What you need to know about feeding your puppy

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

If you have a new puppy, your head may spin as you walk through store aisles trying to decide what to feed him. Puppies have specific nutritional needs if they are to grow at an appropriate pace to adulthood, but no single food is right for every puppy. Among the factors that can influence your decision are age, breed, activity level and size at maturity. All of those can affect what an individual puppy needs from a food. Here’s what you should know as you make your choice.

First, read the food label. It should state that the food is complete and balanced and, ideally, that the nutritional value has been proven in feeding trials approved by the American Association of Feed Control Officials. Look for a statement such as, “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Brand A provides complete and balanced nutrition for growth.”

Size matters. Small dogs have high metabolic rates and require a food that will provide them with a steady flow of energy. If they are very young or unusually small, they often need frequent small meals throughout the day. Choose a food that’s easy for these dogs to chew with their little teeth.

While a small-breed puppy might be able to switch to an adult food before he’s a year old, a large-breed puppy may need to stay on an appropriate growth formula until he is nearly 2 years old. Large-breed puppies often undergo rapid growth spurts, but that’s not good for their musculoskeletal development.

Developmental orthopedic disease is one of the most common problems seen in large- and giant-breed dogs. Leaving food out all the time, feeding energy-dense foods or foods with high levels of fat, high calcium intake either from supplements or in the diet, and a rapid growth rate have been linked to developmental orthopedic disease in large- and giant-breed dogs who have the genetic risk for it, says Joe Bartges, DVM, professor of medicine and nutrition at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in Athens.

The best choice for large-breed pups is a food that enables slow, uniform growth. These foods usually contain fewer calories and less calcium, while still providing all the nutrients a growing dog needs. Another option is to feed smaller amounts of a regular puppy food. In both cases, the goal is to avoid excess weight gain at an early age, which can stress developing joints.

Diet benefits the brain, too. The AAFCO and the National Research Council (NRC) now agree that DHA omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in puppy brain development, including the areas of learning and memory.

“A lot of the puppy foods now are containing them,” Dr. Bartges says. “AAFCO and NRC now recognize omega-3 fatty acids as important for both puppies and adults.”

When should you switch your pup from a food for growth to one for maintenance? A good rule of paw is to begin transitioning him when he has reached approximately 80 percent of his anticipated adult weight or size. Small dogs usually arrive at that stage when they are 6 to 8 months old, but large-breed dogs may not achieve it until they are 18 to 24 months old. There’s nothing wrong, though, with switching him to a food for adults once he reaches 50 percent of adult weight, Dr. Bartges says.

“It may slow down the rest of their growth a little bit, but it doesn’t stop them from reaching their genetic potential.”

Q&A

That snorting sound?

It’s a reverse sneeze

Q: My little Chihuahua-mix makes a weird gasping sound at least once or twice a day. I thought she was choking the first time I heard it, but then she seems fine. What could be causing it? -- via Facebook

A: That awful gagging sound -- in veterinary speak called a "pharyngeal gag reflex" or "aspiration reflex" -- is more commonly known as a reverse sneeze.

The rapid and repeated inhalation through the nose is usually caused by throat, sinus or nasal irritation, but it can also occur when dogs are excited or exposed to cold air. As the dog extends his neck in an attempt to relieve the uncomfortable feeling, the throat narrows, making it more difficult for air to pass through. The dog breathes harder, causing the throat to narrow even more.

What happens is that the dog rapidly takes in long breaths as the head and neck are extended. The result is a snorting sound. Once it’s over, he’s back to normal.

We typically see this problem in small dogs, probably because their throats are already small and then become constricted further, but it can occur in any dog. I recall a greyhound client who was known for the frightening sounds she would make during her reverse sneezes. Brachycephalic dogs -- the ones with big heads and flat faces -- are also prone to reverse sneezes. Reverse sneezes may also occur right after a dog wakes up or after he’s been eating or playing.

The good news is that although the snorting and gagging sound scary, this is a harmless behavior and doesn’t require any treatment. There’s no cure, but you can help to end it by gently blowing in your dog’s face and stroking his throat. That interrupts the behavior by causing him to swallow. Petting may also help him to relax. While medication isn’t necessary, if reverse sneezing is related to chronic allergies, your veterinarian may be able to prescribe medication that helps to reduce its incidence. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

New cat museum

opens in North Carolina

-- Cat lovers in North Carolina or traveling through the state will want to visit the newly opened American Museum of the House Cat in the mountain town of Sylva. The museum's collection includes folk art, cat-themed advertisements, vintage and antique toy cats, original art, books, jewelry and more. It was founded by Harold Sims, nicknamed Cat Man, who collected the items over a 35-year period. The proceeds from the small admission fee support the Catman2 Shelter, which places cats in homes and operates a spay/neuter program.

-- The internet makes it easy to make your dog a star. Check out some of our favorite canines with social media status. Boo, a Pomeranian, claims the title World’s Cutest Dog and is “liked” by more than 17 million people on Facebook; Instagram sensations Toast and Muppet live a dog’s life in New York City; Snapchat star Marnie, a shelter Shih Tzu, now lives the good life -- including 1.7 million followers; French bulldog Manny uses his social-media stardom -- can you say 1 million Instagram followers -- to fuel his “philanthro-pup” activities; and Samoyed show dog Floppybear's social-media cred includes 20,000 followers on Facebook, plus TV commercial and film credits.

-- Which foods are toxic to pets? Here are a few you should keep out of reach of Max and Mittens. Baker’s chocolate and dark chocolate contain theobromine, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea or more serious symptoms. Chocolate is toxic to parrots, too. Dogs who munch too many macadamia nuts can suffer weakness in the rear legs, tremors and a low-grade fever. Pets who eat baked goods or other foods sweetened with xylitol, a sugar alcohol, can develop sudden and life-threatening low blood sugar, seizures, vomiting and fatal liver failure. Grapes and raisins, even in small amounts, can cause kidney failure in dogs. -- 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.

Puzzle toys enhance play and put the brain in gear

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Is there anything more fun than watching a pet play? Whether the game is fetching a ball, tugging on a rope toy, “killing” a soft toy, wrestling with a pal or working to solve a puzzle toy, it’s fascinating to see how play mimics key real-life behaviors, such as hunting, exploration and self-defense.

Play is a rehearsal of adult behaviors, including the social signals that allow animals to get along with their peers and their humans. All the cognitive and motor skills a dog or cat needs throughout life are enhanced by play. Toys can help to stimulate a pet’s brain, and toy manufacturers take that into account when creating their designs.

“It’s very important to engage a dog’s brain,” says Elizabeth Fagan, director of marketing for Planet Dog. “When we start the development of a new interactive toy, we want to make sure it delivers on our mission of play, which in itself is critical to health and bonding, but also functions in a manner that makes a dog think.”

When a pet’s brain is working, it can be good or, well, we won’t say evil, but perhaps for ends that owners don’t always like. It’s always the brainiac dogs and cats who seem to get into trouble the most as they use their little gray cells to break into the pantry, refrigerator or trash can; work in tandem to steal food; hide inside child-proofed drawers; make their way over seemingly impregnable baby gates or unzip soft crates; climb onto roofs; or chew their way through a door to get outside.

Interactive, or puzzle, toys are an outlet for these precocious pets. They are an important part of enriching a pet’s life and allowing him or her to productively channel physical and mental energy. Understanding a pet’s natural instincts and movements and how they use their paws, noses and other senses is integral to creating an interactive toy that is attractive to pets and people.

“I always test ideas first with my own dogs, then I have some other testing dogs and cats of different sizes and mental capacities, before I consider if this is a good idea to continue to the next step,” says Outward Hound toy designer Nina Ottosson. “I can see it's a winner in their eyes, body language and in their interest to continue finding all the hidden treats, and I can absolutely see in their happiness that it's a winner the second time they test the idea.”

Toys can be interactive, such as balls or flying discs; treat puzzle toys, which allow pets to release energy by working for food or treats; and treat puzzle games, which offer mentally challenging problem-solving at different levels of difficulty. The best toys are easy for humans to handle and difficult for dogs to destroy. Different types of toys appeal to different pets.

“All dogs are different and like to be rewarded in different ways,” Ottosson says. “Some are very food-motivated, some are object-oriented and some like to play, run, and chase or hunt. Cats mostly like toys that include chasing and hunting in different ways, and some appreciate being rewarded with treats or food.”

No matter how your pet likes to play, the goal is to have one happy, tired, well-behaved dog or cat afterward. You may be surprised at how much of a workout your pet gets from brain games.

“It would significantly reduce the number of ‘problem dogs’ if everyone understood how important it is for the dog to use his head as well as his legs,” Ottosson says.

Q&A

Biting cat may

be in pain

Q: Lately, every time I pet my cat, she tries to bite me. Why has she started doing that? -- via email

A: Your cat may be troubled by back pain. Cats are slinky and athletic, and most people don’t think of them as prone to musculoskeletal problems. But cats are always jumping on and off high places and contorting their bodies into weird positions. It’s no surprise that sometimes they can hurt themselves if they land wrong or run into something as they’re chasing a ball or toy. And with age, cats can certainly develop arthritis. If your cat is stiff or in pain, she may well react with a bite when your hand runs across a tender spot as you’re petting her.

It’s always a good first step to take your cat to the veterinarian for a physical exam to confirm whether she has pain from an injury or arthritis. If that’s the case, there are several options to help your cat enjoy being petted again. Talk to your veterinarian about medication. There are safe drugs available to help relieve arthritis pain in cats.

Nutritional supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin may help as well. Keep in mind that it can take up to a couple of months to start seeing an effect.

Your cat may also benefit from acupuncture, chiropractic and massage therapies. The practitioner should be a veterinarian trained in those modalities, or someone who works under the supervision of a veterinarian. Not every complementary therapy is right for every cat. For instance, chiropractic is not appropriate for cats who have fractures, any type of cancer, or who are very old or very young.

Weight loss, a heated bed and warm compresses may benefit your cat as well. With appropriate treatment, your cat should soon be purring again from petting. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Getting down and dirty

with dogs good for kids

-- Early exposure to pets may help reduce an infant’s risk of allergies and obesity, according to a new study from the University of Alberta. Babies from families with pets showed higher levels of two types of microbes -- Ruminococcus and Oscillospira -- that have been linked with reduced incidence of childhood allergies and obesity. The findings build on two decades of research showing that children who grow up with dogs have lower rates of asthma. Researchers believe that exposure to dirt and bacteria early in life -- from contact with a dog’s fur and paws, for example -- can create early immunity.

-- What’s the difference between kitten food and food for adult cats? Kittens grow rapidly and need high levels of nutrients. Foods appropriate for kittens are labeled “for growth” or “for all life stages.” Look for a food that has been tested with feeding trials, meaning the company has fed it to kittens for a specific period of time to make sure it meets their needs. Once kittens reach maturity, they can start eating a maintenance diet for adults. Large cats such as Maine coons, ragdolls or Savannas may do best if they eat kitten food for a longer period than smaller cats.

-- A basset bleu isn’t a fancy French cheese but instead a cousin of the basset hound. The low-slung hound hails from Gascony, in southwest France. The basset bleu was bred down in size from the grande bleu de Gascogne and has a distinctive mottled black and white coat -- giving a slate-blue effect -- with or without black patches. He also has tan markings above the eyes, on the cheeks and lips, inside the ears, on the legs and under the tail. Basset bleus are playful and social, but love following scent trails above all else. -- 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.

How to help your dog stay comfortable and unafraid during a flight

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

My dog Harper has been on at least 10 flights in her nine years, but most were no longer than three hours. Now we are facing a long-haul flight of 10 hours for an upcoming trip to France. Even for intrepid dogs like Harper, flying can be stressful, so I’m planning ahead to make sure everything goes as smoothly and comfortably as possible. These tips may help you, too, if you’ll be flying with your dog or cat this summer.

I started by asking my Pet Connection veterinary partner Dr. Marty Becker, founder of the Fear Free initiative, what advice he has for people flying with pets in the cabin, especially if it’s for the first time. He says making sure a pet is comfortable being in a carrier is job one.

Your dog’s crate or carrier should be her happy place. If it’s not already, start by leaving it out in a conspicuous area in your home. Let your dog investigate it at her own pace. Encourage exploration by tossing a favorite toy or treats inside for her to find. Any time you see your dog inside the carrier, praise her and hand out a couple more treats. Feed meals inside the carrier to create an even stronger positive association.

You can also use pheromone products to help your dog feel at ease inside the carrier, both at home and during the flight.

“Pheromone sprays and wipes contain a substance that mimics the calming pheromones that mother dogs produce after giving birth,” Dr. Becker says. “It’s a chemical communication processed by the vomeronasal organ rather than the olfactory pathway. Your dog may recognize it and associate it with a feeling of security.”

What should you look for in a carrier? An important consideration is that it must fit beneath the seat in front of you with your dog inside it. If possible, take it to the airport well before your trip and make sure it fits in the luggage sizers located near the check-in area.

Harper’s carrier (borrowed from a friend) has wheels and rolls in a stable fashion. Previous wheeled carriers frequently fell over, so test drive it before you get to the airport. This is good practice for your dog to become comfortable in a moving carrier. We also like this carrier because it zips open at the ends and at the top. Harper can easily walk into it or be lifted out of it.

Accessories we’re packing in a carry-on bag are a collapsible silicone dog bowl for dinner and breakfast and a water bottle with a bowl that sits on top. Squeeze it and water fills the bowl; release the pressure and the water drains back into the bottle. Wait to fill it with bottled water until you go through security.

Some dogs who suffer from motion sickness may do best flying on an empty stomach. Check with your veterinarian regarding whether this is a good idea, especially if you have a lengthy flight. Kari Puzzullo’s dog Prudence, who recently experienced her first two flights, prefers to have a little food in her stomach.

“On our flight, she started feeling a little sick on takeoff, but we just gave her a little food and she was fine,” Puzzullo says.

Should you give your dog a tranquilizer or sedative? It’s not a good idea.

“Drugs can have different effects at altitude,” Dr. Becker says. “Sedatives and tranquilizers can affect equilibrium and blood pressure, especially in snub-nosed dogs. Ask your veterinarian about other products that can help your dog stay calm without those side effects.”

Bon voyage!

Q&A

Is anesthesia

safe for cats?

Q: My cat needs to have his teeth cleaned, but I’m afraid for him to go under anesthesia. How safe is it? -- via Facebook

A: We know a lot more now about anesthetizing cats safely than we did when I began topractice more than 30 years ago. New drugs and advanced techniques contribute to a safe and comfortable anesthetic experience for cats. If your veterinarian follows the latest anesthetic protocols, your cat should come through his dental cleaning just fine.

A preanesthetic assessment of kidney, liver and bone marrow function is important to ensure that he doesn’t have any underlying conditions that could cause problems. For instance, if lab tests show that your cat has a high white blood cell count, which might indicate a bacterial infection, your veterinarian can modify anesthesia to make it safer or recommend that you wait until the condition is treated. Anesthesia protocols may also need to be modified for cats with conditions such as asthma, diabetes or hyperthyroidism.

Your cat should receive intravenous fluids while he’s anesthetized. Fluids help to prevent dehydration and low blood pressure.

It’s also important for cats to be kept warm before, during and after anesthesia. The body is better able to metabolize anesthesia drugs when it’s warm, not to mention it’s just more comfortable for your cat.

Last but definitely not least, minimizing stress throughout the process will help to ensure that your cat responds well to anesthesia. Practices that can help include use of pheromone products, Fear Free handling techniques (visit fearfreepets.com for more information) and appropriate use of pain-relief drugs before, during and after anesthesia.

Talk to your veterinarian beforehand so you understand exactly what will happen, what you can do before the procedure to ensure a good outcome, such as withholding food and water, and what to look for afterward to make sure you don’t overlook anything abnormal. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Experts predict

rise in parasites

-- Rates of heartworm disease and Lyme disease will rise this year, according to forecasts from the Companion Animal Parasite Council. The increase is linked to above-average rainfall and seasonal temperatures last year, which created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes and ticks that spread the diseases. Areas where dogs and cats are at greatest risk for heartworm include the lower Mississippi Valley; locations in the Rockies and westward; and New England, the Ohio River Valley, the upper Midwest and Atlantic Coast states. Lyme disease will be a greater problem in western Pennsylvania, New York state, northwestern Wisconsin and northern Minnesota.

-- One-liner summer book reviews: Sam Kalda highlights 30 men who loved and were inspired by cats in "Of Cats and Men: Profiles of History’s Great Cat-Loving Artists, Writers, Thinkers and Statesmen" (Ten Speed Press). Tom Ryan’s tale of a sad old dog’s rejuvenation in "Will’s Red Coat" (William Morrow) is an uplifting look at the transformative power of the human-animal bond. Another Will takes center page in Patricia B. McConnell’s memoir "The Education of Will" (Atria Books), in which a fearful border collie helps her come to terms with her own abusive past.

-- A 3-week-old kitten named Burrito is one in 3,000, statistically. He’s that rare genetic anomaly: a male tortoiseshell cat. A tortoiseshell coat is orange swirled with brown or black. The gene that determines how orange coloration is expressed in cats is on the X chromosome. Female cats have two X chromosomes, while male cats have an X and a Y chromosome. Any cat with a calico or tortoiseshell coat must have two X chromosomes, meaning they are almost always female. In exceptional cases, a cat ends up with two X chromosomes and one Y, making him an unusual but sterile feline. -- 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.