HSSA's Pet Safety and First Aid Classes can help you prevent medical emergencies like these.

What to watch out for and how to prevent it from happening.

Dogs love to eat, who doesn’t? The glee that most dogs exhibit as they gallop headlong towards a bowl of chow makes this fact evident. Some dogs seem to go into an almost trance-like state as they eat their dinner. It can be enough to make one wonder “can my dog choke while eating?”

The danger is real.

For most dogs, choking on food is unlikely, though our Animal Services Veterinarian, Dr. Overton, was quick to point out a few important exceptions. There are medical issues that can make swallowing food difficult for some dogs, but generally, in these cases, the pet owner is aware of the condition and can take measures to reduce the likelihood that choking will occur.

Pump the brakes.

Another group of dogs who are more susceptible to choking are those dogs that don’t just woof down their dinner with abandon, but literally inhale it. Dogs that eat too quickly do have the potential to choke on their food.  Luckily, there’s a simple and inexpensive solution to correct this behavior. Specialized dog food bowls known as ‘slow feed’ or ‘puzzle feed’ dog bowls help dogs that eat too fast slow down and take smaller bites.

Hot dogs not for dogs.

There is also the potential with dogs to choke on food when that food is not appropriate for your pooch. Table scraps and human foods, bones (cooked or raw), gristle, and fat are all dangerous as they are potential choking hazards for dogs. Not to mention the many human foods that are poisonous to dogs or that can cause an allergic reaction as these can also lead to choking.  Always feed your dog approved and age-appropriate dog food!

Chew on this.

Dog treats are a point of contention among many dog owners and there are many commercially available dog treats on the market. In general, most of these are not ideal – especially treats designed to be chewed and gnawed on by dogs. These can break apart or can be small enough for a dog to attempt to swallow but by their very nature, chews are tough and can be difficult to dislodge if stuck in a dog’s throat. Aside from the choking risk, many chews are actually too hard for dogs and can damage their teeth! As with the food you select for your pup, ensure that the treats you provide for you dog are a safe, healthy option.

Prevention is key.

We always recommend speaking with a veterinarian when deciding on your pet’s diet and health. We also recommend being well-equipped to handle a pet’s medical emergencies, if and when the need arises. The Humane Society of Southern Arizona offers Pet Safety and First Aid classes to help ensure pet owners are ready in the case of a pet emergency and to prevent them from happening in the first place.

Learn more about HSSA Pet Safety and First Aid Classes, available classes, and to sign-up, click here.

You might think the answer is a short and sweet “nope”, but your four-legged fur baby could also end up surprising you with their ability to seemingly comprehend the written word.

While we’re not suggesting you dust off your college copy of Ana Karenina and chuck it to your dog, there have been cases where certain dogs have exhibited behavior that would indicate they can understand some printed words.

Cognition, or the ability to think and understand the world through sensory perception, is a complicated enough topic when discussing human intelligence. Animals, as they say, are an entirely different kettle of fish.

Dogs who demonstrate the ability to read and comprehend specific words are probably not “reading” in the way that we think of reading. Instead, it is likely these dogs are picking up on subtle cues to determine what behavior is expected of them. Just because the dog knows to sit when he is shown the word “sit”, doesn’t mean the dog has read the word and understands it.

Sorry, Fido probably won’t be reading bedtime stories to the kiddos anytime soon.  The opposite, however, is a very beneficial activity! Our Paws and Pages Literacy Program gives children the opportunity to improve their reading skills while giving shelter pets a non-challenging way to socialize and interact with people. Reading to shelter pets decreases their stress levels and improves their interactions with people. It’s a win-win for everyone!

Check out our Paws and Pages Literacy Program here.

This year, as part of our celebration of our 75^th Anniversary, the Paws and Pages Literacy Program is hosting a very special 4^th of July Patriots, Paws and Pages event. Veterans and active-duty personnel can read to shelter pets to help soothe them during a night that is difficult for many shelter dogs.

Learn more about Patriots, Paws and Pages, and all of our 75^th Anniversary festivities, here.

It’s hard to deny how incredibly adorable bunnies are.

Aside from dogs and cats, rabbits are one of the most popular family pets. Sadly, many people who buy a rabbit on impulse are not prepared to take care of it long-term. Easter time is an especially popular time for impulse bunny buying and consequently results in a large number of bunnies and rabbits being abandoned shortly after Easter weekend.

So, should you adopt a bunny? Like any pet, rabbits are a commitment. They require specific foods, bedding, and daily care in order to remain happy and healthy. Before hopping down the ol’ bunny trail, give this simple pet rabbit checklist to see if you are truly ready to add one of the little floppy furballs to your family:

1. Time Commitment. Perhaps the most important aspect to keeping a pet rabbit is the time commitment. It is a common belief that rabbits are short-lived. Nothing could be further from the truth! Domestic rabbit breeds can easily live to be ten years old or older.

2. Time Commitment Part 2. Not only are pet rabbits a long-term commitment, they also have daily needs that should be considered. While daily maintenance might only take up a few minutes, it’s still worth noting when considering keeping a bunny as a pet.

3. Habitat. Providing a rabbit with indoor areas to run and play is a must, as is providing a hutch or other “house” with rabbit-safe bedding. Rabbits make great indoor pets. It may surprise some to learn that rabbits can be litterbox trained! If you train your pet rabbit, be sure to keep the litterbox clean. Make sure any areas you allow your pet bunny to roam has been “bunny-proofed”. Secure and protect any electrical wires and outlets and remove any items your rabbit might chew or damage.

4. Food and water. While we’re just discussing indoor pet rabbits, all rabbits require lots of water! Making sure your pet rabbit has fresh water at all times of the day; every day, is essential. Provide your rabbit with a high-quality rabbit feed and fresh hay. Despite Bugs Bunny, rabbits should not regularly eat carrots. Learning what foods your rabbit can, should, and will eat will help you keep your pet bunny diet a healthy one.

5. Playtime! One of the best reasons to own a pet rabbit is enjoying their playfulness. Bunnies love to play with toys. You can find a variety of cute and rabbit-safe toys at most pet stores, but bunnies aren’t picky! Cardboard tubes, like those used for paper towels, make great toys (as long as they are just cardboard and do not have inks or dyes printed on them). Giving your bunny time and space to run, play, hide and jump about is also essential to keep your curious and fun-loving pet rabbit from getting bored (which can lead to destructive behavior).

These are just the basics of what is involved in having a pet rabbit. As with any animal you are considering as a pet, do you research and ask yourself if you really are ready to care for this pet. If you understand and are ready to care for a fluffy little bunny furball, then by all means, you should adopt a bunny!

Catio = Cat Patio (just in case your didn't know!)

One cool feature of our shelter is the indoor/outdoor spaces we provide for cats. These ‘catios’ also feature a sound system so our lounging cats can enjoy some tunes! Since classical music has shown to be the favored musical genre for both cats and dogs, we play a selection of soothing and beautiful classical pieces for our feline guests.

However, that may change in the near future. Recent research into what kinds of music cats prefer has indicated that music specifically created for cats may be even more effective than human music. The research indicates that cats prefer music composed in frequencies and patterns representative of natural feline communication. The music isn’t necessarily pleasing to human ears but in the studies note that cats respond favorably to this new type of music.

So who knows? Maybe in the not-too-distant future we will see bands that perform exclusively for cats!

In fact, classical music, as a genre, is what is recommended for pets. Though, consider that a Straussian waltz would be ideal, whereas Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King”, with its bombastic and brash sound, could be stressful to your pet. In other words, selection is key when choosing music for your pets.

Bring your pet to a concert that supports homeless pets on March 9th! Gimme Shelter Rolling Stones and Rocking Originals is a day long concert featuring local bands and vendors. Don't forget dogs are invited to enjoy the grass and the rocking tunes! Learn more about this great event here. We hope to see you there!

For humans, music is an essential part of our lives.

We listen, we dance, we sing. The human heart beat was the first drum. Animals, on the other hand, have widely different reactions to music depending on the species.  According to research conducted in the field of zoomusicology (the study of animal responses to music), cats and dogs do enjoy music.

Many pet owners leave music playing at home for their pet while at work for the day. The idea being that it provides company and comfort to what would otherwise be a quiet, uneventful day for their pets.

So, what kinds of music should you play for your pets? Interestingly, or maybe obviously for you music lovers out there, but pets prefer certain genres of music more than others. Perhaps no explanation is needed as to why loud, aggressive, high-beat music doesn’t do much to de-stress our pets while, slower-paced, symphonic classical music results in napping dogs and lounging cats.

In fact, classical music, as a genre, is what is recommended for pets. Though, consider that a Straussian waltz would be ideal, whereas Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King”, with its bombastic and brash sound, could be stressful to your pet. In other words, selection is key when choosing music for your pets.

Bring your pet to a concert that supports homeless pets on March 9th! Gimme Shelter Rolling Stones and Rocking Originals is a day long concert featuring local bands and vendors. Don't forget dogs are invited to enjoy the grass and the rocking tunes! Learn more about this great event here. We hope to see you there!

Sorry to hear that!

Being diagnosed with an allergy to pets can be frustrating, especially for loving pet owners, or in this case, those who are looking at the possibility of living with a pet. Aside from the severe cases, many pet allergy sufferers have options and strategies to reduce or alleviate the symptoms of pet allergies. Allergies can affect everyone differently. Some allergy sufferers see success with some, or a combination, of the following practices. Please, consult a physician before employing any of these methods.

For many, using medication to combat the symptoms of pet allergies is the best solution. There are immunotherapy injections, nasal sprays, and topical applications that have proven to be effective. Again, consult with your doctor if this approach would be best for you or your partner.

Establish an area of your home that can be free of the pet (and pet dander). Bedrooms are a popular choice for this. It can be reasonably easy to restrict a pet’s access to a bedroom and is an area where the person with pet allergies can sleep comfortably.

Lastly, because of the nature of pet allergies, maintaining air quality can be a huge help. HEPA filters are a proven weapon against pet dander. Replacing the air filtration in your home with HEPA filters is a cost-effective measure; though using HEPA filters alongside an ionizer is even more effective.

The short answer, it varies.

While there’s merit to the old adage “If your dog is overweight, you’re not getting enough exercise”, determining what is an appropriate amount of exercise for your pet depends more on your specific pet’s needs rather than your own BMI.

Different types of dogs require different amounts of exercise. Knowing your dog’s physical activity requirements is essential. Naturally, a Greyhound needs to expend more energy everyday than a Yorkshire terrier would require.  ‘Work’ dogs such as cattle dogs and shepherds have been bred to chase and corral livestock. Many dogs need daily exercise and mental stimulation, while a ‘lap dog’ might not be an Olympic hopeful, they still benefit from physical activities.

Age is also an important factor to consider when it comes to pet exercise. Young cats and kittens use exercise to stimulate their senses and reflexes. It is play, but it’s also how cats exercise. As your cat matures into adulthood, their playfulness and physical activity wanes, but both adult and even elderly cats and dogs should receive physical and mental exercise.

Confer with your Veterinarian to determine the exact amount and level of exercise that is appropriate for your pet, then create a workout regimen and stick to it!

Totally! Who wouldn't love you.

If you are curious about your pet’s true feelings for you, there are ways to tell! Learn to read these body language and behavioral cues and you’ll know that your fur babies really do love you!

For dogs, leaning into someone is basically a dog’s hug. Cats like to do this too, usually by pressing their forehead into your hand, or twisting between your legs. This is known as ‘distance-closing’ behavior and hey, if they didn’t love you, they’d be as far away from you as possible, right?

Eye contact is another big one. Dogs will hold your eye contact to indicate a level of trust. Return their gaze naturally, and the bond between the two of you deepens. Cats engage in something known as ‘slow blinking’. These long, slow, almost sleepy blinks are a cat’s way of displaying trust in their human. What’s even better, you can return the gesture! Next time you catch your cat slow blinking at you, reply with your own deliberate slow blinks and your cat will notice!

There’s also purring from cats and wagging tails from dogs, and don’t forget, both dogs and cats are fully capable of smiling!

Have a happy Valentine's Day from HSSA!

My girlfriend is moving in… will our dogs get along?

First of all, congrats. Sharing toothbrush space with another human being is a big step! Asking your pets to get along is a different matter. Dogs and cats, like people, have personalities. Consider moving in with a complete stranger simply because your dog and the stranger’s dog are happy together. That’s basically what we ask of our pets when our relationships go to the next level.

Ideally, if you’re moving in together, there’s a good chance that the pets are already a little familiar with each other. Socializing pets prior to moving in together is a good idea. The more comfortable the pets are around each other, the easier the actual transition will be later.

Go slow. Allow the animals to interact gradually. Give each animal a separate room. As they become more acquainted with the new situation, allow the animals more access but always ensure each pet has a separate, safe space away from the other. Over time, most pets become accepting, or at the very least – tolerant, of one another.

It is a good idea to also monitor eating habits. Some animals can become possessive or aggressive while feeding if new animals are introduced to this activity. Separate bowls, or even separate rooms for feeding can correct this behavior.

Learn more tips and tricks of pet behavior by visiting our resources page.