Columns
CONTENTS Summer 2024
10 STAYING ACTIVE
4 fun fitness activities that get your dog ready for summer
These fun fitness activities will help your dog stay in tiptop condition, so he can move into the summer with ease!
Features 14
24 36
Want to feed your dog or cat a raw diet?
E xploring the benefits — and busting the myths — about raw diets for dogs and cats.
ow to transform your dog’s H crate into a “Zen zone”
Many dogs fear their crates because they associate them with negative experiences. Find out how to turn your dog’s crate into a peaceful, Zen-like environment she’ll love.
anine rehabilitation — how C it can help your dog The expanding field of canine rehabilitation offers a variety of standard and cutting-edge therapies to help injured or older dogs regain their mobility and quality of life.
40 dog smarter
6 games that can make your Raise your dog's IQ with fun brain games and exercises that encourage her to think and learn.
4
Animal Wellness
Why is routine so important to your cat?
Learn why cats need a regular routine, and how you can help your kitty feel more secure during times of transition in your household.
18 CANINE
48 ANIMAL
Canine cognitive dysfunction: could your dog be affected?
How Tui Na helps keep your dog’s aches and pain at bay
COGNITION
82
42 KITTY LIFESTYLE
Behavioral changes such as disorientation or incontinence can be signs of canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD). Learn how to recognize and treat it.
20 CANINE
BODYWORK
Also referred to as acupressure-massage therapy, Tui Na is very effective at resolving the aches and pains associated with musculoskeletal conditions in dogs.
BEHAVIOR
50 CANINE HELPERS
Dogs can display ADHD-like signs such as hyperactivity and inattention. What causes these behaviors, can they be compared to human ADHD, and how is the disorder managed?
Prison dog programs are not only helping offenders turn their lives around – they’re also giving a second chance to dogs in need.
Hyperactivity in dogs — is it the same as ADHD?
28 FEET FIRST
Caring for paw wounds in your dog
Paw wounds are common, especially during the summer when your dog is outside a lot. It’s important to know how to care for these injuries — promptly and properly.
34 FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Yak cheese — could it be your dog’s next favorite chew? You may not have heard of yak cheese yet, but it’s becoming popular as a healthy chew for dogs.
10
How dogs are transforming the lives of prison inmates
53 DOGS IN
THE MOVIES
Arthur the King celebrates the humancanine bond
A true story of friendship between an adventure racer and a street dog.
54 HEALING
INSIDE & OUT
How to help your dog recover from spay/ neuter surgery
Spay/neuter surgery can be stressful and uncomfortable for your dog, so proper post-op care is essential for a smooth and speedy recovery.
56 AT THE SHELTER How do animal shelters prepare for emergencies?
Whether it’s a burst pipe or a wildfire, animal shelters need to be ready to respond to emergencies at a moment’s notice.
64 SAFETY FIRST
Heat stroke in dogs — what you need to know
Summers seem to be getting hotter, which means you need to be more vigilant than ever at protecting your dog from heat stroke.
66 AGING WELL
58 EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING
Is your dog stressed — or depressed?
7 ways to improve your senior dog’s twilight years
Dogs are prone to stress and depression. Knowing how and why these issues manifest, and the differences between them, will help you better understand your dog’s behavior.
Senior dogs need extra care and attention in order to stay happy and healthy as long as possible. This guide helps you do the same for your own beloved old companion.
62 VETERINARY
Asthma in cats — why an integrative approach is the best option
PROFESSIONALS
Veterinary behaviorists — who are they and how can they help your dog?
You’ve probably heard about veterinary behaviorists, but may not be sure what they do. Learn more about these professionals and how they can help dogs with behavior problems.
68 FELINE HEALTH
Asthma in cats is caused by allergic inflammation. An integrative approach to treatment that combines conventional and alternative therapies is often the most successful.
72 FELINE
NUTRITION
Probiotics and prebiotics: keys to your cat’s digestive health
Cats have sensitive digestive systems that can easily get pushed out of balance. Here’s how probiotics and prebiotics may help bring your kitty’s gut back into equilibrium.
74 GOLDEN YEARS Understanding aging in your dog or cat
We talk a lot about aging, but what exactly does it mean? And how can you make aging as graceful and pain-free as possible for your dog and cat?
78 MOBILITY MATTERS
How an integrative approach helps dogs with CCLD
Adding alternative therapies such as acupuncture, laser therapy and stem cell therapy to the treatment plan for a dog with CCLD increases his chances of recovery.
42
82 SPOTLIGHT
64
Milo and the Monarchs Meet Milo the Toller — a social media favorite who loves butterflies.
Departments 8 From the Editor
61 In the News
27 Business Profile — buddi
77 Let's Get Social
45 Newsworthy
81 Marketplace
46 Product Picks
81 Classifieds
Social Media
28
50
Tips, contests and more! AnimalWellnessMagazine
Nutrition videos, recipes and more! Animal Wellness Magazine
Tips, pet photos, and more! AnimalWellnessMagazine
Crafts, laughs, and more! AnimalWellness
www.AnimalWellnessMagazine.com
5
STAYING ACTIVE
FUN FITNESS ACTIVITIES O GET T YOUR DOG
READY FOR SUMMER by Lynne Fedorick
These fun fitness activities will help your dog stay in tiptop condition, so he can move into the summer with ease! Hiking, jogging, swimming, and playing fetch are just a few things you may be doing with your dog this summer. But jumping into them too quickly can lead to injuries such as torn ligaments, especially if your dog hasn’t developed enough strength, flexibility, and overall fitness prior to engaging in them. Check out four fitness activities you can do with your dog that will help get him super-fit and summer-ready — all while having fun and boosting your bond with one another!
1. • TUG AND DROP
Back in the dark ages of dog training, people were warned against playing “tug” with their dogs. The reasoning was that it would encourage dogs to try to dominate their humans. However, this is just another example of people over-thinking simple canine behavior. As it turns out, “tug” offers a wealth of benefits that include building the dog-human bond, developing self-control, and helping build overall fitness. Also, because “tug” is such a reinforcing game, you can use it to reward behaviors you like.
Who’s it for? Most dogs can play “tug and drop” safely. They love it, and it’s a fun way to engage with your dog. However, it’s not a good choice for dogs with dental issues or unaddressed resource guarding issues.
10
Animal Wellness
th l a e w a s r e ff o “ Tug” t a h t s it f e n e b f o include… The rules
ol, and tr n o c lf e s g in p lo e v de ss. e n it f ll a r e v o d il u b helping
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Emphasis should be put on teaching the “drop” cue, so alternate the “tug” and “drop”, beginning with treats as a reward for the drop, then verbally cuing the drop and rewarding that. The next step is the use of tug play, rather than treats, to reward the drop.
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Minimize risk of injury by ensuring the tug movement is always slow, back and forth and side to side. Never tug up and down or you’ll risk injuring your dog’s neck.
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If your dog’s teeth contact your hand, even accidentally, give a drop cue and reset the game.
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Toys for this game should be designed specifically for tugging, and include rope toys.
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It doesn’t matter who wins or loses the toy — the essence of “tug and drop” is a spirit of fun and cooperative back and forth play.
• STABILITY BALL EXERCISES 3.
Stability balls offer an enjoyable and challenging way to add to your dog’s fitness program. Stability balls provide a low impact workout. One of the best things about using a stability ball for balance work is that it gives your dog just enough challenge to keep him interested and having fun. He won’t even know he’s strengthening his core muscles and building body awareness! Most dogs will be able to do balancing exercises with their front paws on a stabilized stability ball, fitness peanut, or bosu ball, but if your dog has a history of injury, be sure to consult with your veterinarian before beginning ball balancing.
Important tips
Photo courtesy of Sit Stay Squat (sitstaysquat.ca)
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Choose the appropriate size and shape of stability ball for your dog. Bigger is better. Peanuts are suitable for large dogs, while small dogs will benefit from a half (bosu) ball.
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Whatever stability ball you choose, be sure to stabilize it with a purpose-built ball stabilizer or pedestals.
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Work on a low-impact surface for easy landings when your dog comes off.
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Be sure to help small dogs and puppies down from larger stability balls.
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Take baby steps, with on-off alternation. Start by luring your dog to put two paws on the ball for just a second or two, then increase the length of time by just another second or two at time. After your dog is really good at balancing with two paws on the ball, increase the challenge and reward for three or four paws on.
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Keep sessions short and fun.
2. • DOGGY YOGA
Everything is more fun when our dogs are involved, and yoga is no exception! Doggy yoga (also called “doga”) includes fitness exercises for both dogs and humans. It involves a series of mindful poses that help both doggy yoginis and their humans maintain focus and build muscle while improving flexibility and balance. Perhaps most importantly, almost any dog or puppy can safely do many of the low to noimpact doga poses.
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“Expect to do plenty of traditional yoga exercises, except in doga class you will be guiding your dog to jump over, crawl under, and circle around you while you hold the poses,” says Sarah Keller, a canine fitness expert and certified fitness coach. A growing number of fitness centers offer doga nowadays, and you and your dog can even take online classes.
Photo courtesy of Lynne Fedorick
www.AnimalWellnessMagazine.com
11
• PING-PONG RECALL 4.
This is a fast-paced game that gets your dog racing back and forth between two people. Not only is it a fun way for him to burn off energy with aerobic exercise, but it also helps him learn to come running when called. Here’s how to play: •
Start in a low-distraction environment, with your dog dragging a leash attached to the back attachment of a harness. You may need to use the leash to get your dog back on course if he happens to get distracted.
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This game requires two people — we’ll call them Handler 1 and Handler 2. Each should have 10 to 15 tiny, delicious treats in their hands.
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The handlers stand six feet apart to start with, and increase their distance one step at a time as the dog gets practice. This makes it super easy for the dog to learn the game before he has to put real effort in.
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Handler 1 holds the dog close on the leash. Handler 2 calls the dog encouragingly and Handler 1 immediately drops the leash.
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When the dog gets to Handler 2, he gets enthusiastic praise and a treat.
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As soon as the dog swallows the treat, while he’s still a bit distracted, Handler 1 calls him, doing everything she can to convey: “Hey, the party’s over here!” At this point, she might even need to slap her legs, or move rapidly away with “chase me” vibes. When the dog reaches her, he gets a treat and excited praise. Then Handler 2 calls the dog.
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After each handler has successfully called the dog twice, the distance between them increases one step to add challenge.
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Repeat until there are no more treats!
Getting your dog into peak condition for the summer will help minimize the risk of injuries. While regular walks are an essential part of his exercise regimen, engaging in these fun activities can help increase his fitness level while improving your bond and enhancing good behavior.
12
Animal Wellness
SEE THE VET FIRST It’s a good idea to take your dog to the veterinarian for a health check before you start him on any fitness program. Your vet has a trained eye and can spot injuries even if your dog is good at hiding them. Age, breed, and weight will also affect what he’s capable of doing safely, so your vet may have some recommendations to complement your dog's fitness plan. Once you’ve done this, you’ll have a better idea of the best exercises for your dog’s unique needs.
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