It’s that back-to-school time yet again. Aside from school supply lists and new shoes, we may forget to take into consideration what “back to school” means—for our pets. While it’s something we don’t tend to think about, pets experience a big shift from having kids home all the time to being alone. If you’re lucky like me and get to take your pet to work then this doesn’t apply to you. But for everyone else, here are some quick fixes to making that transition easier for your pet.

Prepare for unusual behavior. Pets with separation anxiety might act out by destroying things other than their own toys and having “accidents” around the house. Be sure to desensitize your pet to your leaving and returning by keeping the whole ordeal very low-key. Learn more tips on how to deal with separation anxiety.

Lastly, crank up the love. I’m sure you smother your pet with love as it is, but since no one’s home during the day to attend to your furry friend, you can make up for lost lovin’ after work or school by giving your pet a little extra attention. Teach your pet some new tricks as the mental stimulation will keep him entertained and prevent destructive behaviors. Try out a new toy, or just snuggle while you watch TV. Keeping your pet happy will help him easily get accustomed to the new routine.

Though some pets are relatively unaffected by this change in routine, it’s still a good idea to make sure that they are doing well with the transition. What it all boils down to is this: Be sure to spare time between homework, lunchboxes and report cards to give plenty of love and exercise to your four-legged companion.

One evening, during my typical dog walk, I noticed we were approaching a very anxious dog. I tried to hurry past it without confrontation, but the lady loosened her leash to allow the dog to reach mine. Usually this isn’t a problem because my dog is very friendly with others, but on this particular occasion, her dog seemed to “freak out” at getting to meet mine and over-excitedly lunged at my dog in some sort of attack. I yanked my dog away and she was fine, but it got me to thinking about how some people are very ignorant to the common sense of dog walking. In a place so densely dog populated, pet owners need to establish some common walking etiquette in order for us all to get along and be able to peacefully walk our dogs every day.

1.       Do: Pick up after your dog. Most places have laws about this, plus it's just rude to leave a steaming pile where someone might step.

2.       Don’t allow your dog to trample through someone else’s garden. While it’s obviously harmful to the plants, the plants may also be harmful to your dog.

3.       Don’t: Dogs should not relieve themselves on other peoples’ gardens, either. It’s inconsiderate to allow your pet to pee on someone’s beautiful flowers or plants.

4.       Do restrict meet and greets. Though we like our dogs to make new friends, not every pet owner welcomes distractions on their walks. Don’t allow your dog to go up to someone else’s dog unless you have permission from the other owner.

5.       The same goes for people. Don’t let your dog go up to every person he sees unless it is welcomed. Even though your dog is the cutest dog out there, some people may not be in the mood to stop and love your pet, and others are afraid of dogs.

6.       Subsequently, don’t go up to other people’s dogs without asking first. He may look like a sweetie, but dog behavior is unpredictable.

7.       Do: Always leash your dog unless you’re at a designated off-leash area. While your dog might be a social butterfly and perfectly well behaved, you can’t assume that of every other dog you pass. Seeing a dog off-leash may also make other people (or dogs) nervous or anxious, so do them a favor and keep your pet leashed.

8.       Do: And on that note, leash-train your dog. Spend some time with your pal to teach him to always walk alongside you unless you have allowed otherwise. (If you’re having trouble with an enthusiastic walker, look into products like a prong collar, or head collars such as the Gentle Leader or the Halti.)

9.       Do: Share the sidewalk. It makes it difficult and is annoying to other pedestrians to have to maneuver around your dog when he is taking up the entire walkway. Be aware of others and respect other pedestrians’ space.

10.   And of course, do enjoy yourself! For some dogs, this is their only time to get out so make the best of it by showing them new places and smells once in a while instead of the same boring routine day after day.

We seem to have a distorted view of what food portions should be in the US, which leads to many cases of weight and health problems. The issue of obesity not only affects us, but our pets as well. What we think of as providing extra love and spoiling our pets with bigger meals may actually be causing them health issues and a shorter lifespan.

At least 25% of pets in the US are considered to be overweight and it is becoming an increasing problem. Obesity in dogs can be hereditary such as with small hound dogs, Labradors and collies. However, it all boils down to eating too much and exercising too little.

There are signs for checking if a pet is overweight, the easiest being to examine the animal’s body. In an animal of healthy weight, you should be able to feel the ribs when massaging your pet’s sides and notice a “waist” indentation (Note: if the ribs are too pronounced, your pet may be underweight). Your pet’s weight should be similar to other animals of the same breed that are considered to be a healthy weight. Some signs of weight problems are if your pet is slow to move about and tires easily with exercise.

In the scheme of pet medical problems, we may not think obesity to be very extreme. However, it can lead to many medical complications down the road which are usually accompanied by many trips to the vet and expensive veterinary bills.

Extra weight can cause problems such as:

·         Increased stress on joints which can cause arthritis

·         Decreased pulmonary capacity - their heart has to work harder to pump

·         Breathing difficulties - decreased lung capacity can lead to respiratory problems

·         Diabetes

·         Greater risk of cancer and skin disease

·         Lowered heat tolerance

·         Increased risks during surgery and prolonged healing time

·         Much shorter lifespan - pets of a healthy weight live about 2 years longer than an overweight pet

If your pet is obese or you are concerned about it gaining weight, there are many steps you can take to ensure your pet will attain that fit physique.

·         Feed your pet 2-4 smaller meals a day. More frequent meals will prevent your pet from getting hunger pangs.

·         Look into diet foods or high protein diets.** Stay away from foods with fat listed as one of the first four ingredients.

·         Reduce the amount you feed your pet per meal, and prevent rapid eating (which can lead to other complications such as bloat in dogs).

·         Unless they are high in fiber, skip out on snacks as these usually contain a lot of fat and little nutrients.

·         Don’t feed table scraps as these unnecessary “treats” lead to an overweight pet. Not only does table feeding encourage begging, but some human foods are not suitable to animals and can cause serious illness.

While restricting your pet’s diet is one key to the solution, exercise is just as equally important. Exercise allows your pet to express its instinctive behavior such as exploration, chasing, the use of scent, and play. It is also crucial for young, developing animals to get exercise for proper muscular and skeletal development. Lack of exercise can lead to poor muscle development and many undesirable manners including destructive, antisocial, and aggressive behaviors and “accidents” in the house.

Animals vary in the amount of exercise they need depending on size, breed, etc. but regardless of its size, it’s important to give your pet the daily opportunity to run. There are many great reasons for you to exercise with your pet, but of course anything you can do to keep your pet active will ensure a longer and healthier life.

**Before beginning any weight management program, consult your vet and be sure that your pet’s obesity isn’t due to any medical conditions (such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease).

From the folks at Trupanion pet insurance, we thank you for visiting our blog and being a part of the community.  It is our goal to educate pet owners everywhere about the importance of pet care, positive pet parenting, pet safety, and the many advantages of Trupanion pet insurance. Thanks again for visiting our blog and remember to protect your pet and yourself with Trupanion pet insurance.

With summertime in full swing, it’s time to get out there and take advantage of it. Here are some ideas for activities to do with your furry companion.

1.       Be social! Your dog, that is. Take your pup to a dog park; it’s cheap entertainment for your dog and also a great way to keep him socialized. Visit www.dogparkusa.com to find local parks.

2.       Explore the terrain. Take your dog on a hike. Hiking is a great way to get in touch with nature and is both mentally and physically stimulating for your dog. Check out www.trails.com for hiking trails in your area.

3.       Take an outdoor vacation with your pet. Camping is a fun summertime adventure on which you can get away for a few days and bring your pet. Explore the wilderness and lay beneath the stars with your pet by your side.

4.       Stay local. Go on a walk or jog with your pet around the neighborhood. It helps with their orientation in case they get lost. Enjoy the fresh air and get some exercise!

5.       Fetching! Whether it’s a fancy Frisbee or a tattered tennis ball, a nice game of fetch is a fun, anytime activity that you can do just about anywhere that has open space.

6.       Go for a bike ride and bring your dog. Biking will give your pet a nice jog without over-exerting yourself if you’re not up for a run. Of course, be safe and don’t make a dog run farther or faster than he is able.

7.       Jump in the water. Water sports like fetching or swimming are good for cooling a hot dog in the summer heat. Don’t forget to bring a pet life preserver if you’re taking your pet out on a boat.

8.       Dine out. The trend for pet-friendly dining is really catching on. Many establishments offer outdoor seating so your pet can join you. Find a local restaurant at Dog Friendly and take the whole family. Be sure to feed your dog before going out, or bring treats along and be courteous of others by keeping your dog out of the way of servers and other diners.

9.       The cat’s meow. You can include your cat in the action, too. Some cats will allow you to leash them, while others might be more suited to some backyard exploring. After all, cats deserve outside playtime too. Be sure to supervise cats that aren’t accustomed to the outdoors.

10.   Take a nap! Pets know the value of a good nap, and they make great snuggle buddies. Cuddle up under the sun on a warm day for an afternoon nap. Just make sure it’s not too hot out for your pet.

As with all activities, be sure to provide your pet with plenty of water and resting time. Consult your veterinarian before starting a serious workout program with pets that are older, injured or have other medical problems. The best time to exercise your pet outside is during the cool of the morning or in the evening after the heat of the day to avoid heatstroke. Stay safe and enjoy the summertime!

From the folks at Trupanion pet insurance, we thank you for visiting our blog and being a part of the community.  It is our goal to educate pet owners everywhere about the importance of pet care, positive pet parenting, pet safety, and the many advantages of Trupanion pet insurance. Thanks again for visiting our blog and remember to protect your pet and yourself with Trupanion pet insurance.

1. He will never bail on you. Dogs are always eager to accompany you with your workout and won’t complain that they had to get up early this morning or are having a bad day.
2. A dog is never late for a workout. You don’t have to wait for your dog to get ready because he is ready to go out and get moving whenever you are.
3. Your dog won’t judge you. Dogs don’t care if you run too slow or too fast or if you’re sweaty and stinky after exercising. They are always glad just to be hanging out with you.
4. Dogs are easy going. Your dog won’t complain when it gets tired and it won’t try to out-compete you. He will jog along at your side until you’re done.
5. Dogs are great motivators. They’re always bouncy, eager, and optimistic about working out which is great encouragement to get you more enthusiastic about exercising. Plus you’re much more likely to stick with an exercise plan if you have a buddy.
6. Dogs don’t gossip. They won’t distract you from exercising by chatting about the latest gossip and who said what.
7. You don’t have to buy running shoes for your dog. They don’t require fancy workout gear and top-of-the-line sneakers; dogs are always appropriately attired for any exercise.
8. Exercise is great for both of you. Dogs need physical as well as mental stimulation and exercise keeps both you and your dog healthier and happier.
9. At the end of your workout when you’re cooling down, you know your dog will be right by your side panting with a smile on its face.
10. It can be fun for you and it's definitely fun for your dog. You'll feel better knowing you provided some good entertainment for your canine pal.

Some tips for exercising with your dog:

·         Walk your dog often, at least once a day if possible. Walking is a great way to get your dog and yourself some exercise, burn calories, and can be done just about anywhere.

·         Leisurely walks are great when chatting with friends, but try to speed up the pace with your dog. Try to stay on the move with limited stops for sniffing and dog bathroom breaks.

·         Gradually increase the length of your walk. The weather’s getting nicer, so why not reward your dog with some more one-on-one time. You will also benefit from the extra exercise and thank yourself when it’s time to put on that swim suit!

·         Lastly, stay hydrated! Make sure to bring water for you and your dog. With the sun in season, you don’t want to put your dog at risk for dehydration or heatstroke.

From the folks at Trupanion pet insurance, we thank you for visiting our blog and being a part of the community.  It is our goal to educate pet owners everywhere about the importance of pet care, positive pet parenting, pet safety, and the many advantages of Trupanion pet insurance. Thanks again for visiting our blog and remember to protect your pet and yourself with Trupanion pet insurance.