pets

Dog Tricks

Pet Connection by by Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
by Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
Pet Connection | July 7th, 2014

DOGS MAY DECEIVE OTHER DOGS (AND PEOPLE) TO GAIN BENEFITS FOR THEMSELVES OR JUST FOR FUN

By Kim Campbell Thornton

When my dog Harper was a puppy, she wanted up in my lap one day. The problem was, my lap was already occupied by Twyla, our black-and-tan cavalier. Harper knew that Twyla would "give her what for" if she dared to jump up there, too. Harper paced back and forth, watching us. You could practically see the wheels spinning in her head.

Suddenly, Harper sprinted for the stairs, barking loudly. Twyla immediately jumped out of my lap and ran down the stairs to lead the charge against whatever danger threatened us. Harper, still at the top of the stairs, stopped barking, trotted back to my chair and hopped in my lap. Problem solved.

I never cease to be entertained and impressed by dogs' thought processes. In her book "Inside of a Dog," Alexandra Horwitz writes that "dogs are quite capable of concealing behavior, acting to deflect attention from their true motives." In other words, they practice deception.

In a 2009 address to the American Psychological Association, canine researcher Stanley Coren, author of "The Intelligence of Dogs," said, "During play, dogs are capable of deliberately trying to deceive other dogs and people in order to get rewards."

My husband has experienced this in nosework class with Gemma, our Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix. Inside her tiny head is a brain worthy of Machiavelli -- or at least Machiavelli's dog. Gemma knows that she is rewarded with treats when she finds a particular odor, and at first she wasn't above giving a false alert in the hope that she might get rewarded anyway. She has learned, though, that it doesn't work, and last time she rocked all her searches, including sweeping by the boxes containing tasty distractors such as pasta, popcorn and Cheetos.

Anna McDole, a veterinarian in San Jose, California, says her dog pretends to walk away from the cat food. When McDole thinks it's safe to drop her guard, he sneaks behind her to get back to it.

Glenye Oakford of Lexington, Kentucky, says her beagle, Eider, knows how to lie when the pressure's on.

"He will sometimes find a forbidden object, like one of our baseball caps, and grab it. In his excitement, he'll fly around at top speed carrying the item in his mouth. When we spot him and yell 'Eider!' he runs behind a piece of furniture and emerges on the other side with nothing in his mouth and keeps on running, as if to say, 'You must have been mistaken because I'm just running around here having fun.'"

Dogs don't always trick other dogs (or people) with the intent of getting something out of it. Sometimes they do it just for fun. Kim Schive of Carlisle, Massachusetts, still laughs when she remembers this story about two of her Shetland sheepdogs.

Kia lived to keep the yard free of squirrels. Whenever she saw one, she ran at the fence, jumped at it, hitting it with all four feet, did a quick half-turn in the air and another quick half-turn on landing. Then she stamped her feet five times, all the while barking furiously with hackles raised.

Penny could mimic Kia's routine perfectly, right down to the number of foot stamps and barks. During the dead of winter, while all the squirrels were hibernating, Penny would periodically launch into Kia's squirrel dance.

"I think she did it just to get a rise out of Kia, because when she saw it, Kia would dash around the yard madly for 15 or 20 minutes, looking for the nonexistent rodent while Penny watched her with clear amusement," Schive says.

In Native American folklore, coyote has the reputation of a trickster, but clearly he is not the only canid who plays tricks on his friends.

Q&A

What to know about

storing pet food

Q: What's the best way to store pet food, and how can I know if it has gone bad? -- via Twitter

A: Pet foods contain preservatives to help ensure that food stays fresh, but once you open a can or a bag, the freshness level starts to decrease. You can take several steps to help food stay fresh and to know if it's time to replace it.

-- Check the "best by" date before buying. Don't buy the food if you don't think you'll be able to use it all before the date given.

-- Once you open a bag of dry food, use it all within 4 to 6 weeks.

-- If you feed dry food, keep it in the original bag instead of pouring it into another container. The fat in the food forms a film on the container, and you'll need to clean it regularly with soap and water to prevent the food from becoming rancid. It's better to place the original bag inside an airtight container to help it stay fresh and prevent raids by bugs or mice.

-- Store dry food in a cool, dry place under 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat can cause fat in food to go rancid more quickly.

-- If your pet doesn't eat an entire can of food at one meal, refrigerate the remainder in a glass or plastic container with a tight lid. The food will keep better that way than if you leave it in the can covered with a plastic lid or aluminum foil.

-- Use your nose. Give dry food a good sniff to make sure it doesn't smell stale. And even if it smells all right to you, trust your pet's sniffer. If he turns up his nose at the food or eats with less enthusiasm, it may be time to replace it. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Pets and electronics

aren't a good mix

-- If your dog has swallowed your remote or your cat has thrown up a hairball on your smartphone, you're not alone. A survey released last month by Square Trade found that 28 million pet owners have had a pet damage an electronic device, with smartphones accounting for almost 30 percent of the damaged items. Electronics are most at risk from male dogs (86 percent more likely than females to damage devices) or puppies (three times more likely to damage a device than older pets). It could be worse. At least they're not ordering stuff online. Yet.

-- You may have recently seen a story about ice water causing bloat making the rounds on Facebook and elsewhere on the Internet. We're here to tell you that ice and ice water won't cause stomach cramps or bloat. It is true that if your dog is overheated, you shouldn't cool him off with ice or ice water, but throwing some ice cubes in his water dish on a hot day won't do any harm. Chewing ice cubes can cause him to break a tooth, though, so don't give them as treats.

-- How are new cat breeds created? According to the Cat Fanciers Association, some are developed after kittens with natural, or spontaneous, mutations appear in litters, while others are the result of crossing two already established breeds. Mutations can occur as skeletal changes, such as the stumpy tail of the manx or the folded ears of the Scottish fold; new coat types, such as the waves of the Cornish rex or the wiry fur of the American wirehair; or new colors, such as the red Abyssinian. Examples of breeds created through crossing two or more breeds -- known as hybridization -- include the Havana brown, Oriental shorthair, and Tonkinese. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

CAPTIONS AND CREDIT

Caption 01: Many types of dogs have been known to employ distractions and deception to get what they want. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: The short, wavy coat of the Cornish rex is the result of a spontaneous mutation. New cat breeds are sometimes developed after a cat with a natural mutation appears in a litter. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 3

pets

Buyer Beware

Pet Connection by by Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
by Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
Pet Connection | June 30th, 2014

Do your homework before plunking down big bucks for a pet

By Kim Campbell Thornton

We can stream movies at any time of day or night, order books or small kitchen appliances for next-day delivery, or send off for a dozen pairs of shoes for in-home try-on, free returns guaranteed. The Internet allows us to acquire all kinds of goods at a speed undreamed of less than a decade ago.

So why not pets? Americans spent more than $2 billion last year purchasing dogs, cats and other companion animals, according to a 2013 survey by the American Pet Products Association. Anyone in search of a puppy has run across websites such as NextDayPets.com, PuppyFind.com, PuppyDogWeb.com or PuppyAvenue.com, not to mention advertisements on Craigslist or eBayclassifieds.com. It's no longer "How much is that puppy in the window?" but "How much is that puppy on your website?"

It's easy to fall in love with a pet in a picture, but not so easy to evaluate that potential pet's temperament, health and living conditions. Last November, a new USDA rule brought large-scale online pet sellers under federal oversight, but it's important to know that neither the USDA nor dog registries such as the American Kennel Club and United Kennel Club guarantee puppies or require breeders to test dogs for heritable problems, to socialize puppies or even to be knowledgeable about the breed or dogs in general. Registration papers certify only that both parents were of the same breed. It's up to you to research the breed and breeder to make an informed decision.

You might think that a dog destined to be "just a pet" doesn't need all the bells and whistles of champion, health-tested parents, health guarantees, an in-person visit to examine the breeder's home and kennel, and all the rest that comes along with buying a dog from a reputable breeder. But pets are family members, and it just makes good financial and emotional sense to choose one carefully, not only to ensure that the dog is a good fit for your family, but also to reduce the risk of high veterinary bills from congenital or genetic diseases.

It's best if you can see the puppy in person before you buy so you can evaluate his temperament and the conditions in which he was raised. If that's impossible, ask for references that include the breeder's veterinarian and previous puppy buyers -- and call them. Try to find a trusted friend or relative in the area who can examine the puppy and interview the breeder on your behalf.

To get the most for your money, expect the seller to provide up-to-date health certifications for both of a pup's parents on file with health registries, such as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and the Canine Health Information Center. Check CHIC to see which health tests are recommended for the breed you're interested in.

The seller should offer a health guarantee against heritable problems for the first two years of the pup's life and lifetime support when you have questions about the dog's health or behavior. He or she should provide a sales contract that includes a clause stating that the breeder will take the dog back at any time in his life if you can't keep him.

If you are buying a "designer dog," a crossbreed such as a Maltipoo, Yorkipoo, puggle or Labradoodle, ask for the same health certifications and warranties that you would if you were buying a purebred. All of this advice applies even if all you plan to do with your dog is walk him around the block every day and sit on the sofa with him and watch TV.

Q&A

3 ways to help

sound-sensitive pets

Q: My dog is really fearful of loud noises, especially thunderstorms and fireworks. Can I do anything to help him be less afraid? -- via Facebook

A: With Independence Day coming up, that's a concern that's on the minds of many pet owners. Extreme sensitivity to sound is a common problem. Up to 20 percent of dogs of all ages and breeds suffer from severe noise phobias. They can become so panicked that they jump through windows and glass doors, tear carpet away from doorways, or dig out of the yard and run away.

Shelters know to expect an influx of lost dogs on July 5 every year. (Cats can develop noise phobias, too, but they are more likely to just hide under the bed until the scary sounds subside.)

Thunder and fireworks are the most common causes of noise phobias, but dogs can also fear gunshots or any unusual sound. Dogs who are prone to anxiety are most likely to develop noise phobias. The following techniques may help your dog learn to remain calm when he hears scary sounds.

-- Expose him to the sounds of thunder or fireworks on CDs. Gradually increase the volume and duration. This can help to reduce the dog's overall level of fear by desensitizing and counterconditioning him to the sounds.

-- Some dogs respond well to dog-appeasing pheromones, which come in collars, sprays and diffusers, and snug-fitting wraps such as Storm Defender Capes and Thundershirts.

-- If your dog has a severe noise phobia, ask your veterinarian about medication to help him remain calm during a storm or a fireworks show in the distance. Medication is a temporary remedy that can be withdrawn once the dog's fear becomes more manageable.

-- Never take your dog to a fireworks show to try to acclimate him to the sound. It's a good way to lose him. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Dogs sporting yellow

may not be mellow

-- Tie a yellow ribbon. Not 'round the old oak tree, but to the leash or collar of your dog if he's aggressive toward other dogs or people, or has special needs, such as being overly excitable or a health problem that makes it uncomfortable for him to be touched. The yellow ribbon shouts caution to others, warning them to give your dog some space and not to approach him unless you give the OK. A yellow leash, bandana or bow serves the same purpose. Whether or not a dog is wearing a yellow ribbon, it's always polite to ask before petting.

-- The ears have it -- cat ears, that is. A cat's hearing is better than that of dogs and people. One of the reasons is because cats can rotate their ears and focus each ear independently, allowing them to hear well from all directions. If your cat stalks out of the room while you're watching TV, it might be a signal that you have the volume up just a little too high for his comfort.

-- People, domestic animals, wildlife and the environment are all served when doctors, veterinarians and scientists work together, a concept known as One Health. To move the initiative forward, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association's One Health Committee is focusing on a number of areas, including control of rabies and other zoonoses (diseases that can be passed between people and animals); research into diseases that affect people, cats and dogs; and the human-animal bond and its significance to health.

In a related effort, the WSAVA Foundation is working to improve the care of companion animals in sub-Saharan Africa, including monitoring infectious and parasitic diseases that affect them, and supporting the education and work of the veterinarians who care for them. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

CAPTIONS AND CREDITS

Caption 01: A picture might be worth a thousand words, but it's only the starting point when purchasing a dog. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Hear, hear! When it comes to sound, cats can hear four times more frequencies than humans and nearly twice as many as dogs. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 2

pets

Hedge Fun

Pet Connection by by Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
by Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
Pet Connection | June 23rd, 2014

8 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT CARING FOR THESE PRICKLY PETS

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Hedgehogs are crazy cute. That's probably the main reason people get them as pets. And they are unique. It's not everyone who can say that his roommate is an African pygmy hedgehog.

"They're just cool," says veterinarian Scott Weldy of Serrano Animal and Bird Hospital in Lake Forest, California, who keeps two hedgehogs. He says it's fun to watch and interact with them, especially when they roll over to show their cute bellies and tiny feet.

Not surprisingly, though, these bristly little critters have some special needs. Read on to see if a hedgehog is a good match for you.

-- Hedgehogs are not always legal pets. In California, for instance, only people with permits can keep them. Other states and some cities have similar laws. Check before you buy. That said, even if you own one illegally, don't hesitate to take him to the veterinarian for care. In all likelihood, your veterinarian is not required to turn you in or to confiscate your pet.

-- Hedgehogs are insectivores. Dr. Weldy recommends feeding a commercial insectivore diet rather than trying to come up with a homemade diet of mealworms.

-- Hedgehogs like warmth. It's important not to let them get cold, so keep your hedgehog indoors.

-- Hedgehogs need socialization. Handle your hedgehog frequently so you don't find yourself caring for a living pincushion. A hedgehog doesn't have good eyesight, so let him sniff you before you pick him up so he knows who you are.

Another reason for handling a hedgehog on a regular basis is to make it easy for your veterinarian to examine him. If he curls up in a ball every time he's touched, your veterinarian will have to administer gas anesthesia to get him to relax enough for an exam, which increases the cost of the exam.

-- Hedgehogs are nocturnal. That makes them good pets for people who work during the day or school-age kids. They are usually less cranky than hamsters if awakened during the day, however.

"If you gently wake them up and give them a few minutes, they'll start moving around," Dr. Weldy says. "They're very food-oriented, so if you show them food, kids coming home from school can play with them until they go to bed."

-- Hedgehogs are notorious for developing tumors.

"When people come in with a sick hedgehog, that's the first thing on the list," Dr. Weldy says, "and usually the people are bringing them in on the downhill side of the disease. The spines make them look big all the time, so if you don't touch them, weigh them or get them to relax so you can palpate them, you would never know. You have to be really vigilant."

The best way to monitor your hedgehog's condition is to weigh him weekly on a kitchen scale and mark his weight on the calendar. That makes it easy to see any patterns of weight gain or loss that might indicate a health problem. You should also take your hedgehog to the veterinarian right away if he's eating or pooping less than normal.

-- Hedgehogs may also have dental problems. They can develop bone infections from infected teeth and soft-tissue tumors in their mouths. You can't really brush their teeth, but your veterinarian can perform dental cleanings just as she would on a dog, cat or ferret, as well as remove rotten teeth.

-- When buying a hedgehog, pick him up and hold him to make sure he's friendly. Go to see the hedgehog in the evening when he'll be active to get the best idea of his personality. Ask to watch him eat. Buy from someone who keeps the animals in a clean environment.

Q&A

Stiff kitty may

have arthritis

Q: My cat seems to move more slowly these days and it looks like he's having some trouble getting in and out of his litter box. Could he have arthritis? -- via email

A: We do tend to think of cats as being the ultimate yoga masters, but they have joints, and those joints can become inflamed with age. Studies have shown that 90 percent of cats 10 years of age and older are likely to show signs of arthritis on radiographs (X-rays).

Because cats are so good at hiding physical problems from us, the signs of arthritis can be subtle. For instance, some cats start peeing or pooping outside the litter box because it's not so easy to climb in and out of it, as you noticed. That's often misidentified as a behavior problem instead of a pain-management issue.

Your cat may not jump as high or may prefer to stay on the floor instead of sleeping on the bed with you. He may be unable to groom himself as well as he used to, or you may notice that he shies away from being petted.

Here are some things you and your veterinarian can try to help him feel more comfortable: Nutraceuticals such as glucosamine and chondroitin (Cosequin) may offer some relief. An injectable medication called Adequan seems to help as well. If your cat is overweight, talk to your veterinarian about implementing a diet and weight loss plan. Taking off some pounds will relieve pressure on his joints. Acupuncture may also be beneficial.

Environmental changes you can make include providing steps so the cat can more easily get on the sofa or bed, cutting an opening into the litter box so he can walk in and out, and providing a heated bed to soothe achy joints.

Be patient. Cats often respond better to pain therapy than dogs, but it can take four to six weeks before you start to see results. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Canine genome study

benefits people, too

-- At the 2014 meeting of veterinary specialists in Nashville, Elaine Ostrander addressed how data analysis is making it easier for researchers to find disease genes. Ostrander, head of the Comparative Genetics Unit at the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health, used skull shapes as an example, noting the differences between a pug's flat face and a collie's narrow, elongated face.

"It turns out that a modest number of genes are important in controlling those differences, and the same ones likely play a role in mammalian craniofacial development," she says. The findings can be especially important for children born with craniofacial deformities.

-- A cat's eyes adjust to different lighting conditions. Having eyes that reduce the pupils to slits rather than tiny circles gives the cat greater and more accurate control in different types of lighting; this ability is particularly important in bright sunlight. This adaptation sets domestic cats apart from their relatives the lions, which hunt by day instead of night. A lion's pupils -- like ours -- contract to tiny circles, not vertical slits.

-- Are you dog-tired? A Mayo Clinic study presented earlier this month at the 29th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies suggests that the fault may lie not in ourselves, but in our pets. Ten percent of study respondents reported that their dogs, cats and birds sometimes disturbed their sleep by snoring, whimpering, squawking, wandering, needing to go out to eliminate or needing care for medical problems. (No mention of pets who take up too much of the bed.)

"The study determined that while the majority of patients did not view their pets intolerably disturbing their sleep, a higher percentage of patients experienced irritation," says Lois Krahn, M.D., Mayo Clinic psychiatrist and author of the study. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

CAPTIONS AND CREDITS

Caption 01: Handle hedgehogs often to accustom them to touch and to check for development of tumors, a common health problem. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: "Let sleeping dogs lie" is all well and good, but it doesn't always make for a restful night. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 3

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