The New York Times Magazine 7/13/08 has an article Pill Popping Pets about psychiatric intervention in pets and the practice of prescribing medications designed for humans to animals.
...scientists in an expanding field known as behavioral pharmacology say that the combination of new drug therapies and progressive training techniques can solve problems that in the past almost always resulted in euthanasia. The supposed effectiveness of psychiatric medicines in treating mood and behavior issues is prompting new questions in the centuries-old debate over what, exactly, separates mankind from the beasts. If the strict Cartesian view were true -- that animals are essentially flesh-and-blood automatons, lacking anything resembling human emotion, memory and consciousness -- then why do animals develop mental illnesses that eerily resemble human ones and that respond to the same medications? What can behavioral pharmacology teach us about animal minds and, ultimately, our own?
If animal behavior and psychology interests you, this is a fascinating article, one to read carefully and at your leisure.
Up to 20 percent of dogs of all ages and breeds suffer from noise phobias so severe that their people seek professional help for them, writes veterinary behaviorist Bonnie Beaver in her book Canine Behavior: A Guide for Veterinarians. (Cats can also develop fears of certain noises, but they usually just run and hide rather than engaging in destructive behavior.) Thunder and fireworks are the most common causes of noise phobias, but dogs can develop a fear of any sound: the rustling of a garbage bag, the beep of a microwave oven or the whir of a ceiling fan.
The article recommends "Dog Appeasing Pheromone products, designed to emit comforting and familiar scents to canines, and the Storm Defender Cape, a close-fitting wrap with a metallic lining that reduces a dog's sensitivity to the static charge buildup that occurs before a thunderstorm."
Pooch IQ Kit -- Maybe Your Dog IS Smarter than Most People You Know
If you think your dog is pretty darn smart, or know someone else who does, you can find out for sure with this Fun Pooch IQ Kit dog toys. After all, they have figured out how to live pretty well without going to work every day!
* Find out your dog's IQ score
* Includes 5 dog toys, 2 props, and a testing booklet!
* Finally prove you have the smartest dog!
* Your pooch can play with the toys for years to come
* Get your whole family involved
* Gift idea
Panic Mouse Undercover Mouse Cat Toy-- Plus 6 Tips for Choosing Your Cat's Toys
Not sure what to buy your cat? Below is a toy that appeals to your cat's hunting instincts.
Panic Mouse Undercover Mouse is so lifelike it convinces your cat there's a live mouse in the house. The stealthy movements of the mouse will stimulate your cat's hunter/predator instinct to secure the catch and provide hours of fun.
The toy moves silently--randomly speeding up, then slowing down, reversing direction under a durable nylon cover. The kit Includes:
Appeal to the hunting instinct "Cats like to track things, so they love any toy that brings out their hunting instinct," says Michele Levan, creator of the award-winning Fling-ama-String toy.
Hold your cat's interest "It's good for indoor cats especially to have something besides food to interest them," says Tina Cheng, DVM, of the Animal Clinic of Encino in Encino, Calif. "Cats are attracted to motion -- they will always love anything that bounces around and simulates the movement of a live insect or mouse," she says.
Safety first "A toy shouldn't have any little eyes or a nose that a cat could pull off and choke on," says Maria Sabatine, owner of Pets Naturally, a pet store in Sherman Oaks, Calif.
Don't make it too frustrating
Intrigue fat and lazy cats " A toy that intrigues a cat enough to stalk it, pounce on it or toss it in the air is a worthwhile investment, especially if your kitty is overweight. Cat Dancer, described as a "cat action toy," features a small piece of cardboard the size of a large insect. It dangles from a wire and so fascinates cats that they'll stand on their hind feet to swipe at it.
Make it fun for people A cat toy should give you hours of fun watching your cat play with it.
How can you tell when a dog, especially one you don't know, is "just playing" or is in fight mode? This is often one reason children become afraid of dogs. They misunderstand play signals for hostility.
The answer is in the "play-bow", according to Marc Bekoff, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Colorado.
Marc Bekoff: That's when one animal crouches on their forelimbs and puts their hind end up and wags their tail and sometimes barks. If two dogs are playing, and one bites the other dog really hard, what we discovered is that we would see a play-bow after the bite, as if the other dog said, "I'm sorry I bit you, let's play."
If you live with, or know of, a dog with "behavior problems", the real problem may be lack of sufficient exercise and mental stimulation. Most dogs were genetically bred to perform a specific job for their human companions, which, like many jobs in our 21st century, is gone and ain't coming back.
Who says? MSNBC, in City dogs get to know their inner herder--"It's almost as if the dog needs a job. And when they discover, 'This is what my job is supposed to be,' then everything falls into place." For many dogs, that job is herding:
The American Kennel Club says new herding clubs are popping up across the country, although it does not track exact numbers. Nearly 200 clubs held herding trials last year. More than 10,000 dogs competed, a roughly 10 percent increase over 2006.
Owners describe the practice as an antidote to tighter leash laws and disappearing dog-friendly spaces in U.S. cities. They talk of their dogs' first time in the arena with the pride and amazement usually reserved for describing a child's first day at kindergarten. Many also acknowledge that herding was a last resort.
Experts say the dog-owner mismatch is common. People spend too little time researching a breed's temperament and habits before choosing their family's new addition. A fluffy Saint Bernard, for example, is a working breed that may protect your kids -- against the letter carrier. Then you've got a lawsuit.
If your kitty cat's behavior is making you scratch your head, or tear out your hair, hopefully Psycho Kitty will offer some insight. This new paperback is written by cat expert Pam Johnson-Bennett and is filled with interesting kitty case studies as well as do-it-yourself therapy techniques.
Several years ago this woman found a sick, malnourished lion cub in the jungle. She took the cub home and fed him and brought him up until he was too big to keep anymore. Then she made arrangements with a zoo in Colombia to take the lion. Here's a video of what happened when she went to visit him in the zoo for the first time.
Most of us know which party we support, but how about your pets? You may be surprised. Take this quiz at Petlane to find out how your pet might vote:
Republican Pets:
1. They bark at passing neighbors and traffic; home security is very important to them.
2. Their ears perk up when Fox News comes on.
3. They are a big spender at the local pet store.
4. Strongly believe pet matrimony should only occur between two cats or two dogs.
5. Believe in the 2nd amendment right to bear teeth and claws.
6. Are for electric border fences for the yard.
7. Want national ID tags for all pets.
8. They advocate for the pet tracking chip - you can never have too much security!
Democratic Pets:
1. They want universal veterinary care for all!
2. They want their treats for free.
3. They socialize with all breeds at the dog park.
4. They prefer their owner uses biodegradable poop bags.
5. Are very concerned with the rising rate of pet food.
6. Have the young puppy and kitten vote locked.
7. Want an end to the war of dogs vs. cats once and for all.
8. Think of Ralph Nadar as the dog catcher.
Do you ever wonder if you are feeding your pet the most nutritious food? Whether you should really be throwing them scraps, or if their recent illness was caused by their diet? The pet food recall of 2007 reminded us all that we can't take pet nutrition for granted anymore. Here are a few of the new books out on the all important subject of food and fuel for our pets.
For a comprehensive guide, pick up a copy of Ultimate Pet Food Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Feeding Your Dog or Cat by Liz Palika. This book covers it all--homemade, commercial, and raw food diets. The author discusses introducing new foods; what "human foods" pets shouldn't eat; free-feeding; responsibility for food safety; where ingredients come from; and red flags in ingredients.
If you like to cook for your pets, you can choose from more than fifty veterinarian- and pet-nutritionist-approved recipes, along with diets tailored to special-needs pets, such as puppies/kittens and pregnant, older, overweight and/or more sedentary animals.
If you are contemplating a new puppy, or have just brought one into your home, Puppy Preschool, Revised Edition: Raising Your Puppy Right---Right from the Start! by John Ross and Barbara McKinney is a must-read. It is filled with great advice for the first-time dog owner, as well as a refresher course for repeat owner. The premise of the books is that you should always train from the canine point of view.
In the first chapter, which is critical to puppy-rearing success, they outline their underlying training philosophy and consider who should own a dog. In succeeding chapters, they cover choosing the right puppy (including finding and evaluating puppies, the ten best breeds, and ten problem breeds), puppy development, bonding and socializing, housebreaking, basic commands, and puppy manners.
If you are a dog-lover reading Super Cool Pets, you most likely have experience bringing up a puppy. Due to a dog's optimal 10-15 or so year lifespan, a lot of time can go by between puppies. As we found, it's never a bad idea to update yourself on state-of-the-art training techniques, pet food and equipment. And we will keep you current here on Super Cool Pets.
Sticky Paws Furniture Strips Protect Against Cat Scratching
Is your cat scratching and ripping your furniture, countertops, speakers, windows, curtains or carpets? Just put Sticky Paws Furniture Strips anywhere you don't want your kitty to be. These are transparent adhesive strips that apply directly to the surface or fabric. The strips won't hurt your cat, but can protect your possessions and are helpful in deterring inappropriate elimination.
In the US, it is estimated that about 17 million dogs are overweight or obese. Veterinarians say that almost half of the dogs they treat are too heavy. The 2 main causes of obesity are too much food and too little exercise. Obese dogs don't feel as well as slimmer ones, and their mobility is often limited. As we all are learning, there are increased health risks associated with obesity.
SLENTROL (20ml) is the first prescription canine weight-loss product in the US. It does its work in the small intestine, keeping some of the fat from being absorbed into your dog's body, so the dog senses that it's full and eats less at each meal. Check with your vet to see if this product is right for your dog.
SLENTROL (20ml) is administered orally and is not for use in cats or humans.
Pet Scoop -- 7/10/08
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