Monthly Archives: September 2014

Dogs

House Training a Dog or Puppy

Puppies are a source of limitless cuteness and love ….and…..pee and poop!  Here are some helpful points to make your job easier.

You’ve brought a new dog into your home—congratulations! Now comes your first dog-training challenge: house training.

House training is not an exact science—there’s no sure-fire formula or timetable that will work for every dog. The important thing is to make it a positive experience. Here are a few tips to help you through it.

Do: Supervise your dog. Limit the dog’s run of the house to the one or two rooms where you are able to see her at all times. Dogs usually show “pre-pottying” behavior such as sniffing, circling and walking with stiff back legs; all signs that you should get her to the potty area ASAP! As the training begins to take hold, you can slowly enlarge her territory.

Don’t: Yell at a dog for a mess she made earlier. If you catch her in the act, it’s okay to startle her by clapping or making a noise (hopefully this will stop her long enough for you to whisk her outside). But a dog will not learn anything by being scolded for a past accident, even one a few minutes old. Just clean it up and soldier on.

Do: Offer big praise when she gets it right. Whether your goal is for your dog to eliminate on pee pads indoors or to do it outside, you have to really throw a party for her when she succeeds. Lavish her with praise, affection and some yummy treats!

Don’t: Rub her face in it. In addition to this action making your dog fear you, she’s incapable of making the connection that it’s the act of soiling indoors you object to—to her, you just really hate pee and poop. If she thinks that the waste itself is what you dislike, she’ll only get sneakier about hiding it from you.

ASPCA

Diana Ruth Davidson, Chief Pet Officer and Managing Nanny, Westside Dog Nanny

We offer pet services such as:  Pet Sitting,  In-Home Dog Boarding, Dog Walking, Overnights in your home, Doggie Day Care.

Diana@WestsideDogNanny.com
310 919 9372

 

 

Cats, Dogs, Health

Ten Facts About Rabies

The Mysteries of Rabies Revealed

Although it is not as rampant in the U.S. as in other parts in the world, rabies is still a dangerous threat. Rabies is categorized as a zoonotic disease, meaning that it is a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans, or from humans to animals. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, 55,000 people die of rabies every year. And when left unvaccinated, our pets can suffer, too. Read on for ten interesting facts about this zoonotic disease, its origins, and how you can prevent rabies in your pet.

1. Rabies is (Nearly) Everywhere!

With the exception of Antarctica, rabies is present on all continents. In the United States, rabies has been reported in every state except Hawaii.

2. Rabies = Rage

The word “rabies” originates from a Latin word that means “to rage”. That´s because animals with rabies often act violently. As the disease progresses, animals develop hypersensitivity to light and sound as well as paralysis of the nerves that control the head and throat — eventually the rabid animal goes into respiratory failure and dies.

3. Rabies is Spread through Saliva

The rabies virus is spread via contact with saliva from of an infected animal. Though transmission is usually through a bite wound, rabies has been known to spread through a scratch or an existing open wound.

4. Rabies Incubation Period Varies

The incubation period — the time elapsed between exposure to a disease and when signs and symptoms first become apparent — for rabies can vary greatly. According to the American Humane Association, the typical incubation period is three to eight weeks. However, it can be as little as nine days or as long as several years in some rare cases.

5. Any Mammal Can Get Rabies

That’s right. It’s pretty scary that you, your dog, your cat, or that raccoon around your neighborhood could get (or even have) rabies. The most common rabies carriers in the U.S. are raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes.

6. Rabies More Common in Cats than Dogs

Cases of rabies in domestic pets average 400 to 500 per year, according to the American Humane Association. During 2010, 48 states and Puerto Rico reported 2 human rabies cases and 6,154 rabid animals to the CDC. Of that total, there were found to be 303 cats and 69 dogs with rabies.

7. Rabies Records are often Required

Depending on where you live you may be required to keep up-to-date rabies vaccination records for your pets. In some states yearly rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats are mandatory, while in others areas vaccines are only required every three years. Review local government guidelines to see what applies to your pets.

8. Rabies Vaccines Can Have Side Effects

Like with any vaccine, there is a possibility your dog or cat may have an adverse reaction to the rabies vaccination. Signs include fever, loss of appetite, facialswelling, hives, diarrhea and pain, swelling, or hair lossaround the injection site. If you suspect your pet is suffering from side effects to the rabies vaccine, call your veterinarian immediately.

9. Quarantining of Rabid Pets Does Happen

In many states, an unvaccinated pet that has been bitten by a wild animal or that has received a bite wound of unknown origin must undergo a six-month rabies quarantine (typically at an animal control facility at the owner’s expense). This period is meant to ensure that the animal does not have rabies and is for the safety of humans and other animals.

10. Rabies Vaccines are Available

Dogs can receive the rabies vaccination as early as 6-8 weeks of age, and cats as early as 8 weeks. Consult your veterinarian if you have a new puppy or kitten and want to get them vaccinated against rabies, or if you have let your pet’s rabies vaccine lapse. In many states regular rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats is required by law.

Diana Ruth Davidson, Chief Pet Officer and Managing Nanny, Westside Dog Nanny

We offer pet services such as:  Pet Sitting,  In-Home Dog Boarding, Dog Walking, Overnights in your home, Doggie Day Care.

Diana@WestsideDogNanny.com
310 919 9372

 

Health, Pets

Seven Signs of Arthritis in Dogs and Cats

How to Spot Arthritis in Dogs and Cats

By Lorie Huston, DVM

Arthritis is one of the most common ailments seen in middle-aged to older pets. Even younger dogs and cats, under the right circumstances, can suffer from arthritic changes. Arthritis causes changes within the affected joints that are painful for the affected pet. This pain is responsible for many of the signs associated with arthritis. Here are seven of those common signs.

1. Limping

You may see your pet limping or favoring one or more of his legs, depending on which legs and which joints are arthritic. In some cases, the limp may seem worse when your pet first rises and become less noticeable as your pet “warms up” by moving around.

2. Difficulty Moving

Your pet may also become reluctant to do things that were previously easy for him to accomplish. For instance, your dog may find it difficult to get into and out of the car or may have difficulty going up and down stairs that were previously easily manageable. Arthritic cats, on the other hand, may stop jumping onto countertops, perches and other high areas because of the pain and discomfort.

3. Spinal Issues

Arthritic changes can occur not only in the legs but also in the various parts of the spine. These changes may result in a sore neck, an abnormal posture with a “hunch” in the back, or lameness of one or both hind legs.

4. Tiredness

Your pet may tire more easily. For dogs, this may mean that walks become shorter and more painful for your pet. Your pet may spend more time sleeping and/or resting.

5. Irritability

Arthritic animals may become irritable. They may snap and/or bite when approached or handled, particularly if the petting or handling takes place in a manner that increases their pain.

6. Muscle Atrophy

Arthritic pets often develop muscle atrophy or dying off of the muscle tissue due to inactivity and decreased use of the muscles. A pet with atrophied muscles in their legs will have a leg which looks thinner than a normal leg.

7. Licking, Chewing & Biting

Pets affected with arthritis may also begin to lick at, chew or bite at body areas that are painful. This may even reach the point of causing inflamed skin and hair loss over affected areas.

Diana Ruth Davidson, Chief Pet Officer and Managing Nanny, Westside Dog Nanny

We offer pet services such as:  Pet Sitting,  In-Home Dog Boarding, Dog Walking, Overnights in your home, Doggie Day Care.

Diana@WestsideDogNanny.com
310 919 9372

 

 

Cats, Health

5 Common Skin Problems in Cats

ITCHY CAT? HOW TO IDENTIFY AND RESOLVE SKIN PROBLEMS IN CATS

 

By Jessica Vogelsang, DVM

Cats are known as secretive beings, and as any cat owner knows they can be very good at hiding the early signs of disease. But even the most stoic cat can have a hard time hiding what’s plainly visible to the naked eye: skin disease. Here are some of the most common skin problems in cats, and what you can do about them.

1. MASSES

Skin swelling represents almost a third of all the skin cases that present to veterinarians, according to one 2006 study. Masses and swellings are notoriously difficult to diagnose without diagnostic tests such as aspirates and biopsies, but it’s necessary in order to determine the cause.

Despite the constant fear of cat cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cause of skin swelling in cats is abscesses. A small bump or lesion on the outside can mask a large pocket of pus and debris under the skin. This can cause a disproportionate amount of pain compared to what looks like a small wound. If your cat is suddenlyhiding, resisting your touch, or has any unusual behavior changes, he may be in pain. Have your veterinarian check out any strange lumps and bumps.

2. SORES ON FACE OR EARS

Little red lesions may appear innocuous at first, but any persistent sore that doesn’t resolve on its own should be evaluated by your veterinarian. Sores on the upper lip may be what’s known as a rodent ulcer, an ulcerative skin disease often associated with allergies.

There are many other causes of persistent sores, and all require medical attention. Some examples are infectious diseases such as viruses, fungus, or bacteria; autoimmune disease, or even cancer. Be especially vigilant if you have a white cat; these felines have a higher incidence than others of squamous cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer in cats, often noted on the tips of the ears, eyelids, and nose.

3. HAIR LOSS

Sudden cat hair loss can be dramatic and upsetting to owners. Ectoparasites such as fleas are one of the most common causes of cat hair loss, as are allergies. Cat hair loss can also be caused by infections such as ringworm or stress. In older cats, sudden hair loss may also be associated with a systemic disease such as adrenal disease or pancreatic tumors. As it can be very difficult to differentiate one cause from another without veterinary expertise, cats with sudden hair loss should be evaluated promptly by your veterinarian.

4. ALLERGIES

Just as in dogs, cats often suffer from three types of allergies: flea allergy, environmental allergy, and food allergy. Flea and environmental allergies are more common than food allergies in cats, but some unfortunate felines may experience more than one type of allergy concurrently.

Food allergies occur when a cat has a hypersensitivity reaction to a protein, often from a meat or plant source in the food. It’s important to distinguish food intolerance, which usually manifests in gastrointestinal signs such asdiarrhea or vomiting, from a true food allergy, which usually manifests in the feline as a skin condition. Food allergies can be definitively diagnosed only through a strict elimination diet. If you suspect your cat has allergies, your vet can help you through the process of diagnosis.

5. FLAKY SKIN/DULL COAT

Sometimes a cat who is otherwise acting normal develops a less than perfect coat: dull, or greasy, or flaky. If the cat is overweight, sometimes they develop a patch of dull coat along their back because they’re unable to reach it to groom. Decreased grooming behavior may also be an early indicator that a cat is feeling unwell from another cause.

Skin and coat can also be affected by diet. Omega-3 fatty acids, often derived from fish sources, play a key role in moderating inflammation. Omega-6 fatty acids, often derived from plant sources, are vital for maintaining the integrity of the cell membranes comprising the skin. Linoleic acid and arachidonic acid are both omega-6 essential fatty acids, meaning the cat cannot be synthesized by the cat and therefore must be present in the diet.

If you suspect your cat could benefit from a diet or supplement with additional fatty acids, ask your vet for their recommendation.

As one of the most common presenting complaints in veterinary medicine, skin issues are a problem most cat owners will come across at some point or another. The good news is, with proper care and attention, many cat skin problems respond very well to treatment.

Diana Ruth Davidson, Chief Pet Officer and Managing Nanny, Westside Dog Nanny

We offer pet services such as:  Pet Sitting,  In-Home Dog Boarding, Dog Walking, Overnights in your home, Doggie Day Care.

Diana@WestsideDogNanny.com
310 919 9372

 

Dogs, Uncategorized

Is Dog Saliva Cleaner Than People Saliva?

He licks his butt, drinks out of the toilet and eats out of the trash. By all means, let your dog slurp on your face. He sounds like a regular clean freak.

But how many times have you heard that his mouth is cleaner than yours? I don’t know where your mouth has been, but I’m thinking, no.

The idea may be based on a couple of observations. First, dogs lick their wounds. These wounds eventually get well, and to some extent, may possibly be helped in their healing by the licking. Most of its benefit is likely because the licking stimulates blood flow, which encourages healing, and because it removes dead tissue, sort of like debriding a wound. But there may be more to it. Researchers have found saliva contains histadins and nitrite, which ward off infection, and nerve growth factor, which accelerates healing.  But spit is probably not the best way to get these healers, because spit also has bad things in it.

Both dogs and humans have bacteria-filled mouths. Some of the bacteria is the same, some is different.  Some is harmless, some is not. Dog bites get infected. So do human bites. And it may be that the early literature that found that human bites got infected more than dog bites also fed the notion that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s. But when the data was re-examined, it turns out that the type of human bites that are more infected are the ones that somebody gets on their fist when punching somebody else in the mouth. Human bites on any other part of the body are no more likely to get infected than dog bites. Both bites should be thoroughly cleaned.

It is true that you’re more likely to catch an illness from kissing a person than kissing a dog. That’s because so many illnesses, like colds, flu and strept throats are species-specific. That doesn’t make the dog’s mouth necessarily cleaner. After all, they’re more likely to catch something by kissing another dog compared to a human. But some people have gotten sick from kissing a dog after the dog has eaten something to which dogs are comparatively impervious. Salmonella, for example, has been found in dog treats and food on occasion. The dogs that ate it seemed perfectly fine; the people who kissed them right after they ate it got salmonella!

What we need, of course, is hard evidence. On the popular Mythbusters television series (OK, not exactly HARD evidence, but…), the stars found more bacteria in a sample taken from a human mouth than from a dog mouth. At least one YouTube video  from a student science project found the opposite.

Yet another had inconclusive results.

In fact, there are loads of home-based small experiments but none of them seem to agree!

This student project at amnh,org probably has the best data I’ve found. The author of the study found that humans had slightly more bacteria than dogs, but dogs had a greater diversity. This diversity included gram-negative bacteria, which is more likely found in fecal matter. Probably because they lick their butts!

Regardless, it’s not so much the quantity as the quality. Some bacteria is totally harmless, so unless you know what bacteria you’re counting it doesn’t really matter. Nobody expected anyone’s mouth to be aseptic.

The bottom line? Keep your dog’s mouth as clean as possible. Brush his teeth to prevent gum disease and infection. Close the toilet lid. Put away the trash. But go ahead, live life on the edge: Give your dog a kiss on the snout!                                By |

Diana Ruth Davidson, Chief Pet Officer and Managing Nanny, Westside Dog Nanny

We offer pet services such as:  Pet Sitting,  In-Home Dog Boarding, Dog Walking, Overnights in your home, Doggie Day Care.

Diana@WestsideDogNanny.com
310 919 9372

Cats, Dogs, Health

Do Dogs and Cats Suffer from Cognitive Dysfunction or Alzheimer’s?

Many people are somewhat familiar with Alzheimer’s disease, but few know that dogs and cats can also suffer from a similar condition known as cognitive dysfunction.

What is Cognitive Dysfunction?

In short, cognitive dysfunction is a condition that is sometimes seen in older pets. Affected pets may become disoriented easily, even when in familiar surroundings. Their sleep cycle may be abnormal, often sleeping more during the course of the day but less as night. They may lose interest in interacting with the people around them. A previously house-trained dog or litter box-trained cat may even suddenly start having “accidents” in the home.

NOTE: Many of these symptoms can be caused by other medical diseases as well. If your pet’s behavior has changed, it’s important to talk to your veterinarian, who can help establish a firm diagnosis.

What Causes Cognitive Dysfunction?

It is believed that the cause may be multifactorial. Oxidative damage to cells within the brain is probably a major cause. We know that in many dogs affected with cognitive dysfunction, there is a specific protein (B-amyloid) that forms plaques inside the brain. These plaques likely contribute to the cell death and shrinkage of the brain that is characteristic of animals with cognitive dysfunction. In addition, many of the substances that transmit messages within the brain appear to be altered, which could also lead to abnormal behaviors.

How Does Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs and Cats Compare with Alzheimer’s Disease in People?

The two diseases are actually quite similar. The changes in behavior seen with both diseases are comparable. The changes seen in the brain appear to be quite similar as well, at least in some people with Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, dogs are increasingly being used as models to study the disease in humans.

What Can You do for an Animal with Cognitive Dysfunction?

There are a number of things that can be done to help. Two specific approaches that have been found to be useful include behavioral enrichment and a diet rich in antioxidants. These two approaches, when combined, are more effective than one or the other by itself.

An antioxidant-fortified pet food may contain enriched levels of vitamins such as vitamin C and vitamin E, and fatty acids such as DHA, EPA, L-carnitine, and lipoic acid. It may also contain antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables, such as carrots,pumpkin, and/or spinach.

Behavioral enrichment can be as simple as spending more time petting and interacting with your pet. Playing with and/or walking your pet regularly is useful. Puzzles and games can also be a good form of enrichment, such as placing your pet’s food in a puzzle or hiding the food and letting your pet find it.

In my professional experience, one of the most difficult things in dealing with cognitive dysfunction is helping pet owners realize that the changes in behavior are more than just normal aging changes. Cognitive dysfunction is a medical condition and should be treated as such. The early signs are subtle and pet owners may even find them difficult to spot, or they may attribute them to other causes. Many pet owners won’t even mention the changes in their pet unless specifically asked. These owners often assume, incorrectly, that nothing can be done to help, that their pet is simply becoming old.

The best piece of advice I can give any pet owner is to consult your veterinarian if you see any change in your pet’s behavior at home, no matter how minor the alteration may seem. When there is a problem, whether it be cognitive dysfunction or another condition, early intervention is always preferable and usually provides a more successful outcome.                                Dr. Lorie Huston

Diana Ruth Davidson, Chief Pet Officer and Managing Nanny, Westside Dog Nanny

We offer pet services such as:  Pet Sitting,  In-Home Dog Boarding, Dog Walking, Overnights in your home, Doggie Day Care.

Diana@WestsideDogNanny.com
310 919 9372

 

Dogs, health

Skin Inflammation Due to Atopic Dermatitis in Dogs

Atopic Dermatitis in Dogs

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory, chronic skin disease associated with allergies. In fact, this is the second most common allergic skin disease in dogs. These allergic reactions can be brought on by normally harmless substances like grass, mold spores, house dust mites, and other environmental allergens.

Dogs normally show signs of the disease between 3 months and 6 years of age, though atopic dermatitis can be so mild the first year that it does not become clinically apparent before the third year.

Despite the fact dogs are more prone to atopic dermatitis than cats, it does occur in felines. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects cats, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.

Symptoms and Types

Often symptoms associated with atopic dermatitis progressively worsen with time, though they become more apparent during certain seasons. The most commonly affected areas in dogs include the:

  • Ears
  • Wrists
  • Ankles
  • Muzzle
  • Underarms
  • Groin
  • Around the eyes
  • In between the toes

The signs associated with atopic dermatitis, meanwhile, consist of itching, scratching, rubbing, and licking, especially around the face, paws, and underarms.

Causes

Early onset is often associated with a family history of skin allergies. This may lead the dog to become more susceptible to allergens such as:

  • Animal danders
  • Airborne pollens (grasses, weeds, trees, etc.)
  • Mold spores (indoor and outdoor)
  • House dust mite

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will want a complete medical history to determine the underlying cause of the skin allergies, including a physical examination of the dog.

Serologic allergy testing may be performed, but it does not always have reliable results. The quality of this kind of testing often depends on the laboratory which analyzes the results. Intradermal testing, whereby small amounts of test allergens are injected in the skin and wheal (a red bump) response is measured, may also used to identify the cause of your pet’s allergic reaction.

Treatment

The treatment will depend on what is causing your pet’s allergic reaction. If the reaction is due to atopy, for example, hyposensitization therapy can be performed. Your veterinarian will give your pet injections of the allergens to which it is sensitive. This decreases itchiness in 60 to 80 percent of dogs, but may approximately take six months to a year to see an improvement.

Medicines such as corticosteroids and antihistamines can also be given to control or reduce itching. Cyclosporine is effective in controlling itching associated with long-term skin allergies, while sprays can be used over large body surfaces to control itching with minimal side effects.

Living and Management

Unfortunatey, atopic dermatitis only rarely goes into remission or spontaneously resolves. However, bathing your dog in cool water with anti-itch shampoos may help your alleviate its symptoms.

Once treatment has begun, your veterinarian must see the dog every 2 to 8 weeks to ascertain the effectiveness of the treatment and to check for drug interactions. Then, as your pet’s itching becomes well controlled, it will need to be brought into the veterinarian’s office every 3 to 12 months for checkups.

If your veterinarian should find the trigger for your pet’s allergies, he or she will advise you as to how to best avoid those type of allergens.

Diana Ruth Davidson, Chief Pet Officer and Managing Nanny, Westside Dog Nanny

We offer pet services such as:  Pet Sitting,  In-Home Dog Boarding, Dog Walking, Overnights in your home, Doggie Day Care.

Diana@WestsideDogNanny.com
310 919 9372

 

 

 

Cats, Health

5 Common Cat Skin Problems

ITCHY CAT? HOW TO IDENTIFY AND RESOLVE SKIN PROBLEMS IN CATS

By Jessica Vogelsang, DVM

Cats are known as secretive beings, and as any cat owner knows they can be very good at hiding the early signs of disease. But even the most stoic cat can have a hard time hiding what’s plainly visible to the naked eye: skin disease. Here are some of the most common cat skin problems, and what you can do about them.

1. MASSES

Skin swelling represents almost a third of all the skin cases that present to veterinarians, according to one 2006 study. Masses and swellings are notoriously difficult to diagnose without diagnostic tests such as aspirates and biopsies, but it’s necessary in order to determine the cause.

Despite the constant fear of cat cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cause of skin swelling in cats is abscesses. A small bump or lesion on the outside can mask a large pocket of pus and debris under the skin. This can cause a disproportionate amount of pain compared to what looks like a small wound. If your cat is suddenlyhiding, resisting your touch, or has any unusual behavior changes, he may be in pain. Have your veterinarian check out any strange lumps and bumps.

2. SORES ON FACE OR EARS

Little red lesions may appear innocuous at first, but any persistent sore that doesn’t resolve on its own should be evaluated by your veterinarian. Sores on the upper lip may be what’s known as a rodent ulcer, an ulcerative skin disease often associated with allergies.

There are many other causes of persistent sores, and all require medical attention. Some examples are infectious diseases such as viruses, fungus, or bacteria; autoimmune disease, or even cancer. Be especially vigilant if you have a white cat; these felines have a higher incidence than others of squamous cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer in cats, often noted on the tips of the ears, eyelids, and nose.

3. HAIR LOSS

Sudden cat hair loss can be dramatic and upsetting to owners. Ectoparasites such as fleas are one of the most common causes of cat hair loss, as are allergies. Cat hair loss can also be caused by infections such as ringworm or stress. In older cats, sudden hair loss may also be associated with a systemic disease such as adrenal disease or pancreatic tumors. As it can be very difficult to differentiate one cause from another without veterinary expertise, cats with sudden hair loss should be evaluated promptly by your veterinarian.

4. ALLERGIES

Just as in dogs, cats often suffer from three types of allergies: flea allergy, environmental allergy, and food allergy. Flea and environmental allergies are more common than food allergies in cats, but some unfortunate felines may experience more than one type of allergy concurrently.

Food allergies occur when a cat has a hypersensitivity reaction to a protein, often from a meat or plant source in the food. It’s important to distinguish food intolerance, which usually manifests in gastrointestinal signs such asdiarrhea or vomiting, from a true food allergy, which usually manifests in the feline as a skin condition. Food allergies can be definitively diagnosed only through a strict elimination diet. If you suspect your cat has allergies, your vet can help you through the process of diagnosis.

5. FLAKY SKIN/DULL COAT

Sometimes a cat who is otherwise acting normal develops a less than perfect coat: dull, or greasy, or flaky. If the cat is overweight, sometimes they develop a patch of dull coat along their back because they’re unable to reach it to groom. Decreased grooming behavior may also be an early indicator that a cat is feeling unwell from another cause.

Skin and coat can also be affected by diet. Omega-3 fatty acids, often derived from fish sources, play a key role in moderating inflammation. Omega-6 fatty acids, often derived from plant sources, are vital for maintaining the integrity of the cell membranes comprising the skin. Linoleic acid and arachidonic acid are both omega-6 essential fatty acids, meaning the cat cannot be synthesized by the cat and therefore must be present in the diet.

If you suspect your cat could benefit from a diet or supplement with additional fatty acids, ask your vet for their recommendation.

As one of the most common presenting complaints in veterinary medicine, skin issues are a problem most cat owners will come across at some point or another. The good news is, with proper care and attention, many cat skin problems respond very well to treatment.

Diana Ruth Davidson, Chief Pet Officer and Managing Nanny, Westside Dog Nanny

We offer pet services such as:  Pet Sitting,  In-Home Dog Boarding, Dog Walking, Overnights in your home, Doggie Day Care.

Diana@WestsideDogNanny.com
310 919 9372

 

 

Cat Behavior, Cats, Health

Ask a Vet: Why is Cat Peeing Outside Litter Box?

Two feline veterinary groups issue a report on diagnosis and treatment of “house soiling,” and they’re backed by common sense.

Cats certainly are soft, cuddly, loveable creatures. They provide joy and companionship for millions of people. They make wonderful family pets, and cat ownership offers many psychological and health benefits for people.

Sadly, there there is nothing that can destroy the relationship between a cat and its owner more rapidly and thoroughly than house soiling — peeing outside the litter box and on things such as carpets, beds, and other furniture.

I have been a veterinarian for more 14 years. I have been writing about cats on the Internet for nearly a decade. During my career I have interacted with tens of thousands of cat owners online and in person. A very significant number of them have had the same question — a question that I have been asked countless times on Catster and in practice. It boils down to this:

“Why do cats pee outside of the box?”

I understand the question. Cat urine is very special, and not in a good way. Its odor is unique, and house soiling can destroy a home — and the bond between cat and owner — in very short order.

Photo of Dr. Eric Barchas by Liz Acosta

I have written about house soiling before, and I have several pages on my website dedicated to the urinary foibles of cats (here, here, here, and here for starters). But the subject is ever poignant, and information about it is always in demand. I therefore am always on the lookout for the most up-to-date recommendations on the subject.

Enter the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the International Society of Feline Medicine. The two groups recently released the 2014 AAFP and ISFM Guidelines for Diagnosing and Solving House-Soiling Behavior in Cats. From the overview of the guidelines:

The AAFP/ISFM Guidelines for Diagnosing and Solving House-Soiling Behavior in Cats contain scientifically documented information when available and provide practical insight that reflects the accumulated clinical experiences of the authors. The document emphasizes that this unwanted behavior is not due to spite or anger toward the owner, but because the cat’s physical, social, or medical needs are not being met.

The guidelines themselves, predictably because they were created by not one but two major academically inclined organizations, are 21 pages long and replete with political correctness. (Here’s a quote: “The guidelines replace the term ‘inappropriate urination’ with the term ‘house soiling’ because ‘house soiling’ implies no misconduct by the cat.”) What follows is a summary of the guidelines.

 

The authors report four main causes of feline house soiling. The first consists of medical problems such as bladder infections, bladder stones, urinary incontinence, bladder tumors, and conditions that cause increased thirst and urine production. Furthermore, any sick cat may begin to soil the house even if the primary problem is not related to the urinary tract.

Feline Idiopathic Cystitis or FIC (formerly known as FLUTD and FUS) is the second cause. Although many consider it to be a medical problem, it is sufficiently common and serious to warrant its own category.

Marking behavior is another common cause of cats peeing outside the box. The final cause is listed as “elimination related to primary environmental or social factors” such as “overcrowding, social competition, and adverse human interventions.” Adverse human interventions are those that cause cats to develop an aversion to the litter box — examples include placing the box near noisy appliances, medicating cats in the box, or ambushing cats while they are using the box.

The authors go on to describe ways to address the problem of cats peeing where they shouldn’t. Vets should manage medical problems if applicable, not assuming that house soiling is a behavioral problem; diagnostic tests should be run on cats that exhibit the behavior.

Once a behavioral cause for the behavior (or behavioral contribution to the behavior) has been identified, the authors recommend two steps: litter box optimization, and fulfillment of the five pillars of a healthy feline environment.

Litter box optimization involves use of the appropriate number (the rule of thumb is that the number of litter boxes should equal the number of cats plus one) and types of boxes. They should be placed in appropriate locations away from food and water. Litter boxes should not be placed close to each other, and they should be distributed in such a way that cats feel safe and are unlikely to suffer ambushes from other cats or people while using them. Bigger boxes are generally better than small ones. Some cats prefer covered boxes, and others prefer open ones. Cats prefer clean boxes. Cats vary in their preferences for different types of litter.

When you think about it, much about litter box optimization is common sense. If the only bathroom available to me were small, filthy, not private, and prone to having strangers kick open the door, I would dread using it. The goal is to make the litter box experience pleasant for cats.

I must confess that I had not previously heard of the five pillars of a healthy feline environment. Upon investigation, it turns out that they were released by (surprise!) the AAFP and ISFM in 2013. After reading them, I agree that they make sense.

The five pillars are:

  • Provide a safe place.
  • Provide multiple and separated key environmental resources (such as food, water, bedding, litter boxes, and scratching areas).
  • Provide opportunity for normal play and predation behaviors.
  • Provide positive and consistent human-feline interactions.
  • Respect the importance of a cat’s sense of smell.

The authors emphasize that house soiling is uncommon for healthy cats that have their social, environmental, and emotional needs met. Meeting those needs is the first step in eliminating house soiling.

Diana Ruth Davidson, Chief Pet Officer and Managing Nanny, Westside Dog Nanny

We offer pet services such as:  Pet Sitting,  In-Home Dog Boarding, Dog Walking, Overnights in your home, Doggie Day Care.

Diana@WestsideDogNanny.com
310 919 9372

Dog Behavior, Dogs

How to Ease Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Sad Yorkie looks out window

 

If your dog uses his time alone in the house to bark endlessly, pee on the carpet, or tear up the sofa—and those behaviors are accompanied by depression or stress—your pooch may be suffering from separation anxiety, a very common behavior problem.

Overcoming disorders like separation anxiety takes time, patience and consistency, but it can be done! Just take the following steps, and you’re already on your way.

Make sure the problem is separation anxiety. The first step in tackling behavior issues is to rule out any underlying medical problems that might be causing your pet’s misbehavior. Next, rule out other behavior problems. For example, consider whether your dog’s inappropriate elimination is due to incomplete housetraining.

Take action. So you’re sure the problem is separation anxiety? Try these strategies to address the issue:

  1. Keep all greetings relaxed. When leaving, give your dog a pat on the head, say goodbye and leave. Similarly, when arriving home, say hello to your dog and then don’t pay any more attention to him until he’s calm and relaxed.
  2. Give your dog a workout. Giving your dog lots of mental and physical stimulation goes a long way toward quelling behavior problems—especially those involving anxiety. Exercise can enrich your dog’s life, decrease stress and provide appropriate outlets for normal behavior. And once she’s all tuckered out, your pal won’t have much energy left to get into trouble.
  3. Reward your pooch! Teach your dog to associate your departure with a reward, like a delicious stuffed Kong or other food-dispensing toy. This positive association can help resolve the problem, as well as distract your dog for the first few minutes you’re gone!

Diana Ruth Davidson, Chief Pet Officer and Managing Nanny, Westside Dog Nanny

We offer pet services such as:  Pet Sitting,  In-Home Dog Boarding, Dog Walking, Overnights in your home, Doggie Day Care.

Diana@WestsideDogNanny.com
310 919 9372