The long, hot days of summer are fast approaching, and in some parts of the country they have already arrived. Every year, people are reminded of the dangers of how heat affects our pets, and every year, pets die from heat exposure in situations that could have been prevented. The bottom line is if people are uncomfortable in the heat, we can bet that our furry friends are even more so. Would you want to sit in a sweltering car dressed in a parka? Neither does your pet.

Never leave your dog in a hot car

Heat stroke symptoms include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, bloody diarrhea or vomiting, red gums, and staggering as if drunk. A seizure, coma, or death can follow. Here are some common sense tips to prevent this from ever happening. Pass it along.

• It should go without saying — always have a tip-proof bowl available full of fresh, cool water. Supplement with ice cubes to keep it cooler. If you take your pet on a road trip, bring along a large thermos of cold water.
• Never leave a pet in a parked car. Cracked windows won’t protect your pet from overheating or suffering from heat stroke on a hot summer day. Dogs and cats can’t perspire, and only dispel heat by panting and through the pads of their feet.
• For outside dogs, be certain they can reach lots of fresh water and have access to shade. Avoid chaining your dog as chains can become tangled.
• Hot asphalt and concrete can burn the pads on animals’ feet. Take shorter mid-day walks when heat is at its peak, and longer morning and late afternoon walks when it is cooler. Have your dog walk on grass when possible. Many communities have dog parks with cool grass and shady areas.
• Flat-faced animals, such as Pugs and Persian cats, are especially vulnerable to overheating.
• Keep your pet well-groomed and mat-free, but resist shaving off all of his hair as pet fur protects the skin from sunburn.
• Beware of lawn and gardening products, such as cocoa mulch, pesticides, and fertilizers in the summertime as they can cause severe intestinal upset in dogs and cats when ingested.
• Don’t let your dog ride in the back of a pick-up truck. He could slide around or possibly jump out, and the floor of the truck bed can get extremely hot for foot pads.
• Don’t leave pets unsupervised around a pool as not all dogs are good swimmers. Keep your dog from drinking pool water which contains chlorine and other chemicals. On boats, provide your dog with a well-fitted floatation jacket.
• Prevent injury to your cat from falling out of windows by installing and securing window screens.
• Never use fireworks around your pet. Mishaps could result in severe burns, and many of the loud sounds and squeals hurt their sensitive ears.

If you notice a dog trapped inside a vehicle on a hot day, here are some steps you can take:

• If you know who the owner is, a friendly “hey, your pet is hot” or some other means of striking up conversation will alert the owner to the dangers of leaving their pet in the car. You can also place a note or “Don’t Leave Me in Here — It’s Hot!” flyer on the windshield. (Note: be civil)
• Speak with a store manager. They can be very helpful in locating the owner or calling animal control. They do not want a tragedy happening in their parking lot.
• Call your local animal control or the police for assistance.

Pets depend on our common sense. Spread the love.

Technorati Tags: dogs and cats, heat affects pets, heat exposure, heat stroke symptoms, outside dogs, overheated pet, safety tips for pets, summer, summer heat, trapped inside vehicle

Planning ahead is the only sure way to avoid air travel stress for both you and your dog

Thinking about taking your dog along on a flight? It is a common occurrence, but advanced planning will save your sanity, as well as your dog’s stress level. It’s all in the details, and there are a number of them to consider.

First, seriously contemplate whether taking your dog is absolutely necessary. Transport kennels and airplane cargo holds are not comfortable, and for some dogs they are not safe. Brachycephalic animals, such as Pekingese, Bulldogs, Pugs, Shih Tzus, or Boston Terriers (those with the “smashed in faces”) should never travel in the cargo hold of a plane because the structure of their faces can inhibit their breathing. In addition, unweaned puppies, elderly dogs, or females in heat or pregnant should never travel by plane.

Many airlines do allow small dogs to accompany passengers in the cabin, as long as they are 20 lbs. or less and fit into a pet carrier with a waterproof bottom that will stow easily beneath the seat in front of you. Again, this requires pre-planning as airlines will only allow a handful of dogs on a flight. Fees range from $75 to $100 each way for this benefit.

Check with your airline for all the requirements you must know to travel with your dog

The cargo hold is pressurized and somewhat heated or cooled to accommodate traveling pets, but to ensure the animals’ safety, many airlines will not allow them to fly in overly hot or cold weather. As a rule, pets are not allowed on flights to Hawaii, or most international flights due to their length. The size of the transport carrier should be big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down, and it should not have wheels. Pet stores sell airline compliant travel crates that include the required labeling, and be sure to affix a tag indicating your name, home address, and phone number. Including this identification on your dog’s collar is also a good idea.

Tips to Prevent Major Headaches to Prepare Flying with your Dog

• Book your flight directly with the airline. They know the specific pet transport requirements and can answer your questions. Third party booking agencies or online sites may not be up-to-date, or may not account for pet travel.
• Book direct flights. Dealing with airline transfers or delays is not a scenario you want to experience traveling with your dog. In addition, avoid traveling with your pet during busy holidays as he could experience rough handling.
• Acclimate your dog to the transport carrier before the flight. Familiarity will then cut down on stress during travel. Airlines recommend allowing your dog a month before traveling to get accustomed to the carrier.
• Clip your dog’s nails before the flight. This is to ensure they don’t get caught in the pet carrier’s openings.
• Be sure your dog’s shots are up-to-date. You will need to provide documentation of vaccines.
• Carry a current picture of your dog with you and tape one to his carrier. If your dog becomes lost, this will make it much easier for him to be found.
• Check with your vet to see if giving your dog a sedative is a good idea. Often this is not recommended as sedation can cause nausea, and the effects of tranquilizers at high altitudes can be unpredictable.

Preparing to fly with your dog can be rather overwhelming, but advanced planning will avoid many of the problems that can arise. And once you arrive to your destination, won’t it be great to have your best friend at your side?

Technorati Tags: airline compliant travel crate, dog sedative, Dogs, dogs on flight, flying with dog, pet carrier, pet transport, plane travel, traveling pets

Cat brains are unique to the stimulating effects of catnip

Cats are the most intriguing, wonderful, and yes – strange – creatures. In many ways, they are much like having a nearly wild animal living among us, sharing our homes, our sofas, and even our beds. If they are allowed the freedom to roam, we feel honored when they grace us with their presence. If they bring in prey to showcase with pride, we may feel appalled, but we also secretly share that pride. Their ability to purr is a marvel. Their obsessive need to self-groom is a great perk. And the fact that many of them crazily react to catnip is a delight, as well as a mystery.

Just what is it about catnip? The surprising fact is that there aren’t many facts about why and how it affects cats. What is known about the herb known as Nepta is that it’s a member of the mint family, as well as a distant relation to Cannabis, otherwise known as marijuana. However, it only affects cats, and in particular domestic cats, although there are reports that lions and tigers are susceptible to the essential oil in catnip that sends them into some sort of mental orbit.

It is also known that not all cats react to catnip. The inclination is genetic, and interestingly, very few cats in Australia are affected. Overall, about 30 percent of the cat population could give a hoot. Kittens don’t react until they reach sexual maturity, which leads researchers to believe that the operative oil in catnip stimulates a cat’s pheromonic receptors, which is the same area of the brain that affects sexual arousal. Reactions also differ, and range from rolling, flipping, slobbering, and licking. Some cats will growl and even become aggressive. The effect only lasts for up to 15 minutes, and then wears off until their brain becomes susceptible again, usually after about an hour.

The general understanding is that catnip is not harmful. However, little research has been conducted about the effects of catnip — no brain scans while under the influence; no studies of long-lasting effects. But cats have been “enjoying” the stimulation of catnip for centuries and continue to thrive. Plus, it’s fun to give our kitties a little snort sometimes and watch them lose their dignity for a few minutes. They don’t seem to mind.

Catnip stimulates cats when inhaled and sedates cats when ingested

Catnip as the herb is almost as interesting as cats are themselves. It’s a known sedative when ingested (by both cats and humans) and it also serves as a potent insecticide, especially against mosquitoes. As a tea, it can ease indigestion and also activate uterine contractions, so it should be avoided by pregnant women. It is easy to grow and likes sandy soil and full sun. To dry fresh catnip, hang it upside down in a dry, ventilated area, such as an open bedroom closet. Rubbing, or bruising, the dried catnip will activate the essential oil that will make your cat crazy, if he’s so inclined.

It’s no wonder that cats were once thought to be the companions of witches. The mystery of their little minds, especially under the influence of catnip, is still to this day a little spooky.

Technorati Tags: cat population, catnip, catnip herb, catnip not harmful, Cats, domestic cats, Nepta, pheromonic receptors, reaction to catnip, wild cats

The world is confusing in dog food land. Marketing magic rules the day, manufacturers tend to favor the bottom line over reliable pet health, and government regulation…actually, there isn’t much government regulation in the $15 billion dog food industry. This allows pretty much a free-for-all in terms of what ingredients manufacturers pack into their products. People tend to trust that the pet food industry has our pets’ best interests – and health – at heart, but this is often not the case at all. According to pet food consumer rights groups and informed veterinarians, the main culprit is corn.

Meat: It's a Dog's Life

“Complete and Balanced” does not necessarily mean complete and balanced. Dogs are essentially carnivores — descendents of wolves — and while they can and will eat vegetables (and an abundance of other fare they shouldn’t eat, as they don’t inherently “know” what is bad for them) the character of their teeth structure and the understanding of their heritage points to meat as their Number One dietary requirement. Therefore, meat is essential as the primary ingredient in dog food, and more often than not, it is corn, as in corn gluten meal, ground yellow corn, corn syrup, as well as other grains such as wheat.  Veterinarians note that the shiniest of coats, the lack of hot spots and itchy skin, and the absence of digestive tract ailments were indicative of dogs with high-meat-content diets. Diets rich in animal proteins do not cause kidney damage in healthy dogs and cats as once believed; they thrive on those animal proteins in every positive way.

One regulatory requirement of dog food (and cat food), is that the ingredients on the packaging must be listed in order of weight. If corn is listed first, you will know it is the most predominant component. When meat is listed first — chicken, lamb, or beef — then you know you have a winner.

Check those ingredient listings. Nutritional awareness is the best tactic for ensuring the health and vitality of our furry loved ones.

Technorati Tags: animal proteins, dietary requirements, dog, dog food, dog food industry, meat, nutrition, pet health

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