Monday, January 22, 2007

Natural Pet News - 1/22/07

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A NOTE FROM DONNA

Our kitty loves to watch out the windows for the wildlife entertainment show she gets. We currently have 21 feeders out so she gets a lot of action to keep her instincts and brain busy.

We had our first snow yesterday here in Central Virginia. There was hardly an inch of it but it was icy so it closed schools today. Not enough to make a snowman so we spent part of the day playing a game at the dining room table which has a great view for kitty's mom and dad to do some birdwatching.

The snow and cold temperatures had our front yard looking like there was a virtual flight control tower somewhere with all the birds flying in and out and around. The sparrows, doves and juncos were feeding on the ground. The cardinals and blue jays enjoyed the larger seed and nut offerings from feeders. Woodpeckers were busy with the suet. The chickadees, wrens and titmice were all enjoying peanut hearts.

The Song Sparrow you see here was our first recorded sighting here at Bluebird Cove. We also had a Fox Sparrow on the ground. This is very early for them. We used to see them migrate through in AL in early February and here in VA towards the end of February. I wonder whether the warmer weather is causing them to head north too early.

Hope your new year's resolutions include spending more "quality time" with your pet. It will give you the quality time you need to de-stress. There's nothing like that unconditional love that pets can pour out.

New Year Blessings to Your Home!
Donna

PETS IN THE NEWS

Dog Saves Lives of Elderly Couple by Digging 20 Foot Tunnel

The snowstorm fell in the Buffalo, N.Y., area in October. Eve Fertig, 81, and her husband, Norman, were taking care of injured birds in a wildlife sanctuary on their Alden property when it hit. The storm intensified and the couple became trapped by falling trees and heavy snow. Their dog dug a 20-foot tunnel and saved their lives. Watch the video or slide show also. Read the story here: www.wnbc.com/news/10467999/detail.html

Pet Scam on Dog Adoptions

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a warning regarding online frauds targeting people interested in adopting companion animals from locations outside of the U.S. Many of these internet scams offer the purebred animals at no cost, as long as the prospective pet parents agree to pay for the shipping expenses.

Typically, once the prospect pays the freight costs, an extra charge will be claimed for additional vaccinations, necessary for the companion animal to enter the U.S. legally. In some cases, not only is the pet never delivered, he or she never existed in the first place! The CDC urges caution when dealing with overseas pet adoptions. It is always best to deal with recommended sources for purebred a
nimals. If you don’t know who to ask, check with your veterinarian, groomer or pet sitter for reliable breeders.

Better yet .... adopt a dog that isn't bred. Save one from death at a shelter near you or look online at Petfinder.com. They have photos so you can find just what you're looking for ... and they've got purebreds too. You can search by breed, gender, zip, age and more. Search for barnyard animals, birds, cats, dogs, horses, pigs, rabbits, reptiles or other small and furry animals.

DID YOU KNOW?

About 18% of animal owners share their beds with their pets.

PET SUCCESS STORY

Ear Infections, Dermatitis and More
Submitted by Tracy R.


"Most people have heard of Acidophilus and know that it is good for the digestive tract. It's especially useful while taking antibiotics as it helps to replace the "good" bacteria that antibiotics kill off. But here is a lesser known, but equally beneficial use for acidophilus. Simply open two (2) capsules of
Garlic and put into 3 cups of water and bring to a boil. Let it cool to room temperature and add two (2) capsules of Acidophilus and you have a potent healing rinse! This is a good combination to use on those red, inflamed ear flaps that accompany ear infections. It also makes a great rinse for dogs who suffer from vaginitis and certain types of dermatitis."

BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING

Cat Scratching Destruction

Q: We just got a cat and she’s scratching on our furniture. I don’t know what to do with her. I heard that declawing a cat is cruel, but I can’t take much more of this.

A: All cats need to scratch to help keep their nails sharp and shed the outer layer of their claws. You can teach a cat to do this in appropriate areas by providing cat scratches of various heights. Every time the kitten scratches undesirable surfaces, pick her up and bring her to the appropriate area.

Do not force her to scratch, but take a toy on a string and encourage her to climb and chase after the toy all the while scratching on the cat scratch.
If the cat still returns to your furniture, temporarily put double-sided sticky tape on those areas to discourage her. Cats don’t like the feel of tape on their paws. She will soon learn that her cat scratch is much more comfortable, and eventually you can remove the tape.

Declawing a cat can cause behavior problems.
When a cat is declawed they lose the first knuckle of each toe. Since this takes away their first-line of defense, many cats turn to biting instead, not to mention how weird it must feel to walk without that part of their foot. It’s much better to take a little time to train the cat to scratch and stretch in appropriate places so everyone in the house is happy.

Ask About Your Pet's Behavior Problem

Cheryl Falkenburry has traveled the world helping people make sense of mind-boggling animal behavior. Working with animal behaviorists in Tucson, Arizona and England, majoring in psychology, and becoming a certified parenting educator prepared Cheryl to teach both humans and animals. Cheryl recognized that the concepts of positive parenting and loving leadership worked whether her clients were parents of human children or furry ones and applies her positive parenting skills to her animal training sessions. She has helped thousands of people develop new and exciting relationships with the animals who share their lives.
Get details on phone and email consultations.

Calming Mist For Overactive Pets

30 drops Lavender Essential Oil
30 drops Chamomile Essential Oil

4 oz. of purified water or distilled


Measure essential oils into an empty and clean 4-oz spray mist bottle. Add the water until it is filled. Put on cap and shake well before each use. Spray around the pet and even on its coat since Lavender is a good essential oil to repel mosquitos and fleas. This is great for use in a car with a nervous pet or at any time your pet is over-energized.

Find this recipe and other and purchase essential oils at our website.

FEATURED PET PRODUCT

DryWater Ultra Dog Food - Stir and Serve Fresh

A moist dog food without the can. Tear open the pouch, pour into the bowl, add hot water for a fresh, tasty, warm, and all-natural meal with veggies for your dog. Stir and serve it.

100% Usable Meal

No wasted food
No unpleasant smell
No unappetizing appearance
No dangerous and smelly metal cans
No dried-out leftovers
Available in 3 lb. and 9 lb. sizes.

Get more information on DryWater Ultra Dog Food.

PET INFO

Don't Feed Your Dog Sugar-Free Treats

Reported in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, there is clinical evidence indicating that canine consumption of Xylitol can cause precipitous drops in low-blood sugar, bleeding disorders and severe liver damage, including liver failure. In the data collected, every dog that accidentally ingested Xylitol grew ill, and some had to be euthanized due to the severity of the damage.

Xylitol is a sweetener commonly found in sugar-free food products, like chewing gum, baked items and candies, as well as toothpastes. You will want to take particular care not to leave these products within the reach of your companion animals.

Authors of the report stressed that all members of families with dogs should be aware of the possible negative health consequences. Consumers should be aware that any product claiming to be sugar-free may contain xylitol. The researchers also noted that there was no information available as yet to indicate the same kind of reaction in cats.

Taken from the
free Healthy Pet Email Newsletter

Top Ten Cold Weather Tips from ASPCA

Brrrr…it’s cold outside! The following guidelines will help you protect your companion animals when the mercury dips.

1. Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife.

2. During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.

3. Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm—dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.

4. Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.

5. Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.

6. Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.

7. Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.

8. Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him—and his fur—in tip-top shape.

9. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information.

10. Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.

Visit the ASPCA website for lots of great information.


MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR ANIMALS

Update Your Beliefs on Animal Testing

Most people believe that experiments on animals are necessary for medicine and science to progress. However, this is not the case. The belief that we must experiment on animals is being challenged by a growing number of physicians and scientists who are utilizing many research methods that do not harm or kill animals. More and more physicians and scientists are also seeing the negative consequences of using one species to provide information about another species; often the results of animal experiments are misleading or even harmful to humans.

Get information on non-animal testing at this site:
www.vivisectioninfo.org/humane_research.html

Have questions? Visit the FAQ section of the site:
www.vivisectioninfo.org/faq.html

Do you use IAMS or Eukanuba pet foods? Your dollars are being spent on animal research. Get more information about these foods at either of these sites:
www.iamscruelty.com/
www.iamskills.com/

One of the reasons we switched to natural pet foods produced by small non-animal testing companies is so our money would not support animal testing or corporations who are more concerned with making money than with pet health. We use Flint River Ranch and Life's Abundance pet foods, treats and supplements for our pets.


PET SAFE CLEANING PRODUCTS

There are three ways toxic chemicals enter the body: by swallowing, by breathing, or by contact with the skin or eyes. An EPA report concluded that toxic chemicals in household cleaners are three times more likely to cause cancer than oudoor air pollution. In one study conducted over a 15-year period, women who worked at home had a 54% higher death rate from cancer than women who had jobs away from the home. The study concluded that the increased death rate was due to daily exposure to hazardous chemicals found in ordinary household products.

What is not being reported are the slow poisonings that occur in every home from continual exposure to household cleaning chemcials. Cancer, birth defects, heart disease, genetic changes - almost any symptom imaginable, both physical and psychological, has been associated with certain chemicals in common household products. At greatest risk are fetuses, children, the elderly, pets, and those who are already ill.

Microbest Safe Cleaning Products
Sunshine Concentrate Household Multi-Use Cleaner

URINE AND ODOR REMOVER

Pet Force Removes Urine And Odors Even Under The Carpet

Only $15.78 for Two Quarts - Shipping Included

This stuff really does work. Don't be fooled by the low cost. This superior concentrated natural bacterial-enzyme cleaning product has a fresh lemon scent and will remove nasty odors and stains from all animals, even skunks. Read about Pet Force.

HERBS FOR PETS

Herbs for Pets Online Catalog by Health Topic

Pet Success Stories Using Natural Remedies

Herbs and Supplements for Pet Owners
One reason to keep yourself healthy is because your pet needs you! Find a natural solution for yourself. Many pet owners do everything to keep their pet healthy, but neglect their own health. We use Nature's Sunshine Products
.

PET FOODS

Flint River Ranch Oven-Baked Pet Foods
The baking process results in a greater degree of nutrient absorption. All natural ingredients include chicken, lamb, fish, whole grains of wheat, rice and millet, vitamins and chelated minerals along with flax seed and herbs for super nutrition.

No by-products, chemical preservatives or anything artificial.
Read customer comments about Flint River Ranch.

What's In Your Pet's Food?

Diet is so important for health. Many health issues directly link to diet and can affect long-term health and life of your pet. Watch an online video clip about what might be in your in your pet's food.

Free Samples of Pet Food, Treats, & Supplements Formulated by Dr. Jane Bicks

Your pet depends on you to make the right choices when it comes to his or her health. HealthyPetNet wants the best for your pets. That’s why they promise to provide products that are inspired by nature and made using good nutritional science.

Free sample pack of food, treats and supplements.

NATURAL HEARTWORM PROGRAMS

Yes, there are herbal and supplement programs for pets. Robin Sockness has been working with people for many years and has helped over a thousand pets now.

Read more about
natural heartworm programs or read some success stories that Robin has shared with us.

HEALTHY PET CORNER

This site provides links and resources for dogs, cats, birds, horses, rabbits and reptiles. You'll find links to basic care, health, safety, etc. Visit Healthy Pet Corner.

ANOTHER PET NEWSLETTER

This complimentary monthly email Healthy Pet Newsletter contains:
* Helpful Pet Information
* Interesting Stories
* Nutritional Advice
* Insight From Veterinarian, Dr. Jane Bicks

Register now to get the next issue or view a sample issue.


EMERGENCY INFORMATION

Poison Control Number: 800-548-2423
ASPCA Poison Control Number 888-426-4435
There may be a charge for these calls.

ADOPT A PET

Find the perfect pet for your family at PetFinder.com. You can search by breed, locality, age, size, gender, etc. It's so rewarding to take an animal who really needs a home.

WHY AREN'T ALL THE LINKS BLUE TO CLICK ON?

We are no longer linking to the sites referenced in the newsletters unless they are maintained by us or are a long-standing domain name link. Over the years we have archived newsletters on our sites with thousands of links in them. Sites disappear, they change programming which changes their links, and news sites do not hold old news very long, so for these reasons and others we end up with a bunch of dead links that have to be removed because it affects our search engine rankings. This has become very laborsome monthly, and although we will still have years of work with what we already have on there, we are not adding more.

FORWARD THIS TO A FRIEND
If you enjoyed what you read, please forward this newsletter to your pet-loving friends. If you are receiving this in email format, you can simply forward it. If you are on the blog site, forward by clicking on the white envelope below, or sending them the link to this site by email.

COPYRIGHT & REPRINT INFORMATION
© 2007 Healthy Pet Corner

The stories, suggestions, and information in this newsletter are not meant to diagnose or prescribe. If your pet has amedical problem, you may want the advice and recommendations of a veterinarian. All stories and information content that is passed along in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and is not necessarily endorsed by its editor, Donna L. Watkins, its sponsor, HealthyPetCorner.com, or its owner, Sunshine Life Center, Inc.

Forwarding and Use of This Newsletter
You may forward this to a friend and/or use this copyrighted newsletter on a website if you include the following credit:

Editor, Donna L. Watkins, of HealthyPetCorner.com, provides this free newsletter to subscribers. Healthy Pet Corner provides quality natural pet foods. Visit now to subscribe or shop: http://www.healthypetcorner.com

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