Posts tagged "pet"

Five Great Natural Pet Products

by Kristyn Pomranz (Subscribe to Kristyn Pomranz's posts): Jan 29th 2010 4:00PM Filed Under: Pet Product Reviews

West Paw Design

There are several benefits to natural pet products. Natural pet foods and treats are made from organic ingredients of human-grade quality, meaning your pet won't be eating anything you wouldn't eat. Natural grooming products are made from organic materials that are safe to use, and will keep pets from getting rashes and irritations. Natural toys, collars, and leashes are biodegradable, recyclable, and have a low impact on the environment. These five natural pet products are tested and approved by pet owners and animal experts for their high-quality ingredients, safety, and enjoyability.

Wellness Pet Food
Wellness offers lines of all-natural dog and cat foods that are made to human-grade standard. Their dog food includes dry and canned formulas that have no artificial ingredients. The Wellness dog food lines are high in protein and low calories. The cat food lines include dry and canned formulas. Wellness cat food limits the risk of urinary tract problems -- one of the biggest reason cats end up in veterinary offices.

Dr. Harvey's Herbal Protection Shampoo
Made specifically for dogs, Dr. Harvey's Herbal Protection Shampoo is sulfate-free and made from organic ingredients. The Herbal Protection Shampoo is safe to use even on dogs with sensitive skin or allergy problems because it contains no artificial coloring or fragrance. Dr. Harvey's natural pet products are cruelty-free and come in biodegradable packaging.

Poll: Who Is Your Favorite Famous Dog?

by Paw Nation Staff (Subscribe to Paw Nation Staff's posts): Nov 23rd 2009 7:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, AKC Top 125 Dogs

In honor of the American Kennel Club's 125th Anniversary, we're searching for the top 125 dogs in pop culture! Do you prefer Snoopy or Scooby Doo? Cujo or Clifford The Big Red Dog? Make your woof heard in the AKC 125 Popular Dogs Poll Series! Each Monday, we'll poll you about your favorite dogs in pop culture, then the AKC will reveal the top dogs!

Family Moves to Keep Pet Pig

by Kirsten Taylor (Subscribe to Kirsten Taylor's posts): Nov 16th 2009 2:00PM Filed Under: Exotic Pets

Deanna Dent, South Florida Sun-Sentinel / MCT

What do you do when your house isn't zoned for keeping pigs? If you're Rob Falk of Southwest Ranches, Florida, the decision is simple: You move.

Last week, city council officials gave Falk and his family 30 days to remove their pet pig, Strawberry, from their home, Fox News reported. But Falk balked at the suggestion.

Falk, his wife and their young daughter plan to leave their rented home -- and they're taking Strawberry with them, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.

The town does allow one pet pot-bellied pig per household, according to the Sun Sentinel. But Strawberry is no petite pot-bellied. She's a Yorkshire pig, and at nine months old already weighs 300 pounds. As a full-grown porker, she'll tip the scales at 400 to 500 pounds and sport a seriously big pair of tusks -- attributes that led the town council to vote down the pig.

For Falk, the choice was clear. "How do you tell somebody to get rid of one of their animals? The pig is like one of our children," he told the Sun Sentinel.

Shelter Cats: (Kat)Rena Survives the Storm

by Rose Martelli (Subscribe to Rose Martelli's posts): Nov 4th 2009 9:00AM Filed Under: Cats, Pet Adoption

Rose Martelli

In honor of National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, we've asked our bloggers to share stories of adopted shelter cats and dogs.

My Himalayan cat is named Rena. I adopted her from Louisiana during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

A "cat" named "Rena." Kat-rina. Get it?

Even before I took Rena home for the first time, I knew I wanted to pick a name that honored where she came from. I remember those horrible days in September 2005 that I spent glued to the television, watching the news coverage of Hurricane Katrina. Like most Americans, I felt outraged and helpless, wishing there was something I could do, some tangible way I could make it just a little bit better.

Then I got an e-mail from Stray Rescue of St. Louis, one of the best stray rescue groups in the country. I had adopted my dog, Duke, through Stray Rescue about three years prior, and had received their e-mail alerts since. Stray Rescue was planning to send a caravan of vehicles down to the New Orleans area to bring back as many cats and dogs as they could carry, and to keep doing so for about two weeks. Could I help by taking one of them into my home?

Soldier's Pets Find a Home Away from Home

by Kirsten Taylor (Subscribe to Kirsten Taylor's posts): Aug 27th 2009 5:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Cats

Reunited after 18 months in Iraq. Photo: Courtesy of Guardian Angels for Soldier's Pet

In the past, soldiers without family or friends to care for their cats and dogs were often forced to surrender their pets to a shelter. Luckily, thanks to a nonprofit organization called Guardian Angels for Soldier's Pet (GASP), that's changed.

Since 2005, GASP has placed 100 soldiers' pets in loving foster homes across the country. GASP founder and CEO Linda Spurlin-Dominik tells Paw Nation that the organization currently keeps tabs on 67 military pets in foster care. When soldiers return, they are reunited with their furry family members.

Most fostered pets are cats and dogs, but ferrets and rabbits have also been cared for by GASP volunteers. The organization screens potential foster homes to ensure that soldiers' pets end up in safe, loving environments until they can be returned to their owners. Usually, foster homes are within a two-hour drive of the owner's home, Spurlin-Dominik says. But in cases where local foster families aren't available, pet transport volunteers have ferried pets across state lines to make sure they find a caring household. "The objective is to place the pet in a home similar to what they're used to," she says.

Source

Kitten Survives Six Days in Duffel Bag

by Michelle Toglia (Subscribe to Michelle Toglia's posts): Aug 21st 2009 5:00PM Filed Under: Cats, Pets News

Photo: SCRAPS

Who let the cat out of the [duffel] bag?

Two maintenance workers from Spokane County, Washington saved a young kitten who had been zipped inside two duffel bags for nearly six days, according to Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS).

After the workers heard a soft meow in the garage door of an apartment complex, they unzipped two duffel bags only to find a tiny kitten covered in urine and feces.

They quickly washed the kitten and called SCRAPS. The maintenance workers-turned-heroes named the the cat "Duff" and plan to adopt him from the protection service.

Donivan Crews, owner of the kitten, was criminally charged with confinement in an unsafe manner. He told SCRAPS he put his cat in the bags six days prior.

"We are thankful to those who rescued this kitten from what would have been a horrific death," Animal Protection Officer Nicole Montano told SCRAPS.

Fixing Aggressive Dog Behavior

by Michelle Toglia (Subscribe to Michelle Toglia's posts): Jul 31st 2009 5:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Pets News, Pet Health

Will a little dental work help this biting pup?
Photo: Jake Stevens / LA Times

These days, Cotton's bark may actually be bigger than his bite.

The aggressive six-year-old American Eskimo dog recently underwent a highly controversial dental treatment known as canine disarming to trim and smooth his teeth.

Cotton's owner Diane Krieger had tried just about everything -- puppy training classes, self-help books, and even assistance from "Dog Whisperer" Cesar Millan -- to tame her pup's dangerous bad habit, but the biting persisted. She even looked into dog rescue groups, but most refused to take pets with a history of biting.

Last month, as an alternative to euthanization, Krieger resorted to the $1,600 treatment. Veterinary dentist Dr. David Nielsen performed the canine disarming procedure in hopes of making Cotton more obedient -- or at least, less harmful.

Source

Pet Emergencies; What You Need to Know

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Jul 1st 2009 10:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Cats

That's one tough kitten! Photo: TravelingMermaid/Flickr

Holidays are a time of fun and relaxation, but emergencies can still happen. With your regular vet out celebrating, what do you do if your pet needs medical attention? Head to the vet ER.

It's smart to know in advance where your local vet ER is. Have the number and location in a handy place, like tacked onto your fridge or saved in your phone. According to PetsMatter, it's important to remember that sick or injured animals might not act quite like their normal, lovely selves. Even if they've never shown an iota of aggression in their lives, pets can bite or scratch if they're injured or not feeling well. They're hurting and scared, so instinct may come into play.

Sally Ryan, DVM, of Affiliated Emergency Service in Eden Prairie, Minnesota recommends that, if possible, you muzzle an animal you're taking into emergency care to avoid a bite. A basket muzzle (which allows them to pant) is best, but a scarf or belt can do the trick. However if the animal is having trouble breathing, is unconscious, or is vomiting, do not muzzle. Ryan also advises against splinting an injured limb. It might help humans, but in animals, it can actually cause more pain.

Source

Dogs in Weddings

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Jun 30th 2009 10:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Photo Galleries

It's no secret that many of us consider our dogs family, so it only makes sense that -- on one of the most important days of our lives -- we'd want our pet by our side, right?

While it's becoming more and more popular to include dogs in wedding ceremonies, it's not exactly a new trend. Our gallery below shows a picture of a 1920s bride holding her beloved pup, and paintings dating back to the 1800s show that dogs were occasional guests at their owners' nuptials.

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=646053&pid=646052&uts=1246478002

http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf

Dogs in Weddings

More and more couples are including their favorite furry friends in even formal weddings. A four-legged ring bearer is just about as cute as it gets!

maoman on Flickr

Dogs in Weddings

Sometimes getting the pooch to pose is problematic, but we're betting some treats (and possibly a squeaky toy) were used here, with some terrific results. Most groomsmen don't even give that great a smile!

maoman on Flickr

Designating a dog walker can be a great way to include another friend in your wedding. Just make sure you choose someone who is, a) familiar with your dog, and, b), strong enough to keep the pooch from pulling them down the aisle is he gets excited.

aaronlockwoodphotography.com

It wouldn't be a family portrait without the four-legged members, would it?

mahalie on Flickr

Dogs have long been important parts of our lives, and sometimes even guests at our wedding. In some families, it might even be a tradition!

Getty Images

A sweet little bow is an easy (and inexpensive) way to dress up your pup for the big day.

jhonnyilbello on Flickr

Who needs a bouquet when you have a precious puppy to carry down the aisle?

revjim5000 on Flickr

As far back as the 1920s, when this photo was taken, dog owners were including the furriest members of their families in their nuptials.

Getty Images

Of course, sometimes dogs aren't just members of the bridal party -- some owners hold entire wedding ceremonies just for their pets! Obviously, to this bride, size doesn't matter ...

Getty Images

Think they'd look this happy if their dogs were stuck at home on this special day? We doubt it!

spannar00ni on Flickr

Remember, having a dog in your wedding puts a lot of pressure on them to perform, and chances are good that they won't be perfect. And it's okay -- it'll just give you more to laugh about later, right?

aaronlockwoodphotography.com

Dog Wins Guinness World Record for Loudest Bark

by Michelle Toglia (Subscribe to Michelle Toglia's posts): Jun 24th 2009 4:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pets News

A Bark to Remember.
Photo: Simon Murrell/jupiterimages

Ever been woken up by your dog in the middle of the night? Try waking up to Daz, a German Shepherd whose woof is as loud as a chainsaw. The four-year-old dog from Essex, England has just set the first Guinness World Record for the loudest bark in the world.

The pup's triumphant woof of 108 decibels crowned him the champion at a Disney event to promote the DVD release of Bolt, a movie about a dog who thinks he has superpowers.

While Daz might not have magical paws, the noisy world champion is amazingly lovable and unaggressive.

Daz's proud owner Peter Lucken owes the victory to their postwoman -- the main recipient of the dog's barks. "Without having someone for her to bark at, I don't think he would have got the record," Lucken told the BBC Magazine.

Daz's next door neighbor, Denise Parker says the pooch doesn't bark often, but when he does, he roars. "I hear him sometimes when I'm watching television, but he only barks when he hears someone and he's trying to warn them away," said Parker.

Lucken never even realized his dog's bark was so powerful. "To me his barking is just normal, run-of-the-mill dog barking," he said.

Congratulations, Daz! We hope you continue to be loud and proud.

Source

Flea Medications Injure 44,000 Pets

by Maria Coder (Subscribe to Maria Coder's posts): Apr 20th 2009 11:51AM Filed Under: Dogs, Cats, Pet Health

According to a new (scary) report from the Environmental Protection Agency, topical and on-spot flea and tick medications injured 44,000 pets last year.

The study looked at EPA-registered pet products, commonly found at drug stores or on supermarket shelves in 2008. Sprays, collars, and shampoos – anything topical or on-spot to treat ticks and fleas - were included.

Most of the potential incident reports involved spot-on treatments, like the ones sold in tubes or vials and used on a specific part of your pet's body. Reactions included rashes, seizures, and, in some cases, death.

To play it safe, you may want to skip the grocery aisle for your flea and tick products. "Stick with a product you're getting from a veterinarian," advises Dr. Matthew Cooper. Side effects caused by over-the-counter medications don't come as a surprise to veterinarians, who often urge pet owners to stick with doctor-recommended products.

To see if you've been using one of the EPA-products in question, look at the EPA Registration Number on the label and check its web site. The seven products, which pet owners can identify using the label, accounted for about 80 percent of the incidents, the agency said.

Source

Follow Pawnation on Twitter Follow Pawnation on Facebook

Can't Miss Galleries

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=754150&pid=754149&uts=1269035019

http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Poodle
Miniature Poodles, like all Poodles, are excellent swimmers who originated as a water retrievers. All Poodles, Standard, Miniature and Toy are actually one breed, just different sizes. Miniature Poodles, who can be white, black, apricot or gray, are usually 15 inches or under, according to the American Kennel Club.

David McKelvey/http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgmckelvey/3748491903/

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Dachshund
The Miniature Daschund, only 11 pounds or under, is not a separate classification of the Daschund -- it's just a smaller version of the Standard. The miniature dog, with its long bodies and strong sense of smell, are both hunters and lapdogs, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is of German descent and was originally bred to be a small farm dog. The most popular of the three Schnauzer breeds, the Miniature Schnauzer is a attentive, lively and a favorite among celebrities like Mary Tyler Moore and Bill Cosby. The strongly built miniature dog is between 12 to 14 inches, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Bull Terrier
Just like the playful Bull Terrier, the Miniature Bull Terrier, who originated in England, has a similar personality. Don't let its size fool you – the Miniature Bull Terrier is strong, energetic and audacious. Miniature Bull Terriers are between 10 to 15 inches and can be solid white or colored, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo Dog is one of three separate categories of the American Eskimo Dog. Between 12 to 15 inches, the bright white dog is loving, protecting and sociable. Now a great companion dog, the miniature dog was once a circus dog, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Pinscher
Also known as the "Min Pin," the Miniature Pinscher is a German Breed whose ancestry includes the Daschund, Italian Greyhound and the shorthaired German Pinscher. The quick, curious dog is the perfect apartment dog. Despite its small size, the compact pooch makes a wonderful watchdog. The spirited miniature dog, about 10 inches to 12 1/2 inches, can be red, black, or chocolate with tan, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs