While it is almost unheard of and the ethics of the matter are certainly under debate, it is technically possible for a dog to be declawed, however most veterinarians probably will not do so unless medical reasons through injury or infection require it. In fact, it is hardly even necessary to clip a dog’s nails if he or she gets enough exercise and is allowed to walk on hard surfaces on a regular basis.

Furthermore, dogs need their claws as they provide traction on surfaces when walking or running. A dog without claws will not be able to walk and/or balance properly which could have long-term effects on their joints and muscles, leading to discomfort and other more serious medical conditions.

Dogs can eat oranges. Not only are they filled with lots of vitamin C, they are also tangy and delicious. Just remember that it is never a good idea to feed your dog an entire orange as too much of anything is never good. Always give smaller portions to dogs and do so in moderation.

In other words, oranges should only be given as the occasional treat. Another thing to keep in mind is that this fruit is pretty acidic, so the smaller the portion, probably the better. Cutting them into a few slices is the easiest and safest way to feed oranges to your pup.

It is technically possible for dogs and wolves to mate. A wolfdog is a canid hybrid resulting from the mating of a gray wolf and a dog. Rescue organizations consider any dog with wolf heritage within the last five generations to be a wolfdog. This even includes some established wolfdog breeds.

It has been estimated that as many as 300,000 wolfdogs reside in the United States. (The highest of any country world-wide). Typically in first generation hybrids, gray wolves are most often crossed with wolf-like dogs such as the German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky as many pet owners who desire an exotic pet find these types of appearances most appealing. What is even more surprising is that there is now evidence that dates back at least 10,000 years ago proving that prehistoric domestic wolfdogs existed in the Americas at that time. While fossil evidence in Europe points to their use in hunting mammoths.

Breeding

Today there are at least seven breeds of dog that exist which acknowledge a significant amount of recent wolf-dog hybridization in their creation. Four breeds were actually the result of intentional cross breeding with German Shepherds. Other more unusual crosses have also occurred, with some resulting in an experiment crossing a wolf with a poodle. Cases of accidental breeding of wolfdogs are known but generally are also very rare. In these accidental or natural cases of breeding, a domestic dog female on oestrus strays and is then mated by a wild male wolf. This type of hybrid breeding is more likely to occur near human habitations where wolf density is low and dogs are common.

Appearance

Wolfdogs display a wide variety of appearances, with some ranging from a resemblance to dogs without wolf blood to others that are often mistaken for being full blooded wolves. Typically, wolfdogs tend to have smaller heads than purebred wolves, with larger and pointer ears that lack the dense fur that is commonly seen in wolves. Fur markings are also usually very distinctive and not well blended. Black colored hybrids tend to retain black pigment longer as they age, compared to black wolves.

Health

What may come as a surprise to some is that wolf dog hybrids have actually been said to be less likely to inherit many of the diseases that most breeds of dogs suffer from. These hybrids are naturally healthy animals in most cases and some breeds of the wolfdog were even bred specifically to improve the health and energy of working dogs.

Behavior

Since these hybrids have a mixture of genetic traits they are generally a lot less predictable when compared to a purebred wolf or domesticated dog, with the majority of high wolf content hybrids being very curious creatures. It has been noted however, that these types of hybrids are said to be no more destructive than any other hyperactive dog. Individuals should still keep in mind that a wolves behavior is generally more socially shy and timid when it comes to interacting with humans, so caution should always be practiced when being around these types of animals just to be on the safe side.

Carrots are safe for dogs to eat. In fact, many dogs love carrots. Both cooked and uncooked carrots are fine for puppy. Although you might want to be prepared to clean up a mess because some dogs will just chew up carrots and then leave little bits of them all over the floor. Carrots are great for a dog’s teeth and contain plenty of vitamins.

Never feed too many carrots to your dog, otherwise he or she could get a stomachache or become sick. A good rule of thumb with feeding any type of human food to dogs is to hand out small portions and to only feed these types of items to your dog in moderation.

It may seem silly, but it is true that dogs can suffer from depression the same way people do. It is harder to know of course, if a dog is suffering from depression since we can’t ask them. It is not uncommon for dogs to suffer from depression. It is especially common during periods of change. The good news is that it is very rare for a dog to suffer from long-term depression.

Symptoms

Dog depression symptoms, again, are very similar to depression symptoms in people. Your dog may be suffering from depression if he or she exhibits any of the following:

• Becoming withdrawn
• Inactive
• Loss of appetite
• Change in sleeping habits
• No longer participating in things they once enjoyed

It is important to note that these types of symptoms can also indicate other medical problems, therefore the first thing you should do if your dog is showing any of the above symptoms is to schedule a checkup for puppy with his or her local veterinarian. A pet that mopes around and no longer wants to go out for walks could be suffering from something other than depression. For instance, he or she could just be in pain from arthritis.

Cause Of Depression In Dogs

A dog can become depressed during periods of major change in his or her life. These periods of change can include moving into a new home, introducing a new spouse, baby, or pet into the household, even something as little as a change in the dog’s schedule can cause upset.

However, the two most common triggers of severe dog depression are loss of a companion animal and/or the loss of an owner. Dogs pick up easily on emotions. If an owner has died, he or she could be responding to the grief of others.

Treating Depression In Dogs

The good news is that most dogs will bounce back from depression within a few days, and in most worst-case scenarios a few months. All it takes is a little extra time and attention. Keeping your dog engaged and trying to give them plenty of exercise can also be a huge turning point when a dog is depressed. Sometimes they just need to get out more. Reward them when they show signs of happiness, and be careful not to encourage negative behavior.

If your dog is depressed from losing a companion animal, sometimes getting another pet can help. However, it has to be done carefully with both the family’s and dog’s needs being taken into account.

Medications

If none of the above methods seem to be working, sometimes a veterinarian may suggest prescribing a medication to help your dog out of their depressive slump. In this type of situation, your dog would most likely be prescribed the same types of medications that are prescribed for treating depression in people. He or she may be given Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Clomicalm, etc. It can take up to two to three months for drugs to become effective. However, unlike people, who often remain on antidepressants for years, or even a lifetime, most dogs will get better in six to 12 months and can then be taken off of medication.

It is important that pet owners never let depression go for too long without being treated. The longer you hold off on seeking diagnosis and treatment the worse it tends to get and the harder and longer it is to treat. The good news is that most cases can be successfully treated early on with nothing more than behavior modification and a little bit of environmental enrichment.

When it comes to cats and dogs getting along with one another, real life is often nothing like what you see in the movies. Most of us know this familiar story of species rivalry all too well, however the truth of the matter is that while the media likes to portray cats and dogs fighting with one another, in reality, there is no reason that the two should not be able to live together in harmony and eventually become the best of friends.

Introducing Cats And Dogs

Taking all things into consideration, it is important that pet owners understand that while the two can become friends, under no circumstances should the cat-dog introductions be handled by simply throwing the two in a room and letting them work things out to their own accord. Not only can that be stressful, but in a worst case scenario it could also be fatal.

It is best to keep the introductions light. Some dogs see cats as prey, and some cats are just plain old mean when a curious dog comes up and tries to play with them. It is for this reason that both pets should be supervised at all times until the two can learn to live together in peace. Both must be handled with care and patience during this transition.

If you are already the owner of a canine companion and are thinking about bringing a cat into the picture it is best to start working on doggy’s obedience before adding a new animal to the household. Your dog should be comfortable on a leash and should also be trained well enough to mind commands. Requests like “sit” and “stay” can come in handy when bringing kitty home for the first time.

For your new cat’s comfort, he or she will do best confined during the early stages of introduction. This confinement should be a small area such as a guest bedroom or a bathroom. It should be an area of the house where kitty can feel safe while still getting used to the new sights and sounds of the house and the smell of your dog. The room should be equipped with anything kitty may need (food, water, litter box, toys). It is also important for pet owners to make one on one visits with kitty during this time and to try and include other family members in on the schedule so that your cat can adjust as quickly and as stress free as possible.

After a few days of practicing this method, put doggy dearest on a leash and try opening the door to the cat’s room. Allow each animal to see one another, but do not allow the dog to chase the cat, even if it is only in a playful manner as this will most likely only intimidate and anger kitty. Use the commands you have taught your dog to make him sit or stay down while the cat gets used to his calmer presence. Never force the two to interact with one another. If the cat prefers to look at the dog from a distance or even from the dark, hidden underneath a bed, this is okay. Reward good behavior in both animals with treats and lots of praise.

Making Progress

Continue to keep doggy on a leash for a few weeks when in the cat’s presence and always make sure that kitty has some sort of escape route in case Fido tries to get too friendly or turns aggressive. A baby gate works great to keep all areas safe, as pup most likely will not be able to cross it but kitty is agile enough to jump right over. Slowly increase the amount of time that the two spend with one another and continue to encourage positive behavior with treats and praise.

When the dog is no longer interested in trying to bother the cat, and the cat feels secure enough to come out from his hiding spot, you are going to want to try and take doggy off of the leash and let them begin their new life together in the same house. How long it will take to get to this step really just depends on the animals involved as well as their temperaments. You must learn to work at their pace. For some animals it could only take a few days time, while others may take a few months. Just be patient, eventually the two will hopefully get to that point. The good news is that it is not uncommon for dogs and cats to become best friends and learn to enjoy one another’s company for life.

Technically dogs can exhibit symptoms similar to what we humans call bipolar disorder. Theoretically, as a mammal, dogs have brains that react to serotonin levels similar to the way a human brain does. However, it is important to note that since learned behaviors can contribute to aggression problems in dogs, there have been a lot of mixed opinions from experts on how to diagnose and treat a dog that exhibits unpredictable mood swings.

Bipolar Behavior In Dogs

It is quite common for dog owners to report that their dog has suddenly become aggressive. Usually these dogs will appear to have a glazed over expression and are typically unresponsive to commands. Even more strange is the fact that sometimes they seem to stop the aggressive behavior almost as suddenly as they start it.

Experts have come up with a name for this type of behavior and have coined it with the term canine rage syndrome. There is still much to learn about this condition. Certain breeds are more susceptible to this type of behavior, cocker spaniels being a common case.

Differing Opinions And Research

Although the sudden onset of aggressive behavior without obvious provocation seems to correlate with a bipolar brain condition, other dog experts think that canine rage syndrome is could be nothing more than an extreme form of dominance or fear aggression –learned or bred for behaviors. These experts also claim that the dog’s only hope of being restored to a trustworthy pet is to work alongside experienced trainers or behaviorists.

More recent studies of dogs exhibiting symptoms of canine rage syndrome have found that there may in fact be some sort of brain disorder involved. In some cases dogs have been found to have a seizure disorder and in other cases, suffering from a low level of serotonin.

Treatment Options

Unfortunately, veterinarians, animal behaviorists and other animal experts all seem to disagree on the cause and treatment for unpredictably aggressive dogs. The most common solution in the past was to restrict the dog or have it euthanized. However it has recently been discovered that up to 50% of dogs that suffer from canine rage syndrome respond positively to a combination of drugs and behavioral therapy. It is important to remember however, that a dog that has demonstrated extreme aggressiveness in the past is always capable of reverting back to this type of behavior. It is for this reason that pet owners must watch their dog closely and discusses matters with their veterinarian to decide what the best treatment method is.

Almonds should never be given to your dog. In fact, nuts of any kind are a no-no as far as your dog’s list of treats goes. This is because many types of nuts are toxic to dogs and can cause poisoning, upset stomach, and even an obstruction in your dog’s gastrointestinal tract. Walnut poisoning is one of the most common claims for toxic ingestion in dogs. The average cost to treat this is over $300.

Almonds

While almonds are actually one of the nuts that are not toxic to dogs, they should still not be given to Fido as they cannot be properly digested and can cause discomfort and gastric intestinal distress in dogs.

While it is not necessarily common, dogs and coyotes can breed. When this happens it is referred to as a Canid Hybrid. Canid Hybrids are the result of interbreeding between different species of the canine (dog) family. Members of the dog genus Canis which include wolves, Ethiopian wolves, dogs, coyotes, dingoes, and golden jackals cannot interbreed with members of the wider dog family the Canidae, such as South American canids, foxes, raccoon dogs, or African wild dogs, and bat-eared foxes,. If they could interbreed, their offspring would be infertile.

As mentioned earlier however, most members of the genus Canis species such as the domestic dog and coyote can interbreed to produce fertile offspring. Furthermore, when the differences in number and arrangement of chromosomes is too great, hybridization becomes less and less likely. The coyote and dog and a few other hybrids did not branch off until recently, around three to four million years ago, and all have 78 chromosomes arranged in 39 pairs which allows them to hybridize freely and produce offspring.

Legal Implications With Dog Hybrids

Dog hybrids that are kept as pets are usually prohibited in certain jurisdictions, or are classed as wild animals and therefore must be housed in the same way as purebred wolves.

When Dogs And Coyotes Breed

When taking a closer look at the breeding process of dogs and coyotes, it is important to know that there have been two separate terms invented to describe this type of hybrid. These terms are coydog and dogote.

Coydogs

Coydogs are the offspring of a male coyote and a female dog and were once believed to be present in large numbers in Pennsylvania due to declining coyote population and an increasing domestic dog population. Most hybrids were thought to be naturally occurring red or blond color variations of the coyote or were feral dogs. The breeding cycles of dogs and coyotes are not synchronized, which makes interbreeding quite uncommon. Theoretically speaking, if interbreeding had or were to become common, each successive generation of the coyote population would acquire more dog-like traits.

Since coyotes are generally solitary animals by nature, this trait is often carried over to coydog hybrids which can result in problematic and unsociable behavior, rendering them basically unsuitable as pets. It is for this reason that they may be abandoned or allowed to stray and be accepted into the feral dog or coyote population. It has been suggested that if a coyote or dogote is found at a very young age and raised properly, that they can become a pet. However a lot of time, patience and effort is needed in order for this to occur.

Dogotes

A dogote is the result of a male dog and a female coyote mating. There has been one report of a dogote arising from a male German shepherd that mated with a female coyote. Hybrid pups were found after the female coyote was shot. The dogotes as adults closely resembled the German shepherd’s colors.