Friday, September 28, 2018

Keep pets free of tick-borne illness

It is that time of year when your dog or cat can pick up ticks even on a short walk. That should not be surprising because there are more than 90 species of ticks in the U.S., and a single female tick can lay thousands of eggs.

A tick attaches by inserting its mouth parts into a dog's skin and begins to suck blood. A meal can last several days and cause discomfort to your pet.

Ticks are very efficient carriers of diseases that can lead to more than irritation. Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis are commonly transmitted by ticks.

Try to avoid tick-borne illnesses by inspecting your pet daily for ticks. Using of a tick preventive recommended by your veterinarian is also helpful.

Read more about tick-borne illness at http://www.holistictouchtherapy.com/articles/keep-pets-free-of-tick-borne-illness.html

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Thursday, September 27, 2018

Why dogs jump to greet you

Humans greet each other by making eye contact and shaking hands. Dogs have a similar ritual. They make eye contact and greet nose to nose. When a dog greets a human, it is natural for him to jump up in an attempt to see his eyes and touch his nose.

It may seem cute when a fluffy little puppy jumps in greeting. Unfortunately, the cuteness wears thin as the dog grows to adulthood and muddy paws damage good clothing or knock poor granny down.

A dog jumps up to greet you as a friendly gesture. It is up to you to teach him an alternative greeting behavior that allows him to show his joy for life and affection for you. Respond in kind with your love.

Read more about Why Dogs Jump to Greet You, here http://www.holistictouchtherapy.com/articles/why-dogs-jump-to-greet-you.html

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Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Can Your Dog Predict Weather?

On a perfectly sunny day dogs may pant, pace, and become agitated or clingy. Much later a severe storm arrives. For years, many believed dogs could predict oncoming thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and even earthquakes and avalanches.

Your dog does not have super powers, but he does have super senses. He may be even more accurate than the TV weatherman when it comes to predicting upcoming storms.

Learn more about how your dog can predict weather:
http://www.holistictouchtherapy.com/articles/can-dogs-predict-weather.html

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Monday, September 24, 2018

Whacky Animal Laws

Illinois has a host of funky laws still on the books. In that state, it is against the law to give whiskey to a dog, to offer a dog a lighted cigar, to keep a smelly dog or to take a French Poodle to the opera.

It is difficult to imagine what caused law makers of the past to come up with such legal restrictions.

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Friday, September 21, 2018

Does your dog wink at you?

Some dogs wink at their owners. Your dog may not wink, but a recent study reported that dogs tend to imitate humans in tasks as complex as learning to open sliding doors.

Dogs can also learn to wink. Experts claim that if you wink at a dog gazing into your eyes, they will mimic your wink. Most dogs apparently learn to wink quite quickly especially if treats are involved.

A person who winks at you sends a flirtatious message that they like you. A winking dog is probably sending a similar memo.

Read more about How Dogs Talk with Their Eyes here: https://www.holistictouchtherapy.com/articles/dogs-talk-with-their-eyes.html

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Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Dog approved people food

We should keep our dogs on appropriate canine kibble or canned food, but sometimes we like to reward them with a little table scrap or a special treat. Here is a list of people foods that should be safe for their tummies:


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Peanut butter - A good source of protein, healthy fats, and vitamins B and E.

Cooked chicken - Slip a little in with your dog's kibble to add extra protein and a yummy treat.

Carrots - These are low in calories and high in fiber.

Salmon - Cooked salmon is a good source of omega 3 fatty acids which will keep your dog's coat healthy and shiny.

Pumpkin - A good source of fiber and beta carotene. Be sure to use pure pumpkin NOT pumpkin pie filling.

Yogurt - High in calcium and protein. Choose yogurt with active bacteria which act as a probiotic. Don't choose yogurts with artificial sweeteners or added sugar.

Cheese - Low or reduced fat are best. Cottage cheese is a great choice that dogs seem to love.

Eggs - A scrambled egg is a healthy snack that adds protein, riboflavin and selenium.

Green beans - These are a low calorie, filling treat.

Apple slices - These a good source of fiber and vitamins A and C. They also freshen the breath and clean residue off teeth. Be sure to core and remove seeds to avoid a choking hazard.

Oatmeal - A great source of soluble fiber especially good for seniors that may be suffering with bowel irregularities. Cook oatmeal before serving and don't use any sugar or flavor additives.

Watermelon - A health-food powerhouse that is low in calories and packed with vitamins A, B6, and C and potassium. Use seedless melons or remove seeds that can cause intestinal blockage. Don't allow dog to have rinds, which can cause tummy upset.

These are just a few people foods that are fine for dogs. They should be offered in small amounts and should not interfere with your dog's normal diet.

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

People food your dog should avoid

You may know some foods like chocolate can be dangerous for dogs. Some fruits and veggies you might think are healthy should also be avoided.

Grapes and raisins – Vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain can occur within a few hours of eating grapes and raisins. As few as four grapes or raisins can cause irreversible kidney damage in a 20 pound pup.

Onions, garlic, and chives – Consuming a teaspoon of powdered, raw, cooked, or other form of these veggies can destroy your dog’s blood cells, causing anemia and irreparable harm to kidneys.

Avocado – The fruit, leaves, seed, and bark of avocado trees contain persin that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing in dogs.  Guacamole can be hazardous to your pet.

Rhubarb – Oxalates in rhubarb can cause problems in a dog's kidneys, digestive tract, and nervous system.

Immediately take a dog that gets into any of these foods to your vet or emergency clinic.

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Monday, September 17, 2018

Whacky Animal Laws

Sterling, Colorado requires feral or indoor/outdoor cats to put on a taillight before roaming the neighborhood. Helping a cat don a rear light could be a daunting chore, but finding one might be even more difficult. Cat taillights do not seem to be carried by any of the major pet stores.

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Friday, September 14, 2018

Your Dog Remembers Your Scent

Research by Gregory Bern of Emory University found that the scent of a loved human lingers in a dog's brain much like the scent of a loved one's perfume lingers in the memory of a human.

A whiff of your scent on a piece of clothing or furniture apparently keeps kind thoughts of you in your dog's memory while you are away.

So if you come home to find your dog cuddled next to your old shoe, he is probably using your scent to conjure up fond thoughts of you.

Learn more about a dog's aroma memory bank here: "Your Dog Remembers Your Scent".

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Thursday, September 13, 2018

Pets and Back to School Blues

When kids go back to school in the fall, some pets become confused, lonely, and bored.  Back to school blues may result in depression and/or separation anxiety for your furry friend. Help him adjust to the change with lots of attention and new activities.


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Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Wonderful working dogs

Lizzy is enjoying a massage from her master Darlene, but she has earned it. Lizzy is a hard working dog that alerts her hearing impaired master Darlene to doorbells, ringing phones, and lots of other sounds Darlene can't hear. Did you know there are working dogs that do all kinds of special chores?

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Monday, September 10, 2018

Stretch your dog

Use a treat to coax your dog to stretch. It will keep him flexible and healthy.

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Friday, September 7, 2018

Does your dog snore?

Some dogs produce snuffling, rattling sounds as they sleep. In other words, they snore. Dogs with very short muzzles like pugs, boxers, and bulldogs are likely candidates, but any dog can snore.

A night-time serenade can be caused by allergies to pollen, dust, mildew, household cleaners, or even cats or other dogs. Your vet can determine if there is an underlying medical problem.

If not, you may let the crooning lull you to sleep or ask your furry friend to sleep in another room.

Learn more about snoring at http://www.holistictouchtherapy.com/articles/does-your-pet-snore.html

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Thursday, September 6, 2018

Uh-oh. There's a frog in my pool?

Dolly likes to share but is not at all certain about the green friend in her pool. It doesn't take up much room but...

Watch for more adventures of Dolly in the future.

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Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Dolly has a swimming pool

Labradors love water. Dolly is excited to get her own pool. Watch for future posts to see what Dolly does with her pool.

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Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Careful not to break this whacky law

There are some very old laws still on the books of some cities and states that will surely make you chuckle. They will definitely make you wonder why the regulations were ever enacted.

Believe it or not, it's illegal to take a lion to the movies in Baltimore, Maryland...

I was on faculty at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine in Baltimore for years. Sure glad I didn't break this law. Guess it is a good thing I didn't have a lion.

Watch for more whacky laws in future blogs.

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Monday, September 3, 2018

Rainy Day

Poor Little Bit. A rainy day is no fun especially when a favorite toy is on its last leg.

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