Guatemala English language Magazine
Question: My 1-year-old mixed boxer dog continues to get under everyone’s feet when guests walk through the door. I’m afraid he is going to trip and hurt someone. How can I break him of this dangerous habit? Trying to break a dog from a habit usually involves scolding, shooing away, banishing or other unpleasantness. However, with a dog who wants […]
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Question: We are bringing our 6-year-old Himalayan cat with us when we move to Guatemala. I have heard that it is not a good idea to use a tranquilizer or sedative on a cat, but he doesn’t travel well and won’t even go into his carrier. What do you suggest? Answer: Several types of sedatives can be given to cats, […]
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Question: How can I teach my dog to let go of something that she has in her mouth? She just thinks that it is a game and won’t let go. Answer: Teach this with a big toy, so you can hold one end while your dog holds the other. Playfully wiggle it and tell your dog “take it.” When she […]
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High-quality dry foods should have a whole-meat source as one of the first two ingredients (for example, chicken or chicken meal). If a list of ingredients begins with whole chicken, followed by three or more grains and no other meat proteins, it’s likely that the food contains way more grain than meat. There is no way to know for sure, […]
Read moreQuestion: I have an 8-year-old, longhaired, neutered cat named India, who has always groomed himself with care. Why would he stop cleaning himself around his behind and back legs? Answer: There are several possible reasons: Cats with bad teeth or gums can have oral pain; if he is overweight, he might lose his ability to reach around sufficiently; also there […]
Read moreAny of the following might be indicators of dental disease: offensive breath, nasal discharge, face pawing or rubbing, decreased interest in chews, head-shyness, increased passiveness or aggression. These could be indicators of periodontal disease, trauma or misaligned upper and lower teeth. A simple extraction involves breaking down the ligament that attaches a tooth’s root to the bone and removing the […]
Read moreIn general, longevity within a species follows a pattern. Smaller animals of the same species usually live longer than larger animals of the same species. Smaller breeds of horses tend to outlive larger ones. Dwarf mice live longer than standard mice. The canine species mirrors the rest of the animal kingdom with smaller breeds like Chihuahuas and Toy Poodles usually living […]
Read moreNearly all of the U.S. Presidents have owned pets, which not only provided love and companionship but often helped boost the president’s popularity with voters. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s black Scottish terrier, Fala, is credited with helping re-elect him for a fourth term. Fala had accompanied Roosevelt on a trip to Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, where he was accidentally left behind. Roosevelt immediately […]
Read moreI have a mixed breed dog that constantly licks everything. She does not lick herself so much that she gets sores, but she always wants to lick something, including us. Is this a medical problem? Incessant licking can be a manifestation of canine compulsive disorder, which is a psychological syndrome characterized by repetitive activities. These activities can include fly-biting, tail-chasing, obsessive barking, […]
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My daughter bought a Chihuahua puppy to “carry in her purse” as an accessory. Apparently, it is one of the latest fads among teenagers. Is being carried around so much bad for the dog? When dogs are puppies it is common to carry them around (especially with the small breeds) since they are not yet leash trained. But as a dog […]
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How can I keep my cat off of the kitchen counter? Cats enjoy “counter surfing” for many reasons. First of all, they are looking for food scraps; second, they have a good view of the room; and third, they are at a perfect height to relate to their owners. Counters should be kept very clean with no dirty dishes […]
Read moreThe sounds of the holiday season also includes the booming and rat-a-tat-tat, ear-splitting echoing of fireworks and firecrackers that terrifies many dogs. It is definitely a myth that dogs will eventually outgrow a fear of the sound of firecrackers, thunder or other loud noises. Phobias are intense fear responses that are out of proportion to the real threat of the […]
Read moreQuestion: How do I know if a newborn puppy is healthy, and what should I do if the puppy feels cold? Answer: Healthy puppies should be plump and firm with pink mucous membranes. The heart rate is usually more than 200 beats per minute until 2 weeks of age. Respiration rate ranges from 15 to 35 times per minute. And the rectal temperature […]
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