January gets all the credit. It may be the official start of the calendar year, but for most of us, September marks a new beginning. Read on for tips on preparing your pet for new routines, new stuff and new ways to stay healthy.
Boredom Busters– With best friends away all day and shorter sunlight hours for outdoor play, the change of season can lead to separation anxiety, stress and shoe-chewing, rug-peeing boredom. To help ease your pup through this tough transition (and spare your furnishings,) occupy those idle paws with these pup-proven boredom busters.
Pup Puzzlers– One part delicious treat, one part toy, the food puzzler is a doggie dream. To keep your dog happy and engaged long after the morning rush, pack peanut butter or pumpkin puree inside a Kong toy, then freeze and serve.
Mid-Day Dash– Even if the pooch has outdoor access while you’re away, a mid-day walk or run makes life much easier for everyone involved. Your dog gets exercise, fresh air and good human company, and you come back to a home that looks much like the one you left.
Predictable Plans– Just like kids, dogs do best with routines. To help minimize stress during transition times, try to keep your dog’s eating, exercising and snoozing schedules as predictable as possible.
Annual Vet Exams– Everybody hates shots. But both kids and pets need them to stay healthy. This year, set a new routine for your pets’ annual veterinary exam too. Take the time to schedule it around the kids’ back-to-school trip to the pediatrician. This way, everyone in the family can get a healthy start to the school year.
Why should human kids have all the fun shopping for back-to-school stuff? Get your pet set for school bus drop offs and after-school play. Here are just a few of the “it” picks for pups this year.
Cool Carrier: Every kid needs a cool bag, even furry ones. Outfit your pet with a cool carrier that’s built to last. http://petflys.com
Wagatha’s: Reward good puppy school behavior. Tuck a tasty treat from home in her lunch bag. http://www.wagathas.com
Angel Eyes Tear Stain Remover: Get that bright-eyed pup look with tear stain remover. All the cool pups are doing it. http://angelseyesonline.com/
"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
August's Contest Winner
"Our vet broke the news to Buster. He needs to put down the milk bones and pick up the pace on the exercise. If only he could shed more calories than fur! To help him slim down without risking heat exhaustion during these super hot days, I found this great online workout program for people and pets. Petfit.com features web video demonstrations of indoor exercises I can do with Buster (and his sister Fluff, the tabby cat). They’ve got videos for fetch races, dogstacle courses, even “curious cat curls” for Fluff and lots more. We pick a different video everyday and have a blast exercising indoors together. Check it out."
Elizabeth D., Bismarck, ND Read more winners' stories at blog.gopetplan.com! >>
August Poll Results Do you cook or make a special treat just for your pet? Sometimes: 40%. Yes: 27% No: 32%
If they get a policy, you get a $25 AMEX giftcard. (And
there's no limit to how many friends you tell!) >>Click here.
Tail-Chasing Linked to High Cholesterol Your dog never does catch his tail, but boy, does he love trying. Thanks to a recent study published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice, veterinarians may understand why. After analysis of blood samples from 15 healthy tail-chasing dogs and 15 control dogs, the results were in. Tail-chasers had significantly higher levels of cholesterol. Learn all about it here.
The Upper Paw A new study from the Queen's University Belfast got a grip on paw-use preferences in cats. Upon reviewing 42 domestic cats at play, the study showed a strong correlation between male and female cat paw-use. The bottomline: girl kitties were more likely to be righties, and boy kitties, lefties (or better yet, south-paws).
Top 10 Cat-Friendly Cities
There are 10 million more cats in the U.S. than dogs. That’s a lot of kitties. Fortunately, it’s good to be an American cat, especially in certain zip codes. Tampa, Phoenix, San Francisco, Portland (Ore.) and Denver top the list. Or so says the Catalyst Council, a coalition of the veterinary community, academia, nonprofits, industry and animal welfare organizations. What makes a great cat town? The Catalyst Council rates each community on its “tools and resources to properly care for cats.” Did your city make the list? Find out here.
Vets for Pets (August Blogs worth checking out!)
Beautiful fur, teeth and eyes! It’s what sets your pet apart from the pack. Find out how to keep them gleaming with these handy health tips from Petplan’s vets at blog.gopetplan.com.
The Look of Love - Regular home eye exams are the first step in keeping your pet’s eyes healthy. And there’s no better way to bond with your pet. Learn how to recognize signs of infection or injury while gazing into your pet’s beautiful eyes.
Become a Fan! - Petplan’s got a new facebook page and it’s the cat’s meow. Just ask Bodey, one of Petplan’s very first policyholders and feline staffer. Tune in each week for her “Dear Bodey” posts starring your letters of pet health and recovery. Just click “Become a fan” on Petplan’s Facebook page to post your pet’s picture (and comment on ours), or take our pet-perfect poll. Stop by to pawtograph our wall! http://gopetplan.com/facebook.
Gee, Your Fur Smells Terrific -Naturally shiny fur is the hallmark of a thriving pup. Now your doggie diva can get that fresh-from-the-groomer look every day. Just read on for the healthy coat tips every pup parent should know.
Brushing Up on Dental Care -The American Veterinary Dental Society warns that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats get periodontal disease by age three. Find out how you can keep your pet’s smile healthy and bright.
Back to School
The Humane Society Youth, the youth division of The Humane Society of the United States, invites kids to “Be a fashion-forward, fun-loving, friend to animals this school year.” It’s easy with their school-friendly ideas designed to help kids promote humane choices. From “fur-free zone” tee shirts to dissection alternative materials, the HSUS offers great gear and resources to help students speak up for animals. Middle and high school students can even enroll in free online courses to learn how to present their ideas to lawmakers and make an impact on the lives of animals everywhere. For more information, call 860-434-8666 or visit humanesociety.org/teens and humanesociety.org/kids.
