The Best Flea Treatments for Cats and Dogs
I'm A Pet Sitter And Will Never Accept An 'aggressive' Dog Breed Again – I've Watched 4 And They've All Tried To Bite Me
A PET sitter has vented her fury after repeatedly being bitten by a dog of the same breed.
She vowed never to sit the canine again because they are "aggressive" toward anyone except their owner.
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A Redditor has revealed the dog breed they refuse to sit again (stock image)Credit: GettyRover is an app that connects pet owners with services such as boarding, house sitting, doggy daycare, and dog walking.
A sitter took to Reddit's RoverPetSitting forum under the handle Yes_mango_ to rant about her recent experience.
She said chihuahuas have made her believe a dog's aggressiveness is not always the fault of a bad owner.
"This is the 4th chihuahua I've dog-sat since being on the app and the 4th chihuahua that has tried or successfully bitten me," she said.
"I'm very wary and patient with them always, taking hours or even days to let them be comfortable around me.
"Lots of treats, lots of space, sweet talking, and no sudden movements around them.
"I had a 12-day stay with a chihuahua owner who made an effort to walk his chihuahua with me 3 times prior to my stay so the dog would get comfortable around me.
"Apparently, that wasn't enough because the dog was super aggressive and anxious with me for the first 5 days and refused to let me put a leash on him AND refused to go outside cause the doggy door scares him (he's 10 years old btw).
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"He finally calmed down after a while and started trusting me and then one day while cuddling with him on the couch he turns around and bites me aggressively and tears my skin."
I'm a dog expert and there are three small breeds I would never recommend owning - one of them is literally the devil himselfThe Redditor said the experience made her feel angry and frightened.
She was left confused as to why anyone would want to own a dog that's vicious to everyone except their owner.
"You can't have people over," she said.
"You can't have others watch the dog.
Every single chihuahua I've watched has been aggressive
Redditor Yes_mango_"You have to make sure your dog doesn't go after kids while walking outside especially cause kids love touching cute doggies.
"I'm just done with chihuahuas… every single chihuahua I've watched has been aggressive while their owners just jokingly say, 'Oh well he's just a typical chihuahua lol.'
"Has anyone else experienced this or am I just unlucky?"
NOT ALONEResponses to the post were mixed as people shared their experiences with the breed.
"I'm always a little wary of chihuahuas, and keep a close eye on their behavior at the Meet and Greet," one person wrote.
"I've had trouble with quite a few, but they can be very sweet (on occasion [laughing]).
Signs your dog could turn dangerous
Expert advice from Dr. Sara Ochoa, who has been practicing veterinary medicine for over five years.
Ochoa told The U.S. Sun observing a dog's behavior can provide clues that they might act out.
"A dog that looks tense all over with its fur sticking up or teeth showing is more likely to snap," she said.
"Staring real hard without blinking could mean trouble too.
"Growling is also a warning the dog is getting mad."
She said dogs may tuck their tail between their legs when they feel scared or threatened.
"Staying calm and keeping space may help things not to escalate if a dog seems on edge," she said.
"I will IMMEDIATELY decline if the owner refers to their dog as a 'typical chihuahua lolz' though, to me it reads that they don't care if their dog has bad behavior."
"As a multiple-time chihuahua owner it is 100% the breed [laughing]," another said.
"I've had dogs that have been literally all around the country, handled by different people, exposed to everything and they still hate and will wilfully bite strangers!
"They are just very much one-person/family dogs and they have that terrier spirit."
LEAVE MY PUP ALONEOther commenters described chihuahuas as "sweet" as they defended the breed.
"I had a Chihuahua and she was the sweetest dog ever!" one person said.
"She loved everyone especially if they were new! It's definitely an owner issue who didn't socialize properly.
"I personally think people should get a certification to own a dog.
"Too many dogs get put down because the owner doesn't know how to train or treat the dog they got.
"Dogs or any pets are not a toy it's a living thing that needs love and guidance."
According to the American Kennel Club, chihuahuas are intelligent small dogs that require a "firm but gentle" approach to training.
They can be up to 8 inches in height and weigh less than 6 pounds.
Owners may have to carry their chihuahua if it starts panting and struggling to keep up during walks.
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The Redditor was left scared after unexpectedly being bitten by a chihuahua (stock image)Credit: GettyPet-owners: Watch Out For Foxtail Seed Pods That Can Harm Your Dog Or Cat This Summer
Despite the cute name, these unassuming grass seed pod can pose a major threat to your pet's health.
WASHINGTON — Story from The Conversation by Erik Olstad, University of California, Davis.
Across much of the United States, spring is in full force. With warmer weather, people are taking their furry family members out on longer walks and spending more time outside. Alongside blooming flowers and trees, your pet might run into a small, unassuming grass seed pod known as a foxtail. Despite the cute name, foxtails can pose a major threat to your pet's health.
I am a veterinarian in California's Central Valley, and foxtails are a daily issue where I work, especially during the spring and summer months.
What exactly are foxtails?
A foxtail isn't a specific plant. It is a type of grass seed pod that resembles a fox's tail. Multiple species of grass can create this type of seed pod, and foxtails are found across much of the United States. Regions of the western U.S., especially California, have the most foxtails.
The outside of the foxtail is covered in small sticky hairs designed to stick to things. You can feel them yourself if you pull a foxtail off a plant. Rub your fingers against the seed one way, and then the other, and you'll feel that one direction is smooth and the other direction is sticky.
Foxtails aren't a big deal for people, as we don't have a lot of hair and tend to remove things that are itchy or painful, but it's a different story for pets.
A segment of the foxtail pod sticks to an animal's fur, where it's carried around until it eventually drops off and grows into grass. This sticky feature is great for the grass, as it helps spread the seeds around, but it also results in foxtail segments getting stuck to pets.
Once on the cat or dog, a segment of a foxtail can burrow into the skin, get stuck in the eyes, creep into ears, be inhaled into the nose, or even make its way into the lungs.
The health dangers of foxtails
The most common place where foxtails will burrow into a pet is the skin, especially in between dogs' toes. A foxtail embedded into the skin can cause irritation, redness, pain and infection. As the foxtail gets deeper into the skin, it brings harmful bacteria with it and creates a path of infection known as a draining tract.
If a foxtail makes it into a dog's or a cat's ear, the pet will likely start shaking its head back and forth – it might look like it has an ear infection. The embedded foxtail can cause discomfort and sometimes infection.
A foxtail can stick to a pet's eye tissues, especially in cats, and migrate around the outer portions of the eye or behind the third eyelid, which is the protective tissue near the inner corner of their eye. This will cause discharge from the eye and discomfort and may scratch the eye's surface.
One of the most serious locations for a foxtail is in the lungs. Dogs may inhale foxtails while running through fields and breathing hard. The foxtail can sometimes get stuck in the nose, which will cause the pet to sneeze and look uncomfortable. Occasionally, a piece of a foxtail makes its way into the lungs, which can result in severe infection, trauma and even death. Surgery and hospitalization are almost always required in these cases.
Foxtail symptoms
Pet owners can learn what symptoms to look out for in order to make sure their pet gets prompt care if they end up with a foxtail embedded somewhere.
If you see your dog or cat chewing on their paws, this might indicate that a foxtail has ended up in between the toes. Their paws may swell or grow red. If you see even a small pimplelike swelling in between your pet's toes, they may have a foxtail stuck in their paw.
If your pet is frequently shaking its head, this can indicate that a foxtail made its way into the ear canal. Drainage or discharge from the eye can indicate that foxtail may have made its way around the eye. Sneezing or pawing at the nose can mean the foxtail may have made its way into the nose. Foxtails in the ear canal, eyes or nose will need to be removed by a veterinarian.
Coughing or hacking might mean a foxtail has made it to the tissues around the throat or the tonsils, or even deeper into the lungs. Each one of these symptoms requires care from a veterinarian, as they can grow serious if left untreated.
Preventing foxtail risks
Foxtails are everywhere in the environment, but there are some preventive steps pet owners can take to minimize the risks to their pets.
If you have foxtails in your yard, you can remove them. Sometimes you can get rid of foxtails permanently, but this isn't always easy, as grasses are particularly good at reproducing and growing quickly.
Some locations have very few foxtails, while others have lots. Bring your pet to areas with fewer foxtails, if possible.
Some companies make mesh nets that can cover a dog's head to prevent exposure to the ears, nose, eyes and mouth. Pet boots can prevent foxtails from getting stuck in their paws.
Grooming your pet regularly may help catch foxtails before they burrow into the skin. Removing mats and unkempt fur can also help reduce the risk. If you get your pet examined at the vet at least once a year, the veterinarian may be able to find foxtails during these checkups before they escalate into a larger problem.
Foxtails are part of living in the United States. But a few simple steps can help keep pets safe while they enjoy the outdoors.
This article is from The Conversation, an independent, not-for-profit news organization dedicated to spreading ideas from experts. Republished under a Creative Commons license.
Pet Of The Week: Bobby
(KGTV) — Say hello to our Pet of the Week: Bobby!
Bobby #899274Labrador Retriever MixMale5 years 1 month64 lbsAdoption Fee: $110.00 ($25 through May 15, thanks to Bissell Foundation's Empty the Shelters)Pet profile
Bobby is a friendly fella who is looking for his next adventure in life. Bobby came into our care as a stray, so his history is a mystery to us, but we have loved getting to know him so far! Bobby greets humans with a wagging tail, and he would love to say hello to you!
You can adopt me at the San Diego Humane Society:San Diego Campus5500 Gaines StreetSan Diego, CA 92110619-299-7012Learn more: sdhumane.Org/adopt
Through May 15, adoption fees are just $25 for dogs and cats of any age, thanks to BISSELL Pet Foundation's Empty the Shelters! San Diego Humane Society is open for walk-in adoptions Tuesday – Sunday, 10 a.M. – 5 p.M. At its campuses in Escondido, El Cajon, Oceanside and San Diego.
San Diego Humane Society
CURRENT HAPPENINGS AT THE SHELTER:Famous dog groomer Gabriel Feitosa is hosting an Adoption Meet & Greet for San Diego Humane Society at his creative pet grooming salon Gabriel Feitosa Pet Boutique on Saturday, May 11, 2024, 10 a.M. - Noon. During the event, the public is welcome to meet Feitosa and his team, as well as dogs and puppies available for adoption at San Diego Humane Society. There will also be a silent auction to raise money for the 1,700 animals currently in care at the organization.
Animal Shelters are in a State of Emergency and need the community's help:
Click here to read the ABC 10News story about this crisis.
San Diego Humane Society
Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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