Animals Unfolded

Creating an environment for pets that is low-stress and calm is a goal of pet owners and those who work with pets.  Shelters are, by and large stressful places or dogs, and though shelter staff do what they can to facilitate an enriching and nurturing environment, it can be challenging. Now it seems that they might have one trick up their sleeve to make it easier.  Researchers from Hartpury Animal Behavior College, UK wanted to see how classical music, pop music and music from Through a Dog's Ear stacked up against an audiobook – Michael York's reading of C.S. Lewis' The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.  The data from using the audiobook was favorable: the dogs barked and vocalized less, exhibited more calm behaviors and they rested and slept more than when music was played. Click here to read the study, which was led by Clarissa Brayley and Tamara Montrose. This builds on what's been discovered about the use of classical music in kennels. ...

Though it's not been the case so much the season so far, Michigan is no stranger to snow. Despite the fact that many dogs really love the white stuff, clients and readers often lament about their small and toy breed dogs – and yes, puppies – who refuse to go outside and get business done in the winter. It's not that uncommon, and you can't blame the pets for feeling the way they do. Frustrated humans who are unable to convince their furry friends to get busy if it has snowed in many cases resort to using absorbent potty pads indoors. This isn't a terrible option, but understandably with puppies, wanting to stay on track with good outdoor habits that have been established is key.  One way to keep the momentum going is with with help of something you likely have in your shed or garage: a tarp. Before the next snowfall, simply lay out a tarp in a grassy area of your yard that your pooch prefers (ideally by the door). When it's time to go out, pull back the t...

Having lots of hands-on experience with exotic birds, I can tell you they're not only a lot of fun to spend time with, but require a lot of your time and diligence, just like any other pet. Whether you're talking about parrots, cockatoos, macaws – even parakeets – being able to keep track of how they're feeling and cleaning up after them easily is a must. (Yes, they're all messier than you'd think!) As a caregiver, this is especially important. Having that well in hand enables me to spend more time with them doing equally important things, like creating foraging toys for them, preparing fresh meals and interacting. Enclosures vary from bird to bird, and that has a lot to do with affordability, and the size of the animal. One thing that they all have in common is that there is some sort of tray on the bottom to catch droppings and of course the food that invariably makes its way down, which is covered with some sort of substrate.  There are many cho...

Each year, the AKC recognizes new dog breeds for inclusion in the organization. Joining the existing 187 breeds are two more: the American hairless terrier, and a breed developed in North Africa – the sloughi (pronounced SLOO-ghee). Originally bred to hunt vermin, the American hairless terrier is small and moderately active, and as you guessed it, hairless (or at least bears a very short coat). For that reason they need minimal grooming and are said to be ideal for those with allergies. Flickr photo of an American hairless terrier by Mace Ojala Excelling in events like agility and obedience, this breed typically stands 12" to 16" at the shoulder. With an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years they do very well in apartment and city living.  The sloughi, also known as the Arabian greyhound, is a graceful breed. Medium to large in size (26 to 29 inches at the withers for males and 24 to 27 inches for females), they were first used to hunt game: wild pigs, gazelle...

A few months ago, a client updated her cat's medical information  for my files, as he had been recently diagnosed with hyperthyroidism . Two of her three cats now have the condition.  "Have you ever heard any theories on hyperthyroidism in cats, in particular when there is a herd diagnosis?" she said. "The veterinarian mentioned to me that there has been some research on this, but they can't determine the cause." I found this curious myself, because I've seen an uptick in cases with my charges over the past few years (typically older cats) and I know that the overall rate amongst felines is increasing.  The condition occurs when there's an increase in production of thyroid hormones from thyroid glands, which are located in the neck. Characterized subtly at first, symptoms can include weight loss, increased appetite, increased thirst and resulting frequent urination, among other tell-tale signs. Treatment is crucial (luckily, transd...

I'm no stranger to barking dogs . In fact, I revel in being able to understand the joy that they may be expressing to me when we're spending time together – or whatever message they are conveying. Communication is important between my charges and I. I think most people, dog lovers or not, will agree that gratuitous barking is frowned upon. When barking extends beyond being what one would deem to be warranted, it just causes strife.  It seems important to point out that a dog's barking is never chargeless – there's always a point to it, though it may not seem like it. As I said before, it's a form of communication. I think it's safe to assert that most of us have been in a position of living within earshot of a dog that barks constantly. I know I have more than once.  What I'm writing, I get to work from home, which is great. But not so much when there is a neighbor dog just a few steps away who frantically voices her displeasure of regularly bei...

Those who know me are aware of my enthusiasm for travel, and it's something I take the opportunity to do whenever I can. In fact as I write this, I'm aboard a flight to warmer climes. No matter if I'm visiting a locale near or far, traveling is a great way to engage with others. Invariably, I'll find myself in conversation with other visitors about our respected travels, where "home" is, etc. I most often travel solo, which piques people's curiosity when they realize that I don't have friends or family that I'm waiting on or need to consult before heading to the next activity. It's never too long before someone asks about what I do for a living (something that is more common amongst Americans than those in other cultures) – something I try avoid letting out of the bag completely, as the topic then gets stuck solely on pets, animal behavior or "I've noticed my dog is doing this or that, how do I get them to stop?".  I often...