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Raise Your Pet Cancer Awareness This Month
Blue Buffalo Pet Food and PetCo have teamed up to raise awareness and further the fight against pet cancer. Statistics show that nearly half of all disease-related pet deaths are caused by cancer.
Throughout this month, PetCo consumers will be able to round up their in-store purchases to the next highest dollar or make donations of their choice. Blue Buffalo is donating $1 for every bag of Blue Buffalo food purchased in May to further pet cancer research. PetCo and Blue Buffalo are aiming to donate $1 million for the cause.
Blue Buffalo is sponsoring a nationwide Pet Cancer Awareness Tour that will stop at PetCo stores across the U.S. to provide pet owners with information on pet cancer. In addition, PetCo is declaring May 8 Pet Cancer Awareness Day at stores nationwide. From 10a-2p veterinarians will be available to talk with pet owners on pet cancer warning signs and prevention.
Look for more postings through May on prevention and treatment options, as well as various research projects currently underway to help curb the spread of cancer in our pets.
Cleaning Greener
Our pets, because they live closer to the ground than we do, are exposed to more toxins via their paws (chemicals in cleaning products and carpeting, de-icing substances, lawn products to name a few).
With all the chemicals around us and our pets, how can we make our surroundings healthier? One way to eliminate chemicals from our homes is not always using commercial cleaning products. In some cases, water can be an effective cleaner. For tougher cleaning needs, a “green” cleaner can handle the job quite well. Companies that offer green cleaning products include: Earth Friendly Products (www.ecos.com), Fresh Wave (www.fresh-wave.com), and Petrotech (www.sea-yu.com).
The garage can be a hazard for pets and young children if they are exposed to antifreeze. Due to its sweet smell and taste, it is attractive to pets and children. A small amount can be deadly–two tablespoons can kill a small child, and many pets die yearly from ingesting antifreeze. As an alternative, brands such as Sierra antifreeze/coolant, www.sierraantifreeze.com that contain propylene glycol are much safer for pets and people. If you believe your pet has ingested even a small amount of antifreeze, getting them to the vet immediately may save them.
Many building products contain volatile organic compounds (VOC’s). These contaminants have been linked to various forms of cancer, allergies and respiratory illnesses. Carpeting, paint, and treated wood often contain VOC’s. In order to reduce the presence of VOC’s in your home you can:
- Use zero-VOC interior paint
- Discontinue use of particle board or treated wood
- Use natural flooring products such as bamboo, cork or natural fiber carpet
Taking a few steps like those mentioned here will help keep your home environment a healthy haven for you and your pets.
Pets Gone Green by Eve Adamson was used as a source for this post
Spring favorites can be deadly to cats
Bo, the astute cat: I love that Spring is here! It is the best time of year! However, if you are tending to a beautiful garden or are a flower enthusiast of some sort, I am here to caution you about one of the most gorgeous flowers around: the lily. As stunningly beautiful as they are, they are a health risk to your cat. Members of the plant genus Lillium, which includes Easter lilies, Tiger lilies, Rubrums, Japanese show lilies, Stargazer lilies, and Daylilies can pose a toxin risk to your cat. When cats chew on the leaves of these plants, they can sustain kidney damage or even death. All parts of the plant are toxic, and your cat can become ill just chewing on one leaf.
I have always known that we cats are unique in an abundance of ways, but we are also unique when it comes to lilies. Dogs, rabbits, and rats do not seem to respond to the toxins in lilies as cats do. While dogs may experience some minor tummy troubles from eating the leaves off these plants, they typically do not get renal damage.
Cats who are afflicted with the toxins of these plants will first present with vomiting, usually wtihing two to six hours after ingestion. While the vomiting may stop for awhile, it will usually return over the course of the next few days.
If your cat has ingested any part of these types of plants/flowers, please get him or her to your veterinarian immediately. If you postpone treatment more than 18 hours, your cat is at risk for kidney failure or death.
While we may enjoy the visual delights of these flowers at a distance, please keep them away from us. If you love lilies so much, but also love your cat, consider just posting photos of lilies in your home. Sure, not the same thing, but you will still have the pleasure of our company! Besides, a lily will not crawl up into your lap and snuggle!
(Information for this post was found at http://www.care2.com/greenliving/lilies-deadly-for-cats.html)
How to clean up after your lovable four-legged friend
Jessie, the world’s greatest dog: Did you know that there are over 40 million households in the US that share their homes with over 68 million dogs? Guess what type of pet is very popular????
Bo, the disinterested, yet confident, cat: (Yawns and returns to sleep)
Jessie: Well, with all of those dogs running around the house, you can bet there are some substantial messes to clean up, and you don’t see me running around with a mop and a bucket! So, what is a human to do? If you want to keep the pet messes in your home at bay, then here are a few tips from one in the know, ME!
**Choose flooring surfaces that clean up easily and can withstand those pesky canine nails. Synthetic carpets offer the best stain shield protection.
**Do not delay cleaning up messes. The longer a mess sits there, the more challenging it is to clean it up. (I know this because I have been trying to clean up the mess of Bo, but he has been a permanent fixture in this house that I fear his residue may never leave.)
**Avoid ammonia-based cleaners on dog messes. They smell like urine…oh, yeah, and surprisingly like Bo!
**An enzyme-based dog odor neutralizier can destory that urine smell.
**The main areas where dogs sleep and play can collect those annoying smells. Be sure to clean those areas up well and often.
**Unlike me, not every dog is flea-free. Boric acid (100%) is a great odorless powder that is won’t stain and is proven to kill fleas.
**Restrict your dog to certain areas of your home to create an allergy-free environment for yourself and your family. (I prefer to restrict the cat in our home!)
**Use vacuums that have high efficiency filters that will help to clean the air in your home. (Or, alternatively, get rid of the cat!)
**Bathe and groom your dog on a regular basis, preferably outside. (Although I do prefer the ambiance of an elegant spa!)
**Keep your home well-ventilated.
I was surprised to learn in my research that you can hand-vacuum a dog that sheds a lot. I wonder what would happen if I hand-vacuumed Bo? Would my human recognize the sound of a cat being sucked up by a vacuum? Hmmm…..
Stay clean! Have fun! Hide the cat!
(Information for this post was found at http://www.creativehomemaking.com/cleaning/dog-odors.shtml)
Is Your Dog Getting Enough of the Right Exercise?
Different dog breeds have varying exercise needs. Small companion breeds, such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, don’t need strenous workouts, but do need good exercise and stimulation. Working breeds, like the Border Collie, are bred for stamina making their exercise needs much more strenuous. Consider the activity your dog’s breed was meant to perform, like herding or retrieving, and tailor exercise to best meet those breed-specific needs.
Variety should also be incorporated into your dog’s exercise routine. Much like us, doing the same exercise routine every day can become boring to your pet. When going for walks, change your route from time to time. The change will give your dog new sights and smells to investigate which will increase their enjoyment of the walk.
So how do you know if your pet is getting enough, and the right kind of exercise? One way to know is weight gain. If your dog is gaining weight, this is an indication more walks of longer duration are needed. Another sign of inappropriate exercise level is behavorial troubles. Chewing and excessive barking are indications your dog may be anxious or frustrated.
Many people believe leaving their dog in the backyard all day provides enough opportunity for exercise. Initially, the yard provides enough stimulation and area for them to get the exercise and stimulation they need. Over time, however, the same yard becomes familiar territory with little to stimulate them. Once this happens, behaviorial problems very similar to those of a dog kept inside all day will begin to surface.
If your pet is left alone for long hours, consider hiring a dog=walker or taking him to a doggy day-care facility.
It’s Me or The Dog: How to Have the Perfect Dog by Victoria Stilwell was a reference for this post.
Is Your Pet Fit or Fat?
Did you know about 44% of dogs and 57% of cats are overweight? Being overweight leads to a higher risk of arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and behaviorial problems in dogs and cats.
Not sure if your pet is fit or fat? A fit dog or cat’s ribs can be felt and there is a slight waist when viewed from above. In overweight pets, the ribs are difficult to feel and there is no waist when viewed from above. When pets are obese, their ribs are very difficult to feel and when viewed from above, there is no waist and a broad back.
For those pets battling weight issues, it is possible to still give them treats. Following are some healthy pet treat options:
- Cooked or raw carrots or green beans. Dogs love the taste!
- Reduce the size and/or number of treats given
- Reserve a portion of daily food allowance to use as treats
- Stuff hollow toys with morsels of food. Pets will work off energy trying to get the food out of the toy
Another way to help with your pet’s weight management is to get them moving. A game of Find the Treat works for cats and dogs. Hide treats at various locations and your pet will search until they’ve found all of them. This works especially well for cats using small bowls of food. Their natural predatory instinct will kick in and they will hunt the food throughout the day.
Many pets will chase remote-controlled toys. Look for ones that are pet-friendly and do not contain small parts that could be swallowed. A variation on this for cats is a red laser light. Many cats love chasing the light and this game provides a good amount of exercise for them.
With warmer weather on the way, swimming is a good exercise, especially for dogs with joint injuries or arthritis. Playing fetch is also a great exercise option for dogs.
All of these exercise options are a great opportunity to bond with your pet. Have fun and get moving with your pet today!
Information for this posting from Healthy Pet Magazine, Fall 2009 & Spring 2010
Provide a safe lawn and garden for your pets this Spring!
It is Spring Break and Bo and Jessie are taking a temporary vacation from this blog. They may be sipping Mai Tais on a luxurious island, or, more than likely, they are arguing in the back room about who needs to take out the trash this week. At any rate, we have given them a reprieve from their writing duties and present to you this post about preparing your garden for Spring while still making it safe for your pets.
With Spring in the air, many folks are putting their green thumbs back into action, and with that endeavor comes a responsibility to keep your pets safe when they roam around the yard. We all love our gardens and yards, but we also want to make sure our animal friends are free from harm and poisonous substances.
For example, when applying fertilizer to your lawn, please follow the instructions carefully and allow for the proper waiting period after application and before letting your pet run free across the yard. If your pet digests any of the fertilizer, it could cause stomach upset or even a life-threatening intestinal obstruction.
When using insecticides, be sure to store them in areas inaccessible to your pets. Be sure to follow the label for proper use and storage. While these products are necessary for a healthy garden, they can be quite dangerous to a dog or a cat.
Cocoa mulch is frequently used in landscapes for it attractive odor and color. However, its sweet, chocolately scent can attract dogs. If consumed by a dog, this mulch can cause vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, seizures, and hyperactivity. Consider using shredded pine, cedar, or hemlock bark, but make sure you also keep an eye on your four-legged buddy when he or she is out in the yard sniffing around!
Are you composting? Good for you! Mother Nature loves you! However, be aware of what types of food you may be putting into you garden soil that could be potentially harmful to your pet, such as coffee, moldy foods, and certain types of fruits and vegetables. Those can prove toxic to your pet.
And when using your garden tools, please be sure to put them away when you are finished using them. They may seem harmless, but if a dog pokes himself on a rake or on any other sharp tool, he or she can risk tetanus.
So, go ahead and enjoy your beautiful yard this Spring! Just be sure to employ a few safety tips into your endeavors so you and your pet can safely and happily play in the yard!
Now, go fetch!
(Information for this post was obtained at www.aspca.org)
Keeping a preventative eye on heart worm disease
Jessie, top dog: Oh, the dreaded heart worm tablet. Groan. I took one last month. Do I have to take another one?
Bolt, the adorable Yorkie-Poo: You know, I never really liked taking those things, either, but after my recent visit to the vet to get all of my annual shots, she told me that if I did not take the monthly heartworm preventative, the risks of contracting this potentially fatal disease are greatly increased. Did you know that it only takes one heart-worm carrying mosquito to infect a pet? Adult heartworms can actually survive in dogs for up to seven years and in cats for a few months or up to several years.
Even if your pet is taking the monthly heartworm preventative, it is important to have your vet check him annually. There have been reported cases of a pet contracting heartworm disease even when taking the monthly prevention measures. Conventional treatment for dogs that contract heartworm includes several expensive visits to the vet for x-rays, blood tests, and injections. Not fun. It is estimated that 95% of dogs diagnosed with this disease are successfully treated.
The common signs of heartworm disease are a persistent cough, sudden weight loss, weakness, and difficulty in breathing. Please immediately consult your vet if your pet displays any of these symptoms, and please be sure to have your pet visit his veterinarian regularly for preventative measures. There are some topical medications that provide protection from heartworms, fleas and ear mites.
The experts of Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City will be happy to help you find a local veterinarian for your pet.
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