VSSF

A pet’s playful and loving nature immediately lifts your spirits and their constant need for your attention and unconditional love has a positive effect on a pet owner’s confidence, making them feel important, loved, needed, and most importantly, relaxed. Therefore, it is not a surprise that many therapists tend to keep tiny animals (such as hamsters) in their office because they put children (as well as adults) at ease in an otherwise anxiety prone environment.

Dog owners realize the importance of taking their pet out for a walk, making it a part of their own daily routine. This custom acts as a stress reliever because exercise releases endorphins, our body’s ‘feel good hormone’, which gives us the boost we desperately need, subsequently decreasing ‘stress hormones’ such as cortisol.

While people provide good social support, pets act as a great icebreaker for meeting new people. There is a reason why a majority of romance movies follow the same cliché of having the protagonists meet for the first time in a park where one (or both) is walking a dog. The basic premise behind this is that we appear  more approachable because instead of the daunting task of having to converse with somebody you are meeting for the first time, you can talk to (and through) the furry animal with the loving eyes. Increasing our network of friends also has great stress relief benefits in the long run.

Talk to your vet today about how you can include your pet in daily activities, allowing you to manage your stress even better. Pets are loyal by nature, and most can sense your emotions in times of suffering and pain. Let them take care of you in their own loving ways. 

Dental hygiene in dogs is extremely important because, just like people, dental disease can have a holistic effect on their body. If gone untreated for long periods of time, these problems can potentially have disastrous effects.

Plaque accumulates on your dog’s teeth and if it isn’t taken care of in a timely fashion, it hardens into tartar. This can lead to gum irritation and periodontal disease. One of the best remedies against this is water additives. They don’t contain any chlorhexidine, chlorines, or alcohol, which can be harmful to your dog. Instead, they typically contain enzymes that break down plaque as well as kill the bacteria associated with periodontal disease. Consult with your vet to determine which of the many solutions on the market are best for your dog.

Another remedy worth looking into is dental chews, which also counter plaque and tartar buildup. Like water additives, some may even contain enzymes to combat plaque before it hardens into tartar and control bacteria while others clean the dog’s teeth, simultaneously exercising his jaw. Again, consulting with your vet is always the best option before opting to use any method as part of your dog’s oral care. Your veterinarian can better determine what remedies are the best for your dog by taking x-rays to ensure there are no problems under the gum lines, as well as clean and polish your pet’s teeth.

Dogs are either good at hiding their pain or are unable to articulate their pain. Many owners can see changes in their dogs’ behavior after they receive dental therapy, citing their pets as much more playful and active than before. The ideal way to ensure good dental hygiene in your pet is by daily brushing and visiting the vet twice a year. Remember, good oral hygiene is imperative to your dog’s overall health, so treat it with as much care as you would any other problem.

Many dog owners have established a kind of bond over the frustrating, but equally comical, experience of their dog’s reaction to water during bath time. However, water is imperative to a dog’s well being in many ways rather than just the obvious thirst-quenching factor.

 Involving the use of water in housetraining is a first. The norm has usually been to limit a dog’s water during the fact to keep them from urinating when you are unable to let them out. This technique is generally flawed. For one thing, dogs keep cool by panting, which is done effectively only if there is enough moisture in their respiratory system. Water helps in transporting waste products out through the kidneys and intestines, and also helps in cleansing the kidneys, reducing the risk of infection. Furthermore, if a dog is deprived of water when he needs it, he will make up for it after by drinking more than he needs to after. This in itself is a problem as it can cause physical ailments such as diarrhea, bloating, vomiting and urinating inside the house, the one thing you wanted to avoid in the first place.

Cooling is the next obvious use of water. Dogs are unaware of their needs, and are therefore thoroughly dependent on you to fulfill this essential need This is imperative since it is hard to distinguish overheating in dogs and can lead to death. Keep a close watch on your dog when the temperature starts rising, as your dog has not yet adjusted. It is normal behavior for your dog to occupy himself for long periods of time with activities that distract them such as chasing squirrels or some outdoor activity. Try to avoid leaving them alone for too long in hot temperatures because a dog will not realize it needs water until it is too late. If you are not sure if your dog is overheating, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Water is also great for a recreational use. In order to work through a dog’s natural fear of water, introduce them to it gently. On hot days, spraying them with cool water will not only cool them down but also create a positive association that dogs can have with water. Water is also sometimes used as a part of a physical therapy regimen for dogs with orthopedic problems.

Whatever the reason, make water your dog’s friend. They will thank you for it later.

 

The loss of a beloved dog is always a trial for it's owners, who very much see it as a family member. For those blessed with two or more dogs, the loss is very evident in the other dogs' behavior as well. Depression and being inactive is a common occurrence along with personality changes. In order to ensure that your dog makes it through this rough patch, there are a number of things you can do, which can in turn also be therapeutic for you.

Positive training with your dog, if done effectively, will not only improve your relationship with your dog, but will also refine the dog's behavior. Positive reinforcement for rewarding behavior is essential in training the dog. Consulting a trainer or observing a class may be a helpful way to go about it if you're unsure where to start.

Take care to notice all the things that the grieving dog used to enjoy that he/she seems disconnected from now. Little things such as taking walks, even if just to the mailbox, can be a great technique to slowly bring your dog back to a routine.

Many owners rush into getting another dog in order to fill the void the previous one left. This can be especially detrimental to the grieving dog's healing process. For one thing, your dog is your family member and cannot be easily replaced. You will simply make room for a new addition, but do so at a manageable pace. Forcing this will cause your dog to feel abandoned, as it is not uncommon for owners to start paying more attention to a new dog, especially a younger one. Moreover, chances are the new dog will not exactly be welcomed with open arms by the grieving dog, possibly resulting in aggressive altercations between the two. Receiving individual attention is crucial at this stage for the grieving dog and it is best to wait before getting a new one.

Mourning the loss of a loved one is natural and it is extremely important to realize that your dog may also be taking a toll from this loss. The best thing to do in this situation is to reach out to the grieving dog. This is a healthy remedy for not only your pet, but you as well.

 

It’s bad news if your cat is feeling stressed. Why you ask? Stress is a key factor in health issues that develop in cats which can lead to litter box mishaps. To keep your cat healthy and your home nice and clean, look out for and try to avoid these stressors your cat could be experiencing:

1. You have many cats, and not enough litter boxes! This is going to lead to tension and aggression among your felines, especially if one cat in particular is hogging the restroom and the other cats have nowhere else to turn. Also, be sure the boxes are in quiet, private areas of the home and are kept clean. They need to be easy to reach, especially for those cats that are a tad older and have a harder time getting around. Your best option: at least one box per cat to avoid prospective issues from having to share.

2. Cats don’t appreciate change! Consistency in food, dish location, and feeding schedules are a must! Seclusion is a key factor as well; cats prefer to eat in private---this means they want their own bowl, full of clean, fresh water that hasn’t been touched by another cat. You may even want to consider getting a pet water fountain for a constant supply of recirculated, filtered water. Yeah, cats are picky that way.

3. Bored cats are stressed cats. Let them outdoors, they love it out there! Just be sure they are fenced in to keep them safely in your yard. Your home can be fun to them too, though; cat towers are incredibly helpful here, giving them something vertical to climb on. They also love to hide in spots and explore, so give them that opportunity! Don’t skip out on play time, either. Cats love toys and even a few greens and catnip for them to chew and roll around on would be a great addition to your home.

4. Try to keep the noise level to a minimum in your home. Loud TVs and family members aren’t the most pleasurable thing for a cat---they like to have quiet time and prefer to stay away from all the racket.

5. A massage for your kitty! This could be beneficial for the both of you! Research has shown that petting your cat lowers your stress levels as well as your cats.

Reducing the amount of stress in your cat’s life can ultimately reduce the amount of stress in your own life. So, not only are you keeping your cat happy and healthy, but you are benefiting yourself as well!

 

We all know that exercise is important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. For all of us dog lovers, we like to have them participate in our activities, but we have to remember that our energetic little friends have limits that differ from ours.

Here are some potentially hazardous scenarios to avoid when exercising with your pup.

High Jumping- While dogs love to chase around a ball or Frisbee, tossing these objects too high or off of a tall structure can cause your dog to land awkwardly. Unfortunately this accounts for the crippling of many canines each year. Be sure to keep the objects lower to the ground to protect your pet from over extending themselves and causing an injury.

Dangerous Objects- When fetching, use lightweight safe toys like a tennis ball for instance. Heavy and hard objects can damage dog’s teeth when caught. Sticks can also pose a hazard to pups when caught, because they can easily extend to the back of the mouth or throat causing an injury.

Over-Exercising- Our dogs may seem like they have an endless supply of energy, but the reality is, they experience fatigue just like we do. Without moderation a dog will become tired, lethargic, and extended bouts of extreme exercise can lead to more serious conditions like heat stroke or dehydration. Always bring water to keep your canine friend hydrated throughout exercise sessions.

Heat- In South Florida we are accustomed to a hot climate. We have to remember that unlike humans, dogs have an inability to regulate body temperature efficiently. Dogs that have short muzzles, black and long-haired dogs, and especially young or old dogs are most susceptible to overheating. Remember that the top temperature for a working (or allowing a dog to play excessively) is about 85° F. However 85° would be too hot for those dogs that are most susceptible to overheating. Also remember the humidity, as the heat index increases with the level of humidity.

Warming Up- It is crucial to have your dog warm up before sessions of intense exercise like pulling a sled or doing a lot of running. This can prevent strain and fatigue. Light activity allows the pup to warm up his muscles and get moving before taking on a heavier activity load. The rest period after activity is also vital as it is the time allotted for muscle recovery.

Following these basic guidelines will have you and your pet living a happy, safe and healthy lifestyle together. Now all you have to do is get moving!

 

February 20th is Love Your Pet Day and we’re here to help celebrate the day by giving you 20 fun facts you might not have known about your favorite furry friend!

This section is for the Ailurophiles which is a name given to those people who love cats!

• Studies have shown that cats have better memories than dogs, monkeys or orangutans.
• Cats spend almost 30% of their lives grooming themselves.
• Your cat's heart beats twice as fast as yours.
• Cats almost never "purr" at other cats. The sound is reserved for humans.
• One litter of kittens can be produced by more than one father.
• Sir Isaac Newton invented the cat door.
• It’s not just from the movies; cats really can be trained to use the toilet as their litter box. Some can even be taught to flush when they’re done.
• Cats have five toes on each front foot, but only four on each back foot.
• A cat can jump up to five times its height in a single bound.
• Just like fingerprints. Every cat’s nose pad is different.

This section is for “Amantes de los perros” which is Spanish for dog lovers!

• The phrase “raining cats and dogs” originated in seventeenth-century England. During heavy rainstorms, many homeless animals would drown and float down the streets, giving the appearance that it had actually rained cats and dogs.
• Dalmatians are completely white at birth.
• Some dogs can detect cancer that is too small to be detected by a doctor and can find lung cancer by sniffing a person’s breath.
• Despite their breed or size, all dogs have 42 teeth and 321 bones—all breeds.
• The dog was one of the first animals domesticated by humans.
• Louis Doberman, a German tax-collector, created the Doberman breed in the late 1860s to protect him while he worked
• The only sweat glands a dog has are between the paw pads.
• The U.S. has the highest domestic dog population in the world.
• It has been established that people who own pets live longer, have less stress, and have fewer heart attacks.
• The world’s smartest dogs are thought to be (1) the border collie, (2) the poodle, and (3) the golden retriever.

Not everyone is aware of the challenges that come with caring for a deaf dog. The training process itself requires a lot of commitment and patience since you are basically substituting words with physical signs and facial expressions.  The luxury of yelling commands across a room in order to stop your dog from digging in the trash is unfortunately not your best option. However, do not be discouraged! Dogs are smart and they will surprise you in how quickly they’ll adapt to your new sign language. You will notice that it is easier to interact with your dog while you’re indoors, but the exciting setting of being outdoors may hinder your communication making it more difficult to retain your dog’s attention. Here are a few helpful tips in how to keep your deaf dog’s attention.

1. Loose Leash: keeping your dog on a leash is very important in the early stages of training for the obvious reasons. However, make sure that while trying to establish contact, the leash is not tight. That way they are forced to watch you rather than just feel you through the leash, so keep that leash loose!
2. Reward: the act of praise plays a vital role when training a dog, deaf or not. Since they cannot hear the sound of your voice, giving them a treat is the best way to reward a deaf puppy. Each time they respond correctly to a sign, reward them by instantly whipping out a tasty treat! Remember; keep the food out of sight until you are ready to give it. This will prevent the treat from becoming, in the dog's mind, an actual part of the command--or a bribe.
3. Creative attention methods: if your dog is facing away from you, one of the simplest things to do is to wait until they turn around. Indoors, if you walk up behind your dog, they may feel the vibrations of your approach and turn around or touching them lightly so you don’t startle them. Outdoors during the day, you can also try tossing a small stone or ball near your dog to get his attention. Be very careful not to hit your dog!
4. Vibrating Collar: possibly the best way to retrieve your dog’s attention when they are distracted is with the use of a vibrating collar. A vibrating collar works much like a pager. It has 2 parts, a hand held unit for the person, and another unit that the dog wears as a collar. This device is very popular for owners with deaf dogs and usually become less necessary once their dog is past their adolescent phase and are trained to the point that their owners feel confident that the dog will "check in," and come when called.

Remember to always train your dog in this sequence: 1) do the sign, 2) move away, 3) give praise when they follow, 4) take out treat, 5) give it. Always conduct at least 3 to 5 repetitions in a row before you release the dog's attention. This is what teaches them to sustain that attention on you until you release it.  Be patient and loving and your dog will do the rest!

Having a hard time finding the perfect gift for the pet-lover in your life? Look no further! Here are some ideas to help you discover the best gift for that special someone.

Make this Valentine’s Day a special one with a customized gift from 4 Paws Forever. 4 Paws Forever creates one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry from the actual paw print of pets--- and since every paw print is unique, just as no two fingerprints of a human are the same,  this gift is completely original! Just visit www.4pawsforever.org to get started on a custom gift to give this year.

You can spread the love AND help out a charity when you buy a gift from the Animal Rescue Site! Each item you buy provides at least 14 bowls of food for shelter animals in need---could it get any better? From jewelry to measuring spoon sets, you are bound to find just the right thing to give for Valentine’s Day this year at www.theanimalrescuesite.com.

Finding just the right gift for your pet-lover is SIMPLE when you shop on Dog is Good’s website. Even better, a portion of the proceeds for some of these gifts benefit rescue! Dog is Good is proud to enable dog addicts worldwide and only offer the best, and sometimes the funniest, products to their customers! Check out what they have to offer at www.dogisgood.com.

Sites like these take the hassle out of gift giving. Now you should have no trouble discovering something special and unique to give on Valentine’s Day! 

February is National Pet Dental Health month, so we decided to celebrate the most appropriate way by giving you some tips and the importance of taking care of their dental health. Many pet owners don’t realize the importance of brushing their cat or dog’s teeth, and tend to neglect it. The key to maintaining good oral hygiene is to brush their teeth daily in order to remove plaque, which is a collection of bacteria that builds up at the gum line. If you don’t remove this plaque routinely it will form tartar, which will irritate the gums and could lead to infection or the loss of teeth. You don’t want your pet to get an infection under the gum line because it can spread to the liver, kidneys, and heart.

If you brush your pet’s teeth daily, you will not have to have them cleaned by a veterinarian as often. You should examine their teeth monthly and check for yellow or brown material where the tooth meets the gum line. If there is a lot of yellow or brown material, bring your pet in for a professional cleaning as soon as you can. If you perform daily brushings at home, start by picking a soft-bristled or finger toothbrush and apply only toothpaste purchased from your veterinarian. Do not use human toothpaste because it is harmful to your pet and has detergents that shouldn’t be swallowed by them.

Begin brushing your pet’s teeth as soon as their puppy or kitten teeth surface so that you can get them used to the procedure. Also, brushing their teeth is very necessary in the removal of plaque. There are also many precautions that you can take to try and avoid a large buildup:

• Hard food helps remove plaque from teeth. The combination of special diets and daily brushings is the best way to keep the teeth clean.
• Chewing on objects harder than teeth may lead to dental fractures. Cow and horse hoofs commonly cause fractures of the upper fourth premolars.
• Tug-of-war games should not be played, especially in young dogs and cats to avoid moving growing teeth.
• Throwing toy discs can cause trauma to the teeth, resulting in pulpitis (an inflammation of the pulp).

Remember, humans aren’t the only ones who need quality dental care. Give your pet a sparkling smile and they’ll thank you for life!