Fourth of July Safety Tips from the ASPCA

June 23, 2009
The following article was taken from the ASPCA's website:

For many people, nothing beats lounging in the backyard on Independence Day with good friends and family - including the four-legged members of the household. While it may seem like a great idea to reward Rover with scraps from the grill and bring him along to watch fireworks, in reality some festive foods and products can be potentially hazardous to your pets. The ASPCA Poison Control Center offers the following tips to ensure a safe and happy holiday:
  • Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them. Alcohol beverages have the potential to poison pets. If ingested, the animal could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases.

  • Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.

  • Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pets' reach. Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing - or even kidney disease in severe cases. Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin, and if ingested can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression. If lighter fluid is inhaled, aspiration pneumonia and breathing problems could develop.

  • Keep your pets on their normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pets severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. And keep in mind that foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes & raisins, and yeast dough call all be potentially toxic to companion animals.

  • Do not put glow jewelry on your pets or allow them to play with it. While the luminescent substance contained in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestion and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers.

  • Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach. Ingestion can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression. If inhaled, the oils could case aspiration pneumonia in pets.

  • Never use fireworks around pets! While exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns and/or trauma to the face and paws of curious pets, even unused fireworks can pose a danger. Many types contain potentially toxic substances, including potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals.

  • Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, so please resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities. Instead, keep your little guys safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home.

Caring for Your Pets While Strapped for Cash

Written June 16, 2009

Even though some experts say the recession is nearing it's end, others are reporting that it could be awhile before we see the light at the end of the tunnel. Considering the tough times that some of our readers are facing, I thought the following article, written by Kelli B. Grant from Smart Money Magazine, might be helpful.

Shelters across the country reported an increase in abandoned taken during 2008, with many former owners citing economic hardship. Without a doubt, pets can be expensive. Americans spent a whopping $43.4 billion on their pets in 2008, according to American Pet Products Association, an industry group. That breaks down to an average of $670 per dog and $447 per cat that was spent on routine vet care, food, grooming, treats and toys.

To avoid having to sacrifice the quality of your pet's care, or worse, give them up all together, here's how you can cut down on pet care costs.

HEALTH CARE
Visit a nonprofit. Routine procedures such as vaccinations or spay/neuter surgeries can be much less expensive at your local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ("SPCA") or Humane Society. At the ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York, implanting a micro-chip ID costs $25. Private practices routinely charge twice that amount.

Vaccinate appropriately. Most pets don't need a slew of annual vaccines, says Louise Murray, director of medicine at the ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. Animals that are older, spend the majority of their time indoors, or live in certain areas of the country may not need ever vaccine or booster. An indoor-only cat, for example, won't need the annual Feline Leukemia vaccine, which saves about $30, says Murray.

Fill prescriptions at drug stores or online retailers. Vet offices can't compete with the bulk deals pharmacies receive, says Adam Goldfarb, a spokesman for the Human Society of the United States. You can easily save 50% or more on antibiotics and other meds used on humans by buying at a mainstream pharmacy like Rite Aid or an online retailer like Drugstore.com. For pet-specific prescriptions like heart-worm preventative products, look to online pet pharmacies such as 1800PetMeds.com or Doctors Foster and Smith. (For either option, you'll need a prescription from your vet.)

Haggle. Many vets will negotiate prescription food and medication prices, while others offer discounts for bringing in multiple animals at the same time. "Don't be afraid to ask your vet, 'Can you match this price?'" says Ernie Ward, chief of staff at Seaside Animal Care in Calabash, N.C. Also, as about freebies -- manufactures often offer vets coupons and free samples of food, treats and meds.

Consult by phone. Not ever bout of indigestion is caused to race your pet to the vet, says Ann Hohenhaus, senior medical advisor at the Animal Medical Center in New York. If you're not certain that the circumstances are dire, call your vet for a free consultation. "They know you, they know your pet," she says -- and so can offer assessment and at-home treatment options.

FOOD
Read the labels. Some premium foods are richer in nutrients, meaning you don't need to feed your pets as much as you would with cheaper foods that contain lots of fillers. Look at the serving suggestions to determine whether you can feed your dog less of a higher-quality food and whether that makes more financial sense. Of course, not all pricey pet foods offer better quality, says Murray. That's why it's important to not only look at the portion sizes, but also the ingredients. Protein should be the first ingredient listed instead of a filler lake corn, for example. Also, seek packages that say "complete and balanced," which means the food meets the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.

Buy big. Huge bags of food can be a great deal at the warehouse club, especially if you have several pets or a large breed dog. At Sam's Club, a 52-pound bag of Pedigree adult dog food costs $24.28; at supply chain Pet Valu, a 40-pound bag (the biggest they sell) goes for $24.99.

TOYS AND GROOMING
Skip the pet supply store. Walmart, Target and other superstores carry pet toys and other supplies for a fraction of the price of pet-specific chains, says Gary Cassera, owner of Balanced Dog LLC, a dog training company based in Marlton, N.J. Petco offers its signature plush dog toy for $6.99, while Walmart has a three-pack of a similar toy for $14.80 - or less than $5 apiece.

Groom at home. Learn to cut your pets nails and do basic grooming yourself, instead of paying someone else to do it, suggests Says Ward. At PetSmart, a bath, brushing and nail trimming costs $34.99 for a golden retriever. Grooming your pet once a month at home can save you more than $350 annually, even considering the cost for an electric trimmer and other supplies.

Many of these suggestions are "Rules of Thumb" for us at Sweet Samurai Kennels. Caring for your furry loved-ones can be quite expensive, and in this day and time, we need all the help we can get!

ASPCA's Hot Weather Tips & Water Safety

June 6, 2009

If you're a regular reader of this blog, it isn't too hard to figure out that I'm a big fan of the ASPCA. It's just as easy to notice that I'm also a big fan of lists (step-by-step reminders for this and that). So, here I go with another list from the ASPCA. Last year, the American Society for the Provention of Cruelty to Animals published these helpful tips . Now that the weather is stiffling, I thought it fitting to bring them back!



In summertime, the living isn’t always easy for our animal friends. Dogs and cats can suffer from the same problems that humans do, such as overheating, dehydration and even sunburn. By taking some simple precautions, you can celebrate the season and keep your pets happy and healthy.

- A visit to the veterinarian for a spring or early summer check-up is a must; add to that a test for heartworm, if your dog isn't on year-round preventive medication. Do parasites bug your animal companions? Ask your doctor to recommend a safe, effective flea and tick control program.

- Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle—hyperthermia can be fatal. Even with the windows open, a parked automobile can quickly become a furnace in no time. Parking in the shade offers little protection, as the sun shifts during the day.

- Always carry a gallon thermos filled with cold, fresh water when traveling with your pet.

- The right time for playtime is in the cool of the early morning or evening, but never after a meal or when the weather is humid. - Street smarts: When the temperature is very high, don’t let your dog stand on hot asphalt. His or her body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum.

- A day at the beach is a no-no, unless you can guarantee a shaded spot and plenty of fresh water for your companion. Salty dogs should be rinsed off after a dip in the ocean.

- Provide fresh water and plenty of shade for animals kept outdoors; a properly constructed doghouse serves best. Bring your dog or cat inside during the heat of the day to rest in a cool part of the house.

- Be especially sensitive to older and overweight animals in hot weather. Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs such as bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and shih tzus, as well as those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.

- When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. And please be alert for coolant or other automotive fluid leaking from your vehicle. Animals are attracted to the sweet taste, and ingesting just a small amount can be fatal. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if you suspect that your animal has been poisoned.

- Good grooming can stave off summer skin problems, especially for dogs with heavy coats. Shaving the hair to a one-inch length—never down to the skin, please, which robs Rover of protection from the sun—helps prevent overheating. Cats should be brushed often.

- Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.

- Having a backyard barbecue? Always keep matches, lighter fluid, citronella candles and insect coils out of pets' reach.

- Please make sure that there are no open, unscreened windows or doors in your home through which animals can fall or jump.

- Stay alert for signs of overheating in pets, which include excessive panting and drooling and mild weakness, along with an elevated body temperature.

Water Safety
For a lot of families, summertime means swimming time. If your pooch will be joining you on your adventures, be it lakeside, oceanside or poolside, please read our following tips:


- Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool.

- Not all dogs are good swimmers, so if water sports are a big part of your family, please introduce your pets to water gradually.

- Make sure all pets wear flotation devices on boats.

- Try not to let your dog drink pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals that could cause GI upset.

TEACHING BASIC COMMANDS – ENTRY #5 (“DOWN”)

June 1, 2009
Since our puppies have started going to their new forever homes, I knew this would be a good time to continue with our Teaching Basic Commands series. The Japanese Spitz is very intelligent and can begin learning basic commands at around 9 weeks of age. However, you should ALWAYS remember to use the positive-reinforcement method. Also, when teaching puppies this young, remember to keep your sessions short and always remember to end on a positive note. If teaching a young puppy, be sure to start this series at the beginning (Entry #1) and work your way through this series in order. Let your puppy master the easier commands before moving on to the more difficult ones.

Teaching your dog to lie down using the "Down" command can help you prevent unwanted behaviors. "Down" combined with "Stay" can help you control your dog when company comes over. Your dog will not be able to jump on your guests. This command will also help your dog relax when he/she is overly excited.

To teach the "Down" command, you will begin by using the same lure as with "Sit".

  • Start with your dog in the "Sit" position.
  • Hold a treat between your thumb and your forefinger. The other fingers should be outstretched with your palm facing the floor.
  • Keeping the treat close to your dog's nose, slowly lower your hand to the floor. Your dog's head should follow your hand.
  • Move your hand around the outside of your dog's body toward his rear end - this will cause his/her head to follow your hand around, resulting in his/her body sliding into a down position.
  • Reward the behavior by giving your dog the treat.

For some dogs, "Down" can be much more difficult to learn than the "Sit" command. For these dogs, it may be a good idea to break up teaching this command into smaller steps. If your dog doesn't lie down, you can do what is called shaping the behavior. This means mastering one portion of the behavior at a time.

  • Follow the first three steps detailed above.
  • Reward the behavior when your dog lowers his/her head.
  • Once your dog is consistently lowering his/her head, stop rewarding that behavior.
  • Now, lure his/her head around the side of his body and mark that behavior.
  • Continue along these lines until your dog is completely in a down position.

Note that you may have to break the steps down even smaller.

The most important thing is to remember to BE PATIENT and don't get frustrated. Your dog can feel your frustration and this is counter-productive. If you are patient and continue to follow these steps, your dog will soon master the "Down" position.