Archive for June, 2011

Music and animals

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

Do your pets love music?  Lots of animals do, and it can affect their mood and behavior.

We’ve all seen dogs howling along to music.  The question is, are they enjoying it or complaining?  Soothing music does seem to help them settle down while loud, harsh music upsets them.  I wish we knew what genre they preferred, so we could play it for them when they seem out of sorts, although I’m sure musical taste varies a bit from dog to dog.

Cats can be obviously bothered by music, but they sometimes love it, too.  I’ve heard stories of cats who like to play piano, and YouTube is chock full of videos of just that.  While allegations have been made that catnip was placed between the keys to get the cats to paw at them, they still seem to enjoy the sounds they’re making.

Cats would like to think themselves sophisticated, so they may gravitate to classical.  What would dogs prefer?  I know some rock star dogs, but I’ve met a few who would probably like easy listening better.

The Colorado State University Veterinary Hospital is conducting a study to see if classical music played in veterinary exam rooms will have a calming effect on cats, and possibly their owners.  Many cats don’t visit the vet as often as perhaps they should because they get stressed and fractious.  The results of this study will be interesting to read, and it may lead to more Beethoven at your local animal hospital.

Do your pets like music?  What genre is their favorite?

Play ‘em off, Keyboard Cat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J—aiyznGQ

rowlf

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Vacationing with your pet

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

Summer’s (almost) here!  It’s already hot as can be, and the kids are out of school.  Time to go on vacation.

If you travel with your pet, it can add an extra dimension to planning a trip.  Making sure you have the right supplies for yourself and a dog or cat can be quite a task.  You also have to make sure they’ll travel in comfort, no matter the type of trip you’ll be taking.

Taking a pet on a plane trip requires more planning ahead than driving, naturally.  Airlines require a health certificate from a veterinarian, which states that your dog or cat is healthy enough to fly.  The timing for these is crucial: they usually have to be done within ten days of the flight.  That means that if you’re staying longer than ten days, you may have to acquire a health certificate at your destination before the return trip.

There are services that fly your pet for you, and you meet them at the destination: http://www.ipata.com and http://petairways.com/ are two examples.   Their flights are a bit limited now, but the search option helps you find out if they have the service you need.  Your furry family member is given more personalized attention than on a traditional flight, and I think this is a service that will become more and more popular.

Driving can pose some logistical concerns.  You have to make sure there will be places you can get out, let your dog do his business, and stretch his (and your) legs.  Cats may be uncomfortable using the litter box in a moving car, not to mention the danger of having litter flung in your eye if you have to stop suddenly.  Making a stop to let felines have a rest and potty break is crucial for long drives.

Some people like to have their pets in their lap when driving, but it’s a pretty dangerous practice.  Not only is it distracting, they can get in the way if you need to react quickly.  If you’re in a wreck and your pet isn’t secured, they could be ejected, or the airbags could severely injure them.  It’s best to keep cats in carriers and dogs harnessed to the seat belt.  There are a lot of products out there, and here are a few listings on Amazon.  Some pets are nervous when restrained in a car, but I’d take anxiety over traumatic injury any day.  Letting your dog stick his head out of the window can cause injury too, from debris getting into his eyes to the split-second decision to jump out to chase that squirrel.

Camping with dogs is lots of fun, but make sure you bring all the equipment you may need and a first aid kid especially for pets, just in case.  If you’re going to stay in a hotel, here is a good resource for finding one that is pet-friendly.

Do you take your pet on vacation?  What are your favorite place to go, and how do you prepare?

dog on beach

Photo credit: Denzil~

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Why is my dog or cat scooting?

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

You may have never heard of anal glands, but if you have a pet, you should be aware of them.  They are a pair of pockets on either side of a dog’s or cat’s anus.  Not usually visible, they are essential to your pet’s digestive health.

Anal glands have several functions.  One is to lubricate their behind, making it easier to pass stool.  They are also used to release a scent.  Some animals use it to mark their territory.  Skunks, of course, are known for the scent theirs produce.  Possums use it to convince potential predators that they are dead and rotting when they “play possum”.  The odor produced by anal glands is particularly unpleasant to humans.

The fluid inside the glands can be released when your pet is scared or stressed.  This can lead to unfortunate consequences in the veterinary industry when dealing with a frightened animal.  When I tried to explain what they smell like to my husband, I told him that it was like eau de poop – the smell of excrement, but concentrated into a very potent liquid, and easy to differentiate from stool.

If you’re fortunate, you’ll never notice your pet’s anal glands.  They can develop problems, however.  Infections and abscesses can develop if they aren’t emptying properly.  Sometimes animals need help expressing them, but may need medications if a serious problem occurs.  If you notice your pet scooting, licking their hind area excessively, or if you see any swelling or redness on either side of the anus, take them to your veterinarian.  It is better to treat them early, before an abscess develops or the infection ruptures.

Have you had any problems with your pet’s anal glands?  Are you glad you know about them, or so so sad that you had to experience such things?

scooting dog

scooting dog

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