Dec. 4/2024

 An Unexpected Item May Comfort Your Dog's Travel Anxiety

By Cynthia Anaya

12/1/2024 

Unless the final destination is their favorite park or other enjoyable spot, many dogs don't like car rides, but sometimes taking a long road trip with Max or Sadie is inevitable. Maybe you'll be taking a long road trip soon because you're moving or to visit family or an upcoming holiday. Traveling in a car for a long period of time can cause your pup to get anxious, but according to Adaptil, you can calm their anxiety with an item from home: your T-shirt.

Have you ever left a shirt or pair of pants on your bed and found your dog lying on it minutes later? It's a common occurrence among pet parents, and it typically means the dog finds comfort in the scent of the clothing. With their highly developed olfactory capabilities, dogs can smell things humans can't, and the residual aroma of deodorant and body soap on a T-shirt that's faint to you will likely be much stronger to them. You could be caring for a blind and deaf dog, but they'll still know you by your scent.

So when packing up the car, grab a shirt and place it on the seat for your dog to sniff and lie on. It's best to choose something that you wore recently so the scent is the strongest. It can be pajamas from the night before, sweat pants, or any other article of clothing that smells like you. Your dog will likely associate the garment with you and your home — a place of solace and safety — and be less nervous about the drive.

Turn your shirt into an anti-anxiety vest

Placing your shirt near your pet during a long car ride can help with their travel anxiety. However, if for any reason this method doesn't work as effectively as you hoped, or if you just want to try to provide more comforting options, you have another option. You can wrap your dog in your shirt snugly enough that it stays secure to make a vest. Think of it as a DIY ThunderShirt, which is one of the best anxiety vests for dogs. With this technique, you can have one garment on the seat and another wrapped around them.

ThunderShirts are designed to apply a gentle amount of pressure on an animal to create a calming sensation. Thunderworks claims that more than 80% of dogs that have used them have experienced positive results, so you can create your own version with a human shirt, and hopefully your four-legged friend — or tripod friend — will be part of that 80%. A scarf can also work well, or, if you don't plan to wear the shirt again, you can cut it into large strips to wrap around your pup.

You can find step-by-step instructions on how to convert your shirt into a calming agent for your canine companion on Trupanion and YouTube. Just be sure the "vest" fits snugly on your dog, but not too snug, and don't leave any hanging sections that your dog can chew on or get a paw stuck in.

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Nov. 27/2024

 

Do You Speak Chicken?

by Roxanne Hoorn

1/9/2024

A hiss from your cat, a growl from your dog—you don’t need 4 legs to recognize these warnings. Back off. Quit it. Danger. Most of us can also translate soft purrs or playful yips as contentment or an invitation to play. It turns out humans may be just as good at understanding the language of our feathered friends.

A recent study in Royal Society Open Science shows that humans can intuitively pick up on basic chicken emotions—excitement & discontent—by the sound of their clucks alone. Nearly 70% of people could match the cluck with the correct emotion regardless of their previous experience with chickens, or lack thereof. This research reminds us of humans’ innate connection to other beings, & our ability to pick up on universal signs of happiness & distress, says coauthor Joerg Henning of Australia’s University of Queensland. “This is a remarkable result & further strengthens evidence that humans have the ability to perceive the emotional context of vocalizations made by different species,” said Henning in a press release.

Chickens can communicate with each other in a myriad of ways. They use body language such as flashing their feathers, but their less expressive faces may lead humans to overlook their complex emotions, says backyard chicken expert Tove Danovich, author of Under the Henfluence, who was not involved in the study. “They are not facially expressive because, of course, they have beaks, which I think is one of the problems that chickens have for their PR campaign for people to take them a little bit more seriously,” she says. “But they are very expressive in other ways.” Primarily, they use their loud, diverse, & unique voices. Chicken owners like Danovich know their chickens’ distinct clucks well, signaling when they’re excited or scared, as well as a special scream-song celebration reserved for egg laying.

Henning & his coauthors wondered if humans were capable of picking up on the basic nuances of chicken well-being from sound alone. The team recruited nearly 200 participants from around the world—including people who had never been around chickens—for an online survey. Individuals listened to 16 randomly ordered hen clucks, including fast clucks & food calls (a distinct ‘tuk, tuk, tukking’ sound), both of which indicate excitement, & those associated with negative emotions, such as low, growly gakels & wavering, higher pitch whine calls.

Researchers were surprised to find that familiarity with chickens didn’t influence participants’ ability to interpret chicken moods based on the animal’s vocalizations. They found 69% of all participants could tell if a chicken sounded excited or displeased, regardless of their previous knowledge of chickens. They also found that older participants were more likely to think the chicken sound was a happy one when it was actually upset. “This difference in age groups is difficult to explain but may be owing to reduced hearing ability of older people,” says Henning.

Danovich isn’t surprised that the majority of humans can pick up on basic chicken emotions through sound. “Honestly, it makes a lot of sense to me,” she says. “We think of animals as being so different from humans, but of course, we are just another species.” Different species of birds are able to pick up on each others’ alarm calls, & other animals—including humans—can pick up on cues for danger or discontent in other species. “I think it really behooves animals to be able to pick up on distress calls from the other creatures around us,” she says. “And just because we think of ourselves as being very separate from the rest of the nonhuman world, [it] really doesn’t mean that we are.”

Researchers highlighted that having another metric for indicating chicken well-being could add to the growing case for more humane animal husbandry. Danovich adds that studies like these remind us that chickens are dynamic & individual beings, just like every other species. “They are definitely more than bird brains,” says Danovich. “If you take the time to get to know them, they can be just as complex as our dogs & cats.”

Attuning to her own backyard flock not only allows Danovich to pick up on an individual chicken’s excited, mad, frustrated, & celebratory songs, making her a better caretaker—it’s made her more aware of her everyday surroundings. “I think we sometimes go through life without noticing the world around us,” she says, adding that this wider awareness also benefits her chickens, especially when hawks & other predators are near. “I used to really not be aware of those alarm calls that wild birds would make in my yard until I got chickens. Now, I too am using those signals from other species to help protect my chickens, & now it’s just something I’m aware of when I go through the world. Frankly, it makes the world a more exciting & complex place.”

Do You Speak Chicken? - Atlas Obscura

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Nov. 20/2024

 

We asked a vet 7 winter health hazards for pets — & how to avoid them

By Karla Renic

1/13/2024

Amid a bone-chilling cold snap in western Canada, a rescue by a Saskatchewan animal shelter unfolded as they found a cat frozen to a metal trap. The incident served as a stark reminder of the risks associated with trapping in freezing conditions, & winter hazards for pets.

Dr. Tim Arthur, a companion animal veterinarian & president-elect of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, said most Canadian pet owners are "pretty darn good" at taking preventative measures. He added he doesn't see any particular influx of patients in the winter compared to the summer.

"Kudos to our dog & cat owning population, they're doing a very, very good job," he claimed.

But, Arthur said he still gets questions from pet owners on what they should be doing in the winter. So what exactly are the do's & don'ts of winter pet care?

Here's what you need to know about dogs & cats in the winter.

1. Paw protection for dogs: To boot or not to boot?

While dog paws are well-designed for winter conditions, there are reasons consider getting boots for your dog, Dr. Arthur advised. It's all about the pet's comfort level.

"Rely on your own pet to tell you if they are more comfortable outside wearing boots than no boots," he advised. Dogs can safely run around in the snow, but if they're showing signs of pain or discomfort, boots may be the right option. But, "if you put boots on your dog & your dog doesn't want to walk... don't use boots," Arthur said.

However, if your pet doesn't wear boots & walks around in snow, ice & salt, it's most important to clean their paws when they get home. "Not necessarily paved, but at least wiped down; get the snow out of them if there is salt, or debris or chemicals on them."

Frostbite is uncommon for regular daily walks, the vet said, but pet owners should keep an eye out for signs of an issue, like limping or a excessive licking of a specific paw. If those signs persists, he recommends seeing a vet.

2. Don't leave your pet in a cold car.

Similar to summer precautions, Arthur urged pet owners not to leave animals in cold cars for extended periods. While hypothermia is less common, the rapid temperature drop in vehicles can pose risks to your furry friend.

He advised treating pets in cold cars as one would a child. That means if temperatures are low, leaving your dog in a parking lot while you shop for groceries or eat a meal isn't the right thing to do.

3. Don't go on long walks if weather is bad.

"Use common sense when the weather outside is just downright awful," Arthur advised. "That is not the time to take your dog out for a 2-hour walk."

Even though your dog may have a coat & some boots on, "their ears are not protected, their heads are usually not protected," the vet pointed out. "Just because we are dressed appropriately, & don't find those conditions horrible, it may be different for your dog."

That being said, you have to know your dog. "A thick-coated husky will put up with a heck of a lot more than a small Dachshund," he said.

4. Ice dangers: A cautionary tale.

Dr. Arthur highlighted the risk of dogs falling through ice, especially around riverbanks. Owners should use common sense & avoid situations where the dog might end up in freezing water — like river banks.

"Don't let them go out in the ice. I don't care if there's ducks out there & they want to go & see them. It's just not a smart thing to do," the vet warned.

Avoiding hazards is key when letting dogs play outside.

5. Outdoor living: Adapting for winter.

For dogs living outdoors — farm dogs, for example — Dr. Arthur stressed the need for insulated, smaller shelters with windbreaks during winter.

"An open door to a nice padded straw house just isn't good enough. There has to be a windbreak on that door," the expert claimed.

Either way, it's better to keep them inside for the winter.

6. Does my dog need a coat?

When it comes to sweaters & winter coats, Arthur said it depends on the breed of your dog & what they find comfortable.

"Half of me says they're a fashion statement, half of me says that if you've got a really short-coated dog & you want to take it outside, it would probably like to have a coat on," he said. "You know your dog."

7. Getting lost: Can snow impact their senses?

While dogs getting lost in the snow is a "concern" for Arthur, he said it's not necessarily the impact on their sense of smell to find their way home.

"I'm not sure sure that it's a problem with their senses & their ability to get home, as much as it is just trying to move through that deepest snow," he explained, adding it's much harder for them to maneuver with 4 legs.

"If you're on rural properties, the dogs that run around.... if they're not back in a couple hours, go looking for them. If a blizzard is coming, like really, they shouldn't be out there in the first place."

Cats in the winter: Need for identification

When it comes to cats, it's less common for them to want to spend time out in the cold.

Generally, even cats that are curious will take 2 steps & run back in. Arthur said that's the best case scenario, & thus the list of risks is smaller.

However, for cats that do insist on going outside, Arthur advises owners to use microchips for identification — "I really don't like collars & tags."

Cats can get into trouble outdoors, especially in severe weather, & if they're found by a rescue without a way to contact the owner, they will often get put down for humane reasons (if severely injured).

"Identification, identification, identification," he reiterated.

In areas with coyote populations, winter can be dangerous for cats as they "tend to make up" for what coyotes can't find of their natural prey.

Check your cars before driving of: Expert

Warm car engines can attract cats seeking shelter in the cold weather. They can often be found sleeping on tires, under cars or under the hood.

"If you're parking outside, you know there are stray cats around, you should probably bang on your hood. Just wake them up & let them get out of there before you turn your car on," Arthur advised.

Arthur also noted a historical issue with ethylene glycol in antifreeze, which is highly toxic to animals. He urged pet owners to research the antifreeze products they have at home, & research the now-available non-toxic alternatives.

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Poppy RIP

Nov.13/2024

 

Top 5 Tips for a Healthy Cat

By Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP

Published 10/ 11/ 2022

Prevention goes a long way in staving off problems—especially when caring for a cat. By taking proactive steps to keep your fur baby healthy, you’re more likely to enjoy many happy years together (up to 14 or more, to be exact). Read on for some tips & tricks to maximize the years spent with your kitty.

Food Bowls

To be a successful cat parent, you need the right gear. Many of us think of no-brainers like food & water right away, but some things are more subtle—like nice, flat, wide bowls for that food & water so kitty doesn’t bump her whiskers while enjoying it. In place of a water bowl, you can opt for a cat water fountain— there’s some research that fountains make housecats healthier, too.

Litterbox

And then there’s the litterbox. Who likes small, cramped, smelly port-a-potties? Not us, & not our cats. Research has shown that cats like a litter pan that is 1.5 times the length of their body, including the tail—which is HUGE! And most cats seem to prefer a pan without a cover. They even have litter preferences: Most cats will choose a dust-free, scent-free clumping litter that’s about 1.5 inches deep in the pan. Who knew?

Cat Carrier

One item commonly overlooked is the cat carrier. Many people equate putting cats in a carrier with rides in the car & decide that, because Fluffy won’t travel often, they probably don’t need one.

But what if there’s an emergency & your cat is injured or seriously ill? It’s recommended to have at least one medium-sized carrier per cat, & one that loads from the top is often the quickest & easiest for a kitty that isn’t totally cooperative about getting inside. Why choose a top-loader? Gravity is on your side!

Cat Toys

And don’t forget that everyone, kitties included, needs a little fun. Many cats love to play with toys—some will even play fetch with stuffed mice or jingly balls.

Cat trees & perches located near windows go hand-in-paw with bird feeders outside to provide hours of entertainment (for humans & felines alike). Not to mention the joy of a laser cat toy.

Nutrition Is Key

An array of cat foods is available, so ask your veterinarian for help in choosing a diet plan tailored for your cat.

Veterinarians have found that, as a rule, cats do seem to be healthier when fed canned foods.  The risk of obesity, diabetes, & heart disease is lower when cats are fed portioned amounts of canned cat foods, namely because of the lower amounts of carbohydrates in these diets. 

Even “low-carb” dry foods have a lot of carbs compared to an average wet food, so these differences are important to consider. But this precaution doesn’t translate to “all dry foods are bad.” Just know that if you choose to feed your cat dry food, portion control is critical because it’s very easy for kitties to overeat on these carbohydrate-rich diets.

Most people choose to “meal feed” cats—in other words, put a portion down at a certain time & let the cat eat when he chooses to. At the next set time, another portion goes into the bowl. Having this set schedule prevents your cat from grazing all day long & consuming too many calories. But once a day isn’t enough, so if you choose this method, feed your cat a portion of her calories 2 to 3 times per day. Your veterinarian can help you to determine what an appropriate portion size is.

Keep the Litterbox Clean

No one likes cleaning the litterbox, but it’s an important role for all cat parents. Cats are picky about where they eliminate, & if the box is smelly & gross, they won’t want to go in. A dirty litter pan is the biggest reason why cats choose to turn other areas of your home, like the bathtub or that pile of laundry you’ve been meaning to put away, into their personal toilet. 

Keeping up with scooping can also alert you to medical problems. Are those puddles of urine getting bigger or smaller? Both can indicate a health issue. How about the stool—is it getting smaller? All kinds of answers can be found to medical questions in the litter pan, & it is easier to notice health problems more quickly if you pay close attention to the litter box.

So, how often should you clean the litterbox? Here’s a breakdown:

Scoop out all waste at least once per day.

Dump, wash, clean, & dry the box at least once per week.

Throw away the box & purchase a new one at least once per year, as plastic holds not-so-nice residues & smells that your cat will notice over time.

Stay on Top of Grooming

Cats are famous for grooming themselves, so why do they need any help from us when they already do such a great job? One big reason: hairballs.

When kitty grooms, all that hair has to go somewhere. And usually, that means into the stomach. Sometimes it will pass through into the stool, but other times it comes back up & you find a surprise on your floor. Save yourself future clean-up by brushing your cat with a soft, bristled brush.

Another brush or comb you want in your grooming kit is one designed specifically to remove matted hair. Most cats develop the occasional tangle, & it’s much easier to use a brush while the mess is small rather than wait until it becomes unruly. Severe tangles often need to be shaved off, so catching them early is easier for you & your cat.

Flea combs are also important. If you aren’t already treating your cat monthly with flea prevention (which is strongly recommended), use a flea comb on your cat every week to catch any fleas.

The other critical aspect of grooming is nail clipping. Although cats will remove the sheaths from their nails & sharpen them, nails can (& do) overgrow, resulting in painful ingrown nails that often become infected.

Kitties with extra toes are especially prone to this problem.  Overly long nails can also get stuck in things when a cat tries to stretch or scratch on a post, & she can accidentally scratch you during playtime. Keeping those nails short are in everyone’s best interest, so trim them weekly.

Stay Consistent with Veterinarian Appointments

Don’t forget the cornerstone of a healthy kitty: finding problems early! Your feline friend may look healthy to you, but would you notice if she lost a few ounces over the last year? Probably not, but your veterinarian should.

What about if he developed some dental tartar, a lump on a nipple, or a cyst in the ear?  All these things are common in cats, & exactly the type of things veterinarian look for in routine veterinary appointments.  And all of them are much easier—& cheaper—to treat when caught early. 

Taking your cat to annual wellness exams goes a long way in keeping her healthy. Your vet will check kitty from head to tail tip & administer vaccines, heartworm medications, & flea & tick control as needed. The veterinarian will also be able to help advise you on any necessary diet adjustments or other concerns.

On average, most cats under the age of 7 can go into the veterinary hospital just once per year (once they have finished their kitten vaccines & checkups, that is). Once turning 8, most cats should see a veterinarian twice per year. Your kitty may need to be seen even more often if there are any specific health concerns that need to be managed.

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Nov. 6/2024

 

13 Fun Facts About Orioles! (#7 is my favorite)

By Lindsey Dahle

First, these birds are absolutely beautiful. Their fiery orange & yellow plumage makes them look like they belong in a tropical rainforest! And their beautiful songs are a cheerful addition to any backyard. 

Additionally, even though orioles are not rare, they are uncommon to see. I know many people who have NEVER observed an oriole as these shy birds tend to stay high up in the trees. I love showing someone orioles at my feeders for the first time & witnessing how they can’t believe these birds exist near us!

#1. Orioles love the color orange.

Orioles are attracted to the color orange because it mimics many of the native flowers they drink from. Unfortunately, many backyard birders make the mistake of putting orange coloring in their oriole nectar, but this isn’t necessary. Instead, you can use an oriole feeder with an orange cap or base.

In addition, orioles also love to eat fruit, & oranges are one of their favorites! Try placing halved or quartered oranges in your backyard for them to consume. My favorite oriole feeder is the Ultimate Oriole Buffet. It has nails for hanging orange halves & cups for grape jelly, another favorite of orioles!

#2. Orioles can’t resist caterpillars.

Although many people associate orioles with nectar & jelly, they mostly eat these foods to replenish their strength after migrating. However, once orioles have started to nest, they switch to eating insects & spiders almost exclusively. Their favorite insect types are caterpillars like gypsy moth caterpillars, cabbage worms, & tent caterpillars. They even eat spiny & hairy caterpillars, which most other birds avoid!

Orioles also eat spiders, wasps, crickets, & grasshoppers, so if any of these critters are causing problems in your yard, try attracting orioles! Just make sure not to use pesticides because you’ll be killing their primary food source.

#3. Orioles have a sweet tooth. 🙂

Orioles enjoy eating sugar. And I mean, can we blame them?

Specifically, these birds enjoy sugary foods during & directly after their long migration north & south. The sweet, high-energy treats provide them with much-needed energy. Naturally, orioles drink nectar from flowers & look for fruit.

But luckily, bird feeding enthusiasts can attract orioles to their feeders in spring using the following sugary foods:

Jelly

When it comes to feeding orioles jelly, the grape flavor works best.

Jelly that is made for humans is fine for feeding orioles. Just head to your local grocery store & buy an inexpensive brand.

My preference is buying jelly that comes in a squeeze bottle to avoid the mess of scooping it out with a spoon! And make sure you purchase jelly & not jam.

Nectar

Like hummingbirds, orioles enjoy drinking sugar water for an instant energy burst!

You can purchase pre-made nectar, but it’s easy to make your own! Just mix 4 parts water with 1 part table sugar, & you’re done!

Unfortunately, you typically can’t use your existing hummingbird nectar feeders for orioles. That’s because their beaks are too big to fit into the tiny ports that typical hummingbird feeders possess.

#4. Orioles don’t eat birdseed.

 

Unfortunately, your regular bird feeders won’t attract orioles at all. This is because they don’t eat any typical feeder foods, like sunflower seeds & peanuts.

In addition to grape jelly, oranges, & nectar, one food that MAY attract orioles to your feeding station is dried mealworms. Since they’re insect larva, mealworms fit into the natural diet of orioles.

#5. They’re extremely sensitive to pesticide use.

Pesticides are just about the worst thing you can use if you want to attract orioles!

Here’s why:

A. Orioles eat pests! Their diet is made up almost entirely of caterpillars, spiders, & insects that pesticides are designed to kill. If all these creatures die, the orioles will have nothing to eat. Since they don’t eat birdseed or other common bird foods, they’ll have to move on to find a meal.

B. Pesticides can contaminate other sources of food. For example, when Orioles arrive at their breeding grounds after migration, they eat fruit & nectar for quick energy. Pesticides can easily blow onto fruit trees & berry bushes, contaminating this food source & making the orioles sick.

Additionally, orioles may be better at controlling pests than the chemicals anyway! One of the best facts about orioles is that they eat many insects that cause damage to gardens but leave beneficial insects & pollinators alone. So, skip the pesticides & invite an oriole to dine in your backyard instead!

#6. Every oriole has a unique song.

All orioles sing clear, flutelike songs & whistle loudly. But each individual has a unique song that other orioles can identify!

They use songs & calls for many different purposes. For example, male mating orioles usually sing long, melodic songs, while warning calls are short, sharp “chucks.”

If an oriole is defending its territory or competing with another bird, it’s likely to make a series of staccato chirps that sound like “ah-ah-ah.”

#7. Oriole nests are incredible structures!

Orioles are the master engineers of the bird world!

This is my favorite fact about orioles. I find their nests to be truly amazing! They create intricately woven baskets that hang from tree branches. The materials can vary, but generally, orioles prefer long fibers pulled from immature trees or other hardy plants.

The baskets have 3 distinct layers. The outer layer is made of tough, durable fibers woven together like a basket. A second layer is made of springier materials like grass or bits of leaves. Finally, the interior is lined with downy material like cottonwood or cattail fluff, feathers, or delicate plants.

This complex nest is so durable that up to 85% of oriole nests are still hanging the next spring! Despite their durability, orioles rarely reuse a nest. However, they will take materials from existing nests to build new ones.

#8. Not all orioles are bright orange.

When most people think about orioles, they picture the bright orange & black of a Baltimore or Bullock’s Oriole. But the truth is, many orioles are yellow, burnt orange, or even brown!

Female & juvenile orioles have muted colors that range from grayish-brown to yellow. Even though they aren’t as bright, they’re still beautiful!

Orchard Orioles are another species that isn’t typically orange. They have a black hood & back similar to a Baltimore Oriole but a burnt orange or chestnut color on the chest. Some species like the Hooded Oriole & Scott’s Oriole are bright yellow.

#9. Orioles are members of the blackbird family.

This is a fact about orioles that many people find hard to believe.

Despite their bright coloring, orioles are members of the family Icteridae, which are blackbirds. Other members include grackles, red-winged blackbirds, & Brewer’s blackbirds.

Orioles were given their genus name from the Latin word aureolus, which means “golden.“ Their colorful feathers are all the more beautiful when you consider they’re actually blackbirds!

#10. There are 8 oriole species in the United States!

It might surprise you to learn how many different types live in the USA because many of their ranges don’t overlap.

For instance, we only have 2 types here in Ohio, Baltimore & Orchard Orioles. But in California, there are 3 completely different species.

There are 33 species of oriole, but most of them stay in South America & Mexico year-round.

#11. There is a pro baseball team named after an oriole!

It’s true! The Baltimore Orioles are named after the popular bird that migrates to Maryland during the summer. It might seem like a simple connection, but actually, the history is complicated & fascinating!

The original leader of Maryland & the namesake of Baltimore was Lord Cecil Calvert Baltimore, & the colors of his family crest are orange & black. So, residents of Maryland began calling the Baltimore Oriole the “Baltimore-Bird” after Lord Cecil’s colors. The Baltimore Oriole has had a rich history in Maryland since well before the Major League Baseball team was started!

Once Major League Baseball started a franchise in Baltimore, it seemed only fitting that they would be named after the state bird, so the Baltimore Orioles were founded.

But, for a while, the baseball Orioles were the only Baltimore Orioles that existed! Believe it or not, from 1973 to 1994, Baltimore Orioles (the birds) were lumped in with a western relative, the Bullock’s Oriole, & called the Northern Oriole.

In 1995, the 2 species were split, & since then, 2 types of Baltimore Orioles come back to Maryland each spring. 🙂

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