Dogs Eating Feces

It's unsavory, even disgusting, but it happens. Sometimes dogs develop a habit of eating their own feces, or sometimes the feces of other pets in your household. Before you click away, learn about the reasons this might be happening and how to deal with it. No one wants a puppy with poo breath, and there are ways of training your dog to stop snacking on. . .well, dung.

The previous paragraph was tongue-in-cheek, but sometimes there are medical issues involved in feces-eating. The best way discover what's going on is to take your dog for a vet visit. Before you do, though, be forearmed with a little information on the problem.

Is Your Dog Eating Feces?

When you Travel – What About Your Pet

Deciding whether or not to board a pet can be worrying and frustrating. Before decide on the best way to handle your pet's needs when you travel, there are some things you should consider.

There have been big changes in recent years in the area of pet and care and boarding. When you go on a trip or vacation it isn't a foregone conclusion that your pet will spend the time in a cramped cage in foreign surroundings. From pet care professionals that come to your home daily to pet spas that pamper your favorite fido or pussy, making sure your pet is safe and happy when you're away is easier than ever before.

I've outlined some of the options in:

Using a Professional Pet Sitter

Whatever you decide, make sure you take the time to plan. Sitters and the better boarders book far in advance. Get everything together the night before. Moving a pet that isn't used to traveling can be a handful. Set aside vaccination certificates, medications with instructions, food, a piece of clothing or pet bedding that smells like home, and a list with phone numbers where you can be reached. Also, have the number of your vet ready in case it's needed.

You'll have a better time, and so will you pet, if you do some strategizing before you travel. The homecoming will be nicer too.

Watch Your Pets for Ear Problems

Ear problems are one of the most common ailments afflicting dogs and cats. Ear mites, bacterial infections, and yeast infections are all common causes for ear scratching and head shaking, and at one time or another it is likely that your cat or dog will develop one or all of these common problems.

Recognizing Ear Mites

Ear mites are easily spread through casual contact between animals, and you can tell if this is the root of your pet's problems by checking your pet ears for small black specs that look a little like coffee grounds. Their presence in your pet's ears will help you make a diagnosis of ear mites. It's always a good idea to have any diagnosis confirmed and treated by a veterinarian.

Home Treatment for Ear Mites

Although treatment by a veterinarian is always preferred, you can treat less serious infestations of ear mites with mineral oil. Apply two drops of oil to the affected ear with a clean medicine dropper, and then massaged the ear gently from the outside. There are also over-the-counter ear mite medications available to your local pet supply, or online. When treating cats, be careful to avoid medications containing permethrin, which is toxic to them.

Recognizing Bacterial Infections of the Ear

Moisture loving, and often difficult to clear up, bacterial infections flourish where there is a build-up of earwax. They can also be caused or encouraged by your pet's allergies, broken skin inside the ear, food sensitivities, or a compromised immune system.

Infections are painful, and your pet will react to the discomfort when his ear is touched or rubbed. The bad news is that your pet will need professional help. A thorough ear cleaning and treatment with antibiotics is in order. The good news is that ear infections are easy to treat when you follow the vet's course of treatment carefully.

Yeast Infections of the Ear

Yeast blooms in the ear can also be harmful and require veterinary intervention. Yeast is always present in the ear, but increased moisture in the ear (as can occur when there is a buildup of earwax), cuts or scrapes, and lowered resistance can cause yeast to become a painful problem. It can also be easy cure with medical treatment.

Depending on the source, pet owners are either encouraged to periodically clean their pets ears or never attempt to clean their pets ears. A good solution to the delimma of maintaining your pets health – including the health of his ears, is to seek your veterinarian's advice. My vet has given me instructions on how to swab my cat's ears, for example, and asks during each visit if I've been keeping up the practice. Follow your vets advice, and pay attention to his instructions for your cats medications and his recommendations for preventive maintenance.

Caring for Your Pets Ears

One general rule you should follow religiously is to check your pet's ears for signs of trouble every few weeks. Look in his ears, using a small penlight if you have to, and place your nose close to his ear and take a sniff; any dark or oozing discharge should be reported to your vet immediately, as should any foul odor.

Special Note:

When bathing your pet, avoid getting water in his ears. This is an invitation to ear problems.

Jack Russell Terrier Facts

If you love or know a Jack Russell terrier, you've seen their enthusiasm for life, high level of energy, intelligence, and determination.

You have also probably seen their temper, their aggressive inclinations when dealing with other animals, and their hunter's attitude.

If you love the breed, or want to, you should learn more about the ups and downs of keeping Jack Russells. They can be wonderful pets for the right household, but in the wrong family, they can be a disaster.

Sturdy and long lived by nature, they have a stable genetic makeup, with some dogs living up to twenty years, with few congenital problems.

They are long legged with predominantly white coloration that has patches brown and black, often in a three-color blend, with hair that can be curly, smooth, or broken.

They are small, not exceeding 18 pounds, and have a narrow ribcage designed to let them enter foxholes easily.

I've written two articles on Jack Russells that will give you background and important facts on this interesting but challenging breed:

Understanding the Fox Hunting Terrier

20 Things You Should Know About Jack Russell Terriers

Pug Facts

If you love pugs, you know that their health can be a problem, or at least a consideration. I have written two articles and a summary page on pugs that will give you some background on the breed, tips for keeping your pug healthy, points to consider when planning to add a pug to your household, and interesting pug facts - also pictures.

If you have a pug, love pugs, or are planning on adopting one of these adorable/ugly dogs, take a look.

General Information About Pugs:

• Living With a Pug

Pug Health Concerns:

• Your Pugs health

Pug Page with Interesting Factoids and Pictures:

• Pugs on parage

Making a good match up when adopting a pet is the most important key to success.

As I add pages to this blog, please check back to evaluate the facts on any animal addition you plan on making to your household.

Common Plants That Are Toxic To Your Pets

In one of my other blogs, The Herb Gardener, I receive inquiries all the time from concerned pet owners who want to know if a particular plant is poisonous or not. The following list of toxic plants can hurt your pet. Most of them are toxic to children as well.

When planning your exterior landscape, keep your pet's safety in mind by limiting the toxic plants you keep in and around the areas your pet(s) frequent. When bringing plants indoors, remember that even an animal that's never showed an interest in 'greens' can get curious, with tragic results.

I'll keep this list updated if anyone wants to contribute. Avoid a sad story, and learn the steps to keeping your pet safe.


The National ASPCA Hotline Number

The national ASPCA hotline will help you determine of something your pet has ingested is toxic. They charge a fee for the service, but they're experts, and they are available 24/7. You can reach them at: 888-426-4435

List of Toxic Plants

Alcohol (all varieties)
Almonds
Amaryllis bulb
Anthurium
Apricot
Avocado leaves, seeds, stem, skin
Begonia
Bird of Paradise
Bittersweet
Bleeding heart
Boxwood
Buckeye
Buttercup
Caffeine
Caladium
Calla lily
Castor bean
Cherries
Chocolate
Choke cherry, unripe berries
Chrysanthemum
Clematis
Cocoa bark
Crocus
Croton
Cyclamen bulb
Daffodil
Delphinium
Dieffenbachia
Dumb cane
Elderberry's immature berries
English ivy
Foxglove
Garlic
Heavenly bamboo
Hemp
Holly berries
Hyacinth bulbs
Hydrangea
Iris corms
Jack-in-the-pulpit
Jimson weed
Kalanchoe
Lantana
Larkspur
Lily
Lily-of-the-valley
Lupine
Marijuana
Milkweed
Mistletoe berries
Monkshood
Morning glory
Mountain laurel
Narcissus
Oak
Oleander
Onions
Peaches
Pencil cactus
Philodendron
Poinsettia
Potato leaves and stems
Rhododendron
Rhubarb leaves
Rosary Pea
Sacred Bamboo
Scheffelera
Shamrock
Spurge
Tomato leaves and stems
Yew