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]]>Adorablebadge-awwco-videoCuteFish and MarineHeart-WarmingSea LionZooCharlotte Braun2013-05-20T18:05:00+00:006 Best Exercises To Do With Your Doghttp://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/6-best-exercises-to-do-with-your-dog/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/6-best-exercises-to-do-with-your-dog/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/6-best-exercises-to-do-with-your-dog/#comments
  • Getty Images: Mike Kemp
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    By Elizabeth Narins

    Some fitness partners flake out, miss workouts, or make excuses. But here's a partner that won't: your dog. New fitness classes for out-of-shape people and their pets are popping up across the country (to find out if any are near you, review our list of the Best Pet-Friendly Fitness Classes). And it's about time: More than 52 percent of dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention's 2012 National Pet Obesity Survey. Compare that to the stats for their owners: About one-third of Americans are obese, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control. 

    Working out with your dog doesn't just benefit your health, though. It can be a real treat for your pet--and for you. "A dog is the best motivator you'll ever have," says Tricia Montgomery, founder and president of K9 Fit Club, a Hinsdale, IL-based fitness club for people and their pets. "All they want to do is spend time with you and please you," she says. "They look forward to it." And although they won't judge you for skipping workouts, it's tough to say no when you have to face a wagging tail. 

  • Getty Images: Derek E. Rothchild
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    The Fat-Blasting Doggy Workout Circuit

    If you don't live near a dog-friendly class--and aren't into running with your canine--you can still get in on the fit-pet action. Montgomery created this 30-minute circuit, which alternates between cardio and body-weight training moves, to give you and your canine a heart-pumping full-body workout.

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    Rover's reverse lunges with paw
    Tell your dog to sit. Then face him with your feet together. Step back with one foot so that your front leg is bent at a 90-degree angle with your knee directly above your ankle. At the bottom of each lunge, ask your dog for his paw to "shake." Release the dog's paw as you stand to return to your starting position. Repeat on the other side, and ask your dog for his other paw. Repeat for 20 reps. NOTE: If your dog doesn't know how to "shake"--or won't do it 20 times--pat him on the head instead.

  • Getty Images: Chris Rose
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    Sit-and-stay side shuffles

    Holding the leash so your dog moves with you, perform a side shuffle across the room or workout area. Then, facing the same direction, shuffle back to your starting position. Repeat 10 times.

    RELATED: 21 Ways To Make Fitness More Fun

  • Getty Images: Dragan Grkic
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    Paws push ups

    Ask your dog to sit or lie down next to you while you get into pushup position. Keeping your abs tight, and elbows tucked into your sides, lower your body until it hovers above the ground, then push back up. Do as many as you can, dropping from your toes to your knees if needed. While you recover, have your dog do five Doggy Push Ups: Tell him to sit, then lay down five times. 

  • Getty Images: Grove Pashley
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    Waggin' wall sit

    With your back against a wall, sit so your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle. If your dog is small, hold him.

    RELATED: 5 More Fun Ways To Exercise With Your Pet

    If your dog is large, ask him to put his paws on your lap to increase the challenge. Hold the wall sit for up to one minute.

  • Getty Images: Courtney Keating
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    High-paw knees

    Perform high knees back and forth across the room or outdoor space while your dog walks or jogs next to you. Repeat for one minute.

  • Getty Images: LWA/Dann Tardif
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    Next: 8 Ways To Protect Yourself If Your Dog Bites

    Puppy planks

    With your dog laying next to you, get into pushup position on your toes or knees with your elbows under your shoulders. Tighten your core and make sure your butt is aligned with your shoulders so your body forms a straight line. Hold for up to one minute while breathing normally. 

 

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]]>co-galleryDogsExercisingLifestyleWorking OutWomen's Health2013-05-20T17:17:00+00:00Daily Adorbs for May 20, 2013http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/daily-adorbs-for-may-20-2013/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/daily-adorbs-for-may-20-2013/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/daily-adorbs-for-may-20-2013/#comments
  • Zoo Antwerpen/facebook
    1 of 10

    Need a little cute in your life? We all do. There's nothing wrong with getting a warm and fuzzy fix on a daily basis. That's why we're here, with a dose of the most aww-inducing animal pictures on the Web this week.

    AMAZING LITTLE AARDVARK

    At the Antwerpen Zoo in Belgium, a baby aardvark is receiving around-the-clock TLC from keepers. The sex of the cub is unknown, and the youngster needs to be fed every three hours. What a cutie!

  • ALI AL-SAADI/AFP/Getty Images
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    IT'S POLLINATING TIME

    A beautiful photograph shows a bee collecting pollen from a red flower in Baghdad. 

  • PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images
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    WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE?

    A beautiful Siberian tiger gets up close and personal with the camera in his enclosure at the zoo in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. 

  • National Aquarium/facebook
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    MAGNIFICENT MANATEE

    At the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Md., a manatee is pictured looking very adorable. Unfortunately, there are fewer than 5,000 manatees left in the southeast region of the U.S. 

  • BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
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    CUTE CHICK

    A baby chick is seen being held during the 5th annual BlogPaws 2013 conference in Virginia. BlogPaws organizes the conference for pet bloggers to gather and meet with their pets. 

  • Greensboro Science Center/facebook
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    JAZZY JAVAN BABY

    In North Carolina's Greensboro Science Center, an endangered Javan gibbon newborn named Duke is being fed by a bottle. Isn't he adorable?

  • Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images
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    ROYAL RUFFS

    The Norwegian royal family poses for a picture with their family dog, Milly Kakao, as they celebrate Norway National Day in Asker, Norway.

  • Jens Meyer/AP Photo
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    MONKEY BUSINESS

    Gorgeous 7-week-old lemur twins take a ride on their mother's back at the zoo in Erfurt, Germany. 

  • PA
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    LEMUR LOVE

    At the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland, a baby red-bellied lemur is pictured riding on the back of its mother, Gizmo. Can you spot the little cutie?

  • Joe Songer/The Birmingham News/AP Photo
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    Next: See More Adorable Animals!

    A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME

    In Birmingham, Ala., Harley D. the Yorkshire Terrier is seen receiving a pirate hat during the Do Dah Day Pet Parade. 

 

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]]>AdorableAll Petsbadge-adorableBirdsBugsCatsco-galleryDogsExoticFish and Marinefranchise-daily-adorbsNewbornsZooCharlotte Braun2013-05-20T13:22:00+00:001 Human Year Does Not Equal 7 Doggy Yearshttp://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/1-human-year-does-not-equal-7-doggy-years/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/1-human-year-does-not-equal-7-doggy-years/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/1-human-year-does-not-equal-7-doggy-years/#commentsWhere did you first hear the idea that seven dog years are equal to one year of human life?

No one knows who came up with it, but it first appeared in math textbooks in the 1960s, when students were asked to calculate the age of a dog using the 7:1 ratio. Apparently we were indoctrinated at a young age.

But those textbooks were barking up the wrong tree.

According to scientists, the myth that one calendar year is equal to seven dog years is just that - a myth. Since dogs age differently, depending on their breed and stage of life, the real calculation is far more complicated.

We all know that dogs are amazing: last week Care2 brought you the story of the pit bull who saved his owner from a burning house. Dogs can also use their super sniffers to track down invasive weeds, and comfort dogs have performed miracles working with the families of Newtown and Boston.

RELATED: Two-Legged Chihuahua Has New Home for Thanksgiving (VIDEO)

Dogs are also the most diverse mammal species on the planet. Once fully grown, they can vary in weight from six pounds to 200 pounds and have widely differing body shapes and hair types.

So it makes sense that there is a big variation among breeds in terms of life expectancy.

Here's where the calculation gets more complex. Big dogs die younger than smaller breeds, meaning an adult chihuahua will age less every calendar year than a great dane, for example.

RELATED: Cute Animal Video of the Day: Puppy's Best Whistling Attempt

How does this work? The Telegraph explains:

But the equation is complicated further by the fact that smaller dogs also mature more quickly than larger ones, meaning that in the early stages of life they age faster, experts said.

This means that after two calendar years, a smaller dog is "older" than a larger one - but after five years it becomes "younger" in relation to its total lifespan.

Dr Kate Creevy, assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Georgia told the BBC that once the varying rates of ageing at different stages of a dog's life and its overall life expectancy are taken into account, the animals on average age about six, not seven years for every human year.

This is actually the opposite of what we see in most mammals: gorillas, whales and lions tend to live much longer than rats, mice, and voles. If that happened with dogs, great danes would live longer than chihuahuas, but actually it's quite the opposite.

From the BBC:

"Small dogs reach skeletal and reproductive maturity sooner than larger breeds. Once they've achieved those measures of adulthood they carry on to live longer," says Dr Kate Creevy, assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Georgia.

What this means is that small dogs have a shortened juvenile period and an extended adulthood, while large dogs can take two years to achieve their fully mature size, but then may only live another four or five years.

You can click here to find a chart that will help you figure out your dog's true age.

RELATED: Cute Animal Video of the Day: Puppy Confused by Identical Twin

Across the spectrum, as Creevy points out, six is a more accurate number for the number of dog years that make up a human year.

But depending on whether your favorite pooch is a bulldog, a border terrier or a chihuahua, the actual growth period and life expectancy will vary greatly.

Next time someone talks about "dog years," let them know it's much more complicated than that!

TOP TIPS FOR SENIOR DOGS AND FOOD:

 

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]]>co-articleDogsfranchise-the-daily-dishLifestyleMythsPuppiesCare22013-05-20T12:10:00+00:00Pet Store Puppies More Prone to Behavioral Problemshttp://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/pet-store-puppies-more-prone-to-behavioral-problems/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/pet-store-puppies-more-prone-to-behavioral-problems/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/pet-store-puppies-more-prone-to-behavioral-problems/#commentspuppies purchased from pet stores are more likely to display behavioral problems later in life, according to a groundbreaking University of Pennsylvania study.

Frank McMillan, director of well-being studies at the Best Friends Animal Society in Utah and a co-author of the paper, told the Penn Current that he was curious about behavioral problems in pet-store puppies after a similar study two years ago that focused on puppies from commercial breeding facilities. Most puppies in pet stores are from these puppy mills.

McMillan said the results of the study are grim. "The problems span so many different types of behaviors, and the differences are rather extreme for some of the behaviors."



Pet-store puppies fared worse in 12 of 14 behavioral variables measured and failed to score better on any measure.

"I wasn't expecting the effects to be so across-the-board bad," said James Serpell of the Penn School of Veterinary Medicine, and one of the study's co-authors.

A number of factors contribute to poor behavior in pet-store puppies. Their mothers may suffer greater stress breeding in puppy mills, where the puppies are often weaned and separated from their litters too early and are not properly socialized.

These puppies grow up to display unusual aggression toward their owners and other dogs, as well as an increased risk for running away. Neutered pet-store dogs were more well-behaved, but still more aggressive than neutered non-commercial dogs.

McMillan and Serpell said that at least until the reasons behind the behavioral problems in these dogs are better understood, they recommend not purchasing puppies from pet stores.

50 CUTEST PAWNATION PUPPIES RIGHT NOW:

 

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]]>Adoptionbadge-sadBehaviorCausesco-articleDogsfranchise-the-daily-dishLegalPet StoresPsychologyPuppiesPuppy MillsSadSafetyPaul Ciampanelli2013-05-20T11:46:00+00:00Anteater Gives Birth Despite No Apparent Male Partnerhttp://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/anteater-gives-birth-despite-no-apparent-male-partner/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/anteater-gives-birth-despite-no-apparent-male-partner/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/anteater-gives-birth-despite-no-apparent-male-partner/#commentsits mother has not had a male mating partner recently, according to the Daily Mail U.K.



Armani and Alf lived together at the zoo until last August. That's when the zoo removed Alf from the enclosure because they feared he would kill their offspring, Alice. It's not unusual for male anteaters to kill their firstborns.

Armani and Alice have been alone for the nine months since then, until Armani gave birth last month to a male anteater named Archie. But the gestation period for anteaters is six months. Alf had been gone for eight months.

The numbers don't add up.

Marcella Leone, the conservation center's founder and director, says science can offer an explanation for the unusual birth. She believes it is a rare case of delayed implantation, when fertilized eggs remain dormant in the uterus for a period of time.

But Stacey Belhumeur, species survival plan coordinator for the North American population of giant anteaters, and a zookeeper at Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Ariz., is skeptical about the possibility of a delayed implantation. Belhumeur told the Greenwich (Conn.) Times that although delayed implantation has been observed in some marsupials, it's unlikely in anteaters, and especially in Armani's case, because she had just given birth to Alice when Alf was moved.

"When she gives birth, her entire uterus is going to clear out," Belhumeur said. "Anything that's in her uterus, even another undeveloped embryo, would clear out."

Belhumeur claims the more likely scenario is that Armani and Alf were able to reconnect despite the zoo's best efforts. "We've seen incredible feats of breeding success," Belhumeur said. "We've had animals breed through fences."

No formal scientific study was conducted and Archie's birth came as a complete surprise, so the truth probably will never be known. The only thing we know for sure is that Archie is one special anteater.

MEET THE CUTEST BABY ANIMALS OF THE YEAR:

 

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]]>AnteatersAwesomebadge-weirdco-articlefranchise-the-daily-dishWeirdZooPaul Ciampanelli2013-05-20T10:43:00+00:00Dogs and Pickup Truckshttp://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/dogs-and-pickup-trucks/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/dogs-and-pickup-trucks/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/dogs-and-pickup-trucks/#commentsI've owned pickup trucks for the last 15 years or so. Residing in some very rural parts of Virginia and Wyoming and keeping horses on my property have made them a necessity. However, my dogs have never ridden unrestrained in the bed of a truck. I always find a way to cram them into the cab or use a shell or crate to keep them safe in the back.

Some of the worst injuries I've ever treated have occurred when dogs have jumped out of or been thrown from the beds of trucks. I honestly don't know what these owners were thinking. It is incomprehensible to me that they didn't recognize the danger involved. Even if you believe your dog is so perfectly trained that he wouldn't jump out to chase a deer or cat, and you are so confident in your driving abilities that your are positive you'd never be the cause of an accident, anyone who has been driving long enough knows that there are some really poor drivers out there. Do you really want to put your dog's well-being in their hands?

RELATED: Preventing Dog Bites

Two tragic cases come to mind. The first dog jumped out of the truck while it was idling at a stop light and ran across a couple of lanes of traffic before being hit by an oncoming vehicle. The dog was essentially normal from the waist forward but the force of the impact had broken her spine and severed her spinal cord. Her hind end was completely paralyzed, including her ability to urinate and defecate on her own, and there was no hope for improvement. I euthanized her on the X-ray table with her guilt stricken owner sobbing at her head.

RELATED: Feeding The Large and Giant Breed Puppy

My second patient jumped from the bed of a truck that was moving at around 45 miles per hour. It was truly miraculous that he lived through the impact and made it to the veterinary hospital. The left side of his body looked fine, but he was missing most of the skin and a lot of underlying tissue from his right front leg and was covered in road rash over the majority of that side of his body. We spent countless hours over the next few weeks picking hair, pieces of asphalt, and other debris out of his wounds. The injury to his right front leg took months to heal, and involved several surgeries, including skin grafts. Though he survived, he will forever limp and bear the scars of his owner's carelessness.

RELATED: Old Dogs With Murmurs

There is no good reason for a dog to be put at risk in this way. If he can't ride in the cab or be left at home, purchase a pet crate and affix it securely in the bed of the truck. Collars, harness, and leashes are not a substitute for a solidly built crate as dogs can be hanged or dragged if they fall or jump from the truck.

Come on, people, let's use a little common sense.

Dr. Jennifer Coates

"Dogs and Pickup Trucks" originally appeared on PetMD.com

 

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]]>co-articleDogsLifestylePuppiesSafetyJennifer Coates2013-05-20T00:10:00+00:00Veterinary State-of-the-Art Success Storieshttp://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/veterinary-state-of-the-art-success-stories/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/veterinary-state-of-the-art-success-stories/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/20/veterinary-state-of-the-art-success-stories/#comments
  • Thinkstock
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    Our pets are living longer, healthier lives due in part to wonderful state-of-the-art advancements in medical technology. Procedures that once were available only available to humans - including heart pacemakers, joint replacements and a variety of cancer treatments - are being performed on dogs and cats.

    Recently, dozens of dogs and cats that have battled tremendous medical odds and were treated at the Cornell University Veterinary Specialists facility (CUVS) in Stamford, Conn., gathered at a special reunion to give their veterinary saviors licks of gratitude, and to receive special medals, which, although too big to wear on a collar, are a purr-petual reminder that these animals lived to tell their tales.

    Here are some of their wonderful stories.

  • Cornell University Veterinary Specialists
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    SCOTTY

    Scotty is a champion Corgi, a Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show alumnus and a normally very active dog with herding titles under his collar. So when he suddenly lost his usual bounce, his owner, Mari Carroll of Westport, Conn., grew concerned. Then one day in 2011, Scotty fainted, keeling over in front of Carroll. She rushed him to his veterinarian for an EKG that showed Scotty was suffering from heart failure. He was transferred to specialists at CUVS who implanted a pacemaker.

    "They saved his life," Carroll said.

    Scotty has a human pacemaker, but instead of being planted in the chest cavity as is done with humans, it's in his neck and connected to his heart from there. After six weeks of crate rest following his surgery, Scotty got his bounce back and continues to play with his dog friends like any other normal dog.

  • Cornell University Veterinary Specialists
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    MR. BLUE POWELL

    Mr. Blue Powell, a 135-pound Newfoundland therapy dog, lost the use of his legs after tearing ligaments in both his knees. The corrective surgery known as a TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) was particularly challenging for a dog of his size and weight, and involved realigning bones with plates and screws to bypass the torn ligaments.

  • Cornell University Veterinary Specialists
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    "He's my bionic boy," said Mr. Blue's owner, Addie Powell, marveling how his procedure has put Mr. Blue back on his feet and allows him to live pain free. Mr. Blue is back at work and recently visited children in Sandy Hook after the school shootings.

  • Cornell University Veterinary Specialists
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    DAVE

    When a 16-year-old female orange tabby named Dave was brought into the CUVS emergency room suffering from diarrhea, vomiting and with blood in her feces, doctors diagnosed that she was in a severe state of shock, but were unable to determine the initial cause. Tests revealed she was very anemic and had virtually no platelets in her blood, which explained why it wasn't clotting. Most animals in this condition do not survive. 

  • Cornell University Veterinary Specialists
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    Fortunately for the tabby, doctors went to work on her and she received several blood transfusions to help rectify her blood-clotting problem. Dave won her battle. She is back to her usual purring, playful self.

  • Cornell University Veterinary Specialists
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    LUCKY

    Animal-rescue volunteer Eric Bellows found Lucky wandering the streets of Los Angeles with gunshot wounds in his legs. While a local veterinarian was treating these wounds, it turned out that both his right front and left rear legs were both painfully and chronically luxated, or dislocated, due to his previous injuries from abuse. He was flown to the CUVS facility for further treatment. While operating to resolve Lucky's orthopedic issues, doctors further discovered that he had heartworms. While heartworm extraction is a common operation when the heartworms are lodged in the heart, Lucky's case was more complicated because worms were in the pulmonary artery.

  • Cornell University Veterinary Specialists
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    Doctors managed to extract the worms and implant plates into each leg so that Lucky would be able to walk pain-free. To complete the happy ending to Lucky's story, a CUVS staff member adopted him. 

  • Cornell University Veterinary Specialists
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    TEDDY

    In 2011, a 5-year-old poodle mix named Teddy was hit by a vehicle and dragged a considerable distance on the asphalt, which ripped all the skin off his lower body. Owners Nina and Alan Fuchsberg rushed him to the emergency room at CUVS, where he underwent multiple blood transfusions and skin grafts, and spent four weeks in the intensive care unit. Swathed in heavy bandages, the little dog fought on bravely to full recovery.

  • Cornell University Veterinary Specialists
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    Today, Teddy's hair is back to its former Poodle-ish grandeur. He showed off his medal with a big doggy smile.

  • Cornell University Veterinary Specialists
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    HENRY

    A King Charles Spaniel named Henry was rushed to the emergency room after he was involved in an auto accident and hit by two cars. According to owner Suzanne Cingari, the doctors on duty claimed that the little dog's injuries were among the most severe they had seen. Henry sustained multiple, severe pelvic fractures, as well as major damage to several organs. He spent 10 days in the ICU, where doctors used a state-of-the-art, vacuum-assisted wound closure system to help heal his injuries. Now completely healed, Henry enjoyed all the fun (and treats) when he attended the reunion to receive his medal.

  • Cornell University Veterinary Specialists
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    FLUFF

    At 11 weeks old, a Burmese kitten named Fluff weighed only 1.5 pounds and appeared to be half the size of her littermates. While they bounced around and thrived, she remained lethargic and non-responsive. Her owner, Kirstin Gard, refused to give up on her, and sought help from critical care specialist Dr. Elisa Mazzaferro, who diagnosed a rare congenital abnormality known as congenital hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland fails to produce a hormone essential for normal growth, metabolism and function.

    "This condition is extremely rare and most veterinarians will never see a case in their lifetime," explained Mazzaferro. "Fortunately, once diagnosed, the condition is easily managed with thyroid hormone supplementation."

    Fluff caught up with her littermates and is now a fully active and very playful member of the Gard household.

  • Cornell University Veterinary Specialists
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    BO

    Usually a very bouncy Labrador, Bo was diagnosed with hepatic lymphoma (liver cancer). Given the poor prognosis for this disease, veterinary oncologist Dr. Gerald Post experimented and designed a special veterinary cocktail of chemotherapy protocols. 

  • Cornell University Veterinary Specialists
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    Next: Top 10 Dog Ailments

    Bo sailed through his treatments, never missing a beat. He has now been cancer-free for over a year!

 

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]]>AwesomeCatsco-galleryDogsHealthHeart-WarmingKittensPuppiesSafetySandy Robins2013-05-20T00:01:00+00:00Cat vs. Banana Peelhttp://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/17/cat-vs-banana-peel/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/17/cat-vs-banana-peel/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/17/cat-vs-banana-peel/#comments

 

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]]>Adorablebadge-failCatsco-videoCuteFunnyCharlotte Braun2013-05-17T16:57:00+00:00Weekly Adorbs for May 13-17, 2013http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/17/daily-adorbs-for-may-13-2013/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/17/daily-adorbs-for-may-13-2013/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/17/daily-adorbs-for-may-13-2013/#comments
  • Phoenix Zoo/facebook
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    Need a little cute in your life? We all do. There's nothing wrong with getting a warm and fuzzy fix on a daily basis. That's why we're here, with a dose of the most aww-inducing animal pictures on the Web this week.

    SPECTACULAR SPECTACLED SWEETIE 

    In Arizona at the Phoenix Zoo, a gorgeous spectacled owl chick shows off its cuteness after being born to the zoo's pair of spectacled owls. Too cute!

  • Austin Smoak/Shelter Me/AP Photo
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    CALIFORNIA CUTIES

    Actress Jane Lynch poses with a cute Lhasa Apso in Venice, Calif., while hosting a PBS series called "Shelter Me."

  • Chester Zoo/facebook
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    WHERE THE LADIES AT?

    In the U.K. at the Chester Zoo, Meru the male giraffe recently arrived from a zoo in Germany. He is supposedly getting to know the giraffe girls very well. What a cutie!

  • PA
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    PRETTY PUFFINS

    Puffins are pictured on the Inner Farne in the Farne Islands as the 2013 National Trust Puffin census begins. They're so adorable.

  • PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images
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    BORNEO BEAUTY

    Beautiful borneo apes are seen playing in their enclosure at the zoo in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. 

  • Toronto Star via Getty Images
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    CANADIAN CUTENESS

    Panda Da Mao eats bamboo during a visit from a VIP crowd the Metro Toronto Zoo in Canada.

  • PA
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    LION PLAYTIME

    At the West Midlands Safari Park in Bewdley, a lion is photographed chasing keepers around the new off-road track in its enclosure.

  • SEBASTIAN WILLNOW/AFP/Getty Images
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    FIERCE FALCON

    A gorgeous peregrine falcon is seen flying over Leipzig, eastern Germany. The species have been ringed in Leipzig to research the diurnal activity of the endangered birds.

  • ULI DECK/AFP/Getty Images
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    LIL' VIPER BABIES

    Baby Kanburi pit viper snakes are now on display at the Natural History Museum in Germany. There are 12 snakes altogether. 

  • Taronga Western Plains Zoo/facebook
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    HUNGRY, HUNGRY RHINO

    In Australia at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo, a greater one-horned rhino is seen using its mouth to pluck leaves for grazing. 

  • John Gomes/Alaska Zoo/AP Photo
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     KALI CUB

    This is Kali, a polar bear cub orphaned when his mother was killed by a hunter in Alaska. Kali moved to the Buffalo Zoo in Buffalo, N.Y., on May 15.

  • Taronga Zoo/facebook
    12 of 50

    GORILLA GROWING UP

    This is the youngest gorilla at the Taronga Zoo in Australia. She loves testing boundaries to see how far she can venture from her mother before being reined back in. See more photos of her in the zoo's Facebook photo album.

  • Joern Pollex/Getty Images
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    THIS ONE'S A STRETCH

    During a baby-animal inventory, Germany's Hagenbeck Zoo measures little Tamu the giraffe.

  • ADNAN ALI/AFP/Getty Images
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    BABY BEAR

    This female black bear is 45 days old. She was found by children playing in the fringes of a town near the dense forest of Kaghan Valley in Northwest Pakistan. The cub is being cared for at a wildlife office in Mansehra, Pakistan, until she's old enough to be released back into the wild.

  • Matt Cardy/Getty Images
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    SHOW GOAT

    A judge checks out a goat at the Devon County Show on May 16 in Exeter, England. It's one of the region's biggest county shows, and is used as a barometer for the health of the whole agricultural industry.

  • RADEK MICA/AFP/Getty Images
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    COOL ROOMMATES

    Mianga the lion poses with owner Ales Basista in the garden of Basista's house in Stupava, Czech Republic.

  • Joern Pollex/Getty Images
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    WALRUS SNACK

    A walrus enjoys a treat during the baby-animal inventory at Hagenbeck Zoo in Germany.

  • Steffen Schmidt/Keystone/AP Photo
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    BOUNCING BABOON BABIES

    Gelada baboons play around their zoo enclosure in Zurich, Switzerland.

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    PAWSOME PAINTER

    Mawson the dingo gets in touch with his creative side at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

  • FRISO GENTSCH/AFP/Getty Images
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    MOTHER AND CHILD

    Nonja the orangutan, 35, enjoys a quiet moment of bonding with her newborn. The baby was born on May 8.

  • Kerstin Joensson/AP Photo
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    TRIMMED TO PERFECTION 

    At Alpaca-Land farm in Obertrum, Austria, a shorn alpaca shows off its cute new 'do after being trimmed to make it more comfortable for the summer months. 

  • ROLAND WEIHRAUCH/AFP/Getty Images
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    SWAN SWEETIES

    In Germany, a swan couple swims on a pond with their adorable chicks. Too cute!

  • Oregon Zoo/facebook
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    WILD DAWGS

    A beautiful trio of African wild dogs turns 8 years old today at the Oregon Zoo. Happy birthday to Widdle, Wooster and Wally!

  • San Diego Zoo/facebook
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    KIRRA THE KOALA

    At the San Diego Zoo in California, a koala has been named! The cutie's name is Kirra, which means "leaf" in an Aboriginal Australian language. 

  • VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images
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    CANNES CANINES

    At the 66th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, a man is seen walking his very adorable dogs. Aw, so cute!

  • Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens/facebook
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    CONDOR CUTENESS

    The Los Angeles Zoo has named a beautiful condor named Dolly as the nation's first crucially threatened condor ambassador. 

  • MARIUS BECKER/AFP/Getty Images
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    A LITTLE HELP FROM MAMA

    Moyo the baby elephant receives a little help from his mother, Sabie, during his first outing at the zoo in Wuppertal, Germany. 

  • PA
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    THREE LITTLE PIGGIES

    At the Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, U.K., newborn wild boar sisters Hettie, Dotty and Gertie are pictured together looking very, very cute. Their mother had a large litter and was unable to give them the attention they needed, so a keeper has been looking after the tiny triplets around the clock. 

  • BERND WUESTNECK/AFP/Getty Images
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    LEMUR LOVE

    Ring-tailed lemurs are pictured looking out a window in their new outdoor enclosure at the Darwineum department of the zoo in Rostock, Germany. 

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    TOO MUCH CUTENESS

    A tiger cub is seen being examined at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio, prior to being determined a female. Girl power!

  • Taronga Zoo/facebook
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    BOOBOOK BEAUTY

    In Australia at the Taronga Zoo, three gorgeous boobook owls are currently doing well at the zoo's rehabilitation center after being rescued from a tree that was cut down. Their names are Sarah, Percy and Bill. Adorable!

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    SUMATRAN SWEETNESS

    Kali the Sumatran tiger is growing very quickly at the Point Defiance Zoo in Washington state. She now weighs a bit more than 9 pounds. So cute!

  • Reid Park Zoo/facebook
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    CHECKIN' YOU OUT

    At the Reid Park Zoo in Arizona, Jasiri the giraffe inspects a duckling in his pond.

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    STRETCHING THOSE PAWS

    Alec Baldwin is photographed walking his adorable dog in New York City's West Village.

  • The Calgary Zoo/facebook
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    UNIMPRESSED CUTIE

    A beautiful little musk ox baby has been welcomed at the Calgary Zoo in Alberta, Canada. We're loving the cute face he's making!

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    STOP. BANANA TIME!

    In Texas at the Houston Zoo, a raccoon is seen enjoying a nice, sweet banana. Yum!

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    PRECIOUS AND PRICKLY 

    At the Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Australia, an echidna is seen eating some food. These animals use their really long tongues to suck the food back into their beaks when they eat. Very cool!

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    NICE NUZZLES

    A newborn banteng receives a comforting nuzzle from mom, Pari, at the Chester Zoo in the U.K. 

  • Fort Wayne Children's Zoo/facebook
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    A RARE SIGHT

    A rare Javan gibbon baby has just recently arrived at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo in Indiana. He is only the second of his kind to be born in a U.S. zoo this past year, so he is very special. 

  • Al Behrman/AP Photo
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    BEAUTIFUL BEETLE 

    An American burying beetle is shown off by insectarium keeper Mandy Pritchard at the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio. The species is federally protected. 

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    TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

    Jack Hanna shows off a gorgeous lynx on ABC's "Good Morning America."

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    PRECIOUS PRAIRIES

    At the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, adorable baby prairie dogs pop from their burrows and are seen interacting with each other. Seventeen babies have been counted so far!

  • Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images
    43 of 50

    CAMEL CUTENESS

    A guide is seen leading a camel near the Yueyaquan Crescent Lake in Dunhuang, China.

  • J. Countess/Getty Images
    44 of 50

    ADOPT ME, PWEEZ?

    A kitten up for adoption is pictured in its cage in New York City during the North Shore Animal League America Mobile Adoption Initiative Launch. Such a cutie!

  • JENS WOLF/AFP/Getty Images
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    SHEARED TO PERFECTION

    In Magdeburg, Germany, keepers are seen holding alpacas undergoing the shearing procedure. Alpacas need to be sheared every two years to avoid any felting of their coats.

  • Hassan Ammar/AP Photo
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    SWIM LIKE AN EGYPTIAN

    Beautiful pelicans are pictured swimming on a lake at the Giza Zoo in Egypt.

  • Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images
    47 of 50

    GOODNESS, GOAT CUTENESS

    On NBC News, Sara Haines appears on the "Today" show holding an adorable baby goat. Too cute!

  • KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images
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    I'VE GOT YOU, BABE

    Western lowland gorilla mother Momoko holds her baby at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo. What a cutie!

  • Dave M. Benett/Getty Images
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    PRETTY PUDSEY

    In London, England, Pudsey the tog pops a pose with David Walliams, Hugh Bonneville and Tayla Butler at the Arqiva British Academy Television Awards. He's got talent!

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    Next: See More Adorable Animals!

    A BEAUTIFUL STEED

    Merida rides in the Mother's Day festivities on her gorgeous horse, Angus, at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

 

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]]>badge-adorableBirdsCatsco-galleryCuteDogsExoticFarm Animalsfranchise-daily-adorbsHorsesNewbornsSmall and FurryZooCharlotte Braun2013-05-17T13:36:00+00:00Dog Belonging to Fugitive Murder Suspect Could Provide Clueshttp://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/17/dog-belonging-to-fugitive-murder-suspect-could-provide-clues/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/17/dog-belonging-to-fugitive-murder-suspect-could-provide-clues/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/17/dog-belonging-to-fugitive-murder-suspect-could-provide-clues/#commentsthe dog may be their most important piece of evidence yet, according to the Los Angeles Times.



Miller is suspected of killing his wife and daughters earlier this month. On the run, he has been one step ahead of authorities pursuing him. But detectives have located Gigi, who was being cared for by a woman who says two hikers found the dog before she agreed to care for her.

"It would be greatly beneficial to this investigation and the search for Shane Miller if the location Gigi was originally was found at was known," said Humboldt County Sheriff's Lt. Dave Morey.

Morey said that because Dachshunds have such short legs, Gigi couldn't have traveled far from where she was abandoned. Knowing where that was would allow detectives to narrow the scope of their search for Miller.

Unfortunately, the woman who was taking care of Gigi did not exchange names or contact information with the hikers that she says found the dog, so their identities remain unknown. Humboldt and Shasta County Detectives hope the hikers will contact them at the following numbers: Shasta County (530-245-6025) or Humboldt County (707-445-7251).

Gigi was found healthy and uninjured. She remains in the care of the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.

CUSTODY BATTLE OVER OBESE DACHSHUND:

 

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]]>co-articleDogsfranchise-the-daily-dishLegalMurderWeirdPaul Ciampanelli2013-05-17T12:04:00+00:00Cat Returns From the 'Dead' in Case of Mistaken Identityhttp://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/17/cat-returns-from-the-dead-in-case-of-mistaken-identity/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/17/cat-returns-from-the-dead-in-case-of-mistaken-identity/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/17/cat-returns-from-the-dead-in-case-of-mistaken-identity/#comments
  • Gary Browne/SWNS
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    It's a cat owner's nightmare to find a beloved pet's body on the side of a road, killed by a passing car. Karen Jones of Kent, U.K., experienced that dreaded day when she and her family found the body of what they took to be their cat, Norman.

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    "I hadn't seen Norman all morning, because he often goes roaming around," said Jones. "So I had a feeling it was him when I saw the cat by the side of the road."

    It was a fate Jones always thought was inevitable for her scrappy outdoor cat. Norman had been known to get into fights with other cats, and last year he came home one day with a broken leg. 

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    The family brought Norman's body home with them to honor the cat with a proper funeral. Jones' 22-year-old son Harry spent hours digging a grave, and the body was interred with Norman's favorite toy mouse. As a final touch, the family placed a porcelain cat figurine on the ground to mark the grave site.

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    Jones naturally thought the cat funeral marked the end of her time with Norman, so it gave her quite a surprise then next morning when he bounded into her kitchen as usual, ready for breakfast.

    Jones went outside to see if the cat had emerged from the fresh grave, but she found it intact. Norman wasn't a zombie, then, and clearly he wasn't dead. Jones realized she and her family had buried some other cat, one they didn't know.

    "It was exactly the same size, same color and had the same face," Jones said of the dead cat, comparing it to Norman.

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    Next: Loyal Dog Watches Over Owner's Grave

    The family celebrated Norman's "return from the dead" with an equal degree of ceremony as they displayed for his burial. Jones' brother even wrote and performed a song called "It Is the Day of Norman's Rising."

    Jones' relief is tempered by the knowledge that what may be someone else's pet has died and the person doesn't know it. She has tried to find the owner of the buried cat.

    But mostly, Jones and her family are happy to have more time with Norman. "The whole family is just delighted he is home," she said.

 

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]]>Catsco-galleryfranchise-the-daily-dishWeirdPaul Ciampanelli2013-05-17T10:52:00+00:00Donkey Mother and Foal Walk Free Thanks to Rescuers in Serbiahttp://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/17/donkey-mother-and-foal-walk-free-thanks-to-rescuers-in-serbia/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/17/donkey-mother-and-foal-walk-free-thanks-to-rescuers-in-serbia/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/17/donkey-mother-and-foal-walk-free-thanks-to-rescuers-in-serbia/#commentsWhilst sitting happily on my sofa in London, I came across a Facebook photo of two donkeys in Serbia. The photo was taken by someone who fosters dogs for the shelter we support and I noticed the donkeys were in very poor condition, so I contacted the person who posted it for more information. He explained that the owner of the donkeys was a drunk who had threatened people who attempted to rescue the donkeys before with an axe and a knife, as well as a massive dog.

He also told me that there was a third donkey who got hit by a car and while still alive, the owner came to cut its throat with a knife as he refused to have the vet come and tend to the poor donkey. I felt I had no choice but to put the donkeys out of my mind as I couldn't expect anyone to risk their own life to help them.

RELATED: Marketing Fail: Parasailing Donkey

A few weeks later, I was in Serbia with others from the Forgotten Paws team as well as founders of Happy Endings Sanctuary. I told them about the donkeys and their crazy owner and together we decided we should go and see them in person.

RELATED: Heroic Donkey Keeps Buddies Calm And Safe In CO Wildfire

With the help of our Serbian friends we found the mother and foal. The mother was tethered with no shade or available water. The daughter stayed with her. They were very sweet and gentle and enjoyed the attention but looked incredibly sad. From the river nearby, we brought two buckets of water to the mother who eagerly drank them.

The daughter was overall in okay condition, unlike her mother whose feet had not seen a farrier for years. The foal wasn't tethered, so could walk about and get a drink from the river. The older donkey's feet resembled peasant shoes and curled upwards. The poor girl couldn't walk properly. Both of them had a million burrs in their coats and their hair had fallen out where they both had rope around their necks.Immediately we knew we couldn't walk away. We had to help the donkeys. After speaking to the locals, we found out that the mother donkey has been there for at least five years! How she survived, we don't know. The temperatures in Serbia go into -20 degrees in winter and she had no shelter.

We left the donkeys and went away planning where to put them and how to get the owner to give them up. With the help of Zoo Planeta in Serbia, we found a lovely family who would foster the donkeys, but we would be responsible for all their costs from feed to the farrier. Now we just had to deal with the owner.

RELATED: Breakfast at Tiffany's Inspires Cat Rescue

After many phone calls, eventually we reached an agreement. The man would sell us the donkeys for 300 euros and sign a contract with witnesses stating that the donkeys had been sold to us. As much as we did not want to give him the money, that was the only way these donkeys could be saved, so the five of us put our personal money together and became responsible for the two neglected hairy beasts!

We couldn't wait to get the donkeys to their foster home. For the first time in years, these donkeys will receive care and attention as well as be fed and watered appropriately. The farrier has been booked as well as the vet for their overall health check up, vaccinations and deworming.

To learn more about Forgotten Paws or for updates on the donkeys, visit our website www.forgotten-paws.com.

 

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]]>All PetsAwesomeCausesco-articleDonkeysfranchise-the-daily-dishRescuesSerbiaCare22013-05-17T09:10:00+00:0050 Adoptable Senior Catshttp://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/17/50-adoptable-senior-cats/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/17/50-adoptable-senior-cats/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/17/50-adoptable-senior-cats/#comments

 

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]]>AdoptionAdorableAwesomebadge-adorableCatsco-galleryCutefranchise-paws-for-a-causeHeart-WarmingSenior Pets MonthSeniorsCharlotte Braun2013-05-17T00:00:00+00:00Stray Dog Cares for Orphaned Kitten as Her Ownhttp://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/16/stray-dog-cares-for-orphaned-kitten-as-her-own/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/16/stray-dog-cares-for-orphaned-kitten-as-her-own/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/16/stray-dog-cares-for-orphaned-kitten-as-her-own/#commentsabandoned animal wasn't alone, but with another furry friend of a different kind.

FOX Carolina 21

Smith discovered a dog and kitten snuggled up together in a ravine. It was clear that the dog had been nursing the kitten, treating it as her very own.

Smith believes that the dog could have walked down the hill by herself, but thinks that it just "couldn't get back up with the kitten, and I don't think it was willing to leave the kitten."

PAWS animal rescue has decided to keep the two together. They believe that the dog is at least 5 years old and that the kitten is just a few weeks old. According to Smith, the dog has been nursing, tending and cleaning the kitten. The dog is most likely going through pseudo-pregnancy to produce milk, but doesn't have enough to provide for the kitten properly.

The dog seems to be a pet, so PAWS will give its owner 14 days to claim her. If no one does, the pair will be put up for adoption.

 

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]]>badge-awwco-articleDogsfranchise-the-daily-dishHeart-WarmingKittensSmall and FurrySara Tan2013-05-16T12:26:00+00:00Pandemic Swine Flu Virus Found in Sealshttp://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/16/pandemic-swine-flu-virus-found-in-seals/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/16/pandemic-swine-flu-virus-found-in-seals/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/16/pandemic-swine-flu-virus-found-in-seals/#commentselephant seals off the central California coast, according to new research.

The study, published in the journal PLoS ONE, is the first report of the virus H1N1 in any marine mammal.

RELATED: Most Athletic Monkeys

Researchers are now being advised to wear protective personal gear when working around marine mammals, to avoid the possibility of infection.

"H1N1 was circulating in humans in 2009," lead author Tracey Goldstein said in a press release. "The seals on land in early 2010 tested negative before they went to sea, but when they returned from sea in spring 2010, they tested positive. So the question is where did it come from?"



"We thought we might find influenza viruses, which have been found before in marine mammals, but we did not expect to find pandemic H1N1," said Goldstein, an associate professor at the University of California at Davis. "This shows influenza viruses can move among species."

RELATED: H1N1 Swine Flu, a Look Inside

Goldstein and other UC Davis researchers have been studying flu viruses in wild birds and mammals since 2007. For this study, they tested nasal swabs from more than 900 marine mammals from 10 different species off the Pacific Coast from Alaska to California.

They detected H1N1 infection in two northern elephant seals and antibodies to the virus in an additional 28 elephant seals, indicating more widespread exposure. Neither infected seal appeared to be ill, indicating marine mammals may be infected without showing clinical signs of illness.

RELATED: Why Don't People Get The Flu Shot?

"The study of influenza virus infections in unusual hosts, such as elephant seals," said co-author Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, "is likely to provide us with clues to understand the ability of influenza virus to jump from one host to another and initiate pandemics."

 

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]]>All PetsCausesco-articleFish and Marinefranchise-the-daily-dishHealthSealsSwine FluWild AnimalsDiscovery2013-05-16T12:12:00+00:00Disabled Student's Service Dog Attends Graduation in Cap and Gownhttp://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/16/disabled-students-service-dog-attends-graduation-in-cap-and-gow/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/16/disabled-students-service-dog-attends-graduation-in-cap-and-gow/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/16/disabled-students-service-dog-attends-graduation-in-cap-and-gow/#comments


The dog, Hero, delighted graduates at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's commencement ceremony when he appeared in full academic regalia. A Reddit user posted a photo of Hero and his owner, Bridget Evans, at their graduation ceremony. The Redditor wrote, "One of the graduates today had her service dog with her who was also in a cap and gown."

Evans saw the photo and identified herself, sharing another photo of herself and Hero in their academic dress.

Evans, who uses a wheelchair, offered more information about Hero, saying he knows more than 40 commands to assist her. "He loves to retrieve objects for me, like envelopes, pens, my crutches, etc. He also turns off the lights, opens doors, and he pulls me in my wheelchair up ramps! I couldn't have gone to college without him," Evans said. She added that Hero enjoyed the ceremony and all the attention he received, pausing for pictures with other graduates "every 10 feet."

Evans said she and Hero both earned their master's degrees. She is the founder of Illini Service Dogs, a service-dog program based at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign since 2010. The service allows college students to train service dogs from puppyhood to placement, and offers the dogs free of charge to people with disabilities.

 

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]]>Awesomebadge-pawsomeco-articleDogsfranchise-the-daily-dishHeart-WarmingLifestyleRelationshipService AnimalsService DogsTalentedPaul Ciampanelli2013-05-16T11:42:00+00:00Cat Poses in Mirrorhttp://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/16/cat-poses-in-mirror/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/16/cat-poses-in-mirror/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/16/cat-poses-in-mirror/#commentsSox the cat is far from getting a modeling gig. Comedy might be more up her alley.

Related
Which is Cheaper: Cats or Dogs? (Infographic)
Abandoning Cats is Just Plain Wrong
Kitten Makes the Strangest Sound

More articles from Care2:
Double the Dachshund (Video)
Dog Stares Down Self in Mirror (Video)
Food for Insomnia (video)

 

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]]>BehaviorCatsco-videoFunnyCare22013-05-16T11:10:00+00:0010 Reasons to Microchip Your Pethttp://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/16/10-reasons-to-microchip-your-pet/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/16/10-reasons-to-microchip-your-pet/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/16/10-reasons-to-microchip-your-pet/#comments
  • Thinkstock
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    May is National Chip Your Pet Month. You've heard about microchipping, but maybe you're not sure what it entails, if it's safe, or even if it's affordable. Is microchipping really the way to go, or is somebody just trying to sell you something you don't need? We'll tell you the facts - and dispel the myths - so you can microchip your pet with the knowledge that it's the wise and responsible move.

     10. One out of every three pets gets lost at some point.

    You may think you're careful enough to be "immune" to losing your pet, but think again. According to LA Weekly, one third of all pets become lost at least once in their lifetime. That's a lot of lost animals - too many to be explained simply by blaming irresponsibility of owners in all cases. Even if you're a responsible, vigilant pet parent, a freak accident or careless mistake could mean losing your pet. (LA Weekly)

  • Getty Images: Jeffrey Coolidge
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    9.  In only 10 percent of cases do owners find their unidentified pets.

    If your pet does becomes lost and bears no ID, the chances of your ever finding it are statistically grim. "Without proper identification, 90 percent of those [lost] pets are never returned home," said Brenda Barnette, general manager of the Department of Animal Services in Los Angeles, Calif. (Found Animals)

  • Thinkstock
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    8. It gives you control and peace of mind.

    If your pet gets lost, it's natural that you would panic to some degree. You can lessen that anxiety knowing that, no matter what, your microchipped pet can be identified if found. But microchipping puts more power in your hands than just that. You can go online and issue immediate, widespread alerts about your lost pet using your microchip registration info, like an Amber Alert for pets. (HomeAgain)

  • Thinkstock
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    7. It's quick.

    Microchipping an animal is a simple procedure, like giving an injection. It only takes seconds, so you won't have to leave your pet alone at the vet or worry that he or she will endure distress. (WebMD)

  • Thinkstock
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    6. It's relatively painless.

    Microchipping is not a complicated surgery, or a surgery at all, in fact. The tiny microchip is applied just like a regular vaccination or other shot. The teeny-tiny device is loaded in a sterile, syringe-like applicator that is used to insert the microchip under the skin between your pet's shoulders. The whole process is no more painful to your pet than any other shot would be and, of course, you can be there the whole time to provide comfort. (Petfinder)

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    5. It's relatively inexpensive.

    If you've been putting off microchipping your pet because you're worried about the cost, you can stop worrying. Microchipping isn't free, but it certainly won't break the bank either. Depending on your vet's fees and what additional services you may choose to go along with your pet's microchip, the whole deal should cost you around $25 to $50. (Cesar's Way)

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    4. It's permanent.

    Yes, there are other ways to identify your pet. The traditional pet ID is a name tag or a license attached to a collar. But if your pet gets lost, it's not unlikely that he or she will lose his or her collar and the identification along with it. A microchip is implanted under your pet's skin, so it can't get lost and it won't wear out over time. Even if you move, you won't have to replace the chip; you can simply update its information. Isn't technology wonderful? (Village Veterinary Clinic)

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    3. It could keep your lost pet alive.

    We all know that shelters, for all the good work they may do, don't have enough room for all the homeless and lost pets in the world. If a lost pet is picked up and put in a shelter, the clock starts ticking and when that animal's time is up, it could be euthanized. In fact, the majority of animals that enter shelters end up euthanized. If your cat or dog gets lost and finds itself in a shelter, a microchip could save its life. The staff will scan your pet for a microchip, and if they find one, they'll find you. (Animal Planet)

  • Thinkstock
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    2. It proves you are your pet's owner.

    We don't mean to fill your head with horror stories, but imagine the nightmare of losing your pet and then having it found by someone who refuses to return him or her to you, or even believe that you are his or her owner. Even a shelter may doubt you for some reason. A microchip leaves no room for doubt. (Animal Planet)

  • Thinkstock
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    Next: 20 Tips to Find a Lost Pet

    1. It works.

    -"Long Island Cat Missing for 2 Years Found in Times Square"
    -"Missing Cat Reunited With Owners After 13 Years"
    -"Missing Cat Returns After 14 Years"
    These are only three stories of lost pets who were reunited with their owners after long periods. Guess what they all have in common. If you said, "All the pets were microchipped," give yourself a pat on the back. And stories like these happen every day. These are more remarkable perhaps because the lengths of time the cats were missing were so long, but that only serves to show the reliability and permanence of microchips. There's plenty of evidence right there in your newspaper (and here on PawNation) that microchips work. The facts are all the proof you need.

 

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]]>CatsCausesco-galleryDogsfranchise-countdownKittensLost PetsMicrochipsPuppiesSafetyPaul Ciampanelli2013-05-16T00:01:00+00:00Five Common Mistakes Made by Cat Ownershttp://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/15/five-common-mistakes-made-by-cat-owners/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/15/five-common-mistakes-made-by-cat-owners/http://www.pawnation.com/2013/05/15/five-common-mistakes-made-by-cat-owners/#comments
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    As cat owners, we all want to keep our four-legged friends healthy and happy. And, of course, we want to do everything we can to make sure that happens. Still, the average cat owner often overlooks some important aspects of their pet's health care. Here are five of the most common mistakes I see cat owners making in my own veterinary practice. 

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    1. Not seeking regular veterinary care

    All cats need regular medical care. Yet, on average, cats see their veterinarians less often than their canine counterparts - despite the fact that the number of cats kept as pets outnumbers the number of dogs.

    RELATED: How To Care For Senior Pets

    Why do cat owners not seek regular veterinary care for their cats? In many cases, it may be because they simply don't understand the importance of these visits for their feline friend. Cats are masters of disguise when it comes to hiding the signs of illness. The early symptoms of disease are often subtle and difficult to notice. Especially for older cats, these signs may even be mistaken for "old age". Your veterinarian is trained to look for signs of disease that may not be readily identifiable by the average pet owner. Early intervention of any disease or health condition that your cat may develop can lead to a more successful treatment outcome. In some cases, this may even prolong your cat's life.

    Other times, the hassle of getting the cat to the veterinarian may be the reason for not visiting. Conditioning your cat to his carrier before the trip to the veterinarian can help.

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    2. Assuming indoor cats can't get fleas and other parasites

    This is a common misconception. Cat owners frequently (and mistakenly) believe that because their cat lives indoors fleas and other parasites cannot become a problem. Too often, cat owners believe that parasite prevention is unnecessary for their indoor cat. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. Fleas can find their way indoors very easily, hitch-hiking on your clothing or on a dog that does go outdoors, or finding their way through tiny openings in screens and doors. In addition, intestinal parasites like tapeworms and roundworms can be a problem as well. Mosquitoes can find their way indoors also, potentially exposing your cat to heartworms. Make sure your cat is on an appropriate parasite prevention program.

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    3. Overfeeding your cat

    Obesity is one of the most common problems veterinarians diagnose in cats. It is estimated that over 50% of pet cats are either overweight or obese. These cats are at risk for numerous health issues.

    RELATED: How Did My Cat Get Ticks?

    Weight issues can effectively shorten your cat's lifespan, sometimes by as much as 2 years or more. Feed your cat to keep him lean and in good body condition.

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    4. Assuming hairballs are normal

     An occasional hairball is not unusual. However, frequent vomiting (with or without hairballs in the vomit), coughing, or gagging is not normal and may indicate that there are health problems other than hairballs. Cats with these symptoms may be suffering from gastrointestinal disease, skin disease or a variety of other health issues. If your cat is displaying these types of symptoms, your cat should be examined by a veterinarian.

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    Next: Top 10 Cat Ailments

    5. Not caring for your cat's teeth

    Your cat's oral health should not be overlooked. The majority of cats over 3 years of age already have evidence of some degree of dental disease. 

    RELATED: 10 Myths About Heartworms

    Brushing your cat's teeth is the gold standard for in home oral health care and most cats will tolerate brushing with a little patience and conditioning. However, if brushing is impossible, your veterinarian can offer other options to help your cat's mouth healthy and pain free.

    Dr. Lorie Huston

    Five Common Mistakes Made By Cat Owners originally appeared on petMD.com

 

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