Ever wonder how old your dog or cat is?The old rule-of-thumb that one dog year equals seven years of a human life seems to be an inaccurate method, a simplification of an apparently much more complicated issue. It wasn't until the 20th century that the phrase "dog years" started to appear. It's unclear who coined it, but it was in common usage by the 1960s, when some math textbooks even had students calculate their age in dog years. In the 1970s, Alpo commercials featuring actor Lorne Green popularized the seven-to-one conversion: "Duchess is 13. That's like 91 to you and me."A 'dog year' is a measurement that puts the age of a dog in the context of a human lifespan; in other words, if Fluffy were a person, how old would she be?
The arrival of warmer weather means more time outside for you and your pets. But even in your own back yard, there are some potential hazards that could get in the way of the summer fun. There are many common plants and flowers that can be poisonous to pets. Some rodent poisons as well as snail and slug bait can be deadly to unwary pets.Even chemical fertilizers and mulches can result in sickness and possibly death for your pet.To protect your pet, simply use common sense and take the same precautions you would with a child. Although rodent poisons and insecticides are the most common sources of companion animal poisoning, there are many less common but potentially toxic agents that should be avoided if at all costs.
This summer, many of us will be spending more time outdoors with our pets and will be more likely to take our pets along on errands. While interaction, exercise, and a day outside with your pet is important for its health and well-being, hot weather does pose risks for our animal friends. Keep your pets cool this summer with these tips:
Never leave your pet unattended in a vehicle during warm days In nice weather you may be tempted to take your pet with you in the car while you travel or do errands. But during warm weather, even when outside temperatures are a moderate 70 degrees, the inside of your car can reach reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes, even if you're parked in the shade. This can mean real trouble for your companion animals left in the car. Because dogs don’t perspire (they pant to take in cooler air), the distress of a hot car can make them panic, further aggravating the situation.
Pets left in hot cars even briefly can suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage, and can die. Don't think that just because you'll be gone "just a minute" that your pet will be safe; even an air-conditioned car with the motor off isn't healthy for your pet. Many cases of heatstroke happen when dogs are locked in cars with windows rolled up or cracked slightly. Heatstroke is life-threatening for animals. If not caught in its earliest stages, heatstroke can mean a quick death for your pet.
Provide your pet with plenty of clean, cool drinking water This is very important in order to avoid dehydration. However, do not let your dog drink a lot of water before, during or after exercise because a condition called gastric torsion or bloat may result. A dog, especially deep-chested breeds like the German Shepherd, can die from bloat. Its stomach may swell and even rotate like a wringing towel, which cuts off blood supply through the stomach.