Eco-Friendly Pet Ownership

Green living is a very popular subject these days. People are looking for ways to make their lifestyle more eco-friendly and reduce their footprint on the Earth. One industry that is doing their part is the pet products industry. Now more than ever you can find “green” pet products everywhere you turn.

Companies are making pet toys from recycled materials and more organic products are popping up all over the place. One example is cat litter. This cat litter is made from combinations of whole kernel corn, green tea and sawdust. It is estimated that nearly 2 million tons of cat litter are put into trash dumps each year. This new green cat litter can help take some of that tonnage out of landfills.

Other companies are using recycled plastic bottles to make beds, toys and other pet products. It is estimated that companies using the recycled bottles save 30 million plastic bottles from going into the landfills each year.

Even city government and local organizations are helping pet owners to go green. In some cities, local governments are providing biodegradable pet bags so owners can clean up and dispose of waste properly. San Francisco and other cites in the Bay Area are on the forefront of this initiative by recycling pet waste into bio fuel and striving to help eliminate the impact of pet waste on landfills by 2010. Cities like these this are setting a great example by providing the necessary tools pet owners need and want to live a greener lifestyle, especially with their pets.

For more information about pet green living, check with your local city organizations, your vet, the web and other pet owners. There are many ideas that can help you and your pet live a green lifestyle.

Tips to help your pet live a longer and healthier life

Healthy pets are happy pets, and happy pets live longer. Keeping your pet healthy is the key ingredient to having your pet live a long life. There are many aspects to keeping your pet healthy and if you don’t start off in the right way, it can be a lot of work getting back on track. Below are some suggestions you can practice with your pet. By starting at a young age to insure that your pet will live a long and happy life.

• Proper diet – Giving your pet the proper nutrients and amount of food it needs is an integral part of healthy living. Conduct research on the breed and size of your pet to make sure that you are giving it the right food it needs. You can speak with your vet, read books on the breed, or even source the internet for information on your pet.

• Exercise – This can come in a variety of forms, and is different for the type of pet you have. For dogs it can be daily walks, playing ball, or letting them run at the park. Cats can be exercised by playing with them with their favorite cat toys. Getting them to jump and run will help keep them fit. If you have other more exotic types of pets, consult your vet or other owners for exercise routines.

• Training – Taking a trainable animal to obedience school can help keep your pet healthy by keeping them safe. You will be able to teach them the proper behavior to be around other people and pets and to listen to you when needed. In addition, you will be educated on how to handle your pet. A well trained pet is less likely to run off or do something unexpected and if they do, you will know how to react.

• Vet Visits – Annual check ups for your pets will ensure that they are getting the proper attention they need. These annual visits will help discover any illnesses and get your pets the proper vaccinations to stay healthy and prevent other ailments.

Follow these important tips and consult your vet for more to help your pet live a long and happy life.

Pets in Wheelchairs

Disabled pets can live a normal, active life with the assistance of custom-made wheelchairs. Primarily used for dogs that have weakened or paralyzed hind limbs, these wheelchairs can also be used for front limb lameness or paralysis.

Degenerative myelopathy, seen most often in large sporting breeds such as German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, leads to weakness of the hind limbs and difficulty getting around. Disc disease can lead to weakness of the hind limbs and is often seen in dogs that have long backs and short legs, such as Dachshunds and Corgis. These medical problems often lead to euthanasia, especially for large dogs that can’t be lifted and carried easily. This is a heartbreaking decision, as many of these dogs are otherwise healthy. The purchase of a wheelchair can allow these dogs to continue to live happy and ambulatory lives.

Eddie’s Wheels is a company that was begun by a couple after they fashioned a cart for their own dog, Buddha. Their veterinarian was impressed by their handiwork and began sending other clients to the Grinnell’s to help other dogs (and cats) too. You can read their story on their website and see photos of dogs using these special wheelchairs to get around a live life. (http://www.eddieswheels.com/html/our_story.html)

Cool Tips for Summer Pets

With summer coming, people and pets will be spending more time outside enjoying the sun and heat. With the increased outdoor activity comes some extra care in keeping your pet comfortable and cool. Below is a list of Do’s and Don’ts you can follow to aide in keeping your pet safe.

DO

Provide more water and shade in the summer months. With increased activity comes increased heat. Make sure you provide your pet with plenty of water and shade to keep comfortable and regulate their body temperature. A great treat in the summer can be ice cubes.

Don’t

Leave your pet outside all day. While this can be tempting because of the nice weather, if the pet does not have a place to cool off it can be very dangerous. If you are going to leave your pet outside, provide shade, extra water and DON”T leave them alone. Monitor them often and bring them indoors from time to time.

Don’t

Leave your pet in a car even if for a few moments. In a matter of minutes, the interior heat of the car can skyrocket to over 100 degrees. Even if the windows are down, there will not be sufficient airflow to keep your pet cool. While on the subject of autos, it is also good to note that if you have a pick up, you shouldn’t drive with your pet in the bed. In many states this is illegal. Too many bad things can happen if you leave your pet back there.

Do

Provide exercise, but do it in the morning or late evening. These times of day are cooler and more comfortable for your pet. When exercising your pet, be sure to provide extra water and a way for them to cool off. A good idea is to fill a baby pool or small tub with water. When your pet gets too warm, they can go to the water to cool off.

Do

Be aware of heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Symptoms include: heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid pulse, unsteadiness, staggering gait, vomiting and a deep read or purple tongue. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is crucial to treat it immediately. Wet your pet with cool (not cold) water in small amounts. It is also good to drape cool, wet towels around the head, neck and body. Provide small amounts of water or ice cubes to lick. Most importantly, seek professional attention from your vet.

For more ways to keep your pet cool in the summer, speak with your vet. They will have the information you need to keep your pet cool and comfortable all summer long.

Save Money on Pets when times are tough

In many cases when an economic downturn occurs, we will curb our spending, set budgets and try to save as much money as we can. For those of us who own pets, it can be even tougher to cut the budget because of the required care our pets need. With the list below, it will help you to provide your pet with the things they need without breaking the bank.

Buy items in bulk – This can include pet food and kitty litter. If you compare the price of larger bags of food to the smaller ones, you will find that the price per pound can be substantially less. This is also true when it comes to cat litter. Buying in bulk is a good deal. When shopping for food and litter, purchase the biggest bag you can. If you have room in the freezer, you can rebag portions of the food into Ziploc bags and store in your freezer for a longer shelf life.

Save on Routine checkups and procedures – If you need to have your pet spayed or neutered, contact your local shelter instead of your vet. In many cases they will offer a discount on the procedure. Another way to save is on routine vaccinations. Veterinary professionals are now recommending that you have pets vaccinated every 3 years instead of annually. If you follow this recommendation, this can save money annually. Some states do require annual rabies boosters for pets to be licensed. Make sure that you are providing all vaccinations that are necessary.

Consider searching for Surgeries – Going to your local vet for a scheduled surgery may not be the best idea when it comes to cost savings. By doing some research outside of your area, you may be able to find the same services at a fraction of the cost. It is not uncommon to save hundreds of dollars by traveling outside of your area to have these services performed. If you have a long-standing relationship with your veterinarian, they may be able to offer a payment plan for you. CareCredit is a payment plan that is available through many vet clinics and helps spread the payments over a longer period of time.

Forgo the Groomer Trip – Groomers can charge up to $45 or more for appointments. For most breeds it is not necessary to have your pet professionally groomed. To save money, purchase over the counter pet shampoo and wash your pet at home. If you do not have the room or resources, look for do-it-yourself pet washing services. These will be more than doing it at home, but still less than having a professional groom your pet.

Save on Dental – Dental care for pets is very important for health. This can be a very expensive procedure due to anesthesia costs. Make sure to prevent dental disease by brushing your pet’s teeth or providing dental chews to avoid the necessity of a dental prophylaxis.

There are many ways to save money and still take care of your pet. Budget accordingly, use common sense and talk to your vet for more ways to save some money.

So Your Pets Can Play While You’re Away

As much as children (and even some adults) enjoy playing with toys, your pets also love to play with things that roll, bounce, squeak, or simply smell good. It's helpful to keep in mind that, just like in choosing which toys your children play with, it's also important to choose which toys your pets play with.

It may seem like a luxury to give your pet a toy, but having toys helps to alleviate boredom and gives your pets an outlet for their natural behaviors. It also helps toward preventing destructive behavior in pets that are left home alone during work hours. By providing your dog or cat with something acceptable to chew on, your sofa cushions will be (hopefully!) in one piece when you get home. For dogs, it is best to confine them during the day while you are gone. Puppies can get into a lot of trouble while you are out and can become quite ill or injure themselves. A comfortable crate is the best option for keeping your pup safe now and into adulthood.

While cats tend to be somewhat fussy with what they like to play with, dogs tend to want to play with anything and everything that captures their interest. Cats generally prefer to interact with a toy that has movement, as this triggers their prey-chasing behavior. Dogs are basically interested in toys that have a taste or smell that appeals to them. It may be easier to think of your pets as being forever in the toddler stage: if something smells or tastes good or otherwise catches their attention, then in the mouth it will go.

Common household items that are the most attractive or interesting to your pets are often the most dangerous! Items such as string, ribbon, rubber bands, plastic milk jug rings, paper clips, pins, needles, coins, erasers, pens, even dental floss are easily ingested by your pets. Try to pet-proof your home just as you would child-proof your home.

To occupy your pets while you are at work or even while you are at home, make toys available to them. Here are some things to keep in mind when considering which toys to give to your pets:

• Toys should be appropriate for your pet's size. You wouldn't give a Chihuahua a basketball and you wouldn't give a Great Dane a marble! Toys that are too small can easily be swallowed or become lodged in your pet's throat.
• If a toy has parts that can be chewed and/or ingested, avoid it. Things like ribbons, strings, doll eyes, buttons, or other removable parts can choke your pet or lead to stomach upset, or worse, internal blockage or lacerations.
• If a well-loved toy becomes well-worn, throw it away. Broken or torn toys present the same dangers as toys with removable parts.
• A good rule of thumb is to go by any child safety labels. If the toy is labeled as being safe for children ages three and under and doesn't contain a dangerous filling, then it is safe to give to your pet. Dangerous fillings include nutshells and polystyrene beads, but be cautious with so-called safe fillings as well.
• When it comes to chewable toys, like rawhides, always check with your veterinarian as to which ones are safe for your pet. Chewable toys should only be played with under your supervision. A safer alternative are very hard rubber toys. Not only are they safer, but they last longer as well. Just remember that cats generally do not like hard toys.
• For the “squeaky” toys, always remember that when alone and bored, the noisemaker at the center may be am unavoidable challenge. A determined pet may destroy the squeaky toy just to get at the noisemaker and your pet may wind up ingesting it. Squeaky toys are another play thing that should be used under your supervision.

Choosing the right toy for your pet can not only give them a good source of entertainment while you are at work, but can also offer a fantastic bonding experience for you and your pet.

Common Household Treatments For Your Pets

Not every course of treatment recommended by your veterinarian is going to be a veterinary prescription – there are many common household medications that can be used to treat your pets’ symptoms. Your medicine cabinet or even your pantry may be stocked with solutions for ailments ranging from stomach upset to itching. Many of the prescription medications that veterinarians prescribe are also the same medications that your doctor might prescribe to you for various ailments. However, this does not mean that you should attempt to treat your pet without a veterinarian’s expert advice, as dosages and frequencies are often VERY different for pets than for us humans.

The following are examples of items that may be used in relieving your pet’s illness:

• Buffered aspirin (for pain relief – not recommended for cats. Additionally, only buffered aspirin should be used for pain relief and never ibuprofen or Tylenol)
• Vitamin B (to stimulate the appetite)
• Benadryl (for allergic reactions and itching)
• Dramamine (car sickness)
• Pepto Bismol (used for diarrhea, vomiting, and as an antacid)
• Mineral oil (helps with constipation)
• Kaopectate (relieves diarrhea)
• Canned pumpkin (relieves constipation)
• Pepcid (used as an antacid)
• Robitussin DM (for coughs -- this is not recommended for cats)
• Imodium AD (relives diarrhea – this is also not recommended for cats)

You should always contact your veterinarian at the first sign of illness or discomfort. Your veterinarian can immediately prescribe a course of action and can also advise you on whether or not a readily available treatment may be found in your home. Your vet is also your best reference as to whether or not common human medications are still considered safe and acceptable based on the latest findings. In addition, your vet can tell you the correct dosages and give you peace of mind by informing you of what to watch for and how long your pet may feel ill.

With the help of your vet and an everyday item from your medicine cabinet, your pet can be well on the way to a speedy recovery.