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BEAR 40 YEARS •
www.bearessentialnews.com
August 2019
Paw Prints Answers Your Questions Homework For Your Pets Now that you’re back in school, your pets will miss having you around all week! They may not have as many opportunities to play or as many interesting things to do during the day. Some pets just might need to get used to spending more time alone. Unless you provide them with plenty to do, some pets may become destructive—chewing, scratching or digging where they shouldn’t or playing with things that definitely are not pet toys. Here are some ways you can help your pet adjust to your school-year schedule: • GIVE YOUR PET A “SAFE PLACE”: A pet who seems nervous about being left alone (or who can’t be trusted with access to the whole house) would like to have a safe place to be in while you’re away. Try isolating him in one room with toys, water and DIRTY LAUNDRY—something that smells like you, like a shirt or pillowcase—to remind him that you’ll be home soon. • GIVE YOUR PET THINGS TO DO: Be sure your pet has plenty of interesting toys. Dogs should have something to chew on, something that rolls and something that challenges their mind. Try filling a hollow toy (the kind made of very heavy rubber) with a mixture of peanut butter and broken pieces of dog treats! • DON’T TEMPT YOUR PET: Pick up your clothes, toys, books and anything breakable. Put them out of your pet’s reach. If something is left available, then it isn’t really your pet’s fault if he thinks it’s a toy! • USE YOUR TIME TOGETHER EFFECTIVELY: Work off your pet’s energy when you are home by running, walking or playing together. Pets need opportunities to “let off steam” just like you do!
Dear PawPrints, My dog chews on his tail. He has chewed all the hair off. Does he need to go to the doctor? Luis Dear Luis, There are many reasons that might make a dog chew on his body. Usually it starts with an itch and, since dogs don’t have fingers to scratch with, they use their teeth instead. Sometimes that itchy place can become so annoying that the dog digs too deeply and too often with his teeth. When that happens, he can chew off his hair and even make a raw wound on his skin. He does need to visit the veterinarian to find out why he’s so itchy and to help heal up the raw spot. Itching can be caused by dry skin, allergies to grass or food,
or by fleas. Sometimes, though, dogs can develop a habit of chewing on themselves when they’re nervous or anxious about something —kind of like a person biting his or her fingernails. The veterinarian can also help to find out why that’s happening and how to stop the bad habit. Then YOU can help by following the doctor’s instructions to make your dog feel better. Maricopa County Animal Care & Control