WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP 1858 RAMSEY COUNTY MINNESOTA ALL ABOUT DOGS & CATS- Heart Disease Concerns Eight dog breeds most at risk for heart disease: 1) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel; 2) Miniature Schnauzer, 3) Doberman Pinscher, 4 Miniature or Toy Poodle; 5) Golden Retriever, 6) Boxer, 7) Dachshund; 8) Chihuahua Four cat breeds most at risk for heart disease: 1) Ragdolls; 2) Main Coons; 3) Sphynx; 4) Norwegian Forest Cat. Signs that your pet might have heart disease include: coughing: labored/rapid breathing: exercise intolerance; restlessness at night; weakness and/or collapse; swelling of the abdomen; sudden onset of paralysis of one or more legs. About 10% of all dogs in the U.S. have heart disease & the risk increases with age, up to 75% of senior dogs have it. About 15% of all cats in the U.S. are affected although it is difficult to detect even if a thorough exam is performed. Why is training important: 1) it builds positive relationships; 2) is provides stimulation while teaching commands & skills; 3) it builds sociability: 4) it helps avoid negative behavior News&Views of seasonal interest, upcoming events and other timely topics. A bi-weekly section where readers will be informed on subjects Are you a responsible owner 1) you invest in your pet's basic needs; 2) you establish a routine with your pet; 3) you take the time to properly train your pet 4) you enrich your pet's environment; 5) you care about your pet's health; 6) you schedule regular vet visits; 7) you prepare for emergencies; 81 you pay attention to your pet's diet & nutrition; 9) you respect space & boundaries; 10) you provide your pet with daily attention. Tips for a happy, healthy cat: 1) keep toxicitems out; 2) annual visits to the vet; 3) serve proper food portions; 4) always have fresh water available; 5) provide a scratching posts; 6) regularly clean & monitor your cat's litterbox; 7) brush your cat daily; 8) daily teeth brushing or wiping at home; 9) offer enrichment activities; 10) snuggles & cuddies. Pet Dental Care If you are ready to begin your pet's dental care at home each of the below steps should be performed daily for 1-2 weeks before moving on to the next step. If your pet resists going to the next step, go back to the previous step for another week & if you still get resistance you should talk with your veterinarian: Q-tips for even a clean washcloth better than toothbrushes; 4) combine brushing/ wiping with the pet toothpaste. After several weeks train your pet to hold a round toy so you can access the inside of their mouth better. Do you have an outdoor deg: 1) your dog should have appropriate shelter, which should be out of the wind & raised off the ground, 2) dry bedding, such as a thick bed of straw, should be used within the shelter; 3) use thermal heaters specifically designed to keep water bowls from freezing: 4) monitor your pet & ensure there are not signs of hypothermia or frostbite. Use Pet-Safe Antifreeze: Licking a small amount of antifreeze could kill your pet. Although pets like the scent of antifreeze, ethylene glycol, a chemical in the product can easily cause kidney failure or even death. Unfortunately, once you realize that your pet is sick, it may be too late to save it. Signs of antifreeze poisoning include: 1) staggering or coordination problems; 2) lack of energy; 3) excessive thirst; 4) frequent urination: 5) vomiting; 6) low body temperature; 7) seizures:8) coma. March 1-National Corgi Day What's March 13-National Napping Day March 21- National Single Parent Day Happening 1) in a quiet place have your pet sit or stand on your lap & practice lifting your pet's lips; 2) have your pet lick a pea-sized sample of pet toothpaste from your finger or a small toothbrush; 3) introduce a toothbrush, although some like wipes, finger brushes, Visit www.whitebeartownship.org or call 651.747.2750 1281 Hammond Road, White Bear Township, Minnesota 55110 like us on facebook. WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP 1858 RAMSEY COUNTY MINNESOTA ALL ABOUT DOGS & CATS Heart Disease Concerns Eight dog breeds most at risk for heart disease : 1 ) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ; 2 ) Miniature Schnauzer , 3 ) Doberman Pinscher , 4 Miniature or Toy Poodle ; 5 ) Golden Retriever , 6 ) Boxer , 7 ) Dachshund ; 8 ) Chihuahua Four cat breeds most at risk for heart disease : 1 ) Ragdolls ; 2 ) Main Coons ; 3 ) Sphynx ; 4 ) Norwegian Forest Cat . Signs that your pet might have heart disease include : coughing : labored / rapid breathing : exercise intolerance ; restlessness at night ; weakness and / or collapse ; swelling of the abdomen ; sudden onset of paralysis of one or more legs . About 10 % of all dogs in the U.S. have heart disease & the risk increases with age , up to 75 % of senior dogs have it . About 15 % of all cats in the U.S. are affected although it is difficult to detect even if a thorough exam is performed . Why is training important : 1 ) it builds positive relationships ; 2 ) is provides stimulation while teaching commands & skills ; 3 ) it builds sociability : 4 ) it helps avoid negative behavior News & Views of seasonal interest , upcoming events and other timely topics . A bi - weekly section where readers will be informed on subjects Are you a responsible owner 1 ) you invest in your pet's basic needs ; 2 ) you establish a routine with your pet ; 3 ) you take the time to properly train your pet 4 ) you enrich your pet's environment ; 5 ) you care about your pet's health ; 6 ) you schedule regular vet visits ; 7 ) you prepare for emergencies ; 81 you pay attention to your pet's diet & nutrition ; 9 ) you respect space & boundaries ; 10 ) you provide your pet with daily attention . Tips for a happy , healthy cat : 1 ) keep toxicitems out ; 2 ) annual visits to the vet ; 3 ) serve proper food portions ; 4 ) always have fresh water available ; 5 ) provide a scratching posts ; 6 ) regularly clean & monitor your cat's litterbox ; 7 ) brush your cat daily ; 8 ) daily teeth brushing or wiping at home ; 9 ) offer enrichment activities ; 10 ) snuggles & cuddies . Pet Dental Care If you are ready to begin your pet's dental care at home each of the below steps should be performed daily for 1-2 weeks before moving on to the next step . If your pet resists going to the next step , go back to the previous step for another week & if you still get resistance you should talk with your veterinarian : Q - tips for even a clean washcloth better than toothbrushes ; 4 ) combine brushing / wiping with the pet toothpaste . After several weeks train your pet to hold a round toy so you can access the inside of their mouth better . Do you have an outdoor deg : 1 ) your dog should have appropriate shelter , which should be out of the wind & raised off the ground , 2 ) dry bedding , such as a thick bed of straw , should be used within the shelter ; 3 ) use thermal heaters specifically designed to keep water bowls from freezing : 4 ) monitor your pet & ensure there are not signs of hypothermia or frostbite . Use Pet - Safe Antifreeze : Licking a small amount of antifreeze could kill your pet . Although pets like the scent of antifreeze , ethylene glycol , a chemical in the product can easily cause kidney failure or even death . Unfortunately , once you realize that your pet is sick , it may be too late to save it . Signs of antifreeze poisoning include : 1 ) staggering or coordination problems ; 2 ) lack of energy ; 3 ) excessive thirst ; 4 ) frequent urination : 5 ) vomiting ; 6 ) low body temperature ; 7 ) seizures : 8 ) coma . March 1 - National Corgi Day What's March 13 - National Napping Day March 21- National Single Parent Day Happening 1 ) in a quiet place have your pet sit or stand on your lap & practice lifting your pet's lips ; 2 ) have your pet lick a pea - sized sample of pet toothpaste from your finger or a small toothbrush ; 3 ) introduce a toothbrush , although some like wipes , finger brushes , Visit www.whitebeartownship.org or call 651.747.2750 1281 Hammond Road , White Bear Township , Minnesota 55110 like us on facebook .