Creating A Cat Friendly Home
Jackson Galaxy, Catification

Cat expert Jackson Galaxy is back. This time he has great ideas for turning your house into a cat-friendly playground without losing its aesthetic appeal. It's not enough to just have a feeding bowl and litter anymore. Cats need stimulation. Jackson has a plan, even if you're a renter. Oh, did we mention we have giveaways of Jackson's new book?

There has never been a book that tells you how to pimp out your house for your cats until now! Jackson Galaxy new book is called "Catification" which is about creating feline-friendly environments that cater to a cat's natural instincts to climb, perch, rest, play, and own their space.

If Jackson had to re-trace everything from 20 years of going to people's houses, these are the things he tells his clients. Cats need to go in high places; they need to scout out the world in a safe way; they need to get away from one another; and they need more litter boxes. Whatever it is, there is always that resistance that if you do anything environmentally for your cat, suddenly you're a crazy cat lady.

Most people think that cats are solitary animals that sleep all day and that if they have a bed, bowl and litter box, there is nothing else they need. This is where Jackson comes in with his education. We might think that cats sleep all day, but in reality, a study showed that they spent more time looking out the window than even sleeping. So why not engage them, even when they are in that passive state.

If you don't, at some point you are going to pay the price for their sedentary nature. They might beat up on another cat. They might start marking your house because they have all of that built up static electricity in their bodies.

Jackson wanted to prove that you could create a great environment for your cat and do it without sacrificing your own aesthetic. You can also do it for very little money, or you can do it for a lot of money. You can do it for a little work or a lot of work. But basically, there is no excuse to not make your house attractive to your cat.

But what if you rent? You don't want to get on the bad side of your landlord by putting holes in the walls. Don't worry, many of the projects in the book cater to people who rent and are therefore limited as what they can do to their home.

One thing a renter can do is create a cat superhighway. This is where your cat can go from the couch, to the bookcase, to the mantle and around the room without touching the floor. You can create one without putting a thing into the wall.

Jackson explains something to us, which he calls "cat geometry" or "cat chess." This is when you have a multi-cat home and one cat walks in room, they are looking at every move they can possible make. Such as, where are the escape routes, where are the ambush points and where are the hot zones. The one cat that tends to beat up on the others, is working towards "checkmate" the entire time, such as where can they cut off the path of another cat. They work this stuff out in the blink of an eye! Again, by giving them a super highway, by giving them exit routes and by giving them perching places, you're cutting off all of the negative cat geometry and all of the cat chess, because now the bully can't cover all of the exits at the same time.

So don't wait until something goes wrong. Educate yourself about what cats really are and what the really need. They are incredibly bright and active hunters, and if we environmentally build things up for them, then we're heading a lot of problems off before they occur.

We "get" dogs but we don't "get" cats. In the meantime we try to treat them like dogs, which doesn't work, so let's get educated!

http://www.jacksongalaxy.com

"Charlotte" Mirror Benefits Animals
Charlotte Ross, Kenn Gray Home

Actress Charlotte Ross guests this weekend. This charismatic fireball loves the animals. You've seen her on Glee, NYPD Blue, Nashville and Arrow. Next, look for her in the third season of the hit CW show "Arrow." But her biggest role is being a voice for the voiceless.

Charlotte Ross has been an animal activist for years, ever since she was a little girl she's had this dream of helping any way she could. Nowadays, anytime someone wants to collaborate and help to bring awareness and raise funds for animal organizations, Charlotte is on board.

Charlotte says she is a foster failure and has explained to her son that they can't keep continuing to foster if they don't understand they eventually will have to go to a permanent home. Currently she has two dogs. Her dog Tyler was adopted in Los Angeles. She also brought back 5 dogs from Puerto Rico when she did a movie there and adopted out 4 and kept one named Taco, who recently passed away at the age of 18. Charlotte is not quick to replace her dogs, so she devoted her time to fostering. Then one day she was fostering 4 puppies and felt that Tyler, who might be a little overweight, needed a friend to play with. When one of the puppies sat on Taco's grave, Charlotte knew that it was the right moment and the right dog. She named her Sadie.

Aside from her extensive acting resume, she has also received much acclaim for her work in philanthropy. As a result, Charlotte and Kenn Gray Home have announced a partnership to contribute 10 percent of proceeds from the home goods line's "Charlotte" mirror to Best Friends Animal Society, an animal welfare organization focused on ending the killing of dogs and cats in America's shelters, until the mirror is sold out.
Kenn Gray Home, including accessories, lighting, rugs, pillows, tables and more, offers a contemporary concept line with nods to the designer's rich roots and travels. Founded by award-winning design guru and former ‘Travel Channel' host Kenn Gray, the line helps all to discover attainable style, with prices ranging from $50 - $500.

To purchase the "Charlotte" brass sunburst wall mirror and help benefit Best Friends Animal Society, visit KennGrayHome.com.

"HERO PEOPLE OF THE WEEK" - Joe Dwyer & Daniel The Beagle

Our Hero Person this week is trying to put an end to an archaic method of euthanization. 22 states still use the gas chamber to get rid of unwanted animals. Joe Dwyer adopted a dog that survived a gassing. Now the lucky dog, "Daniel," is the poster-dog for anti-gas chamber legislation.

In October of 2011, Daniel's life nearly ended. When Daniel was only six months old, he was placed into a small steel box alongside 17 other dogs scheduled for euthanasia at a Florence, Alabama animal control facility. The box was pumped full of carbon monoxide gas and while all of the other dogs succumbed Daniel miraculously survived. He is now only one of two dogs who have ever survived the gas chamber.

He was immediately named Daniel for the biblical figure who survived after being thrown into a den of lions. After his ordeal, he was taken to a veterinarian for treatment. Daniel was then transferred to the Eleventh Hour Rescue in Rockaway, New Jersey. There, he caught the attention of motivational speaker Joe Dwyer, who ended up adopting him.

There are currently about 22 states that are using the gas chambers to euthanize animals. It has become the mission of Joe Dwyer and Daniel to raise awareness and to outlaw the use of gas chambers. They have had influence in several states since Daniel survived to ban it, but they have a ways to go and are working on all remaining states to get it banned. Gas chambers are also costly to operate and it actually costs less per animal to do a more humane euthanization with a sedative injection.

Besides trying to ban gas chambers, Daniel goes around to schools to educate our youth using his story of surviving the toxic gas chamber by tying to relate it to the emotional toxins that a lot of our high school students have, such as peer pressure and bullying, and then also trying to get them interested in dong the right thing for animals.

For more information about what you can do to ban gas chambers and other inhumane forms of euthanasia in your state, visit the American Humane Association website. If you'd like to continue to follow Daniel the Beagle's story, check out his Facebook page for updates.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Daniel-The-Beagle-Dwyer/137478496360308

http://www.danielthebeagle.com

Thinking Globally. Acting Locally. Do you know someone that should be nominated for our Hero Person of the Week? Send us an email to: YourVoice@AnimalRadio.com.

Animal Radio's HERO PEOPLE is brought to you by Zeuterin a safe, permanent and virtually painless alternative to surgical castration.

The Dogfather's Grooming Tip with Joey Villani

How To Secure A Holiday Grooming Appointment
Joey received an email from someone who has a shorthaired mixed dog that is going through extreme shedding. He explains that what works well, Coming into the Holiday Season, which usually starts around the second week of December, everyone wants to get their pets in to be groomed. The big problem is that they want to stretch it out. This means that they don't want to have their pets groomed now, through the month of November, so they will put it off so it will be done for the holidays.

This is the biggest mistake you can do. This time of year, especially in December, is a big part of a groomer's season. Things seem to quiet down in the grooming world by January, where everyone seems to be broke and kids have gone back to school.

The smart thing to do is to have your pets groomed real well now! Have them groomed right before Thanksgiving. Most groomers don't like to do heavy haircuts; they like to do grooming touchups. By grooming your pet in November, this makes you the perfect candidate for an appointment in December. Your groomer can now get you in and get you out real quick, for just a touchup. This allows a groomer to service a lot more clients and keep people happy.

You should always stick to your same groomer that your pet is happy with, even under a time crunch. There seems to be a lot more injuries during the holidays, when people start taking their pets to unfamiliar groomers.

So, get your dog groomed in November and get the holiday touchup grooming in December and everyone will be happy. But, if you try to push it, you may not get in. That is just how it is – there are not enough groomers to go around!

Its Not Doggie Asthma - It's a Reverse Sneeze -Dr. Debbie

What dog owner hasn't heard that frightening sound that dogs make- part cough, part sneeze and often described as a dog being unable to catch his breath. But it really isn't asthma, or some kind of bone stuck in your dog's throat- it's a reverse sneeze. So before you panic and run into the veterinary office on emergency, ensure you know what a reverse sneeze is.

Meet the Reverse Sneeze
A reverse sneeze is a respiratory sound in a category all its own. Also known as a pharyngeal gag reflex or backwards sneeze, the reverse sneeze is a commonly observed respiratory sound in dogs, and less commonly in cats. While a true sneeze occurs on the exhale, the reverse sneeze occurs as the dog inhales. The result is a reverberating snorting, wheezing, episodic sound that lasts for a few seconds to a minute or two. A reverse sneeze is a completely harmless sound and dogs do not suffer any immediate health threat from these episodes.
How can you tell it's a reverse sneeze?

There is no easy explanation of the sound- you just have to hear it and you'll recognize it. Click to see and hear an example of a dog's reverse sneeze episode.

Part of my enjoyment on the weekly national radio program, Animal Radio®, is describing the peculiar smells, sounds and essences of veterinary medicine with our listeners. On many an occasion when speaking to callers, I have re-created the sounds of reverse sneezing. I'm no Rich Little, but I do take pride in my impersonation of a canine reverse sneeze, which is admittedly better in person with the visuals to complement the throaty sound.

Characteristics of a dog displaying a reverse sneeze include:

-Vibrational coughing/wheezing sound
-Stiff, extended neck
-Facial grimace
-No discharge from nose
-Not followed by coughing or vomiting up material
-Not involving collapse episodes
-Animal is completely normal after event

What causes a reverse sneeze?
Some reverse sneeze episodes occur when a dog gets very excited or pulls against a leash. Brachycephalic breeds (short faced breeds) like Pugs and Boston terriers commonly display reverse sneezing due to their upper airway conformation.

Allergies, respiratory infections, nasal mites, inhaled foreign bodies and masses can also trigger reverse sneezing. Dogs with inflammatory conditions such as lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis can also display bouts of reverse sneezing. And sometimes reverse sneezing occurs in the wee hours of the night, while a dog is sleeping, for no apparent reason. In fact, many veterinarians receive panicked phone calls at 2am from pet owners, concerned of impending asthma attacks or respiratory arrest, only to have it turn out just to be a typical case of reverse sneezing.

What to Do?
There is no required treatment for a reverse sneeze episode. However, I recommend stroking a dog's throat while gently speaking to him in a calm manner until the episode subsides. Some advocate closing/pinching the nostrils off, which forces a dog to swallow and curtails the reverse sneeze episode. Whatever the approach, reverse sneezing episodes are over within minutes, so no emergency treatment is indicated. Antihistamines may be prescribed to minimize reverse sneezing episodes.

When to Worry?
If all of a sudden your dog is having repeated bouts of reverse sneezing, evaluation by your veterinarian is indicated. Consult with your veterinarian if your dog is reverse sneezing along with other symptoms such as facial rubbing, nasal bleeding, nasal discharge, coughing, or significant sneezing episodes.

Nasal mites are a common cause of reverse sneezing and may be noted after a recent boarding visit, especially if multiple dogs in a household are involved. Nasal mite treatment is easily pursued with anti-parasite injections of ivermectin (or in collie breeds- the alternative Milbemycin.) If reverse sneezing is excessive and prolonged, the nasal and pharyngeal areas should be evaluated by a veterinarian through rhinoscopy- a procedure performed under anesthesia in which the nasal passages and pharyngeal areas are visualized with an endoscope, a micro camera. This is how foreign objects and masses are typically identified. In other cases, further tests may be needed including a CT scan or with biopsy samples from sinus passages.

Final Thought
The good news is that most of reverse sneezing episodes are harmless, and do not indicate any serious illness. Arm yourself with information by learning what a reverse sneeze looks like and you may save yourself an unwanted emergency veterinary visit over this peculiar but non-life threatening occurrence.

Featured veterinarian known as "Dr. Debbie" on national pet radio program, Animal Radio. Ebook author of "Yorkshire Terriers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; "Pugs: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; "Mini Schnauzers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; and "Shih Tzu: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend."

http://www.drdebbie

It's a Wacky Wednesday Here at the Animal Radio® Studios

WackyWed Contest IS ON - LIKE your FAVORITE pic and the pic with the most LIKES & shares is the week's winner and will receive a FANTASTIC item for your dog from Merrick Pet Care.

TO ENTER Send us your FUNNY pet pic to WackyWed@AnimalRadio.com - (Please put WACKYWED in the subject line & give us your pet's name, your name & where you hail from) If YOUR pic is chosen then spread the word to your friends & family on Wednesday - the pics w/the most LIKES and SHARES will be the winner!

This week's Wacky Wednesday prize is a great item for your dog from Merrick Big Brush Dental Bones.

Merrick Big Brush Dental Bones are all-natural dental chews to clean dogs' teeth and freshen breath, all in a tasty and digestible treat. Compared to other dental chews, Merrick Big Brush Dental Bones are grain-free and gluten free. They are made in the USA with no ingredients from China. They are available in innovative shapes and textures to combat plaque and tartar and support fresh breath. Made with all-natural ingredients, without sorbic acid or sodium copper chlorophylin.

Join Animal Radio® on Facebook for Wacky Wednesday! Win great prizes every week for your wacky pet pictures. Last month we gave out goodies from Dexas, Stella & Chewy's, WetNoz, Best Friend Botanicals, PetMate, West Paw Design and more. Visit us on Facebook now.

Animal Radio® News with Tammy Trujillo

Ban on No-Pet Rental Policies
We know how hard it is to find an apartment or house to rent if you have pets. That could change in the near future in the city of Berkley in Northern California. A city councilman there, Jesse Arrequin, is talking about trying to get no-pet policies banned. His proposal would reportedly require landlords to accept renters with cats, dogs or other small house pets, everything from rabbits to reptiles, as long as the pets are well-behaved and don't disturb other renters. The proposal could require renters to get pet insurance and take care of any property damage caused by their animals, even if it exceeds the amount of their security deposit. Arrequin's office says the measure is partly the result of the confusion over the rules concerning 'emotional support' animals, not just service animals for people with disabilities, but the current trend of people whose doctors say they need a pet to help with conditions like anxiety. Meanwhile, while most landlords who allow pets insist on a pet deposit, many are now also charging a monthly pet rent, anything ranging from $10-$50 dollars a month. Apartments.com did a survey and 29 percent of the people who used their service said they are paying that monthly fee to have their pets. That's up 20-percent from last year.

Actress Leaves Money to Animals
If you're into classic Hollywood, you know who Joan Fontaine is. The Academy Award-winning actress died last December at the age of 96 years old. Animal lovers won't forget her soon. Proceeds from the sale from her home in Carmel, California will go to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for Monterey County, as well as the sale of it's contents, including the Oscar she won for her role in Alfred Hitchcock's 1941 film "Suspicion." It could bring $300,000 when Christies auction it next month.

Do Therapy Animals Get Stressed?
Scientists at the Vetmeduni Vienna investigated how therapy dogs feel in a therapy setting and how to create a largely stress-free situation for the animals. The keys turned out to be whether the dogs were on a leash and are permitted to leave the room at any time and if they were provided water they could get to when they wanted. The current study shows that, under those conditions, the dogs stress levels did not go up. The results were published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior.

Studies Show Pets Help College Students
Animal-assisted therapy can reduce symptoms of anxiety and loneliness among college students. That's the result of a study done by researchers from Georgia State University, Idaho State University and Savannah College of Art and Design. They provided a therapy dog, Sophie, to students twice weekly. The students could interact with her for as long as two hours and got to pet, hug, feed, brush, draw, photograph, sit near and play fetch with her. Researchers found a 60-percent decrease in self-reported anxiety and loneliness symptoms following sessions with Sophie. This is one of the first studies to apply animal-assisted therapy in a group college setting and use a systematic form of measurement. It suggests that animals could be a good way for college counseling centers to help students.

Do You Miss Your Pets When You Vacation?
A website survey by the site Wotif said that 10-percent of pet guardians who leave their pets at home when they go on vacation call them to talk on the phone, 4-percent sent their pet a postcard and 23-percent brought their pet a souvenir from the trip. More than four out of ten people can't leave their pets home and actually take them on vacation with them. And it's not just cats and dogs that are going; birds, rabbits, reptiles and fish are going on vacations as well.

NEWS UPDATE brought to you by Drs. Foster & Smith, affordable pet supplies. Low prices every day, so you save on every order.

Listen to the entire Podcast of this show (#779)