Steps to Help Keep Your Dog Healthy

As dog owners, it is important to consider preventative ways to care for your beloved pet. There are parts of your dog's body that you can regularly care for in order to keep your dog healthy. Simply focusing on these areas can save your dog from experiencing an abundance of more dangerous health issues.

Paws

Possible problems with your dog's paws can include cuts, broken nails, dryness, blisters and poor circulation. 

Some of the ways you can keep your dog's paws healthy are by massaging them, keeping their nails trimmed, cleaning between toes, and rubbing their paws with moisturizer. 

Morris Animal Inn offers paw soaks in our Grooming Salon & Spa. 

Eyes

Your dog's eyes, without the proper care, can get infected, pink eye, ulcers, irritation and cataracts or cloudiness.

You can prevent these problems by having your groomer trim the hair by your dog's eyes, adding green vegetables to their diet, and using tear-stain remover around the eyes.

Bring your dog to Morris Animal Inn's Grooming Salon & Spa for a facial scrub that can help clean the area.

Mouth

Your dog can experience mouth problems like gingivitis, tooth decay, plaque buildup and bad breath. 

Keep your dog's mouth healthy by examining their gums and teeth for redness or swelling, brushing their teeth, strengthening their teeth with chew toys and proper dental checkups.

Schedule a teeth brushing for your dog at Morris Animal Inn's Grooming Salon & Spa. 

Joints

Dog's joints can experience swelling, arthritis, stiffness and infection. 

Try keeping them active, managing their weight, using pet stairs and giving veterinarian-recommended dietary supplements could keep your dog's joints healthy.

Morris Animal Inn offers a variety of activity packages with both private and group daycare. Always consult your veterinarian when making changes in your dog's activity level.

Ears

Ear swelling, infection, discharge, hair loss and crusty skin are all problems that dogs can experience without preventative care.

Use cotton in your dog's ears before bathing and be sure your groomer trims under their ear flaps to avoid such problems.

Regular ear cleaning is always a part of your dog's grooming at Morris Animal Inn's Grooming Salon & Spa.


Follow these simple preventative care tips to help avoid any serious health issues. By paying attention to these specific parts on your dog's body and seeing your veterinarian regularly, you can help ensure that your canine companion stays happy and healthy. Seeing your veterinarian regularly is important. For the full list of vitally important dog parts to keep healthy, click here.

Source: www.TheLittleThings.com

How to Pet Proof Your Home

October is National Animal Safety and Protection Month. Providing a safe environment for your furry friends is important. Here are some ways you can keep your treasured family members safe from potential hazards in your home.

Keep wires out of reach

Keep any cords or wires out of reach from your pet. A curious puppy or kitten may chew on an electrical cord while playing. Check around your televisions, lamps and other items for any loose cords.

Avoid toxic foods

Many snacks that you may have in your pantry can be toxic to your pet. Foods like chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, and raisins are dangerous and should be kept out of reach of our pet.

Lock up cleaning supplies

Place items such as cleaning supplies, detergents, and medications on high shelves. Keep vitamins and other pills off of kitchen counters and bedside tables.

Be aware of harmful plants

Many indoor plants can be toxic to your pet. Learn which plants are potentially poisonous. Place dangerous ones out of reach or choose nontoxic plants.  

Keep the toilet lid down

Bathrooms and toilets can be a dangerous area for your pet. If your dog or cat drinks out of the toilet, they could be ingesting harmful chemicals. Keep the toilet lid down and keep the bathroom door closed. 

Check the washer and dryer

Your pet may see the dryer as a warm and cozy place to take a nap. Be sure to check before turning your washer or dryer on, and keep appliance doors closed at all times.

Invest in a pet gate

Puppies and kittens especially like to investigate everything. To keep your pet from getting into any trouble, consider a child-safety or pet gate. This will allow you to keep an eye on them, as well as keep them out of any items or areas that are not safe.

Have a pet first aid kit on hand 

A pet first-aid kit is very helpful in case anything should happen to your pet. This should include items such as phone numbers for your veterinarian and a poison-control center, a nylon leash, gauze pads, and a blanket. Check out The Humane Society's full list of Pet first-aid kit supplies. 

Your pets health is a top priority at Morris Animal Inn. We constantly strive to be the safest, most comfortable and welcoming pet care facility for dogs and cats of all sizes and personalities.  Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with around the clock sanitation, climate control and air purification, 24-hour security and camera surveillance, and accredited staff that meet the standards set by the Outstanding Pet Care Learning Center. To learn more about the amenities we offer, or to tour our amazing facility, visit www.morrisanimalinn.com or call (973)-539-0377.

Source: Peteducation.com, ApartmentTherapy.com, RightAtHome.com, HumaneSociety.org, Houzz.com, AmericanHumane.org

Communicating with your Cat

Cats are thought to be very complex and independent creatures, so understanding their method of communication can be tricky. Each cat actually develops their own unique and fascinating way of speaking to their owners. Here are some ways that your kitty may be speaking to you. 

Body Language
One way a cat communicates their mood is with their tail. When the tail is held straight up, it expresses confidence. When your cat wraps it's tail around your legs, it communicates friendliness. If it is tucked between their legs, it signals anxiety. 

So, when you come home from a long day at work and your cat rubs up against you and wraps their tail around your legs, that's their way of saying "I missed you!"

Facial Expressions
When felines interact, responding with a slow blink is an official sign of trust. Like a wink between friends, your cat may close their eyes in your presence to show that they are friendly and comfortable with you. It is a signal of acceptance that a cat may only communicate with their owner. 

Vocalizations

Cats develop a vocal language that is unique to them and their owner. Your cat may meow as a way of greeting you, requesting food, or asking for approval. Purring is also a way for your cat to communicate with you. Purring is a sign that your cat wants to be comforted and/or cared for. Pay attention to the different sounds your cat makes, so you can better understand their specific way of speaking to you. 

Cats can easily sense their owner's mood. If you are sad or anxious, your cat most likely knows. Understanding and responding to your cat's language can help deepen the bond you have with each other. 

Source: DailyMail, nymag, webmd, huffingtonpost

Pet Wellness Month

October is National Pet Wellness Month - a  campaign sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association that aims to bring awareness to regular pet wellness checks. Here are a few ways you can give your dog or cat a happier and healthier life.

Twice-A-Year Exams

Wellness Exams enhance the quality of life for your pet and minimize the possibility of illness or disease. Pets age at a faster rate, so they need check-ups more often. Certain breeds are at a higher risk of  medical conditions, so take the time to learn about your pet's specific needs. Speak to your veterinarian about what you can do to keep your pet as healthy as possible. 

Dental Hygiene

Your pet's dental hygiene is very important to his or her overall health, Dental problems can cause more serious health issues, such as heart, kidney or joint problems. Avoid dental diseases by promoting oral health, and talk to your vet about ways to keep your pet's teeth healthy and clean. 

Spay/Neuter

If you haven't done so already, spay/neuter your pet. This has many health benefits, including making your pet less susceptible to diseases and illnesses. Female pets have a higher chance of getting uterine infections and breast cancer if they are not spayed, according to the ASPCA. The ASPCA also suggests neutering male pets before they are 6 months old, in order to protect against testicular cancer. 

Your Pet's food 

The quality of your pet's food is essential to their overall health. Take a look at your pet's food label. Avoid cheap fillers like protein "meal", which provide no nutrition. Incorporate foods like chicken and eggs, which are highly digestible protein that help build muscle. Check with your veterinarian to determine the healthiest food for your pet. Aim to create a high standard of nutrition for your pet, because as we all know, "You are what you eat".

Exercise

 The foundation of your pet's health is diet and exercise. Exercise will keep your pet's muscles and bones strong and keep them happy and healthy. As we approach the cold winter season, there are also ways to get your dog or cat some exercise indoors. Your dog can burn some calories by running up and down stairs or going for a jog on a canine treadmill, like the one used in Morris Animal Inn's canine cardio sessions. Cat's sleep approximately 22 hours a day, but they can enjoy a workout routine as well. Here at Morris Animal Inn we like to use laser lights and teaser toys in our teaser play sessions to help your kitty burn some calories and stay healthy. Your pet should get exercise on a daily basis. Remember: A tired dog is a happy dog! 

Morris Animal Inn is excited to support Pet Wellness Month, and we make the wellness of your pets a priority. You can take steps towards giving your pet a long and healthy life by incorporating more activity into your pet's life, creating a pet wellness plan, and bringing your pet to Morris Animal Inn for daily activities and healthy treats. Call us at 973-539-0377 or visit www.MorrisAnimalInn.com. 

Source: PetMD.com Wondercide.com, SynergyLabs.com, Petcentric.com

Man's Best Friend

Dogs have long been referred to as "man's best friend," and rightfully so. They love us unconditionally, follow us without question, and are loyal without fault. Their ability to be companions, listeners, cuddlers, and kissers when we need them most has given them this very fitting title. 

Josh Billings, a 19th century writer, says it simply: "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." 

                     How dogs became our best friends

Dogs have been our companions since being domesticated thousands of years ago. They are said to have been descended from wolves. Early humans would discard leftover food, and these wolves would boldly scavenge for their scraps.Over many generations they become closer and less weary of the people that fed them, thus creating a bond and trust between human and canine. 

History isn't the only factor that connects us to our dogs. Scientists have found that dog owners experience a rush of oxytocin when they gaze into their pet's eyes, and the animals mirror this as well. Oxytocin is a hormone that is also seen in mothers when they look into their children's eyes. It is what drives mothers to be maternal and bond with their babies. This release of oxytocin in pet owners help strengthen the bond they have with their dogs. 

Why a dog is a perfect companion

There are many benefits to the companionship that comes with owning a dog. Some of the physical benefits include lower cholesterol levels, decrease in blood pressure and stress, and an increase in physical activity. 

Dogs also enhance our lives emotionally. Pet owners feel safer and less anxious. Dogs also help us relax and decrease feelings of loneliness. Dogs provide us with consistency. Owning a pet allows us to feel needed, and gives us something to look forward to every day. 

How to be a better friend to your dog 

It's important to make the effort to be as good of a friend to your dog as they are to you. Dogs bring so much joy and love to our lives, and its only right that we celebrate them as much as we can. 

One way to say thank you to your best friend is by giving them treats that they love. Offering up a favorite food as a special surprise will make your dog extra happy. Just make sure that treats are no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories, and do your best to provide treats with only healthy ingredients. 

Another way to bond with your buddy is to snuggle. Not only will this be therapeutic for you, but it will also bring comfort to your pup. Canines crave contact, so cuddle with your dog every chance you get to increase your bond. 

Being groomed and brushed is actually a very enjoyable thing for most dogs. Brushing is not only a way to keep your dog's coat healthy, it acts as a sensory treat to your dog's skin, allowing them to relax and relieve stress. Much like we enjoy a long massage at the spa, your dog would love to get pampered at our grooming salon.  

Socializing your dog with other dogs is a great way to keep your companion happy. Provide your pup with opportunities to run and play with other dogs. Dogs are very social creatures, so encourage fun and healthy interactions.

There is no other bond quite like the one we have with "man's best friend." Morris Animal Inn knows the important role that our dogs play in our lives. Our facility is staffed with animal lovers, and we go above and beyond to give your pet the best care possible .We offer private and group daycare. We also provide a variety of pet services in our grooming salon, including nail trims, baths, hair cuts, and even facials because we only want the best for your pets. We provide luxury lodging accommodations and offer pampered pet sessions that give your pet the kind of special love and attention your pet deserves. 

Visit www.MorrisAnimalInn.com or call 973-539-0377 for more information. 

Source: Tails Pet Magazine, The Guardian, Doctors Foster and Smith