Category: Community Stories

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Enrichment Ideas for Your Cat

Article originally published on The Spruce Pets. Written by Tabitha Kucera RVT, CCBC, KPA-CTP. Refer to the original article here.

Cats are amazing, intelligent creatures. Their lifestyle reflects the predatory skills and behaviors needed to hunt food in the wild. A cat’s day includes the need to rest, stalk, chase, pounce, kill, play, eat, and groom among other things. When we don’t provide them opportunities to do these things, they get bored. Boredom can lead to a variety of problems such as destructive behaviors, aggression, anxiety, and more. We all want our cats to be living their best lives! 

What Is Enrichment?

Cats must have opportunities to express their natural behaviors. An enriched environment should provide various types of scratching surfaces, outlets for predatory and prey behavior, safe places, and should respect all five of your cat’s senses which provides an environment in which an animal has variety, choice, and control over their daily activities. 

Benefits of Enrichment?

  • Provides needed mental and physical stimulation 
  • Decreases stress and boredom
  • Decreases unwanted behaviors
  • Improves overall quality of life

How Do You Provide Enrichment for Your Cat?

Food Based Enrichment

Food puzzles help to slow down eating, prevent boredom and obesity, and allow cats to eat more instinctively by allowing them to forage and “hunt” for their food. There are various food dispensing toys for cats that you can purchase, and you can even make your own. Start with an easy puzzle and work up to more difficult puzzles based on your individual cat’s preference. 

  • Lunch paper bag/paper bag: put catnip, catnip covered toy mice, or treats inside. They can explore, pounce, and kill (destroy the bag) It’s a great hiding space and a fun toy all at the same time.
  • Paper towel roll puzzle toys: cut paper towel roll in half, fold in ends and cut a few small to large holes, place in treats. As cats begin to use these more, cut smaller holes to make it more fun for the cats!
  • Water bottles puzzle toys: Take empty water bottles, remove wrapper, cut a few small to large holes, can leave lid on or off for increasing difficulty for the puzzle toys

Sensory Enrichment

Scent signals are an important part of cat communication and exploration. Cats exposed to new odors are more active and exploratory. Catnip, silvervine, cat grasses, safe houseplants, toys with owner’s scent, and pheromones such as Feliway all help encourage exploration and play. Placing a small amount of a scent in paper ball toys, boxes, bags, etc. can provide sensory enrichment.

  • Visual: A few examples of visual enrichment include interactive cat toys, birdfeeders, cat videos on YouTube, blowing bubbles, and pinwheels. Remember, when playing these videos or letting your kitty watch birds only do so for short periods of time to avoid your cat from becoming frustrated. 
two cats watching squirrel out the window
  Tabitha Kucera
  • Auditory: This can include reading a story to cats, playing bird and nature sounds, and playing music made specifically for cats. (Through a cat’s ear, iCalmCat).
  • Taste: Offer a variety of different flavored and textured treats
  • Touch: Many animals respond positively to things like petting and brushing. Along with the touch comes social interaction, which ensures that these social animals receive the attention they need. Make sure to identify the kind of touch the cat appreciates.

A great example of sensory enrichment that hits all their senses is placing delicious treats in a ball pit for your cats to forage around for.

two cats in a ball pit searching for treats
 Tabitha Kucera 

Environmental Enrichment

Provide a variety of horizontal and vertical perches and hiding places. Cats will enjoy things like window perches, cat trees, and cat-friendly shelving. Incorporating safe hiding areas is also crucial and allows the cats to get away if needed. Hiding places can be cardboard boxes, tunnels, and paper bags. Cats also need to scratch, so provide various types of scratching surfaces. Scratching posts should be steady and a minimum of three feet to allow them to fully extend their body when scratching. 

Social Interactions 

All companion animals, including cats, benefit from positive, consistent interactions with their humans. Cats will experience less stress when allowed to choose whether or not to interact with you, rather than having interactions forced upon them. If the cat appears relaxed and wants to interact, it’s best to focus petting around the head and cheeks. When your cat moves away, don’t force further contact by following your cat or picking them up. Brushing and petting your cats before bed is a good example of how to provide them with positive, consistent, and predictable social interactions. 

Outdoor Time

You can give your cat some safe time outdoors by building an outdoor enclosure (often called a catio) and/or walking your cat. Cats can be harness trained or can enjoy walks in a cat stroller. 

Train Your Cat

Another form of enrichment can be clicker training your cat. Cats are intelligent and clicker training is a great way to mentally stimulate your cat and teach them new tricks!

There are many benefits to clicker training your cat, it boosts your cat’s confidence, encourages creativity and initiative, and helps strengthen the bond between you and your cat. 

There is a common misconception that cats cannot be trained and if they can be trained, it is a lot more difficult than dogs. Both of those statements are false. When owners feel that their cats cannot be trained, they also believe cats behavioral problems cannot be resolved. This can often result in fatal consequences for cats; including euthanasia and relinquishment. 

Cats can be taught everything including foundation behaviors (targeting, attention), positive husbandry behaviors (nail trims, brushing, and handling), and fun tricks (roll over, high five). Training can also be very effective in stopping and replacing unwanted behaviors.

cat fist bump
 Tabitha Kucera 

In addition to the recommendations mentioned above, remember to always provide your cats with variety and choice and see what they like best. Lastly, the types of enrichment you can offer your cat is only limited by your imagination so have fun with it! 

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Community Stories

A wonderful bak kwa recipe for your wonderful pups!

Are you looking to treat your amazing furkids to some delicious Chinese New Year goodies? I’ve got a fun one for you!

Not only is this recipe delicious (based on the reviews of the pups that have tried it), but it’s also extremely easy to make.

You’ll need the following ingredients/equipment:
1. A dehydrator
2. Baking sheet
3. Minced meat (pork/chicken) (~300g)
4. Herbs (Oregano, Rosemary, and any others that you like)

Step 1:

Firstly, be sure to thaw, wash and drain the meat! By doing so, it saves you a lot of time waiting for the dehydrator to make its living.

Step 2:

Once the meat is nice and soft, you can start to mix in any optional ingredients that you’d like. Feel free to add in some fat such as a little bit of butter to just give the meat a nice coating, as well as salt and other herbs that your pup prefers. Personally, I like to use rosemary and oregano as not only are they delicious, but they’re also nutritious for dogs to eat.

If you’re not into that, you can also opt to just pop the meat straight into the dehydrator as is and it’ll still be delicious!

Once done, you can leave the meat to rest as you start to set up the dehydrator.

Step 3:

Spread your baking paper on the dehydrator and make sure its covered as much as possible. Once done, take the minced meat and use the back of a spoon or spatula and spread the meat across the baking sheet.

*IMPORTANT: In order for your Bak Kwa to be crispy, spread the meat thinly across the tray.

Adding it in the oven for extra conchiness

Step 4:

Once done, set your dehydrator to anywhere between 60 – 80 degrees celcius, based on the total weight of meat you purchased. The total cooking time should be set to 8 hours. Once set and the dehydrator is closed, feel free to tend to other work, or just enjoy a nice break on the couch for 7 hours and 55 minutes while you wait for it to be done.

Yummy Bak Kwa for furkids

Step 5:

After 8 hours, your bak kwa will be cooked and ready for your pup to eat! For those of you who want it to be a little bit crispier, you can put the bah kwa in the oven for around 10 – 15 mins for an added cronch 🙂

After that’s done, you can cut the bak kwa into bite-sized pieces for your pup.

Summary

And there you go! An extremely simple recipe that you can make this CNY to give your pups some delicious treatos. Of course, it’s worth mentioning that this recipe is just a basic guide. If you’d like to use different types of meat or seasonings based on your dogs preference, feel free to do so!



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Community Stories

Tips on dog grooming from a professional groomer

During the Circuit Breaker period, many pawrents had to result to emergency DIY grooming to ensure that their pets were in pristine condition.

In order to provide our wonderful fur parents with some guidance, we had a chat with Andrea, co-owner of Shaggy Wagon. She shared some valuable tips on how to do DIY grooming, along with some things to take note of before you start out!

Tell us a little bit more about yourself and Shaggy Wagon!

Well I’m a crazy dog lady & have so much love to give to the animals! I was a makeup artist for 15years plus working in the office for my family and one day my (now) husband Rei saw how much I love animals and ask me, what does Singapore don’t have for pets.

I said a physical mobile grooming vehicle like in the states. Where we bring the grooming to your door step. So that’s how shaggy wagon was born.

But unfortunately due to the restrictions Singapore have, the wagon has to go on hold for now. However, we have Shaggy Hangout to provide all the pets in Singapore with our love!

Personally, I believe in the organic way of creating a comfortable environment for the pets before, during & after a grooming session.

What attracted you to the dog grooming business?

I grew up with dogs all my life, their well being has always been my priority. I have send my dogs for grooming and always thought there should be a way I can let the dogs hangout and enjoy themselves before their turn to be groomed and after, Instead of a cage system, but I would say cage systems is done to prevent accidents among the dogs which is not wrong too. Every groomer have their ways, but I’m sure they always mean well.

For Shaggy, we would want the fur kids to have fun before their groom. More importantly the team and groomer to interact with them before we start. So the pets do feel more at ease and don’t feel stressed out.
We will take note of the dogs health issues or past injuries on their record card, and work around what is more comfortable for the fur kid.

For first time pet owners, what are some important things to note when choosing a groomer (for both big and small dogs)?

Hmm, there is no difference for a big or small dog to a groomer.
More importantly, you can check with the groomers if they have groomed the breed that you have, to ensure they understand what your dog needs the best. Another important point is to always let the groomers know of any health or behaviour issues of the dog, so you can find a groomer that can provide the right way to handle and care for your pet.

What are the differences between grooming smaller dogs and bigger dogs?

Actually there is no difference, both still need the same amount of patience and care. The only difference is the time frame required for grooming due to their sizes, or if the dogs needs more time due to health or behaviour.

How did Circuit Breaker affect the way you ran your business?

Yea, we couldn’t operate due to lockdown, it was beyond our control. But it was for the best for the people! When lockdown was over it was our job to help all the dogs who were lacking a proper grooming and pampering session.

What are some common mistakes first time pet owners should avoid when trying to groom their pets at home?

Nail trimming is definitely a common error. Don’t cut their nails too deep of the quick. On many instances, when the trim is so deep they actually do remember the pain, and it affects their future grooming experiences. Expressing anal glands without knowledge – expressing anal glands without knowing the right way, may hurt or rupture your pets anal gland.

Brushing your pets fur is also another one – always brush your pets if the breed needs daily brushing, and be sure to brush them in layers. If the fur becomes matted, it can cause irritate their skin and even cause more serious skin issues.

Just picture a rubber band on your finger tied up, which cuts off circulation. Pets will get the same feeling. When matts are released the blood will start to circulate again, which could lead to the itching of skin, inflammation, or even hematoma’s the ears.

What are some things pet owners ought to know when grooming their pet at home for the first time?

Make sure to always visit your friendly groomers for tips before you perform DIY grooming! Also, having monthly visits to the groomer will eventually help your pet become accustomed to strangers and aid their social skills.

What do you love the most about your job?

What I love? I love it all, their company, grooming them, getting to know them, talking to them like kids, learning along the way what can be improved for each individual dog personality.

Because they they are not just a dog, they are like my kids.
_____

THE WOOF AGENCY would like to thank Andrea & Shaggy Wagon for sharing these insights for all pawrents!

Enjoyed this article? Let us know what else you’d like to read about in the comments below!

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Community Stories

How I suddenly came to care for a senior hamster

When I first started my internship, I was told that we have an office hamster that is around 2-3 years old which is estimated to be around 80-120 years old in hamster age. Initially, I did not interact much with the him but as time went by, I slowly grew attached to him.

When he was still in office :3

I started doing research online regarding how to better care for a hamster. I started out by made some toys out of cardboard that he could play with. Then I started to, buy some snacks for him and would play with him once in a while. After a few months, I decided to get him a new cage that is bigger that his original cage so he can have a bigger space for himself as my research online said that small cages could make a hamster feel stressed due to the lack of space.

When Christmas and New Year’s came around, the last two weekends of 2020 were a long weekend and there would be no one to look after him if he was left in the office so I brought him home and he has been in my house ever since. My family also grew attached to him and plays with him when they have the time to.

Eating broccoli at my house

One day as I was feeding a treat to him, I noticed that his left ear seemed swollen and since I have no experience about how to handle this kind of situation, I googled and found out that it could either be a growth or an ear infection. I then contacted my close friend that owns 2 hamsters to seek for help. My friend helped me get an appointment booked with the vet that she usually brings her hamster to and she also went to the vet with me as it is my first time going to the vet.

His infected ear

After the vet checked on him, it seems that not only was his left ear infected and swollen, his right ear was also infected and he also has some on his skin as well. Initially, the vet wanted to clean his ear and teach me after so I could do it myself as well at home. However, when the vets were trying to clean his ear it seems that he was not used to being handled and he was very stressed by the situation that he gasped and almost collapsed. The vets decided to not clean his ear anymore, gave him some oxygen and get him to calm down.

The final decision was to feed him antibiotics and antihistamine to help with his infection and itching. At first, I was a little worried about needing to feed his medications myself as my friend told me that she had a hard time feeding her hamster medications back then when she had to. But when I tried to feed him his medication myself, he ate his medication well and did not reject eating it which was a huge relief for me. He is now still in the middle of his medication period and I hope that he stays strong and recovers well : ) 

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Community Stories Creator's Academy

Starting a social media page for your pet

How to make your pet an Instagram star

Official Twitter account of my two pets

Whiskers started her own Instagram account just last year, and ever since it has garnered 130+ followers as of today. Every time she comes out to play, there would be at least one post of her mischief in the house. Now that there is another member of the family – Miku, we would need a combined social media page – in the form of a twitter account.

Typically, we would post at least one to two times whenever Whiskers is on the loose. Once, we caught her in the act of peeing on our sofa (cause she’s shameless) and it garnered just about 9 likes as of today.

Sometimes, we would just post about her being lazy and sleeping in her cage or elsewhere in our house cause rabbits can sometimes be lazy and not come out to play. Even as she lazes around, she still is cute!

Even when lazy, she still is a cutie! <3

Oftentimes, this is the spot where she likes to “camp” out since it is dark and rabbits prefer to hide in a place that is dark and sheltered from outside so that they will feel safe from predators. (Here is a vid of her eating her favorite snack while in her favorite hiding spot! => https://www.instagram.com/tv/CEbEX_lDLhR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link)

Another time, I took a pic of her lying down under our wooden cupboard and edited out the background to make her look like she’s at the beach in summer for a photo competition, as using filters or background effects can add more magic to your photos to make them really stand out.

This shows that sometimes, your furkid doesn’t need to be awake and active in order to be cute. Their cutest moments can come even when they are out like a light.

The day finally came when Whiskers hit 100 followers on Instagram, and she is ready to do a sponsored post. I celebrated it by doing an IG story with party filters (which has now disappeared due to the nature of IG stories).

When Miku finally came to our family late last year, I was wondering whether to make a combined page for them since someone already started an IG account for her. Then, I decided to turn to twitter and make a combined account specially for both fur kids. One of the pics I uploaded for Miku was this:

Still pic of Miku in 2020

With a combined twitter account I can finally post pics and vids of both of these two furry friends, or simply type a tweet like making a 10-word blog about the rabbit and the pomapoo. Occasionally, I would tweet about some cute bunny vids that I find on IG. Twitter can also be a way to promote Whiskers’ Instagram account, while I use instagram to promote their twitter at the same time so both pages end up helping each other.

My tweet promoting whiskers_hollandlop on IG

So what are you waiting for? Go and follow Miku and Whiskers on Twitter and Instagram to show them some love! Links are embedded in the first paragraph! <3<3<3

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Community Stories

Dealing With a Shedding Dog

Article originally published on The Spruce Pets. Written by Jenna Stregowski, RVT. Refer to the original article here.

Dog shedding can be frustrating for all of us, no matter how much we love our dogs. The mess of dog hair can be enough to drive dog owners nuts. All dogs shed to some degree, with the exception of completely hairless dogs. Certain breeds (so-called hypoallergenic dogs) shed very little, while others (namely heavily double-coated breeds) shed large amounts.

Year-Round Shedding

All animals with hair shed on a regular basis. This is part of the natural life cycle of hair shafts within the follicles. All hair shafts go through phases of growth and shedding. The phases affect the rate of hair growth and will vary by breed, age, hormones, environment and overall health of the dog. These factors also contribute to the length and texture of the hair, though genetics is the predominant factor.

Dogs with continuously growing hair, like Poodles and Yorkshire Terriers, have hair shafts with longer life spans and shed very little. On the other hand, dogs like Labradors and Huskies have a shorter hair shaft lifespan and more abundant undercoats, resulting in greater shedding.

Shedding Season

In general, most dogs will shed extra during spring and fall. Most dogs are double-coated; they have undercoats and top coats. The top coat is what you see and feel on the outside. The undercoat is made up of secondary hairs that grow around the primary hairs and tend to be shorter and softer. Seasonal shedding occurs as a result of temperature change. This process is sometimes called “blowing coat.” When the weather warms, dogs shed their old winter undercoats to make way for a lighter summer coat. Then, when it begins to get cool again, dogs shed their lighter undercoats and grow thicker, warmer coats for winter.

Not all coat types are affected the same way by temperature changes. For example, dogs like Bichons and Shih Tzus have less undercoat, so they shed less when seasons change. The old coat must still be removed by grooming the dogs. However, dogs like Newfoundlands and Malamutes have heavy, thick undercoats that make shedding much more obvious. Basic brushing is important for both coat types.

Other Reasons for Shedding

Your dog’s health can affect the shedding rate, so it is important to take note of unexplained excessive shedding. Skin problems, endocrine diseases, nutritional or vitamin deficiencies, and other metabolic disorders can cause hair loss or change the rate of hair growth. It is important to contact your veterinarian if the rate of shedding seems unusual for your dog. Keep your dog healthy with routine vet visits and proper nutrition. Contact your vet immediately if you notice any signs of illness.

Get Control Over Shedding

There’s no way to completely stop shedding. It’s a healthy and natural process that is necessary for dogs. Shaving your dog down is not a good idea, as it can interfere with your dog’s natural self-cooling and self-warming mechanism. In the long run, it will not make shedding occur any less. In rare cases, the hair in shaved areas will grow back abnormally or not at all. The key to preventing excessive shedding is to keep up with it.

Routine grooming is absolutely essential for all dogs. Brushing or combing your dog helps to remove dead hairs before they can fall on your carpet, bedding, and upholstery. It will also prevent those dead hairs from forming mats on your dog’s coat that can eventually harm the skin. Brushing also distributes the natural, healthy oils produced by the skin throughout the hair coat. Using the right grooming tools can make a great difference. For heavy shedders, a special shedding tool like the FURminator can work wonders. For some coat types, the dead hairs don’t shed as much, but they cause the dog’s coat to appear ragged and can eventually become matted. Some owners prefer to take these dogs to a professional groomer periodically for coat care. For some coat types, hand-stripping is a technique that is often preferred over trimming the dog’s hair.

Grooming a dog
 Maya/E+/Getty Images

Managing the Aftermath of Shedding in Your Home

Shedding makes a mess, no doubt about it. As a dog owner, you have probably come to terms with the fact that regular house cleaning is the norm, especially during shedding season. The key is to remove hair before it has a chance to embed itself into your carpet and upholstery. Keeping a pet hair tape roller around for touch-ups throughout the day is an excellent idea. For deeper cleaning of upholstery and small areas, consider using a handheld vacuum designed to pick up pet hair, like the Dyson DC31 Animal. When it comes to cleaning carpets, Panasonic’s Pet-Friendly JetSpin Cyclone does the job well. For non-carpeted floors, some excellent options include the Swiffer, the Fur-Be-Gone Broom, and similar style products.

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Community Stories

Food Allergies in Dogs

Welsh Corgi lying on floor with bowl full of dog food

Article originally published on SitStay. Refer to the original article here. Article written by Dr Erica Irish.

Two of my four dogs suffer from severe allergies from both food and environment, so I am familiar with how frustrating it is to deal with this issue.

The good news is that there are many more foods and treats to choose from than what was available 15 years ago when Sophie was first diagnosed.

What are Food Allergies for Dogs?

According to VCA, food allergies are the most common form of allergies for dogs. When a dog suffers from allergies, the immune system reacts to foreign substances in the body that does not usually cause a reaction in other dogs.

When your dog’s body identifies a foreign substance, it reacts by creating antibodies to take care of the issue. The result of your dog consuming food they are allergic to can manifest in various uncomfortable ways such as skin irritation, GI upset, ear infections, and more.

Symptoms of a Food Allergy

There are numerous symptoms that you may notice in your dog. Food allergies often manifest in skin issues, though GI issues can occur too but usually only 20% of the time.

Not all dogs react the same way, but many have one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Anaphylactic Shock 
  • Rubbing their face
  • Itchy rear-end
  • Discoloration of hair on legs from licking
  • Swelling of the lips, face, or ears
  • Itchy Irritated Skin
  • Inflamed skin
  • Rashes
  • Itchy Ears
  • Itchy Runny Eyes
  • Hair Loss
  • Excessive Drooling
  • Flatulence
  • Excessive Licking
  • GI Upset such as Vomiting and Diarrhea
  • Stomach Pains
  • Sneezing

In addition to the primary symptoms, food allergies that go untreated may result in other health issues, such as:

  • Hot Spots
  • Yeast Infections
  • Chronic Ear Infections
  • Chronic Anal Gland Issues
  • Skin Infections
  • Skin sores
  • Irritable Bowel Disease

Common Foods that Dogs are Allergic to

Though dogs can be allergic to any food, some foods are more likely to cause an allergic reaction than others:

  • Beef
  • Chicken
  • Lamb
  • Pork
  • Dairy
  • Soy
  • Eggs
  • Gluten
  • Corn
  • Wheat
  • Rice
  • Oats

Many dogs that suffer from food allergies are often allergic to more than one thing.

Does Your Dog Have a Food Allergy

If your dog is experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, you should consult your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can help diagnose if your dog has allergies, but you may be referred to a dermatologist for more specific care in more severe cases.

Often when dog owners bring their dogs into the vet due to suspected allergies, they will notice signs of their dog being excessively itchy, causing them to scratch their ears or chew on their front legs.

If your vet believes that it is a food allergy, they will request you put your dog on a strict elimination diet to rid your dog’s body of the allergens currently causing inflammation. Most vets will recommend your dog stay on a restricted diet for 8-12 weeks.

If your dog’s symptoms resolve, you will know that food is the cause of your dog’s discomfort.

Pet insurance can also help cover the costs of allergy testing and shots if prescribed by your veterinarian.

Dog Breeds Most Likely to Have Food Allergies

Like many health conditions, food allergies can be hereditary, and some breeds tend to be more prone to have food allergies than others. However, food allergies can affect any dog, regardless of breed.

Based on the Merck Veterinary Manual, breeds most likely to have issues with food allergies are:

  • Golden Retriever
  • Labrador Retrievers
  • Chinese Shar-Pei
  • Boston Terriers
  • Lhasa Apsos
  • Wirehaired Fox Terriers
  • Dalmatians
  • Boxers
  • Scottish Terriers
  • Shih Tzus
  • Westies

Food Allergy vs. Food Sensitivity

Though in this article, we use the term “food allergy,” many of the dogs with this diagnosis often have a food sensitivity or intolerance rather than an actual allergy. The two issues have similar symptoms and are treated the same.

True food allergies cause an immune system response, whereas food sensitivity does not. Also, unlike allergies, food sensitivities occur over time and come on gradually. The most significant difference between an allergy and intolerance is that allergic reactions are usually more severe and can be life-threatening.

Treating Dog Food Allergies

After determining your dog has food allergies, you will want to change their diet to a hypoallergenic food; this means more than just swapping brands. Your vet will often recommend different options, including protein and carbohydrate choices, as well as brands that specialize in this. 

You must read the full ingredient list; if a label states turkey and rice, it does not mean that it will not contain other ingredients such as beef, chicken, wheat, etc. 

Additionally, your vet may also suggest putting them on a prescription diet. Prescription diets are formulated to reduce the allergen levels in the food to the point that your dog will not react yet still receive the proper nutrition. 

The benefit of a prescription diet is it has grains and proteins that your dog needs to maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, prescription diets can be costly. 

In more severe food allergy issues, they may recommend prescription medications such as

Cyclosporine, Apoquel, or Cytopoint.

Living with a Dog who has Food Allergies

Being a dog parent of two dogs with allergies, I understand the frustrations of this issue. Sophie and Calvin are allergic to all grains, chicken, beef, and soy. Thankfully, there are numerous unique protein options available:

  • Venison
  • Alligator
  • Kangaroo
  • Elk
  • Rabbit

However, after the food elimination trial, you can attempt to add some foods back into your dog’s diet to see which allergens impact your pup. When testing different foods, be sure only to try one at a time, and allow for 8-12 weeks between tests.  

It is vital that you keep your pup on a strict diet to avoid adverse reactions, which means that even the treats you feed your dog must also be hypoallergenic. Even the smallest amount of foods your dog is allergic to can have significant consequences and cause your food trial to reset.

Though food allergies are a pain to deal with, they are manageable. Plus, once you determine the foods that impact your dog, it is quite a bit easier to navigate the pet food aisles. And, when you know what your dog is allergic to, you will be surprised at how many choices are truly out there and how much their health improves.

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Community Stories

The loss that nobody wants to talk about.

It has been some weeks since I’ve thought of making a contribution to Pawjourr and I’ve finally plucked up enough courage to touch on a sensitive topic that’s really close to my heart. But before I begin, a gentle disclaimer that this story is not meant to tell or prepare you on how and what to feel, as in my opinion, no amount of preparation will ever be enough to deal with the loss of your beloved pet.

This is Junior, my little Bichon Frise who was always up for an afternoon snuggle – the bestest companion I had been longing for since before 2009.

I still remember the day I got him.

As though shouting to us “Notice me!”, a white ball of fluff jumped excitedly as he saw us in the pet store. My mum and I instantly fell in love and the moment I sat in the car with Junior in my arms, I knew my life was never going to be the same again. ❤️

Tug-o-war time!

Junior was a quiet little boy who didn’t really enjoy interacting with other doggos. He was like a little old man, always minding his own business and chilling out around us as we go about our daily activities. He enjoyed his squeaky toys and would occasionally come over to me for mini tug-o-war sessions. 

Junior was ALWAYS around – through the late-night studies, family celebrations, and festivities, he was always there. Junior was really the sibling I never had. Milestones after milestones, I could definitely count on him to give me a really big comforting hug, and as strange as it sounds, he’s always one of the first few “people” I shared my good news with. 

One thing I missed for sure was hiding food from him. Where there is the sound of plastic bags, there was Junior. ?  Someone, please teach me how to resist dem puppy eyes. ?

In March 2019, Junior left our family. 

His deterioration which led to his death went relatively fast and came highly unexpected. Everything happened in the span of 4 days and it was agonizing.

It was truly a roller coaster of emotions in the days he was admitted, I was not prepared nor did I expect to lose him when we did. I hadn’t the slightest idea that recovery was not in his books and hence was not able to process or accept the loss. It was absolutely mind numbing that sometimes I wish I hadn’t brought him to the vet, just so our time together would extend. (Although I know I did the right thing, reducing his pain and suffering)

When the loss is traumatising, recovering is often complicated. 

Without his little paws tapping the marble floors and occasional whines and barks, the house was unbearably quiet. Unable to face the silence alone, I purposely kept myself busy and stayed out a little longer. Every little thing reminded me of Junior and weeks following his death were just filled with sleepless nights and tears. I remember thinking to myself how nobody told me about this agony I would have to go through as a pet owner.

As much as I hate to admit this, the painful truth is that our pets don’t last forever. 

It’s been over a year since I lost my best friend but not a day goes by where I do not miss him. I still cry at the thoughts of him from time to time. Goodbyes are heckin tough but I would do it all again in a heartbeat (which was why I decided to adopt Dexter but that’s a story for another day). 

So as someone who has lost her bestest friend, here are some things that I found useful and would like to share:

Firstly, don’t be pressured to “move on” or “let go” – There really isn’t a reason why you should be expected to move on quickly. Give yourself time to grieve and reach out for comfort if you need to. It was a traumatic experience for me and the last thing I wanted was someone to tell me to move on so please do not offer such advice if you know someone going through such a situation. Just be there for them and lend them your shoulder to cry on. 

It’s ok to find yourself going through good and bad periods – Some days are simply harder! I could be dealing with Junior’s passing really well one day, and be hit by a truck of emotions the next. But that’s fine, acknowledge your grief and allow yourself to express it but most importantly, reach out and seek support when you have to. 

Lastly, amidst all the cuteness and silly moments with your furkids, know that the process of aging and death is inevitable. Spend and cherish the time you have with them as they had with you till now. Though it would eventually come to an end, the joy and sheer bliss of having met them are beyond the devastation that follows. So do not shy away or be afraid! I know Junior and I were meant to meet and he has been and always will be irreplaceable in my heart. ❤️

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Community Stories

Could Miniature Schnauzer be the most beginner-friendly dog breed?

Are you thinking of what dog breed might be suitable for you as a first-time owner? I know exactly how you feel. Before we got Fifi, we were excited about her arrival. Yet, we are also anxious about the challenges that might arise with caring for a new furbaby. However, with proper research done, you’ll be better prepared on what to expect.

Fifi has been with us since she was 2 months old. She is a happy 13-year-old girl now. With my experience handling a Miniature Schnauzer, I will be sharing with you 5 reasons why Miniature Schnauzers might just be the dog breed you are looking for.

Fifi, the-13 year-old silver Miniature Schnauzer | @fifi.prinsassy
  1. They are hypoallergenic

If the cleanliness of your house is a concern to you, you’ll be thrilled to know that Miniature Schnauzers do not shed fur. Shedding was a huge consideration for my mother. Even though not shedding fur also means you might need to brush its beard frequently to prevent matting, dog shedding is much harder to clean up, even with a lint roller.Miniature Schnauzers do not drool as well, plus point for cleanliness!

For Fifi, we have tried sending her for Schnauzer cut grooming. However, we thought that she does not suit that cut. Hence, we do not let her keep her beard from then on. Keeping the beard short is a workaround if you do not have time to brush frequently.

Aside from being cleaner by not shedding, hypoallergenic dogs are perfect for people with a sensitive nose. If you sneeze every time a dog is in a room, Miniature Schnauzers will be suitable for you as the lack of shedding will not trigger your allergy.

  1. They are extremely smart

Miniature Schnauzers are also extremely intelligent. The breed was initially trained as a herding dog. In today’s context, they will be suited to be trained as a therapy or service dog. In Singapore, a grey and white Miniature Schnauzer, Button, is a therapy dog to offer comfort for elderly patients in hospice care. 

In my own experience, we have never sent Fifi for any dog training before. However, she is smart enough to check if we are nearby once in a while when we go for walkies. Another example of their intelligence is how they will try to communicate. When Fifi was a puppy, we enclosed her in an area within the house. To show us that she wants to play or come out of the area, she would throw her toy over the fence repeatedly so that we will let her get the toy. Fifi seldom cause troubles for us growing up. She loves cleanliness herself and would clean her mouth after meals. She also only pees and poops in the outdoors. Even though these traits might not apply to all Miniature Schnauzers, their intelligence is undeniable. With proper training, they could be easily managed and obedient.

  1. Miniature Schnauzers are a good size

Being the smallest dog in the Schnauzer family, they only weigh between 5.4kg to 9kg which makes them easy to carry around. Their size also makes it convenient to bring them around as they could easily fit in a pet carrier. Especially in Singapore where pets are not allowed on some private cars without a bag, a small dog breed like Miniature Schnauzer can get around easier compared to a larger breed. 

  1. They are good-tempered and affectionate

Personality and affection level of the dogs is an important consideration when getting a pet. Miniature Schnauzers are generally well-mannered and they are quite independent too. They do not always require constant attention and are perfectly fine to be left alone for a while. All they need is your presence within the room and you are free to do your things too. 

For Fifi, she needs her own space and alone time as well. Sometimes, she would just chill at a quiet corner at home to get her beauty sleep. The only time when she will bark for attention is when she is hungry, wants to play or waiting for walkies. These instances do not happen very often and even when they do, the timing is rather consistent which makes it easy for me to plan my schedule. 

  1. They are generally a healthy breed

Pet care can be costly in Singapore especially if you do not have a pet insurance policy. Cost aside, first-time pet owners may not know how to handle certain health conditions that might be breed-related. Miniature Schnauzers are generally healthy with little joint and back problems. With a good diet and having enough exercise, the healthiness of the breed can put your mind at ease as you do not have to worry much or spend too much time caring for the health conditions. That being said, you still have to look out for any unusual signs and symptoms just in case they fall ill. Being a healthier breed does not mean that they will not fall sick and requires no attention to their health. However, a healthier breed will mean it is less likely you have to spend on pet care or faced with challenges you might not know how to handle as a first-time pawrent.

In conclusion, Miniature Schnauzers are just the right amount of fun and independence. With proper training from puppyhood, they can become great companions which are obedient and sensitive to your emotions. While they offer you the comfort you need through the ups and downs in life, you can have the peace of mind as they are a healthy breed which you need not worry about their health and the cost of pet care often. Miniature Schnauzers are easy to care for and will be good for first-time owners to gain experience in caring for a pet. With a good family, Miniature Schnauzers can bring priceless value and fun into your life. However, it depends on you for what is the most important considerations when getting a pet. It will be wise to research each breed thoroughly before making a decision.

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Community Stories

Aquascaping: The New Ideal Hobby

Previously, I wrote a couple of articles that talk about my experience with pet fish, along with some tips and tricks on how to care for them. However, I recently noticed that more and more people are shifting towards “aquascaping”, which is a new hobby that surged in popularity during Circuit Breaker.

For those of you who don’t know what it is, “aquascaping” is when you arrange aquatic plants, rocks, stones and other types of accessories within an aquarium. Basically it’s the equivalent of gardening, but this time it’s done underwater. The best part of this is that it’s completely up to you regarding whether you want to actually have aquatic pets in the tank or not!

While it seems “mundane” or troublesome, there’s actually a lot to learn when it comes to aquascaping, which I’ll be discussing below:

What are the types of aquascaping?

While there are quite a few types of aquascaping techniques and methods, I won’t be going through them all as there’s too much volume of content to provide. However, I’ve attached a hyperlink to each example for you to read more about them.

Each type of technique brings about a whole different style, layout, and even sense of appreciation by those that engage in aquascaping. What’s more, there’s actually quite a few health benefits that come with it.

Stress Reducer

One slightly more “obvious” benefit is that aquascaping helps reduce stress levels. Just watching the fish swim about, and observing the underwater plants swaying has had a positive effect on those who suffer from high stress levels.

If your job is giving you excessive stress or pressure, then this hobby is definitely for you.

Lowers High Blood Pressure

A slightly less known benefit of aquascaping is that it reduces high blood pressure. In a study conducted, those who participated in aquascaping actually had a reduction in their blood pressure levels. This was noted especially for people who had aquatic animals in their tank, compared to those that didn’t.

However, if aquascaping is out of your budget (which I’ll be discussing later on), you can actually experience similar results by simply watching videos of fish swimming, or aquatic plants swaying. Regardless of whether you own a tank or not, it does seem to have some really good health benefits.

Reduction of Pain

This last benefit is actually quite an unknown one. An academic report actually found that dentists with an aquarium in their waiting room resulted in decreased pain felt during the appointment, and also the amount of medicine required afterwards.

Not only that, it also leads to a lower level of stress (as previously mentioned).

Overall, there seems to be quite a few benefits to aquascaping, especially for those with high stress levels or blood pressure.

How Much does Aquascaping Cost?

To be very honest, I’m no expert at aquascaping. However, the cost of aquascaping really does depend on what you’d like to put inside the tank. Some basic essentials are lighting, water filters, carbon dioxide, liquid fertilisers, substrate, and hardscape materials. These items vary in prices depending on how extensive you’d like your aquarium to be.

However, if you’re looking to go the distance and also purchase aquatic animals, expect the prices to be beyond $100. Not only do you have to purchase these animals, but you’d probably also need to purchase a tank with a motor, fish food, anti-chlorine and other accessories to ensure your pets are well taken care of.

However again, I’m not an aquascaping expert. This article is merely here to provide you with some benefits of delving into this hobby, and some of the things you may want to consider before taking the plunge (pun intended).

If you’re interested in actually going into the hobby, do click here, and here to learn a little bit more about what you may need, and how to go about purchasing it.

Conclusion

While aquascaping doesn’t seem to be the cheapest hobby out there, there seems to be quite a few health benefits to it. If you’re looking for a somewhat low maintenance hobby (in comparison to others), this might be the one for you.

However, if you’re looking to find ways to reduce your stress levels on a budget, it may be easier to watch some videos of aquariums/aquascaping as they have similar positive impacts on your health.

Hope you’ve enjoyed the article! Do let me know if you have any other aquatic topics you’d like me to delve into 🙂

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Photo Credit: https://aquariumbreeder.com/aquascaping-for-beginners-introduction/

Reference: https://www.emotionalpetsupport.com/2019/11/the-world-of-aquascaping-and-its-benefits/