Category: News Bark

“Just because they do great going to the park or the vet in the car doesn’t mean they’ll do well on long trips,” says Laura McNally.

 “Just because they do great going to the park or the vet in the car doesn’t mean they’ll do well on long trips,” says Laura McNally, a veterinary technician at Martin Veterinary Hospital in Toronto who has logged thousands of kilometres on North American roads with dogs along for the ride. Take dogs for test drives lasting at least one hour, and expose them to different road conditions. “Some animals are fine on city roads, but howl incessantly on highways or get sick on gravel roads.” If trial runs don’t pan out other forms of transportation must be explored. Feed your dog no less than two hours before departure, and then make sure he gets a good dose of exercise. “This will help him relax in the car,” McNally says. “And, of course, a full stomach right off the bat increases the likelihood of vomiting.” “Bring lots of fresh water and plan to pull over for 15 to 20 minutes every three to five hours,” McNally suggests. “If your pet requires meals along the way, you can reduce the normal amount of food by around 30 per cent, as he is not burning as much energy as usual. This will also help reduce the risk of vomiting.” Front seat? Head out the window? Forget it. There are two ways for dogs to ride safely in a car, McNally says: In a properly secured crate, which should be large enough for the dog to stand up in, turn around and lie down comfortably; or wearing one of the dog-friendly seat-belts that are available at most large pet stores.

To read more, subscribe to Buddy Life!

Few of any animals serve as a better companion to human than dogs do. Dogs are so loved they have earned the informal title of being humans’ best friends.

Few if any animals serve as a better companion to human than dogs do. Dogs are so loved they have earned the informal title of being humans’ best friends. While raising a dog can be a rewarding, life-enhancing experience, it’s not for everyone. According to PetMD, generally speaking dogs require 30 minutes to two hours of exercise each day. The Doggington Post suggests two 15-minute walks per day at the very minimum. If you want to balance these guidelines out with those provided by PetMD, maybe take your dog on two half-hour long walks per day if they’re particularly energetic. As dogs, like humans, are not all the same, the precise time for which a dog should be walked depends of a number of details. “Breeds in the hunting, working, or herding groups (e.g., Labrador retrievers, hounds, collies and shepherds) will need the most exercise. If your dog is in one of these groups and is in good health, she should be getting at least 30 minutes of rigorous exercise along with her 1-2 hours of daily activity,” explains PetMD.

To read more, subscribe to Buddy Life!

Corporate lawyer Ishita Kapur celebrated her birthday quite uniquely in Mahabalipuram.

BENGALURU: Corporate lawyer Ishita Kapur celebrated her birthday quite uniquely in Mahabalipuram. She went on this holiday along with her husband and their two-year-old White Retriever named Princess. “Our dogs are like our kids. I take time out to bond with them. We stayed at the Taj Fisherman’s Cove which has ocean-front pet-friendly villas which offers beds for dogs and specialised pet food. It was delightful to see our dog running on the beach to her heart’s content,” says Kapur, vice president and senior counsel at Diageo India.

Kapur loves taking her pets on vacations and has even covered snowy Himachal Pradesh and camped at Pawna Lake (Lonavala) in the past.
Taking pet holidays is the latest cool among the millennials. The city, apparently, ranks top in this trend. Road trips to nearby hill stations and beaches are most popular.

To read more, subscribe to Buddy Life!

It may be hard to believe, but researchers are concerned that our sweet, fluffy doggy friends are a “potential reservoir” for future flu pandemics.

It may be hard to believe, but researchers are concerned that our sweet, fluffy doggy friends are a “potential reservoir” for future flu pandemics. As Rachael Rettner reports for Live Science, a new study has found that influenza viruses from pigs—which have previously transmitted dangerous strains of the flu to humans—can jump into dogs. What’s more, canine flu viruses are becoming increasingly diverse. H1N1, or swine flu, which was the cause of a 2009 pandemic, actually originated in birds. An avian virus “jumped to pigs, exchanged some of its genes with previously circulating swine viruses and then jumped from pigs into humans,” according to a statement by the American Society for Microbiology. And now scientists are seeing this pattern again—except this time, the viruses are jumping from pigs to dogs.

To read more, subscribe to Buddy Life!

The next time someone criticizes you for using a peppy, high-pitched tone while speaking to dogs, you can tell them that your puppy voice could have benefits for both you and your pupper.

The next time someone criticizes you for using a peppy, high-pitched tone while speaking to dogs, you can tell them that your puppy voice could have benefits for both you and your pupper.

According to a study published in the May issue of Animal Cognition, the exaggerated style of speech adopted by many pet owners can improve animals’ attention skills and strengthen the bond between dogs and their people. Researchers at the University of York conducted the study in hopes of gaining a better understanding of why humans speak differently to animals and whether such speech is actually beneficial to dogs. As co-author Katie Slocombe explains in a press release: “This high-pitched rhythmic speech is common in human interactions with dogs in western cultures, but there isn’t a great deal known about whether it benefits a dog in the same way that it does a baby. We wanted to look at this question and see whether social bonding between animals and humans was influenced by the type and content of the communication.”

To read more, subscribe to Buddy Life!

Trying to keep your house clean while owning pets is a little bit like attempting to brush your teeth while eating Oreo cookies.

Trying to keep your house clean while owning pets is a little bit like attempting to brush your teeth while eating Oreo cookies. Your intentions might be good, but it seems like as soon as one mess gets cleaned up, another one happens somewhere else in your home. It’s enough to make some neatniks reconsider getting pets in the first place. If you didn’t opt for a non-shedding breed, then regular grooming appointments are so important for keeping your dog smelling good and shedding less frequently. If your dog is smelling a little stinky between grooming appointments, give him a quick swipe with a baby wipe. It’ll help remove surface dirt from his coat and keep him smelling fresh until his next bath. You should always pick something that’s sturdy and stain resistant if you have cats or dogs who might shed or snag their claws on certain delicate fabrics. Keeping up with shedding can be a full-time job, even with regular grooming. Purchase the correct brush for your pet’s dander to help reduce the number of times you need to vacuum every week. Whether it’s the throw blanket you keep on the couch or the bedding she uses to sleep on, washing these items regularly will help keep your house smelling good all the time. There’s not much you can do about keeping your pup’s paws clean when it’s muddy outside (unless you invest in doggy rain boots). The best way to clean up dog or cat messes is to catch them right when they happen. As soon as you notice an accident, immediately blot (never rub!) and then treat with a special stain and odor fighting spray.

 

To read more, subscribe to Buddy Life!

Next time you take your dog out for his or her ‘business’, remember, BMC is watching.

Next time you take your dog out for his or her ‘business’, remember, BMC is watching. As part of an ongoing drive to make owners responsible for their pet’s poop, the civic body is imposing fines on violators, and 16 dog owners have already been penalised ₹500 each for letting their dogs relieve themselves on city roads without cleaning up after them. The drive is being conducted by the ward office in Malabar Hill and Tardeo to create awareness among pet owners.

The move comes after complaints of pets relieving themselves on roadsides, with residents pointing to norms in many other countries which ensure owners clean up. The BMC’s D Ward includes Malabar Hill, Tardeo, Girgaum Chowpatty, Peddar Road, Napean Sea Road and Mahalaxmi — areas with a lot of pet owners, mostly dogs — from where officials have been receiving complaints of dog poop left unattended. The matter became a menace for daily walkers and joggers who also pointed out hygiene issues.

To read more, subscribe to Buddy Life!

Some dogs just can’t help it. Let them loose in the backyard and the temptation is just too great.

Some dogs just can’t help it. Let them loose in the backyard and the temptation is just too great. Their front paws become a crazy set of whirring garden tools as they furiously set to work digging a hole. Dogs that dig for fun often do it when they’re left outside alone to find their own entertainment and have no toys, playmates or other outlet for their energy. Some dogs dig because they are attempting a getaway. It could be that they just see something they want to chase, want to escape confinement or they could be dealing with separation anxiety. Dogs might simply be digging a hole to find a cooler spot to escape the summer heat. In colder, rainier weather, they may be trying to find protection from the elements. This is based on hereditary behaviour when wild dogs and their relatives would bury extra food and bones so they could eat them later. Dogs sometimes dig in search of insects or other prey that run on the ground or underground. They might go hunting for moles or chipmunks or anything else they see scurrying around the ground.

To read more, subscribe to Buddy Life!

CNA Lifestyle takes a look at cakes and tarts for doggies, made with human-grade ingredients that account for health issues and dietary needs (of the pooch, not the person).

CNA Lifestyle takes a look at cakes and tarts for doggies, made with human-grade ingredients that account for health issues and dietary needs (of the pooch, not the person). It’s said that one dog year equates to seven human years, so a dog’s birthday is truly an occasion to celebrate. And as pet owners become increasingly willing to spend on their dogs, they are also happier to mark birthdays or adoption days with occasion cakes that both dog and owner can enjoy. For these dogs’ doting owners, it’s worth spending upwards of S$70 on a pretty treat that’s made with premium, organic, human-grade ingredients, since only the best will do for Fido. That’s especially true if the dog has special dietary restrictions, allergies or age-related conditions. And it’s not just for birthdays – many are also ordering cakes and tarts as special treats to share with their ailing dogs before it’s sadly time to say goodbye.

To read more, subscribe to Buddy Life!

Dogs have personalities and quirks, no matter what breed they are.

Dogs have personalities and quirks, no matter what breed they are. Children also differ in their needs, energy levels, and personalities. No matter which breed you hone in on, it is important to take a common sense approach, when choosing and introducing a new pet to your household. “When searching for a pet dog for the family, parents often consult friends or relatives, or rely on their own personal experiences,” says Janelle Emmett, DVM, veterinary technology program director at Carrington College’s Sacramento, California campus who has practiced for 12 years in companion animal medicine. “Ideally, people should select a breed based upon the anticipated lifestyle of the dog, being mindful to match the personality and age of the child and the traits of the breed.” Additionally, parents must remember that nothing can replace careful monitoring of the child with the pet and good training, she notes. Before you bring a dog home, make sure you have all the items on this puppy checklist.

To read more, subscribe to Buddy Life!