Can dogs eat seafood? Yes, they can! Whether it’s salmon, trout or even lobster, as long as seafood is deshelled, deboned and properly cooked, dogs can enjoy many types. We spoke with Dr. Gary Richter, DVM, owner and medical director of Holistic Veterinary Care in Oakland, California, and founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition, for tips and advice on how to include seafood in your pup’s diet, as well as what to know about seafood allergies in dogs.
Contributed by Dr. Alison Birken, owner and DVM of Victoria Park Animal Hospital. We all know the benefit of prebiotics and probiotics for ourselves, but did you know that they have the same, exact positive effects on our cats as they do for us? As a small animal veterinarian, I consistently prescribe prebiotics and probiotics, not only for my sick patients suffering with an upset belly, but also for my patients’ overall wellness and health. Commonly, my pet parents do not know the difference between the two supplements and how they can help their pets. So, let’s discuss the difference between prebiotics and probiotics and why they are so beneficial for your pet.
Probiotics may be hard to pronounce (you try saying lactobacillus acidophilus five times fast!), but these dog supplements serve as an important part of your dog’s daily diet and can help to keep him healthy from the inside out. They might have funny names, but probiotics have serious benefits when it comes to your dog’s well-being. Probiotics, also known as “good bugs,” are types of bacteria that not only help to ease digestion and boost immunity, but also can contribute to your dog’s happiness. “The link between probiotics and mood improvement in dogs is an emerging area of research already producing encouraging results,” says Dr. Stephanie Liff, DVM, of Pure Paws Veterinary Care in New York City. “Some studies have shown that probiotics may help decrease stress behaviors in anxious dogs.” Exactly how probiotics work to maintain a happy dog is still being studied, but scientists think they’re on to a promising theory.
By Laurie Hess, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice) Just like people, dogs, and cats, pet rabbits can get fat. We all love to eat, and so do they. Unlike their wild counterparts, however, pet rabbits don’t get the exercise they need to be able to munch away all day. Plus, they don’t have to seek out food the way wild bunnies do, so pet rabbits tend not only to hop less but also to gain more. Recognizing that a rabbit is fat can be difficult, as female rabbits normally have a fold of skin – the dewlap – under their chins to store fat. In an overweight rabbit, it may be difficult to feel the spine under layers of fat along the back. Fat rabbits may also have extra folds of skin around their genital region, trapping urine and fecal pellets and leading to dermatitis (skin infection or inflammation) and matted fur from the accumulation of moisture and bacteria between skin folds that they are unable to reach back to groom. Small animals that are overweight can develop many of the same problems that overweight people can, including arthritis and joint problems (which is especially common in guinea pigs), as well as sores or ulcers on the bottom of their feet from carrying around all those extra pounds. Overweight rabbits may also have trouble turning around to reach their hind ends to ingest their first morning stool – the cecotrophs – that contain essential nutrients and that are typically softer than normal fecal pellets. Added weight can also be taxing on a bunny’s heart, as it has to work extra hard to pump blood out to a larger than normal body. It’s better for pet rabbits to eat right to prevent obesity rather than to try to put them on a weight loss plan once they have become accustomed to eating in a certain way. So, how can you help your rabbit (or other small, herbivorous mammal, such as a guinea pig or chinchilla) stay lean and healthy? Here are five tips to proper weight management in these species: It’s All About the Hay The staple of the diet for an adult rabbit, guinea pig or chinchilla should be hay. Hay is important not only to maintain a healthy population of bacteria in their gastrointestinal (GI) tracts to ferment and digest the food they eat, but also to wear down their continuously growing teeth. Wild rabbits chew on rough, fibrous grasses all day to keep their teeth in shape and their GI tracts happy. While we can’t replicate this diet exactly for our small and furry pets, hay provides the fiber pet rabbits need to keep them healthy, too. Portion the Pellets Pellets are predominantly carbohydrate, and who doesn’t love to eat carbs? The same is true for pet rabbits and too many carbohydrates can pack on the pounds and upset the pH of the rabbit’s GI tract, throwing off the normal balance of their intestinal bacteria and leading to gas production, discomfort and often, ultimately, to decreased appetite. Rabbits eating large amounts of crumbly pellets rather than fibrous hay also tend not to wear down the surfaces of their teeth properly, resulting in overgrowth and formation of sharp spurs on their continuously growing teeth that eventually cause pain on chewing, decreased appetite, a slow down of food passage through the GI tract and the development of a life-threatening condition commonly seen in rabbits called GI stasis. Typically, rabbits with GI stasis must be treated with GI motility-enhancing drugs, fluids and syringe feeding to recover. If left untreated, rabbits with GI stasis can die. The rule of thumb for healthy pet rabbits is no more than a quarter of a cup of high fiber pellets per four to five pounds of bunny per day. If your rabbit weighs more than this, than he or she can get a little more, and if he or she is less than four pounds, he or she needs less. Limiting pellets can be hard, as most rabbits chose them over other foods. But in the end, your rabbit will be healthier and feel better if you cut the carbs. Go for the Greens Like hay, greens promote chewing and contain fiber. They are also low in calorie, so rabbits can generally munch on greens to their hearts’ content without gaining weight. Greens also have the added benefit of containing water – something herbivores need lots of for proper digestion. Fresh leafy greens keep bunnies and other small mammals hydrated and promote the normal movement of food through their GI tracts. Rabbits also have a tendency to absorb huge amounts of calcium from their food, which can settle out in the bladder like sand and can stick together to form bladder stones requiring surgery to remove. The water in greens helps flush out the bladder and lessens the likelihood of calcium forming this sediment in the bladder. Two words of caution about greens, however. First, like some people, some rabbits can’t tolerate huge amounts of greens without developing diarrhea. Every rabbit is different in terms of how much water he or she can ingest without having loose stool. Second, while the water content of most greens actually helps keep calcium-based bladder sediment down, some greens – such as parsley, kale, and spinach – actually contain large amounts of calcium and should be fed just a few times per week. Temper the Treats We all love treats, especially sugary, fatty ones, as do rabbits. But high-sugar or high-fat treats like fruit (dried or fresh), seeds and nuts can alter the motility of a rabbit’s GI tract, interfere with digestion, and lead to weight gain. These foods are not normally part of a rabbit’s diets, and although they love them, rabbits should generally not be offered them. An occasional piece of high-fiber fruit, such as a pear or apple, is fine as a treat, but other sugary fruits, such as bananas and grapes, or high-fat seeds and nuts, have no place in a rabbit, guinea pig or chinchilla’s feeding plan. Hop to It Eating right is the key to weight loss in rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas, however, without exercise, it’s hard to maintain a proper weight. Many pet bunnies spend most of their days in small cages with little room or opportunity to exercise. To promote a healthy body weight, small mammals should have several hours of out-of-cage time daily and should be encouraged to move around. Providing your pet with a solid, non-slip surface to move around on and placing food bowls around the room force the rabbit (or other small mammal) to move around to eat and to burn calories on the way. Having small mammals hunt or forage for bits of food hidden under pieces of paper or buried in chewable cardboard boxes is another way to promote exercise while providing mental stimulation, as well. Lean, well-muscled rabbits will likely live longer and feel better than their overweight counterparts, and following these proper weight-management tips can help your pet be well on its way to healthier living. Dagmar Hijmans via Shutterstock
Can I Give My Dog Cough Medicine? Chronic coughing in dogs is never normal and always needs to be checked out by your vet. Common causes of coughing in dogs include: Heartworm disease Kennel cough Congestive heart failure Tracheal collapse Chronic bronchitis Cancer Over-the-counter human cough medications should never be given to dogs. Many of these products contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs. Cough suppressants may also include other medications like acetaminophen that can be dangerous for dogs.,Can You Give Dogs an Antacid? They should only be used with the recommendation of your veterinarian. Antacids such as famotidine (Pepcid) and omeprazole (Prilosec) are commonly recommended by veterinarians for GI ulceration and for preventing GI ulceration while on steroids. Studies are being conducted to evaluate the long-term side effects of these medications.,If you have any concerns about dosing and ingestion of human medications in pets, or if your pet is having adverse side effects (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea, behavioral changes), please contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian, or call Pet Poison Hotline at (855) 764-7661. Although we treat and love our dogs like children, dogs are not small people. The same medications that safely work in children or adults are not necessarily safe in dogs. While it’s true that vets may prescribe human medications for dogs, there are important differences in drug tolerances, side effects, dose ranges, and applications. For example, veterinary medicines are dosed based on your dog’s weight, while human medications are often dosed based on age. Even if you think it’s safe to give your dog a human medication, you should always ask your vet first. This might seem inconvenient, but giving your dog an over-the-counter (OTC) medication can cause more harm than good or even make your dog’s existing health condition worse. Your dog may also have a specific condition or reason that means it’s not okay to give them a medication that might be okay for another dog. Are There Any Safe Over-the-Counter Human Medications for Dogs? Yes, there are some OTC human medications that veterinarians recommend for certain conditions, but it’s never a good idea to assume it’s okay to use any medication in your dog without a vet’s advice. This is true even for common medications without dose restrictions, like artificial tears, which have minimal side effects for dogs. Generally, artificial tears can help lubricate a dog’s eye if they have dry eye or help remove dust particles or other foreign bodies from their eye. However, artificial tears aren’t useful for all eye conditions, and some foreign material may need to be flushed out by a veterinarian, who would then evaluate your dog’s eye to ensure that a scratch or ulcer hasn’t formed.
By Elizabeth Xu Adding a cat or dog to your family is a big decision, and these days there are many ways for you to do so. Adoption is an option for folks looking to possibly save a little money—and more importantly, save a life. Adopting a cat or dog shouldn’t be taken lightly—after all, you’ll hopefully have this pet in your home for years to come. Luckily, when it comes to pet adoption, you’ll have plenty of good options when deciding on the best pet for your household. “I think that people don’t realize the great variety and quality of animals that are available for adoption,” says Carol Novello, president of the Humane Society Silicon Valley. “I think there’s the perception that there’s something wrong with shelter animals, and in many cases they’ve just found themselves in circumstances where the cards haven’t fallen in their favor.” There are multiple things to consider before you adopt, including what kind of pet you’re seeking, where you might find that pet, how much your new furry friend will cost up front and in the long run, and more. Read on to learn everything you need to know about responsible pet adoption. Pet Adoption: Picking the Right Family Member You might already have your ideal pet in mind, based on what you know about certain breeds or your interactions with them in the past. While that’s perfectly fine, you should realize that you might change your mind once you meet a few cats or dogs. “While certain breeds do tend to have certain characteristics, there is a lot of variation of personality within individual dogs or cats within a breed, so it’s much more useful to focus on [your] lifestyle and expectations, and then to think about the individual pet,” says Aimee Gilbreath, executive director of the Michelson Found Animals Foundation. Think about how a pet will fit into your life and your schedule. Do you want a dog that’s good with children? Do you have the time to devote to training a puppy? Do you have the space to accommodate a larger dog? Figuring out those types of questions will be more important than honing in on a specific breed or being swayed by an adorable face. “Knowing what you’re looking for in terms of activity level, play level, all of those types of things are really important,” says Jim Hanophy, CEO of Operation Kindness, a no-kill shelter in Texas. He says that some breeds come with special considerations like high exercise, mental stimulation, or grooming needs, and it’s important to keep such things in mind when picking out a cat or dog. You can narrow down your options if you know whether you’re looking for a cat or a puppy or an older dog. Looking closely and honestly at your lifestyle can help determine if you have time to put the work into a puppy. “A lot of people love to adopt puppies because they’re cute,” Novello says. “Puppies are also a ton of work. You’ve really got to invest in training and it’s a huge time commitment versus lots of great older dogs.” And while cats, and especially kittens, do require your attention, giving them the care they need generally takes less time and effort than with dogs.
Dropsy typically shows up for no apparent reason, and despite the best of care, claims the life of its victim. The term “dropsy” refers to a condition characterized by abdominal swelling that causes the scales in the affected area to stand on end, giving the tropical fish a pineconelike appearance, particularly when viewed from above. Dropsy is not a specific disease but rather a symptom of a deteriorated health condition. The visible swelling is the result of a tropical fish not being able to regulate the amount of fluid in a part of its body, typically the abdomen, and specifically, most often the visceral cavity that houses a number of organs such as the stomach, intestines, gall bladder and kidney. The failure to regulate fluids is a symptom — so there is usually some other disease involved that starts the process.
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Aquatic plants balance beauty with function in your fish pond. Just like a wild ecosystem, plants help keep the water clean, support koi fish health, and provide shelter—and sometimes even food. When chosen carefully and kept appropriately, your pond plants will create a healthy habitat for the fish and other animals that will live there.,Outdoor fish ponds turn backyards into private oases with gorgeous greenery and beautiful fish. If you’re building a fish pond in your backyard, you may wonder which plants are the best for ponds—specifically your pond! The pond plants you choose depend on where you live and how deep your pond is, because some plants, like marsh marigolds, do better at the marshy edges, while others like water lilies need to be planted in the substrate with 1–2 feet of water on top. If you’re struggling to decide on pond plants, here is a short list for inspiration.
As a working pet parent, you may have considered enrolling your pup in doggy day care. Or maybe you just suspect your dog could use some more playtime and socialization. In either case, a puppy day care facility may work out well. We went to pet experts around the country to round up the key points a potential dog day care customer should consider. If you have children (aside from the furry kind), you may notice similarities between this advice and common tips for using a childcare center. It’s hardly surprising, though, because after all, pet parents want the best for their dogs too! Consider this your cheat sheet for making the right doggy day care decision. Drop in. You should visit the facility you’re considering with your dog. Show up unannounced, but not during the busy pick-up and drop-off times. “Stay away from places that do not allow clients to see the entire facility,” cautions Andrew Horan, Certified Canine Training and Behavior Modification Specialist at Citizen K9 in Washington, DC. Chat up the staff. You’ll learn a lot by watching the staff in action, and asking them about their experience or what their favorite part of their job is. “If they don’t seem all that interested, or in a hurry, this is probably exactly how they will treat your dog!” cautions Jaime Thomas, executive director of Rock Star Treatment dog day care in Redmond, Washington. See whether big and little dogs are in the same area. They shouldn’t be, says Thomas. Some kind of separation, if not by size, then by activity level or play style, is necessary. “Many larger dogs, even gentle ones, have a prey drive and play in a way that could hurt a small dog. Meanwhile, the little guys often have Napoleon complexes and inadvertently provoke big dogs.” Respect the evaluation. Once you’ve chosen a facility, your dog will be evaluated to make sure she’s a good candidate for day care. Not every dog is. If your dog does “fail” the evaluation, don’t take it personally. Rather, enlist a certified trainer to help overcome the issues that the evaluation revealed, says Horan. Then there are some dogs who are happy to be by themselves during the day. “Don’t be upset if your dog has this personality,” urges Karin Chan, FP-MT, CCFT at Whiskers N Tails boarding, day care and grooming salon in South Bay, California. “Understand that pushing your dog to socialize frequently could cause anxiety or bad behavior. Often, we want to see our dogs happy, but fail to see that they are perfectly happy just the way things are.” Don’t drag out the drop-off. Especially during the first week, say goodbye before you walk in, and try to make check-in as quick and no-nonsense as possible, advises Horan. Remember, just because your dog isn’t leaping with joy when you arrive, that doesn’t mean he’ll have a bad day. Again, they can be a lot like little kids, acting quite differently when their parents aren’t watching. “Many dogs are calmer, less nervous and more relaxed when their owners are out of the picture. So try not to hang around the day care area too long,” agrees Chan. And in much the same way a preschooler is dropped off with her favorite snack, sending Daisy to day care with a treat can’t hurt. One to try might be VetriScience Composure Behavioral Health Bite-Size Dog Chews. Review the emergency care procedure. Read over the emergency veterinary protocol that they have in place, advises Mike Ritland, a dog trainer based in Cooper, Texas, who’s worked with the U.S. military and celebrities for 18 years. “There should always be at least one qualified and designated employee on site should veterinary care need to be administered,” says Ritland. He also advises that you provide a quick reference guide, preferably laminated, with your contact info, as well as any information about medications, allergies or chronic conditions. And if the facility has an outdoor play area, don’t forget your pet will need protection from fleas and ticks, such as the Seresto 8 Month Flea & Tick Collar for Large Dogs & Puppies or K9 Advantix II Flea & Tick Treatment for Extra Large Dogs Over 55-lbs. In case of an injury, stay calm and results-oriented. If your dog gets hurt, try to keep in mind that a dog can get injured while playing at even the top puppy day cares. Dogs playing in groups inherently come with some risk. Thomas notes that most good dog day cares will offer vet support if needed, or “better yet, will tell you how they will work to prevent such an incident from occurring again,” says Thomas. “Express your concerns politely, and hopefully they will meet you with the same results-based conversation in response. Keep in mind that complaining and criticizing is not the same thing as working to improve policy.” If you do need to pick up a sick or hurt dog, it can be helpful to bring a kennel carrier he’s used to in order to get him home comfortably. Consider trying the Petmate Sky Kennel as your pet’s go-to dog kennel. Learn about dog kennel cough. Kennel cough is the most common illness; even the best, cleanest dog kennel will probably have it go around once a year or so. “Dogs will be dogs and are going to make each other sick,” explains Thomas. So chat with your vet to best understand preventatives and possible treatment options. Resist being a helicopter pet parent. Some puppy day cares offer a webcam service. Take a peek from your desk, sure, but keep it to a minimum. Otherwise, like any loving mom or dad, you may find yourself worrying about whether your fur baby has enough friends, or whether his new bff is really a bully, or why he’s sleeping instead of playing. Dogs are individuals, and will choose what they do, when, and with whom, notes Horan. The staff can’t, and shouldn’t try to, force a dog to play. “Please do not call and ask ‘Why is my dog sleeping?’ I promise you will get one of two answers, ‘because he is tired,’ or ‘because she wants to,’” says Horan. Keep these tips in mind to ensure doggy day care success and remember, if you have any questions or concerns spend a little time doing your research so you and your pup can feel comfortable.
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