7 Intentions Your Pets Want You to Make

Like clockwork, it’s that time of year again - when we set new goals and try to improve our lives. If you're like us, your efforts to keep those resolutions are often less than stellar. So, we are dropping the term resolution and all the weight that comes along with it and taking some time to set intentions instead. Since Viva La Pet is For Pets & Their People, we’re sharing some of our pet-related intentions for the new year.

Here are some easy intentions that will improve your pet's health, happiness, and relationship with you. We guarantee many will benefit you as well!

Do a diet audit. Is your pet food high quality? Are the treats healthy and low calorie? Is your pet overweight? Is the portion size appropriate? Make 2020 the year of mindful consumption for both you and your pets.

Go for a brain workout - learn something new! Your pet's mental health should be a top priority, and learning helps keep their brains sharp. Join a training class, set aside 5 minutes for training every day, or teach them a fun trick. Wipe off your paws after a snowy walk, perhaps? Mental exercise will also keep your relationship strong. There are many facebook groups just for canine enrichment. The members share great ideas, most of which do not cost a penny!

FYI: January is National Train Your Dog Month!

Play more! Most of our pets would prefer tugs (playtime) over hugs. Buy them a fun, new toy and play with them. Toss a ball, laugh, and have fun - you'll both be glad you did. When we can’t get out to our favorite, local & independent pet store, we hit up Homegoods for inexpensive toys (which are on the “okay to destroy within 5 minutes” list because we only spent $2.99).

Treat your dog to an extra walk each day. January is also - Walk Your Pet Month - so let's try and get in one more walk - even if it's just a short potty break with a little sniff time. Or, vow to clean the litter box a bit more often. Viva La Pet can help you accomplish both!

Build your tribe by making a few new canine and people friends this year, it will be good for both of you. Visit a local park, walking or bike trails, training classes, or call friends and neighbors to schedule a cup of tea and a doggie playdate. On those frigid days, stroll through a pet store with your pup. Click the box below to see Viva La Pet’s e-book, Exploring Morris County With Your Pets! We have some pet-friendly, hidden gems listed there!

Schedule a wellness visit. Have your vet take a look at your pet every year; it's an essential step to staying healthy.

Last, and an extremely important step to take, create an emergency plan and an emergency fund. We never know when an emergency will arise. Having a plan in place as well a fund will make a stressful situation a little less overbearing. Viva La Pet is always happy to be listed as one of our client’s emergency contacts.

“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” We wish you and your pets the best in 2020!

Tips to Help Keep Your Pet's Teeth Clean

There is a very clear connection between our pet's good health and their teeth. Just like us, our pets benefit from a professional teeth cleaning now and then. Some specialists offer anesthesia-free teeth cleanings.

However, in between cleanings there are a number of things you can do to help keep your pet’s choppers pearly white and their breath sweet.

Brushing - This is the very best way to keep your pet healthy. It will prevent bacteria build-up which can lead to tooth loss and infections including heart disease. Get a tasty toothpaste that is formulated for pets. You may want to start with a finger brush. Many pets find them a bit easier to accept over a toothbrush. After they are comfy with the finger brush, graduate to a real toothbrush, they clean better. Ideally, you should brush daily.

Wipes - Dental wipes are good for in-between brushing or if your pet isn't quite ready for actual brushing yet.

Treats - Dental treats can help clean teeth too. They should be used in conjunction with brushing. They are formulated to remove plaque build-up on teeth and will help freshen their breath too. Be sure to read the ingredients, as some treats include less than ideal ingredients.

Chew toys - There are many chew products designed to help remove plaque and tartar from your pet's teeth. They'll be so busy having fun, they won't even realize the toy is cleaning their teeth! Popular examples are toys like Kongs, Boshel Dog Ball, and some rope toys. Many cats love Kong's Cat Wubba Mouse toy for fun and teeth cleaning.

Diet - A natural, healthy diet helps too. Kibble actually does clean teeth a bit and there are some kibbles that are specifically formulated to do this. Many people swear that a raw diet and raw soft animal bones clean teeth very well. Be sure to do your research on any new food you decide to introduce into your pet’s diet. If you do switch their food, remember to do so gradually.

There are a few cons to the above choices. If your dog is a power chewer you'll need to pick treats and toys appropriately. The strongest toy on the market that I have found is called a Goughnut. Last, never give a dog rawhide (it's non-digestible) or hard bones like deer antlers (they can break your pet's teeth).

Always supervise your pet when using any of these treats, chews, or toys. Like any treat or toy, small pieces can be dangerous. Always look at ingredients to avoid things like cornstarch (corn is a common allergen), sugar, or excessive fat. And don't forget to count the calories in pet treats, they add up!

Just a few minutes a day can keep your companion's choppers clean!

Please Teach an Old Dog New Tricks!

We are taught to train new canine additions to our homes; potty training, the household rules, leash walking, and usually a trick or two. But why would we start a training program for our older dog that already knows the rules of the road?

Dogs of all ages are perfectly capable of learning! Your dog will be healthier and happier if they stay physically and mentally active, and learning new behaviors will do precisely that. Don't let them retire; keep them engaged in life by giving them new things to do! It will also strengthen your bond with them, which should make everyone happy.

There are only two requirements for training at any stage of life.

1) Your patience

2) Lots of treats! (food, toys, belly rubs!)

Keep in mind as we age, our mental processes slow down a bit (for dogs, cats, and people), so be patient with your pups. Often their hearing and vision aren't as good as they used to be, so use verbal cues and hand signals when you teach a new behavior.

Do your dog training on softer surfaces (rugs or grass) and don't train in hot weather or direct sunlight; older pups overheat more quickly.

Avoid too much repetition in training, that's boring (even for puppies)! Change it up! Keep it short and positive. Use treats or their favorite toy as a reward for training sessions. But keep an eye on their treat intake. Adjust their meals accordingly; you don't want them putting on extra weight.

Keep their physical condition in mind; don't ask them to do things that may require too much exertion. Fido may have stiff joints or a bit of arthritis, so be realistic. If your dog looks physically or mentally tired, stop for the day - pick it up for a few minutes tomorrow! If your training is going to require more physical activity than your pet is used to, get an ok from your vet first.

You can and should teach an elder pup new tricks! Teach your dog a paw-shake and we'll shake on it next time we see your pooch!

Put Your Pup to the Test!

Do you have a Heinz 57 dog? If so, you've probably wondered which breeds are mixed into your pup? Discovering your best friend's background is fun, easy, and less expensive than you might think. There are several companies that do canine DNA testing. 

Many of these companies also offer health testing for an additional cost, and this information could keep your mutt healthy. Some breeds are more prone to certain ailments. For example, some Dobermans have a genetic blood condition, and Dalmations tend to get kidney stones. Another example is the MDR1 gene, which is often found in herding breeds. MDR1 carriers have a genetic predisposition for adverse reactions to many common veterinary drugs. Knowing what breeds make up your pooch can help you and your vet with their care.

These tests are easy to take. You swab the inside of your dog's cheek and mail it off in the container they provide. The company will test your dog's DNA with its database of breeds and come up with an ingredient list of dog types that make up your canine companion.

So, how accurate are these tests in predicting your dogs breeding? The answer is reasonably accurate. It's best to pick a company that uses a large database. The two largest companies are Embark and Wisdom. Wisdom tests for over 350 breeds and 150 genetic conditions. Embark tests for 250 breeds and checks for over 170 canine health conditions.

Keep in mind that looks can be very deceiving. Just because you're dog resembles a Lab.... doesn't mean he is! Sometimes these tests are eye-opening! However, if you don't fully understand Fido's test results, both companies are very responsive and are happy to go over your dog's findings with you. Other companies may be less expensive, but they also have a smaller breed database.

Is there a downside to DNA testing? If you happen to be a worrier, then finding out what health issues your dog could develop might result in a few sleepless nights. Remember, these tests can't tell you that your dog will develop these health issues just that they have a higher risk of them.

Of course, we love our pups no matter what breed they might be, but finding out the ingredients that make your dog unique is fun! Not only does it explain your dog's looks, but it may help explain their behavior, size, and energy level.

Fun Facts on Cats!

Cats: Facts Not Fiction!

Here is a collection of "facts" about our beloved felines. How many do you know?

• The Turkish Angora often wades or goes swimming. American Shorthair, Maine Coon, and Bobtails are breeds that enjoy the water too.

• Just like dogs, chocolate will make your cat sick.

• Most calico cats are female; the coloration gene is on the female (x) chromosome.

• Your kitty can't taste anything sweet (it's a genetic thing).

• Cats sweat through their paws! They also pant just like dogs.

• Cats spend about 70% of their lives catnapping! Regular siestas are entirely natural!

• Cats don't have collarbones; this allows a big cat to fit in a small space.

• Do you know the proper terms for a group of cats or kittens? A group of cats is called a clowder. A group of kittens is called a kindle. (who knew?)

• Your kitty’s nose print is as individual as human fingerprints.

• Most cats love catnip; this includes lions and tigers (oh my!).

• Who is the world's most wealthy cat? Japan's Hello Kitty has earned over 1 billion dollars in sales and royalties.

• Cats have a dominant paw. Is your kitty right-pawed or left-pawed?

• Believe it or not, a cat has been a mayor of an American town. The folks of Talkeetna, Alaska chose Stubbs the cat as their mayor in 1997. Ok, his job was an honorary one, but 30 - 40 people a day came by to visit Stubbs!

• Australia, Japan, and the U.K. all consider black cats to be lucky charms!

• Cats have 230 bones in their bodies - humans have 206.

• Purring is useful! A cat's purr is in a frequency range of 25 - 150 Hertz.

• This sound range can promote healing and increase bone density!

• When your cat isn't snoozing, they spend half of their time grooming.

• Humans shake hands when we meet another person; cats greet each other by touching noses.

• There are about 73 million cats in North American homes and only 63 million dogs!

Hot Spots Aren't so Hot!

Hot Spots Aren't So Hot!

Hot spots or moist dermatitis  can be frustrating for you and painful for your pets. They seem to appear out of nowhere, usually in the summer. A hot spot is a skin infection that starts when your pet is scratching, chewing, or licking themselves. Although cats get hot spots, they are far more frequently seen in dogs.

They start with a small itch, and then the skin becomes red, raw, and oozing, along with hair loss. Hot spots can be painful for your pet! Bacteria gets in the open sore, and your pet makes it worse by continued scratching.

So what causes hot spots? The most common cause is a flea allergy (yes, your dog can still get a bite or two even WITH flea preventative. That said, any irritant can get them started including atopic dermatitis, other parasites, allergies, contact irritants, skin infections, grooming irritation, or just constant licking out of boredom.

Certain dog breeds are more inclined to develop hot spots such as Labs, Goldens, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds. However, any dog can get them.

Treatment of hot spots often means seeing your vet. Often until you treat the underlying problem, your pet will continue to get them. If the spot is small, you can try home treatment. Clip the fur around the spot to allow air to reach it (use grooming clippers). Keep your pet from licking the area, which often means putting a cone on their head. Apply a warm water compress to the area 3 times a day for 5 minutes. Don't bandage the spot - you want it to air out. Ask your vet if they recommend an over the counter antiseptic or cortisone powder or spray.

Hot spots can get larger fast, so if your home treatment doesn't work in a day or so, it's time to see your vet. Remember, hot spots may have bacteria in them, and you don't want that to get out of hand.

If your pet is prone to hot spots, a few things may help prevent them. Keep your dog clean and well groomed all summer. Never slack off on flea and tick control. If your pet is bored and licking or biting because of it, you will need to keep them more engaged (we can help with walks and playtime).

Hot spots are not a serious medical condition, but they can spread and are very painful for your pet. Use these tips to prevent and treat them; we want your pets to have a fun, hot spot free summer!

Help! My Dog is Destroying My Home!

Sooner or later most dog owners will return home and find something ruined by their beloved pooch. Here is what you need to know: chewing is a natural behavior for puppies and dogs. It helps relieve teething pain in puppies, it's how Fido explores his environment (he doesn't have hands after all), it's a lot of fun, and it keeps their teeth healthy. Your dog needs to chew; it's up to you to teach them the difference between good chewing and bad chewing.

First, you need to figure out why your dog is chewing. Are they lonely, under-exercised, teething, or have separation anxiety? Knowing why will help you figure out how to stop it.

Here are some places to start:

Every dog, regardless of their age, needs toys. A lot of toys and with great variety. Be sure the toys don't look like household items. Buying a puppy a toy that looks like a shoe (and they are out there) and then being angry when the pup chews a real shoe is your fault. Get puzzle toys, chew toys, soft toys, Kongs, balls, and tug toys. However, if there are tons of toys lying around, they may get bored with them. Take all away except 3 or 4 and rotate them out every few days to keep life interesting. Be sure they are size appropriate and if your dog is a strong chewer that they are tough toys to withstand their chompers.

If your pooch is a chewer, you'll need to chew-proof your home. Put shoes away, put books on a shelf, don't leave your eyeglasses on the coffee table, and tuck electrical cords behind furniture. When your dog picks something inappropriate to chew, don't punish them, instead redirect your best friend to a toy they can chew. Some people say "no" or make a buzzer sound like "ehh" to tell their dog he has chewed the wrong thing. This is a good strategy as long as you give your pooch something acceptable to chew and say "good dog" when they chew that toy. If you're consistent, it won't take long for Fido to get the hang of the rules. You might want to try a taste deterrent like Bitter Apple to help him learn. When you can't supervise your chewer, put them in a crate or a gated safe room, so they don't get into trouble.

Other things that help with chewing: plenty of mental and physical exercise, a lot of people time, and playtime with other dogs. Another strategy is to feed them their meals in puzzle type toys because this builds a toy obsession, so hopefully, they choose the toy over your new leather purse.

If your dog has other reasons for chewing, like separation anxiety, fear, or boredom, you will have to solve those issues to resolve the chewing problem. It might be best to talk to your vet, a trainer, or a dog behaviorist to come up with strategies to combat inappropriate chewing. We are happy to help with underexercised or bored dogs!

Keeping your stuff safe is just a matter of teaching your pooch good habits, and doing this will strengthen your bond with your dog.

Energy and Our Pets

People tend to rely on words to communicate, and we often make the mistake of thinking our pets do too. Our best friends have a 6th sense to our emotions; most of us have had the experience of being sad or depressed only to be comforted by Fido's furry snuggles.

Every single minute that you or your Pet Care Specialist are with your pet you are communicating with them (maybe unwittingly) with your body language, voice, and your energy. Sadly, especially when training our pets, we often project negative emotions, like frustration or anger when our pet doesn't get it right and this, in turn, makes it much harder for your dog or cat to learn.

This is not some "woo-woo" new age concept. In part, it's how our pets communicate with each other. Go to your local dog park and watch dogs interact with each other, you'll see they all silently speak the same language. So it's no surprise that they are experts at reading energy - of other dogs and their people. Because of this, we are often influencing their behavior without realizing it.

The word energy can be confusing to some people - think of it as your disposition right now. Are you calm, worried, stressed out, or excitable? That's the energy you're projecting to the world and your pet. If you're calm, the energy you project to others is calm and confident, and they pick up on your energy and feel the same way. If you're anxious, that's what you're putting out there to others. Our pets easily read our moods and respond accordingly; to them, your mood communicates louder than your words.

Here is an example: Trainers often tell dog parents to loosen up on their dog's leash when they are going to meet another leashed dog. Although, leash greetings are not the first go-to we suggest when introducing your dog to a prospective new friend, this is the exact opposite of what most people do; we are often nervous about how the meeting is going to go, so we shorten the lead. Your energy is tense, and you compound that with the short leash. By doing so, you telegraph to your dog that this is a situation to be nervous about. (Plus, your dog naturally wants to move forward once she/he feels they are being held back.) With that energy, the meeting often doesn't go well. Next time you're in this situation, loosen that lead and be confident that all will be well and I bet you'll get a different result.

Try being a calm and confident leader/teacher for your pet. When you share your good energy, positive words, and treat rewards, you'll get great results and have a relaxed and confident pet.

Cat TALES

Your cat's tail is actually telling you a tale. Animals communicate with vocalizations and body language. How your cat holds or moves its tail can be a good indication of their mood and what types of behavior to expect. Be aware that the following tail tales only apply to cats - some of these mean the exact opposite when applied to a dog!

Tail straight up in the air: This shows a confident, happy cat. When their tail is up like this, they usually welcome attention, snuggling, and interaction.

Question mark tail: When their tail is up and curled at the end this often means your cat is in a good and curious mood. This would be an excellent time for some interaction, perhaps a game, or some petting.

Low tail position: Back off when your kitty's tail is low to the ground! This means your cat is unsure, agitated, and maybe feeling a little aggressive.

Swishing slowly back and forth: This means your cat is very focused. If your cat is looking at a toy, their next move may be a pounce.

Puffed out, arched tail: This often happens when a cat feels afraid, angry, or when they feel in danger. It's often accompanied with an arched back and possibly some hissing! This would be a great time to leave your cat alone (as long as they are not in any danger).

Tail curved under them or around them as they sit: This is more of a submissive posture, and it could indicate your cat is nervous.

Fast moving flicking tail: When their tail slaps the ground or whips back and forth, they are irritated, angry, or feeling aggressive. This is a great time to give your cat some space and private time!

Humans are so keyed into verbal communication that we forget to try and read our pet's body language. But, once you start reading your cat's tail tales, you'll quickly get good at knowing what your cat is trying to tell you!

Cat Tail Video

ZOOMIES

Zoomies!

Most dog owners know exactly what the zoomies are. One minute your dog is standing next to you nice and quietly; the next Fido is running crazily back and forth at top speed. They may go in circles, jump over things, run into furniture, or chase their tails; and all the while looking as happy as can be.

Zoomies, or what we call them in our home, “pigging”, actually have a formal name Frenetic Random Activity Periods (FRAP). So why do zoomies happen and could they be dangerous?

Many dogs get zoomies after hopping out of the tub, if they've been inside too long, or when they want to play. However, sometimes they happen when a dog is a bit confused or slightly stressed, and they need to burn off excess nervous energy.

Zoomies are considered normal canine activity and watching our pups get the zoomies is doggone fun! They happen more in puppies or younger dogs, but many dogs keep zooming all their lives. If your dog has zoomies all the time, you might want to consider how much exercise your best friend is getting every day. If you feel your dog is zooming due to stress, try and remove the stressor.

That being said, zoomies are not a dangerous activity as long as they take place in a safe spot. Inside a dog could slip on a rug, fall down stairs, or knock over kids or elderly people. Outside it's imperative that your dog is in a fenced-in area away from traffic dangers. If they happen and your dog is unleashed in an open area, don't chase them, that makes them keep zooming. Stay calm and call them (hopefully you are consistently training them to come). Offer them a toy or treat to distract them so you can get them to a safe place to zoom.

Next time your dog gets that explosion of crazy energy, the zoomies, enjoy them, your dog is having a healthy and exhilarating moment.

See a video of “pigging” or more commonly referred to as the “zoomies” below.