Tag Archive for: fort collins pet

Fun Fall Games for Your Dog

 

Fall is an exciting of year for people and pets. It is also a great time of year to play with your pooch outside before it gets too cold outside. The following are fantastic fall games you can play with Fido this season.

Fun with pumpkins

Pumpkins are dog safe vegetables that you can have lots of fun with. There are many things you can do with pumpkins. One of my favorites is to clean the pumpkin out and put treats on the inside. I like to use precooked pieces of hot dog and put them inside the pumpkin. I recommend buying small pumpkin to use for this game. Here are directions:

  1. Clean the pumpkin out, removing all the seeds
  2. Cut multiple small holes in the pumpkin that are large enough for the treats to fit through
  3. Leave the top off and put your treats inside the pumpkin
  4. Give the pumpkin to your dog and watch him have fun

Tip: You may want to put peanut butter on the outside and inside of your pumpkin to get your dog interested.

Fun fact: Pumpkin puree (100% pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling) is a great treat for dogs. Just do not feed too much as it can act as a laxative.

Leaf pile scavenger hunt

Many dogs enjoy jumping into leaf piles as much as we do, this game capitalizes on that fact. It also allows your dog to use his nose to find things and do some non-destructive digging. Before you begin the game check your leaf piles for critters (snakes and mice) and any sharp or dangerous items. You can make some bigger piles and some smaller ones to provide your dog with an easier option. This game only works with dry leaves. Here are the directions:

  1. Rake your leaves into a pile
  2. Hide a favorite toy or some treats in the pile
  3. Let your dog outside to find his toy or treat in the pile

You can incorporate more than one leaf pile once your dog gets the hang of it.

As an alternative you could make the piles and play fetch with your dog, throwing the ball into the piles.

These games should make fall a fun time for you and your dog. Be sure to provide adequate water, even in the cooler weather, and read your dogs body language to see when he is done playing.

6 Common Myths About Your Dog

 

If you’re a pet parent to a canine, you’ve likely heard the old wives tales that have trickled down through the ages regarding our pooch’s health. Is your dog sick? “Check to see if his nose is dry!” Is Rover licking a wound? “Licking speeds up the healing process!” While there may be some truth behind statements like these, most are completely unfounded.

1. Dogs only eat grass when they’re sick.

While there is some truth to this claim, many scientists insist it’s normal for a dog to eat some grass from time to time as it’s in their genetics. There’s no need to worry if your dog enjoys a grass snack on occasion, however, if gulped down in large amounts it may indicate Rover has an upset stomach. If you find him chowing down on mouthfuls of grass and vomiting them up, it may be best to visit your vet.

2. Dogs eat non-food items because of a nutritional deficiency.

No one can say exactly why some dogs eat rocks, feces, lick carpet, and ingest things that are not meant to be ingested. Most vets believe dogs eat these things out of sheer boredom or as a method to gain attention. To prevent Rover from noshing on the non-edible, provide adequate exercise for him, along with ample outlets for his excess energy.

3. Garlic kills fleas.

Many pet parents claim garlic works to keep fleas at bay, but there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. While it is very possible that the smell acts as a deterrent, garlic does not kill them.

4. If Rover’s nose is warm, he is sick.

Not true! Your dog’s nose temperature cannot indicate illness or health. It also can’t verify whether or not Rover has a fever. The only way to accurately determine your dog’s temperature is by measuring it with a thermometer, with normal readings ranging between 101.5 to 102.5°F.

 

5. If your dog licks his wounds, it will help them heal faster.

Dogs naturally lick their wounds in an effort to clean them, but it actually slows down the healing process and can lead to serious infections. To prevent your pooch from licking his wound excessively, block access to the area with an Elizabethan collar (you know, the lampshade looking contraptions that go around Rover’s neck) or by applying a bandage. To aid in the healing process, clean the wound thoroughly and apply a dog-safe antiseptic.

6. Your pooch will let you know when he’s sick or in pain.

Definitely not true! In general, dogs are adept at hiding the signs that indicate they are sick or feeling pain. Behaviorists speculate this is instinctual, a behavior inherited from their ancestors who, in their drive to survive, hid any weakness. More often than not, by the time you notice your dog is sick, his condition has already progressed. Keep an eye on Rover’s typical behavior and make note of any differences you notice in the time he spends sleeping, if he’s slower in his movements (especially when getting up and lying down), if his appetite shrinks, if he seems more distant, or, on the contrary, becomes more clingy. It’s also a good idea to take a quick look at Rover’s poop every time he goes to identify any differences in its appearance.

 

It’s our mission as pet parents to provide the best possible care for our canine companions, and it can sometimes get confusing with the countless theories out there on dogs and their care. If you’re uncertain or just looking for advice, consult with Rover’s veterinarian.

Pet Insurance Tips

 

Owning a pet can be very expensive. Food, grooming and vet bills all add up quickly. So when a veterinary emergency occurs, paying for it can become stressful. Pet insurance can be a way to help pay for emergency costs, but it is it the right option for you?

 

What is pet insurance?

Pet insurance is a little different than human health insurance. With most pet insurance companies routine care (like vaccines) is not covered. However emergency visits, accidents or illness and their treatments are covered. With pet insurance, when the emergency or illness happens you take your animal to the vet and receive treatment, pay out of pocket and file a claim.The insurance company will then reimburse you for what you are covered for.

What should I look for when choosing a pet insurance provider? 

  1. How much coverage do you have?
    • There are various levels of coverage available. If you choose 50% coverage you pay less monthly. So for your $2,000 emergency visit you will only get a $1,000 reimbursement. A higher monthly payment means more coverage.
  2. How long will reimbursement take?
    • Reimbursement could take one week or it could take up to a few months. Find an insurance with shorter time frame to prevent a financial headache.
  3. Can you use any licensed veterinarian?
    • Some pet insurance companies will only reimburse you for visits at certain veterinarians. This could be a problem if you travel or your vet is not on that list.
  4. What is covered?
    • Some insurances cover everything, some only cover parts of treatment. For example some companies will not cover diagnostics (blood tests,x-rays, etc) . Most insurances will cover medications for treatment of an illness or condition. Some even cover alternative therapies (like acupuncture) and behavioral counseling.
  5. What is a pre-existing condition?
    • By most definitions a pre-existing condition is any non- curable condition your pet has prior to getting insurance. However some companies and plans will consider conditions your pet is predisposed to as pre-existing conditions. For example if you have a breed of dog prone to hip dysplasia (like German Shepherds), treatment of hip dysplasia will not be covered because this is a pre-existing condition.

 

Pet insurance can be a very good option if you have a pet who likes to get into things, or just to be on the safe side.There are about 10 companies offering pet insurance in the U.S., so you have many options in choosing the right plan for you and your pet. It is best to start pet insurance as soon as you get a new pet to limit the amount of pre-existing conditions. While choosing pet insurance, always make sure to read your contract closely so you can be aware of what will and will not be covered.

How to Find the Right Litter For Your Cat

 

There are hundreds of types of cat litter on the market, so how do you find the right litter for your cat?  There are a couple of factors to consider when picking out a litter type. It is important to find a litter that works for both you and your cat.

Clumping litter or non- clumping 

Clumping litter can be a good option for a lower maintenance litter box. With most clumping litter you can remove most of what your cat leaves behind.This helps reduce odor and lessens the frequency you have to totally empty and refill the box.

There are non-clumping litters on the market, such as crystals and pellets. These litters do not clump around your cat’s excrement and cannot be scooped in the same way clumping litter can.These can be a good option for people who want to or need to dump their litter box every day. This may also be a good choice for people with small kittens, who may eat their litter.

Scented or Unscented

Most cats tend to prefer non-scented litter. However scented litter may be a good option if you keep your litter box in an area people hang out in or have multiple cats. Try different options and see what minimizes odor for you and keeps your cat using his box.

Tracking 

If you have a cat who sleeps in bed with you, tracking is really important.Waking up to litter in your bed is not fun. There are some litters marketed as non-tracking, but you can use any litter that has larger grains or a pellet litter.

Natural Litter

Natural litters have become more common in the past few years. There are walnut litters, pine litters, corn litters and wheat litters. All of these can be good options. Some clump- like the walnut litter- but most do not. I also find that the walnut litter tends to be pretty dusty.In my experience, most cats do not seem to favor natural litter any more than traditional litter, it tends to be more owner preference.

 

With so many choices on the market, choosing a cat litter can be overwhelming and hard to find the right litter. Be sure to try multiple litters to find the one your cat likes best, this will help encourage him to use his litter box.