Fun Facts

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Do Dogs Experience Grief?
ModernDog Winter 2010/2011
Dogs who have suffered a loss often show signs indicating their ability to grieve and mourn. The Companion Animal Mourning Project, conducted by the ASPCA, showed that 66 percent of dogs will exhibit numerous changes in behavior after losing a housemate. The study suggests that the duration of mourning can vary from two weeks to, in more severe cases, up to six months. In the animal behavior world at large, the jury is still out on whether dogs are actually mourning the loss of a loved one, or simply exhibiting anxieties related to the change in routine. Regardless of why a dog is exhibiting behavior changes, a committed and concerned pet parent can watch for signs and help their pooch through this significant life change.
  • Canine Symptoms of Grief:
    • Loss of appetite: decrease in daily intake or refusal to eat altogether.
    • Lethargy: decreased interest in favorite activities, increase in sleeping.
    • Anxiety: pacing with an inability to settle, increased panting and drooling not related to exercise or breed, increased whining and barking, clinginess.
  • Helping the Grieving Dog:
    • Exercise: commit to a daily regimen of exercise appropriate for your dog’s age and physical capabilities.
    • Brain games: keep your dog busy with environmental enrichment like chewies and food-stuffed toys. Hide favorite treats, goodies, and toys around your home, allowing your dog to pass time with a scavenger hunt.
    • Training: enroll in a dog training class or sport to increase your bond and build up your dog’s confidence. If your pooch is already trained, build training requests into your daily routine, such as requesting your dog to sit before you give him a meal, toss a toy or open the door for a walk. Ask him to make eye contact with you while out walking. Ask him to “Come!” for an extra dose of love and attention.
  • Medication and Seeking Professional Attention:
    • Contact your vet if your dog is losing weight or refusing to take in food or liquids for an extended time period.
    • Work with a behaviorist to establish a more detailed bonding and confidence building routine.
    • If behavior changes are severe and prolonged, your veterinarian may recommend drug therapies such as Elavil and Prozac.
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Food Allergies and Your Dog
ModernDog Winter 2010/2011
Most common food allergens include: beef, dairy, and wheat. The least common food allergens are fish and rabbit. General signs and symptoms of allergies include dry itchy skin, excessive scratching or licking, bald patches, a high frequency of hot spots, ear infections, skin infections, diarrhea and vomiting.
Some of the breeds most prone to food allergies include:
  • Boxer
  • Cocker Spaniel
  • Springer Spaniel
  • Collie
  • Dalmation
  • German Shepherd
  • Lhasa Apso
  • Miniature Shnauzer
  • Retriever
  • Shar-Pei
  • Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
  • Dachshund
  • West Highland White Terrier
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Recipe for Healthy Snacking
ModernDog Fall 2010
Does your pooch need a fast, fresh, low-cal treat? You can whip up a batch of dog cookies in a snap! Read on for the ingredients and directions.
Ingredients:
  • 2 3/4 cups wheat flour
  • 2 cups oat bran
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 1 fresh pear
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • About 1/2 cup water

Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 320 °F and line baking pan with baking paper.
  2. Measure and mix wheat flour, oat bran, and cottage cheese.
  3. Quarter pear and puree with water.
  4. Add pureed pear with cinnamon to the flour mix.
  5. Mix to a smooth dough with hand or electric mixer; you may add warm water.
  6. Roll dough 1/4” thick on floured surface and cut out with cookie cutter.
  7. Put cookies on baking sheet and bake about 20 minutes at 320°.
  8. For variety, you can use carrot instead of pear.
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A Happy Mouth Equals a Healthy Dog
ModernDog Fall 2010
Dental disease is the #1 disease in adult dogs. By the time they’re 4 years old, 85% of dogs have signs of periodontal disease. Untreated, it can affect their heart, kidneys, and liver. Start practicing good dental hygiene for your dog today. Dental treats are great but they don’t take the place of regular brushing; if you don’t already brush your dog’s teeth, consider starting today!
For more information about dental-friendly foods and treats for your canine and feline companions from the Veterinary Oral Health Council, see: http://www.vohc.org/accepted_products.htm
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Flea Test
ModernDog Fall 2010
Want to determine whether your dog has fleas? Using a flea comb (a comb with fine teeth), comb your dog’s fur. Pull the loosened fur and debris from the comb’s tines, put on a paper towel and moisten. Smear the specks. If the dark specks streak red, your dog has fleas. The dark specs are flea dirt (aka flea poop). They turn red when moistened because flea poop is mostly composed of your dog’s blood.
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