13 Ways to Ensure a Safe Dog Park Experience

Posted on September 7, 2017 - 8:29 pm by
Dog Park Etiquette

Does your dog want to romp in the Pacific? Check out Huntington Beach Dog Park in California. Are giant fire hydrants more their style? Visit Fort Woof Dog Park in Fort Worth, Texas. There’s a tennis ball tree —every retriever’s dream — at Beau’s Dream Dog Park in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. With 731 off-leash dog parks in the United States, there’s plenty to keep any dog entertained no matter where they hang their collar.

These doggy amusement parks are great places for your pup to exercise their body and mind while honing social skills. But there’s no guarantee that other dogs will be on their best behavior. Here are some tips to help keep your dog, and others, safe.

Before You Go

  1. Make sure vaccinations and parasite control are current. At the park, your dog can pick up contagious diseases such as parvovirus, canine influenza and kennel cough — some of which can be deadly — not to mention fleas, ticks and intestinal parasites. For your dog’s safety, and the safety of their canine playmates, make sure they are up-to-date on vaccinations and parasite control.
  2. Keep puppies (and certain other dogs) at home. A young pup’s immune system isn’t fully developed, so catching some diseases may have fatal consequences. And too much running could harm developing bones. Better to spend the first few months socializing them in your home with people and pets you can be certain are vaccinated — then ask your veterinarian when they are ready to graduate to the park. A dog park is also not the place for pets who are fearful or aggressive. It could be stressful for your dog and dangerous for other dogs and owners. Dogs who are not spayed or neutered can be a distraction and are better exercised individually.
  3. Socialize your dog first. With a flurry of dogs and owners at the park, it’s easy for any dog to become overwhelmed, especially if they are not used to much commotion. It’s better to socialize your dog first with a small group of well-behaved dogs and owners they are familiar with, in a controlled environment like a fenced-in back yard.
  4. Teach your dog basic commands. Your dog should reliably respond to commands such as “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “leave it,” especially in an environment with lots of distractions. Other dog owners won’t appreciate a dog who is out of control and can’t be reined in.
  5. Think small. Does your small dog have the bravado of a larger breed? Even if they know their limits, look for dog parks that separate dogs by size. In some instances, a small, darting dog may look like prey to a larger dog, sparking predatory behavior. Or a group of larger dogs may gang up on a small dog. Avoid the problem by making sure your dog plays with others their own size.
  6. Consider what to bring. Leave your dog’s favorite treats and toys at home. Food and toys, especially toys your dog feels possessive about, can cause fights at dog parks. But do plan for “accidents,” and bring waste bags (or some other way to dispose of your dog’s droppings).
  7. Take one dog at a time. It’s hard to pay close attention to more than one dog at the park. So if you have multiple dogs, let each one take a turn. Kids can be a distraction, too. It’s best to just focus your attention on your dog while at the park.

While You’re at the Dog Park

  1. Check fencing and gates. Unless your dog has the “come” and “stay” commands down pat, make sure the perimeter of the dog park is secured. No one wants a dog bolting into traffic during a game of chase.
  2. Remove the leash and possibly halters. Once inside the gate, unclip your dog’s leash. Beyond your dog’s collar, consider removing additional halters or clothing that could get caught in another dog’s mouth during play.
  3. Pay attention. Resist the urge to text or talk on your phone — in fact, just put it away. All your attention should be focused on your dog and their interactions.
  4. Watch your dog’s body language. Are they cowering in front of another dog? Are they licking and panting more than usual? Or are their hackles raised? Signs of stress or aggression should be taken seriously. It’s best to call your dog away at the first sign of trouble.
  5. Never get in the middle of a fight. You or the other dog owner could be seriously injured. Instead, try making loud noises to distract the dogs, or if there’s a hose nearby, spray them down.
  6. Be considerate. Pick up your dog’s waste and dispose of it properly.

With a little forethought, you and your dog can avoid unnecessary confrontations and take advantage of all the best dog parks have to offer.

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Channel Your Dog’s Pent-Up Energy with Agility Training

Posted on August 30, 2017 - 7:54 pm by
Taste of the Wild

If you have a high-energy pooch, you’ve probably walked them around the same blocks so many times that you dream about your daily path. Why not dial up the fun with an activity that provides you both with more physical and mental stimulation? For a lively way to strengthen the bond with your dog, few things beat agility training.

What Is Agility Training?

One of the fastest growing canine sports in the United States, agility running is a fast-paced, timed obstacle course that puts you and your dog to the test. It challenges your dog’s athletic ability and concentration as he or she leaps hurdles, barrels through tunnels, zigzags through lines of poles and clambers over seesaws. Agility also tests your capacity to guide your dog, providing some aerobic exercise in the bargain.

Those of you with a competitive streak can go against other teams at your experience level, from novice to master, or you can choose to participate recreationally. While the rules vary depending on the organization involved, points are generally given for speed and accuracy but subtracted for faults.

A “Sport for All Dogs”

Almost any dog can participate in agility competition, with more than 200 breeds — including mixes — currently competing, according to the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA).

Today, the most common breeds seen on the course include herding dogs such as border collies, Shetland sheepdogs and Belgian Tervurens as well as Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, Welsh corgis, cocker spaniels and even petite papillons. And some Jack Russell terriers can’t seem to contain their enthusiasm for the sport.

Is Agility Right for Your Pup?

One of the primary prerequisites of the sport is basic obedience. Your dog should have mastered commands such as “sit,” “stay” and “come.” Dogs that are happy to follow commands tend to be more successful at agility than those with a more independent nature.

While athleticism is a plus, it’s possible to gradually work your couch potato up to a more active level, barring any underlying physical limitations. Socialization is another issue: because there can be hundreds of dogs, handlers and spectators at these events, your dog should be comfortable with crowds and not easily distracted by barking dogs and cheering fans.

Start with a Veterinary Exam

Before you put your dog through the paces, ask your veterinarian if your dog is physically capable of this level of exercise. Dogs with underlying orthopedic conditions, such as hip dysplasia, may be better suited to more low-impact activities like swimming.

Overweight dogs may need to lose some weight first to reduce unnecessary stress on the joints. And flat-nosed brachycephalic breeds such as bulldogs that are breathing-challenged and overheat easily might be better off with regular walks during the cooler parts of the day.

If you have a young puppy, now may be the time to work on obedience and save the high-impact agility exercises for later, once the bones have fully developed.

Your veterinarian can also make sure your dog’s nails are trimmed to help reduce the risk of foot and toe injuries.

Be a Spectator or a Handler

To see agility at its best, check out any number of competitions held across the country. Or contact the USDAA to locate a community class for you and your dog. Do your kids want to be involved? No problem. Do you have a disability? Chances are, you can be a handler, too.

What are you waiting for? Agility can be a great way to challenge your pet’s mind and body (not to mention yours, too), while deepening your relationship. That’s what you’d call a win-win.

RELATED POST: Which Sport Is Right for My Dog?

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Firehouse Dogs: More Mascot, Less Workhorse

Posted on August 24, 2017 - 5:52 am by
Taste of the Wild

Few things are more closely associated with the roar of a fire engine, the clang of bells and the wail of a siren than the Dalmatian. While he or she once was considered an integral part of the fire crew, today the Dalmatian is a rare sight at firehouses and is more likely to fulfill a less active role as mascot.

Why the Dalmatian?

Some 200 years ago, the British discovered that this spotted breed had three useful qualities: speed, endurance and an affinity for horses. As a result, Dalmatians were used as “carriage dogs” or “English coach dogs,” sprinting on either side of horse-drawn carriages to protect the equines from animals that might spook them. (An engraving of a spotted dog running behind an Egyptian chariot hints that Dalmatians may have held similar jobs much earlier.)

The dogs also guarded the carriage and alerted the driver of highwaymen with nefarious intentions. And the more Dalmatians that accompanied a carriage, the more likely its occupants were wealthy or of higher social stature.

When horse-drawn fire wagons came on the scene, it was a natural transition to use barking Dalmatians to clear a path for the rushing wagon. At the scene of the fire, these same dogs helped calm skittish horses and made sure no one stole the equipment or horses while the firefighters were doing their jobs. Back at the firehouse, the dogs made short work of rats and other vermin.

But with the advent of motorized fire engines, there was little need for the Dalmatian, so they were essentially retired. Some firehouses may still keep one around, and firefighters occasionally adopt dogs they’ve saved from fires, but these are often other breeds.

A New Firehouse Job: Arson Detection

In the 1980s, fire departments started employing arson dogs, or accelerant-detection canines, to use their powerful noses to whiff out gasoline, lighter fluid and other flammables used to spark fires. Most arson dogs in the United States are trained and certified by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco or according to Maine Criminal Justice Academy guidelines in a special program funded by State Farm Insurance Company. Labrador retrievers or Lab crosses are typically preferred for this work because of their tracking abilities and easy-going natures.

Each dog is teamed with a handler, usually an investigative firefighter or police officer, and undergoes weeks of intensive training. After certification, arson dogs live with their handlers and usually investigate fire scenes every week. To keep them sharp, the dogs must be recertified every year.

More Fun Facts

Now that you can entertain others with the history of the Dalmatian as firehouse dog, here’s one more bit of trivia for you: Dalmatians are born white and only develop spots as they grow. Who knew?

Hot Dog: Sunburn in Pets

Posted on August 17, 2017 - 5:30 am by
Taste of the Wild

Does your dog sprawl in the sunniest spot in the yard, soaking up the rays? Will your cat follow the patch of sunlight around the living room all day? If so, it’s possible that even the furriest fur baby can get sunburned, just like you.

Even indoor pets can be burned when certain UV rays pass through open windows or glass and penetrate the skin. Over time, excessive sun exposure can cause irreversible skin damage and even lead to skin cancer in dogs and cats.

A cat lying on its back next to a window with the sun shining on its belly.

Doesn’t the Fur Block the Sun’s Rays?

Yes — to a degree. But like light-haired, fair-skinned people, dogs and cats with white, light or thin hair and less skin pigmentation may be more likely to sunburn. Dogs that may be prone to sunburn include Dalmatians, boxers, American Staffordshire terriers, bull terriers, bulldogs, whippets and breeds with little or no hair, such as Chinese crested dogs. Dogs and cats living at high altitudes or those who beg to be outdoors all day may also be at risk of burning. So if you’re taking your dog hiking in the mountains, be prepared.

And if you shaved your pet to be cooler in the summer or had patches shaved for a surgical procedure, guess what? That exposed skin is at risk. Same goes for pets with hair loss from allergies or disease. Areas of skin with little or no hair, such as around the lips, the belly, lightly colored noses and the inside of the legs are more susceptible to sunburn. Cats may feel the burn on their ears and faces.

Signs of Sunburn Often Go Unnoticed

Like people, sunburned pets may have pink, reddened skin that’s tender to the touch. The trouble is that other conditions, such as allergies or skin infections, can cause similar signs. Often, owners don’t notice the signs until the damage progresses and the pet experiences hair loss, roughness or thickening of the skin or even irregular growths. If you suspect your pet may be sunburned, contact your veterinarian for advice.

Prevention Is Key

Because some sun damage can’t be reversed, the best strategy is to prevent your pet from getting excess sun exposure. If your pet has light or thin hair, here’s what you can do:

  • Avoid direct sunlight when the sun is most intense. In the U.S., that’s typically between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. from April to October. Either keep your pet indoors (and away from windows) or make sure your pet has a cool, shady spot outdoors during those times. And remember, pets can still be at risk of sunburn in the winter when sun can reflect off snow and ice.
  • Find a pet-safe, waterproof, topical sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater. Ideally, look for a broad-spectrum product that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays can pass through glass and penetrate deeper into the skin than UVB rays, potentially contributing to skin aging and skin cancers. UVB rays tend to damage the skin’s more superficial layers, leading to sunburn and skin cancers.
  • Avoid sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or salicylates, which can be toxic to dogs and cats if they lick their skin. Ask your veterinarian to recommend a brand of sunscreen that’s safe for pets.
  • If possible, apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure to the nose, ear tips, around the lips and to areas with little or no hair. Make sure to reapply the sunscreen every few hours or as necessary.
  • Shop for pet accessories with built-in UV protection. These include Doggles, to help protect the eyes from UV rays, as well as clothing and even pop-up tents.

With the right precautions, you can still make the most of the great outdoors with your pet — without getting burned.

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Your Cat’s Tail: A Translation

Posted on July 27, 2017 - 6:14 am by
Taste of the Wild

Does it seem that your cat intentionally keeps you guessing about what’s in his or her mind? Guess what: your cat is actually giving you hints — with its tail. In fact, tail position is one way cats communicate with other animals. If you know how to decode the language, you can understand what your cat is trying to say to you, too.

Of course, every cat is unique and may have his or her own way of communicating, but in general, here’s what your cat may be saying with its tail.

An interior graphic detailing how to translate your cat's tail with nine different tail positions and what these positions may indicate.

Of course, knowing what your cat is saying with his or her tail is just the start. Your cat also uses facial expressions and other body parts to communicate. Once you become more fluent in your cat’s body language, you’ll realize that he or she actually talks to you quite a bit — without saying a word.

Cancer-Sniffing Dogs Are the Best Medicine

Posted on July 20, 2017 - 6:16 am by
Taste of the Wild

The dog was obsessed with a mole on his person’s leg. The mixed breed constantly sniffed at the blemish — even when the woman wore pants — and eventually tried to bite it off. Although the woman wasn’t particularly concerned about the mole, her dog’s persistence convinced her to seek her doctor’s opinion.

As it turned out, the mole was a malignant melanoma. This spurred two physicians to write a letter to Lancet, a respected medical journal, in 1989. This letter became the first published evidence of a cancer-sniffing dog.

Since that time, dogs have been used to detect cancer in human tissue, blood, urine and breath, enabling them to identify bladder, prostate, ovarian, colorectal, breast and lung cancers, in addition to skin cancer. Although they can’t differentiate one cancer from another, scientists believe the dogs may pick up the scent of volatile chemicals given off by the malignant cells.

Lest you become paranoid the next time your dog runs his snout over your skin, relax: dogs that can detect cancer generally only do so after intensive training.

A Sense of Smell That’s Nothing to Sniff At

When it comes to the sense of smell, humans can’t even sniff a dog’s sniffing-ability. According to dog cognition researcher Alexandra Horowitz, author of Inside of a Dog, the canine sense of smell is so sensitive, a dog could detect a teaspoon of sugar in the equivalent of two Olympic-sized pools.

Dogs have fifty times as many scent receptors as humans, or about 300,000 of them. And unlike people, dogs have a second scent organ located on the bottom of the nasal passage called the vomeronasal or Jacobson’s organ, to aid in detecting even more scents.

TRAINING MEDICAL DETECTION DOGS

Believe it or not, there are organizations such as the Penn Vet Working Dog Center in the United States and Medical Detection Dogs in the United Kingdom that train dogs to detect human cancer.

Trainers start by exposing the dog to blood or tissue samples from cancer patients. If the dog sniffs at it, they are rewarded with praise and a treat or toy. Through positive reinforcement, the dog is rewarded each time they differentiate the malignant sample from other scents.

Eventually, the dog is challenged with a scent wheel, a round carousel with 12 perforated, stainless steel boxes around the perimeter. One box typically contains a blood or tissue sample from a patient with cancer. Others may contain normal samples, samples from patients with benign tumors, coffee grounds, gloves and other items. When the dog sits by the box with the cancerous sample, it is rewarded.

At the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, where they are currently training dogs to detect ovarian cancer, the dogs correctly choose the right blood sample 90 percent of the time. For a deadly cancer that’s typically difficult to diagnose, this is no small feat.

EVENTUALLY REPLACED BY A COMPUTER

The goal of all this training isn’t to have dogs working at hospitals and clinics, pacing the waiting room in search of patients with cancer. Currently, the dogs are only trained to detect cancer in medical samples, not in people.

These training centers collaborate with other scientists who are working to isolate the exact chemicals the dogs identify. Since the accuracy of the dogs can vary depending on a number of factors including breed, level of training and handler bias, the hope is to eventually create an electronic sensor that can essentially replace the dogs.

But for now, the dogs are applying their noses to help scientists get one step closer to the earlier diagnosis of many human cancers. Amazing, isn’t it?

What Goes In: The Impact of Food on Feline Urinary Tract Health

Posted on July 13, 2017 - 5:40 am by
Taste of the Wild

When cats urinate outside the litter box, no one’s happy. You’re not happy on your hands and knees, dabbing at the damp spot on your oriental rug. And your cat certainly isn’t happy to deal with a painful urinary tract, which is often the cause of this behavior. Feline lower urinary tract disease is one of the biggest concerns for cat owners.

So it’s only natural that cat owners like you might wonder if diet has any role in the problem. And if so, what can you change to avoid another carpet incident? As any cat owner has come to expect, the answer isn’t that simple. Read on for what you need to know about keeping that urinary tract healthy.

The Touchy Feline Urinary Tract

While there are behavioral reasons for your cat to eschew the litter box (no, he’s typically not getting revenge for being left alone last weekend), the most common medical causes are idiopathic cystitis and urinary tract stones.

Idiopathic cystitis is a term that means your cat’s bladder is inflamed for no obvious reason, although stress is suspected to play a role.

Urinary tract stones, or uroliths, form from microscopic crystals in your cat’s urine. The stones can lodge in the kidneys, travel down the ureter to the bladder and even cause a blockage in the urethra, the tube leading from the bladder to the outside of the body. When this happens, your cat may strain to urinate — often yowling in or around the litter box — with little to no effect. This is a medical emergency and your cat needs to see a veterinarian immediately.

What Causes Urinary Tract Stones

The two most common types of urinary tract stones in cats are struvite and calcium oxalate. Although stone development is still poorly understood, it appears there are a number of contributing factors, including the urine pH, diet and your cat’s water consumption.

Struvite crystals and stones tend to form in alkaline urine, or urine with a high pH. Foods high in minerals such as magnesium and phosphorus can increase the urine pH. Cats that are poorly hydrated, leading to more concentrated urine (less water content) may be at higher risk of forming urinary crystals and stones as well. Cats that develop struvite stones are typically fed a therapeutic diet that can dissolve the stones by acidifying the urine.

Calcium oxalate stones, on the other hand, tend to form in more acidic urine, or urine with a low pH. Foods low in magnesium and phosphate — typically designed to acidify the urine — may contribute to the development of calcium oxalate stones. The problem with calcium oxalate stones is they typically can’t be dissolved with diet, and must be removed surgically or through other methods.

Keeping the Urinary Tract Happy

If your cat is showing signs of lower urinary tract disease, including straining to urinate, bloody urine, accidents outside the litter box or more frequent urination, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Nailing down the correct diagnosis is the first step to reaching a resolution.

If your cat has struvite stones, your veterinarian will most likely prescribe a therapeutic diet to help dissolve the stones. Since the urine pH typically rises after the cat eats a meal (no matter what kind of diet they’re eating), it has been suggested that feeding smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day may reduce spikes in urine pH and possibly help prevent the formation of struvite stones.

If calcium oxalate stones are your cat’s problem, your veterinarian will recommend a way to remove the existing stones. To help prevent stones from developing in the future, your cat will most likely need to eat a diet that helps achieve a neutral pH that’s neither acidic nor alkaline.

In either case, improving your cat’s water consumption can also help to create more dilute urine, lowering the risk of stones. One way to do this is by feeding canned food, which has higher water content than dry. Plug-in water fountains that circulate the water may also appeal to your cat’s curiosity and encourage him or her to drink more. And that, eventually, may make both you and your cat happier.

Can Your Pet Catch the Flu From You?

Posted on June 29, 2017 - 10:38 am by
Taste of the Wild

When you’re sick, your dog or cat is often the best medicine. The soothing purr of your cat or the warmth of your dog’s chin on your lap can help you rest and recuperate. But did you know you could make your pet sick?

SHARING THE LOVE — AND THE GERMS

You may have heard the term “zoonosis,” referring to the spread of infectious agents from animals to humans. These include parasites such as hookworms and roundworms, fungi like ringworm, bacteria and even viruses such as rabies. But diseases can also leap the other way — from people to animals — in a process known as anthroponosis or reverse zoonosis.

Even worse, some diseases can travel back and forth between owners and pets like a tennis ball in a game of fetch. Although instances of reverse zoonosis are relatively uncommon, they can pose a serious risk for cats and dogs, especially young or old pets with compromised immune systems.

While little is currently known about reverse zoonosis, it is gaining interest in the medical community. Some viruses, for instance, may mutate and become more dangerous or more transmissible when they move from humans to animals.

FELINES WITH THE FLU

In 2009, the United States experienced an influenza pandemic caused by the H1N1 virus. Sometimes called the “swine flu,” the virus was initially thought to have jumped from pigs to people. As it turns out, it also leaped from people to other animals.

In the first documented case, a woman was hospitalized with the H1N1 flu. While she was treated, her indoor cat died from pneumonia caused by the H1N1 virus. Since then, several more cats, a dog and a number of ferrets appear to have caught the virus from humans.

In people, symptoms of the flu include a sore throat, runny nose, coughing, fatigue, fever and chills. Pets with the virus typically show similar respiratory signs, often lose their appetites and, in extreme cases, may die.

Although there are only a handful of documented cases of the flu virus passing from people to animals, it’s possible that additional cases went unreported. To be safe, it’s a good idea to keep your cat out of your bed when you have the flu. And if your pet develops respiratory signs after you’ve had the flu, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.

ATTACK OF THE SUPERBUGS

Although methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA bacteria, typically affect humans, they have been known to jump to animals.

These bacteria are resistant to many antibiotics, so treatment options are limited. In some cases, MRSA infections can lead to death. These bacterial infections can also move from humans to animals and back to humans, so an owner and pet could potentially swap the infection back and forth.

Both people and pets can be colonized with the bacteria, meaning they can host the MRSA on their skin or in their noses without actually becoming ill. MRSA can cause skin and wound infections, and the bacteria can be transmitted from contact with the skin or contaminated objects such as bandages.

TUBERCULOSIS GOES TO THE DOGS

A few years ago, a young Yorkshire terrier was brought to the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine for vomiting, loss of appetite and a persistent cough. When the dog eventually died, veterinarians were surprised to find it had the bacteria that caused tuberculosis, most likely transmitted from the owner, who was being treated for the disease. Cats can also catch tuberculosis from people, but it’s very rare.

PROTECT YOUR PETS AND YOUR FAMILY

The best way to help prevent zoonotic or reverse zoonotic diseases is to practice good hygiene. That means scrubbing hands with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after handling pets.

It’s best not to kiss your pet on the mouth or allow them to lick your skin or any open wounds. The same goes for food dishes: Don’t allow your pets to lick your plate clean, and wash your pet’s food dishes often.

Wear gloves when handling your pet’s stool or urine and dispose of pet waste in the yard and litter box as soon as possible.

Finally, schedule regular veterinary exams and keep up with vaccinations and parasite control to help keep your pets — and your family — in good health.

10 Ways to Calm Your Dog When the Thunder Rumbles

Posted on June 8, 2017 - 5:48 am by
Taste of the Wild

Can your dog predict thunderstorms more accurately than the Weather Channel? Do they pace, pant or whine hours before the first dark cloud rolls in? Have they ever chewed or scratched your doors or windows in an effort to get inside the house (or vice versa) during a storm? Do they tremble and hide at the first drop of rain? If so, they may be showing the signs of storm anxiety.

THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM

For some dogs, the sound of thunder — as well as fireworks or gunshots — may be what’s upsetting. For others, it’s the whole package: the thunder, the lightning, the change in barometric pressure, the static electricity, even the scent of rain. And still other dogs have generalized, daily anxiety that’s made worse by storms.

It’s important to work with your veterinarian to determine whether your dog is suffering from noise anxiety, storm anxiety, separation anxiety or a combination of stresses, so you can find the right treatment to help your pet. If your dog’s anxiety is so extreme that they are hurting themselves or destroying property, your veterinarian may recommend medications to help.

RELATED POST: Destructive Behavior in Pets: It’s Not Spite

APPROACH THE PROBLEM FROM MANY ANGLES

Because there can be many facets to storm anxiety, therapy usually involves a combination of environmental changes and behavior therapy to medications and other treatments. Here are 10 ways to help calm your fearful dog.

Bring your dog indoors during a storm. It may sound obvious, but dogs with storm anxieties really do need a “shelter in the storm.”

Create a safe place. Find an interior closet or room without windows and fill it with your dog’s favorite bed, toys and treats. Help your dog become accustomed to the area weeks before the first storm hits, so it’s a familiar and comforting experience.

Consider crating your dog. If they already seek out their crate as a place of comfort, make it available during the storm — but always leave the door open. (Dogs who are locked inside a crate or room can break teeth and claws trying to escape.) Place a blanket or a sound-deadening cover over the crate to add another buffer to help your dog.

Pull the shades. The flash of lightning can be unsettling for some dogs, so closing the shades and drapes can help shut out distractions and perhaps muffle the noise.

Don shirts, wraps or capes. The ThunderShirt is designed to create a calming effect by applying gentle pressure to the dog’s torso. The Storm Defender Cape is marketed to reduce static electricity, but even wiping your dog with an anti-static laundry sheet may help. Make sure the laundry sheet is unscented, however, and be sure to dispose of the sheet properly, so your dog doesn’t eat it.

Mutt Muffs ear covers help reduce sound and Doggles with dark lenses may help block out lightning strikes.

Play soothing music. Consider playing “Through a Dog’s Ear” (music designed to calm dogs), turning on the radio or TV, or just using a white noise machine to help cancel out the sound of the storm.

Use pheromones. For some dogs, products such as the Adaptil diffuser, spray or collar can help them feel a little calmer.

Try desensitization and counterconditioning. To help desensitize your dog to storm sounds, on days without storms, play a recording of thunder at a volume so low that it’s not upsetting to them. Then offer your dog treats or a stuffed Kong to counter-condition, or help them associate a positive with the perceived negative of the recorded sounds. Over several days to weeks, in 10-minute sessions, gradually increase the volume of the recording, always pairing it with the treats or a toy. This may help some dogs learn to not be afraid of the noise. However, the fear may be rooted in other aspects of the storm (changes in barometric pressure, static electricity, etc.) so your dog may need additional therapies.

Work with a board-certified veterinary behaviorist. For some dogs with intense fears, it may take patience, dedication and the guidance of a behavior specialist to help your dog learn how to weather the storm.

RELATED POST: Pop, Pop, KaBOOM! Managing Your Pet’s Fireworks Fear

What to Do If Your Dog Has Been Stung By a Bee

Posted on May 25, 2017 - 5:38 am by
A close-up of a dog watching a bee hovering right above its nose.

Bees (and wasps and hornets) are helpful to the environment, which is why many people plant bee-friendly gardens teeming with nectar-filled blossoms to attract them. But to most dogs, bees are not so helpful. Bees won’t hesitate to sting any dog that noses around, paws at or otherwise disturbs their crucial pollinating work. For dogs who can’t leave well enough alone, insect stings are a painful way of being told to “buzz off.”

Pain, however, can be the least of the worries for some dogs. Bee stings may lead to a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that can lead to anaphylactic shock and even death. Here’s what you need to know when a curious canine results in you exclaiming, “Ah! My dog ate a bee!” or “Help! My dog stepped on a bee!”

Signs of Dog Bee Stings

Curious dogs are often stung on their face or in their mouth, resulting in a flurry of yelping and pawing at the muzzle or other affected area. Other signs can range from mild to severe, depending on the location of the sting, whether they received multiple stings and whether they have an allergy to the bee venom. Lucky dogs will get by with just a mild reaction localized to the sting site: redness, mild swelling, heat and potentially itching. This usually goes away on its own within a day or so.

Signs of a potentially serious allergic reaction usually develop within 10 to 30 minutes of the sting and include swelling of the eyes and face, which can lead to difficulty breathing. Other signs include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness and collapsing.

Signs of anaphylactic bee reactions can develop quickly, so it’s important to watch your dog and be prepared to seek veterinary care immediately. In rare instances, these allergic reactions may occur 12 to 14 hours after the sting.

How to Know If Your Dog Was Stung by a Wasp or a Bee

Are all stings the same? Not exactly. Bees have a barbed stinger that detaches from the bee and remains in the dog’s skin. For several minutes after the sting, the venom sac on the stinger can continue to pulsate, injecting venom into the area. Wasps, hornets and yellow jackets (which are specific types of wasps), however, don’t have barbed stingers. They retain their stingers and can sting multiple times. This can be especially problematic if your dog uncovers a wasp nest, because the stings can increase exponentially in number.

Dog Bee Sting Treatment

For bee stings, if you can find the implanted stinger, remove it as soon as possible by scraping a credit card along the skin or by using tweezers to pull the stinger out. For both bee stings and wasp stings, help minimize swelling by applying a cool compress to the area, made by wrapping a towel around ice, an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables. You can also mix baking soda with water to create a paste that can be applied to the skin to help neutralize the acidic venom. If possible, bandage the area to prevent your dog from licking the paste.

Do not give your dog any medication without consulting your veterinarian first. If you’re concerned about your dog, contact your vet immediately.

Severe Reactions to Bee and Wasp Stings

If your dog is stung multiple times or experiences a severe reaction, such as facial swelling or difficulty breathing, it’s important to contact your vet immediately. Depending on your dog’s condition, your pet may need to be hospitalized and the vet may give your dog antihistamines, steroids or epinephrine as well as intravenous fluids and oxygen.

Be Prepared for Future Bee or Wasp Stings

For pets that have a history of severe allergic reactions to bee stings, including anaphylactic shock, your veterinarian may recommend keeping an EpiPen (an epinephrine automatic injector) on hand. However, an EpiPen must be properly dosed to the size of your pet. Although the EpiPen Jr. delivers a smaller dose, it may still be too much for small dogs and cats. Talk to your veterinarian about options for your pet.

Watch Out for Bees in the Fall

Bees and wasps are often more aggressive in the fall. And who can blame them? They’re busy preparing their hives for winter. Flowers and other food sources are harder to find. And hives are overcrowded. So they’re more likely to lose patience with a curious dog and slap prying noses with a sharp sting.

Seeing dogs stung by bees, especially dogs that have anaphylactic reactions to stings, is a scary sight. To keep your dog safe, try to keep curious noses away from areas that bees and wasps like to buzz about. Just like snake bites, a bee or wasp sting can quickly become an emergency situation, so always contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog shows signs of a severe reaction.