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A THIRD OF BRITISH DOG OWNERS BRUSH THEIR DOG’S TEETH (& IT COULD SAVE THEIR DOG’S LIFE!)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 22:11:00 +0000

How often do you clean your dog’s teeth? Are you one of the 30% of dog owners who clean their dog’s teeth? If you aren’t then read on because this one simple action could save your dog’s life…

New research from Direct Line Pet Insurance has revealed the scale of the problem amongst dog owners in the UK with vets admitting to treating an average of 11 cases involving tooth and gum disease every week, while one in six vets the findings revealed admit to seeing 20 or more cases.

Tooth and gum disease is something which is easily preventable if owners follow simple steps including regular brushing, improving their dog’s diet and using dental specific food and chews if recommended by vets. Two thirds of vets recommend that owners clean their dog’s teeth every day. One in seven suggest cleaning a dog’s teeth twice a day, like we do our own teeth.

Despite the recommendation for regular tooth brushing less than a third of dog owners brush their dog’s teeth. Those who do, brush an average of 109 times a year, or nine times a month, with just under a third (31 per cent) brushing every couple of days.

According to vets across the UK, the most common causes of tooth and gum disease in dogs are poor diet (42 per cent) and owner’s not brushing their dog’s teeth correctly or often enough (23 per cent). This can lead to periodontal disease, a build-up of plaque which can if left untreated cause the gums to recede, bacteria to enter the bloodstream and sometimes even spread to other organs, the heart, for example.

The worst case scenarios for untreated tooth and gum disease in animals can result in tooth extractions, blood poisoning / septicaemia, tooth loss, disease in other organs and even death.

Some of the most common signs a dog may be suffering from a dental problem are:

· Blood on their toys
· Facial swelling
· Dropping food
· Favouring one side of the mouth
· Bad breath

Prit Powar, head of pet insurance at Direct Line said: “We know how important it is to clean our own teeth, yet many of us do not consider how important it is to clean our dog’s teeth. There are many dental products on the market including chews, toys, treats and even specific food, but none of these should be used as a substitute for cleaning your dog’s teeth. If you’re unsure how to do it and want to be shown how, or are concerned your dog is suffering a dental health issue then take your pet to see the vet.”

The pet insurer recommends these simple steps to make your dog comfortable having his teeth cleaned:

· Start by getting your dog used to having your fingers around its mouth by gently pulling gums back and massaging them
· Use a finger brush to get your dog used to having something touching its teeth and gums
· Once your dog is used to the finger brush, move on to using toothpaste and a doggy toothbrush. Only dog-friendly toothpaste should be used as it does not contain fluoride which is dangerous to dogs
· Always use positive reinforcement with treats and praise so your dog ends up enjoying having its teeth cleaned

Blind Dog Gets Custom Made ‘Cane’ To Stop Her Bashing Into Things

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 22:04:00 +0000

When your dog goes blind, it can be pretty heartbreaking to watch (and often, hear) them bumping into furniture every few minutes.

Amid the “whacks” and “thuds” you fear that they’re going to do themselves some damage. But short of wrapping everything in bubble wrap, there’s not an awful lot you can do.

To protect their tiny blind dog’s snout, one inventive family decided to create her a custom made “cane”.

The cane is essentially a strip of plastic which curves around the front of the dog’s face, a few inches from her nose.

When she knocks into something, the plastic will feel the full force of impact and she will know to change direction.

A video of the dog using her cane was uploaded to Imgur by user ‘gbifurcate‘, where it has since been viewed more than one million times.

Judging by her wagging tail, she’s loving it.

Cat With Fake Eyelashes Becomes Instagram Star

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 21:53:00 +0000

A fancy feline has become a social media sensation thanks to her fabulous outfits and fake eyelashes (created on Photoshop, naturally).

Pitzush, an eight-year-old Nebelung cat from Romania, has over 21 thousand Instagram fans who follow her every beauty look and outfit choice.

Despite living in the lap of luxury, this glamour puss came from humble beginnings as a rescue cat.

When Pitzush was adopted by 35-year-old Roxana Dulama, she had a mouth full of infected teeth - which have now been fixed with several surgeries.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Dulama revealed the real reason why she started dressing up her cat.

“I thought that so many women in fashion aren’t good role models for young women — and they end up getting body conscious,” she said.

“I wanted to do something that would poke fun at that lifestyle — even glamour puss is a poke at women who are overdressed with no substance.”

Dulama also said that, although Pitzush is happy to be dressed up in her owner’s jewellery and clothes, she can be a bit of a diva on photo shoots and has to be lured by treats.

Also, despite what some Instagram commenters may think, Dulama assures fans that the cat’s ‘fake eyelashes’ are most definitely Photoshopped on.

It’s just too cute!

Dog and Squirrel Play Chase Around a Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 21:56:00 +0000

Introducing your dog to other dogs calmly.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 09:26:00 +0000

One of the most common issues that people experience on the walk is the over excited dog, and trying to introduce them to other dogs on the leash.

Everything from Great Danes to Chihuahua’s can get so excited it looks like they are going to explode. There is nothing worse than when they try to meet other dogs and they are almost pulling you over and dragging you along. It can be scary, dangerous, embarrassing and very quickly escalates till you feel out of control and at the mercy of your dog.

Aggression or Excitement?

Sometimes it is very hard to tell what they are experiencing and feeling. The behavior is very often a mix of both excitement and stress. This however is not a great state for your dog to meet other dogs in as there is far more chance that things will go wrong, especially over time if it goes unchecked. See it from the other dogs point of view as your dog approaches rearing up on their back legs, barking, eyes bulging, gasping for air... I think you get it.

So how do you avoid such a situation? Well in this post I shall explain the 3 options available to you. Then you will have a simple, basic approach to select one of the three and go and practice with your dog. Having a clear plan of action is the first stage to success.

Firstly it is important to be clear that there are ONLY 3 options available. And secondly, you must have established yourself already as the pack leader – this is vital!

1. Approach the other dog – Your dog is calm and you decide to simply approach the other dog on the leash. Yes, this is the ultimate goal! Remember that we are looking to reward good behavior so do not get in the way in this situation. Stay silent as you walk your dog towards the other dog and let them meet. In other words stay out of it and do not upset the calm environment that you have in front of you.

2. Stay well away – Picture your dog barking like crazy, completely out of control... this is where your gut instinct knows that it’s best not to go and visit the other dog and you are better off just walking past. It could be for a number of reasons. You may feel that you do not have time to work with your dog and try to calm them down, the other dog may not seem keen to play, maybe they look a little unsure, old or small. One other important reason to do this is to show your dog that sometimes you do not get to meet and sniff every dog on the walk. (This is how it is in life, so get used to it!)

3. Calm your dog down then make a decision – In other words do some training to calm and distract your dog. After you have done this you may choose to approach the other dog or not. The choice is still yours. The really important point to remember is that you are taking time out to show your dog that if they calm down (even just a little bit) good things happen. Over time your dog starts to learn that the calmer they are the more chance there is of meeting the other dogs.

What is the right option for me?

All three options are the right option at different times. In other words I still choose all three options for my dogs depending on the situation. Younger dogs in particular will often need a bit more calming than older dogs and this training will certainly pay off in the long run.

Guaranteeing it will work

As I mentioned earlier, you really must have the pack leader foundations in place before you can trust how you dog will react in different circumstances. Learning Doggy Dan’s five Golden Rules of becoming the Pack Leader will give you the assurance that you are in charge and you dog is looking up to you and respecting you for all the decision making. Visit Doggy Dan’s video website here to learn how to become the Pack Leader HERE

(Dan even offers a 3 Day $1 trial of the site that YOU can take advantage of, so I suggest the next thing you do today is take a look inside the site!)

The fatal mistake to avoid.

One of the biggest mistakes that people make is rewarding bad behavior. Imagine a little dog barking because they wish to meet another dog on the other side of the street. If you simply cross over and meet them, even though the meeting goes well you have rewarded your dogs barking and excitement. This excitement will increase every time your dog sees a dog on the walk until it is almost unbearable and you realize you have a problem!

All dogs can learn to be calm as they approach other dogs, it just takes a bit of commitment from you to turn them around but it is not complicated once you know how. Take the time at home to establish yourself as the pack leader so that any training you do has the maximum impact. Remember the more your dog sees you as the one in charge, the more notice they will take of you and what you are doing!

Remember, Dan gives you a $1 trial of the site for 3 days. To take advantage of this offer and learn more about the 5 Golden Rules of Becoming The Pack Leader CLICK HERE

Kitten 'travels 300 miles' in Navy pilot's car bumper

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 10:52:00 +0000

Image copyrightPAUL A BARROW

Image caption'Tigger' in the arms of Lt Nick Grimmer

A kitten thought to have climbed inside a car bumper was discovered after a 300-mile journey.

Royal Navy pilot Lt Nick Grimmer heard the kitten meowing a day after travelling from Birmingham to the Royal Naval Air Station in Culdrose.

He dismantled the car with colleagues and found the kitten hiding inside the bumper of his BMW.

The kitten has been named Tigger by the pilot's colleagues in the 814 Naval Air Squadron, known as the Flying Tigers.

Image copyrightPAUL A BARROW

Image captionThe kitten could become a mascot for 814 Naval Air Squadron

Image copyrightPAUL A BARROW

Image captionStaff at RNAS Culdrose are looking for Tigger's owners

Lt Grimmer, 32, said: "The place he has felt most comfortable is in my flying helmet, which is the only place he is able to sleep."

The pilot picked up his car at Birmingham Airport on Monday and drove to the air base via Bristol and Bath.

He thought it most likely the kitten had climbed inside the car while it was parked for several days at Birmingham Airport.

He said the kitten was unharmed by the journey and he and colleagues are now trying to find his owners.

Image copyrightPAUL A BARROW

Image captionTigger is being looked after by staff at the Royal Naval Air Station

Rise in fatal cat shootings leads to calls for airgun controls in UK

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 19:48:00 +0000

Pete Wedderburn

Most cats in the UK are free-ranging, coming and going into their owners' back gardens, and going on to visit neighbour's gardens as they please. They're not always popular: part of their normal behaviour involves digging up seedbeds to poop, and killing garden birds. As the Telegraph vet, I receive many questions from irate non-cat owners, asking how they can keep cats out of their gardens. I always suggest talking to the cats' owners, with options including “time sharing” gardens, and keeping cats indoors during prime bird-killing hours of dusk and dawn.

Many more cats are killed in air gun attacks today than 20 years ago CREDIT: ALAMY

Cats are often unpopular in their local neighbourhood

Sadly, some non-cat owners have little empathy for cats, and even though it's illegal, the killing of cats by members of the public is not uncommon.

Leading feline welfare charity Cats Protection have just released a survey of 1000 vets which shows that many more cats are killed in air gun attacks than 20 years ago. Almost half of the vets questioned (44 per cent) had treated cats which had been the victim of attacks by air-powered weapons in the last year, with nearly half of these shootings proving fatal (46 per cent). The high percentage of fatal attacks suggests that powerful air guns are being used. Injuries to the head and body are most common, with many cats left blind or partially sighted. The survey found that 88 per cent of air gun cat-shooters are aged 24 or under.

A moral hurdle is crossed when a living creature is used as a target, making it easier for perpetrators to cross the next moral hurdle of aiming the gun at a human

Cat-shooters may go on to become people-shooters

The findings are particularly worrying, given a leading criminologist has warned that some people who shoot cats could go on to commit similar crimes against humans. It's been said that a moral hurdle is crossed when a living creature is used as a target, making it easier for perpetrators to cross the next moral hurdle of aiming the gun at a human. There's also an argument that through the process of social learning theory (a theoretical framework in which criminal behaviour is learned), some offenders gain positive stimuli from engaging in animal cruelty which may lead to aggression towards humans – this is known as the “graduation hypothesis”.

Airguns should be licensed in England and Wales

In response to the survey findings, Cats Protection are calling for governments in England and Wales to make it a criminal offence to own an air gun without a licence or permit, following the example of Scotland, where this will be introduced in 2017.

Cats Protection is keen to gather more information on this topic. Any cat owners who have lost their cat to an air gun attack in the last six months are asked to send their details to campaigns@cats.org.uk. This will help Cats Protection to collect more evidence about the scale of these attacks as they continue to raise the issue with politicians.

Britain's oldest dog dies aged 24

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 19:44:00 +0000

Yentl the dog CREDIT: APEX

AJack Russell-Collie cross believed to be the oldest dog in Britain has died at the age of 24.

Yentl, who lived with his owners in Cornwall, would have been 168 in human years.

While he became famous in the local area for his longevity, things could have turned out very differently for Yentl, who was almost shot by a farmer who did not want him.

CREDIT: APEX

Charlie and Marlene Martin, from Bude, Cornwall, took him in as a puppy after his previous owner said he would shoot him if he could not find a home for him.

He went on to compete in dog shows and continued chasing rabbits well into his old age.

Yentl with Charlie and Marlene Martin when he was just six months CREDIT: APEX

Mr Martin said: "We got him the year we got married - 1991.

"His first owner said 'if you don't take him I'll shoot him', and I said, 'I'll take him'."

They paid just £15 for him as a puppy and chose the name Yentl after the eponymous heroine of the 1983 Barbara Streisand film.

Yentl lived to 168 in dog years CREDIT: APEX

Mr Martin added: "I said to my missus I'm going to call him Yentl. She said where did that name come from and I said I've named him after a Barbara Streisand film, so that's what I named him and that's the name he responds to all the time."

The couple's front room is festooned with pictures of their much-loved pet and the rosettes he won at dog shows.

When they first collected Yentl at six months old, he did not like being picked up and the couple did not have a car. Instead, they walked home for 13 miles with their new pet and from then onwards he stayed by their side.

Yentl still enjoyed chasing rabbits in his old age CREDIT: APEX

The previous undisputed "oldest dog in Britain" was a 25-year-old Jack Russell from Somerset, which died in 2014.

One of the oldest dogs ever to have lived was an Australian cattle dog named Bluey, who reached 29 years and five months before being put to sleep in 1939.

In Australia, a farm dog Maggie the Keplie passed away at the age of 30 earlier this year.

Dogs Will Provide Comfort in the Wake of Horrific Orlando Massacre

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 19:39:00 +0000

06/13/2016 POSTED BY AMY DREW LEAVE A COMMENT

Gracie visits schools, hospitals and nursing homes to provide comfort. Photo: Jane Marsh-Johnson
————————————

In the wake of the horrific shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, FL, Gracie’s handlers got a call. Her services, not surprisingly, would be needed.

At press time, she was set to be in flight, on her way from Davenport, IA, to Central Florida’s City Beautiful, perhaps even comforting victims and family members by lunchtime.

“Her purpose is to share love and compassion with those who are suffering,” Jane Marsh-Johnson, one of Gracie’s handlers, told Illinois/Iowa news station KWQC. “And dogs are wonderful listeners, and that’s so much of what these people need.”

Gracie, a 5-year-old golden retriever, is a Lutheran Church Charity K9 Comfort dog. Based out of Davenport’s Trinity Lutheran Church, she has been specially trained to ease human suffering.

Dogs like Gracie generally spend time in their own communities, visiting schools, hospitals and nursing homes, but sometimes they are deployed to areas struck by tragic circumstances. In the past, Gracie has been on hand to comfort victims following the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in Newtown, CT, and also to Prescott, AZ, following the Yarnell Hill Fire in which 19 firefighters lost their lives.

This week, dogs from around the country will be visiting Orlando-area churches, hospitals and the like, in order to comfort people following what is now the deadliest shooting in U.S. history.

“We encourage those [in Orlando] who are grieving to sit down on the floor and pet dogs like Gracie,” Marsh-Johnson says. “The dogs do more for those suffering than human beings can do.”

Human Chain Saves Dog from Reservoir

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 19:37:00 +0000

06/12/2016 POSTED BY AMY DREW LEAVE A COMMENT

Photos: CEN

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Resourcefulness was key in the rescue of this lucky pooch.

After finding its way into the Sairan Reservoir, a deep-water trough with steep, slick walls, this dog’s outlook was grim at best. Swift currents would have easily claimed its life. That’s when some concerned citizens, a group of friends who happened to be passing by, got together and with swift teamwork managed to turn this potential tragedy into a happy ending.

With one at the bottom ensuring the dog stayed put and safe, they slowly formed a human chain, eventually reaching both man and dog and pulling both to safety. The dog is believed to be a stray.

It occured in Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, and eye-witness Marjana Khadreeva, watching from across the way, caught it all on video with her phone. Once uploaded, it quickly went viral on YouTube.

Molly-Mae Wotherspoon death: Mother admits owning dangerous dog

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 19:33:00 +0000

Image captionSix-month-old Molly-Mae Wotherspoon was attacked at a house in Morning Star Road, Daventry

The mother of a baby girl who was killed by a dog has admitted owning a banned breed.

Molly-Mae Wotherspoon, who was six months old, was attacked by an American pit bull in October 2014 at a house in Daventry, Northamptonshire.

Claire Riley, 23, had denied being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog resulting in death, but changed her plea on the first day of her trial.

Molly-Mae's grandmother, Susan Aucott, 55, admitted the same charge last week.

Live: Follow updates on this story as they happen

Aucott, of Alfred Street, Northampton, was looking after her granddaughter at Riley's former home in Morning Star Road when the dog, called Bruiser, attacked her.

Molly-Mae suffered severe blood loss from head wounds. The dog was put down at the scene.

Riley, of Merrydale Square, Northampton, will be sentenced at Northampton Crown Court along with Aucott later.

Allianz forced to repay hundreds of thousands of dollars after misleading pet insurance customer

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 19:30:00 +0000

By Imogen Brennan

Updated about 10 hours ago

PHOTO: Melanie Rumball is one of 740 customers who will receive compensation from Allianz after ASIC found they weren't informed of Petplan's pricing. (Supplied)

MAP: Australia

Insurance company Allianz is being forced to repay hundreds of thousands of dollars, after it was found to be misleading some pet insurance customers.

Key points:

ASIC found Allianz had not informed customers of changes in policy as pets aged
Representative from CHOICE says pet insurance 'really poor value'
Petplan customers will share in $231,000 compensation

Melanie Rumball has three dogs. The oldest is Tequila, an eight-year-old German shepherd-husky cross.

That places her over the age bracket at which Petplan, a pet insurance company underwritten by Allianz, will cover all her vet bills.

This is despite advertising on their website and policy documents that 100 per cent of costs would be covered.

Ms Rumball has insured all her pets from a young age, and chose Petplan because it covered the cost of vet expenses for injury, accident or illness in a pet dog or cat.

But she realised she was being ripped off as the costs grew.

"About 18 months ago when Tequila's renewal came in, it had gone from $55 a month up to $98 a month," Ms Rumball said.

The excess had also jumped from $100 to $150.

"But what was new for me was the co-payment, which meant that because Tequila was now eight years old, we also had to pay on top of the excess another 20 per cent that went towards the vet fees, when we are under the impression that 100 per cent of vet fees were covered."

Ms Rumball then reported the case to consumer group CHOICE about 18 months ago, which led to an investigation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

ASIC found Petplan was failing to inform its customers of rising costs as it increased the co-payments alongside the age of the pet.

As their pets got older, Petplan customers found rather than the 100 per cent advertised, the insurance company would only cover 65 per cent of vet bills.

Ms Rumball is one of 740 customers who will now receive their share of $231,000 in compensation.

ASIC says Allianz also agreed to remove all references to the 100 per cent rebate on veterinary bills from its website, and clarify the product disclosure statement.

Consumers better off with a savings account than pet insurance

Tom Godfrey from CHOICE said customers would be better off opening a savings account than taking out pet insurance.

PHOTO: After Petplan stopped covering 100 per cent of her vet bills, Melanie Rumball made a complaint with CHOICE. (Supplied)

"The restrictions, the exclusions for pre-existing conditions for older pets, it just means that pet insurance is really poor value," Mr Godfrey said.

"So unless you're going to insure your pet from a very young age, then putting a bit of money aside in a savings account is probably a much better option."

Melanie Rumball said she was pleased her complaint led to compensation for herself and other pet owners, but said the companies got off lightly.

"They've targeted consumers," she said.

"ASIC is in charge of the insurance companies, whereas the ACCC is normally in charge of consumers, so where there might be heavy penalties such as fines and advertising to correct, those sort of things are not happening as a result of this.

"I think that's really disappointing because those kinds of actions that other companies have to do when they're dealing with consumers is really effective in terms of sending the message that it's not acceptable."

Topics: consumer-protection, insurance, australia

Researchers at Washington State University are using ideas from animal training to help non-expert users teach robots how to do desired tasks

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 20:55:00 +0000

Virtual environments in which trainers gave directions to robot dog.

Credit: Image courtesy of Washington State University

The researchers recently presented their work at the international Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems conference.

As robots become more pervasive in society, humans will want them to do chores like cleaning house or cooking. But to get a robot started on a task, people who aren't computer programmers will have to give it instructions.

"We want everyone to be able to program, but that's probably not going to happen," said Matthew Taylor, Allred Distinguished Professor in the WSU School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. "So we needed to provide a way for everyone to train robots -- without programming."

User feedback improves robot performance

With Bei Peng, a doctoral student in computer science, and collaborators at Brown University and North Carolina State University, Taylor designed a computer program that lets humans teach a virtual robot that looks like a computerized pooch. Non-computer programmers worked with and trained the robot in WSU's Intelligent Robot Learning Laboratory.

For the study, the researchers varied the speed at which their virtual dog reacted. As when somebody is teaching a new skill to a real animal, the slower movements let the user know that the virtual dog was unsure of how to behave. The user could then provide clearer guidance to help the robot learn better.

"At the beginning, the virtual dog moves slowly. But as it receives more feedback and becomes more confident in what to do, it speeds up," Peng said.

The user taught tasks by either reinforcing good behavior or punishing incorrect behavior. The more feedback the virtual dog received from the human, the more adept the robot became at predicting the correct course of action.

Applications for animal training

The researchers' algorithm allowed the virtual dog to understand the tricky meanings behind a lack of feedback -- called implicit feedback.

"When you're training a dog, you may withhold a treat when it does something wrong," Taylor explained. "So no feedback means it did something wrong. On the other hand, when professors are grading tests, they may only mark wrong answers, so no feedback means you did something right."

The researchers have begun working with physical robots as well as virtual ones. They also hope to eventually use the program to help people learn to be more effective animal trainers.

Story Source:

The above post is reprinted from materials provided by Washington State University. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

Travel and Allergies: What to Do When Animals Are on Board

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 20:52:00 +0000

More hotels are accepting pets, and most that do charge a fee — often $25 to $150 per stay — to cover the extra cleaning they say the room undergoes after a pet checks out.Timothy A. Clary/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Allergies to peanuts, shellfish, dogs, cats and other triggers haven’t stopped 31-year-old Allie Bahn, a fourth-grade teacher and blogger from Boston, from living in Italy for three years and in Australia for seven months. She keeps medication and sanitary wipes handy. Still, she’s had mystery attacks while traveling, including a severe one last fall that forced her to flee a hotel in the middle of the night. Consequently, she prefers renting apartments, as she can interview the owners, and calls airlines in advance to determine her risk.

“I recently flew American Airlines and they let me pre-board so I could use those wipes,” she said.

Preparedness allows Ms. Bahn, who is among more than 50 million Americans with allergies, to manage environmental threats, including the growing number of animals inhabiting the travel world from airplanes to hotels and that in some cases are pitting animal advocates against the allergy afflicted.

Passionate debate on the topic was ignited recently by an incident involving a 7-year-old boy who boarded an Allegiant Air flight in Bellingham, Wash., with his parents only to discover that he was allergic when seated near a service dog. The episode caused a 90-minute flight delay before the family was asked to deplane (making matters worse, some passengers reportedly cheered and the family wasn’t able to get home for two days).

About 10 percent of the United States population suffers from pet allergies, according to Dr. Stephen Tilles, a Seattle-based allergist and president-elect of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Symptoms run from itchy eyes, runny nose and sneezing to more severe asthma symptoms including chest tightening, shortness of breath and wheezing, and hives.

Cats, he said, are twice as allergy-causing as dogs. Yet it’s dogs that tend to travel. According to the American Pet Products Association, about 39 percent of dog owners take their pets when traveling for two nights or more, versus 11 percent of cat people.

While most of those traveling pets do so in the privacy of their masters’ cars, Amtrak just expanded its pet friendliness to most Eastern corridor and long-distance trains. And on its website, the Federal Aviation Administration warns: “You will still be exposed to pet dander on every flight, even without any pets in the passenger cabin. This is because most allergens are carried into the cabin on the clothes of other passengers.”

Aiming to fulfill demand without turning their cabins into zoos, airlines limit the size and number of pets that passengers can carry on for a fee. For example, Delta Air Lines allows six pet carriers per flight, at $125 each. American Airlines flew 122,818 pets as carry-ons last year, and while Southwest Airlines said it doesn’t tally the figure, the number of pets tends to spike during the holidays when travelers are flying to visit family.

Not included in these figures are service animals that assist the disabled and are not considered pets. Under the Air Carrier Access Act, commercial airlines must accommodate service animals without charging a fee.

They must also accommodate emotional support animals, defined as those that help relieve symptoms of stress, depression and other psychiatric conditions for which passengers are required to have a current letter from a mental health professional. Online sources for these documents abound, and in response to a recent New York Times article on pet allergies, a number of readers complained that this practice is being exploited by travelers seeking to avoid pet carry-on fees.

The airline solution to animal-versus-allergy is to reseat the afflicted. “We will reseat them in a place furthest from the animal or, if that is not acceptable or available, we will put them on the next available flight at no additional cost,” said Ross Feinstein, a spokesman for American Airlines.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 20:47:00 +0000

Feeding your pets the highest quality food items with the most nutrition does not have to break the bank, especially if you already grow your own organic produce at home. There are many different fruits and vegetables, in fact, that cats and especially dogs will gladly eat that can help boost their immune systems, fight off infections, and even prevent the formation of chronic and debilitating illnesses like cancer.

Topping this list is 1) carrots, which both veterinarians and nutrition experts alike agree is highly beneficial for animals. Rich in beta carotene, carrots help promote healthy vision as well as scavenge damaging free radicals that cause oxidative damage in the body. Carrots also contain falcarinol, a bioactive compound that helps thwart the development of cancer.

Like with many other vegetables, carrots are most digestible for pets when they are either steamed or sauteed as opposed to raw, as both cats and dogs have difficulty digesting plant materials like cellulose that require special enzymatic breakdown. So gently steaming carrots with their tops on and slicing them up is an optimal way to boost the health of your pets.

Another powerful vegetable is 2) beans, which are typically rich in fiber and antioxidants. Both beans and bean pods, according to Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M., of Organic Gardening, are beneficial for animals, as they help decrease cholesterol buildup in the bloodstream and modulate blood glucose levels. Beans also help promote heart health, and are typically rich in B vitamins, which can help prevent anemia and gastrointestinal disease.

Perhaps the most nutritious vegetable for pets, 3) broccoli is packed with vitamins A, C, and D, as well as important trace minerals and hormone-regulating compounds. A powerful cancer-fighter, broccoli is rich in anti-cancer phytochemicals that prevent carcinogens from damaging healthy cells and promote the production of anti-carcinogenic enzymes. Broccoli also contains high levels of indole-3-carbinol and sulforaphane, two compounds heavily studied for their anti-cancer effects.

As far as fruit goes, 4) cantaloupe is highly beneficial for animals as it helps protect their eyesight. Like the aforementioned vegetables, cantaloupe is also rich in A, B, and C vitamins, which can help prevent disease-causing oxidative stress. Cantaloupe also tends to be a relatively clean food free of pesticides, and is also free of goitogens, which are naturally-occurring substances in some foods that reduce thyroid function.

5) Leafy green vegetables like spinach are another animal "superfood," as they are densely packed with antioxidants like flavonoids and carotenoids, both of which help to quell inflammation and deter cancer formation. Like with carrots, dark leafy greens that have been cooked or steamed are best for pets, and to help make them more palatable, organic broths, meats, and other savory foods can be mixed in for complete nutrition.

Foods you will want to avoid feeding your pets

Not all fruits and vegetables are beneficial for pets, however. According to Messonnier, onions are one particular type of food that is harmful to both cats and dogs, as it can damage red blood cells and potentially lead to anemia. Excessive amounts of garlic can also be damaging, although some say small amounts of garlic are safe -- Messonnier recommends roughly one small clove per 10 to 25 pounds of body weight daily at maximum.

Other harmful foods include grapes and raisins, both of which can damage kidneys in dogs, as well as chocolate, macadamia nuts, and xylitol.

"In onions and garlic, it's called a super-radical," says Dr. Nathan Lippo about the dangers of certain compounds found in these two foods for dogs. "It destroys red blood cells."

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/041138_pets_animals_nutrition.html#ixzz4Ak0apD00

Warning: Your pets could be a breeding ground for disease

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 20:38:00 +0000

Friday, July 10, 2015 by: Sandy J. Duncan

(NaturalNews) Are you a dog lover who lets your dog sleep in your bed and shower you with kisses right on the mouth? After reviewing the potential diseases that you can catch from your dog, you might want to take it down a notch. Zoonotic illness is disease passed from animals to humans, and although that might not be too common of an occurrence, it is helpful to know what these diseases are and how to prevent them.

"If you wash your hands and handle your animals carefully," said veterinarian Emilio DeBess, DVM, State Public Health Veterinarian for Oregon, "you shouldn't have any problems." The risk of disease is fairly low, and the health benefits from having a pet are plentiful. This list may be a bit alarming, but most diseases can be avoided with a little knowledge, prevention measures and common sense.

Seven diseases you can get from your dog

Ringworm
The most contagious of all zoonotic illnesses is ringworm. Ringworm spores can live without a host for months, making it easy for your pet to get this fungal infection. Despite its name, ringworm is a fungal infection, not a parasitic worm. Symptoms for pets include skin lesions or hair loss with redness. When people get ringworm, you will see a distinct red circular patch on the skin, hence the name "ringworm."

A great natural remedy for both dogs and humans: Mix five drops of pure lavender essential oil and five drops of tea tree essential oil with 10 drops of almond or coconut oil. Apply three times daily to the area for one week or until completely gone. It is also a good idea to wash bedding in hot water frequently and don't share bedding or grooming tools with other pets.

Giardia
This waterborne one-cell organism lives in streams, rivers and lakes, and the main symptom in both dogs and people is extreme diarrhea. Giardia in the feces can contaminate the area and water and infect other animals and people. Avoid letting your dog drink from water you are unfamiliar with or is stagnant. Always take clean drinking water for your dog when you go on hikes and avoid shared water bowls at dog parks. And always wash your hands after handling your pet's poop to avoid coming in contact with the disease. You can check your area to see if it is known for a particular parasite at Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC).

Peppermint essential oil is proving to be a great anti-parasitic agent according to research from the University of Coimbra, Portugal.

Fleas, ticks and Lyme disease
The tick is a dreaded and disgusting eight-legged insect that lives in tall grass, jumps onto animals and clamps on with their jaws into the skin. They can be so small that you can barely see them but swell up to bigger proportions as they gorge on blood. It is imperative that you remove them quickly without squeezing their bodies or leaving their mouths behind, as they may carry the bacteria for Lyme disease. Dogs can't spread Lyme disease directly to owners, but they can bring ticks into your home.

The CAPC Lyme Disease Forecast for 2015 predicts higher than usual threat in areas where the disease is currently widespread. Most monthly tick products contain pesticides, organophosphates and other toxic ingredients linked with thousands of pet deaths and diseases. In November 2000, the National Resource Defense Council recommended in a report that the EPA ban the use of organophosphates in pet products because they were killing our pets and posing a risk to the users.

Here is an all-natural tick repellent recipe you can use instead: 20 drops of lemongrass essential oil, 20 drops of eucalyptus essential oil, 4 oz of water. Add all the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray on shoes, socks, pant cuffs or fur, avoiding eyes, mouth and nose! Safe for humans and dogs.

Recent studies show lavender essential oil is both a tick deterrent and can be used as a method of preventing tick eggs from hatching. Additionally, Ohio State University recommends it for controlling fleas. A 2007 South African study found that formulas containing diluted lavender at rates of 10 to 20 percent lavender performed well as tick repellents when compared to artificial DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) sprays.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/050348_zoonotic_illness_pet_care_pest_management.html#ixzz4AjydRAKk

Pet Dog Kills 45-Year-Old Man In Cumbria In Bloody Attack. The dog had been ‘angry’ for several hours.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 20:36:00 +0000

A man has been killed by his pet dog in Cumbria, in a savage attack in front of his teenage daughters

The 45-year-old was mauled to death by the pet at home, as his daughters tried to “drag the dog off their father,” according to the Mirror.

Police were called to the house in Cleator Moor after reports of a man being attacked.

An inspector said he had “never seen anything like” the scene and that there was “blood everywhere”.

GOOGLE STREET VIEW

Robert Owen Avenue where the attack took place.

The man’s two teenaged daughters aged 19 and 16 risked their own safety for ten minutes trying to pull the dog off their father, The Mirror said.

The dog had been “angry” for several hours and was found shut in a bedroom in a distressed state, the BBC reported.

Insp Gary Hunter told the BBC: “In 20 years I’ve never seen anything like that. The dog had been angry for a good three hours or so.

“There was a lot of blood everywhere and the dog was still in a room quite close to the landing.

“The door wasn’t that secure and behind the door the dog was barking very loudly and trying to get out.”

The dog, thought to be a Staffordshire pitbull crossbreed, was tasered with a taser gun as there was no vet available to tranquilize it, according to reports, and died shortly afterwards.

Cumbria Police said in a statement: “Police were called at 2pm yesterday (May 22nd) to a property on Robert Owen Avenue, Cleator Moor, after a report of a male being attacked by a dog.

“A 45-year-old male – who lived at the property - was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The dog who attacked the male was destroyed. Three other dogs were seized from the property and will be assessed by a specialised police officer.

“The death is being treated as non-suspicious and the Coroner has been informed.”

Why do cats act so weirdly...?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 20:24:00 +0000

Cats are strange. And that’s a fact.

From hiding in the tiniest spaces to running away from cucumbers and creating new homes in paper bags, their actions are certainly, ahem, quirky.

But their actions aren’t just a result of them being completely bonkers, as this video from Ted Ed explains.

Take, for example, when your puss decides to climb onto the highest shelf of your bookcase, the top of the kitchen cabinets or even that really high tree in your garden.

The cat isn’t doing it for fun, it’s doing it because once upon a time its ancestors lived in the wild and needed to get up high to scan the surrounding area for prey.

TED ED

What about when your cat decides to just randomly kill a bird?

It makes no sense whatsoever. They don’t need to hunt prey because they’re fed and watered regularly - in fact, your cat probably eats better than you do.

But Ted Ed explains that cats are opportunists, which means if they spot prey nowadays, they’ll still kill it.

Because a cats’ prey is often small - we’re talking mice and birds here - in the wild they would need to eat many times throughout the day.

This has resulted in them having an in-built stalk, pounce, kill and eat strategy.

Additionally, small prey tend to hide in tiny spaces out in the wild, which is why your cat is a fan of squeezing into compact areas between cushions, in Primark bags and down the back of your chest of drawers.

It all makes so much sense now. Watch the video above for more fun facts which explain why your cat is a bit bizarre.

TED ED

Dog donates blood to save life of cat that had eaten rat poison

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 21:42:00 +0000

Had the animals not had the same blood type, the cat would have died instantly (Macy and Rory not pictured)

Who Needs a Dog Door?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 21:38:00 +0000

While it appears some dogs seem to have a sense of humor as to what the real purpose of a doggy door may be, there are those cats out there who have no need of one at all. In fact, it is no laughing matter, just serious business and a decided sense of determination that this cat wants to go inside.

How to Pet Your Pet for Everyone’s Maximum Enjoyment

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 21:36:00 +0000

As pet lovers, we often want to show our affection for our cats and dogs by petting them. But, just like people, sometimes they simply aren’t in the mood. Or they don’t want you to stop. Ever.

Here are a couple of tutorials about petting cats and dogs that are great for those who may be new owners, as well as a good reminder for those who have had pets for many years. Seems our animals do come with directions. We just need to pay attention to their signs.

Here is some terrific information from Jackson Galaxy on petting cats.

Dogs, too, have their own ways of showing you their interest in being pet. This video offers a simple explanation, bearing in mind, of course, that each dog, and cat, will have their own preferences and ways to tell you whether they are in the mood to be pet…or not.

Translate your cat's meows into human speech with 'world's first talking cat collar

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 21:32:00 +0000

If you've ever wondered what your puss is saying, you'll be thrilled at this meow-jer breakthrough

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Pet lovers have long since imagined what their cats are saying to them with meows.

But now, they need imagine no more - as a purr-fect new gadget promises to give human speech to those plaintive sounds.

Whether your feline is hungry, tired, lonely or needs to relieve itself, all will be revealed, thanks to the Temptations Catterbox.

Created by London ad agency adam&eveDDB, inside the invention are a microphone and speaker, as well as wifi and Bluetooth connectivity.

The idea is that it transforms what we usually hear as cat's meows into human speech.

temptationsbrand

The rubber collar will help to offer a voice to the cat's meow

As it's not connected to the cat's brain, it's possibly not entirely reliable, but the fun will be in having a little speaking kitty following you around.

The devices are 3-D printed and coated in rubber lacquer which comes in four colours.

The prototype has just been launched in the USA and New Zealand.

temptationsbrand

Inside the invention are a microphone and speaker, as well as wifi and Bluetooth connectivity

Temptations global brand director Pete Simmons says: "Through research, we learned that an adult cat's meow is their way to communicate with humans and, by investing in this prototype device, we can start to improve understanding between them both—giving cats a voice for the very first time.

"At the Temptations brand, we are passionate about bringing cats and owners together," he told AdWeek .

Cat looks constantly surprised - but there's a sad reason behind his startled expression

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 21:30:00 +0000

Kevin's wide-eyed stare has seen him shoot to fame with more than 11,000 Instagram followers who love his unique look...

Cats are stars on Instagram, but Kevin (not pictured here) is not like other felines

An adorable cat who wasn't meant to live past six months old has shot to fame online thanks to his permanent surprised look.

But although Kevin's gained legions of fans for his amazing expression, there's a sad reason for his wide-eyed gaze.

The Russian Blue has hydrocephalus, or fluid on the brain, which can have a negative impact on sight, hearing and brain function.

It means that the little puss was never expected to grow past his kitten stage - but now he's four and, his owner says, thriving like any cat.

Tailah, who took the rescue cat on when he was around a month old, says she was prepared to say farewell to him long ago.

"I told myself that even if he passed away, I gave him all the loving I could. 4 years later and he's still my best little love bug," she told Love Meow.

Kevin shows signs of his hydrocephaly, but Tailah says he never seems uncomfortable, although he is small for his age.

He's not allowed outside because his sight problems mean he's reliant on his owners, but he has a 'man cave' - his personal enclosed balcony with cat grass and toys.

Tailah is thrilled that Kevin's 11,300 Instagram followers love his special look as much as she does.

"If you met this little bundle in real life, you would see what we all see. A funny, happy, silly, loving little cat!"

Coming Soon…The LICKI Brush

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 21:21:00 +0000

We have all seen the variety of unique products designed for cats and this one, certainly, rises to the top of that list.

According to the Kickstarter page, “Cats groom each other as a form of social bonding. There’s also evidence to suggest that cats view and treat their human captors as large cats. As a human, you’re left out of the intimate licking ritual. At best, you have a one-sided licking relationship with your cat.” Therefore, the LICKI Brush has been created to give you the ultimate bonding experience with your cat.

You can still get in on the Kickstarter campaign through June 26 and be one of the first to receive this novel device.

And check out Kelly Rippa as she gives it a go with the LICKI Brush. Then you can decide if this might just be the thing you have been looking for to bring you closer to your feline.

- See more at: http://www.lifewithcats.tv/2016/05/30/coming-soon-the-licki-brush/#sthash.lpueyxXx.dpuf

Stop Everything And Make This Tree Stump Cat Scratch Pad

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 31 May 2016 21:17:00 +0000

Give your kitty a little slice of nature with this easy scratch pad.

It… it’s so cute.

bit.ly

What you need:

*Cardboard
*Box cutter
*Packing tape
*Cork sheet
*Scissors
*Felt sheet
*Hot glue and glue gun
*Catnip (optional)

Instructions:

Cut about 20-30 of 3.5inch/8.89cm cardboard strips. Roll up the first strip and tape it closed. This is the core.

Make close creases on the subsequent strips to ensure a smooth, circular shape when wrapped around the core. Start taping and wrapping layers until desired width of trunk is reached. Tape off last strip.

Cut a strip of cork sheet the same width as the cardboard. Break off the smooth end for a rough edge. Start breaking the cork off and gluing them one at a time, so that the broken pieces match up giving that ‘tree bark’ look.

Cut out a circle of felt that fits the bottom of the trunk. Glue it down.

Optional: Rub some catnip into the stump. The felt bottom should catch the catnip and prevent it from spilling everywhere.

COMPLETE!