Shed some bacon – Losing weight is the #1 New Year's resolution for most pet owners (and pets)! Make the weight loss challenge easier this year for you and your fourlegged fitness buddy with a few simple lifestyle changes. Schedule time in your calendar for a daily walk with your pet to avoid putting it off until later, and talk to your vet about what food will best meet your pet's current nutritional needs. Lastly, toss out the table scraps - it will not only shave off the pounds, but keep his diet
healthier, as well.
Don't Join the Flea Circus – Just because it's winter doesn't mean the fleas have left town. Chances are, they've moved to warmer homes - YOUR home. To prevent a flea problem from ruining your pet's winter, treat your pet year round with preventive medicine. Talk to your vet about the best option for your pet's protection at this timeof the year.
It's a new year, a new decade, and a whole new chance to bow-wow your pets with unique and timely gifts to start the year on the right paw:
Eye Saw the Sign: The Pet's Eye View Camera lets you walk a mile
(or ten) in your pet's paws. The camera stores over 35 photos and
easily attaches to pet's collar for the ultimate "Shaggy Dog" experience (minus actually having to change into a shaggy dog, thankfully).
Thin Ice Ahead: Outdoor dogs need to stay hydrated during cold, winter days. To keep their drinking water ice-free, invest in a Heated Pet Bowl. This stainless steel version is thermostatically-controlled to operate only when necessary and keeps water from freezing in sub-zero temps.
Is this seat saved? Wet winter trips to the dog park often mean slushy, dirty paw prints on your car seats. Keep your vehicle upholstery clean and dry with a waterproof seat cover
designed to keep his dirty paws
to himself.
December Poll Results
Has your pet been naughty or nice this year?
My pet is a little angel: 65%
Send him some coal!: 17%
My pet doesn't believe in Santa Paws anymore: 18%
Move over Gordon Gekko, pet insurance is taking over Wall Street. Check out Petplan in this article on pet insurance from the Wall
Street Journal.
Pet health, sunny side up: Join us at the North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, Florida, January 16-20. We'd love to see
AND your four legged family members at our booth!
Vets for Pets
(December blogs to boost your pet health prowess!)
The new year is here! Brush off the snow and start this year on the
right paw with these handy, dandy tips from our veterinary team:
Wrap Fruitcake, Not Pets– A cute, fluffy kitten or tongue-wagging puppy may look like the perfect present (especially when they're
staring at you with those big, buy-me eyes), but the decision to bring
a pet home is best made after the holidays. Find out why.
Forever Young– As a senior pet, your old pal has seen his share of winters (and by the look of things, treats). Discover some products to make his later years as comfortable and enjoyable as his first.
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The Fight for Pet Rights
2009 was a banner year for the Humane Society of the United States. As of early December, HSUS had rescued, or assisted in the rescue, of more than 9,700 animals, one of which was Fay, a black pit bull rescued from the world of dog fighting. HSUS caught up with Fay and her new caretaker on the road to Fay's recovery in an interview at the HSUS website. To learn more about HSUS's efforts, tune in January 25th at 10 pm EST to Animal Planet to catch HSUS Animal Planet Investigates: Dog Fighting Exposed. The program profiles the efforts of HSUS dog fighting experts and takes viewers on nail-biting busts, with a focus on what's being done to educate and rehabilitate offenders.
Gotta Have Faith
Faith, a Lab-Chow mix, may have only been born with two hind legs,
but that doesn't stop her from hopping from vet hospital to vet hospital
to spread her message of overcoming adversity.
Read about her amazing story.
Sniffing out seizures
Researchers believe some dogs have the ability to sniff out oncoming seizures in people, using their highly developed sense of smell to detect slight changes in body odor. Read more about the increasing popularity of "seizure dogs"
Before you jet, hit the vet
Before you hit the tarmac with your pet, check with your airline to see if they require documentation of good health. Many airlines require a signed bill of health from a veterinarian that is no more than 10 days old (the bill, not your vet) in order for pets to fly the friendly skies.
Fur-st Class Pooch
Planning on flying out of the Midwest anytime soon? You might want to consider Milwaukee-based Midwest Airport. Their Premier Pet Program
is "tail"or made to provide safe, secure, and comfortable accommodations to traveling pets, and even offers frequent flier miles for your pet (plus warm chocolate chip cookies in flight for you)!
Crate with Care
Not all crates are created equal. What works at home or on the road might not fly in the sky. Check out Pettravel.com's list of IATA Compliant Pet Cargo Crates to make sure you and your kitty are set to jet.
"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.
December's Contest Winner
"Last month I broke my hip and wasn't able to take Mort, my six year old Weimaraner, on walks. He eventually grew restless and started showing his stress through destructive behavior on the couches, chairs, anything he could get his mouth on. I didn't really have the money to pay anyone to take him on walks, but I sent a flyer to the local church for them to put up in case anyone was able to help. Bless them; I received 15 calls the next day! It seems like the entire neighborhood has had their turn walking Mort! Since then the destructive behavior has stopped and he's been relaxed when he's at home. I'm so thankful for the caring people who reached out to give me and Mort a hand (or paw) when we were most in need, and I'm really looking forward to getting my turn to walk him when my hip heals."
— Margret W., Las Cruces, NM
If you and your dog are interested in volunteering with Paw Partners, or would just like to learn more about the program, visit the program’s page at CHOP. Read more winners' stories at blog.gopetplan.com! >>
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