PET DISASTER PLAN

Common Household Items that are Poisonous to Dogs

Just as you house-proof your home before the new baby begins to walk, you have to consider that a new dog will go after just about anything in the home. Here are some common household items that are poisonous to dogs.

• Medications: Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, aspirin, cough and cold syrups, and prescription drugs should all be kept out of the reach of dogs.
  Indoor Plants: These can be very dangerous for dogs and should only be kept on a counter high enough so a dog cannot reach for it. If you have a large dog, you may want to get rid of these plants altogether. They include: Tulip bulbs, poinsettias, philodendrons, daffodils, lily of the valley, and azaleas.
• Foods: Dogs have a way of getting into cabinets where the “good stuff” is stored. These foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, yeast, grapes, onions, and raisins.
• Insecticides: These should not be kept in the home, but kept in a locked cabinet or on a high shelf in the garage: rat poison, flea and tick products, and other insecticides.
• Cleaners: These are sometimes kept under the kitchen sink. Dog-proof the cabinet so that these items cannot be taken out by your dog: bleach, detergent, furniture polish, soap, and disinfectants.
• Chemicals: These include lighter fluid, turpentine, antifreeze, gasoline, glue, paint, solvents, and any type of acids.
• Tobacco: Try to avoid leaving out a pack of cigarettes that can easily be eaten by a dog.
• Household Hazards: Ensure that there are all the electrical outlets in your home are covered; no extension cords are within sight or available for a dog to chew on; all electrical appliances are turned off or unplugged, and small collectable items you have showcased in your home are transferred to the top of an open bookshelf or an enclosed glass closet.
  Ensure that no bathroom items are left out on the sink or counter. If you have a cabinet under the bathroom sink, ensure it has a safety lock as well.

Dogs are a curious animal and they are inherently prone to forage for food or other items they consider chewable toys. Think of your dog as another child; as dedicated as you are to child-proofing your home, consider dog-proofing as well. In this way, there is no chance of an accident occurring when you are not home or when you are fast asleep.

For puppies, it’s a good recommendation to keep them in a kennel during the night so that they can sleep peacefully and not roam around the home. For older dogs, no doubt they will be trained not to attempt to eat something they are not supposed to, or grab something out of a cabinet.

Always err on the side of caution, however. A simple test would be to get down on your hands and knees and go through your entire home. This test has been used by those who wish to child-proof their home; looking at it from a child’s perspective. It is a sound idea.

Why Homemade Pet Food is Better for Your Pet

Whether you own a cat or dog, they are more then pets; they are our most precious companions who offer unconditional love.  In return, all they require is daily care, proper nutrition, exercise, and lots of hugs and praise.  When it comes to nutrition, however, recent events suggest that store-bought pet foods can be a detriment to their health.  This article will discuss why homemade pet food is better for your pet than conventional processed food.

A dog’s recommended daily allowance should include: vitamins, minerals, protein, fat, carbohydrates, and water.  Just as there are different species of dogs, so too, each requires a different diet regimen.  A balanced diet should be prepared according to the size, breed, and special needs of the canine.  Foods which should not be given to dogs include: chocolate, dairy products, and foods that contain sugar or yeast.

A pet owner, who raised beagles as a hobby, fed them the following homemade food:  spaghetti and meatballs.  This may sound a bit strange, but the meat is full of protein and the spaghetti is high in carbohydrates.  Of course, this staple was not a daily occurrence, however, the beagles were always in good health, had exceptional shiny coats, and adapted to this Italian family’s cooking.

Most experts advise that you should alternate between meat, chicken, and turkey; but do not use any pork or pork products in the meals.  For young puppies; meat, fruits, and vegetables are recommended.

There are also dog owners who prefer to feed their dogs vegetarian diets which may include: carrots, apples, and brown rice.  This in combination with vegetables, pasta, and meat includes all of the nutrients a dog may need.

It should be noted, however, that before preparing any homemade food for your pet that you consult a vet to ensure you are offering a balanced meal for the type of dog you own.  Since not all breeds are the same, some require more of one ingredient than others.

Cats

Preparing homemade food for cats can be a bit tricky.  They cannot tolerate preservatives, and therefore it is again essential that you consult a vet to ascertain what type of diet is best for them.

It is the general consensus, however, that cats require the same nutrients as dogs: vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and fat.  The one exception is that cats require higher amounts of protein, therefore, utilize ground chicken, ground turkey, and ground lean beef in their diet.  In addition, add an occasional egg (either hard-boiled or scrambled) as well.

While cats love fish, it may not be a good idea to incorporate tuna or fresh fish into their diet since it is now known to contain mercury.  Experts advise that supplementing a cat’s diet with flaxseed oil, vegetables, and salt in minute amounts should be part of the dietary consideration.

Choosing homemade foods for your pet can be a healthy alternative to the processed foods available today.  Besides the fact that some of these canned foods are very low in quality, the widespread recall of commercial pet foods has generated a newfound respect for holistic, vegetarian, and homemade preparations.

Obesity has not only become a pandemic among humans, but pets as well.  Weight gain can be attributed to over-eating, lack of exercise, genetics, and health conditions.  Obesity in pets is more than a problem, it is becoming a lifestyle.  To combat the effects of obesity in pets, here are some suggestions.

Pets that are obese can develop a myriad of problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, and skin conditions.  To determine the appropriate weight for your pet, visit your vet.  He can ascertain the ideal weight for your pet based on breed, bone structure, and type of body.

Once you have these facts, you can then begin a regimen of diet and exercise.  A diet consisting of a low fat and high fiber is the first step.   Refraining from giving your pet treats is another way to reduce weight.  Experts also advise that at dinner time, do not allow your pet in the dining area as he will inevitably want some of the scraps.

Do not leave any food around the kitchen or living room area.  Oftentimes when we are watching TV, we tend to have a snack or two.  Try to refrain from offering this type of temptation to your pet.

As with humans, pets can also become sedentary.  The more weight they gain, the harder it is for them to adjust to a healthier lifestyle.

In addition, there are certain breeds that are more vulnerable to weight gain than others.
For example, a beagle is first and foremost a hunting dog.  Most owners keep their beagles outdoors.  They exercise the beagles daily and are usually taken to open fields on the weekend so they can run and do that which is natural for them.

Conversely, there are beagle owners who keep these dogs indoors.  While they may take them for daily walks, the beagle grows accustomed to the sedentary lifestyle.  While beagles can range in size from 13 inches to 16 inches, the more they gain weight, the more they become sluggish and lethargic and lose the energetic flair they are most noted for.  The lifestyle they lead under these conditions is contrary to their nature.

Let’s face it; you put food in front of any pet, especially a dog, and they can swallow the contents of an entire bowl in seconds.  Even then, they are not fully sated.  Pets that are especially pampered and not given a daily routine can become obese.  One day they are running around and the next day they can hardly walk.

Prevention is the first step in assuring your pet maintains a healthy lifestyle.  They need to burn calories, and exercise can achieve that.  If you can’t feel your pet’s ribs, but are met with folds of skin; it’s time to take put your pet on a diet.

In addition to daily walks, take your pet to the park on weekends or arrange a play date with other pets in the neighborhood.  The more active they are, the less likely they will develop health problems.  Feed your pet the same time every day and refrain from leaving out a bowl of food for them, however, do leave out the dish of water.  This is necessary for hydration and can alleviate their pangs of hunger.

Pets rely on us for everything.  Too much food, and the instant gratification it offers, would be the ultimate disservice to them.

Healthy Pet Food: The Benefits for Senior Dogs & Cats

How beneficial is natural pet food for your elderly dog or cat? We stock a wide variety of organic cat food, natural organic dog food, holistic pet food, healthy treats, vitamin supplements and accessories to help put the natural pep back into their steps.

In fact, natural pet food is highly recommended for your pet to help him or her live a longer  life. Why? Because healthy pet food is what your pet needs to feel his or her best during the senior years.

Natural pet food can be organic pet food. It can be holistic pet food. Or it can be both organic and holistic.

Natural Food is the right prescription.
Healthy pet food, supplements and treats, as well as natural pet food are recommended because our senior pets can develop very human-like symptoms. We both get older. We both get aches and pains. So we both have some trouble getting around as the years go by.

Some of the products we recommend include:

•    Senior natural pet food is healthier and lower in fat than regular pet food, with low sodium, increased fiber, plus more vitamins and supplements like Glucosamine and Chondroitin to support healthy joints and cartilage.

•    Holistic foods contain proteins, vitamins, grains and minerals to provide your pet with skin and coat excellence, stronger bones, and an antioxidant system to promote a healthy immune system.

•    Herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements with natural compounds and multi-vitamins/mineral supplements provide antioxidants to maintain your pet’s physical well-being.

•    Organic pet treats like Hip Chips™ Jerky Treats for dogs and chicken-liver flavored Hip Chips for cats contain Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sultate to help combat arthritis joint pain.

•    Medications may help your pet walk through their pain. These can include steroids, aspirin and non-specific anti-inflammatory drugs.

•    Pet stairs, a pet step, a dog cart or pet wheelchairs to help your pet who has lost some mobility.

Protecting Your Pet After An Earthquake

Anyone living in an area that is prone to earthquakes should be prepared in advance to safeguard and take care of all family members – including your pets. This requires a thought out pet disaster plan. This plan should include necessary advance preparations as well as possible needed procedures for after an actual earthquake.

A necessary preparation is making sure that you have a reasonable emergency supply of food and water for your pet. If the quake is bad enough, the normal availability of food and water could be disrupted for a length of time. This could especially be true for pet food, which would probably not be considered an urgent item to distribute by emergency workers. Canned and well sealed pet food, properly stored, should stay usable for a long time. The same is true of bottled water. Having a supply of water is crucial, because it is common after an earthquake to lose your potable water supply from your home taps.

Your pet disaster plan should also take into account any medicines your pet takes. Thus, like food and water, you should have an emergency supply of these medicines if possible. It is also a good idea to stock pet “first aid” items to treat you pet if it gets injured during the earthquake, as getting to your vet will be difficult if not impossible.

For pets that are kept outdoors, such as an “outside” cat, you should think in advance of the need for pet rescue. If the cat gets stuck in a tree or in some basement, will you know how and be able to rescue it? Also, if your home becomes uninhabitable after the quake, do you have a place you can send your pet to? In most cases, emergency shelters will not allow pets.

If you are able or have to stay in your home after the quake, there are precautions to take to ensure your pet’s safety that should be part of your pet disaster plan. Make sure your pet can not get into any dangerous areas of your home where there is damage or debris, such as broken glass, exposed wires, damaged walls and ceilings and the like. Also, when walking your dog after an earthquake, be very careful about downed power lines and dangerous damage and debris.

Remember, it pays to plan and prepare in advance, for your whole family – including your precious pets.