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

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. 

Dog Intuition : 5 Things Your Dog Knows Before You

As you know, dogs are amazing, intuitive and very in-tune with their environment. They can understand your feelings, and the dynamics of people around them.  With their amazing senses, dogs are able to detect small changes in their surroundings that can help them predict events before their human companions! Here are five occurrences that your dog can sense:

Labor. Is there a new member of the family joining you soon? There have been documented reports of dogs predicting the onset of labor in pregnant women by following them around and staying by their side. Experts believe dogs know to prepare for their new sibling by sensing the physical transition of the pregnancy or the woman giving off a “labor scent”.

Earthquakes. According to history, records in ancient Greece show dogs fleeing the city of Helice before a tragic earthquake. China also has stories of dogs showing signs of distress before earthquakes. Scientists believe that a dog's hearing is so perceptive that they can hear rocks crumbling under the grounds surface. Others believe that dogs can feel the activity underground through their paws.

Illness and Cancer. Just like seizures, many dogs are trained to sniff out cancer or alert diabetics when their blood sugar is out of balance. It is found that humans give off faint odors of illness, too subtle for another human to detect. Yet, with dogs' amazing sense of smell, they may sniff out something that may be off in the human body.  If a dog is sniffing a particular area on the owner’s body obsessively, maybe a visit to the doctor should be taken!

Storms. Similar to earthquakes, dogs can sense something is changing in their environment. Storms create an electromagnetic force that dogs can sense before the storm hits. Dogs also use their amazing sense of hearing and can possibly hear thunder rumble from several miles away. A dog's sense of smell is over 40 times better than that of a human and most likely can smell the electrical current in the air.

Seizures. Some dogs are specifically trained to be seizure alert dogs. These dogs are taught to alert their owners before an impending seizure, lying on top of their owners during the seizure and summoning help when they can. Even if a dog is not trained, they instinctively know what is going to happen, but experts have yet to understand how they sense this!






A dog's abilities are truly unbelievable. Next time your dog is acting a little out of the ordinary..pay attention! They may be trying to tell you something is about to happen!

Source: Iheartdogs.com

10 Ways to Jazz Up Your Spring Walks

As spring slowly arrives, it's now time to get back into a regular dog walking regimen! Does walking your dog the same route every day feel like a chore? There are many ways to change up your routine that are fun for both you and your dog! Here are 10 ways you can put a little "spring" in your steps! 

1. Socialize. Stop and talk to your neighbors who are also out walking their dogs. If both of your dogs are friendly, it's a great opportunity for both you and your dog to brush up on your small-talk skills! People seem to be chipper when the sun is shining! 

2. Make a pit stop. Decide that your walk will be to a certain destination such as a friend’s house, the pet store, an ice cream shop or a dog-friendly patio. If you can accomplish an errand like mailing a letter or picking up some produce from the farmer's market, even better!

3. Walk with friends. The time you spend walking your dog is also a great opportunity to bring friends along and catch up. Bring some to-go drinks and enjoy a stroll with some of your favorite two-legged and four-legged friends!

4. Take a new route. Both humans and dogs are creatures of habit. Why not reverse your routine by starting off in the direction you normally finish, push on one block further or explore a brand new part of your neighborhood? New scenery keeps it interesting for you both!

5. Bring another dog. Offer to pick up a friend or family member’s dog and take them along for your journey! Walking with some new company allows you and your dog to spice things up a bit.

6. Change the pace.  Mix up your pace and walk faster or slower, or even jog a little bit. Quickly changing directions helps to teach your dog to pay attention to you. Mixing up both speed and direction can make a walk even more stimulating and exciting.

7. Stop at an off-leash neighborhood park. Allow your dog to let off some steam before continuing on your way. Off-leash play is a great time for your dog to truly burn off some of that excess energy. No off-leash park in your area? Pause for a tug session. Tug of war doesn't take up much room but does take quite a bit of energy!

8. Take the time to train. Dog walks are a great time to brush up on some basic training and improve your bond with your dog. Training in a stimulating environment away from your dog's comfort zone will help improve their ability to concentrate and listen your commands. Ask for and reward desired behaviors—stop, sit, look at me, wait—during your walk. Learning plus treats equals a good—and productive—activity.

9. Take time to smell the roses. Smells are extremely important to your dog. If you usually don't let your dog stop and sniff, give them a chance to have some moments to fully enjoy it. Think of pee as a dog's way of communicating with other canines in the neighborhood. It's like checking Facebook. It's his pee-mail! The information he's taking in is a lot for a dog's brain to process, but that's a good thing - your walk drains more energy!

10. Play "find it." Most dogs are natural-born scavengers. They love the thrill of discovering something really great to put in their mouth on the sidewalk. It's like the dog lottery! Make your walk like a treasure hunt by periodically tossing treats in front of you, and then give the cue "Find it!" to let them know that the hunt should begin. This game can help you control scavenging and allow your dog to better fulfill his scavenging needs!

Source: Modern Dog Magazine