It's National Train Your Dog Month!

January is National Train Your Dog Month.  What better time to address some of the behaviors that drove you crazy last year?  This month, many Americans will make New Year’s resolutions to improve their lives by improving themselves. It’s not much of a stretch to incorporate our pets into our new routines.

Many common canine nuisance behaviors are rooted in boredom. Dogs are social animals, and living with humans often requires them to spend many hours alone while their owners are at work.  Boredom can easily escalate to anxiety, and anxious dogs often resort to barking, chewing, biting, and destroying property.  Since most of us gain weight over the holidays anyway, now is a good time to get back in shape by taking our dogs on a brisk, daily walk.  For dogs that are alone for long periods of time, food puzzles and frozen Kong toys can help your dog’s mind stay focused and sharp.  Dogs who do nothing but sleep during the day can be overly excited when we get home.   While this is understandable, it also tends to drive dog owners crazy.  Interactive toys help them to stay awake and alert, so they are calmer by the time their owners return.  And as schedules return to the pre-holiday norm, consider hiring a trainer or enrolling in some group classes.  At Casa Kupkee, we will be setting up a canine agility course!  Stay tuned...

Meet Val, our January Pet of the Month!

January is National Train Your Dog Month, and to celebrate, we're honoring Val as our Pet of the Month.  Val is a Papillion with a lot of energy, a willingness to please, and a quick wit.  These traits make him the perfect candidate to compete in obedience.  Here he is, sporting a ribbon with his mom at his first competition!  Keep up the great work, Val - and tell all your friends you're our Pet Of The Month!

Hidden Holiday Hazards

Hidden Holiday Hazards

If you’ve gotten into the habit of following this blog, you probably know I’m forever warning pet parents of the dangers posed by holiday treats.  Chocolate is toxic. Fatty foods cause pancreatitis.  I know - you get it. At least I hope you do by now!  But what about some of those dangerous delicacies that aren’t quite as obvious?

One of the most common causes of pet poisoning comes from ingesting foods in the allium family.  If you’re fairly certain there’s no allium in your kitchen, think again.  The allium family consists of onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, chives, scallions, and hundreds of wild species. While these foods provide countless health benefits for humans, they can easily kill our cats and dogs.   Allium ingestion can lead to Heinz body anemia, a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed.  Clinical signs include lethargy, pale gums, weakness, loss of appetite, labored breathing, discolored urine, or collapse.  Cats are more likely to suffer from Heinz body anemia.  Since the culprits are present in so many of our foods, it is easy to forget what can safely be given to our pets.  The most severe case seen at Sabal Chase was that of a Jack Russell Terrier who had helped herself to a spice packet.  Santa had placed a chef’s gift basket under the tree, and while the misdeed had been noticed, the ingredients of the packet were not obvious.  It was not until the pet became gravely ill that her family put all of the pieces together.  While little Macy survived, she required thousands of dollars worth of emergency blood transfusions.  So while it’s the season for sharing, it’s best to refrain from sharing the holiday feast with our four-legged family members.

Macy spent Christmas at the emergency clinic after eating a spice packet.

Meet Berrin, Our December Pet Of The Month

Today is National Mutt Day, and to celebrate, we’ve named Berrin our December Pet of the Month!  Berrin was adopted from Miami Dade Animal Services, and her lineage is truly anybody’s guess.  Papillion? Spitz? Miniature Border Collie? Red Australian Cattle Dog? All of the above?  All we know for sure is that she is 100% adorable!  

Mixed breed dogs are less prone to congenital health problems.  They are great conversation starters (“What kind of dog is that?”), and are truly one of a kind.  So congratulations, Berrin, and tell all your friends - you’re our Pet of the Month!

Oh, and Happy National Mutt Day!

Pets And Diabetes

November is Pet Diabetes Awareness Month, and while diabetes in pets is not uncommon, many pet parents are surprised to learn that a disease so prevalent in humans can affect their pets as well. For reasons veterinary researchers do not fully understand, diabetes tends to be more common in female dogs than in males.  Certain breeds of dogs are predisposed as well, including, but not limited to, dachschunds, schnauzers, poodles, and pugs. Cats are far more likely to develop diabetes than dogs.  According to official numbers, 1 in 400 cats is diabetic, but since cats are experts at hiding signs of illness, the actual number is probably much higher.

Diabetes in both cats and dogs generally develops between six and nine years of age. Clinical signs include increased thirst, increased or inappropriate urination, recurring urinary tract infections, change in appetite, change in gait, and lethargy. Treatment can be as simple as a change in diet, but many pets require medication or insulin injections for life. A new type of insulin has been shown to put diabetic cats into remission after several months - or even weeks - of treatment! Just like their human counterparts, cats and dogs are far more prone to diabetes if they are overweight or obese.  For this reason, (and many others) it is wise to ensure your pets maintain a healthy weight and active lifestyle.

Meet Jade, Our November Pet Of The Month!

This November, our Pet of the Month is Jade! Jade is a 16-year-old tabby who’s got her whole family wrapped around her proverbial little finger.  And with good reason. Jade is always a trooper when she comes in to see Dr. Kupkee and all of her friends, and on most days, nothing seems to slow this sassy senior down.  Congratulations, Jade - tell all of your friends. You’re our Pet of the Month!
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Obesity and the Pet Food Marketing Machine

Obesity and the Pet Food Marketing Machine

We’ve all seen those adorable pet food commercials where a pet comes racing around the corner, and skids to a halt in front of a heaping bowl of food. Emphasis on heaping! If you’ll pardon the obvious pun, this is a huge pet peeve for me. Some advertisements feature toy breed dogs plowing into portions that would gorge a Golden Retriever.  With these types of images bombarding the pet owning public’s senses, it’s little wonder that over 60% of America’s pets are either overweight or obese.

In their zeal not to avoiding becoming victims of marketing, many consumers will take what is normally a wise course of action, and the read the instructions on their pet’s food for feeding suggestions. However, the suggested portions of dog and cat food printed on these bags are often enough to make my jaw hit the floor. Bear in mind that these are only suggestions, and many food companies would rather err on the side of overfeeding, as opposed to underfeeding.  Additionally, pet food companies are for-profit entities. At the risk of sounding like a conspiracy theorist, no company is going to print a label that basically tells consumers to please use less of their product! Generally speaking, I advise my clients to read the recommended feeding amounts on the package, and reduce that amount by at least 20%.  Your veterinary team can better advise you on the more quality foods the market has to offer, as well as the amounts best suited for your pet’s individual needs.