Many dogs will circle around a spot before they settle down to rest. While no one can be certain of the exact reason why canines do this, the ritual is likely a residual habit from the days when wolflike dogs lived out in the wild, says veterinary behaviorist Dr. Karen Sueda, DVM, of the VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital.

Your dog’s ancestors had to sleep outside, in the elements, without much warmth or safety. Walking around a spot was a way to stamp down grass, leaves or snow and create a soft, level surface — something akin to carving out a nest.

Circle There and Dig This

After she circles, does your dog scratch at the bedding or carpeting before curling up? Just like circling, the digging action is probably an ancestral behavior related to staying safe and comfortable.

In extreme heat, digging a hole was a way to reduce a dog’s body temperature by surrounding herself with cool soil that could help regulate body heat. When it was cold — or even freezing — climbing into a hole allowed a dog to retain body heat and keep cozy.

So why haven’t our pampered house pets evolved away from these behaviors?

Don’t worry — circling is not a sign that your pet has heard the call of the wild. Adaptive behaviors tend to linger long after they’ve lost their usefulness if there’s nothing to discourage them or “select against the habit,” Dr. Sueda says.

When Circling Could Be Cause for Concern

Restlessness can be a sign of discomfort or even pain. If your dog is repeatedly circling and digging but can’t seem to get comfortable, she may have a health problem, such as arthritis or neurological problems.

You should observe your pet to see if she’s having trouble getting up and settling down. If she’s restless, take her to the vet to rule out pain and get a proper diagnosis.

No oneintends for it to happen: A purse is left on the floor, and within minutes, your Boston Terrier is parading around with an empty prescription bottle or a chocolate wrapper in his mouth.

“We just don’t realize how determined our pets are to eat the things they shouldn’t,” says Dr. Tina Wismer, DVM, medical director for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

Of the 165,900 calls that the organization handled in 2011, most of them involved pets who'd ingested human prescriptions. “Many children with ADHD don’t want to take their medications, so they leave pills on their plates, where pets can get at them,” Dr. Wismer says. “Even nonprescription medications, such as ibuprofen, can be a problem because many brands have a sweet coating, so it’s like candy for dogs.”

As part of National Poison Prevention Week (March 18-24), Vetstreet has compiled an A to Z list of some common pet poisons that should be on your radar. This list is not all-inclusive, so for more information on these and many other toxins, check out the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center website and talk with your vet.

• Acetaminophen, which is found in Tylenol® and other medications, can cause liver damage in dogs. Cats are even more sensitive: Ingestion of a single 325 mg tablet by a 10-pound cat can cause anemia and even be fatal. Toxicity Ranking: moderate to severe.
• Batteries can be toxic to both dogs and cats, leading to ulcers in the mouth, esophagus or stomach. Toxicity Ranking: moderate to severe.

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• Chocolate can cause seizures and death in dogs and cats. Darker chocolate, such as unsweetened baker’s chocolate, is more toxic than milk or white chocolate. Even cocoa bean mulch, when eaten in large quantities, can be a problem. Toxicity Ranking: moderate to severe.
• Detergents and fabric softener sheets can cause ulcers in the mouth, esophagus and stomach in dogs and cats. Toxicity Ranking: mild to moderate.
• Ethylene glycol is found in antifreeze, windshield de-icing agents and motor oils. Dogs and cats are attracted to its sweet taste, but as little as a teaspoon in cats or a tablespoon in dogs can cause kidney failure. Toxicity Ranking: severe to fatal.
• Fertilizers can contain poisonous amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, herbicides and pesticides. Keep dogs and cats away from treated lawns until they are dry. Check the product packaging, though, since some products must be rinsed into the lawn before it is safe to walk on. Toxicity Ranking: mild to moderate.
• Grapes, raisins and currants — even grape juice — in small amounts can cause kidney failure in dogs. Toxicity Ranking: moderate to severe.
• Household cleaners, such as bleach, drain cleaners, ammonia and toilet bowl cleaners, can cause gastrointestinal ulcers and other problems in dogs and cats. Toxicity Ranking: varies.
• Insecticides in flea and tick products can cause problems if not used according to labels. Insecticides that are meant for dogs can cause severe toxicity in cats, leading to signs such as vomiting, seizures and difficulty breathing. Products intended for treating the yard or house should not be used on pets. Toxicity Ranking: mild to severe.
• Jimson weed, also known as devil’s trumpet, can cause restlessness, drunken walking and respiratory failure in dogs and cats. Toxicity Ranking: moderate.
• Kerosene, gasoline and tiki torch fluids can cause drooling, drunken walking and difficulty breathing in dogs and cats. If these products contain antifreeze, they are even more problematic. Toxicity Ranking: moderate to severe (potentially life threatening).
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• Lilies — Easter, day, tiger, Japanese and Asiatic varieties — can cause kidney failure in cats. Lilies of the valley can cause heart rhythm problems and death in dogs and cats. Toxicity Ranking: moderate to severe.
• Mothballs, especially if they contain naphthalene, can be toxic to dogs and cats, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, increased drinking and urination, and seizures. Toxicity Ranking: moderate to severe (potentially life threatening).
• Nonprescription medication, such as ibuprofen, can lead to severe ulcers and anemia, as well as liver and kidney failure in pets. Toxicity Ranking: moderate to severe (potentially life threatening).
• Onions, garlic, leeks and chives can be toxic in dogs and cats. When chewed or swallowed, these ingredients can cause anemia and gastrointestinal upset. Toxicity Ranking: mild to moderate.
• Prescription medications, such as antidepressants and ADHD and cardiac drugs, are commonly ingested by pets when pills are dropped on the floor or left on counters. Even a small dose can cause problems. Toxicity Ranking: varies.
• Queensland nuts, also known as macadamia nuts, can cause lethargy, vomiting and difficulty walking in dogs. Toxicity Ranking: mild to moderate.
• Rodenticides, such as mouse and rat poisons, can contain a number of different toxins, which have different effects on dogs and cats. Several common ingredients, like warfarin and coumarin, can cause blot clotting problems and hemorrhaging. Toxicity Ranking: mild to severe.
• Sago palms are one of a number of toxic plants for dogs and cats. Ingestion can lead to vomiting, diarrhea and seizures, as well as liver failure in dogs. Toxicity Ranking: severe.
• Tulip bulbs can lead to mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and diarrhea. Toxicity Ranking: mild to moderate.

• Unbaked bread dough can expand in the stomach. If the stomach twists, cutting off the blood supply, emergency surgery is needed. The yeast in the dough can also produce alcohol, leading to seizures and respiratory failure. Toxicity Ranking: mild to severe.
• Veterinary prescriptions, such as arthritis medications, are often meat-flavored, which can be enticing to dogs. This can result in stomach ulcers, liver or kidney failure. Toxicity Ranking: moderate to severe.
• Windshield wiper fluid can contain methanol or ethylene glycol. Ingestion of methanol can cause low blood sugar and drunken walking in dogs and cats. Toxicity Ranking: mild to moderate.
• Xylitol is a sugar-free sweetener commonly found in chewing gum, breath mints and toothpaste. In dogs, it can lead to dangerous drops in blood sugar and liver failure. Toxicity Ranking: mild to severe.
• Yard products, including snail and slug bait, herbicides and fertilizers, are never good for pets. Signs will vary by the ingredient. Toxicity Ranking: varies.
• Zinc toxicity can happen when dogs and cats eat metal or coins. Ingestion of even a single zinc penny can be fatal. Zinc can cause anemia, as well as liver, kidney or heart failure. Toxicity Ranking: moderate to severe.

How to Safeguard Your Pet

So how can you prevent your pet from an accidental poisoning? Start by visiting the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center website to learn about other potential poisons, how to poison-proof your home and what to do if you suspect that your pet may have been poisoned.

It’s also a good idea to post the organization’s phone number — 888-426-4435 — on your refrigerator for easy reference in the event of an emergency. The call center is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

“To poison-proof your home, don’t keep medications where pets can get at them,” Dr. Wismer says. “Keep cleaning products behind doors, and take your medication in another room, behind a locked door.”

While dogs can be notorious for refusing to take their own medications, Wismer adds, “we sometimes say that the surest way to pill a dog is to drop one on the floor.”

Neutering is usually considered beneficial for your dog, in terms of health as well as preventing puppies. Although it is know that castration can lead to deteriorated health in a dog. Our aim is to consider the pro’s and con’s, so you can make an informed decision based on the facts.

WHAT IS NEUTERING?

Neutering or Castration is a process that involves the surgical removal of a ale dog’s testicles, in order to make him sterile, technically called an ‘orchectomy’. The operation itself involves putting the dog under anaesthetic and the process usually takes a few hours to complete, although your dog may be required to stay at the vetinary practice for up to 24 hours post-operation, just for observational purposes. This highly depends on the dogs age and overall health – dogs in good health can expect to go home on the same day as the surgery. The operation is a common procedure and with today’s technology and health standards, is considered to be a routine surgery without complications.

PRO’S OF NEUTERING YOUR DOG

The main and most obvious reason for neutering your dog is to prevent him from impregnating female dogs, hence resulting in potentially unwanted puppies. Overpopulation of dogs is becoming a real concern and many people try to control this situation from escalating by eliminating the chances of reproduction. The second most common reason for having your dog castrated is purely for behavioural purposes – many believe that in most cases, it actually improves the quality of the dog’s life. Neutered dogs are less likely to act aggressively towards humans and other dogs, and less likely to bite and react negatively. Dogs who have their testicles intact are prone to fighting, biting, refusing food and generally displaying provocative behaviour. They commonly urinate as a sign of marking their territory, are known to run away or excessively chase female dogs in heat due to the build up of testosterone in their body. Some dogs roam of and will do almost anything to find a female dog, and will fight with any potential threat or competition towards the female.

Other than the prevention of puppies, there are also many health benefits of neutering a male dog. It is proven that surgery can reduce the risk of developing prostate problems and testicular cancer. A neutered dog is less likely to develop diabetes and other perianal tumours, are generally much easier to handle and will be less likely to fight and act aggressively towards other dogs. The reduced levels of testosterone mean the ‘desire’ to find a female and mate is greatly reduced. It is important to note however, that neutering your dog is not a fail-safe guaranteed way of controlling your dog’s behaviour – if he has sever behavioural issues, the chances are high that they will still display this even after the testosterone levels are reduced.

CON’S OF NEUTERING YOUR DOG

The obvious downside of neutering your dog is that the procedure is permanent, once castrated, he will no longer be able to reproduce. If you are considering breeding your dog later on in it’s life, then you must be aware that the operation can not be reversed. One main concern post-operation is the fear of your dog gaining excessive amounts of weight. Generally speaking, the effects are normally minimal, although depending on the size and breed of your dog, this can become a concern. The desire to seek a mate is incredibly high in male dogs who have their testicles, and as you can imagine, a great deal of energy and effort is expended in the process of finding a mate and reproducing. Dogs who have undergone the procedure may be eating the exact same amount as before, but find they are not burning off as many calories due to the lack of testosterone. If you allow your dog to get fat, then that is where the problem lies! Far too many people blame the procedure for excessive weight gain, when in reality they are overfeeding and under exercising their dog.

Neutered dogs also have a tendency to be more calm and less active, for similar reasons as the previous point. In most cases this is a preferred option as owners can manage a sedentary and peaceful dog more easily. Saying that, if you prefer the opposite and want your dog to be overactive and energetic, then neutering may not be the best option. (Please note, this is only speaking generally, some neutered dogs remain hyper and excessively active in the same way that dogs who have not had the operation can be just as calm and quiet as one who has been castrated. There are many other factors that add towards to personality and temperament of your pet, so it is important to bear this in mind). Finally, some people prefer the aesthetic appearance of male dogs with everything intact. Although this isn’t directly related to the dog’s health or wellbeing, people with concern can opt to have testicular implants inserted at the end of the operation.

The best advice if you do not intend to breed your dog, is to consider neutering at a young age (depending on the breed). we feel that the benefits outweigh the negatives and you will ensure that the problem of overpopulation does not escalate out of control. If you are thinking about neutering your dog, there is a wealth of information on the web which goes into much more detail about the procedure and what to expect. If you have any concerns, visit your local veterinary practice, who will be able to ease any issues or concerns you have.

What experience do you have of neutering? Let us know in the comments…

Years ago, I brought my dog to see a specialist. He told me that tests showed it was cancer, with little to be done. I burst into tears. The man handed me a box of tissues and left, and I took my dog home. My local veterinarian suggested that I try weekly chemotherapy injections. I paid for one, but quickly realized my income could not stretch that far.

I was told to call when I was ready to have him euthanized. Soon after, my dog got picky about eating. When I brought home a steak and he turned up his nose, I presumed it was time to make the call. I couldn’t let him starve. He was gone in seconds as I petted him on the exam room floor. But I was left with grief and haunting doubts.