Weekly Pet Quiz: Biting, Dog Socialization and Supplements

1 How many people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs annually?

• Less than 500,000
• Between 1 to 2 million
• 2.5 million
• Over 4.5 million

  Each year, over 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs. More than 800,000 Americans receive medical attention for dog bites each year; at least half of them are children. Senior citizens are the second most common dog bite victims. Learn more.

2 What is one common characteristic of dogs who are not well socialized?

• They're noise-sensitive

  Dogs who haven't been socialized to a wide range of normal stimuli in the environment can develop anxiety about the noises made by everyday household items, such the vacuum cleaner or blender, the low-battery warning beep of a smoke detector — even the ceiling fan. Learn more.

• They're eager to meet other dogs
• They're eager to meet people
• They have increased appetites

3 Which of the following breeds is predisposed for having gingival hyperplasia?

• Boxers

  Boxers, along with Great Danes, Mastiffs, Bulldogs and Collies often develop an overgrowth or thickening of the gums — a condition called gingival hyperplasia. Gingival hyperplasia is typically caused either by an inflammatory response to plaque and bacteria on the teeth, or by a reaction to certain medications. Learn more.

• Jack Russel Terriers
• Yorkies
• Huskies

4 What is the one thing Havana Brown cats want more than anything?

• To be left alone
• Plenty of exercise
• To sleep a lot
• To be close to their human

  If one thing could be said about the Havana brown's greatest pleasure in life, it's being in close proximity to their favorite humans. In fact, they want to be doing what their humans are doing, whether it's domestic chores like making beds and sweeping, settling down at (or on) the computer, or relaxing with a good book. They just want to be near, or again — on —the people on whom they've focused their affection. Learn more.

5 What supplement has shown the following health benefits: reduced inflammation in allergic dogs, lowered cholesterol in healthy dogs, and reduced levels of certain fecal bacteria in dogs?

• Probiotics

  In studies of dogs and cats with acute or chronic unexplained diarrhea and dogs with diet-related diarrhea, probiotic supplementation had the following non diarrhea-related benefits:

  1. Reduced inflammation in allergic dogs
  2. Improved vaccine response and growth rates in puppies
  3. Lowered cholesterol in healthy dogs and those with intestinal disease
  4. Reduced levels of certain fecal bacteria in dogs
  5. Reduced incidence of feline herpes (FHV-1) infections
  Studies also suggest there are no side effects of probiotic therapy, and that supplementation is safe and easy to administer in pets. Learn more.

• Fish Oil
• Glucosamine
• Lysine