Pets in the City Magazine February 2017 by Pets in the City Magazine

February 2017

Pets In The City Magazine

Pets In The City Magazine |

February 2017

EDITOR'S LETTER

PUBLISHER PICM Publishing, LLC

Cats are… crazy. Whether you’re looking at the cute, cuddly in your lap variety (I haven’t had one of those in years), or the I Will Now Attack Your Toes While You Sleep (meet Sophie), they all have a little crazy in them.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Deborah Myers EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kim Justen

I’ve grown up with cats. I think there was a brief two-week period where we were without one about ten years ago, following the death of a beloved friend. Until a mouse came out from behind a bookcase and sat there, watching me work one night. We had another cat by the weekend. So, I like to think I’m something of a cat expert. Why do cat’s do that thing with boxes, friends will ask. “Because they’re crazy.” I put double-sided tape on my counters and the cat manages to jump up and land between the strips, says another. “Cats are diabolically precise when they want to be. Also, crazy.” Did your cat just fetch that toy you threw and bring it back? How’d you train him to do that. “Are you kidding? He’s a cat. I didn’t train him. Rex trained me.” And as soon as he trained me, he lost interest in playing the game. Sound familiar? I’m happy to say that this month, in addition to showing our rescues some love in our Single and Looking for Love Rescue Me section, we’re also showering the felines with some attention this month. From Sarah Tyler’s story on internet kitties and the longer than you’d expect love affair we have with cat pictures (I still have video of Rex fetching), to Mona Mistric’s article on cats and boxes (yes, there’s a reason for the insanity), there’s something for every cat lover in this issue. Also dogs lovers. And geckos! It’s February, and we’re equal opportunity animal lovers this month, with a little something for everyone. Like Subaru, we like to share the love. So make sure you run out and get a special Valentine gift for your favorite animal friend!

TABLE of CONTENTS 6

Expert Advice:

Pets In The City Magazine | February 2017 | 4

Saving the Lives of Cats in Our Community to Achieve No-Kill Utah – Temma Martin

12 14 16

Single and Seeking Love: Pets Available for Adoption Mark Miller Subaru and Suba Bleu Miller Share the Love Ask Stetson Q & A Cats’ Love Aﬀair with Boxes – Mona Mistric Probiotics: Are human probiotics good for dogs? Is there a diﬀerence between human-grade probiotics vs. doggrade probiotics? – Aden Hirtle

26 28 30

GRAPHIC DESIGN / SOCIAL MEDIA / WEB MAINTENANCE Michelle Bellinger mashiaragraphics@gmail.com

debbiepetsinthecitymagazine@ gmail.com Cover Photo: Humane Society of Utah

ACCOUNTING Richard Beamer

Animals in the News – Mona Mistric

in Utah – April A. Northstrom

19 20 22

CIRCULATION Lane Pellinger, Circulation Manager City Weekly Distribution Available at Smith’s Grocery Store racks & all Beans and Brews locations.

801.702.1171

Expert Advice: Leopard Geckos – Neil Moss, DVM

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kathy Jermaine, DVM Temma Martin | Neil Moss, DVM

SALES & ADVERTISING Sharon Stephenson Deborah Myers

Heart Disease and Your Pet – Kathy Jermaine, DVM

STAFF WRITERS Tonya Landon | Mona Mistric April A. Northstrom Sarah Tyler

I Can Has Internet Stardom? – Sarah Tyler Family Fun: How to Build a Mouse House for Your Cat Your Pets in the City Photos

www.petsinthecitymagazine.com PICM Disclaimer: All reader submissions and photos are voluntarily submitted without expectation of compensation. All opinions of the authors in this Magazine are those of the writer or contributor and are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. The publisher has not confirmed the accuracy of information contained in the articles. PICM reserves the right to edit, alter, or modify the submitted article to the extent in which we deem necessary. A RESCUE PLEA: Pets In The City Magazine is dedicated to and encourages rescuing companion animals of all types. There are thousands of animals in Utah and across our nation needing a forever home. If you are interested in rescuing a companion animal, there are over 100 animal rescues in Utah. A good resource is petfinder.com, a nationwide database for companion animals of all types. A rescued animal can be rewarding and lead to a forever grateful love. Pets In The City Magazine © 2017 is an independent, free monthly magazine published by PICM Publishing. For information regarding Pets in the City Magazine, visit www.petsinthecitymagazine.com Any and all articles in Pets in the City Magazine are submitted for reading enjoyment only. Please consult a professional and make wise personal decisions regarding health and safety issues of pets and family.

Pets In The City Magazine |

February 2017

Heart Disease and your Pet

Whether or not your pet has a heart murmur, it’s important to be aware of what signs to look for that may indicate heart failure. Early heart failure can be detected by observing an increase in your pet’s respiratory rate while asleep. As signs progress, respiratory rate and effort increase when the pet is awake and she often loses interest in normal activities such as eating, playing, etc. Cats will often hide more. Once this happens, respiratory distress can progress quickly, so it is important to treat it as an emergency until proven otherwise. Other signs to be aware of are: coughing, exercise intolerance, syncope (fainting), or lethargy. Signs of cardiac disease or failure are not always specific. Since our pets can’t talk, a thorough exam by a veterinarian is required to determine what tests and treatments are required.

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Another consideration is which pets are at risk for heart disease, and what can be done to prevent or slow changes in the heart. Genetics are a major factor in heart disease in dogs and cats. For example, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel tends to be the poster child for Kathy Jermaine, DVM valvular heart disease in dogs. While larger breed dogs such Part of every routine exam of your dog or cat by as the Doberman Pincher or Boxer tend to be at risk for their veterinarian is listening to the heart with cardiomyopathy. The Maine Coon is a classic example of a a stethoscope. But what does it mean when cat breed at risk for cardiomyopathy. The best thing we you are told Fluffy’s heart sounds good? Or a can do to help prevent heart disease in these breeds heart murmur was heard? Does a normal sounding (or any animal) is to have any potential breeding heart mean there is no disease? Is a murmur serious? animal evaluated by a cardiologist and to not breed Life-threatening? any animal with a familial history of cardiac disease. Feeding a well-balanced diet (i.e. pet food that meets AFFCO A murmur is essentially a sound that is heard when there is turbulent requirements) is also important to prevent certain deficiencies that blood flow through the heart (i.e. due to a leaky valve). This is often an can lead to heart defects. Because dogs and cats don’t tend to get the classic indication of heart disease. But as you might have guessed, there is no one heart attack from atherosclerosis like people do, weight, cholesterol, etc. simple answer to the questions listed above! Murmurs come with a variety of classifications including loudness, location and more. And although the don’t tend to be an important risk factor. However a thin, fit pet will likely loudness of the murmur can sometimes correlate with the severity of disease, fare better with an impaired heart compared to an overweight pet. this isn’t always the case. Particularly in cats; approximately 20% of cats have a physiologic, or non-pathologic, heart murmur. Furthermore, some cats The key to managing and preventing heart disease, as with most diseases, with severe heart disease have no murmur at all! is to keep your pet lean and active, with a well-balanced diet. Knowing what is normal for your pet is also important for early recognition of when Most cases of heart disease, particularly in middle-aged to older pets, tend something is off. And most importantly, follow up with your to be a chronic, progressive condition. They are often secondary to either veterinarian if you ever have any concerns about how degeneration of the valve(s) or changes to the heart muscle itself. Mild your pet is doing. changes don’t necessarily cause direct problems for the animal, but over

February 2017

time, can lead to life-threatening consequences such as heart failure. Not all animals diagnosed with heart disease will end up with heart failure. It typically depends on multiple factors such as the animal’s age, severity of when heart disease starts, what part of the heart is affected, etc.

When a heart murmur is first heard in a pet, a few diagnostics may be considered to find out more information. Chest x-rays can be useful to evaluate the overall size and shape of the heart. They are also very important to look for evidence of heart failure. Other times an echocardiogram (ultrasound) is more useful, to look for specific changes in the heart. In severe cases, medications may be indicated based upon changes seen on imaging.

Dr. Kathy Jermaine attended Western University of Health Sciences Veterinary School in Pomona, Calif. During a rotating internship at California Veterinary Specialists she worked side by side with emergency/ critical care, surgery and internal medicine specialists. She worked at a small animal practice and emergency hospital before moving here to join University Veterinary Hospital and Diagnostic Center in Salt Lake City. Her professional interests include emergency medicine, soft tissue and preventative medicine.

Pets In The City Magazine |

February 2017

LEOPARD GECKOS Neil Moss, DVM

I love these cute little geckos and consider them the best starter reptile if you want to begin your adventure as a herpetologist. One of the secrets to successfully keeping reptiles is to mimic their natural environment as closely as possible, and it just so happens that Leopard Geckos come from the mountains of Afghanistan where the climate is very like that of Utah. Plus, they are nocturnal and so don’t need special UV lights. Being nocturnal makes them ideal for a child’s school schedule; when the child is at school, the gecko is sleeping and wakes up in the early evening when everyone’s home.

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They thrive in dry desert conditions and at a temperature of 80° to 90° F. Avoid sand for bedding because it can lead to intestinal impactions, especially in juveniles which swallow a lot of substrate as they strike out at prey. In fact, I favor white paper towel, which is easily collected up when soiled and absorbs spilled water thus keeping the cage drier. Leopard Geckos have a chosen spot where they empty their bowels, which goes by the fancy name of the defaecatorium (a great Scrabble word), which is another reason their cages stay cleaner longer! I like to give them a cave to hide in during the day which, if placed against the front of the glass, can have a sheet of cardstock placed over it which can be lifted allowing the children to see their gecko.

February 2017

They are strict insectivores and thrive off a diet of crickets and mealworms; for variety, they can occasionally have a wax worm but not too many because they are very fattening. The crickets must be gut loaded, which means they are fed on a veggie diet enriched with calcium and vitamins for 15 to 30 minutes before being offered to your gecko. A well fed, healthy gecko has a big, fat tail. I see a variety of health problems most of which are manifested by a shrinking of the tail (known as stick tail):

• Sand impactions. As mentioned earlier, when geckos strike at their

prey they will often ingest pieces of substrate which can collect in their intestines and cause blockages. This often happens in juveniles. Your vet can often diagnose these by back lighting the reptile. Sometimes these can be relieved by using a few drops of oil as a laxative. • Missing toes! When they shed, the skin around the toes is often the last to lift. If the cage is too dry this skin shrinks and then cuts off the circulation to the toes which can then die and drop off. One tip to prevent this is to have a small cave inside the tank containing a little moist moss. When they shed, they can obtain some vital moisture by going inside and rubbing against the moist moss. • Eye plugs. These are very hard to see and the first indication the owner gets is the perception that the gecko has gone blind. When I see them I can often pull out (from each eye) a very large plug of keratin that looks like a thick contact lens. No one is sure what causes these plugs, although a lack of Vitamin A in the diet has been suggested. I have tried supplementing this, but so far have not found a permanent cure for this condition. Once the plugs have been removed the gecko can see again! Eating commences and she gains weigh back in short order. With gentle handling and common sense, these beautiful creatures can survive six to 10 years. Enjoy.

Dr. Neil Moss graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London, and has worked in England; Newfoundland, Canada and Utah. Owner of the Kaysville Veterinary Hospital, he works with dogs, cats, exotic mammals, reptiles and birds. He is a former President of the Utah Veterinary Medical Association; Utah Veterinarian of the Year for 2012; serves on the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates and currently serves as the Utah delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Pets In The City Magazine |

February 2017

Saving the Lives of Cats in Our Community to Achieve No-Kill Utah Temma Martin For nearly three years, a coalition of animal shelters, rescue groups and compassionate individuals have been working together with Best Friends Animal Society on the statewide No-Kill Utah (NKUT) initiative. The NKUT effort is a final push to make Utah a state that no longer kills cats and dogs in shelters, with the goal of making Utah the second no-kill state in the nation by 2019. Making Utah no kill means that animal shelters will have achieved a combined save rate of 90 percent — that is, at least 90 percent of the animals entering the shelter system leave alive through adoption, rescue by another animal group, or being returned to their owners. While Utah is on track and making progress toward that goal, the only reason we have not already achieved it is the number of cats and kittens still dying in our shelters.

Best Friends is trying to help the kittens by accepting approximately 1,500 kittens each year into our Kitten Nursery, with dedicated staff and volunteers to bottle feed and care for the babies 24 hours a day. The kittens come to the nursery from six partner shelters, and receive care until they are two months or two pounds and old enough to be spayed/neutered and vaccinated and placed for adoption. Besides kittens, free-roaming or community cats are at the greatest risk of being killed if they enter shelters. Best Friends helps ensure they do not end up there by organizing and operating humane trap/ neuter/return (TNR) programs. Trap/neuter/return is a comprehensive management plan in which healthy community cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and then returned to their outdoor communities. TNR is not only the most humane method of preventing cats from entering the shelter system, it’s the most effective. Once these cats are sterilized and vaccinated, they can live healthy, happy lives in their communities, where caring residents look out for them. Sterilization and vaccination provide a public health benefit to the community, too, a vast improvement over the failed trap-and-kill approach that’s been used for generations.

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At the end of 2015 (the last complete year for which we have statistics), the collective save rate for all shelters in the state was 84.4 percent, less than six percent shy of our no-kill goal. The good news is that the save rate for dogs in Davis County Animal Care and Control had a save rate for cats of only 26.4 Utah had been maintained at the threshold of no-kill status for more than two percent in 2012 before they began a TNR program and started participating in straight years, with 93.2 percent of dogs leaving shelters alive. Unfortunately, cats the Best Friends Kitten Nursery. In 2015, their cat save rate had climbed to an were significantly lower at 74.5 percent. impressive 84.7 percent, much higher than the statewide average. Nearly 9,000 dogs and cats were killed in the Utah shelter system out of a total population of just over 57,000 animals. Cats and kittens represented more than 6,900 of these deaths – approximately 75 percent. Newborn kittens and freeroaming (also known as “stray” or “feral”) cats are the groups most at risk. So what can be done to save the lives of cats in Utah?

February 2017

Community engagement and personal responsibility are vital to the effort to end the killing of pets in Utah and increasing the number of cats saved each year. First and foremost, cat owners should ensure their pets are spayed or neutered by four months of age before they give birth to – or father – even one litter. Best Friends Animal Society—Utah offers programs for free or discounted spay/ neuter, and information is available at utah.bestfriends.org. We also operate clinics in Orem and South Ogden, where cats can be spayed or neutered for $10, or cat mothers and her kittens (younger than 4 months) are spayed/neutered for $25.

Pet owners should keep their cats indoors and ensure they are microchipped and wear identification, so they don’t become lost and end up in a shelter. If cats do become lost, owners should check the shelters right away and continue checking every few days. Nationally, only about five percent of lost cats are reclaimed by their owners.

Not only does TNR save tax dollars by reducing the number of animals entering government-operated shelters, it also helps ensure that each cat has a happier, healthier life. In addition, a comprehensive TNR program helps minimize breeding-related behaviors, such as late-night howling and urine spraying. In 2015, more than 8,800 spay/neuter surgeries were performed in Utah for community, or free-roaming cats through Best Friends’ TNR program. Finally, when it comes time to add a new feline friend to the family, it’s best to save a life by adopting a cat or kitten from a shelter or rescue group. Adopted pets are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and usually microchipped, so they won’t add more babies to our community, and their chip will help them get home right away if they become lost, preventing them from becoming a shelter statistic. Temma Martin is a public relations specialist for Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal welfare organization dedicated exclusively to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters. Best Friends runs the nation’s largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals, as well as programs in partnership with rescue groups and shelters.

Pets In The City Magazine |

February 2017

Animals In The News Mona Mistric PET MEDICAL INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENTS So many pet parents struggle with the financial impact of giving their pets’ quality veterinary care. This is even more difficult if the pet is injured or has a serious disease. Pet health insurance is a type of insurance coverage that pays for medical and surgical expenses incurred by the insured pet. The insurance company will either reimburse the pet parents for expenses incurred for illness or injury, or pay the veterinarian and vet hospital directly. According to Healthy Paws Pet Insurance records, the most expensive vet bill in 2016 was for an older female dog suffering from intervertebral disc disease – a spinal disorder that causes severe pain, which can lead to paralysis and even pneumonia. She was hospitalized for 13 days and her parent received a bill for $26,292. Healthy Paws reimbursed nearly $20,000. Their most expensive vet bill in 2016 for a cat was for a 4 year-old Maine Coon with symptoms of heavy breathing. After exploratory surgery, her vet discovered an abscess on the left lung and a collapsed right lung. Both were resolved during the surgery. Healthy Paws reimbursed $19,000 of the $21,213 bill. THE SHOW CANNOT GO ON

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In 1967, The Feld family bought the Ringling Circus with hundreds of exotic animals and big-top tents. They contracted performers to travel from city to city just like their predecessor had done. In 1998, a 3-year-old Asian elephant named Kenny died. Activists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals contacted the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who decided to charge the circus with failing to handle Kenny in a way that “did not cause behavioral stress and unnecessary discomfort.” After a lengthy investigation, the USDA dropped the complaint and Feld Entertainment agreed to donate $20,000 to Asian elephant organizations.

For 28 long, bitter years, animal activists, including The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), worked diligently to show the world that “The Greatest Show on Earth” was the saddest show on earth for the wild animals – forcing them to travel all over the country performing silly stunts, while enduring cruel and inhumane treatment. In 2014, Feld Entertainment won a $25.2 million settlement from groups, including the HSUS, ending a 14-year battle over allegations that circus employees mistreated elephants.

February 2017

Because of the perseverance of the animal activists, attendance had been dropping the last 10 years. Public opinion shifted away from live, captive, wild animals to cutesy YouTube animal videos. In 2016, the company decided to send the elephants to live out their lives on a conservation farm in Central Florida. Without the elephants, the symbol of the circus, ticket sales began to shrivel up even more. After 146 years of exhibiting

exotic animals and human oddities, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus announced in January it will perform their scheduled shows and then pull up their tents for the last time by the end of May. They are lining up suitable homes for the lions, tigers, camels, donkeys, alpacas, kangaroos and llamas, and will continue operating the Center for Elephant Conservation. IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT GIRAFFES The giraffe is the tallest land-based mammal in the world with a crane-like neck, nibbling food from the tree tops and long, skinny legs that can run up to 35 miles per hour. There are nine subspecies of giraffes living in South Africa, Cameroon, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Niger, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Botswana. Giraffes live approximately 25 years in the wild. At least that was the case, until the human population began encroaching on their habitat. The habitat loss is from farming, deforestation, the breaking up of habitat areas to build roads, lack of suitability in existing habitats, illegal hunting (poaching), and the impact of civil wars – pushing the giraffe towards extinction. There’s been a 38 to 40 percent drop in the giraffe population across the savannah in the last 15 years, from 140,000 to less than 80,000 today. Fewer than 300 West African giraffes survive in Niger and less than 700 Rothschild giraffes are located between Uganda and Kenya, according to a report by Elephants Without Borders, the region’s leading cross-border researchers studying the migratory patterns, behavior, and ecology of elephants, wildlife, and their habitats. Many African governments have recently implemented preventive measures, such as restrictions on hunting, banning hunting in National Parks, and a licensing system. Unfortunately, people continue to hunt wildlife illegally. Since giraffes are commonly seen on safari, in the media, and in zoos, most people are unaware the world’s tallest mammal is struggling to find a place to live. SPENCER J. PEDERSEN ANIMAL TORTURE CASE UPDATE On January 23, 2017, The Humane Society of Utah will send their executive director, Gene Baierschmidt, to attend the sentencing of Spencer Pedersen, who tortured his companion cats. Pedersen pleaded guilty to one count of animal torture and one count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute. He faces up to five years in prison on each of the charges. Baierschmidt hopes Judge Robert C. Lunnen sentences Pedersen with the maximum penalty.

Pets In The City Magazine |

February 2017

SINGLE and seeking l ve KIKI Female / Senior /

Gray Tabby Domestic Shorthair

POGo

Female / Adult / White Domestic Shorthair KiKi is the most awesome cat! Not only is she beautiful, but she is very affectionate. She gets along great with every cat she has encountered and she loves dogs too! I’m Pogo and I’ll find my way into anyone’s heart. I’m affectionate and playful. I don’t have much to say because I’m very content and well adjusted. We’re very bonded and would like to be adopted together. Fill out an adoption application today at www.caws.org.

SARGE

Male / Senior / Black and White Domestic Shorthair I love to play with cat wands and chase strings. I’m trying to stay in shape so I can live a long and happy life. I am FIV positive, but since I am a lover and not a fighter, I can live just fine with other cats. Fill out an adoption application today at www.caws.org.

February 2017

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SAM Male / 2 Years Old / Chihuahua

I weigh eight pounds. I’m a little shy, but warm up quickly to new people. I love people, especially kids, and get along with dogs and cats. I enjoy sleeping and running around like crazy. I’m working on my manners, but I’m already house and crate trained. Fill out an adoption application today at www.caws.org.

EMMA Female / 4 Years Old / Pit Bull

I’m very shy in new situations, but warm up quickly once I realize I’m safe. I love dog friends and older kids. I would do best in a home with another dog but no cats. I have some allergies and will need to be on a high quality food with occasional medication. Fill out an adoption application today at www.caws.org.

luna Female / 2 Years Old / Blue Pitbull

I’m a people dog and love kids. I don’t do well with cats or small animals. I’m a pretty lazy gal and love squishy dog beds. I love to play and roll around in the grass. I have severe allergies; working with them will be an ongoing process and I am on a strict diet. Fill out an adoption application today at www.caws.org.

CHUY Male / 6 Years Old / Chihuahua Mix

I’m a 13-pound guy with the cutest side bite you’ve ever seen! I’m very easy going and love to play with toys, chase a Frisbee and wrestle with other dogs. I get along with dogs of all sizes and am curious about cats. Fill out an application at www.caws.org.

OSCAR Male / Senior / Tabby Domestic Longhair

My favorite things? A soft bed to sit on and playing with you with a cat toy. I forget my age when you start swinging a toy in front of me. I like to relax after regular exercise and eat good meals. Fill out an adoption application today at www.caws.org.

PRINCESS Female / 3 Years Old /

Tan and White Pit Bull Terrier I’m a happy gal who loves to be around people. I’m super smart and eager to please. I want to be your one and only pet — I promise I will love you as much as ten pets would, though! Call Nuzzles & Co at 435-608-1424 for more info!

fern

Female / 9 Years Old / Black and Grey Chihuahua Mix I may seem a bit standoffish at first, but I’m just looking for the perfect person to call my own! Although they call me a senior, I’ve got lots of energy and love to go for walks! Call Nuzzles & Co at 435-608-1424 for more info!

mimi Female / 2 Years Old /

Brindle and White Pit Bull Terrier I’m a very smart and active girl looking for adventure! I would be a great activity partner and companion. I’ll need my mind worked just as much as my body, so training is recommended. Call Nuzzles & Co at 435-608-1424 for more info!

starla

Female / 9 Years Old / Chocolate and Grey Shar Pei Mix I LOVE people! I may be a senior, but I’ve got lots of energy and spunk! I love to meet new people and other non-dominant dogs. Call Nuzzles & Co at 435-649-5441 for more info!

m r s &

r d

Liver and White Pit Bull Terrier I LOVE playing outdoors, going for walks, playing with toys, and cuddling up with my favorite humans. I don’t like cats very much, but I do like other non-dominant dogs. Call Nuzzles & Co at 435-608-1424 for more info!

avalon Male / 4 Years Old /

Cream and White Domestic Shorthair Once I get to know you, I won’t leave your side! I really am a cuddly and friendly cat underneath this cool exterior. Call Nuzzles & Co at 435-6495441 for more info!

paul Male / 7 Years Old /

Black Domestic Shorthair I enjoy spending my days lounging and snuggling. I prefer a quiet and relaxed atmosphere and would love a forever family that likes to take it easy. Call Nuzzles & Co at 435-608-1424 for more info!

kala Female / 7 Years Old /

Orange Tabby Domestic Longhair I love to love! I’m the social butterfly of the community cat room, and I’ll always be first on your lap for snuggles and ear scratches! I promise to be your best friend and constant companion! Call Nuzzles & Co at 435-608-1424 for more info!

sunset

Brown Tabby Domestic Longhair I might be a little shy at first, but I promise to be your best friend if you give me a little bit of time and a lot of love. I’ll be a loving companion for years to come! Call Nuzzles & Co at 435-649-5441 for more info!

pepper ballerina

Female / 7 Years Old / Pit/Heeler Mix I like to play outside, but I’m also happy sleeping the day away. I get along great with most dogs and even cats, just not small dogs. To meet me, contact Rescue Rovers at www.rescuerovers.org.

latona Female / 8 Years Old / Rottweiler

I don’t move very fast in the morning because of my arthritis and mild hip dysplasia, but once I’ve had my breakfast (and I LOVE breakfast time!) and medicine, I’m good to go! Fill out an application to adopt me at www.rescuerovers.org.

lulu Female / Young / Australian Cattle Dog

I love to run and play all of the time. I am full of energy. I would love to keep you company on long walks. I play well with others when I get to know them. I would love to meet you. To meet me, contact Rescue Rovers at www.rescuerovers.org.

present

Female / Senior / American Bulldog/ Australian Cattle Dog Mix I’m great with kids and cats and am not super active. I like most other dogs as long as they don’t take my things! I’m content to just lounge around with my people. Apply at www.rescuerovers.com to meet me today!

Male / 3 Years Old / Black and White Domestic Longhair Yes, I know I’m handsome. If you’ve got a warm lap and a few treats, I’ll curl right up and be your best bud forever. I’m cool with most other cats that I meet, too! Call Nuzzles & Co at 435-608-1424 for more info!

siri Female / 2 Years Old /

February 2017

s e o

lady Female / 6 Years Old /

owen

Male / 4 Years Old / Grey Tabby and White Domestic Shorthair I’m the coolest cat around! I love other cats (especially kittens), all people, and might be okay with a dog. I’m a big, easygoing tomcat who loves attention, playtime, and lazing around. Call Nuzzles & Co at 435-608-1424 for more info!

FLICK

Male / 7 Years Old / Cream Pit Bull Terrier I love to hang out with people and go for walks. I really like to go outside to play, hike, and run. I’d love to find a forever home that’s active and funloving! Call Nuzzles & Co at 435-608-1424 for more info!

Pets In The City Magazine

t ! f &

Are you looking for the perfect companion? If so, we have just the match for you! These animals are single and looking for a loving forever future in your home. They can offer you companionship, laughter, and a lifetime of love.

MARK MILLER SUBARU AND SUBA BLEU MILLER

Share The Love in Utah April A. Northstrom

Mark Miller Subaru has always been a different kind of automotive retailer. They are known across Utah as a familyfriendly dealer with a deep interest in giving back to the local community. Since 2010, for example, Mark Miller Subaru has donated more than $1.1M to charitable organizations. In 2016 alone, Mark Miller Subaru joined the other Subaru retailers in Utah to help save the lives of more than 11,000 homeless pets.

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In September 2016, Mark Miller Subaru adopted a then,10-month-old rescue dog from the Humane Society of Utah as an unofficial mascot and official family member. After a naming contest involving employees and more than 200 public votes, Suba Bleu Miller had a name. Now this loving Labradoodle is the “Love Promise Ambassador” for Mark Miller Subaru.

February 2017

Jeff Miller, son of Mark Miller and General Manager of Mark Miller Subaru says, “The Subaru Love Promise is simply that, it’s a promise. It’s our promise to do what’s right in our community by setting an example and by partnering with organizations who are working towards a positive and long-lasting Credit for Photos: Humane Society of Utah

impact on our world. The Humane Society of Utah is one of those organizations, and we hope that our recent adoption is an example.” In addition to spreading Subaru Love, Suba Bleu Miller reinforces Mark Miller Subaru’s philanthropic efforts and encourages members of the community to consider adopting their next pet from a local shelter. Mark Miller Subaru has recently adopted a new phrase: “don’t just walk the walk, but bark the bark.”

HOW YOU CAN MEET BLEU Suba Bleu is currently being trained as a certified therapy animal. Bleu greets employees and customers at both Mark Miller Subaru locations during the week. He reports for work every day at Mark Miller’s Subaru locations. He works Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Subaru’s Midtown location, and Tuesday and Thursday at the South Towne Location. Members of the public are invited to come meet this fuzzy Labradoodle during his office hours: Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. All are welcome – even if you’re not buying a car. Mike Aguilar, marketing director of Mark Miller Subaru, reiterates Subaru’s commitment to helping homeless animals and says, “We hope that, by setting the example [with Bleu], others will follow suit and consider adopting their next pet.”

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO SHARE LOVE Suba Bleu Miller would be a unique addition to any car dealership, but what makes Bleu’s story important is the efforts of the Miller Family. They believe whole-heartedly in doing the right

Mike Aguilar and his team often get asked if Bleu has a favorite place at their dealerships or on the road. True to his adventurous spirit, Aguilar proudly responds, “Bleu’s favorite place to be is in a car. When working an event, he will choose to sit in the backseat of a Subaru while people open and close the door to say hello.”

Sounds like a happy rescue pup to us!

Subaru’s Share The Love has been “Putting Love” in People’s Hearts Since 2008. Through Share the Love, Subaru and its retailers have donated nearly $90 million to charity partners, both locally and nationally.

A successful partnership with the Humane Society of Utah made Bleu’s journey possible. Bleu is currently being sponsored by several local businesses and nonprofits. The Animal Care Center provides Bleu with veterinary care, Utah Dog Park offers canine social time, doggy daycare, and hygiene care, and the Malinoi Foundation is providing complimentary training for Bleu to become a certified therapy animal.

February 2017

SUBARU’S SHARE THE LOVE EVENT

Both Mark Miller Subaru locations in Salt Lake City join the three other Wasatch Front Subaru Retailers supporting the Humane Society of Utah. Each year, their five retail locations host two pet microchipping events and are the presenting sponsor of the Hope for the Holidays Telethon. The 2017 microchipping events for dogs and cats will be held in summer and fall 2017.

Bleu has been blessed with a loving family at Mark Miller Subaru and as an official member of the marketing team, he spends nights and weekends with one of four of his adopted family members. There is never a shortage places for Bleu to go at the end of the day.

thing for their community in every way. From donating to a host of local charities to installing solar panels at their locations and being the only Subaru dealer in Utah to be Eco-Friendly certified, the Miller Family takes pride in their footprint – or pawprint in this case.

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As the Love Promise Ambassador for Mark Miller Subaru, Bleu is responsible for spreading love across the community. When not at the dealerships, he will spend time at places like the VOA Homeless Youth Resource Center, offering comfort to children who are currently navigating life alone or other local charities in need of a therapy animal.

Subaru partners with the ASPCA nationally to support homeless pets. A leading voice for animals, the ASPCA has provided life-saving protection and care for over 150 years. To date, Share the Love has helped the ASPCA rescue, transport and find homes for nearly 30,000 animals.

February 2017

Pets In The City Magazine

n o s t e t S

Tonya Landon

If you love your puppy or dog, properly socialize them to our world. Proper socializing helps prevent future behavioral problems and helps make your puppy or dog well rounded. Socialization can occur at any time during your dog’s life, but the window of opportunity is between 8 – 16 weeks of age. Between these tender ages, your puppy is learning what is safe and what is not safe in our world. For example, many dogs who are afraid of new dogs were never safely exposed to new dogs during this time. Make sure the exposure is a pleasant experience for your pup and use treats and praise. If your pup is shy or sensitive, take the socializing slower so you don’t scare her and cause fear-based behavioral problems. Remember to always end on a positive note with your pup succeeding. Wanting to provide a well-rounded socializing experience for your pup? Work your way through this list, getting as many of these experiences in as possible during that critical early stage. Socializing list

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If you have questions for Stetson, please send them to askstetson@gmail.com.

Tonya Landon is a professional dog trainer with Diamonds in the Ruff. She rescued and trained Stetson, a small terrier with aggression issues, to be cast in the title role of the 2012 Stetson, Street Dog of Park City, a short film adapted from the children’s book written by Jeanine Heil.

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• People of all ages from babies to the elderly. • People with disabilities, odd gaits, limps or smells. • People of different ethnic backgrounds. • Uniformed people such as firemen, police officers, postal carriers, FedEx, UPS, meter readers, crossing guards, clowns, street vendors, Santa Claus. • People in hats, scarfs, glasses, gloves, heavy coats, helmets, beards, costumes. • People with canes, crutches, wheelchairs, walkers, baby carriages, backpacks, shopping carts, umbrellas, briefcases, balloons, large packages. • Kids playing on the playground, skipping rope, playing chase, flying a kite, playing dodgeball or swinging on a swing or just being a kid. • Different surfaces such as concrete, vinyl, linoleum, grass, grates, dirt, gravel, rubber, wood, sand, water, ceramic tile, stairs. • Animals you want your dog to get along with, such as other dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, horses, small pets, livestock, wildlife. • Different environments, such as the beach, shopping centers, the car wash, your friend’s house, park, ball games, schoolyard, city streets, outside restaurants, crowds of people, pet stores, vet’s office, boarding kennel and the groomers. • Get used to riding in the car, lawn mowers, vacuum cleaners, leaf blowers, weed eaters, large diesel trucks, buses, motorcycles, hot air balloons, hammocks, sliding doors, construction equipment, ceiling fans, statues, flags and banners, remote control cars and robots. • People on bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, scooters, joggers, walkers, runners, skiers. • Noises such as the phone ringing, doorbell, live music bands, hairdryer, kettle, television, loud noises, banging, dropped items, people singing, shouting, crying, snoring, laughing and sneezing. • Grooming the pup which includes, baths, brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, checking of teeth, blow drying, gentle tugging, poking, pulling of pup’s skin.

CATS’ LOVE AFFAIR WITH BOXES Mona Mistric

Those empty Amazon boxes may be trash to you, but your cat loves them – any box – big boxes, small boxes, odd shaped boxes. All the toys in the world can’t compare to a simple, plain, old, cardboard box. Why do boxes send our feline friends into a frenzy? Scientists haven’t fully cracked this mystery, but they do have a number of theories. They believe boxes aren’t just fun and games. Your cat may not just like boxes, she may need them. A box can have a positive impact on both her mental behavior and her physiological metabolism. Seeking out confined spaces is an instinctual behavior for cats. In the wild, they hide from predators, covertly stalk their prey and retreat back to their safe place.

February 2017

Pets In The City Magazine

Those cardboard walls offer your cat safety and security. According to veterinarian Claudia Vinke of Utrecht University in the Netherlands, the first reaction to a stressful situation of most cats is to withdraw and hide. This is a behavioral strategy of the species to cope with environmental changes and stressors. If she feels overwhelmed or scared, she can retreat inside a box. She feels safe in there because nothing can sneak up from behind or from the side. Anything approaching her will come directly into her field of vision. Vinke also studied stress levels in shelter cats and discovered the cats who had boxes adjusted to their new surroundings faster than those who didn’t. They were far less stressed early on, and were more interested in interacting with humans. The boxes acted as a coping mechanism.

A box creates the perfect environment where your cat can stalk while being shielded from view. She will hide and observe, waiting for the right moment to leap out and surprise her prey. Cats have a strong, flexible body, quick reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Without the need to hunt for survival, she still likes to play fearsome, ferocious feline and pounce on your feet or other family members’ – the ultimate sneak attack. A box can mean it’s time to play, as she waits for toys to be randomly thrown into the box. Or if something interesting passes in front of her, like a toy, she can dash out, get it, and then quickly return to her safe spot. Corrugated cardboard boxes are a great insulator, keeping your cat warm. The thermoneutral zone for a domestic cat is 86° to 97° Fahrenheit. Humans keep their thermostats around 72°, which is at least 14° colder than cats prefer. Boxes provide comfortable confined spaces where cats don’t have to generate extra heat to keep warm. Boxes provide cats with a cozy, safe place to sleep, which is very important since they sleep as much as 20 hours a day. So seeking out a good, comfortable, hidden place will allow your cat to get the ample rest she needs. Chewing the edges of the cardboard is another reason your cat might love boxes. To you it looks like she is just making a mess. To her, she is fulfilling her predatory instinct to hunt, kill, tear and rip off parts of her prey before eating it. She will whittle down and tear up the cardboard mimicking this behavior.

Cardboard boxes are very satisfying objects to scratch. It helps your cat stretch her toes, paws, legs, and shoulders. Scratching allows her to shed the dead outer hull of her nails, revealing the new sharper nail underneath. Scratching is also used to mark territory – both a visual mark and a scent – as cats have scent glands in their paws. Each box offers a myriad of opportunities for your cat to fulfill her natural instinctual self. Boxes are stress-relieving, comfortable, insulated places where your cat can hide, relax, sleep, and launch a sneak attack against a toy or family member. Climbing, jumping and hiding in boxes is simply part of a cat’s natural behavior, so providing an empty box or two is an inexpensive way to enrich her life.

CARDBOARD BOX SAFETY TIPS 1. Remove any staples, tape, and handles from the boxes. 2. Make sure your cat is able to get in and out easily and safely. 3. Make sure there is ample ventilation – no risk of suffocation. 4. A kitten should not be left unattended in a cardboard box.

Pets In The City Magazine |

February 2017

PROBIOTICS: Are HUMAN PROBIOTICS good for dogs? Is there a difference between human-grade probiotics vs. dog-grade probiotics?

February 2017

Pets In The City Magazine

Let’s get right to the point. Are human probiotics good for dogs? Yes, absolutely! But, to really understand probiotics, one must know the difference between human-grade probiotics and feed-grade probiotics. Human-grade probiotics are probiotic strains harvested from a variety of sources including humans, soils, fungi, and animals. Human-grade means “food-grade,” or something suitable for human consumption. “Human-grade” is a term used in the nutraceutical industry to establish the quality and standards that need to be in place in order to manufacture products that can be consumed by humans. Feed-grade means that certain products are manufactured specifically for animals only, and are NOT to be consumed by humans.

Image courtesy of Fidobiotics

Continued on page 24...

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February 2017

PROBIOTICS CONTINUED... Human-grade probiotics strains are isolated and then stored until needed, just like you would use a sourdough starter to make a batch of sourdough bread. These strains are used as ‘starters’ and are replicated using a carefully developed manufacturing process to cultivate these strains in large amounts. There are only a handful of manufacturers who truly understand this process and are able to produce probiotic strains that are commercially stable. For human-grade probiotics, which are used for foods and supplements, this process is even more complex and stringent because all of the equipment and processes must be extremely clean and have higher quality.

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There may be some producers out there claiming their probiotics have been harvested from dogs specifically, and are better for dogs than using humangrade probiotics, however there is no solid evidence to prove this. Probiotic strains harvested specifically from dogs are still in their infancy. There are a few companies out there researching and working on making these strains stable enough to use and in amounts large enough to be used for commercial purposes, but at this time they are still a work in progress. Thus, these probiotic strains are not readily available and they are not able to reliably withstand the manufacturing process. Therefore, a good and safe alternative is human-grade probiotics.

don’t target specific areas or provide additional health benefits. However, Fidobiotics, LC is the anomaly because not only are they deemed humangrade, but they also use the same positioning strategy as the human market. They target specific areas and aid in additional health benefits for dogs by using multiple strains of probiotics and prebiotics, as well as additional herbs, minerals, vitamins, and enzymes. Because dogs digest things a little bit differently than humans, certain probiotic strains and ingredients can be more beneficial for dogs than for humans to support their digestive needs and vice versa, hence probiotics made for dogs. In the end, all of these ingredients are all designed to bring important health benefits to your dog’s digestive system. Furthermore, it is also important to note that dogs have a lower pH level in their digestive systems than humans. A dog’s stomach will produce higher levels of acid in their stomachs to help assist in breaking down the foods that enzymes alone can’t process. It’s all a part of the chemical reactions that happen inside their digestive systems and demonstrates the fact that humans and dogs digest foods differently. Another difference you will see when reviewing probiotics made for dogs, is that they generally have a lower CFU (Colony Forming Unit) count, or the number of living cells (in this case, probiotics) that are available in each dose, compared to probiotics made for humans, generally due to weight variations. CFUs are the cells that are actually going to do what they are intended to do in the digestive system. The CFU count measures the strength of the probiotic and its effectiveness to help clean up the gut and re-establish the good bacteria needed in the digestive system.

February 2017

Another main difference between humangrade and feed-grade probiotic supplements is the way each product is formulated. From a formula standpoint, human-grade means each ingredient is human-grade, as opposed to feed-grade, where In conclusion, human probiotics are great for none or only some ingredients are human-grade. your dog because they are human-grade in the The majority of human probiotic supplements manufacturing processes as well as ingredients. target specific areas in the body that need support, However, having a probiotic supplement made specifically for dogs that take in all the above knowledge then formulate with ingredients that can help those areas. and points can be even more beneficial to your dog than a human This is why you will see multiple strains of probiotics, prebiotics, and herbs working together to enhance their specific function in the GI tract. Most dog probiotic supplement. So do your probiotic research and shop smart! probiotic supplements are generally feed-grade unless stated otherwise and

Article written by Aden Hirtle and Mika Wheelwright | www.Fidobiotics.com | 888.322.3027 |

Pets In The City Magazine |

February 2017

I Can Has Internet Stardom? Sarah Tyler Years ago, in 1990, when computer scientist, Tim Berners-Lee, created the World Wide Web, he probably thought, “I’ve done it! I have created the largest source of accessible knowledge in the world! I am a genius! I am amazing! Certainly people will use this new-found technology to broaden their minds!” If only he was available to comment now, on its obvious, only reason for existing – cat memes. What’s that you ask? Isn’t there more to the internet than videos of cats riding on Roombas? Well, no. There is not. Back in 1870, the first known creator of hilarious cat photos was a man by the name of Harry Pointer. His delightful images of cats wearing baby clothes and doing human things was humorous at the time. Still funny now, but if ONLY his pictures had funny sayings beneath them. Unfortunately, he never made this leap. It wouldn’t be until nearly 100 years later, in the 1970s that the infamous “hang in there baby” cat poster with a cat hanging precariously from a clothes line and in later renditions, a tree branch, hit the streets. These were the original LOLcats. It wouldn’t be until 2007 when the emergence of the first cat meme, “I Can Has Cheezeburger?” (ICHC) would appear on the internet as a sensation and completely change the course of history. You might be thinking, “No, no,

no, no. I never use the internet to look at funny cat videos or images. That’s a waste of time. I’m smart. I read CNN articles. The point of the internet is trying to figure out the difference between fake and real news.” And yes, that is true. But it’s also true that in the same year the “I Can Has Cheezeburger” LOLcat came out, its creator started a blog, which sold in the same year for $2 million dollars. The original ICHC website now has seven different sister sites and 51 sub-sites. Not all of these are cat related, but thanks to the LOLcat phenomenon, we now have the delight of enjoying memes in everyday life – a thing, which prior to “I Can Has Cheezeburger” was simply non-existent. After the ICHC craze, a new cat hero made her way to internet stardom. You may have seen her in any one of the numerous memes, videos, advertisements, or product placement ads she’s featured in. Tardar Sauce, which is her given name, debuted in a photo taken by her owner’s brother, Bryan Bundesen on Reddit and a few days later, on September 25, 2012, her video launched on YouTube. It currently has over 20 million views. You know Tardar Sauce better as the cat personality, Grumpy Cat. She got her delightful nickname since her face is permanently stuck in a frowning position, caused by the combination of feline dwarfism and an under-bite. After her launch to meme superstar, a website, Facebook account, and Instagram account were created for her. And she’s more popular than real time celebrities, raking in nearly 9 million Facebook likes, a product endorsement

with Friskies, a video game, clothing, accessories and a line of plush toys by Gund. Grumpy Cat is a renaissance cat – she can do it all. Plus, she donates some of the proceeds from her sales to shelter charities. She’s such an inspiration to other aspiring LOLcats. Right now the internet seems poised for another cat to take center stage and set the world on fire. Because of the species’ “take life too seriously, until there’s a glass of milk next to you, then push it onto the floor” attitude, cats will always find themselves in videos. Felines will be featured in online posts and climb their way to financial freedom through their careers of being dressed in funny clothes and riding on a Roomba, all the while rocking a face that says, I look cool in this tiny shark costume. If only we all looked cool in tiny shark costumes, but that is simply not the fate of anyone who is not a cat. Personally, I think it’s hard to predict where technology will take us, but I imagine cats will be at the forefront of it – riding on a spaceship, while projecting holograms of themselves getting scared by a cucumber that came out of nowhere, bringing joy to millions in the process.

Pets In The City Magazine |

February 2017

Pets In The City Magazine

F A M I LY F U N !

Hey kids, Chatty Catty here! Make an indoor mouse house for your cat to play in this Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day. You will need mom or dad to help you with the scissors, hot glue gun or glue. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun for the whole family and your cat will love you.

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February 2017

YOUR PETS IN THE CITY Do you want to share a photo of your pet?

Jax

PHOTOS Kobe

Email your highresolution photo & your pet’s name to

info@petsinthecitymagazine.com.

Milo

Cesar Oscar

Chester Doyle

Taz

Suki Alﬁe

Cougie

February 2017

Guapo & Sonrisa Holly & Tommy

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Brody & Max

Quigley

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Lucy

Mister

Coco

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February 2017