ANIMAL WELLNESS
For a long, healthy life!
6 tips to
Natural help for
CANCER Choosing
stress- free
ESSENTIAL
vet visits
Oils for your dog
“SMALL DOG SYNDROME”
Let’s do
DOGLATES!
– busting the myths
Get Fido fit this winter with Pilates-style exercises
Healthy
Holiday TREAT RECIPES HEART
DISEASE
Bocker REACHES FOR THE STARS
Fashion model, film celebrity, social media sensation and therapy dog…this famous Labradoodle with the hallmark head tilt has done it all, and is adored by devoted fans the world over.
– is she at risk?
feline WELLNESS Hip, cool and healthy!
DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 Display until January 19, 2015
10
TIPS TO REDUCE
CANCER RISK
IN YOUR CAT
Here are some factors you may not even have considered
$6.95 USA/Canada
scaredy CAT NO MORE
3 simple calming techniques you can use at any time
The kitties of
VOLUME 16 ISSUE 6
AnimalWellnessMagazine.com
Cat
CHAT BONUS INSIDE! Feline-related careers & renovation safety tips
Contents nts December 2014/January 2015
52
Features
18 INTRODUCING A NEW DOG TO ROVER?
By easing into things at a neutral location, and avoiding some common mistakes, you’ll help lay the foundation for a lifelong friendship.
22 6 STEPS TO STRESS-FREE
VET VISITS
The keys to calm behavior at the veterinary clinic include early socialization and positive reinforcement training.
24 LET’S DO DOGLATES!
These Pilates-style exercises can strengthen his core muscles, improve his emotional well-being, and even alleviate or prevent certain health issues.
28 HEART DISEASE – IS SHE
AT RISK?
It’s not just a human condition -- dogs and cats can also suffer from cardiac issues. Know what to watch out for.
32 HOLIDAY BAKING
Preparing special goodies is a big part of getting ready for the festive season. Be sure to include a recipe or two for your canine as well as your human family members!
38 TRAINING TOOLS –
PART 2
This modality can replenish the healthy cells needed to heal his wound and strengthen his three other limbs.
52 COVER STORY BOCKER’S BEAUTIFUL LIFE
77 SIMBA’S LEGACY
60 FELINE COVER STORY
THE KITTIES OF BLIND CAT RESCUE
62 10 TIPS TO REDUCE
animal wellness
74 “SMALL DOG SYNDROME”
Are little dogs really the yappy ankle biters they’re sometimes made out to be?
A look at some of the supplements, herbs and therapies that can improve longevity and quality of life.
41 A PLUS FOR JOINT HEALTH
This orthopedic procedure stimulates the body’s natural healing processes to strengthen joints weakened by trauma or arthritis.
The best way to use them is to let him choose the ones he needs most – here’s how to do it.
How an herbal tea helped a puppy recover from parvo – and inspired a company specializing in botanicals for animal health.
They’ve overcome enormous odds, but these incredible felines now have a happy home thanks to this special sanctuary.
44 PROLOTHERAPY – REGENERATIVE MEDICINE FOR HIS JOINTS
68 ESSENTIAL OILS FOR YOUR DOG
With gorgeous good looks and star quality to spare, this famous Labradoodle wears many hats – from fashion model and movie star to therapy dog and animal advocate.
Success and safety hinge on using the right tools. Here’s a look at leashes and tethers -- their pros and cons.
A fatty acid called cetyl myristoleate is the key player in this line of quality joint supplements.
4
48 ADAPTING TO AMPUTATION – HOW ACUPRESSURE-MASSAGE CAN HELP
CANCER RISK IN YOUR CAT
Along with a healthy lifestyle, high quality diet and minimal vaccines, here are some factors you may not even have considered.
66 NO MORE SCAREDY CAT
Is your kitty nervous, skittish or fearful? Learn three simple techniques to help her calm down and enjoy life more.
78 NATURAL HELP FOR CANCER 80 WHAT COLOR IS YOUR
DOG’S TONGUE?
The answer could tell you something important about his health.
90 BOARDING YOUR DOG?
Choosing the best option for his needs means factoring in his personality and temperament, as well the facility’s requirements.
32
78
38
Columns
12 Yakkity yak 42 To the rescue 64 Cat chat 65 Feline book reviews 72 Passages 86 Warm & fuzzy
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93 Book reviews 98 Tail End
66
Departments 8
Editorial
50
Product picks
56
Animal Wellness resource guide
71
The scoop
88
Social media
Tips, contests and more! Like us /AnimalWellnessMagazine
94
Marketplace
Updates, news, events! @ AnimalWellnessMagazine
96
Events calendar
Product reviews and tutorials! AnimalWellnessTV
97
ClassiďŹ eds
Social media
animal wellness
5
INTRODUCING a new dog
TO ROVER? By Ramona D. Marek, MS Ed.
My former neighbor, Tracey, has a large, lovable, laid-back yellow Labrador named Cody. Last year, she wanted to add a small dog to her family. She took Cody with her to meet the new family member – an older female Chihuahua-Jack Russell terrier mix named Maggie. Despite the vast difference in their sizes, the two dogs hit it off, and I’ve never seen or heard any discord between them. Recently, Tracey’s son decided he wanted his own dog and brought home a Boz shepherd puppy. While Tracey and I talked outside, I watched the canine trio in amazement. All three were in close proximity – affable Cody was lying down, the puppy was relaxing at the front door, and Maggie was next to Tracey.
HERE’S HOW TO LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR FRIENDSHIP.
18
animal wellness
I asked her how she introduced these dogs to one another so easily. She said she took them to the backyard of their new house and introduced
them there. Because none of the dogs had been there before, it was neutral territory. The dogs were more interested in the new space than in each other, and nobody felt threatened. The situation could have been a disaster, if not downright dangerous, had Tracey not been familiar with the art of dog introduction. In other words, there’s a protocol to follow when it comes to introducing dogs to one another. If you want your dogs to have a strong, positive relationship throughout their lives, it’s important to build a good foundation from the start. To learn more about the importance of correct canine introductions, and how to implement them, I spoke to Suzanne Hetts, PhD, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and co-owner of Animal Behavior Associates, and Susan Bulanda, a Certified Animal Behavior Consultant and search-and-rescue dog trainer.
Q
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO INTRODUCE DOGS PROPERLY? SH: “Dogs vary tremendously in terms of their socialization history and acceptance of unfamiliar animals in their home/territory. You want the relationship to be friendly and pleasant from the getgo. You don’t want the dogs to have an unpleasant encounter, skirmish or conflict, and then have to overcome that problem. Having friendly interactions and preventing unpleasant feelings from the start builds the foundation for a good relationship.”
SB: “Dogs are similar to people in many ways. They have likes and dislikes just as we do. Some have had bad experiences with certain types of dog and will never trust those types again. Conversely, some dogs have preferences for certain types of dog. The only way you can find out for sure if your dog will like the new dog, or vice versa, is to bring them together a few times, though not by simply bringing the new dog into your home without proper introductions.”
Q
DO YOU AGREE WITH INTRODUCING DOGS IN A NEUTRAL, OPEN AREA BEFORE BRINGING THE NEW ONE HOME? SH: “Using a neutral location is a good idea because it prevents
problems; you don’t trigger any territorial or possessive behaviors around the property and/or the resident dog’s favorite spaces. The new dog hasn’t really established any place of his own yet.”
SB: “Yes, it is important to introduce dogs in a neutral area – and wait until they are friends before bringing them home. This may take a few introductions. You will know they are friends when they pull together or show other signs of friendly recognition.”
Q
DO YOU RECOMMEND SCENT INTRODUCTION AT HOME BEFORE FACE-TO-FACE INTRODUCTION? SH: “In my experience, the scent introduction is more important
for cats than dogs. If you are in the position to do a scent animal wellness
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