May 8, 2012
In our wild-west, deregulated economy, it is no surprise these days when products and services don't perform as advertised.
Pet owners are advised, and even harassed, to brush their pet's teeth, but who is to know what tools do an effective job?
Meaningless Plaque Promises | NewsforJax.com says consumers have to rely on themselves.
They recommend checking the package or container for the Veterinary Oral Health Council Seal (VOHC).
The VOHC authorizes the use of the VOHC Registered Seal on products intended to help retard plaque and tartar on the teeth of animals.
Click the link for the approved dental products. No surprise that Greenies
are on the list.
May 3, 2012
Want to involve your pet in social networking and meet other friends who have a lot in common? There are Facebook applications for your your cat or dog to join just as you have.
Create a profile for your pet, upload as many pictures as you like, create a profile, find friends. You can link your dog to other dogs of similar breeding, locate local dog parks, compare toys and connect with other owners through themed groups.
At Dogbook, Catbook, Birdbook, Fishbook
Via A Sharp Eye
May 1, 2012
Follow us daily this spring on Facebook, Twitter and subscribe to our RSS feed. To receive our weekly email, sign up for our Newsletter.
Here's a look back at the super cool gear we dug up this past month for our pets and the people they love.
Accessories and Supplies
Apparel for Pets
Artwork
Behavior
Birds
Books & Media
Collars and Leashes
Continue reading: "Super Cool Pets Monthly Round Up -- April 2012"
April 30, 2012
We love our pets and regard them as family members. But many of us were raised in an era when pets were exclusively animals, and they were cheap to live with.
It's heartwarming that we value our pets so highly these days, but it can cost us big-time, as this cat-lover discovered in Regrets of a Cat Owner | The Billfold:
What I'm trying to say is, before you get a pet, it's worth it to genuinely assess whether you can really, actually afford it. Think about it: $5,500 in three years. That averages out to about $150/month. More than a cable/HBO/high-speed Internet bundle!
...As I said, this all adds up to about $4,550 in vet- and health-related bills in just under three years. The remaining grand was spent on travel to and from the vet and/or general cat things, like kitty litter, generic dry cat food, cat bed, scratching post, things like that. Fun fact: $1,000 over 36 months actually comes out to $27/month, which is pretty much what I initially guessed, way back in 2009, when I was predicting how much owning a cat would cost me. Sigh.
via Consumerist
April 25, 2012
Many of us struggle with our weight, any why not? It's so fun to eat and there's always plenty of food around. And it's no different for our pets. The Costs of Having a Fat Dog or Cat | NYTimes.com cites a recent study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention that found about half of all dogs and cats in American homes are overweight or obese, a slight increase from 2010.
Why be concerned? People likely realize their pet is overweight but won't always grasp the consequences. Seeing animals suffering from health conditions secondary to their obesity is a common situation according to vets. This means animal suffering, higher vet costs, increased pet insurance premiums, inability to walk or self-groom, and sometimes even putting the beloved pet to sleep.
But before you subject your pet to a drastic diet or start an exercise regimen, check with your vet. That too can have negative health consequences.
But getting a portly pet back into shape can carry risks of its own. Hammering the pavement with an overweight lab or boxer that also happens to be arthritic can worsen the condition and cause cruciate ligament tears, akin to an A.C.L. injury in humans, which can happen all too easily in dogs, said Dr. Carol McConnell, chief veterinary medical officer for VPI Pet Insurance.
Pet owners should consult with a veterinarian before putting a pet on a diet. Putting a cat on a strict diet without medical supervision is risky, because cats' metabolism cannot handle calorie restriction. Unlike dogs, which evolved to hunt as packs and can go days without eating, "cats are usually single predators," Dr. McConnell said. "They nibble, they eat whatever they can find. They don't do too well with starvation."
In cats, severe calorie restriction can signal the body to send stores of fat to the liver, where they can be converted to glucose. But over time, the liver is deluged with fat deposits, crowding out the normal cells of the liver and causing hepatitis.
April 20, 2012
Due to the exceptionally warm winter in many locations, ticks are thriving. So our vets are already seeing some doggies with tick-borne illnesses, such as Lyme disease.
Is your pet protected? If you haven't already, stock up on preventive products, such as Frontline (prescription only), Revolution, Advantix, or the Preventic collar.
For high-risk dogs and cats who spend a lot of time in fields and woods, back it up with Ovitrol, which quickly kills and repels fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, lice and flies.
If you do find a tick or two, remove them safely and hygienically with this Tick Key Tick Remover
.
April 19, 2012
Animal paws, especially cat and dog, have to be among the cutest things the universe has devised. Unfortunately, they have claws at the end. Thus, many of our floors, walls and furniture have scratches due to dog and cat nails. Soft Claws Nail Caps are an easy, comfortable way to protect homes from claw scratch marks and damage. Adorable!
April 17, 2012
Litter boxes need to be functional, but wouldn't it be nice if they could look pretty too? This Kitty A Go Go Cat Litter Box
is made of high-impact, stain-resistant plastic in assorted stylish designs. And it's portable with convenient grab handle.
It has a large-capacity pullout litter tray drawer for easy cleanup with built-in ventilation slots. Includes a replaceable liner, a built-in sifter rake basket and hand scoop storage.
At Kitty a Go Go
April 13, 2012
Spring is a wonderful time of year, marred only by the arrival of ticks, fleas and other nasties. One weapon a homeowner can use against these nasties is yard spray, since both humans and pets pick them up outside and often carry them in the house.
If you are a DIY type, this Adams Plus Yard Spray
can save you a bundle of money. It's for use around residential home areas only on your lawns, trees, shrubs, and flowers. The spray treats up to 5,000 square feet, killing and repelling fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, ants crickets, and more. Keep your pets, yourself and your yard bug-free this summer!
April 12, 2012
Many of us suffer from allergy itches and rashes, this time of year and sometimes all year round. Our pets are no exception. The PetAlive Allergy Itch Ease and Skin & Coat Tonic ComboPack
contains multiple remedies that work well together to provide therapeutic and cosmetic relief for your pets.
This ComboPack contains a homeopathic and an herbal to relieve skin itch and allergies while supporting healthy skin and coats. The Allergy Itch Ease temporarily relieves skin allergies and itch while the Skin & Coat Tonic promotes healthy skin and shiny, glossy coats.
Veterinary Oral Health Council Seal of Approval for Pet Dental Products
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