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Arkansas Democrat-Gazette aging dog illustration.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette aging dog illustration.

Here's a grab bag of pet information to ponder as you relax and retreat from the summer heat.

Senior dog dilemma

Older dogs sometimes break house-training and relieve themselves in inappropriate places for no obvious reason, but an article in the June/July issue of Dogster says veterinarians advise that owners not dismiss such incidents as simply a normal part of aging. Consider that the dog could have a health condition that makes it hard for him to control his bladder or bowels and hustle him to the veterinarian's office for an examination.

If health problems are ruled out, be prepared to make adjustments for your older dog's needs. Take him out for potty breaks more frequently, plus make sure you give him a chance to relieve himself before you leave the house for more than an hour or two. To limit where accidents might occur when you're not at home, confine the dog to a designated area, such as one room or one part of the house.

Also keep in mind that your old dog might not be as attuned to his bodily functions as he was in the past and take him outside at regular intervals instead of waiting for him to alert you.

Bring the outdoors in

Readers sometimes ask about potty pads to use when their dogs have to be kept inside. Disposable paper pads have always been an option, but now there's a way to bring a bit of yard into the house for the dog's convenience.

Fresh Patch is a disposable dog potty that features hydroponically grown fresh grass -- rye, fescue, zoysia or Bermuda -- on an absorbent pad. The grassy patch grows in a shallow box that comes in several sizes based on the size of the pet.

Unlike the paper pads, grass pads can't be bought in bundles at a store. Instead, you will have to order them online. You can buy just one or sign up for a subscription service where new pads are delivered weekly, biweekly or monthly. Prices for Fresh Patch start at $24; shipping is free. Get more information at freshpatch.com.

Hot cats

To avoid high utility bills during the summer, people sometimes turn off their air conditioners when they leave for work. An article at tuftscatnip.com warns cat owners that doing so can increase the risk for heatstroke for the family feline.

Cats lick their fur to keep cool and evaporation of the saliva from their fur lowers their body temperature. But when outside air is hotter then their normal body temperature of about 102 degrees, evaporation isn't always enough.

Uncontrolled panting is the most obvious sign that a cat is overheated. Also, a too-hot cat will be weak and unable to get up. If a cat is showing signs of heat distress, cool him with room-temperature water from a faucet, then take him to a veterinary clinic. Be sure he's in an air-conditioned vehicle for the ride. And, while it should go without saying, remember to never leave a pet alone in a car during hot weather.

Petting preferences

Although you could probably ask any cat owner and get the same answer, researchers at Massey University in New Zealand decided to conduct research to find out where cats most like to be petted. They published their results in an academic journal, Anthrozoos, earlier this year.

For the study the researchers studied nine cats, petting each one on four areas of their bodies for an hour. Their conclusions? Drum roll, please: temporal gland on the upper cheek between the ear and eye; the chin and lip area; and the lower back at the base of the tail.

Language lessons

Norwegian dog trainer Turid Rugaas tackles the communication issues that befuddle many dog owners in On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals.

If you've ever wondered why, for instance, your dog starts moving slowly just when you're pushing him to do something quickly, you can find the answer in Rugaas' book. You may have a forehead-slapping moment when you read her explanation.

In doggy language, she says, slow movements -- sometimes so slow that the dog seems to be barely moving -- have a calming effect. So if your dog goes into slow-motion mode while you're feeling annoyed or anxious and perhaps even behaving a bit aggressively, he's letting you know he means you no harm. In canine-speak, the dog is telling you everything is cool.

Throughout the book, which has been revised since its original 1997 publication, Rugaas clearly explains how to read a dog's signals. She shows that knowing how dogs communicate with each other can improve a person's relationship with his dog. The book also helps owners learn to reassure their dogs when they feel insecure, scared and stressed.

Family on 06/29/2016

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