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Why Do Dogs Moan?

Dogs moan to show they are content—or disappointed, so context is important when trying to figure out why your dog is moaning. If he’s happily snuggling next to you, it’s likely a contented moan. If you’re rebuffing his attempts to play, he’s probably disappointed. Whining and moaning can also occur when a dog with separation anxiety is left alone.

It’s A Form Of Communication 

Since dogs can’t say “I’m so glad you’re here,” or “I’m so disappointed you won’t take me for a walk!” moaning is a way that they express their feelings. Usually, moaning is no cause for concern, but there are some cases in which action may need to be taken such as:

You Suspect Separation Anxiety 

Does your dog moan or whine when you’re gone? That could be a sign of separation anxiety, which can be mild, moderate, or severe. No matter the level of your dog’s anxiety, you should talk to a vet or animal behaviorist. Separation anxiety won’t go away without intervention, and it often gets worse over time. The sooner you start working on ways to help your dog overcome his anxiety the better.

My Dog Moans When Trying To Get Comfortable On A Bed 

Most of the time dogs suffer in silence. That’s why diseases are sometimes quite advanced before they are detected. Sometimes, however, their discomfort does lead to vocalization. If your dog moans when getting comfortable in their bed, it could be due to fluid buildup in the abdomen. To test this, try rubbing your dog’s belly. If he seems to be in pain at your touch, make a visit to your vet a priority.

Whether your dog’s moaning is a sign of contentedness or disappointment, it’s usually no cause for concern. Just pay close attention to context, and contact your vet if you suspect there may be a problem. 

What is Kennel Cough?

Purina-Dog-Content-BrandJust as kids will often catch colds from classmates, dogs can become sick from other animals boarded at the same kennel. Kennel cough is an infectious respiratory disease caused by the combination of several viruses and bacteria. It affects a dog’s upper airway, causing laryngitis and a hacking, productive cough. Antibiotics may help, but they will not cure the infection until it has run its course of three to four weeks.

Most puppies get immunized against kennel cough, but the vaccine doesn’t always protect against newer versions of the disease. So choose a kennel carefully. Make sure it has low moisture in the air and good ventilation. Spending the extra time can help both you and your dog breathe a little easier.

Why Do Dogs Tear Up Stuff When You Leave?

Many dogs get into mischief now and then, but if your dog often tears stuff up when you leave, it could be a sign of anxiety. Anxiety in dogs is quite common, and it ranges from mild to severe. It won’t resolve itself if ignored, so if you suspect your dog is suffering from anxiety, it’s important to take steps to address the issue before it gets worse.

Is It Anxiety Or Boredom? 

Boredom is another reason that your dog may be destructive, so how do you tell the difference between separation anxiety and boredom? Here are a few hints that it’s anxiety:

  • Your dog only acts up when you’re not there.
  • The destruction is accompanied by excessive barking.
  • Your dog tries to escape.
  • Your dog goes to the bathroom in the house.

Dogs with severe anxiety are not only destructive, but they may even injure themselves trying to escape. That’s why it’s so important to find a resolution.

Work with your vet to determine if your dog is just bored and lonely or if he’s suffering from anxiety and then you can address a solution to his behavior based on that.

For Boredom:

  • Ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise—and that means different things to different dogs. Some pets are fine with a 30-minute walk each day while others need to be much more active.
  • Provide interactive toys, such as treat puzzles, to keep his mind busy. Swap out the toys often to keep it interesting.
  • Consider investing in doggy daycare especially if you work long hours. Hiring a dog walker is another option. 

For Anxiety: 

While mild anxiety can sometimes be resolved with the use of calming products, by changing the dog’s environment, or even by playing classical music, moderate to severe cases may require the help of a vet or animal behaviorist. 

The good news is that destruction due to boredom and anxiety are behaviors that can be resolved with the right interventions.

  

What is Lyme Disease and How Can I Protect My Pet?

Purina-Dog-Content-BrandTicks get very active in late spring and summer, and they can carry several diseases including lyme disease. Both people and their pets are at risk. Unfortunately, lyme disease can be very difficult to diagnose. The symptoms are often vague and can include lethargy, joint pain, and fever.

If you live in an area where lyme disease is prevalent, talk to your veterinarian about products that repel ticks. And make sure to check your pet for ticks after walks or other outdoor activities. If you do find a tick, grasp it with tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight off. Try to preserve it in a tight container. That way, if your pet develops a problem, your veterinarian can determine whether or not the tick is a carrier of lyme disease.

Where Can I Put a Chihuahua Up for Adoption?

You can put a chihuahua up for adoption in many places both online and offline. However, you will want to make sure that you are choosing the best places to let people know your pet needs to be adopted.

Don’t Use the Typical Online Classifieds

You should stay away from certain types of websites to list your pet, including many of the online classified ads. These sites have no way to determine whether the person who wants to adopt your dog would be a good fit or not. You do not know whether they can provide your dog with everything they need, including a loving home. Naturally, you want your pet to have a great place to live, where they will be happy and taken care of properly. These sites are too much of a gamble.

Rescues Could Be an Option

You could find rescues, including those that specialize in small breed dogs like chihuahuas that could take your dog and help to get it adopted. Once you relinquish your pet to these facilities, they can try to find the right people to adopt your dog. Some shelters will do the same. You will want to examine the policies of the rescues and shelters you are considering so you can ensure they will be the right choice for your pet while they await adoption.

Consider Using Rehome for Your Pet

Another option that should be high on your list when you are putting your chihuahua up for adoption is Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. This is one of the easiest and safest ways for you to get your pet adopted. Instead of giving your pet to a shelter or trying to find them a home through an unsafe online classified site, you can use this free service.

Pet owners who are unable to keep their dogs can create a profile for the pet on the site. They can include a bio of the pet, along with photos and videos. You can let the potential adopters know more about the personality of the pet, as well. Let them know whether the dog is good with other animals and with kids, for example. This ensures that the adopters have a better idea of whether this will be the right dog for them or not.

Rehome has a range of tools and guidance available for owners as they get everything set up on the site. They even include a thorough application with tips on what good answers might be to the application questions. This can help you to determine whether the person would be a good option for adopting your chihuahua or not.

This service is free to the pet owner, and the adopters will only need to pay a small fee that’s about the same as what they would pay at a shelter.

Whether you need to put your chihuahua up for adoption because you can’t take care of the pet financially or physically any longer, or because you have to move, you can find a perfect home for them. Let Rehome help make it possible.

When My Dog Plays With Her Toys, Why Does She Often Grab Them and Shake Them Repeatedly?

Purina-Dog-Content-BrandDogs have a natural inclination to chase, capture and kill prey. From the Dachsund to the Saint Bernard, dogs will exhibit this instinct when playing with toys. It’s called the prey drive.

Dog owners know this scene. The pet grabs a toy and shakes it violently. It looks like he’s having fun – and he is. On another level, it’s serious business. What the dog is doing is nothing short of killing his prey, the toy. Hide the toy and your dog might start barking excitedly trying to “flush” its prey out of hiding. Dogs also exhibit the prey drive when they chase a ball and won’t give up when it rolls out of reach. A dog with a strong prey drive will need equally strong toys and lots of play time.

When I play Tug-of-war With My Dog, he Often Tries to Hang by His Teeth? Is this Dangerous?

Purina-Dog-Content-BrandDogs that love to play tug-of-war bring a lot of excitement and determination to the game. They may hold onto that tug toy so tightly that you can actually pick them up by their teeth if you’re strong enough. But experts say that’s not a good idea. Bones and teeth may become damaged in the process. Don’t even let your dog pull the toy too hard, especially a young dog that’s still growing, or a creaky older dog with orthopedic problems.

Instead, make tug-of-war more structured and goal-oriented. Use it to teach the dog to pick up the tug toy and release it on cue. Let him know it belongs to you, not him. He’ll soon learn to pay close attention and will understand that all games begin and end at your command.

Which Dog Breeds Require the Most Exercise?

Purina-Dog-Content-BrandThe dogs that need the most exercise are breeds that were developed to work long hours for a living, such as herding dogs and bird dogs. Among these relentlessly hard-working types are Border Collies, Labrador Retrievers, German Shorthaired Pointers, Jack Russell Terriers, and Dalmatians. They’re frisky, inquisitive, and always ready to go.

High energy dogs match up best with high energy people—owners willing to seek out challenging activities to channel their pet’s boundless enthusiasm and gusto. These dogs need consistent training, firm discipline, and lots of exercise. If you’re a moderate-to-low energy human looking for a canine companion, choose one at the opposite end of the energy spectrum.

Who’s The #1 Internet Cat Celebrity?

Friskies-Cat-CelebrityWe all know that the internet was made for cat videos, so it makes total sense that as a result, we have a new category of celebrities – the Cat Celebrity! Have you heard of Grumpy Cat, Nala Cat or Oskar The Blind Cat? What about Tara Hero Cat? Our friends over at Friskies put together the definitive guide to the most influential kitty celebrities on the web so you can keep track of who’s who and which cat will be the next big thing! The Friskies 50 is an index of the most influential cats on the Internet, based on each cat’s social reach and engagement across an array of social accounts. See the full list at www.Friskies50.com where you can see the arrows displayed beside each cat’s position which indicate upward or downward movement from the previous month and a gold star indicates a first time appearance on the Friskies 50. Also, if you know a cat that should be in the Friskies 50, you can nominate them by typing in their name! Check out the fun at www.Friskies50.com