Christmas Presents for Pets

Are you looking for something for a pampered pooch or a finicky feline for Christmas?   Here are a few gift ideas:

1)  Reflective collar and lead - So your pet can be seen in the dark.
2)  Catnip spray - To drive cats wild.
3)  New bed - To give you dog or cat a comfortable place to sleep.  Radiator beds are great for cats, while orthopaedic beds are beneficial for older, arthritic dogs.
4)  Tennis ball launcher - Provides hours of entertainment for you and your dog.
5)  Scratching post - Encourages cats not to sharpen claws on furniture.
6)  Treat ball - Keeps dogs occupied, exercised, and fed!
7)  Plush toys -  Dogs love carrying these around.
8)  New brushes - Your pet needs a new one every few years.
9)  Dog seat belt - You can get a ticket and possibly penalty points if your dog is loose in the car.
10)  Cat carrier - Convenient and safe mode of transport for cats and small dogs.
11)  Kong toys - Fill these with treats and give them to your dog when you are going out.  Kong toys can also be given to birds and ferrets!
12)  Pet cologne - Have your dog smelling nice between bathing. 

Arthritis -- An Age-Old Disease

Arthritis is one of the oldest diseases in history, dating back to the dinosaurs. It strikes animals and humans alike. The joint pain and stiffness it causes can affect your pet as well as yourself, especially if your pet is a dog.

When arthritis strikes, joints become inflamed and mobility is impaired. The signs range from slight stiffness to severe lameness.  Arthritis can be caused by infection in a joint, accidents, immune disorders, age, and physical abnormalities.  It can affect animals of all ages and sizes.  The inflammation is painful to the animal, so it is less likely to move around.  Most owners will notice a dog getting slower as it gets older and attribute this slowdown to “old age.” The pet, though, may really be suffering from arthritis. Your veterinarian can assess your pet and suggest treatments to reduce the pain and inflammation. 

In the meanwhile, be alert to the following symptoms. Your pet may take a long time to lie down or to get up.  After getting up or after exercise, the pet might seem stiff.  Arthritic animals may also have difficulty jumping into a car and climbing stairs. They become reluctant to exercise or unable to go on long walks.  Visible lameness is the most obvious sign of arthritis.  An arthritic dog can even exhibit behavioural changes, such as isolating itself or snapping when touched in specific areas.  The pet may also lick sore joints excessively. 

How can you manage arthritis in your pet?  First and foremost:  Keep its weight down!  An obese animal is an arthritic animal.  Just losing weight can dramatically improve activity level and mobility. So can planned activities. Gentle, controlled lead walks are more beneficial to an arthritic dog than unchecked runs. Swimming is particularly helpful because the buoyancy of water relieves pressure on the joints.  And don’t forget that a soft bed to lie on also relieves the pain of sore joints.

Dogs with joint problems can also benefit from special diets that contain ingredients such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, green lipped muscle extract, and omega fatty acids.  These ingredients protect the joints and decrease inflammation.  A veterinary surgeon may also dispense a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication.  NSAIDs work by rapidly decreasing inflammation and pain. Frequently, though, after starting treatment, the dog stops showing signs of arthritis, so owners stop giving the medication.  But once a dog has arthritis, it will always have arthritis, so treatment must be continued for the rest of the pet’s life.

Unfortunately our pets can’t speak for themselves, so we have to be aware of what they are trying to tell us with their body language. If your dog seems to be in pain, it probably is.  Modern medical practices, however, can greatly relieve the suffering caused by arthritis.

Household Hazards for Pets at Christmas

‘Tis the season to be jolly’ -- and to keep our pets safe over the holidays.  There are many surprising hazards in the home now, such as certain foods, Christmas trees and decorations, and even visitors.  Here are few tips to keep your pet safe.

Holiday foods are the biggest hazard for our beloved pets.  Most are rich in fat, which can cause severe intestinal upset, vomiting, and diarrhoea.  Fat-rich foods can also cause life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas.  Chocolate and alcoholic beverages are severely toxic to dogs and cats.  Symptoms can range from vomiting and diarrhoea to muscle tremors, unconsciousness, and death.  It is vital to tell family members and guests not to give your pets anything from the table before, during, or after dinner!

Christmas trees present dangers too. They are tempting objects for cats to climb, and their decorations attract both dogs and cats.  Trees can be knocked over easily by pets, so make sure your tree is secure.  Decorations can be lethal because cats will play with and eat string-like decorations, which can cause intestinal blockage.  Dogs may mistake glass balls for playthings and chomp down on them, cutting their mouth and digestive tract.  Cords from lights are also tempting objects to chew.  This can cause electric shock, burns to the mouth and tongue, and most importantly, fires.  Dogs may also decide to unwrap and chew presents under the tree. And dogs that eat real or fake Christmas trees can get stomach upset and intestinal blockage.  Prevent unwanted surprises -- keep your pets away from the Christmas tree, lights, and presents. 

Other holiday plants can also be toxic to dogs and cats.  If your pet chews on the leaves of poinsettia or mistletoe, it may start to drool or have mouth pain. In severe cases, vomiting and even death can result.

Prepare for the arrival of guests by setting aside a room for your pet to prevent it from getting stressed by all the activity or running out an open door.  When things have settled down, you can then bring your pet out to introduce it to everyone. 

If you follow these simple tips, everyone can have a safe and happy holiday.  Nevertheless, have your vet’s number near the phone in case of an emergency.