June 24/2020

Feature:

Tails As Old As Time

     “New York- Labrador retrievers aren’t letting go of their hold on U.S. dog lovers, but German shorthaired pointers are tugging on the top ranks of doggie popularity, according to new American Kennel Club data.    

     Labs topped the list for the 28^th year in a row. Yet there’s been plenty of movement over time on the purebred pup-ularity ladder…

                                            

The Top 10

   After Labs, the top 5 breeds nationwide are German shepherds, golden retrievers, French bulldogs, & bulldogs. Rounding out the top 10 are beagles, poodles, Rottweilers, German shorthaired pointers, & Yorkshire terriers.

  Labs smashed the record for longest tenure as top dog back in 2013. Fans credit the Labs generally amiable nature & aptitude in many canine roles: bomb-sniffer, service dog, hunters’ helper, dog-sport competitor, & patient family pet.

                                       

   At No. 9, the German shorthaired pointer notched its highest ranking since getting AKC recognition in 1930. These strikingly speckled hunting dogs are also versatile- some work as drug-&-bomb-detectors- & active companions…

                                                

   The…French bulldog remains the 4^th most popular breed for a second year, after surging from 83^rd a quarter-century ago.

                                              

The Numbers

   The rankings reflect a breed’s prevalence among 580,900 puppies & other purebred dogs newly registered in 2018 with the AKC, the country’s oldest such registry…

  …Estimates of the total number of pet dogs nationwide in the U.S. range from about 70 million to 90 million.

The Consistent Fave

   Beagles, now No. 6, can boast they’re uniquely beloved. No other breed has made the top 10 in every decade since record-keeping began in the 1880s...

Beagles…work sniffing out contraband meat & plants at airports, detecting bedbugs in homes, & doing their traditional job: hunting rabbits…

                                            

The Rarest of Them All

   The most scant breed was the sloughi (pronounced SLOO’-ghee)...

   The greyhound-like dog has a long history in North Africa, but garnered AKC recognition only 3 years ago…

                                              

How Did Doodles Do?

   …New breeds join the club periodically, after meeting criteria that include having at least 300 dogs nationwide & 3 generations…

The Why, Pros & Cons of Popularity

   Many factors can influence a breed’s popularity: ease of care, exposure from TV & movies, & famous owners, just to name a few…

The Purebred Debate     

   Some animal-welfare groups feel the pursuit of purebred dogs puts their looks ahead of their health & diverts people from adopting pets…The club…encourages responsible breeding of healthy dogs…to preserve traits that have helped dogs do particular jobs.”

Jennifer Peltz

The Associated Press

in The Gazette, Montreal

March 26/2019

Cute Critter Pics: 

Weekly Chuckle:

#StayHome

#StaySafe

June 17/2020

Feature:
How to Plan for Your Pet’s Care if You Get COVID-19

"As communities around the world respond to the new coronavirus (COVID-19), you should have the most up-to-date information on how it impacts you & your pets.

Because we know that pets can become infected, you should take every precaution to not give the virus to your pets. And this may mean that someone else will need to care for them until you are no longer contagious.

You should have a plan in place for your pet’s care in case you become sick with COVID-19. Here are some ways you can prepare.  

Q: What if I get COVID-19 and have to be quarantined?

A: Stock up on essential supplies for you & your pet to last 2-4 weeks...

If you need to quarantine, make sure you have a supply of the following items that lasts 2-4 weeks:

Food & water

Prescription & preventive medications...

Emergency & hygiene supplies 

                                              

Q: How do I care for my pets if I get sick?

A: Designate someone to care for them, wash your hands before & after contact, and don’t kiss or hug your pet.

Develop a strategy in case you may not be able to care for your pets. Contact a neighbor, your veterinarian, &/or a local boarding facility to secure temporary housing in your time of need...

                 

Q: What if my pet needs to go to the vet while I’m sick?

A: If it’s an emergency, ask a public health official about transport, & alert your veterinarian...

Q: I think my pet is ill—what do I do?

A: See your veterinarian.

If your pet shows signs of illness, & they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, see your veterinarian immediately for a full workup... " 

Dr. Katy Nelson, DVM

petmd.com

April 27/2020 

Cute Critter Pics:

Weekly Chuckle:

#StayHome

#StaySafe

June 10/2020

Feature:

Do Guinea Pigs Make Good Pets?

“Guinea pigs are sweet, easygoing & quite cute. However, before you go out & adopt one, make sure that you ask the right questions so that you know for certain whether you should.

How long do guinea pigs live as pets?

Guinea pigs have a longer life span than other small pets like rats, hamsters, & gerbils. Guinea pigs can live 5 to 7 years. If you are moving, this is definitely a good pet to transport, & much easier to travel with than cats or dogs…

 

What do guinea pigs eat?

To keep your guinea pig happy & healthy, you need to make sure that they have a well-balanced herbivore diet. You should be regularly feeding your guinea pig:

1.) Pellets: You can easily find veterinarian-approved commercial guinea pig pellets in your local pet store. They provide vitamins & minerals that your guinea pig will need to feel their best.

2.) Timothy hay: That's right, your guinea pig likes to have a little hay in their diet so that it gets the right amount of fiber. Hay also help your guinea pig wear down their teeth. (Fun fact: guinea pig teeth grow continually.) Just make sure that you are buying clean, fresh-smelling, high-quality hay that is free of mold, or you could make your cute little friend ill.

3.) Vegetables: The Humane Society recommends that you feed your guinea pig one cup of fresh veggies throughout the day in small individual amounts. Your guinea pig can eat:

Cucumber ,broccoli, artichoke, lettuce, kale, peas, & carrot tops

Just make sure that these vegetables are well-washed & not served cold (it might be too cold for those tiny tummies). Carrots & sweet potato can be added once to twice a week (since they are higher in sugar & might cause diabetes if eaten too often).

 

How much space do guinea pigs need?

Guinea pigs are not as into climbing & digging as their other rodent counterparts, & rely heavily on floor space. If you have one guinea pig, you should have a minimum of 7.5 square foot cage. 30" by 36" is a good size. If you have 2 guinea pigs, 10.5 square feet is the size you should get. You should give their cage an intense cleaning at least once a week, & do light cleaning every few days. Make sure that your guinea pigs' cage is located in a quiet, calm place in the house, & give them cozy items & soft wood chips to snuggle into…

 

What are guinea pig personalities like?

Guinea pigs are social, active creatures. It is best to get 2 guinea pigs because if a guinea pig is alone a great deal of the time, it can get lonely…

Make sure that you have time to spend with your guinea pigs & that you take them out of their cage to explore, cuddle, & stretch their little legs. Guinea pigs are generally pretty quiet but do make a whistling squeaking sound when they are excited or scared or... feel like it. So if you want a quiet home, know that a guinea pig will liven it up quite a bit with its squeaks & whistles.

 

Can you train a guinea pig?

You can train a guinea pig to do simple commands using treats. Guinea pigs can learn how to come when called, know their name, stand up, go in circles, or even jump through a hoop! Your guinea pig can even learn to use a litter box! So have fun using treats & gentle words of encouragement as you teach your guinea pig all these fun tricks.

How to bond with your guinea pig

Guinea pigs love to play & cuddle. You can gently stroke their fur & groom them. With short-haired guinea pigs, you can groom them once a week, but if you have a long-haired guinea pig they will need daily grooming, so be sure to incorporate that into your quality time. Make sure to have toys like balls, pet tunnels, & other fun guinea pig toys you can find in your local pet store. You can also hand-feed your guinea pig treats to build trust.

…If you make sure to play with your guinea pig for at least half an hour a day, you & your guinea pig will be bonded.

If all of these answers seem like they would fit your lifestyle, then a guinea pig might be just the pet for you!”

Carmen Angelica

cuteness.com

May 17/2019

Cute Critter Pics: 

Weekly Chuckle:

#StaySafe

#StayHome

June 3/2020

Feature:

Do Pigs Make Good Pets?

   “Pigs are becoming increasingly popular to keep as pets. However, these are not the same pigs as you would necessarily find on a farm. Many people prefer ‘mini’ pigs, which are much smaller than typical farm pigs…these ‘mini’ pigs can weigh as much as 180 pounds (compare that to farm pigs, which can grow to more than 600-1,000 pounds)…pet pigs can be wonderful, but there are some important things to consider before you make the decision to get one for yourself…

How long do pigs live as pets?

‘Teacup’ or ‘micro’ pigs are actually just baby potbellied pigs. They can live from 12 to 18 years (even up to 20!)…They can grow to be 100-150 pounds, so the term ‘teacup’ is definitely misleading. These pigs will need a lot of space if you intend to keep them as pets…

What do pigs eat?

…Pigs are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants & animals. They need a varied diet to be in peak health. In the wild, for example, pigs root around, or forage, to find roots, fruits & flowers, even insects. On farms, pigs will often be fed corn & soybean meal with some vitamins/minerals added.

For your pet pig, you can feed it potbellied pig chow, which you can get from certain suppliers…Piglets ranging in age from 5 weeks to 3 months of age will need about 3/4 cup of chow daily. For adult pigs (3 months & older), about 2 cups of chow daily is recommended. In the winter, if it's particularly cold, you may want to increase this slightly, as pigs will burn more calories when it's cold.

You can also feed your pet pig a fresh salad every day…Some great snacks include unsalted, unbuttered popcorn, fresh or dehydrated fruits & vegetables…

How much space do pigs need?

…Pigs need plenty of space to root around & play… the more space you have the better. Pet pigs will also often not want to be confined in a home all day. They need space to root around & graze outside if they are to be happy & healthy…

What are pig personalities like?

Pigs can be very hyper, wild, & even destructive…

Pigs are very social, & are happiest when surrounded by other pigs. Many pet pig owners prefer to have at least 2 so that their pets will have each other to socialize with. Pigs can also be rather hierarchical….

Can you train a pig?

You can certainly train a pig, & you should start while they're young, just as you would with a dog. Basic commands & tricks can be taught to your pet pig with food used as an incentive. Cheerios, shredded wheat, unbuttered, unsalted popcorn, & pieces of fruit like apple can be used as a reward while you teach them certain behaviors. Repeating words, using consistency & establishing a routine will be of significant help as you strive to teach your pet pig certain commands like sit, come, no, & stay, among some extras like wave or shake.

Bonding with your pig

Bonding with your pet pig can be tough…with pigs it can take months…they tend to come around with time, & can be very affectionate & playful. Your pet pig will enjoy spending time with you & getting belly rubs & treats…It really does need other pigs around to truly be comfortable & happy, so that's definitely something to keep in mind…”

Maggie Hira

Cuteness.com

May 27/2019

Cute Critter Pics:

Weekly Chuckle:

#StaySafe

#Stay Home