restless our neighbor took her to the closest vet he could find on a holiday weekend—45 minutes from our street. The stones had migrated and were blocking the tubes to her bladder. She’s back home now recovering from her surgery. I never even knew dogs(and cats)could get kidney and bladder stones. Seems they’re pretty common in certain breeds such as Dalmatian dogs and Persian cats. But there are some steps to take to help ward off stones, especially if your pet is a susceptible breed.

Eat—Stick to a commercially prepared food since a diet high in vegetables and grains can cause certain stones to form. Yet another reason to forgo the scraps from the table. Sometimes canned food is preferable to dry food because of the added water content.

Drink—Stones are cause by minerals and the minerals are more diluted if your pet drinks a lot of water. Some vets recommend that animals that have had stones drink salted water( 1/4 teaspoon salt for each pint of water)so they drink more.

Be Merry—Make sure your pet has plenty of outdoors time. All that drinking doesn’t help if they don’t also have the opportunity to urinate frequently. And keep a close eye on your pet when outdoors. Some of the symptoms of stones are painful or blood urinating, decreased urine output, vomiting, or a changed mental state: depression or agitation.

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Jodi Webb

Ah, Labor Day weekend. A time for picnics, a time for friends and family, a time for unwanted guests…

Almost everyone of my friends has a pet, usually a dog. I like dogs—big dogs, little dogs, fancy dogs, roll-around-in-the-mud dogs. What I don’t like are uninvited dogs. I suppose many people assume that since a picnic is outdoors it’s OK to bring their dogs. I don’t know about Miss Manners but Miss J. is telling you don’t do it. For so many reasons.

1. Space—even a huge backyard will seem smaller when it’s packed with people, tables, grills, and food.
2. The Call of Nature—do you want to spend the entire party following your dog around with a pooper scooper or watching him urinate on the host’s favorite rosebush?
3. The Guest Factor—there may be guests at the party who aren’t dog people, or allergic, or wearing a white sun dress(this is particularly disastrous if your dog is black, shedding, and likes to sit on laps).
4. The Dog Factor–there may be dogs at the party who aren’t dog friendly. Even if the host’s dog is normally friendly, he may be feeling territorial with so many people at the house.
5. Food—will people feed your pet food you don’t want him to have(or alcohol?), will he beg, will you have to cart along food and water for him?
6. Stress—even if your dog is friendly and easygoing he may not like parties. Chances are you’ll want him to behave—for a long period of time. No barking, no begging, no running, no eating the delicious food. Sound like fun to you?

Leave Fido at home—he and the sofa will have their own party.

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