Dog Health Blog

Millions Of Pets Are Euthanized Every Year, Simply Because
People Never Learn How To Choose And Care For A New Animal
In Their Home

(New York) Dec. 31 — Owning a pet is as American as apple
pie. Whether people choose to bring a dog or cat into their
home for companionship or protection, pet ownership is a
high priority for a majority of people.

So, why is it that, according to the American Society For
The Prevention of Cruelty To Animals between 5 and 9
million pets are euthanized in animal shelters every year?

“The problem is that people really never learn how to care
for their animals,” said noted pet expert Kath Turner.
“They choose pets that are inappropriate for their
lifestyle, don’t learn how to train them properly and
finally give up when they don’t end up with the perfect dog
sitting in their living room.”

Turner works with .the group Pets As Therapy - which brings
animals into nursing homes to help provide love and
companionship for elderly patients. She has also worked as
a dog breeder for most of her adult life.

“People have this vision that all they need to do is find a
cute puppy and bring it home and everything will be fine
and dandy,” Turner commented. “Most people don’t realize
that having a dog in your home is a real commitment for
years to come. Your dog will be almost completely dependent
on you - and if you don’t know how to be a responsible dog
owner you will be doing yourself and your pet a great
disservice.”

Turner pointed out that many people don’t really understand
the how different types of dogs have different
personalities and have never really learned how to figure
out what type of dog would best meet their lifestyle.

“It’s also sad that people don’t realize they they will
have to protect their home before bringing a new puppy
through the front door,” Turner said. “I’ve heard of people
who’ve taken their dog to the animal shelter because he
ruined their expensive furniture. It’s not fair - because
dogs only behave that way if their owners are not prepared
to deal with them.

Learning how to properly feed and train a new pooch are two
of the most elemental - yet least understood skills
relating to pet ownership, Turner said, noting that people
who just grab random dog food at the supermarket may
actually be hurting their beloved canines.

“I will never get over the neglect and misunderstanding
I’ve seen when it comes to dog ownership,” Turner said. “In
a society as prosperous as ours there is no reason that up
to 9 million former pets are put to sleep every year simply
because people didn’t bother to learn the basics about
taking care of their new friends.”

Turner says many people don’t even understand the basics of
dog ownership including how to find the right vet, the many
differences among dog breeds or even how to train and care
for dogs and puppies.

“It’ doesn’t take a lot of work to treat a dog right,”
Turner said “as long as you are willing to make an effort
to understand their needs.”

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Dogs deserve to live a long and healthy life but 1,000’s
suffer an early death simply because their owners are
getting it wrong.Find out more at
http://www.thenewdogxpert.com No automatic download at present. Email for a copy.

In the summer we worry about keeping our pets cool, come
winter and it’s time to think about keeping them warm and
dry. Here are some simple ways you can protect your pets
this winter.

The simplest and best way to make sure your pets stay warm
this winter is to keep them inside, especially at night.
Older dogs, puppies, and dogs with certain diseases such as
diabetes, heart and kidney problems should never be kept
outside. All cats should remain indoors.

Some dogs tolerate cold weather better than others. Dogs
bred in cold climates, Alaskan Malamutes for example, and
other long-haired dogs are among those suited for cold
weather. Short -haired and toy dogs will have a
particularly hard time in the cold.

Snow and ice can pose problems for dogs. Snow can get
packed between dog’s toes and freeze, causing pain and
discomfort. To avoid this problem, keep the hair between
the toes cut short.

Keeping nails cut short also helps. Shorter nails allow for
better traction. If a dog is slipping on ice it tends to
splay the toes, which causes more snow to pack between them.

If you are walking your dog on sidewalks or streets that
have been salted to melt ice, be sure to wash his paws when
you return. The salt can be drying and irritating to the
paws.

If a dog must be kept outside during the day, be sure to
provide proper shelter. An oversized dog house or shed will
not retain enough heat. The house should be just large
enough for the dog to stand up and turn around.

Do not use blankets for bedding. These will just get wet
and freeze. Clean straw or hay is preferable.

Position the house on the south or east side of the house
if possible, out of the wind. Putting it on a raised
platform will also keep it a little warmer.

Remember that the dog’s water may freeze if left outside.
Putting the water in a deep container helps keep it from
freezing. Also plastic is a better choice in this case, as
metal conducts the cold quicker. Dark colors will absorb
more heat and therefore freeze slower than lighter colors.
Be sure to break up any ice on the surface of the water
each morning.

Are you aware of the dangers of antifreeze? Ethylene glycol
based antifreeze is deadly to cats and dogs! Be sure to
keep containers tightly capped and out of reach. Wipe up
any spills immediately. For the safest bet, use one of the
alternative products made with propylene glycol instead.

Outdoor cats will look for warm spots to curl up. Some cats
have learned that cars and trucks offer nice warm nooks.
They will crawl up into the wheel-wells or engine
compartments. Banging on the hood before you get in your
car is a good idea in case you have a stowaway.

Indoors, pets will often curl up next to heaters or under
wood stoves. Watch out for tails and fur getting too close
to heating elements! Make sure your cat does not overheat.

If you are going to have a Christmas tree, you may want to
take some precautions with it. Anchoring the tree to the
wall is a good precaution. Avoid using tinsel, as it is
very enticing to cats and can be dangerous if ingested.
Start hanging decorations a few feet from the bottom of the
tree.

You might want to rethink placing gifts under the tree if
you have a puppy. Don’t use string or dangling ribbons on
packages if you have a cat. Cover the base of the tree to
keep animals from drinking the water.

There is debate over the toxicity of Poinsettias. Even if
they are not deadly, the sap is an irritant and will
probably make the animal sick. Holly and mistletoe berries
are poisonous; so keep them out of reach of pets.

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Elyse Grau is an herbalist and a long-time pet owner,
well-versed in pet nutrition and feeding. She is the author
of Pet Health Resource, your web guide to a healthy, happy
dog or cat. The website strives to answer your holistic pet
health questions through a large collection of articles.
http://www.pethealthresource.com