Burmese — Boisterous and Bold

 The Burmese puts a capital "C" in clingy and chatty. This feline enjoys cuddling, cooing, meowing and sitting on your paperwork

Siamese — The Top Vocal Cat

 Meet the Big Mouth of the cat world. The ever-chatty Siamese can mesmerize you with his almond-shaped, deep-blue eyes and aristocratic, slender body. But he can also annoy you with his high-volume vocals that can almost mimic the cry of a human baby. This extremely popular breed needs activities to work his brain and his body. He isn’t afraid to let you know what he wants and when. His shorthaired, silky coat is very easy to maintain

 Turkish Angora — The Happy Greeter

 Sporting a royal heritage, the Turkish Angora hails from the mountains of Turkey and was treated regally by Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette before sailing to the United States. This longhaired cat is thought to be the originator of the longhair gene in domestic cats. His huge, almond-shaped eyes and tufted ears will charm you as he converses with you with plenty of happy talk. He can’t wait for you to host a party so he can do his meet-and-greet to everyone who attends. As an added bonus, his silky, long coat rarely mats.

 

 American Bobtail

 This all-American, self-assured breed is a born hunter with a trademark bobbed tail (a natural mutation) that never slows him down during a quest. Bobtails come in many colors and patterns, as well as short and longhaired coats that feel like rabbit fur. The Bobtail’s favorite activities? Fetching, walking on a leash and stealing shiny objects — not necessarily in that order. Outfox your Bobtail by keeping a lid on your coveted shiny items — and don't let him see where you placed them

  Munchkin

 Meet one of the world’s smallest but craftiest jewelry thieves. The short-legged Munchkin sports a low-slung body built for speed and quick turns around corners. They have trouble curbing their intense curiosity. So, while you are at work, your Munchkin is focused on collecting and stashing away in secret hiding places any and all shiny and small metal objects that she can get her paws on. Missing an earring? Just look under the cushion of the sofa where your Munchkin spends most of her time catnapping.

3 Best Ways to Care for Your Cat's Teeth

  Perfect cat teetht took a while, but we veterinarians have finally made some progress when it comes to helping people understand - and do something about - the importance of oral health for their dogs. The message is coming through loud and clear: Doggy-breath isn't normal, and rotting teeth and gums are painful and life-shortening.

 

After not much more than a single generation - of dogs, not people - we veterinarians now see dog owners who are happy to ask for more information on brushing, and who understand the importance of regular dental checkups and cleanings under anesthesia. To go from a universal response of "You're kidding? You want me to brush my dog's teeth?!" to questions about how to properly handle this chore (or at least an admission of feeling guilty about not doing it) is a real leap forward in wellness care, and our dogs are better for it.

But what about cats? I've seen the look of disbelief on cat owners' faces at the recommendation that cats should have their teeth brushed too. This is a harder sell, not because people care less about their cats, but because they can't imagine getting their cats to cooperate with hands-on dental care.

Yes, there are people who brush their cat's teeth, and yes, it's much easier to start with a kitten. But with patience, treats and praise, many adult cats can learn to tolerate - and even enjoy - the process that surrounds a gentle attention to teeth and gums. Besides: Pet-friendly toothpaste is yummy!

 

Good, Better, Best

It may be possible, but I know realistically that for many cat owners, brushing their pets' teeth isn't going to happen. Fortunately, I am a firm believer that something is better than nothing - what I call the "good, better, best" approach to dental care for cats.

Good: Rinses. Your veterinarian can recommend products that are added to drinking water to help reduce the formation of plaque. These have a two-fold advantage, since they're also tasty enough to some cats to encourage more drinking: Many cats have a problem staying hydrated, and anything to get them to drink more will help. Other rinses spray directly into the mouth, which may be better tolerated than brushing.

Better: Edible toothbrushes. Talk to your veterinarian and take a look around. You'll see a wide selection of foods and treats that combine good nutrition and great taste with an abrasive action designed to scrape teeth clean as your cat chews. In more severe cases, your veterinarian may suggest a therapeutic diet with proven ability to keep your cat's teeth cleaner.

Best: Brushing with a pet-safe enzymatic toothpaste. Still the best, and even if you can manage it only a couple of times a week, your cat will be better off for your efforts. You can't use human toothpaste, but pet toothpaste fortunately comes in several flavors, so your cat can pick his favorite. You don't even need to use a toothbrush if your cat finds that intimidating; a finger brush or even some gauze wrapped around your finger will be fine.

The bottom line is this: Don't give up. Talk to your veterinarian about all the options for your cat, starting with a dental examination and probably a cleaning under anesthesia to get you off to a good start. And then do what you can, because anything you can do is better than the misery of stomatitis and other dental  procedures.

Tips for Including Your Pet in Family Holiday Photos

As I reflect on the past year, I am thankful for the wonderful relationships I have in my life.  My family, my friends, the wonderful people I work with and I am thankful for you - my PetPlace subscribers.

You give me the inspiration to get up every day and write newsletters that reach over 1/2 million people all over the world. Thank you for being part of the PetPlace family and for trusting me with your pet and for taking time to connect with me via my newsletter.

Of course, I am also deeply thankful for my dog. He has filled my life with much love. 

I love to see his big brown eyes when I get home from work.  He trusts me with every ounce of his soul. He knows I will care for him and he will go with me everywhere I go and stay by my side. It gives me great joy to have such a wonderful companion. Truly, the bond between us and our pets is unlike any other bond.

I know that if you are reading this newsletter, you are also thankful for that special dog or cat that shares your home or your life.

Thanksgiving is for giving thanks, so I would love to hear from you today telling me why you are thankful for your dog.

 

Pets have become an important part of our families and it only seems natural to include them in our family holiday photos. To help you with this process, here are some tips to guide you to have the perfect pet and family photo for this holiday season.

1. First – start planning early. It's never too early to start planning for the photo. Decide when, where, who will be in the photo and who will take the photos. Schedule a date, time, location, and organize the photographer with all involved.

2. What will everyone wear? As part of your planning, consider what everyone will be wearing including your family pet! When considering attire, consider your background and what will look best. For example, if you have a golden retriever, you may not want everyone to wear yellow or gold. If you have an Irish setter, red may not be the best color for everyone or your pet may fade into the background. Black pets are often flattered by light colors and light-colored pets by dark colors.

3. Get everything together. Gather everyone's outfits, including any special pet outfits, bandanas, collars, Santa suits and the like. Try them on your pet to make sure they fit. Reward your pet for good behavior if he tolerates the outfit. Try it on a few times before the photo shoot to avoid any problems and to make sure your pet is "used" to the outfit.

4. Consider your photo location. Most dogs can be happy having photos taken anywhere. However, some dogs can be nervous and prefer the comfort of your own home. If that is the case, consider an attractive backdrop such as near trees outdoors or inside around the fireplace or a favorite chair. Consider decorating the background for the holiday to give the photo that extra holiday spirit. Most cats are much more comfortable indoors and if you have an indoor only cat, it may be your only option.

5. Who will be next to or hold the pet? Consider where your pet would look good in the photo and which person he is most comfortable with. Make sure they practice sitting together and are comfortable well before the photo. One easy solution is to have the pet on the lap of someone that they are most comfortable with.

6. Get your pet's attention - During some photos, you want the pet's attention to be focused on the photographer. Be prepared. Dogs may respond to their names, squeak toys, treats or other interesting objects to capture their attention. Take some of these items with you on the photo shoot. String, ribbon, feathers or noises may capture the attention of cats.

7. If you are the photographer, make sure you capture the moment. Try to capture not only posed photos but some impromptu photos of the time between shots. Don't draw attention to yourself. Quietly take the photos.

8. Take lots of photos. If possible, go digital. This will allow you to take lots of photos and review them without the expense of developing each picture.

9. Keep the experience low-key. Pets respond to stress, often negatively. They will be less inclined to sit still and may hide. Don't loose your calm, don't yell, and speak quietly. Make it a peaceful and joyful experience.

10. Consider the best angle for shooting your pet and family. The best angle is often at eye level.

11. Camera tips – you may want to set your shutter speed on a fairly fast frame in case the pet moves. If you are using a traditional film camera, consider 400 speed films. How would you complete this sentence? I am thankful for my dog because...

Cat Jokes

 

Hampering

If one of your humans is engaged in some close activity and the other is idle, stay with the busy one. This is called "helping" otherwise known is "hampering." Some rules:

 a) When supervising cooking, sit just behind the left heel of the cook. You cannot be seen and thereby stand a better chance of being stepped on and then picked up and comforted.

b) For book readers, get in close under the chin, between eyes and book, unless you can lie across the book itself.

c) For knitting projects or paperwork, lie on the work in the most appropriate manner to obscure the maximum amount. Pretend to doze but every so often reach out and slap the pencil or knitting needles. Sit on the paperwork they are working on. Roll around on the papers, scattering them to the best of your ability. After being removed for the second time, push pens pencils, and erasers off the table, one at a time. Embroidery and needlepoint make great hammocks.

d) When a human is holding the newspaper in front of him/her be sure to jump at the back of the paper. They love surprises.

e) Dart out quickly and as close as possible in front of the human, especially: on stairs; when they have something in their arms; in the dark; and when they first get up in the morning. This will help their coordination skills.

f) When a human is attempting to "make the bed," hop on it and curl up in the center, or pounce on the sheet the human is trying to rearrange. If the human tries to ignore you by covering you with the sheets, move around and try to mess things up. Protest loudly when you're evicted.

g) Laundry presents many opportunities to hamper. Laundry fresh from the dryer is a perfect bed, since it is warm and soft. As soon as it is put down for sorting, arrange yourself for a nap. If the human removes you, keep returning until the laundry isn't warm anymore. Now it's playtime. Pounce on anything the human tries to move around for folding, especially socks and nylons. For added fun, grab a sock and hide under the bed with it.

Food

Eating, however, is only half the fun. The other half is getting the food. Cats have two ways to obtain food: Convincing a human you are starving to death and must be fed "NOW" and hunting for it oneself. The following are guidelines for getting fed:

a) When the humans are eating, make sure you leave the tip of your tail in their dishes when they are not looking.

b) The best times to inform humans of your dish's emptiness are when they are unable to ignore you, such as when they are sleeping or on the toilet.

c) Should you catch something of your own outside, it is only polite to attempt to get to know it. Be insistent - your food will usually not be so polite and try to leave.

Vacuum Cleaner

 

This appalling Beast is known by many names, "Cat Eater" being the most prevalent. Humans will turn into raging monsters while under its influence, sucking up all the carefully shed cat hair and terrorizing the feline residents with evil glee. All you can do is run and hide.

Occasionally, the humans are forced to open the vacuum cleaner and remove a swollen bag from within. This is its stomach, and must be destroyed at all costs. Do not worry if the human yells at you, for the yell is really that of the Beast in pain.

Mornings

 

In order to provide for you, the humans must leave the domain every morning (usually before you take your first cat nap).

To help them on their way, howl loudly, massage their scalps with your claws, or gently bounce on top of them in bed. See GAMES. The best time to do this is about 24 minutes before their alarm clock goes off. We must protect them from that blaring noise for it could ruin their hearing.

Sickness

If you have to throw up, get to a chair quickly. If you cannot manage in time, get to an Oriental rug. If there is no Oriental rug, shag is good. When throwing up on the carpet, make sure you back up so it is longer then a human's bare foot. AVOID flooring at all costs!

Dictionary by Dog


LEASH: A strap that attaches to your collar, enabling you to lead your person where you want him/her to go.

DOG BED: Any soft, clean surface, such as the white bedspread in the guest room or the newly upholstered couch in the living room.

DROOL: A liquid that, when combined with sad eyes, forces humans to give you their food. To do this properly you must sit as close as you can and get drool on the human.

SNIFF: A social custom used to greet other dogs, similar to the human exchange of business cards.

GARBAGE CAN: A container which your neighbors put out once a week to test your ingenuity. You must stand on your hind legs and try to push the lid off with your nose. If you do it right you are rewarded with margarine wrappers to shred, beef bones to consume and moldy crusts of bread.

BICYCLES: Two-wheeled exercise machines, invented for dogs to control body fat. To get maximum aerobic benefit, you must hide behind a bush and dash out, bark loudly and run alongside for a few yards. The person then swerves and falls into the bushes, and you prance away.


Thunder


DEAFNESS: This is a malady which affects dogs when their person wants them in and they want to stay out. Symptoms include staring blankly at the person, then running in the opposite direction or lying down.


THUNDER: This is a signal that the world is coming to an end. Humans remain amazingly calm during thunderstorms, so it is necessary to warn them of the danger by trembling uncontrollably, panting, rolling your eyes wildly and following at their heels.

Bath

WASTEBASKET: This is a dog toy filled with paper, envelopes and old candy wrappers. It is important to evenly distribute its contents throughout the house before your person comes home.

BATH: If you find something especially good to roll in, humans get jealous and they use this degrading form of torture to get even. Be sure to shake only when next to a person or a piece of furniture.

Children


CHILDREN: Short humans of optimal petting height. Standing close to one assures some good petting. When running, they are good to chase. If they fall down, they are comfortable to sit on.

LEAN: Every good dog's response to the command "sit!" especially if your person is dressed for an evening out. Incredibly effective before black-tie events.

Bump

BUMP: The best way to get your human's attention when they are drinking a fresh cup of coffee or tea.

GOOSE BUMP: A maneuver to use as a last resort when the regular bump doesn't get the attention you require...especially effective when combined with the sniff. See above.

Love


LOVE: A feeling of intense affection, given freely and without restriction. The best way you can show your love is to wag your tail. If you're lucky, a human will love you in return.

Today I want to tell you about a very special dog named Doodle. Even though veterinarians treat hundreds, possibly even thousands of dogs over the years, one particular dog can sometimes really touch your heart. These are dogs who will always be on your mind. For me, that dog was Doodle.

There was something about Doodle that people just couldn't resist. He was a beautiful mixed breed with a vibrant, happy personality. Doodle loved people and they loved him. He was great with kids and protective of his owners, a very nice couple that had cared for him since they rescued him as a puppy. Unlike many dogs, Doodle was not scared or nervous about coming into the clinic. In fact, I think he actually LIKED it. I know we sure liked seeing him! Each time his owners brought him in for a check-up Doodle would wag his tail excitedly and wait to be petted. Then he would hop right up on the table and wait for me. He was very well-behaved and such a good dog.

Sadly, one day Doodle's owners brought him into the clinic and he wasn't his usual enthusiastic, happy self. He appeared tired and weak. He didn't wag his tail or hop up on the table; for the first time, we had to pick him up. I knew immediately that this wasn't going to be good.

We ran some tests and discovered that Doodle had cancer - the kind that is untreatable. Doodle must have been in constant pain. I discussed the situation with his owners and we all agreed that the best course of action would be to put Doodle to sleep. It was the humane thing to do.

Euthanizing an animal is never easy, but this time it was harder than ever before. Doodle had been my patient for years. When I would see his name in the appointment book I was always excited to see him. My staff and I adored him and cared for him when his owners went on vacation. He was such a special dog - we all loved Doodle. Saying goodbye to this old friend would be heartbreaking for all of us.

After Doodle was euthanized his owners were devastated. To be honest, so was I. It was so hard that the whole staff cried. It's hard to say goodbye to such a special friend. We will really miss him.

Today I want to tell you about a very special dog named Doodle. Even though veterinarians treat hundreds, possibly even thousands of dogs over the years, one particular dog can sometimes really touch your heart. These are dogs who will always be on your mind. For me, that dog was Doodle.

There was something about Doodle that people just couldn't resist. He was a beautiful mixed breed with a vibrant, happy personality. Doodle loved people and they loved him. He was great with kids and protective of his owners, a very nice couple that had cared for him since they rescued him as a puppy. Unlike many dogs, Doodle was not scared or nervous about coming into the clinic. In fact, I think he actually LIKED it. I know we sure liked seeing him! Each time his owners brought him in for a check-up Doodle would wag his tail excitedly and wait to be petted. Then he would hop right up on the table and wait for me. He was very well-behaved and such a good dog.

Sadly, one day Doodle's owners brought him into the clinic and he wasn't his usual enthusiastic, happy self. He appeared tired and weak. He didn't wag his tail or hop up on the table; for the first time, we had to pick him up. I knew immediately that this wasn't going to be good.

We ran some tests and discovered that Doodle had cancer - the kind that is untreatable. Doodle must have been in constant pain. I discussed the situation with his owners and we all agreed that the best course of action would be to put Doodle to sleep. It was the humane thing to do.

Euthanizing an animal is never easy, but this time it was harder than ever before. Doodle had been my patient for years. When I would see his name in the appointment book I was always excited to see him. My staff and I adored him and cared for him when his owners went on vacation. He was such a special dog - we all loved Doodle. Saying goodbye to this old friend would be heartbreaking for all of us.

After Doodle was euthanized his owners were devastated. To be honest, so was I. It was so hard that the whole staff cried. It's hard to say goodbye to such a special friend. We will really miss him.

Today I want to tell you about a very special dog named Doodle. Even though veterinarians treat hundreds, possibly even thousands of dogs over the years, one particular dog can sometimes really touch your heart. These are dogs who will always be on your mind. For me, that dog was Doodle.

There was something about Doodle that people just couldn't resist. He was a beautiful mixed breed with a vibrant, happy personality. Doodle loved people and they loved him. He was great with kids and protective of his owners, a very nice couple that had cared for him since they rescued him as a puppy. Unlike many dogs, Doodle was not scared or nervous about coming into the clinic. In fact, I think he actually LIKED it. I know we sure liked seeing him! Each time his owners brought him in for a check-up Doodle would wag his tail excitedly and wait to be petted. Then he would hop right up on the table and wait for me. He was very well-behaved and such a good dog.

Sadly, one day Doodle's owners brought him into the clinic and he wasn't his usual enthusiastic, happy self. He appeared tired and weak. He didn't wag his tail or hop up on the table; for the first time, we had to pick him up. I knew immediately that this wasn't going to be good.

We ran some tests and discovered that Doodle had cancer - the kind that is untreatable. Doodle must have been in constant pain. I discussed the situation with his owners and we all agreed that the best course of action would be to put Doodle to sleep. It was the humane thing to do.

Euthanizing an animal is never easy, but this time it was harder than ever before. Doodle had been my patient for years. When I would see his name in the appointment book I was always excited to see him. My staff and I adored him and cared for him when his owners went on vacation. He was such a special dog - we all loved Doodle. Saying goodbye to this old friend would be heartbreaking for all of us.

After Doodle was euthanized his owners were devastated. To be honest, so was I. It was so hard that the whole staff cried. It's hard to say goodbye to such a special friend. We will really miss him.

Did you put up your holiday decorations yet? Some folks have their tree and outdoor lights up before the Thanksgiving turkey comes out of the oven; others prefer to wait until later in the season.

With all the holiday preparations you're making … shopping, wrapping presents, planning holiday meals, getting the house ready for guests or perhaps packing and preparing to leave for a holiday trip… you may be a little more than stressed.

Did you know your dog can pick up on that and be stressed out himself?

Any change in your dog's routine can cause stress. And when your dog is stressed, he may misbehave, including destroying things around the house or chewing up shoes or furniture. He could hurt himself, such as biting or scratching excessively. He might bark a lot or make “messes” while you are gone or act frantically when you return home.

This is your dog's way of telling you he's not getting enough social interaction with you and he's under a lot of stress. Preparing your dog for the holidays can greatly reduce his stress at this time of year.

Here are some simple yet highly-effective ways to help your dog chill out during the holidays:

First, keep your dog's feeding and exercise routine the same throughout the holidays. If you are going away or can't take care of your dog at the usual times, designate a family member or neighbor or hire a pet sitter to provide meals or walks at the usual times.

When your family is busy with preparations or you‘re throwing a party, put your dog in a quiet room with plenty of water, a soft comfy bed and a favorite toy or treat.

If you're having guests over, work on your dog's greeting manners to save the stress of being constantly corrected. Have a friend or family member knock on the door while you practice sitting and staying with your dog. Give your pet plenty of attention and extra activity before your guests arrive. Be sure to remind your guests not to give your dog any treats or table scraps.

If you're going away for a holiday vacation, it's important to teach your dog that your departure is not a sign of bad things. Get your dog used to the idea of your being gone. The more that they witness you leaving and coming back, the less shocking the departure will be. Pretend that you're going to leave, but then come right back. Repeat this several times, rewarding your dog when he remains quiet and calm.

Doing this will help your dog learn to stay relaxed when he sees that you're leaving... since he never knows when you're actually leaving! After a while, this relaxed way of dealing with your leaving will become the norm for your dog.

When you do leave, be sure to remain calm yourself. Try giving him a special toy that will occupy his mind. Casually tell your dog goodbye and leave without a lot of fuss. If you don't treat leaving like a big deal, neither will your dog.

To help your dog de-stress even more, an all-natural, dog-safe, natural compound, such as Comfort Zone, can be a huge help. Comfort Zone uses pheromones to make your dog feel at ease and more comfortable. These pheromones are chemically identical to the ones that mother dogs use to calm their young.

When your dog or puppy detects the pheromone, he feels secure and comfortable, reducing his fear reactions and his urge to act out destructively through chewing, excessive barking or house soiling. Comfort Zone is easy to use – just plug it into the room in which the dog spends most of his time, for constant, calming reassurance.

I really do think that Comfort Zone can help dogs who are stressed. I want to see more dogs live happier lives and enjoy the holidays as much as their humans do, so I've arranged to make it easier for you to get Comfort Zone with a special coupon.

Save $10 on the purchase of Comfort Zone just by clicking here. It's a great way to help your dog relax during the holidays and all year long.

Stress is not good for anyone, even our four-legged friends. I hope that Comfort Zone will help soothe your dog. You'll both have happier holidays!