for the love of Pets

What Your Pet Is R e al ly Sayi n g

IF you’vE EvEr wondErEd How dEEply your pEt FEEls toward you, rEst assurEd: tHEy’rE In It For morE tHan just trEats and

tummy rubs. By lesley young

In an attempt to understand the canine mind more thoroughly, neuroscientist Gregory Berns, a researcher at Emory University in Atlanta, trained 14 dogs to sit patiently through MRI scans so he could examine what’s going on inside their brains when they’re exposed to diferent stimuli like an owner’s scent or vocal infection. He then compared the results to human brain activity. Turns out that when a dog responds to both food and social rewards its brain looks a lot like a human brain when in love.

Berns’s fndings likely apply to other pets, too. “Te closer the evolutionary relationship of the animal species with humans, the greater the similarities in brain anatomy and processing,” explains Dr. Mary Klinck, a veterinary behaviourist at the University of Montreal. “Tis implies similar emotions, particularly in mammals.”

For guardians, the challenge lies in recognizing the animal’s emotions. To help you understand what your pet is really thinking, here’s a handy behaviour interpretation guide.

“Have I told you how much I care about you lately?” Dogs: “Dogs’ emotions are very obvious,” says Rory O’Neill, a dog behaviourist and director of the Rocky Mountain Animal Rescue in Canmore, AB. “When they are happy, they actually smile. I’ve even seen dogs reveal gums in a grin! Also, their ears perk up (depending on the dog) and their tails wag in a relaxed way.” Cats: “When a cat is feeling afectionate and contented, some will roll on their back and stretch out, exposed,” says Mieshelle Nagelschneider, a cat behaviourist at Te Cat Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon, and author of Te Cat Whisperer. Happy cats will also approach you with their tails fagpole straight, and when you stare into their eyes, the feline will blink long and slow. PoCket Pets: Guinea pigs make a high-pitched whistling noise when they’re excited, says Dr. Klinck. Loud squeaks in other pocket pets, such as rats and hamsters, can be a sign of pain or fear, so she encourages pet owners to look for relaxed or tense body language to help sort out what the noise signals.

“I’m bored, and maybe even a little sad.” Dogs: “House dogs very rarely get sad,” says O’Neill. “Abused dogs with post-traumatic stress disorder will have glazed-over eyes. It’s a blank stare.” Cats: When cats are restless, some might wander around the house making plaintive mewing sounds, says Nagelschneider. A cat’s primary instinct is to hunt, and when they can’t express that predatory drive, even in play, they may become despondent, she adds.

“Hey, erectus! Pay attention! I’m frazzled here and you need to do something about it!” Dogs: “Dogs have an incredible sense of intuition,” says O’Neill. When they see or sense something is not right, their eyes dilate, they stop and stare, and their bodies may become rigid.” If they’re anxious, they’ll whine. And if they’re fearful, they’ll hunker down. “Tey don’t analyze their feelings. But they defnitely get upset at humans,” adds O’Neill, who says they express discontent by trying harder to get what they want. For example, if they’re frustrated about being locked in a room, they may bark louder. Cats: “Cats developed a meow that is strictly for humans,” says Nagelschneider. “It’s a combination of a purr and a meow, almost like a baby crying.” Tey use it when they want to get our attention. If cats are feeling aggressive, their pupils may dilate and their coats will puf. “Cats’ tails are good emotional barometers,” she adds. “If the tail is thumping or thrashing about, it’s excited or upset about something.” BIrDs: When your feathered friend’s pupils “pin” (expand and shrink quickly), it could be a sign of excitement. If they lunge, hiss and rufe their feathers, they’re feeling aggressive. Some birds will raise their crests very high when on alert. raBBIts: Foot or leg thumping is a clear indicator that they’re nervous about something, says Dr. Klinck.

Do rePtIles Have feelIngs?

Emotions in reptiles are difcult to read because reptiles lack facial and vocal signals. However, while not confirmed, researchers believe reptiles are capable of developing social bonds. For example, they recognize certain people and will approach them to be touched.

Proper Pet iq uet te

We all Want our pets to be praised for their good behaviour. but hoW are your manners? folloW these tips to ensure you’re a courteous pet guardian. BY roBin sTeVenson

The scenario: neighbours say your dog barks all day while you’re at work. Dogs are social creatures and can become frustrated when their owners leave for the day. Rather than get defensive with neighbours, ask them when your dog barks and for how long, suggests Kathy Currie-Eyers, owner of TopDog K9 Services in Barrie, ON, and chair of the Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers. “If the barking is alert barking (when people pass by the house or apartment door), use barriers or close the drapes to shield the dog’s vision,” she says. If the barking is boredom-based, be sure to leave your dog with some interactive food-dispensing toys for stimulation— and give him as much exercise as you can when you are together. “But make it exercise, not just another fve minutes added to their walk,” says Currie-Eyers. Tat means lots of running and chasing balls outdoors. If these solutions don’t work, the barking may be stress- or anxiety-related. “You might want to look at the possibility of using doggie daycare or a dog walker,” suggests Currie-Eyers.

The scenario: Your cat likes to make himself at home on the lap of anyone who comes to visit. A social cat is lovely, but not every houseguest will appreciate the attention. “When it comes to cats, many people have very strong opinions, to put it nicely,” says Pam Johnson-Bennett, a Nashville-based cat behaviourist and author. “If you feel they’re uncomfortable and just trying to be polite, give your cat a fun activity to engage in so he’ll be occupied but still be able to be in the room. Tis would be a perfect opportunity for using a food- dispensing toy to keep him busy,” she says. Some cats will not be deterred, so you may have to put them in another room with something to keep them busy. Catnip is a great last resort, says JohnsonBennett. “He can have a good time and then take a well-deserved nap.”

The scenario: Your neighbour informs you that your cat is using her garden as a litter box. A large, soil-flled garden makes a very attractive litter box substitute for outdoor cats. Neighbours, however, want to see fowers, not your cat’s waste. “Tere are some people who may resort to deterrents to keep cats out of gardens, and you don’t want to take a chance that a potentially harmful one might be used on your cat,” says Johnson-Bennett. Keeping relations friendly might mean your cat will have to stay indoors or wear a harness and leash. If you’d rather not constrain your cat, Johnson-Bennett suggests purchasing garden netting and helping your neighbour place it in her garden under a layer of soil. Tis will make it more difcult for your cat to dig and cover her waste, so she’ll likely move on.

The scenario: children often try to pet your dog. Even if your dog is great with children, tell any who approach to ask before reaching out to pet your pooch, says Currie-Eyers. She adds that dogs and hugs do not go together. “Hugs are a sign of afection in humans; but hugs invade the dog’s space and can be threatening. Some family pets learn to accept hugs, but it isn’t something that they enjoy.” If your dog isn’t good with kids or you’re unsure of how she’s feeling that day, it’s best to put yourself between child and dog, says Currie-Eyers. “Explain that your dog is not up for a visit today, but thank them for asking frst.”

Take Ca r e

we asked dr. Troye McPherson, a VeTerinarian in darTMouTh, ns, To answer your FiVe MosT Pressing PeT healTh quesTions. BY ROBIN STEVENSON

1How can I tell if my pet is ill? Pets seem to have a sixth sense when it comes to their guardians feeling under the weather, but it’s not always clear to us when they are unwell. Some signs that your pet needs medical care— limping, skin rash or noticeable weight loss unrelated to diet—are obvious. But owners should also watch for the following symptoms: • Prolonged episodes of vomiting or diarrhea (or blood in either) • Changes in coat appearance, from thick and shiny to dull or patchy • Refusal to eat or drink for more than one day or a sudden spike in drinking

with excessive urination • Changes in behaviour, such as lethargy if normally perky or hiding, if normally outgoing and friendly

2What is the easiest way to get my pet to take meds? In most cases, it can be as simple as mixing the medication into your pet’s meal or sof pet treat, says Dr. McPherson. If Flufy still manages to avoid swallowing the capsule at every turn, ask a veterinarian if the medication is available in another form, such as powder, tablet or liquid. Some medications can even be absorbed through the skin or mucous membranes (inside of the lip, under the tongue or on the gums).

3Do I really need to brush my pet’s teeth? According to a recent survey by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, only 10 percent of dog or cat owners brush their pet’s teeth every day. But as with humans, tartar control is an issue in animals and can afect their overall health. Getting your pet accustomed to having its teeth cleaned with a petspecifc toothpaste and toothbrush at an early age is best, says Dr. McPherson. A dental cleaning may be recommended if there’s tartar that can’t be removed by brushing or if the gums are swollen, red and irritated. Signs your pet may be experiencing mouth and teeth issues include rubbing or pawing the mouth and face, bad breath, food falling out of its mouth when eating, excessive drooling, and facial swelling.

4Is my pet overweight? Is Rover getting a little thick around the midsection? It’s worth a mention at your next veterinary appointment. Published in 2011, Canada’s Pet Wellness Report identifed weight management as the number one preventative measure pet owners can take to reduce health risks (such as arthritis and heart disease) and increase longevity. “We have diagrams and charts that score your pet’s body,” says Dr. McPherson. Your veterinarian will weigh and record your pet’s weight, examine its waistline and determine how easy or hard it is to feel its ribs before recommending how many calories your pet should be eating each day. Even birds and hamsters have normal weights that need to be maintained for good overall health.

5What vaccines does my pet really need? “Core vaccines (such as rabies) are those that the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners have determined are important for puppies and kittens and adult animals,” says Dr. McPherson. Tese protect pets from diseases that are widespread or highly contagious, as well as those that can cause serious illness. Vaccines that are not considered core (such as for Lyme disease and felineleukemia) are administered afer you and your veterinarian determine your pet’s risk level.