Articulate Animals Blog, Kelly Krueger, Animal Communicator

Animal Communicator Kelly Krueger puts voice to your pet's thoughts, needs, and emotions.

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Toys to Keep Pets Challenged

Jun 18

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Animal Behaviors, Products & Animal Resources | No Comments

When I work with animal communication clients regarding certain behavioral issues with their dog or cat, it is not uncommon for a part of the cause to be related to

  • anxiety or boredom,
  • prey drive/hunting instinct, or
  • territorialism.

Of course, every animal’s rationale for their behavior is different and it is important to understand what is driving them to react as they do. But quite often the solution involves redirecting the pet to a less destructive, more productive activity. Toys to keep your animal companion challenged, mentally and physically, can be just the ticket.

Consider your pet’s breed, which gives a clue as to their in-bred instinct. Obviously a Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever dog loves to retrieve. It’s great exercise for them to chase balls, Frisbees, and sticks as thrown by their guardians, and until these dogs approach their golden years, they could partake in this activity for hours. You can add more mental challenge for them by rubbing their favorite retrieval item with a food scent and hiding the item. This is great for an retriever dog who might have a bit of anxiety or destructive behavior when you leave them alone for a few hours. Give them the “job” of finding their toy, assisted only by scent, and then guarding or protecting it while you are away.

Other dog breeds may not have a strong retrieval instinct, but may be very motivated by food. Toys that allow a special treat to be locked inside can keep these canines busy and mentally challenged for hours.

Cats have a strong prey drive, and they don’t lose that instinct just because they are indoor cats. Sometimes their frustration at not being able to stalk and hunt builds to a point of frustration and unwanted behaviors can develop, not to mention stalking and hunting is a great way for a cat to keep themselves fit. Scratching posts, catnip toys, and interactive games with their humans are all great, but consider adding some challenge for your kitty by making a simple toy to allow them to express their natural instinct, AND allowing them to reap the final reward at the end. A few bits of dried chicken or their favorite fish flakes in a recycled (empty) water bottle with small punctures for the aroma to escape will keep them redirected from yowling at the window, attacking your visitor’s feet, or scratching the furniture due to boredom. Small, light-weight bottles are all the better for skittering across the kitchen floor, just like a mouse would do. And best of all, if you don’t tighten the lid much, repeated batting and rolling around will eventually allow the lid to come off and the treats will be revealed. This kind of foraging toy, while not identical to hunting a mouse or snake in the garden, will allow your feline to honor his natural instinct for hunting, and a redirection to this game from an unwanted behavior could make your home much more harmonious for all.

If your pet is exhibiting unwanted behaviors and you suspect they are bored, find a mentally challenging game for them which is appropriate for their breed and personal preferences.

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FAQ: Helping Pets Deal with Summer Heat

Jun 9

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Frequently Asked Animal Questions, Products & Animal Resources | No Comments

An animal communication client asked:  Any tips on how to help extra furry dogs stay cool in this heat?? That’s a great question! Living with pugs most of my adult life, I do have some tricks up my sleeve. While a pug is not ”extra furry” like a Husky or Australian Shepard, they do have delicate respiratory systems which can become very quickly compromised in heat and humidity.

Jezebel showing off on her cool mat

Here are some tips:

  • Of course, first and foremost, limit your dog’s intense activity during the hottest part of the day. Easier said than done for some very active pooches, I know. But consider a good long walk in the early morning hours to give your companion their required daily exercise while the day is still cool. This will tire them out so they’ll rest during the hotter part of the day.
  • Allow access to cooler parts of the house during hot days. Put a dog bed and fresh water in your basement or an interior and/or dark room for your pooch while you are away.
  • Check your dog’s water regularly and keep it fresh and plentiful. I drop a few ice cubes in the water bowl through the day to keep it nice and cool. There are gadgets to allow on-demand access to fresh, cold water directly from an outdoor faucet. I’ve not tried or seen these myself, but for some breeds this may be a great solution for regular fresh-water intake. My less high-tech solution is to put a chunk of ice in the outdoor water dish which melts over a few hours, keeping the water cool for a good part of the day.
  • Many friends and clients have set up a baby pool – one of those plastic models with 8-10 inch sides – for their dogs to walk through and lay in. Keep the water fresh in case your dog decides to drink instead of swim, and don’t allow your pets to have access to a water-filled pool without adult supervision!
  • I set up a floor fan to blow air into the inside portion (a fenced area of my garage) of the dog run when I’m away. The fan is *outside* the gate so there can be no accidents with tails, paws, or tongues wanting to explore. While this is recycled warm air, it does provide cooling from the breeze, and adds an additional benefit of white-noise should I be away when a thunderstorm begins. The fan is positioned to blow on only one side of the containment and the other side remains breeze-free. I’m big on choices for my beloved companions! On particularly hot days, I set a bowl of water in front of the fan for more cooling.
  • Some families I know give their furry dogs a haircut in May or June, which grows out through the summer in time for the colder weather. Your dog may not look like himself for a couple of months, but it certainly does help with the heat. Remember though, if you give a short or buzz cut, protect them with sunscreen for the first couple of weeks!
  • There are products which seem to do a nice job of keeping dogs cool without getting them wet. Check your local pet store and/or animal supply catalogs for cool mats, rugs, vests, and collars (one version of a cool mat is shown above). My experience with a cool mat has been good, and a 20-minute soak in cold water keeps the mat cool (and dry!) to the touch for up to two days, then another dunk in cool water and we’re good to go for another couple of days. I’ve not tried the vest or collar but the concept is similar and may be the perfect solution for some dogs. Some dogs have expressed in our animal communication session that they prefer or *need* the cooling to come from their belly area. Other dogs hold their heat in their neck area. Choose the style that works best for your furry companion. The material in the mat, vest, etc. may be toxic so choose your style and brand wisely if your pet is a chewer.

These are my tips. If you have tips which keep your extra furry dog cooler on hot summer days, leave a comment!

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Helpful Pet Product: Administering Oils and Essences

Jun 2

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Products & Animal Resources | 2 Comments

I am a big fan of using flower essences and/or aromatherapy when they are appropriate for pets. Once we understand what essence or oil might be helpful, then we tackle the second challenge of how best to administer. There is a new product which I learned of last month that can help with that challenge.

The Collar Companion™ (patent pending) is the brainchild of Wendy England, founder of Daisy Paw, LLC in Colorado. According to Wendy’s bio, she has used aromatherapy on her own animals for years. When her dog, Daisy (ah ha!), developed a chronic skin condition, Wendy wanted to find a way to provide the benefit of aromatherapy without rubbing it directly on Daisy’s sensitive skin.

Now Daisy Paw offers a variety of collar companions for dogs and cats – a contraption which fits right on a collar and allows the guardian to drop oil or essence into the cavity – allowing all the benefits of the oil without the concern of ingesting or causing irritation to the skin.

So if you are about to administer a flower essence, essential oil, or perhaps one of the Daisy’s Blends essential oils produced by Daisy Paw, consider a collar companion* to make your life, and the life of your beloved four-legged companion, much easier!

* Wendy has tested and guarantees the collar companions when used with the Daisy’s Blend line. 

 

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A Dog’s Perspective on Stem-Cell Therapy

May 20

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Health & Well Being for Pets, Products & Animal Resources | 2 Comments

I enjoy the wide variety of topics that come my way as an animal communicator. Last month I had my first experience with a dog who’s humans were considering a stem-cell treatment to strengthen his joints. I appreciate their strategy in digging for all relevant information about the procedure, benefits, risks, and possible outcomes. Along with this, they wanted to know how the dog felt about more work on his joints (he’s had three previous surgeries).

There are three sides to the story:

According to the veterinarian staff, the dog is a candidate for the treatment.

According to his guardians, there are no obvious downsides to the treatment.

What was the dog’s response when asked about the treatment? At first he registered a little confusion because he is feeling quite well right now, with only a minor twinge in one hip occasionally. We explained that the treatment would be intended for long-term benefit, potentially strengthening the joints to avoid painful injuries and to slow the degeneration of his joints in the future. This was certainly interesting to him, and yet in his doggy way it is all about the here and now!  The treatment meant several months’ recuperation with limited intense activity. The dog’s summertime plans certainly included some intense activities, including hiking with his humans and playing with visiting animal companions. His hope: to delay the treatment until the weather was not so inviting. His humans were happy to honor that request.

I was curious about the treatment and did a little research myself. Early media attention was focused on the human use of embryonic stem cells, a controversial concept, to be sure. Now, the ability to use an animal’s own tissue to generate the needed stem cells to be re-injected into the same animal seems to have little controversy, and is becoming a more recognized and offered treatment for animals, canines in particular.

As described by the dog’s human, the procedure they were considering is minimally invasive. A simple needle aspiration would extract cells from the dog’s own tissue, and the stem cells would be separated out, left for a period of time to grow and cure, then be injected into the joint areas in question. While minimally invasive, the animal is restricted from intense activity for several months – up to four months in this particular case – while the cells attach and grow properly.

This being my first direct contact with canine stem-cell therapy, I am curious about other stem-cell treatments; perhaps a different procedure, different reason for treatment, or the use of a stem-cell treatment on a horse or feline. If you’ve had experience with stem-cell therapy and would be willing to share your comments, please do!

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Nutro Puppy Food – voluntary recall

Oct 2

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Pet Nutrition | No Comments

This voluntary recall by Nutro for certain brands of dry puppy food seems to be contained, but if you are currently using a variety of Nutro puppy food, please read on:

Portions of article from ConsumerAffairs.com

NUTRO Updates Information on Puppy Food Recall Workers hard hat was sucked into machinery, company rep says

By Lisa Wade McCormick, ConsumerAffairs.com • October 1, 2009

More about Pet Food Recalls Nutro Products has provided updated information on its decision to pull some of its puppy food off the market because of a production error. The company late Wednesday posted information about the action on its Web site, which confirmed it’s removing three types of puppy food off store shelves after discovering pieces of melted plastic in the “production line of select varieties of NUTRO dry dog and cat food products.” “We identified the source as a worker’s ‘bump cap,’ similar to a hard hat, which inadvertently made its way into our manufacturing process,” the company wrote. “We immediately retrieved the affected pet food from our distributors, and only three sku’s reached retail stores.” The company added: “Based on our extensive review, it is highly unlikely that any pieces of plastic made it into finished product. However, upon learning of the incident, we voluntarily retrieved all potentially affected products.” A Nutro customer service representative on Wednesday told ConsumerAffairs.com that a worker’s plastic hard hat was “sucked” into some of the machinery and the bags of puppy food may have plastic in them. The representative also said the puppy food involved in this “voluntary product withdrawal” was only shipped to PETCO and PetSmart stores in Arizona and California. But Nutro’s Web site now states the food was distributed to six other states. The Web site also lists different UPC codes on some of the puppy foods than the ones Nutro’s representative gave ConsumerAffairs.com on Wednesday morning.

According to NUTRO’s Web site, the company is pulling the following flavors of puppy food — shipped to PetSmart stores in California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas and New Mexico — off store shelves:

• NUTRO ULTRA Puppy food for dogs, 4.5 pound bag, best buy date of 9/10/10, and a UPC of 79105 51313;

• NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE Chicken Meal, Rice and Oatmeal Formula Small Bites Puppy, 5 pound bag, best buy date of 9/10/10 and a UPC 79105 23050

Nutro also said it is pulling select 30-pound bags of NUTRO ULTRA puppy food, which were distributed to PETCO stores in California, Nevada, Hawaii, and Utah. Those bags of food have a best buy date of 9/10/10 and a UPC of 79105 51315.

Although Nutro said it found pieces of melted plastic in the production line for dry dog and cat food products, the company is not pulling any feline food off the market. Customers who have any puppy food involved in this action can return the product to the store for a full refund or exchange, Nutro said. For more information, pet owners can contact Nutro 1-800-833-5330.

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Teeth Cleaning for our Animals

Sep 25

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Frequently Asked Animal Questions, Health & Well Being for Pets, Products & Animal Resources | No Comments

Periodically I am asked during animal communication sessions about dental care for pets. Sometimes the animal with which I’m working has discomfort or sensitivity in their mouth. We can get the specific symptoms from the animal during the consultation, but I always recommend that the animal be scheduled for a dental checkup in these cases, which usually can be done with the animal’s regular veterinarian.

Sometimes, however, I am simply asked about the “rule of thumb” for dental cleanings and checkups. My rule of thumb is always “check with your veterinarian!” I say this because every animal, just as every human, has different contributing factors which impact their oral health. The type of food the animal eats, genetic makeup, and types of medications that the animal might be taking can all play a role in the health of our pet’s mouth.

My Veterinarian, Dr. Diana Roberts, Harmony Animal Wellness, states:

“Animals should have their mouth, teeth and gums examined by a veterinarian no less often than annually as part of their yearly wellness screening and exam. Some animals, because of age, genetic makeup or previous dental problems, will need more frequent exams.  Scaling, polishing and regular prophylactic care is important in order to avoid plaque build-up, gingival disease, bacterial infection and potential tooth or bone loss.”

It is normal for animals to have some amount of tartar and plaque buildup, and again there is no rule of thumb regarding the typical age when a first dental cleaning is required or recommended. Your Veterinarian should check your animal’s mouth each year during their well-visit and can help you determine if a dental cleaning is in your pet’s immediate future. Some animals only need a few professional cleanings in their lifetime, and others should have the full procedure every year or two. Home oral care also contributes to the frequency of needed cleanings.

The most thorough and successful dental cleaning uses ultrasonic sound waves to scale the teeth and requires the animal to be under general anesthesia. Your veterinarian can help determine if there are significant or increased risks with anesthesia for your particular pet.

Slide1An alternative to the ultrasonic cleaning is an anesthesia-free procedure which may be  an option  for some pets, especially if they are older or have a medical condition which makes anesthesia risky. I have had a couple of clients who have used and had good results with this type of cleaning. It was the right choice for their individual pet’s needs, however it is important to note that while the anesthesia-free dental cleaning is gaining popularity, the general Veterinary community remains guarded  in its use. The procedure is not as effective in cleaning bacteria up under the gum line, which may lead to gingivitis, infection, or even tooth and bone loss over time. Many animals’ temperament is not suited to the anesthesia-free procedure.

There are products which can help maintain a healthier mouth between cleanings. ProDen’s PlaqueOff  is a natural supplement for dogs or cats and helps to reduce tartar and plaque. There are also  a number of products available for regular home-based oral hygiene. Your Vet Clinic may sell brushes and animal-appropriate toothpaste, and most pet stores carry a variety of these products to brush your pet’s teeth between professional cleanings.

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The Belly Band for Boys

Sep 15

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Products & Animal Resources | No Comments

Valentino modeling one of his belly bands

Valentino modeling one of his belly bands

It’s a topic we don’t often discuss – at least not in public! But for a variety of reasons, animals can become incontinent. Sometimes incontinence sets in as animals age, or there may be a physical/medical reason for the leakage. No matter the reason, and as understanding as we are regarding the circumstances, its not fun cleaning up and over time odor can become a problem.

I’m speaking from first-hand knowledge. My boy-dog, Valentino, has been living with a degenerative neurological condition for more than five years. It started slowly at about age six, and now at almost 12 years old he is still a very happy boy but has lost nearly all control of his rear quarters.

After experimenting with natural treatments (chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathic remedies for increased bladder control, etc.) there came a time when we needed to recognize this as a stage in his journey and simply accept it. We started with doggy diapers. They were a step in the right direction, but it was a challenge to keep them on. Valentino had very little muscle mass left in his hips, thighs, and lower back by the time his incontinence began, so there wasn’t much for the diaper to hang on to. His dignity didn’t deal with it very well either – “a diaper, really mom? Okay but promise no one will see me in it but you!”

Styles of belly bands

Styles of belly bands

Thankfully while flipping through an animal product catalog I learned about “belly bands” for boy dogs. They have been a lifesaver. Valentino doesn’t even mind going out in public now, especially with his very manly camouflage band on. He’s such a tough guy! There are a couple of styles of which I am familiar, and if you find yourself in need of trying a belly band you may find pros and cons for your own particular needs and the breed of the dog. I found both of these styles (pictured) in animal product catalogs, and now my local boutique pet store is carrying one of the styles as well. You should be able to find a belly band that fits your needs easily.

My needs have focused on a small-breed male dog, so if you have a similar solution for females and/or larger breeds, please leave a comment for the benefit of all!

 

Photo:  Earlier in Valentino’s journey the band pictured on the left  by Susan Lanci Designs was perfect as it is self-contained with an absorbent swatch of  fabric sewn in.

Later, he needed more protection and we found the Kennel Komforts band with elasticized sides in which we lay in our own absorbent pad.

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Flower Essences for Emotional Healing – Part Two

Sep 1

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Health & Well Being for Pets, Products & Animal Resources | 2 Comments

Part One of ”Flower Essences for Emotional Healing” discussed the properties and benefits of flower essence remedies, which can offer valuable support for our beloved animals in times of emotional stress. Whether one chooses individual essences, pre-mixed or a custom-blend, the results are often obvious and quick.

Mimulus

Mimulus

This post will discuss common indicators for the consideration of a flower essence, as well as a few essences which I recommend for animals in need. Flower essences don’t appeal to all animals, but those who are open to trying an essence for their particular emotional imbalance tend to know right away if a flower essence is right for them. As mentioned in Part One, Bach is a well-known brand of flower essence remedies and is easily found in most natural food and drug stores. Many other brands of individual essences and custom blends are available and equally beneficial.

Anxiety, worry, certain types of fear– There are many reasons an animal can exhibit anxiety or fear and there are a few different essences which may work well for an animal. Thunder and lightning fear, for example, may be lessened with Mimulus, and anxiety during veterinary clinic visits can also benefit from Mimulus. More extreme cases of terror may benefit from Rock Rose. Aspen can provide a deeper sense of security for anxious or worried animals, and I have used Cherry Plum successfully for calming hyper-sensitive animals.

Star of Bethlehem

Star of Bethlehem

Grieving, loss, sudden devastating changes – Most often I recommend Star of Bethlehem for animals who recently lost a companion (animal or human) or are showing signs of grief and mourning. Sometimes Wild Oat is helpful if the animal seems to lack a sense of purpose after a loss. Honeysuckle is a good choice for animals who may be grieving the loss of his/her previous environment (i.e. homesickness) and is also helpful in supporting animals to release their attachment to a past home or situation.

Lack of confidence, self-esteem, and shyness– Larch is great for a gentle boost in self-esteem and confidence. Water Violet encourages a more confident and social animal. Mimulus (also listed above for fears and anxiety) can help shy animals become more confident and courageous.

Aggression, dominance, territorial behaviors– Fear-based aggression might be lessened with Mimulus, while jealous aggression would be better served with the use of Holly. Vine is a good essence to use for some dominant and territorial behaviors. A disclaimer here: aggressive and dominant behaviors can escalate quickly and I highly recommend the assistance of a qualified trainer or animal behaviorist in addition to the possible use of flower essences.  

Cherry Plum

Cherry Plum

Rescue Remedy (a combination of several essences) – Rescue Remedy is a great “all purpose” remedy which I use for a variety of common stressful situations. Visits to the vet for routine or minor procedures; mild separation anxiety; mild fears brought about by sudden noises (i.e. firecrackers); and any change of situation or environment which could be stressful such as the family going on vacation, moving from one home to another; the first few days of a college freshman not living at home; the addition of a new baby in the home, etc.

Flower essence remedies may be a consideration for you and your pet as you move through life. I have listed just a handful of possible reasons to experiment with flower essences, and only a few of the possible remedies available. Remember, flower essences do not alter your pet’s temperament or personality; essences simply allow your animal to access their natural ability to cope with stress, bringing them back into emotional balance.

If you have a success story you would like to share about the use of a flower essence, please leave a comment!

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