The dangers of smoking tobacco have been well researched and highly documented. Data shows that smoking can harm you, your spouse, children and other people around you. What the data doesn’t cover is that smoking can harm cats and dogs.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals states that dogs living in a home with smokers are in danger of developing cancer of the nose or sinuses. Cancer of the nasal passage in a dog can cause it to die within a year. The ASPCA cites research conducted by Tufts College of Veterinary Medicine that smoking around cats increases their chances of getting cancer of the mouth and malignant lymphoma.

The effects of second-hand smoke on cats and dogs can be extremely harmful regardless of the breed. And aside from cancer, cats and dogs can develop allergies due to second-hand tobacco smoke. A pet scratching, biting, and chewing the skin may be suffering from an allergy. Fires and burns are another effect of smoking around pets. A playful dog or cat can jump on a smoking owner and get burned or knock over an ashtray and cause a fire.

Second-hand tobacco smoke is harmful to the health of other pets as well. Birds can get lung cancer and pneumonia while rabbits can suffer from heart problems. Nicotine is also highly toxic to pets so stray butts ingested by pets can cause serious harm.

A Positive Side Effect
A study by the Henry Ford Health System showed that smokers start to consider quitting when they become aware that smoking can harm their pets. Once informed that smoking is harmful to their pets, non-smokers urge relatives and friends to quit smoking or to smoke outdoors, away from their pets.

If you can’t get yourself to quit smoking for your own health, think of how it can harm your pets.

About the Author:
Mel Bridge is travel writer, animal lover and manager of a website which helps traveling pet and home owners find their ideal pet and house sitters.

About a year ago, I wrote a story about FiXit, a 501c3 formed by Kellie Heckman and Stephanie Down. Kellie and Stephanie got a grant to study pet owners living on St. Croix about their attitudes and concerns regarding spaying/neutering pets.  We learned that the attitudes of the people on this Caribbean island were a lot like ours in the 1970s; many people didn’t bother spaying or neutering their cats and dogs.

This dog was fixed by FiXit.

The euthanasia rate in the 1970s was around 12 million a year. Today, between 4 and 5 million cats and dogs are killed each year at animal shelters. We know that there is a direct link between spay/neuter and lower euthanasia rates. Just imagine if we all spayed/neutered our pets and didn’t shop at pet stores or support breeders, the kill rate would be even lower.

FiXit’s goal is to make spay and neuter affordable to everyone, and to eventually eliminate the use of euthanasia. To do this FiXit is recruiting volunteers in four major U.S. markets to help with its initiative. “We are thrilled to expand our volunteer network to save the lives of more dogs and cats around the country,” says Kellie Heckman, executive director, FiXiT Foundation. “Our volunteers are the foundation of our efforts to save the lives of the four million animals that are killed by euthanasia each year due to companion animal overpopulation.”

This is a FiXit cat needing to be fixed.

The FiXiT Foundation is launching Street Teams in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Phoenix to reduce the high rates of euthanasia in these cities. Initially, volunteers will promote GetYourFix as a resource for people that need help with the expense of spay and neuter, and they will help the animals in their communities by building relationships among surgery sponsors, volunteers, veterinary clinics, and pet owners. To participate in the Street Team network, volunteers must commit to a minimum of 15 hours per month for a minimum of six-months.

For those interested in joining a Street Team, click here. http://www.getyourfix.org.

Matching Making in Other Cities
Kellie and Stephanie are working hard to match people in need with people who generously agree to foot the bill for spay/neuter services.  “Get Your Fix.org  targets people who can’t afford spay and neuter services and matches them with people who can donate to cover these costs,” says Kellie.

The match making is just starting, and the women are working hard to find donors.  To become a donor, click here.

Fixing Cats and Dogs
Thanks to a grant and lots of incentives spay/neuter services are up. Spaying/neutering pets on St. Croix is free. “When we switched from charging $25 for spaying/neutering a pet to no cost, we not only increased spaying/neutering, we found that residents developed a relationship with their pet’s veterinarians,” says Kellie.

For more information about FiXit, click here.

You would think in 2012 it would be a no-brainer for shopping centers across the country to stop leasing space to pet stores that sell puppies. After all, the evidence is in. We now know that most dogs sold in pet stores (and over the internet) come from horrific puppy mills.  I wanted to find a solution; so last month I started a web-based campaign to celebrate properties leasing to companies in the U.S. that have taken the humane pledge, and to call out those who refuse to do so.

Jen with her rescue dog, Frida.

Last year,  I had the privilege of working with the Macerich Company and their Executive Vice President Randy Brant in helping transition all of  their 75 malls to humane models. What that means is they will no longer lease space or renew the lease of any pet store that does not get its dogs solely from local shelters, humane societies, or 501c3 Rescues.  Macerich then took their groundbreaking announcement one step further by saying they also intend to put pet adoption centers in all their malls. Plus, I am happy to report, that as of this writing, one such adoption center in Los Angeles, L.A. Love and Leashes, has saved over 160 lives and is the talk of the town! 

The tireless efforts of animal welfare advocates across the country are finally paying off.  In California, the towns of Glendale, South Lake Tahoe, West Hollywood, Irvine, and Dana Point have already banned pet stores and the Los Angeles City Council recently voted in favor of banning stores from selling dogs, cats, and rabbits that are not rescues. This is a great sign, and what I believe is the tipping point for other big cities to follow.

When animal sales are halted at pet stores, adoptions increase and euthanasia rates at shelters decrease. These are the facts and exactly what happened when Albuquerque, NM, went humane in 2006.

Why any leasing company wouldn’t want to be part of this incredible movement to save lives and in turn, gain immeasurable respect from their customers is beyond me. I believe in time they will all join the movement and when they do we will celebrate their humane decision.

Jen outside a mall protesting stores that sell puppies from puppy mills.

And on that note, the Westfield Group’s global portfolio is valued at $61 billion, and banning puppy mill stores would hardly affect that profit margin. Let’s hope others return my calls soon and do the right thing!

Editor’s Note: Jennifer Peterson is a filmmaker living in Los Angeles with her rescue dog, Frida. She is currently directing a documentary on the anti-puppy mill movement called “Puppies in the Window,” and is developing a TV series on animal rescue. Her protests against the Southern California pet store chain, Barkworks, have garnered nation-wide attention. Jennifer consults with animal welfare groups across the country trying to shut down inhumane pet stores. She recently shared that a pet store selling puppy mill puppies in Lubbox, TX, was just closed. “We are having great success,” she says. For more information about Humane Malls of America campaign or to contact Jennifer at Facebook, click here. You can also visit her website, by clicking here.

Have you heard the phrase “Starter Pets?” Each time I hear it, I want to jump out of my skin and shout at the offender. The last time someone used it, my family and I were at a lovely Pocono Mountain resort. My son was playing with a kid his age in the pool, and my husband and I were talking to this boy’s father.

The dad said his kids were bugging him to get a dog, “but I think we will get a cat as a—you know—a starter pet,” he said. My husband immediately shot me a look that said, “Stay calm.” Over the years, he has taught me that you can get through to more people by being rational.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a poker face. If I have a winning hand, you can tell. If my cards are the “fold’em” type, the disappointed look on my face gives it all away.

So I calmly explained to this gentleman that cats have great personalities; that each one is unique; and that they can live a long time. Earl Gray, my cat, is 19. I then told him how comforting it is to be accepted by a cat. I actually consider it an honor. I know many people—too many people—think cats are aloof. Some are, so are some people. So taking the time to get to know a cat and winning a cat over is quite special.
I’ve lived with a handful of cats, and each had his or her own distinct personality.

I was able to dissuade this man. He even apologized for using the term “Starter Pets.” No animal should ever be thought of as a test for the next one. Whether it’s a guinea pig, goldfish, lizard, bird, etc., all pets should be thought of as a part of the family.

A pet hamster can live between 5 and 7 years. For a small child, that is a long time. I know because when I tell my 11-year old that he has to wait a few months for something, he thinks a few months are an eternity. Some parakeets can live up to 15 years. Other birds, like African Grays, can live up to 60+ years. When you are considering adopting a pet, know that you are in it for the long haul.

Goldfish, on average,  live up to 5+ years. The length shouldn’t matter. What matters is the quality we choose to give to that pet. I met one young boy who had a goldfish that he adored. He was 5 years old when his parents gave him the fish. He wanted to take the goldfish with him wherever he went. Thankfully his parents intervened and taught him to be gentle–no rocking motions. This boy developed a strong bond with his goldfish. He gently talked to him, gave him food, and even cleaned his bowl. To him, his goldfish wasn’t a “Starter Pet.”

If you live with a cat, chances are that you have heard a retching hacking sound coming from your cat at one time or another. When Earl Gray, my cat, is about to upchuck he makes an almost unnatural sound and then I know he is about to eject a hairball.

This is Earl Gray. Over the course of one year, a cat ingests about 173 grams of cat hair.

April 29 is National Hairball Awareness Day. This may sound a bit silly, but hairballs at the very least are unpleasant to your cat and at the worst can create severe problems. According to the folks at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, “in most cases, hairballs are normal but unpleasant. Hair accumulates in the cat’s throat or stomach and at some point causes enough irritation to trigger vomiting—a quick fix to the problem. In a few cases, however, hairballs can create a real problem in a cat’s digestive system. Hair that passes beyond the stomach can accumulate and harden in the intestines. Ultimately, the hairball can block the intestinal track, preventing the cat from regurgitating the hair or passing it in feces. In severe cases, these hairballs must be surgically removed.”

Signs to Watch Out For
Think your cat has a serious problem with hairballs? Then contact your veterinarian, especially if you notice excessive gagging, hacking and vomiting, constipation or extraordinary amount of hair in stools, and a loss of appetite and or energy. For more information about hairballs, watch the short video. It’s quite entertaining, and then visit Hill’s Facebook page.

Everybody loves puppies. With those adorable faces and irresistible eyes it’s kind of hard not to. But loving a puppy and being ready to take on the responsibility of one are two very different things. The truth is very few of us look beyond those cute lovable eyes and imagine a world with an adult dog. Rather we happily picture a fun filled world with that puppy.

While spending quality time just enjoying your new pet is important there are three areas every new dog owner needs to consider before getting a new puppy. 

1: It’s A Lifetime Commitment
Your new puppy is only going to remain small and cuddly for a very short period of time. Soon after coming home he will start growing and exploring with a confidence you didn’t know existed. Sadly this is about the time many new puppy owners lose their enthusiasm for their new dog and start questioning if they had made the right decision.

When you are staring at that adorable puppy in the face it’s important to consider the following:
• The average life expectancy of large breed dogs is 15 years and small breed up to 20 years
• Even if you are diligent in your preventative care your dog will get sick at least once (likely more) unexpectedly and require a trip to the ER
• Annual vet care (more often during the first 6 months) is vital to a healthy pup
• Your new dog will need to be spayed or neutered
• Every good mannered dog has some level of training so you’re going to want to invest in training

When you think you are ready to bring home that new puppy it’s a good idea to sit down and really think through the lifetime commitment of 15+ years that will follow.

2: You Can Start Off Wrong
A common belief is that a puppy is just that, a puppy and should be protected, coddled and tolerated. But this mindset will cause more harm than good. Consider a puppy’s life before they are separated from mom. They look to mom for guidance, protection and expectations for life. Mom leads by example, protects only when her baby is in danger and corrects them for making mistakes.
Once that puppy leaves their mother they are seeking the next role model and you are the lucky winner. From your first encounter your new puppy is looking to you for that same guidance and discipline he received from mom. If you take advantage of this and put a few techniques in place you’ll be steps ahead in obedience and formal training.

The most important thing to remember is that every interaction is a training opportunity so plan them well. If you don’t want your dog to jump on you when you come in the room start now by preventing the habit from starting simply by placing your hand on his chest and gently applying pressure if he tries to jump. Coupled with a simple command of “no jump” your puppy will soon learn that behavior is not accepted.

You can find a variety of online dog training tips that will assist you with setting limits and enforcing rules from the very first day you bring your puppy home. Just remember that he expects you to set rules and will learn best if you follow through on a daily basis.

3: Rules and Expectations are Easiest Taught During the First Week
Truth be told most of us want nothing more than to dote on our new furry baby endlessly those first few days. But those first few days are perhaps the most crucial in setting limits and preventing unwanted behaviors in the long run.

During the first week your puppy is studying his surroundings and making mental notes on what he is and isn’t allowed to do. To make sure you get the most out of your first week consider the following tips:
• Before you bring your puppy home sit down as a family to discuss the rules. Decide which rooms your puppy will be allowed in, where he will sleep, rules about furniture and play and anything else you can think of.
• Set up a confined area using either a puppy fence or a crate that is centrally located to all the normal family activity.
• Decide on a schedule for meals, play, potty breaks and quiet time. Where possible delegate some of these routines to other family members to lighten the load on any one person.
• Prepare yourself and the rest of the family mentally to ignore all whining during those first few days. If you set up a routine and stick to it, your puppy’s needs of food, attention and potty breaks will be met.

During this first week all your efforts are in preparation for dog training your puppy after he reaches 12 weeks of age. If done properly you’ll set a foundation for fast obedience and a motivation to learn formal commands.

If you approach your decision of bringing home a new puppy with these three tips at the forefront of your decision you’ll never regret it and your puppy will grow to be a loyal and obedient companion.

Mikki Hogan lives in North Carolina with her family and dogs. Active in animal rescue she uses her talents as a dog trainer to prepare dogs for their forever homes and offers resources online for the everyday dog owner.

Worms affect all untreated animals and can cause serious health problems; prevention is very important. Even house cats are at risk of contracting worms through other pets and also through people that can bring worms into your home via their shoes and unwashed hands.

The common symptoms of worms include weight loss, diarrhoea, pot belly and lethargy. Worm segments may also be visible in the bottom and a scooting behaviour may be seen, and in severe cases worms can cause anaemia and even death. These symptoms are not limited to worms so if they persist after treatment is given then it is important to seek veterinary help immediately.

Panacur is an effective worming treatment that comes in many different forms for easy administration. Some dogs seem to get on better with dog worming tablets, whereas some cats may prefer the granules, both of which are available and can be easily disguised in food.

Panacur can also be used in pregnant and lactating bitches. However veterinary advice should always be sought before administering any medication to pregnant and lactating animals.

It is important to avoid cheap supermarket brands as these are not as effective but have also been reported to cause adverse reactions, therefore only use a brand that is recommended by your vet.

Ensure you regularly clean faeces from the garden to prevent worms spreading, and make sure that their flea treatment is up to date as fleas can pass on tapeworms.

Horses also contract worms easily as they are in constant contact with them whilst grazing. Worms in horses cause weight loss, colic and have an effect on performance. Therefore it is important that horse wormers are administered and kept up to date and that faeces are regularly removed from the paddock to prevent contamination.

There are many horse wormers available to suit your horse such as pastes and granules. But it is also important to occasionally vary the wormer used, to prevent resistance to the chemicals present in the wormer, which is becoming more and more common.

Editor’s Note: This is a sponsored post from NutreCare, an online supplier of pet products.

Most animals don’t enjoy flying, and taking a trip on a plane can actually be traumatic for them. As a pet owner, you’ll need to coordinate a few things with the airline to make sure your pet is actually allowed to board the plane. Here are five of the most important things you’ll need to do if you’re flying with your pet:

1. Before you book your flight, research the policies of different airline companies.
Each airline company has a different policy regarding flying with pets. Some won’t allow you to fly with pets at all. So, it’s essential that you do some research before you buy your plane tickets. If you’ll be flying with a small animal, it’s a good idea to find an airline company that allows small animals to ride in a pet carrier under your seat. Most airline companies require large animals to ride in the cargo area of the plane, and some companies require all animals to ride in the cargo area. If you can avoid forcing your pet to ride in this area of the plane, away from you, you should. It can be quite an unpleasant experience. 

2. Get the right kind of pet carrier.
Most airline companies require that you put your pet in an IATA (International Air Transport Association) approved pet carrier before you fly. You can find IATA approved pet carriers online and at most pet stores. The carriers will usually be advertised as IATA approved or come with a sticker that indicates they’re airplane approved.

3. Make reservations for your pet early.
You will typically have to call an airline company at least 24 hours before your flight to reserve a spot for your pet on the plane. It’s best to call a few weeks before your flight because each airplane only allows a certain number of pets to fly. If a plane has reached its pet quota, your pet won’t be able to fly with you. Keep in mind that you can expect to pay around $50 to $100 to reserve your pet’s spot on the plane.

4. Get the proper documentation from your vet.
Generally, you will be required to provide documentation from your pet’s veterinarian that your pet is up-to-date on her shots and in good health. Make sure you have this documentation with you when you arrive at the airport or your pet will likely be turned away.

5. Do your best to calm your pet’s nerves.
Most pets don’t like to leave their territory (your home). Flying is usually loud, turbulent, and frightening for pets. So, do what you can to make it better for your animal companion. Talk to him in a soothing voice at the airport, put one of your old t-shirts in his crate, and do whatever else you know may help calm him down.

Logan Baker is a dog owner, world traveler, and guest post writer on the subjects of international cuisine, traveling with pets, and private jet charters.

Sadly in old age, animals, just like people become far more prone to illnesses and various other conditions that can hinder their everyday lives. Old age in our pets can bring about a number of health problems.

A common condition seen in middle-aged to older dogs is hypothyroidism, which is caused by an under-active thyroid gland. There are a number of symptoms you can look out for such as a poor coat or skin problems, extreme tiredness and weight gain. A safe and effective medication used to combat this issue is forthyron, which comes in tablet form, and supplements deficient hormone levels.

A similar medication available for cats as well is known as felimazole, which treats the over-activity of the thyroid gland. It does this by controlling the amount of hormones released by the thyroid gland. It is incredibly important to treat this type of hyperthyroidism once its symptoms occur, such as high blood pressure, a fast heart rate, extreme weight loss and eye problems. If left for too long problems can arise concerning your cat’s heart and other organs; whilst blindness and a reduced life expectancy become a serious risk.

Many cats and dogs suffer from itchy skin from time to time, mostly caused by dust mites and pollen in the air. Although it often comes through in a passing phase, at times it can get quite severe and this could mean that your pet is suffering from a condition known as atopic dermatitis. In order to treat this it is best to use a medication called atopica which comes in capsule form and can be used to treat both cats and dogs. Atopica relieves the itchiness by supporting the animal’s immune system so it does not react to the allergens in the air.

It is important to keep an eye on your pets health, and be prepared if a problem does arise. There are a huge range of medications available out there, so you can be rest assured that appropriate treatments for nearly all illnesses are easily accessible.

Editor’s Note: This is a sponsored post from VioVet, an internet retail site set up in conjunction with a veterinary practice in Hertfordshire. Viovet supplies members of the public with veterinary medicines and other related products.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Animal Care & Control (AC&C) share a mission. They both work hard to bring pets and people together. Through its shelter program, Hill’s feeds homeless pets in nearly 1,000 shelters every day. This time, Hill’s requested to host a giveaway on Pet News and Views, and that the donation—2,000 bowls of pet food—be donated to AC&C.

I’ve toured the Hill’s facility and was quite impressed. You can read about my visit by clicking here.

Known by locals as AC&C, it’s the largest pet not-for-profit in the northeast. As a not-for-profit organization since 1995, AC&C has been responsible for NYC’s municipal shelter system, rescuing and finding loving homes for homeless and abandoned animals in NYC (I’m a native, and proud of it). To service all NYC communities, AC&C facilities operate in all five boroughs. The Bronx and Queens are receiving centers. Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Staten Island are full service adoption centers. AC&C partners with 150 shelters and rescues in NYC. It’s part of the Mayor’s Alliance. “We are the triage center,” says Julie Bank, executive director of AC&C.

“Our goal is to place every cat and dog that can be placed,” says Julie. “Every animal that comes in our doors receives medical attention.” When Julie says, “every animal,” she means it. AC&C has welcomed foxes, chickens, and rabbits (the third most common pet after cats and dogs). They have even, on occasion, had to treat lions, tigers, and bears. Wildlife and farm animals are referred to other agencies that care for them. The majority of the animals at AC&C are cats and dogs.

“AC&C is very excited to partner with Hill’s Science Diet on this project,” says Julie. “This food will go a long way to care for the animals and save lives. We are pleased to have a long lasting standing relationship with Hill’s Science Diet.”

“Hill’s Pet Nutrition is very proud to support the Animal Care & Control shelter of New York City, through Pet News and Views,” says Arnaud Brel, Senior Product Manager of Shelter & Professional Endorsement. “When Michele C. Hollow approached Science Diet with the idea, we thought it was a natural fit with our Hill’s Food, Shelter & LoveTM program.”

Since 2002, Hill’s has donated more than $240 million worth of Science Diet brand foods to nearly 1,000 animal shelters, nationwide. It has also helped more than 6 million pets find new homes.

Leave a Comment
I am happy that Pet News and Views is the go-between for this donation. Can you leave a comment and tell us what makes a shelter or rescue special or why you volunteer? Please include the name of your shelter or rescue.

A Note from Michele
Many of you know me. I am the person who writes this blog. It has come to my attention that AC&C is overrun with problems. Since I posted, I heard from many of you and have been disheartened to learn about AC&C’s mismanagement and neglect towards the animals in their care and the abuse to the volunteers. Some of the accusations really trouble me. I enjoy using my blog as a go-between for animal shelters and pet product/food manufacturers. I think Hill’s is quite generous, and I’m happy to be aligned with them. I’m not so sure about AC&C. I have spent the last two days talking to people and researching stories about AC&C. I plan on doing a follow up story soon.