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 dogs racing around the office and playing all day, it’s far from boring at the Trupanion office. But that doesn’t mean that all the dogs are best friends 100% of the time. Though they typically get along like best buddies, there was a recent scuffle between two of the dogs which inspired some further research into dog pack formation and dominance. Below is a discussion about some common questions and knowledge about multiple-dog groups and dog packs.

What is a pack? When there are three or more dogs in the same house or space, they typically form what is called dominance hierarchy, or a pack. Between them, they establish a social structure which includes ranking, and which dog is the alpha or leader. This hierarchy creates a balanced structure between all pack members and, in turn, reduces conflict and encourages cooperation between all members of the pack.

Introducing a new dog. Every time a new dog is added, ranking is reestablished to learn where the new dog fits into the pack. Dog fights can often happen when a new member is being introduced to the pack because two dogs see themselves as similar ranking, so they are fighting for a certain rank. When new dogs are introduced, this should be done in a neutral area so that none of them feels as though their territory is being intruded.

Same sex dogs are more likely to get into scuffles than a male and a female, and female-female fights are usually the most vicious.

Resources. Dogs see treats, attention, territory, food, toys and any other positive stimuli as valuable resources. Rarer items have higher value, and thus more motivation to guard whatever it may be. Interest in a scarce resource between two dogs can and will often lead to fights. The best way to avoid these issues are to take away all toys, treats, food, etc. that might be of “higher value” to the dogs. Subsequently, you may provide plenty of toys or treats so that the dogs do not feel the need to hoard and protect their properties.

Sibling rivalry. One aspect of dog packs that is often misunderstood by pet owners is sibling rivalry. This occurs when two dogs living in the same house have not established who the leader is. Pet parents commonly treat their pets as equals and have difficulty understanding that dogs do not have a sense of equality and must establish ranking. Pet owners may exacerbate sibling rivalry by fueling alliance aggression.

Alliance aggression is a very common issue of owner interference that is often overlooked and misunderstood by pet parents. This occurs when humans get in the way of dominance struggles between dogs and wrongfully help the underdog during a struggle. The reason it is wrong to help the underdog is because “rescuing” the underdog increases its status. Subsequently, punishing the dominant dog lowers that dog’s status. These actions serve to maintain the dogs’ similar status levels and prevents dominance from being fully established which perpetuates fighting between the dogs. The proper way to handle these situations is to reinforce rankings by first attending to the dominant dog after a fight. Only after dominance is fully established will the fights cease.

While severe cases should be handled by a professional, dogs should be examined by a veterinarian and tested for any underlying medical problems that may cause aggression. It may also be helpful to neuter male dogs as this reduces aggression-related hormones.

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.

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.

Gastric torsion, more commonly known as bloat is a deadly condition that is a threat to larger dogs. After cancer, it is the second highest condition that causes death to dogs. Bloat is a condition defined by the twisting of the stomach that blocks off the passageways and traps the gases and contents inside the stomach. If not immediately treated, dogs experiencing bloat may survive for up to a day but will typically die within a couple hours.

Dogs that are more prone to bloat are larger dogs that are deep-chested such as Dobermans, Great Danes and German Shepherds. Older dogs, males, and those that are particularly large for their breed are more at risk. Dogs are also at risk if bloat is in their hereditary background.

There are many recognizable symptoms of bloat. The dog will act very restless and anxious and unlike it’s normal self. Its chest will feel very tight. Other common symptoms are foamy saliva, attempts to vomit, coughing, gagging, whining, pacing, and shallow breathing. If these symptoms are observed, you should seek medical care for your pet right away.

Causes of bloat are typically stress or anxiety, eating foods high in fat, drinking too much water before or after eating and particularly rapid eating. Exercise right after eating especially combined with any of the aforementioned behaviors can be lethal.

Ways to prevent bloat are to feed your dog multiple meals a day instead of just one, and to not allow rapid eating. Do not use an elevated food bowl, and avoid dog foods with fat listed as one of the first four ingredients. Try to keep them out of stressful situations and wait at least an hour after eating, if not more, before exercising.

Treatment for bloat requires medical care and surgery. If a dog becomes a victim of gastric torsion, it must receive veterinary attention immediately as untreated animals have little to no chance of survival.

If you have a larger dog, it may be at risk for bloat. You should be cautious and take the appropriate measures to prevent bloat in all possible ways. You may want to consider its risks and insuring your dog as treatment for bloat costs around two to four thousand dollars. That way you know that your pet will be protected in case any sort of emergency should arise.

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 the Summer in full swing, it’s road trip season and more vacationers are choosing to include their pets in the adventure. While we have all heard how crucial it is for us to buckle up, we may not always realize the importance of car safety for our animal companions. Whether you're going on a two-day drive or just a short trip to the grocery store, you should keep your pet's safety in mind when bringing them in the car. Here are a few tips on keeping your pet safe when you take them for a drive.

1.       Pets belong in the back seat. Not the front seat and especially not in the driver’s lap. Pets can be very distracting to the driver, raising the risk of accidents. In the event of an accident, pets riding in the front seats can face severe injuries from airbags or hitting the windshield. Putting pets in the back seats is much safer for both the pet and the driver.

2.       Buckle up! Did you know that more car accident fatalities are due to not wearing a seat belt than by drunk driving? We wear seat belts to save our lives, and should do the same for our pets. Animals who aren’t belted in can easily be injured by quick turns, sudden stops, and of course car accidents. I found a seat belt harness that doubles as a walking harness at Target for only $10.

3.       Pets should keep their heads inside the vehicle while it is moving. A head hanging out the window is at risk of getting hit by tree branches and flying bits of debris such as dust, dirt, and bugs can get into their eyes.

4.       Car seats are available for smaller pets so they are still able to look out the window. Be sure the seat is properly restrained.

5.       Bring a bed or blanket or familiar toy that belongs to your pet to provide a sense of security and the notion that it has its own spot in your car.

6.       It is extremely dangerous for a pet to ride freely in the back of a pickup truck. An unsecured pet can fall out or jump out of the truck bed and get badly injured or wander off and get lost. If they must ride in the back, pets should be securely harnessed or kept in a crate that is fastened in place.

7.       Make sure your pet is wearing an identification tag should it somehow escape from your car and become lost.

8.       If they aren’t used to cars, train them by taking short rides and gradually increasing the length of the drive. Positively reinforce the experience with lots of praise and treats.

9.       There are solutions to driving with anxious riders and carsick pets. Try to avoid feeding them for a few hours before the drive and be sure to provide plenty of water. Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated and try to keep trips short until the pet is more accustomed. You can also talk to your veterinarian about medications.

10.   When going on a longer drive, be sure to make frequent stops for bathroom breaks and water.

A recent poll by the Associated Press and PetSide revealed that half of American pet owners considered their pet as a member of the family. You should treat them that way by protecting their lives and taking the correct safety precautions in the car. Of course, never leave a pet in a parked car on a warm day as your pet can quickly overheat and cause severe illness or even death. Be safe, and happy driving!

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.