Indoor vs. Outdoor Cats

I am a strong advocate of keeping your cats indoors.  In my honest opinion, they are just safer that way.  I was having a discussion with a friend at work who just adopted a cat a few months ago.  She was telling me that she started letting him outside.  I cringed when I heard this.  The good news though is that she is a responsible pet owner and only lets him outside when her family is out to keep an eye on him.  I have another friend at work who walks her cat on a leash during the summer time.

 

Photo from www.petfinder.com

There is a great debate on whether your cat should be indoor or outdoor.  Personally, I believe your cats should be indoor, unless you are responsible and supervise them while outside or keep them on a leash.  The American Humane Association has some great advice to help you make an educated decision as to whether you will let your cat go outside or not.

My major concern is for health issues.  It has been proven that indoor cats live longer and are physically healthier.  There are various diseases and parasites that your cat can pick up when they are outside.  Feline Leukemia and Feline AIDS are two of the worst, but there are many others.  Of course most often when pets get fleas, it is from being outside.  Ticks, ear mites, and worms are also concerns.

 

Photo from catlovingcare.com

 

There is also the risk of being hurt by other animals, getting hit by cars, and being stolen.  We’ve all heard the stories of cats being set on fire, shot, or tortured.  Then there are those cats that chase a bird or get chased up a tree and then can’t get back down.  I just read an article the other day where a person in a high rise apartment let their cat out on the balcony.  The cat would jump up on the balcony railing.  It was the 17th floor.  Here is the photo and a link to the story on how the photographer got the photo.

This debate is not just happening in the US.  As I was researching this topic I came across the Feline Advisory Board in the UK and they also have an active debate going on.  They list a lot of the same pros and cons I have seen.

One thing to remember is that your cat needs to be kept active and entertained, just like your puppy would.  You might think about getting another cat as a companion (or even a dog. J).  Get some interactive toys.  My cat Merlin used to love this round track thing I had that had a jingle bell in it.  He would lay there and swat the thing around the track for hours.  It also had a cardboard scratching post in the center.  He loved it when I would sprinkle some cat nip in it.  We’ve all seen the videos of cats chasing laser lights, but this is a great way to stimulate your cats hunting instinct. 

Create some places for your cat to climb.  We used to have a floor to ceiling carpeted post with shelves at various intervals.  Merlin loved to climb this and would often lay on the top shelf to look out the windows.  Cats love to lay in windows and bask in the sunshine, so make sure you have a window available for your cat.

 

Photo from freshome.com

 

While the answer is not black and white, I think the proof that you will have a happier, healthier cat is obvious.  Keep your cat indoors unless you are going to be outside with them and can keep them on a leash. 

Be Well & Be Happy,

Pet~Pourri

Stinky Puppies

Photo from squishedbugsmoothie.blogspot.com

 

 

Last week my husband gave three of our dog’s baths.  I gave two of them baths and still have 4 more to go.  Of course the day after the baths one rolls in stinky stuff and needs another bath.  The second day another one rolls in something and needs another bath.  The two I bathed had also rolled in stinky stuff and that is why they needed baths.  So last night two more rolled in stinky stuff, but it was right before bed so now they have to wait till this afternoon for more baths.

If you have dogs, you know exactly what I am talking about.  Dogs love to roll in stinky stuff.  At our house it is usually rabbit poop, dead animals, dead snakes, or dead worms.  I’ll never forget the day Princess came out of the enchanted forest totally black and stinking so bad I was gagging the whole time I was rinsing her off.  It was so bad I had to rinse her with the garden hose before I could bring her into the house to bathe her.  And of course when she came running to me she had the biggest happiest smile on her face because she was so happy she got to roll in stinky stuff.  I still have no idea what it was but I went into the enchanted forest with a shovel and bucket to remove the stinky patch from the ground.  UGH

 

 

Princess

 

So while discussing with my husband the blog I was writing on Kneady Cats, he said why don’t you write one on why dogs LOVE to roll in stinky stuff.  Off to the Internet to research the topic.

There are several theories.  Some seem really far fetched…like the one that claims they do it to keep parasites off.  I don’t think fleas and ticks have a sense of smell, but you never know.  I’ve never known a stinky dog to not have fleas and ticks because of their smell.  Some make a lot of sense…marking the item to claim it as theirs or trying to disguise their scent for hunting.

I think the one I like best is the Psychology Today article that says “I believe that the real reason that canines roll in obnoxious smelling organic manner is simply an expression of the same misbegotten sense of aesthetics that causes human beings to wear overly loud and colorful Hawaiian shirts.”  This made me chuckle.

 

 

Sophia after Rolling

 

Another common belief is that they don’t like the smell of the shampoo or other grooming products you use on them.  Dogs have a highly developed sense of smell and what smells good to us might not smell so good to them and vice versa.  This got me side tracked and researching a dogs sense of smell.  This PBS article was fascinating.  I recommend taking a few moments to read it.

So now that we have some ideas of why dogs roll in stinky stuff, the obvious question is how do we get them to stop.  Not so easy to do.  A stern voice and No command just do not work for a couple of our pups.  If they find something they want to roll in, they are going to roll in it.  They only way I can get them to stop is to go grab them and take them in the house.  I then go back to that spot and either remove what is causing the offensive (to me) smell or hose it down. 

If your dog likes to roll in feces or dead animals, remove them from the premises.  If this happens while you are walking your dog, keep them on a leash so you can move them past the item they want to roll in.  I had a friend that loved to walk their dogs on the beach.  Whenever there was a dead fish or seaweed on the beach they would make a beeline for it.  He avoided walking the dog’s right after high tide and would often walk the beach before walking his dogs to remove the offensive materials.  That way he and his dogs could still enjoy the beach, but avoid the smell.

 

 

Photo from thealphadogattitude.blogspot.com

 

Honestly, this is a natural behavior to dogs and it’s something they are just going to do.  So in our case we’ve stocked up on dog shampoo and keep the bucket and shovel handy to remove whatever they are rolling in…when we can find it.  J  If Princess ever comes back smelling the way she did that one time though, I’m going to have to invest in a gas mask.

Be Well & Be Happy,

Pet~Pourri

 

 

 

Kneady Cats

So, I’ve been writing an awful lot about dogs lately, mainly because that is my expertise, however I do know a little about Cats and many of my friends have asked me to write about them.  I always was a cat person before we started rescuing dogs.  In my e-mail box the other day was an e-mail from PetFinder asking if I ever wondered why cats knead.  Of course, being a cat person, I was very interested.  Then a light went off in my head…blog material.  J  So here is my interpretation of several articles exploring the theory of why cats knead.

 

 

It seems that cats knead for many reasons.  To show contentment or alleviate stress, to create a soft space to sleep, to generate nourishment (nursing kittens), and to mark their territory.

That last one kind or threw me, but cats have scent glands in their feet.  So when they knead, the secret a scent to mark their turf.  Does that mean that since my cat was always kneading on me, they were marking me as theirs?  J  From what I read…Yep it sure does.

Now Pet MD says that one of the reasons is that your cat is returning the affection you are giving them.  They also say that this is one way cats keep themselves limber between naps.  J  That one cracked me up, because it is true.  One thing I learned here though is that female cats will knead just before going into heat as a way to let male cats know she is ready, willing, and able.  Hmmm  Good thing my female cat was spayed…as all of yours should be.

While researching this topic I came across a website called Why Do Cats Purr.  They also have some information on why cats knead. Their information is pretty much the same as the other’s I’ve read, but I thought some of you might be interested in reading their information on why cats purr.

I loved it when my cats would lay on me and purr and knead.  It was as comforting to me as it was to them.  However, my cats were declawed on their front claws.  If your cat isn’t declawed, then sometimes this isn’t so comforting for you or your furniture.  Keeping your cats nails trimmed will help with this. 

If this behavior is something you want to dissuade your cat from doing you can train them not to by gently moving them off your lap or furniture when they start or distracting them.  You don’t want to punish your cat for kneading as this is just a natural behavior.  Screaming at them or hitting them is BAD behavior on your part.  Patience will always persevere.  J

Be Well & Be Happy,

Pet~Pourri

National Dog Bite Prevention Week

This week is Dog Bite Prevention Week.  I thought it would be a good time to share some tips on how to prevent dog bites.  According to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, 4.5 million people in the US are bitten by dogs, 800,000 of these need medical attention and at least half of these are children.  Children are by far the most common victim of dog bites and are more likely to be severely injured.

 

 

So, what can you do to avoid dog bites?  Proper training of your dog, socialization, and educating children are a few options.  I know I go on and on about training and socializing your dogs, but this is vitally important, not only to prevent dog bites, but also for the health and benefit of you and your dog.  A dogs formative months are between 3 and 12 weeks.  This is when puppies should be socialized the most.  Get them around people, get them around other dogs, and get them around children.  Teach them that people, other dogs, and children aren’t bad.  You will have a much more behaved dog who will be comfortable in strange situations.

 

Here at the rescue we’ve raised many puppies over the years.  The feedback we get most is how well behaved and socialized our puppies are.  One thing is we do not adopt them out until they are at least 12 weeks old.  This is very beneficial for the puppy because they learn from their mother and their siblings.  Once they are about 4 weeks old, we start taking them out in public to get them used to people and other dogs.  The better you socialize your puppy, the better behaved they will be.

 

 

However, you also need to learn how to read a dog’s body language.  They can’t verbally say ‘Hey…leave me alone’, so you need to read the signs to know when they want to be left alone or play, or aren’t feeling well.  Modern Dog Magazine has a great article on how to read a dog’s body language.  Dog Language 101 also has some great information in this article.

 

We have found that a lot of dog bites happen when people are greeting a new dog.  Here are some tips on how not to greet a dog:

 

I’ve found, personally, that if I get down on the dogs level, they are much more comfortable in approaching me than they would be if I stood over them.  Especially with timid dogs.  Of course you don’t want to do this if a dog is clearly showing signs of aggression, but I always get down on my knees and wait for the dog to approach me before I pet it.  You don’t ever want to grab a dog and pull them toward you if you are just meeting them.

Since the majority of dog bites happen with children, you don’t ever want to leave your young child alone with a dog, even if it is your family pet.  Children must be supervised while playing with the dog and you need to pay attention to the signals the dog is giving off.  When the dog has had enough, put them somewhere where they can get some peace away from fawning children.  You aren’t just supervising your child, but also the dog.  If you learn to read the signs, you will know when your dog has had enough and they want some quiet time.

 

 

Also, teach your child not to disturb your dog while they are sleeping, eating, or chewing on a toy.  Teach them not to run up to a strange dog to give them a hug.  Teach them to be polite to the dog and respect their personal space.  In the rescue each dog has their own kennel that they can go to when they want quite time.  We never disturb the dogs while they are in their kennels.  If we want them, we call them out of the kennel. 

I could go on and on, but I only have so much space.  J  Bottom line, train your pet, socialize your pet, learn how to read your pets body language, and teach children to respect the pet.

 

Be Well & Be Happy,
Pet~Pourri

New Fad in Dog Fighting

I’m sure you’ve all heard the horror stories of dog fighting.  The most famous is Michael Vick’s dog fighting ring.  This is a monstrous inhumane practice that we need to do everything we can to stop. 

 

The other day I read an article about the newest fad in dog fighting.  It is called Trunking.  In this case a person puts two dogs in the trunk of the car and drives around for 10-15 minutes blasting loud hip-hop music to muffle the noise of the dogs fighting.  After the 10-15 minutes the driver stops and dumps the body of the dead dog.

 

 

I have to say, this is the most disgusting thing I have ever heard of.  I just can’t understand what people get out of watching two living beings tear each other apart until one of them is dead.  And with this new fad, people don’t even see it happen.  What is the point?  I just don’t get it.

One of our Sanctuary dogs, Sangha, was rescued as a puppy from a dog fighting ring that was using him as a bait dog to teach their pit-bulls to fight.  The thing with American Eskimos is that when they are attacked, they don’t back down.  The pit-bull is going to win, there is no doubt about it, but the Eskie is going to put up a fight.  Supposedly this teaches the pit-bull confidence.  GIVE ME A BREAK!!!

 

Sangha

 

I thought that instead of venting my anger and frustration with this filthy blood sport, I would give you some facts and other information that many people don’t know.  The ASPCA has this page with frequently asked questions that really gives a lot of information about dog fighting.  In the US, Pit Bull’s seem to be the dog of choice for dog fighting. 

How much do you know about the breed?  Pit Bulls and other breeds of Bull dog were bread as bull-baiting or bear-baiting dogs.  They were bread to bite the bull or bear around the nose and face and hang on without releasing their grip until the animal was exhausted from fighting and loss of blood.  When this practice was banned in the 1800’s, people started fighting the dogs against each other.

 

 

This is a vicious, cruel, inhumane sport, and it needs to be stopped.  So what can you do to help stop it?  Here are 10 ways to help end dog fighting from the ASPCA.  Lobbying your state legislature for tougher laws and penalties would be a start.  Learn what to look for and keep it touch with your local animal shelter.  Keep an eye on your own pets because dog fighters will steal other people’s pets to use as bait dogs to teach their dogs to fight.  Volunteer to help rehabilitate a dog that has been used for fighting.  These are just a few ways you can help.  Every little bit will make a difference.

 

 

Just ask this pup...

Be Well & Be Happy,

Pet~Pourri

Rescue Transport

Did you ever wonder what was involved in transporting rescue dogs?  No?  Not many people do.  Most people think the dogs in shelters and rescues are local dogs.  Well…this is not always the case.  Especially in breed specific rescues like us.  Often times a rescue may not be able to take in another dog in their area and will contact other groups to see if anyone can help rescue a dog.

 

We were contacted by someone in Tennessee recently about a dog in Illinois that needed to get into rescue.  The dog was in a shelter, a high kill shelter.  We started communicating with rescues closer to the dog to see if any of them could help.  The St. Louis Chapter of Heart Bandits, was able to help the dog, but they could not keep him in their rescue as they were inundated.  They pulled him from the shelter in IL and had him vetted and neutered. 

 

George & Perry Transport from SD

So, how do we get the dog to us here in Iowa? 

 

Usually we set up what is called an Eskie Railroad.  The Eskie Railroad is a network of people around North America who have volunteered to transport Eskies relay fashion. Each volunteer transports an Eskie from 50 miles to 200 miles to the next volunteer who does the same. The Eskie Railroad provides a safe, low cost means of transporting an Eskie in need of a home to a home in need of an Eskie. It was started by HeartBandits American Eskimo Dog Rescue. This was the first national rescue for American Eskimo dogs. We are affiliated with them, but are our own separate 501c3 non-profit organization.

 

This will be a fairly short transport from St. Louis to us here in Iowa.  One volunteer will drive the dog to Columbia, MO where another volunteer will meet them and drive the dog to KC, MO, where another volunteer will meet them and drive the dog to meet me.  Depending on availability, the dog may have to overnight in KC.

 

Once the dog has been evaluated and is healed from being neutered, he may or may not be placed up for adoption.  If he is not, he will live out his life in our sanctuary.  From what we have heard about him, I’m sure he will be made available for adoption though.  His name is Elke.  He is a 3 yr. old Eskie mix.  He’s about the average size of a standard Eskie.  Stay tuned to find out how the transport goes and Elke’s arrival at what our volunteers fondly call the Iowa Eskie Spa and Resort.

 

Elke

We’ve worked on much more complicated transports.  Multiple state, multiple days, with a couple overnights involved.  These long transports are extremely difficult to arrange and we need to have back-up volunteers available in case someone is unable to assist as planned.  In one case, when we were transporting a dog to Alabama one of our volunteers had car trouble and wound up being 7 hours late.  This was a very frantic time when we were trying to figure out where the dog was and what happened.  We don’t like doing long transports and will often fly a dog in these cases.

 

But that is a tail for another blog.  I promised you one on how The Duke came to join us and those two topics fit perfectly together.

 

Stay tuned for updates on Elke.

 

Be Well & Be Happy,

Pet~Pourri