Heating Season Itching and Scratching

It's getting colder. The furnace runs more often. The air in the house is dry and that is creating a problem for your pets --dry skin equals itching and scratching. One simple solution is to add a little vegetable oil to your pets daily diet. Not a lot, in fact for a small dog a teaspoon a day generally helps and for larger dogs a tablespoon a day. I like sunflower oil as it has the right kind of fatty acids to help the skin and keep the hair coat shiny. Don't over do it as the oil has calories and too much can result in digestive upset.

Make Your Own Pet Treats

Ingredients for doggie peanut butter treats--

1-1/2 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 cup Irish oatmeal

1/4 cup smooth peanut butter

1/4 cup sunflower oil

1/4 cup honey

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup water



Combine the ingredients in a bowl and mix on low speed until thoroughly mixed. Make into balls about one tablespoon in size and place on a ungreased or PAM treated cookie sheet. Flatten the dough balls using a fork until they are about 1/4 inch thick. Alternately roll out the dough and then use an appropriate cookie cutter, like a bone shape. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes or until golden brown. Yields about 20 treats. These should be stored in the refrigerator in a closed container or zip lock freezer bag. (CAUTION, do not be tempted to add or coat the treats with chocolate as that could cause death.)

Plants and Pets -- a Warning

Be aware! You may be harboring plants that could be hazardous to your pet's health.

A recent report from the National Animal Poison Control Center indicated that over 40 different types of house plants and 33 different ornamental plants were involved in suspected animal illnesses. Not every plant your dog or cat may chew on will result in illness, however, if your pet eats a plant, don't take any chances. If you know what kind of plant was involved call your veterinarian to find out if it is potentially dangerous. If you don't know what kind of plant it is take a leaf and your pet to the veterinarian.

Sometimes plant poisoning can be very sneaky. I know, I almost lost our Dachshund, Schultz, when she was about 7 years (she lived to 16). We found Schultz at the back door foaming at the mouth. Being the astute veterinarian I am, I thought aha, she's gotten into some kind of insecticide. I treated her accordingly but within an hour she was worse than before. This time I got serious and gave her something to induce vomiting and lo and behold up came something that looked like a raw hide chew bone. I continued treating Schultz and over the next few hours I was able to stabilize her condition. I was really concerned. Schultz had been poisoned by something but my only lead at that point was what appeared to be a rawhide chew. I knew that a rawhide chew could not be the source of the poisoning UNLESS someone deliberately treated a rawhide with a chemical toxin. I carefully searched the patio area in the backyard and found something that looked like rawhide growing on a railroad tie retaining wall. It turned out that this rawhide appearing material was in fact a very toxic fungus.

Some plants that can be toxic for pets--- azalea, bittersweet, caladium, calla Lilly, castor bean, crocus, daffodil, daphne, dieffenbachia, elephant's ear, English ivy, holly, hydrangea, Japanese yew, Jerusalem cherry, larkspur, lilly-of-the-valley, milkweed, mistletoe, monkshood, nightshade, oleander, philodendron, poinsettia, rhododendron, string of pearls. Don't forget mushrooms, toadstools, other fungi and oak leaves.

Selecting a Pet

Just like taste in cars, clothes and colors, taste in pets varies over a broad range. While a dictionary may define a pet as a "domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility", people are much more flexible, referring to everything from house plants to sea shell collections as "pets". Remember the "pet rock" craze?


But even staying close to the dictionary definition, you still have plenty of choices. Anything from a snake to a guinea pig to a Siberian Husky can make a fine pet, depending on individual needs, preferences and living situations.


Before selecting a pet be sure to do a little research. Find out how large the animal will grow, what its dietary and nutritional needs are and if there's a veterinarian in your area capable of treating the animal (this can be a major issue if you select a very exotic animal for a pet). Google a search for the kind of pet you are considering and, if need be, go to the library to see pictures and get more information. Consider the potential health care issues including preventative vaccines, potential parasites, warning signs of nutritional problems, training issues, disease conditions common in breeds, and common behavior problems.


How about a pig for a pet? Local ordinances permitting, a pig can make a great pet since they are clean and intelligent and very trainable. Just keep in mind that even the Pygmy varieties of pigs can be as large as a large dog.


Don't have room for a pig then how about a rabbit? A bunny can be a fun pet. I know of a family who raised a bunny with their dog and cat. The rabbit was house-trained to the cat's litter box and served as playmate and bunk mate to the dog. Rabbits do require special food, rabbit food, and they need much more crude fiber in the diet than most other pet species.


Tropical fish can be an exciting, entertaining and even profitable hobby. You only need some simple aquarium equipment to enjoy these beautiful and graceful creatures. Graceful and colorful Siamese Fighting Fish (Beta splendeus) are easy to raise and easy to keep. Just be sure that you do not freely house two males together in the same tank!


The list goes on and on and each species has books to help guide you with care and feeding.

Suggestions for Hunters and Hikers

Like to take your best friend hunting or on a long walk in the woods? Reduce the chances of your dog getting parasites or infection from standing water or streams by carrying bottled water to provide a drink for your active companion. It has been proven that providing periodic fresh clean water during any exercise will increase stamina and extend that period that the dog can work. Be sure to check each dog over after the exercise to look for abrasions, parasites, burrs, etc. This should include the foot pads. Pet stores have water containers designed just for pets with built-in drinking cup.

Winterize your Pet

Winterizing your pet will make the season more comfortable and safe for you and your pet. For dogs make sure the little guys have a warm coat to wear in colder weather. If you live in an area where the streets are salted be sure to wash your friends feet and between the toes to remove salt and accumulated ice. Washing the feet can be easily handled using an old coffee can and warm water then dry thoroughly with a towel or wash cloth. If you must use a dog house make sure the inside has clean dry bedding and the door faces away from the prevailing winds -- also add a flap to the door. Dogs inside will often seek a radiator or heat vent to lie on or near. Periodically check the dogs hair coat and skin as the heat can cause significant drying with cracking of the skin and possible infection. If your pet scratches alot during the winter months it is probably due to drying of the skin from low humidity. If you do not use a pet food with omega-3 fatty acids (this will be stated on the ingredient panel of the food), then add 1 teaspoon of sunflower oil, for small dogs, to the food daily. Use 1 tablespoon for medium sized dogs and 2 tablespoons for larger breeds.



Keep tabs on your pets weight as an active dog will require as much as 25% more calories in very cold weather just to maintain body weight.





Don't forget your feathered friends outdoors. Keep your bird feeder filled and keep suet cakes out for them as birds need the extra energy during cold weather to maintain their high body temperature.





Clean up any car/truck antifreeze spills or leaks. Antifreeze has a sweet taste that attracts dogs and cats. What seems like a delicacy is actually a potent poison causing kidney failure. If you think your pet has consumed antifreeze get it to your veterinarian as soon as possible.





If you are not sure where your cat is, before starting your car, honk the horn. Your kitty may be sleeping under the hood.





If you have a caged bird make sure the cage is away from exterior doors as they can suffer from the cold air that comes in each time the door opens.