pet northwest
APRIL 2012
MAGAZINE
SPOKANE | COEUR D’ALENE | SPOKANE VALLEY | DEER PARK
N
ature’s Pet Market...
Always providing you with a large selection of healthy & natural pet foods, treats, toys and accessories for your family’s best friend.
12208 N Division Street, B • Spokane, WA 99218
T E K R A
M
509.464.3400 M-F 10am - 7pm Saturday 10am - 6pm Sunday 12pm - 5pm
PURCHASE ANY BAG OF Nutri Source, Pure Vita or Natural Planet Food and get a 12oz bag of Grain-Free Pure Vita Dog Biscuits for only $5.00! Must present coupon. Offer expires 4/30/12
12 Dog Friendly Landscapes
14 10
Boarding 101
Spring Cleaning
20 Nutrition
24 Breed Profile
WHAT’S INSIDE Activity Guide
Local Events
Locally Produced
Tags "R" Us
Pet Picks
Local Finds
Pet Spotlight Budgie Parakeet Sweet Treats Liver Look... I’m Famous!
Community Pet Photos
6 7 12 23 27 28
Directory www.northwestpetmagazine.com 3
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MAGAZI NE
PUBLISHER ZOLT Publishing EDITOR Emily Olson CREATIVE DIRECTOR Laura Olson ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Emily Olson | Laura Olson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Emily Olson | Laura Olson | Don Cutler EDITORIAL INQUIRIES OR SUBMISSIONS Northwest Pet Magazine welcomes editorial inquiries and suggestions. Please contact Emily at emily@northwestpetmagazine.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES WASHINGTON: Please contact Emily at (509) 979-2028 or emily@northwestpetmagazine.com IDAHO: Please contact Laura at (208) 262-1234 or laura@northwestpetmagazine.com
Northwest Pet Magazine is published monthly by ZOLT Publishing 2600A E Seltice Way #306 Post Falls, ID 83854 Phone: (208) 457.7211 info@NorthwestPetMagazine.com www.NorthwestPetMagazine.com
MAIN ADVERTISING OFFICE: 208.457.7211 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from publisher. Photographs, graphics,and artwork are the property of ZOLT Publishing. Š 2011 ZOLT Publishing Printed in the U.S.A. on Recycled Paper
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Every pet deserves to be loved!
Rescue Pet Spotlight Loving, Forever Homes Needed... Adopt Today!
Sammy Tommy
Senior Cats Available... Make their last years the best! Sammy is a senior cat looking for a place to call home. He is up-to-date on all routine shots and is neutered. Sammy has a long coat and is orange and white. Pet ID 15046956 Tommy is also a senior cat. He is up-to-date on all routine vaccines and is neutered. Sammy has a short coat and is mainly brown and white. Pet ID 15046928 For information on either Sammy or Tommy please call the Spokane Humane Society at 509 467 5235
April showers bring May flowers... and
MUD!
Self Serve Dog Wash Full Service Dog Grooming Mon-Sat: 10am - 6pm • Sunday: 12pm- 5pm
www.yuppypuppyspokane.com Follow Us:
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northwest pet magazine | Activity Guide
april
activity guide Malea McGuinness Concert April 2nd
Coldwater Creek Wine Bar KPND is sponsoring a howling good time. Malea McGuinness is coming to Sandpoint! She loves animals and has agreed to make her concert at Coldwater Creek Wine Bar a benefit for the shelter. The wine bar has also offered to provide a donation back to the shelter from the proceeds that night. Get your friends together and come on out! To learn more about Malea McGuinness visit http://maleamusic.com.
Kaniksu Quarter Horse Show April 13th-15th
Spokane Fair and Expo 404 N Havana St, Spokane Valley For more information contact Gena Loper 208.660.0955
SCRAPS 7th Annual Chocolate Festival & Auction April 20th, 6pm
SCRAPS Fun times, good food, great chocolates, amazing auction items. Tickets only $20, available for purchase thru scrapshopefoundation. org. Donations are always appreciated!
PROM Party April 28th, 8:30pm
Evans Brothers Coffee, 524 Church St. Sandpoint Have a blast from the past at the Great Prom Redux. Wear your old prom outfit and come dance the night away, knowing your ticket price is going to help dogs & cats at the Panhandle Animal Shelter. Tickets $5 in advance at Evans Brothers Coffee, $7 at the door • RFB Band, Costume and Era Dance Contest. Proceeds Benefit the Panhandle Animal Shelter.
SSHF Vaulting Show April 28th-29th
Spokane Sport Horse Farm 10710 S Sherman Spokane New to SSHF, an exciting and crowd pleaser of an event. For more information Contact: Donalee Paul 360-485-7825
Anesthesia Free Dental Cleaning Clinic April 26th, 1pm 920 N Spokane St, Post Falls Dr. Tracy Ridgeway and Pampurred Pet Boutique are hosting Animal Dental Care for a dental clinic for dogs and cats. By appointment only! Space is limited for this affordable, safe solution to dental cleaning! Call Dr. Tracy at 208.819.6472 for more information! Next Dental Clinic to be held in May, along with low cost vaccination clinic and end of Winter Sale!
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Tags "R" Us With Summer soon approaching, it's always a good idea to check your pet's tags to make sure they are readable and upto-date. This topic leads to our current locally produced! Tags "R" Us is owned and operated by Post Falls resident Kevin Humphrey. Custom pet tags with a decorative expression of your pet's personality on the front and your name and phone number on the back. Kevin does the engraving himself and offers customers 24 hour turn around! Kevin prides himself on offering quality, custom pet tags and believes that nothing is more important than a loved pet being returned home safely. To learn more about Tags "R" Us visit them on the web at www.tags-r-us.net
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northwest pet magazine | Dog Friendly Lanscaping
DOG FRIENDLY L ANDSCAPING by Emily Olson
Do you take your dog for walks in your neighborhood and stare with envy at the meticulously kept lawns and gardens that surround you? There's no reason that you can't have both dogs and attractive landscaping. If you've decided you and your dog just can't co-exist in the back yard, don't despair! There are easy fixes for pets digging, making "paw trails" across the grass and chewing up above-ground sprinkler pipes.
Eco-Friendly non-grass Installing a tougher type of grass will solve only one lawn-care problem encountered in landscaping with dogs: namely, wear and tear on grass. It will not however do anything to solve the problem of "dog spots." Dog spots are the unsightly yellow spots on grass caused by the nitrogen and salts in dog urine.
Effective landscaping with dogs begins with the recognition that a business-as-usual approach won't work. If your dogs are allowed to run your yard, you'll probably have to make adjustments to your landscaping. Landscaping with dogs primarily entails making concessions to your canine friends but remember that compromise is key when trying to share space with anyone, including your beloved pets.
Clover lawns on the other hand have many advantages over grass lawns. If you're landscaping with dogs, you'll especially appreciate the fact that clover doesn't stain the way grass does after being subjected to canine urine.
Adjusting Your Landscaping - Incorporating Hardscape Dogs and lawn grass don't mix well. For small areas, consider switching from a grassy expanse to hardscape. The advantages of hardscape go beyond solutions to landscaping with dogs, since hardscape offers a low-maintenance alternative to grass that obviates lawn care. Stone and masonry are especially useful for landscaping with dogs, because they minimize the mess dogs make through urination (dog spots), digging and plain old wear and tear. Here are some ideas for incorporating hardscape into your yard • Make liberal use of crushed-stone mulch. If you grow plants in such mulch in a sunny area, select drought-tolerant plants, since stone gets hot in the summer. Don't place the stone mulch directly up against the plants. • Build a brick patio, a concrete patio or a flagstone patio. Grow the right grass If you abhor the idea of hardscape, and wish for a "green carpet" of grass you can make your life less miserable by simply selecting the right type of grass. Some grasses hold up better to foot traffic (and paw traffic!) than others. Among the warm-season grasses, Bermuda grass is among the toughest. If you need a cool-season grass for landscaping with dogs, try Kentucky bluegrass.
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Mass planting Massing shrubs or ornamental grasses can help keep pets on the straight and narrow. Most will go around rather than through such plantings. Grasses are particularly tough plants that are unlikely to be injured by the most rambunctious of dogs. Soil Try to avoid having bare soil - it's a perfect invitation to cats and dogs to dig. Plant perennials close together, and choose tough pet-friendly plants - for example, use ground covers like thyme, cotoneaster, sweet woodruff or periwinkle between larger woody plants. Mulch Use inorganic mulch such as potato stones or pea gravel where appropriate. If you're trying to get a new area of lawn to grow, sod is quicker to establish than seed, especially with pets using the yard. Vegetable gardens If you've planted vegetable seeds into the ground, keep the seed bed moist, as cats prefer to dig in dry, loose soil. Use straw mulch to cover the soil in between rows of vegetables or individual plants such as tomatoes. A permanent enclosure, such as an attractive picket fence is good idea for an herb or vegetable garden where you don't want any dog or cat toilet activities to occur. Or you could try growing vegetables in containers. Fence it off One way to keep dogs away from the delicate plants in your yard is by building fences around them. Wood picket fences are especially
northwest pet magazine
Digging problems? The most pet-friendly garden solution here is to consider giving an unrepentant canine digger a fenced digging pit.
attractive. Plant some perennial flowers behind a white picket fence, and you're well on your way to creating an English country garden. If your dog likes to dig, the most pet-friendly garden solution here is to consider giving an unrepentant canine digger a fenced digging pit.
509.534.4880
•
518 S Thor
•
www.dogtownco.com
FRIEND US on Facebook and WIN! Each month one of our Facebook friends will win $25 toward products or service! www.facebook.com/dogtownco
Wired to work Place wire cages around trees and shrubs to prevent dog urine from reaching their trunks and roots and damaging them. That way, dogs can go about their business and you can relax, secure in the knowledge that Fido's urine won't be killing your favorite specimen. The above-ground drip irrigation pipes and emitters are an invitation to chew for many dogs. Solve this problem by placing the emitters under the landscape fabric which will then be topped with mulch. The emitters will still be above the soil and around plants, but just not where Fido can see them and be tempted to chew. Wrap outdoor electrical cords, like those for the AC Unit, with chicken wire. A clear path If a fence surrounds your property, do not try to grow any plants in the area immediately adjacent to the fence. Dogs are territorial, and their favorite path in a fenced-in yard will be right along the fence. Unsightly "dog paths" are the result of this predictable behavior, too.
208-664-5629
Rather than fighting it, plan your yard around your dog's predictability. Install stone walkways over existing dog paths. Now everyone will be happy: the dog still has its path, and you get to have a better looking yard. Stone walkways exude charm and are a desirable addition to your landscaping regardless of dog problems. A Final Consideration for Dog-Friendly Yards If the plantings in your yard possess any significant degree of diversity, there's a good chance that you're growing poisonous plants -- without even knowing it. You'd be surprised at how many of the most common landscape plants and native volunteers contain at least some parts (leaves, berries, etc.) that are toxic. Be sure to check with your local nursery or veterinarian for a list of poisonous or toxic plants.
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northwest pet magazine | Tidbit
Spring Cleaning Products
Home CLEAN Home
Between muddy paws, messy treats and digestive difficulties, our dogs and cats really do a number on our homes. We find fur gathered in the farthest corners of our rooms, and the sliding glass door is always covered with nose prints. It's absolutely worth it, of course, but it's a lot to clean. As we tackle the task of Spring cleaning we thought it apropos to cover some must-have products that make owning our pets so much neater and hygienic as we head into Spring.
1. Bissell Spotbot Pet Deep Cleaner - This tool saves you from spending hours (and hours) scrubbing -- you simply put it over the stain, select a setting, turn it on and wait. For small spots or spread-out stains, there's a hand-held device.
2.
Micro-Fiber Towels - Got a mutt who just loves roaming outdoors? Clean off his sweet little feet with an absorbent, quick-drying cloth like the Martha Stewart Microfiber Pocket Towel.
3.
The Pawsitively Clean - This line of pet stain and odor removers from Bissel is a great addition to the pet cleanup arsenal. Each is specially formulated for different types of stains and surfaces.
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4.
FURminator - Some cleaning problems can be helped with a preemptive strike. The folks who make the FURminator grooming tool know the importance of tackling pet hair and smell before it takes over the house, so, in addition to brushes, they offer waterless shampoos and sprays.
5.
PawSafe Household Cleaners - The concern many pet owners share when it comes to cleaning is whether the products could be harmful to their pets. And to those owners we introduce PawSafe Household Cleaners, a line of pet-safe cleaning products. The toy cleaner is great for washing nasty Kongs as well as water dishes.
The Pick Up...
by Emily Olson
Every Spring, we swear to ourselves that next year we will follow our dogs around the yard with a scoop, be it sleet, or hail, or raging blizzard. But alas ... every year the temperatures drop to -8 degrees and that determination from last Spring is suddenly a thing of the past. Why Even Bother Why not just let it sit there and degrade? Aside from the fact that I have small-ish children sharing the yard, dog poop is a health hazard. Left alone it can gather maggots, parasites from other animals, pass parasites TO other animals, which in turn pass them back to the dogs, and possibly us humans as well. The smell alone is also a good incentive to pick it up, as well as irate neighbors (who complain of the smell). Picking it up is also the best solution if you have a dog who like to snack on "poop-sicles". So, how do we tackle this nasty task with ease… If you are one of those who fell behind, the snow will melt and the piles left behind from Fido will magically begin to reappear leaving you to plan an afternoon picking up dog poop. However, it is still early enough in the season to avoid a stinky situation. If you don’t want to be that guy giving up a Saturday to pick up dog poop, here are a few tips on how to catch up on your pooper scooper responsibilities. Cleaning up dog poop while it is frozen in the early morning is a lot less time consuming and smelly then wet, thawing dog poop in the later afternoon. While no one likes the idea of waking up early to go scoop poop…it’s a lot better than approaching a melting, sweating pile of doo later in the day. The tools best used to scoop frozen poop are a garden ho, a big shovel and a plastic rake. The pooper scooper process is simple; first you take the garden ho and begin to separate the dog poop from the frozen ground and snow. Once you have a section of dog poop separated from the ground you can easily rake the dog poop onto the shovel and then move on to the next section in the yard. Other methods used include using a small hand shovel to pick up the piles, using a spade to dig up the dog waste and even using a snow shovel to scoop up the poop. In larger cities, pooper scooper services have become readily available to handle dog owners’ pooper scooper needs. The most popular time for pooper scooper services to be requested is during the spring time and is one way for you to responsibly avoid picking up Fido’s stinky spring collection of dog poop.
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pet picks Kaytee Bird Food & Houses Northwest Seed & Pet 2422 E Sprague, Spokane Valley
West Paw - Hurley Pampurred Pet Boutique 920 N Spokane St, Post Falls
Nina Ottosun Dog Twister Kong - Air Dog Duncan's Pet Shop
Prairie Dog Pet Mercantile 2917 E Palouse HWY, Spokane
1302 N Government Way, CDA
Good Dog Calming Linen Spray Pet Vittles 919 N Argonne, Spokane Valley
Yeoww - Chicata Catnip
Paldog Products Yuppy Puppy
Nature's Pet Market
9423 N Newport HWY, Spokane
12208 N Division St, B, Spokane
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INC.
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Boarding 101
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Boarding 101
Courtesy of the American Boarding Kennels Association, the non-profit trade association for the pet boarding industry in the United States and around the world. ABKA offers information, publications, education and facility accreditation.
Introduction
Evaluating a Kennel
Every day people face the question of what to do with their pets when travel, illness, or family emergencies disrupt normal care. Some pet owners attempt to solve this problem by taking their pets with them, only to discover that hotel restrictions, travel-induced pet illness, and runaway pets can turn their trip into a disaster. Other pet owners turn over the care of their animals to well-meaning but untrained neighbors, or friends. Again, the results are often unsatisfactory. Pets entrusted to such part-time custodians frequently escape or become seriously ill because of lack of reliable, frequent, and knowledgeable supervision.
After finding your local kennels, you can determine the one to use by:
Fortunately, the majority of pet owners who find themselves in need of substitute pet care utilize the services of professional boarding kennels. Annually, more than 30 million pet owners recognize that full-time, knowledgeable and experienced boarding kennel operators provide the most dependable, secure and safe pet care available.
2. Making a personal visit to the kennel. A personal visit is essential to determine whether the kennel will be satisfactory. During your visit, observe or ask about the following:
Because competent, ethical boarding kennels are an important part of your pet care program, and because the selection of a boarding kennel can be a confusing and disconcerting process for pet owners, the the American Boarding Kennels Association (ABKA) has assembled this data to assist you in evaluating, selecting, and working with your local boarding kennel. Our goals are twofold: 1. To give your pet a happy and safe boarding experience. 2. To enable you to enjoy your time away from home content that your pet is receiving the best care possible.
What is a Boarding Kennel?
1. Telephoning the kennel. Call to see if the kennel can accommodate your pet. During peak times such as the Christmas season and summer vacations, many kennels are booked up and cannot accept your pet. Also, because some pets require special handling or accommodations (very young puppies, animals on special medication or feeding schedules, or giant breeds, for example), all kennels may not accept them. While you are on the phone, make an appointment to visit the kennel.
General appearance of the kennel proper: Following regular daily clean-up procedures, the kennel should look (and smell) neat and clean. Kennel operators are proud of their kennels and like to show them off, but some of them do not permit visitors in areas where animals are housed.
"Successful boarding goals of kennels are happy, healthy pets, and satisfied pet owners which requires a cooperative effort from kennel owner and pet owner."
Throughout the United States and Canada, there are approximately 9,000 boarding kennels offering their services to more than 30,000,000 pet owners annually. Boarding kennels are businesses designed and operated specifically to care for pets, as distinguished from breeding kennels, which are devoted to producing puppies; training kennels, which take in dogs for hunting, protection, and other types of specialized training; and veterinary hospitals, which are designed to care for sick and injured animals. Most boarding kennels provide a variety of pet services such as boarding, grooming, training classes, pet supply sales, and pet shipping. Although the vast majority of boarded pets are dogs and cats, many kennels also offer boarding for horses, birds, reptiles and exotic pets.
Successful Boarding The goals of kennels are happy, healthy pets, and satisfied pet owners. This requires a cooperative effort from kennel owner and pet owner.
There are two key reasons for establishing a "No Visitors" policy. First, some dogs react unpredictably to strangers. (They become excessively fearful or aggressive.) As a result, the presence of strangers in the kennel can cause such dogs to injure themselves or develop intestinal problems. Second, visitors do not follow the same stringent disinfecting procedures used by kennel personnel, and can transport contagious agents (bacteria, viruses) into the kennel. However, kennels with a "No Visitors" policy should provide you some type of viewing window, so that you can see where your pet will be staying.
In visiting your local kennels, you will observe that there are several types of kennel designs currently in use. Some kennels have indoor/ outdoor runs; some have totally enclosed facilities; and some house pets inside, but utilize outside exercise areas. Each of these designs has its own advantages, and you should ask the kennel operator to explain the advantages of the system in use at that kennel.
Security: When you are on a trip, your pet may decide to try to "find" you. Because of this tendency, and because very few homes are designed with pet security in mind, pets can escape from inexperienced individuals who might be asked to watch your pet. Boarding kennels, on the other hand, are designed to prevent this kind of accident.
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Health care: Inquire about the following: 1. Water: Individual containers filled with clean drinking water should be available to each animal. 2. Food: Feeding procedures vary from kennel to kennel. Some kennels supply preferred brands of feed, which they serve to all boarders. However, they usually allow you to bring your pet's favorite food, if you wish. Other kennels maintain a stock of the most popular brands, and feed whatever you request. Still others require that you bring your pet's food when you check in. Determine the kennel's policy, and if there are any additional charges for special feeding arrangements.
During your kennel visit, look for sturdy, well-maintained fencing, gates and dividers between runs. If your dog is a climber, digger or some other type of "escape artist" tell the kennel operator so that extra precautions can be taken (wire covered runs, locks on gates, etc.). Cats always require covered facilities.
Safety: Kennel areas where your pet will stay should be free of sharp objects, harmful chemicals and objects your pet might swallow. Primary enclosures (sleeping quarters) should provide solid dividers between your pet and the other boarders, both for reasons of safety and so that your pet will be able to relax and sleep without feeling challenged by his or her neighbors. Exercise areas should include barriers between runs high enough to prevent male dogs from urinating into adjacent runs. Surfaces should offer good traction even when wet. Firefighting equipment should be readily available.
Supervision: Proper supervision is the key to good boarding. Pets should be checked frequently during the day by someone who is trained to recognize the signs of illness and distress. Experience and practical knowledge are required to detect or interpret such symptoms as lethargy ("I thought he was just sleeping"), severe intestinal disorders (friends or acquaintances rarely check the backyard for bloody stool), urinary problems (it is almost impossible to detect blood in urine when pets urinate on grass), loss of appetite, coughing, sneezing, or discharges from the eyes or nose. Yet, all of these signs can be significant. Competent kennel personnel are trained to recognize and evaluate such signs and to seek veterinary assistance when needed. Therefore, you should try to evaluate the competence of the kennel personnel.
Sanitation: The kennel should be free of dirt, fecal accumulation, odors and parasite infestation (flies, fleas, ticks). There should be a strict schedule of disinfecting with effective chemicals. Note: Since 1978, there have been worldwide outbreaks of an intestinal disease called canine parvovirus. This disease is spread when dogs come into contact with a contaminated surface (clothing, shoes, grass, carpeting, etc.). New vaccines are now available to combat this disease, but until the dog population develops immunity to the disease, it will remain a potential problem. Several professional disinfectants, including bleach at a 1:30 solution are effective against parvo virus. Therefore, if there have been any reports of parvovirus disease in your area, your kennel should be using one of these products for routine disinfecting, in addition to requiring the immunizations.
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3. Veterinary services: Ask about the procedure for obtaining veterinary service, if required. Some kennels retain a veterinarian on the premises. Others prefer to use your pet's veterinarian so that there will be a continuity of care. Remember that it is customary for you to be financially responsible for any veterinary care required for your pet while it is being boarded. 4. Immunization requirements: Dogs should be immunized against rabies, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, parvovirus (DHLPP), and bordetella. Cats should be vaccinated against rabies, panleukopenia or distemper, feline rhinotracheitis, calici virus, and pneumonitis (FVRCPP). 5. Medication policies and procedures: If your pet is taking medication, advise the kennel operator of the nature of the problem and the type and frequency of medication. Many kennels will not accept animals requiring excessive medication (more than three times per day, or nighttime medication, for example) or animals requiring potentially dangerous medication (diabetes shots, for example). Remember, it is essential that heartworm preventative medication be continued during boarding, if your dog is presently taking such medication. Inquire whether the kennel provides such medication, or if you should bring a supply. Ask if there is an additional charge for medicating. 6. Parasite control: If you live in an area in which fleas and /or ticks are a problem, your kennel should utilize procedures for controlling these parasites (pre-entry examinations for boarders, sprays, dips, etc.).
Boarding 101 Provision for animal comfort:
Business procedures:
1. Temperature control: The kennel should be able to maintain temperatures within healthful, comfortable limits for your pets. If you have an older pet, or a pet that requires warmer or cooler accommodations than are normally provided, determine if special arrangements can be made.
As a customer, you are entitled to be treated in a friendly, businesslike manner. Furthermore, a kennel's customer-handling practices are a reflection of their awareness of their responsibilities to you, the customer, and to themselves as professionals.
2. Protection from the elements: Exercise areas should provide shelter from wind, rain, snow and direct sunlight. 3. Ventilation: Good ventilation (no drafts) helps minimize the spread of airborne bacteria and viruses. 4. Light: Lighting should be at comfortable levels during the day.
Therefore, you should observe the following: 1. Personnel: Kennel work is physically demanding and difficult. Nevertheless, kennel personnel should appear clean and neat. They should also demonstrate a high level of understanding and concern for your pet by their questions, animal handling techniques, and attitude. 2. Appearance of kennel grounds and office: Kennel property should be neat and well maintained.
5. Bedding: Find out what arrangements are made for pet bedding. Some kennels provide resting platforms, bedding or newspaper. Others require that you bring bedding from home. Check if there are any restrictions on owner-provided bedding (wicker beds and feather pillows, for example, may not be accepted). 6. Sleeping Quarters: As you know from observing your pet, most of his or her time is spent resting or sleeping. Your kennel should provide a place for this purpose (a primary enclosure). It should be clean and dry, and roomy enough for your pet to stand up comfortably, turn around easily, and stretch out. 7. Exercise Area: All animals require exercise, but the requirements for dogs and cats are different. Let's discuss their requirements for exercise individually:
DOGS
CATS
Dogs should have enough space to enable them to break into a run. Exercise time will depend upon the kennel's layout. In some kennels, dogs are allowed free-access to their own individual exercise runs during the day. In such kennels, you may want to make arrangements to limit your dog's exercise time, if there is any reason he or she should not be allowed to exercise at will (an older dog with a heart condition, or a 'hyper' dog that tends to run weight off, for example). Other kennels use a 'time-sharing' method for scheduling exercise. In such kennels, make sure that the time allowed and the frequency of exercise periods is adequate for your dog
Because cats exercise isometrically (by stretching), and because they are not 'pack animals' that need, or enjoy, the company of other animals (as dogs do), they do not necessarily require separate exercise areas, but are content when housed in roomy primary enclosures. However, some kennels also provide 'play areas' for those cats that appear to enjoy the additional space. Whether or not your kennel provides such play areas, your cat's primary enclosure should be large enough to permit stretching and moving around, and should contain a regularly cleaned litter box
8. Additional services: Many pet owners find it convenient to schedule grooming, bathing or training for their pets while they are in the kennel for boarding. Ask if such services are available. If you are in the process of moving, the kennel may even be able to take care of shipping your pet. Such a service can save you time and trouble, and helps ensure the safety of your pet.
3. Be sure that you understand the method of calculating boarding charges. Some kennels have a checkout time, after which you are charged an additional day. Others charge by the night or day. 4. Boarding agreement or contract: Your kennel should have some type of boarding agreement, which clearly states your rights and the kennel's responsibilities. This type of form protects you and the kennel from any misunderstandings in these areas. 5. Hours of operation: Days and hours of business should be posted. If your kennel is closed on weekends or holidays, note and respect that policy. On those days, all pets are fed and exercised and the facilities are cleaned and maintained, but the kennel office is closed and there is no one in the office to meet customers. Using the information listed above, you have now located, evaluated and selected your kennel, and have completed most of the steps necessary for successful boarding. However, there is still one thing required to assure that your pet receives the best care possible, and that is that you fulfill your part of the boarding. Even the best kennel in the world cannot take proper care of your pet unless you assist them by observing the following recommendations:
Preparing For Boarding 1. Make your reservations early: Most kennels are booked up on holidays and during vacation times. If you wait until the last minute to make your reservations, you may be disappointed. As you make your reservations, verify those items which you should bring with you to the kennel (immunization records, food, medication, bedding, and toys). Make arrangements for any special services that you wish to have performed while your pet is in the kennel (grooming, training, or shipping). As you make your reservations, find out what type of payment arrangements are acceptable (credit cards, personal checks).
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Boarding 101 2. Prepare your pet for boarding: Remember that pets, like people, usually appreciate a vacation in new surroundings with new friends. Dogs, once they become familiar with their new surroundings, have a marvelous, exciting time, almost like kids at summer camp. (If your dog has never been boarded before, you might consider short, overnight stays at the kennel prior to an extended boarding stay to help him or her get used to boarding. Every time you return your dog is less likely to be affected by "separation anxiety" and can enjoy boarding more.) As a rule, kittens take to boarding easily and have a wonderful time. Adult cats usually display a very nonchalant attitude towards boarding and prefer to sit quietly and observe the daily kennel routine. They don't seem inclined to make new feline friends or participate in group play, but seem content to rest, eat, make friends with the help and purr. Don't overfeed your pet right before going to the kennel. The extra food is not really necessary and the result might be an upset stomach. Finally, because pets sense and reflect our emotions, DO NOT allow any member of the family to stage an emotional 'farewell' scene. Your pets can be made to feel unnecessarily anxious about the kennel visit if they are subjected to this kind of dramatic display.
Picking Up Your Pet
3. Check in during business hours: Bring all agreed upon medications. Make sure that medications list the prescription number and name of the pharmacy so the kennel can obtain a refill if your return is unexpectedly delayed. Allow enough time in the kennel office to fill out the necessary paperwork. The kennel needs to know such things as: name, address, phone number, return date, additional services requested, where you can be reached in case of an emergency, the name of a local contact, your veterinarian's name and phone number, special feeding instructions, medication instructions, etc. If your pet has any special problems which are not covered on the check-in forms, such as fear of thunder, epilepsy, or deafness, point them out to your kennel operator. All of this information helps your kennel take better care of your pet, especially if there is any type of emergency requiring special action. (And this is what professional care is all about. Anyone can feed your pet, as long as nothing goes wrong. But what you want for your pet is supervision by someone who can assess and respond properly to emergencies). Don't be surprised if your kennel operator asks you to leave your dog in the kennel office, rather than allowing you to place your dog in his run. This is done so that your dog will see you leave and will realize that you have entrusted him or her to the care of the kennel operator. It also eliminates the possibility of your dog getting the erroneous impression that you are placing him in the run to "guard" it. When dogs get that impression, they sometimes become aggressive.
3. Do not feed or water your dog for at least four hours after returning home: Cats adapt to their return home with the same easy acceptance with which they adapt to boarding, but dogs can become very excited when you return. And, when dogs become excited, they tend to gulp food and water. Unfortunately, owners who allow their dogs unlimited access to either food or water immediately after returning home, frequently trigger vomiting and/or diarrhea. If your dog appears to be thirsty, provide a few ice cubes, rather than water. Let him or her calm down before offering food.
4. Relax and enjoy your trip: Remember that you are leaving your pet in the hands of capable professionals. Pets in the kennel probably receive more care and attention than they would at home.
18 northwest pet magazine
When you return from your trip, here are some things that can help you and your pet to have a happy homecoming: 1. Pick up your pet during the kennel's normal business hours: Attempting to conduct business after hours is not only an imposition on the kennel operator and a possible disruption of sleep for the boarding animals, but can also result in a wasted trip to the kennel (because all personnel may be working in the kennel area and unable to hear the doorbell). For these reasons, many kennels assess an additional charge for after-hours pickup, to discourage the practice. 2. Ask about your pet's stay at the kennel: Did your pet adapt well to kennel food, routine and environment? Did he or she display any unusual behavior or require any special handling? This information will be entered on the kennel's records, to assist kennel personnel in caring for your pet during the next stay, but you should also be aware of it in the event that you move or use the services of another kennel in the future.
4. Contact your kennel operator if you have any questions about your pet's behavior after returning home: Sometimes pet owners become unnecessarily concerned about behavior, which is completely normal. (For example, many dogs tend to sleep almost continuously for a day or two after returning home. This is usually a result of being back in a relatively calm environment after the excitement of the kennel). However, if you observe anything that appears to be out of the ordinary, contact your boarding kennel operator to discuss your observations.
Conclusion Developing a good relationship with a boarding kennel will make things a lot easier for your pet, your family, and you. Taking a few of the precautions mentioned before and after you board your pet will result in a pleasurable (and economical) experience for every member of your family. Do your homework in advance, and trust your kennel owner to provide a safe, happy homecoming when you return.
Rabbits are not Easter toys A rabbit is not a toy she’s a living, breathing, feeling, 10 year commitment. Rabbits do make wonderful indoor companions, but they are not low maintenence and are not a good “starter” pet for a child. Sadly, most “Easter Bunnies” end up abandoned once the novelty wears off. Please save a life, take the time to learn what it takes to care for a rabbit before deciding to bring one home. The Easter bunny will thank you. Did you know? • Rabbits rank 3rd in shelters after cats and dogs. • Rabbits should be spayed or neutered to avoid health and behavior problems. • Rabbits need daily exercise, playtime and companionship. • Grass or timothy hay is essential to a rabbit’s diet. • An outdoor hutch is not safe housing.
rabbitron.com
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northwest pet magazine | Nutrition
QA &
Pet Food:
Feast or fraud?
written by Don Cutler
Q.
Does anyone regulate what goes into pet foods?
A.
The FDA is the ultimate guardian of pet food safety, while the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) sets forth detailed ingredient standards for the pet food industry. Adhering to AAFCO standards is voluntary unless required by State, Provincial, or local law, and the Association has no direct regulatory authority. Most states, to one degree or another, have laws based on AAFCO standards which are enforced by the FDA and/or state and local regulatory agencies.1. Some manufacturers boast about meeting AAFCO standards, but the truth is, AAFCO standards aren’t very high. For example, a food with these primary ingredients meets AAFCO standards: Ground yellow corn, soybean meal, ground whole wheat, and corn syrup. In these first four ingredients there are no meat proteins, the grains are cheap substitutes for better ingredients, and the corn syrup should offend the sensibilities of any responsible pet owner. Corn syrup is there for one reason: The rest of the ingredients are unpalatable, and the kibble needs sugar to trick your dog into eating it. So, while the FDA and AAFCO have significant influence over what goes into foods, they can’t mandate good nutrition. As of March, 2012, the FDA is considering changing its view of how AAFCO defines allowable ingredients in animal feed.
Q.
Does my pet need an “ancestral diet?”
A. Some pet food manufacturers claim their foods are
formulated to provide an “ancestral diet.” Too often, their version of an ancestral diet is determined by the marketing department, rather than science. Some companies claim that only raw food meets the definition while others claim that dehydrated or carefully formulated kibble or canned foot works just as well. Manufacturing claims beg the question: do today’s dogs and cats even need an “ancestral diet?” Using mitochondrial DNA analysis, research indicates that the ancestors of our dogs began splitting off from wolves about 145,000 years ago. Their physical attributes, physiology, and behavior have evolved from both intentional and unintentional breeding and an “ancestral diet” may not be well suited to the digestive system of a domestic breed. To some degree, the only things our modern pets have in common with ancestral wild dogs
are the drive to scavenge, and, of course, unbelievably cute puppies and kittens. When humans came along, dogs began following them around, eating what they could scavenge, which in many cases, was, to put it bluntly, garbage.2. Cats would stalk and kill what they could, except for fish, which, contrary to marketing claims, was rarely part of their ancient diet.3. Some dog food bags and cans have images of wolves, no doubt intending for us to imagine our poodle stalking a deer. It makes for better marketing than showing a Labrador retriever about to pounce on a refuse pile. Ironically, many of the manufacturers claiming they make ancestral diets buy their food’s vitamins from companies located primarily in Southeast Asia and Europe. That doesn’t mean their foods are unhealthy, but it certainly makes one wonder how ancestral dogs and cats made those long voyages.
Q.
Is it okay to change my pet’s food?
A.
Still today, some pet owners, and even some veterinarians, advocate keeping your dog or cat on one food brand and variety. This view is a remnant of the early days of commercial pet food manufacturing, when most companies made only one variety of food. Naturally, they wouldn’t advocate changing foods, since that would mean changing brands. In fact, research indicates that changing protein sources can be beneficial to an animal’s immune system.4. If your pet has food sensitivities or allergies, you might need to stay with one food, or at least one protein type. Unfortunately, veterinary science hasn’t come up with a very accurate test for food allergies, so finding the right food can be a long and frustrating trial-and-error process.
1. Other countries may or may not have higher standards than the United States. Canada and New Zealand are particularly careful about food regulation, both for humans and pets, although their labeling requirements aren’t as strict as in the U.S.
4. Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, (Mark Morris Institute, 4th Edition). Some Vet schools use an edition of this book for their nutrition courses. For what it’s worth, most of the contributors have an affiliation with Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
2. For a wonderful history of dogs, see Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz (New York: Scribner, 2009).
5. Meals made from specified meats, such as “turkey meal,” are concentrated sources of protein, and are found in many premium foods. If an ingredient list includes “meat meal,” stay away from it, since one can’t be sure what “meat” it contains. Also, any “by-product meal,” while safe for consumption, is a cheaper alternative to a proteinspecific meal. This topic will be taken up in a future column.
3. If we really wanted to feed our cats an ancestral diet, we’d buy hamsters and let them loose in the house.
20 northwest pet magazine
Q.
Is grain in my pet food bad?
A.
The scientifically precise answer is: That depends. The bigger question is: If there are large amounts of any grain, or for that matter, a large amount of potatoes or any other starchy ingredient, why are they there? There might be a perfectly good reason, or there might be the worst reason: some grains and other carbohydrates are sometimes used as relatively inexpensive substitutes for better quality ingredients. That is, they are there primarily for the benefit of the manufacturer, not your dog or cat. One of the most disingenuous things a pet food maker can do is to load up a food with corn or other inexpensive ingredient, and through effective marketing, charge premium prices for it. For example, here are the first four ingredients of a well-known dry food made by a company that charges a premium price for its food: Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Soybean Meal, and Animal Fat. Those ingredients, in combination, can produce a sufficient amino-acid profile, but every one of them is an inexpensive alternative to better ingredients. Compare that list to this one, for a food that sells for the same price: Chicken meal, turkey meal, lamb meal, and brown rice.5. Which would you rather feed your dog?6.
Mon-Sat 9AM to 6PM Sunday 10AM to 5PM
In cheaper foods, grains are used for bulk and as a kibble binder.7. The issue of grains will be addressed in a future column, but for now it’ll suffice to say that using grains as a primary source of protein is the mark of a food I won’t feed any of my pets. Here’s a quick way to check the nutritional efficiency of a dry food: Compare feeding guidelines. If Food A suggests feeding 2 cups a day for a 60 lb dog, and Food B suggests 4 cups, it’s because Food A is higher in calorie content, which almost always means the primary ingredients are better quality than those in Food B. It also means that Food A is probably more expensive than Food B, unless you compare the price per meal. Therefore, premium foods are often less expensive than cheaper foods.
Q.
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What’s the future for pet foods?
A. Undoubtedly, there will be more variety and confusion for
the consumer.
Manufacturers are competing to come up with unique pet foods. For example, California Natural recently came out with a Kangaroo and Lentil variety, and the first ingredient in one of Champion Pet Foods’ Orijen brand is wild boar. Manufacturers like to target market niches. Here are some new foods we may be seeing: Party mix: Deer and Beer. Organic: Trout and Sprout. High Energy: Goat and Oat. Kosher: Fox and Lox. Breakfast: Puffin and Muffin. For cats: Mice and Rice. Chow Time! About the columnist: Don Cutler is a Spokane-based freelance writer and independent researcher. He and his wife, Cyndi, own the Prairie Dog Pet Mercantile in Spokane. They have four dogs: two Labs, a Scottish Deerhound, and Rosie, the one-eyed wonder mutt. This is the first of a monthly column addressing questions about pet nutrition. If you have questions, please submit them online at www.northwestpetmagazine.com. 6. Reading and understanding food labels can help you select the proper nutrition mix for your pet. Labels are complex and confusing; we’ll discuss them in next month’s issue. 7. That doesn’t means grains are evil, but they certainly have their limitations. A high grain or starch content should make one wonder in what other ways the manufacturer has cut corners on quality.
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northwest pet magazine | Pet Spotlight
Pet Spotlight | northwest pet magazine thgiltopS teP | enizagam tep tsewhtron
The Budgie Parakeet THE BUDGIE TEEKARPARAKEET AP EIGDUB EHT
SIZE: Fully mature adult budgie’s are ORIGIN: Native to the grasslands and drier LIFE SPAN: Parakeet’s have a life span of about era s’eigregions dub tluof daAustralia. erutam ylluF :EZIS tuoba fo naps 10-15 efil a eyears vah s’in teecaptivity karaP :NAPS EFIL reird dna sdnaaround lssarg e6hinches. t ot evtiaN :NIGIRO .sehcni 6 dnuora ytivtipac ni sraey 51-01 .ailartsuA fo snoiger NUTRITION: Your parakeet needs fresh food and water everyday. There are many brands of nutritionally complete bird pellets for parakeets but, tub steekarap rjust of stlike ellefor p dus, rib eeating telpmthe oc ysame llanotithing irtun everyday fo sdnarbisynboring. am eraParakeets erehT .yad yreve be retagiven w dnabout a doofahhalf-cup serf sdeeof n tfruits eekarand ap ruvegetables oY :NOITIRand TUNother fresh food should oof hserf rehtosuch dnaas selmealy bategeworms v dna stand iurf bean fo pucsprouts. -flah a tuFocus oba neon vigthe eb brightly dluohs stcolored eekaraPfruits .gniroand b si vegetables yadyreve gnlike iht ebroccoli, mas eht mangoes, gntiae ,su carrots, rof ekil tsdandelions, uj green eerg ,snoilednpeppers, ad ,storrazucchini, c ,seognaand m ,ipapaya loccorbfor ekiexample. l selbategThey ev dnalso a stilike urf dadditional eroloc ylthprotein girb ehfoods t no slike ucoFpeanuts, .stuorpsdog naechow, b dna and smro w ylaem sa hcuDo s not feed your cottage cheese. uoy deef ton oparakeet D .eseehcthe egafollowing: ttoc dna ,w ohc god ,grapefruit, stunaep eklemons, il sdoof ncabbage, ietorp lanrhubarb otiidda or ekiany l oslprocessed a yehT .elpdried maxefruit rof athese yapapare dnaeither ,inihcdifficult cuz ,srepfor peyour p avocados, parakeet to t teekarap ruodigest y rof tlor ucffi id rehtie era eseht tiurf deird dessecorp yna ro brabuhr ,egabbac ,snomel ,tiurfeparg ,sodacova :gniwollof eht teekarap poisonous. .suonosiop ro tsegid Fresh, clean water should be available at all times. Use an inverted bottle with a drinking tube, and change the water daily. .yliad retaw eht egnahc dna ,ebut gniknird a htiw elttob detrevni na esU .semti lla ta elbaliava eb dluohs retaw naelc ,hserF HOUSING: In the wild, parakeets love to fly so for your parakeet to be happy it needs to have enough room in its bird cage to fly freely. The bigger eggib ehT .yleeits rf ycage fl ot the egacbetter. drib stAi nminimum i moor hgsize uonbird e evacage h ot for sdeaen ti yof ppsmall ah ebparakeets ot teekaraisp 39 ruoin. y rxof20osin. yflxo32 t ein. volParakeets steekaraplike ,dliw ht nI as :Gwell NISUas OHfly, so they need pair to eclimb een yeht os ,yflboth sa llevertical w sa bm ilc o t ekil steespace. karaP .ni 23 x .ni 02 x .ni 93 si steekarap llams fo riap a rof egac drib ezis muminim A .retteb eht egac sti and horizontal .ecaps latnoziroh dna lactirev htob In the cage there should be numerous bird perches. Some should be set higher up and others should be in position for the waterer and bird food doof drib dna rdishes. eretawParakeets eht rof noenjoy tiisopancuttle i eb dlubone ohs sin retheir hto dcage na putorekeep hgih their tes ebbeak dluoin hsshape emoSand .sehprovide crep dribextra suorcalcium. emun ebParakeets dluohs erealso ht elove gac ebird ht nItoys. Lengths of o shtgneL .syotthick drib hemp evol osrope la steact ekaas ragreat P .mugnawing iclac artxtoys e edfor ivorparakeets. p dna epahThey s ni kalso aeb like riehbird t peeswings k ot egand ac riebird ht ncage i enoladders. b elttuc a yojne steekaraP .sehsid .sreddal egac drib dna sgniws drib ekil osla yehT .steekarap rof syot gniwang taerg sa tca epor pmeh kciht TEMPERAMENT: Parakeets are highly affectionate and intelligent. They will require at least thirty minutes a day of interaction with you. They like to t ekil yehT .uoybe htstroked iw noticand aretnheld i fo yand ad atalked setunto. im yBecause triht tsaeofl ttheir a eriuintelligence qer lliw yehTthey .tnealso gilleneed tni dnaa lot etaof nobird ticefftoys a ylhand gih edistractions ra steekaraPin:Ttheir NEMcage. AREPMET .egac rieht ni snoticartsid dna syot drib fo tol a deen osla yeht ecnegilletni rieht fo esuaceB .ot deklat dna dleh dna dekorts eb Parakeets, like parrots, can be taught to talk but only to a limited extent. Since their voices are quite soft many people believe that they are ra yeht taht eunable veileb eto lpotalk ep but ynam ftoiss not etiutrue. q eraThey secioalso v rielove ht ectonilearn S .tnenew txe dtricks etimilsoa aotparakeet ylno tubwill klakeep t ot tits hguowner at eb nbusy ac ,sentertaining torrap ekil ,shim. teekaArabored P that parakeet is i teekarap deroabdestructive A .mih gninparakeet iatretne yso subefore b renwdeciding o sti peekon lliw teekarap as a oyour s skcpet irt wmake en nrsure ael otyou evohave l oslaenough yehT .etime urt tofor n sit i tor ahtyou tubmay klat be ot esetting lbanu yourself up for a parakeet of pu flesruoy some gnttiespet ebheadaches. yam uoy ro ti rof emti hguone evah uoy erus ekam tep ruoy sa teekarap a no gnidiced erofeb os teekarap evticurtsed a .sehcadaeh tep emos FUN FACT: Budgies can register 150 images per second compared to a human’s ability to register just 16! !61 tsuj retsiger ot ytiliba s’namuh a ot derapmoc dnoces rep segami 051 retsiger nac seigduB :TCAF NUF
22 northwest pet magazine
enizagam tep tsewhtron 22 www.northwestpetmagazine.com 23
northwest pet magazine | Breed Profile
THE SCOTTISH TERRIER compiled by Laura Olson
QUICK STATS Life Span: 12-15 years Group: Terrier Availability: Common Color: Black, Brindle or Wheaten Coat: Long Height (Male and Female): 10-11 inches Weight (Male and Female): 19-23 pounds
Scottish Terriers are often described as the dog that can go anywhere and do anything - a big dog in a small dog's body. Naturally a "digger" at heart, the Scottie was originally bred to hunt and kill vermin (fox and badgers) on farms. Origin: The Scottish Terrier was developed in Scotland in the 1700s. The breed was first called the Aberdeen Terrier, after the Scottish town of Aberdeen. George, the fourth Earl of Dumbarton nicknamed the dogs "little diehard" in the 19th century. Scotties first arrived in the US in the 1890's and were recognized by the AKC in 1885. Temperament: Brave and alert, the Scottie is hardy and lovable. They are charming and full of character. Playful and friendly as a puppy, he matures into a dignified adult. The Scottish Terrier makes a very good watchdog. They are inclined to be stubborn and need a firm yet gentle handling from an early age. Socialize well. This breed is sensitive to correction, therefore if you are firm and confident, the dog should respond to you. Obedience training must be consistent but persuasive. It is best not to play aggressive games with a terrier such as the Scottie, like wrestling and tug-of-war. He can challenge family members who have not established leadership
24 northwest pet magazine
B P over him. Lively, proud, and intelligent, Scotties have a reliable temperament. These dogs make good house pets. Do not allow this breed to develop "Small Dog Syndrome", a condition in which a dog believes he is the pack leader to humans. "Small Dog Syndrome" can lead to moody, snappy, stubborn and overly protective behavior in addition to obsessive barking. These are not Scottie traits, but traits brought on by the way the human treats the dog. Children need to be taught how to display leadership over the dog or the dog will not be good with them. Scotties are usually not recommended for homes with younger children simply because most owners do not display enough authority over them, and the dogs take over the home. The dog needs to clearly know the rules of the home. They need all members of the family to be firm, confident, and consistent in their approach.
“23
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Grooming: Regular brushing of the harsh wiry coat is important. Bathe or dry shampoo as necessary. The dog should be professionally trimmed twice a year. The hair on the body is left long, like a skirt, while the hair on the face is lightly trimmed and brushed forward. This breed sheds little to no hair. Living Conditions: This dog is good for apartment living. It is moderately active indoors and will do okay without a yard. Prefers cool climates. Health Problems: Some are prone to Scottie Cramp (a movement problem), Von Willebrand's disease, flea allergy, skin, and jaw problems. These dogs are difficult whelpers.
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Exercise: Daily walks with the family or "pack" will help reinforce leadership and burn both mental and physical energy. Fun Fact: This breed has won Westminster more than any other except for the Wire Fox Terrier.
www.northwestpetmagazine.com 25
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Sweet Treats | northwest pet magazine
sweet treats
Liver... A Nutrient Rich Treat At first glance, the idea of liver for dogs seems like an obvious benefit to your pet's diet. While feeding your dog liver isn't a bad idea, feeding liver (or any other single food) is a plan that requires moderation on your part. The Benefits of Liver for Your Dog Liver is a nutrient-rich organ meat that most dogs readily eat. Liver can provide your dog with protein, fat and vitamin A, all of which help him stay healthy if offered in moderation. Liver is also a good source of copper, iron, niacin, phosphorus and zinc. It provides many B vitamins, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and essential amino acids your dog needs from his diet to keep him healthy. Your dog can derive benefits from beef, lamb, pork, chicken or bison liver from the supermarket or butcher shop. It is recommended that when trying a new liver based treat for your dog or cat to use liver purchased from the supermarket or butcher shop. Feeding your dog liver from wild game may not be a good idea because you cannot guarantee the quality of the organ. Some deer, for example, are affected with liver flukes that make their livers unsafe for canine consumption. Liver can be an important component of a raw food diet for your dog, too. Discuss with your veterinarian the amount you should feed your pet, as well as what other organs they would suggest. Possible Drawbacks of Liver for Dogs While liver offers many health benefits, it can be harmful if your dog eats too much of it. As with many other treats, moderation is the key! Dogs that eat too much liver may be prone to a condition called hypervitaminosis A, or an overdose of vitamin A. Symptoms of a vitamin A overdose can include bone deformity, bone spurs on spine that cause him to limp, digestive upsets, muscle weakness, stiffness or weight loss. Your veterinarian will provide supportive care to your dog if he's overdosed on
compiled by Laura Olson
vitamin A, and you may have to eliminate liver from your dog's diet to prevent future overdoses. How to Feed Liver to Your Dog Consult your veterinarian if you would like to supplement your dog's regular food with liver. They will be able to give you correct portions to ensure you are not overfeeding it. One of the easiest ways to add liver to your dog's diet may be to give him occasional liver treats. Liver treats can either be purchased at the store or made at home. Small breed dogs can have one or two treats twice a week, while medium breed dogs can have 3 or 4 treats twice a week. Large breed dogs can have 5 or 6 treats twice a week. You can use liver treats to reward behavior or as a training aid to teach critical behaviors such as house training.
Sauteed Liver
Dog & Cat Treat Ingredients 1/4 lb. Beef Liver 1 tsp. Corn or Olive Oil 1/2 cup water
Directions 1. Heat oil in a pan. 2. Fry liver on both sides until cooked but not dry inside. Add water to the pan and mix it up with all the brown bits. Grind the liver in a blender, using the pan juices.
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L o o k ! I’m Famous...
Check out this month’s famous local friends! To submit your pet photos for consideration in the May issue, visit us online at www.NorthwestPetMagazine.com
"Shelly"
"Footy & Target" "Smokey"
"Bob"
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"Milo"
"Nelly, Pistol & RJ"
"Rango"
"Jack" "Roxy"
"Lulu" 28 northwest pet magazine
"Brandy"
"Echo"
"Dodger" "Rusty"
"Sampson"
"Ivy"
"Oliver" Oliver is this month’s winner and will receive a free year subscription from:
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Sue Harpine Grooming Northwest Pet Resort 1717 Northwest Blvd Coeur d'Alene, ID (208) 292-4394
Veterinary Surgical Specialists, PS 21 E Mission Ave Spokane, WA 99202 (509) 324-0055 vssspokane.com
Health Services A-1 Animal Clinic 101 N Argonne Rd Ste F Spokane, WA (509) 927-7367 a-1animalcare.com Animal Pain Management 11901 N Division Spokane, WA 99218 (509) 468-0443 animalpainmanagement.com Deer Park Animal Medical Center 31207 N Short Rd Deer Park, WA 99006 (509) 276-6016 deerparkanimalvet.com Fairwood Animal Hospital 317 W Hastings Rd Spokane, WA 99218 (509) 467-0566
Health Services Kootenai Animal Hospital 1704 E Seltice Way Post Falls, ID (208) 773-6000 Lake City Spay & Neuter Clinic 902 Lincoln Way Coeur d’Alene, ID (208) 664-5629 lakecitypethospital.com Northwoods Veterinary Hospital 30425 N Meadow St Athol, ID (208) 683-2708 PetVet 510 S Sullivan Rd Spokane Valley, WA (509) 928-7387 Dr. Tracy Ridgeway 920 N Spokane St Post Falls, ID (208) 819-6472
Wandermere Animal Hospital 12519 N SR395, Suite 1 Spokane, WA 99218 (509) 464-1414 wandermereanimalhospital.com
Mobile Health Services Pet Mobile Michelle Ward, DVM (888) 696-6258 Serving Pend Oreille & Bonner County
Pet Sitting
Pet Vittles 919 N Argonne Spokane Valley, WA (509) 927-0675 petvittles.com Prairie Dog Pet Mercantile 2917 E Palouse Hwy Spokane, WA (509) 443-9663 prairiedogmercantile.com Yuppy Puppy 9423 N Newport HWY Spokane, WA (509) 467-8221 yuppypuppyspokane.com
Pet Training Canine Behavior Consulting Eric Hess CPDT~KA Certified Professional Dog Trainer 208-691-1720 ericsk9consulting.com Trails Inn Kennel - Dave Byer 2888 W Diagonal Rathdrum, ID (208) 687-7024
The Pet Tech Pet Sitting in Post Falls 208-620-0175 the pettech.com
Pet Supplies Dogtown Company 518 S Thor Spokane, WA (509) 534.4880 dogtownco.com Duncan’s 1302 N Government Way Coeur d’Alene, ID (208) 667-0618 Nature’s Pet Market 12208 N Division St, Suite B Spokane, WA (509) 464-3400 Northwest Seed & Pet, Inc. 2422 E Sprague Ave Spokane, WA (509) 534-0694 nwseed.com Northwest Seed & Pet, Inc. 7302 N Divison Spokane, WA (509) 484-7387 nwseed.com Pampurred Pet Boutique 920 N Spokane St, #4 Post Falls, ID (208) 777-3190 pampurredpet.net
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