HAPPY PETS HAVE HAPPY TAILS!  

From the ArcaMax Publishing, Cats & Dogs Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/catsanddogs/s-413108-797418

Dog Day Care: Benefits and Considerations
Frances Vaujin

Daycare for dogs is becoming more and more popular across the nation. The daycare facilities range from very small 1,200 sq ft facilities to expansive warehouse facilities, to indoor/outdoor facilities, some of which have multiple acres for the dogs to run. Fees range according to the size of the facility, the services offered, and geography. Orange County, California has an average per day fee of $35.00, while Orange County, FL has an average of $18.00 per day. Many facilities also offer pick up and drop off services for those pet owners who must be at work before or after the facility opens or closes.

Dog daycare is an excellent way to exercise dogs, especially large dogs. Many dogs whose owners work full time are cooped up most of the day. Some of these dogs are in a crate all day. Then when the owner arrives home, exercise can be as little as a brief walk outside to eliminate. Lack of exercise can lead to obesity, lack of overall fitness, mental boredom, and behavior issues.

A dog that has spent 8 hours playing with other dogs comes home exhausted. A tired dog, like a tired child, goes to bed without a fuss and sleeps through the night. This avoids the dog “bothering” the owner continuously asking to play, and the owner becoming frustrated, or ignoring the dog. This can also prevent some problem behaviors that arise from boredom and excess energy.

Dogs that are introduced at a young age to dog daycare have better social skills. These dogs learn how to interact with other dogs. Normal dogs that regularly attend dog daycare view most other dogs as playmates, until the other dog signals otherwise.

Additionally, dogs that regularly attend daycare learn independence from their owner. These dogs are exposed to other humans, and can become less likely to view strangers as a threat. Also, normal dogs may be less likely to develop separation anxiety.

Dogs that are exposed to multiple environments, and many social situations, tend to handle new situations in a more confident manner.

Many daycare facilities also offer 24 hour daycare, or overnight boarding. This is an excellent option for pet owners as the dog already associates the facility with good things. Leaving the pet overnight is less traumatic for the dog, and the owner. The pet is exhausted after playing all day, and falls asleep more easily then when being boarded in a typical boarding kennel. The owner feels less guilty about leaving the dog at that facility knowing this. Also, dogs often get couches to sleep on at night, in their own room, rather than being caged. All this is much more positive for the owner as well as the dog.

Another nice service some facilities offer is the ability for the owner to check in on their dog by going to the web site and viewing live action video via webcams. Whether an owner is at work, or on vacation across the country, the owner can see their dog and be assured their pet is OK by going to the daycare’s website.

All these aspects of daycare for dogs help the owner form a stronger bond with their pet because the pet causes fewer “problems” for them, and is “less work without the guilt”. The dogs go to sleep when they get home, and the owner feels they have done a good thing for their dog. This is a positive feeling instead of the owner getting frustrated with the dog because all it wants to do is play and the owner is tired from work and wants to be left alone.

Dog daycare can also be a form of social interaction for the human. A dog daycare may have birthday parties for the dogs celebrating birthdays during the month. Dogs develop dog friendships that can lead to play dates set up by the owners. Daycares often have pet of the month contests, and many offer training classes, flyball, and agility. These are all ways the owners can interact with other pet owners, while the dog is also benefiting.

There are things to watch out for, however. The wrong daycare can lead to serious behavior problems or injury. Owners should tour the daycare and watch the staff interacting with the pets. The following items should be noted:

• Is there a staff person watching each group of dog’s playing?
• Does the staff person stop dogs whose interactions are getting out of hand?
• Does the staff person clean up immediately after a dog has eliminated? Are the dogs separated into groups based on their preferences (who gets along) rather than just size?
• If dogs spend time outdoors, are they rotated inside to cool down?
• Is there shade provided outside?
• Adequate water?
• Supervision outside?
• Is there adequate supervision for the number of dogs in a group?
• Is the flooring an adequate surface for the dogs to safely run, play and jump, while being able to be sanitized? Is the floor tile and too slippery for the dogs?
• If your dog goes outside to play at the facility, what is the outdoor area like? All dirt? All dirt play areas send dirty dogs home. This leads to the owner having to give the pet a bath as soon as it gets home. Who feels like doing that every time the dog goes to daycare? There should be adequate sod or mulch and good waste removal habits by the staff.
• What are the requirements for a dog to spend the day? Is the dog evaluated for ability to play well or aggression? Vaccinations current?
• Does the staff of the facility actually understand dog body language, play, aggression, etc. and is the staff able to read signals well enough to prevent injury?
• Is your dog happy to be there? If your dog is going regularly to the facility, and is not excited to go inside when you arrive in the parking lot, then you need to find another daycare. The first couple visits the dog may be hesitant at the reception area. However, the dog should start to interact after a few minutes of acclimation. A good facility will introduce a new dog only to a group of dogs that are known to play very well with others, and who do not have social issues.

In summary, the right dog daycare facility can prevent dog weight problems, increase the dog’s ability to interact with others, work the dog’s mind as well as muscles, enhance the dog’s overall wellbeing, prevent behavior issues, and strengthen the bond between the dog and its owner.

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Dr. Frances Vaujin, DVM, is the Medical Director of Luv My Pet, Inc., the nation's largest provider of low cost pet vaccination clinics (partnered with Petco in 23 states), and is the owner of and head veterinarian at Heroes Veterinary Hospital, a full-service pet facility in Broward County, Florida. For more information on Luv My Pet’s services/products and schedule of clinics nationwide, view the website: http://www.luvmypet.com

This news arrived on: 09/19/2008

Copyright © 2008 ArcaMax Publishing, Inc., and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Why you should spay/neuter your pet

Millions of unwanted dogs and cats end up in animal shelters throughout the country each year.  You might think that there is something wrong with them but they are often the offspring of cherished family pets.  Maybe someone’s unaltered pet gets out just that one time and maybe the litter was unintentional, but efforts to find good homes failed.

Still the result is homeless animals.  There are more animals entering shelters than there are people willing to provide them with loving care and stable homes.

Spay/neuter is the only permanent, 100 per cent effective method of birth control for dogs and cats.  And there are certainly health benefits for the animals too.

Please have your dogs and cats spayed or neutered.  Spay or neuter surgery carries a one-time cost that is relatively small when you consider the benefits: no unwanted litters of puppies or kittens, no possibility for testicular or ovarian cancers, and fewer unpopular behaviors such as spraying.  There are spay/neuter assistance programs locally that can help people who qualify.

New York Residents:

Support legislation to limit the amount of

time that a dog can be tethered (chained) outside!

Assembly version A06553:http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A06553

Find your NYS Assembly Member to write/call:http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem

2007 NYS chaining restriction introduced

Keeping dogs chained-sometimes called "tethering"-is cruel because it deprives these highly social pack animals of proper socialization and often leaves them unable to reach whatever shelter, food, and water they've been provided. It isolates them from any meaningful contact or interaction.

The dogs grow aggressively protective of their tiny space and often attack children who come near them. A piece of legislation that would help make the state a safer, more humane place for dogs and the public-Senate bill 2052-was introduced on January 30.

Please urge your legislators to do the right thing and support this legislation today.

If it becomes law, S2052 would prohibit the tethering of a dog to any fixed object or running cable trolley system for more than six hours in any 24-hour period. The bill would require that all tethers attached to a fixed point be at least 15 feet in length. It would also mandate that all tethers attach only to a properly fitted collar or harness, thus preventing dogs from becoming injured, strangled, or entangled.

Today, please politely urge your senatorto support S2052. This bill did not make it last year, it is IMPERATIVE that it pass this year.It cannot pass without your help!

Please forward this message to others in New York State who might be willing to lend their voices to this important issue. New York's forgotten and neglected dogs are counting on you.

Thank you for your compassion for animals.

A06553 Summary:

BILL NO A06553

SAME AS Same as S 2052

SPONSOR Magee

COSPNSR John, Cusick, Paulin, Rivera J, Carrozza, Mayersohn

MLTSPNSR Boyland, Glick, Koon, Lupardo, Maisel, Markey, Sweeney

Add S353-c, Ag & Mkts L

Provides that no dog shall be restrained by a tethering device attached to a
fixed point or to a running cable trolley system for more than six hours per
day.

A06553 Actions:

BILL NO A06553

03/13/2007 referred to agriculture
01/09/2008 referred to agriculture

A06553 Votes:

A06553 Memo:

BILL NUMBER: A6553

TITLE OF BILL : An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in
relation to the tethering of dogs

PURPOSE :
To prohibit the tethering and chaining of dogs for a period of greater
than six hours in a twenty-four hour period.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :
Section 1 -- Adds a new section 353-c to the Agriculture and Markets
Law to prohibit dogs from being tethered for more than six hours in
any twenty-four hour period. Anyone violating this provision will be
subject to a fine of $50-$100 for a first offense and $100-$250 for a
second or subsequent offense.

Section 2 -- Effective date.

JUSTIFICATION :
Across the country, there is a greater recognition of the negative
physical and psychological effects that the chaining of dogs has on
our canine friends. In the past, studies have shown that dogs who are
chained up for long periods of time are not properly socialized and
have a tendency to be more aggressive.

In one study, it was found that chained dogs account for a substantial
portion of serious and fatal bites. Each year, dog bites result in
over $100 million in medical costs with another $1 billion in
liability claims.

We should be doing everything we can to decrease the number of
aggressive, non-socialized dogs. That will most certainly translate
into fewer dog bites, healthier children (as they are most often the
ones bitten), and a substantial decrease in the insurance claims
related to dogs. Once again, a large part of that is ensuring that our
dogs are not unduly and unnecessarily chained for long periods of time
thus providing them with the exercise and social outlet that they want
and need.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
S.7219/A.9744 of 2005-2006

Feeding Your Dog, Part 2

Part of a four part series on healthy canine eating
by Stacey Waspe

Atkins. The Zone. High Protein. Low Fat. No Carb. Seems no matter where you turn, someone somewhere is telling you what you can or cannot eat. But what about your dog? Are you wondering if Rover is getting too much fat and not enough protein? Should you be worried that Fifi is losing her girlish figure?

Whether you're worried about the quality of commercially prepared dog food, curious about making your own puppy truffles or just plain wondering if you could be feeding your pampered pooch better, our four part series on feeding your dog will get you pointed in the right direction.

Part Two: Commercial Dog Food: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

There seems a never-ending ocean of commercial dog food everywhere you turn: shelf after shelf of brightly colored packages, bags and cans. There's wet, dry and semi-moist food. There is food "specially formulated for puppies", or "easy to digest", food with "glucosamine for healthy joints". Kibble for small dogs and large dogs, all-natural or vegetarian. Is your canine a little plump? Never fear - there are even low-cal choices. But what does it all really mean?

For most of us, feeding our pooches, no matter how pampered, means finding a commercially prepared dog food that we can trust and feel good about. After all, Fifi's going to be eating her food twice per day for the rest of her life. It's got to be the best! In our second part on canine nutrition, we give you some tips on navigating your way through commercially prepared food, so that you can feed Fido good, nutritious food that will keep him energetic, healthy and the ideal exercise partner for years to come. (For an overview of the basics of canine nutrition, with information on proteins, fats and carbohydrates, refer to the part 1 of our series: The Basics.)

Tip #1: You Get What You Pay For

As a general rule, companies that produce quality food for your dog are going to charge more for their product than a brand that uses ingredients of a lesser quality. It goes without saying that good, quality, wholesome ingredients cost more. As dog food companies constantly improve formulas and processes, you will also pay for top-notch manufacturing.

That being said, you should carefully look into the company that's producing the food you're considering buying. (Pay attention to companies that bake their kibble rather than use extrusion; your pooch will get a higher level of nutrients because the high temperature of the extrusion process destroys a lot of micronutrients.) Ask your veterinarian for information and recommendations. Ask at your favorite pet supply shop. Most importantly, ask other pampered puppy moms and dads whose opinions you trust, especially if they have a pooch that's the same breed as your own. If it's one thing we dog owners love to talk about, it's what we're feeding (or not feeding) our canine pals!

Every year, Whole Dog Journal publishes their top-10 dry and top-10 canned foods, along with their ingredients and any comments by the editors. They look for premium products with superb ingredients, micronutrients, and no by-products (meal is OK) and they like manufacturers who disclose complete information in writing. You can buy each report from their website for around $10: www.whole-dog-journal.com

Tip #2: Read the Label

The quickest and best way for you to understand the contents of Fifi's food is to read the label and other information on the food package carefully. While you should take some of the "banner statements" on the front of the packaging with a grain (or two) of salt, manufacturers are required to list the ingredients that go into the final product in descending order according to dry weight. While you should read all the ingredients, pay particular attention to the first 10 ingredients on any label. Ask an expert to explain confusing terminology or to describe any ingredients that you don't recognize or contact the company directly. First of all, look for a food that meets AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) guidelines. A good dog food will have two quality animal protein sources in the first few ingredients. In addition, look for quality, whole grains and two different fat sources, which will provide Fifi with essential fatty acids (for a beautiful coat and soft skin) and energy (so that she can stay awake for all that pampering!)

We looked at a few premium brands at our most recent trip to our favorite local pet store. We looked for products that were natural, without preservatives, save tocopherals (vitamin E), rosemary and garlic, with antioxidants from fruits and vegetables (like cranberries, blueberries and sweet potato), with probiotics (like Lactobacillus Acidophilus). We loved Fromm's Four Star Nutritionals, with flavors like Chicken a la Veg, Whitefish and Potato and Duck and Sweet Potato. We really liked the line of products from Wellness, which includes human-grade ingredients like lamb free of hormones, deboned chicken, brown rice, oatmeal, flaxseed, whole apples, carrots and peas. We were also impressed by products from Holistic Blend and Wysong.

Judge for yourself whether the food your feeding Fifi is meeting her nutritional requirements. Does her coat shine? Are her eyes bright? Is she energetic (though sleeps well), with a happy disposition? These are some signs that her diet is working for her. While a dog's digestive system works faster than our own, what benefits us can sometimes benefit our canine companions as well. Read health food store publications to get the scoop on new supplements, so that when they start showing up in ingredient lists, they'll be familiar to you. With a little self-education, you'll really have something to talk about the next time you and Fido hit the park!

Tip #3: Watch out for Jargon

Also known as "What They Really Mean When They Say..." If you've been confused by the language used on dog food packaging, you're not alone. Here are a few terms you should recognize:

by-products: Often refers to non-human grade animal proteins which can vary greatly in nutritional value and digestibility; they can consist of parts of animals like necks, heads, undeveloped eggs, feet, intestines, lungs, spleen and liver.

meal: Mainly dry proteins left after meat or plant materials have been rendered (the fat/oils have been removed). If it's a meat meal, it contains clean animal tissues and cannot contain blood, hair, hoofs or intestinal contents. Look for meals that specify what animal source they're made from, like chicken meal or fish meal.

fish meal: Clean and dried fish. Great source of omega 3 fatty acids and Salmon meal is great for both omega 3 and 6.

premium, super premium, gourmet and natural: These terms are not governed by anyone, so manufacturers are free to use them if they wish.

dry food: Small pellets of food, normally containing less than 10% water, usually sold in bags.

semi-moist: Food which contains roughly 25 to 49% water, and generally offers little nutritional value; often contains dyes and non-essential ingredients which assist in the shaping of the food into eye-catching little bones or steak-shaped pieces. As most dogs (even the most pampered out there) don't care about the shape or the color, it's much better for your pooch if you concentrate on buying the best food you can for the money.

canned (or wet) food: contains 75 to 80% water. While canned food contains more protein than dry, it doesn't help Fido's teeth or gums. We think that a good, quality wet food is a nice supplement to feeding with regular kibble.

Tip #4: How You Feed is as Important as What you Feed

When you first become a pooch mom or dad, setting some ground rules is key. It's best to make a firm decision about table scraps and people food at the beginning and stick to it! Table scraps aren't great for Fifi's waistline: most have too high of a fat content and if she's getting two meals a day, she doesn't need the extra calories. And there are "people foods" that Fifi should never have. These include chocolate (will make Fifi really sick, possibly even die), bones, cat food, raw onions, and milk.

For most dogs, getting two meals per day is ideal. (Puppies and lactating females should get one extra meal per day.) Because dogs will often overeat, free feeding (leaving a full dish of chow out all day long) can lead to obesity, the number one nutritional problem for pooches today. Pick a time that you're going to feed Fifi and allow her access to her Burberry bowl for about half an hour or so. Unless she's in the middle of eating, remove the dish until her next feeding, whether or not she's finished.

Snacks should not account for more than 10 percent of total calories each day. (We hate to say it, but a little pampering can go a long way!) Some lower calorie snack options for Fifi include unbuttered, unsalted popcorn, cooked green beans, and carrots. There are lots of good commercially prepared treats on the market as well. (For more about snacks don't miss part four of our series in November: we have pampered puppies, so it's all about the treats!)

Tip #5: Adding to Dry Food

You can add "toppers" to Fifi's kibble for a number of reasons. Maybe you want to add a little extra vitamins and fiber, like those found in fruits and vegetables. Or you want to ensure that Fido is getting a little Lactobacillus Acidophilus, the healthy bacteria in yogurt. Or maybe Fifi needs to lose a little weight. Regardless of the reason why, variety is the spice of any pampered pooch's life, so here are some ideas to get you started.

Homemade bouillon not only provides additional vitamins and flavor, but also softens and plumps up kibble which can be useful when Fifi gets a bit bored, as she, being the princess she is, is wont to do from time to time. Plain yogurt or cottage cheese can add a little bit of protein, fat and carbohydrate as well as some healthy bacteria into Fido's gut, which can help with digestion and prevent bloating and gas after meals. Eggs are a good quality protein source and can provide amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids as well as flavor, whereas green beans, carrots and pumpkin add flavor, fibre, anti-oxidants and texture. Your pooch will love the fresh veggies even more if you puree them a little bit. Dogs can't really digest large amounts of plant material (they are carnivores, after all!), so using a juicer or a blender pre-digests the vegetables and ensure that Fido gets as much nutrition as possible from his greens.

Certain rules are no different for dogs than they are for humans - if you add somewhere, you need to take away from somewhere else. Adjust the amount of kibble you're feeding if you're topping it off with one of the suggestions above. Reduce the kibble by about 25-30% and add twice as much in fresh veggies. Obviously, eggs, yogurt and cottage cheese have more calories and fat than vegetables, so pay extra attention if you're trying these. If your pooch gains or loses weight and doesn't need to, adjust the calories he gets each day until he maintains a healthy weight. As always with any dietary changes, introduce these additions gradually and watch your pooch carefully: note any changes in Fifi's stool, her teeth, gums, weight and behavior. If there are changes your not happy with, return to your previous feeding regimen and talk with your vet.

A Few Final Words

Most vets will tell you that sudden changes in diet are a bad idea. If you decide to switch to a higher quality brand of food, make the change gradually by mixing in some of the new food into the old for a couple of weeks so that the new food doesn't upset Fido's digestive system. That being said, a lot of veterinary nutritionists suggest changing Fifi's dog food every three to six months. This can ensure that she gets the proper nutrients, since even the most premium food may have an undetectable deficiency. Switching her food can also reduce the possibility of Fifi developing allergies to any one ingredient.

Feeding our pets low quality food, even for a month is like feeding a human fast food for each meal twenty days in a row. Our canine friends age so quickly, so each meal Fifi eats is even more important to her health than one of your own is to yours. As Fifi's mom or dad, you are responsible for her well-being. The easiest way to keep her healthy, happy, energetic and pampered for years to come is to feed her good, quality, wholesome food with premium ingredients.

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