Pet Bucket Blog

So news flash: plaque, tarter, and periodontal issues don’t just exist in the human mouth. Dog chompers might be a good bit sharper and a lot more resilient than your human mandibles, but at the end of the day they need some maintenance as well. Periodontitis in dogs can be a serious condition. It starts out with bad breath, then tooth decay, but eventually it can lead to more serious conditions like infections or even heart disease. Periodontitis is caused by an excess of microbacterial organisms that are allowed to thrive in the dog’s mouth because a lack of proper tooth and gum maintenance. An early sign of this disease is bleeding gums. So be sure to check for that early symptom. In canine periodontitis’ late stages it becomes irreversible. It forms cavities in dog’s teeth and these cavities then fill up with pus. Eventually the teeth will become loose, and finally the dog’s gums will recede while the roots of the tooth itself die. It’s a horribly gruesome sight, and something that no dog should have to go through. Especially when it’s so easy to prevent. Prevention is easy to go about. It starts with proper puppy nutrition. The higher quality food you give the dog, the lower the chances of developing a nasty condition like bleeding gums, gingivitis, or the like. You can also help prevent periodontitis in dogs with dental friendly chew toys of which there are many. Dog’s love to chew, so you might as well purchase a toy that has some dental benefit to help meet this psychological puppy imperative. Finally it comes down to a chore that no one really looks forward to, but it’s a necessary part of life: tooth brushing. Dog’s dental care isn’t as bad as it sounds, and fortunately it’s an effort you can manage in the security of your own home. You can go and get a dog’s teeth professionally cleaned by a veterinarian, and should annually do so, but most of the time it’s more important to grab a soft bristled brush and go to work yourself. You can make a routine of it, and get it down to a daily basis. Preferably start when your dog is tired and relaxed. So perhaps after a big meal or a long walk would be the ideal time to get to work. Get a tasty toothpaste that you furry friend won’t mind, as well as a handle long enough to reach those out of the way spots in the back of the dog’s mouth. It’s a process getting your dog used to the idea of having the brush in their mouth, but if you introduce the process to them slowly and reward them for their patience, they’ll take to it eventually. Make sure you use circular motions with the brush and concentrate on the outside of the canines and molars. If you can keep this routine up daily, you can keep your dog’s dental care costs to a minimum. Image via the Celebrity Dachshund

The human to kitty cat connection can be quite caustic on occasion.  Unlike their canine counterparts, cats, while cute, are known to be quite hostile to humans they haven’t bonded with. Unfortunately, bonding with an angry kitty isn’t exactly an easy endeavor. It takes patience, perception, and more than a few cat treats. In an effort to curb chaotic human/feline relations, today we’ll talk about the steps necessary to courting a particularly cautious cat. To begin with, it’s important to note that not all cats are going to bond with everyone. Bonding with a cat is a delicate process, complicated by the fact that many of them are just downright finicky. However, with a little bit of can do attitude, and a lot of effort anything is possible. Unless your cat's feral. If that’s the case, you’re up a creek. But for today’s purposes let’s assume that you didn’t kidnap a bobcat from the forest, and start with some simple methods to bond with a cat. Some cats will walk right into your house like they own the place, others will be terribly frightened. You’ll need to isolate the latter in a small room so as to keep them from being overwhelmed. Fill this room with cat toys and treats. Don’t approach the cat, but patiently let it approach you. This may take a while, but it’s all part of caring for cats. If you’ve got a kitten on your hands then it’s important to expose it to as many people as possible and always arrange these circumstances to indicate a positive experience around human beings. Cats are very impressionable and inquisitive in their first month and a half of life. So if you manage to create some happy early memories of play time with people, it will likely create a lasting impression. Cat bonding can be elucidated with both petting and play. However, not all cats are created equal and many will far prefer one to the other. Figure out what your cat’s preferences are and shower them in their choice of affections. If a cat isn’t a fan of close physical contact, try the trusty laser pointer, or a toy with a long string. Eventually, your cat will become comfortable enough to approach you for physical contact. Another important facet of socializing a cat is the feeding. Cats associate their owners with provisions, and it’s probably the most important part of the relationship. Always establish specific feeding times, and never leave food out for the cat all day. If you do, your prominent role in the cat’s daily routine is severely marginalized. Finally it’s important to pay attention to the signals the cat is sending. Tail twitching? Are its pupils dilated? Best to give the kitty some space. Keep these tips in mind and you should no trouble socializing a cat. Just stay patient, and you’ll have a caring kitty companion in no time!

Everyone knows about the nose, right? Dogs are at their healthiest when it’s wet, cold, and buried someplace uncomfortable on the owner’s body. A dog’s nose can be a good, but not necessarily one hundred percent accurate barometer of the pup’s overall health. A healthy mutt doesn’t always mean one with a dry nose, but at the same time it can definitely indicate a bigger problem if it’s in conjunction with other symptoms. Let’s take some time today to take a look at the implications of a parched snout. You should always consider that you might just be a hypochondriac about your dog’s health. A warm dry nose doesn’t always mean your pup is going to spontaneously combust. It could be something so simple as your dog lying in the sunlight for a while. It could have just been near a warm spot. There are plenty of harmless circumstances that can lead to a room temperature shnoz. However,  there are some accompanying symptoms of dog illness that you should be on the lookout for in addition to the dry nose. For example, a warm, dry, and cracked nose could be indicative of sunburn. Sunburn certainly isn’t life threatening, but it also isn’t comfortable, and repeated sunburn can lead to skin cancer. So it’s best to keep an eye out for that. Similarly, scabs, cracks, and sores might also imply that your dog has a skin disorder. If these are reoccurring it’d be best to take your dog to a vet as soon as you can. The next thing you want to look out for is nasal discharge. Normally, when a dog’s nose is runny, you might think it’s funny, but it’s snot. Heh.  But seriously, a dog’s nasal discharge should be clear and watery. If it’s an ugly shade of green, yellow, black, thick in consistency, or at all bubbly it means the same thing that it does in humans: infection. It can be something simple like a respiratory issue or something awful like a tumor in the nasal passage. Either way you need to book it down to your vet to get a clear idea. If the dog’s dry nose is persistent and accompanied by lethargy, vomiting, loose bowels, or a lack of hunger then it could be something more serious like another skin disorder. These ailments are tricky and have a host of symptoms that can be both subtle and overstated. So if you’re worried about the canine’s health it is probably best to err on the side of caution and bring it in for a checkup. If you keep a sharp eye out for these symptoms, your dog shouldn’t have any trouble. Just keep in mind that a dry nose in isolation isn’t always an ill-boding portent of doggy doom. Most likely they have been sniffing a little to closely at whatever you’ve got baking in the oven.  So stay vigilant, but don’t worry, and as always join us next time for more helpful pet tips on the Petbucket blog!

Pets are the most adorable little pains available to contemporary pet owners. They have this nasty trick; they get you to love them so that you won’t immediately kill them for scratching your furniture, eating your shoes, or ruining the carpet. Luckily for you (and them too for that matter,) there are some simple steps you can take to pet proof your home against many of the minor or major offenses that dogs or cats might commit. Tile/hardwood floors- If you have carpet and a puppy, you’re going to have a bad time. It’s just a rotten combination. This is probably the most expensive pet proofing alteration you can make, but it’s worth it based on avoiding the “ick” factor alone. Cleaning up feces is no picnic either way, but if you have to decide between scooping it up between individual carpet fibers or a flat surface, it’s a no brainer. Doggy doors/kitty doors- This is a good way to enrich your pet’s life while simultaneously making yours easier. Once housetrained, a dog or cat can use these pet portals to easily reach the outdoors and do their business. So you won’t get those random false alarms when the family dog just wants to sporadically sniff random stuff. If you’re in a neighborhood with coyotes or other large predators this probably isn’t the best idea and you should always beware of other intrusive varmints that might come calling. Dog Ramps- For the short stubby dog or the garden variety elderly pet, a tall set of stairs can be an even taller order. Or if you’re the type that likes to snuggle up on the bed with your Yorkie, you’d better either have a ramp or a mattress on the ground. Assuming you’ve moved past collegiate life, the latter makes more sense. Simple to make and inexpensive if you don’t feel like it. Ramps are a pet’s best friend. Scratching posts-Scratching posts are a necessity for any cat owner. Cats have an insatiable need to rend, rip, and tear apart tall structures as a way of marking territory. Don’t fall victim to a territorially protective pussycat. Place some catnip saturated scratching posts wherever you can. Check out this earlier post on the blog for more detailed information. Repellant sprays- If scratching posts are unsuccessful, or you have a rambunctious dog to contend with, you might consider purchasing a repellant spray. An odorless aerosol that carries a bitter taste pets would prefer to avoid. It should keep them from munching on anything too expensive. Trash cans with lids- Finally, if you’ve got an exposed trash can anywhere in the house, and you’re fond of throwing away leftovers, fragrant trash, or used feminine products then it would be highly advisable to get a can with a pop up lid. If it’s stinky, chances are your dog wants it in its mouth and all over your floor. Do the right thing and prevent your unpresentables from being on public display. That’s all for now. Check back for more helpful pet tips!    

Man’s best friend has been responsible for a lot of wonderful human advancements throughout the ages. Thanks to the domestication of dogs, humans gained the ability to herd other domesticated animals and support ever larger populations. Dogs have been guards, babysitters, watchmen, hunters, and rescue personnel among numerous other nifty vocations. But in their ongoing effort to outdo themselves in pursuit of our affections, now dogs can smell cancer. And yes, the cats are furiously accusing them of being over achievers. So jealous. Dogs detect cancer by smelling the waste products of tumors. Usually, something as simple as a breath sample, taken from patients and stored in tubes, can be presented to one of these lifesaving scent connoisseurs, and from that single exhalation they can sniff out serious health conditions. In the case of dogs detecting cancer, they sniff out tiny particles called alkanes as well as some unknown aromatic compounds that are generated as waste byproducts in tumor cell production. The researchers working on these findings managed to train the dogs to examine a large amount of these scent samples. They were trained to ignore the ones from patients lacking cancerous cells in their system, but they would sit or lay down in front of the samples that smelled a little more deadly. For their efforts they were rewarded with tasty food treats and clicker noises. The amount of cancers dogs can detect isn’t limited either. Through use of stool samples dogs can sense bowel and bladder cancer as well as lung from the breath smells. For once the canine tendency to sniff butts might come in handy. Incredibly, dogs have a sense of smell that is on average 10,000 to 100,000 times more powerful than the human olfactory sense. This stupendously sharp schnozzle is effective, (according to various estimates) anywhere between 93 and 99 percent of the time. This has led to a lot of differing opinions on practical application of dogs as healthcare professionals. Dogs are already in widespread use as ambassadors of goodwill in elderly homes and terminally ill wards in hospitals all over. Thus many medical researchers are suggesting that thoroughly trained tumor tracing hounds be on hand for diagnostic purposes as well. That would mean a hospital dog could be as common as a drug or bomb detecting canine. On the other side of the spectrum, many suggest that cancer detecting dogs should be used in labs to determine which compounds are actually being found as x factors in the detection process. That way the researchers can develop advanced detection equipment and let the dogs get back to rolling in the mud. Where ever they end up, you can bet that they’ll show up with tongues lolling and tails wagging at the prospect of being helpful to their human counterparts. Man’s best friend is always going the extra mile to try and help out an owner in need, but this latest battery of good deeds might just end up saving lives. Keep checking back for more informative pet news from the friendly folks at Petbucket.com!    

Man’s best friend is often a lovable dolt. Dogs are as cute as they are dumb, but they do show occasional flashes of brilliance. There are numerous parodies of dogs being able to speak and what they might say, but the stark reality is that they have a very limited concept of language. People think symbolically, dogs think in a rather concrete sort of way. This begs the question: how do dog’s think and learn? As it turns out there are two different ways that dogs learn. One is through social interaction. Dogs will watch people and each other to pick up body language, actions, hunting techniques, all sorts of nuanced little actions. The other way, is much ­better documented and will be the main focus of this article: Behavioral Conditioning. Behavioral Conditioning was theorized, discovered, and popularized through the work of Ivan Pavlov. Any grade schooler has heard of Pavlov’s dogs, and his famous experiment that conditioned them to salivate at the sound of a bell. But Pavlov’s experiments went a lot deeper than that. He proved that there are several effective methods of teaching a dog, and all of them are still popular today. First there’s Operant conditioning. Operant conditioning is defined as training dogs through the use of rewards. That means using positive reinforcement, the process by which a trainer would give the dog something it likes when it performs the desired behavior, and negative punishment, where the trainer would take away something it likes. This is the preferred method for most family dogs, as it’s not stressful for the dog, and it’s fairly easy to get them to respond to a positive stimulus.  The positive stimulus could be anything the dog likes, usually food, affection, or a toy.  Next there is Aversive conditioning. This is like operant conditioning’s mean cousin. Aversive conditioning means using positive punishment. Positive punishment is a pit paradoxically named, but it means to give the dog something it doesn’t want, usually pain or a threat. This pain could be a smack on the muzzle, a bop with a newspaper, or Cesar Milan’s famous pinch on the neck. You can also use shock collars, or a loud unpleasant sound. All of these negative stimuli or positive punishments will usually quickly cause unwanted dog behavior to cease. Once the bad attitude has stopped the aversive trainer will commence negative reinforcement, which is simply the removal of the positive punishment. It’s important to note that frequency of rewards an punishments are the pivotal factor in dog training. If you are rewarding or punishing your dog too often then the law of diminishing returns will inevitably take effect. Too many positive reinforcements acclimate the dog to always receiving rewards. That means you’ll have a spoiled dog, which is almost as bad as a spoiled teenager.  Too many positive punishments will result in a stressed or aggressive dog, and then you’ll really have your hands full. Keep these basic dog learning principles in mind whenever you’re training your dog, and you should have a pretty easy time of it, and as always keep checking back at the Petbucket blog to learn more about your favorite furry pals!

“Love thy neighbor as you love yourself”.  I would like to start with one of the Ten Commandments since pets are in many ways just like human beings.  They are our beloved neighbors, loyal companions, and inevitably fallible fur-balls.  That’s why it is so heartbreaking that many of our four-legged neighbors are left to fend for themselves with no proper food or shelter.  That’s why pet fostering is a very important subject. First of all pet fostering is the process of providing temporary homes for pets, just until a more suitabl home can be found. Helping homeless pets with behavioral issues, socialization or recovering from an illness not only makes them more adoptable, it also opens up spots in the shelter for other animals. But no matter how great it feels to help save the lives of these animals, it’s also easy to get attached to the pets you take in. When fostering a pet, the biggest emotional pitfall is getting too attached to your temporary pets. Try to keep in mind that you and your temporary pet have a working relationship. Don’t think of the dog or cat as a family member, but more as a collaborator. But attachment issues don’t stop at your emotions. Pets are very likely to become attached as well, almost inevitably so. While showing affection is important, dogs and cats are predisposed to becoming spoiled rather quickly. Animals that get attached to foster parents have a difficult time adjusting to their new homes. Focusing on treating a foster pet like a student or a colleague will keep both of your emotions on a short leash. Your foster assignment can last days, weeks, or months but no matter how long they stay, when it’s over, you’ve got to be ready. You’ve helped to prepare this pet for its forever home and now it’s time to do what’s best for the animal. Depending on the situation, you may even be responsible for meeting with prospective adoptive families. If you start thinking that they aren’t good enough for the pet, it might be a sign that you’ve grown too attached. Throughout your foster assignment, try to stay focused on the goal of getting the pet ready for its new forever home, so you’re always thinking positively of the day you’ll part ways. Don’t draw it out with a big teary scene, as that can be stressful for the animal. And if you find yourself overly depressed about the loss of your temporary friend, you can always volunteer to have another pet temporarily housed and loved. It’s also a good idea to exchange contact information with the family that adopts. This way you can be sure that your canine coworker is well provided for. If you aren’t involved in fostering pets but you would like to be, then try visiting the Pet Foster Network’s website: http://www.petfoster.org/ There you can volunteer your home and your time for a very worthwhile cause. One that can benefit you and furry little neighbor.

We’re picking up right where we left off from yesterday with part two of our list of common cat ailments and their symptoms. First up is… Feline Panleukopenia This condition is caused by a virus and is most commonly known as feline distemper. Though any cat can contract this illness, kittens are most at risk. Distemper is a contagious infection usually spread through litter boxes. If infected, your cat may become listless and lethargic. They may have severe diarrhea, vomiting, and refuse to eat or drink. Their skin will become dry due to dehydration, and fur may fall out or begin to look dull. If you suspect distemper, get to your vet as soon as possible. Distemper can be diagnosed through the observation of symptoms, or a white blood cell count. There is no medication to fight the virus but an antibiotic will be administered to fight off secondary infections. The bad news is that distemper is very difficult to fight off, and many cats die from the infection. Fortunately, there is a vaccine, and cats should be vaccinated against distemper while they’re kittens as part of routine veterinary care. Chronic Kidney Failure Kidney failure is most common in senior cats. Their kidneys begin to deteriorate and lose their ability to properly remove waste from the blood stream. Symptoms include: constipation, lack of appetite, lethargy, and nausea. As the kidneys fail they require more liquid to process toxins. Eventually, the cat can’t drink enough water and the toxins begin to affect its entire body. Your veterinarian will most likely use blood and urine tests to confirm kidney failure. There is no cure for renal failure but your veterinarian may be able to suggest treatments that prolong your cat's life. Common treatments include an IV drip or even a dialysis machine. This special machine can help your pet filter the toxins, but is also be very costly. Diabetes Much like people, cats can develop diabetes, a condition where the body doesn’t produce enough insulin to properly maintain blood sugar levels. If diabetes isn’t properly diagnosed it can drastically shorten a cat’s lifespan. Early symptoms of feline diabetes may include increased appetite with no weight gain or even weight loss in your pet. Excessive drinking and urination is also common. As the disease progresses your cat becomes less active and their coat loses its luster. They could also experience weakness, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle weakness. Breathing will become labored and signs of dehydration will be evident. Your veterinarian will run both blood and urine tests to screen your cat for diabetes. If the results are positive there are a number of treatments available depending on the severity of the disease. Many cats will require insulin shots once or twice a day along with a special diet. A very sick cat will need to be treated for dehydration and other issues before insulin and diet can help. Your veterinarian will work out a treatment for your pet as needed.  So be on the lookout for these common cat ailments, and take good care of your favorite feline companion!  

Despite great interest, there is a lack of common knowledge about cat healthcare.  Oftentimes, we’re at a loss when our sick cats seem out of sorts. It can make you feel helpless. Spotting symptoms early will lead to quick treatment, and less overall stress for your pet. Remember that only your veterinarian can properly diagnose and treat a sick cat's illnesses, but in the name of preparedness: here’s a short list of common illnesses, the symptoms, and the general treatment a veterinarian might offer.   Urinary Tract Infection Cats can get urinary tract infections just like people. Signs of this in cats will vary depending on circumstance. Many cats will whine when using the litter box, and you might find blood in their urine. They may also have accidents even if they are otherwise housetrained. You may notice your cat making frequent trips to the box but they seem to have trouble doing their business. UTI’s will range significantly in severity and you may not even know that there is a problem. These extremely mild cases will most often clear up before you become aware of an issue. If however, you do notice something’s wrong, it’s probably time to visit your veterinarian. Antibiotics are the common first step in treating UTI’s and will most likely clear up the problem so long as it’s diagnosed early. Your veterinarian should do a series of tests to determine the origin of the problem. In some cases, the infection may spread to the kidney and the situation becomes more complicated. Your kitty could be in a lot of pain. If you see any of these symptoms, make an appointment as soon as possible. Because any blockage that prevents your cat from urinating can become life threatening very quickly. Upper Respiratory Infection This is much like a human cold. The good news is that it’s rare for an indoor pet to contract this infection. This illness is contagious and one cat must come in contact with another to catch it. If your cats stay inside and you don't go around petting every sick kitty you see then you probably don’t have to worry about it. Cats that do go outside however, are significantly more at risk. A cat with a respiratory infection will sneeze, cough, have a runny nose, or even develop a fever. You may also notice watery eyes and a raspy meow. In many cases, this is only a minor annoyance to the cat and veterinarian’s visits won’t be needed. If you notice your cat is not eating or drinking or seems lethargic, they may be very sick so schedule a visit ASAP. URI’s are generally caused by viruses. Antibiotics are generally administered not to treat the virus but to hold off any secondary bacterial problems that can pop up while your cat is sick. Your veterinarian may also give your cat medications to break up mucus so your cat can breathe easier. In severe cases your cat may become dehydrated and will require a fluid drip. That’s all for now, Check back tomorrow for part 2 of this list!

We all want to have some furry and lovable pets at home. But the question is: are we ready to have one?  It’s not exactly a walk in the park, (at least not all the time). Because having a pet entails so much responsibility and commitment, first time pet owners may find it a little difficult and eventually end up getting stressed out. Which is no good for them or their prospective pets.   Pets are living creatures with deep feelings and poignant emotions. We need to keep that in mind and endeavor to maintain a good relationship with them.  Too often, pet owners resort to punishment for minor infractions. Punishment is a poor tool for shaping a pet’s behavior in most situations. Physical punishment and harsh scolding are likely to bruise your relationship and can often lead to more serious problems down the line, such as aggression or anxiety.  Never swat, spank, thump shake or yell at your puppy or kitten.  Avoid doing anything that makes your pet act frightened or reluctant to approach you. We need to train dogs and cats to have good behavior. Teaching them tricks is a positive way to gain respect. Building a sense of trust is key to letting your pet know you’re there to take care of it.  Teaching them tricks should start at the very beginning. The day you bring it home needs to be the first day of obedience school. Praise and appreciate the good behavior with food or affection. If the pet gets positive reinforcement for their actions, they begin to associate the actions with the rewards. Even if the rewards are something as simple as petting and praise, the investment in positive reinforcement will pay big dividends in the long run. They will learn to repeat their appreciated actions to get the same positive reinforcement from you. This also helps develop a sense of communication.  Establish a different tone or hand gesture for positive and negative reinforcement in order to help your pet differentiate whether its actions were good or bad. Spend quality time with your dog by taking it on long daily walks, going to the park, or throwing a ball. The standard puppy stuff isn’t that complicated. Part of why we love them is that they’re so easy to please.  Set up a routine with your dog that he or she can look forward to, that way it’ll know and be comfortable with whatever comes next. And always remember that simple petting helps your dog to feel comfortable and strengthens the bond between the two of you. It also serves as one-on-one attention upon which dogs thrive. At the end of the day, whether or not we’re ready to have a pet at home is a big decision requiring a lot of serious thought.  We need to be prepared for the ups and the downs, but most importantly we need to show that we love them, and that means going the extra mile to put in the time.