North Powers Animal Hospital

Cuddling releases oxytocin. This hormone alone has tremendous health benefits. Besides giving us warm and fuzzy feelings, oxytocin reduces pain. So when the cold has made those muscles and joints ache, cuddling can help reduce those aches and pains.

Oxytocin also helps reduce heart disease, lowers blood pressure, stress, and anxiety.

Here are just a few of the reasons from the American Humane Society why you should participate in Walk Your Dog Month:

- Extra Bonding Time – When you walk your dog, it’s a great chance to give your undivided attention to your dog and let them know that you care for them. This is quality time spent together that can lead to greater trust and joy.

- Good Exercise – Did you eat too much over the holiday season? Walk Your Dog Month is the perfect opportunity to get in shape and shed off those extra pounds – for both you and your dog. A recent study found that 56 percent of dogs were found to be clinically overweight. This can reduce their life expectancy, overall quality of life and cause a multitude of other health issues. Good exercise not only has physical benefits, but it is also great mental stimulation and can decrease stress for both you and your pup. Additionally, it helps energetic dogs dispel some energy, which can make them calmer and prevent them from getting destructive out of boredom when in the house.

- Social Activity – Walking the dog means you are much more likely to meet other people in your neighborhood who are also out and about with their dogs. Both you and your dog have the chance to make new friends! Socializing your dog with other people and canines alike will help ensure no aggressive tendencies are developed.

- Training Opportunity – Walking your pup provides ample opportunity for training. A walk is a great time to focus on your dog and practice learning to heel, sit, stay or follow other basic commands. Practice makes perfect, so incorporating walks and practicing these skills during their everyday routine will make them even more successful.

Do: Cook, Skin, and Debone Turkey

Don’t: Feed Pets Salty, Fatty, or Seasoned Foods

Do: Serve Safe Fruits and Vegetables

Don’t: Let Pets Overindulge

In the Event of an Emergency
If your pet has taken a bite of something dangerous, stay calm while closely watching for red flags. It should be immediately obvious if your dog or cat is choking, but look out for these other symptoms of illness or poisoning that may take minutes or hours to arise:

Aggression
Diarrhea
Excessive panting and drooling
Fever
Repetitive behavior
Vomiting

Happy New Year!!

Here are 5 Pet Positive New Year's Resolutions for you to consider:

Resolution #1 Measure your pet’s food…. every time!
Resolution #2 Improve your knowledge of pet first aid
Resolution #3 Incorporate more playtime
Resolution #4 Schedule a check-up with us!!!
Resolution #5 Update your pet’s ID info

Noisy fireworks and other celebrations can startle animals and cause them to run away; holiday foods can be unhealthy; and potentially dangerous debris can end up lying on the ground where pets can eat or play with it.

- Leave your pets at home when you go to parties, fireworks displays, parades, and other gatherings. Loud fireworks, unfamiliar places, and crowds can all be very frightening to pets, and there’s a great risk of pets becoming spooked and running away.

- Consider putting your pets in a safe, escape-proof room or crate during parties and fireworks.

- Keep horses and livestock in safely fenced areas and as far from the excitement and noise as possible.

- If you’re hosting guests, ask them to help keep an eye on your pets to make sure they don’t escape. Placing notes on exit doors and gates can help both you and your guests remain vigilant.
*avma

We wanted to wish all of you a very Happy Holidays!
Enjoy your loved ones today and eat lots of good food :)

It's "Safe Toys and Gifts Month" and we wanted to share an article from the humane society about safe toys for your pet!

https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/safe-dog-toys

Survivor Cat Meets New Dog Sister And Instantly Falls In Love

Survivor Cat Meets New Dog Sister And Instantly Falls In Love
“He was smitten the moment he saw her” ❤️️

Survivor Cat Meets New Dog Sister And Instantly Falls In Love They're forever friends.

Equestrians love the spirit of competition that comes with riding in horse shows. Farmers need horses to manage everyday tasks. And plenty of people in between enjoy going for the occasional horseback ride. Horses bring a sense of enjoyment and camaraderie into the lives of people across the world.

How many Cat Lovers do we have?

It's Cat Lovers' Month and we want to see some pictures of your lovely felines!

A day dedicated to celebrating animals is a day to love. Animals are our companions, and even though they can’t talk, a lot of people would be lonely without them.

It's National Cookie Day. Here is a recipe for a healthy dog treat that you can try. Save this for a special occasion, or if you just want to treat your furry friend!

Ingredients
2 ½ cups whole wheat flour
2 large eggs
½ cup canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons peanut butter
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon water, or more if necessary (Optional)

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Combine flour, eggs, pumpkin, peanut butter, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl; stir with a spatula until combined.

Transfer mixture to a work surface and work it with your hands until mixture starts to come together. Add 1 teaspoon water at a time (only if needed) to help make the dough workable, but don't add too much as it should be dry and stiff.

Roll the dough to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces and transfer to a baking sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven until dog treats are golden brown and crunchy, about 40 minutes. Let cool before serving to your dog.

Pet Diabetes Myth:

A diabetic pet’s quality of life is less than a healthy pet’s.

This is mostly "false" because though diabetes can’t be cured, it can manage your pet’s diabetes successfully. You can do this through daily insulin therapy, an appropriate diet, and regular physical activity.

When those actions are taken, there’s no reason why your diabetic dog or cat can’t fully live out the rest of its natural life span.

Happy Thanksgiving! We hope that this is a good one for you and your loved ones.

No pie or other desserts for your pooch. Chocolate can be harmful to pets, even though many dogs find it tempting and will sniff it out and eat it. The artificial sweetener xylitol – commonly used in gum and sugar-free baked goods – also can be deadly if consumed by dogs or cats.

*AMVA

Approximately 4.1 million shelter animals are adopted each year (2 million dogs and 2.1 million cats).

The number of dogs and cats euthanized in U.S. shelters annually has declined from approximately 2.6 million in 2011. This decline can be partially explained by an increase in the percentage of animals adopted!

*stats from ASPCA

Do you have a favorite place to hike, or a favorite trail to let your pet run around?

Due to improved veterinary care and dietary habits, pets are living longer now than they ever have before.

Q: What kinds of health problems can affect older pets?
A: Geriatric pets can develop many of the same problems seen in older people, such as

cancer
heart disease
kidney/urinary tract disease
liver disease
diabetes
joint or bone disease
senility
weakness

Check-in with us to learn about our senior pet wellness services.

For we wanted to give you a short list to help you be kind to animals.

- Give your cat a scratching post
- Set aside special playtime for you and your pet.
- Wash your pet's food and water bowl.
- Play an extra long game of fetch
- Brush your pet

America’s greatest dog of its greatest generation was likely Chips, a German Shepherd, Collie, Husky mix that forced the capture of 14 Italian soldiers in one day during the invasion of Sicily despite being wounded.

*Military.com

These 10 Shelter Dogs' Extreme Makeovers Are Simply Staggering

For National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, we wanted to share this story about 10 neglected shelter dogs getting a makeover with staggering results.

These 10 Shelter Dogs' Extreme Makeovers Are Simply Staggering It's hard to imagine some of these transformed pups ever looking so filthy.

This is a cute story of a kitten escaping its crate in the pet hospital to comfort and cuddle with a sick dog. 😍

https://pulse.ly/4qs4evqd76

Today is Cook for Your Pets Day and we wanted to share this really easy and healthy Peanut Butter Coconut Oil Dog Treats recipe with you guys!
*Live Laugh Rowe

*Ingredients
1 cup all-natural peanut butter
1 teaspoon unprocessed coconut oil
1 teaspoon cinnamon
silicon paw print tray

*Instructions
Be sure the coconut oil is in liquid form. If not, place coconut oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat and cook until melted.
Add peanut butter and cinnamon. Stir until the mixture is completely smooth and thoroughly mixed. The mixture should be thick, but pourable.
Pour mixture into a tray and freeze until set.
Carefully remove them from the tray and store them in an air-tight container in the freezer (they soften quickly).

Cats Are Easy to Maintain

They can clean themselves, use a litter box, and don't need outdoor exercise.

Cats can somehow adapt seamlessly to any home environment, from a small one-bedroom apartment in the city to a spacious cottage in the country.

We value veterinary technicians every day of the year and thank them for all they do. We honor their commitment to compassionate, high-quality veterinary care for all animals.

Please join us in celebrating these important team members.

Pugs were considered to be good luck because their forehead wrinkles resembled the Chinese character for “prince.”

Emperors kept Pugs as lapdogs, and they were often guarded by their own soldiers and even given small castles.

Fun facts:
n the Netherlands in 1572, a Pug named Pompey famously saved his famous pet parent – William the Silent, Prince of Orange – from Spanish assassins by barking to wake his master.

Josephine Bonaparte, Napoleon’s wife, used her Pug to deliver messages to her family while she was imprisoned.

Vet nurses are invaluable to the health and safety of our pets. Vet Nurse Day serves as a reminder of just how important they are.

Let's appreciate them, maybe tell a story about how a nurse helped you and your pet.

22% of dog owners and 15% of cat owners said their pet's weight was average when it was overweight or obese.

To check if your pet is obese or overweight, you should be able to quickly feel your pet's ribs without pressing on the pet and your pet’s stomach should be tucked in.

How often should your dog get a wellness check?

All dogs need to get a physical check-up once per year. This routine exam is a good way to keep an eye on your dog’s growth and development and make sure he/she stays healthy.

Did you know that 75% of pet owners reported a friend’s or family member’s mental health has improved from pet ownership?

Show your pets some extra love today because they help us out more than we truly know!

Is walking the dog exercise?

Dog owners who walk their pups a few times a week benefit from a number of health and social advantages.

Many people pass over black dogs at animal shelters. They prefer to take home animals with lighter coats.

That means black dogs are more likely to be put down. This is often because people have a negative association with black dogs, regardless of breed.

If you're allergic to your pet, or pets in general. Here is a good resource to go over to learn how to ease your allergies.

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/are-you-allergic-your-pet

For World Rabies Day, consider doing research and educating yourself on a few things.

Make sure you know what to do if your pet bites another person, if another person’s pet bites you, or if your pet is bitten by another pet.

Give us a call and we would love to answer any questions you might have

Whether they're born deaf or lose their hearing during their lives, deaf dogs can be more emotionally connected to their owners. They feel love through their heightened senses of sight and smell.

Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week helps animals find their forever homes where they feel safe and loved. It’s a noble cause that reminds us that every animal is deserving of love.

The week encourages us to open our hearts and homes to pets who are having a hard time finding a home.

A new and unfamiliar space can be overwhelming to your pets.

Start by allowing them to adjust to one room, which should have their favorite toys, treats, water/food bowls, and a litter box for cats.

When they seem comfortable, gradually introduce them to other rooms in the house, while keeping some doors shut.

You can relocate your cat’s litter box to a more permanent location by moving it slowly over time. Try moving the litter box one foot forward each day.

With patience, your cat or dog will be king or queen of your new home in no time.

*ASPCA

A survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association found that 64% of American bird owners thought they were fun to have in the house, 24% thought they brought the family together, and 26% thought they taught kids responsibility.

First Aid Treatments to Perform At Home

Most emergencies require immediate veterinary care, but first aid methods may help you stabilize your pet for transportation.

If your pet is suffering from external bleeding due to trauma, try elevating and applying pressure to the wound.

If your pet is choking, place your fingers in his mouth to see if you can remove the blockage. If you’re unable to remove the foreign object, perform a modified Heimlich maneuver by giving a sharp rap to his chest, which should dislodge the object.

*ASPCA

Let's celebrate the deep bond that we have with dogs. This is the day to cherish our friendship.

People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets

Read this list for ideas on how to keep your pet safe.
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets