2 Hounds Design: No Pull Harness – We liked this one so much, we actually arranged for a giveaway for our readers. You see, our little guy is a puller. He likes to lead us when we take him out of a walk. Because of that, we like to use a harness over a leash. While using a harness make the pulling stop, the patented martingale loop on the back of this harness allows the harness to tighten gently around your dog’s chest, giving him or her a gentle reminder to discourage pulling. It doesn’t stop the behavior, but it does make it a bit more controllable.

The Dog Lover’s Guide to Massage: What Your Dog Wants You to Know – We know far too many dogs that get freaked out over the littlest thing – fire trucks, trips to the vet, someone cutting the yard. Little did we know that massage could help to calm them right down. The perfect gift for anyone with a dog, but in particular, this is great for someone with an anxious little one.

Fur Shui: An Introduction to Animal Feng Shui – Recently noted on CBS The Morning show as being a new “west coast trend,” Fur Shui picks up where Feng Shui takes off, promising that now you can have more love, abundance, better skills, more balanced health all by having a bit of fun as well as a closer bond between you and your pet!

Pepper & Tanky eau de parfum – Our little guy is NOT a fan of the bath. He’s also not a fan of the brush. He is sadly, a fan of sleeping tight and close even when he’s a bit past his prime and some might say stinky. Lucky for us, there’s Pepper and Tanky’s eau du perfume just for the smelly dogs in our life. Puppy Love is a personal favorite, but we’ll let you decide.

Pork Chomps – What dog doesn’t like pork? What dog wouldn’t love Pork Chomps Dog Chews? These pork skin products are more readily consumed and don’t cause any digestive or stool challenges and are a safe and healthy alternative to beef rawhide. But your dog won’t know that, he’ll just know that he loves when he gets one.

Yummy Chummies Treats – We’ve been treating our boys with Yummy Chummies for the past year or so. This dried wild Alaskan salmon treats drives both our cat and our dog crazy and begging for more.

Nurtured Pets Anti-Lick StripPrevent – I don’t know about you, but if left to his own device, our dog would like his leg raw from time to time. The folks at Nurtured Pets realized this and came up with a “Band-Aid” for pets, the Anti-Lick Strip Prevent. It not only stays on, but it deters dogs and cats from licking wounds and hot spots.

Marshall 8-Ounce Small Animal Bi-Odor – Don’t let bad odors or a stinky letterbox ban your cat from this year’s holiday parties. Marshall’s GoodBye Odor will virtually eliminate all feline odors with just a few pumps a day. Just add it to your cat’s food or water daily.

EzyDog Element Coat – The weather outside is frightful, but this Element Coat is so delightful! Don’t let the harsh winter elements ruin your dog’s love of adventure.This windproof, waterproof, fleece=lined coat acts like a barrier in bad weather keeping your four-legged friend warm and comfortable.

Dogstar Flying Disc and Fido Flyer – For the playful pooch on your list, the Dogstar Flying Disc and Fido Flyer are durable, non-chew toys that are sure to provide hours of fun. They’re sure to keep your pup busy during the long winter months.

Stella and Chewy’s Carnivore Kisses – Are you looking for the pawfect stocking stuffer for our furry little one this year. Both cats and dogs alike are going crazy for Stella and Chewy’s Canivore Kisses. Stella and Chewy’s believes that dogs deserved to be pampered and spoiled every day. So why not spoil them rotten with some freeze-dried yumminess and be on the look out for those puppy kisses!

Dog Tornado – For the smarty paws on your list The Company of Animals, founded by animal psychologist Dr Roger Mugford, introduced innovative pet puzzles just in time for the howlidays. The reasoning behind the line of pet-friendly games (our guy loves the Tornado) is to combine mental activity for your pouch while reinforcing the canine-human bond.

Happy Tails’ Sparkle and Shine Holiday Duo – We’ve been using Happy Tails in our home for just over a year now. Our favorite by far has to be the Dry Dog Instant Clean (he really doesn’t like to take a bath) and the Itchin’ For Relief spray for his summer allergies. We love the products are eco-friendly, cruelty-free and all natural. But most importantly, we love the way they smell and how effectively they work. So why not treat your barkster to a little sparkle and shine this holiday season.

Disclosure Policy

All pet collars are not created equal, and for North Carolina company 2 Hounds Design this could not be more true.  These collars and leashes are handcrafted with fine fabrics, and the company’s location in a former textile capital has allowed it to recruit some truly skilled craftspeople.  Alisha Navarro, the company’s founder and self-proclaimed collar addict, has some real hand-made jewels in her collar catalog.  But the good things about this small business don’t end there: in her spare time, Navarro helps organize auctions and issues special editions of 2HD collars to raise funds for hard-luck pups in adoptions groups worldwide.

Now, Alisha and the great folks from 2 Hounds have given us a beautiful collar and leash to award to one lucky reader, and 2HD will even custom size it for the winning pet.  Enter today, and cruise on over to 2 Hounds Design’s website to check out the other cute and stylish collars they offer.

View 2 Hounds Design’s catalog of designer collars and leashes at www.2HoundsDesign.com and enjoy free shipping on purchases with the coupon code freeshipping4you.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A DESIGNER DOG COLLAR AND LEASH

Either these people have outdoor dogs or the articles were written a long time ago when the quality of pet shampoos was very poor! Times have changed! Today, dogs enjoy shampoos and conditioners that are on par with the best human shampoos- that don’t have harsh chemicals and that don’t strip the hair of all of it’s oils.

The arguments against washing your dog too often are generally about stripping the coat of natural oils. The more often you wash something, the more often the sebum (oil) is going to be removed. Think about your own hair. If you don’t wash it, what happens? It gets oily. Is the oil good for your hair? Probably, but we wash our hair everyday anyway so that it’s clean!

There are several factors you should consider when deciding how often to wash your dog which include:

1. Does your dog live indoors or outdoors, and does your dog sleep in your bed?

If your dog lives in your house with you and more importantly, if he/she sleeps in your bed, then you are probably going to wash your dog regularly–depending on the breed anywhere from once a week to once a month. I know this is radical thinking, but, if your dog sits on your sofa, you probably don’t want him dragging in dirt, poop, insects and other grime onto your sofa. So, the trade off is that your dog’s coat ~might ~ be marginally drier but you will have a fresh smelling dog that you can cuddle without the fear that gross stuff is getting into the sheets.

2. Breed of dog

Dogs that have dry skin can be bathed less frequently than dogs with oily skin. Harsh-textured coats repel dirt pretty well so they don’t get as dirty as a soft-coated dog. Dogs like Maltese, Yorkies, Afghans and Shitzus should be bathed once a week. Harsh-coated breeds, like Shelties and Collies, can be bathed once a month. If you’re not sure, remember, a clean dog is a happy dog!

One of my dog’s is a Maltese and I can’t imagine washing her less than once every week. Little white dogs pick up lots of dirt and by weeks end they are looking brown instead of white. Also, I hate to mention it but long-coated dogs get those famous cling on poops stuck to their bottoms.

My other dog, a Westie, who has a thicker coat, doesn’t get so dirty, but, I have to wash her every week due to the next point– allergies.

3. Is anyone in your household allergic to dogs?

If so, you SHOULD groom & bathe them as often as possible. According to the American Lung Association, doing so will help remove the dander that accumulates on a pet’s fur.

I am allergic to one of my dogs and when I don’t wash her once a week I get wheezy and sneezy.

4. What activities does your dog partake in?

Do you take your dog to the dog park? Does you dog play in the sand or dirt? Does your dog roll in the grass or go swimming or hiking? What about sniffing butts, eating poop or drooling?

Well, if you have a normal dog, she probably partakes in several of the above activities– all of which warrant regular bathing. Again, you have to think of the trade off. Your dog’s coat may be marginally drier HOWEVER, he will be cleaner, smell better, and most important you will be more likely to give a clean dog lots of love. Those smelly dogs we tend to keep at arms length.

5. Does your dog suffer from itchy skin?

Unlike humans who absorb most environmental allergens through their noses and mouths, dogs tend to absorb allergens through the skin. Weekly bathing can prevent itchiness, by washing allergens away before they get a chance to penetrate the skin.

So at the conclusion of all of this — the answer for MOST dogs is to wash them once every week to once a month, depending on the above circumstances.

But remember, use a gentle pet shampoo and conditioner (we recommend our own line, Happy Tails for all your pet grooming needs). Do not use your own shampoo. Click here for an article of why you should not use your own shampoo on your dog.

Also, if you simply can’t wash your dog for a prolonged period of time you can use a dry shampoo. This is a really effective spray on bath replacement that helps to get rid of bad odors. Also, if you feed your dog a non-commercial, all natural and organic diet chances are your canine companion will be less smelly. Our favorite is a dehydrated raw pet food from the Honest Kitchen

Lorna Paxton, otherwise known as the Pet Industry Guru, is an entrepreneur, business owner and coach helping small businesses launch new products into the pet industry. Paxton entered the pet industry seven years ago when she started happytails, a spa, grooming and wellness company where she oversees the development, production, sales and marketing of all its products. If you have any questions for Lorna, you can contact her via email.

Consider the next best thing to a home cooked meal, chunky chicken casserole dinner for dogs (or seafood & caviar for the cats) from Evanger’s.  To keep your pet safe and stylish, consider an IDTAG.com identification tag that allows you to create an online profile for your pet with all their vital medical and contact information – it’s like an Amber Alert for your lost pet.  And for those playful walks in the park, how about a flexi retractible leash (we own three of these – one for each car and one for his walks). 

CLICK HERE TO ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF TWO PUPPY LOVE PAMPER PACKS

I lost my mom to breast cancer when I was four, so I know no other way to be in the world than with grief in my heart. It’s “old hat” to me, it’s just a part of me that seems like it’s always been there. I’m in an odd way, comfortable with it, so it somehow brings me peace to be able to comfort others who are struggling with grief and loss.

With that said, I guess it makes a lot of sense that I would end up starting a pet memorials company (peternity.com). It’s just not what I ever imagined that I would end up doing. But I like that about life. The unexpected. The surprises.

In 1970 when I lost my mom, things were different and families didn’t have a lot of options for grief support. We got through it somehow and I think I turned out alright, but it wasn’t easy and I wouldn’t wish the loss of a parent or family member on any child. Lucky for me and my sister, we have remarkable Father.

I’ve always wanted to find a way to reach out to children who have suffered significant losses and to somehow help them. Being that most children’s first experience with death is through the loss of their pets, I decided that this would be a wonderful place to start.

There are many other creative ways that you can help your child to take an active part in honoring the life of their pet, and without spending a lot of money. At Peternity, we’ve created a special product  called Kidoodlyrocks to help grieving children. Kidoodlyrocks are pet grave markers onto which we engrave children’s drawings of their pets.  Engaging children in the creative process really helps to shift their focus from the pain and the sadness to something; something fun, honorable and meaningful.

The best ways for children to work through grief is by expressing their feelings – through writing, drawing, dancing, anything creative that helps them to get in touch with their feelings and get their feelings out and expressed.

Children are empowered when given the opportunity to help create the memorial to their dear pet. When children have something creative to focus on their focus shifts and they stop dwelling on the sadness and the pain so much. This makes space in their heart for some healing to begin.

Creative activities also give you the parent or caregiver an opportunity to talk about what your child has created and the feelings behind the creations. Having a project in motion gives you a forum, to help your child/children address their sadness. You can sit with them and draw them out of their sadness and confusion by asking questions about the animal they loved so much: how they felt about them, their memories, what made them laugh, etc.

You can be the impetus to help your child create any number of types of memorials. Here are some ideas:

• A special box that you decorate together that can hold all of your pet’s treasures like the collar, tags, photos, favorite toys.
• Flowers that you plant together in the yard in your pet’s memory, maybe in your cat’s favorite spot to lie in the sun, or your dog’s favorite spot to lounge in the yard.
• A book that you create together that chronicles all of your favorite stories, memories and photos of your pet.

These precious shared moments, dedicated to encouraging your child to express their joys, laughter and sadness through words and drawings, can work wonders with recovery for both of you. You will also be helping your children to lay a foundation for life, a foundation that will help to support them in dealing with other losses that they will experience later in life.

Colleen Mihelich is the founder & creative director of KidoodlyRocks.com and Peternity.com.  For more information in helping to deal with the loss of a pet, check out Peternity’s blog.

If there is one good thing to come out of the Michael Vick story, it is the fact that dogfighting has been brought to public awareness as a growing problem. The reaction to his federal indictment has brought a wide range of reactions, from outrage to disgust to ambivalence and even support. I was shocked and a little repulsed to see, on a message board of veterinarians, some “old school” guys basically shrug their shoulders and say, “Man loves bloodsport. What are you going to do.” If men whose lives are spent protecting animals are saying this, what is the rest of the country saying? What are we going to do? Plenty. This kind of violence and antipathy to other living beings should not and cannot be tolerated, not even in a famous sports figure. Or should I say, especially in a famous sports figure.

NBA player Charles Barkley once said, “I’m not a role model… Just because I dunk a basketball doesn’t mean I should raise your kids.” I agree with the second part of his statement but not the first. He doesn’t get to choose whether or not he is a role model. America idolizes sports figures as heroes, deserved or not. Kids look up to these guys whether or not they like it. It comes with the territory, along with the millions of dollars and the houses on Cribs. Americans pay for ticket sales and for Michael Jordan shoes because they look up to these guys. They have the responsibility that comes along with the fame, of being a good role model. You can choose to be a Junior Seau or a Ray Lewis, to step up to the role model hype or to spit on it.

I guess this is kind of wishful thinking on my part. According to this article, an estimated 21% of the 1996/97 NFL roster competed with criminal records. The bottom line is, they are allowed to continue to play, because they bring the money. We don’t care. We don’t call the owners and boycott the games; the owners lose more money by doing the right thing than by doing the wrong thing, so why should they? And that is on us, as parents, as citizens, to really think about what we are doing here. Are we paying gladiators to go out and entertain us? Muscle-bound mercenaries? Or are we trying to elevate professional sportsmen and women, true role models?

As for the man of the hour- ugh. We are all so sadly inured to the idea of sports players getting accused of assault and rape and shooting people that those crimes don’t really surprise us the way they used to. But this…even in a world of jaded sports fans, this hit a nerve. Most people by now are aware of the allegations against Michael Vick- for a brief summary, read this Q&A on ESPN.com. Federal indictments tend to mean a pretty solid case, despite the already in motion machinations of lawyers claiming he had no idea it was happening and other such ridiculous claims. OK, Michael, the gardeners did it, whatever. Your cousin. Mmm hmm. Had 66 dogs there without you knowing.

According to one report, investigators found over 10 dog bodies on the 15 acre property. Some of the more disturbing allegations surround the treatment of dogs who either lost the fight, or were tested and found to be not “vicious” enough. They were, for lack of a better word, tortured. I think of these poor animals who were too submissive and scared to fight, suffering the fate they were put through because they were unwilling or unable to rip another dog’s throat out and I feel physically ill, as do many others. Even those people who are ambivalent about dogfighting or turn a blind eye- can’t they possibly feel in anyway that this is waaaaay beyond the pale? That it is, as Senator Byrd proclaimed in an impassioned speech, barbaric in the truest sense of the word? He even used the word dastardly, which you can get away with if you are a senator. It’s a great word. Very apropos.

According to the Humane Society, although dogfighting has always been around it is a new and escalating trend, particularly in urban areas. Like it or not, dogfighting has become a part of the hip hop culture and can no longer be dismissed as just a hobby of the hicks in the sticks. Both Al Sharpton and Russell Simmons, vocal critics of the violent subtexts of aspects of the hip hop culture, joined PETA in a joint condemnation of Michael Vick’s actions (I never said PETA didn’t do some good things!)

Where pit bulls used to comprise about 3% of animals entering shelters 15 years ago, that number has jumped to almost 33%, and in some areas as high as 66%. The shelter with the highest proportion of pit bulls coming in is in New Jersey. Many shelters have a “no adoption” policy for pit bulls due to the problem of dogfighting and the liability; most are put down when they arrive regardless of their history.

Still not convinced it’s a real problem? Consider this fact, also courtesy of the HSUS: “A 1997 survey of 50 of the largest shelters for battered women in the United States found that 85% of women and 63% of children entering shelters discussed incidents of pet abuse in the family.” Read the rest of the article for the other consequences, none of which are pleasant. The correlation between pet abuse and human abuse is well established and the basis for many animal abuse laws on the books- even for those who don’t think animal abuse in and of itself is a big deal, it escalates to human abuse often enough to be a legitimate problem. Would you really trust someone who has electrocuted a sick or timid animal with your children? That kind of mindset just can’t be separated from the rest of your personality.

I’m watching the Falcons closely to see how they handle this. I guess a lot depends on the Falcons fans as well as how the indictment goes down. Nike has already suspended their endorsement, and hopefully the fans will follow suit and pressure Falcons owner Arthur Blank to suspend him while the investigation is pending. And if not, this may motivate me to attend my first football game in many years- should the Falcons come visit the Chargers, I will be happy to go and embarrass the hell out of my husband by unveiling a “Dog Killer” T-shirt (thanks Wendy for the idea) and jeering mercilessly.

-jesvet

I shared with them the same advice I had received as a wide eyed vet school applicant- “Lots of people get into this field because they love animals more than they love people. But you have to like working with people or you are going to fail miserably.” And it’s so true. After all, no matter what an animal needs, if you can’t convince their owner you are suggesting the right and necessary course of action, it’s all in vain.

This knowledge comes in time to all vets. Some take it better than others. You have to be an advocate for the pets; if you don’t believe in your heart that this is your primary role, than you’re in the wrong job. On the other hand, if you can’t work with the owners and show them some empathy, sometimes you don’t get to provide any care to the pets in need at all. So it’s a balancing act, between what you want, what the pets need, and what a sometimes ambivalent owner can or will provide.

You see the best and worst in people in this place. In an emergency clinic, who knows what is going to roll in next, or who will be attached to it. Last wee, the receptionists rushed into the back with a twelve week old miniature pinscher puppy who had been attacked by a pit bull. The poor pup was in bad shape. It took a good half an hour just to get the puppy minimally stabilized, but she had some pretty severe signs of head trauma.

I went into the room to talk to the owner, who sent her children out of the room. She sobbed as she told me how her dog had been grabbed by the head and tossed around, how she grabbed the attacking dog and pried its mouth open. She knew the situation wasn’t good.

I prepared an estimate for her for the cost of care, and while I was doing that the dog started to take another turn for the worse. In the face of money that they didn’t have, and the poor prognosis, the owner decided to euthanize the puppy. As she, then her children, each came in to say goodbye, the tech holding the oxygen mask on the puppy could barely hold back her own tears. The family was in such a crummy situation and we all felt so badly for them, and especially for the little puppy who had no chance to grow up.

As the owner was leaving, she was met by her husband, who had waited in the waiting area. She hit him on the shoulder and started to yell at him about she hated his #$%!$% fighting dogs. Then walked out the door, as I scraped my jaw off the floor. Here I was thinking this woman was walking down the street, victim to a random aggressive animal, when in fact she had knowingly brought this defenseless little puppy into a house with fighting dogs. And yes, when you deal with people like this day after day, it makes it hard to have a positive view human race.

My next room was a small 8 week old kitten that was covered in fleas. His belly was so big from roundworms that it felt like he had a tennis ball in his tummy. He was underweight, dehydrated, and ate an entire can of canned food so ravenously my tech almost lost the tip of her finger. I was determined at this point not to let another clueless owner get away without getting an earful, but before I could say anything the woman told me that this was a stray kitten that had been crying in her apartment complex for 2 days. She couldn’t keep it, she explained, but she wanted to at least get him checked out and she was afraid if she didn’t bring him in he would die in the summer heat.

So I told her about the ear mites, the worms, the vaccines. I told her what I would suggest if this were a cat she was going to keep, knowing she probably wasn’t going to put out $200. I also told her about some of the rescues in the area, but they were all closed for the day. I realized then that she didn’t want to bring the cat home at all and had brought it to us hoping we would take it. So we stared at each other, me unable to take in strays, her unable to take it home. The hungry little cat meowed contentedly, more comfortable after a Capstar killed all the fleas, with a full belly, twirling around my hand. I told her I would try and get some more rescue numbers from the front desk. I wasn’t sure what else to do.

The receptionist looked at me quizzically. “She doesn’t want to take the cat home, does she?” she asked. I shrugged. Humans stink. The receptionist tilted her head and said, “That cat is so sweet. FOCAS will take him. And if not, I’ll foster him.” The other receptionist chimed in that she, too, would be willing to do that.

The woman who brought the cat in was obviously relieved. Without blinking an eye, she offered to pay for all the preventive care the cat needed that day, so he would get a fresh start in his foster home. She felt guilty, she said, that she couldn’t do more….but she did something. She played a part. And because of her the cat is now warm and cozy in a safe place instead of hungry, sick and ignored in the 100 degree heat. His fresh start was also my own, to never forget that for every awful moment that makes you dislike your fellow man, another will come along to restore your faith in people’s ability to do good and kind things in this world.

Jesvet

Fourth of July is a booming time for shelters and emergency veterinary clinics. (Like that? No more puns, I promise.) Aside from the obvious- dogs eating corn cobs or too many hamburgers, there are several less often thought of dangers during this holiday. The problems of heat stroke and drowning were covered in an earlier blog entry, but don’t forget the dangers of fireworks.

For you, it’s a loud, smoky display of patriotism. For your dog, it may be Armageddon. This is one of the busiest days for shelters as thousands of terrified dogs across the country flee their homes and end up lost, and all too often injured by cars while running for their lives. Pets are even more sensitive to sound and smell than we are, so to have the unexpected stimulus of a fireworks show can send sensitive dogs and cats over the edge.

To many people it doesn’t even occur to them that this could be a problem. Many fireworks displays are preceded by big parties at a park and seem like the perfect place to take your dog for a fun afternoon. If you have a mellow dog who enjoys the socialization and allows himself to be reassured by you, go forth and enjoy. But if you’re not sure how they will react, leave Rover at home while you go to the show and take a few simple steps to ensure his or her safety:

Bring pets indoors for the night. Even if they are frightened, they won’t be able to jump the fence and take off. Better yet, run the air conditioner or a radio/TV to mask outdoor sounds. Distract them with an especially good chew toy or treat.

If you know your dog has a severe phobia, ask your vet about sedation in the form of OTC meds, prescription tranquilizers, or homeopathic remedies. If your dog appears agitated, shaky, or starts to pant, be soothing but don’t force them to sit with you if they want to pace or hide under the bed. Allow them to find what is reassuring to them.

Regardless of where your pet spends the holiday, take this as an opportunity to check that their tags are still on their collar and up to date, and if they aren’t microchipped, have that done at your next vet appointment. You never know when they’re going to sneak out on you, holiday or no.

And to belabor the obvious, if you have a dachshund who likes to dig after prey, maybe keep them away from the explosives too.

-jesvet

As I was leaving the grocery store today, an older couple exited the restaurant next door, having obviously just enjoyed a late brunch. They walked down the parking lot aisle just ahead of me, and unlocked their car. To my shock, a small poodle popped up from the backseat and jumped into the owner’s arms.

I stood there in the 80 degree heat with my jaw hanging down, debating whether or not to say anything. I watched the man berate the dog, then his wife, and decided I did not want to add myself to the queue. Officers in my area (and many others) will break the windows on a car in similar situations, but as they were leaving there wasn’t much they could do at that point. So I fumed, said a silent prayer for the dog, and went home.

And although it is too late for this particular dog on this particular day, it reminded me that one can never have too many reminders of how to keep your furry friends safe during the hot season. So I’ve collected a few tips from some of my favorite online pet health resources as well as my own experience in the emergency clinic.

1. Heat Stroke/Heat Exhaustion. If you have ever left your dog in the car in the heat, even for a few minutes, thinking it would be OK- think again. It only takes minutes for heat stroke to set in, even with the windows cracked or parking in a shady spot (this does little to help.) The temperature inside a car can often exceed 20 degrees above the ambient temperature. I would challenge anyone who thinks it isn’t that big of a deal to do the experiment yourself- crack the windows and sit in the car! I’ve done it. It stinks. And I wasn’t even wearing a fur coat.

Remember if you have a brachycephalic (short nosed) breed like a pug, boxer, or bulldog, these dogs are even more susceptible than most to extreme temperatures.

2. Water Safety- Contrary to popular belief, not all dogs are great swimmers. Puppies are particularly at risk. Every year many animals drown in backyard pools. If you boat, invest in one of the many flotation devices made for dogs (I’m assuming no one here boats with cats!) As we all know, some dogs lack caution or discretion when they are excited, so Pooch Overboard isn’t that uncommon an experience.

3. Coolant/Anti-freeze. Check your garage and by the curb where this bright green fluid tends to accumulate. It is sweet tasting, very tasty to dogs and cats, and a medical emergency when ingested. Even minute amounts can be lethal. If you suspect your pet has ingested this toxin, go to the nearest emergency clinic ASAP.

4. Sun and heat protection- White coated animals are particularly at risk for sunburn and associated skin cancers, but any animal can get a sunburn. Unhaired areas such as the stomach are very prone to burns if you have a sunbather. If you are going to give your pet a summer cut, make sure there is at least an inch of hair left as a sun barrier; barring that, put your pet in a t-shirt or find a sunscreen that is safe for pets. Make sure if you are walking on hot asphalt or sand that it isn’t too hot to touch- the footpads on dogs and cats are sturdy, but they can be burned on hot surfaces.

5. Random Encounters With the World- It’s nice out, so you spend more time outdoors. So do rattlesnakes. So do annoying people with dog aggressive dogs. So do careless drivers. Many areas have leash laws in place anyway, but protect your pet- keep him or her on a leash or long lead when you are out in public.

And if you happen to be in the Southern California area, and you happen to see an angry looking older man in a red Corvette with vanity plates and an overheated poodle panting in the back, feel free to “accidentally” bump his overcompensatory ding-dong replacement with your shopping cart.

-jesvet

Vets found out the same way everyone else did- through CNN, the nightly news. There is no national database of veterinarians that can be alerted of a massive problem like this, so we rely on word of mouth, or maybe contact from the pet food representatives who were, in this case, silent. First it was aminopterin, then later, melamine. People who fed their pets “premium” foods and thought they were safe, found out that some varieties of Ol’Roy and Eukanuba were made side by side in the same plant, from the same tainted ingredient.

People switched to dry, and thought they were safe. Then Hills m/d was recalled. People switched to super-premium foods, ones without wheat gluten, and thought they were safe. Then Natural Balance announced rice protein concentrate was contaminated with melamine and pulled several brands of their food off the shelves. Are we safe now? How about now? What will tomorrow bring? It hasn’t stopped YET, and even yesterday Royal Canin USA added multiple prescription and over the counter diets to the recall. The widening is getting broader and more alarming each day. The latest theory is that melamine was deliberately introduced in order to artificially inflate the protein concentration in these products imported from China, bringing the debacle to a new, horrifying level.

This recall has shaken this industry badly. When you look at the statistics, the pet food supply is even now safer than the human food supply. With home cooking at a very low level, food borne illness was and continues to be a very rare problem with pets. One of the things that bothers me the most about this is how little trust we can have now in this industry. The suppliers may have lied to the producers like Menu Foods (if indeed this was a deliberate contamination.) The producers waited for a good month before revealing that they knew there was a problem. Some pet food companies, scared of revealing a link to Menu after the story broke, hid from pet stores the fact that they used Menu in some of their production lines. Some of the pet food companies themselves were unaware of the source of their products, as happened with Royal Canin Canada. There was not just one failure here, there were failures on the part of EACH and every member of the chain here, and that is what is truly mind blowing.

So now what?

If you continue to feed your pet commercial food, you are still making a good choice. The number of confirmed deaths represents 0.005% of the US pet population, or 1 in 100 million. The companies are more vigilant than ever right now about the safety of their foods. You can switch your foods up to dilute the risk of any one food being contaminated.

You can choose to home cook. This is a challenging, time consuming proposition, especially in the long term. It is highly advised to consult with a veterinary nutritionist if you are choosing to do this, as finding the right amounts of additives can be tricky and requires specific weight related calculations. BalanceIt is one example of a reputable online source for recipes. UC Davis also offers services to clients and veterinarians- call (530) 752-1393 for more details. It is not recommended to follow any home cooked diet more than a month or two without follow up with your veterinarian to make sure your pet is receiving adequate balanced nutrition. Nutritionists report about 1-3 in 100 pets eating homemade foods do end up with imbalances or problems, so the risk is real. You also run into the risk of food poisoning that is the same you face yourself. It can be done, especially if you are vigilant and motivated, but just be aware that it is actually still safer to stick with commercial food unless you are going to follow all the involved recommendations and do it correctly. Raw diets are a subset of this group of foods, but going into detail is beyond the scope of this article at this time.

For More Information:

FDA Pet Food recall list
Sign up for FDA e-mail alerts
Recall List at Itchmo
Recall Info at Howl911

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