Patty’s Pets (2024)

18/06/2024

Ms Lana

18/06/2024

George
Max
Sophie

Cute Bostons!

26/05/2024

Let,s not forget the new cats!
Leo (black) and Lucy

26/05/2024

The latest members of Patty’s Pets
Rocco (chocolate lab) and Knox (golden)

26/05/2024

Introducing Buster. A sweet pit bull!

21/05/2024

More dogs

21/05/2024

Dogs…dogs…dogs

21/05/2024

It is raining cats!

15/05/2024

Warm Fuzzies
A no-fail mood booster? That little furball curled up at your feet right now.

There is no denying that the unconditional love from a four legged friend makes us happy. We are all pretty much aligned on that: Almost 90% of dog and cat owners said their pets have a positive impact on their mental health. I am an absolute believer that my life has been made richer through my experience with animals.

We looked into the available research and broke down some ways our animals make us feel better. To help maximize these benefits experts advise squeezing in as much together time as you can. It is not just having a pet that matters , it is the quality of the relationship.

THEY BOOST FEEL GOOD HORMONES
Ruff day? Numerous studios find that when you love on a furry creature, your levels of the stress hormone cortisol can go down and your levels of the happy hormone oxytocin can go up.
In a study in the journal "Science", people who spent at least two minutes gazing into their canines' eyes experienced a 300% rise in oxytocin levels. What's more scientists suspect that the relationship is mutually beneficial, particularly for dogs. In that same study, the lucky pups who got the eye contact experienced a 130% jump in their oxytocin levels.

THEY PROVIDE COMPANIONSHIP.
Your dog really can be like a BFF. Many of the benefits we get from the people in our social support network - having someone to talk to, focus our attention on, and exercise with, for example - we can also get from our pets. Pets have the power to decrease loneliness. They are also great listeners! 80% of people said their dogs helped them get through tough times, and 69% admitted to telling their dogs secrets no one else knew.

THEY MAKE US MORE SOCIAL.
If you have ever been to a corgi meetup or traded cat sitting duties with a neighbor, you know that pets can bring people together. you are significantly more likely to talk to people on the street when you are walking your dog. Chatting up a fellow cat lover or someone at the dog park fulfills a basic human nee to connect with others and increases what experts call your :"relational diversity", the amount of time you spend talking to different types of people .

THEY ENCOURAGE MINDFULNESS
When your fur baby demands pats, he is not worrying about the past or future. He is living in the moment, and he can help you do the same. Interacting with animals often gets our mind off other things for at least a few minutes, which is a brief exercise in mindfulness. Mindfulness an reduce stress and anxiety, sharpen focus, and promote a good night's sleep. Even a little can help. Dog owners who gave their pooches at least seven minutes of undivided attention each week felt more relaxed during the exercise. And these sessions had short term lingering calming effects too. So get to it and dole out those belly rubs!

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14/05/2024

Ticked Off!
Ah, spring. The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and some of nature's thirstiest critters are coming out in full force. Let's keep everyone safe!

IT'S TICK SEASON.
When warmer temperatures prompt the little buggers to emerge in a big way - and we do mean big. One female tick can lay thousands of eggs. Their season is getting longer than ever, thanks mostly to the shorter winters ushered in by climate change, and in some areas of the U.S. they are active year round. Unfortunately, they score meals by chomping not only onto humans but also onto our furry friends, putting our dogs and cats at risk of Lyme and other tick borne diseases, which can lead to kidney failure, anemia, and more. Here is how to help protect our four legged pals from those eight legged nemeses.

PICK YOUR POISON
You have three main options in this bloody battle: collars, which repel ticks by releasing low concentrations of insecticide over your pet's skin; oral medications, which get absorbed into your pet's bloodstream or tissues and kill the tick after it bites, and topicals, which can either repel or kill, depending on the active ingredient.

The choice is up to you and your pet. Just keep the following in mind: Collars are easy (put one on and you are set - for up to eight months, with some versions), but they are not ideal for dogs who swim a lot, because water can compromise their effectiveness.
Oral medications can protect against fleas and heartworm too, but they have o be administered regularly (TYPICALLY monthly), and your pet has to be willing to take them. Topicals also need to be dosed out on a schedule and can be messy.

Whichever one you use , get a prescription from your vet for maximum protection, because over the counter formulas are hit or miss in terms of effectiveness. Your vet will also know which option is best for your animal (some tick options for dogs contain ingredients that are toxic to cats.)

With tick protection, you can't really be too cautious. Say our dog already takes an oral or topical medication -you may want to supplement that with a repellent spray or collar before you go on a hike.

PERFORM REGUALR CHECKS
Ticks love to hide in tall vegetation, so check your pup as soon as you are back from a romp in grass that hits above your ankles. Even if you sick to pavement or freshly mowed lawns, it is still a good idea to do checks daily this time of year. Run your fingers through their fur from back to front to expose their skin, feeling for any tiny lumps or bumps. Check around your dog's eyes and tail, in and around his ears, under his collar, in the armpits of his front legs, and between his back legs and all his toes. Ticks range in size and color (they can be brown, reddish brown, or black) and usually look like an unassuming dot; you can find lots of photos at cdc.gov/ticks. Outdoor cats should also get a daily once over. If your kitty only ventures outside occasionally, you can probably limit checks to weekly brushing sessions, which also help remove skin flakes and loose hair.

TWEEZE WITH PRECISION
If you find a tick, don't panic. It is unlikely a tick will transfer from your pet to you. (For one, they do not jump. For another, they gave found a host, no need to look for a new one) Of course, it is always wise to check yourself too. Now for removal: Put on disposable medical gloves and juse fine tip tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible without pinching hyour pet. Push the skin down with the tweezers and pull the tick straight out slowly. This will keep any parts of the tick embedded in hour pet's skin from breaking off. If you can't get the entire thing don't worry. the rest will eventually dry up and fall out.

Afterward, wash your hands and the site of the bite with soap and water, then flush the tick down the toilet. Watch your pet for loss of appetite, fatigue, or difficulty walking, all of which can indicate tick borne illness. (The symptoms may not develop until weeks even months later.) If you notice anything unusual, call your vet, who can run tests and can discuss whether anitbiotics or other treatments are warranted. Be careful out there and remember : Tick season doesn't have to suck!

Information about ticks and tickborne disease. From the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

11/05/2024

Milo and Henley
Sweet sweet pups

06/05/2024

More furry friends

06/05/2024

More dogs and cats

06/05/2024

Dogs and cats

05/05/2024

SICK PET? Here's when to worry.

As all pet owners know, our four legged furrries are more than friends, they are family members. So when they seem sick, it can be easy to decide to drop everything and run to the vet. The good news is, that's not always necessary. Some issues are better off being monitored at home, and some require a vet visit. Here is how to tell the difference.

WAIT AND SEE SYMPTOMS
No one wants to see your animal in pain or ill, but observing your pet for a few days is oftern the only way to determine if there is really a problem. Like us, animals can suffer from passing aches and sniffles. If you notice your pet drooling, limping, whining, dealing with an upset tummy, coughing, itching and wiping away eye or nose discharge, keep a close eye on them. Believe it or not, these symptoms could be a cry for attention or simply a 24 hour bug.

Other subtle signs to note during observation days are changes in eating and drinking habits and in activity level. This could look like the water bowl being emptied more quickly, hesitancy jumping up or taking stairs, or not wanting to go on walks that are as long as usual. If these behaviors continue, consider a call to the vet.

It is also important to note that animals deal with pain differently than we do. If you haven't noticed any drooling, wincing or whining but have seen a new fear or an outsize reaction to something typical, it could mean they are in pain. give it a couple of days and see if the fear or overreaction resolves. If not, head to the vet.

Ultimately you know your pet better than any else, so watch for changes in their normal patterns and routines. If it is just a onetime thing, they are probably fine. But changes over a longer period of time might be reason for concern. Remember that animals can be good at hiding symptoms of illness or injury, and that even subtle changes may be a sign that something is wrong.

SIGNS YOU SHOULD TAKE THEM IN.
Pets like to hide when they are sick, so sometimes it can be hard to notice an emergency situation right away. But even if they are hiding, check on them every now and then to be sure nothing is seriously wrong with them. You should make an immediate vet trip if your pet has bleeding that doesn't stop within five minutes, choking or nonstop coughing; an eye injury; seizures or staggering; an inability to move, refusal to drink wat3er for more than 24 hours; contact with a poisonous substance ; obvious signs of pain; or an inability to empty their bowels.

Specifically for cats, watch for open mouthed breathing. Open mouthed breathing is almost always and emergency situation for cats. any cat exhibiting this behavior should be brought to the vet immediately for emergency care. That said some cats will keep their mouths open for a moment after smelling or seeing something unusual for them. If yours leaves theirs open longer, call your vet. Also, while you may not think of this, pets can get sunburn - if you see any sign of severe burns or heatstroke, you will need to vet visit.

MORE SERIOUS SIGNALS
Diabetes and heart problems are difficult conditions to spot in pets. Luckily, some warning signs can show up long before things get really bad. Be concerned about diabetes if your furry friend is drinking and peeing more; is losing weight , is eating less, is enduring chronic or recurring infections, including skin or urinary infections; of (particularly in dogs) has cloudy eyes.

Heart trouble is often more in your face, with coughing, rapid breathing and decreased tolerance for physical activity. Ultimately this can make Fido or Fluffy weak and cause them to collapse. TAke hyour pet for a checkup as soon as you see any of these signs. The earlier the diagnosis, the better chance your pet may have for a longer and healthier life. The same really goes for anyting out of the ordinary. Our pets are with us for far too short a ime - make sure those years are happy and healthy.

05/05/2024

Rules of the Dog Park

1. Make sure your dog is ready
Every dog has his day. It's just not always at the dog park! Potential candidates should be friendly, dixed, fully vaccinated, and at least 6 months old. Ideally pets should also follow some basic obedience cues - such as come, down, and stay - even in distracting environments. If it is hyour first time, consider finding a park with separate areas for small and large dogs so your pup can play with others his size, and try to do during off peak hours. And always look for signs outlining specific rules of the park.

2. Bring three things and only three things
Communal water bowls can harbor viruses, bacteria, and parasites that spread through fec es. (It is adorable when dogs paw at their water, biut if they have stepped in p**p beforehand...)So pack your own water, a collapsible bowl, and p**p bags. Do not bring toys, treats, or balls, because they can cause dogs to compete over resources. To avoid any ruff play, teach your dog the "drop it" command, or ask people to throw their ball in another area of the park.

3. Keep it moving
When you arrive, immediately unclip your dog's leash and avoid lingering at the entrance. Why the hurry? Dogs already in the park can be eager to make friends and tend to mob newbies as they enter. You don't want your pup to feel cornered, so bring him farther into the park, where he has space. Once you are in, call your dogaway from the entrance if he is also drawn to newcomers, and walk to a fresh spot every few minutes or so. This prompts your pup to keep an eye on you, which can lower his chances of getting involved in pack dynamics (think aggressive or dominate behavior)

4. Stay focused on your pet
You are not there to read the paper. You should be observing your dog, making sure he has a relaxed, happy mouth and is wagging his body from his shoulders to his hind - not just his tail. Play between happy dogs has a bouncy, slightly irregular quality to it. They will typically pause and give play solicitation signals, like a bow. Check your watch too. Even when everyone's having fun, it is best to limit our stay to an hour. This way your pup wil not ger overtired and therefore irritable.

5. Step in only when necessary
Sometimes, unreciprocated play happens, (a dog pins down another dog, relentlessly nips at a playmate's heels, or decides to do some mounting), and that is when things can take a turn. if your dog is on the giving or receiving end of this behavior, try moving to another section of the park or calling your guy away. If the behavior persists, leaving the park is always a very good option. This may also be the best move if our pet or another dog shows signs of anxiety - pinned-back ears, yawning, tucked tail, and lip licking. Avoid physically intervening in canine matters unless a fight breaks out. In that case, experts agree that dog owners should work as a team to concurrently pull their dogs backward by the hind legs, the safest area for hou to hold. And remember that confrontations between owners are a no-no. Everyone seems to have their own idwas about what is acceptable behavior between dogs and what's not. Thus, arguments between people are just as common as scuffles between dogs. If you feel your own hackles going up, simple move to a new area or call it a day.

Hope this information helps you to enjoy the dog park with your fur baby