I spoke to a gentleman the other day who called me to ask about his outdoor dog and these very chilly days. He was particularly concerned about the dog’s bedding and frozen water dish.
I did a little reading on the matter and learned that outside dogs adjust to lower temperatures much better if they’re kept outside rather than if they’re brought in on a regular basis. It goes without saying that if the outside temperature is extremely low your dog will let you know by howling or barking. That would be a good time to bring him/her in, otherwise ensure that the doghouse is well equipped to keep your dog warm.
The doghouse should have 4 to 5 inches of fresh hay or straw as bedding. Unlike old blankets which retain moisture, freeze up and become uncomfortable for the dog, the natural bedding readily allows moisture to evaporate and presents itself as a comfortable, warm layer for the dog to lay on. A farmer friend of mine advised me that the natural bedding should be changed frequently; certainly it should never be allowed to smell musty.
It will also make sense to reposition the doghouse, if possible, in a sheltered area away from the wind but exposed to as much sunlight as possible.
With regard to water, it is important all year round. Replace the metal water dish with a dark-colored plastic one that absorbs any heat from the sun and delays freezing. A deeper dish with more water in it will also take longer to freeze than one with a shallower layer of water. If need be, though, replace any ice in the dish with water as often as needed. Failing to do so can bring on dehydration. Sufficient water is important year round.
Ray
Christine's Pets
703-626-3829
[CAT] Urinary Infection
I heard a most distressing bit of news the other day. A friend of mine was telling me that a work associate lost his cat over the holidays. The tomcat that was about 6 years old initially became listless and then lethargic. They thought that a good night’s sleep would cure the problem since the cat was already very quiet.
The next morning they found their cat had died during the night. The owners’ children were upset enough for the father to take the dead cat to their veterinarian.
The short of it is that the cat developed an all-too-common urinary infection that killed him in short order.
The lesson to be learned is that uncommon behavior in our pets, be they cats, dogs, whatever, are a possible sign of needed medical attention. Remember, they can’t tell us what’s wrong; we have to keep an eye on them and then do the responsible thing as loving pet owners.
BTW I counseled the family to go to the Fairfax Animal Shelter and adopt another cat; the children would get over their grief much faster this way.
Ray
Christine’s Pets
703-626-3829
The next morning they found their cat had died during the night. The owners’ children were upset enough for the father to take the dead cat to their veterinarian.
The short of it is that the cat developed an all-too-common urinary infection that killed him in short order.
The lesson to be learned is that uncommon behavior in our pets, be they cats, dogs, whatever, are a possible sign of needed medical attention. Remember, they can’t tell us what’s wrong; we have to keep an eye on them and then do the responsible thing as loving pet owners.
BTW I counseled the family to go to the Fairfax Animal Shelter and adopt another cat; the children would get over their grief much faster this way.
Ray
Christine’s Pets
703-626-3829
[DOG] Chapstic; it works on dog’s paws
Here’s one that I came across by sheer accident. One of my holiday-walk dogs exhibited some noticeable limping after we’d been out a while. When I checked it out, I saw that one of her paws was cracked and on the brink of bleeding. When I later discussed it with the pet’s owner he was unaware of the problem and we surmised that it might have been road ice stuck between her paw fur that could have irritated her.
In any case, the dog was clearly uncomfortable and she was stopping every few yards to lick her paw. It then occurred to me in a flash of inspiration (which, by the way, I wish would happen more often) that I could use the Chapstic in my pocket to help her out.
At first it was tough getting her to hold still while I was rubbing the lip balm over her pad. But after I’d rubbed it on my finger and then gently applied it to her paw she held still enough for me to put a gob on it.
Naturally it wore off by the time we came back from the walk. Nevertheless, I carefully washed her paws and applied the lip balm on all of them. She laid on her blanket, hopefully long enough to let the balm soak into her paws and not into the carpet.
Here’s the biggest surprise. When I checked her paw the next day it was as if nothing had happened.
I’m keeping an extra Chapstic in my pocket now.
Ray
Christine’s Pets
703-626-3829
In any case, the dog was clearly uncomfortable and she was stopping every few yards to lick her paw. It then occurred to me in a flash of inspiration (which, by the way, I wish would happen more often) that I could use the Chapstic in my pocket to help her out.
At first it was tough getting her to hold still while I was rubbing the lip balm over her pad. But after I’d rubbed it on my finger and then gently applied it to her paw she held still enough for me to put a gob on it.
Naturally it wore off by the time we came back from the walk. Nevertheless, I carefully washed her paws and applied the lip balm on all of them. She laid on her blanket, hopefully long enough to let the balm soak into her paws and not into the carpet.
Here’s the biggest surprise. When I checked her paw the next day it was as if nothing had happened.
I’m keeping an extra Chapstic in my pocket now.
Ray
Christine’s Pets
703-626-3829
[DOG-CAT] … and the holidays are now behind us
It’s been a while since I posted. The year-end holidays beginning with Thanksgiving and ending with New Years had Chris and me busy with special-request dog walks and cat sitting. We’re delighted that we’ve become a viable option to costly pet boarding.
Everyone’s back home taking care of their own pets now and we’ll go through the separation blues of missing them all; we always get those when we leave our charges.
It’s back to our regular customers now.
Ray
Christine' Pets
703-626-3829
Everyone’s back home taking care of their own pets now and we’ll go through the separation blues of missing them all; we always get those when we leave our charges.
It’s back to our regular customers now.
Ray
Christine' Pets
703-626-3829
[CAT] Love that water pistol
Oh yeah. I recommend that you start training your kiddie as soon as possible. Now I know that it’s not the easiest thing to train a cat but it can be done and you’re going to be a lot happier with a well behaved cat.
How?
With a water pistol.
That’s right. Whenever kiddie does something wrong, shoot it with the water pistol. S/he will not like it. The trick is to associate the bad behavior with the shock of getting squirted. If you can squirt your kiddie without him/her seeing you do it, the better. Then you won’t be part of the equation and kiddie will wonder where that squirt comes from whenever s/he is bad.
Ray
Christine’s Pets
703.626.3829
How?
With a water pistol.
That’s right. Whenever kiddie does something wrong, shoot it with the water pistol. S/he will not like it. The trick is to associate the bad behavior with the shock of getting squirted. If you can squirt your kiddie without him/her seeing you do it, the better. Then you won’t be part of the equation and kiddie will wonder where that squirt comes from whenever s/he is bad.
Ray
Christine’s Pets
703.626.3829
[DOG] Take it easy on those cold walks
It’s winter, folks. Chris and I are walking dogs in the teens and twenties degrees. It’s cold but the dogs have to get out and relieve themselves.
They don’t like them, but doggie sweaters are a good way to keep them warm. When you put them on be careful to keep they boy’s wing-wongs exposed so that they can pee, otherwise you’ll have some laundry to do.
Also, shorten the walk. You may have to take them out more than once in order for them to do their business, but once they start to shiver, take them inside. Once inside, give them a good rub down; get their blood circulating and warm them up. When they have to do their business they won’t dawdle when you take them outside.
After a walk, check their pads. This is a good time to rub in some oil. One dog’s owner was unaware of what salt and snow can do to a dog’s paws and I found them cracked and looking just nasty. I rubbed in some “Badger” brand healing balm to get those paws back into shape. When you rub in their paws with a lotion, keep them with you until the lotion has soaked up otherwise you’ll have oily spots on the floor or carpet.
Ray
Christine’s Pets
703.626.3829
They don’t like them, but doggie sweaters are a good way to keep them warm. When you put them on be careful to keep they boy’s wing-wongs exposed so that they can pee, otherwise you’ll have some laundry to do.
Also, shorten the walk. You may have to take them out more than once in order for them to do their business, but once they start to shiver, take them inside. Once inside, give them a good rub down; get their blood circulating and warm them up. When they have to do their business they won’t dawdle when you take them outside.
After a walk, check their pads. This is a good time to rub in some oil. One dog’s owner was unaware of what salt and snow can do to a dog’s paws and I found them cracked and looking just nasty. I rubbed in some “Badger” brand healing balm to get those paws back into shape. When you rub in their paws with a lotion, keep them with you until the lotion has soaked up otherwise you’ll have oily spots on the floor or carpet.
Ray
Christine’s Pets
703.626.3829
[DOG] Oh, Go Ahead, Let Your Dog Sniff
I’ve noticed that all too many owners don’t take time to walk their dogs properly. By this I mean that a walk shouldn’t be something that has to be done so your dog can relieve him/herself. A walk should benefit both of you.
One thing that your dog loves to do is sniff … sniff other dogs’ poop and markings … sniff deer trails and all of those other wonderful (to your dog) smells that you’re bound to come across in your walks.
Remember that a dog’s sense of smell is so many more times acute than ours. Their environment is to a large degree defined by what they smell.
So go ahead, take a little time and let them get a good whiff of that something special that grabs their attention. They will love it.
Ray
Christine’s Pets
703.626.3829
One thing that your dog loves to do is sniff … sniff other dogs’ poop and markings … sniff deer trails and all of those other wonderful (to your dog) smells that you’re bound to come across in your walks.
Remember that a dog’s sense of smell is so many more times acute than ours. Their environment is to a large degree defined by what they smell.
So go ahead, take a little time and let them get a good whiff of that something special that grabs their attention. They will love it.
Ray
Christine’s Pets
703.626.3829
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