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Arise, awake and ADOPT. National Puppy Day is here!

March 23. Mark this date on your calendar – before your pet actually does. Because it has more significance to your cuddly puppy more than it does to you. It is the National Puppy Day.

National Puppy Day originated in the United States in 2016, when an animal behaviourist and celebrity author, Colleen Page, proposed a dedicated day for puppies. Ms Page is incidentally the founder of National Dog Day and National Cat Day, among other such occasions.

Lately known as International Puppy Day, the ceremonial event is fast spreading across the world and calls for global citizens to adopt puppies and to work towards putting an end to puppy farms and mills. So much so, National Puppy Day is declared an international holiday recently, especially after it trended worldwide on Twitter since 2012 through to 2015, consecutively.

Why adopt instead of shop?

Under the above topic, Ms Page’s official National Puppy Day website explains why it is imperative that every pet parent joins hands in protesting against puppy mills and instead opt for adoption. According to the website, “There are approximately 8,000-10,000 puppy mills in the U.S. … Pet stores that sell designer puppies are the number one reason that so many puppy mills exists today. Convince each and every pet store to stop selling puppies and the mills will go out of business. The most successful way to accomplish this is by organizing rallies and peaceful demonstrations outside of pet stores that sell puppies,” the National Puppy Day site advocates.

As for adopting orphaned puppies, the site says, “There are plenty of pure breed rescues that you can visit to give one or more of them a forever home. National Puppy Day encourages you to always consider adoption first and don’t forget the importance of spaying and neutering to reduce the overpopulation of unwanted pets and unnecessary suffering.”

The official site of Ms Page lists out 50 different ways to celebrate the red-letter day. The suggestions include: “Adopt a puppy from your local shelter, rescue or pure breed rescue organization.” “Take your puppy to an elderly community and spread some love.” “And last but not least – pledge to never yell at or hit your puppy.”

May 19, 2018
Why on Earth does my dog roll over in dirt and poop?

You would have got bemused during those morning walks with your canine companion as to why he is hell-bent on rolling in that stinky, gooey mess of a garbage, dung or carcasses.

There have been several theories floating around to explain why. One is: dogs try to communicate with other members of its pack about its discovery. Another goes that they attempt to cover the slush with a trace of their own scent, in a way to mark their territory.

But there seems to be some definitive hereditary trait on display here. “It is certainly true that dogs and wolves will often roll around on something, like a stick, a new dog bed or such, as if they were trying to deposit their scent on it,” asserts Stanley Coren, psychology professor at the University of British Columbia and a renowned author of books on dog behaviour, such as The Intelligence of Dogs, Why Does My Dog Act That Way?

“Some psychologists have suggested that dogs often rub against people to leave a trace of their scent and to mark the individual as a member of the pack, much the way that cats rub up against people to mark them with their odours.”

The explanation which makes the best evolutionary and adaptive sense, continues Prof. Coren, “is that this stinky behavior might be an attempt at disguising the dog. The suggestion is that we are looking at a leftover behavior from when our domestic dogs were still wild and had to hunt for a living. If an antelope smelled the scent of a wild dog, or jackal or wolf nearby, it would be likely to bolt and run for safety.”

For this reason, concludes Prof. Coren, wild canines learned to roll in antelope dung or carrion … this allows the wild hunting canine to get much closer to its prey.

May 18, 2018
Your dog wants YOUR food. But can he really eat it?
We have come across several dog parents who, for one reason or the other, strongly believe that their dogs really love to have their food. They mean human food for dogs. Some even go to the extent of overfeeding their dogs with the foods you and me eat, at their own peril. But do dogs really want your food?

Dogs recognise and respond to human social signals to conclude that your food is more desirable than theirs, Scientific American cites a recent study. “Researchers let pet dogs choose between two plates, one with a single piece of food and the other with six pieces. Unsurprisingly, the animals generally went for the larger portion. But when a human being showed a clear liking for the smaller plate, the canines likewise went for the skimpier choice. The dogs apparently recognised and responded to the humans’ social cues.”

This doesn’t mean that dogs will follow everything we do, when it comes to food, at least. “And not all cues were equally effective. When the human approached but did not touch the smaller portion, dogs ignored the attention-drawing gesture,” concluded the study.

Here is the explanation: many of the foods, such as fruits and vegetables, that we humans eat and easily digest just fine can actually have adverse effects on a dog’s body, leading to severe health problems. Some of the foods that humans consume, however, can be introduced to a dog’s diet just fine, and even provide health benefits such as joint strength, better breath, and allergy immunity, reckons American Kennel Club (AKC).

Here are the human foods that your dog can or can’t have:

Ok, fine *
- Bread
- Cashew
- Cheese
- Coconut
- Corn
- Egg
- Fish
- Ham
- Honey
- Milk
- Peanut Butter
- Peanuts (Unlike Almonds!)
- Popcorn (!!)
- Pork
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Salmon
- Shrimp
- Tuna
- Turkey
- Wheat / Grains
- Yoghurt (Different from curd)
Now comes the most important part: which human food that your dog should be kept away from.

Strict No-no
- Almonds
- Chocolate
- Cinnamon
- Garlic
- Ice-Cream
- Macadamia Nuts (Highly poisonous to dogs)
* (All in small amounts, unless explicitly specified otherwise. Do consult your vet for further advice on what suits your dog best)
May 17, 2018
Travelling with your pet this summer? Follow this checklist
Planning a trip with pets is easier conceived than executed. The ordeal could turn out to be taxing to traumatic for certain pets. It’s essential that you factor in your dog’s personality and behavioural traits before booking your air tickets or having your car serviced.

Make a careful assessment of whether your dog is outgoing with strangers; at ease with venturing into unique environments; and unaffected by spending time in a car or any moving vehicle. These are all great indications of how your pup or senior dog might handle a few days on your spectacular summer sojourn.

The following checklist will prepare you for an awesome trip with your furry friend:

Veterinarian and Groomer
- Go for a routine health check-up with your vet
- Have your pet microchipped with a 15 digit ISO 11784/11785 microchip before vaccination, if necessary
- Verify rabies vaccination expiration
- Discuss any titer test or other testing that must be done
- Also, schedule a visit to your groomer as a clean pet will be a comfortable pet
Pet Supplies
- Leash and collar
- Name tag – with your address, mobile number and destination details
- A photograph of you and your pet
- Bottled water and a portable water dish
- Sealed pet food, dish, and spoon
- Dog or cat treats
- Brush
- Shampoo
- Toys
- Medication (including eye and ear drops, ear powder, tweezers for removing burrs, and any necessary pills or vitamins)
- Pet harness for riding in the car
- An old sheet or two for covering up hotel furniture that your pet may jump up on
- Plastic bags for picking up after your pet
Pet Carriers / Crates
- Pet carrier must have waterproof bottom, adequate ventilation and make your canine buddy feel secure. Your pet must be able to stand up and turn around in its carrier
- Pet crate for larger cats and dogs (or those traveling in a cargo hold) must have a waterproof bottom, spring lock, adequate ventilation and meet other IATA requirements
- Put lots of familiar things in the crate or carrier including something with your scent
- Encourage your pet to rest and nap in its carrier bottom
By Air

If you are planning to book a flight, register your dog with your airline if he or she is flying. Most international and domestic air carriers have an upper cap on the number of pets that can travel aboard. Also, make sure to check on crate or carrier dimensions and have as much identifying information as possible on both pet carrier and your dog’s collar – including your home and destination addresses.

These are some basic questions you need to ask yourself before air travel with your pet:
- Is an import permit required?
- Is a microchip required?
- What vaccinations are required and when should they be administered?
- Is there a Blood Titer Test (RNATT) test required?
- Is an internal and internal parasite requirement?
- Is there a need to make quarantine arrangements?
- Should the pet arrive as manifest cargo?
By Road
- If you’re planning a long drive, spend a few days getting your pup used to being in the car
- For instance, you can drive them to a nearby park a few times to create a positive association
- Prevent carsickness by feeding you pup a few hours before take-off and keeping your car cool, and consider using a harness for safety
- Check for road construction or traffic issues if traveling on the ground
- Set your route in a routing device or in your mobile
Pet-friendly Accommodation
- Find a good pet-friendly hotel and contact them prior to booking online to verify their pet policies. Most of the time, booking online will give you the best prices
- Find a veterinary hospital or clinic nearby in case of emergencies and bring along the information
- Find pet-friendly parks and restaurants nearby so you and your pet can enjoy your stay
Have a wonderful trip ahead with your best pal!
May 15, 2018
Can cats see ghosts?

Why do cats stare at an empty space for a long time? They even arch their back and hiss at it when they feel threatened! Well, if you are a firm believer of the afterlife and the paranormal you cannot help thinking that your cat must have seen something or someone that is not visible to you. Before you get spooked, here are some scientific facts to help you decide if your cat can or cannot see ghosts.

It’s a well-known fact that cats have a powerful vision. They can see very well in the dark. Cats also have a wider field of vision than humans and have a third eyelid to protect their eyes and keep it moist. While cats can see colours their eyes detect few colours which are the less brilliant ones than humans.

Another interesting fact to note is that cats can perceive light that humans cannot without the help of modern technology. A team of British researchers conducted a study on mammalian eyes, their findings state that cats are sensitive to and perceive ultraviolet light. So, this special ability to see ultraviolet light helps cats to not only smell but also to identify urine marking done by other cats the same way that forensic experts detect body fluids under a backlight. This just proves that cats can see things that are not visible to human eyes.

The next place is the cat’s brain, especially the pineal gland. It helps to regulate circadian rhythms which sets our sleep cycle, through the hormone called melatonin. Any changes in melatonin production is dependent on the amount of light available in a day. Although cats are domesticated they are still nocturnal creatures.

Rene Descartes, a French Philosopher in the 17^th century, believed that the principal seat of the soul is the pineal gland. So, this concept of the ‘third eye’ where we must go beyond physical perception to delve into spiritual matters comes into play. Humans require lot of training and discipline to master this art. But do cats have the special ability to connect with the spiritual world particularly during the night is what we need to think deeply about.

Whether a cat can see a ghost or not is a debateable topic but you must keep in mind that they are able to see things differently from us and their brains work in wonderful ways that we humans are still to discover. So, if a cat is watching something that is not visible to us and if they are trying to alert us of their presence you should understand that they are trying to figure whether the situation is safe or not.

However, most of the times your cat may not be staring at ghosts but at you. So, if they go on staring all you need to do is to move slowly and blink your eyes to say that you are not a threat to them. But mostly your feline pal is staring at you with love and affection, appreciate them!

April 28, 2018
What temperature should cat food be served?

Is your cat turning away without tasting their food? Are you trying very hard to convince them to eat? If you think that you are well on your way in raising a picky eater then you are sadly not aware of one vital thing that is necessary while feeding a cat – the food temperature.

Yes, the temperature of the food plays a big role in its selection and palatability. Majority of the cats prefer their food at about 35 degrees centigrade. This not only makes the food appear appetizing but there are certain theories to support the fact that it closely matches the temperature of a freshly killed prey. Anything above 40 degrees centigrade or below 35 degrees centigrade will be rejected by cats due to its unpalatability.

The length of time that you can leave the food out uneaten depends on the room temperature. The thumb rule while serving cat food is to not leave it out for more than 20 to 30 minutes else the food turns stale.

If you are feeding your pet canned food then ensure that they are covered adequately and are refrigerated immediately after opening. Any uneaten food can be stored in disposable plastic cans or bags. If you need to heat it up, place them in a microwavable dish and just warm the food in a low setting. Warming the food to room temperature will make it not only smell good but taste great as well.

April 27, 2018
Why do cats hiss?
Your cat’s day is very peaceful until that moment when your dog decides to playfully sniff and try to get them to play. That’s it, your cat has had it! He is on his feet, arches in back, ears shoot up, mouth is open and his tongue is curled. Then you will hear the sound of hissing. What does it mean? Why do cats hiss? What should you do when they hiss?

The origin of cat hissing

Feline behaviourists believe that cats have learnt to hiss by copying the sound made by snakes. Imitating the sounds made by other animals is a survival technique that is used by many animals. When they hiss, it means they are issuing a warning that must be heeded by other animals.

What is running in a cat’s brain when they hiss?

When a cat hisses they usually feel confused, unhappy, surprised or fearful. When they have such mixed feelings, their adrenaline is pumped up and is flowing because they are startled and scared. Following their natural instinct, they hiss.

Why do cats hiss?

There are many reasons why they do, here are the most common ones:
- The warning hiss – A mother cat hisses to protect her kittens from strangers. Two cats that have not been introduced the right way will issue a warning to each other to ‘stay away’, thereby avoiding unnecessary fights. A cat may also hiss at a person who carries the scent of other pets on their clothes. They just want them to keep a safe distance.
- The in-pain hiss – A cat that is injured and in pain will hiss if they are touched in the affected spot. Some cats even hiss at the vet because they do not like to be touched, poked or prodded especially when all the handling causes them pain.
- The play hiss – The play hiss is shorter than the defensive one, which is quite common in kittens. A young cat will react to a loud noise by jumping and hissing. A kitten will hiss if their littermates start to play rough.
What to do if a cat hisses at you?

Firstly, understand that when your cat hisses they want you to know that they are feeling vulnerable, frightened or they might be in pain. Just give them some time and leave them alone for a bit.

If your cat hisses while you are petting them then it’s a sign that they are being overstimulated. Stop petting them and give them some space. Always observe their body language before approaching them. If their tail starts twitching or when they look at your hand then maybe it’s time to stop petting them.

Teach your kids not to touch the cat when they hiss, this will stop them from succumbing to unwanted injuries.

To sum it all up, a cat’s hiss is a gesture to inform other animals to back off. Once you adhere to their restricted boundaries and their ‘petting threshold’, the lesser hisses will be issued at you!
April 26, 2018
What temperature should dog food be served?

‘Why does my dog turn away from its meal?’, ‘It’s homemade, with nice chunks of meat still Honey does not eat it! What should I do?’ A majority of pet parents seem to have this problem. The solution is really simple, to make your dog’s food more appealing and appetising all you have to do is to heat it up before serving them.

Most of the commercial dog food brands suggests their food to be heated up to room temperature before serving it to your pet. Getting the food temperature right is also very important as food that is either too hot or cold will be rejected by your pet. So, it makes sense to remove the food from the fridge and allow it to thaw, then lightly heat it up before serving it to your pet.

A dog may not have the appetite to eat if they are sick or injured. You can tweak your recuperating pet’s appetite by feeding them a nicely warmed up meal that is high on energy and nutrition. The recommended food temperature to serve dog food is 38 Degrees Centigrade. Anything above or below this temperature will be rejected by your pet for its unpalatability.

If your convalescing dog is on a dry food diet then you can get them to eat by adding a dash of meat broth, a little amount of animal fat or just plain warm water. If you have an elderly dog with a decreased sense of smell or a fussy eater, you can make them eat by warming the food to room temperature. It will give them an appetizing aroma which will compel them to taste and relish their food.

You have a lot of options in heating your dog’s food. Heat them in the microwave. But if you are worried about the microwave destroying all the nutrients in the food you can warm your pet’s food by placing them in a double boiler of hot water, immersing the food covered in a plastic bag in hot water or by stirring some hot water into their food.

If you want to know more about the benefits of serving warm food to your pet you can always contact your vet.

April 25, 2018
How dogs sense when we are sick?

Hachi barks and jumps at his master as if to tell him not to leave for work. Sigh, if only the man listened to his dog! Hachi’s master suddenly collapsed at his workplace with a massive heart attack. A question does arise, can dogs sense when we are ill and more importantly predict the oncoming of a stroke or epilepsy?

Well, their amazing sense of smell helps them to detect not only strokes but also the presence of cancer and even our emotional state. They can do it because of their awesome olfactory abilities. Since they have a stronger sense of smell than humans, they will be able to notice changes in our body chemistry when we fall sick. In fact, dogs can be specially trained to sniff volatile organic compounds in our human body that helps in early detection of serious diseases like cancer.

A trained nose of a dog can accurately detect the presence of lung cancer on the person’s breath, point the location of a mammary tumour or sense the presence of prostate or bladder cancer from the person’s urine. Apart from this, dogs can smell changes in blood sugar levels in a diabetic person and alert us when a person is about to have a seizure. So, if you notice your canine buddy giving special attention to a particular part of your buddy then you must listen to what they are telling you and get yourself checked.

Dogs can also sense our emotional state. They know when we are happy as they can smell the increase in the production of hormones such as dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin. When we fall ill there is decrease in the production of these feel good hormones and your dog can sense it. This is why the keep checking up on you and are likely to stick close to you. It can be seen when you are feeling depressed, ill or grieving for a loved one. Dogs have been known to lick tears and provide silent support to their human friends.

Our canine friends can also understand our facial expressions. When we are sick or feel tired there will be a drop in our energy levels which can be seen on our face and your dog can easily detect it. They will immediately sense a change in our behaviour and expression and will want to instantly make us feel better. Your furry buddy will want to comfort you be giving you a quick nuzzle and will want to lick away your tears and if you are tired they will do something to bring a smile to your woebegone face!

So, whenever you don’t feel good allow your furry buddy to give you some TLC! They are the best in the field!

April 24, 2018
Why do dogs sniff people’s crotches and butts?

It can be quite embarrassing to have a dog sniff your crotch or stick their snout on your rear. Dogs do really have a few strange habits but this one definitely takes the biscuit or should I say bone. A friend comes over to visit you and wham! Your pet zeroes in on their prohibited zones! Why do they do it?

Well, dogs do not understand that humans find their way of greeting downright annoying and even offensive. But dogs see nothing wrong in it as they treat humans the same way they treat other dogs. They sniff a human’s crotch and butt as a way of greeting and to also find out more about them in a form of chemical communication. Just by sniffing other dog’s butt they get details about their age, gender, diet and even their emotional state.

There is a sweat gland called the apocrine glands. This produces scents that give out the required social information. These chemicals are called pheromones. In dogs and most of the mammals the apocrine glands are widely spread over their body with higher concentrations particularly in their genital and anal region. The pheromone scents can identify the gender, age, state of health and mood of an individual, it can also give out sexual information as well. For instance, it can tell if the female is menstruating or if she is pregnant.

In humans, the apocrine glands are found in certain areas of the body such as the armpits and groin area. So, a dog will sniff these areas for the same reason they sniff the genital region of other dogs. Certain people will receive more attention when they come in contact with other dogs, especially if they carry a trace of sexual scent. So, people who have indulged in sexual intercourse, women who are menstruating or have recently given birth and nursing their child will be subjected to impolite sniffing at their genital area.

Also, when a female ovulates there will be a change in their pheromones that will attract the attention of dogs. A couple of Australian researchers noticed that the frequency of crotch sniffing shot up during ovulation and decided to experiment.

So, for this purpose they trained a few Australian shepherd dogs to pick cows that had ovulated. Thereby, allowing farmers and ranchers to breed their cows at the right time of their fertile period. So, a dog’s ‘sniff test’ therefore became an easier and a more reliable method of predicting ovulation. This could also mean that humans can benefit from a dog’s sniffing ability. Once they are specially trained, they will be able to tell a woman’s fertile period to either plan a family or to exercise effective birth control.

April 23, 2018