Independence Day is upon us again. Time for barbecues, concerts in the park, baseball, and fireworks. Ah yes, fireworks, in all their multicolored glory, loved by the whole family. Well, maybe not quite the WHOLE family. If your dog quakes at the first rumble of thunder or as the first firecracker explodes, you are not alone. Fear of fireworks and other loud noises is not uncommon in pets. In the animal world, fear is a normal response to a threatening situation or aversive stimulus and is designed to protect the animal from harm. However, with domesticated pets these fears can quickly turn into phobias.
Phobias in general can develop after a single frightening event, or they can arise gradually over time, and can be reinforced if the stimulus presentation is frequent.
Dogs often become more fearful with each exposure, and the fear often generalizes to include other similar sounds. For example, dogs that start out with a fireworks phobia may eventually become fearful of thunder, rain, or wind.
Symptoms
A fearful dog may freeze, pace, pant, tremble, salivate, try to escape, hide, or bark at the fear-inducing noise. In severe cases, dogs may even injure themselves in their attempts to escape, scrabbling at doors till their paws bleed. We receive numerous claims at
Petplan pet insurance for injuries caused through noise phobias, as well as countless claims for visits to behaviorists to help address the issue.
A complete physical examination by a veterinarian is important, in order to rule out concurrent medical problems that may exacerbate your dog's fear. If their assessment does not reveal an underlying medical condition, they may refer you to an animal behaviorist.
Treatment
Treatment may be as simple as bringing your dog indoors, creating “white noise” by turning on the radio or the television, or providing a comfortable hiding place or "safe place."
If your dog is showing more severe signs, a program using distractions coupled with counter-conditioning and desensitization may be helpful. Brush up on some obedience training and teach your dog a few tricks and games. It is difficult for a dog to be afraid when he is enjoying his favorite game of fetch. It is even harder for him to think about the thunderstorm outside when he is concentrating on a quick series of Come, Sit, Heel, Shake a Paw, Down, Roll Over, and so on. The idea is to distract the dog from the noise. The key is patience and practice. Do not wait until the night before the thunderstorm or the third of July (if he is afraid of fireworks) to begin teaching your dog a few tricks. Be sure he knows them well beforehand. He will probably have trouble concentrating at first, so the better he knows the games and tricks, the easier it will be for him to perform them under pressure.
Another method of helping your dog overcome his fear is to slowly and gradually accustom him to the noises that frighten him. You can buy soundtracks of fireworks, thunderstorms, and rain online or at music stores. Start by playing the soundtrack at such a low volume that you can barely hear it. Your dog should show no signs of fear at this volume. Gradually, over the course of a few weeks or even months, gradually increase the volume. The volume should be increased so slowly that the dog hardly notices the change. Eventually he will be used to hearing the sounds at full force. If at any time your dog shows signs of fear decrease the volume again and proceed a little more slowly. This procedure will work more quickly if you combine it with distraction training. Your dog's veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist may also recommend anti-anxiety medication. Certain natural remedies such as Bach’s’ Rescue Remedy have also proven to be effective in soothing an anxious pet.
Try to anticipate your dog's possible exposure to noises and avoid such exposure if at all possible. Talk to your pet in a light, happy tone of voice that sends a message that the fireworks are no big deal. For most people, however, leaving their phobic dog at home while they attend the firework display is probably the best course of action. Until the dog is over his fears, it is best to confine him to a place where he can't hurt himself or completely destroy your property, such as a crate filled with comforting items. Accustom the dog to his special place so that he feels comfortable and secure there. Don't wait until the storm has arrived to introduce your dog to his 'safe haven.'
If you follow these simple steps you should be able to minimize, and eventually even eliminate your dog’s phobias so that next Independence Day maybe you can enjoy the fireworks with the WHOLE family!
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Once again we were inundated with entries to our Healthy Paws contest. As ever we were so impressed and inspired by the lengths that so many of our pet parents go to, to ensure that their four legged family members stay happy and healthy. We hope that by sharing these 5 winning entries you will be as inspired as we were!
Winning entry #1 – A healthy “tee”
All winter long, about every other day a group of us "old Timers" golf; about 7 or 8 of us with our dogs all running and wrestling for 18 holes of golf. Some of us bring more than one dog. After such a great workout all the dogs sleep well…and so do we!
James
Winning entry #2 – Spoiled? We refer to it as loved!
Our Golden Retriever, Casie is the light of our lives as she came into our house just 1 week after the loss of our beloved Golden, Reiley. She fit in immediately and because Reiley passed away of liver disease, we are EXTRA vigilant with the health of our new puppy. She gets fed an organic homemade diet with beef, tuna, rice, broccoli & sweet potatoes along with organic probiotics, digestive enzymes and bottled water. She gets daily swims in our pool (the dogs get more use out of it than we do!) for 1-2 hours and she and I participate in a weekly agility class. We also are members of a dock jumping club in our area which provides a LOT of running, jumping and mental exercise as well. In the cooler months here in the desert we also go on daily walks in our neighborhood and weekly hikes in the mountain preserve. We know she is spoiled but she deserves it all for the happiness she provides to us and our 3 year old daughter!
Lisa & Casie
Winning entry #3 – A balanced life = a healthy life
My Cody is only 7 mos. old, but I’ve learned a lot about caring for a pet after having an Affenpincher for 12+ years. It’s the little things that add up that make a long term difference in their health leading into old age. Cody drinks only filtered or bottled water. My last pet (Annie) didn’t and constantly had GI upsets with an unknown etiology. Cody is bathed in natural shampoos with no added chemicals. We feed him NUTRISH, made by Rachael Ray, and he is allowed no human food except occasional organic rice cakes. He loves them!!!
He gets plenty of exercise and sunshine daily. He sees his Dr. as ordered. And he gets his teeth brushed every night before bedtime.
And last but not at all least; he gets constant love and attention that includes training him to have manners as well as learning lots of new tricks.
BALANCE is what I’m trying to say here. That’s what it takes to keep my Cody healthy; all things naturally good for him that will give him a long and full life.
Thanks from us both,
Cali and Cody
Winning entry #4 – From rescue to royalty
Both my dogs get special but practical care. The get 2 checkups a year and baths and nails cut or ground every 3 months. In addition, they are fed BLUE, because it is a natural product, with no by-products, additives or preservatives.
They have regular dental cleaning and they have fun playing together in my yard with each other or other dogs we invite to join them, or taking daily walks with me. I also carry Petplan pet insurance to cover major problems should they arise. Every day they get Synovi G3 and 2 fish oil capsules.
Most of all they get hugs and kisses, plus all the love I have to give.
Gypsy and Kona were both adopted; Gypsy at 13 weeks from a breeder. Kona was one and a half years old when she was rescued from a garbage dump. They thrive on being together and they kiss each other all the time. I give them the same care I gave my children growing up; besides, now they are the only children living at home!
Winning entry #5 – A healthy “couch potato”
Our dog Chocolate Lab Sam is spoiled rotten! In addition to a raw diet,prime roast beef from the farmers market, weekends at the beach, total access to the couch, toys/bones all over the house, - well you get the
picture - It's a Dog's Life!
We try to keep Sam as healthy and as happy as possible, but I worry about the time he is left alone while we are at work. Recently, I checked into a few Doggie Day Cares in the area, but since Sam has not been neutered he wasn't welcome. I have started leaving Animal Planet on TV while we are at work and he seems to really like it! When he watches TV, he thinks it's another window to the outside. I know this because when we were watching the Kentucky Derby, he kept looking out the other windows in our den for the horses. I also feel some small comfort knowing that maybe sometimes during the day when he hears the people taking on TV, he
doesn't feel so alone as he would in a totally quiet house.
Diane & Sam
At Petplan Pet Insurance we have always been a pet friendly office and encourage team members to bring their pets in regularly. Every day there are at least half a dozen dogs playing fetch in the corridors, snoozing on one of the many Crypton beds, or devouring healthy low cal treats from one of the treat jars that can be found at pretty much every desk.
However there are considerations with having a pet friendly policy. First of all office environments are not usually laid out with pets in mind (unless you are Petplan of course. In our case the offices were laid out around the pets)!
With “Take your dog to work day" upon us again here are a few hazards that you will want be mindful of to ensure that work is a fun and safe place for your pet:
Human food (including the ubiquitous candy that seems to mushroom in just about every office environment I have ever worked in). Dogs that are regulars to the office are often spoiled and people can’t help but share their lunches with the best four legged beggars. However in addition to piling on the pounds this practice can also be dangerous. Though dogs are omnivores certain foods can be poisonous to them such as grapes, onions and chocolate. For a full list of dangerous foods visit the ASPCA Poison Control website.
Foreign Objects Tacks, pins, paperclips, erasers, ink; a veritable feast for dogs with peculiar tastes. If you have a dog that will not refrain from eating everything within reach make sure to puppy proof your office before you bring them in.
Straying Office environments can be conducive to straying. With people coming and going the danger of your pet straying is very real. If your pet has a tendency to stray make sure that they are contained to an area where they cannot escape unnoticed. If you are going to bring them into the office make sure that they are tagged and micro chipped.
Other Dogs Believe it or not one of the greatest hazards to your pet are other dogs in the office especially ones that are nervous with being in a foreign environment. Make sure to introduce each new dog to the office carefully. Allow the dogs space to interact and if hackles are raised don’t force the issue. Keep the dogs separate for a few hours and try again later when the excitement of being in a new environment has worn off.
To ensure your pet’s comfort throughout the day don’t forget to bring their favorite toy, food and water and a bed. With a little forward planning you can ensure that your pet enjoys their day at work. Who knows they may enjoy it so much that they want to come in every day!
Pets have no concept of money; they do however know when you’re stressed out (they’re quite intuitive). So keep them happy and find some relief for yourself with these cost cutting tips:
Our 5 cost-saving tips for pet health care are:
1. When planning your family vacation this year, why pay for kennels or a house sitter? If you have pets that are tolerant of car or even air travel, plan a vacation that includes pet-friendly hotels: many major hotel chains and lots of independent hotels feature pet friendly accommodations (http://www.petswelcome.com/milkbone/framelist.html)
2. It may seem counter-intuitive to spend money to save it but DON’T skip your annual vet visits or preventive care. Routine treatments such as dental cleaning and heartworm prevention are incredibly important and can help you avoid a huge bill (not to mention suffering for your pet). In addition, your annual visit is the best chance for your vet to catch disease early and hopefully avoid expensive “critical” situations. For the unexpected veterinary expenses, pet insurance is a great idea www.gopetplan.com
3. Get smart with their food. Feeding according to the back of the packet is usually giving far too much. Talk to your vet about appropriate food intake (especially if Fido is a little overweight!) then measure food carefully; you’ll be surprised how much further a bag of food goes. If you have friends with similar type pets, why not buy pet food in bulk and split the cost?
4. Increasing the number of activities you and your family do with your pet is not only free but is also good for everyone’s health. In fact, if you can incorporate your dog into your workout (especially jogging) maybe you can cancel that gym membership?
5. Try and cut those extra expenses like grooming and bathing your pet by learning how to do it at home. Take notice of the type of “cut” your pet gets and buy a decent set of clippers (something not to skimp on; poor quality clippers are frustrating to use and often a waste of money) to do it at home. The same applies to routine things like trimming nails and cleaning ears. In fact, keeping on top of these things and making them a “rewarding” activity for your pet will help keep them happy and healthy too!
Just like people, pets can suffer from allergies. Check out below to see what kinds of allergies are most common, what symptoms to look for and what you can do about them.
Types of Allergies
There are several different ways your pet can be allergic; the most common types are caused by food, parasite, contact and inhalant allergens. The last type, which is the most common cause of “seasonal” allergies, usually affects pets most during certain seasons (usually spring and fall), but, in severe cases, can cause problems all year round. The most common inhaled allergens are from trees, grasses, weed pollens, molds and even dust! (You know, all the stuff they like to roll around in!)
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of allergies in our pets are usually related to skin; chewing at their paws, rubbing their face/ears and scratching their bodies. Excessive chewing, scratching and rubbing can often lead to secondary skin, ear and eye infections. In severe cases respiratory problems, vomiting, diarrhea, bumps and scabs on the neck, lip ulcers and even enlargement of lymph nodes can be seen! (Not fun stuff!)
Treatments
Holistic Supplements: Essential fatty acids (e.g. fish oils which contain Omega-3 compounds), vitamins A& E, and zinc in conjunction with natural anti-inflammatory such as bioflavinoids can sometimes help alleviate symptoms by increasing overall skin health.
Topical medications: Some veterinary recommended sprays and ointments can offer relief in mild cases.
Antihistamines: Some lucky allergic pets can control their symptoms with antihsitamines. Unfortunately, these don’t tend to be as effective as they are in people.
Shampoo: Using medicated shampoos that add protective layers or even anti-inflammatory compounds to the skin can really help to reduce some pets’ discomfort.
Desensitization injections: Much like human dermatologists, veterinary skin specialists can determine what the triggers are for your pet’s allergies and formulate desensitization injections for specific irritants. Repeated injections are given to help reprogram the body’s immune system. While this can be costly, it can be a great way to give them relief without resorting to long term medication.
Medications: Your veterinarian may prescribe anti-inflammatories and antibiotics during severe outbreaks but these are not medications that should be used long-term. For very badly affected pets there some long-term immunosuppressant medications that can be used; your veterinarian will be able to tell you if these are appropriate for your pet.
*As always, consult your veterinarian before giving your pet any medication.
TIPS TO HELP DECREASE YOUR PETS EXPOSURE TO ALLERGINS:
•Bathe your pet once or twice a week with a veterinary recommended medicated shampoo
•Restrict pets to uncarpeted rooms
•Vacuum with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter
•Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter
•Wash bedding often
•Replace air conditioner/heater vent filters
Announcing the winners of the May Healthy Paws newsletter. Hoping that they will inspire you to find new ways of keeping your pets healthy!
Winning entry #1 - A play date a day
How do we keep our pets healthy in Shaker Heights, OH?
We have Saturday morning dog play dates! We rotate backyards and get at lest five pooches to show up each doggie play day. It's great activity for the dogs - and good coffee talk for the adults.
Caroline
Winning entry #2 - Buddy up for health
I like to keep Morgan healthy just like I work to keep myself healthy. To start his day, he gets high quality raw food with salmon oil (for a shiny/healthy coat) and then a quick game of fetch. He's got comfy beds, made out of recyclable, all natural materials to sleep in while I'm at work. He also gets the occasional bully stick or chew to keep his teeth clean and strong.
I make sure he gets regular baths, nail clippings and teeth cleanings. None of which he likes, but he'll silently suffer through. I also make sure we make our annual trip for a vet check-up and update him on shots.
On certain days, he goes to doggie day care, to socialize, say hi to his doggie friends and play, play, play! Have to make sure he's healthy socially as well! When I get home it's a nice walk around the neighborhood or sometimes training classes - right now he's learning flyball, a dog sport. That's as much exercise for him as it is for me!
Then is a nice dinner of high-quality, all natural, human grade kibble. Then some down time and back to sleep in a comfy bed, ready for another day of fun!
Victoria & Morgan
Winning entry #3 - An ounce of prevention...
We have 7 Weims and 5 have insurance with your company. The other two were older and could not be insured by you guys do to their age, only reason.
We use a Vet that BELIEVES in PREVENTIVE Medicine. So every year they go in for Physical's and updates to any vaccines they may need. Once age 6 we have a COMPLETE WELLNESS done on each, with includes complete blood work, 3 x-rays of chest and abdomen. After age 6 then yearly blood work and routine urinalysis done to make sure they are well. They are on Senitol as well has Frontline for ticks and given supplements daily.
We love our Weims so they are given the BEST CARE POSSIBLE....
Bruce and Debbie
Winning story #4 - Petplan to the rescue
I just want to say how happy I am with my plan. My cat Kodak was insured only 2 weeks when she had an abscess on her tail. She was limping and when I went to examine her legs I saw the huge abscess on her tail. She was in pain and the vet shaved her tail and cleaned her all up. I received my check from you within 2 weeks for the entire amount I was eligible for. I have had another pet insurance company for the last 8 yrs and had to fight for every cent that I was entitled to. I switched all of my pets except my older ones over to you. My only suggestion is that you insure older pets...I have many here to add on!!!! Thank you again.
Lee Ann
WINNING STORY #5 - Food for thought
I am owned by three wonderful dachshunds named Zoë, Gracie and Emma. I am always concerned on how to keep me furbabies healthy and I do plenty of research especially on food. I am 56 and have owned dogs most of my life. I can say that today one of the biggest changes is in the area of dog food. I believe the quality of dog food today is so much better than years ago. By giving our animals top of the line food with no preservatives and making sure the first four ingredients contain no fillers can definitely lengthen our animals lives. This quality food also makes their coats and skin shinny and healthy. I try to keep their snacks nutritious by giving them apples, carrots, pineapples which they love. With that I also watch their weight and especially with the dachshund we need to keep their weight down because of their long backs. On the matter of weight it is not only the right food but also exercise. This also keeps their body fit and strong. Since I am ill and cannot always walk them I found the treadmill a great investment. Using it a few times a week for each dog, it gives them what they need to stay fit and healthy. I brush their teeth often but not as often as I would like. And of course thanks to Petplan I have insurance for all three so I never have to worry about their health if they should get sick. I know I can give them the medical treatment they need in this event no matter what the cost.
There is nothing I would not do for my furbabies because they give me the most important thing, their unconditional LOVE.
Cheryl
Ensure you’re welcome before you go:
Call the friend you plan on visiting or the hotel that you plan on staying in to make sure that your furry friend is welcome. If you’re not planning any trips, check out this site to see where you’ll be greeted with a pat on the head and a fresh water bowl:
http://www.tripswithpets.com/
Call your vet before you go:
Make sure that your pet is up-to-date on all of their shots. And while you’re on the phone with them you might want to ask if they think a sedative would be a good idea.
Do a trial run before you go:
With cats it’s particularly important to test their ability to travel. So try putting them in their carrier for increasingly longer periods of time to see how they hold up.
Give it a jingle before you go:
Make sure that your cat and dog are outfitted with identification tags, just in case they decide that it’s time to go home before you do. Making sure that your pet is safe is a priority for us here at Petplan, which is why we give a discount for all microchipped pets. (Learn more about microchipping here.)
Pack it up before you go:
-dishes for food and water
-(for cat) litter and litter pan
- (for dog) waste disposal bags
-toys
-bedding (if necessary)
-food
-bottle of water for the car
-leash
And as we all know, even the most well planned trips run into snags, and making sure that your pet is protected from any accidents and illnesses with Petplan pet insurance will give you even more peace of mind. So go ahead, let him put his head out the window (kidding, it’s bad for his eyes).
Today there are more and more travel sites that focus on pet-friendly travel options. And there are more and more hotels and resorts that are going out of their way to make your four-legged friend’s stay comfortable. Some more extravagant examples are; The Beverly Hills Hotel, where dogs get their own pink bungalows, pink tennis balls and personalized cookies. The Omni in San Diego, has in-room doggy movies (for when you’re off seeing the sites). And the St. Regis Monarch Beach provides personalized food and water bowls, an issue of Hollywood Dog and toys from Bark Jacobs and Jimmie Chew. (Really, we’re not making this up.)
So, as you book your trip for this coming summer, consider taking your pet along. You’ll feel better not putting them in a kennel and they’ll feel better, well, just because they’re with you. And, with Petplan Pet Insurance no matter where you go, you’re covered.
Here are a few sites to help you find the perfect place that’s also pet friendly:
For hotels and homes for rent by city (U.S., Canada and Mexico):
http://www.petfriendlytravel.com/
Choose from Bed and Breakfasts, Beach rentals, International Listings and more:
http://www.petswelcome.com/
Not just where to stay but what you can do while you’re there (with your dog, of course):
http://www.dogfriendly.com/
More like a typical travel site with destination guides and travel packages (and it says “doginmysuitcase” it’s for both dogs and cats):
http://www.doginmysuitcase.com/
Search by room availability in a specific city:
http://www.officialpethotels.com/
For the international jet set:
http://www.pettravel.com/
Suitcase musts, to help ensure your pet’s vacation is a happy and healthy one:
A Pet First Aid Kit.
This will help you both in the event of an emergency.
DogGone Songs CD.
If your dog isn’t a fan of road trips, this will help calm him.
A Life Vest.
For any boating or water activities, this is a necessity.
Disposable Litter Box.
Cats like the familiar, so even on vacation, keep your cat happy by keeping his litter in one place.
Pet Sunscreen.
Yes, animals can get too much sun too.
It’s Spring, which means it’s time to get out the spade, the shovel and the gardening gloves. A quick trip to the store for bulbs, seeds, and mulch and you’re on your way.
Just one thing though…when you buy mulch, read the ingredients. If it has Theobromine in it, put it down and back away slowly. Yes, it’s true, mulch with Theobromine, like “Cocoa Mulch”, is good for many reasons - it’s light weight, easy to spread, deters slugs and snails, looks nice and smells like chocolate. But it’s bad for one – it can harm your pet. If eaten by a cat or dog it can lead to illness and in extreme cases, death.
Keep your pets safe with alternatives to Cocoa Mulch like cedar chips and straw. They’re less toxic and they don’t smell quite as delicious. But, because not all accidents can be avoided (if they could, they wouldn’t be called accidents) there’s Petplan pet insurance.
"Pet owners should avoid (the) use of cocoa bean mulch in landscaping around dogs with indiscriminate eating habits," (Labrador retreiver anyone?) said the ASPCA in it’s “Cocoa Mulch Report.”
Cocoa Mulch Poisoning Facts from the ASPCA:
•50% of cases report vomiting.
•33% of cases report tremors. This was cause when the amount ingested was “large or significant”.
•17% of cases reported a rapid heart rate, hyperactivity, or diarrhea.
•Muscle tremors, seizures, and death can be caused when large amounts are consumed.
For more information on Theobromine poisoning call the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.
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