Anyone living with a baby or toddler knows to be vigilant about household safety hazards and takes steps to keep children safe. But as a dog owner, do you take the same care to protect your pets from common household objects? Try to see your environment from your dog’s point of view and determine what looks like a tempting plaything or snack. These everyday items may seem innocent, but they can pose a threat to your pet.
Wires and cords: Do you have a nest of cords dangling from your computer or TV and related devices? That can look like a mighty tempting plaything to a dog. And if you have a puppy or a dog that chews, he could be burned or suffer electric shock from chewing on those wires. Use a cord cover or bundle wires together with wire ties to make them less interesting to the dog. Cords dangling from a lamp or small appliance may look like ideal tug toys, and before you know it, your favorite reading light is in pieces on the floor. Try to block your dog’s access or secure wires along the wall or floor.
Cleaning products: You wouldn’t leave these out for kids; don’t leave them out for your dog, either. If they’re in an easily opened lower cabinet, try a children’s safety latch or move these products to a higher shelf. And pay attention when you’re using cleansers, whether you’re using a bucket of soapsuds for cleaning or you are mopping the floor. A curious dog may think this looks like a delicious drink.
Garbage cans: Dogs love garbage; it smells delicious and is full of yummy treats. Your trash may be filled with rotting food, chemically treated items, cleansers, sharp items, and other potential hazards. If your dog is one of those clever animals that can overturn a can or nudge open the lid, keep garbage in a closed cabinet or use a can with a locking lid. That way you will avoid coming home to a trash-strewn kitchen, and you’ll be protecting your dog from ingesting something harmful.
Small choking hazards: This could be anything: jewelry left on the nightstand, a needle and thread on the coffee table, paper clips, craft supplies, or children’s toys on the floor. These may seem like perfectly harmless everyday objects, until your curious or bored dog decides they’ll make an exotic new snack.
Open windows: Before you say we’ve gone too far, think of your dog gazing out of a wide-open, unscreened window when another dog walks by or his favorite mailman passes. That window can be an open invitation to make an escape. Be especially mindful of second-story windows, which should be closed or screened.
Nicotine: An ashtray filled with cigarette butts or a pack of cigarettes left on a table can be pure poison for your dog. Nicotine is a rapid-acting toxin that, in extreme cases, causes cardiac arrest.
Chocolate: Delicious, irresistible, and almost guaranteed to cause a trip to the vet. Don’t leave your candy bar, brownie, piece of lava cake, or any chocolate anywhere your dog can get to it.
Medication: If you’re in the habit of laying out a daily dose of pills or any other medication, it might be a habit you should break. Colorful capsules or a handful of little pills left on a nightstand, for example, can be very tempting to a dog. And be sure to keep your pill containers tucked safely away in a cabinet or drawer that is out of reach for inquisitive pups.
Houseplants: Who doesn’t love a little greenery in the house? While many houseplants are perfectly benign, some are toxic to dogs and should be either removed or placed well out of reach. These are just a few of the plants known to be poisonous for dogs: Dieffenbachia (commonly called Dumb Cane) Cyclamen Jade Plant Aloe Plant — despite all of its helpful properties when used topically, eating it will cause vomiting. Kalanchoe (commonly called Mother-in-Law Plant) Amaryllis — as pretty as it is, it’s poisonous to dogs. Learn more about houseplants that could be harmful to pets. You may be thinking that your dog would never be in danger from anything around the house, and you might be right; some dogs are less curious or adventurous, or have been well trained in what they can and cannot have. But many other dogs, especially puppies, will find these common household objects fascinating. And then there are the dogs with that mischievous glint in their eye that means anything within reach is fair game. In general, it’s best not to leave your beloved pet open to temptation. chihuahua looking at food None of this is to say that everything in your house needs to be on permanent lockdown or that you must exercise extreme vigilance in everything you do. But a little common sense and self-awareness can go a long way toward protecting your dog from the dangers of these everyday household items.
A bear had to have his tongue removed after it became swollen and weighed almost 7 pounds and dragged along the ground. Nyan htoo and his brother were rescued as cubs by monks in Myanmar after being taken from their mother so they could be sold illegally. However after their rescue, it soon became clear the bear was suffering from an unknown disease, which caused his tongue to become enlarged. Vets operated on Nyan htoo in 2016 in an attempt to save his tongue by removing the excess tissue, but the swelling returned and worsened over time. By June the disease was badly affecting Nyan htoo's quality of life, so vets reluctantly decided to amputate. Veterinary surgeon Heather Bacon, from the University of Edinburgh's Royal School of Veterinary Studies, worked with Caroline Nelson, a veterinary nurse at the Animals Asia Bear Rescue Centre in Vietnam to perform the procedure in Myanmar. They were joined by another vet, Romain Pizzi, from Wildlife Surgery International, and removed almost 7lbs of tissue in an operation that lasted four hours. Ms Bacon said: “This was an opportunity for us to use our veterinary and animal welfare expertise to make a significant difference for a bear and the people who care for him.” The veterinary team now believe the swelling may have been caused by a mosquito-transmitted infection called elephantiasis, a condition that is common in people in Myanmar but has never been reported in bears.
You might not normally think of squirrels as beautiful. They are usually grey or brown, and they are rodents, after all. But that’s because you likely haven’t seen the Malabar giant squirrel, also known as the Indian giant squirrel. These critters can be 36 inches long, which is more than double the size of the grey squirrels you are likely to see in the U.S. But most impressively, Malabar giant squirrels have beautiful, multicolored fur, including shades of black, brown, orange, maroon and purple. Indian giant squirrels mostly live in eastern or southern India, and can be difficult to spot due to their camouflage and the fact that they tend to hop from tree to tree. According to a 2007 study in the journal Ecoscience, they have been known to hoard seeds in nests they build in the treetops. John Koprowski, professor and associate director at the School of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Arizona, is a squirrel expert. He first saw a Malabar giant squirrel during a trip to India in 2006. “In the shaded understory of a dense forest, the patchy colors and dark hues are a great adaptation to avoiding detection,” Koprowski told The Dodo. “But when you see these in the sunlight, they show their ‘true colors’ and beautiful pelage [fur].” This species is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature‘s designated list of least concern, meaning they are not in imminent danger of going extinct, but their population has been in decline nonetheless due to the destruction of their forest habitat. Protection laws would help them thrive in the future. Their beautiful colors are so eye-catching that last year, the squirrels became inspiration for people seeking new hues to dye their hair after one was photographed in the Anchankovil forest in Kerala. We can totally see why these creatures are so inspiring! It would appear that these giant squirrels aren’t too afraid of humans, either. Check out this video footage of one enjoying a cookie:
The Benefits of Keeping Praying Mantis as Pets Firstly, praying mantis are absolutely fascinating to watch. While they may lie motionless for hours on end, this is all part of a ruse; quite simply this is how mantis hunt. In nature, they hide in flowers and bushes, waiting for an unsuspecting insect to wander past unawares. At this point the mantis lashes out, grabbing the prey item with their spiky front legs. Their dinner is then secure. In the home, feeding your praying mantis can be a thoroughly absorbing, if somewhat nerve-wracking, experience. For such an aggressive hunter, mantis can be strangely docile with their owners. A further benefit of praying mantis as pets therefore is that they can generally be handled quite safely. In general, a praying mantis will happily walk from hand to hand. Incase you’re wondering right now they’re also highly unlikely to try and take a chunk out of your finger. The only proviso here is that the adults develop wings so they are capable of flying away if you annoy them. In other words, while you can safely handle youngsters, when it comes to holding the adults, try to ensure your windows are closed to avoid escapees. Lastly, keeping praying mantis as pets gives you an opportunity to enter another world. Keeping a praying mantis can be rather like having your own zoo; you get to watch your pet growing up, hunting, changing its skin, and reaching maturity. If you’re lucky, you’ll even have an opportunity to breed these fascinating insects and watch the whole circle of life completed. For those who enjoy watching all the activity and life in a fish tank, praying mantis can be equally fascinating. Luckily, with a few simple bits of equipment and a little practise, praying mantis are also quite easy to keep as pets. This can make them even more tempting captives. To read more on this story, click here:Keeping Praying Mantis as Pets: The Beginners Guide
The Shih Tzu (pronounced Shid Zoo in singular and plural), is undoubtedly one of the world’s oldest dog breeds. The Shih Tzu is often referred to as a "small lion." They originated in Tibet, but are most associated with China where they were highly revered as a palace pet and prized companion. The Shih Tzu is an active, happy, and affectionate breed. A compact and solid dog, the Shih Tzu’s long, flowing double coat is its most distinctive feature. The word Shih Tzu means "lion" and although this dog is sweet and playful, they are not afraid to stand up for themselves! Temperament: Shih Tzu love to strut around the house with their head held high and tail wagging! They strut like they own the place! Most have an outgoing, happy, friendly personality! Shih Tzu tend to get a little bossy as they reach the adult age, and quiet down when they get to be seniors. They love to be spoiled at all ages! Human Companions: The ideal companion for the Shih Tzu would be singles, seniors, families with older children. Though good family dogs, Shih Tzu are not especially good with very young children. They cannot be handled roughly or awkwardly and tend to get snappish when their patience wears thin. Size: Shih Tzu usually weigh between 9 and 16 pounds full grown, and measure between 10 – 11 inches in height. Colors: Shih Tzu come in a rainbow of colors. They are Liver and white, cream, black, brindle and white, solid blue (rare), solid brindle, gold and white, black and white, solid white, solid red, red and white, solid silver, silver and white. The Body: The Shih Tzu body is slightly longer than tall, its legs straight and muscular, and its feet firm and well-padded.The head is round, broad, and wide between the eyes, and in balance with the rest of the dog. The dark eyes are large and round; the ears are natural and heavily feathered; the muzzle is square, short and unwrinkled, and flat; lips and chin should neither protrude nor recede. The jaw is undershot, the incisors of the lower jaw overlap the incisors of the upper jaw. The Coat: The coat is long and flowing and generally grows in an upward direction from his nose, which is why you’ll often see him with his fur tied on top of his head. The growth of his fur in all directions from his face has earned him the nickname “chrysanthemum-faced dog.” Most show dogs have the long flowing coat, however, most pet owners like to keep the hair cut short. Health: Basically healthy, the Shih Tzu is subject to a kidney disease called renal dysplasia, and to slipped stifles or kneecaps. His slightly protruding eyes are prone to injury, and his short muzzle often produces slight wheezing problems.
You can live harmoniously alongside your cat with claws and still maintain nice furniture by understanding a bit more about your cat’s natural behaviors, and enriching your home with items your cat can scratch. Let’s learn more about your cat’s amazing body. Why Do Cats Have Claws? Your domestic cat has maintained their instincts of their wild ancestors. Cats’ claws are physically unique and serve several functions. The forelimb claws are retractable and allow her to expose or retract her nails as needed. To read more on this story, click here:Living with a Clawed Cat
The world was struck with grief once again when the beloved gorilla, Koko, passed away at the age of 46. Koko's ability to use sign language to communicate with people warmed the hearts of millions worldwide. She even became best friends with Robin Williams, and felt tremendous grief after learning about his tragic death in 2014. It wasn't just Koko's ability to learn American Sign Language that stunned the world, it was her empathetic personality and worldview that everyone found to be so fascinating. As Koko got better at communicating, thanks to the efforts of animal psychologist Francine "Penny" Patterson, many people wondered, "What could ape say to mankind?" The former San Francisco Zoo resident actually had a lot of important things to say. Gorillas may not be smarter than humans, but we sure could learn a lot from them. A few years before Koko passed away, she shared an important message to humankind that needs to be heard now more than ever. For the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, Koko had an important message for world leaders. "I am gorilla. I am flowers, animals. I am nature," she began signing in front of a dark background. "Man Koko love. Earth Koko love," she continued. "But man stupid, stupid! Koko sorry. Koko cry. Time hurry." Then she looked down in deep thought, before finishing off her message. "Fix Earth. Help Earth. Hurry! Protect Earth. Nature see you. Thank you." As much as many people would like to deny the existence of climate change, it's only doing a disservice to the world by thinking that the burning of fossil fuels and the destruction of the environment is not making a negative impact on the world. As Koko said, she's part of nature, and so are we. It's humankind that has a powerful impact on this world, and it's up to us to change the world for the better. You may be interested in reading: Heartbreaking Tributes Pour in After Famous Gorilla who 'Captivated the World' Dies at 46. Koko, The Famous Gorilla Who Learned Sign Language, to Be Laid to Rest at Animal Sanctuary.
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A Chicago Police dog led investigators to more than $10 million worth of pot after a traffic stop Thursday evening in south suburban Midlothian. The CPD Bureau of Organized Crime stopped a pickup truck pulling a trailer at 6:57 p.m. Thursday in the 14200 block of Menard Avenue in Midlothian, police said. During the stop, a police dog detected the scent of pot. A search of the truck and trailer turned up more than 1,500 pounds of marijuana and other THC products with an estimated street value of more than $10 million, police said. The driver, 42-year-old Jason Z. Tanner of Lakehead, California, was arrested and charged with a felony count of possession of more than 5,000 grams of cannabis. The stop was part of an investigation into drug trafficking, and the drugs were thought to be on their way to Chicago from California, police said. Tanner appeared in bond court on Friday and his bail amount was set at $50,000, according to police and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. He is being held at the Cook County Jail and his next court date was scheduled for July 10.
We’ve all heard the story of a cat who was sick or old and one day just vanished. This has lead many people to believe that cats will go away to die on their own. But is this true? Not all cats will hide when they are dying. We have sadly had enough cats who have died to see this ourselves. They have tended to stick close by when they are dying, spending large amounts of time sleeping. Cats are individuals and may have different preferences when it comes to how they handle being sick. Some will seek out the company of their human companions or pets, others prefer to be alone in a quiet place. Do cats know they are dying? According to Desmond Morris in his book Cat World – A Feline Encyclopedia, cats have an advantage over humans in regards to death, they don’t actually know what death is. They go away and hide because they are sick and feeling vulnerable. This makes perfect sense from an evolutionary point of view. It’s a cruel world out there and cats have larger predators who seek out the weak and the vulnerable as they are easier targets. This also explains why cats can be quite seriously ill before obvious signs appear. They are hardwired to hide signs of sickness and weakness making them vulnerable to predators. It is for this reason that pregnant cats will seek a quiet and often out of the way spot to give birth and care for her young kittens. She, as well as her babies, are vulnerable at this stage in their lives and want to remain hidden from any potential dangers. And finally, cats hide when they are dying is that they simply want to be alone. A sick cat isn’t feeling well and prefers to be somewhere quiet and dark so they can sleep in peace. I know when I’m sick I just want to be left on my own to wallow! To read more on this story, click here:Why Do Cats Go Away to Die?
Over the weekend, Dallas Police found itself dealing with one of its stranger cases in recent memory, when a 47-year-old woman fatally shot her husband in defense of the family cat. The scene unfolded on Saturday morning, but confessed-shooter-and-sole-survivor, Mary Harrison, says that incident stems from her deceased husband’s repeated abuse of a beloved family pet. The victim, Dexter Harrison, allegedly beat the poor animal repeatedly, so much so that it finally ran away. Worried sick, Mary plastered their Dallas neighborhood with “missing pet” pictures, and a well-meaning neighbor ultimately located the animal. Unfortunately, Dexter resumed his abuse as soon as the cat was returned home, which led his frustrated wife to finally shoot him in an effort to stop the abuse. Nor is this the first cat-related shooting that’s happened in Texas. In 2013, a different woman shot her husband for threatening to throw her cat over the fence. Unfortunately, Dexter died of his injuries on the way to the hospital and Mary is currently being held at Dallas County Jail on charges of murder. Meanwhile, social media remains typically divided. Many people, including a neighbor, are accusing Mary of overreacting by prioritizing the animal’s life over that of her husband’s. Others, including advocates who have set up a Gofundme page to cover Mary’s legal expenses, concur that she was acting valiantly on behalf of an animal in need.
Eight-year-old Maisy, had not been feeling well. After she underwent a CT scan that showed a mass on her spleen, her veterinarians and owners feared the worst. They thought Maisy might have had cancer, but surgery revealed something entirely different. The surgeon discovered four teddy bears in the dog’s stomach. “It’s fair to say this was not something we were expecting to find!” Nick Blackburn, a veterinarian surgeon at Paragon Veterinary Referrals who carried out the operation, said in a press release. “We all know certain dogs enjoy chewing things they shouldn’t, but managing to devour four full teddy bears is quite a feat.” Maisy’s owners, James and Jane Dickinson, were shocked, as they had never known their beloved pet to even chew on, let alone eat, stuffed toys. “When Maisy went in, I did think ‘is she coming out?’ but she is loving life now — it’s like she’s got her youth back,” Jane said. “The toys weren’t even hers! She will steal the chihuahuas’ toys and play with them but I’ve never seen her trying to chew them. Her eating habits had been completely normal.” Luckily, Maisy has made a full recovery, shows no sign of cancer and is back to her old self. Hopefully the chihuahuas, Mabel and Guinness, whose toys she snacked on, have since forgiven her. Here are a few of the soft toys found in Maisy’s stomach:
If you believe your dog has ingested a foreign object like a toy, it’s important to take her to the vet or 24-hour emergency animal clinic as soon as possible. Some symptoms to watch out for include signs of intestinal or digestive discomfort such as vomiting or diarrhea, lethargy and changes in behavior. This is definitely a situation that you should leave to the authorities. “Owners should not wait to see if the object will pass on its own. Do not try to induce vomiting without a veterinarian’s okay, as there are some foreign bodies that can cause just as much harm coming back out,” veterinarian Sharin Brown told Cesar’s Way.
Tick season is upon us, and these bloodsucking pests are showing up all over the place. Tick prevention should be taken seriously, and not just because these arachnids make many people squeamish — ticks actually carry quite a few deadly diseases. Some of these diseases are lifelong, with no cure, so being diligent in checking for and removing ticks is important. As always, talk with your veterinarian before using any medication geared toward preventing ticks. But if you’re going to do some searching for ticks on your dog yourself, here are some places you may forget to look. 1. Inside of Ears Ticks sit themselves on tall grasses and shrubs, waiting for your dog to walk by, so they can attach themselves to him. Dogs are often curious creatures, sticking their heads into everything, so it’s not uncommon for ticks to find their way into a dog's ears. Since most ticks start out very small, it can be difficult to spot them when they first climb onto your dog. With so many crevices and hiding places, the ears make a perfect home for a hungry tick. When checking your dog, make sure to look deep into the ear, because the ticks can get attached and go unnoticed for a long time. If your dog is shaking and scratching at his ear, it’s a sure sign that something is off, and you’ll want to take a look. To read more on this story, click here:6 Places to Look for Ticks on Your Dog
Cats can get sick all the time with many of the same ailments as pet parents. However, symptoms for cats can be much different than they are for humans. Our cat symptom checker is a great way to figure out what may be wrong with your feline friend. When cats become sick, they can’t tell us with words. Instead, cat parents need to be vigilant, keeping an eye out for any symptoms that could point to illness. It also helps to stay ahead of the curve by giving them preventative medication like Advantage Multi for cats. This useful chart breaks down cat symptoms by area of the body, then tells you what each symptom could mean. Our cat symptom checker is a good place to get started identifying what could be wrong with your cat, but always contact your veterinarian for final diagnosis and treatment solutions. To read more on this story, click here:Cat Symptom Checker: Match Your Cat’s Symptoms to Health Conditions
A family planning on spending a leisurely hot day in their swimming pool encountered a surprise before ever hitting the water. When the family in Buckeye, Ariz., grabbed their pool noodles, an adult rattlesnake popped out of one of the recreational floatation devices, according to City of Buckeye Fire Department. "The snake did not attack, but was concerned about the pool noodles," the fire department posted on its Facebook page, "as there were a couple of young rattlesnakes who were still inside." To read more on this story, click here:A family Going for a Swim Grabs a Pool Noodle - Rattlesnakes Were Living Inside, Fire Dept. Says
