[ PET OHANA ]
COURTESY HAWAIIAN HUMANE SOCIETY
Zelda and Alex Preiss, center, posed for pictures after they won first place in an Obedience Training Club of Hawaii agility competition at the Enchanted Lakes course.
Diet, checkups, exercise
keep cats, dogs well
What's the best way to keep our companion animals happy? The answer varies depending on the species, the animal's age and personality.
Cats are the most popular pets, based on their numbers. Dr. Sue Sylvester-Palumbo, of the Cat Clinic in Kapahulu, has devoted her entire veterinary practice to felines.
In addition to giving your cat lots of love and attention, Sylvester-Palumbo says there are many other things cat owners can do to keep their pets happy and healthy.
"Keeping your cat inside really helps," she said. "All the dangers and trauma of the outdoors are eliminated. Diet is important, along with regular veterinary checkups that include a dental examination. Weight management is important. Once a cat reaches age 10, checkups should be every six months. We can assess the subtleties of their health and address any changes in a positive way.
"We used to think a 10-year-old cat was old, but now we routinely see healthy cats who are 20 or more," said Sylvester-Palumbo. "As veterinary medicine advances, we have many new options that can keep cats healthy and happy for a good long time."
Scratching is natural for cats; it's the feline version of interior decorating. Giving your cat an appropriate scratching post will direct this instinctive action in a way that makes everyone happy. Choose a stable sisal post that is tall or long enough to allow your kitty to stretch out its entire body. Some cats like scratching a vertical post, while others prefer a horizontal surface.
Play games with your cat, and it'll get a nice workout while playing. Cat fun can be as simple as having feathers to chase or as sophisticated as a battery-operated mouse that wiggles across the floor. Toys make exercise fun, especially when you both play together.
COURTESY HAWAIIAN HUMANE SOCIETY
Dr. Sue Sylvester-Palumbo is pictured with one of her cat clients.
The Cat Walking Jacket is an improved version of the harness that allows indoor cats to lounge around safely with you on the lanai or go for a walk on a leash. Constructed of soft, strong nylon fabric, the jacket is secured with three wide web straps that buckle on the same side. When fitted properly, the cat cannot slip out of the jacket. Not just for fun, the walking jacket is useful when traveling or taking your kitty to the vet.
Most cats enjoy being petted and benefit from having their coat combed or brushed. While you two are cuddling and bonding, much of the cat hair goes away with the brush instead of on your sofa.
Brushing the hair of your dog has the same benefits. For long-hair breeds like poodles, Maltese and Lhasa apsos, brushing is necessary to keep their coats from matting.
When asked how to keep your dog happy, Dr. Roger Kondo, of the Honolulu Pet Clinic, says there is no single suggestion.
"A happy dog is result of a combination of things that work together to keep your pet in the best health, especially for senior animals," he said. "Maintaining a proper diet, getting plenty of exercise, socializing with canine friends, good dental care, heartworm and flea prevention, and yearly health checkups -- those are my keys to creating a long, happy life for your dog."
COURTESY HAWAIIAN HUMANE SOCIETY
A shelter cat models a Cat Walking Jacket.
Zelda is one of Kondo's canine patients who visits the clinic with her family, Alex and Marlene Preiss. These Waikiki residents adopted their poi dog from the Hawaiian Humane Society in July 2001.
"Zelda was an active teenage puppy who captured our hearts with her enthusiasm and zest for life," said Alex.
The Dalmatian-heeler mix is now 3 years old. Thanks to their dedication to training and exercising this lively dog, Zelda is now a model canine citizen.
"She's a lucky dog and we're happy, too," said Alex. "She has added immensely to the quality of our lives."
Alex enrolled the white-and-black spotted pup in Obedience Training Club of Hawaii classes working their way up to agility training. With Alex as handler and Marlene as pit crew, Zelda now excels as an agility champion in the Royal Hawaiian (poi dog) competition. The trio are regulars at the agility course every Saturday at the Enchanted Lakes Playground.
"The weave poles are her favorite thing -- she looks truly amazing whipping between these upright poles," said Alex. "On the course, Zelda expends a lot of energy in a short amount of time," said Alex. "Paying attention to the commands is very important."
Zelda goes out four times a day for exercise and wishes there were more places that dogs could run off-leash. Walking through busy Waikiki, Zelda makes new friends every day, especially with visitors who miss their pets.
"I enjoy taking care of her," Alex said. "Since she is a high-energy dog, she inspires me to get outside and try to keep up with her."
The Hawaiian Humane Society recommends enrolling in training classes so newly adopted dogs and their families will communicate well with each other. Ask for the society's brochure called "How to Choose a Dog Trainer," and you'll help make man's best friend a better neighbor.
Off-leash dog parks allow canines to socialize with each other while getting exercise. Oahu now has three parks where dogs can run free: McInerny Dog Park at the Hawaiian Humane Society, 2700 Waialae Ave.; Bark Park at Diamond Head Road and 18th Avenue; and the newest one, Moanalua Dog Park at Puuloa Road and the freeway.
Thanks to the society's shelter animal behavior program, pet care advice is also offered to adopters, even months or years after adoption. Keeping people and their pets happy is the goal of the help-line phase of the program.
"Our behavior program helps more animals get adopted and live happily with their new families," said Pamela Burns, president of the Hawaiian Humane Society. "We hope that the advice we offer will prevent companion animals from being given up because of the guardian's unrealistic expectations or the pet's lack of training.
"We are matchmakers here at the society," said Burns. "We put people and pets together, and that makes us all happy."
"Pet Ohana" runs the first and third Fridays of the month. The Hawaiian Humane Society is a nonprofit agency dedicated to preventing cruelty to animals. They are at 2700 Waialae Ave. Call 946-2187.
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