"I guess I don't think there's any reason to feel guilty about having joy in your life, regardless of how bad things are in the world."
~ Jeff Tweedy
From all of us at FairyDust Services - Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Happy Kwanzaa!!
May the joy of the season bring us together in unity and heal our spirit from this Year of 2020!
Pet Health Myths - Debunked!
We've all heard many old wives' tales before. Some have certainly given us comfort and many even have some truth to them, but when it comes to our pets, we should leave the decision making up to the professionals, not rumors.
A cold, wet nose means your pet is healthy. This is not a reliable indicator of your pet's health. Actually, both dogs and cats have a higher normal temperature than humans do, so their noses will often feel warm to us. Your pet's behavior is a better way to tell if your best friend is under the weather. Are there changes in appetite, activity, or behavior? Call your vet if you see these changes in your pet.
If your pet is eating grass, they don't feel well. Wrong! Many cats and dogs seem to enjoy grazing on grass, and actually, only a small percentage will get sick after eating it. It appears to be a common behavior for both.
You can save a bit of money by skipping annual exams. This is a bad idea; your vet gathers information at your pet's exam that could help prevent an illness or may catch one early. Please don't skip this!
Your pet should go through a heat cycle before being spayed. This is not true, and it is potentially dangerous. Going through a heat cycle increases the chances of mammary cancer, and complications during surgery increase with age.
Our pets are color blind. This is just plain wrong. Our pets do see colors - just a bit differently than we do. Cats don't seem to see red and green very well. Dogs do well with yellows, blues, and violets, and they too have difficulty with reds and greens. Both cats and dogs have much better night vision than humans do.
Our pet's mouth is cleaner than ours. Let's not forget that our dogs sniff other dogs behinds, some eat poop, and others drink out of puddles. Most dogs over 3 years old have some periodontal disease. Believe it or not, a cat's mouth is considered to have more bacteria than a dog's mouth. So let's put this myth to bed: your pet's mouth is not that clean.
My pet does not need flea or tick prevention. Let's face it, dogs go outside, even older dogs - a few minutes for a potty break or just for a change of scenery. Even indoor cats can get fleas if you or a visitor brings one in (not as rare as it sounds). While fleas are more of a nuisance, ticks carry diseases that both you and your pets can get. You don't want to play games with these buggers!
My dog isn't at risk for heartworm. Untrue, and this is a very dangerous myth because every state in the USA has heartworm cases. All it takes is one bite from one mosquito to transmit this potentially deadly disease. Treatment is expensive, and your dog could still end up with health issues after treatment. A simple dose of medication is the best way to prevent this terrible disease.
Now that we've put some of these myths to bed, we can enjoy the heck out of our cats and dogs.
Calico Cat Facts You Didn't Know!
We just love calico cats - they have such beautiful markings (tri-color)! But did you know that calicoes are individual in many other ways too?
Almost all calico cats are female. The orange and black markings are located on the X-chromosome and female cats, just like people, have 2 X-chromosomes. So, they have a greater chance than males to display the calico pattern. Male calico cats do exist and are often the result of having an extra chromosome (called Klinefelter's Syndrome), which means that they are usually sterile.
Calicos are stately cats... well, at least in Maryland, where, in 2001, the calico was chosen by state officials to be the official state cat. They made this choice, in part, because the calico has the same colors as the Maryland state bird, a Baltimore Oriole.
Forget the four-leaf clover - calicos are considered good luck charms. In Japan, many sailors have a calico cat on board to protect the boat and crew against any possible misfortune at sea.
Calicos can't be bred for their coloring. The coloring happens only by chance, and this chance occurrence only happens rarely.
Calico cats all have different personalities. Because calico refers only to a coloring pattern and not a breed, these cats come in all shapes, sizes, and temperaments.
There is a lot to love about calico cats! If you have one, then you know how special they are. If you don't have a calico, maybe it's time to get one.
Is CBD Oil Good For Your Pet?
CBD oil is everywhere now, in food, candies, drinks, and by the dropper full. We know people that take it for pain, sleep, or anxiety. However, many people wonder if our pets can benefit from it and if it will help any problems they may have.
The answer is maybe. Both cats and dogs, just like humans, respond to cannabidiol, the ingredient in CBD oil. Recent research has led to the conclusion that animals can benefit from taking CBD too. So, if your pet has osteoarthritis, epilepsy, or anxiety, he may be a candidate for some CBD to see if it helps him with his condition.
Nowadays, there are CBD oils made specifically for pets, and you're better off using one that isn't formulated for people. Animals need the CBD they use to be derived from hemp and not marijuana because of THC levels (which is not good for our pets). Choose a product with "no detectable" THC. Most companies that sell CBD have a Certificate of Analysis (COA) on their website, which will tell you the amount of CBD their product contains and if it has any THC in it. You want to look for a product with zero THC.
Don't use people CBD because it can be formulated with sugar or xylitol, which is toxic to our pets. Don't choose a product labeled only as "hemp oil" because you need to know the amount of CBD in the product to dose your pet correctly. Please don't go with a product that is significantly lower in price than the others, as that company may be cutting corners. The best bet is to use a veterinary specific CBD product.
Most people start with a small dose and slowly increase it. It can take 2-3 weeks to start working, so be patient.
Lastly, we recommend talking to your vet first to ensure that CBD is a good idea for your pet's condition and to see if it may adversely interact with other medications or supplements they are taking. Your vet may also have access to a high-quality CBD oil for your buddy.
For certain conditions, it seems to be very helpful. We hope it will help your pet should they need it!
Great Pet Links!
Cozy up to these great links we found around the internet this month.
Enjoy!
December is:
National Cat Lovers' Month
National Pet Diabetes Month
December 2 - National Mutt Day
December 4 - National Cookie Day
December 10 - International Animal Rights Day
Your pet's behavior is a better way to tell if your best friend is under the weather. Are there changes in appetite, activity, or behavior? Call your vet if you see these changes in your pet.
My pet does not need flea or tick prevention. Let's face it, dogs go outside, even older dogs - a few minutes for a potty break or just for a change of scenery. Even indoor cats can get fleas if you or a visitor brings one in (not as rare as it sounds). While fleas are more of a nuisance, ticks carry diseases that both you and your pets can get. You don't want to play games with these buggers!
So, they have a greater chance than males to display the calico pattern. Male calico cats do exist and are often the result of having an extra chromosome (called Klinefelter's Syndrome), which means that they are usually sterile.
Calicos can't be bred for their coloring. The coloring happens only by chance, and this chance occurrence only happens rarely. 
We know people that take it for pain, sleep, or anxiety. However, many people wonder if our pets can benefit from it and if it will help any problems they may have.
Nowadays, there are CBD oils made specifically for pets, and you're better off using one that isn't formulated for people. Animals need the CBD they use to be derived from hemp and not marijuana because of THC levels (which is not good for our pets). Choose a product with "no detectable" THC. Most companies that sell CBD have a Certificate of Analysis (COA) on their website, which will tell you the amount of CBD their product contains and if it has any THC in it. You want to look for a product with zero THC.
Great Pet Links!
