Face the feline facts. Cats can be fussy, fascinating, frustrating, funny, and even a bit freaky. It is easy to be puzzled or perplexed as to why cats do what they do. However, do not expect them to apologize or grovel. Cats leave those actions to gotta-please dogs. That’s why I wrote the original The Cat Behavior Answer Book way back in 2007. Much has happened in the cat world since then. That was the motivation behind my writing the 2nd edition and adding nearly 80 percent new content which was just released by my publisher, Storey Books. In fact, a major feline revolution is underway that cannot be ignored – nor should it. More cats live in households than dogs. More people are willing to admit to being “cat daddies” or “cat moms.” It’s cool to love and live with cats.

If only our dogs could get by on their cute looks. But if they don’t learn good doggy manners and have consistent training, some dogs grow up to be more challenging than cute. More fearful than fun. More bossy than benign. That’s why I wrote the original The Dog Behavior Answer Book way back in 2006. But I realized so much has changed in the dog world since then. That was the motivation behind me writing the 2nd edition of this book that contains nearly 80 percent new content and is being released this month.

In celebration, Pet King Brands, the makers of ZYMOX® and Oratene® Brushless Oral Care encouraged me to share some excerpts of my book in this blog post on the five common dog behavior issues.

Welcome to the dog days of summer. Are you in search of a destination where your dog can make a splash – literally?

Whether the body of water is an ocean, lake, pool – or even a tub — the health benefits are immense for dogs coping with arthritis, post-surgical recovery, limb problems, or extra pounds. If you have a high-energy dog, swimming is a safer exercise option than walks, runs, or hikes when the heat is on. Quite simply, water therapy is a good aerobic exercise, particularly since the water provides resistance. Water also offers a natural buoyancy, far kinder on dogs than long walks on concrete sidewalks or arduous hikes on rocky terrain. In water, canine joints are not jarred or jolted as they are on land.

What do dinosaurs, mastodons, fleas and ticks share in common? All roamed the earth millions of years ago. Of the four, only fleas and ticks have managed to elude extinction and continue to harass and irritate dogs and cats all over the globe. These blood-sucking nuisances definitely possess a strong knack for survival. Today’s fleas and ticks continue to be quite prolific. A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day. After feeding on your pet’s blood, a female tick can lay as more than 1,500 eggs.

Yikes.

I love having a spacious, fenced backyard for my dogs, Emma and Kona, to romp and play. On occasion, I place my indoor cats, Casey, Rusty and Mikey in a large, zippered popup enclosure and supervise as they get a safe opportunity to see, smell and hear nature. Looking around, the confines of the backyard can feel safe and inviting, but be aware that backyards can harbor unexpected health dangers to our pets.

Doggy farts and kitty vomit. Just like us, dogs and cats can develop tummy woes that trigger flatulence, stomach pain and diarrhea. Some pets even hunch over and vomit. There are all kinds of health issues we have to think about when we have pets, including their mental well-being, oral health, ear, and skin health, and issues like these relating to their gastrointestinal health.

Welcome to spring time in Texas! Seasonal allergies may find you sneezing and reaching for the tissue box. But allergic reactions to trees, plants and grass in your dog may cause him to lick, scratch and nibble on his itchy skin and paws.

For years, your dog or cat has dutifully had good bathroom habits. Suddenly, he starts urinating outside the litter box, on the living room rug or sigh, maybe even on your bed pillow. You may be puzzled, frustrated or a tad peeved. From your pet’s perspective, that yellow pool is no accident. It is a key clue that your pet may be dealing with a medical or behavior issue that merits your attention and possible treatment by your veterinarian.

Beckoning mud puddles. Threatened skunks. Tempting duck poo. Itchy flea infestation. These are just four reasons your dog needs a proper bath without delay. But dogs of all hair coats also benefit from an occasional “just-because” bath from you. It’s a great bonding opportunity and conditions your dog to welcome being handed. Let me share these tips to make bath time welcoming for the both of you:

You may love wiggling a wand toy for your ready-to-pounce cat or engage your dog in a friendly game of fetch in the back yard. Both activities help bolster the bond between you and your pets. Another one of the best ways to show love for your pet is to be down in his mouth – literally. Keeping tabs on your pet’s dental health can stave off many future problems and make any doggy kiss more fresh smelling and welcoming.

Many pets need steady doses of confidence throughout their lives to not have fear or anxiety and to maintain a can-do, happy attitude. However, like us, our pets have been emotionally impacted by the social restrictions triggered by this never-ending pandemic. For most of 2020 and 2021 we did not have anyone come inside our home. It took a toll on my pets’ confidence.

What does a hairless Sphynx cat share in common with an English bulldog? Both breeds are prone to skin issues. Any cat or any dog of any breed can encounter rashes, skin allergies, bacterial infections, yeast infections, reactions to new medications and other skin problems but there are some breeds that tend to suffer more than others. Here’s the skinny on pet skin health. Your pet’s skin is the largest organ, representing up to a whopping one-fourth of your pet’s total body weight. That is a lot of surface area to keep maintained and healthy so that they feel comfortable and happy.

Just got a puppy? Brace yourself for what I call the Wonder Year. The arrival of a pup may cause you to wonder where your sanity went. Pump up your level of patience because puppies are energetic, curious and sometimes, fearless. One way they investigate is by taste testing their surroundings. They also tend to swallow things that they shouldn’t. As a master certified pet first aid/CPR instructor, I make it my mission to help pet parents play it safe for their pups’ sake. So, in preparing for your pup’s arrival, I recommend:

After this stubborn pandemic robbed us of festivities last holiday season, I’m betting many of you plan to get the most out of this year’s holidays by hosting parties, taking vacations, even welcoming your B-list relatives to stay for a visit. Or perhaps, all of the above. Fortunately, 2020 is in the rearview mirror. But as we close out 2021, we need to also not forget about the P factor…that stands for our pets.

One of the most challenging tasks facing pet parents is giving pills or liquid medicine at home to their resistant dogs or cats. It might also rank among the most dreaded tasks. Some cats seem to tap into a sixth sense knowing what is about to happen and hide out of sight moments before medication time. Some dogs are masters at spitting out the pill or liquid medicine or rapidly move their heads side to side to keep you from opening their mouths. Medicine-giving time doesn’t have to be a struggle for you and your pet.

Raise your hand if you dream of taking a long Mediterranean cruise, catching the Northern Lights in Iceland or snorkeling the famed coral coast of Fiji. This stubborn pandemic continues to take away the welcome mat for many to travel to such dream destinations. Instead of fretting about being unable to fly to foreign countries, focus on the fun you can have while traveling with your dog domestically, who is happy to be along for the ride.

Every body, including human, feline, or canine, is made up of about 70 percent water. All of us, including our pets, need adequate amounts of water each day to stay healthy and hydrated. Water helps usher oxygen and needed nutrients to every cell in the body while flushing out toxins with the production of urine. It keeps kidneys functioning, lubricates joints, and helps regulate body temperature. Without the right balance of water a host of health problems can ensue including deterioration of oral health and a very serious issue – dehydration.

Now that warm weather has arrived, there are many options for your dog to swim from backyard pools to lakes, rivers, and oceans. Swimming is a great form of exercise for dogs especially when it is blazing hot outside and the pavement is too hot on their paws. Water’s natural buoyancy is far kinder on canine joints than long walks on concrete sidewalks or leaping to snag a Frisbee in the backyard. In water, dogs can benefit from purposeful movement to keep their joints lubricated and their muscles toned. Swimming is also a great way to help dogs who need more exercise than their owners.

Dogs and cats do a lot of talking without uttering a single bark or meow. They are straight talkers who do not deceive or pretend. Among four-leggers, there is rarely a miscommunication or misinterpretation because cats and dogs communicate with one another through body postures, scent markings and to a lesser degree, vocalizations. Even though I have a degree in communications from Purdue University, I still make an occasional “faux paw” in determining what my cat, Casey, or my dog, Kona, is trying to tell me.

If you have a willing dog, or a cat, the expression, “take a hike” has another meaning and conveys creative and positive possibilities of spending time in the great outdoors with your pet. Hiking is a great way to stay active and provide enrichment as well as some really good bonding time. It’s not uncommon to see dogs out on the trails because they make great companions. There is also a growing trend of people including their cats. Yes, you read right, feline hiking partners.