Has your dog gone from confident and happy to insecure and anxious? Sometimes as our pups age, they change a bit and separation anxiety sets in. In most cases, this can be a normal part of aging, but it can be caused by physical issues as well, so talk to your vet if a change happens.
Just like older people, older dogs like to stay within their comfort zones and don’t like a change in their routine (we can relate)! So, if your dog seems more stressed about being alone here are a few steps you can take to make them more comfortable.
First, make sure when you are home that Fido gets regular exercise. It not only helps to disperse excess energy but it’s healthy to keep stiff joints moving.
Sound can make your home seem a bit less lonely. Consider leaving the TV, radio, or white noise on for your dog. Try a relaxation CD; they work well at relaxing people and dogs.
Older dogs’ eyesight may decrease as they age, be sure to leave some lights on for them if you are going to be gone after dark.
Of course, your dog has a nice comfy bed or cozy spot to rest already, but make sure his toys are near it. Also, you may want to leave your scent on or near his bed. Put an old sweatshirt on his bed so it smells like you – that comforts most pets.
Because senior dogs don’t have the same “holding” power as a younger dog, be sure they get a mid-day potty break. We are happy to get your older pup outside for a potty break, a nice slow walk, and some chit-chat (and a few treats).
To keep your older companion safe, close the door to the basement and block off the upper level if they aren’t as good at navigating stairs as they use to be.
Keep them busy with a frozen stuffed Kong toy while you’re gone; many dogs will work at it for hours and snooze the rest of the day.
Keep in mind that older dogs like a routine, so try to stick to one as best you can, follow these tips, and hopefully, your buddy will chill out!
Vital Visits News!
Alternative to Overnight Service? No overnight but want pet visits?
Alternative To Overnight A.M. – Early morning 6:00 – 7 am, per visit – $35.00 Alternative To Overnight P.M. – Nightly 9:00 – 10:30 pm, per visits – $35.00.
Uh Oh, My Dog Has The Runs!
One of the most common problems seen in veterinary offices: tummy (GI) upsets that result in diarrhea. It’s a messy, sometimes painful, and always a bad all around experience for dogs and their people.
The runs can be caused by a very long list of problems, but below are some common causes:
Stress – just like with people, stress can cause GI upset in pups
Parasites – intestinal worms
Diet changes – new food can upset tummies
Infections – viral or bacterial
Metabolic disease – problems with liver, pancreas, or thyroid
Inflammatory disorders – like inflammatory bowel disease
Dietary indiscretion – eating something they should not have
What is the best way to treat the runs?
If you think your pup is just going through a bad patch, you can try and treat the runs on your own. Vets always used to suggest fasting for a dog with diarrhea; nowadays vets seem to be split on this 50/50. It won’t hurt a dog with no other medical problems to go 8 – 10 hours without food to try and calm their tummy down, but always make sure they have plenty of fresh water around. If your pup isn’t interested in drinking plain water, try offering some chicken broth and water (50/50 mix).
Keep your dog quiet and in a spot where you can keep an eye on them. If your dog’s bed is usually on a carpet in your house, this is a good time to move it to a location with a hard floor where an accident will be easy to clean up. Remember not to scold your dog for an accident!
When it is time to feed them, start small with a meal of boiled white chicken meat (no bones or skin) and cooked white rice. Give your dog a couple of hours, and then you can try a tiny bit more chicken and rice.
When should you take your dog to the vet?
If your dog is very young, very old, very small, or has another medical problem, you should see your vet right away. Diarrhea can quickly turn into a life-threatening problem for pups in those categories.
If you know that Fido ate something potentially deadly you need to go to a vet immediately. For example, a lot of non-digestible items that may have been mixed with food in the trash (tinfoil, plastic) or anything toxic (grapes, mushrooms outdoors, alcohol, medications, etc.).
If your dog isn’t drinking water, is in pain, has blood in their stool, is vomiting along with the runs, or has lethargy the vet should be your first stop!
See your vet if the runs have continued for 24 hours or more or your dog has other symptoms along with diarrhea; vomiting, weakness, pain, or fever.
Most of the time a case of simple diarrhea will respond to treatment, and your dog will make a full recovery in 24 hours.
You adopt a new kitten or cat and look forward to years of fun, happiness, and purring. But, what if your new friend is stressed out, runs under the bed, and doesn’t come out? The good news is: There is a lot you can do to help your buddy relax and feel safe.
First, you should know that some cats, just like some people, are shy. Accept your kitties personality. However, if you have a rescue, a cat that was a stray or feral, or one that was poorly socialized you’ll have to work patiently at helping them overcome their fear.
Here are some steps you can take.
Be patient. This won’t happen overnight.
Give your new cat some space, let them come to you.
Give them treats but don’t pet them yet.
Let them have a hiding place, they need a place to go when they feel afraid.
Play with them, it helps build trust.
Remain calm and try and keep your household calm and quiet. Cats are very sensitive to the energy in your home. Make sure your children follow these rules.
Give your cat some verticle space; cats seem to feel better when they are out of reach. Put a blanket on a bookshelf, on top of the frig, or get a cat tree that is very tall.
Put an article of your worn clothing, with your scent on it, in their hiding spot.
Don’t force them to be petted, allow them to come to you.
Try speaking your kitty’s secret language, give your kitty some slow blinks. Instead of petting them just sit or lay a few feet away from them and when they look at you, close your eyes slowly, keep them closed for a couple of seconds and open them slowly again. Repeat. If your kitty blinks back at you, it means they are starting to calm down.
Give your cat some time and space and you’ll soon see your scaredy-cat become a confident kitty.
Great Pet Links!
Here are some interesting pet articles, pictures, and videos we’ve found on the net this month.
Jumping is the number one behavior that dog parents want to change about their best friend. It’s a natural behavior for a dog; they are excited to see you! Dogs prefer face to face greetings, and the only way to get near your face is to jump up. Our pups don’t understand that people think jumping is just plain bad manners.
There are a lot of different methods to teach your dog that you’d prefer they keep 4 on the floor (4 paws, of course) but the most important part of teaching is consistency. Whichever method you choose, you have to do it everytime.
Here are some simple solutions to keep Fido jump free.
Ignore – When your dog jumps, fold your arms tightly across your chest and turn your back on them. Once he calms down and has all 4 paws on the floor turn around and pet him. Give him a lot of attention but keep it calm. If he starts jumping up again, fold and turn. At first, you may spend a lot of time with your back to your buddy, but if you’re consistent, this works quickly with most dogs. When you know there are going to be guests over (or on a dog walk) have your dog on a leash (they can drag it around the house) and when they jump, pull them down and have the guest turn their back to your pooch.
Delay – Does your dog jump when you come in the door? Start to enter and if they jump, step back out and close the door most of the way. When they settle down, try it again. Your neighbors may think you’re a little crazy, but this works. When you have a guest come over put your dog on a leash and open the door. Ask your guest to wait, back up a bit and get your dog to sit. Have the guest take a step or two forward and if your dog gets out of the sit, the guest walks out the door, and you try again.
Toy Trick – Many dogs, if you give them something to hold, a ball, a chew, a Kong, instead of jumping they will prance around and show off their favorite toy.
Level Changes – Many dogs just want to get close to your face and kiss you, so for some dogs kneeling down solves the problem. Of course, this doesn’t help when you’re out on a walk, and a stranger wants to say hello.
Here are a few what not to do ideas.
Don’t get excited – your dog will mirror your demeanor. Don’t yell at your dog if they jump, stay calm. Don’t grab your dog or push them away, to some dogs that seems like a game. Do not knee your dog, step on their toes, or cause any pain or discomfort; it never helps them learn faster. A calm, loving pet parent wins the day every time.
You won’t change this behavior overnight, and sometimes it gets worse before it gets better. Be consistent and you’ll be surprised; our dogs just want to please us.
Vital Visits News!
Did you know we offer a variety of pet services? Dog walking, overnights, potty breaks, litter cleaning, pet taxi service and more. Our services are listed here.
Dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, even rats. We give love and care to your pets! View some client pictures here.
Big containers – do you pour your pet’s food into a big bin? It might be time to stop. You can put the bag of pet food into the container, but it should be left in the bag and folded over to keep it fresh. Some foods degrade rather rapidly and contamination, like Salmonella, can occur. If you do pour their food into a big plastic bin, it should be a food-safe container specifically made for pet food.
Food left in the bowl – don’t leave your dog’s food sitting out. Just like people food, it can go bad and lose nutritional value if left out. It can safely be in your dog’s dish for 2 – 4 hours.
Sunlight and humidity – don’t store their food in an area where it is in sunlight or where the temperature or humidity is high. It can quickly go bad in this environment.
Clean bowls – you have to clean your pet’s bowls regularly, which means, every day. You wouldn’t want to eat out of dirty dishes, would you? Salmonella and Listeria can easily grow in their dishes, so run them through the dishwasher or use hot soapy water every day.
Plastic bowls – avoid using plastic or ceramic dishes as they scratch easily and bacteria and odors can settle deep into the scratches. The very best are stainless steel or porcelain.
Kids and pet food – don’t let kids play with the pet food. Kids are not known for their superior hygiene; they can introduce bacteria to the pet food. Plus, you wouldn’t want junior to start munching on their kitten’s kibble!
Check dates – pay close attention to the expiration date on your pet’s food to ensure the food’s shelf life. Most often the date is on the bottom or side of the package.
Unwanted guests – be sure to keep your pet food away from bugs and rodents, they love to raid pet supplies. Don’t store it in the garage, shed, or a back porch.
These simple rules will ensure your best friend is getting safe and healthy food!
The Difference Between Stray & Feral Cats
It’s a common sight in most neighborhoods, an unfamiliar cat. It might be dashing across the street, poking around your backyard, or howling at a full moon! These freewheeling cats fall into one of 3 categories.
Pet – a neighbor’s pet that’s out for their evening constitutional Stray – a cat that is either lost or has been abandon Feral – these cats are essentially wild
We all know they are all the same species: domestic cats. But there is a world of difference between them, and it all boils down to one word: socialization. Figuring out which of these 3 types you are dealing with will help you help the cat.
It’s not too hard to recognize the difference between a pet, a stray, and a feral cat. Pets and strays have been socialized to people. Although a stray may not run right up to you, they will feel comfortable being around and living with people. A stray tends to rely on humans for survival. They will live close to you, approach you for food, meow, and even rub against your legs given a little time to get acquainted. They are almost always alone.
Feral cats, on the other hand, have minimal contact with people and they don’t want to change that. They tend to live in cat colonies. As long as you leave them alone, feral cats don’t pose much of a threat to pets or humans. A feral cat won’t vocalize with you, they may not make eye contact, will almost always keep a distance from you, and run if you attempt to close that distance.
Why does it matter what type of cat you’ve got hanging around? A stray needs and wants a home, so call your local shelter to see if your new cat visitor has been reported as lost. If not, give it a home or let your local shelter take care of it so it has a chance at adoption. Living their life as a pampered pet is what they want.
Most feral cats (unless found very young) will not be happy or safe living inside. If you take them to a shelter, they will most likely be euthanized. If you want to help the ferals in your area – they do deserve compassion – there are some things you can do. You could call your local shelter and find out what their policy is for feral cats. You could leave out food and water for them. Lastly, you could contact an organization like Alley Cats that practice TNR (trap, neuter, release) in your area. They will neuter the cats, so they don’t reproduce, and they will provide food and water. There are pluses and minuses to all of these solutions.
No matter which type of feline you find in your neighborhood, treat them with compassion and you may find a new ally even in alley cats!
Great Pet Links!
Here are some interesting pet articles, pictures, and videos we’ve found on the net this month.
Has your dog gone from confident and happy to insecure and anxious? Sometimes as our pups age, they change a bit and separation anxiety sets in. In most cases, this can be a normal part of aging, but it can be caused by physical issues as well, so talk to your vet if a change happens.
Older dogs’ eyesight may decrease as they age, be sure to leave some lights on for them if you are going to be gone after dark.
To keep your older companion safe, close the door to the basement and block off the upper level if they aren’t as good at navigating stairs as they use to be.
One of the most common problems seen in veterinary offices: tummy (GI) upsets that result in diarrhea. It’s a messy, sometimes painful, and always a bad all around experience for dogs and their people.
Keep your dog quiet and in a spot where you can keep an eye on them. If your dog’s bed is usually on a carpet in your house, this is a good time to move it to a location with a hard floor where an accident will be easy to clean up. Remember not to scold your dog for an accident!
The good news is: There is a lot you can do to help your buddy relax and feel safe.
Here are some interesting pet articles, pictures, and videos we’ve found on the net this month.
It’s a natural behavior for a dog; they are excited to see you! Dogs prefer face to face greetings, and the only way to get near your face is to jump up. Our pups don’t understand that people think jumping is just plain bad manners.
Level Changes – Many dogs just want to get close to your face and kiss you, so for some dogs kneeling down solves the problem. Of course, this doesn’t help when you’re out on a walk, and a stranger wants to say hello.
Dog walking, overnights, potty breaks, litter cleaning, pet taxi service and more. Our services are 
Some foods degrade rather rapidly and contamination, like Salmonella, can occur. If you do pour their food into a big plastic bin, it should be a food-safe container specifically made for pet food.
Kids and pet food – don’t let kids play with the pet food. Kids are not known for their superior hygiene; they can introduce bacteria to the pet food. Plus, you wouldn’t want junior to start munching on their kitten’s kibble!
Why does it matter what type of cat you’ve got hanging around? A stray needs and wants a home, so call your local shelter to see if your new cat visitor has been reported as lost. If not, give it a home or let your local shelter take care of it so it has a chance at adoption. Living their life as a pampered pet is what they want.
