Gifts You Still Have to Find for the Furry Members

He’s making a list, checking it twice, gonna find out who’s naughty and nice…

Santa Paws is coming to town.

Most of the gifts are purchased and wrapped and under the tree, right? Well, maybe not, and maybe some of the gifts you still have to find are for the furry members of the household. You’ve put some catnip or a bone in a stocking before, but maybe this year you’re looking for something different. 

Bestproducts.com has a slideshow of ideas. 

The Howliday Box : a gift box with a variety of gifts for that hard-to-shop-for dog.

Facial Massage Roller for Cats : more ways for cats to prove they’re in charge of what you do for them.

Apollo Peak MosCATo wine: for those nights cuddling in front of a crackling fire (don’t forget to pick up some human wine for yourself).

The Honest Kitchen Bone Broth: for those dogs who like a gourmet touch to their food.

And if you are that horse-lover who always really wanted a unicorn, you can get your horse its very own unicorn costume!

One thing to be aware of is that if you wrap up a great food treat and help the dog open it, it is entirely possible that from that day forward, the dog will think that every present is for her and will want to help you unwrap it.
And if you have cats, there’s nothing they’ll like better than the boxes the presents come in. 

It’s time to bring them home

You’ve been anticipating the big day. You’ve spent time preparing for it. Getting the right bed, toys, and maybe some soft blankets. Letting your current household residents know it’s happening. It’s time to bring them home.

No, it’s not a new baby.

It’s a new cat or dog.

The problem is, you need to introduce the new pet and the pet you already have, and that can be tricky. Sometimes, pets will take to each other easily, but often, they will understandably be scared, wary and even jealous of each other. It can be a little trickier introducing dogs and cats to each other too, especially if they’ve never seen the other type of animal before.

You’ll want to make sure to consider both animals’ personalities, and plan accordingly. You don’t want them disliking and fighting with each other (though sometimes it will be expected). If you have an aggressive dog, you may want to skip the idea of getting a cat, but an easygoing, friendly dog might welcome a new kitten.

Perhaps introduce your dog or cat to a friend’s dog or cat first, to see how they react, before deciding what new pet to bring into your own home. Once you bring the new animal home, rotate who has freedom in the house; one day the cat, the next day, the dog. This way they can learn to share the home with each other and have some time to explore on their own too. You’ll also want to keep them separated when no humans are home to keep an eye on them.

If you have any questions or problems, you may want to consider consulting a veterinarian or an animal behavioral specialist, because you don’t want stressed out animals. The goal is finding a way to have a happy home.

Something in Common with You & Your Dog

Human beings often make time to work out at a gym or go for a run. Some love it and some do it grudgingly. Most people know that some kind of exercise is important for our bodies, whether or not they follow through with it. As with many of the topics we’ve written about, this is another similarity between humans and our pets.

Throughout history, many dogs have been bred to be working dogs, such as hunting, herding, or protecting. As this is less common but we still have certain breeds of dogs that will need more exercise than others (though all need some).

You might think that if you have a big backyard, your dog is all set. This isn’t the case. Just because someone has a home gym or buys the next exciting exercise equipment from an infomercial doesn’t mean they use it, right?

In order for your dog to get the exercise he or she needs, he or she will need an exercise buddy! Yes, just like some people have accountability partners to go to the gym, your dog needs you or a family member to encourage and assist them with their exercise.

Some ideas of exercise to do with your dog:

•          Go for a walk or a run—and let the dog lead the adventure.
•          Play that old standby, fetch.
•          Have a doggy play date so they can play together.

If you lack the time to be able to exercise your dog yourself, you can always bring them to us for Adventure Playcare or Group Daycare, where we have fun activities, healthy snacks, and even a pool for exercise.

Aging Pets

You’ve noticed some little things, lately. Maybe they're not jumping up on the couch or bed with you like they used to. Maybe they can’t hear you when you call their name. Maybe your pet seem a little confused or anxious.

We like to think our pets will be around forever, because the thought of them getting older and dying is too hard, but the truth of the matter is that our pets, like us, do age.

Aging can happen before we are ready or aware of it, because dogs don’t live as long as humans, and different breeds will age sooner or later than other breeds.  Larger dogs will age more quickly than smaller dogs, but most might be considered “senior” around the age of seven, with some being considered senior as young as age five.

Because your dog may not outwardly look old, you may not realize that underneath all that fur, there may be medical issues such as arthritis, heart, kidney, or liver disease. These are all common for senior pets, and an exam by your veterinarian can diagnose them and help you understand how to best care for their health.

If your dog is aging and needs a little extra love and care, well, then that’s okay. They are not only your companion, but you are theirs too.

Source: Vetstreet.com, AVMA.org

My Dog is Chewing Her Paws - Again!

You’ve heard that sound of your dog chewing or licking their paws. You always thought it was a little weird sounding and probably kind of frustrating not knowing what you could do about it. It's something you never thought to really pay attention to.

Dogs actually will lick their paws for a variety of reasons, and cleaning isn’t usually one of them. Some reasons dogs do this is because of: Injury; Habit/Boredom/Anxiety (kind of like humans biting their nails); Allergies; Parasites; Pain; 

Dry Skin and Hormonal imbalances.

Because there are so many reasons for licking paws, it’s important to take your dog to a vet to have her thoroughly examined.  

In addition to the examination, your vet may run some tests to further see what the cause is so that treatment can be prescribed. Treatments can range from anti-fungal medication to antibiotics to special shampoo. Your vet may also recommend trying a new food.

Regardless of the reason, if you know your pet is licking their paws, it’s not just a “frustration” to you, but rather something that is really frustrating your dog, so make sure to get her what she needs.

My Dog is a Loner... Help!

Sometimes, people are loners, and that’s ok. We don’t expect that we all have to always socialize and get along with everyone all the time, and we shouldn’t expect it of our dogs, either.

You might have noticed that your dog doesn’t always seem to get along with other dogs, and you aren’t sure why. There could be a variety of reasons for this:

•         The other dog’s scent (think how hard it can be to be around another human who maybe doesn’t smell so nice)
•          You dog was attacked before by another dog
•          Your dog is protecting you from the other dog
•          Your dog doesn’t want you to pay attention to another dog
•          Your dog’s temperament (yes, just like humans, there are introverted dogs)
•          Your dog’s breed (was it bred to be protective and ward off other animals?)
•          Your dog just likes humans better.

Regardless of the reason, there is no need to try to change who your dog is. We have Adventure Playcare so your pet has one-on-one attention with staff. Your dog does not have to be dog-friendly—just human-friendly. Let us know their personality and what they like, so that instead of leaving them home when you travel, they can come visit us. Being able to have activity time while you are away can make any dog happier and healthier. Don’t worry; your dog will still be excited to see you when you return. 

Safe, Easy, Stress Free for your Dog & Cat

You’ve been waiting for your vacation for a long time. Your tickets are purchased, hotel is booked, and packing list is made. There’s one last errand to run, and that’s getting your pet to Morris Animal Inn. Unfortunately, timing doesn’t work quite right with your schedule.

There was consideration to lodge your pet at places close to your home or destination. You’ve even heard about airport lodging facilities. The only problem is, you don’t know much about them, and you really want your pet to be in a place that you know and love.

You don’t have to worry anymore. We have solved your transportation problem with our private dog and cat chauffeur service to and from Morris Animal Inn. 

This service is safe, easy and stress free, giving you peace of mind, and you will get a report when your dog reaches the Inn.

If you would like to take advantage of this for your upcoming trip, fill our our easy form. 

Swimming Dogs

We’ve made it through July and we’re getting through August. The days have been long, hot, and humid. Some people refer to this time of year as the “dog days of summer,” invoking images of dogs lying around panting from the heat.

Even though that’s not the actual reason for the origin of the term, it is how most people today understand it, and we know when it’s hot and humid and both dogs and humans are feeling tired and lazy, it would be really nice to be able to cool off.

Most dogs love to swim (though not all do, and not all dogs are good swimmers) and this type of exercise is great for dogs. It gives them a low-impact aerobic exercise that is easy on their bones and joints, especially dogs with arthritis. It can also help dogs who are recovering from surgery. This time of year is great for humans to head to the local pool, lake, or beach. Unfortunately, sometimes those places have those pesky “no dogs allowed” signs posted.

What’s a dog to do?

Go to Morris Animal Inn, of course. We have a heated pool with nine jets and we provide life jackets for all swimmers. We have two types of sessions: our Splish Splash session, which can be scheduled as an activity while lodging, attending daycare or grooming (it includes a post-swim blow dry!) or our Poolside Daycare, for those dogs who just can’t get enough of the water and want to hang out there all day.

No humans allowed.

A Dog's Good Outlook on Life

Sometimes, we like to pamper ourselves. Whether it’s a regular appointment or a weekend away at a spa, we like to get our hair and nails done. It helps us feel relaxed and gives us a good outlook on life.

We look and feel better when we care for ourselves, and the same goes for our dogs.

Our pets need regular grooming in order to not only keep them looking good, but to keep them healthy too.

Some of the common, regular grooming that dogs should have are: trimmed toenails, taking care of matted fur, cleaning their ears, regular bathing and teeth brushing.

Because our pets can’t talk to us to communicate, keeping them groomed well can help us to identify any problems they may have and prevent problems as well. For example, ear cleaning can help prevent ear infections, and a good blow dry can prevent matted fur, which helps more air get to the dog’s skin. You’ll also be able to be aware of any skin abnormalities if your dog’s fur is groomed well. Regular teeth brushing can not only help with bad breath, but can help to prevent future problems with a dog’s heart and kidneys that can occur if infections are not found and treated.

While these are just a few of the ways grooming can be beneficial to a dog’s health, it’s important to learn more about how to keep your dog healthy. Ask your vet or pet groomer if there’s anything specific to your breed or size of dog that you should consider.

At Morris Animal Inn, we can assist with your regular grooming needs for your dog. Reach out to us so we could help maintain your dog's good outlook on life. 

Dum dum da dum, dum dum da dum…

The traditional wedding march with the bride walking down the aisle is still a staple at many weddings, but what’s new at weddings is the inclusion of pets in the ceremony.

Celebrities have been doing it—you can see pictures of the pets included in the last few years in the weddings of Adam Sandler, Gene Simmons, Miranda Lambert, Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Aniston and others—and other people have been catching on to the idea too. Earlier this year, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s Puli Sheepdog, Beast, walked bride Priscilla Chan down the aisle at the couple’s surprise wedding.

It’s one of the most important days in a person’s life, and because pets are important to people also, they are being included in that most important day. In a time when many weddings end up blending human families together, pets are also a part of that family blending.

If you want to include your pets in your wedding, we are here to help you. Our new wedding service will help you to plan out how to get your pets to and from the wedding, and even give them a little pampering of their own.

Having your dogs as part of your wedding celebration can be great fun for everyone—just don’t let them drink the champagne. 

What's Making Your Dog or Cat Sick?

You know what it’s like to feel sick. You ate the wrong thing, or have a virus that wreaks havoc on your intestines.

Did you know your dog or cat can feel the same way? 

Our pet kids are important to us, but they can’t always tell us when they are sick. We need to be tuned in to their normal behavior and habits in order to know when something is “off” with them. When in doubt, call your veterinarian and take your canine or feline in for a checkup.

Giardia is a parasite that can live in your pet’s intestines. It usually happens more in puppies than older dogs, but can happen to any dog or cat. This parasite is picked up by drinking water or something else that has been contaminated with feces. If they have this parasite and becomes sick from it, the disease is called giardiasis, resulting in diarrhea, weight loss, poor condition and potentially death if not treated.

If your pet does have giardiasis, your vet will probably prescribe medication and a follow-up appointment will be necessary. When the medication is finished, you’ll want to take the following precautions:

• ·         Bathe & rinse your pet (wear gloves & do the hind end last)
• ·         Disinfect food bowls and toys
• ·         Steam clean upholstery and carpeting
• ·         Disinfect hard surfaces

Because a dog is contagious while they have Giardia, even as they are going through treatment, you will want to limit your pet’s contact with other dogs and humans. If your pet attends a group play environment such as dog daycare or dog parks it may be necessary to keep them home for a few weeks so other dogs are not at risk. 

You’ll also want to make sure your other pets, if you have them, do not also have the parasite.

With proper diagnosis and treatment, your dog or cat should be feeling better in a couple of weeks and can resume all social activities. 

Share or Not Share Your Bed with Your Dog?

Pets are part of the family. But does that mean all family members should share the same bed?

The AKC found that 21% of dog owners let their dogs sleep with them to help keep them warm. They also learned that those who do let their dogs sleep with them have less room in bed for themselves because the dog takes up more space.

While it can be fun and comforting to cuddle with your pet, if your dog is taking up more space than you are, you might not be getting as good a night’s sleep as you should. You also need to be sure that your dog isn’t carrying any fleas or ticks, or that a small dog won’t be injured. Train your dog early on whether you want them to sleep with you or not ... otherwise they just might start telling you where YOU are going to sleep. 

If you decide against letting your dog sleep with you, you can teach your dog to stay off and go to their own bed. This will take some time, patience, and plenty of treats. You’ll need to lure your dog to his bed into a down position, give the bed a name, such as bed, and reward the dog when he lies down. You can get the detailed instructions from the AKC. This can be helpful in keeping your dog off of other furniture, as well.

Make sure though, that your dog’s bed is special for him, comfortable, and warm, with some great toys, so that he’ll want to go there.

Prepare Your Dog for July 4th

Grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. Potato chips. Cold drinks. Red, white and blue décor. You’ve been busy getting ready for a long 4^th of July weekend, but in all the food and event planning, you may have forgotten one thing: your dog.

While we humans love seeing fireworks explode in the sky and their bright colors trickle down, our pets are not always so happy about them. While there may be the occasional dog who tries to chase after them, many dogs are fearful of fireworks.

As much as we treat our dogs like family, they are not human after all, and don’t have the understanding that we do about the temporary nature of fireworks. Some people think it’s just like a thunderstorm to dogs, that’s not actually the case. There are weather changes prior to a storm that can clue a dog in that something different is happening. With fireworks, it’s very sudden and sporadic.

If you haven’t acclimated your dog to loud noises when he or she was a puppy, not all is lost. There are a few things you can try in order to keep your dog comfortable during fireworks:   

• Play loud noises in the days and weeks leading up to the fireworks.

• Act normal with them when they are afraid to show them they don’t have to stay afraid.

• Keep the dog inside with the TV on to minimize outside noise.

• Play with your dog during the fireworks.

• Let them go to an area of your home where they already feel safe and secure.

• Bring them to Morris Animal Inn for lodging.

Whichever you choose, have a safe and happy fourth of July!

The Benefits of Training Your Dog

There are different (and often cute) names for puppy training: puppy kindergarten, obedience school, and our own Manners Daycare and Canine Training Camp.

Regardless of what it’s called, training your dog has benefits—for both the dog and the owner.

Training should start as soon as possible when someone gets their dog. This helps the dog and owner learn how to work well together and bond with each other.

A dog well-trained has the freedom to go just about anywhere; more stores or businesses may allow the dog inside and the dog also won’t have to be hidden away when company comes to visit. The well-trained dog knows that you are the leader and will listen and behave better.

In addition to being better behaved, going through obedience training is good for both the dog and you. Training can promote the following:

·         Stress Relief

·         Exercise

·         Improve your mood (and the dog’s mood)

·         Higher quality of life together

·         Build a better bond with each other

·         Entertainment

Many people consider dogs to be part of their families. Just as children are taught about life and how to navigate through it through the use of rules, dogs too can be taught. It will make for happier and less chaos all around, for both the dog and the people who love it. 

Include Your Dog in Your Wedding

You’ve got the perfect dress. Your bridesmaids and groomsmen have all said yes. The venue is confirmed. The flowers are what you’ve always wanted, you’ve agreed on music, and you’re marrying the person of your dreams. There’s just one thing missing.

How will you get your pets to the ceremony?

You’ve bought cute little bride or groom outfits or accessories for them, and although you haven’t quite decided how they’ll get down the aisle, you know they’re a part of your family and should be there on your big day. After all, what could be cuter than having your dogs at your wedding along with the world’s cutest flower girls and ring bearers?

This is where we can help. Morris Animal Inn’s new service transports your dog(s) with one of our wedding attendants to the venue and then back to Morris Animal Inn to lodge while you enjoy your day and head off to your honeymoon. Your pets can also have wedding day grooming and spa treatments, just like you. Your dog can get a bath and fluffed dry, and even get a spritz of perfume or cologne. Does your dog need a manicure? She can get her nails cut, filed, and polished, just like yours.

Think you’ll miss your dog while you’re away on your honeymoon? Give your dog a similar experience. While you swim in the ocean or hotel pool, your dog can swim in ours. On a cruise meeting other people? Your dog can go to group play.

It’ll be one of the most memorable days of your life—for both of you. 

My Dog Keeps Licking Me!

It's usually pretty clear that dogs lick because they like people; it's their way of being affectionate. There are other reasons dogs lick, though, such as prior to feeding from their mom, asking for a dinner invitation, exploring something, attempting to get attention, or even a way of playing.

Dogs may also lick because they think you taste good! Your taste and scent is familiar to them, and then if you pet them after they lick you, they are rewarded for it. However, you should always pay attention if your dog is licking him or herself. This could signify a medical issue such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or even allergies.

According to petmd.com, licking due to anxiety is similar to nervous habits that humans have such a biting fingernails or drumming one’s fingers. They interviewed some behavioral specialists in order to get a better idea about dogs’ nervous licking.

Dr. Megan Maxwell explains that it can be nervous licking depending on what and when a dog licks, such as if your dog always licks something when the doorbell rings or if they consistently lick the same thing over and over again.

Regardless of the reason for licking, you might want to keep a towel handy to wipe up all that slobber.

And no matter how much you love your dog, we don’t recommend licking him or her back.

You Dog Might Remember More Than You Think!

“I remember the time I knew what happiness was
Let the memory live again”

The words may be from the musical Cats, but with new research about dogs’ memories, someone may want to create a new musical.

A recent article in The Washington Post reports on research findings that dogs may have episodic-like memory similar to humans.  While they can’t actually know what the dogs are thinking (after all, The Secret Life of Pets is only a movie), their research shows that dogs can remember what their humans do even if the dog doesn’t need to know the action.

The study, published by Current Biology, tested the dogs’ memory by first training the dogs to “do what I do” and then, after the dogs performed correctly, increased the time between the action and telling them to do it. Two time intervals were tested: 1 minute and 1 hour.

While the dogs memory was better after only one minute (60% of dogs performed the action) and did decrease after an hour, a number of them (35%) were still able to recall and perform the action they were initially taught to imitate.

The Washington Post article quotes study author Claudia Fugazza as saying that most dog owners probably already realize that their dogs have memories. “What is new and important” she says, “is that dogs can remember events even if those events do not seem to be important.”

Why a Dog's Hair Turns Gray at a Young Age

Many of us have been there--finding that lone gray hair that signals to us a change. While we humans associate graying hair with getting older, in dogs, graying hair can signal loneliness.

Yes, loneliness.

According to a recent article on CNN, the anxiety and stress of being alone can contribute to dogs' fur turning gray prematurely. Dogs who are anxious, according to the research cited, may whine or bark when left alone.

The study that the article reports on even surprised one of the researchers. The Chicago Tribune reports that Northern Illinois University professor Thomas Smith was skeptical at first, but once the data was collected, he saw how stressed dogs were prematurely gray. It was also found that female dogs were more likely to gray than male dogs.

The dogs in the study were from the ages of one to four. Pet owners with dogs in this age range who might be concerned about their dog’s level of anxiety can check with their veterinarian or a dog trainer to help alleviate the anxiety. Other suggestions are to not leave the dog alone for so long each day—Perhaps a dog daycare provider that can provide the dog with care and attention.

Dogs are often not only great companions, but a big part of a family, and need care just like humans do. 

Dog and Cat Holiday Gift Ideas

The holidays are upon us and we all have the spirit of giving; that includes our precious pets as well.

Barkbox- When you subscribe to Barkbox, you are signing your pooch up to receive a monthly gift that includes 4-6 toys, treats, and other goodies. Your furry companion will love receiving gifts each month. Barkbox gifts start at just $20 a month.  https://barkbox.com/

Cat Dancer Wand This simple toy is sure to be a kitty pleaser! The cat dancer wand is a great way to keep your kitty busy and for you to interact with them as well! Simply wave the wand around and watch your kitty chase it. http://www.catdancer.com/cat-dancer-cat-charmer-2/#.WEhcfrIrLcc

Cat GPS tracker- PawTrack- Ever wonder where your outdoor kitty goes when they take a stroll? Now you can follow them, without disrupting their walk. The PawTrack takes positions every six minutes as your cat roams.  This information is stored on the cat tracking collar and uploaded to the server. The information can then be viewed on any internet-enabled device or computer.  This GPS tracker is able to track multiple cats and can give images on google maps including street view.  You can also set boundaries for your cat and will be alerted when your cat wanders outside of these areas.  You will receive alerts when the collar’s battery level has reached critical, so you’ll never have to worry about not being able to track. http://pawtrack.com/

Kitnip box- Just like the Barkbox for your pooch, you can order your kitty a monthly subscription to toys, all natural treats, and healthy cat products. In previous boxes, cats have received handmade catnip bells, caterpillar kicker, play-n-squeak mouse and Zuke’s G –Zees Tender Grain-Free Treats. Multi-cat boxes are also available, so no ones left out! https://www.kitnipbox.com/

Pet Chatz- You can now stay in touch virtually with your furry companion via Pet Chatz. This allows you to call your pet while you are away and video chat with them. Your pet is able to see you, hear you, and receive a treat all through a computer, tablet, or smart phone. You can also use a special accessory that allows your pet to call you. Pet Chatz makes it seem like the time away from your pets is a little shorter.  https://petchatz.com/

What do you plan to give your pet this holiday season?

(Morris Animal Inn is offering these as suggestions of types of products your pets may like.  It's always good to research specific products carefully for appropriateness for your particular pet.)