Cool Summer Pet Products

Summer is here and with that brings more time outside and much hotter days. While you still want to play with your dog outside, it is also important to keep your dog cool. Below are a few favorite pet products that will keep your dog entertained and cool at the same time.

A favorite summer toy is your standard throwing dummy. These have been in use by dog trainers for years. You simply give it a toss into a body of water and your dog takes over. The dummies float and are highly visible. They are a great way to give your dog exercise and training, and this activity keeps them very cool. These durable dummies can take the abuse for many years. Dummies can be purchased at most pet stores or from training professionals

The next product has more than one purpose. The Chilly Bone is a canvas, water absorbent chew toy that can be frozen time after time. Simply soak it in water, place it in the included re-sealable bag and freeze for one hour. After an hour, it is ready to be enjoyed by your pup. Not only will it keep your dog cool, but it stimulates the gums and helps keep the teeth clean. The Chilly Bone can be found online and in most pet retailers.

The last product on the list is a bit pricey, but there is no better way to keep your dog cool on the hottest of summer days. The Cooling Dog Pool from Orvis is the ultimate backyard pool for your dog. Simply hook up your hose and let the cooling fun begin. Anytime your pooch gets hot, he can cool off by lounging in the pool. For more information check out Orvis.

Pet Laparoscopy Patients feel less Pain

Technology that has been used in human surgeries is now being used for more routine pet surgery procedures. This minimally invasive procedure uses a combination of smaller incisions, cameras and fiber optics to perform surgeries that once caused more pain and longer recovery times in pets. The use of smaller incisions and cameras has helped surgeons to better visualize the internal organs which can prevent mistakes during procedures.

The routine surgeries that Laparoscopy is used for include Spaying, biopsies and to help alleviate “bloat” in large breeds of dogs. Surgeons that perform the Spay procedure report that recovery times are decreased and pets need less pain medication after they leave the hospital. In the past, certain biopsies needed the pet patient to be under full anesthesia. When Laparoscopy is used, there is only a need for a local anesthetic because the incisions are smaller and less invasive, making them quicker and more accurate. Bloat is a common stomach problem in large breeds of dogs, which can cause serious discomfort and in worst case scenarios, death. Laparoscopy is being used to attach the stomach wall to the abdomen wall which stops the twisting of the stomach and reduces the possibility of bloat.

It is important to speak with your vet before deciding to have Laparoscopy performed for your pet’s next surgery. It is more expensive than standard methods and still has limited availability is some areas, but is an excellent alternative to consider.

Celebrating National Pet Week

National Pet Week takes place in May every year. It was created in 1981 by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Auxiliary to the AVMA and is meant to promote responsible pet ownership, the human-animal bond and to promote awareness of veterinary medicine. During this week pet owners are encouraged to take their pets to the vet for check-ups. To encourage owners to bring pets in, many vets and animal hospitals are discounting their rates. At this time the vet can make suggestions about diet, exercise and other health related issues.

National Pet Week is also a time to bring awareness to animal shelters. Each day, many stray pets are brought to shelters across the country. National Pet Week encourages people to visit shelters to adopt pets and help in any way they can. Many shelters and adoption organizations reduce adoption fees during the week to make it easier for people to adopt. If you can’t adopt, you can still help by volunteering at your local shelter.

The main goal of National Pet Week is to encourage responsible pet ownership by educating kids and adults. Because pets bring so much pleasure to peoples lives, it is important that we recognize them and share the experience of pet ownership with others.

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.