My Pet Resolutions

by Steve Dale

I wrote an entire feature on my hopes and dreams for pets for 2010. Here are six highlights:

1. Stop the hollering.

A charismatic TV dog trainer says he "whispers" to dogs, when he, in fact, trains with intimidation. It's about time we return to motivating our dogs by rewarding them for behavior we like, rather than using bullying as a training technique. Motivation is not only a significantly more effective way to train but it's also more humane.

2. Pet insurance may be your best investment to protect your pet.

If something traumatic happens -- from cancer to your pet being hit be a car -- sharing the expense means that it's more likely you'll be able to afford treatment. Even routine pet care is covered by most policies. Along the same lines, twice-a-year veterinary exams are good medicine, as preventative medicine always is, and also a good investment.

3. Scoop the Poop!

Sometimes I think, 'no wonder non-dog owners get ticked off.' I'm not too pleased either when I step in it. It's rude not to pick up, and unhealthy for our dogs since poo can transmit parasites.

4. Pro Choice:

I'm a huge proponent of spay/neuter, however I'm adamantly against government mandates to spay/neuter. Mandated spay/neuter doesn't work and creates a long list of unintended consequences which are not in the best interest of pets. Besides, personal decisions should remain between veterinarians and clients. I believe there's too little space in those cramped vet exam rooms for the long-arm of government.

5. If your resolution is to lose weight, also consider your 4-legged household members.

No offense, but based on statistics, odds are your pet is a tad tubby, too. Being overweight is a health risk to pets and also impacts their quality of life.

6. There isn't an animal shelter in America that can't use help, so consider volunteering.

Tasks range from office work (for example, if your skill is marketing, perhaps you can help write press releases) to walking dogs and socializing cats.

[Read My complete wish-list for pets]

Q: Do you think it's a worthy resolution for 2010 to bring my 14-year-old and 12-year-old indoor-outdoor cats inside only? - S.C., Cyberspace.

A: You know I do! I think nearly all cats should be indoors only. And that's even more true for senior kitties. Unable to move as quickly away from cars or predators, older cats are at most risk. As they age, cats are like people; they sometimes forget things, including how to get home. I'm confident your resolution will extend the life spans of your cats.

Q: We have a 14-1/2-year old Peek-a-Poo who's very healthy, except for the last two months, when she's been gnawing the paint off our bedroom walls. She eats well, though she didn't seem as interested in one brand so we began to feed her another. Any advice? -- B.W., Ocala, FL

A: Whenever there's a sudden change in a pet's behavior, particular a senior pet, consider that something medical is going on. Dr. Nicholas Dodman, director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tuft's University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, says, "Your pet's behavior may be a form of pica (eating inedible inappropriate objects). But for a dog who never had pica before, I would think, 'why now?" Dodman suggests one possibility could be a brain tumor.

Dodman, author of "The Well-Adjusted Dog: Dr. Dodman's 7 Steps to Lifelong Health and Happiness for Your Best Friend" (Houghton Mifflin Co, New York/Boston, 2008; $24), suggests your dog might be eating paint because it contains lead, which many dogs find appealing. He says, "Perhaps, some paint chipped and the dog stumbled upon it. The dog likes the taste and has continued to eat it. Of course, this is would be an enormous problem. Leaded paint, over time, can cause seizures even induce a coma. Perhaps, having the blood lead levels checked would be a good idea."

Dodman adds that eating inedible objects isn't a classic symptom of canine cognitive dysfunction (or canine Alzheimer's disease) but it is still another rule-out for your vet to consider.

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My Pet Resolutions

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