Did you know that carbon monoxide is poisonous to dogs? Yes, the gas is an important cause of poisoning in dogs; but it’s often one of the most overlooked causes of poisoning in pets. In fact, humans can also suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning.

There is a long list of plants, foodstuffs, chemicals, etc. that can be potentially harmful or toxic to dogs. Responsible pet owners should be aware of these concerns and take steps to protect their pets from exposure.

The problem with carbon monoxide is it can’t be detected by the normal senses. It has been called a “silent killer” because it’s colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Upon inhalation, the gas quickly builds up in the blood circulation; over time, it can cause illness and even death of pets or humans as a result of carbon monoxide toxicity.

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Your dog is a wonderful friend, and you appreciate all the time you spend with him. However, you know that you will never really be able to spend all the time with him that you would like to. How can you make the most of the time you do have with your pet?

Your pet means the world to you, and it’s important that you show him this. Take the time to determine when you can give him your undivided attention, and work this into your schedule on a daily basis. Giving him your full focus will not only show him just how much you care, but it will also strengthen your relationship. You will be more in tune with that is happening around you, and you will be more engaged in the activities you are taking part in. This allows you to get more out of the interaction. For more information, please contact your Portland, OR vet clinic.

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Your little fur ball means the world to you, and you want to have a close relationship with her. To do this you will need to understand her as well as you can. This makes you wonder – why does she hate loud noises?

Your pet needs you to understand that while she may live in the safety of your home, she still has a lot of instinctual behavior from her ancestor’s time in the wild. This means that she is constantly on the lookout for potential predators. A loud noise can startle your pet, and cause her to be afraid. Because she feels there is the potential for the noise to be coming from a predator, she will immediately look around and try to find the source of the noise. Identifying this can help her determine if she is in danger or not.  For more information, please contact your local Wake Forest, NC vet clinic.

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Some cats love to do their business in the lawn or garden. And if your kitty keeps doing it, you would have a hard time trying to grow plants or keep the lawn or garden in good condition. A cat that keeps on visiting the garden to do his thing can also trample or lie down on plants that are newly grown and are still small and delicate.

Here are tips to keep cats away from your garden:

• Grow plants with odors that cats hate so they will likely avoid going near them. Plant them in and around your flower beds to keep cats out.
• Keep the soil around the garden plots very wet or muddy because cats hate the feel of mud or water on their paws. Install garden sprinklers with a timer to help keep the garden soil wet thus making the area unpleasant to your cat. You can also use motion-activated sprinklers for this purpose.

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The olfactory sense of canines are very sensitive; depending on the breed, it’s more than 40 to a million times more sensitive than the sense of smell of humans. Scent receptors lining the nose of dogs receive and decode various types of scents. Mucus membranes that line the nasal passages help collect and retain scent molecules. The shape of the nose can also influence how a dog perceives scents. Dogs are also wired to possess outstanding olfactory ability. Over a third of their brain is responsible for processing and decoding smells. They also have the “Jacobson’s Organ” that is located on the roof of the mouth, that functions to receive and decipher odorless pheromones.

Dogs use their olfactory sense to explore and learn more about their surroundings. They are also able to gather and retain sensory memories of places that they have been to with the aid of their sense of smell. It is also inf ... Read more »

Dogs tend to display certain behaviors that can be bewildering or surprising to many pet owners. Here are some of them:

Scratching the ground after doing their business

Scratching the ground with their hind legs enable dogs to leave a visual and olfactory sensory marker for other dogs that may pass by the area. Scent glands are present on the dog’s paws and scratching the dirt enables them to leave their signature scent.

Circling before lying down

Experts have forwarded several theories in an attempt to explain why dogs go around in circles before lying down. One, it may be a dog’s way of trying to get a position that offers the best view of the room or his surroundings. Second, it could also be that the dog is looking for a spot where he can easily keep an eye on what’s going ... Read more »

If you have a cat or a dog at home, chances are you’ve heard a great deal about microchipping. However, you might not have all the details just yet. Can this really be helpful?

In a normal day, your pet’s microchip will not really get used for anything. They are intended to identify your pet during extreme situations, like if she gets separated from you. In these cases, a microchip may be the only thing that can help bring your pet home to you. This makes them not only helpful, but a lifesaver to someone who is counting on them to reunite their pet with their family. Luckily, once they are inserted, your pet won’t even know it’s there, and all you will need to do is update your contact information should it change. For additional information, please contact your local Aurora, CO vet clinic. View their ... Read more »