Pet News
March 18, 2010
PetScoop: EPA To Tighten Standards on Flea and Tick Meds for Cats and Dogs
Some of our dogs and cats have been suffering adverse reactions from pet spot-on pesticide products for flea and tick control -- skin irritation, redness, gastrointestinal problems (vomiting or diarrhea), or effects to the nervous system, such as trembling, appearing depressed, seizures. The majority of the problems apparently involved overdosing small dogs in the 10 to 20 lb range and cats who took meds intended for dogs.
Beginning immediately, the EPA will increase scrutiny of these spot-on pesticide products to ensure their safety. The EPA will begin reviewing labels for clarity and will develop more stringent testing and evaluation requirements for both existing and new products. From the press release:
Continue reading: "PetScoop: EPA To Tighten Standards on Flea and Tick Meds for Cats and Dogs"
February 26, 2010
PetScoop -- Canned Food May Benefit Your Pet
Which is better--canned or dry pet food? Some pets may flourish better on a canned "wet" diet, according to Dr. Katy J. Nelson, an emergency veterinarian in Alexandria, Va. In Dog Daily she says that at least five types of dogs particularly benefit from canned or "wet" food
:
1. Puppies -- Canned food is easy for them to digest and offers a concentrated source of protein.
2. Small breeds -- They too can have delicate digestive systems and high metabolism.
3. Dogs with food allergies -- Nelson often advises owners with food-allergic dogs to feed them a blend of wet and dry. This makes the food more palatable to the dog and minimizes problems from possible allergens.
4. Dogs with kidney and urinary tract conditions -- These dogs need good hydration, which they can get from the moisture of wet food.
5. Certain older dogs -- Senior dogs often suffer from health issues that are eased by wet foods. Dogs that have had teeth extracted, for example, might have difficulty chewing their kibble.
Save yourself the hassle. Get pet food shipped to your door.
February 20, 2010
PetScoop: Daddy, Cesar Millan's Longtime Partner Dies at 16
If you are a Cesar Millan follower, you know Daddy. Daddy, Cesar's "longtime friend and partner in canine rehabilitation", died peacefully on Friday the 19th of February at sixteen years old.
To honor Daddy's memory, the Cesar and Ilusion Millan Foundation has established the Daddy's Emergency Animal Rescue ["DEAR"] Fund. If you would like to honor Daddy and the contributions he made to improve the lives of animals, you can make a donation by visiting MillanFoundation.org/daddyfund or visit Daddy's memorial page.
January 12, 2010
How to Pay Those Skyrocketing Pet Bills -- Pet Insurance Resources
We don't begrudge anyone the right to make a living, but vet bills sure mount up very quickly these days. Office fees, lab fees, x-rays, dental care, surgery, vaccinations--we are talking hundreds if not thousands per visit.
And, sad to say, the line between medical care and salesmanship is starting to look a little blurry. Do you know how or even if you would cover your pet's veterinary bills if they become seriously ill or need surgery?
Currently, around a million U.S. pets are insured, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association. The Wall Street Journal recently ran an excellent overview of pet insurance, making the following points:
Consumers need to be careful, since many pet policies can be as confusing as coverage you buy for yourself.
Pet insurance often places strict limits on how much it will pay for particular procedures.
And policies can have tricky designs that can leave consumers with big out-of-pocket bills for their animals.
Premiums vary from around $10 a month to $75 a month, depending on factors including the richness of the plan, your location and your animal's breed and age.
Continue reading: "How to Pay Those Skyrocketing Pet Bills -- Pet Insurance Resources "
January 7, 2010
PetScoop -- Pet Airways Adds Three Destinations
We just received the following notification from Pet Airways:
Hey you with the furry paws!
Throw away your human sweaters and earmuffs! Get out of New York and come to Florida for the winter!
Actually, break out the earmuffs and sweaters. Florida is in the midst of an endless cold snap. Freeze warning tonight. Here in South Florida we just wore coats and mittens out on walkies with the dogs.
In any event, Pet Airways is now offering pet flights to and from Phoenix, Omaha, and Atlanta starting January 30, 2010. They just fly once a week, and seats are limited.
December 5, 2009
PetScoop -- Cat Cams Reveal What Your Cats Really Do Home Alone
Most of us have felt twinges of guilt leaving our pets home alone. What do they do when we aren't there? Do they just sleep all the time? Do they have a boring life?
Nestle Purina PetCare's Friskies brand of cat food made it their business to find out. 50 house cats were equipped with collar cameras that snapped a photo at 15 minute intervals. Jill Villarreal, an animal behavior scientist, collected the data:
Based on the photos, about 22 percent of the cats' time was spent looking out of windows, 12 percent was used to interact with other family pets and 8 percent was spent climbing on chairs or kitty condos. Just 6 percent of their hours were spent sleeping.
The 777 photos studied by Villarreal showed the cats looking at a television, computer, DVDs or other media 6 percent of the time and hiding under tables 6 percent of the time.
Coming in at 5 percent was playing with toys; eating or looking at food finished at 4 percent.
Based on this data, cat owners get the best bang for their buck investing in Cat Furniture. And keep those curtains and blinds open, at least during the day!
Source: LA Unleashed
November 16, 2009
PetScoop: WSJ Reviews Scents to De-Stress Your Pets -- Feliway and DAP
Does your pet suffer from anxiety, whether from thunderstorms, vet visits, travel, or separation issues? Many loving pet owners wonder if calming animal pheromone products are effective. The Wall Street Journal examines these Scents to De-Stress Your Pets:
Veterinarians say that pheromones do work--but not all the time. "They work on some animals, and not others," says veterinarian Bonnie Beaver, executive director of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists in College Station, Texas. "They work in some situations but not in others."...
Overall, pheromone therapy appears to be less effective than drug therapies, such as antidepressants, typically used on pets with behavior problems, Dr. Landsberg says. But he recommends trying pheromones first, since they are easier to administer and have no side effects.
Exactly the conclusion we came to in our own trials, in both senses of the word. Read our review last summer, Thunderstorms, Fireworks, Vet Visits -- 3 Remedies to Reduce Anxiety and Calm Your Pet. We achieved most success administering Behavior Modification Drugs
with basically no nasty side effects. Cheaper than DAP and Feliway too.
According to the WSJ article, the most-studied cat product is the Feliway brand -- Feliway Plug-In Diffuser
and Feliway Spray
. For your dog, the DAP -- D.A.P. Dog Appeasing Pheromone Spray
or in a relatively enclosed area plug in a D.A.P. Dog Appeasing Pheromone Electric Diffuser
.
November 11, 2009
PetScoop: 15 Cute and Hilarious Web Pet Videos -- Submit Your Own
Need a laugh? Check out The 15 Funniest Pet Videos Of All Time over at the Huff Post -- dogs, cats, ferrets, guinea pigs and more! In this clip below, Tillman's skateboarding skills earned him a role in an iPhone commercial:
If you have a funny pet video of your own you would like to share, get a YouTube video ready. Click the "PARTICIPATE" button at the site, and a box will pop up so you can enter the embed code. Add a title and a caption and hit submit.
November 6, 2009
PetScoop: Dog Dances the Merengue Video
We all love Golden Retrievers for their endearing personalities, brains and beauty. This short Dog Dancing the Merengue video is a testament to the skill and good nature of the breed.
We may be curmudgeons, but think there's a fine line between laughing with our pets and laughing at them. Happy to say this pup seems to be enjoying the show with a relaxed, open expression, only displaying some nervousness on the backward step. Good doggy!
via Huffington Post
October 21, 2009
PetScoop -- New Martha Stewart Pet Products at PetSmart in 2010
Another celebrity is throwing their corporate cap into the pet product ring. If you are a Martha Stewart fan, you are in luck. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia has announced that it has entered into a multi-year relationship with Age Group Ltd. to manufacture, market and sell pet-care products, which will be sold through PetSmart, Inc. (online at PetSmart.com
).
The Martha Stewart pet product line will include the usual range of pet accessories, including apparel, collars, leashes, bedding, grooming supplies, toys and more. The first products are expected to be out in the second quarter of 2010.
September 30, 2009
PetScoop: Nutro Announces Recall of Puppy Food Sold at PetSmart and PETCO
We were speaking of puppy care yesterday, now there's news on the puppy food front. Nutro Pet Foods has announced a recall of three of its dry puppy foods, due to potential contamination with melted plastic. Oddly enough, there is no evident information about this at the Nutro website, only on a rep's Twitter feed, EdnaAtNutro:
- Hi! Nutro voluntarily withdraw 3 SKUs as a precautionary measure in small # of retailers. Pls call 800-833.5330 for more info
- Nutro determined highly unlikely that any pcs of plastic made it into finished product.
- Hi! Limited # of potentially affected product was delivered to a small # of PS/PC
- Consumers who have purchased pot. affected product should return it to their retailer or contact Nutro's Consumer Care @ 800- 833-5330
The foods involved apparently were only sold at PETCO.com
and PetSmart:
- Nutro Natural Choice Chicken, Rice & Oatmeal Puppy 5# bags sold at PetSmart and PETCO
- Nutro Ultra Puppy 4.5# bag sold at PetSmart and PETCO
- Nutro Ultra Puppy 30# bag sold at PETCO
[via Pet Products Examiner]
September 18, 2009
PetScoop: Cat Person or Dog Person? "Meet the Breeds" October 17-18, 2009
Are you a Dog or Cat Person? Vote Now @ www.meetthebreeds.com! The American Kennel Club and the Cat Fanciers' Association are presenting Meet the Breeds on October 17-18, 2009, at the Javits Center in New York City.
Pet lovers can meet as many as 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds, plus enjoy demonstrations, shopping and children's activities. Each breed will be presented in its own designated space, decorated to reflect its heritage, characteristics and unique attributes as a pet. Attendees can pet the dogs, cats, puppies and kittens and learn about them directly from the experts.
Mark your calendar--tickets are available for purchase now!
September 16, 2009
PetScoop: Neater Feeder for Dogs and Cats Wins Pet Product News 2009 Editors Choice Award
In early summer we posted on the new Neater Pet Feeder 
for dogs and cats. The Neater Feeder has been a smash hit and wins the 2009 Editors Choice Award from Pet Product News at this month`s Super Zoo 2009 National Show for Pet Retailers.
The Neater Pet Feeder contains the spilling, splashing, and slobbering involved in feeding your pet. It will reduce the mess and actual damage to your floors and wall surfaces in the immediate vicinity as well, cutting back on slippery floors and stains.
Read article.
September 8, 2009
PetScoop: Urlesque.com Announces Internet Ban on Cats -- September 9, 2009
Funny, cute, amazing cat videos and photos abound on the internet--websites, social networking sites as well as the ubiquitous emails.
The fun folks at Urlesque.com are finally putting their feet down and are organizing a "web-wide ban on cat-related coverage" tomorrow Wednesday September 9th--A Day Without Cats on the Internet.
Why only one day? That's probably how long anyone can abstain. Watch the announcement:
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