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FairyDust News!

January is here, and we're pawsitively excited to start this new year with all of you! Wishing our wonderful clients and their furry family members a happy, healthy, and tail-wagging 2025. Let's make it a year filled with love, cuddles, and plenty of treats!

What's Behind That Big Dog Yawn?

Have you noticed your dog yawning and wondered what it means? While sometimes a yawn is just a sign of being tired, a dog's yawn can communicate much more than sleepiness. Let's explore what different types of yawns can tell you about your pup's mood and needs.

Stress Signals and Anxiety - A yawn can be your dog's way of saying they feel stressed or anxious. If your dog yawns at the vet, in training class, or around loud noises, it might mean they're uncomfortable. Other signs of stress include pacing, cowering, panting, or pulling back their ears. In these situations, try to ease your dog's anxiety by offering comfort, a safe space, or even a few treats to distract and reassure them. Reducing the stressor whenever possible is always ideal, but a little positive reinforcement can also help them relax. Fun fact: You might notice your pup yawning more during thunderstorms or fireworks—that's totally normal stress-relief behavior!

Social Signals and "Let's Chill" Yawns - Dogs often use yawns to communicate with other dogs, especially in social settings. If your dog is meeting a new or assertive dog, a yawn can mean "I'm not interested in conflict" or "I come in peace." This kind of yawn isn't necessarily a sign of submission but more of a way to diffuse tension. When you notice this, it might be a good time to calmly remove your dog from the situation to help them feel safe and understood.

Fatigue and the "Sleepy" Yawn - Sometimes, a yawn really does mean your dog is just plain tired. If you're seeing your pup yawn more often, with low energy and little interest in playtime, it might be worth thinking about their sleep quality. Make sure they have a warm, quiet place to rest, and look out for any discomfort that might be disturbing their sleep, like itching, licking, or even hidden pain. Most adult dogs need 12-14 hours of sleep daily - that's a lot of potential yawns!

The Confusion Yawn - Ever notice your dog yawn during training sessions, especially when learning something new? This type of yawn may mean they're trying to process information or feeling overwhelmed. It's their way of saying, "Hold on, I'm thinking here!" Try breaking down the training into smaller, more manageable steps when this happens.

Yawns are more than just cute moments—they're clues to how your dog feels. Next time your pup lets out a big yawn, consider what they might be trying to tell you! Understanding these subtle signals can help you be an even better pet parent to your four-legged friend.

Fun Fact: Dogs can "catch" yawns from their human family members, showing how connected they are to us!

Light The Way To Healing

The buzz about laser therapy for pets has many pet parents curious - is this a real solution or just a trend? Laser therapy is a safe, FDA-approved, noninvasive way to manage pain and promote healing in our furry friends! It uses specialized devices that generate specific light wavelengths (typically between 600 and 900 nanometers) that penetrate tissue and stimulate cellular repair and regeneration.

This alternative treatment is gaining more and more approval from vets as a versatile tool to reduce pain, decrease inflammation, speed up wound healing, ease arthritis, and even help with nerve recovery after surgery. Also known as "cold laser therapy" or "low-level laser therapy (LLLT)," this treatment has been used in veterinary medicine for over two decades. The laser light penetrates the skin, releasing endorphins (those happy chemicals), boosting circulation, and reducing swelling in targeted areas - all without the need for medications.  Laser therapy can be a gentle and effective alternative for pets with health conditions that limit pain relief options.

Sessions are generally quick, outpatient visits lasting 15–30 minutes, depending on how many areas need to be treated. Many pets find laser sessions relaxing, requiring no sedation or fur clipping beforehand. During treatment, pets might experience a gentle, soothing warmth in the treated area. Arthritis treatments are typically scheduled 2-3 times a week initially, then reduced to maintenance sessions every few weeks. Wound healing may require daily sessions for faster recovery, with most pets showing noticeable improvement within 3-8 treatments.

Studies have shown that laser therapy greatly improves pets' quality of life with minimal side effects. Most pet parents find it relatively affordable, with costs ranging from $40 to $100 per session. Many clinics offer package deals for treatments, which can ease the budget for longer-term care.

If your vet recommends laser therapy, try it! It is often used in conjunction with other treatments like prescription medicine and physiotherapy. It can be a paw-some additional treatment to keep your best friend comfortable, happy, and ready for fun!

To Graze Or Not to Graze

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they thrive on a diet rich in meat. So, you might wonder why your cat sometimes snacks on grass, especially if they're an indoor kitty and have a grass kit of their own. Is it really necessary, or just another quirk?

First, don't worry - dining on grass now and then is entirely normal for many felines, and it may offer some benefits. In the wild, big cats and other feline relatives have also been seen nibbling on greenery, so it's likely a natural behavior.

But why do cats do it? Truthfully, no one's entirely sure. Some experts believe cats might eat grass to help with digestive issues. Others think it could add fiber to their diet, stimulate a mild laxative effect, or simply be something cats enjoy for the texture or taste. And while grass may contain folic acid, an essential nutrient, it's unlikely to be a genuine dietary need for well-fed cats.

To safely indulge your cat's love of greenery, consider growing some just for them! Since outdoor lawns are often treated with herbicides or pesticides, a DIY pot of grass is a healthier choice. Pet stores offer easy-to-grow kits, or you can simply plant some grass seeds in a small pot with potting soil. Common cat-safe grasses include regular grass seed, wheat grass, barley grass, and oat grass. Just be sure to wait until the grass is fully grown—loose seeds can be hazardous if they get into a cat's nose or ears.

Remember, grass and catnip are different, so if your kitty loves both, it's safe to let them enjoy each from time to time. After a few weeks, your grass may start to mold; if that happens, toss it and start a fresh batch to keep things safe.

Whether it's the flavor or just a little feline instinct kicking in, let your kitty graze now and then - it's a perfectly safe and fun addition to their day!

Great Pet Links!

January is:

Walk Your Pet Month
Train Your Dog Month

  • January 2 - Pet Travel Safety
  • January 5 - National Bird Day
  • January 24 - Change a Pet's Life Day
* How Long Do Parrots Live?
* When Is A Dog Considered a Senior?
* Vet Approved Home Remedies

January 2025 Newsletter