The Home News 2020 Pet Supplement

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The Home News

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2020 Pet Supplement

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V E T E R I N A RY C A R E FO R D O G S & C AT S

EDWARD A. SHELLY, VMD CAROL T. FILCHNER, DVM JODIE SANTORE, VMD BENJAMIN J. SHELLY, VMD General Medicine On Site Blood Testing Dentistry

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The Home News 2020 Pet Supplement || AUGUST 27, 2020

What to Do if Your Dog Won’t Eat His Food but Will Eat Treats Pupbox.com

He is Sick Most dogs will eat everything in sight. If your pup is generally a healthy dog like that, but has suddenly lost his appetite, he could be experiencing some sort of illness. To find out exactly what that sickness may be, you will have to talk to your regular vet and have your dog examined.

He Doesn’t Like His Food Some dogs are just plain picky. If you have ever been in charge of a toddler, you’ll be familiar with this refusal to eat certain foods. Your pup is not unhealthy or in danger; he’s just fussy!

He Has Dental Issues Very few living beings can stomach the thought of eating while in pain. If your dog has gum disease or any other dental problems, eating may cause him to feel quite uncomfortable. We all shrink away from things that make us anything less than happy, and this is the case with certain foods you may be giving him.

Maybe the treats you have are softer than Spot’s regular food, and that is why he’ll eat those but not the bowl of kibble you sat before him.

The Food is Spoiled A surprising amount of pet owners think that their pet’s food will be okay as long as it is sealed in a proper storage container. That’s not true. Pet food spoils like human food does, so you should always check the expiration dates and the food itself. If you notice any funny smell, visible mold or other concerning things, you should get rid of the old food and get something new immediately.

What You Can Do It is imperative that you get your dog back to eating his regular food before health problems arise. The more you let him get away with eating only treats, the more he won’t want to go back to his regularly scheduled kibble.

Luckily, there exist quite a few solutions to your problem that you can and should try! continued on page 4

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What

to

Do

continued from page 3

Try Out a New Food If you suspect that your pupper doesn’t much care for his food, try out something new!

Go to the Vet This is something you should be doing regularly anyway, but it becomes more important to schedule an appointment when your pup isn’t eating as he should.

Stop the Treats If your pup continues to gobble on treats instead of noshing on nutritious meals, he may continue to skip the healthy food in favor of the junk. Like a stern parent, do what is best for him and stop the treats altogether for a while. Once he realizes that he doesn’t have them to fall back on, he may go back to his bowl when he gets hungry instead of begging for the bag.

Be Consistent Something you can do to help your pet learn that he needs to eat his dinner before he can have treats is to be consistent. This means that you make a food schedule and stick to it. Give him the same food at the same times every day. Only give him treats when

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he has earned them, not just when he asks for them.

Over time, the pup will learn what is expected of him during mealtimes and during training.

Be Patient No matter what, you must be patient and understanding with your dog. He does not understand the concept of liking it or leaving it. He also does not comprehend that treats are like potato chips for humans.

It’s up to you to keep your puppy on track, so get through it one day at a time, trying every method you can until something works. Shouting and having a tantrum yourself does not help either of you. Have patience and you will prevail!

The Home News 2020 Pet Supplement || AUGUST 27, 2020

Meet

our pet photo contest winner-

Sparky

Sparky (also known as meow meow, for his love of making noise) is a 4-year-old European shorthair, who absolutely loves food. Along with food, he always loves to be in some mischief, or outside in his outdoor playpen, when accompanied. He also likes to cuddle and get head kisses, but only on his terms.

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strange cat behaviors explained Thedrakecenter.com

1. Chattering You have probably heard your cat emit a fast and intense teeth chattering- especially when they spot a bird while gazing out of a window. Behaviorists speculate that this is because your cat is frustrated that they cannot get outside to hunt prey. They also may be excited and slightly aggravated.

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Others say that this strange jaw movement may be your kitty’s natural instinct that allows their muscles to prepare for the act of killing prey. Either way, this behavior is completely normal for your feline.

2. Rubbing When your kitty rubs his head on you, he is doing more than just showing you affection and saying hello. He is actually doing something that behaviorist’s call “bunting.” Pheromones are actually being released from his head and it is his way of showing ownership over you.

3. Bring You Kills Even though this habit may be perceived as a gross one- your kitty is acknowledging you as a member of his group, and is sharing his hunting success with you. He could be thanking you for taking care of him or perhaps you pay more attention to him when he generously brings you rodents, birds, or insects.

4. Feline Kneading When your cat presses his paws into you, and

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The Home News 2020 Pet Supplement || AUGUST 27, 2020

massages back and forththis can be a rather enjoyable feline behavior.

Your kitty’s instinct to do this traces back to their earliest days of nursing.

By pressing his paws on his mother’s mammary glands, it encouraged better milk production.

When your cat does this as an adult he is either content, and showing that he is happy, or he is trying to alleviate stress and the habit is one to calm him down. Either way, take it as a compliment that you remind him of his mommy!

5. If I Fits, I Sits Cat’s ability to fit themselves “comfortably” into tight spaces never ceases to amaze, or entertain us for that matter. There are plenty of comfy places they could rest instead, like say that cat bed you purchased them. So why do they choose to curl up in boxes, bathroom sinks, small baskets, etc.?

Small spaces make your cat feel safe and secure.

If they were out in the wild, they would not want to be unprotected in an open area because this would make them more susceptible to predators. Felines also have a natural instinct to ambush. By hiding in small tiny spaces they are able to watch and observe their surroundings from a distance.

6. Cat Eyes When your cat is staring you down he is probably just trying to get your attention. If the stare is intense, this “staring contest” could mean that he is on high alert about someone or a situation. It is advised to not look at your cat directly in the eyes. As with any animal, cats see this is an act of aggression in preparation for a fight.

Have you ever noticed your kitty slowly blinking at you? Behaviorist call this act “kitty kisses.” These slow blinks are your feline’s way of showing affection and telling you that they like and trust you. If you blink slowly back at them, they most likely will continue to blow “kitty kisses” your way.

Other times you couldn’t get him to look at you if your life depended on it. Just like humans, cats appreciate alone time. When he needs some quiet solitude, give him his space. This will strengthen his respect for you and don’t worry- he will seek you out when it’s cuddle time!

7. Cat Calls and 2 a.m Zoomies Most house cats have an enormous amount of energy that is pent up during the day and needs to be released. This combined with their nocturnal

AUGUST 27, 2020 || homenewspa.com

instincts to hunt during the night may wreak havoc on your sleep.

We recommend regularly exercising your cat during the day in order to avoid random sprints throughout the house in the middle of the night. You can also try feeding him right before you go to bed, and to curb the desire to hunt at night you may want to try providing her with food puzzles to keep her engaged while you snooze.

8. Ear-Itation If you notice that your kitty’s ears are twitching back and forth- it’s time to slowly back up. This is one way that they express anxiety or agitation.

9. Oh You’re Using That?

Magazines, laptops, books, clothes you’ve laid out, you name it- your cat loves to lay on it at the exact time that you’re using it. Your kitty knows if he plops himself down on whatever you’re paying attention to- chances are, he will get some affection.

10. Knock It Off! For no apparent reason, your cat randomly starts batting things off of the table, and calmly watches it fall to floor.

You know what they say about cats and curiosity, well it is as simple as that- he is just curious and potentially bored!

o h W

LET THE

dogs out?!

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ON ON THE THE COVER COVER 6 Things You Didn’t Know About the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier www.akc.org

1. They Are Native to Ireland The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is one of four terrier breeds that are native to Ireland.

2. They Were a “Poor Man’s Dog” Irish peasants owned Wheatens because they were not permitted to own hounds, Beagles, or spaniels; by law, those breeds were reserved for the gentry— people who had money to their names.

3. They Performed Every Farm Job Because they couldn’t own the aforementioned dogs, poor farmers used Wheatens to perform pretty much every job on the farm.

4. They Are Born in a Variety of Colors The Wheaten’s signature pale beige coat does not come in until he reaches adulthood. Wheaten puppies

are born different colors, including white or creme (and beyond!), and puppies under a year may carry deeper coloring and occasional black tipping.

5. One Wheaten Is a Diving Champion A Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, named Krista, came within an inch of being in the top 10 at last year’s national diving dog championship. Krista jumped 10 feet 2 inches into the water.

6. They Appeared in Victorian Art Even though they were owned by Irish peasants, some Wheatens still found their way into artwork.

An example is the 1843 work, “The Aran Fisherman’s Drowned Child,” by Frederic William Burton.

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The Home News 2020 Pet Supplement || AUGUST 27, 2020

Pumpkin Sweet Potato Bites Prouddogmom.com

INGREDIENTS 1½ cups brown rice flour 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1 cup mashed sweet potato 1/2 cup 100 percent pure pumpkin purée 1/2 cup water 1 egg 1 teaspoon organic maple syrup INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together brown rice flour and cinnamon.

In a separate bowl, mash sweet potato.

Add pumpkin, water, egg, and maple syrup to sweet potato and mix until thoroughly combined.

Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix together with a spoon until you’re left with a thick batter.

AUGUST 27, 2020 || homenewspa.com

With your fingers, pinch off a small amount of the mixture (approx. 3/4 teaspoon) and roll into little balls. Place the balls on the baking sheet, spacing them about an inch apart.

After treats are placed on the baking sheet, take a fork and flatten the little balls to around a ¼” thick.

Bake at 350ºF for 20 minutes.

Flip them over and continue baking another 10 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

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8 Things to Know Before Getting a Pet Rabbit Treehugger.com As with any pet, bringing a rabbit home requires preparation and knowledge about what you're getting into. This is especially true for rabbits. Most of us know what to expect when we get a cat or a dog, more or less, but caring for a rabbit isn't something we just know. This could explain why rabbits are the third most surrendered animals to shelters, according to PETA. 1. Rabbits can live for 10 to 12 years. This may be the most important thing to know when it comes to rabbits since they require a sizable degree of daily and weekly care over the course of their lives. Given how long they live, it's a good bit of work that's more than just feeding and picking up after their poop.

2. Rabbits aren't great pets for kids. Rabbits are prey animals, as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) notes, and as such, they're easily startled by loud noises and lurching movements. Picking up rabbits is also a no-go as it may make them think they've been grabbed by a predator. The HSUS strongly advises that parents or guardians wait until kids are older before the family adopts a rabbit.

3. Rabbits like being with other rabbits. Rabbits are social animals that rely on one another to survive in the wild. A rabbit by itself must be alert at all times for potential predators, but if there's another rabbit about, that spreads the responsibility around. And since rabbits only speak rabbit, it helps them feel immensely more safe if there's another rabbit about. Related to this, spaying and neutering your rabbit is a good call if you're going to have two rabbits, but it's generally smart even if you're going to stick to one rabbit.

4. Rabbits need exercise and the room for it.

PedMD recommends a solid four hours of exercise a day for rabbits, which basically means that leaving them cooped up in a cage all day isn't the best idea.

Exercise for rabbits, like for humans, helps with overall health, including digestion, and mental health, and why wouldn't you want a happy rabbit? If you have the space, a whole room just for your rabbit is probably a great idea, as it gives them plenty of room to run to and fro. If you don't have the space, then the cage or container holding your rabbit needs to be five times the size of the rabbit at minimum, 10

according to the HSUS, and this includes on a vertical level so the rabbit can stand up on its hind legs without bumping its head. Multi-tiered containers are also recommended. The rabbit's area will need to be spruced up every day and cleaned once a week.

5. Be prepared to rabbit-proof your home. If you don't have the space for a dedicated rabbit room or a large cage, giving your rabbit free rein of the living area may be your only option, and that means preparing the rest of the home. Rabbits' teeth never stop growing, so they love chewing on everything, including furniture and cables. Plastic tubing around cables will take care of that chew temptation, or taping the wires up and out of the rabbit's reach will also work. As for wood furniture or baseboards, Best Friends Animal Society recommends wood or plastic coverings, cardboard barriers around chair legs or chewing deterrent sprays, like Grannick's Bitter Apple.

Also helpful? Making sure your rabbit has plenty of safe and chew-friendly toys as alternatives.

6. Rabbits need more than just carrots (and, in fact, they shouldn't get a lot of carrots). The common conception is that rabbits will just nosh on vegetables all day long, and some might want to do that, but providing your rabbit with a varied but healthy diet is important. Hay or grass should make up the bulk of their diet, according to the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF), with fresh vegetables providing a smaller portion of their intake. These vegetables can include kale, broccoli, romaine lettuce and parsley.

Small bits of fresh carrot, apple and pineapple are treats that should be given only once or twice a week.

7. Rabbits require unique medical care. Like with any pets, you need to be aware of your rabbit's overall well-being, but rabbits have their own needs.

As such, rabbits also have their own specialized vets, according to PETA, and they can be more expensive than your run-of-the-mill veterinarian. The RSPCA recommends annual vet visits to check their teeth, to test for parasites and get vaccinations.

8. Rabbits keep their own time. Rabbits are crepuscular, which means they typically sleep during the day and the night. So when are they awake? Dusk and dawn! While this is great for evening cuddles on the sofa, it may not be the best thing while you're trying to sleep ... especially if they have free run of the house.

The Home News 2020 Pet Supplement || AUGUST 27, 2020

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