In the latest of our pet friendly business profiles we take a look at The Carriage House Inn Calgary, Alberta.
As I write, Halloween is some 27 days away but given the fact that the build up to these type of events tend to start earlier and earlier we thought we'd join the club and come in early with our 2012 Halloween safety tips for dogs - OK, some of these tips are applicable all year round so our jumping the gun is all forgiven, right? Enjoy. Oh…and BOO!! - it'll be Christmas soon enough (scared yet?)
Halloween is a time for everyone to have fun, feel like a kid, and eat a little extra candy. Most dogs will eat anything, and chocolate candy is no exception. The difference is, chocolate is poisonous to dogs, and if they eat enough of it, it can kill them. Methylxanthines—the chemicals in chocolate that are dangerous—are similar to caffeine and appear in higher concentrations the darker the chocolate. Just 2-3 ounces of baker's chocolate can make a 50 pound dog very ill.
What happens when dogs eat chocolate? The chemical toxicity results in vomiting, diarrhoea, hyperactivity, inflammation of the pancreas, an abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, and sometimes, even death. In smaller dogs, even the wrappers from candy can result in a secondary obstruction in the stomach or intestines. Remember, it's the dose that makes the poison. Dogs that ingest a few M&Ms or 1-2 bites of a chocolate chip cookie are unlikely to develop chocolate poisoning, but smaller dogs are more sensitive than larger ones.
Common sense tells you to keep your Halloween goodies out of the reach of pets, but sometimes accidents happen. The Pet Poison Helpline reported that in 2010, the number of calls of dogs having ingested chocolate during the week of Halloween increased 209% over a typical week. Signs of mild chocolate poisoning can include vomiting and diarrhoea. Larger ingestions can cause severe agitation, tachycardia (elevated heart rate), abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, seizures and collapse.
Raisins, sometimes appearing in Halloween sweets/candy or just handed out instead of candy, are also extremely poisonous to dogs and can cause kidney failure. If your dog has eaten any amount of raisins, grapes, or currants, you should treat it as a potentially toxic situation and immediately call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline. The poison in raisins is more concentrated than in grapes, so no amount of raisins is too small for you to make a phone call.
In addition, if your dog gets into your treat stash and gobbles it down, consult your veterinarian even if it wasn't chocolate. Large amounts of high sugar, high fat sugary food is bad for your dog's system and can result in pancreatitis. Signs include decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, abdominal pain, and potentially kidney failure. Be sure to consult your veterinarian immediately if any of these signs occur. The Pet Poison Helpline is available at 1.800.213.6680 or www.petpoisonhelpline.com (for United States only).
The Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) is the only statewide professional organization of over 2,200 veterinarians from across the Commonwealth. The association, which was established in 1883, strives to advance animal welfare and human health while ensuring the vitality of the veterinary profession. PVMA's website is available at www.pavma.org .
Always keep your vet's emergency number on hand should your dog ever gobble down licit food, and let's face it, we all know how much our canine chums enjoy forbidden treats!
Research conducted by a prominent pet insurance firm has suggested that our friend the dog is at the centre of household arguments at a rate of nearly 3 per day.
The figures which emerged in a study of 2,000 dog owners claims that a ‘man’s best friend’ can also be the cause of heated household debate. They trigger 156 quarrels every year with the spats ranging from disagreeing about who should take the dog for a walk, feed them, give them treats they deserve and who should look after the dog when the owners go on holiday.
The study shows that a quarter of dog owners (26 per cent) regularly argue about where the dog should be allowed to go in the house – in particular whether they should be able to lie on the beds, go upstairs or jump up on the sofa.
A fifth of families (20 per cent) frequently argue about whose turn it is to clean up the mess in the back garden, while one in 10 disagree about who should clear up the carpets should they be soiled.
But disciplining the dog is one of the biggest causes of arguments – as 18 per cent of couples often fall out because one is accused of being too harsh on the dog.
The research also showed that a further 15 per cent of families often row about who should be training the dog, while one in 10 people get annoyed if the dog is ‘humanised’. Other arguments about the pooch include who chose to buy it in the first place and how much has been spent on it.
They’re also likely to cause unrest if they damage the children’s toys or chew the family’s shoe collection.
The study shows that while the majority of family arguments are more likely to be about the children than the family pet, 14 per cent of owners reckon they row about the dog more than their children.
Incredibly, in 17 per cent of households the dog disputes have got so bad that one member of the family has slept in the spare room, while a quarter of those polled have been known to storm off after things got too heated.
In fact, a quarter of dog owners (26 per cent) have at some point considered getting rid of their beloved pooch after a particularly bad barney.
1. What to do with the dog when going away on holiday / for the weekend
2. The fact the dog hasn’t been walked / who should walk it
3. Whether the dog should be allowed on the beds
4. Whether the dog should be allowed upstairs
5. Who should clean up the mess in the back garden
6. One of the owners is being too harsh on the dog
7. One of the owners lets the dog onto the sofa
8. How much one of the owners has spent on the dog
9. Training the dog
10. Allowing the dog to be fed from the dining table
So, ever had a dog related argument?
In the latest of our pet friendly business profiles we take a look at Comfort Suites Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina.
The Comfort Suites® Biltmore Square Mall is conveniently located on mall premises just minutes from Biltmore and downtown Asheville. Convenient deep discount Biltmore tickets and Biltmore packages are available at the hotel.
Comfort Suites Biltmore invites all guests to enjoy free access to the adjacent Asheville Fitness Club. We now offer over 40 complimentary true High Definition TV channels on JUMBO 40″ HD TV sets in all suites where you can have a quite vacation and dogs are welcome too.
Nearly every dog eats grass sometimes, and some dogs eat it all the time. You would think that veterinarians would have a pretty good idea by now of why they do it. But they don’t, mainly because no one has figured out how to ask dogs two important questions: “Do you like the taste?” and “If it tastes so good, why do you throw it up?”
If only dog’s could talk! But if you are like many dog owners who live in a grassy area you would swear sometimes that your dog is an Angus. Dogs just lay out in the yard and graze just like a cow. Dogs explore their worlds with their noses and mouths. And there’s the grass, attractive, sweet-smelling, with an appealing texture; and it’s ever-so-accessible on the ground. Why not eat it?
Dogs May Have A Craving For Greens
Dogs are remarkably flexible in their tastes. They’ll polish off a bowl of dried dog food, then walk over to see if there’s anything good in the trash. If they’re still hungry, they’ll wander upstairs to see what’s in the cat’s box. Basically, they’ll eat, or at least sample, whatever they find in front of them.
There’s a good reason for their liberal tastes. Unlike cats, who evolved solely as hunters, dogs survived by scavenging. When they couldn’t catch live prey, which was a lot of the time, they’d eat the ancient equivalent of roadkill. They didn’t care too much if had been lying in the sun for a week or was half-buried under old leaves. It was food, and they weren’t going to pass it up. When meat wasn’t on the table, they’d root around for tender leafy stalks, or roots, or an old polished bone. They simply weren’t fussy, and dogs today haven’t gotten any fussier. They’re predisposed to like just about everything.
In addition, there’s some evidence that dogs get cravings for certain foods. It’s possible that dogs occasionally get a hankering for greens, just as people sometimes go to bed dreaming about mashed potatoes and meat loaf. It’s not as strange as it may sound. Grass was part of their ancestors’ regular diets.
Don’t forget that dogs can pick up all kinds of parasites when outside, be sure to prevent your dog from fleas, ticks and worms with a regular parasite control programme.
Internal parasites, such as worms, are commonly picked up from hunting, insects or eating things they shouldn’t which may be hidden in the grass.
Wormazole is available in odourless and flavourless powder sachets to conceal in your dog’s food to ensure they consume the product easily. Wormazole treats roundworm, lungworm and tapeworm problems in dogs, with availability in a range of strengths to ensure your dog gets the correct treatment for their size.
Dogs are omnivores, which means they eat meat as well as plants. They don’t need grassy nutrients any more because most commercial dog foods are nutritionally complete. But dogs aren’t nutritionists. They don’t know or care that they’ve already gotten their vitamin or mineral quotients from a bowl of kibble. Their instincts tell them that grass is good, so they eat it. Besides, there’s a world of difference between satisfying the minimal nutritional requirements and having a great meal. And for many dogs, a mouthful of grass clearly tastes great. It’s like a salad – they eat some, then want more.
Even dogs who usually don’t eat grass will head straight for the nearest patch when they’re feeling sick. They’ll gobble a few mouthfuls, retch, and then throw up, or at least try to. Veterinarians still aren’t sure if dogs eat grass because their stomachs are upset or if their stomachs get upset after they eat grass. However, many vets suspect it’s the former, because dogs who are energetic and perky seem to be able to eat grass without getting sick afterward. It seems likely that there’s something in grass that does stimulate the urge to vomit.
The stomach has all kinds of neuro-receptors that respond to what dogs ingest. They react to acidity, chemical content, and textures. The texture of the grass has something like a tickle effect on the stomach, which may induce vomiting.
This tummy tickle may explain why healthy dogs can eat grass without getting sick. They take a mouthful, chew it thoroughly and swallow, then reach down for some more. Dogs who are sick, however, appear almost desperate for the grass. They don’t chew it carefully or savor the taste. They gobble it. Without the chewing, those prickly little stalks hit their stomachs all at once.
This may be what stimulates the urge to throw it all back up – along with whatever was irritating their stomachs in the first place. They can’t stick their fingers down their throats or ask for syrup of ipecac like people can, so eating grass is something that works. And once dogs find something that works, they tend to stick with it.
Watch Out What Grass Your Dog Is Eating
Unless your dog is in the habit of regurgitating grass on the dining room floor, there’s no reason to worry about it. Dogs have been eating grass for thousands or tens of thousands of years, and there’s no evidence at all that it’s bad for them. That isn’t the case, however, when grass has been treated with insecticides, herbicides, or other chemicals. Most products say on the label whether they’re dangerous for pets. In any event, you should certainly keep dogs away from grass soon after chemicals have been applied. Most products break down fairly quickly, but they can be quite dangerous if your dog eats them while they’re fresh.
Serve Sparky Some Broccoli
It’s just a theory at this point, but some veterinarians believe that dogs eat grass because they’re not getting enough fiber in their diets. You may want to buy a higher-fiber food – pet foods for “seniors” generally have the most. These foods can be expensive, however, so you may want to look for other ways to supplement your dog’s diet.
Most dogs don’t care for raw vegetables but some absolutely adore the crunch of healthy, uncooked greens. You can run some broccoli or green beans through the blender, adding chicken or beef broth for flavour. Or add a sprinkling of bran to their food.
In conclusion, dogs eat grass. Why they do it, the pet health community is still in somewhat of a dispute. It’s not a trait to worry about and is something that can easily be controlled through behavioural modification and changes to your dog’s diet.
Finding Welcoming Accommodations
Among top considerations in whether to include pets in travel plans is the need to locate welcoming, appropriately matched pet-friendly accommodations, according to the study. Specific aspects of the search include: finding places that accept pets (95 percent), learning about pet policies such as size limits and fees (49 percent) and getting details about available pet services (22 percent). One-quarter of pet travelers who have skipped this important planning step admit to sneaking their pet into a hotel or motel at some point in the past, creating anxiety that can affect pet behaviour.
Advance planning using a reliable resource like Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA PetBook ®, available in print and digital versions, can alleviate concerns related to accommodations and other pet-travel preparations. The listings for pet-friendly AAA Approved and Diamond Rated lodgings throughout the U.S. and Canada provide important details like fees, permitted pet sizes, conditions of stay and pet amenities. Listings also include more than 600 pet-friendly campgrounds plus dog parks and attractions and national public lands that allow pets. Best Western offers more than 1,600 pet-friendly properties worldwide.
Pet Etiquette Considerations
Respondents also identified observations about other pet travelers, pinpointing several behavioral considerations for owners as well as their pets:
"Travelling with your dog can be a wonderful experience. Remember, a balanced dog makes a better travelling companion. Always nurture a balanced state of mind," says pet expert Cesar Millan.
"Plan your vacation with your dog in mind. Here are some tips to make travel more fun and less stressful for your dog," says Millan:
Travellers can also find useful tips for preparing four-legged travellers for the road or air, plus handy information on pet etiquette, insurance and emergency animal clinics, in Travelling with Your Pet: The AAA PetBook and on the AAA.com/PetBook website. The 14th edition publication is available at many AAA and CAA offices and select booksellers at a suggested retail price of $18.95. The digital edition is available at online booksellers at a suggested digital retail price of $9.99.
More AAA/Best Western 2012 Pet Travel er Study Results
Britain’s dog owners are looking to make the most of the Summer months and lighter nights by taking road trips with their dogs, however according to research from site, Confused.com, it’s coming at a cost.
New research of dog-lovers across the UK commissioned by Confused.com has shown that we’re paying a high price for being a nation of dog lovers, with doggy days out costing dog owners over £18 million in fuel bills. The UK’s lucky canines can expect to enjoy road trips averaging just over 75 miles a time to be taken to their favourite pet friendly place across the country and costing owners nearly £10 per trip.
In fact, almost a third (27%) of dog owners surveyed said they are planning to make round trips of up to 101 miles, with 26% to travel more than 201 miles.
Surprisingly, not only is man’s best friend increasing their owner’s yearly costs but they are also affecting the type of car they buy too. A huge 66% of dog owners admitted to changing their vehicles for a more pet friendly mode of transport with reliability for longer distances.
Forty-nine per cent of dog owners have considered the type of car they are going to buy with regards to the space it offers - and with 29% travelling almost every day with their dog, it is clear why this would be so important. If dog owners are thinking about space for their dogs they must also consider a dog’s safety.
The vehicle of choice must also offer some form of ventilation and the dog should also be supplied with water on a regular basis. A dog must be able to stand up, sit and lie down in comfort on their doggy day trip and if possible dog owners should feed their dog as far in advance of travel as they can.
With so many dog owners travelling hundreds of miles with their dogs they must ensure that their dog is looked after, and ensure they are healthy and clearly collared and tagged before they go on their road trips.
Kate Rose, Head of Pet Insurance at Confused.com, says: “With 1 in 2 households owning a pet and 22% of households now owning a dog, it’s clear we’re still a nation of animal lovers.
“It’s really encouraging to see dog owners wanting to care for their pets properly, by taking them out on a regular basis and understanding that pets need a vehicle that has room to move.”
“But it’s also important to be aware of the potential dangers when out and about with your dog on foot. Should your dog cause any incidents on its doggy day out, you as the owner are likely to be liable for the costs of any damage caused.”
“Purchasing a pet insurance policy that includes third party cover will protect owners should the incident result in any property damage or personal injury, and it will also cover any legal costs that may arise from the incident. Pet insurance is that essential safety net should anything go wrong, so shopping around on a price comparison site will ensure you get the right cover at a great price.”
Top Tips from K9 Magazine to help British dog owners looking to choose a pet friendly vehicle
1) Think About How Your Dog Will Enter/Exit The Vehicle – for example, the height of the boot, how the door/s open, type flooring
2) Enough Rear Space For Your Dog & Any New Additions – for example, could you add to your canine family without needing to upgrade?
3) Comfort For Travelling (Short & Long Distances)
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