Allsorts of Paws

26/06/2024

Food puzzles for cats 🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛🐈

Welcome to Food Puzzles for Cats, a one stop resource for information about feeding your cat using foraging toys! We were inspired to create this website after we published our paper about food puzzles in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery with Drs. Tony Buffington and Leticia Dantas! We fel...

11/04/2024

06/04/2024

Does your dog often eat grass and should it be of concern? At this time of year, the young grass shoots are putting all their energy into growth and are full of moisture and sugars, which are very tempting to your dog. 🌱Today's blog looks at the benefits your dog gets from eating grass and when it should be of concern. https://www.hedgerowhounds.co.uk/news/why-does-my-dog-eat-grass

13/10/2023

"It's only enriching if your dog WANTS to do it...."

12/06/2023

https://www.nonstopdogwear.com/en/magazine/warm-weather/

29/05/2023

Recent studies conducted by the Institute of Heart-Math provide a clue to explain the two-way ′′healing′′ that occurs when we're close to horses.
According to researchers, the heart has an electromagnetic field larger than the brain: a magnetometer can measure the energy field of the heart that radiates from 2.4 meters to 3 meters around the human body.
While this is certainly significant, perhaps more impressive than the electromagnetic field projected by the heart of a horse is five times larger than that of a human being (imagine an electromagnetic sphere around the horse) and it can influence straight into our own heart rate.
Horses are also likely to have what science has identified as a "coherent′′ heart rate (heart rate pattern) that explains why we can feel better when we're close to them. Studies have found a coherent heart pattern or HRV to be a solid measure of well-being and consistent with emotional states of calm and joy-that is, we exhibit such patterns when we feel positive emotions.
A coherent heart pattern is indicative of a system that can recover and adapt to stressful situations very efficiently. Many times, we just need to be in the presence of horses to feel a sense of well-being and peace.
In fact, research shows that people experience many physiological benefits by interacting with horses, including lower blood pressure and heart rate, higher beta-endorphins (neurotransmitters acting as pain suppressors), decreased stress levels, decreased feelings of anger, hostility, tension and anxiety, better social working; and greater feelings of empowerment, confidence, patience and self-efficacy.

By: Alejandro Pascual Puig
CEO en E&C CONSULTING CEO en E&C CONSULTING
The artist is Valerie Eric. The copyright holder is Sarah Barnes, HeartMath certified practitioner. The image was inspired following a riding lesson on heart connection.

07/05/2023

https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/10-steps-to-manage-dog-skin-conditions/

Problems with your dog’s skin are a sign of your dog’s deeper health. Here are the top 10 steps to resolve dog skin conditions from the inside ...

01/04/2023

The impact of training methods on dogs.

20/03/2023

While dog training plays a useful role in building a harmonious relationship with our canine companions, living ethically with dogs also involves respecting their inherent dogness and acknowledging their need to practice natural behaviours. Recognising that dogs have their unique instincts, drives, and desires allows guardians to create an environment that caters to these innate tendencies. By providing opportunities for dogs to engage in species-specific activities such as sniffing, digging, and foraging, we enrich their lives, promote mental well-being, and strengthen our bond with them. In essence, fostering an ethical relationship with dogs goes beyond training, encompassing a profound understanding and appreciation of their true nature.

The ISCP is built on these fundamental ethics. Join us today!
https://www.theiscp.com/

09/03/2023

We've followed Thinkdog in NZ for years - I wish canine communication body language was a mandatory topic for all - blink and you miss it.

16/02/2023

THE BENEFITS OF SCENT OR SNIFF GARDENS FOR DOGS

If you are looking for an outdoor activity this coming week, how about some gardening for your dog?

Plant a scent garden. A scent garden for dogs is a safe, outdoor space that encourages a dog to use all of his senses. Not only can a scent garden provide mental stimulation for your pooch, but it is also confidence-building, stress-busting and highly enriching. Its a fabulous enrichment activity.

Here are some plant ideas you can put into pots or direct into the ground:

1. Catnip – this is great for dogs as well as cats, offering relaxation benefits

2. Lavender – a good plant for calming anxiety and nerves

3. Marshmallow – your dog will seek this out if he ever has an upset stomach

4. Valerian – another herb that is fantastic for anxious dogs and cats. This one is often sold as a supplement

5. Yarrow – helps with inflammation and urinary issues

6. Thyme, mint, rosemary, parsley, etc. will add to your dishes in the kitchen in addition to being a sniff fest for your dogs.

7. Calendula - English Marigolds

Happy planting!

Edit - this post is about SNIFFING and not EATING/INGESTING. Please note that not all plants agree with all dogs when ingested and some may have toxic effects on your dog. I'm not an expert in plants so please speak to your vet before choosing which plants to add to your garden if your dog likes eating plants. My dogs don't eat plants thankfully, so none of these plants when sniffed have proven toxic to them. Also all my plants are behind fences which facilitates sniffing as opposed to ingesting. Every pet is an individual so always supervise all enrichment where possible.

15/02/2023