Ever wondered why your dog’s pee stains the lawn?
As with people, animals have high levels of nitrogen, a colorless, odorless, nonmetallic element, in their urine. This high level of nitrogen can burn and kill grass.

The safest way to minimize urine stain is to:
• Train your pet to toilet on a gravel or dirt area; or
• Pour water over the urine after your dog has gone. This will dilute the nitrogen effects.

Ever wondered why dogs kick out their back legs after toileting?
Although thought by many to be a way of covering up their doings, it is actually a way of further marking their territory after they pee or poop. Dogs have scent glands in their paw pads and the act of kicking out their back legs helps to mark their territory. This action is predominantly a trait of intact males, but neutered males, and occasionally females, will be seen doing this too.

Ever wondered why dogs eat their poop?
Although the cause is unknown, puppies tend to grow out of the behavior. Poop can be bad source of disease including worms and other parasites.

• Remind the grown-ups to clean up all dog stools daily
• Have your veterinarian examine your pet for any health problems
• Feed your puppy a fully balanced diet. Make sure the diet you are using has the terms "complete and balanced" on the package
• When your dog goes to eat any poop, firmly say ‘No’
• Use bitter tasting agents to stop your pet from eating stools.

Ever wondered whether your pet’s breath is normal or bad?
Healthy pets should have normal fresh breath. Bad breath can be a sign of bad dental disease or health problems. 70% of cats and 80% of dogs show signs of dental disease by age three years. It’s important to have your pet’s teeth examined by a veterinarian every year. Ask your veterinarian to discuss preventive options for your pet.

Ever wondered why dogs sniff other dogs’ bottoms?
Dogs can identify others by their unique smell. They have scent glands located around their bottom and they use them to mark territory as their own and to tell other dogs that they have been there. So, when dogs greet each other, they often go straight to the bottom to have a sniff.

Ever wondered if dogs dream?
Like humans, dogs have the same types of sleep – slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM). SWS is the first stage of sleep and REM is when the body is relaxed and the eyes move rapidly. It’s during this REM stage that dogs can dream. The twitching and paw movements that occur during their sleep are signs that your pet is dreaming. It’s important not to wake them from this deep sleep.

Ever wondered if dogs have super-power night vision?
Dog’s don’t actually have night vision. Instead, their eyes contain a special membrane that allows them to see in the dark. This membrane is called the tapetum lucidum. When car headlights or a flashlight is directed at a cat or dog, it is this eye structure that reflects this light.