Is Losing Your Pet Harder Than Losing A Person?

by Lori Ennis

Published: December 18th, 2018

is losing your pet harder than losing a person

When we lose our pets, we feel like we’ve lost pieces of our hearts. Many say that it’s ‘like losing a family member,’ and pet owners agree. But what does science say? Turns out, research suggests that losing one’s pet means the loss of a relationship that is often more gratifying than some with humans, and may indeed be more difficult.

Full disclaimer: My first son died nine years ago. Burying him that cold December day was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my entire life and it changed me completely. I lost another little boy about two years later while I was still pregnant and that too has impacted me in ways that I didn’t realize they ever could.

But I’ve also had to let three dogs cross the Rainbow Bridge in the last 22 years, most recently my 12-year-old Golden Dixie this summer. And while there is truly nothing like losing one’s child, I’m going to be honest and say that the feelings one has when a pet dies are so similar, for those who’ve never lost a child, it’s probably the closest thing they’ll experience like that.

I don’t say that to be disrespectful. As I said, losing my sons has left me missing them with such intensity that even years later, it still takes my breath away sometimes.

But, when I think of my dogs that who’ve died, I’d be lying if I didn’t say they also brought tears to my eyes still when I think of them sometimes too.

When people mourn the loss of their pets, often they’ll hear things like, “Just remember, it’s just a dog.” In fact, when our Dixie was ill before she died, and a good ‘friend’ told me to keep my grief in perspective because she was just a dog and ‘not a human,’ I kind of wanted to throat-punch her. She stood at my son’s funeral with me. She KNEW how much losing him hurt me. And so, I told her (and maybe not so-kindly before I ‘unfriended’ her) that if losing my DOG was hurting my heart as much as it was, knowing I too know the pain of losing a ‘human’ child, she could be sure that losing one’s dog HURT. A lot.

Research supports that our pets truly are like family to us, and often, we have even more satisfying relationships with our pets than we do many human/blood relatives. Our pets bring us unconditional love and companionship. We form routines and lives around the lives of our pets, and research has even shown that when it comes to ‘misnaming’ (where you call for one of your kids but you go through every family name before you get to his) people pull the dog’s name from the same family pool of names. This does not seem to happen with cats, showing that there is even more childlike responsibility associated with dogs.

Their adorable babylike features don’t help–eyes that longingly look at you with adoration and love, fully showing different emotions when they are excited, scared or guilty…those traits help bond them to us as fellow sentient creatures.

And really, research suggests that as sentient (and adorable creatures) pets manipulate us in many similar ways that our children would/do. Tell me that you don’t equate your puppy looking at you sweetly as you’re carving the turkey much as you would if your five-year-old was doing the same with a candy bar! The ‘parent-child’ like relationship exists, and when it’s gone–we truly feel that loss.

Psychologist Julie Axelrod says that losing our pets mean we also lose our ‘life witnesses. Our pets are often those we turn to when our human counterparts are unavailable, or we prefer not to share with them. They see us at our best and our worst, and they fill our hard days with a joy and fulfillment that many humans simply can’t. For me, this was especially true when we lost Dixie; not only was I losing my sweet baby–I was losing a grief partner. She’d been there for every tear I’d shed as I lost my children, as well as when my living son was born, came home, etc. Dixie walked hand-in-hand with me through the highest and lowest of my days, and losing her was a little like reliving those days again, only without her.

And mostly, I think that when the decision to euthanize for the best interest of the pet comes into play, there is truly a unique loss. We feel guilty for making such decisions, yet we know that they’re the right ones to make. While we question and second-guess, we also bear the burden of being the only ones who can do the right thing for our pets and that’s just an impossible situation to be in. Those situations complicate the grief so much more, and frankly, leave us with feelings and questions that just may never be resolved.

So, is losing your pet harder than losing a person? Science will tell you that it sure can feel like that, and I can completely see why. As one who has buried her child and lost three beloved dogs, I can tell you this: You’ll NEVER hear me say,”It’s just a dog,” and I’ll always give your grief just as much merit and credibility because they’re family.

And losing family hurts.

Lori Ennis

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Losing A Pet: Dealing With The Death Of Your Dog

How to cope with the sadness and grief after losing a pet Nothing compares to the heartbreak of losing a pet, especially if it comes suddenly. For many people, dogs are more than just pets or companions – they are best friends and part of the family. If you have recently lost a beloved pet, you may be wondering how you are going to get along without him. We’ve put together a few ways that can help your cope after losing a pet. Related: National Pet Memorial Day Understanding the Grief Process When you’ve lost a pet, whether it be an unexpected loss or something you have prepared yourself for, know that it is okay to feel grief. Grief is a natural response to loss and it can manifest in different ways for different people. For example, some people go into denial, refusing to acknowledge the fact that their pet is gone and that he won’t be coming back. After denial, many people experience anger – anger at the world or at some higher power for taking their pet away, or even anger at themselves for not doing enough to keep their pet alive. In many cases this anger is irrational but it keeps the individual from acknowledging and accepting the loss of a pet. Related: Pope Francis Says All Dogs (And Cats) Do Go To Heaven The end of the grief process brings about acceptance – acknowledgement of the fact that your pet is gone and that there is nothing you can do to bring him back. This stage of the grief process may be accompanied by sadness, but that sadness will decrease over time and you will be able to remember your pet fondly. Different individuals experience the grief process in different ways and over different lengths of time. Just know that there is nothing wrong with feeling sad about losing a pet and that you have the right to grieve him in your own way. Coping with Grief Coping with the loss of a beloved pet can be a difficult process but there are a few things you can do to make the process a bit easier: Acknowledge the fact that you are grieving and give yourself permission to do so – do not try to suppress your feelings or move on before you are truly ready.Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends and loved ones for help or simply for a sympathetic ear if you need to talk.Consider recording your thoughts and feelings in a journal or try writing a poem or story about your beloved pet.Contact pet-loss hotlines or your local humane society for support groups for people who have lost pets – you may find solace in the company of others who are experiencing the same thing you are.Prepare and hold a memorial service for your pet – this may help you to say goodbye. Other Suggestions and Tips Try to remember that you are not the only one experiencing grief over his loss. Your children, for example, may be experiencing death for the first time and they could be confused and scared. Help your child to work through his feelings of grief by expressing your own and offering sympathy and support as you cope with your grief together. In addition to children and other family members, other pets you own could be affected by the loss of their friend. If your surviving pet(s) had a strong bond with the pet you lost, they may refuse to eat or drink and they could become lethargic. Make sure to give your surviving pets plenty of love and affection and do your best to maintain a normal routine. Do not rush into getting another pet – you and your family need time to grieve and to say goodbye to your pet before you get another. When you do decide to move on, do not feel guilty about doing so. Bringing home a new pet doesn’t mean you are trying to replace the pet you lost, it is simply a way to sharing with a new pet the love you and your family has to give.

Are You Losing Sleep Because of Your Pet? Use This Calculator to Find

Your pet is costing you sleep- and this fun calculator helps you find out exactly how much. It seems that being a pet parent has (at least) one shared woe with human parenthood: your fur baby is impacting the quality of your sleep. A British blinds company did a market research to find out exactly how much having a pet disrupts your sleep, and the data they’ve gathered is honestly quite surprising. According to Hillarys and their ‘ Lost Sleep Calculator For Pet Owners’, cat people have it much harder than dog lovers. On average, in the first year of their pet’s life, feline pet parents lose a whopping 728 hours of sleep (a whole month!) whereas puppy parents lose about half of that, averaging at 330 hours or two weeks. OK, I can see how kitties, which love nothing more than to start playing chase with their imaginary friends at 3 AM, would cost their owners a lot of quality shut-eye time when compared to dogs. But a whole month? Something doesn’t add up here, peeps. To boot, the numbers go waaaay up when you type in the years you’ve spent with your precious four-legged companion. I wasn’t lazy, so I added all of my cats and dogs to the calculator to see if I’ll cause a glitch on the website. I didn’t, but here is what the calculator had to say: my furry torturers apparently caused me to lose 3.3 whole years of sleep in the last decade, and in the time I had them I had to scoop 12,740 dog poos and change 37,230 litter trays. While at times it might seem like these numbers are spot on, I’m still standing, so it’s more likely that they are a bit off. The data company gathered also gave us some fun insights into how all that sleep loss reflects on pet parent’s everyday life- which sound more spot on than the lost sleep numbers. For instance, 1 in every 8 pawrents had accidentally switched their pet’s food for their own after a sleepless night, and 1 in 3 pet owners starts off the day right- with their furball sitting on their face. The things we do for love! What do you think? Did your precious pet really cause you to lose as much sleep as the calculator indicates? Share your results with us!

8 World Renown Pet Cemeteries

When your loyal pet crosses the Rainbow Bridge, you want them to rest in peace in a place fitting their position in your family. It’s little wonder that these pet cemeteries have gained world-wide praise and acknowledgement. When I was a kid, pets who had passed were simply buried in our back yard. From my cat, Smoky to our two painted turtles, numerous goldfish, a gerbil and even a number of baby birds that we had found and tried (but failed) to nurse back to health. All were eventually interred in the garden. And while I’m inclined to say “times have changed” and pet parents are just now opting for a more formal good bye for their loved ones, the truth is that pet cemeteries have been around for centuries and for those inclined to splurge, they provide a more respectable resting place for Rover than was the base of the old apple tree in my childhood yard. In fact, there are over 700 registered pet cemeteries in the United States alone with a few – such as Los Angeles Pet Memorial Park – providing the final resting place to upwards of 40,000 beloved pets. And according to the International Association of Pet Cemeteries (yes, there is such an organization), there are probably hundreds more “less formal” sites that have never been registered. Related: Is Losing Your Pet Harder Than Losing A Person? Today, many of the official graveyards offer much more than just a plot of land to bury your pet. They provide several of the same amenities you would expect from traditional cemeteries, including caskets, customized head-stones, funeral services and grief counselling. In fact, many “human” cemeteries in North America will now allow pets to be interred with their owner or in non-consecrated grounds located within the cemetery boundaries. And this isn’t just a North American phenomenon. Established more than a century ago, many of these pet cemeteries have become unique tourist destinations and even lay claim to some pretty pricey real estate throughout the world. Let’s take a look at eight of the more interesting public and private pet cemeteries:

The Magic Is Real: Why Science Says You And Your Dog Love Each Other S

It is one hundred percent legit when people claim their dogs are like family members, and when we lose them, it feels like a loss of one too. But why is that? What is it that makes the relationship between our dogs and us so–human-like? Science says it has something to do with a well-known hormone known as the ‘love hormone’ –oxytocin– and our dogs know how to affect our oxytocin levels in positive ways. When mothers are bearing children, their bodies use the hormone oxytocin to control aspects of childbirth and lactation. Oxytocin is a chemical messenger of the brain, and is highly involved in aspects of the process of reproduction–from ‘bonding’ with a mate to the brain signaling labor and then stimulating breasts for a mother to nurse her child. Related: Oxytocin’s Role In Dog-Human Bonding May Lead To Autism Therapies Oxytocin is also responsible for bonding with people–in good and bad situations–and is often called the ‘love hormone’ because it certainly is evident in relationships, attachment, bonding and human growth and development. Science has shown over and over how oxytocin affects dogs; in both labor and delivery as well as situations where relying on their human is a necessary function. Additionally, researchers have found that dogs tend to appreciate the smiles humans have because of oxytocin. It’s powerful stuff! In humans, it’s even been found that simply petting dogs will raise oxytocin levels in humans and dogs (so when your pup comes over for a rub, give her one. She’s looking for love and you’re it!). And since oxytocin is what makes humans love each other so much, it’s no surprise that it’s also what makes us love dogs (and they love us) in very similar ways that we do humans. Sometimes more, ahem. Studies have looked at how simply interacting with your dog can increase the oxytocin level in both you and your dog–which is why you get so much pleasure and talk all that baby talk when they pull their puppy dog eyes on you. By the way, that baby talk also increases their oxytocin level, similarly to how it would with human babies, and that reinforces bonding, so goo-goo-gaga all you want. And that’s why often, our pets really do *feel* like our children. The relationships we have with them parallel parental/child relationships, and invoke hormone production of oxytocin just as a human parent/child relationship would. It’s just as important for doggie mamas to nurture their babies as it is for humans, and oxytocin plays a big part in that bonding and nurturing relationship. Oxytocin helps us respond to those we feel rely on us and depend on us–and that’s why when they sit at their bowl at dinner time, you instantly feel the tug to feed them. Moreover, when you see a stray, because oxytocin strengthens memory–good and bad–you’re more likely to feel worse and compelled to do something because of the bond you’ve already established with your own dog(s). Studies have even shown when oxytocin isn’t present, mice mamas didn’t respond to their babies, but female mice who were not responsive to baby mice because they were not mothers *did* respond once they’d been injected with oxytocin. Yes, it’s the love hormone, but at a basic level, it’s a parental hormone. Related: Is Losing Your Pet Harder Than Losing A Person? Which is why someone tells you that, “It’s just a dog,” they’re basically ignorant of the science that says, “Yeah, but to me, she’s family.” Studies have shown that losing a pet is a traumatic event, one that typically processes better if one acknowledges, honors and even treats that grief as the life-impacting even that it is. Psychologists repeatedly emphasize that the loss of a pet is difficult for so many reasons similar to losing a human loved one, and that’s because the relationship is real. The relationship is real, the love is real and the loss is real. So the next time someone acts like you’re cray-cray because you’ve bought your dogs Valentine’s Day gifts, tell them to check out the science…and leave you and your dog to love each other as you always have!

“One-of-a-Kind” Cat With Two Noses Searches for Her Forever Home

As rescue cat parents and rescue advocates, we know firsthand that every cat has a unique story to tell. But some cats truly stand out and make their mark on the world. Nanny McPhee, a rescue cat who recently came into the care of the Cats Protection Warrington Adoption Centre. It’s not the way this sweet girl came into the shelter or her life before that has everyone talking… It’s a VERY unique physical feature – her nose, or “noses,” in her case! The sweet kitty lived in a loving home for the first four years of her life. Unfortunately, her previous owner had to make the difficult decision to contact a rescue due to health and financial reasons. When Nanny McPhee first arrived at the rescue, volunteers and rescue workers noticed a few things about the tuxedo kitty. First, she was a very gentle lady with a love for attention.“She has proven to be a gentle lady who adores a fuss and a cuddle, and we are hopeful her new-found fame will mean she will have no shortage of potential adopters,” shared shelter manager Lindsay Kerr. “She really does deserve a home where she can settle down and become the center of a loving family.” Second, they noticed she had a surprisingly large nose. It was this unique feature that led to her being named after the popular children’s character. But that signature sniffer was hiding an even bigger secret. A check-up with a local veterinarian revealed that the cat had not one but TWO noses, creating the appearance of one large snout. When asked about the discovery, senior field veterinary officer Fiona Brockbank explained that it was the first time they had seen this but that the cat’s unique appearance resulted from a congenital malformation. Other more common examples of this include cleft palates or cleft lips. These conditions can be inherited or caused by an incident during development in utero.

Dog Ran A Mile to Her Doggy Daycare Center for Help After A Car Crash

A frightened dog ran a mile through heavy traffic to its doggy daycare to get help after she and her owner were in a car crash. Melisa Fickel, the dog’s owner, said that Aries, a three-year-old pit bull mix has always been a smart pooch. The pup, who was adopted in 2020, learns tricks quickly and loves to play in the park. Aries recently got a chance to show exactly how smart she is. The pooch and her owner were heeded to a local park in Detroit, Michigan when another car hit them from behind. Luckily, no one was injured, and both vehicles sustained only minor damages. However, the car accident spooked Aries, prompting her to jump out of the car’s window and run off into traffic. “I had the windows down because Aries likes to hang her head out,” said Fickel to a local TV station. “As soon as there was that smack, as soon as I felt and heard it, almost instantaneously, she was out the window.”Fearing the worst, Fickel was concerned about her pup’s safety. While dealing with the police and her insurance company, her mind was preoccupied with all the ways Aries could be in danger,“I can’t really think about it because so many things could have happened,” she added.What Fickel didn’t know is that Aries ran about a mile down the road, to the safest place she could be in - the Hounds Town Metro Detroid, the doggy daycare she frequently visits. Security footage recorded at the daycare showed Aries arriving at the center during the staff’s noon break when employees usually shut down the lobby to clean and catch up with other tasks. According to Dominic Pace, the daycare’s general manager, he and another employee were in the lobby when they saw something outside. “We noticed something dart past the front door,” said Pace. “It was like a black blur that just went past.”Thinking that they might have seen a dog, Pace went outside and found Aries standing by the sidewalk leading to the daycare’s front door. The pooch was panting and looked scared. Once inside the daycare, Aries has calmed down. Pace thought the dog looked familiar, so he called Travis Odgen, the daycare’s owner. At first, Odgen thought that it might be a stray dog, but as he got a better look, he instantly recognized Aries. “I was like, ‘Oh, that looks like Aries’ and then she walks closer and I’m like ‘That is Aries!’” he said. “I start to pet her and she gives me kisses, and she rolls over for me, recognizing me.”Although happy to see Aries, Odgen was confused to see the pooch without her owner. He immediately called Fickel to find out what was happening and to tell her that her dog was in the daycare.Everything made sense once Odgen learned about the fender bender and Aries’ escape. He assured the pup’s owner that she was safe and sound, minus a small cut on her paw. The staff promised to look after the pup until her owner sorted out everything and was able to pick her up.According to Pace, Aries is a very friendly and sweet dog who loves to flop on her back, expecting belly rubs from anyone nearby. “Dogs do have an intuition of knowing where they are and where they can be safe,” he said. “She knows that she’s safe here, that she has people here that will take care of her and dogs are pretty intuitive when it comes to that kind of thing.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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Family Dog Alerts Parents to a Teen’s Stroke and Saves His Life

Dogs are so deserving of their title – man’s best friend - and they continue to prove it day in and day out. From being our best friends to providing irreplaceable acts of service to people in need, there’s so much that dogs do that makes a difference and this story only proves it.The fateful event took place in Spring, Texas, where the family Tanner lives, alongside their precious pooch, Axel. Axel is a 1-year-old  border collie, a rescue that quickly became a cherished member of the family and, as life would have it, their savior. It was around 5 am on a calm Saturday morning when Axel – completely out of the ordinary – jolted Amanda and her husband from their sleep. And it was no regular attention-seeking behavior. Something was amiss, and Axel was determined to let the couple know.“He was pawing me more than normal to get me to move,” Mr. Tanner explains for  Today.com. Realizing that the dog was clearly trying to wake them, Amanda’s husband went downstairs to check on things and let the dog outside. Axel refused. It wasn’t the outdoors he was seeking - there was something else. He quickly stopped in front of the closed doors of the 17-year-old Gabriel Tanner. Mr. Tanner went inside to check up on his son but realized what was the cause of the dog’s panic. Young Gabriel was having a stroke, his speech was slurred, and he could not feel his right side. At once they rushed him to the emergency room at the Memorial Hermann the Woodlands Medical Center. Young Gabriel was quickly treated and made a recovery. Dr. Sabih Effendi, who treated him, says that “by waking the parents up, and leading them to the boy, the dog made a “massive” difference in Gabriel’s outcome”. “It’s very amazing that their dog alerted and started this whole process of getting everyone awake and going downstairs,” Effendi continues. “When somebody’s acutely having a stroke, the neurons are dying. … If he was not found and another three or four hours went by, there would have been more and more and more brain injury.”The Tanner family is extremely grateful to have had Axel by their side in this crucial moment. They can only wonder what would have happened if the dog wasn’t there. He practically saved Gabriel’s life. “We wouldn’t have thought to go into Gabriel’s room and wake him up. He’s a teenager. It was a Saturday morning. We went to bed late. We wouldn’t think to go in there until maybe noon,” Amanda says.Nowadays, Axel is a precious member of their family and tends to follow Gabriel wherever he goes. He also sleeps with the teen a lot more, always on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary. A true four-legged friend and proof that dogs can be loyal to no end! 

Is Aquarium Salt Safe for Plants?

All those in love with the fascinating world of aquatics know how sensitive and (sometimes) demanding pet fish and  aquarium plants are. The aquarium plant life in particular can be very vulnerable, reacting to the smallest changes in the tank’s environment. Naturally, this begs the question: could adding salt to your tank potentially kill its plant life? Or is salt beneficial for your aquarium’s flora? These are the questions that need to be answered carefully, as there are different types of salt used, and not all have the same effects on the many different aquarium plants. Let’s dive deeper into the topic!Is Aquarium Salt Safe for Plants? Aquarium salt, when used properly, has many uses in an aquarium setting. It can help with certain issues like treating fish diseases and promoting electrolyte balance in fish. But what about plants? The key to using salt with aquarium plants is moderation and research. There are different types of salt on the market, so you should inquire about their properties and possible effects on fish and plants. Secondly, always use it in moderation. When used in the right amounts, salt can be beneficial. However, the excessive use of salt can be harmful to plants, as it can disrupt their osmotic balance and lead to dehydration or nutrient imbalances. In fact, put too much of it, and you can kill all the plants AND the fish in the tank!But what is the osmotic balance? Like all living organisms, plants maintain a delicate balance of water and salts within their cells. When exposed to high concentrations of salt, such as those found in aquarium salt products, plants can experience “osmotic stress”. This stress occurs because the salt outside the plant's roots creates a higher concentration of solutes in the soil than inside the plant cells. As a result, water is drawn out of the plant, leading to dehydration and potential damage – and even death.Excessive salt in the aquarium soil can also interfere with a plant's ability to absorb essential nutrients. Sodium ions, which are a component of salt, can compete with other positively charged ions like potassium, calcium, and magnesium that plants need for healthy growth. This competition can disrupt nutrient uptake and lead to deficiencies, even if those nutrients are present in the soil.Another confusing factor is that some aquarium plants are much more tolerant than others. Halophytes, for example, are plants that have evolved to thrive in saline environments and can withstand higher levels of salt in the soil and water. However, most freshwater aquarium plants are not adapted to high-salt conditions and can suffer greatly when aquarium salt is introduced to the tank. You should also consider the types of salt available. Sea salt, for example, is much different and more complex than ordinary table salt. It contains sodium chloride, and minerals like potassium, zinc, and calcium. As such, it is only suitable for use in aquariums that have marine fish and  invertebrates, and plants naturally occurring in salt waters. 

A Pennsylvania Dog Shocked Its Owners After Eating $4000 in Cash

A Pittsburg couple was shocked to discover that their dog Cecil decided to have the most expensive snack of his life, after wolfing down $4,000 in cash. According to Cecil’s owners, Clayton and Carrie Law, the seven-year-old goldendoodle is a well-behaved boy who has never really done anything bad before. The couple had withdrawn cash to do a home improvement project, but Cecil had other plans for the envelope full of money. Less than 30 minutes later, Cecil was caught devouring thousands of dollars. “I walked back into the room and then all this cash was on the ground. He’s just like this, standing there, and I’m like oh my gosh, he ate some of this money and was in shock. I yelled to Carrie ‘He ate the money, he ate the $4,000,’” said Clayton Law to CBS News. After the initial shock, the couple discovered that Cecil ate a lot of the bills, but that some were still on the floor, albeit torn up and chewed into pieces. Carrie and Clayton describe their pooch as laid back, weird, funny, and almost human-like, and say that he is typically more of a snuggly couch potato. “He doesn’t do many dog things, he doesn’t chew furniture or clothing, that’s why we were extra shocked when he decided to do this,” said Clayton Law. “He has never in his life tried to get anything from the counter, even coffee table. We could leave dinner and go to the kitchen and grab wine, and he would not touch the food, and he just doesn’t care. He just took this opportunity and ran with it,” said Carrie Law. Once the initial shock passed, the couple contacted their vet to see if the dog needed any treatment. Given the goldendoodle’s size, there was no risk of bowel obstruction and he only needed to be monitored at home. At first, Cecil seemed fine, but in the middle of the night, the Laws were awoken by the sound every dog owner knows - the retching of their dog about to vomit. “When you hear that, you immediately just react, so I jumped out of bed and just made sure that he didn’t throw up anywhere,” said Clayton. “And then I went to pick it up… and I realized there’s a lot of like half eaten and $100 bills and $50 bills here.”That night marked the start of the Law’s unfortunate mission of sifting through their dog’s vomit and poop in an attempt to recover some of their money. Luckily, the couple was able to piece together most of the bills after carefully washing and sorting all the pieces back together. “There we are at the utility sink washing this shitty money, yelling ‘Yay! Yes! We got one!’ It smelled so bad,” Carries confessed. After piecing together as many bills as they could salvage, the couple managed to recoup $3,550. According to Carrie, the bank was really nice about it and told them that these things happen all the time. “They said it actually happens quite a bit because money just picks up so many scents, especially if it’s used in the food industry. I guess dogs pick up on that - they have such a good sense of smell - and something about it just drove him crazy.”Almost a month after the incident, Cecil is doing fine and is still a good boy. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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Firefighters Save Dog From Drowning in the Icy Waters of Lake Superior

A dog is lucky to be alive after taking a dip into Lake Superior’s frigid December waters. Minnesota Firefighters battled biting cold and eight-foot-tall waves to save the pooch who escaped from their leash and jumped into the lake’s freezing water. The Duluth Minnesota Fire Department posted on social media that several marine units were sent to rescue a dog that jumped into Lake Superior from the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge. The pup’s owner met the rescues on the bridge and pointed out the dog struggling to stay afloat in eight-foot-plus waves in the middle of the ship canal. Crews donned ice rescue suits before entering the lake to protect them from the ice-cold water of Lake Superior. At the same time, additional rescues were sent with the department’s 14-foot inflatable boat to assist the crew in the water. The rescue team fought their way through freezing water and huge waves to find the dog, but couldn’t see him due to low light and waves. The dog’s coat was also dark in color and they kept slipping under the water, making them hard to find.Thanks to the dog owner and fire personnel who shouted directions from the pier, the firefighters managed to locate the dog and grab them by their collar. Even though they had their hands on the pup, firefighters faced several problems before bringing the dog safely to the shore. The crew tried to swim with the dog to the shore, but they struggled in high waves. The pooch was large and terrified, and rescues struggled to keep its head above water. The waves swept the firefighters and the pup under the Duluth bridge, towards the bay and away from shore. Luckily the additional firefighters arrived with an inflatable boat and pulled the dog and the rescues from freezing waters.As soon as their paws touched solid ground, the exhausted pooch was treated for hypothermia by emergency staff. To everyone’s delight, the dog’s condition improved quickly and they were able to walk on their own. According to officials, the dog was wagging their tail as they jumped into their owner’s car. The Duluth Minnesota Fire Department shared that firefighters prevented the dog’s owner from jumping into the water in an attempt to save the beloved dog themselves. The officials added that bystanders had to convince the owner not to go in after the dog and warned people against putting themselves in danger to save a pet.“The Duluth Fire Department wants to stress to the public the importance of not putting yourself into a situation you are neither trained nor equipped to handle. This will not only put you at risk but the emergency responders as well. It will also greatly limit the options we have to try and save your pet as all efforts will now be directed at saving you,” Duluth Fire Department officials said.“We have learned in the fire service that if we don’t respond to help in these situations that bystanders and owners likely will take action on their own,” they added. “Without the proper training and equipment, this most often results in the firefighters now responding to a call for a person in harm’s way.”“Given the waves and temperature conditions in the canal last night, anyone entering the water without the proper training and equipment would most likely have ended in tragedy,” fire officials added. Luckily for all that wasn’t the case! Thanks to the brave firefighters the pooch and their owner are safe and can enjoy each other’s company for many years to come.  Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

AI Could Match You with a New Furry Friend Based on Personality

In a cutting-edge study, scientists specializing in canine behavior have used artificial intelligence to predict dog personality types. A multi-disciplinary research team has developed an AI algorithm that simplifies the painstaking process of evaluating canine personalities.Understanding a dog’s temperament is key not only for pet owners but also for training agencies and professionals working with working dogs. The study, which introduces a brand-new method of predicting and categorizing dog personalities, is published in the eminent journal Scientific Reports. The team that developed the algorithm hopes that it will more quickly and accurately evaluate which dogs are better suited for long-term careers, such as assisting people with disabilities and helping law enforcement. This new approach to predicting dog personalities could also be used to match owners with a new furry best friend. The new AI algorithm can help shelters place dogs in the right homes, thus reducing the number of dogs returned for not being the right fit for their adoptive families.Before this algorithm, canine behavioral experts used questionnaires and statistical analysis to determine a dog’s personality.  The AI algorithm uses data from almost 8,000 responses to the commonly used Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ). The C-BARQ questionnaire has been the top resource for evaluating working dogs in the past two decades. “C-BARQ is highly effective, but many of its questions are also subjective,” said James Serpell, a professor of ethics and animal welfare emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. “By clustering data from thousands of surveys, we can adjust for outlying responses inherent to subjective survey questions in categories such as dog rivalry and stranger-related fear.”The team’s new AI algorithm gathers the responses to C-BARQ questions into five main categories that essentially form the digital personality of a dog. The results showed five distinctive personality types among domestic dogs, including excitable/attached, anxious/fearful, reactive/assertive, aloof/predatory, and calm/agreeable.The study was conducted over two years by a multi-disciplinary research team consisting of Dr Mohammad Amirhosseini of the University of East London and Professor James Serpell of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. The research was sponsored by Dogvatar, a Miami, Florida-based canine technology startup.“This innovative AI-based methodology holds promise for revolutionizing the selection and training of dogs for specific roles, both for working and non-working,” said Dr Amirhosseini. Almost 50 percent of people who surrender their dogs to animal shelters in the USA say that behavioral problems are a contributing factor, and nearly a quarter say that those problems are the main reason for giving up their dog. More research is needed to understand the nuances of canine personalities. However, researchers hope to promote strong bonds between people and their dogs by designing effective training programs and customized dog-owner interactions. According to researchers, these findings could serve as a foundation to explore personality matching between dogs and their owners and how that might improve the quality of their relationship.Dogvatar and the research team plan to conduct further research into potential uses for their dog personality testing algorithm.“This has been a really exciting breakthrough for us,” said Dogvatar CEO Piya Pettigrew. “This algorithm could greatly improve efficiency in working dog training and placement process and could help reduce the number of companion dogs brought back to shelters for not being compatible. It’s a win for both dogs and the people they serve.” Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

What Do I Do If My Dog Eats Wild Mushrooms?

If you hike or adventure with your dog, you have likely encountered wild mushrooms during your travels – especially now that we are entering the autumn season. But here’s the problem: they’re not always safe for our furry friends. As dog parents, it’s our responsibility to learn about the dangers that wild mushrooms may pose to our dogs and how to keep them safe. In this blog post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about wild mushrooms, including how they could spell trouble for your dog and what you should do if your pup decides to chow down one of these potentially toxic fungi. Recognizing the signs of mushroom toxicity and knowing what steps to act promptly could make all the difference. So, let’s dive into the world of wild mushrooms and get you prepared to protect your canine companion. Can Mushrooms Harm a Dog? There has been a lot of talk recently about the benefits of medicinal mushrooms for both humans and pets. While studies and research are still being conducted to fully understand the impact mushrooms can have as a supplement or alternative treatment option, it’s clear that some fungi can be incredibly helpful. Still, there are also a few that are highly toxic both to us and our furry friends. The challenge when discussing wild mushrooms is that most dog parents aren’t foraging experts with a knowledge of which mushrooms are edible and which are not – and our dogs certainly aren’t educated on the topic! If you are out hiking and your dog discovers a mushroom on the side of the trail, you likely aren’t going to know in advance whether it’s toxic or not. In fact, if you have a high-energy dog like we do with our pup Lucifer, you may not even have the opportunity to see the mushroom enough to identify it before it has been ingested. This means leaving the possibility that it could be a toxic variety up to chance. For this reason, it’s safer to steer clear of wild mushrooms entirely. Does this mean that your grocery store mushrooms are dangerous? No. If you have purchased mushrooms to cook up for dinner and you want to share one with your dog, they are safe. They are healthiest when offered raw, but if you do cook them, ensure they are unseasoned, as the seasoning could upset your dog’s stomach. They can also be found in some foods, treats, supplements, and bone broth products. What Does Mushroom Toxicity Look Like in Dogs? While we have established that allowing your dog to eat wild mushrooms is unsafe, the hard truth is that we can’t always control the situation. Simply looking away for a matter of seconds may be all it takes for your dog to find and grab a mushroom on the side of the road, on a trail, or even in your backyard. For this reason, we must ensure that we are familiar with the signs of mushroom toxicity to recognize the problem and react as quickly as possible. There are four categories of toxic mushrooms: GastrointestinalMushrooms in this category primarily impact your dog’s digestive system. They act quickly, showing signs in as little as 15 minutes after ingestion. These are the most common signs your dog has ingested a gastrointestinal mushroom: Excessive drooling Upset stomach Abdominal pain Vomiting Diarrhea NeurotoxicThese mushrooms cause neurological symptoms and, if not addressed quickly, can often be fatal. Signs often show approximately 30 to 90 minutes after ingestion. The most common signs that your dog has eaten a neurotoxic mushroom include: Digestive upset Weakness Agitation or anxiety Loss of coordination Unsteady gateAppearing confused or disoriented Tremors Seizures HepatotoxicThese mushrooms are significantly more dangerous than the first two categories. They are slower acting, with symptoms appearing as long as 12 hours after eating the mushroom. They begin by upsetting the digestive system and may be initially mistaken for a gastrointestinal mushroom. However, after time, they will start to impact the function of your dog’s liver, leading potentially to liver failure and death if not addressed. Nephrotoxic Finally, this category is very similar to hepatotoxic mushrooms in that it begins as a digestive upset. If unaddressed, these mushrooms can cause kidney failure or acute renal damage. What Do I Do if My Dog Ate a Wild Mushroom? If you notice any of the above symptoms of mushroom toxicity in your dog, contact your veterinarian or the nearest emergency clinic as soon as possible. If there are multiple mushrooms in the area and you can take a sample for identification, it may help provide valuable insight. While no treatment can instantly fix the toxicity, your veterinarian can provide your pup with supportive care. This will begin with inducing vomiting and/or giving your dog activated charcoal to remove or cancel out the poison and prevent further damage. The vet will monitor your dog while providing supportive care to address symptoms or complications of the toxicity, such as IV fluids to prevent dehydration and anti-nausea medications to settle digestive problems. This takes the unnecessary strain off the body, significantly boosting your dog’s chance of survival.

Yes, Cats Really Do Love a Game of Fetch... on Their Terms

No training needed when instincts kick in and your feline friend steps up to the plate.

Scientists Finally Identify Mystery Dog Illness Sweeping America

If you are a dog owner in the United States, you have likely already seen the news reports about the mystery illness responsible for the deaths of several dogs, prompting veterinary professionals to caution pet parents about taking their pets out to public spaces. But we may finally be able to spot the light at the end of the tunnel… Dr. David Needle, pathology section chief at the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture at the University of New Hampshire, reported that scientists have finally identified the cause of the illness. While this doesn’t mean that life for our dogs can return to normal immediately, it does mean that they are one step closer to finding a cure and moving past this nightmare. The research article has yet to be published, but the team is sharing their initial findings to provide hope for pet parents and the veterinary community. The pathogen responsible for the mystery respiratory illness is described as “a funky bacterium.” “It’s smaller than a normal bacterium in its size and in the size of its genome,” explained Needle. “Long story short, it’s a weird bacterium that can be tough to find and sequence.” Searching for the cause of this illness wasn’t easy for researchers. Initially, there were no known bacterial, viral, or fungal pathogens, meaning they were searching blind. However, after testing 30 samples from New Hampshire, genetic material from an atypical bacterial species was discovered. The next step in understanding the cause of the illness and working towards a cure (and possible preventative) is to compare these findings to samples from dogs in other states to verify that it is, in fact, the same pathogen in all reported instances. States with possible cases of the disease include: CaliforniaColoradoFlorida Georgia IdahoIllinois IndianaMarylandMassachusettsNew HampshireOregonPennsylvania Rhode IslandVermontWashingtonOne challenge faced by veterinarians is the fact there is no test to confirm that all reported cases are, in fact, the same illness. What Are the Warning Signs?Common symptoms resemble respiratory infections like canine influenza and kennel cough, conditions usually seen in higher numbers at this time of year. Luckily for the human members of our family, there are currently no reports of the illness being transferred to humans. Veterinarians recommend watching out for the following symptoms: Coughing or sneezing WheezingDifficulty breathingNasal or eye dischargeDehydration Loss of appetite Weight loss FeverLethargyHow Can You Keep Your Dog Safe? Until a cure has been identified, dog parents are encouraged to focus on preventative measures. Ensure your dog’s vaccinations are current, protecting them against known respiratory problems. Avoid public spaces like dog parks, doggy daycare, and grooming establishments where dogs may be exposed to the illness. If you must go to a public space, steer clear of shared food and water dishes. Your dog will be just as happy to spend this time playing with you as they would with another dog!If you notice any signs of respiratory trouble or illness, don’t panic. Contact your veterinarian to share your concerns and make an appointment.

Auf Wiedersehen Wiener Dog - Will Germany Ban Dachshunds?

Germany’s beloved dog breed, the dachshund, could soon be banned under a new law that prohibits the breeding of dogs with “skeletal anomalies”.The draft of the bill, published in February, is currently being reviewed by the authorities and was introduced as a part of the Animal Protection Act. The new bill aims to strengthen existing laws on “torture breeding” and to regulate the online animal trade. The draft of the protection law said it could ban the reproduction of breeds prone to particular health problems, such as spinal problems linked with short legs and long back which are characteristic of the dachshund breed.According to the German Kennel Club (VDH), the bill could be interpreted as a ban on breeding dogs with any major size deviation from the original wolf type. In addition to dachshunds, other dog breeds like the German shepherd, miniature schnauzer, beagle, and Jack Russell terrier could be affected by the bill. The breeding restrictions could also be applied to flat-faced breeds like the English bulldog, pug, and French bulldog.“Some of the disease characteristics listed in the draft law are too vague and undefined,” said Leif Kopernik, the chief executive of the VDH. “Whether too small or too large, if the Animal Welfare Act were to be implemented in its current form, many popular and healthy breeds could be banned from breeding,” he said, according to the New York Times. The VDH has launched a petition to save “our favorite dogs” saying the proposed bill would leave too much room for interpretation in deciding what can be considered a genetic defect. The German Kennel Club agrees that many of the proposed changes, such as stricter regulations for online animal trade and taking action against illegal puppy trade are good measures that make sense. “However, the animal protection law contains requirements that could mean the end of many healthy dog breeds in Germany,” said VDH on its website.Although the proposed changes could affect several dog breeds, the dachshund is at the center of the discussion. Often called dackel by Germans, the dachshund has been the country’s national symbol for many years. The breed has been around for several centuries and was bred specifically for digging and clawing into underground dens to hunt for badgers. These sausage-shaped dogs have strong claws and sharp teeth which proved extremely useful when hunting. According to Sandra Karthauser, a breeder of rough-haired dachshunds from Munster, there is no evidence that dachshunds are sick due to their appearance. However, she admits that certain breed lines might be predisposed to herniated discs and other health issues.“But to ban the whole breed because of this, that doesn’t make sense to me. Then you can also ban Labradors because some suffer from hip dysplasia along with other breeds that might suffer from debilitating diseases and ailments,”  she added.Germany’s agricultural ministry refuted that the new bill would ban particular dog breeds, including the dachshund. “We aren’t seeking to ban the dachshund. What we are aiming at with this reform is a ban on torture breeding.”The goal of this new regulation is to forbid breeding practices that cause long-term suffering to the dogs. “We want to consistently protect animals from pain, suffering, and damage,” said the ministry adding that the new bill is still being reviewed. Germany’s dachshund lovers and breeders hope the breeding ban won’t happen now or in the future. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Unexpected Things That Helped Me Cope With Loss of My 17-Year-Old Cat

Getting to share your life with a pet is truly a privilege, as there’s not much that can rival the sheer joy and genuine love these little creatures bring to us. But when the time comes to say goodbye, the weight of grief can feel overwhelming. In these moments, it feels like nothing can help lighten the load we carry, but it’s crucial to remember that the journey through pet loss is a shared experience among countless others who have navigated the same emotional terrain.I recently found myself grappling with the profound loss of my beloved four-legged companion, a 17-year-old cat called Luna. Luna was not just a pet; she was a loyal friend for more than half of my life, a source of comfort during challenging times, and a bundle of joy who brightened even the gloomiest days. When Luna passed away, a void opened up in my heart, leaving me adrift in a sea of grief.

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