pets: Myth #5 - "Tail-wagging means a dog is friendly!"
- 03/28/09 04:43 AM
Don't count on it. Tail wags have lots of different meanings, some friendly and some not. You have to look at the body posture of the animal and everything else it's doing. Is the dog growling or bearing its teeth? Is the fur standing up rigidly on its back? How is the tail wagging? Stiffly, tucked and wagging, nice and flowing, is the whole body wagging? That all has to be taken into consideration. Some signals to consider:
Relaxed, comfortable dogs generally have a gently wagging tail held horizontally or slightly lowered. Confident dogs carry their tails up. Dogs with … (14 comments)
pets: Myth #4 - "Bad breath is normal for pets!"
- 03/28/09 04:37 AM
A healthy pet has fresh breath. Just as in people, bad breath is a sign of a serious health problem. Periodontal disease is the number one most commonly diagnosed problem in veterinary medicine. By having good oral health, pets can live up to 15 percent longer, which is an average of two years. Brush your pet's teeth regularly, making sure to use a toothpaste that's intended for your dog or cat. Daily is best, but even weekly is better than nothing. Now eating something disgusting and coming over to you and burping does not count as this kind of bad breath! … (3 comments)
pets: Myth #3 - "Dogs and cats eat grass when they're sick!"
- 03/26/09 12:05 PM
Nope, they're just connoisseurs of the green stuff, says Marty Becker, DVM, author with Gina Spadafori of The Ultimate Dog Lover and The Ultimate Cat Lover. Pets love the taste and texture of grass. The newer shoots with a little water on them from the sprinklers or rain is even better. It's like an all-you-can-eat salad bar buffet! Sometimes dogs will consume large amounts of grass, which then propels food through the intestinal system, either back up or out the other end, so that may be the source of the myth. They even sell living "pet grass" at the pet … (24 comments)
pets: Myth #2 - "The cat hates your baby!"
- 03/26/09 11:38 AM
The rumor that Dr. Brazelton helped repopularize goes like this: Families with infants should get rid of their cats because the animals will harm the baby by sucking its breath or lying on it and smothering it. But experts say this tale probably began because cats, attracted to soft, warm bedding, probably curled up near babies who died from other causes. Because they were found near the babies, the cats got the blame for the death. Some suggest that millions of women for thousands of years have had healthy babies and lived with cats. The only danger of a … (9 comments)
pets: Myth #1- "Never give pets people food!"
- 03/26/09 10:36 AM
When it comes to pizza, Kung Pao chicken and onion rings, it's true; you shouldn't be sharing high-fat, spicy or potentially toxic foods with your pet. But cantaloupe, crunchy raw or lightly steamed vegetables, and meat with fat and gristle trimmed off are favorites of many animals and shouldn't be off limits. For instance, baby carrots, apples and popcorn are excellent low-calorie treats for dogs. And as long as you're using high-quality ingredients and a good recipe that meets a pet's nutritional needs, "people food" is perfectly healthy as a regular meal for your dog or cat. Vets say that … (10 comments)
pets: Funny Story-911 Puppy Emergency
- 08/20/08 01:43 PM
I promise that this blog will not make you cry. It has a happy ending with two very spoiled Golden retriever buddies, Bailey & Baxter!
Bailey was about 6 months when he out grew his crate (over night) and was trusted alone in the master bedroom while we were out. I had read all the puppy books and treated the corners of the walls and the window sills with "bitter apple." Apparently I missed a corner. We got home and Bailey was standing on the bed eating the stuffing out of our comforter! Upon closer investigation, he had … (8 comments)
Don't count on it. Tail wags have lots of different meanings, some friendly and some not.
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