In my last “Purebred Star” blog I talked about the “Yorkshire Terrier“.

This week: Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

My Training Experience:  I have had a wonderful opportunity to work with a few Corgis’.  They truly live up to their breeding genes of being a Herding dog!  They can become very narcotic if not trained due to their abundance energy level.  They enjoy a good chase game with small children and cats, so extra care of proper socialization will be needed during their young age.  The Corgi is so fun to work with as they are very quick to pick up on their training, something that I always enjoy seeing with a very clever breed.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Originates From:  Wales is where they originate from, however there are two types of Corgi’s; the Pembroke Welsh Corgi (being the most popular one) and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi.  The difference between the two is their size.  Interesting Fact:  A folk legend indicates that the Corgi was a gift from the forest fairies.  The breed’s markings were left by the fairies from the harnesses and saddles.

Bred For:  The Corgi was bred to herd cattle and geese by nipping at their heels.  Corgi’s herd by nipping at heels of the livestock versus running circles around them like other herding breeds.  Their short statue helps them avoid being kicked and if charged at they quickly respond with a nip at the livestock’s nose to get them back on track with the group.  This breed is known to be happy to herd children and can tend to be extremely nippy with them.  If you have young children (under age 10) or other small animals, a Corgi might not be a good match for your family.

Build: The Pembroke height is from 10-12 inches and can weigh about 25-30 pounds and the Cardigan’s height is 10.5-12.5 inches and can weigh between 25-38 pounds.  They are a hardy and sturdy small to medium size breed.

Appearance:  The Corgi is long and sits low to the ground.  They are easily identified with their large erect ears!  Sometimes their tail can be long and busy or docked.  However, due to “dock-tail” banning in some countries, breeders are focusing on having this characteristic bred into the Corgi.  They have a double-coat which is soft and can be medium to long in length.  The Corgi comes in a variety of colors and patterns such as; brindle, red, sable, blue merle, black, fawn and tan with or without white markings.

Personality:  The Corgi is truly a BIG Dog in a small package and they are happy to display so!  They are a clever breed so they can be trained easily.  The Corgi has been described as a fun-loving dog that typically gets along with everyone.  They can have a stubborn streak about them and they are a very hardworking breed.

Activity Level:  Their activity level is moderate, which makes the Corgi a busy-body that will require an active family!  They do require at least one to two walks a day for about 30 minutes or a good jog for 45 minutes.  This breed is happy to herd children on bikes, scooters and skateboards, so proper training will need to be taken at a very young age.  They are a very intelligent breed, so someone that is looking for a breed that is happy to lie around will be disappointed when they realize Corgi’s are always looking to entertain themselves which sometimes can be in a very destructive manner.   This breed will be perfect for any type of herding competitions, agility or flyball!

Health Concerns: A typical life span for the Corgi is 12-14 years.  Health concerns to be aware of with a Corgi are Progressive Retinal Atrophy (aka PRA; Vision Loss/Blindness), Canine Hip Dysplasia, Canine Degenerative Myelopathy (Progressive Spinal Cord Disease), Intervertebral Disc Disease (Chronic Back Pain) and Epilepsy.

Rescue First

Cardigan Welsh Corgi Puppy

Corgis are a very spirited breed, who adapts best in an environment when given a “job” to do.  This breed is devoted to its family, however around small, young children and other animals in the household you might want to reconsider this breed as a pet.  They LOVE to be active and are willing to go with you at a moment’s notice!  Because of their perfect size, they are easy to travel with and will enjoy experiencing new adventures with an active family!

Consider looking into a rescue organization for a

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Puppy

purebred, there are many out there and this will give you the chance to “Save a Life” by adopting.  NEVER purchase any dog from a pet store, unfortunately, those puppies come from puppy mills, instead look for a reputable breeder to work with.

As for all animals, it is important to spay and neuter your puppy by 6 months old to have a healthy and happy pet for many years to come!

Let’s explore these wondrous FIVE senses that a Cat has!

Night Vision

Seriously!  They are truly better hunters at night with their wonderful ability to reflect light as it passes through the retina to provide the optimal night vision that they have.  However, they have poorer eyesight during the day and their slit-like iris helps reduce the sensitivity to the daylight.  Cat’s have a 200° angle of vision versus humans which is 180°.  Contrary to belief cats are not color-blind; they can see red, blue, yellow and green lights.

Cats have a third eyelid and unlike humans they do not need to blink often (less lubricating) which gives them a better advantage for hunting.  Squinting their eyes however is a form of communication, sometimes blinking one eye at a time and much slower than a human’s blink.

Acute Smell

Fourteen times stronger than a human’s sense of smell, makes the cat’s nose an amazing part of their sensory.   A cat’s nose helps it to identify food, objects, locate prey and other individuals in their environment.  Cat’s have about 200 million olfactory receptors (odor-sensitive cells) in their nose compared to a human that has about 5 million!

Radar-Like Ears

Do you hear the squeaky sound of that mouse?  For a cat, that high pitch squeak is exemplified three times higher than what you are hearing.  Their radar-like ears can single out noise up to four to five times farther than a human!  Their ears can rotate in various degrees with even the capability of making one of their ears point backwards to listen.  Their intuitive hearing can help make the cat a very successful hunter by pinpointing the exact location of their prey within three inches.

Those Incredible Whiskers

Those incredible whiskers are a cat’s primary source to their touch receptors.  Whiskers are not just on a cats face, they are located on their front and back legs and over their eyes (those are not eyelashes).  Whiskers have a high degree of nerve endings at the base, when triggered the nerves send the brain a three-dimensional map of their surroundings.  The whiskers help determine if a cat can move between two objects by gauging the distance.  Whiskers will also help the cat guide their way through night by the cat moving their whiskers forward, making the whiskers an important part of their sensory code.

Mmmmm….What is That I Taste?

Only recently it was discovered that the cat is unable to taste sweet and salty foods.  Their taste of choice is high-protein and high-fatty foods, making them a carnivore that prefers a meat-based diet.  Cats will typically turn away from a sweet or salty type food preferring more of a meaty food.  Compared to a human’s taste buds of 9,000, the cat has approximately 475.  They tend to use their nose versus their taste buds to determine if the food they are smelling is something they wish to devour.  That is why cats are sometimes consider “finicky” eaters according to their owners.  The cat is happy to smell, lick several times before determining if they will eat their whole meal.

Watch out little mouse, the cat is considered to be a super-sensory species that you might not stand a chance against!  With their night vision, radar-like ears, acute smell and those whiskers guiding them only gives them more power to POUNCE on you!  Their taste receptors will determine if you are worthy to eat or not!

Here are 5 Pet Food Secrets that Corporations are happy to keep to themselves.  These 5 secrets will give you an inside look on what you could be possibly feeding your pet that isn’t what you thought.  As a pet owner, I only want the best for my fur kids and even though our pet’s food has come a long ways over the past 40 years, it still has a long ways to go.  So I encourage you to do the same.

Secret #1 Understand the Ingredients Listed on your Pets Food

Are you thinking whole chicken and beef, fresh vegetable and grains are what you are feeding your pet, think again?  It could very well be cow brains, sheep guts, chicken heads, rancid grains and yes road kill.  Curious what byproducts are, here is a list of what they can be; when the slaughterhouse has selected their choice cuts of meat for human consumption, what is exactly done with everything else left from the cattle, swine, chicken, lamb and other animals?  Their bones, blood, pus, intestines, ligaments, fat, hooves, horns, beaks and many other parts is what commercial pet foods are calling a nutritionally balanced diet for our pets.  Beware of the word “Byproducts” in your pet’s food of ingredients.

Secret #2 Do You Understand the Difference Between Quality Pet Foods vs. Generic Pet Food

Read your labeling on your package under ingredients; do you see it say “Meat or Bone Meal” anywhere in those ingredients?  Buyer beware, you could be feeding your beloved pet euthanized dogs and cats (and that would include anything they were wearing such as; flea/tick collars or a plastic bag they were in), this could include road kill and expired packaged store meat too, would you eat any of that?  AAFCO (Associate of American Feed Control Officers) president has admitted that dead and euthanized pets have been used in making pet food.  The pet food companies that mass produce cheap and generic pet food are ecstatic to save millions of dollars by using euthanized pets, expired store meat  and road kill without disclosing exactly what they are using in their ingredients.  Instead they simply list it as “meat or bone meal” as an ingredient and it should read “Chicken Meat or Fish Meal” as an example of what to look for instead of no definition of what type of meat or bone meal they company is using.  The ingredients will need to be read thoroughly and carefully.  The higher quality and grade of food you purchase for your pet will help decrease the chances of your pet eating a euthanized pet or road kill.

Secret #3 Grains and Soy are NOT your pet’s best friend

Majority of grains are considered a filler such as; corn, wheat, soy, gluten all which are not healthy for your pet.  These types of grains have only one purpose to make your pet feel fuller.  These can be very difficult for your pet to digest.  Soy has been linked to cause bloat and gas in dogs and cats lack an essential amino acid needed to break down and digest soy.

Secret #4 Grease to Sweeten’ the Taste

Kitchen grease (from restaurants), lard, refined animal fat (house waste and supermarket trimmings from meat) and other oils that humans would not consume are used to entice our pets to eat their food.  This type of grease is sprayed onto our pet’s kibble.  Have you ever opened your pet’s bag of food and become overwhelmed with a strong overpowering odor, this is the grease being sprayed onto your pet’s food.  This can cause some serious health issues in your pets such as; diarrhea, gas, upset digestive tract and the most common bad breath.

Secret #5 Does your Vet Know Best?

Does your vet know best what type of food to feed your beloved fur kid?  Yes, they are a source to ask for recommendations; however, most veterinarians only acquire their knowledge about a pet’s nutrition through elective classes in their school.  Often the classes are taught by pet food company representatives and they are happy to donate their food brand to the students for their own pets use.   It is best to take those recommendations as just that and spend time doing your own homework and research.

My personal guideline is to stay away from any pet food that labels “meat or bone meal” (unless specified what type of meat or bone meal is being used), “by-products”, “corn syrup” and other words that you simply can’t pronounce under the ingredients portion of the packaging.  Brands that list the first 10 ingredients you can pronounce and understand is heading in the right direction.  Visit your local pet store and ask a manager for guidance and recommendations.  They are in the business of selling all types of brands and typically are not persuaded by pet food representatives to “push” a certain product.  I hope these secrets revealed will encourage you to purchase the best food possible for your pets.  Take the time that will be needed to research those brands you believe will be the best for your pets, the most important thing you can do is make an informed decision on your pet’s food.

In my last “Purebred Star” blog I talked about the “German Shepherd“.

This week: Yorkshire Terrier

My Training Experience:  I have had the pleasure of working with many Yorkie’s and yes, they are every bit adorable in person!  My saddest training experience is far too often my most common situation with this breed.  It is when parents get a Yorkie (keep in mind of their extremely small size) and have small children that are not taught properly how to handle and behave around their new Yorkie puppy.  I commonly see the Yorkie extremely nippy towards small kids and have experienced Yorkie’s getting injured due to small children dropping their puppy.  As a trainer, I highly recommend this little pocket size breed for a family with children of ages 11 and older only.  Training is a must with this little breed that can quickly fall into the “Small Dog Syndrome” category very fast, making them extremely unpleasant to be around.

Originates From:  Yorkshire, England is the origin of this pint-size but full of punch purebred which is best known as a Yorkie and is Number 3 on the 2011 Most Popular Dog Breed list!  Interesting Fact:  The Yorkshire Terrier was originally called the Broken-Haired Scotch Terrier, the breed was renamed in the late 18^th century and is a descendant of the Waterside terrier, Old English black and tan terrier, Paisley terrier and the Clydesdale terrier, however there is debate that the Maltese is one of their descendants.

Bred For:  The Yorkie was originally bred to catch rats in the clothing mills in Yorkshire but quickly became a little companion dog amongst dog fanciers alike.

Build: The Yorkie’s height is from 7-9 inches and can weigh about 3-7 pounds.  They are a very small and sometimes fragile breed if mishandled by young children.

Appearance:  Their coat is sometimes considered to be hypoallergenic (there is no such dog that doesn’t shed).  A hypoallergenic dog still dispels skin dander and saliva which is what causes human allergies to flare up, but their shedding of fur is almost non-existent except during brushing and grooming.  Their distinctive coat is long, silky and glossy with a part down the middle and hanging to the floor.  Typically they are groomed with a “Puppy Cut” which makes it more manageable to maintain the coat.  They are born with the colorings of black with tan points and gradually change over the years (sometimes 2-4 years) to a blue/tan color or a silver/cream color.  They have little erect ears which are V-shaped.

Personality: Yorkie’s are full of punch, meaning they have a zest for life!  They are scrappy, courageous and extremely assertive, making them sometimes difficult to train.  Training early on will help you and your Yorkie to understand the importance of hierarchy in your family dynamics.  They are full of spirit and are happy to take the lead of guarding their territory making them a very yappy dog.  With some early training the barking can be manageable but they will always be a “barker”, so think twice before getting a Yorkie if you prefer not to have a dog that barks a lot.   Because of their stubbornness, they are known to take up to 2 – 5 years to potty train, if you live in a colder climate area, it will be in your best interest to get your Yorkie pup in the Spring time making the potty training much more easier.

Activity Level:  Their activity level is moderate, which makes the Yorkie a perfect partner for those daily walks of 30 minutes.  Because they are active to a certain degree, it is important to have playtime and daily walks scheduled to keep your little Yorkie’s energy controlled and mentally happy!

Health Concerns: This breed has issues Dental (yearly dental cleanings will be a MUST for this fur kid), Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar), Legg-Perthes Disease (Top of the Femur, thigh bone, degenerates), Liver Shunts, Tracheal Collapse (weakening of the walls of the trachea) and Luxating Patellas.

Rescue First

This is a fun, energetic, full of attitude pint size purebred!  If that sounds like a match for you consider a Yorkshire Terrier as the dog to have.  However, reconsider if you have children younger than age 11 as they typically do not do well with younger kids.  They are an adventurous breed making them a great traveling buddy and will be happy to go with you in a moment’s notice.

Consider looking into a rescue organization for a purebred, there are many out there and this will give you the chance to “Save a Life” by adopting.  NEVER purchase any dog from a pet store, unfortunately, those puppies come from puppy mills, instead look for a reputable breeder to work with.

As for all animals, it is important to spay and neuter your puppy by 6 months old to have a healthy and happy pet for many years to come!

So let’s talk pet allergies…..the first thing to understand about pet allergies is how they are triggered.  Contrary to popular belief there is NO such thing as a Hypoallergenic dog, yes, let me repeat this, there is no such thing as a Hypoallergenic dog.  So before you drop thousands of dollars on a dog that a “breeder” is claiming to be Hypoallergenic and allergy-free, think twice before writing that check.

So what is the catch?  Different breeds can be much easier on allergy sufferers than others.  But it isn’t the shedding of the fur you need to worry about it is the skin dander.  That is why even a dog that doesn’t shed fur can trigger an allergy flare-up.  Just like humans, all animals shed an enourmous amount of skin dander throughout the day, which easily gets on furniture, bedding, clothes and the obvious our hands.  However, the more shedding of fur a dog has, the more the skin dander is prominent in those areas.

It is believed that certain breeds have genetic variations that help make their dander less prone to affect allergies in humans.  So when you are looking into a dog that is classified as a Hypoallergenic dog (NOTE:  NO DOG can be guaranteed Hypoallergenic or allergy-free), prior to purchasing that dog, spend time with the adult dogs of this breed for an hour or so.  A breeder’s home is full of the skin dander from their breed, this will also help you to find out if you have a bad reaction to this particular breed.  Puppies can take up to 6 months for their skin dander to build up, so if you have a reaction to the adult dog, you should reconsider purchasing that breed and continue looking.

How To Lessen The Allergy Problem?

I have done allergy shots (20 years), take daily (sometimes twice a day) antihistamines, nasal sprays, I am a TRUE clean freak, keeping up with regular pet grooming and bathing and I faithfully replace our furnace’s air filters 4 times a year and our house is all wood floors!  Does that sound a bit extreme?  Maybe, but it is all worth it to me and the joy I have sharing my life with our two cats and two dogs is well worth my time and money to be comfortable and breathe more easier when living with them.

A quick recap:

• No such thing as a Hypoallergenic or Allergy-Free Dog
• It isn’t the Shedding of Fur that is the issue, it is the Skin Dander
• Breeds to Consider that are thought to be better for allergy sufferers
  • American Hairless Terrier
  • Airedale Terrier
  • Basenji
  • Bedlington Terrier
  • Bergamasco
  • Bichon Frise
  • Bolognese
  • Border Terrier
  • Bouvier des Flandres
  • Cairn terrier
  • Cavachon
  • Chacy Ranior
  • Chinese Crested (Hairless)
  • Coton De Tulear
  • airless Khala
  • Havanese
  • Irish Water Spaniel
  • Kerry Blue Terrier
  • Lagotto Romagnolo
  • Lowchen
  • Maltese
  • Poodles (all sizes)
  • Native American Indian Dog
  • Peruvian Inca Orchid
  • Polish Owczarek Nizinny
  • Portuguese Water dog
  • Puli
  • Shih – Tzu
  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
  • Spanish Water Dog
  • Schnauzer (all sizes)
  • Tibetan Terrier
  • West Highland White Terrier
  • Wirehaired Fox Terrier
  • Xoloitzcuintle
  • Yorkshire Terrier

• Certain Designer Breeds To Consider
  • Cavachon (King Charles Cavalier/Bichon Frise)
  • Borkie (Bichon Frise/Yorkie)
  • Shichon (Bichon Frise /Shih-Tzu)
  • Poodle Mixes such as; Labradoodle (Labrador/Poodle), Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever/Poodle), Schnoodle (Schnauzer/Poodle), Shepadoodle (German Sheperd/Poodle), Maltipoo (Maltese/Poodle), Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel/Poodle)
  • Note About Designer Breeds; be selective and work closely with your breeder to make sure you have the desirable traits of the non-shedding breed

• Protection From Your Allergies
  • Allergy Shots
  • Antihistamine
  • Nasal Spray
  • Clean House (Vaccum and Dust Daily)
  • Keep Your Pet Groomed and Bathed
  • Quality Air Filters in Each Room (HEPA preferred)
  • Change your air filters regularly
  • Remove Carpeting and Upholstered Furniture
  • Wash Your Hands after petting an animal

Even with all the precautions you might take, some individuals are highly allergic to animals and therefore just can’t live with them.   According to the American College of Allergy, Ashtma & Immunology approximately 10 percent of Americans are considered allergic to animals.  So if you are in that 10 percent category like myself, I hope with the tips and breeds I provided will give you the opportunity to enjoy your years with a furry buddy that offers so much in return!

Best Friends!!!

I have never lived in a household with only one cat.  Growing up my childhood family always had two cats and currently we have two cats, Oliver and Casey.

So the question is, is it really better to have two cats or one?

Personally, I just feel there are too many good reasons to have two cats versus one, read on to find out what those are.

One or Two

First, if you are adopting your cat, why not save two?  The benefits and joy of saving two lives will definitely outweigh the extra toys, bedding, and food and yes the vet bill will be doubled, but cats are really inexpensive.  If you decide to adopt two adult cats, consider looking for a pair that has come into the rescue together, they will know each other and their comfort level with each other has already been established.  Of course, adopting kittens from the same litter is easy-breezy as they are already siblings, they will just naturally grow up being best buds!

Keeping Company

I have always thought that two cats are better than one just in the sense of keeping each other company.  Loneliness even for pets can be a difficult thing.  So making sure your fur buddies have each other for company and playmates are a wonderful thing for them.  If you work all day, your two kitties will be happy to keep each other company all day long.

Too Old To Take On a Youngin’?

Do you currently have one cat and are thinking about adding another?  First, consider your first cat’s age.  If your current cat is older and enjoying their quiet afternoons, this would not be a good time to introduce a young kitten that is rambunctious and full of energy.  Your older cat will resent your new addition and may not take kindly to the little bugger.  Instead consider adopting two kittens that can keep each other entertained and leave your “retired” kitty alone and happy.

One + One = Too Much Fun to Watch

Watching two kittens is just plan ol’ fun and entertaining.  As they roll and romp around the house chasing each other over and under furniture is truly quite entertaining.  It just doesn’t get any better than that!

Dinner Time

Two will be happy to share the same food which will help ward off picky eaters.  Feeding them the same type of food will help ensure a healthy balance for both kitties and ward off any bad behaviors of one kitty wanting what the other kitty is eating if it isn’t the same type of food.

Growing Old Together

Having two cats enjoying each other throughout the years is comforting.  They will be best friends, they will sleep together, play together, groom each other and yes every now and then they will even have a spat (Casey and Oliver have their spats and then quickly are best buddies again, never missing an opportunity to sleep in the same warm spot on my daughter’s bed together).  They will always have each other as they grow old together.

Watching Two Best Friends grow up together and truly enjoying each other’s company is the best thing you can give to your cats.  So in my humble opinion, Two Are Better Than One!

In my last “Purebred Star” blog I talked about the “Labrador Retriever“.

This week: German Shepherd

German Shepherd

Originates From:  Well the name says it all!  The German Shepherd is from Germany and is a herding breed.  Also known as Deutscher Schaferhund (literally meaning German Shepherd Dog) or GSD; the German Shepherd continues to soar in popularity!

Bred For:  The GSD is used mainly for herding and guarding sheep.  However, this breed is used for many other purposes such as; police and military use, guide dog, search and rescue, and a therapy dog.  Interesting Fact:  The German Shepherd is listed as NUMBER TWO as the most popular purebred of 2011 and has only been around since 1899!!!  Best known for its role on TV as Rin Tin Tin and its service in World War I, the breed’s popularity took off from there.

Build: The GSD height is from 22 – 26 inches and can weigh about 60 – 140 pounds.  They are a large and muscular dog and can be very powerful.

Appearance:  The large prick ears and black mask on their face is a strong physical feature of the GSD.  They come in a variety of colors but are best known for their tan/black or red/black markings.  The White GSD is sometimes considered a fault in the gene line and can be disqualified by some standards.  They have a double coat that sheds all year round, so daily brushings (sometimes a 2-3 times a day) will be required to help maintain their beautiful coat.

Personality: The GSD is extremely intelligent (ranked third most intelligent breed behind the Border Collie and Poodle) and highly trainable.  They are very self-confident, affectionate and playful with friends and family.  However, this breed can have difficulties accepting strangers but with proper early socialization with different people, they will learn to quickly warm up to them.  The GSD is fantastic with children and other animals!

Activity Level:  Their activity level is high, making them a breed that enjoys a good job outside.  This breed lives to “serve” people, so some type of “job” or competitive sportsmanship with the GSD will be required to keep them mentally healthy and happy!   A 30 minute walk twice to three times a day will be a must for this breed.  This will help prevent behavioral problems that can develop from boredom, therefore this breed does NOT make for a good apartment dweller or left home alone for many hours.  They enjoy being outdoors and will need access to a backyard on a regular basis.

My Training Experience:  I truly get overly excited when I get an opportunity to work with a German Shepherd.  Their intelligence soars off the marks for picking up on commands and hand signals.  They are not only a quick learner, but eager to learn and please you.  As a trainer, I have also seen the other side of the GSD when they are not worked with, trained or exercised properly, which can make this breed miserable to be around.  Not to their fault, they weren’t bred to lie around all day and be a couch potato, so they will be happy to entertain themselves and can be very destructive and aggressive if not properly socialized.  It saddens me when I meet a GSD that is narcotic (pacing back and forth) or has severe anxiety issues due to lack of mental stimulation and exercise.  I have thoroughly enjoyed working with a GSD and look forward to continue doing so.

Health Concerns: This breed has issues with Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, Epilepsy, Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (inability to properly digest food due to a lack of digestive enzymes made by the pancreas) and Bloat (an abundance of Air, Fluid or Foam in the stomach).

Rescue First

Germa Shepherd Puppies

Did you grow up watching Rin Tin Tin and long to have a GSD as part of your life?  The German Shepherd is a wonderful all-around active and loyal dog to have.  They truly can do it all!  If this breed sounds like a breed that would fit well into your family’s lifestyle, then start your search today.  They are a beautiful and regal purebred!  Just remember they require a lot of training and exercise.

Consider looking into a rescue organization for a purebred, there are many out there and this will give you the chance to “Save a Life” by adopting.  NEVER purchase any dog from a pet store, unfortunately, those puppies come from puppy mills, instead look for a reputable breeder to work with.

As for all animals, it is important to spay and neuter your puppy by 6 months old to have a healthy and happy pet for many years to come!

Although there are several disputes in the scientific world of the domesticated dogs relatives and gene pool, one thing remains for sure with the domestication; they are trainable and depend on us humans to survive.  It is agreed in the scientific world that our domesticated dogs descend from some type of wild dog listed below, but which one doesn’t really matter as our relationship, how we interact and work with them is what matters.

The Domesticated Dog is believed to come from one or more of the 6 different types of “wild” relatives listed below.  Let’s explore each one!

Wolf

The Wolf

The most common conception is that all dogs come from the wolf, not so, but the wolf does play a huge role in our current domesticated dog’s gene pool.   There are two types of wolves that dogs are thought to be derived from, the Gray and Red Wolf.  The Gray Wolf is the largest, sometimes averaging about 175 pounds.  Typically found in North America with their cousin the Red Wolf weighing up to 80 pounds but found in only two states; Tennessee and North Carolina.  Some arguments have been made that the Red Wolf is a coyote-wolf hybrid.

The Dingo

Dingo

The Dingo has been around for thousands of years and lives in Australia.    They are a wild dog that is thought to come from the Aboriginal people and are sometimes kept as pets by the natives.  They are different then their domesticated partner by having longer muzzles, larger molars and longer canine teeth.  They also have a very deep chested body for long-distance running.

Coyote

The Coyote

One of the most adaptable wild dogs and shares some of the same genus as the Gray Wolf and domesticated dog.  The Coyote is found from Alaska to Costa Rica and lives in every US state except Hawaii.  Known for their high pitch howl, they have 10 other distinct sounds they communicate with.  Small game is their preferred diet, however, they do hunt in packs for larger game such as; elk and deer.

The Fox

Fox

The Fox is considered one of the most distant related to the domesticated dog.  With over 21 species of the fox throughout the world, the most common known ones are; Red Fox, Gray Fox, Arctic Fox and the Bat-Eared Fox.  Foxes are lone hunters usually preferring small game, but they are happy to snack on wild fruits, berries and insects too.  They do live in groups and communicate by yapping, howling, barking and whimpering.

Jackal

The Jackal

Only four species of the Jackal exist; Side-Striped Jackal, Black or Silver – Backed Jackal, Golden Jackal and the rate Simien Jackal.  Typically found in Africa, however the Golden Jackal is from the Balkans to Burma.  The Jackals vocabulary consists of yips, growls and hisses to communicate.  Much of their behavior is very similar to the domesticated dog such as; using submissive to aggressive body language to communicate who’s in charge.  They are known best for being a scavenger but are a predator as well.  They are happy to clean up after a lion’s meal, so they are known to follow lions throughout Africa.

The Wild Dog

Wild Dog

Two endangered species holds this term; the African Wild Dog and the Dhole of Asia.  The African Wild Dog is almost extinct.  Both species are pack animals, living in groups of 8 – 15 dogs.  They hunt together and the African Wild Dog is one of few mammals that care for its old, sick and disabled pack members.  They average up to 70 pounds.

Although our domesticated dogs have descended from one of the “wild” dogs listed above, it remains without saying, “Dog is truly Man’s Best Friend”.

Our Casey Boy!

Toys

Yes, your furry feline will need toys and plenty of them to keep them happy and active.  Take a look at a previous blog of mine of what type of Eco-Friendly toys you can provide your fur kid!  Make sure to provide different textures, noises, and even size of toys to give them plenty of variety.  Don’t be afraid to switch up toys every few days to help keep them from getting bored with the same ol’ toys day after day.

Litter Box

Ok, so maybe this should have been my number one first bullet point of the “Must Haves”, but this really just goes without saying if you own a cat.  Your cat will need a litter box (check out a previous blog of mine on litterbox issues).  Size and cleanliness matters here!  The litterbox will need to be big for their whole body to fit in comfortably.  Keep with the same brand of kitty litter and absolutely put it in a private and quiet area for your cat to use.  They even like their privacy when taking care of business.

Scratching Post

In a previous blog of mine, I discuss the issue of whether to declaw or not.  If you decide that declawing is not an option for your kitty, you will definitely want a scratching post (or two) in your home.  This is a great way for your kitty to “sharpen” their claws (so they think), it actually helps to induce shedding of the layers of their claws, keeping them short, dull and healthy.  You will need to train your cat this is where they scratch instead of your furniture.  The scratching post is a great way for your cat to exercise, stretch and relieve stress.

Grooming Tools

Our Oliver Boy!

Unless you have a hairless cat, brushing will be an essential part of your relationship with your cat.  It helps to reduce shedding and ensures to control matting of their fur, as well as prevent furballs from developing.  Brushing your cat is a nice way to bond with them, both Casey and Oliver (our cats) LOVE to be brushed, they just roll around, purr loudly and rub along us as we brush them!

Cat Nip/Grass

Yes, even your indoor cat will enjoy having a little bit of their own cat nip or grass to eat.  Eating the special formulated cat grass can actually help get rid of furballs, ease upset tummy’s and relieve any throat inflammation.  Go to your local pet store to find a healthy cat grass to grow that your cat will definitely LOVE and appreciate.  Providing this extra bonus in their indoor home will certainly guarantee extra purrs throughout the day from your kitty!

I hope these Five “Must Haves” will give your cat everything they need to ensure they are happy and healthy feline’s forever!

Today, we are going to discuss one of the most serious issues that some owners of a cat experience; when your cat is no longer using their litter box, what can you do?……..

Visit your Vet Immediately

Visit your Vet immediately to rule out any medical issues, this is your FIRST step in finding out what is going on and why.  The number 1 issue in potty problem is usually medical such as; a UTI – Urinary Tract infection, kidney problems, diabetes.  Your Vet will want to do a blood test and take a sample of your cat’s urine (which they can get this) to rule out any medical issues.

Have a kitten?

It is very important that you train your kitten to use their litter box, don’t give your kitten run of the house for a few days after bringing them home.  Put your kitten in their litter box and take their two front paws and make a “scratching motion” in the litter.  This teaches kitten this is their spot to go to for potty business.  Repeat this a few times throughout their first day living with you, kitten will learn to do on their own after that

Is your Kitty Spayed or Neutered

I have said it before and will say it again, if your kitty is NOT, get them spayed or neutered immediately!  They are most likely marking their territory (females can mark too).  This will make a huge difference, but not necessary eliminate the problem due to the scent in your carpet or furniture.  It is important to remove the scent so your cat won’t be attracted to continue pottying in that area.  Here are some tips on how to do that;

• Visit a local pet store or ask your Vet to see what type of product will help remove those scents
  • Just because you can’t smell it, doesn’t mean your cat can’t, so it is important that you use a product that lifts the scent out besides cleaning the area
  • NEVER use ammonia, this attracts your kitty to that spot to pee again
  • NEVER rub your cat’s nose in it or spank your cat, this can heighten their anxiety and therefore they will be afraid and could possibly pick a different area to pee, not out of spite, but out of stress
• Place aluminum foil down in the areas your cat is marking, they don’t like the feel or it splashing back at them if they decide to go in that same spot

Absolutely NEVER punish your Kitty for peeing outside of their box

They can feel lonely or neglected, so if you have to travel or leave your house for more than 10 hours make arrangements.  Have a good friend or neighbor that will drop by and check on your kitty and just give them some added attention.  They may pee or poo outside of the box while you are away due to stress and anxiety.  Remember your cat does NOT “get even” or “mad” and pee outside of their litter box out of “spite”.

Tips on the Litter Box

Are you cleaning their litter box daily (sometimes 2x per day is needed), but one DAILY cleaning is a MUST.  Cat’s LOVE clean litter boxes, having one litter box per cat in your household and on every floor of the house is very helpful too.

Make sure it is not located near a high traffic area or by a loud machine (such as a washing machine).  If you have a dog, make sure your dog does NOT have access to the litter box, your cat needs their privacy and to not be interrupted when taking care of their potty business.  Adding a new fur bundle (puppy or another kitten) can cause stress to your cat as well, so keep this in mind as well.

Don’t change location of your cat’s litter box around the house; it is always best to keep it in one designated area.  Have you changed her litter to a different brand?  Don’t switch your cat’s litter from one brand to another, cats like consistency in their litter, same feel, same scent, and same brand.

If your cat is having potty issues outside of their litter box, remember to visit your vet immediately to rule out any medical issues.  I want to reassure you that your kitty is NOT being naughty, there is a reason behind this behavioral problem, whether medical, stress or a change in their environment.  So be diligent in finding out what can be causing this new behavioral problem.