How to Calculate a Dog's Age in Dog Years

From Dogster.com

A popular misconception is that dogs age 7 years for each calendar year. In fact, canine aging is much more rapid during the first 2 years of a dog's life. After the first 2 years the ratio settles down to 5 to 1 for small and medium breeds. For large breeds the rate is 6 to 1, and for giant breeds the rate is 7 to 1. Thus, at 10 years of age a Great Dane would be 80 years old while a pug would only be 64.

How to Tell a Dog's Age
If you've taken in a dog whose age is unknown, there are some ways to determine his age. Here are some things vets check to get a general sense of how old a dog is:
The Teeth: Dogs usually have a set of permanent teeth by their seventh month, so if you've come across a dog with clean pearly whites, he is likely a year old or thereabouts. Yellowing on a dog's back teeth may put the dog between one and two years of age, while tartar build-up at a minimal level could mean you have a dog between 3 and 5. Missing teeth or severe wear usually means the dog is a senior and could use some special dental care.
Muscle Tone: Younger dogs are more likely to have some muscle definition from their higher activity level. Older dogs are usually either a tad bonier or a little fatter from decreased activity.
The Coat: A younger dog usually has a soft, fine coat, whereas an older dog tends to have thicker, coarser (and sometimes oilier) fur. A senior dog may display grays or patches of white, particularly around the snout.
The Eyes: Bright, clear eyes without tearing or discharge are common in younger dogs. Cloudy or opaque eyes may mean an older dog.

Old Age in Dogs
The age at which a dog can be considered elderly varies widely among models. In general, the larger the dog, the more quickly it declines. For instance, a Great Dane could be considered "senior" at age 5, while a smaller toy poodle would still be spry at twice that age. Remember, however, that just because a dog is chronologically old doesn't mean that an endless series of malfunctions is in store. In many cases an elderly dog can enjoy many healthy, active, pain-free years.
One of the best ways to prolong the life and improve the functions of an elderly dog is to carefully regulate its fuel intake. Older dogs exercise less and thus need fewer calories. And since age reduces their ability to digest and absorb nutrients, high-quality food specifically formulated for their needs is a necessity. Excessive amounts of protein, phosphorus, and sodium can aggravate kidney and heart problems, so most such foods contain smaller amounts of higher-quality protein, along with reduced quantities of other elements. Levels of vitamins, zinc, fatty acids, and fiber, however, are increased.

Need a Good Laugh - Read This

The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door.

Dear Dogs and Cats:

The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.


The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.


I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort, however. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It Is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.


For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required.


The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough. Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:

TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:

(1) They live here. You don't.
(2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'-niture.
(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
(4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.


Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they eat less, don't ask for money all the time, are easier to train, normally come when called, never ask to drive the car, don't hang out with drug-using people, don't smoke or drink, don't want to wear your clothes, don't have to buy the latest fashions, don't need a gazillion dollars for college and if they get pregnant, you can sell their children ...

Not all Bully Sticks are the same

Not all Bully Sticks are the same. Where they come from and how they are processed are things to consider. We primarily carry Bully Sticks from Top Dog - these are from free range South American cattle- which means that they cattle roam freely and graze on wild grass - there are no hormones, no antibiotics and no steroids involved, nor dyes or coloring used. These are vertically drained and then baked, a safer approach then sun drying, although more expensive. These sticks are not irradiated and are evaluated by the FDA and USDA after going through inspection by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture. Also it seems that thicker is not necessarily better.

Odor free? Well that's a whole other story. My take is - how did they get them odor free? My dog only likes things that smell so odor free would not cut it for him.

Other options for chews include Trachea - very digestible with a crunchy texture and high in chondroitin, which helps form and nourish cartilage. You can even fill them with peanut butter as an extra special treat.

Lamb chews - such as ears are lower in fat then say pigs ears - and great for small dogs. Also, Pizzles- the lamb equivalent of a bully stick and weasands are other options for the small dogs.

At Cause to Paws we try to carry a large selection of bones/treats/tendons to meet all types of chewers. Be sure to check it out the next time you are in the store.

What is Catnip?

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a member of the mint family. The active ingredient, nepacetalone, is what has the magic effect on our cats. It pleasantly stimulates pheromone receptors in the cat's nose. Too much catnip can make a cat aggressive, causing her to growl or hiss, so as with all recreational pleasures, moderation is key.

About one-third of cats have no response to catnip. Quality of catnip varies. At Cause to Paws we sell a variety of toys with catnip in them, some are refillable, others are not. We also sell loose organic catnip as well as "teabags" full of catnip to put into toys. Dried catnip can be revived by crunching it between your hands to release the oils. Catnip can also come in a spray- It is steamed distilled to produce a pure extract and then is blended with spring water. It can be utilized to revive those toys that cannot be refilled.

Catnip is not addictive, but if you give it to your cats every day the effect will begin to wear off, so Jane Kelley says "save the 'nip for special occasions". Cat expert and animal communicator Jane A Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.

According to Duckyworld (our #1 selling catnip - toys and loose), catnip also makes a wonderful tea for people with feverish colds or who have trouble sleeping. catnip tea also helps settle an upset stomach, toothache and relieves gas!

How to Stop Unwanted Barking

Found a great article on Dogster. Here is a summary/shortened version that I thought you might find helpful.

Dogs bark to communicate with you. Learning why they bark is the key to stop your dog from barking. Depending on the reason for barking and your own training skill level, you may need to consult with a qualified trainer/behaviorist to assist you with the training. For more on selecting a behavior professional, check out the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior guidelines for choosing a trainer.

Just as there are many reasons humans speak, dog barking occurs for a number of reasons. Here are a few of the most common:

Distance decreasing: Distance decreasing barking can also be considered attention-seeking barking. The dog is barking to communicate with the owner - "pay attention to me!"
Boredom: Evaluate your dog's lifestyle. How much physical exercise is she getting? How much social stimulation through appropriate play with other dogs? How much play does she get with you? Is she getting adequate mental stimulation in the form of both training and problem solving? If your dog is barking because of boredom, consider more physical exercise, more positive training, and introduce new toys and games for environmental enrichment (At Cause to Paws we have lots of interactive toys that can help)
Frustration: While some frustration barking is boredom barking, not all boredom barking is frustration barking. Often in class, dogs bark when their owners have poor timing or because the rate of reinforcement is too low, the dog is frustrated because the signals are unclear.
Separation distress (limited vocalization, no injury to self or property), consider how long the dog is left alone - if it is more than eight hours for an adult (even shorter periods of separation are recommended for puppies), find a dog walker or pet sitter to break the day up. Provide her with mental stimulation through puzzle toys, kibble hunts, etc., when she is alone. (At Cause to Paws we carry things like DAP - Dog Appeasing Pheromone - sprays or collars, Rescue Remedy drops, Happy Traveler tablets from Ark Naturals which often helps calm the dog while you are gone or Lavendar Foam can help your dog to relax.Greetings, and exits should be low key).
Invitation to play: Some dogs bark to say, "Hey, I want to meet/play with you NOW NOW NOW!" (puppy barking frequently falls in this category). These barks are generally high pitched, and are often accompanied by wagging "propeller tails," loose/wiggly body language, play bows and jumping. Ask those who would like to interact with her to wait for calm, quiet behavior before greeting to avoid reinforcing the behavior.
Separation anxiety: True separation anxiety (destruction to self or property) is a topic beyond the scope of this Blog. If your dog is injuring herself or destroying your home, We recommend you seek the assistance of a behaviorist such as Vera Wilkinson from the Cooperative Dog, in addressing this issue.

Rawhide - What is it really?

Have you ever wondered what Rawhide really is?
Rawhide is the inner layer of the hide of any cleft-hoofed bovine livestock. The animal's skin is split into inner and outer layers. The tough outer layer is used for leather shoes, garments, and upholstery, while the softer inner layer is cut and formed into different shapes for dog chews.

Beef-Hide is premium rawhide made from cows raised for consumption. American Beef-Hide is derived from corn-fed cows within U.S. borders.

Collagen fibers link to make the animal's hide tough yet flexible. Human skin has the same basic structure but is much thinner. When collagen in the skin dries out, it becomes stiff. As your dog chews, the saliva moistens and softens the rawhide. Foreign rawhide is often sun parched while U.S. beef-hide is oven dried to prevent over drying.

The quality of rawhide is often related to its country of origin: We try to carry only American Beef-hide: Corn-fed beef raised in the U.S. supply a thick, palatable and high quality chew. American beef-hide is considered "The Source" of choice for premium chews.

Natural tendencies of wild canines and their predecessors was to sink their teeth into their prey and pull away on the hides stripping the skin and meat. Inherent in this feeding processes was the beneficial action of the tugging and pressure on the teeth and gums which served to toughen the gums and clean the teeth for a continuously healthy mouth.

Dental Benefits: As rawhide is chewed and moistened, it wraps around the teeth and rubs off plaque and calculi. Behavior Benefits: All dogs have an inherent desire to chew, especially puppies. Aberrant chewing can be a sign of lack of exercise or a vitamin deficiency, but it is most often a normal desire to chew. This drive can exhibit itself on furniture and clothing items. Beef-hide offers a dog a safe chewing outlet.

But are they safe for my dog? Not everyone is comfortable using rawhide, it is up to you to decide. Chews come in every size and shape imaginable. It is important that the chew be large enough and thick enough that your dog cannot easily chew off and swallow a large piece or the whole chew. Rawhide that requires more than 7 days to chew should be replaced due to dirt and bacteria buildup.

If your dog has gastrointestinal disease or is eating a therapeutic diet, you should seek a veterinarian's approval before feeding any chews. Dogs with beef allergies or that consistently swallow bones whole should probably chew unattended.

Hope Everyone Had a Great Thanksgiving

Are you prepared for the Holidays?

Now it's time to think about the next set of Holidays. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa, it is great to include your pets in the celebrations.

Taking a photo to send to friends and family? Don't forget to get the family cat or dog involved. We carry Antlers, Santa or Elf Hats and holiday outfits for the pets. It definitely bringa a smile to everyone (well maybe not the cat or dog- but what a photo opp!)

If you don't have a pet, doing something for a friends cat or dog is often greatly appreciated as well. Going to a cookie swap with friends who have pets, bring along some bakery treats for the dog - everyone will comment on how thoughtful you are.

Gift Baskets filled with treats and toys for a business associate is one option if you don't know what to get them (of course this only works if they have a pet) - there are just so many bottles of wine or cheese baskets one can receive! At Cause to Paws we can put something together for you - or you can pick out items yourself and package them up. Either way people will really appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Other things to keep in mind.

Be careful at Holiday Dinners - this is a great opportunity for dogs to seize half-carved turkeys, half-cut hams and semi-sliced roasts from the kitchen counter top - or eat things they shouldn't - like chocolate or candy. Even too many dog treats can be harmful, keep an eye out.

Which brings up another concern - Call your vet and check his or her schedule for the Holidays. Ask if there will be emergency care available. Your vet's office might be closed, so be sure to get the phone number and address of the nearest emergency veterinary clinic. It's good to have this type of information on hand just incase. If you are going away this is information you need to give to whomever may be taking care of your pets. If you are in need of a pet sitter or walker- you better arrange this ASAP because often they book up early.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Holiday Season.