|
Buzz Off – Too bad our pets have to
learn the hard way. Wasps and bees never play fair. To help soothe your sore loser,
scrape off the stinger left behind. Then, mix up some baking soda and water to smooth
on the sting site. Or, for stings inside your dog’s mouth, offer some ice
cubes and sympathy.
Garden Gobbling – Who needs baseball?
The great American dog pastime is digging. And where better to spend an August afternoon
than paws deep in your manicured garden? Just make sure your best friend doesn’t
sample the bulbs he uncovers. Garden-variety favorites such as tulips and daffodil
bulbs are toxics to dogs if ingested. For a complete list of toxic plants, check
out the Cornell University Department of Animal Science's Poisonous Plant
Index.
Snakes in the Grass – Cats and dogs
can’t resist them. Fortunately, most garden snakes won’t cause much
trouble. But if you suspect a snake bite, it’s essential that you take your
pet to the vet immediately. Be on the look out for venomous Water Moccasins in Florida
and Rattlesnakes in Southern California. To reduce your pets’ risk of a run-in,
keep them away from water sprinklers and other moist spots where snakes thrive.
"Healthy Pet!"
Tell us
what you do to keep your pet healthy and you could win one of five Planet Dog balls
featured in the latest issue of fetch! magazine
July's Contest
Winner
"My dog Betty and I both needed to lose the love handles. But, I’m not
wild about the whole gym scene. Plus, dogs aren’t allowed and I wanted to
spend more time with Betty every day. So I asked around and found just the
thing. Boot Camp for people and their dogs. We love it! Every
weekday morning, Betty and I meet other pup/person teams at a local park for an
hour of boot camp training. Our trainer keeps us motivated as we run, jump hurdles
and climb up hills together. And it’s really paid off. So far, Betty’s
down one collar size and I’m feeling better than ever. Here’s to healthy
living with my best friend."
Susan R., Los Angeles, CA
Read
more winners' stories at blog.gopetplan.com! >>
Corny Kitty Litter: Now your kitty can spare
the landfill last week’s litter. This fabulous, flushable alternative features
highly absorbent proteins and fibers made from natural corn. The finished product
is an odor-controlling, clumping, dust-free litter box experience modestly called
the World’s Best Cat Litter.
www.gpcpet.com/Home/default.aspx
Reduce, Reuse, Relax. Your pup will rest
easy knowing that his luxuriously soft Eco Nap bed was made from over 40 recycled
plastic bottles. Even better, it’s certified safe by third party testing for
over 100 harmful substances. Not bad for an ultra cool bed in modern colors (to
match his collar collection).
www.westpawdesign.com/catalog/dogs/dog-beds/eco-friendly-dog-beds/eco-nap
Planetastic! Raise
a global canine citizen with a little help from Planet Dog. Their ever-popular 100%
recycled Orbee-Tuff Ball puts a whole world of fun in your dog’s paws. So
durable, buoyant and bouncy, this globe-shaped toy can take the all-day play and
keep on spinning.
www.planetdog.com/orbee.aspx
If they get a policy, you get a $25 AMEX giftcard. (And there's
no limit to how many friends you tell!) >>Click here.
|
Vets for Pets: July Blogs (worth checking
out)
Brush up on summer safety and health advice from Petplan’s veterinary team.
From dog park safety to super sunscreen suggestions, it’s all here, all the
time at blog.gopetplan.com.
Dog Dangers at the Beach? Shore-ly You Can’t be Serious?
-Yes …it’s true. Your dog’s favorite place in the world is often
one of the most dangerous. Plan for your pup’s shore getaway with safety tips
on swimming, sunshine, salt-water and sand.
The Dirt on Dog Parks: The Do’s & Don’ts
-Dive in to the dog park scene! Petplan’s got the facts on picking a park
and playing it safe.
Time to Belt Up - Bone up on summer
travel with your dog. Find out how Petplan people secure their pets in the car,
as well as road-worthy tips, products and resources for traveling with your best
friend.
Petplan on Fox TV. Petplan’s
own Dr. Jules Benson BVSc MRCVS escorted several Petplan office dogs on “Fox
Furrsday.” Tune in for his handy pet care tips that save you money. Watch
it here.
HSUS to the Rescue
Petplan’s partner, The Humane Society of the United States assisted federal,
state and local authorities to rescue over 450 dogs in several dog-fighting
operations in eight US states. “This intervention is a momentous victory in
our ongoing battle to end the cruel, criminal dogfighting industry,” said
Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. Get all the details about this remarkable
and unprecedented rescue mission here.
Taming
the Dog Flu
The USDA approved the very first vaccine for the prevention of canine flu
also known as the H3N8 canine inflenze virus (CIV). Often referred to as “kennel
cough,” this highly contagious respiratory illness was first identified in
2004. For information on the symptoms, treatments and new vaccine
details, get the whole mission here.
A Tight
Leash on Canine Cancer
Canine cancer care received its first FDA -approved pharmaceutical. The new drug,
Palladia, targets cutaneous mast cell tumors, a form of skin cancer diagnosed in
one in five cases of canine skin tumors. Find out how the new drug works and more facts on canine skin cancer here.
If the answer’s yes, please share the recipe with us!
Email it to: contests@gopetplan.com.
July Poll Results
How often do you travel with your pet?
If my pet can’t come,
I don’t go: 48%. Sometimes: 19% Never: 33%
|