The first time you realise that your four legged friend is old can be quite an upsetting realisation. Maybe they didn't move when you called them, or perhaps a photograph you took illuminated all those grey hairs and tired eyes? The autumn years for your pooch requires a different level of care, so it's important to learn about the best ways to provide that care. What breed of dog you own will also determine when they are categorised as 'senior.' Generally, giant breeds have a shorter lifespan than smaller breeds so you can expect them to reach old age sooner. However, your dog's lifestyle - diet, exercise and medical history will also impact on the longevity of your dog. The best thing to do is to prepare yourself for this transition in both you and your dog's lives and to be on the lookout for changes so you can react quickly. Signs of old age in dogs Senses begin to deteriorate Appetite may decrease Weight loss - resulting in the shoulders and spine becoming more prominent. Energy levels decrease Slowing down Greying around the face and muzzle Thicker skin Rougher and thinner coat - potentially with bald patches or white hairs. Deafness Cloudy or bluish eyes Excessive thirst Uncontrolled urination Depression Disobediance Confusion Warts, fatty lumps or tumours - check these with your vet. Muscle loss - normal around the hind legs but if it occurs elsewhere, consult your vet. Sleeping more during the day, and less so at night. Arthritis and stiffness - difficulty playing, going up and down stairs, in and out of cars, trouble sleeping comfortably. Best care for senior dogs Make regular trips to the vet and when there always ask for a complete body evaluation. Maintain a regular exercise schedule, but reduce the longevity and intensity of your sessions. Change your dog's diet to one specifically formulated for senior dogs. If your dog has a health condition - consult your vet on ways you can change your dog's diet to suit their health needs. Change your dog's vaccination schedule to every three years. Keep your dog engaged with lots of affection and plenty of toys to keep their minds stimulated and stave off boredom. Installing gates and doors will prevent any arthritic dogs from attempting stairs that they shouldn't. Changing their bedding to suit their needs - plenty of padding for sore joints. Change the treats you give them to suit their older, worn teeth. Get in the habit of checking your dog often for any abnormalities. Look at the ears, mouth, teeth and gums, skin and coat. Maintain your regular flea, worming and tick treatments. Avoid harsh chemicals. Feature image credit

The movement and locomotion of a four-legged animal like a dog is very different to human locomotion. As a human being, you walk by moving one foot in front of the other. When you are walking, your lead foot hits the ground before the following foot leaves the ground. When you run, there is a space in your gait where both feet are briefly off the ground. This is as complicated as it gets for the human body.   Dogs, on the other hand, will move by walking, trotting, and pacing (sometimes called galloping). A dog's walking gait is similar to a human, with each foot touching the ground before another foot comes off the ground. However, the trotting and pacing gait in a dog is slightly more complex. A dog's trotting gait is most commonly used when it is running. The pacing gait in your dog is one form of movement which you, as the owner, should be paying close attention.   A dog's pacing gait is a unique movement compared to its walking or trotting gait. Pacing means that a dog is moving in what is called a two-time gait. This means that the legs on one side of dog's body are pushing off and landing at the same time. A pacing gait has nothing to do with speed of the movement, but rather the motion your dog uses during the movement. Your dog may use its pacing gait while walking or while trotting. Pacing is an efficient gait for dogs because it requires less effort and puts less stress on its body. When your dog trots there is a significant amount of rotational movement in its back. Pacing removes that rotational movement from the gait, requiring less effort from the body.   There are certain dog breeds that naturally prefer the pacing gait. Labradors and retrievers are known to prefer the pacing gait regardless of the circumstances (injury or fatigue). Additionally, dogs with long legs and short bodies will pace because it prevents their back feet from stepping on or otherwise interfering with their front feet. This occurs most frequently when these dogs are trotting though.   Aside from genetic reasons, dogs may use their pacing gait as a result of fatigue. As mentioned earlier, trotting requires a lot of rotational movement in a dog's back. This stresses the muscles in the back and around the hip joints. Switching from a trotting to a pacing gait relieves the stress on your dog's back and allows tired muscles to relax as it paces along instead.   If you notice that your dog is utilizing the pacing gait frequently during its walk or trot, you should pay close attention to this change. This could be a sign that your dog is experiencing pain and discomfort in its back. When your dog is not tired and is using its pacing gait with great frequency it could be a sign of arthritis in its spine or a problem with vertebrae in its back. When you notice excessive use of the pacing gait, it is recommended that you bring your dog into the vet for a checkup. It could just be aging and arthritis, but it could also be a more serious problem that requires medical attention. Feature image credit  

If you haven’t had your female cat spayed or desexed and you find her acting a little strange, she may very well be pregnant. Cats can become pregnant at four months of age and are called 'queens'. Although most veterinarians recommend having cats desexed at 5-6 months, some will perform the procedure earlier. In order to avoid kittens ending up in already-overpopulated shelters and then ultimately euthanised, all pets, both male and female, should be desexed except if you are a licensed breeder. Unless you are absolutely sure that you have the capacity and resources to care for a litter of kittens and can find suitable and loving homes for each of them, you should talk to your vet about having your cat spayed while in the early stages of pregnancy. Spaying will remove your cat’s reproductive organs and any foetuses. Late term spaying is not common or advisable.  If you decide to allow the pregnancy to continue there are a number of things to be aware of. Although you can buy pregnancy testing kits, they are not always accurate. If you think your cat is pregnant, consult your vet who will perform an ultrasound to confirm. In later stages, an X-ray and determine the exact number of foetuses present.  Your vet may recommend changing your queen’s diet to ensure additional protein and calcium or supplements. It is essential that any vaccinations, worming, parasite and flea treatments are only carried out by a vet on a pregnant animal.  Signs of pregnancy The gestation period for cats ranges from 63 - 68 days. During the first few weeks, the only sign of pregnancy will be a small amount of weight gain. Foetal heartbeats are detectable by 20 days and your vet will be able to feel the presence of kittens around 17 - 25 days. However, you should not do this yourself as you may cause a miscarriage, injure the developing kittens or your cat.  Morning sickness can occur during the third or fourth week of pregnancy. Your cat may seem a little subdued, be eating less or vomiting. This should last for a few days only. If your cat does not eat or drink for more than two days when pregnant then consult your vet. The signs of pregnancy include:    Nipples become pink and enlarged Abdominal weight gain Cat is more affectionate and communicative than usual Starts nesting behaviour to create a warm and comfortable place for birthing Appetite increases A pregnant cat four days before delivery. Image credit Preparing for delivery The queen should be separated from any other animals in the house during the last few weeks of pregnancy and kept indoors. One week from delivery you should see the vet for a final check.  You can assist your cat with nesting by giving her a large box or basket lined with newspaper, towels and blanket. Place it in a quiet, warm spot and to make it easier for her, cut a section of the box or basket away that she can use as an entrance. Bring her food and water bowls near and have her litter tray accessible close-by. When it is time for labour, it is best that you monitor her but do not interfere unless she, or the kittens are in danger.    Signs of labour Nesting Decreased activity Decreased interest in food Milk discharge from the nipples Restlessness and pacing Calling and crying Persistent licking of abdomen and vaginal area Panting heavily and increased breathing rate Dilated cervix Mouth open Laying on their side or squatting The first kitten is usually delivered an hour after labour starts and then others will arrive from a few minutes to over an hour apart. Each kitten will arrive in a small sac filled with clear fluid. The mother will start licking the kitten to break this sac and allow the kitten to breathe. This licking will also encourage the kitten’s respiratory and circulatory systems. If she does not do this, you will need to puncture and tear the sac from around the kitten’s faces and gently rub the kitten with a towel.   The mother will also chew off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. If needed, you can use dental floss or sterile string to tie off the cord yourself, leaving about an inch. Otherwise you should not handle the kittens for at least 4-7 days after birth.  It is important that you only get involved if absolutely necessary as all of these activities start the bonding process and allow the mother and kittens to familiarise their scents. Veterinary Intervention Contact your vet immediately if you notice any of the following -  Before labour Your cat stops eating for more than 24 hours Has a low or high temperature  Becomes weak or lethargic Has an unpleasant smelling vaginal discharge The pregnancy lasts more than 66 days During labour Contractions have lasted more than four hours with no births There's more than three hours between the kitten births A kitten becomes lodged and can’t be removed gently  Greenish discharge with a strong odour or excessive bright red bleeding  There is not a placenta for each kitten A mammary gland (breast) appears infected, is hot, hard or painful After labour Mother is weak or unwell Mother has a high temperature Kittens are weak, won’t nurse or are not getting enough milk Kittens mew continuously Kittens are not sleeping or are agitated Image credit   Feature image credit  

If you have a pet then you will know how much fun, love, affection and joy they bring, and it is likely that you are healthier and happier than those without pets in their lives. In other words, pets can be therapeutic. Animals are becoming increasingly recognised as method of therapy for adults and children recovering from illnesses and injuries, or for those with physical, mental, emotional conditions or disabilities. Pets as therapy is also known as animals as therapy and as animal assisted or animal facilitated therapy. These animals are not service animals, such as seeing-eye dogs, who are trained specifically to perform tasks for their handlers. Image credit Where are therapy animals used? Pets as therapy is not a recent idea. Florence Nightingale recommended animals be used for healing and Sigmund Freud often had dogs present when consulting to help relax and comfort his patients. When providing therapy, appropriately trained animals with a calm and gentle temperament are taken to hospitals, hospices, nursing and aged-care homes, health and mental care facilities, prisons and schools; or sometimes people are taken to them. Most commonly dogs are chosen as therapy animals, but cats, birds, rabbits, farm animals, horses and dolphins are also used.  The goal is to improve a patient’s wellbeing, quality of life and social interaction. There is no doubting the success of animals in this regard. However, more empirical research is needed to measure the effects of animals on long-term medical and learning improvements and the cognitive function of patients. Research has shown that animal therapy has benefitted children with autism, Down syndrome, attention deficit disorders or learning difficulties as well as people who are recovering from stroke, those with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and with depression or anxiety. Particularly in relation to Alzheimer’s disease, autism and learning disorders where frustrations and stress hamper behaviour and mood, animals help calm patients and reduce aggression. Sigmund Freud and Jofi Image credit How do animals help? Animals are affectionate, playful and loving. They provide unconditional friendship and a positive experience for patients, which is particularly important for children. Animals assist in other ways when part of a therapy program: Create bonds and companionship Nonverbal communication allows people with autism or other learning difficulties to interact and this often improves their communication and social interaction skills with other people Encourage expression, communication and language Reduce stress and anxiety, leading to calm and relaxed situations and better health and learning outcomes Give social and emotional support  Enhance mood and quality of life Regular contact can improve and maintain movement and cognitive function, especially when patients are asked to exercise, care and groom animals Assist with overcoming depression Encourage activity, exercise and play Provide social and mental stimulation Can raise self-esteem amongst those with disabilities  Distract patients from their illness or condition Reduces feelings of isolation    Image credit Feature image credit  

What is Taurine? Taurine is an amino acid that is essential for many cellular functions around the body. It is produced in the liver and then gets absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestines. It is most concentrated in the heart, central nervous system, eyes and skeletal muscles. Unlike other amino acids, taurine is a 'free amino acid,' meaning, it is found in body tissues rather than being incorporated into proteins. Why is it important? In cats, taurine is incredibly important for healthy heart muscle function, vision, reproduction and aids in forming bile salts that are critical to digestion. Most other mammals are able to manufacture healthy levels of taurine from other amino acids, and while cats are also able to do this, they cannot produce sufficient amounts of taurine to be considered healthy. What can happen if your cat doesn't get enough taurine? A cat deficient in taurine can suffer serious health complications. These include: Blindness: A lack of taurine causes retina cells to stop functioning and die which leads to vision impairment and even blindness. Heart disease: Insufficient amounts of taurine causes a weakening of the heart muscles, often leading to heart failure which can be fatal. Reproductive issues: A lack of taurine can cause issues for reproductive and growth ability in mothers and kittens. It can cause many problems throughout pregnancy, lactation and the development of kittens. How can your cat receive the taurine they require While your cat is not able to naturally produce the right levels of taurine, you are easily able to compensate through diet. Taurine is found only through animal-based proteins so it's vital your cat is eating the necessary amount. There is little to no taurine found in vegetables so be aware of that if you feed your cat a diet with lots of greenery. Selecting a good quality cat food that boasts a high amount of animal-based protein should be enough for your cat to acquire all the taurine they need. Taurine is found in both wet and dry food varieties, although the reason it's sometimes not listed as an ingredient on dry foods is because it occurs so highly in those types of food. If you normally prepare home cooked food for your cat, be aware that the cooking process reduces the amount of taurine in meat to half or two-thirds of what was there when it was raw. As a guideline, your cat should be consuming 1000mg (1gm) of taurine per 2.2 lbs of food. However, if you are feeding your cat a regular diet of dried or canned cat food, you should have no cause for concern as to whether you're feeding your cat the correct amount. And if you are ever worried that you might give your cat too much taurine, don't be - it's incredibly difficult for a cat to overdose on taurine.

Many dog owners have dealt with the confusion (and frustration) of seeing the family dog walk into the living room and rub its face in the carpet, usually right after the room has been vacuumed. Many dog owners are at a loss when it comes to explaining this common behavioral trait. So what does it mean when your dog is rubbing its face into the carpet? Is something bothering the dog? Does it just have an itch?   Just cleaning up a bit The most likely reason why your dog will rub its face in the carpet is a desire to clean its face. There are two common times that your dog may rub its face in the carpet, specifically to clean itself. One is when your dog is done eating and it has small bits of food on its face and around its nose. In order to relieve the itchy sensation from those bits of food, your dog will rub its face in the carpet to clean off the food. Another common time is first thing in the morning. If your dog tends to wake up with eye rheum (or eye boogers), it is not uncommon for it to use the carpet to clean the rheum off of its face. While you cannot do anything to avoid the need to clean its face after eating, you can wipe your dog's face in the morning if there is noticeable rheum that occurs on a regular basis.   Wacky wrinkles If you have a dog with facial folds, such as a pug or bulldog, you are probably accustomed to seeing your best friend rub its face in the carpet on a daily basis. Dog breeds with wrinkles, especially deep wrinkles on the face will often use the carpet as a means of itching, cleaning, and relieving irritations. Those wrinkles easily collect dirt, bacteria, and food particles. As a result, your dog will use the carpet to clean its face and relieve any discomfort. You can avoid this by lending your pup a hand and wiping out its folds on occasion.   Infections, allergies, and mites Although not as common as the need to clean itself, your dog may also be rubbing its face in the carpet to relieve itching and irritation caused by infections, allergies, and mites. The most common infection that would cause a dog to rub its face in the carpet is an ear infection. If you notice your dog rubbing its ears and face in the carpet on a frequent basis, look for discharge from its ear. If its ear is red and swollen, you should take your dog to the vet.   Allergies in dogs often manifest as extreme itchiness. When you catch your dog incessantly rubbing its face in the carpet, it could be the result of a new product in the household environment that is causing an allergic reaction. If you've recently switched its food or started using new cleaners, that could be at the root of the face rubbing.   Ear mites are pesky parasites that nest in a dog's ear. Ear mite infections cause intense discomfort in your dog's ears and prompt an intense desire to itch. Rubbing its face in the carpet or against furniture is the best relief your dog can find in many cases. Keep an eye on any increase in face rubbing, as a serious infestation could create high levels of discomfort in your dog.   Why not? Sometimes your dog just enjoys rubbing its face in the carpet. There doesn't always need to be a reason why your dog is rubbing its face in the carpet. Sometimes dogs simply find that itching their faces in the carpet is a fun sensation, and they will do it just because it is fun. As with any pet behavior, if you keep a close eye on the frequency of face rubbing you will be able to determine quickly if it's being done for fun or because something is wrong.

Just like people, cats can suffer from uncomfortable urinary tract infections. It's very important to be aware of the causes and symptoms of these infections so that you can report them to your vet and seek assistance as soon as possible. Causes of urinary tract infections Many urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria that transfers to the urinary tract from the anal area. If you have a diabetic pet, you should also look out for urinary tract infections because an increased level of protein and glucose in the cat's urine can lead to easier bacterial reproduction. Further, your cat is also at an increased risk of developing a urinary tract infection if they tend to urinate very rarely or has started to hold onto urine due to a negative relationship with the litter box. However, some urinary tract infections are pronounced idiopathic, which means that their cause is not well understood. It is thought that middle-aged and older cats are more likely to suffer from urinary tract infections and that stress may sometimes play a role. If your cat has had urinary tract infections in the past, you may be more likely to see a recurrence if you move house, add a new member to the family or try to take the cat on vacation. Symptoms of urinary tract infections In the early stages of a urinary tract infection, you might merely notice that your cat is using the litter box more often. As the infection progresses, the cat may be straining to urinate often with little liquid appearing and you may see that the urine is tinged with blood, and your poor pet may start to squat outside the litter box in a desperate attempt to find some relief. Some cats will also accidentally defecate when straining to pass urine while suffering from a urinary tract infection, and you may hear your cat crying due to the pain associated with the condition. Dealing with urinary tract infections If you think your feline friend has developed a urinary tract infection, make an appointment to see a vet as soon as possible. Your vet may take a urine sample or want to perform a scan to look at the urinary tract. A bacterial culture can also be grown to tell the vet more about the particular infection that has developed in your cat. In most cases, a course of antibiotics will be able to get rid of your cat's urinary tract infection and you may even notice a difference in symptoms soon after the first dose. However, it's also worth thinking about how to prevent further infections. If you have fed your cat dried food in the past, making the transition to wet food will ensure that your cat is well hydrated. Providing multiple sources of fresh water can also encourage your cat to drink more often. With water consumption increased, urine concentration decreases and can help to guard against future urinary issues.

According to the ASPCA, there are more than 72 million dogs in American homes. When cats are added into the equation, there are some 100 million pets in America. The demand for pets as family members is met only by breeding. Pet litters determine the availability of some of America's favorite dog and cat breeds. Whether your household pet has an unplanned litter on the way or you are an aspiring breeder, there are some quick facts you need to know about pet litter sizes.   Normal litters There is no conventional litter size for all dog breeds. Different breeds will have different size litters. Generally speaking, smaller dog breeds will produce smaller litters and larger dogs, larger litters. However, there is no set number that is considered normal in any dog breed. Normal is determined by the health of the mother throughout the pregnancy and the development of the puppies in the uterus. A healthy mother with a good diet and steady weight is considered normal.   Cats, because there is less variation in physical size between breeds, tend to have smaller litters across the board. Again though, normal will be determined by factors such as healthy weight, good diet, and proper development in the growing kittens.   What factors impact litter size? In both dogs and cats, the health and age of the mother will serve as the biggest determining factor in the size of the litter. Older and younger females tend to have smaller litters, as do mothers who are pregnant for the first time. Dogs and cats between the ages of three and five tend to produce the largest litters. Likewise, dogs and cats that maintain a healthy weight are more likely to produce larger litters than obese animals.   Complications from large litters Some breeders will purposely work to try and increase the size of a litter. The most common approach to increasing litter sizes is artificial insemination when eggs are fully mature, but there is little evidence to suggest that this approach works the majority of the time. Regardless, large litters are not uncommon in both dogs and cats. Just like humans giving birth to twins or triplets, there are complications that can arise from large litters in dogs and cats.   During labor a mother can suffer from a number of complications that puts the life of mom and newborns at risk. Giving birth to multiples is exhausting and can result in uterine contractions slowing or stopping altogether. With each new puppy or kitten the risk of bleeding increases. The dangers don't end when labor is over either. All those new puppies and kittens need to be nursed. Large litters put mothers at risk of dehydration and exhaustion simply trying to feed so many mouths. The newborns can also be exposed to risk factors such as malnutrition and improper growth patterns as a result.   Unique circumstances Every now and again, there are litters reported that leave people shaking their heads. The American Kennel Club has identified the Labrador Retriever as having the largest litter on average, with 7.6 puppies per litter, but the reality is, any dog is capable of giving birth to as few as one puppy or as many as 20. The Guinness World Record for largest litter size belongs to a Neapolitan Mastiff from England which gave birth to 24 puppies in one litter.

It's not always easy, being in charge of raising a dog. You are responsible for the well-being of another life form, but unlike a human child, this one will never learn to speak a language you can understand. This makes it difficult for dog owners to clearly identify those points in life when their best friend is in distress.   One of the clearest signs of distress in a dog is diarrhea. The presence of loose stools might mean nothing, but it can also be a sign of distress or disease in your dog. Sometimes being a dog owner means you have to do some tasks that aren't very glamorous, and paying attention to diarrhea is one of them.   What diarrhea means Diarrhea in your dog can mean a lot of different things. It can be as simple as short term digestion issues related to food, or as complex as intestinal diseases or mental distress. More often than not, your dog will suffer a bout of diarrhea as a result of dietary alterations. While canines have survived for thousands of years eating raw meats and other foods, modern dogs are more accustomed to dry dog foods.   When your dog gets into the leftovers, is fed from the table, or rips into the garbage bag in search of food, those foods can upset their GI tract. A sudden change in the dry food you are feeding your dog can also cause it to suffer from diarrhea as its body adjusts to the change in food.   Other causes of diarrhea include viral and bacterial infections in the digestive tract, intestinal worms, and even adverse reactions to medications. It is not unheard of for medications that treat heartworm and intestinal worms to cause diarrhea in a dog. This side effect is often temporary, but if it persists you should consult your vet about switching medications.   A particularly tricky cause of diarrhea is giardia. This parasite in your dog's system can cause diarrhea to become intermittent. Your dog may suffer from diarrhea for two or three days, and then the condition will clear up. Eventually, the diarrhea returns and raises fresh concerns about your dog's health. Giardia is tough to catch because the intermittent cycle can take place over a few days or stretch out over a month. The best way to catch giardia is by keeping a close eye on how long this on-off cycle persists.   Treating diarrhea If your dog is otherwise healthy and exhibiting normal behavior during a bout of diarrhea, the best course of action you can follow is a temporary diet alteration. Once you notice diarrhea, consider withholding food (but not water) for 12 hours. After the 12 hours have passed, offer your dog a bland, fat-free diet. One option is to cook up some ground turkey meat and serve it to your pooch with a baked sweet potato.   Feed your dog a 50-50 combo of the two in its dish three times each day. Keep the meals small and continue the bland diet for three days. This should help your dog's system adjust and get back to normal.   If, however, you don't notice a change with a bland diet following a three-day period, it is time to take your dog to the veterinarian's office for a check-up. It isn't difficult to help your dog overcome diarrhea, but it will take some vigilance and a little extra work. Feature image credit

There are a lot of details about your cat's health that you probably notice on a daily basis. If your kitty suddenly has trouble using the litter box, for instance, or starts to develop an obvious eye infection, you are likely to head to the vet pretty quickly. Unfortunately, many cat owners don't spend enough time thinking about their pet's teeth. Dental problems like gum disease and tooth decay can pose a major threat to your feline friend. Initial symptoms might seem minor, such as bad breath, lethargy, or decreased appetite. If left untreated however, dental issues could increase your kitty's risk for serious complications such as sinus infections, autoimmune disease, heart failure, and cancer.   Rather than exposing your furry pal to these dangerous risks, it's a good idea for all owners to learn how to brush their cat's teeth. Expert opinions vary, but some vets recommend that you give your cat a little dental attention as often as once a week or even every day. Most cat owners who have never tried brushing their kitty's teeth before avoid the practice out of fear of hurting their pet or getting hurt themselves. As long as you ease your cat into the process, you're likely to find that it's probably not as difficult as you might think.   The first step when it comes to getting your kitty comfortable with the idea of brushing is to get the cat used to you putting your fingers in its mouth. Begin by dipping your finger into a treat that your cat loves (tuna juice or chicken broth are great options), and then have kitty lick the liquid off your finger. Once you've repeated this process several times, try moving on to rubbing your cat's teeth with a piece of broth-soaked gauze.   Getting kitties used to the pressure and texture of a toothbrush is often one of the most difficult steps, so you should try getting your cat to like the brush by putting treats on top of it and letting your kitty lick them off. Next, replace the treats with some cat toothpaste (these products have a meaty flavor that will appeal to your cat). Once you have accomplished all these steps and your cat is less afraid of all the elements of brushing, it's time to put everything together and actually clean the teeth.   You should err on the side of being too gentle at first until you know how your furry friend is going to react to brushing. Simply scrub the front and back of each tooth, much like you do as part of your own daily routine. Remember that the cat's back teeth are the ones that are likely to need the most attention, so you should start with them. Praise your cat throughout the entire process, and be ready at the end to reward your pet with a tasty treat.   Like many other cat care procedures, it will probably take a while before your pet gets used to having its teeth brushed. As long as you are patient and don't give up, you can eventually train your cat to behave well during this process-and maybe even enjoy it. Feature image credit