Ever wondered if you need to turn the light on for your dog? Turns out, you don't need to.
As pointed out in Science Daily today:
"Dogs have evolved to see well in both bright and dim light, whereas humans do best in bright light. No one is quite sure how much better a dog sees in dim light, but I would suspect that dogs are not quite as good as cats,†which can see in light that’s six times dimmer than our lower limit. Dogs, he says, “can probably see in light five times dimmer than a human can see in.â€
Dogs have many adaptations for low-light vision, Miller says. A larger pupil lets in more light. The center of the retina has more of the light-sensitive cells (rods), which work better in dim light than the color-detecting cones. The light-sensitive compounds in the retina respond to lower light levels. And the lens is located closer to the retina, making the image on the retina brighter.
But the canine’s biggest advantage is called the tapetum. This mirror-like structure in the back of the eye reflects light, giving the retina a second chance to register light that has entered the eye. “Although the tapetum improves vision in dim light, it also scatters some light, degrading the dog’s vision from the 20:20 that you and I normally see to about 20:80,†Miller says.
IAMI - Claire Laurence was incredulous when her veterinarian told her that her 16-pound DSH -- that's domestic short hair cat, for you motley mortals -- needed to lose some weight because he was in danger of diabetes and high blood pressure.
"Cats get diabetes?" she gasped.
Yes, ma'am. Dogs can too.
Our beloved animals also can get cataracts and brain tumors. Spinal-cord abnormalities, heart disease and hepatitis too.
Vets today can offer treatments for all of these ailments and many more, using diagnostic tools such as MRIs and CAT scans, thus bringing animal care up to a level once reserved for humans.
How Do I Help My Dog Lose Weight?
by: Russell Richer
Much like their owners, more and more dogs worldwide are showing signs of obesity. Besides limiting their enjoyment of life as a dog, extra body weight can lead to to joint and heart problems, shorter lives, and sometimes behavioral issues.
The easiest way to tell whether or not your dog is obese is to examine his body. Try the following:
Have him stand up, then stand above him. Does his body slope inward at the waist?
Run your hands over his sides from front to back legs. Can you feel his ribs fairly easily?
Feel the base of his tail. Are the bones easily detectable?
Look at him from the side. Does his tummy slope upward as it gets closer to his tail?
If you answered no to any of the questions, your pup is probably overweight. If you answered “What waist/ribs/tail bones?†and “Upward? Really?,†your pup is probably obese.
The methods for treating obesity in dogs is fairly simple: eat less, exercise more.
Eat less
If your dog has a constant supply of food, remove it.
Buy a food scoop with measuring lines and portion his food based on the charts on your food labels.
Create a feeding schedule and stick to it. Whether you split the amount among two feedings or one larger meal, stay with the routine and he’ll adjust to it.
Be forewarned, though. Dogs are survival eaters and don’t react well when their food supply is threatened. She may suddenly, start raiding the trash or taking food off of the counter.
Exercise more
It won’t take any convincing to get your dog to exercise more, just get the leash and head out for a walk.
Plan to spend an hour total every day walking. I realize that it’s hard these days to find the time. If you have kids, drag them away from the TV and go for a family walk after dinner. If you work out yourself, figure out a way to incorporate your dog into your routine.
On the weekends, head to the park with a tennis ball or a Frisbee.
Think of it this way:
Would you rather see your dog running, tongue out, tail wagging for 10 years, or that he lay around the house for five?
How many people get to have a to-do list that includes “Play with Dog�
The right diet and exercise can make your dog more social, more obedient, and more dedicated to you due to the extra time you spend together.
Wasn’t that the whole reason you decided to get a dog in the first place?
- Some great ideas there for keeping your dog health and trim. I love the idea of keeping fit and healthy ourselves while at the same time benefiting our dogs. - Not to mention spending quality time with them as well!
But if your dog has serious obesity problems and you're finding that reducing the quantity of food is not working adequately, you may want to look at a dog obesity food that's ready made and will help your dog lose that unhealthy additional weight.
Naturally, if you're at all worried about your dog's weight, you should always consult your vet for advice. An overweight dog is not a healthy dog, and there may be reasons other than overeating, that your dog has become overweight.
Pet owners often first notice dog joint problems when their dog is slow to get up, moves slowly or stiffly, or refuses or is reluctant to climb stairs. Sometimes it's the result of age-related degeneration, sometimes the dog is born with it, and sometimes it's the result of a number of other factors. Whatever the cause, it's important to get your vet to positively identify any dog joint problems & discuss treatment options. You, too, can help your pet continue to lead a happy life by making a few adjustments to the household.
In addition to the great tips here, we recommend a heated pet bed as well. Our Dolce Vita Pet Beds are specifically designed to help soothe inflamed joints in your pet.
Dogs trained to assist the blind may also guide scientists towards a cure for cancer.
Guide Dogs for the Blind will share medical data and DNA from its dogs with a National Institutes of Health researcher studying cancer in people and dogs.
The San Rafael group, founded in 1942, keeps track of the medical histories and DNA of its purebred dogs.
Emergencies come in many forms, and they may require anything from a brief absence from your home to permanent evacuation. Each type of disaster requires different measures to keep your pets safe. The best thing you can do for yourself and your pets is to be prepared.
Step 1: Get a Rescue Alert Sticker
Step 2: Arrange a Safe Haven
Step 3: Emergency Supplies and Traveling Kits
Step 4: Choose “Designated Caregiversâ€
Step 5: Evacuation Preparation
Step 6: Geographic and Climatic Considerations
You can find this basis information in a number of places, but we think finding it at a newspaper in the Cayman Islands is best. Click the link to read more...
If you think pet sweaters, nail polish and ribbons are strictly for the Paris Hiltons of this world, be advised that many chic kitties and yuppie puppies actually belong to people old enough to be Hilton's grandmother. The elderly are the current biggest proponents of the pet pampering tend, and, interestingly enough, coddling their furry companions is now proven to have positive mental and physical effects on elderly pet-owners as well as benefitting pet health.
According to the Canadian Paper Lifestyle, while pet spending continues to increase, "All this is money well spent, according to the Ontario Veterinary Association, which.... documents (that) pet ownership is both physically and psychologically beneficial."
Few things are more endearing, aggravating or amusing than the sleeping habits of cats. One of the most baffling and admirable qualities about cats is their ability to create a comfy bed no matter what chaos surrounds them. Christmas presents, moving boxes and couch crevices are just a few of the places you might find a cat dozing smugly, oblivious to bulldozers outside or crinkly tissue paper rustling every time they move.
My cat Ferdinand sleeps in the swankest of all cat beds now: the Dolce Vita DuoTemp bed. Naturally, being named Ferdinand, my cat firmly believes he is the king of the world and has had no problems adjusting to his new regal digs.Ferdinand is in his silver-fox years now so I have to think more about pet health and pampering than when he was a frisky little kitten. Thus a Dolce Vita DuoTemp is where he makes his current furry home.
Truthfully, I feel like his nice new Dolce Vita pet bed is reparations for the pet bed boot camp he went through when he was young. As a kitten Ferdinand would literally sleep anywhere. Read on for a few more illustrious examples....
According to this cautionary post from Tales and Tails of New York, the answer is an adamant 'no', so read on to hear why!
The Tragic Myth of the "Outdoor Cat" (or Dog)
This is a powerful reminder why we all have to be outspoken advocates for keeping companion animals indoors. Sure, dogs and cats are reasonably intelligent, but just as with human children, we don't trust them to wander the streets alone. They have little or no comprehension what rules and protocols our society goes by (I.E., a road is for cars, not dogs or cats). Just last week, the bar owner down the block lost their "bar cat" to a car on Warren St. Don't assume that people are paying attention, what with their iPods, iPhones and daydreaming while they drive. Don't even assume that they care enough to stop or slow down.People have changed.
It's not just cars either. There are wandering vicious dogs, cat fights, and mean rotten people. There are all kinds of pollutants (city "road dust" contains high amounts of lead for example) and disease vectors (ticks and mosquitos). And of course there's Parvo, FIV, FIPS, etc., etc. Even when there are vaccines, they're not perfect. Studies show time and again that pets let outdoors tend to have radically shortened lives.
There's no such thing as an "outdoor" cat or dog. Both are creatures brought about by humans (traditional animal husbandry), and as such have no ecological niche. The harm they do to wildlife is hard to calculate, but in many places including NYS, cats are considered the top reason for songbird decline. If you've ever seen a cat stalk and kill a bird or chipmunk, you know that like man, cats hunt for sport. By letting these domesticated animals outside, we not only put their lives at risk, but other animal lives. People are fooling themselves if they think their Precious wouldn't do such things. Why should wild animals have to die so Fido or Patch can play outside? As with responsible parenting, we have to be guardian-parents, not friends. We have to do what's best for all animals, not what seems nice or convenient. Some people claim their animals will be miserable if they can't go outside. Ask them, "How miserable will they be if they're run over or set upon by a large dog or rotten kids, or contract FIV? How miserable will you be during an emergency trip to the vets?" Sure, there's an adjustment period as you wait for them to stop yowling to go outside. All life learns to adapt - that's the history of life and evolution.
This article definitely gives one pause. On the one hand, it is a New York-based blog, so Big Apple life is probably tougher on animals than say, the rurals or suburbs. Also, certainly some breeds are at less risk than others from outside adventures. A Basset Hound may be just fine bounding in the woods, whereas a Pomeranian should perhaps stick to being Princess of the Pet Bed. What do you think? Are Indoor Cats just Inmates? Or is the Great Outdoors looking not so great? Weigh in here on whether indoor life or outdoor life is ultimately better for pet health and safety!
Question: I have heard about your heated pet beds, but am not sure if I should get one for my stray cat Sophie. Sophie is a very high-maintenance kitty and though she has a very low tolerance for being cold, she also despises being too hot and will howl and scratch until i bottle-feed her water (so spoiled, i know.) We live in Seattle where it's cold and wet about nine months of the year, but don't want to spend money on a bed that's going to drive her crazy the remaining three months. Need something not too hot, not too cold...help me find a pet bed that's "just right" pretty please :)
Sincerely,
Goldilocks of the Evergreens
Dear Goldilocks,
Answer: Sounds like your Sophie would love our DuoTemp pet bed. This one-of-a-kind heating/cooling bed keeps your kitty at an ideal temperature year round. Plus we have a feeling such a discerning feline as yours will appreciate the sleek mocha and tan design. This "just right" bed is available on our site now, so feel free to check it out.
There are many joys associated with bringing home a frisky pet pup-long days of Frisbee chasing, bone fetching and snuggly tv-watching, to name a few. The downside of pet ownership is that as dogs get older, many of the bigger breeds develop arthritis. According to Placervillevet “Most large dogs develop arthritis as they age. Although there are no miracle cures, much can be done to make old dogs with arthritis more comfortable and improve their lives.†While arthritis in dogs is painful for pet and owner, now is the time to reward your faithful friend for all those fun, active years by making your old dog as comfy as you can in their new, more sedate condition.
Though you may not be able to completely prevent the loss of mobility afflicting your pet, there are several important things you can do to help significantly reduce your pet’s joint pain and discomfort, and make the arthritis a little less oppressive for your Fifi or Fido.
The first order of business is a heated dog bed. According to the article “Your dog's bed should be as comfortable as your own. Soft foam rubber at least four inches thick is good. “ One possible choice for this might be a portable Dolce Vita heated pet bed. These particular dog beds provide therapeutic heat that help dogs with arthritis. I use mine to bring my baby out grilling or gardening and not have to keep her inside and hear her howling.
The second important thing for your pup is gentle, regular exercise. It may seem counter-intuitive to make an aching dog exercise, but it actually helps them keep up their strength and vitality, and feel like a normal pup! But we’re not talking about races after squirrels through the park. Placervillevet recommends, “Once around the block two or three times a day is about right. Avoid strenuous activity on the weekends alternating with little or none during the week.†Getting your dog out of the house is important to alleviating arthritis affects; just make sure not to overdo it! Remember, the more weight on the joints, the more strain on the joints.
Which brings me to my final point, your doggie’s diet! Diet actually has a big affect on the level of discomfort your dog feels during arthritis. A good metric to use is whether you can easily locate each or your dog’s ribs when you feel for them, suggests Placervillevet. A lighter diet contributes to this ideal canine body weight. Iam’s Weight Control, Science Diet Oral Care, and Hill’s Rx t/d Canine are all recommended brands. Hill’s in particular is known for relieving joint pain in arthritis dogs.
The bottom line is that proper care for your arthritis dog can make his old age infinitely more comfortable and ensure many more pleasant pastimes for owner and pet. Follow these instructions for caring for an arthritis dog and your pet will repay you with face-licking, tail-wagging and plenty of puppy love.
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