Past Tips Of The Month

Every year, hundreds of animals are sent to new homes or animal shelters when the new baby arrives. Myths and false information about both cats and dogs frighten parents into giving up the friend who could be a warm and loving companion protector for the new child. Before considering a new home for your pet, checkout the options.

As a new parent, there are some things you can do to make it easier for your cat or dog to cope with the introduction of the newest family member.

All animals suffer from stress if their routine is disrupted and they feel that they are no longer important. A cat, once the centre of your life, may feel left out if all your attention is suddenly focused on the new baby. A dog may treat the baby like a puppy, using his mouth and paws to show the new addition who the dominant dog is.

There are some steps you can take to make sure your pet readily accepts the new baby.

1. Keep changes to the pet’s routine and living area as minimal as possible. Big changes, such as redecorating a room, should be done early, so the animal has time to adjust to the new surroundings. You can use this time to teach the cat not to sleep in the crib.
2. Bring baby blankets covered with the baby’s smell home before you bring the baby. That will give both dogs and cats a chance to become familiar with the new scents, and to recognize it is normal. You can also use this time to familiarize your pets to the smell of powders or lotions you intend to use.
3. Spend time with your pet and baby together. Speak to the pet as you feed or change diapers. This will reassure the animal he is still part of your life and that the baby is now part of his life.
4. Play recordings of a baby’s cries. This will help the pet recognize and get used to the sound. Petting them as they hear the cries diminishes their anxiety.
5. Let your pet investigate the baby’s belongings. They may be new and interesting!
6. If this is your first baby, let your pet become acquainted with other children prior to the new arrival.
7. Make sure your pet has a place to go which is quiet and secluded. It will give him a place to rest away from all the excitement. Do not allow your pet to sleep with your baby.
8. Never leave the baby and your pet alone, even after the baby is crawling or walking. This will protect your child from an exuberant pet and protect your pet from an enthusiastic child.
9. Many suspected allergies to pets are really allergies to other things like laundry detergents or new foods. If your child shows symptoms of allergies, consult an allergist for advice.

All of these things can help make your home one in which children and pets can live in happiness and harmony. Remember, your child will have a loyal friend for life if you start them out right together!

Don't Feed Your Four Legged Pet These Foods

As we eat our supper or have a snack our pets are usually watching anticipating that one morsel that would carelessly fall to the floor. Often times seeing our pet in this distraught manner we give in and give them a little of what we are eating. Unfortunately that is the wrong thing to do, here are some things you should never feed your pet and why.

Commercial 'people food' such as pizza, fried chicken, crackers, chips and restaurant - food isn't a good choice for your animals. Foods high in fat or sugar can lead to pancreatic and other digestive problems, so it's best to stick with standardized and specially formulated commercial pet food.


Jack Frost and Old Man Winter...Are You Ready to Greet Them?

While nothing can acclimate a pet to tolerate the high temperatures of a locked car on a hot summer day, almost any pet of any age can adjust to being outdoors on most winter days. "Winterizing" a pet is not a complicated process, but certain guidelines must be followed. If the pet has no major organ disease, proper shelter is provided, and its nutritional and health requirements are met, it can withstand typical winter days.

A routine physical exam, up-to-date vaccinations and stool checks for intestinal parasites are necessary before your dog can safely be challenged by the out-of-doors. Cold weather places high demands on a pet’s nutritional requirements. Should you feed your pet more? Yes! The cold weather places extra energy demands on any animal. Their food intake must be increased just to maintain body heat. Be sure to avoid generic foods that may say they are high in protein, although much of it is indigestible. It is not necessary to have a thick layer of blubber, yet your pet must start off winter with a good body weight and stay there. Some pets however, may require supplementation to their regular diet. The caloric concentration of fat is higher than that of starch or protein. There are a variety of supplements available for both dogs and cats. This is especially important for the working dog, the hyperactive dog and the poor eater. Fresh unfrozen water is crucial during cold weather to prevent dehydration.

Then of course is the question of shelter. Even for the heartiest of dogs, a small insulated doghouse is a must. The general rule when placing your pet’s outdoor home is to have it "face south". Things to consider include: Which low, poorly drained spots need to be avoided? What is the direction of the prevailing winds? Is there an ideal sunny spot that is not too open?

Finally, make sure the house you chose has proper insulation and ventilation (see Dog House Construction ) Humid air, even in winter, encourages the formation of molds and bacteria, increasing the risk of respiratory infections and skin diseases.

Other options for the older or sick pet are available. Pet doors are well build and can provide access to a enclosed porch or garage. Sweaters are not simply a fashion statement – they really help to keep body temperatures up!

Winterizing means providing your pet with the necessary food, clothing, water and shelter. Common sense and close observations for signs of illness and/or weight loss will help you provide good health for your pet, no matter what winter throws at us!






NORTHERN CLIMATE DOGHOUSE PLANS
An Ideal Doghouse for Ontario’s Outdoor Dogs


Many breeds of dogs can live outside during the winter, at least in Southern Ontario, and for the most part of the winter, even in Northern Ontario, if they are provided with an insulated doghouse of the proper dimensions. The dimensions are directly related to the size of the dog, and are critically important if the dog is to maintain warmth in the doghouse with it’s own body heat. The more heavily coated breeds (Huskys, Retreivers, Labradors) will endure cold temperatures more easily than will the sort-coated breeds such as Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, Bulldogs, boxers, etc...
Note: If you are going to leave your dog outside for the day, ensure that it is provided with clean, fresh water 2-3 times/day - ice and snow do not provide adequate hydration for pets.

Dogs should be acclimatized to outdoor living when they are young, and also when the weather is warm. Once they have been established in outdoor accommodation, they should remain there and not be allowed to spend some nights inside and others outside*; such a disrupted routine could lead to a lowered resistance and illness. (*Note: on extremely cold nights in Northern Ontario, it is recommended that outdoor dogs be let in to sleep - just be sure you set them up in a cool place in the house, such as the basement, so that they don’t overheat, which may cause illness!).

Doghouse exteriors (especially the roof) should be painted black (use paint without lead) because such houses stay appreciably warmer than doghouses painted white.

Choosing the location of your doghouse is important as well-large trees provide shade in the summer as well as windbreak in the winter.

Bedding material should be put in the sleep area, and cedar or wood chips (obtainable from some feed mills) or shredded newspaper, are preferable to straw or blankets - straw may contain insects and parasites, while blankets get wet and freeze quite easily. Change bedding every 1-2 weeks, and keep the house interior clean.

A burlap or canvas door may be used to provide weather protection in the winter. The wall separating the hall from the sleeping area may be removable for maximum summer coolness.

The house should be elevated slightly on bricks or cinder blocks to keep the floor dry (it may be necessary to provide a ramp or step so that your dog can get over the raised sill when entering.) A low base platform is preferable, and allows the dog an area off the ground on which to lie when outside its house.

If your dog is inclined to chew wood, it may be necessary to cover corners and entrance edges with metal, prevent doghouse damage and injury to the dog if it swallows large pieces of wood!

If your present doghouse has a peaked roof, and if it is large enough, it may be possible to install an insulated ceiling and separate hallway, in order to make it warmer for winter.

Doghouse Construction



The doghouse can be simply made from readily available materials. Basically, it is a frame of 2" x 2", with a ½" or 3/8" weatherproof plywood exterior. It has an entrance and hallway which are separated from a sleeping area.