Porch Potty Blog

Last year around this time, a dog nearly drowned at the seaside in Cromer, Norfolk. The poor pooch was saved by a group of off-duty lifeboat men who performed CPR on the beach. A month later after this incident, Laurie Kay, a pet massage therapist never thought she’d have to use her emergency medical technician training when an 8-year old boxer stopped breathing in a pet grooming facility in Chicago. “Usually they bring me in when a dog is shaking and nervous. But he was down. He flat lined,” Kay says. “Even though I’ve been trained in CPR for people and for dogs, I never thought I’d have to use it.”

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR is a procedure for people in cardiac or respiratory arrest. It is done to provide artificial respiration and blood circulation through compression on the chest and ventilation on the lungs. The goal is to make sure that oxygenated blood reaches the brain and the heart to keep vital life processes going while waiting for the patient to regain his heartbeat.

However, this isn’t the typical mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, so you need to know how to properly administer CPR to your dog when the need arises.

Read on and learn the step-by-step process:

The procedure is similar to the traditional mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for humans.  The main difference is your task is to provide breaths in its snout, not its mouth. We can more or less call this mouth-to-snout resuscitation.

• ~The first thing you need to do is to tilt the dog’s head back to straighten the airway passage.
• ~Then hold the dog’s mouth shut using one hand and place your mouth over the dog’s nose.
• ~Blow air into the nose and see if the chest expands. If the dog’s chest does not expand, start over again by clearing the mouth. Now if the dog’s chest expands, release its mouth and let it exhale.
• ~Then repeat the procedure every five seconds until the dog is breathing normally.

In cases where you are unable to detect a heartbeat, you might need to perform artificial respiration in addition to cardiac resuscitation.

To do this, you must put the dog on its right side.

• ~Then put the heel of your right hand on the ribcage, just right behind the elbow.
• ~Then, place your left hand over your right. Firmly press on the ribcage by three to four inches using both hands. Note that each compression should last no longer than half a second. For smaller dogs, use less force to avoid damaging the ribcage. You might need to repeat this process up to ten times.
• ~If the dog is still not breathing, perform CPR. Alternate between ten chest compressions and one breath into the dog’s nose until the dog can breathe normally again.

Though the process sounds silly, you will find this technique helpful in cases of emergency – like when your pet accidentally chokes on food. Knowing how to perform this procedure can save a dog’s life. Like the case of Laurie Kay, you will never know when you will need to administer CPR.

In a restaurant, before ordering something off the menu, it’s automatic that you read the description and the ingredients of the dish, right? Furthermore, we’ve always been advised as to how important it is to read the labels before purchasing anything from a supermarket shelf. This should also be the case when buying food for your pet.

Here are five reasons why you should read the label before buying food for your pet:

Your dog may have food preferences. Feeds usually include dry and fresh food. But did you know that pet animals like dogs may prefer food that has more moisture? Well this is mainly because moist food is easier to chew and swallow. The freshly prepared dog food generally consists of ingredients like freshly cut chicken pieces in addition to cranberry juices, blue-green algae, etc. A dog is likely to eat this kind of preparation over kibble.

Consider moisture content versus the price. Most canned dog foods contain as much as 80% moisture.  Meanwhile, dry foods contain as little as 6%. Remember that food is priced by the pound. When you buy canned foods with 80% moisture, it means 80% of what you’re buying is just water. This also means that you’re paying the full price and your pet will only be eating 20% food and 80% water.

Dogs need vitamins and minerals, too. You heard it right. Even dogs have daily vitamin and mineral requirements. Most premium types of dog food preparations contain essential fatty acids, carbohydrates with adequate fiber contents, and vitamins like A, D, E, and B complex vitamins. Moreover, dogs also need their dose of zinc and calcium. They need zinc for healthy skin, and calcium for bone growth and muscle tone. Taurine, an amino acid, is essential for healthy eyes and heart. Thiamine or vitamin B1, found in plants, fruit, vegetables, milk, and meat, maintains the normal function of the nervous system and is necessary for normal growth and development.

Feed your dog based on his/her diet. Some dogs are vegetarians. Some aren’t. If your canine is vegetarian, you may want to feed your pet beet pulp, pasta, wheat middling, and food with soy bean oil.  It is also recommended to give your pet food rich in calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide, copper sulfate, iron sulfate, zinc oxide, and choline chloride. For the non-vegetarians, raw egg, chicken, beef, mutton, fish, and quail are recommended.

Dogs with food allergies require a special diet. You wouldn’t want to see your dog suffering from food allergies, right?  So it’s important to understand the ingredients of your dog’s food items especially if the dog is allergic to certain types of foods. Vets usually recommend substituting a protein source that your dog doesn’t normally eat.  The most common offenders are beef and chicken. For such cases, vets recommend lamb as dog food since it’s not a common food ingredient.

So if you really love your dog, next time you buy something from the store, take time to read the label!

Last week, we asked our readers for their Natural Holistic Resources and Remedies in preparation for today, National Holistic Pet Day!

Here are some sources:

• American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association at http://www.ahvma.org/
• 5 Goals for Developing a Holistic Health Care Plan at http://www.petcarenaturally.com/articles/5-goals.php
• The Holistic First Aid Kit at http://www.petsynergy.com/firstaid.html

And this resource comes from another reader:

Another basic part of the plan is to develop a holistic first aid kit. This should be an accessible kit available for emergency situations. You would want to include some of the following items: Bach Flower Rescue Remedy for Pets (calming flower essence), calendula ointment (speeds healing), hydrogen peroxide, gauze, bandages, blankets, water, and extra food. If your pet becomes stressed, try treating him/her with flower essence before using prescribed medication.

In fact, a great list of treatments exists – click here to access!

Here’s a snippet from that site…

Fur Balls

Feeding a good natural diet, will deter this problem as they will shed less fur and their digestive system will have acids for lubricating. To help a cat straight away for the first week, add 1/2 teaspoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil to their daily meals, which lubricates the system to help elimination through the digestive tract etc. Homeopathic Remedy for Fur Balls.

Tooth Plaque prevention & removal

Once again, feeding your pets with a preservative free and RAW meat diet, helps prevent plaque. The sugars that are added to the commercial foods actually cause the plaque bacteria. When sugar is combined it will form the hard plaque, which forms an acid – and it is the acid that eventually causes the decay.

Ear Mites / Infections

Mix 5% or 3% volume of hydrogen Peroxide with 1/2 teaspoon of wheat germ oil and add about 3 mls of water.
(Warm the mixture, by placing the small bowl onto a larger bowl of warm water)

If your cat or dog has an ear infection you may need to use a homeopathic treatment drops as well, if the infection is chronic.

For Ear Mites – use either a cotton ball or eye dropper, fill an eye dropper and gently trickle mixture into the ear canal (approx. half a teaspoon), let it run down into the ear for a few seconds. Then from the base of the ear gently massage it (hear the squishing sound). Massage for 2 to 3 minutes then let the cat or dog shake their head, do this procedure each day for 3 days then repeat same the following week.

For Ear Infections – do the same, except treat the ear every day until no more brown fluid is present or the wax has been cleared. It is important to put your pet on a natural raw meat/veg diet and food vitamin supplements, as many ear infections are caused from poor quality food/food allergy/low immune system.

August 30th is National Holistic Pet Day - a day to celebrate the growing interest in natural and holistic medicine and the animals that are treated holistically.

And, Readers, we need your help.  Do you have any special home remedies or natural sources to help keep our dogs healthy?

We are seeking natural ways to:

• Reduce shedding
• Clean your dog’s teeth
• Keep them fit
• Prevent cataracts
• Soothe eczema
• And, any others that you think we (dog lovers) should know about!

For example, I heard that “fish oil” in liquid format is great to reduce shedding by 80%.  Is that true?  Does anyone have examples?

I had also heard that the natural cures for eczema such as nutmeg, plant oils, turmeric, or oatmeal powder can be applied to relieve the symptoms.  Is that true?

And, that it’s great to have an indoor water fountain.  This can actually work as an air purifier and natural humidifier in your home. The negative ions being emitted by the fountain can attract the positive ions from these substances.

What remedies and natural sources have you heard of or confirmed for treating or taking care of your pet?

Please share in the comments below. Thanks!

Tomorrow, Thursday, August 26th, is the day we honor dogs and all that they’ve meant in our lives.

Hug your pooch!  Spend time with your four-legged friend.  Or, go get your dog just a little gift.  Give thanks – for dogs!

Thursday, August 26th, is National Dog Day!

“Every dog has its day, but most importantly every dog should have a home.”

National Dog Day is celebrated August 26th annually and serves to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year, and acknowledges family dogs and dogs that work selflessly each day to save lives, keep us safe, and bring comfort.

Dogs put their lives on the line every day – for their law enforcement partner, for their blind companion, for a child who is disabled, for our freedom and safety by detecting bombs and drugs, and pulling victims of tragedy from wreckage.

Founded in 2004 by pet lifestyle expert and author Colleen Paige, National Dog Day was created to honor dogs more than we currently do, to give them “a day,” to show deep appreciation for our long connection to each other – for their endearing patience, unquestioning loyalty, for their work, their capacity for love and their ability to impact our lives everyday in the most miraculous ways. National Dog Day wishes to encourage dog ownership of all breeds, mixed and pure – and embraces the opportunity for all dogs to live a happy, safe, and ”abuse-free life.”

National Dog Day is against any kind of “breed ban.” Dogs should not have to lose their lives because of the atrocities they have been forced to endure at the hands of man. And while we feel that American’s have the constitutional right to purchase a pure breed dog, we strongly discourage buying from pet stores, backyard breeders, the internet, newspaper ads, and puppy mills, and rather encourage those seeking new canine companions to verify that they are buying from a reputable breeder, educate themselves about their dog’s breed, and better yet – visit their local shelter or pure breed rescue group for a new furry family member that will be forever grateful. Millions of dogs are killed each year because they are unwanted. They are wonderful and viable, sentient beings that deserve compassion and respect. Please consider adopting on National Day!

National Dog Day will also be many a dog’s birthday, and for all of them it will be akin to a “K9- 4th of July!”

Even citizens who are not dog owners will be encouraged to donate $5 to their local shelter on National Dog Day.

Over the years, the number of homeless pets has been growing and has actually reached the highest count so far.  Animal shelters and pounds have become packed and overcrowded which resulted to turning down and euthanizing these great pets! A lot of neglected, discarded, and abandoned dogs still suffer at the shelter on an empty stomach. With limited resources, shelters are struggling.

Each year, millions of dollars are being invested into animal shelters for care of homeless pets. You can help by donating or purchasing products were some funds are used to purchase pet food.

How can you help?

First, begin by taking good care of your animal pets if you have one yourself. It’s surprising that many current pet owners will be the ones who make room in their homes to adopt a pet. You might be one of them.  Review your own home needs, abilities, and desires of your family and see.

Remember, to take care of your own pooch first by ensuring that your dogs come with their respective tags for easier identification and can be returned in the event that your dogs get lost.  It is also recommended that you spay or neuter your dogs to make certain that the possibility of overpopulation is being controlled.

Second, adopt animals instead of buying them from a pet shop or a breeder. Imagine the world if each person would only adopt at least one pet, there will be no issue about having homeless pets in our society today.

Third, promote advocacy to your own family and friends. The best way to encourage them is by making them aware of the need.  By discussing the significance of proper animal care with them, you can make a real impact and increase the base of individuals taking a serious role in caring for homeless pets as you spread this important message.

Lastly, if you are capable and can share extra funds within your means, it is best to contribute to animal shelters. Most of these pet shelters are all lowly funded and are under pressure just to keep a small number of animal pets they have. As more people take part in this advocacy, the simpler it will be for pets to find homes.

Make this a part of your habit – not just because we are celebrating National Homeless Pet Day this week.  Always drop by the nearest pet shelter in your local vicinity first when you decide on a new addition to your family.  Just look at these faces!

Melodies from the late 70’s and early 80’s fill my head when I look at the title of this post.  And, yet it has been a super cool way that my sister and I have trained our Chihuahuas.

It started one day after Christmas when we were taking down Christmas ornaments.  I am one of those hokey Christmas people who don themselves with a holiday sweatshirt and even a bell necklace during the season.  So, I hung that bell around the handle of the backdoor just for a place to put it so that it wasn’t getting in the way (nor incessantly ringing whilst I packed ornaments).  Our pooch, Rocky, needed to go outside – so I opened the back door and in doing so “rang the bell.”

For the next week, the bell stayed there.  Too many holiday happenings and to much decluttering to put boxes and new found treasures away, that I didn’t even recall the bell.  As, it was hanging there, one afternoon, Rocky stood up on his hind legs and “rang the bell” that he need to go outside! What a huge epiphany for me! He had found another tool for communication!

Fast forward to gifting my sister and her husband their new baby Chihuahua a couple of years later.

They were having trouble with potty training, Li’l Bit (he was such a tiny guy)!  So, I shared the bell suggestion.  Li’l Bit would hear it when she would take him out for a walk or to go potty.  And, she would also put him through the motions of hitting the bell and praise him when he did!

Pretty soon, he was “ringing the bell!”

And, now that’s his signal to his “parents” – even if he just wants to go outside and have a look around (we know who rules that roost <smile>)!

If you’re looking for another way to communicate with your four-legged family member, perhaps they can “ring your bell.”

Saturday marks the annual National Homeless Pet Day, and even large retailers, like PETCO, honor the day with their National Adoption Weekend kicking off this Friday, August 20th.

Helping Out Homeless Pets without Having to Spend a Fortune

Animal welfare organizations have suffered massively due to economic recession as there are less people capable of donating financial assistance to them.  Simultaneously, animal pet shelters have been a witness in the growing number of pets being handed over to them as more families experience job loss and sometimes even lose of their own homes.  Considering these circumstances, people can still help out homeless pets in their own special ways without having to spend any money.

Simple, yet needs someone to do it

In fact, there is one of the simplest things you can do in order to help homeless pets that will only involve just few clicks on your computer.  There are specific websites created that aim to address this advocacy, particularly www.animalrescuesite.com.  This website intends to raise funds through web advertisers.  You can simply click on the button every day to help generate funds in providing care for animal shelters.  In addition, the site has been launched in collaboration with www.petfinder.com that has sponsored $100,000 shelter challenge, highlighting winners every week and the grand prize of $100,000.  Another search engine, www.DoGreatGood.com has also helped by donating the proceeds of every search to dog charities.  There are also companies that offer opportunities to vote for numerous animal rescue organizations to earn grant money for their shelters. Or, to donate just from purchasing products your pet needs anyway, like at the  Petritionals Pet Rescue Fund.  Indeed, it is a fast and easy way of helping homeless pets and animal charities all over the world without spending a fortune.

Also, sharing these sites – passing them along to your contacts – friends and family members will help with awareness which is important to any fundraising and “friend”raising.

You can also save towels and old bed sheets if you are trying to clean out your closets and getting organized.  Simply drop them off in the shelters as these items can truly be used by animal pet shelters in addition to their existing bedding.  This will not only help you get rid of the clutter you have at home, but it is a big help for homeless pets, too.

You may also opt to save old newspapers as well and donate them to the nearest local shelter in your vicinity.  A lot of animal pet shelters and rescue organizations make use of old newspapers to line enclosures and sometimes cut them for kittens and puppies use.  Moreover, the coupons featured in Sunday newspapers that you do not plan to use can also be used by non-profit organizations.

By simply donating your time in these small ways, animal pet shelters will be more blessed with both financial aid and resources.  If you have more time to give or know of a group that could donate time and talent, these organizations also welcome volunteers to assist them in cleaning, walking, and socializing with dogs among the many other tasks they can do. A few hours of your time in a week can make a difference!

Shelters Forced to Destroy Nearly 200 Abandoned Gulf Coast Pets

To see the faces and those available for immediate adoption, visit here.