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In a dog’s limited lifetime stress reduces the length and quality of that life. The owner’s stress also affects his dog. How is this so? Through the remarkable relationship we have with our dogs we can influence their health in unexpected ways from being catastrophic to beneficial for them. Part of that is through handling our own mental health issues in a healthier manner. One study suggested the direction stress flowed was unclear: dog to human or human to dog? I think it can work both ways. If it is difficult to think of our own well-being while depressed or otherwise stressed, consider the reflection within your BFF (Best Fur Friend) because it will be there. Similar ways are possible to help both friends via a walk together, relaxation, good/solid sleep, eating well, looking at something new, hugs or medicine, perhaps. In addition, please remember the holidays can increase additional stress in our life. Exactly what is in the body that works with stress? Cortisol is called THE stress hormone and is a natural steroid hormone in the body. It works with the brain to control moods and reactions. It also controls blood pressure, regulates sleep patterns, raises blood sugar, and supports increased energy in times of stress. Cortisol manages other things measurably within the body, too. If allowed to remain in a stressful situation for too long, higher cortisol levels can lead to several health problems, mentally and physically. Too much or too little cortisol can have difficult consequences on the body such as developing Addison’s or Cushing’s. Cortisol works with the immune system, as well. Cortisol levels can be measured in a dog’s saliva and in the hair of the dog owner! A yearlong study published in Scientific Reports by Dr. Lina Roth (Linkoping University. Sweden) found that the rise and fall of stress levels during the winter and summer months were mirrored between the dog owner and their dog. The synchronization of cortisol levels in the pair is not completely understood. Another stress-related study was by Dr. Nancy Dreschel of Penn State and was published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science. In summary, she said, “It was hypothesized that stress caused by living with anxiety or fearfulness has deleterious [harmful] effects on health and lifespan in canines.” The effect of chronic depression or stress can be measured in white blood cells, too. Stress actually causes accelerated shortening of telomeres (structures at the end of the chromosome) resulting in advancing the aging process, hence, shortening a lifespan. Telomeres shorten with age naturally but at a slower rate. Shortening a life is one of three stress issues including compromising the psychological and physiological health of a dog. Higher cortisol in dogs is expressed by exhibiting a greater number of known stress-related behaviors.
Finding ways to reduce your stress daily or especially over the holidays can be a challenge within itself. It is our wish for you over the upcoming days to end the year joyfully and be able to share that joy while finding some time to relax with your pets and minimize those stressful moments. Look for those ‘Stress Busters’ to hoard and use as needed!  IMAGE COURTESY OF PNWCDR This article is dedicated to our friend whose precious dog expressed his stress in the center of her bed over last year's holidays. REFERENCES: “17 Signs My Dog Has Anxiety.” PetSwag, petswag.com/blogs/petswag-post/17-signs-my-dog-has-anxiety-petswag. “5 Signs Your Dog Is Stressed.” Dogtopia, 11 Apr. 2019, www.dogtopia.com/blog/5-signs-your-dog-is-stressed/. Coates, Dr. Jennifer. “Is Your Pup Stressed? Watch for These 5 Signs of Anxiety in Dogs.” BeChewy, 2 Sept. 2022, be.chewy.com/behavior-stress-anxiety-10-signs-your-dog-is-stressed/. “Doggie Language.” Pacific Northwest Cattle Dog Rescue, 7 Oct. 2022, pnwcdr.org/training/doggie-language-2. Accessed 12 May 2023. “Dogs Owners Feeling Long-Term Stress Can Transfer It to Their Dogs, Science Shows.” NBCNews.Com, NBCUniversal News Group, 6 June 2019, www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/dogs-owners-feeling-long-term-stress-can-transfer-it-their-n1014451. “Guide to Stress Management for CRPS & Chronic Pain.” Burning Nights, www.burningnightscrps.org/support/news-and-blog/article/stress-management-crps-chronic-pain/. Marafarr. “12 Instant Stress Busters.” Meant2Prevent, 21 May 2021, meant2prevent.ca/12-instant-stress-busters/. Mood, Abbie. “How to Tell If Your Dog Is Stressed: Body Language and Warning Signs.” American Kennel Club, 18 Oct. 2019, www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/how-to-tell-if-your-dog-is-stressed/. “Physical Activity Reduces Stress.” Physical Activity Reduces Stress | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA, adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/other-related-conditions/stress/physical-activity-reduces-st. “Signs Your Dog Is Stressed and How to Relieve It: VCA Animal Hospitals.” Vca, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/signs-your-dog-is-stressed-and-how-to-relieve-it. Singfield, Adam. “Workplace Stress (Part 1 of 3): Stressors Shared by Women and Men.” Work Feels Good, 27 Aug. 2020, workfeelsgood.com/workplace-stress-part-1-of-3-stressors-shared-by-women-and-men/. “Stress in Dogs.” Blue Cross, www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/stress-in-dogs.
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We hope that all of you have a wonderful Christmas, holiday, or break! May your days be merry, bright, and above all, warm the heart.
Is there such a thing as too many toys?
The bigger question is how often do you swap them out? Like anything else, dogs get bored with the same ‘ole same ‘ole. Keep it interesting by swapping out on the week you wash them. Variety is nice but do not get crazy with too many choices, so we recommend less than 7 toys out at a time. What are the safest toys for small dogs? Crinkle toys, soft toys, the Kong Plush Duck, squeaky toys, Goughnuts Tug Dog Pull Toy, Hide and Seek toys to name a few. Kong has some of the best rubber toys. A squeaker bulb should be in good working order and very audible. Are there toys that break/damage the teeth? Thumbnail test: if you cannot make a thumbnail imprint on the material it may be one to avoid. Bones, hooves, antlers, tennis balls (fuzz ruins enamel), ice cubes by themselves not in the water, very hard nylon toys, sticks, hard cheese such as Yak chews because it fails the test for softness. Pig ears are high in fat and can cause stomach problems. Bully sticks pose choking hazards and while high in protein, dogs with kidney issues should not be given these. There is a bully stick holder (The Bully Holder/ Bully Grip) available. Knotted rawhide chews should be avoided because the knot presents a choking hazard. Older Toy dogs have notorious problems with their teeth and tarter. Damaged teeth because of chewing bones and so forth, is one hazard that can be skipped. Teeth need cleaning once every 3-4 years. Check with your veterinarian. Is the toy’s size important? The size does matter whether you are talking about ring toys or others especially balls. Balls need to be large enough they cannot be swallowed. How often should you clean toys? Clean toys about every 2 weeks in the dishwasher or other antibacterial wash. What if your dog's mission is to destroy the toys? There are toys made for these aggressive chewers such as Outward Bound FireBiterz., GoDog, Chewy offers a monthly box of ‘Tough Dog Chews’, West Paw toys, Feeko dog toys and others. As always it should be size appropriate. What about toys for teething? ‘Durability” seems to be the go-to word for these products, but it does not preclude safety. Teething is a long period for puppies (34 weeks/almost 8 mos./238 days +/-). Variety, patience, and recognizing it will slow down one day (except paper products). My Havanese are older but still need their chew toys. I really like teething toys with a texture like bumps. Vary texture and all you can with chew toys for the long haul. Remember trading out the toys helps prevent boredom. What about Bully Sticks? Bully sticks and rawhide products (aside from check origin issues) are a difficult subject for me. Both products can cause digestive problems but have long been go-to products for chewing. One of the bigger concerns is when the product is chewed almost into oblivion and becomes a choking hazard. There are bully stick holders. Be sure to look for the odor-free variety. It requires monitoring. I used to offer rawhide sticks but no longer buy them because of processing concerns, etc. Things to watch out for:
Can tug-of-war be dangerous? This is one of our family’s most fun games. Kiwi is all business with a sock and tug-of-war but it is important not to launch the dog or have the feet leave the ground. Why? Well, launching your dog into space speaks for itself as a no-no but your dog’s teeth, shoulders, back, and neck can also be permanently damaged if the game gets out of hand. Be sure all the players understand the rules. What about rope toys? Cotton ropes are naturally safer products than other materials because of swallowing bits and pieces. ¨ What are some Safety Tips? Watch your dog for a little while with a new toy. Chemicals. Other safety issues should include if the toy is treated such as some rawhide products. Flavorings can encourage bacteria growth. BPA. Well Chewed chews need to be thrown out. Well chewed products disintegrate into smaller pieces than can be swallowing hazards. Construction. Some dogs need to be watched if they are determined to destroy a chew, but some chews come apart at the seams easily, break, or tear up too early. Size matters with any toy. Be careful of rings or circles since they can present a danger if they are not the right size. Toys exposed to vastly varying temperatures outdoors deteriorate faster than indoor toys. Wash the toys about every 2 weeks If your fingernail cannot leave an imprint on a toy, it is too hard for your puppy’s teeth. Is there any mention of BPA with your choice of toy? See Jolly Pets, West Paw Design or Planet Dog. REFERENCES: “7 Chew Toys That Can Damage Your Dog's Teeth - Cherry Hill.” Cherry Hill Animal Hospital, 28 Jan. 2020, https://cherryhillanimalhospital.com/chew-toys-can-damage-dogs-teeth/. Arnold, Brandy. “Are Your Dog's Toys Poisoning Him?” The Dogington Post, 30 Mar. 2022, https://www.dogingtonpost.com/are-your-dogs-toys-poisoning-him/. Ashley, Sarah. “The Best Chew Toys for Dogs That Are Safe and Vet-Approved.” PureWow, PureWow, 12 July 2019, https://www.purewow.com/family/dog-chew-toys-safe-vet-approved. Cathy Madson, MA. “The Best Dog Chews and Toys.” Preventive Vet, 18 Aug. 2021, https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/best-dog-chews-and-toys. Turner, Dr. Beth. “Potential Dangers of Popular Dog Chews.” Preventive Vet, 18 Aug. 2021, https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/potential-dangers-of-popular-dog-chews. |
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