“A Newly Created Page for Special Needs Animals” – Facebook

Many of us have been in the position to have to make tough decisions regarding the animals in our lives, whether because of an accident or illness, we as guardians and caregivers are forced to decide whether to end the animals life or to fight for them, to help them find a new quality of life, love and hope through our patience and diligence. A Newly Created Page for Special Needs Animals shows us that almost anything is possible and celebrates the lives of these animals…. That through the unending efforts of their special people have succeeded, have made it through a very difficult time to become playful, happy and healthy.

Page Admin. Cheryl Gustafson explains, “It’s about our special needs animals…their stories and the people who saved them. After you read these special stories, you will see that it’s TRUE. We should never ever give up! It’s also to give recognition to the resilience and strength and courage both have…the animals and those who love them.”

Meet Dutchess the Dog: Dutchess has been a therapy dog since 2009, working with individuals with autism. She helps her friends at the autism center with speech and reading goals, and serves as a positive, calming element, by soaking up attention and grounding static energy and stress.

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Cat & Dog Owners Not Considering Age When Selecting Food

A new survey has revealed that only 11% of dog and cat owners consider their pet’s age as important when they are selecting a type of food.

A national survey commissioned by Iams® has revealed that only 11% of pet owners in the United States consider the age of their dog or cat as the most important factor when selecting a type of food for their pet. The survey also found that most respondents (36%) considered expert opinion – such as from a veterinarian – as the most important factor when choosing a food to feed their pets. Another 30% of respondents consider the ingredients as the most important consideration. The remaining 25% described the price as being their main concern when choosing their pet’s food.

Iams® did not say which of the four answers it considered to be the most important, but think that the results of this survey suggest pet owners should consider their pet’s age more when choosing food. “When choosing a food for your cat or dog it is important to select a diet that has the right ingredients for that stage of your pet’s life,” said Dr. Nelson,  a member of the Iams Pet Wellness Council. “Diet requirements – including protein levels, calories and vitamins and minerals – vary over the life of a pet and, in turn, an animal’s needs change as he grows from a puppy or kitten, to an adult into a senior. I always tell my patients that healthy checkups start on the inside. Feeding a high-quality diet specific to an animal’s age, like Iams Premium Protection, which offers specially formulated life-stage specific diets, is one of the most important ways to ensure four-legged family members lead healthy, happy lives.” said Nelson.

The company says that as a result of not considering age, pets might not be receiving the right nutrients at the levels which are optimal for their health at their stage of life. Iams® quotes three life stages as being general guidelines as a way to select a food type for your pet:

• One to 12 months: Kitten and Puppy formula includes DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) for brain and vision development
• One to seven years: Adult formula includes HMP (sodium hexametaphosphate) to keep teeth clean during and after meals, as well as balanced omega 6:3 ratio for healthy skin and coat
• Seven years and older: Senior formula with L-carnitine helps burn fat and keep muscles lean

Original Source: http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resources/news/general/cat-dog-owners-not-considering-age-when-selecting.htm

Adverse Reactions to Micro-chipping Pets

Micro-chipping pets has been a hot topic in the news lately with the Pharmaceutical company Merck being served a lawsuit over claims its pet microchip product HomeAgain® induced cancer in a cat. More details on this case can be read here: Andrea Rutherford v. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. and Digital Angel, Inc.

A microchip implant is an identifying integrated circuit placed under the skin of a pet that is about the size of a large grain of rice. The microchips are based on a passive RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology which allows them to be scanned using a handheld scanner.

The FDA’s official statement is as follows “The potential risks to health associated with the device are: adverse tissue reaction; migration of implanted transponder; compromised information security; failure of implanted transponder; failure of inserter; failure of electronic scanner; electromagnetic interference; electrical hazards; magnetic resonance imaging incompatibility; and needle stick.”

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PetsMart May Promotions

All month long, you can take advantage of PetsMart’s Spring promotions! Offers end May 21st: Spring into Savings Sale! Save up to 25% on thousands of items at PetSmart.com!

• Double Bonus Sale, Get more FREE! *with in-store purchase. View in store bonus online. Exclusive! Take $5 off orders of $40 or more at PetSmart.com! Enter Code 5PET40 at Checkout. Offer Ends 5/6 at 6:00 AM.
• Nourish Your Pets needs – Formulas for total lifetime care – Online and In stores. Visit the Food Selector
• New Hill’s Ideal Balance. Natural ingredients perfectly balanced. No corn, wheat or soy. Learn more
• Introducing Tommy Bahama Pets. Help every pet find paradise with Tommy Bahama toys, apparel, beds, leashes & collars. Shop Tommy Bahama
• New Royal Canine. Canine Health Nutrition. Wet Dog Food designed for doges up to 22 lbs. In store only. Learn more!
•  $10 on Advantage II & K9 Advantix II flea or tick 6 packs. Online and In stores. Shop now
• Free Shipping BLUE Buffalo Dog Food. Shop now!

Air Travel with your Pet

Many pet owners can’t bear the thought of leaving their pet behind when traveling, even when they travel via air.  If you are planning a trip by plane and your pet is going to accompany you, taking necessary precautions beforehand is important to making the trip a healthy and safe one for your pet.

Where will Your Pet Ride? Historically, pets have been “checked” as luggage when flying by air.  This means that the pet would ride in the baggage hold or cargo hold of the plane.  The cargo hold may not be a safe spot, however, as it is not always shielded against severe cold or heat that often occurs during flight.  A pet can be exposed to extreme temperatures in the cargo hold, which is particularly disconcerting if the pet is left there for a long period of time, or if a flight is delayed. To make matters worse, there is no way for you to check on, monitor, or render aid to your pet if it becomes ill or uncomfortable during its time in the cargo hold.  Smaller pets can be carried on the plane, but only if you notify the airline well in advance, as airlines are limited by the number of pets that can fly per flight or per cabin.  Your pet and its carry-on container, such as a “Pet Taxi,” cannot weigh (combined) more than forty pounds with most airlines. You must also be able to stow the container and the pet beneath your seat during the flight.

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Evidence Grows that Childhood Pets Protect Against Animal Allergies

Good news for families who are keen to have a pet cat or dog at home, but are worried that the children might develop an animal allergy as a result. An increasing body of evidence roundly disproves that theory.

New research from Melbourne University has found that kids who were exposed to animals at a young age experienced lower levels of nasal allergies as adolescents. In fact, family pets, especially dogs, do more than fail to cause allergies – they may actively prevent them.

Nasal allergies give rise to irritating symptoms from itchy eyes and sore throats to runny noses. They can also cause asthma and other allergic diseases. The latest study focused on those who grew up with animals, and those who had these symptoms, and questioned 8,500 adults across Australia and Europe. The findings were published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

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Dogs that Don’t Shed

There are a couple of reasons why you may be interested in keeping a dog that doesn’t shed hairs, or which sheds very little. For example, you may love the idea of having a dog, but not the thought of cleaning up after its molted hairs all the time.

Allergies are another common factor in the decision. However, be sure that you first understand what it is exactly you are allergic to. Most allergies, for example, are actually caused by dog dander, the dead skin that fall of the animal, rather than the hairs they shed. Dander can get all over the place, and into your nose and eyes. Some breeds produce less dander than others.

The other thing to realize is that most pooches pick up pollen while they are outdoors, and transfer it back to their owner’s home, which can exacerbate allergy problems. Thicker coats tend to pick up more pollen.

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PetsSmart Charities: National Adoption Weekend, Friday – Sunday, Feb. 22-24, 2013

Saving Lives Through Adoption
Today, there are millions of lovable healthy dogs and cats that desperately need homes. Due to overpopulation of homeless pets, 4 million are euthanized every year, that’s 11,000 pets every day. For this reason, PetSmart has chosen not to sell dogs or cats and instead we joined forces with PetSmart Charities to help save the lives of pets through adoptions. Many homeless pets are purebred, so even if you’re looking for a particular breed, our adoptions program can help you find your next best friend.

How Can You Say No to Faces Like These…..

Save a Pet’s Life Today
You can find adoptable cats every day inside all PetSmart stores and adoptable dogs are available most weekends. When you adopt in store, PetSmart gives you savings on products & services to help you get started.

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Choosing the Right Rawhide Bone for Your Dog

Dogs love to chew. When we’re lucky, they chew on their toys. There are times when furniture and even pillows become very attractive, but that’s a different story. For the most part, a bone is your dog’s favorite treat (aside from the love you give them) and they love to chew on them.

But, there are a few important things to consider when it comes to your dog’s choice chewing selections because not all rawhide bones are made equal. Some might be too tough, others may be too soft, and there are even those that can hurt your dog in certain situations.

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Is Chemical-Free Able to Keep Tick’s and Fleas Away?

Keeping our dogs happy and healthy requires a lot of attention. Proper diet, plenty of exercise, oral hygiene, regular baths, and most importantly keeping them bug-free. Fleas and Ticks aren’t just annoying and itchy; they are often host to many other nasty parasites, such as worms which can be detrimental to puppy health.

With all the different shampoos, collars, topical, and even consumable dietary supplements, it can be hard to choose one that works the best for your dog. While these repellents come in many different forms, they also come with many different chemicals, quite a few of which aren’t exactly the most health-friendly. In fact, some are so powerful that they recommend you don’t use them on animals less than three and even six months of age. Keeping a puppy inside for that length of time is definitely out of the question, so you may consider looking elsewhere, perhaps to the very natural aspects that nature can provide.

Needless to say, you still want to protect your pup, but you don’t want them to deal with all the harsh chemicals found in modern repellents. The natural way is the best way, and there are a growing number of these natural repellents entering the market, so keep your eyes on the “contents” label because it’s a trend that is definitely popular enough to grab some attention.

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