Animals Unfolded

With the warmer weather making its way to much of the country faster than you think, it brings uninvited guests with it. Those who share life with birds can relate to the increase in indoor pests with the weather changes, but one culprit is at the heart of attracting insects: our feathered friend's penchant for not only enjoying their fresh food — which often includes vegetables, fruits and eggs — but flinging it about enthusiastically as they dine.  Getting things cleaned up after chow time is certainly helpful in preventing an infestation, though doing so isn't always possible, as birds aren't always in the mood to eat right away when they're given a meal.  The good news is that getting things under control can be a lot easier — and safer — than one might think. Birds are a sensitive species, and when it comes to any product, chemical or ingredient that is effective in keeping pests at bay, being choosy is essential. Fortunately, there are some safe altern...

I spend much of my day bent over or crouched down to wipe the wet or muddy paws of any number of dogs, or to check them for ticks or burrs after an outdoor adventure. Minor injuries aren't that uncommon either, so tending to those is a necessity.  I need to exercise caution, as having my face eye-level with a dog's — their teeth, more specifically — could land me in a dangerous situation.  It's not that the dogs that I'm with each day aren't behaviorally sound. Touching a pet can reveal a sensitive or painful area, or might startle them. I've previously written about how I stay safe while performing tasks like checking for ticks or having a look at why a pooch has a sudden limp, and the tips that I offer are equally valuable for pet owners too.  Lately, my 15-year-old St. Bernard/Shepherd mix, Gretchen, has needed a little more consideration than in recent months, as her arthritis makes her more apprehensive about being touched. Naturally, I pick my...

Conflict and social tension amongst family cats is a problem that is all too common and can upend a household, leading pet owners to do whatever they have to do to keep the peace. Manifested by behaviors like  passive blocking, staring, minor skirmishes or exchanges that escalate into fighting, it can at times  necessitate the need for cats to spend time in separate parts of the house.  “Cats are the number one pet: there are 81.7 million owned cats versus 72 million owned dogs. More cats are relinquished to shelters and disharmony between pets is a common reason for relinquishment," says  Theresa DePorter, a veterinary behaviorist at Oakland Veterinary Referral Service (OVRS) based in Bloomfield Hills. Last year, DePorter lead a study t o see if a synthetic pheromone diffuser from  Ceva Animal Health  would be effective in decreasing aggression amongst household cats. Pheromones are chemical signals produced naturally by an animal — in this case, c...

There are countless ways that we can help the pets in our midst live better, even if they have special needs.  I've shared life hacks for aiding dogs in their mobility , and in creating an elevated feeding platform for them to make it easier to eat.  Cats can use a little help when it comes to having success in the litter box department, and as I've illustrated , not all litter boxes are created equal. Dependent on a feline's size, age and how able-bodied they are, a shift in size or slope can make all of the difference and keep both of you happy.  Another species isn't so different. Though most bunnies do fine learning to use a traditional litter tray made to fit in the corner of their enclosure, they can also benefit from a bit of consideration as they age or have mobility issues at other stages of life. In this case, thinking outside the box a little bit might just do the trick.  A feeding tray, like one designed by  Marchioro, is a viab...

Quite often in my daily adventures, I'll see a lost pet roaming the streets and you guessed it — I'll stop and see if I can somehow help get them back to their people. And judging from the numbers of pets that I see on the Humane Society of Huron Valley's Lost and Found page and Facebook pages like Michigan Lost Pet Lookers , a lot of other folks do as well. That, somehow can be easy or difficult and is dependent on a few variables, but two are crucial: the dog's willingness to approach and what kind of identification they are wearing. Pet ID tags are a boon in facilitating a fast reunion, so long as they are easy to read and have the right information on them. Ideally, there's a telephone number, address and name of both the owner and pooch. Some folks also include the vet's information on the tag, and I'm always happy to see a rabies and/or a microchip ID tag. In the past, I've broached the topic of what to do when you find yourself in ...

One of the things that people ask when they find out that I'm a caregiver to so many animals is, "What's your favorite animal to care for?".  That's a hard question to answer as I really have no "favorite", but I do love the variety of animals that I might be responsible for.  Since I care for so many species — mainly dogs, cats, avians and some reptiles — there is always something different and knowing how to keep each animal happy and agreeable is paramount, not to mention keeping things on track.  Parrots, by their nature, are social creatures and in captivity that trait is magnified. It's important to be sensitive to that, and in doing so helps one understand why the following scenario plays out: you're preparing to leave the house for work (or in my case to my next appointment) and your feathered friend, who you have let out of their enclosure, is reluctant to go back in. This is the scenario in many homes and I often experie...

Toys and play are a big part of life with pets, and I'm sure that my household is no different than yours — assorted pet toys, especially dog toys strewn about the house. When mine was a two-dog household, before my Labrador passed last year, it was clear that he and my now 15-year-old St. Bernard/shepherd mix, Gretchen, had different play styles. Fast forward to now, and things haven't changed much. Gretchen has more toys than ever, and it's not for her being spoiled: with her arthritis ever-advancing, mobility that is changing and a mind that is impeccably sharp, it's important to me that she have the opportunity to use her mental skills and retain as much of her physical ability as possible. She still loves her food puzzles, chew toys and though the occasional tennis ball isn't high on her list, it's hard to ignore the sparkle in her eyes when she was first presented with a "fresh" one. Yes, even in her twilight Gretchen continues to be an ardent ne...