A Microchip Can Bring Your Pet Home

By Eliza Wynn

Uh-oh. Little Bootsie went out the doggie door, and you had no idea someone had left the gate open. Now you can't find her. If someone else does, will that person be able to find you?

As a loving and responsible pet owner, you want your pet to be safe at all times. In the event that your pet gets loose and starts roaming the streets, getting her back home is essential. Home escapes aren't the only potential dangers, though; pets can also find themselves alone and vulnerable after accidents and natural disasters. Pets with microchips are much more likely than those without them to be reunited with their owners. This means that if your dog or cat doesn't have a registered microchip, you're taking a huge risk.

In early August, a Pomeranian named Koda was reunited with his family in Arkansas after somehow making his way to a shelter in California. Shortly before that, Wobbles the Shih Tzu went home after being missing for about a year. Not to be outdone, a Massachusetts cat named Charlie was recently found 25 miles from home after just 1 day. What do these pets have in common? They all experienced the joy of a happy reunion simply because they had registered microchips.

When a stray dog or cat ends up at a shelter, the workers immediately look for a collar with an I.D. tag. They should also use a low-frequency scanner to check the animal for a microchip, which will contain a registered identification number unique to that pet. Ideally, the scan is successful, and the information in the pet registry matches what's on the I.D. tag. It's also crucial for the information to be current; if your pet is missing, you don't want the shelter to try to find you or your emergency contact at an old telephone number.

Pet microchipping is a simple, painless procedure. True to its name, the chip is tiny – about the size of a grain of rice. It is injected between the pet's shoulder blades, and afterward, you should be able to feel it just underneath the loose skin.

In some areas, pet microchipping is a requirement. Additionally, animal shelters and rescue organizations commonly require microchipping as a condition of adoption. Many perform the procedure before your new family member can go home and even insist that you fill out the registration form so that they can mail it. After all, the microchip will be useless if the identifying information never makes it into the pet registry.

If you adopt a pet that already has a microchip, be sure to update the contact information. You can find out how to do this by asking the shelter where you adopted the pet; you can also ask the vet when you go for the first checkup. There may be a small fee for the update, but the ability to bring your pet home safely is more than worth the price.

Obviously, microchipping won't ensure that your pet will never be lost, but if it does happen, a registered and up-to-date microchip substantially increases the likelihood of a happy reunion. When your pet returns after her big adventure, give her a nice welcome home with lots of hugs, kisses and CANIDAE dog treats.

Top photo by David~O
Bottom photo by Michael Neel

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How to Slow Down a Fast Eater

By Eliza Wynn

If your dog is a fast eater, you've probably had to clean up after him more than once. There are two reasons for the need to clean after your pet eats:  the area can get messy during the feeding frenzy, and gulped-down food doesn't always stay down. Either way, it's no fun for you, and in the latter case, it's no fun for your dog either.

Dogs that tend to eat too fast can't catch a break. They have the hungries, and the food is right there waiting for them, so what's the problem? Why should they slow down and risk letting a piece of kibble get away? It's not fair!

It may not be fair, but it's much better for your dog to slow down at mealtime. Fast eaters tend to have more digestive problems than those who take their time. Besides being a choking hazard, eating too fast increases the risk of dangerous bloating from swallowing too much air. Fortunately, there are a few things responsible pet owners can do to help slow down a fast eater.

Feed by hand

If you have time, try hand feeding your dog. It's a terrific way to spend quality time with him, and since you control the pace, this is the most effective way to get him to eat more slowly. Offer one piece at a time; if you don't hear any crunching, hold back a few seconds before offering another bite.

Scatter the kibble

One fun game is to toss the kibble onto a hard floor and watch your dog track down all the pieces. There's no guarantee he won't still swallow some of them whole, but the overall process will be somewhat slower. Save back a few pieces to hide inside a toy while he's eating.

Divide it up

If tossing kibble sounds more like a mess than fun, try dividing the meal into separate portions and placing them in different areas of the room. Another way to divide the kibble is to use a clean ice cube tray or muffin pan; having to go from one compartment to another will force your dog to take a little more time with his meal. Make sure every piece is flat, not on top of another piece.

Add an obstruction

Some bowls are specially designed to help dogs slow down at mealtime. These work by using a maze, compartments or other design to obstruct access to the kibble, which prevents the eater from downing everything in one huge gulp. A less expensive alternative is to place a large pet-friendly object such as a ball inside the bowl along with the food. As long as he doesn't remove the object, this will accomplish the same thing by giving him something to eat around instead of allowing unobstructed access.

What about canned food?

Many pets eat moist or canned food, either alone or in addition to kibble. In this case, you can still try most of the tips given above. For hand feeding, try giving small bites on a spoon or spatula. You can also stuff some of the food inside an appropriate toy. Just don't try the scatter method; it would actually be more of a splatter method!

By helping your dog slow down at mealtime, you'll be making meals safer and more enjoyable. Besides, if he gulps down his CANIDAE Pure Elements dog food, he won't be able to taste just how delicious it is!

Top photo by Brian Snelson
Bottom photo by tobyotter

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Tips for Living with a Dog that Misses Someone

By Eliza Wynn

Have you ever wondered whether your dog misses someone who used to be a big part of his day-to-day life? Humans aren't the only species with the ability to bond – or to miss those with whom they've bonded. Pets have feelings, and they definitely miss beloved pack members when they're apart. The good news is that there are ways you can help ease the loneliness and stress your dog feels when a loved one isn't around.

Spending time with your dog is always important, but it's even more so when he misses someone. In addition to simply keeping him company while you go about your day, be sure to set aside some special time for your canine friend. He'll appreciate playtime, walks, training games and just hanging out together. Make sure he has a job to do, and don't forget to talk to him. Even if you're convinced he doesn't understand a word you say, the positive attention and the sound of your voice will be more than welcome.

Nowadays, many people travel frequently for both business and pleasure. Others move out, sometimes temporarily while attending college, but often permanently. Pets that have bonded closely with them can get lonely, anxious or even depressed. Fortunately, being apart doesn't always have to mean complete separation; technology provides several options to bridge the gap. For example, webcams and smartphones enable users to see each other even when they're miles apart. If your dog misses someone who's away, try setting up a video chat. If that's not possible, even a simple phone call in which he can hear his friend's voice will reassure him.

Sadly, some separations are permanent. If your dog misses someone who has passed away, he will mourn the loss. Try offering an item of clothing with his loved one's scent. Sleeping with this item should provide comfort while your dog adjusts to life without his friend. Some dogs find themselves in a new home due to the death of their owner. When this occurs, it's a very confusing and sad time for the dog. In addition to grieving, he has to adjust to a new environment, schedule and rules. To help with this adjustment, try to maintain his original meal and walk schedule at first if you know it; you can gradually make any major changes necessary.

If your dog misses another pet that passed away, he may find himself adjusting to a new position in the pack. Although it might change his status yet again, finding a new companion for your dog can help, but only under the right circumstances. Responsible pet owners never adopt a pet if they're not ready, willing and able to provide a safe, loving home.

If you find that you are in a position to adopt, however, a new friend could help your dog's blues. Before making that commitment, arrange a meeting to be sure they get along well, and as always, make sure you're adopting for the right reason. If you decide to go through with the adoption, don't forget to buy your new dog or cat his own supplies, including some premium quality CANIDAE or FELIDAE food.

Whether the separation is temporary or permanent, you can make the situation easier for your dog. He won't forget about the loved one he misses, and he'll still have plenty of kisses left for his pack member if they're ever together again.

Photo by Gene Chan

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