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.

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. 

Would you like Tap or Filtered Water?

Did you know that water is essential for almost every function an animal's body performs?

Water carries nutrients in and out of the body, aids in digestion, maintains body temperature and even cushions joints to make movement easier.

The recommended daily amounts of water required will vary based on the size of the animal and health on environmental factors, but a good rule of thumb is to provide water for your pet at all times. If your pet needs encouragement, some pet suppliers offer special dispensers and fountains to entice drinking.

Morris Animal Inn has recently added a water filtration system to provide an even higher quality of water for our pet guests. 

Morris Animal Inn also utilizes pet-friendly shampoos, conditioners, laundry detergents and cleaning products. Providing the water filtration system was an easy decision to always have the best available for our guests!

Source: http://www.peteducation.com, http://www.allaboutwater.org,  http://www.nrdc.org, WaterFilters.net, https://www.usdaa.com, http://animalhealings.com

Cats & Water: Is Your Cat Getting Enough?

Historically, cats and water have been seen as a bad combination. Although your kitty might not be too keen on bath time, water is still an important part of your cat’s health. How can you make sure your cat is getting enough to drink?

First, it’s important to learn how much water your cat needs to intake. According to the ASPCA, cat should digest approximately the same amount of water and food by volume each day. Your cat’s food, especially canned food, can have a fairly high water content. Dry food contains between 7-12 percent water, while canned food can measure as high as 80 percent. Regardless, your cat should have access to a clean bowl of water to supplement their meal.

The next question, then, is how to encourage your cat to drink. While dogs will head straight for the water bowl after a vigorous walk or play session, cats are less likely to lap up water frequently. You can include more water in your cat’s diet by sprinkling some water on top of their daily food. Catster also recommends using glass or stainless steel water bowls, as plastic may cause water to taste funny. Refreshing the water bowl regularly can help, as can using filtered water instead of water straight from the tap. Tap water can be heavily chlorinated or have an overly high mineral concentration.

Once you’ve done all you can to lead your cat to water, how can you tell if they are truly getting enough? Signs of good hydration include a shiny coat without dry flakes and good skin elasticity, meaning your cat’s scruff springs back quickly if you gently pull at the skin and release. A cat that shows normal levels of physical activity and is urinating two to three times a day is likely getting all the water they need.

If you are concerned that your cat may be dehydrated, consult with your vet immediately. Signs of dehydration include sunken eyes, dry mouth, decreased skin elasticity and panting. A dehydrated cat will also show signs of lethargy, an elevated heart rate and a loss of appetite. Your vet will be able to administer fluids to re-hydrate your cat, and to run tests to determine if there is any underlying problem that could have caused their dehydration.

Wondering if your cat is prone to dehydration? Any cat that is ill runs a higher risk. Some cats, however, seem to enjoy water as more than just a beverage. Check out Cattime’s list of the Top 10 Cats Who Love Water! Is your cat’s breed on the list?

Cats and Water — It’s Not Just for Drinking

Jeanne, our contributing writer, shares her experiences with her feline friend and shows that there are some cat breeds that are known to enjoy a swim, cats that enjoy the thrill of water play, and cats that will tolerate a bath. Despite what you may initially believe, there are cats that actually do enjoy water and we're not referring to just the beverage.

The “Swimming” Cat:

One breed in particular that stands out as a lover of water is the Turkish Van. Discovered on the shores of Lake Van in Turkey, this breed, which is generally a fluffy white cat with mostly white and auburn markings around the face and tail, loves to go for a swim. It has a silky coat that is said to be water resistant. If you own this breed and they do not have access to a body of water, they will most likely be expressing their love of the water sport by playing in a nearby water bowl, with the water faucet, or even with toilet water.

Not every cat is a swimmer; therefore, you should take precaution and be able to act quickly in the case of an emergency or drowning situation. Water can be a danger for cats and you should never leave a full bath unattended, as a cat could dive in and be scalded by hot water or there is also the potential for drowning. Toilet lids should be kept down due to the danger of any chemicals you may use to clean them. Not all water situations are fun for cats.

Water Play:

Cats have been observed dipping or standing with a paw in their water before drinking. I’ve also found toys submerged in water bowls and witnessed cats at play with drenched toy mice. Actually, as I’m typing this, my cat is placing his paw in his water bowl while drinking. Is he testing the temperature of the water or is he just washing his paw? Why do cats do this?  

There are several theories as to why cats will play with water. One is that a cat will not drink from a dirty water bowl or drink water that is dirty. They have a great sense of smell and may be testing the water with their paw for its safety from chemicals and (yes, as mentioned earlier) to test the temperature. Another theory of water play is that the cat maybe trying to actually catch a reflection with their paw. Still another theory is that some cats like running water over still water. Cats are also known to have weird drinking habits and are found drinking water directly from a faucet, a filled mug in the sink, or a puddle on the patio. 

Scrub-a-dub-dub!

Cats are usually known to provide themselves with their own bath, but there are occasions that might call for you, your veterinarian, or a professional groomer to provide a bath. These occasions may be if your cat gets extremely dirty; for example with mud, if your cat obtains fleas, or if your cat is a show cat. In these cases, this is where water will come into the picture. Most cats are resistant to water as it gives them an icky feeling to their coat.  If you start bathing your cat at an early age, they can become use to the pampering of a warm bath.  

Morris Animal Inn offers grooming services for your cat and if your cat has a love of water, Morris Animal Inn can also offer our feline guests aquarium views of their fish friends performing one of their favorite water sports –swimming! Contact us to book your cat’s next grooming appointment or lodging reservation and request an accommodation with a water view!

We are pleased to have Jeanne, as a contributing writer for If They Could Talk. Jeanne is a member of our Guest Services team and is a passionate cat owner. We look forward to sharing her contribution on interesting and educational pet topics.

References:
Cats 101. (n.d.). Retrieved from Animal Planet : http://animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/cats-101/videos/turkish-van.htm
Cutts, P. (1992). The Complete Cat Book. New York: Smithmark Publishers Inc.
Haddon, C. (2010). Cats Behaving Badly. New York: Thomas Dunne Books. An imprint of St. Martin's Press.
James R. Richards, D. (1999). ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats. San Francisco: Chronicle Books LLC.
License, C. C.-S. (2012, September 20). Retrieved October 7, 2012, from Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_Van
Wilkins, K. A. (2007). Animal Planet. Cats. New Jersey: T.E.H. Publications, Inc.

REASONS WHY YOUR DOG IS PANTING

Is he too hot, ill, excited, fearful, in pain? Yes. It can be any of these reasons.   

Many doggie actions are just accepted by owners. These include big wet kisses, an excited bark (whenever the word “walk” is mentioned) and their pup’s mouth open with tongue hanging out, panting after playtime. Let’s focus on the panting…

According to PetMD.com, after Fido plays catch for a half hour, he’s both energized from playing and hot, especially during this humid summer season. Dogs pant for reasons spanning from excitement and exercise to stress and even illness.

Panting is a dog’s way of circulating air throughout their bodies in an effort to cool down. This process is similar to a human beginning to sweat; however due to most dogs fur/coat, they do not sweat through their skin, but through their tongue, ears and even their paw pads!

After intense play, it is perfectly normal for your pup to pant but if after a significant break from activity, they continue to pant heavily then this might be a sign of heatstroke. Moving to a cooler area or even indoors can remedy this! Also, don’t forget water for your dog as well as yourself when playing outdoors during hotter weather.

While panting for the most part is quite common with dogs of all ages, there are times when panting must be monitored in order to prevent dangerous complications. These complications include heatstroke, allergic reaction or illness.

Panting without any physical exercise can be a symptom of a more serious problem as well. Accompanied by vomiting, difficulty breathing and/or lethargy, a dog’s panting could indicate an ingestion of poison or an allergic reaction. It is important to monitor any changes in activity and to contact your local veterinarian if you believe your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms.