Scratchings-and-Sniffings

Ask Dr Larry: Declawing Your Cat

Here's a question for Dr. Larry: I get the impression that declawing of cats is becoming more and more frowned upon. How does he feel about it from a veterinary standpoint? ---- from Average Jane

Dr. Larry: My point of view on de-clawing, and I emphasize that it’s my view, is that it's not necessary in the vast majority of cases. While de-claws are done under general anesthesia and cats feel no pain during the procedure, they most assuredly feel it when they wake up.

If I was practicing today I'd definitely discourage the practice of de-clawing cats. If cats are provided with scratching posts available at most pet stores and they use them instead of the furniture, it just seems like a better way to handle things.

If you are having scratching problems get a post and get the cat used to it. Lay it down flat and put the cat on top of the post so he can get the feel of it. Be sure to put the post where the cat likes to sleep. I'm sure you've seen that one of the first things cats do when they wake up is a stretch and a kneading of those claws.

If your cat is working on the drapes or the couch, put the drapes up and put the scratching post in the same location. It's rare not to get them to switch over to a good post.

Pet Lovers: Don't Leave Your Pet Home Alone

Who knew there was a professional pet care association? I didn't. Until I started this blog.

The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters has a really neat website, and a Refer-a-friend  program, too. According to their page on why anyone would want a pet sitter, "...from the pet's perspective, the familiar environment, diet and exercise routine, along with the personal attention rpovided by a professional pet care-giver are the perfect answers," to not having to leave the furry kids home alone. (although, this great place in BC, Canada has a pet-friendly policy - as evidenced by this pic I borrowed from them cause the dog looks so much like Carmel.)

They have a pet sitter locator which has given me a few options for caring for Wabby and Carmel, the next time I have to go out of town. I'm really happy about this.

There is also a site called Pet Sitters International - which seems exciting. It seems to be a good place for pet sitters to get accredited (wow!) and recognized as "Pet Sitter of the Year."

I checked over at Purina's Programs and Events page, but didn't see anything about this topic. I wonder if they're interested in learning more about it. It seems like a perfect fit. I'll have to check on that.

What do you do with your pets, when you have to be away and you can't take them with you? Just rely on friends and relatives? I think a pet sitter is better. But, that's just me. Share your thoughts...

Wabby-Wibby Speaks Up

Okay, Wabby is complaining of neglect. She says there is entirely too much 'dog' news on this blog. It's bad enough, she says, (in her inimitable meow-ish voice), that she never gets to blog - so why can't I at least give her some kitty time on this blog?

It's not my fault she doesn't get to blog. She does like the outdoors - and will try to sneak out during the summer - then hide under the deck because she's afraid to go anywhere. But, it's too cold out for her these days. She's not a snow-cat, by any means. [here's a pic of her giving me that 'look' - the one that says, "It's bad enough you spend so much time on that machine writing about the dog, but..when are you going to feed me??"]

So, in honor of Wabby-Wibby - I found a few links that talk the talk. Over at the San Francisco Bay Area news (SF Gate), Christie Keith writes, "Is your cat a tiny tiger or a furry sofa pillow?"

Well, Wabby is neither. She's just a furry, funny, feed me kinda pet. I like Christie's advice on making your house cat-friendly, as well as cat-safe. She says, "Are there places for her to climb without knocking over your most precious tchotchkes or unraveling your drapes?"

I have to answer: yes. And, I keep the plants out of Wabby's way. However, she does not jump up on furniture (except the couch, cause that's where she sleeps all day)...and she has never bothered the drapes. (ok... so, we don't have any drapes.) Christie includes this link to a story on cat enclosures, which I find fascinating.  Would you get one for your cat? Should I get one for Wabby?

Wabby says she is thinking it over. They do look like fun.

Doggy Blogging

Carmel is not happy. It snowed again last night. Now, I don't mind the snow that much. The cold gets me, but the snow is pretty. However, because this new snow is layered over old snow - much of what was melting and is now ice...I'm reluctant to go out this morning. We did a lot of slip-sliding around the last time we ventured out. [this pic is pretty typical of Carmel when she's sleeping... as she is now, right at my feet.]

'Round about now I'm usually ready for winter to end. Enough snow, enough dark mornings, enough car crashes in the news. But this year I feel different. Winter didn't officially arrive until January, and while it's been very snowy and cold, it hasn't had the deep-freeze affect of other winters I remember. When we take Carmel out blogging, it's crisp and clean and I like the sound of the snow crunching under my sneakers.

Yep. I wear sneakers to walk Carmel - even in the snow. If I'd had sneakers like these when I was a teenager - that long walk to school in cold weather like this would have been so much easier!

Well, we'll get out later today with our puppy. As Oprah said yesterday on Ellen DeGeneres (which I seldom watch but I wanted to see Ellen interview Oprah), the walk is the thing for dogs. If you do nothing else for them, well - except feed them - take them for a walk every day. Big or small, young or old, they love to take that stroll around their territory.

It's doggy blogging.

Dog Treats and Singing Cats

Can't resist some of the news stories I read online. Over at MediaPost's Marketing Daily, there's an article titled, "Psychology Pays Off In The Dog-Treat Market." [free registration may be required]

Essentially, it talks about devoted owners - like us - but specifically, empty-nesters..."who have 'transferred their love' to their dogs, creating a parent/child-like relationship." Hmmm...I hate to tell the Alcone Marketing Group, which did the study, but... we all feel that way. Don't we? I mean, we even dress them up...as evidenced by the picture here, today.

[pic here of "rescue dogs"-- dressed up as bees -- story to come at another time  -- courtesy of Breanne Boyle of Ask Patty! fame - a good site for the ladies]

Anita Campbell over at Small Business Trends alerted me to this fun article in The Phoenix Business Journal, "Cell phones going to the dogs." Here's the scoop (according to the article), a company called On4 Communications Inc has a PetsMobility brand that include GPS tracking in your dog's collar. Due out in March. Pricing here.

Found this little ditty all on my own. TShirt D'art Blog...with funny, funny pics of hungry pets (dogs and cats) singing for their supper. I wish it had audio. Check it out...here.

Videos coming in... stay tuned!

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Ask Dr. Larry: Nutrition for Older Pets

Today's question for Dr. Larry comes from Karin in Hilton, NY. Thanks for joining the conversation, Karin.

Karin asks: Should I change the diet of my older dog or cat?

Dr. Larry says: The answer really depends on how old your pet is.

As pets age their metabolism changes and they burn calories more slowly which can result in weight gain if we continue to feed the same amount of the same type of food. Once they are over the age of two the demands of growth and development drop off dramatically. If you pet is spayed or neutered this will further decrease metabolism as the sex hormones enhance calorie burning.

Therefore, middle aged pets, say five to nine, may start to gain weight and it’s a good idea to restrict calories somewhat. This is the idea behind some “Healthy Weight” formulas, which are formulated for pets with slower metabolic rates due to a variety of causes, including age.

When pets really become senior citizens, say over the age of ten or twelve, their diet needs may change significantly. Research indicates that these truly “geriatric” pets actually need more calories and specifically more high quality protein. You may have noticed how really old dogs, cats and people seem to waste away. I’m dealing with this with my dog Darcie and my 87 year old mother.

So, if your pet simply has a middle age spread, look for a Healthy Weight formula or a Senior product formulated with fewer calories. For truly geriatric pets that are losing weight, look for a high calorie “Performance” type diet. I know that some pet food manufacturers, like Purina, are looking at diets of this type specific for truly older dogs.

One caveat is to make sure your older pet has normal kidney function. If their kidneys are not functioning properly they need a diet from the vet.

Doggie Dancing? A-one and a-two...

Who could resist this? From the Associated Press (out of Denver - one of my favorite places - Hi, Miah!)... we learn of dancing dogs. The article, "Doggie dancing invades America," sounds ominous but it's just in fun. I don't know why Kim Nguyen, the writer, used the word 'invades.'

But, I love the story - dancing dogs. Prancing pups - kicking up their paws with their owners, for the fun of it. In a world where tragedy is the story of the day, and global warming is threatening to do us all in - it's heartening to read these fun little bits about our pets.

The really interesting part is, according to the article, "Dog owners and their pets don’t cut the carpet just for exercise. Many try to perfect their routines to win competitions around the nation and worldwide. Colorado will be the site for two competitions this year being held by the World  Canine Freestyle Organization, including the group’s international titling contests that will take place in July."

[pic comes from Purina's site - this is Donna, one of the Incredible Dog Challenge trainers. Read more about her here.]

So, when do you suppose we'll see this as an Olympic Sport? I wonder if Purina is watching. Maybe they should include doggie dancing in their Incredible Dog Challenge(R). Hmmm...

Spay Your Pet Day

Just discovered this at the Maysville newspaper, The Ledger Independent: Spay Day USA coming up.

Good advice. The article says, "Spaying and neutering is much more humane and cost effective than sheltering and euthanizing..." Not to mention the other benefits like calmer animals, better companions, and pets that stick to home more often.

Also discovered this little blog over at the DesMoines Register: Dog Blog. Blogger Paula Sunday talks bonding with your cat or dog. So, they offer a Puppy Kindergarten - which helps train pups (and their owners, no doubt) which, in turn, I guess, leads to better bonding. The pup get socialization and learns how to behave, and Mom and Dad aren't afraid to expose him or her to other people.

The site notes that Paula "has dedicated her career to learning about companion animals, dogs in particular." She is also offering a Disaster Preparedness Workshop where the sign-up is at the United Animal Nations. That's a site I need to look at more closely. Hope you will, too.

Last for today, Laura over at the Embrace Pet Insurance blog writes, "Embrace Pet Insurance Wins a Microsoft Pinnacle Award." This for her use of Microsoft Dynamics. She gives herself a large pawprint of approval, and so do I! Nice going, Laura. [paw print courtesy of Laura's blog]

Watch for more of Dr. Larry this week... and thanks for all the questions. We'll get to as many as we can... keep'em coming!

This Cat Plays the Piano - Does Yours?

I couldn't believe this video on YouTube, sent to me by Greg Bell, who has a great Jazz Blog here in Rochester. Presenting... Nora the cat...

Enjoy.

Healthy Teeth

I just learned that February is healthy teeth month for our pets. Who knew? (I bet they have something over at Purina... but I sometimes forget to go over and check it out. Don't squeal on me, okay?)

When I worked at the Cat Dr. locally, one of the things I did a lot of was teeth cleaning. It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it! I remember having mixed feelings about it - it was refreshing to see those pearly whites when I got done. And to know the cats would have healthier teeth - if their owners followed the vet's advice and took care of their cats' teeth from then on.

But, during the cleaning, it could get ... well, kind of raunchy. And, lots of cats lost teeth from decay. Not to mention, I was always worried about how long the cats were under for the procedure.

Dogs have similar problems. Owners feed them canned food, and not enough dry... which can - depending on the structure of it - help keep teeth healthy and clean. Carmel's teeth are in very good shape. She gets mostly dry food...and the kinds of bones that promote good oral hygiene.

Also found more Funny Pets... where a cat has adopted a Rottweiler puppy. You have to see it to believe it.

And, over at Azstarnet, there is some discussion on vegetarian pets. I'm talking cats and dogs. I think this is pretty silly - not to mention, probably unhealthy. But, I'll have to ask Dr. Larry. Stay tuned for his answer.

Lastly, for today, here's a great article from Mail Tribune about "The Pet Factor."  Gosh, who  knew... that having pets could help create positive effects on both physical and mental health? Well, we all knew it, didn't we? The article says, "The tie between pets and health is confirmed by many studies. The Centers for Disease Control says pet owners have lower blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as less depression, more socialization — and they get out of the house more often, so move around more."

I know it's especially good for the elderly. Pets just make you feel better - they don't care what you look like, how old you are, whether you're tall or short, fat or thin, and they certainly don't criticize your clothes! I have a soft spot for our elderly - so it warms my heart to see pics like the one here. I have to wonder, then, why doesn't everyone have pets???

Meanwhile, did you notice we have a new survey? I'm serious about it. How often do you feed your pet? (Carmel wanted me to ask. She's angling to get fed more often, I think.)