Domestic Animal Resources and Information

WARNING!

Last night at agility class a vet, who is a fellow agility student, was telling us about a case she had this week. The dog ate a child's teddy bear and was very sick. When she opened the dog up to remove what she thought was an intestinal obstruction she found a huge gelatin type mess inside. The dogs intestines were black and the tissue dead. The dog will die; no surgery can fix him up. There was no living intestine left from stomach to colon.

This was not an obstruction. She called the manufacturer of the teddy bear on a quest to find out what the gel was and what killed the dog. Turns out the stuffing in children's toys contains ingredients for flame retardants and mite control! It is designed to be come a gel. It is highly toxic. Now you would think a child's toy would be safe because it is for children, but they don't expect a child to eat the stuffing of the toys. But we all know dogs demolish stuffed toys.

So do not give or buy your dog any children's stuffed animals. Make sure all your dog toys are for dogs. It is a horrible death she described and one that can be avoided.

Heal dry, itchy skin.

Dry skin is the preferred environment for fleas, and can be a sign of inadequate nutrition. Feeding the right diet can bring the skin back into balance, and is an effective way to stop flea problems before they start.

When natural methods are not enough. For dogs or cats suffering from flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), natural methods of flea control are unlikely to be enough to relieve the problem. Dogs and cats with FAD are allergic to compounds in the saliva of the flea, so a single bite is all it takes to start an allergic reaction. If you suspect your dog or cat is suffering from FAD, speak with a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Litter Box Basics

Cleanliness.
Certain cats may demand that their boxes be cleaned every day. In general, daily maintenance, even with a clumping litter, is recommended.
Location
An ideal litter box location is both protected and accessible.
How many litter boxes?
Number of boxes be equal to the number of cats plus one, e.g., two cats should have three litter boxes.
There is a wide choice of litter possibilities. The Pet People staff can help you find a litter that might suit your cat to a tee.
If a cat stops using the litter box. If a cat suddenly stops using the litter box and begins to urinate in other areas of the house, it’s often a first sign of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disorder, kidney disease or diabetes. When litter box behavior changes for no apparent reason, it's a good idea to visit a veterinarian to rule out possible medical causes.
We’re not veterinarians. Pet People staff are well educated, and our writing is well-researched, but neither the advice of a Pet People staff member nor reading Pet People’s written materials can substitute for visiting a veterinarian. We offer carefully chosen, natural solutions, but we believe that veterinary conditions should be diagnosed and treated by professionals.

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How to House Train Your Puppy Cont'd.

Start to develop a schedule – Putting your dog on a feeding schedule during the house training process can make your efforts much more successful.
Acquire a kennel. Most pups and dogs will not eliminate in their crate. When you need to go to work or have to leave the house for a while, you can put your pup in her crate. When you come home, you can immediately take her outside and not give her the opportunity to make a mistake in the house.
Have a designated area for your puppy to "go."
When you get your puppy home the first day, start puppy housebreaking him immediately. After he has been briefly introduced to his home and new surroundings, take the puppy to the area you chose before bringing him home.
As soon as your puppy finishes, praise it excitedly and immediately take him inside. From that point on, take the puppy to the same housebreaking spot each time and encourage him with a command such as "go potty," "hurry up" or whatever you choose.
Be consistent using this single command only with the process of puppy housebreaking so that the puppy will learn to associate this act with the command.
Get everyone involved – if you live by yourself with your dog this step will be easy.
Take up the puppy's water early in the evening and to not feed or water it after say, 6:00 at night.
Clean up any accidents (and there will be plenty) quickly and thouroughly. There are products such as Icky Poo and Natures Miricle and others at pet pet stores.
Let him be free in the house with supervision at first, for longer periods not until you are sure he will ask to go out when he has to go. This strategy should not take more than two weeks for him to get the picture.