Pet Connection December/ January Issue

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Does CBD help the Skin?

DECEMBER 2021-JANUARY 2022

HERBOLOGY

The Elimination Diet High Blood Pressure in Pets

Tailoring the Feline Diet

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DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

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GETTING THE SCOOP ON CANADA’S PET CULTURE VOLUME 14 • ISSUE 5 • DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

Inside:

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High Blood Pressure in our Pets

by Dr. Wendy Brooks

The Skin(ny) on the Role of Cannabinoids in Dermatology

by Dr. Katherine Kramer What is Herbology?

by Katie McIntyre

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The Elimination Diet

by Barbara Fellnermayr

22 26

Tailoring the Feline Diet

by Jessika Harding

Teddy

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Don’t Let Calcium/Phosphorous Ratios Scare You

by Dr. Elisa Katz

34 46

Can Your Dog Become a Conservation Canine?

by Isabelle Groc

IN EVERY ISSUE 4

Letter from the Publisher Mark Your Calendars!

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Cross Canada Photo Contest Cover Photo: Gus Photo Courtesy of Melissa Paquet

54-59 Chico

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

Welcome Home!

by Valerie Barry

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Letter from the Publisher PUBLISHER Leslie Kennedy Tel: 604.220.5346 info@petconnection.ca www.petconnection.ca GRAPHIC DESIGN Britton Design Services CONTRIBUTORS Valerie Barry Dr. Wendy Brooks Barbara Fellnermayr Isabelle Groc Jessika Harding Dr. Elisa Katz Dr. Katherine Kramer Katie McIntyre

Pet Connection is published 6 times a year. Founded in 2008.

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PET CONNECTION does not assume responsibility for any claims made by its advertisers, or for any information dispensed. The articles and information presented are for information only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Publisher. Permission to reproduce any part of this publication must be approved by the publisher. All pictures, articles or emails sent in become the property of Pet Connection.

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In this crazy world we now live in, here are some tips to help you and your pets get through this winter.

1. Stop listening to and stop watching the mainstream news media.

You’ll be much better off spending your free time doing things with your pets. Consider giving your pet a nice calming facial or massage. They will love it! It can be calming and detoxifying, for both of you.

2. Work on strengthening both your immune systems.

3. Walk in nature. Breathe in the fresh air, while working on your breathing. Truly the best cure.

4. Meditate. If you haven’t meditated before, this winter is the perfect time to start. Pets can learn to love it too. Lots of resources out there to learn how.

5. Align with the present moment. That is all we really have. Forgive and forget the past, and don’t worry about the future. There is that old quote from Bill Keane: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.”

Wishing you and yours a peaceful and joyous holiday season.

- Leslie Kennedy Publisher

“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.

You are his life, his love, his leader.

He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.

You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.”

- Unknown

OUR MISSION: To save innocent companion animals from any type of harm.

PEFC 4

How to Survive and Thrive this Winter!

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DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

CONTRIBUTORS Valerie Barry, KPA-CTP, Valerie has been working with people and their dogs for almost 20 years. Accredited by the BC SPCA AnimalKind Program, Dog Partners (formerly In Partnership With Dogs) uses Positive, and Force-Free training methods. Valerie was one of the first dog trainers to recognize the need for classes designed specifically for the adolescent dog. She really enjoys working with puppies, young dogs and their families. She also specializes in Behaviour Modification for dogs with all levels of aggression, reactivity, fear and anxiety. Valerie enjoys learning and finding new educational opportunities to further her goal of helping pet owners build true partnerships with their dogs.

Dog Partners: www.dogpartners.ca / hello@dogpartners.ca / 604-868-5145

Dr. Wendy Brooks, is the Educational Director for VeterinaryPartner.com, and in this role continues to provide top quality, cutting edge veterinary information to pet owners. She is the author of the Pet Health Library and the Pet Pharmacy. She also answers the Ask A Vet questions for Veterinary Partner. She is a native of the Los Angeles area, and graduated from the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1988. www.veterinarypartner.com

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

Barbara Fellnermayr, has been President and Owner of Amoré Pet Foods since 2005. Amoré's small dedicated staff prepares high quality dehydrated and frozen raw pet food and treats. A cancer survivor she believes in health through real food rather than synthetic ingredients. Barbara witnessed the benefits of raw food when she became Manager of the Vancouver Pound in 1998. Along with dedicated staff she ran the first two municipally funded no-kill shelters in North America, Vancouver and Coquitlam. Her other passion is teaching. Barbara has taught Business and Accounting courses at a post secondary level for 30 years. www.amorepetfoods.com

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Isabelle Groc is an award-winning writer, conservation photographer, book author, documentary filmmaker, and speaker focusing on wildlife conservation, endangered species, and the relationships between people and the natural world.

Her latest book, Conservation Canines: How Dogs Work for the Environment, with a foreword by Anjelica Huston, highlights the human-animal bond and discusses how dogs are lending their paws and noses to fix some of the most complex environmental problems on the planet. To learn more about Isabelle’s work, visit her website: isabellegroc.com and follow her on Instagram @isabellegroc.

Jessika Harding, I am a huge animal lover and a pet nutrition enthusiast with a background in companion animal nutrition (canine and feline) and biotechnology. From growing up with dogs to working with my local shelter and pet store, animals have always been a significant part of my life. I am currently owned by two fantastic German Shorthaired Pointers - Artemis and Apolla, they keep me on my toes and wouldn’t have it any other way. www.ironwillrawdogfood.com

Dr. Elisa Katz, DVM, is a graduate of Ohio State University and is the owner of Natural Pet Animal Hospital in Bourbonnais, Illinois. She practices holistic and integrative medicine focusing on proper diet and nutrition. Dr. Katz shares her home with four kitties and one dog. feline-nutrition.org

Katie McIntyre, I am a retired Canine First Aid Instructor with Dogsafe®. I am currently a Reiki Master and an Herbalist student at Wild Rose College. Most of my day to day revolves around my dogs, they are spoiled silly. When I am not working or playing with the dogs, I can be found working on my plants and creating herbal remedies. www.wildrosecollege.com

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

Dr. Katherine Kramer, DVM, DAVBP (Canine & Feline Practice) is a graduate of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Canine and Feline Practice.

She is coauthor and editor of the newly published ‘Cannabis Therapy in Veterinary Medicine’. In addition to her position as the Medical Director of the VCA-Canada Vancouver Animal Wellness Hospital, Dr. Kramer currently serves as a director of the Canadian Association of Veterinary Cannabinoid Medicine. www.vcacanada.com/vancouverwellness

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High Blood Pressure in our Pets

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

By Dr. Wendy Brooks, DVM, DABVP

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Veterinary Partners.com is not affiliated with Pet Connection.

URL: https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/doc/?id=4951756&pid=19239382614.1635659579

H

igh blood pressure is an extremely important concern in human medicine. A high stress lifestyle, smoking, and high salt diet all contribute to this potentially dangerous condition and virtually everyone in the U.S. knows how serious it can be. But what about our pets? They don’t smoke or worry about the mortgage and they don’t deposit cholesterol in their blood vessels. They do, however, get high blood pressure, especially in age, and here is what you probably should know.

What does High Blood Pressure Do?

What Causes High Blood Pressure in Pets?

There are numerous diseases in pets that are associated with high blood pressure: • Chronic renal (kidney) failure In one study, 93% of dogs with chronic renal failure and 61% of cats with chronic renal failure also had systemic hypertension.

More recent studies suggest this may be an overestimation but the percentages are still significant and patient screening is very important.

The retina of the eye is especially at risk, with either sudden or gradual blindness often being the first sign of latent high blood pressure. The kidney also is a target as it relies on tiny vessels to filter toxins from the bloodstream. Kidney disease is an important cause of high blood pressure and also progresses far more rapidly with it.

High blood pressure also increases the risk of embolism: the formation of tiny blood clots that form when blood flow is abnormal. These clots can lodge in an assortment of inopportune locations including the brain.

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

Problems from high blood pressure arise when a blood vessel is simply too small for the high pressure flow going through it. Imagine attaching a garden hose to a fire hydrant. The pressure would cause the garden hose to explode and that is what happens to a blood vessel too small for the pressure going through it. Instead of water going everywhere, as in the garden hose analogy, bleeding results.

Since the affected vessels are small, the bleeding may not be noticeable but a lot of little bleeds and a lot of blood vessel destruction can create big problems over time.

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• Hyperthyroidism. In one study, 87% of cats with untreated hyperthyroidism had systemic hypertension. (Note: hyperthyroidism is a feline disease; dogs are not affected.)

• Glomerular disease is one of the kidney filtration system in which protein is lost in urine. It is important to screen pets with high blood pressure for urinary protein as control of protein loss is important to survival time.

• Cushing’s disease (an adrenal cortisone excess) • Diabetes mellitus (inability to properly reduce blood sugar) • Acromegaly (growth hormone excess) • Polycythemia (an excess in red blood cells) • Pheochromocytoma (an adrenaline secreting tumor of the adrenal gland) In humans, high blood pressure is usually considered primary, meaning there is no underlying disease causing it. In animals, primary hypertension is unusual; there is almost always another disease causing it and if routine screening does not identify the problem, more tests may be in order.

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

How is High Blood Pressure Identified?

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In human medicine, high blood pressure is called the silent killer because most people have no reason to think they might be hypertensive. To find high blood pressure in people, we screen for it. This means that virtually any time you see a doctor of any kind, a nurse will take your blood pressure. Similarly, in pets, a great deal of high blood pressure is identified by screening. If a pet has one of the above conditions, blood pressure is generally checked. It has recently been recommended that older pets have their blood pressure checked whenever they have a physical examination. There is some disagreement among experts as to which patients should be screened.

Because of inherent insensitivity of the equipment commonly used in veterinary practice, not every pet necessarily needs to be screened. Certainly, any pet with a predisposing condition such as one of those listed above should be screened. Ask your veterinarian if your senior pet should get a blood pressure measurement.

The other time high blood pressure is discovered is when it makes its presence known. This usually means some degree of blindness or some other obvious eye problem.

The retina of a hypertensive patient develops tortuouslooking retinal blood vessels. Some vessels may even have broken, showing smudges of blood on the retinal surface.

Some areas of the retina simply detach. Sometimes the entire retina detaches. With early identification, some vision may be restored.

Do not let minor vision changes go unreported. Let your veterinarian know if you think your pet’s vision is not normal.

Retinal changes can be complicated to interpret.

Do not be surprised or alarmed if your veterinarian recommends referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist.

A sudden neurologic condition could indicate a stroke or vascular accident in the brain or spinal cord. It used to be taken for granted that dogs and cats did not throw blood clots and get strokes like human beings can, but the advent of MRI technology has shown otherwise. A sudden neurologic deficit, especially a non-painful one, is another possible indication to screen blood pressure.

How do we Measure Blood Pressure in Pets?

Doppler Blood Pressure Monitor Photo by MarVistaVet

When a person's blood pressure is checked, the nurse uses a stethoscope to listen for “Korotkoff sounds” arise and dissipate as an inflatable cuff slowly releases over an artery.

In animals, the stethoscope is just not sensitive enough and an ultrasonic probe must be taped or held over the artery. Using ultrasound, the sound of the systolic pressure

Blood pressure measurement is performed similarly to the way it is in humans. An inflatable cuff is fit snuggly around the foot, foreleg, or even tail of the pet. The cuff is inflated so as to occlude blood flow through the superficial artery. In a person, as the cuff is slowly deflated, a stethoscope is used to listen for the point when the blood pressure is adequate to pump through

the partially occluded vessel. This point on the pressure gauge is the systolic blood pressure. The cuff is further deflated until the vessel is open and no more sounds are made. This point represents the diastolic blood pressure and the actual sounds are called “Korotkoff sounds” after the doctor who discovered them.

Some pets (obviously) are nervous at the vet’s office and this factor must be taken into account when reading blood pressure. It is possible for a pet to have high blood pressure at the vet’s office and normal pressure at all other times. You might think this would be a common situation but most pets are able to maintain normal blood pressure despite being surrounded by hospital staff. To account for the “White Coat Effect,” at least five measurements are taken so that the pet becomes

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

is converted into an audible signal. It is not possible to measure diastolic pressure in a pet without actually placing a catheter inside an artery so we make do with just a systolic measurement. In pets, this measurement should not exceed 160. A reading of 180 is considered by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine to indicate high risk for organ damage while readings of 150159 are considered mildly elevated.

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accustomed to the process and understands that no pain is involved.

What Treatment is Available for Hypertension?

Salt restriction in the diet is controversial; it seems to make sense but there is not enough data at present to whole-heartedly recommend it. Certainly, if there is kidney disease present the recommendation is less equivocal as these low When hypertension is salt diets are designed After hypertension is controlled, identified, a search for with other features the underlying cause patients should be rechecked every more specifically for is indicated. It may be two to four months to keep their kidney disease. This that controlling the generally means a dry blood pressure in a healthy range. underlying disease or canned formula totally reverses the prescription diet if the hypertension (especially true for hyperthyroid cats). pet will eat it or a diet limited to dry food if the pet will Beyond these methods, as with people, medication to not accept prescription food. lower blood pressure is often in order. This typically Appropriate home cooked diets may be designed involves some type of pill that dilates peripheral by a veterinary nutritionist or through the public blood vessels, effectively making them larger so as site at www.balanceit.com. Several places provide to accommodate the high pressure blood flow going such services through veterinary teaching hospitals through them. or private endeavors.

Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that dilates After hypertension is controlled, patients should be the systemic arterioles. It is the most effective drug rechecked every two to four months to keep their blood for treating feline hypertension, with the fewest sidepressure in a healthy range. effects. The drug is also effective in dogs, but literature documentation is lacking. Amlodipine in dogs has Research on this Topic always been expensive, but recently a generic version Effect of Control of Systolic Blood Pressure of Survival of the drug has become available, which should make in Cats with Systemic Hypertension. Jepson, R.E., it more cost effective.

Elliott, J., Brodbelt, D., Syme H.M. Journal of Veterinary Amlodipine can also be applied transdermally, Internal Medicine 2007; 21: 402-409. although the clinical effect may be less than with orally In this study 141 pet cats with high blood pressure were administered amlodipine. studied. In these cats, 87% were found to have either Hydralazine is a very effective antihypertensive agent in evidence of renal failure (increased BUN or creatinine dogs, but can be associated with side effects such as reflex tests) or hyperthyroidism or both. Amlodipine besylate tachycardia and gastroinstestinal upset. was used to treat hypertension in these cats and in 50% of the cats, the initial dose eventually proved inadequate Prazosin has also been used and an increase was necessary. Blood pressure was as a vasodilator. stabilized within one to two recheck visits for 96% of Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) do cats, with a median time of 20 days required to achieve not appear to be very effective in reducing blood pressure blood pressure stabilization. Blood pressure was more in hypertensive dogs or cats. Beta blockers and diuretics difficult to control in the long term for cats with higher are similarly unimpressive in reducing blood pressure urinary protein loss.

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

Ocular disease may require prescription eye drops depending on how much bleeding is in the eye and whether or not return of vision is likely.

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in these species as sole agents. However, beta blockers may be used as adjunctive agents when reflex tachycardia occurs following the use of a vasodilator or if a patient is not responding well to a vasodilator.

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DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

The skin(ny) on the role of cannabinoids in dermatology

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

By Dr. Katherine Kramer, DVM, DAVBP (Canine & Feline Practice)

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But what about cannabis for skin conditions? Records point to the ancient use of topical cannabis for wound healing, rashes and hair loss yet most of us today aren’t aware of these benefits. Investigating the role of cannabinoids in dermatology has been a growing field just over the last decade as scientists try to answer these questions: How does the endocannabinoid system (ECS) affect the largest mammalian organ and how this knowledge could translate into novel therapies for dermatologic disease?

Recent research has indicated that the ECS has a major role in the general skin homeostasis, epidermal permeability, hair growth, inflammation, pain, wound healing and skin tumors. Studies have demonstrated the presence of all the components of the ECS in the skin of multiple species, including the dog, cat and horse. These components, which include the endocannabinoids (primarily AEA and 2-AG), the receptors (Cb1, CB2, TRPV1, PPAR) and the necessary enzymes (such as FAAH and MAGL), have been found in keratinocytes, sebocytes, mast cells and adnexal skin tissues.

Particularly interesting are the findings of the interactions between mast cells, the ECS and N-acylethanolamines. Mast cells, of course, are multifunctional cells that play a huge role in the skin’s neuroimmune response in inflammatory and allergic reactions. They have been shown

to metabolize endocannabinoids and express different types of cannabinoid receptors. N-acylethanolamines are a class of fatty acid amides that includes the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA). This class also includes N-palmitoylethanolamine (PEA) which appears to be an ‘endocannabinoid-like mediator’. PEA has been shown to down-regulate mast cells and reduce mast cell degranulation in both canine and feline models.

PEA also has the ability to increase the levels of 2-AG in keratinocytes and enhance the affinity of 2-AG for TRPV1 thus decreasing inflammation.

The therapeutic implications of all of these studies suggest that veterinary cannabinoid medicine may assist with dermatologic diseases involving inflammation and pruritus, hypersensitivity and wound healing. As usual, many more studies are needed to assess specific dermatologic indications and therapeutic dosages but the use of cannabinoids and endocannabinoid mediators appears to be extremely promising. The role of the ECS in dermatology definitely appears to be more than ‘skin deep’.

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

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2019 survey among Canadian pet owners found that people who had tried hemp products on their pets did so for a variety of reasons. The main issues were to reduce pain & inflammation, anxiety, vomiting and to aid with sleep. Most veterinarians who are interested in veterinary cannabinoid medicine will agree that these are all common indications for the use of cannabis and will, most likely, add cancer and seizures to the list as well.

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References Abramo F, Campora L, Albanese F, et. al. Increased levels of palmitoylethanolamide and other bioactive lipid mediators and enhanced local mast cell proliferation in canine atopic dermatitis.

BMC Vet Res, 2014; 10, 21.

Abramo F, Lazzarini G, Pirone A, et. al. Ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide counteracts the effects of compound 48/80 in a canine skin organ culture model. Vet Dermatol, 2017; 28, 456e104.

Barbero R, Vercelli C, Cuniberti B, et. al. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2018; 41, 795-804.

Biro T, Toth BI, Hasko G, et. al. The endocannabinoid system of the skin in health and disease: novel perspectives and therapeutic opportunities. Trends Pharmacol Sci, 2009; 30, 411-20.

Campora L, Miragliotta V, Ricci E, et. al. Cannabinoid receptor type 1 and 2 expression in the skin of healthy dogs and dogs with atopic dermatitis. Am J Vet Res, 2012; 73, 988-95.

Cerrato S, Brazis P, Della Valle MF, et. al. Effects of palmitoylethanolamide on the cutaneous allergic inflammatory response in Ascaris hypersensitive Beagle dogs. Vet J, 2012; 191, 377-82.

Cerrato S, Brazis P, Della Valle MF, et. al. Effects of palmitoylethanolamide on immunologically induced histamine, PGD2 and TNFalpha release from canine skin mast cells. Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 2010; 133, 9-15.

De Filippis D, D’amico A, Iuvone T. Cannabinomimetic control of mast cell mediator release: new perspective in chronic inflammation. J Neuroendocrinol, 2008; 20 Suppl 1, 20-5.

De Filippis D, Negro L, Vaia M, et. al. New insights in mast cell modulation by palmitoylethanolamide. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets, 2013; 12, 78-83.

Demora F, Garcia A, Puigdemont A, et. al. Skin mast cell releasability in dogs with atopic dermatitis. Inflammation Research, 1996: 45, 424-427.

Kogan L, Hellyer P, Silcox S, et al. Canadian dog owners’ use and perceptions of cannabis products.

Can Vet J. 2019 Jul; 60(7): 749.755.

Marsella R, Joyce J, Nicklin C, et. al. Evaluation of the effects of Palmitoylethanolamide on clinical signs in house dust mite allergic high IgE Beagle dogs using a randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled design. Vet Dermatol, 2005; 1.

Mercati F, Dall’aglio C. Pascucci L, et. al. Identification of cannabinoid type 1 receptor in dog hair follicles. Acta Histochem, 2012; 114, 68-71.

Miragliotta V, Ricci PL, Albanese F, et. al. Cannabinoid receptor types 1 and 2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha: distribution in the skin of clinically healthy cats and cats with hypersensitivity dermatitis. Vet Dermatol 2018.

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Petrosino S, Cristino L, Karsak M, et. al. Protective role of palmitoylethanolamide in contact allergic dermatitis. Allergy, 2010; 65, 698-711.

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Petrosino S, Schiano Moriello A, Cerrato A, et. al. The anti-inflammatory mediator palmitoylethanolamide enhances the levels of 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol and potentiates its actions at TRPV1 cation channels. Br J Pharmacol, 2016; 173, 1154-62.

Article reprinted with the permission of the Canadian Association of Veterinary Cannabinoid Medicine (CAVCM), originally posted May 12, 2020.

The CAVCM is a national non-profit corporation founded by veterinary professionals with the goal of improving quality of life for our patients through an evidence-based application of cannabinoid therapy. One of the primary goals of the CAVCM has been to in educate veterinary professionals and pet owners alike on the safe use of cannabinoid products. The CAVCM has also been an outspoke advocate for veterinary access to cannabis. Please visit cavcm.com for more information.

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DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

What is Herbology?

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

By Katie McIntyre

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Proper nutrition is key to Herbal Medicine and the body’s ability to heal itself. I would take a moment to consider a few things when wanting to use herbal medicine remedies for your dog. Dogs have very different dietary requirements than us. Leaving them vulnerable to many different toxic plants that would normally be considered safe for human consumption.

Dogs & Plants We’re bound to have some house plants and herbs somewhere in our house. Precautions need to be taken as many of these house plants can be poisonous to our dogs.

The same is applied to our herbology practices. While preparing plants and herbs for ourselves to ingest, be aware that dogs and cats will not be able to process these herbs as we can and may suffer from toxic reactions if ingested.

As a rule, I would avoid providing any herbal remedies to your dog or cat, unless you have veterinarian consent or are under the care of a professional pet herbalist.

Research your plant extensively before deciding to use it.

A great resource is the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control

database of poisonous plants. This is available at https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control.

If your dogs are like mine, they are really food motivated and love to take advantage of any food scraps that may fall to the floor during meal prep time. Try not to let your dog’s get into any herbs that you are actively working with to avoid any toxic reactions.

To make sure your dogs cannot access your herb collection, keep stored in a cool dry place such as a cabinet or cupboard. If you are growing your own herbs, keep the garden closed off to your pets. I have an indoor growing room, that is always closed off to keep the dogs out.

Dog Nutrition Dogs are great at hiding illnesses and by the time that symptoms present, veterinary intervention may be required. Usually, skin conditions are the result of underlying health conditions. After ruling other conditions out with veterinary tests, it usually comes down to the dog’s diet. Protein balance is an important issue.

Dogs can digest a lot of things that humans cannot and vice versa. Their digestive tract is shorter and simpler, highly adept at breaking down fats, proteins, and bones.

The hydrochloric acid in a dog’s stomach is about 10 times stronger than humans. Foods are kept in a dog’s stomach for up to eight hours, and the material passes through the intestinal tract quickly. The entire process may be between 8 to 12 hours. The timeline for digestive processes in humans is about 24 hours.

Winter Skin Care

Supplementing with Omega rich ingredients can help to keep your pets skin healthy and reduce shedding. The Paw Balm can be used anywhere on the body to sooth, moisturize and heal.

We keep your pets healthy and happy.

Canadian owned and operated. www.pet-tek.ca

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

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ver the past couple years, many people are turning to growing and processing their own foods. Herbal Medicine uses plants to promote overall health and wellness. It involves all the bio-chemical constituents of the plant or plant parts, to support the body’s ability to heal itself. Such herbal products are derived from the roots, stems, flowers, and/ or leaves of plants.

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DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

The essential amino acids broken down from lipids, proteins, and fats, are so important to a dog’s overall health. For dogs, fatty acids help to control inflammation, aid in the prevention of heart disease and assist with treatments of cancers, arthritis, orthopedic problems, and renal disease. It also helps with skin conditions due to the anti-inflammatory properties, as well as fighting some gastrointestinal disorders. There needs to be a balance of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids. You want to aim for a 5:1 to 10:1 ratio. Too much Omega 6 to Omega 3 can cause inflammation, allergies, and skin conditions.

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Dogs don’t have amylase in their saliva so breaking down complex carbohydrates is difficult for them, unlike humans. Carbohydrates are your sugars and starches, and insoluble fibers. They tend to stay in the intestinal tract for too long slowing down the digestive process and can cause spasms and irritations. If a dog’s diet is too high in complex carbohydrates, they can suffer from bulky, smelly stools, dehydration, gas, and even irritable bowel syndrome.

Seaweeds are an amazing source of protein, trace

minerals and amino acids for dogs. Even better, they are easy for them to digest. This is a great herb that you could add you your dog’s diet with little to no risk of toxic reaction. For more information on Seaweeds and Herbalism, I recommend the Seaweed Therapeutics Course from Wild Rose College.

Pet First Aid It is always a great idea to get your certification in pet first aid in general as you never know when you may have an emergency with your dog. The first step of any pet first aid practice is prevention. Take proper steps to ensure that your dogs cannot access the herbs and plants that you are working with.

If you suspect your dog may have ingested some herbs or plant material that can be toxic, your main goal is to rid the poison from the body. This is something that will require veterinary care. If you can, let the vet know the following: what the substance was, if it was ingested, inhaled, or absorbed, how much was ingested, inhaled, or absorbed, when it occurred, the dog’s weight, any visible symptoms that the dog is showing.

You can also call the National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435. This hotline is for poisonrelated emergency and is staffed 24 hours a day. There may be a fee required if you call this number.

Certain herbal remedies like essential oils can cause photosensitive reactions or chemical burns on your dog’s skin. This appears as red, dry, swollen skin. There can be sores in the mouth or on the tongue as well. In severe cases your dog may have difficulty breathing and may collapse. You will want to flush the area with tepid or cool water for approximately 10 minutes. Do not use cold or hot water. After this, you want to wash the area with a mild soap and cool water. Cover the area loosely with sterile, non-stick pad and secure with roll gauze.

Call your veterinarian if the case is severe as veterinary intervention will be required.

It is possible for a dog to have a severe anaphylactic shock reaction to toxic herbal substances. The symptoms include: • sudden and severe breathing difficulties • swelling around the eyes, lips, and throat

• restlessness • vomiting • sudden diarrhea • severe itching • seizures • shock • collapse This will require immediate veterinary intervention. If someone is with you as you are transporting your dog to the veterinary clinic, ask them to monitor your dog’s airways, breathing, and circulation.

Herbology is an exciting and fantastic industry to get into for your personal health and wellbeing. As we all love our pets, it is always the best idea to keep their safety in the back of your mind as you embark on your herbalist endeavours. Always consult a veterinarian pr professional pet herbalist before providing herbal remedies to your dog.

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DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

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The ELIMINATION Diet

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

By Barbara Fellnermayr

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D

oes your dog chew its paws, sometimes aggressively? That’s an indication that your dog has allergies or doesn’t tolerate certain things.

Allergies and intolerances can be caused by either food or the environment. There are many signs that your dog needs your help.

There are many signs that your dog is suffering from allergies: • Constant excessive licking and chewing, usually of their paws and/or butt • Red inflamed skin • Liquid poop or vomiting – it's going to come out of one end or the other • Regularly occurring ear infections • An unusual aroma – like a wet dog • Hives and rashes.

Food is not the issue? Your dog might be suffering from

environmental allergies. Things to consider: • Do the symptoms change with the change in seasons?

• Changed your cleaning supplies?

• Mowed the lawn lately?

• Is it time to dust again?

There are tests that can be done in the veterinarian’s office; results will indicate what allergies or intolerances your dog has. Blood tests and veterinarian visits are expensive! There is a Canadian company that tests for 200 intolerants, 152 food and 48 environmental. The test is reasonably priced and only takes a few strands of hair. Mail the hair and you’ll get results are back in under a week. Both methods provide you with the information on the foods you need to keep your dog away from. A dog that has allergies or intolerance might never have had them before. Things change and dogs can become allergic over time!

We are passionate about helping your pet to optimum health by working with your pet's individual needs based on their health history.

We offer: • Zoom consultations • Customized Dietary and supplemental plans • Free support with all purchases from our website

Donna Middleton

Advanced Certified Canine Nutritionist Contact: Phone: 204-997-8711 Email: headtotail@mymts.net https://headtotailcaninenutrition.com

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

Feed the Body Feed the Mind

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Check your food label. If there are a lot of words that you can’t pronounce stop feeding that food. If your dog has a reaction to their food call the manufacturer to see if anything has changed in their ingredients or processes. Check the manufacturer’s website to see if there have been any food recalls. There have been a number of recent recalls; aflatoxin, salmonella, listeria and excess Vitamin D are the usual suspects.

In 2020 1.4 million pounds of kibble were recalled.

These two links provide a list of recalls, https://www. dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recalls or https://www. petful.com/recall-lists/dog-food-recalls/. Check to see if Fido’s food is on the list. If the food has been recalled take it back to your retailer for a refund.

Don’t believe the fancy packaging and lovely pictures of fresh chicken, beef, and fresh vegetables. Those ingredients are not in the package. Ditch the kibble!

Another alternative to figure out your dog’s allergies or intolerances is to put Fido and an Elimination Diet.

Warning, this diet is very restrictive, no cheating. If you don’t stick to the diet all the suffering has been for nothing. One cheat and you won’t be able to find out what is causing Fido’s allergic reactions. The whole family must understand that this is not a punishment for Fido, but a paw in the right direction. NO treats, snacks, or table scraps! Fido will thank you later by living an itch free future.

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

Other things that Fido will have to do without:

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• Rawhide, your dog should never have these; they are a choking hazard.

• Bones from a different protein. For example, if you’re using kangaroo as your protein, you can’t give Fido a beef bone or a chicken neck.

• Snacks made with animal products, read the label, if you can’t tell what the ingredients are don’t feed that snack.

• Peanut butter, cream cheese, and anything else you

need to hide pills and capsules.

• If possible, discontinue medication. Drug companies use fillers and other unpronounceable ingredients.

On the flip side there are other things that can be used as treats: carrots, and cucumber slices were my dogs’ favourites.

When planning the diet, it is important to know the most common allergens are wheat, corn, soy, beef and chicken. Common fillers are potatoes and pea meal, neither meant to be eaten by dogs, but they’re cheap.

Stay away from all of those ingredients. Additives, fillers, preservatives, and synthetic ingredients coupled with high processing are the biggest culprits. I’ve had dogs allergic to ‘beef ’, eat food made with real beef, have no allergic reactions. When real clean meat is fed, reactions are reduced. Use real human-grade meat and only ingredients you can pronounce or would eat yourself.

Don’t give supplements to your dog during this period.

It can be pretty boring eating the same thing day after day. Try changing it up; feed the same protein but in a different preparation; raw or meatballs are two suggestions. If there is no reaction to the protein, within the first two months, add another protein. In another two months, without reaction, add another protein.

Through this process you’ll be able to figure out to what protein your dog is intolerant.

Keep a daily journal. Record everything that your passes your dog’s lips. Record any and all reactions.

Record the weather, especially important for diagnosing environmental triggers. What did Fido do today? Met with a friend at the park? Don’t let anyone at the park feed your dog. You need to have 100% control of what your dog eats.

Of particular interest is their poop; it is runny or well formed? (I spend a lot of time talking about poop), Record vomiting, reduced energy level and excessive licking. Once you’ve ruled out Fido eating something other than his own food, look back through the journal.

Has the same thing happened before? Are there any similarities? It’s just like being a detective!

If taurine is listed as an ingredient its synthetic. It most likely came from China. 95% of the world supply of synthetic taurine comes from China. If the label indicates taurine, phone the manufacturer and find out where their taurine comes from. If the food contains natural taurine, it will not be listed as an ingredients. Natural taurine comes from the heart of the animal; where taurine should come from. Anyone recall the pet food recalls of 2007?

levels. The manufacturers of these mystery ingredients don’t even know what’s in the powder that their making into premix!

High heat is used to process the mystery ingredients into a sludge. The sludge is extruded and cooked/ baked into kibble. The problem is the high heat destroys the vitamins, nutrition, and taste. The final step before packaging is to spray the food with flavoured oil. So instead of being flavourless kibble it has some taste. I’ve had people tell me that kibble is good for dogs because it keeps their teeth clean. My response is “when was the last time you brushed your teeth with a chocolate chip cookie”.

Make sure that the food is minimally processed. Minimal processing ensures maximum nutrition.

Ensure that there are no mixed proteins or ingredients from other animals. If your dog is allergic or intolerant to chicken, that means no ingredients that contain eggs, chicken necks, heart, liver, or other chicken bits. Not even a little bit.

If you want to treat your dog, pick a treat with the same single protein. Look for a food that contains real ingredients and minimal processing. Make sure that all ingredients in the bag are on the label. lf it’s not on the label, then it shouldn’t be in the bag.

Find a food with a single protein, we recommend a raw food diet. You can actually see and smell the ingredients.

Ask the manufacturer questions, they should be happy to talk to you. Ask if you can visit their production facility.

Look for additives, chemical, preservatives or synthetic ingredients. The big problem with synthetic ingredients is they are received in powder or meal form. You can’t tell what is in them. The food manufacturer doesn’t even know what in the powders and meals that are added to food; they bought the ingredients from a supplier in China. Anyone remember the 2007 melamine incident?

Thousands of dogs died because of it. Ingredients from China, laced with melamine, were in the powders used to make baby formula and pet food. Why? Melamine is cheap! Melamine should be limited to kitchen counters where it belongs.

In 2021, hundreds of thousands of pounds of food have already been recalled. Unfortunately, the problems are never discovered until they have made a lot of dogs sick or dead.

Vitamin mixes come in powdered form too! They are called Vitamin pre-mixes. Recently there have been a number of food recalls due of excessive Vitamin D

If the allergic reaction symptoms persist, after doing the right thing for the full two months (no cheating), change to a different novel or exotic. Be patient and complete the two months, again. It can take two to four weeks for histamines to reduce to see the benefits of your efforts. After two months, if allergic symptoms have been relieved add another protein. It doesn’t have to be a novel or exotic one. This can be a long process but is worth it in the end; many have spent years trying to find the right foods for their dog. You’ll be happy you stuck with it and your dog will thank you.

Undertaking an Elimination Diet can be a long and expensive process, but the results are a healthier, and happier dog. Help your dog live his best life.

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

I know that most people don’t have the time or ability to make their dog’s food. Heck, they don’t have enough time to make dinner for the rest of the family. There are many prepared foods on the market. Read the label, don’t get sucked in by fancy packaging. Look for real ingredients, ones that you’d feed the rest of the family if you had time to cook! If you are going to feed commercially prepared food you need to find one with a single protein, free from grain, gluten, additives, fillers, preservatives, and other synthetic ingredients. If you can’t pronounce it don’t feed it.

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Tailoring the Feline Diet

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

By Jessika Harding

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ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS

FOR DOMESTIC CATS LEUCINE

THREONINE

ARGININE

LYSINE

TRYPTOPHAN

HISTIDINE

METHIONINE

VALINE

ISOLEUCINE

PHENYLALANINE

TAURINE

When we look into their nutritional requirements, the average healthy cat has a high biological requirement for protein, moderate requirement for fat and low carbohydrate requirement. Their ideal diet should reflect this to maintain overall health and wellbeing.

Felines possess an unusually high maintenance requirement for protein compared to canines. This stems from the high activity rate of hepatic (liver) enzymes (transamines, deanimases) that remove amino groups from amino acids. This allows the resulting ketoacids to be used for energy or glucose production and results in the cat’s special need for the amino acids arginine, taurine, methionine and cystine.

Cats have a limited ability to decrease the activity of these enzymes when fed low protein foods therefore a fixed amount of dietary protein is always catabolized for energy. What does this tell us about their ideal diet and feeding regime? It tells us we may need to approach feeding them slightly differently than we have in the past, focusing on diets with higher amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fat and low amounts of carbohydrates.

Like their wild counterparts, cats have a daily cycle that is unlike any other domestic animal, their sleep/wake cycle is very different from others and they are clear and persistent with their demands for food. If given the option, the typical cat will consume between 10 and 20 small meals (snacks) throughout the day and night (Kane et al, 1981; MacDonald et al, 1984), this is because their stomachs are not built to hold large amounts of food like the domestic dog. This often means most domestic cats will spend the majority of their waking hours hunting.

Many cat owners understandably believe that if they provide a cat with ample amounts of food, they will be able to curb their natural hunting instinct.

Unfortunately, this is not the case and can often lead to cats being overfed - resulting in body scores that are

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

I

t is often said domestic cats are “Obligate” or “True” carnivores - but what does this mean exactly? To answer this question, we need to dig a little deeper into where today’s cat has come from. The domestication of the house cat is believed to have occurred around 1600 and 1500 BC and are now the most popular house pet in North America. Our domestic cats belong to the Superfamily Feloidea along with raptors and mosquitos, this classification is based on their behavior, anatomy and metabolic pathways (Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th Ed. Pg 362).

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DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

not ideal (>5 out of 9). A well fed cat will still seek out wild prey when meat is not included in their diet, they will even go so far as to stop eating their current meal to dispatch additional prey! (Turner and Meister, 1988).

Felines have such a strong prey drive as a result of their preference for the taste of certain free amino acids found in muscle tissues (alanine, proline, lysine, histidine, leucine).

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When we look at the typical diet of a feral cat, we see that it is made up of ~40% small rodents, averaging 30 kcal of metabolizable energy (ME) per “snack”, which is approximately 12-13% daily calorie intake (Fitzgerald, 1988). This is one reason why it is important to offer your cat many small meals throughout the day and if you’re a night owl – throughout the night as well.

In a study by F. Salaum et al, domestic cats were given access to meals containing various macronutrient compositions. It was observed that when given this variety, cats regulated their macronutrient intake to

attain an overall diet composition that provides 53% ME protein, 36% fat and 11% carbohydrates.

The ideal diet composition for a domestic cat is more inline with a well balanced raw diet or high quality wet food than it is with a commercially available kibble diet. Providing your domestic cat with a raw diet or a high meat-inclusive wet food may help satisfy your cat’s natural instinct for hunting and eating prey. These diets are also rich in moisture which is great for cats as they naturally have low thirst drives and have a tendency to dehydrate rather quickly and easily.

Ultimately, your cat will determine whether they prefer a raw, wet or kibble diet. If you keep in mind the above key nutritional points - high protein, moderate fat and low carbohydrate, the diet choice you make should benefit your cat and help keep them in tip top shape.

When we take the time to understand our feline companions on a deeper level, we are able to better meet their nutritional needs, desires and enrich their lives.

Quake’s Owner, Handler, Christine Neklia-Thibodeau.

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Their home is shared with Quizz & Primrose who are active in Agility, Rally, Rat Sports and Scent Training. The entire family remains active in hiking, yet enjoys snuggles on the couch at the end of the day.

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Don’t let Calcium-Phosphorous Ratios Scare You

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

By Dr. Elisa Katz, DVM

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I

t is widely known that cats have a dietary need for both calcium and phosphorous. Calcium is required by the body, not only for bones, but also for muscle control and ion balance. Phosphorous is important in the formation of bones and teeth, and also plays vital roles in cell membranes and energy processes.¹ Phosphorus is a structural part of cells; this is why meat tissue has high levels of it. Phosphorus is attracted to calcium, forming calcium phosphate, which is what gives bones and teeth their strength. Just as important, and possibly even more so, is the ratio of calcium to phosphorous in the diet. Like big cats, the domestic cat is an obligate carnivore whose ancestral diet of whole prey would serve to provide the proper amounts of both of these minerals in the ideal ratio for cat nutrition. This is because by weight, the cat's typical prey consist of about 7-10% bone.

What is the ideal ratio and how can you ensure that your cats are getting proper amounts of calcium and phosphorous? Calcium to phosphorus ratios are

typically written like this: 1.1:1, with the first number representing calcium and the second phosphorus. The ideal ratio of calcium to phosphorous in the feline diet is approximately 1.1:1. However, the ratio can vary from 0.9:1 up to 1.5:1 without any adverse consequences.³ Daily balance is not as vital as the overall balance over time, in weeks to months.

How can this ratio of calcium to phosphorous be achieved in addition to ensuring that your kitty gets adequate amounts of both of these vital minerals? The answer is simple. As mentioned previously, most prey species the cat would eat, such as mice, small birds and rabbits, consist of about 7-10% bone by weight and yield a ratio of about 1.1:1. Therefore, to achieve the proper calcium to phosphorous balance and properly mimic the ancestral diet, we can feed approximately 7-10% raw bones as part of the diet. We have provided a chart with the approximate weight percentages of bone for commonly fed bone-in cuts.

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DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

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Meat Cut

Approx. Bone %

Chicken with skin Whole Chicken, dressed*

25%

Leg quarter

30%

Split breast

20%

Thigh Drumstick Wing

15-21% 30% 38-35%

Wing, without skin

68%

Neck

36%

Neck, without skin

75%

Back

45%

Turkey, with skin Whole turkey, dressed*

21%

Thigh

21%

Drumstick

20%

Wing

37%

Neck

42%

If you are making your own ground raw cat food, follow “Feline Nutrition’s Easy Homemade Cat Food Recipe” to ensure the correct calcium to phosphorus ratios.

Alternatively, bone meal, dehydrated bone or eggshell calcium may be used in the appropriate amount. This will vary depending on the actual product used. Lastly, commercially available pre-made and pre-balanced raw cat food meals are available. Remember that each individual meal does not need to be in the correct ratio, rather, the ratio needs to be balanced over time. Feeding a meal of chicken necks, which have a bone percentage of about 36%, is fine as long as it is balanced by a meal or meals with a lower bone percentage.

Adequate amounts and proper balance of these two vital nutrients is extremely important to your cat’s health.

Too little calcium in the diet can result in calcium being pulled from bones and may lead to fractures, weakness and even seizures and death. Too much calcium can lead to growth problems or increased bone density leading to orthopedic issues. Too much or too little calcium can contribute to constipation. Inadequate phosphorous is extremely rare but can lead to hemolytic anemia and acid-base imbalance. Excess phosphorous is not known to be a problem except with cats with compromised kidney function.

Remember that daily balance is not as vital as long term balance. Feeding an improperly-balanced diet for days to a few weeks is not likely to be a big problem unless you have a growing kitten. Beyond this time period, a lack of proper calcium to phosphorous balance is likely to result in health problems for your kitty. If you follow the recommendations above this should not be a concern for you. © 2021 Feline Nutrition Foundation

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

Back

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41%

Rabbit Whole, fur and all Whole, dressed

10% 25-30%

* Not including head and feet All percentages are approximate and will depend on the animal's age, size and how it was raised.

If you would like to learn more about feline diet and health, please visit FelineNutritionFoundation.org.

We have a wealth of information on how to feed your cat a healthy, bio-appropriate diet. We especially welcome raw diet beginners!

1. Michael S Hand, DVM, PhD; Craig D Thatcher, DVM, MS, PhD, Rebecca L Remillard, PhD, DVM, and Philip Roudebush, DVM, Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 4th ed. Walsworth Publishing Company, 2000, 71-74.

2. Ellen S. Dierenfeld, PhD, Heather L. Alcorn, BS and Krista L. Jacobsen, MS, "Nutrient Composition of Whole Vertebrate Prey (Excluding Fish) Fed in Zoos," U.S. Department of Agriculture, May 2002.

3. Michael S Hand, DVM, PhD; Craig D Thatcher, DVM, MS, PhD, Rebecca L Remillard, PhD, DVM, and Philip Roudebush, DVM, Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 4th ed. Walsworth Publishing Company, 2000, 310-311.

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DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

WELCOME HOME! Bringing a new dog into your home.

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

By Valerie Barry, KPA-CTP Dog Partners www.dogpartners.ca

34

S

ince the start of the pandemic, far more dogs than usual have come into homes in the areas where I live, and it seems to be the same everywhere. We have seen both young and older dogs from breeders and rescue organizations—from all over the world—many with common issues as well as more challenging issues in far greater numbers than ever before. Frankly, we have never been busier in the pet dog training industry.

It’s important people realize they need to put some thought into bringing a new dog into their lives and be prepared. These are some of my top considerations and tips for helping a dog get adjusted to his new life in your home and for setting your new dog up for success moving forward.

1. Let your dog decompress.

new dog, don’t be in a rush to invite all your friends and family over to meet your dog, and don’t be in a rush to get him out and about to all your favourite places. Just let him learn to live and relax in his new home. Dogs needs to feel safe to be comfortable and happy. Give him time to get used to his new life and realize that he can be safe there.

There are many different places from which to get a dog and every dog will come with a different history that will affect how he or she views the world and the people and other dogs in it. Take some time to let your new dog get used to you and your family, your home and all the sights and sounds in this new environment he finds himself in.

• In the first three days, your new pet may be overwhelmed with his new surroundings. He may not eat or be himself.

• After three weeks, he's starting to settle in, feeling more comfortable, and realizing this just might be his home.

• After 3 months, he feels he’s truly at home.

Although it’s exciting to have a

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

Rescue organizations often use the “Rule of 3’s” when figuring out how long it takes a dog to get used to his new home:

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If you live in a house with a yard, then it’s pretty easy to get your new dog out to do his business while you stay close to home. I would highly recommend doing this on leash, at first, if you have a lot of close and/or noisy neighbours so you can pre-empt any need to rush the fence and bark.

On the furniture?

Exploring the fence line, on leash

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

If you have a rescued dog, then you absolutely need to use a leash in the yard in case your dog is a flight risk. Fearful and desperate dogs can scale a fence very quickly regardless of height and construction.

Most of us think our yard is secure until you have a desperate dog in there and then you find the holes. More newly adopted dogs than I can count have been escapees this past year – making many headlines on social media with frantic pleas for help locating them.

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If you live in an apartment or condo, figure out an easy routine that keeps contact with others to a minimum. Use distance to let your new dog just watch and get used to the comings and goings of the building.

2. Show him or her the ropes.

Decide these things in advance and then help your dog learn the rules of your home: • Which doorway leads to outside access and use that same one every time to help get good toileting habits established.

Off the furniture?

• A location for water that is convenient for your dog.

• Ensure that you don’t put his water and food bowl where you are going to be stepping around them or walking closely past them or that they are part of a high traffic area. Dogs need to feel they can eat and drink safely and comfortably.

• Have one or more bed locations for your dog that are in rooms where the rest of the family also spends their time. Keep beds placed out of the way of the general traffic flow of the house as much as possible.

• Put simple boundaries in place right away. If you would prefer that your new dog, not be on couches or beds, those rules need to be made clear right at the beginning by simply preventing access. There is no value in letting your dog do whatever they want at first and then slowly changing the rules – it’s confusing and unsettling when you think you’ve got it all figured out and then things change, again.

3. Incorporate plenty of mentally enriching activities.

Use treats toys or make a game of hiding treats in easy locations for your new dog so you can give him some easy but mentally challenging activities while he gets used to you and to his new home. If you have a yard, consider tossing half his meal kibble around the yard (and help him locate it at first) instead of feeding straight from a bowl – it’s fun, challenging and enriching.

This puppy is comfortable in his crate, choosing to go in for rest periods.

and unreasonable (and inhumane) to put your puppy or dog straight into a crate and expect him to figure it out and get used to it. If it’s important to you that your dog use a crate, then you need to take the time it takes to get him used to it.

These simple activities will help him to relax and expend some energy while at the same time boosting his confidence and help him feel more comfortable. I would continue this routine throughout his life. There is a lot of long-term value in providing additional, mental enrichment to your dogs on a daily basis.

4. Put a simple routine in place.

Keep your daily routine reasonably similar to start.

Get out in the morning for toileting, eat meals at regular times and get your normal routine going right away so your dog can see what happens daily.

He will find comfort in routine, and you will need time to figure out how your dog fits into your routine.

5. Don’t expect your dog to be crate trained.

Even puppies coming straight from their breeder are often, unfortunately, not crate trained. It’s unfair

Emily Larlham, dog trainer of Kikopup Dog Training fame on YouTube, has some great videos on teaching your puppy or adult dog to go into and be comfortable in their crates or other confinement areas. Check out her YouTube videos for tips and training instructions.

If your dog seems to have a lot of anxiety when you come and go from your home, look for a local trainer who has either the CSAT (Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer) credentials from Malena DeMartini or a Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer designation from Julie Naismith. This is a very specific area of dog training, and I would highly recommend that you only use a trainer who holds one of these two credentials.

6. Make initial outings about exploring, not exercise.

It’s not important that your new dog gets exercise in the early stages of his time with you, rather it’s important that he gets comfortable in his new life.

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

Frankie on leash in the yard with her treat toy.

If your dog has just travelled here from another country by transport vehicle or plane in a crate they were not used to, they may be highly traumatized from this event and will take time to get over that experience.

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This dog is safely tethered in the back of the car just able to observe and get comfortable in a new environment.

Quincy on leash getting used to her new environment at her own speed.

Don’t head out for long hikes, jogs, or bike rides.

Instead, once his decompression period has been in place for several days, begin to take short journeys out on leash to various new locations.

so overwhelming that he needs time to slowly get used to it. Dogs who have previously lived in rural areas or less populated countries can find our busy downtown areas extremely frightening and unsettling. Building your relationship and being that “safe zone” for your dog is very important – especially in these moments. Be supportive and follow his lead.

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

Don’t be in a rush to give your dog the freedom of off leash exercise even if you know he comes with good recall skills. Skills with any previous owners do not necessarily translate to a new owner. Practice safely and re-teach this skill until you are confident you can get your dog back reliably – take your time.

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Go to locations where you intend to spend time in the future. Just get your dog out to look around, sniff around and observe what’s going on around him. Often these journeys are better done by vehicle, if possible, so you can come and go fairly quickly rather than walking all the way from home.

Get your dog out of your car and let him dictate the pace – unless the pace is pulling you forcefully one way or another. In that case, hold your ground until your dog calms down and can respond to you and eat treats from you.

Be okay with getting back into the car and going home when your dog indicates he wishes to do so. Your new dog might find one environment

If your dog is very frightened, just park somewhere quiet and let him watch from the safety of your car.

Do this multiple times over many days starting with areas you feel might be quieter than others. He’ll let you know when he’s ready to get out and explore.

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7. Use Treats!

Do this a lot for a while – longer if your dog is overly excited by certain things. Common triggers that may result in startled barking/lunging behaviour are: • spotting wildlife like squirrels and birds; • people walking, running or moving differently like limping or using a cane or wheelchair; • people on wheels like bicycles, skateboards, strollers, scooters, etc.; • other dogs or cats; • loud home or city noises like smoke alarms, sirens, garbage trucks or construction work.

While your dog gets used to his new environment, use treats to help “socialize” him to this new space – much like you would with a new puppy. When he spots the neighbour coming out of his front door, respond with a verbal marker like “Yes!” and hand your dog a treat for noticing. Build good associations early rather than wait and see what issues might arise.

Think about what information you are conveying and the training you are doing in that one moment in time:

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

• Neighbours popping out of their home equals tasty treats.

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• Really good treats are carried by and given to me from the new guardian.

• If you have good timing, the “notice things and eat treat” behaviour will be reinforced which will pre-empt any “notice and bark/lunge” behaviour from occurring or being reinforced.

• With luck (and a good amount of distance), while noticing things and eating treats, your new dog is likely keeping a loose leash and standing with you which will help with leash skills.

This is a worried looking dog - he needs the time to just look around and get comfortable at an appropriate distance.

Be proactive with this and “pay” your dog for noticing these things while keeping him at enough of a distance that he can simply observe and get used to everything happening around him.

Be prepared to be as neutral as you can if your dog suddenly reacts to something – just make a note of the general circumstances so you can figure out a training plan to address it later on.

8. Go to the vet.

Go to your vet clinic for many short visits. Just pop in for cookies if you can, or just walk around the parking lot and investigate the area well in advance of any necessary appointments.

9. Prevent common behaviour issues early – be proactive.

If you’re not sure where to begin, consider getting some help from a professional trainer who uses only positive reinforcement training methods. They will be able to give you some tips to proactively address common issues. Even if your particular dog doesn’t immediately display any of these issues, they can easily develop once he gets comfortable in his new home. Being proactive will prevent issues from occurring or will lessen their impact and intensity and allow you to change behaviour much more quickly.

Here is a short list of some common issues we help people with regularly: • Barking out the window or at noises in the hallway.

• Barking at the doorbell, buzzer or knock on the door.

• Greeting guests or delivery people.

• Counter surfing.

• Not coming when called.

• Being underfoot at mealtime.

• Jumping up on people.

A fine example of counter-surfing!

10. Common, more serious, behaviour problems you can be proactive about.

If you believe your dog has any serious difficulties with these issues, please contact a positive reinforcement trainer to give you some guidance.

Some simple tips follow each heading to get you started in a proactive way with the average dog displaying normal behaviour.

• Resource Guarding: This is a normal dog behaviour, but it’s often misunderstood by owners and dealt with far too confrontationally by using outdated information which will cause the behaviour to become an even greater problem.

A simple tip is to trade for everything you need to get back from your dog and let the dog determine the trade value. If he steals your sock, offer him a very tasty treat to see if he will drop it. If he doesn’t drop it to eat the treat, keep adding to your treat pile until he can easily and calmly drop your sock and eat his treats while you can calmly and safely retrieve your sock.

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

There are a number of normal things dogs do that are commonly a problem for humans. Be proactive in identifying some that may be a problem for you and your home and come up with preventive training strategies.

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• Leash skills: It’s a rare dog that comes fully trained to walk happily on a loose leash. While not a “serious” behaviour problem, it is a common owner complaint. It can also be at the root of other, more serious, issues, so it’s well worth investing some time in.

Let your dog enjoy his food and toys in peace.

Another easy thing to do: leave your dog alone when he’s eating or working on a special treat like a bone or a stuffed kong. Nobody likes to be interrupted when they’re eating – humans or animals!

• Body handling difficulties:

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

Dogs who aren’t comfortable having their equipment put on, having their toenails trimmed, being groomed, having their muddy feet wiped, taking baths, etc. are all examples of handling difficulties. Again, this is another normal dog behaviour that can become a serious problem when dealt with inappropriately.

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A proactive approach is to simply start with simple practice sessions before a problem presents itself. Use treats whenever you need or want to touch your dog – practice by simply feeding a treat while you pet your dog. Find ways to approximate something like a bath, incorporating treats, long before a bath becomes necessary. For example, running the water in the bathtub or shower while your unrestrained dog simply watches, listens and eats treats is an excellent place to start.

A simple way to start is right in your living room or yard. Feed your dog treats at the side of your leg at every step while you amble about with your leashed dog. Using a specific position like this can help your dog understand where he should hang out when on leash. If you feed quickly and frequently, you can prevent a tight leash and get lots of reinforcement in for that leash being loose.

If your dog makes a sudden lunge at a squirrel or enticing smell, simply hold your ground until his attention reverts to you and your treats.

Meet your dog.

For anyone looking to get a deeper understanding into why dogs do what they do, I recommend Meet Your Dog: The Game Changing Guide to Understanding Your Dog’s Behaviour, an interesting book by applied ethologist Kim Brophy.

A note about equipment.

Choose your dog’s equipment carefully. He should always be wearing a collar that contains ID that tracks back to you. This should be a number one priority the minute your new dog walks through your door – even before he enters your home if you pick him up yourself !

I highly recommend dogs wear harnesses when attached to a leash and avoid attaching a leash to their collar to prevent damage to the neck and spine areas. Harnesses should be well fit so your dog is comfortable and has free range of movement – particularly in their front shoulder area. However, some harnesses are easy to escape, so ensure the harness fits your dog well and has lots of room for adjustment. Harnesses that have 3 points of contact can be helpful with a particularly crafty escape artist. Check out the Ruff Wear Flagline harness for an example of a harness with 3 points of contact.

Using a 2-leash or double-ended leash set up can also be helpful for escape artists – one leash attached at the front, and one attached at the back which resembles using reins on a horse. For added safety, the second or back leash can instead be attached to a martingale collar fitted properly to prevent escape.

Use a fixed length leash for walking and a fixed length long line for recall practice. Extendable leashes (“flexi-leads”) are dangerous and are rarely recommended by trainers: they simply offer no benefit that can’t be easily matched by a fixed length leash/long line and proper training.

In conclusion.

With some up front and thoughtful planning, you can help your dog begin his or her new life with you in a fun and productive manner. You can help your dog feel safe and loved and begin building a wonderful, positive relationship from day 1. Have fun and keep it genuinely – and only – positive!

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CAN YOUR DOG BECOME A CONSERVATION CANINE?

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

By Isabelle Groc

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K9

Rediscovering dogs’ noses In nose work classes, dogs get to use their noses to hunt for a favourite food or toy. The canines search vehicles,

containers, indoors and outdoors settings so that they are exposed to the full experience of scent detection with a variety of distractions and air flow challenges. Then a target odour — usually essential oils — is introduced, and dogs learn that every time they detect this scent, they are rewarded with treats or a favourite treat. “You almost see a look of surprise on the dog’s face the first time they do this,” Johnson notes.

We have lived with dogs for thousands of years and many of our canine companions had working roles then.

Today, lifestyles have changed drastically and dogs have lost the jobs they were historically meant to do. In our modern, urban world, canines no longer have sheep to herd or animals to hunt, and they don’t get to fully use their amazing sense of smell for those jobs. In fact, humans often discourage them from sniffing, and dogs have become dependent on us for everything. “We don’t ask dogs to be independent often. Most of the time the dog is looking to you for directions every step of the

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trainer and instructor Kyoko Johnson once had a golden retriever named Luka who did not like normal dog activities such as fetch, swimming, and playing with other dogs.

She attended a seminar about canine nose work at a pet dog trainer conference and decided to try scent detection activities with Luka. “He just loved it and he gained a lot of confidence,” Johnson says. “Nose work enables dogs to do something they are good at doing, instead of being stuck in the human world where we don’t let them practice their instincts.” This is how Johnson became passionate about nose work and decided to teach scent detection classes in Hawai’i, where she resides. ”I felt it was important to share this with other pet dog owners because my dog got so much out of it.”

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DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

are increasingly being put to work in a variety of wildlife conservation projects to help the world’s most vulnerable species. Detection dogs are quick and efficient and help scientists collect vital information about plants and animals. Because their expert noses can smell what humans can’t, dogs are sent to find tiny elusive or rare endangered animals and plants in huge areas. They detect unwanted and harmful species, find animal traces such as minuscule scat or caterpillar larvae that are almost invisible to the human eye, detect illegally obtained wildlife products such as rhino horns, shark fins and elephant ivory, and retrieve animal carcasses by following scents hidden in deep vegetation or even in the water.

This is where nose work comes in. Scent detection activities tap into dogs’ natural instinct to hunt, get them to think independently, and can significantly improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

Young now incorporates nose work in most of her training plans for dogs with aggression and reactivity issues. “It gives the dogs a positive, happy outlet that satiates them, tires them out and get them out of anxious, reactive or frustrated mindsets,” Young says.

Conservation: A new purpose for unwanted dogs For some high energy dogs, a chance to use their sniffing power has given them a new purpose in helping humans solve complex environmental problems.

Dogs have long been valued for helping with difficult tasks such as searching for drugs and explosives or locating missing persons. But today canine skills

These four-legged conservation heroes do not need to be a specific breed. In fact, animals chosen to be conservation dogs often start out as unwanted pets. They are highly energetic and need lots of exercise. While most dogs love toys, these ones have an obsessive play drive. In a home where their needs are

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

way,” says Christina Young, a Nanaimo-based canine behaviour consultant and canine coach “A lot of dogs are under-stimulated mentally,” she adds.

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DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

not met, they can become aggressive and destructive.

They do not make good pets and are often surrendered by their owners to animal shelters. Sadly once in shelters, they have little hope of being adopted. Yet their intense energy, obsession with play and ability to focus make them ideal conservation dogs.

Or course not every shelter dog is cut out for wildlife search missions and candidates are carefully evaluated and trained by the organisations that work in this field.

Over the years, Heath Smith, cofounder of Rogue Detection Teams — a Washington-based group that utilises detection dogs for conservation projects — has facilitated the rescue of over 40 energetic, unwanted dogs from shelters to redirect their insatiable play drive to wildlife conservation. “Often when dogs join our team we can see that they can be hesitant to partake in certain behaviours, like tugging on a ball or even just roaming a bit further from us. So we work to let them be themselves. We want them to be independent, confident and trust us.”

However, successful working conservation dogs must have more than just a good nose. They must be physically fit, able to tolerate heat and cold and have sufficient stamina to search for hours in rugged and often inhospitable conditions. A dog without the drive to want to search every day and play ball will not do well, no matter how fit it is. The success of a wildlife mission also largely depends on the handler and the teamwork involved. The two-legged partner must know how to work with the dog and help unleash its true sniffing power. While the canine’s job is solely to smell, the handler must pay attention to changes in the environment and consider things such as wind speed and direction. “Just like not every dog is a conservation canine, not every person is a bounder,” warns Jennifer Hartman, a bounder and field scientist for Rogue Detection Teams. The group refers to the handlers that work with the dogs in conservation as “bounders” because they are bound to their dogs and to the ecosystems in which they work in.

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Citizen science meets canine scent detection Hawai’i, an organisation that facilitates the research and use of ecological detection dogs in the Hawaiian archipelago.

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

In addition to conducting field surveys with her professional dog-handler teams, Johnson has recruited volunteer pet-dog handler teams from her scent detection classes to conduct field work and contribute to conservation. Johnson currently has five volunteer pet dog owners who search for the invasive devil weed, a plant that is highly toxic to livestock and threatens the native ecosystem in O’ahu. The dog are useful because they can lead their handlers to plants that are visually obscured by thick vegetation or distance.

Johnson carefully screens both the dogs and the owners to participate in this program that requires physical stamina and high drive.

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Pet owners who have taken scent detection classes with their dogs may not be able to do what specialized conservation dogs do in the field, but there is still some potential for citizen science to help with environmental projects. In addition to training pet dogs, Kyoko Johnson is also the lead K9 trainer of Conservation Dogs of

Even though pet owners may not pursue nose work for field conservation purposes or longterm activities such as competitions, anyone can benefit from unleashing their dog’s sniffing abilities. “It is something that every dog can do,” Johnson says. “Pet owners also benefit from trying it because it gives them an understanding of what a dog is really about and how they perceive their world.”

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RULES Contest is only open to Canadian pets alive and living in Canada. If you have multiple pets, you can send in multiple photos, but please only one photo per pet per month.

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RULES Contest is only open to Canadian pets alive and living in Canada. If you have multiple pets, you can send in multiple photos, but please only one photo per pet per month.

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