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July 2021 Newsletter

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It's July!

Enjoy a safe and fun 4th of July Holiday Everyone!!

Test Your Pet Knowledge With a Quiz!

Who has more varied vocalizations, dogs or cats?

If you guessed dogs, you're totally and completely wrong! Cats have up to 100 vocal sounds. Dogs, on the other hand, have about 10!

Who received more mail, President Clinton or his cat Socks?

Ok, this one was easy, of course, it was Socks! We wonder if he wrote back?

Dalmatians are born all white - true or false?

If you guessed true, you're brilliant. They are born white and develop their black spots about a week after birth.

What is a group of cats called?
It's a kindle (or sometimes a clowder) of cats!
Here are a few other funny animal groups:

  • A group of frogs is called an army.
  • A ferret group is called a business of ferrets.
  • Owls in a group are a parliament of owls.
  • And a group of porcupines is called a prickle!

The most popular name for a dog is: Max, Sadie, Rover, or Buddy?
If you guessed Max, you are correct! Molly and Sam are also popular, but Max is #1.

We all know Greyhounds and Cheetahs are fast, but how fast do you think your average house cat can run? Would you guess 20 mph, 30 mph, or 35 mph?

House cats are actually pretty speedy and have been clocked in at 30 mph. Anyone who owns one knows how fast a cat can go; try catching your kitty to put her in a carrier for a vet appointment! Greyhounds are fast, too; they clock in at over 40 mph.

A newborn Kangaroo is the size of a: banana, kiwi fruit, lima bean, or a loaf of bread?

Believe it or not, a newborn Kangaroo is the size of a lima bean! They spend the first 2 months of their lives in their mom's pouch. When fully grown, a Red Kangaroo is about 200 pounds!

What is the most popular pet in the United States?
There are about 89.7 million dogs in households in our country and about 94.2 million cats. But freshwater fish are actually the most popular pet, with about 139.3 million in fish tanks across the US!

What breed of dog was Toto from the Wizard of Oz: Cairn Terrier, Yorkie, a mixed breed, or a Beagle?

Toto was a Cairn Terrier, a great working breed from the Scottish Highlands. The breed is known for being feisty, intelligent, and fearless.

Guinea Pigs do something called "popcorn" what is this - a favorite snack, jumping in the air, or running in circles?

When they are happy, they jump straight up in the air and may include a spin with the jump - that's popcorning; it's adorable. They are actually smart and are speedy learners. They make a great first pet, but you shouldn't get just one; they like to hang with another Guinea Pig!

Now you can amaze your family and friends with a little knowledge and some fun and silly facts about animals!

Is Your Cat Trying To Tell You She's Bored?

Humans have many boredom busters: we can read, watch TV, surf the internet, or talk on the phone. But unfortunately, when our pets get bored, they don't have as many boredom busters at a paw's reach. Often it's the cat that suffers; most people walk their dogs, toss a tennis ball, or take them for a ride in the car for a change of scenery while the cat stays home.

Furthermore, we've been told oodles of times that cats are independent, standoffish, and like to be left alone. But if your cat is alone too often, she will get bored! Cat's are very intelligent animals which means your kitty needs a lot of stimulation. It's not hard to restore her zest for life, but first, we need to know the signs of boredom:

  • Inactivity and a lot of napping
  • Constant meowing
  • Over-grooming and other repetitive behaviors
  • Overeating
  • Destructive behaviors (including knocking things off tables, scratching the furniture, and so forth)
  • Having issues with your other pets

So what can you do if your feline is bored? Change things up a bit! It's not difficult to give your kitty a more enriching environment.

Cats love to climb, so buy her a cat tree so she can survey her kingdom from up high. Get Fluffy a window perch or a hammock - she will spend hours watching what's going on outside. Grow some cat grass or try catnip (not all cats love it). Leave out some paper bags and a few different-sized boxes for her to play in. Cats can be picky about their toys, so supply her with various kinds of toys to choose from. Remember, don't just give your cat toys; play with her as well.

Your cat needs "people time" just as your dog does, so go ahead and play with Fluffy; I bet you'll both enjoy it. Make the games a daily activity, and you'll see a big difference in how your kitty engages in her world. Plus, those bad behaviors should diminish too.

Car Anxiety In Our Pets

The sun is out, the weather is great - this is the time of year many people like to do something! It may be a hike in the woods, a walk on the beach, a trip to the cottage, or even a check-up at the vet's office. If a road trip with your pet is in your future, here are some tips for making it more fun for everyone.

Sadly, many people only take their pet on a drive when they are going to the vet. So, it's no wonder that your buddy is anxious when you put him in the car. Our advice is to take your dog on some fun trips so he understands that car rides can be fun!

The signs that your buddy may not like car rides can be subtle, panting, mewing, or whining. Or, they may be pronounced: barking, drooling, shaking, soiling, or vomiting.

So how do you make your pet more comfortable on a ride? First, your dog or cat should be restrained in the car (crate or harness/seatbelt) to stay safe. Then, start taking them on short, fun car rides—just a quick trip for a walk in the park or to visit a friend.

Bring a water dish and some water if you're driving for more than a quick trip. Pack a few of his favorite toys so your buddy feels like he's in familiar surroundings, and finally, bring treats too. Many dogs love having fresh air, so open the window enough to let some in (again, be sure your dog is secure, and don't let them have their head out the window as things can get into their eyes).

Before even starting the car, give Fido some treats, pats, and praise to make a car trip rewarding. Continue with the treats and praise while driving. Stop after just a few minutes, take a walk and give more treats. If you continue to do these things, your dog's association for car rides will change from spooky to fun!

If you are doing the above and your buddy is still anxious, some people have had good luck with over-the-counter calming chews, a Thundershirt, or pheromones.

Some dogs (just like humans) get car sick, and that's never any fun. If this is happening with your dog or cat, speak to your vet about an anti-nausea drug to help with the motion sickness.

Most often, cats travel by car in a carrier. A tee-shirt with your scent on it or a favorite toy may help relax her if she gets anxious; try soft music in the car and some treats.

With a little planning and maybe an Rx, your buddy may very well learn to enjoy a car trip! This can open up new worlds for you both!

Great Pet Links!

July is:

Pet Hydration Month
Lost Pet Prevention Month

July 10 - National Kitten Day
July 13 - Cow Appreciation Day
July 15 - I Love Horses Day
July 31 - National Mutt Day

Dog vs Cat
Smile!
Keeping Pets Safe In The Heat
How To Tell If Your Pet Is Dehydrated
What To Do If You've Lost Your Pet

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