Natural Pet News

Making Things Easier

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 06:23:00 +0000

There will be no more posts to this blog.

All information on this blog has been moved to my new website:
The Nature In Us.

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Here's the recent posts at the new site:

Natural Pet News - September 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 23:01:00 +0000

A NOTE FROM DONNA & SQUEEK

This will be the last issue of this newsletter for a period of time.

Squeek has been very jealous of the time I spend at work so I have decided to take a sabbatical to focus on the health challenge I have with rheumatoid arthritis. Squeek tells me my program will include 3 hours a day of time with her. :-)

Seriously, many of you are on other newsletters I do and already know that I will be taking some time to focus on beating this disease. I don't seem to be able to manage my work time wisely. I love working and I'm very task-oriented, so I'm a do-it-now person.

My sweet hubby, Randal, has encouraged me for five years to do this but it's been hard to let go. I've finally "seen the Light" as they say and will choose wisdom rather than follow the easy road of doing what I've always done. Taking care of me hasn't been a big priority so that needs to change for a season.

I have a personal blog set up that I will be posting to on my favorite topics of pets, natural health, wildlife, etc. and will add you to that mailing list. Each issue will have an unsubscribe link at the bottom and a reply-to address just as this has. I hope you'll continue to join me on this journey of life.

If you're not on Dr. Jane Bicks' free monthly pet newsletter, it's even better than this. I've promoted it before. There are great articles and important information. View a sample issue here and/or subscribe now.

Thanks to Jennifer Fry for mentioning other foods that pets can't have after I mentioned a few in the last issue. The ASPCA site has has more detailed information on what NOT to feed your pets. Visit the ASPCA site and click on Animal Poison Control.

FEATURED PET PRODUCT

Agility for Dogs & Cats

Agility is a natural, holistic multi-action joint support supplement containing scientifically tested ingredients with these benefits:

• Maintain healthy joint cartilage.
• Maintain healthy connective tissue health.
• Maintain production of healthy synovial fluid.

Ingredients include MSM, Glucosamine, Alfalfa, Yucca, Boswellia, Omega 3's and 6's, and Sea Mussels. Read the success story below and get more info on Agility.

SUCCESS STORIES

Heartworms Gone Naturally

"Abby is my lovely, mixed-breed rescue. She tested positive for heartworms. The vet at the time was incredulous that I did not want the conventional treatment for her.

I found Bandit's Buddies website and a very insightful article about the hazards of treating heartworms with Ivermectin. That confirmed my decision to avoid it. I decided to try Bandit's heartworm program.

I am so thankful to those who believed in the healing power of nature. Robin's website provided the affirmation that I needed, actually finding out about other dogs who encountered heartworms and survived. These testimonies gave me courage!

Abby is now 9 years old and in very good condition. She had tested positive for heartworms for six years, but now is healthy and heartworm free! Read the full story (and other heartworm success stories) at Bandit's Buddies.com."

No Rehabilitation Therapy Required After ACL Surgery

"I want to give you an update on Joey, my baby standard poodle who tore his ACL and had surgery 8 weeks ago. Yesterday we went back to the veterinarian for X-rays and to hear the recommended rehab therapy before being able to turn Joey loose. The vet explained we were looking at the plate he had put in Joey’s knee and the joints and bones in his leg on the X-rays. He said that the knee had healed extremely well.

The doctor said “Turn him loose!” I felt like he was saying to turn us both loose since I had eating, sleeping and working with Joey and have been confined with him! I asked about the therapy Joey was supposed to have. The healing was better and faster than he had ever seen in all his years of practice and said that no therapy was required. We were to just go home, give him free run, and let him do whatever he wants.

Immediately after the surgery, Joey was on Rimadyl and that worried me because I know the dangers of Rimadyl, so along with the Rimadyl I gave Joey Agility (2 tablets a day) and SeaLogix Omega 3 Fish Oil (1 teaspoon a day). Joey weighs about 55 pounds. About a week later I stopped the Rimadyl. I’ve had surgery and usually a week afterwards, the initial pain has subsided. Within a week after getting him on the Agility and Fish Oil he was using his leg. A little weight on it, then a lot. He continued to use the leg, putting more weight on it over the weeks.

I can’t attribute his healing to anything else other than love (lots and lots of it), Agility and SeaLogix Fish Oil. The vet has done this operation many, many times over the years and Joey was the one that healed the fastest." J. Bishop

DOGS

Dog Rescued From Storm Drain After Four Days

You'll be in tears of joy by the time you finish this short video on a dog rescue. A missing 14 year old Dalmation was found in a storm drain two days after he disappeared and after two more days of digging with a backhoe they got him out. Grab a tissue and enjoy the video.

How To Teach A Dog To Play

Question: I recently adopted a dog from the shelter. He’s very loving, but he doesn’t know how to play. Is it possible to teach a dog to play and fetch a ball.

Answer: Dogs who have been kenneled most of their life or isolated from interaction with humans, often don’t understand the concept of play. Many dogs adopted from shelters have had to live on their own as strays and survival was the name of the game. Others were left tied up in backyards with minimal interactions with humans.

It’s not uncommon to adopt a dog from a shelter only to find they have no concept of how to play. It is, however, possible to teach them the joy of interacting with humans. Patience and time is what is needed.

Many dogs are indifferent to toys. You will need to find a toy that will really entice some interest. A rope toy or a floppy stuffed toy designed for dogs is a good place to start. You may want to make the toy tasty with a little chicken broth to help entice the dog to take the toy in his mouth. If he does take the toy, praise him. You may want to put this on command by saying “Take it” every time the dog puts his mouth on the toy, and really praise him each time.

Get down on the floor and play with the toy yourself. Show the dog how much fun you are having. So, you look a little silly, who cares? If the dog doesn’t show an interest in the toy, you’ve at least had a good time and probably brought a few smiles to those watching!

Note: Never leave a dog alone with a toy until you have determined how safe the toy is - a dog that ignores a toy when you are there may tear it up when you are gone and possibly ingest it.

Second-hand dogs often come with a lot of baggage from their past life. You must be patient and loving and let things come on the dog’s own timeline, not yours. Some of your expectations may have to change. The dog may never fetch a ball, but I’m sure he has other wonderful qualities that you can enjoy for years to come. Take time to celebrate every minor accomplishment in the dog’s life. Show this furry fellow how great humans are to be with, and one day he may surprise you by picking up that ball and dropping it in your lap - slobber and all!

Source: Center Hill School

Ask About Your Pet's Behavior Problem

Answer: The very first thing that comes to mind is a potential urinary tract infection (UTI). Any time an animal starts doing something out-of-the-blue, I like to eliminate health problems first. Get the cat to a vet and have her checked out. Often the stress of a new home can bring on a UTI.

Once you have eliminated that option, then it’s possible she’s peeing on your bed due to stress. People often mistakenly think that their animal is doing this out of spite. Animals, unlike people, don’t think in terms of revenge (thank goodness).

When an animal pees on a bed (and there are no physical ailments), it’s usually because the animal needs to relieve stress. The bed smells most like their human; it’s a place they go to relax; and urinating relieves stress.

You need to find out what the stress is. Your cat may be upset that you are leaving. A packed suitcase has come to mean being left alone for a longer period of time than just when you go to work. Just the process of packing can start the stress. You can help eliminate this kind of trigger by packing your bags at other times when you aren’t leaving. Pretty soon a packed suitcase doesn’t have a negative meaning for your cat, and it won’t trigger a stressful response.

Animals who suffer separation anxiety begin the stress cycle long before their human leaves the house. Everything the human does to get ready - showering, shaving, putting on a coat, picking up keys, builds anxiety in the animal. It’s important to desensitize the animals to these triggers - pick up your keys and put them back down when you aren’t going anywhere. Put your coat on and take it off again. The triggers suddenly don’t mean the same thing anymore.

Also be sure to leave your animal with something to do. Dogs often enjoy having a stuffed Kong or a BusterCube to work on when their human first leaves the house. This keeps them busy for the first 30 minutes - the time when most of the damage is done. Cats may enjoy a timed feeding dish where there are different treats that are available at different times throughout the day. Put a catnip toy in one of the dishes so when it pops open there’s something new to explore.

There is an article on the website (www.centerhillschool.com) that gives further ideas for helping animals with separation anxiety. Because this particular cat urinated on the bed when you were home, I’m leaning more towards the idea that this is a medical problem, so please be sure to take her to a veterinarian for an assessment.

Source: Center Hill School

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. Get details on phone and email consultations.

HEALTHY PET CHOICES
(The Foods Have Never Been Recalled)

Healthy Pet Food, Treats, and Supplements
Video: What's In Your Pet's Food?
Flint River Ranch Oven-Baked Pet Foods & Treats
How To Feed Natural Foods
Non-Toxic Cleaning - Industrial Strength But Safe
Free Samples of Healthy Pet Net Food & Supplements

CUSTOMER COMMENTS

"I thought Katrina, our cat, was going to whistle dixie when she got the new food. I am sure I have not experienced that pause in eating, to have a look into my eyes to make sure I was watching her enjoy the grand meal. I also simply love the Immune & Body Support nuggets." Shirley

DISTRIBUTORSHIPS AVAILABLE

It's such a good feeling to earn an income helping pets. It's a lot of fun to help their owners also. Do you know other pet owners? Share the great news about healthy and safe pet products. These are the two opportunities we've been enjoying for many years:

Healthy Pet Net (For Pets, People and the Planet)
Flint River Ranch Oven-Baked Foods & Treats

ANOTHER NEWSLETTER OPTION

We recommend this complimentary monthly email pet newsletter which 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.

REFER OTHERS TO THIS BLOG FOR ARCHIVED ISSUES

If you enjoyed what you read, please forward this link to your pet-loving friends: www.healthypetcorner.com/NPNblog/petnews.html

COPYRIGHT & REPRINT INFORMATION
© 2001-2007 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.

USE OF THIS NEWSLETTER IN PRINT OR ONLINE

You may use this copyrighted newsletter on a website if you include the following credit with an active link:

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

Natural Pet News - August 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 22:10:00 +0000

A NOTE FROM DONNA & SQUEEK

Summer seems to be Squeek's favorite time. I already knew she didn't like winter. Although she's a feral kitty, that is now known as a "happy, health, Virginia house kitty," I know she's cold when she snuggles up to me in bed every night in winter.

But in summer .... she lives for the screened porch. We have a kitty door through the wall onto the porch and that's where her litter box is. In winter she makes short trips outside, but in summer we only see her when she's ready to eat and get brushies. She loves to be brushed, unlike some pets I know. If it's hot, she lies inside the porch door on her ruggie. The same one that was at the door 8 years ago when she first began eating at our home in Alabama.

It's summer and we hardly see her ... unless there's a rumble in the sky. Then she heads for Randal's nightstand in the bedroom. When we bought this furniture I deliberately chose it because it was raised off the ground and would give the kitties cubbies to hide in during storms. We didn't have to post a sign for Squeek. She knows exactly what it's for.

So, feeling ignored, Randal and I take off now and then for our own kind of enjoyment. A few weeks ago on a cool day in July we went to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. The photo journal includes waterfalls, wildflowers, an herb farm, grist mill, nature trail and more. View here.

ABOUT PETS

Summer Heat Can Be Deadly To Pets

Be informed about summer heat and cars and outside animals. Read these alert signals so you can know if your pet is having a problem. Knowing what to look for and the tips for summertime pets can mean life or death to your animal. Read it all here:
www.awla.org/summer-heat.shtml

No-No Foods For Pets

We've been told not to feed chocolate, coffee and alcohol to dogs and cats, but here's a few more items that are on the NO list of foods for pets:

Dogs: Avocados and macadamia nuts
Cats: Grapes and onions
Turtles: Spinach and rhubarb
Birds: Avocados and apple seeds

FEATURED PET PRODUCT

Trout and Sweet Potato (Fish and Chips)

This Flint River Ranch all-natural formula is oven-baked under carefully controlled conditions and temperatures. Added probotics, digestive enzymes, essential vitamins and chelated minerals result in better nutrition, palatability and digestibility.

The fish are purchased frozen with no additives and it remains frozen until the time of production and then Mixed Trocopherols are introduced. Fish and Chips contains no corn, wheat, and chicken. No by-products. No BHA, B14T or ethoxyquin. Omega Fatty Acids and Natural Tocopherols (Antioxidant) are added.

As you can see from the bag, Flint River Ranch gives you lots of information on their formulas right on the bag where you can find it. View ingredients and other information on Trout and Sweet Potato formula.

CUSTOMER COMMENTS - SUCCESS STORIES

Fatty Tumors Gone

"I have a sixteen year old Shelti mix with multiple fatty tumors. I began giving her Nature's Sunshine Noni capsules 2-3 two times a day. Her tumors are almost gone and her energy level has increased." CJ

Allergies Gone at Bichon Rescue

"I co-founded a Bichon rescue in San Diego and we put all our dogs on Flint River Ranch. It was great because we got so many that were abandoned due to allergies and the Trout and Sweet Potato cleared it up. They were highly adoptable after just 3 weeks! They can switch to the Lamb and Millet formula also, depending on the breed." Mena

Send in your pet's comments on our products and I'll be happy to post them in a future issue of this newsletter. If you send a photo I'll include that also.

ABOUT DOGS

Baby Panther Adopted and Nursed by Dog

A rejected baby panther in Serbia was adopted by a dog, who feeds the cub as if she were her own, licking and nursing the panther along with a litter of pups. Watch the video on this site:
www.goodnewsnetwork.org/content/view/2238/

Puppy Born With Heart-Shaped Mark

A chihuahua puppy has become Japan's latest heartthrob after he was born with a heart-shaped mark on his coat. The dog, named "Heart-kun," was born in May to a breeder and pet shop owner, who believes the puppy has brought her luck. She's even won the lottery. Read the story here:
www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSSP5208920070716

HERBS FOR PETS

Online Catalog by Health Topic
Pet Success Stories Using Natural Remedies
Natural Heartworm Programs

ABOUT CATS

Cat Senses Final Hours of Elderly Patients

Here's a wonderful story about Oscar, a cat that snuggles up beside residents of a nursing home four hours before they die. It's happened so often that nurses now know to call family members to let them know their loved ones are near death. Read the story here:
www.projo.com/news/content/death_cat_07-26-07_7O6GOJL.34bbc90.html

Dog Nurses Kitten Found Under SUV Hood

Ever since a stray kitten was found under the hood of a moving SUV in Texas and brought home, it has been nursing from a 3-year-old dachshund named Lillie. Read the story and see photos at ABC news:
abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3360384&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

HEALTHY PET CHOICES
(The Foods Have Never Been Recalled)

Healthy Pet Food, Treats, and Supplements
Video: What's In Your Pet's Food?
Flint River Ranch Oven-Baked Pet Foods & Treats
How To Feed Natural Foods
Non-Toxic Cleaning - Industrial Strength But Safe
Free Samples of Healthy Pet Net Food & Supplements

DISTRIBUTORSHIPS AVAILABLE

It's such a good feeling to earn an income helping pets. It's a lot of fun to help their owners also. Do you know other pet owners? Share the great news about healthy and safe pet products. These are the two opportunities we've been enjoying for many years:

Healthy Pet Net (For Pets, People and the Planet)
Flint River Ranch Oven-Baked Foods & Treats

BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING
From Center Hill School

Q: I’m sick and tired of people allowing their dogs to bark incessantly and animals that roam and poop in my yard - including cats. Is there anything I can do to get the neighbors to control their animals? I work hard to keep my animals under control, and it’s so inconsiderate that they don’t do the same.

A: Everyone has different ideas of how to take care of their animals. Some feel that dogs and cats should be free to roam like animals do in the wild in order to keep them happy. Some like to leave animals outside for a warning system if someone approaches.

Although, I can understand this thought process, it is difficult to keep animals safe when they are left to roam or kept outside all the time. They do not understand boundary lines unless they are taught and supervised.

There are wild animals, cars, and diseases that can harm animals who are allowed to roam. Dogs kept tied up or kept in a fence all day begin to bark at everything out of boredom, soon the barks are ignored taking away the effectiveness of a warning system. It is much more responsible to keep animals at home and supervised.

Cats should be kept indoors to keep them from catching serious diseases like Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). If people are concerned that their cat will not be happy indoors, they can build an enclosed cat run where cats can go outside in a safe environment.

As far as barking dogs, a bored dog is a loud dog. As much as I love animals, I don’t like to hear them barking incessantly either. It’s difficult to think or sleep with all the noise. People should be considerate of their neighbors even if they live in a rural area. Some barking is to be expected. Dogs bark when they play, they bark when someone approaches, and they bark at deer running by. I personally like to have my dogs bark a little to warn me that something needs my attention. I also enjoy watching dogs happily playing and barking with joy. However, uncontrollable barking is annoying. Dogs should have an “off” switch to their barking - such as a “Quiet” or “Enough” command. Unfortunately when a dog is left outside all the time, there is no human there to give the command.

For those of you who have a barking Bowser next door, you may want to give your neighbor a gift basket with interactive toys for the dog (Kongs and Bustercubes) and a copy of my Barking Bowser article found on my website. (If you don’t have Internet access, call me and I’ll send you a copy.) This is a nice way to give a hint that perhaps they need to work on their barking issue.

If cats are relieving themselves in your garden, you can get some motion sensor sprayers (Sscat is one brand for cats) to put around and make your garden less attractive. Tin foil under the bushes also helps as cats don’t like to walk on the crunchy foil.

The bottom-line, though, is everyone should be responsible for their own animal. Even if you live in an area where there are no leash laws and barking dogs are exempt from noise ordinances, take the time to pay attention to what your animals are doing. Is it possible they are being a nuisance to someone else? Is there something you can do about it to be a good neighbor and a responsible animal guardian? When we make animals a part of our family and teach them to be responsible canine and feline community members, everyone is happy—the neighbors, the family, and most important - the animals.

Natural Pet News - July 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 21:58:00 +0000

A NOTE FROM DONNA & SQUEEK

The dog days of summer have hit Virginia, but Squeek seems to love them. Although she's a feral cat, she snuggles up with us when it's time to turn the heat down and go to bed, so I know she doesn't like the cold. Watching her lie outside in this heat makes me feel even hotter.

Our 4th of July was cool enough and we had a good time at Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's home) with the naturalization ceremony. If you're into gardens, history, architecture, or simply patriotic, view the 4th of July Photo Album. Sam Waterston (of Law and Order) was the speaker.

Maybe you'd rather see birds, wildlife and flowers of our place that we call Bluebird Cove. You can drop by virtually in our photo album, but if you're ever going to be in the Central Virginia area, let us know. We love getting to meet our customers and subscribers.

ABOUT PETS

HSUS Encourages Amazon.com Boycott

Rev. Deborah Baxter in Buffalo, NY writes: I thought you might be interested in this HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) campaign to stop Amazon.com's sales of illegal animal fighting materials.

Amazon sells both cockfighting magazines and bloody, graphic dog-fighting DVDs. The company is so determined to continue selling these materials that it filed a motion against The HSUS in federal court, essentially asking that federal and state laws to protect animals be gutted to accommodate Amazon's sales of animal fighting paraphernalia!

Please ask Amazon to remove these materials from its website. Here is a link for more information:
community.hsus.org/campaign/US_2007_amazon_fighting3

FEATURED PET PRODUCT

BioDeodorizer Spray eliminates odors on tile and grout pet accidents, carpet pet accidents, litter box, pet bedding, trash and garbage receptables, recycle bins, bathroom floors and fixtures, hampers, drain line odors and other soils.

32 oz. bottle and heavy duty sprayer for $14.25. Use your own spray bottle and get the 32 oz. refill for $11.95

ABOUT DOGS

Single Gene Determines Dog Size

In a recent article in the journal Science, researchers report the discovery of a genetic sequence that they believe is responsible for determining the size of a dog.

By studying the genetic differences between small and large breeds, researchers found that smaller breeds had a mutation in the sequence next to a gene known as IGF1. The hormone regulated by the IGF1 gene helps determine growth rates of mammals. The mutation found in smaller dogs like Chihuahuas prevents them from growing to be the size of Great Danes.

The study was comprehensive, investigating thousands of dogs comprising more than 140 breeds. Those involved in the study hope that this discovery will lead to advances in cancer treatment, which seeks to control or reverse unrestrained cell growth, as well as many of the nearly 300 diseases that canines and humans have in common.

Source: Healthy Pet Newsletter - May 2007

Dog Vaccines Need Not Be So Often
www.news.wisc.edu/8413

PET SUCCESS STORY

"Our cat, Juliet, had problems with digestion and bleeding from the anus. I began using Intestinal Soothe and Build to deal with it herbally. I sprinkle one capsule over her dry food every morning. She has had no bleeding and her little rear end looks very healthy (she used to have some slight redness there, but that has gone away). She seemed rather suspicious of the herbs at first but I think she has gotten to like them. As a matter of fact I think she is becoming a real herb lover. I brought home a fresh cutting of peppermint and Miss Juliet went wild for it. It was very cute." S.F.H.

HERBS FOR PETS

Online Catalog by Health Topic
Pet Success Stories Using Natural Remedies
Natural Heartworm Programs

ABOUT CATS

Cat Vaccines Can Lead to Cancer - Be Informed
catvaccines.misterlinks.com/

Taking the Pounce and Bite Out of Tigger

Many cats bite in play and others bite out of fear. It is your responsibility to teach the cat what is appropriate and inappropriate. The following suggestions may help with cats who like to use their teeth and claws. Please contact an animal behaviorist for help with an aggressive animal.

1) Spaying/Neutering: If the cat sharing your home is not spayed or neutered, you may want to consider starting with this. Spaying and neutering is not a cure-all, but many behaviors are driven by hormones which spaying and neutering help remove. Male cats are ruled by testosterone; the female cat ovulates frequently and stays in heat up to two or three weeks. The male cat courts with caterwauling catcalls as does the female in heat. Spaying and neutering will help take away some of the disturbances that normal mating instincts cause and the aggression that sometimes accompanies it.

2) Temptations: Avoid loose pants, flowing skirts, and loose shoe laces that will entice a cat to chase, bite and/or claw. Teach children not to run around animals.

3) Training: Yes, cats can be trained. Teach the cat to come by calling his name and giving him a treat when he comes to you. Many cats come when they hear the can opener; they too can learn to come when called. This will help you to control the cat in different situations. When you see the cat getting ready to pounce on Grandma as she shuffles by, you can interrupt the behavior by calling her to you. If you see the cat getting ready to pounce, interrupt her behavior with tin foil balls that you can have conveniently placed around the house. This way you will teach the cat to chase after more appropriate objects than the humans in the house.

4) Playing: Have kitty cat play sessions a few times a day. This will entertain the cat and make her more tired. Cats often follow the same sequence in play that they would use in a hunt. They stalk, pounce, kill, and eat their prey, so be sure to have play times fulfill all those needs. Often humans tire of the game and then leave a cat in a heighten state of arousal causing the cat to bite the nearest thing—the human they were playing with. If using a laser light to play, be sure to allow the cat plenty of time to chase the light, then throw a catnip mouse where the light is and allow the cat to play with the mouse. Put a morsel of food on the floor at the end of play to simulate eating the kill. If you are tired at the end of a busy day, all this can take place right from your armchair during commercial breaks if necessary, but usually the cat will be much more entertaining than the television!

5) Bite and Claw Inhibition in Play: Teach the cat appropriate use of claws and teeth by shouting “Ouch” every time a cat bites or claws hard during a play session. Get up and walk away. After a few minutes, call the cat to you and start the play session again. Soon the cat will realize that biting and scratching hard ends fun games and the cat will learn to modify her behavior in order to keep the game going. Use the phrase “No claws” and “Stop biting” so the cat learns to associate this phrase with the action. Then if the cat jumps on your lap and begins to knead excessively, you can use the phrase “No claws” to get the cat to stop without having to reprimand the cat and remove her from your lap. If the cat is an affectionate nibbler, you can say “Stop biting” before the nibbles begin to hurt so you don’t have to reprimand the cat for what she thinks is affection.

6) Rule Making: Set limits in the household. Cats pounce, bite, and scratch in the middle of the night if they are allowed to. Decide what the rules are and enforce them. If you don’t want the cat pouncing on your feet in the middle of the night, then teach him to get off with a hiss and a quick squirt of water. Don’t get up and play with the cat thinking he is lonely. This only rewards the cat’s behavior and before you know it you will be getting up several times a night. Have quiet play toys for the cat. At night, put the cat in a separate room with lots of climbing apparatuses and toys.

7) Socialization and Handling: Cats who were not socialized early in life or those who experienced excessive or inappropriate reprimands or handing by humans often have a great fear of being near people. These cats need to be taught that having humans around can be quite rewarding. Please see the article entitled Socializing the Fearful Cat for more information on how to help build confidence in the fearful cat.

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. Get details on phone and email consultations.

CUSTOMER COMMENTS

"We have a cleaning service, and one of our major customers is a B&B, called the Doghouse Resort in Jefferson, NC. Obviously a dog friendly environment. We've been using your [non-toxic cleaning] products for over 2 years now, and we love them, and most importantly the owners of the B&B love the results too! Thank you so much!"

Kevin Denny
President, Mountain Maids, Inc.

HEALTHY PET CHOICES
(The Foods Have Never Been Recalled)

Healthy Pet Food, Treats, and Supplements
Video: What's In Your Pet's Food?
Flint River Ranch Oven-Baked Pet Foods & Treats
How To Feed Natural Foods
Non-Toxic Cleaning - Industrial Strength But Safe
Free Samples of Healthy Pet Net Food & Supplements

DISTRIBUTORSHIPS AVAILABLE

It's such a good feeling to earn an income helping pets. It's a lot of fun to help their owners also. Do you know other pet owners? Share the great news about healthy and safe pet products. These are the two opportunities we've been enjoying for many years:

Healthy Pet Net (For Pets, People and the Planet)
Flint River Ranch Oven-Baked Foods & Treats

ANOTHER NEWSLETTER OPTION

We recommend this complimentary monthly email pet newsletter which 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.

FORWARD THIS TO A FRIEND

If you enjoyed what you read, please forward this newsletter to your pet-loving friends. Click on the envelope at the bottom of the post or use the forward option on your email program. Send them this link to the online version: http://www.healthypetcorner.com/NPNblog/petnews.html

COPYRIGHT & REPRINT INFORMATION
© 2001-2007 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.

USE OF THIS NEWSLETTER IN PRINT OR ONLINE

You may use this copyrighted newsletter on a website if you include the following credit with an active link:

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

Natural Pet News - June 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:00:00 +0000

Thank you for sharing this newsletter with your other pet-loving friends. To keep it from being dumped into your Junk Mail folder due to it's length, add our mailing list address to your Address Book: newsletters@thefrugallife.com

A NOTE FROM DONNA

Our cat is well entertained since we live on wooded property and there are plenty of squirrels that delight in teasing her. This little one was only inches away from our dining room window where I have a feeder placed to keep the views interesting for Squeek, our indoor kitty.

One of my best friends, Robin Sockness, had to say goodbye to her dog last month and although he lived to be 17-1/2 years old ... it's never easy to let go. Many parts of Robin's life revolved around Bandit, especially when she began helping others with the natural heartworm program that had saved Bandit's life. Read more about Bandit and Robin below.

As many pet parents unfortunately already know, losing a companion animal is devastating. And yet, we don’t receive the kind of emotional support from some in our community like we might expect if we had lost a human family member -- especially from those who have never shared a special bond with a companion animal.

Losing a companion animal is losing a member of your family. Here's an article that provides tips to deal with the grief: www.healthypetnet.com/newsletter/may07/page2.asp?realname=10037649

NEW PET WEBSITE

Free Samples

All About Pets and People launched only a couple of days ago. The site offers free sample packs of food, treats and supplements for dogs and cats. If you're in the Dallas area, you might want to take advantage of their pet sitting and poop scooping services. Watch an online video about what's in your pet's food.

PET NEWS

Avoiding Pet Scams

If you have ever loved -- and then lost -- a pet, you know how devastating the experience can be. If you are then a victim of pet scams, the loss is even more devastating.

There are unscrupulous people who have found ways to capitalize on your lost pet situation in order to dupe you out of money. This article has a few of the ways this can happen:
www.scambusters.org/petscams.html

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease and Stress

As a pet parent, it’s important that you know about potential problem areas for your companion animals before they become serious.

Unfortunately, urinary tract problems are all too common in cats. Here are the warning signs of which you need to be aware:

• Frequent urination
• Urination in places other than the litter box
• Straining to urinate
• Bloody urination

There is evidence to suggest that stress can be one of the primary causes of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). Stress can lead to the release of hormones that constrict the muscles of the lower urinary tract. Changes in the household routine, a new companion animal in the home, changes in weather and lack of attention can all lead to increased stress in cats. Be as in-tune with your cat as possible, and take steps to decrease or eliminate stressors in his or her life.

Cats evolved as desert animals, so they don’t have a strong instinctive drive to drink water. This can result in the accumulation of minerals in the kidneys and bladder, leading to the formation of crystals or stones. Using a continuous water fountain can attract the attention of cats, encouraging them to drink more. Using canned foods like Instinctive Choice that contain water from biological sources will help to increase the amount of fluid intake.

By taking preventative measures now, you may be able to prevent your cat from developing urinary health issues, helping him or her to live a longer, healthier life.

Source: This article was taken from the Healthy Pet Newsletter, a free monthly email newsletter.

Dogs Are Thinking

Dog owners have long maintained that their pooches have a lot more going on between their furry ears than scientists acknowledge. Now, new research is adding to the growing evidence that man's best friend thinks a lot more than many humans have believed. The provocative new experiment indicated that dogs can do something that previously only humans, including infants, have been shown capable of doing: decide how to imitate a behavior based on the specific circumstances in which the action takes place. Read entire article

CUSTOMER COMMENTS

"Leo and Linus LOVED the Immune and Body supplement as treats and the Life's Abundance cat food.

They both meowed at me until I placed the order for the autoship so they could be assured of getting the treats and food without fail!

We are hooked and we feel much safer than buying those unknown foods and treats out in the stores. Thank you very much."

Diane, Leo & Linus

BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING

Q: Our Chihuahua does not like having her nails clipped. She goes nuts the minute she sees the nail clippers and bites and growls at us when we try to clip her nails. Is there anything we can do to get her over her fear?

A: Nail clipping can be a pretty fearful process for animals. Many animals don’t like to be held tight and have someone touch their feet. If the nails are cut too short, the quick may be cut causing the animal pain and leading to even greater dislike of the process.

To help animals get over the fear of having their nails clipped, you need to start with some handling exercises. Get your animals used to be touched all over. If your animal is sensitive to touch (some cats get over-stimulated and lash out), just touch your animal a few times for the first few sessions. Slowly increase the amount of touching. Don’t just touch your animals on the back and head. Handle their feet, look in their ears, lift their lips and look at their teeth.

Get your animals used to all sorts of touching, looking, and holding. Start the process when an animal is young so they will think it’s natural to be touched all over. This will make vet visits and grooming much easier.

As far as a fear of nail clippers, start associating the clippers with good things. Put them next to her food dish as she eats. Show the clippers to her and give her a treat. Touch her nails with the clippers, but don’t cut them. Give her a treat.

Desensitizing a dog to any kind of fear takes time. This process cannot happen in just one day. Spread it out over a few weeks. If your animal is not ready to go on to the next step, take a few days extra. Don’t push too fast and always end on a positive note.

When you do get around to clipping the nails, only do one nail the first day. Give lots of praise and a treat. It may take over a week to get all her nails done at first, but a least they are getting clipped. Long nails can damage an animal’s foot. Eventually you will be able to clip more nails at a time. The idea is to leave things on a happy note.

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.

PET PRODUCT INFO

Life’s Abundance Offers Exceptional Nutrition

For nearly a decade, HealthyPetNet has attempted to educate the public that many of the mass produced pet foods currently manufactured use ingredients that you would never knowingly feed your cat or dog.

Life’s Abundance Premium Health Foods for Dogs and Cats are nutrient-dense and contain premium selections of the freshest possible ingredients. We use high-quality meat proteins, rather than by-products, corn, wheat, gluten or soy. You can be confident that you are providing your companion animal with the healthiest possible diets, because our products are completely free from chemical preservatives, sugars, artificial flavors and colors.

The Life’s Abundance diets are formulated to be highly digestible, so that the nutrients are more easily absorbed, and therefore convey more positive benefits. These premium foods contain a superior blend of vitamins, proteinated minerals, antioxidants and healthy bacteria cultures known to significantly improve the overall health of pets.

When you feed your cat or dog Life’s Abundance Premium Health Food, you’re providing the complete nutrition that your pets need, and the tastes they crave.

If you haven’t already, we encourage you take steps today to make a positive change in the life of your companion animals. Your cat or dog deserves nothing less than Life’s Abundance Premium Health Food.

For Dogs
For Cats

If you’re ready to start building your companion animal’s foundation of health, try Life’s Abundance today! Compare your food with Life's Abundance.

BANDIT SAID "GOODBYE"

Many of you know Bandit and his mom who works with pets who want a natural alternative to heartworm programs.

On May 23, Bandit said goodbye to this world. He lived 7-1/2 years instead of the 6 months that the vet gave him. The heartworm program not only took care of the heartworms but made him so much healthier and like a puppy again. This dog was a hero in every battle he fought and was the love of Robin's life long before she fell in love with her wonderful husband, Steve.

He is missed by all who knew him, but his legacy lives on as Robin continues to help other animals, as she promised Bandit she would do when he tested negative on his heartworm test after the program. Bandit continued to test negative at each annual checkup and Robin continued to help hundreds of animals each year not only with heartworm but other health issues. Bandit is still grinning and one day, we will all be together again.

His Journey's Just Begun
E. Brennenman

Don't think of him as gone away
His journey's just begun
Life holds so many facets
This earth is only one.
Just think of him as resting
From the sorrows and the tears
In a place of warmth and comfort
Where there are no days and years.
Think how he must be wishing
That we could know today
How nothing but our sadness
Can really pass away.
And think of him as living
In the hearts of those he touched
For nothing loved is ever lost
And he was loved so much.

Read Robin's Tribute to Bandit. While you're on her site, read some of the wonderful success stories that happened because of Bandit and Robin's desire to help others.

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 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.

Natural Pet News - May 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sun, 20 May 2007 00:14:00 +0000

Thank you for sharing this newsletter with your other pet-loving friends. To keep it from being dumped into your Junk Mail folder due to it's length, add our mailing list address to your Address Book: newsletters@thefrugallife.com

A NOTE FROM DONNA

Squeek and I have been without the master of our home and garden .. and our hero. Randal will return on Tuesday from a two-week trip to Oklahoma to visit family and school friends. Squeek doesn't seem to mind having an entire side of the bed to herself instead of the middle, but she stays in her basket each night which sits on the chest at the foot of the bed, and waits till I turn out the light. I guess that is a sign to her that "daddy" isn't taking his spot so she may as well fill in.

With the weather being a bit cool here in central Virginia, I've appreciated her keeping me a bit warmer since I refuse to turn the heat on in May. The days have been lovely for gardening and the evenings have offered rain to all the transplants I've been moving around our place here that we call Bluebird Cove.

Follow your pet's example ..... Make it a great day!
Donna

PETS IN THE NEWS

Cat Travels 93 Miles To Get Back Home

A New Zealand cat traveled 150 kilometres on its own, crossed a river and journeyed for four months to be with her owner after disappearing while on a family holiday last October. In what was surely an astonishing feat of navigation, Molly (who wore no tags) somehow found her way back to the home in Hamilton she had lived in for only three weeks. Read entire story here:
news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=230059

Labrador Saves Lives of Climbers on Mt. Hood

Here's a story of a group of climbers who did everything right and, as a result, survived a 500-foot slide down the side of Mt. Hood and a night of "hellacious" winds and snow. Not only did they bring along cell phones and mountain locator units to be sure they could be found in case of emergency, they also brought along Velvet, a black Labrador who lay across them during the freezing night and is credited with quite possibly having saved their lives. Read entire story here:
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17237251/

PET FOOD RECALLS

Before the deadly recalls it was a challenge to educate pet owners on the importance of using pet foods that are not manufactured by mega food producers that have no concern about the ingredients or animals.

A good example of this is IAMS. Unbelievable as it sounds, the Iams Co., manufacturer of the Iams/Eukanuba line of quality dog and cat foods, has been harming and even killing dogs and cats, claiming to make a better brand of pet food. In dozens of painful and invasive experiments, hundreds of dog and cats just like your animal companion, were made to suffer and sometimes die in the name of "nutrition research." These experiments were not designed to help the animals involved. These innocent victims were all healthy animals who were used simply as disposable objects. More info on that here:
www.iamskills.com/learn_more.shtml

We've used two brands of pet foods for our pets and neither has ever had a recall and because of the way they produce their products, they never will. We alternate between Flint River Ranch and Healthy Pet Net.

To understand how things can be different, this is a statement about Healthy Pet Net foods:

"We know where every supply comes from and how that company handles it. We do not buy ingredients from outside this country. Most are purchased from local growers. Dr. Jane oversees the production during manufacture and she makes sure everything is tested and free of contamination. We test every single batch. We have one of the strictist quality control program in the industry. Dr. Jane will not have it any other way because it is the only way to ensure the safety of the animals eating it. It is made with certified top quality USDA range free chicken, farm raised catfish that is also tested for contamination and organic fruits and vegetables. It is the safest pet food on the market!"

Watch an online video about pet foods.
Browse Flint River Ranch products -- Browse Healthy Pet Net products.

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.

Robin is looking for more people who will share the natural approach to heartworm programs. What kind of job could be more rewarding to a pet owner than to earn some additional cash by helping pets. Email Robin and ask about a home business working with the heartworm program or Healthy Pet Net foods. She loves to share the excitement and rewards of helping pets.

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

CATS

How to Know if Your Cat Is Sick

Even with balanced nutrition and a good amount of love and attention, cats can still get sick. By spotting the symptoms, you can try to prevent or cure your cat's illness with the proper medical care.

Here's a wikiHow article to give you some tips and warning signs: www.wikihow.com/Know-if-Your-Cat-Is-Sick

DOGS

If You Want to Know if Spot Loves You So, It’s in His Tail

Ears close to the head, tense posture, and tail straight out from the body means “don’t mess with me.” Ears perked up, wriggly body and vigorously wagging tail means “I am sooo happy to see you!”

But there is another, newly discovered, feature of dog body language that may surprise attentive pet owners and experts in canine behavior. When dogs feel fundamentally positive about something or someone, their tails wag more to the right side of their rumps. When they have negative feelings, their tail wagging is biased to the left.

Source: New York Times - You can log-in free for entire story.
www.nytimes.com/2007/04/24/science/24wag.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

PET SUCCESS STORY

Heart Trouble

"My 16 year old dog, a Snozer, needed some heart support shortly after getting a good bill of health from the vet. I put her on Omega 3 Fish Oil. She has completely stopped coughing. I hope you will tell other people. I was so very glad to find out that the Omega 3 Fish Oil is good for the heart. She would not have lived this long. I just wish I had known about it before our 13 year old dog died of heart failure. I hope my story will help some other pet owner keep their pet alive longer." Peggy M.

BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING

A: I get this question a lot, but most people who ask it don’t like my answer --- bring the dog inside! Now, I know people have a million reasons why they can’t do that. Some say the dog is not house-trained, he gets on furniture, he chews things up, or they just don’t want the fur and dirt. The list goes on and on. However, I can come up with a much longer list of reasons why you shouldn’t leave your dog outside --- boredom leading to barking and self mutilation, sunburn, fly strike, heatstroke, frustration from passing dogs and humans leading to aggression, children teasing through fence, poisoning by neighbors, escaping, and theft with the intent on reselling the dog to a laboratory.

I could go on and on as well. Fortunately, there are far more solutions to the dilemma of behavior problems for the dog kept indoors than there are for a dog left outdoors. Training is the key. A dog is far easier to train if he is kept indoors with the family. Training is constantly happening when you interact with your dog on a continual basis instead of just a few moments each day with an outdoor dog.

You have to take the time to teach the dog good manners; they don’t just happen. Start by enrolling in a class to help both you and the dog learn how to communicate with each other. This, however, will not in itself teach the dog good house manners. Classes help give the dog some basic skills to then perfect at home.

An indoor dog does much better during classes because they spend more time with their humans learning. Dogs also need plenty of exercise. A tired dog is a well-behaved dog. Even though your outside dog may seem like he has plenty of place to run, he probably spends most of his day sleeping. He needs interaction with you - throwing a ball or a stick or taking him for long walks. Then he’ll be much calmer when you bring him inside.

Keep an eye on your dog when you first introduce him to the house. A tether helps keep the dog near you so you know what he’s up to the whole time. Don’t give the dog too much freedom in the house at first so you can advise him on what is o.k. to do and what is not. Getting up on the counters, for instance, is a no-no. Call him away from the counters, ask for a sit and a down, and give him a nice stuffed Kong to keep him interested for a while. Soon you will have a dog who can come in and enjoy time with the family in the evening instead of barking and disturbing the neighbors.

A word to cat people:

Cats are also much safer indoors too. Many people feel their cat will not be happy if kept indoors, but they can learn to enjoy the comforts of indoor life. With feline diseases of Feline Immunovirus and Feline Leukemia, it’s so much safer to keep your cats inside. Plus there is the danger of other animals, cars, and poisons.

To convert your cat to an indoor cat, be sure to have plenty of fun things indoor for your cat to do --- lots of climbing places, hiding spots to explore, and some catnip toys. You can even grow some organic catnip for nibbling. Take time to play with your cat every day to stimulate his desire to hunt and chase.

Building an enclosed cat run off the house gives cats a safe outdoor experience. A screened porch is also a fun place for cats to sun themselves. Consider bringing both Fluffy and Fido in for a loving family experience. They will be happier and healthier for it, and you will enjoy the loving companionship of a lifelong furry friend.

Get details on phone and email consultations.

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.

FREE SAMPLES

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.

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.

Microbest Safe Cleaning Products
Sunshine Concentrate Household Multi-Use Cleaner

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.

HEALTHY PET NEWSLETTER

We recommend this other complimentary monthly email pet newsletter which contains:
* Helpful Pet Information
* Interesting Stories
* Nutritional Advice
* Insight From Veterinarian, Dr. Jane Bicks

Our newsletter is sent on the 20th and this one is sent around the 7th.

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

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 we end up with a bunch of dead links that affect our search engine rankings. This has become a laborsome monthly task and although we will still have years of work with what's already there, we're 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

Natural Pet News - April 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 01:19:00 +0000

Thank you for sharing this newsletter with your other pet-loving friends. To keep it from being dumped into your Junk Mail folder due to it's length, add our mailing list address to your Address Book: newsletters@thefrugallife.com

A NOTE FROM DONNA

As you can see, Squeek is enjoying her Springtime outdoors on our screened porch. She thinks she's a queen since our neighbor gave her a high perch with a cozy throne (uh, I mean, place) to lay.

It's been very upsetting with the pet food recalls. I've received several emails about pets that died or were sick from the foods. I enjoy sharing your joy and grief, since both are meant to be spread amongst friends.

We've gained a lot of new customers with Flint River Ranch and Life's Abundance, neither of which has ever had recalls, but it's been hard to rejoice considering the reasons and the loss of some of our subscribers' pets. As my friend reminds me, it means that more animals will be on good food and more pet owners are educated about the deceitful pet food industry.

Thank you for thinking of us not only for shopping, but also to know that we care about your pets enough to share your grief when you lose one. I consider it an honor that you email me.

Spring Blessings to All!

PETS IN THE NEWS

Dog Saves Woman's Life With Heimlich Maneuver

How smart is your dog?

However clever your four legged friend may be, your pet likely can't hold a candle to a two-year-old golden retriever named Toby. He lives with a woman named Debbie Parkhurt in the small town of Vert, Maryland.

The 45-year-old owner was alone in her home eating an Apple on Friday when a piece of the fruit got lodged in her throat. She began to choke and tried to perform the Heimlich maneuver on herself. It didn't work.

Toby suddenly came up to Parkhurst, got up on his hind legs, put his paws on her shoulders, pushed her to the ground and began jumping up and down on her chest. Incredibly, his efforts succeeded and the apple bit came out of the relieved woman's mouth, allowing her to breathe again.

Read the entire news story here:
www.citynews.ca/news/news_9211.aspx

Cat Saved Family From Poisonous Fumes

A cat helped spare a family from death by carbon monoxide poisoning by jumping on the bed and meowing wildly as fumes filled the home. Eric and Cathy Keesling said their 14-year-old cat, Winnie, played a crucial role in saving their lives March 24 after a gasoline-powered water pump in their basement caused the odorless but deadly gas to build up.

About 1 a.m., the domestic shorthair began nudging Cathy’s ear and meowing loudly. “It was a crazy meow, almost like she was screaming,” said Cathy, who hesitated to get up until Winnie’s caterwauling and jumping persisted.

Read the entire story here:
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17972624/

FEATURED PET PRODUCTS

Cats: Eliminate Hairballs With a Gourmet Treat

Cats groom …and grooming can lead to hairballs. Purrfectly Natural Treats contain high-quality proteins needed for a healthy skin and coat so less hair is swallowed. And, the wholesome blend of vegetable fibers and natural glycerin support your cat’s healthy GI tract, which helps eliminate hair that naturally accumulates in the digestive tract. Newly formulated with an improved flavor for finicky feline palates!

Dogs: Reward Good Behavior With Tasty Rewards

Good behavior should be rewarded, but often training treats are the equivalent of “junk food” … empty-calorie treats with no nutritive value and undesirable ingredients. Healthy Pet Net’s Tasty Rewards are wholesome nutritional training treats made from free-range, farm-raised chicken and venison. More dog treats.

PET SUCCESS STORY

"I have acquired my mothers 7 year old cat (Kali) and she had some sores that even the vet didn’t seem to know what they were from. They thought fleas but there were no fleas in her house.

I went online and it seemed that comfrey was the thing for cats. I had some comfrey salve and started using it on those nodules. At first she was not happy, but they are all gone now.

When she jumped up for a brushing she seemed to like getting the salve. Quick learner! Just thought it was interesting. Wish I had known about all this stuff years ago! Have a wonderful day!" Sheila

Golden Salve is our herbal salve with comfrey and it has had many success stories over the years. We always have some in our First Aid drawer and even take it when we travel. Read more success stories on herbal salves for pets and people.

FOR PET OWNERS

How to Cope With Losing a Pet

Since we live a lot longer than our pets, it stands to reason that we will, at some time or another, come face to face with losing one. Whether you know it's coming or it's unexpected, it is a sad and emotional time. Fortunately, there are many ways to cope with the loss. Access a great article on this topic and add your own comments or suggestions: www.wikihow.com/Cope-With-Losing-a-Pet

BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING

Question: My husband thinks I’m crazy when I say we can teach our cats to do tricks. Is it possible for cats to learn things like dogs do or are they too independent?

Answer: Cats can most definitely be trained; however, the training process is a little different than it is with dogs. Dogs are eager to please their humans and want to learn what is expected of them. (Most problems that dogs have are the result of humans forgetting to teach what those expectations are.)

Cats, on the other hand, are more independent and take the attitude of, “What’s in it for me?” Therefore, when training a cat you must always have a reward ready. With dogs this reward is faded eventually from training - not so with cats.

The other important aspect of training cats is the trust that must be built between cats and their humans. Without trust, the cat will not be willing to try new things. Start out simple to build that trust.

Most of us who live with cats already have trained them to do some things. When we open a can of cat food, the cat comes running. This is easily put on command as a “come,” with the cat food being the reward. Soon the cat will learn to come whenever you call, not just when you open a can of cat food.

If you hold the cat food bowl just slightly over the cat’s head, she will sit back on her legs to look up at it. Now you can put a “Sit” to this movement and begin to ask your cat to sit before feeding her. If you raise the dish slightly higher and say “Up,” you will teach your cat to sit up. If you feed your cats on a high place like a dryer, you can teach the cat to go “Down” by bringing the bowl slightly lower than the top of the dryer. The cat will squat down trying to reach the food.

Be sure to praise cats profusely and tell them how clever they are during training sessions - they love their egos to be stroked! Spending time with the animals that share our lives creates a greater bond and understanding of each other. There is so much to be gained whenever we train with our animals, and that’s true with those kitties too!

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.

PET INFO

Shedding & Healthy Coats

Unless you have a Hairless Terrier or a Sphynx, it’s the season once again to expect increased shedding. Dogs typically lose their winter coats in the spring, when it is replaced by a shorter, lighter one for summer. Prevention for hot spots and allergy problems is wise to begin before the heat arrives.

The amount of shedding varies widely from breed to breed. For example, German Shepherds are prolific year-round shedders, while poodles seem to lose little fur at all. While hair cycles are affected by mental state, hormones, and nutrition, changes primarily occur due to fluctuations in temperature and the amount of daylight.

The length of daylight hours is thought to have more impact on the shedding cycle than temperature, which is why all pets shed during particular times of the year, whether they are in Montana or Florida.

Pets that are kept primarily indoors experience fluctuations in both temperature (going in and out of the house) and light (including the artificial light in our homes) all year long. Because they are in a constant state of change, these pets tend to shed their hair, sometimes profusely, throughout the year. Most pets will shed excessively during the winter due to the dry heat in the home. The average humidity of a heated home in the winter is similar to that found in some desert regions. Using a humidifier provides great help in combating excessive shedding during the winter months.

An unhealthy coat can have negative impacts on pet parents, too – most commonly in the form of allergies. Contrary to popular belief, hair is not the main cause of allergies in humans. We are primarily allergic to dander (dead skin cells, like dandruff) and proteins (FEL d 1 in cats and CAN d 1 in dogs) in the oil produced by the sebaceous glands.

A study by the Cornell Veterinary University found that by simply washing a dog or cat, many of the allergens are eliminated. The frequency of bathing depends upon the severity of the allergies, from every two to three weeks or two to three months. If you are experiencing pet allergies, we also recommend brushing or combing daily – preferably outdoors. This will help to remove the allergens from your pet’s coat.

For all of the hair support systems to function properly, they require a variety of nutrients, including fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. The body delivers these nutrients to the primary organs (heart, lungs, liver) first, and the remainder is sent to the sebaceous glands. Additionally, a healthy coat requires protein – and lots of it! In fact, at optimum nutrition levels, almost 95% of the protein that’s ingested is used by the body to support hair production and maintenance.

Just as it is important to feed a high-quality, nutrient-dense food, it is also advisable to give your companion animals a balanced supplement that provides the additional nutritional support necessary to achieve the utmost in a healthy coat and skin.

Liquid oils are not recommended because they can turn rancid quickly. Many find that capsules are difficult to give to their pets. Along with the necessary oils, the supplement should contain a spectrum of vitamins for proper nutrition. Lastly, but equally important, the supplement must taste good to your pets.

HealthyPetNet’s Skin & Coat Formula is a unique formula that provides a perfect balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. These oils are certified-free of contaminants and are microencapsulated to increase absorption, so your pet receives the full nutritional benefit.

Skin & Coat Formula contains Vitamins A, D, and E, all of which are necessary for the maintenance of healthy skin and a glossy coat. Skin & Coat Formula is manufactured in a human pharmaceutical plant to ensure the highest product quality, and it has a delicious roast beef flavor that both cats and dogs love.

Source: Healthy Pet Newsletter, a free monthly email newsletter

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.

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.

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 a bout 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 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.

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.

Natural Pet News - March 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 19:37:00 +0000

Please share this newsletter with your other pet-loving friends. To keep it from being dumped into your Junk Mail folder due to it's length, add our mailing list address to your Address Book: newsletters@thefrugallife.com

A NOTE FROM DONNA

Spring arrives officially tomorrow! Isn't it a grand time of year? The daffodils surging out of the ground after a year-long nap look gorgeous and bright. Time in the garden always make me feel better. There's so much to discover in nature. Maybe you'd like to subscribe to my newslettter, A Touch of Nature, and join me as I discover the natural world around us all. View the last issue of A Touch of Nature.

Squeek has enjoyed the warmer weather. Having been a feral cat (or is it once a feral, always a feral?), she enjoys her time outside on our screened porch, but does not like cold weather any more than I do. On one of our warmer days, I uncovered the outside furniture and placed what we call her throne, in the corner of the screened porch. She likes to keep an eye on the neighbor's two dogs and one kitty, not to mention all the squirrels and birds. She certainly gets plenty of entertainment to keep her mind active and alert. Keeping pets entertained when they are alone is very important as this newspaper article mentions:
www.columbiatribune.com/2006/Aug/20060806Life013.asp

PET NEWS

Pet Food Recall - URGENT

Menu Foods, Inc. has identified potentially contaminated products. Consumers who have any of these products should immediately stop feeding them to their pets.

Dogs or cats who have consumed the suspect food and show signs of kidney failure (loss of appetite, lethargy and vomiting) should consult with their veterinarian. All Stop & Shop Supermarkets and Giant Food stores have removed the products from their shelves. Customers can return for full refund. Any additional questions call 1-866-895-2708. The link to their site has been too busy to even load, but here it is: www.menufoods.com/recall

These recalls are happening much too frequently and act as an alert to pet owners to know more about the brands they choose for their pets. Pet food manufactured by large food industries that make use of the feathers, bones, blood and scraps that can't be approved for human consumption is not what you want to be feeding your pet. These ingredients do not support life.

Flint River Ranch is a brand we use that has never had a product recall. You need to know more about pet foods for the safety and quality life of your pet. Healthy pet foods pay for themselves in saved dollars at the vet and in overall health for the animal. View a video about what's in pet foods.

Dog Fur On Clothing

This is awful news, but the word needs to be spread, so domestic animals do not end up on clothings racks in retail stores. Read the news:
apnews.myway.com/article/20070223/D8NFFQL81.html

Then use this link to send a letter in less than a minute. Every email makes a difference:
community.hsus.org/humane/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=7365891

PET WARNINGS

Xylitol in Dogs

As early as the 1960's, experiments indicated a link between the ingestion of xylitol and hypoglycemia in dogs. However, it has only been recently that the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has begun to receive reports of xylitol toxicosis in dogs. Clinical signs of xylitol toxicity can develop in as few as 30 minutes after ingestion. Dogs have died from this, so please pass on this information to pet owners you know. Read the entire article here:
www.knowlesanimalclinics.com/miami/articles/main/xylitol_toxicity/

Essential Oils and Cats

Essential oils are very potent substances and cats do not do as well with them as dogs do, so please be careful about this. Get more details on our site.

BEHAVIORAL ISSUES

Adding Another Pet
by Cheryl Falkenburry, Animal Behavior Expert

Question: We are thinking about getting another cat, but we aren’t sure if our current cat will like the idea. We also have a dog that loves cats—sometimes too much! What’s the best way to introduce a new cat?

Answer: Introducing animals to new things, people, or other animals can be tricky whether you are dealing with a cat or a dog. The key is to make the new addition the coolest thing in the world. Be sure to only feed and pay attention to existing animals in the presence of the new addition. This will make the new addition an important part of the family whose presence is required to get the resources needed to exist. Treats should “rain from heaven” every time the new addition comes around. Imagine how much you would want someone to be in the room if every time they entered $100 bills came out of the sky!

The following are some steps to help introductions go more smoothly.

1. Set up a separate room for the new cat complete with a litter box, food, and water. If possible, a screen door on the room helps animals sniff each other safely, but it’s not necessary.

2. Allow the new cat to explore the separate area alone with the door closed.

3. Take the new cat out of the room and allow the current cat and dog to explore the room and get to know the new cat’s scent. During this time the new cat can explore the rest of the house.

4. Feed the animals together (the dog may need to be in a crate). Start at a distance, then decrease the distance over time as everyone becomes more comfortable with each other. Use plates instead of dishes so the cats can see while they are eating.

5. Have some short supervised time together—some hissing from the cats is to be expected at first but this will eventually pass. Redirect any inappropriate or rough play—especially from the dog.

6. Dogs should know the basic commands of sit, stay, and leave it. The dog may need to be kept on a leash in the beginning in order to prevent chasing. Once a dog finds out how much fun the chase is, it’s hard to stop this behavior. Prevention is the key.

7. Never leave the animals alone together in the beginning.

8. Have one more cat boxes than number of cats around the house so everyone has their privacy. Keep the dog out of the cat box areas.

9. Put water dishes in areas that a cat can drink and see all around. Otherwise a cat may stop drinking out of fear that another cat or dog will sneak up from behind.

Eventually the animals will be able to spend more time together without supervision. Some become best friends, while others learn to tolerate each other. Either way, time spent planning and training will help bring harmony to the household in no time when adding a new furry companion.

Ask Cheryl 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.

FEATURED PET PRODUCTS

Life’s Abundance Weight-Loss Formula for Adult Dogs

If your dog’s weight is a growing concern, consider the nutritious, low-fat Life's Abundance Weight-Loss Formula. Formulated for effective use as part of a weight loss or weight control program, Weight-Loss Formula is a nutritionally balanced food that delivers the support dogs need to lose fat and maintain healthy weights. And like all HealthyPetNet products, this food contains no artificial flavors, colors, sugars or chemical preservatives. More Info.

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.

Microbest Safe Cleaning Products
Sunshine Concentrate Household Multi-Use Cleaner

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.

NATURAL HEARTWORM SUCCESS

Cassie Tests Negative

"Cassie was diagnosed with a moderate case of heartworms during the Summer of 2006. She was 3-years old at the time and although she acted like a playful puppy she would appear to get short of breath after her walks. The vet wanted to get her on the conventional treatment right away, but agreed she wasn't the perfect candidate for this treatment as it would obviously be hard to keep her calm and confined so she suggested possibly keeping her on Benadryl during the program. This horrified me and I came home and started searching for an alternative solution. Thankfully I came across Bandit's website and immediately ordered Bandit's program, which she started July 23, 2006.

Cassie was 17-lbs at the time and I kept her to the program that Bandit had been on and changed her to a healthy diet. I also took her off the monthly Heartguard, however, when my husband heard of this he wanted to get her back on the Heartgard and insisted we take her to the vet to see if the heartworms had increased during the time she had been off the Heartguard. We went to the vet in November for the heartworm bloodtest and while waiting for the results I told the vet about the herbal formula I was using, she appeared to have heard about it, but quickly said it doesn't work. However, a moment later when she walked back in with the results, she announced that the test showed only a very slight positive! She told me to continue what I was doing, but to also put her back on the monthly Heartgard, which my husband insisted on doing.

We took Cassie back to the vet yesterday (January, 2007) for her yearly physical. The vet checked her out and then went on to another patient. Her assistant finally came in and said the vet was done and that I could leave, but I said I was still waiting on the result of the heartworm test, to which she said "Oh, it's negative, we would have come in and told you right away if it had been positive." I reiterated that Cassie had been diagnosed with heartworms and was she sure about the results. She confirmed she was. I couldn't believe that they were so nonchalant about the whole thing .. I wanted to throw a party and call everyone! I'm thinking about taking in another rescue dog that needs heartworm treatment and putting him/her on the program right away. Thanks, Robin, for your wonderful website!" Lorraine

Robin Sockness, who is a dear friend of ours, has been working with people for many years and has helped over a thousand pets with a natural alternative to heartworm programs and prevention.

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

QUALITY-CONTROLLED 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 a bout 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.

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

Natural Pet News - February 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 00:43:00 +0000

We returned a few days ago from a trip to Southern California. We had a business conference and extended the stay. Our itinerary after the conference was all natural areas so we saw some great wildlife and birds. You can access photo albums of each stop at our online photo gallery.

Everything went as planned even with the flights so we had a very nice time. The only down side to it was missing our kitty, Squeek. Especially when it was time to go to bed and she wasn't lying beside me. We have a wonderful pet sitter so I knew she was being well entertained.

Hug your pet a little bit more today :-)
Donna

TRAVELING WITH PETS

Our Squeek is happier at home than traveling, but many pets would love to get away with their owners. State and local laws vary for pet-friendly lodging, so check out your options ahead of time at these sites:

www.takeyourpet.com - This site charges a membership fee of $1.95. They offer lodging discounts and have over 20,000 listings of pet-friendly places to stay.

www.TravelPets.com - Offers a free directory for US and international lodging along with travel tips for traveling with pets.

Pets Can Stay Inc. is the national certifying and marketing body that has established the standard for accommodation providers that cater to the pet travel market. Pets Can Stay Travel Services™ is a full service agency that provides direct bookings to Pets Can Stay certified properties across North America at no cost to the traveller. PCS Travel Services is rapidly becoming the agency of choice for pet-toting leisure travellers, and corporate travellers that are loyal to properties that accept pets. For more information, visit www.petscanstay.com

PETS IN THE NEWS

Pets Boost Children's Health

Children who have pet animals at home have stronger immune systems and are less likely to take days off school sick, a study suggests.

Researchers at Warwick University in Coventry found that having a cat or dog exposed children to more infections early in life. However, this exposure boosted their immune systems in the medium term and meant these children attended school more often, on average, than pupils who did not have pets. Read entire article here: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2045704.stm

DRIVING WITH CATS

I've never had a cat that liked riding in the car. I've seen them in cars laying on the back window like they were sunning on the porch. My cats, whether in a carrier or out, must think like men do when they hit the shower. Their voice gets several decimals louder and they vocalize sounds which we call "singing."

There's not much that sets me on edge more than to have a cat wailing on the way to the vet or during a move or flight home. I simply can't concentrate to drive. Many years ago I learned to handle this with an herbal formula, Stress-J, which has calming herbs and in a liquid or capsule. Some pets need a bit more of a knockout and we've seen many do well with Valerian.

Awhile back I had a stray cat that I wanted to neuter and he didn't come around every day, so I had to make the vet appointment and hope that I would have him to go. In the scurry of it all, I forgot I was out of Stress-J , so I decided to use Lavender Essential Oil. It sure works to calm me down. I rubbed some in my hands and headed for the car. My husband was driving and I was in the back seat with the cat who was already "singing." I opened the cat carrier just enough to let the cat put his head in my hands. In less than a minute he was calm. He just nuzzled into my hands and laid still. I couldn't believe it! He was calm even through the process of checking him in at the vet.

When I went to pick him up the next day they brought him out singing loudly and rather agitated to be in the carrier. I paid the bill quickly and took him out to the car realizing I'd forgotten the Lavender. I get so emotional about stray cats, but I always carry Peppermint Essential Oil in my purse since it has so many uses.

I'd read about a vet putting it on the paws of animals feet to calm them for examination or for thunder phobia. I got the Peppermint Essential Oil from my purse and rubbed some between my palms to do the same thing on the way home. The Peppermint did it! It was so nice to have such a simple easily accessible solution.

HELPING THE CHEW-A-HOLIC DOG
by Cheryl Falkenburry, Animal Behavior Expert

Some dogs just seem addicted to chewing. Everything in the house is considered a chew toy in their mind. A young dog needs to chew on things to help teeth break through the gums. Older dogs need to chew to exercise their jaws, and, well, and if a dog is bored, chewing is just plain fun! Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do to stop your dog’s natural need and desire to chew.

You can, however, redirect his chewing to appropriate items. When your dog begins to chew something inappropriate, trade him for an appropriate toy. He’ll happily trade once he learns he will get something great in return, and you will be able to save many a shoe from destruction. The following are some suggestions for great, safe toys and games for the avid chewer.

1. Meet the KONG: Many people will turn to rawhide bones help satisfy some chewing, but as they disappear quickly, which means all that rawhide is going into your dog’s intestines. Too much rawhide is very hard for a dog to digest and may get clogged up inside them. The best toy around to help with chewing is a KONG. It’s a hard rubber toy shaped like a honeycomb. You can stuff yummy treats inside to help keep the dog chewing and playing longer with the KONG. There are a variety of sizes, so you want to make sure that you get the right one for your dog’s size and strength. Be sure to look for the KONG brand as they are definitely made for the power chewer and are virtually indestructible. They may cost a little more than some of the other toys, but the up front expense is worth it to save all those shoes--and fingers--from getting chewed.

2. Turning your dog into a KONG-a-holic: You can stuff a variety of things into a KONG to make your dog really have to work at it. At first make it simple, mix a little peanut butter with some kibble and stuff it inside, and put a biscuit in the end to start your dog off with an easy treat. After your dog gets the idea, you can layer the items in the KONG by putting some biscuit bits in first, then some canned food mixed with kibble, then pack some peanut butter in and stick a biscuit out of the end. This will keep your dog entertained for a while. When you go away for the day, hide a few KONGS around the house so not only is your dog having fun eating the KONG, but he gets to hunt a little too.

3. Games with the KONG: Once your dog learns how much fun a KONG can be, try putting a rope through the end of the KONG, stuff the KONG, then hang it from a tree in the backyard low enough for the dog to reach it with her mouth. The dog will work hard jumping and running around getting the treats out. After a while, be sure to take it down and allow the dog the reward of finishing the KONG while lying quietly.

4. Cleaning the KONG: One great aspect of the KONG is that it can be put in the dishwasher after each use. Always clean all dog toys periodically, but the KONG needs to be cleaned more often because of the food that my stay stuck on the inside. If you decide to get a KONG, when you go to the store you will be amazed at the many types of KONGS available. The good ol’ honeycomb one is the best for avid chewers. The retrieving toys with ropes are a lot of fun for playing and the rope feels good for teething, but this toy shouldn’t be left with your dog to just chew. The nice thing about the retrieving toys is that you can replace the ropes through the KONG company, so the whole toy doesn’t have to be replaced when the rope wears down.

Always inspect your dog’s toys to be sure they are safe to play with. Throw away worn toys and replace them with new. Keep a toy box of dog toys that you control and take out when you want to play with your dog; this way your dog will not get bored with his toys and will look forward to fun times with you.

Ask Cheryl 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.

FEATURED PET PRODUCTS

Life’s Abundance Weight-Loss Formula for Adult Dogs

If your dog’s weight is a growing concern, consider the nutritious, low-fat Life's Abundance Weight-Loss Formula. Formulated for effective use as part of a weight loss or weight control program, Weight-Loss Formula is a nutritionally balanced food that delivers the support dogs need to lose fat and maintain healthy weights. And like all HealthyPetNet products, this food contains no artificial flavors, colors, sugars or chemical preservatives. More Info.

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.

Natural Pet News - 1/22/07

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 19:45:00 +0000

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 animals. 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.

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 a bout 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

Natural Pet News - 12/29/06

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 18:59:00 +0000

A NOTE FROM DONNA & RANDAL

Thank you for sharing this newsletter with your other pet-loving friends. To keep it from being dumped into your Junk Mail folder due to it's length, add our mailing list address to your Address Book: newsletters@thefrugallife.com

I hope you and your pets have had a pleasant holiday during Christmas-time. We couldn't convince Squeek to give you a smile. She's not usually camera shy, but she's not much of a lap kitty.

We kept the holidays pretty low-key at our place focusing on the birth of Christ and what that means to us. We enjoy volunteering more during this time of year since the email and phones slow down. We also enjoy the musical events of the season. We especially enjoyed our neighbor's sing-a-long that they have every other year. There were 48 people there and we sang carol after carol laughing and smiling all the way. Not to mention the incredible array of food. I was the designated photographer of the party.

The new year is approaching and I love it. It feels like I've got a fresh new slate to write anything I want on it. Obviously, it's just another day, the next day on the calendar. Time just keeps ticking by, but I think the turn over into the new year causes us all to think and ponder what our lives are all about and what we'd like to make them about. I seem to ponder that all year long and do a mailing called "A Healing Moment" with thought-provoking articles. It's a free email newsletter you can subscribe to at the above 'A Healing Moment' link.

Blessings to you and all of your pets!
Donna

GOOD NEWS FOR PETS

Vet Clinic For the Homeless and Poor

This month's good news story is about a clinic with 15 volunteers that provide pet food and services to animals owned by homeless and people too poor to have veterinarian care. If you'd like to read the story, here's the link: seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/291359_dogs07.html

CATS & KITTENS

Why Do Cats Purr?

The reason why cats purr has been the subject of great debate among feline experts. At present, there is still no consensus regarding whether the behavior of purring is voluntary or involuntary.

Purring is generally understood to result from the vibration of vocal cords that is amplified by air pushed in and out by contractions of the diaphragm. Both domestic and wild cats (including big cats that do not roar) are known to purr. Kittens are capable of producing purrs within a day after they are born, often purring while suckling.

Purrs are one element of the murmur vocalization group, sounds that can be produced while the mouth is shut. Purrs are believed to communicate pleasure and contentment, but cats will also purr when they are frightened or ill, and some will even purr while delivering kittens. Some experts believe that during these latter, stressful situations, the purring may be an attempt to reduce stress. When cats purr in the presence of other unknown cats or kittens, purring may serve to convey submissiveness or a friendly intent.

Although we may never know exactly why cats purr, perhaps we can all agree that purring is a most pleasant sound, and that our cats must feel some contentment while making those light lulling rumbles.

Source: Healthy Pet Newsletter

DOGS - BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING

Dog Jumping on People

Q: Every time someone comes to my house, my Golden Retriever jumps all over them. It doesn’t seem to matter how much we yell at him to stop, he just keeps doing it. I don’t want to lock him up every time someone comes over. He’s very friendly--just too friendly! How do I stop my jumping Jack?

A: Dogs are pack animals and get very excited in groups or when new people come to visit. They are anxious to greet company and jump to get some face time. Most people start to yell at the dog and push with their hands for the dog to get down. This only encourages the dog to jump more. It’s actually an invitation to play to start pushing your hands at dogs. Think about how dogs start to play with each other—they start to paw at the other dog. Well, that’s what humans are doing when they push with their hands. The dog just thinks you want to play; plus in their minds, you are “barking” and carrying on so you must be excited to see them too!

Since body language speaks so loudly to dogs, ask your visitors to turn their back on the dog. Have them make no eye contact and step away to avoid paw contact. When the dog stops jumping, ask them to turn and praise your dog for having four paws on the floor. Better yet, have them ask for a sit before saying hello. Any time the dog starts to jump, they should turn around again. If your dog is really big, you may need to do this with the dog on a leash so he doesn’t knock them over while he practices his new skills.

Soon your dog will learn that the only way to get attention from visitors is to keep four-on-the-floor. With lots of repetition and patience from your visitors, your dog will soon be saying hello in much more appropriate ways.

Download a PDF on specific training information for jumping dogs at Cheryl's site:
www.centerhillschool.com/jumpingdogs.wps.pdf

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.

FEATURED PET PRODUCT

Immune & Body Support for Cats

More and more, we are beginning to see our sweet house cats with a view toward their roots as descendents of hunters in the wilderness. Cats are classified as obligate (or true) carnivores, indicating their diets should consist primarily of meat in order to satisfy their specific nutritional requirements. Their feline ancestors were primarily desert animals, and received the majority of their hydration from prey. This is largely believed to be responsible for felines lacking a strong desire to drink, apart from when they eat.

This concept inspired Dr. Bicks to formulate the popular canned premium cat food, Instinctive Choice. She has applied this same philosophy of nutritional food development to the delicious new supplement Immune & Body Support.

As pet parents, we recognize the wildness in our cats. They hide behind the sofa and pounce on a toy mouse or perch perfectly still while observing a bird. And with the majority of companion cats confined to the home with little or no access to the outdoors, they are repeatedly exposed to household cleaners, the impurities of tap water, herbicides and pollutants that we bring in the house on our shoes and clothes, and even from the repeated use of prescription medicines. All of these elements can have a negative impact on a cat’s bodily organs and immune system.

While feeding a healthy diet of Life’s Abundance and/or Instinctive Choice is a fantastic way to provide your cat with an excellent nutritional foundation, it’s also true that no two cats have precisely the same nutritional requirements. Breed, age, activity level, environment, genetics and other factors determine your cat’s special needs. Dr. Bicks formulated Immune & Body Support to incorporate the additional nutrients that target liver, kidney, heart, brain and immune system health.

This new formula is inspired by nature, and includes essential nutrients specific to the prey of cats, such as muscle tissue rich in L-Carnitine, and cartilage which provides glucosamine needed to maintain healthy joints. It also provides a broad spectrum of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, herbs and whole food concentrates (like stabilized rice bran and herring meal) to supplement a healthy diet and maintain optimal health.

This comprehensive approach to supplementation will help your cat to thrive, and will meet his or her unique feline requirements. Immune & Body Support is formulated to help support the healthy functioning of your cat’s immune system and vital organs, and also helps to support a healthy urinary tract, which is vitally important for many felines. And best of all, it has a delicious flavor that even finicky cats love.

PET SAFE CLEANING PRODUCTS

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.

Microbest Safe Cleaning Products
Sunshine Concentrate Household Multi-Use Cleaner

CUSTOMER'S SUCCESS STORIES

Diarrhea

"I added a 3 month old kitten, Yogi, to our family and he had diarrhea from the day I brought him home. We tried switching foods and all the waiting that goes with every change, fecal exams at the Vet, and we still came up with nothing, other than there were no digestive enzymes. We started enzyme therapy, no change after two weeks and another fecal exam found nothing. We treated for Ghiardia because Boo Boo, my other cat, seemed to have developed diarrhea too. No change. I was so worried about this little kitten, I checked out no less than 13 books from the library and read everything I could find online.

I decided to try a natural diet (home-cooked and natural dry cat food). One and a half days after I began serving Yogi Flint River Ranch Dry Cat Food (the only dry food he would eat) and serving him cooked chicken or beef, broth, veggies and brown rice or barley meals he had his first normal stool. It's now six (6) weeks later and we're still going strong. I don't know that if I left out any one item things would change, but I feel the combination is a well rounded, balanced and wholesome meal.

Both cats now eat only Flint River Ranch for their dry food. Their coats are soft and shiny, Boo Boo is shedding only a fraction of what he had been. Yogi is finally filling out and actually seems to be satisfied when he has finished his plate of goodies (he had an insatiable appetite before). They both run and play with endless energy. Boo Boo even seems to have a calmer, more sociable and affectionate attitude.

I have learned that many cats can have chronic diarrhea from commercial foods due to an intolerance to the additives, preservatives or fillers used. After all the frustration and anxiety of two months of trying to get our little Yogi on track I hope you might be able to share some of this story with others who are in similar situations." Debra C.

Deworming

"I'm a licensed nurse and have been interested in herbs for about 4 years. We have 70-80 goats and I've found that the chemical products are too harsh and don't really solve any problems. I've been using herbal dewormers (wormwood, tarragon, thyme, and black walnut) and have done parasite counts before and after treatment with both drugs and the herbs, and I'm much more satisified with the herbal results." Julie Our most popular herbal ootions for deworming are Herbal Pumpkin and Black Walnut.

Herbs for Pets Online Catalog by Health Topic

More 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.

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.

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 testimonials. 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.

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.

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
© 2006 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

Natural Pet News - 11/20/06

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 02:17:00 +0000

Make sure this doesn't get dumped into Junk Mail.
Add this address to your Address Book: newsletters@thefrugallife.com

Remove yourself from this mailing at the bottom.

A NOTE FROM DONNA

It's a bit cold for Squeek to spend her days on the screened porch, so she now spends time at the windows wildlife watching with me. She especially likes the door to the deck since we have squirrels that entertain her while they look around for peanuts we toss out there. What won't we pet owners will do to entertain our pets in winter?

We also have a clay dish out there with mealworms for the birds and it attracts bluebirds. I got a series of photos of Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird with a conversation titled in since there was a turtle in the dish with the mealworms to provide entertaining dialogue. The story begins here. Click the double arrows to the right to continue. Please add your own comments or captions. I love reading them!

I was talking on the phone about a week ago as our cat was walking through the kitchen. At the moment she was passing the area of the counter where the toaster sits, it popped up with my English muffin. She popped up higher than the muffin and then hit the ground with all fours scratching away on the vinyl as she tried to race out of the kitchen. She was obviously startled but it was hard to be sympathetic while I was having a really good laugh. We need a web cam installed for such moments.

There's more about how Squeek became part of our family below.

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

HOLIDAY TIPS

No Turkey Bones For Dogs or Cats!

On the day following Thanksgiving veterinarians will tell you that the most common calls are from concerned from pet owners inquiring about diarrhea with blood in it, vomiting, or a pet's lack of appetite. These calls are all due to a pet getting turkey bones out of the garbage, a pet stealing turkey bones off the counter, or a well meaning pet lover giving a pet a turkey bone. Read more here:
www.hswaynepets.org/features/turkeybones.htm

Thanksgiving Pet Care

Pet care expert, magazine columnist, radio and television pet care personality, Charlotte Reed offers Thanksgiving pet care tips that will ensure a happy holiday for you and your pet:
www.doggienews.com/lib/education/missfidomanners-thanksgiving.htm

No Bread Dough!

Your pet could require surgery like the dog in this article:
www.care2.com/c2c/share/detail/223444

Don't Purchase Puppy Mill Puppies and Don't Give Pets For Gifts

Christmas is not the time to give an animal as a gift unless all things have been considered beforehand and the last place to buy a puppy is at a store that gets them from puppy mills. Not only because of the cruelty of it all, but because the puppies are not healthy. How could they be when females are bred simply to produce litter after litter of pups while they live in a small caged area with rare moments of individual attention, if any.

Wait till after the holidays and get a dog from the shelter to give it a truly Happy New Year. The timing will be better to introduce a new animal to a home outside of the holiday rush-rush. Here's a blog that has some good links to information:
spadafori.typepad.com/woof/2006/11/no_christmas_pu.html

PETS IN THE NEWS

Having Pets In Childhood May Reduce Allergies To Them Later

Having companion animals in the home may actually help to reduce allergies, according to new research. The nine-year study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, investigated the respiratory health of nearly 10,000 adults in relation to their lifelong history of having companion animals in their homes.

Previous studies have indicated that exposure to cats and dogs in early childhood may make one less likely to develop asthma and allergies later in life. This study added to this evidence, noting that pet owners had significantly lower incidences of allergies - by over 30% - than those who had no pet.

Source: Healthy Pet Newsletter

How To Make Your Christmas Pet-Safe

Christmas trees pose all sorts of hidden dangers for dogs and cats. Learn how to minimize the risks on this eHow article: www.ehow.com/how_9309_make-christmas-tree.html

CATS

Christmas Tree Decorated by Iris and Fern

Getting your cats to decorate your Christmas tree is something that should be considered because it's been done by Iris and Fern, two fluffy tailed kitty sisters! This website will give you a step-by-step instruction presented by Iris and Fern. Maybe you need to get your cat to view it with you ..... or maybe not! You might not want to give them too many ideas if you like to have your tree free of kitties this Christmas. Hilarious! www.fluffytails.ca/christmas.asp

How to Trim Your Cat's Nails

Learn to cut your cat's nails. You will have a much happier and calmer pet. It is extremely painful and inhumane to declaw . This How-To article will help you with photos and instructions on how to cut your cat's nails: www.wikihow.com/Trim-Your-Cat's-Nails

DOGS

Games to Play With Your Dog

People who regularly play with their dog develop understanding, respect and communication with their dog. Games are activities you do with your dog that require the two of you to communicate and work together in some way. Playing games with your dog is really good for your relationship. While dogs are not humans in fur suits they are social creatures and playing is an important element in developing social relationships. Here's a site with lots of ideas and links to more: www.dogplay.com/Activities/games.html

How To Make Christmas Ornaments From Pet Toys

Christmas is celebrated all over the world, and not just by humans. Ornaments made from pet toys can be hung on the tree. This eHow site has a very simple project you can do to let your pets know that they are part of the family, too: www.ehow.com/how_11082_make-christmas-ornaments.html

PET SUCCESS STORY

Heartworms Gone With Herbal Program

"Hi Robin, I know you don't remember me but I contacted you about a year ago regarding my dog, Dakota, who was diagnosed with heartworms. We put her on the Nature's Sunshine Products you recommended. My wife and I took her to the vet tonight and were hoping for the best but expecting the worse. We told the vet that we were using natural herbs to treat the heatworms. She was polite but we both caught the look of "you have to be kidding me." She came back and told us that Dakota's blood test came back negative and that she was heartworm free. The vet asked what we gave Dakota and we told her. She wanted me to call her with the more detailed information. Just thought you would like to know. Thanks again, Tom N."

If you know somebody with a heartworm dog, send them a link to our site for more information on the heartworm program. There is a prevention program also. Robin will be happy to work with your dog. She's helped over a thousand dogs and loves animals. There are alternatives to all the drugs and chemicals if you get informed of the options. Send this newsletter to somebody you know who needs this information.

BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING

The Demanding Dog

Q: Our dog is very demanding and nudges us with his nose when he wants a bone. If that doesn't work, he grabs our arm with his teeth. It's so annoying so we end up giving him the bone, but now his behavior is getting worse. He tears the newspaper and spills our coffee. He even does it to guests. I'm afraid we've created a monster by always giving in and letting him have a bone, but I don't know how to stop him from grabbing our arms!

A: Well, as you guessed it, you rewarded the behavior by giving him the bone, so now he's going to do it more. It worked in the past, so why not keep doing it?

Now you are going to have to turn the dog's behavior around. When you see him coming, be prepared. Body block him by turning your body, or getting up and walking away. The key is to totally ignore this kind of behavior. Act like he doesn't exist, which is going to be difficult in the beginning because he sounds pretty persistent.

Have the newspaper ready and put it between you and the dog when he approaches. Cross your legs, put out a foot, anything to body block him but do it without looking or talking to him. Make it a casual move that stops his actions. If he gives up and goes away, make sure you go over and praise his behavior. That is the time to give him the bone.

Pretty soon his little doggie mind is going to realize that lying down gets the bone, not being obnoxious and grabbing at his humans. It takes a while to turn this kind of behavior around, but consistency is the key. Set it up so you have guests that know what's going on. Let them know the rules so the dog sees that all humans have changed their behavior.

If he's being too obnoxious for body blocks to work, get up and walk away. DO NOT SAY ANYTHING TO HIM. Don't look at him, don't talk to him, the dog does not exist when he acts this way. Your change in behavior will throw him for a loop. His ill-mannered behavior may actually escalate at first because it worked before, so maybe doing it more will work now. When he sees that tactic not working, he'll try different behaviors.

Wait for the behavior you want, and be sure to praise and reward that behavior immediately. Patience and consistency is the key. If he's a really big dog and walking away and ignoring is not working too well, have a little can of Binaca breath spray in your pocket. When he comes up to grab your shirt, spray a little Binaca in his mouth. When he stops pulling on you and hopefully walks away trying to get the taste out of his mouth, you can then set a biscuit on a pillow (dog bed, mat) away from where you are sitting to encourage him to go to that spot.

Again, during this process you say nothing, you make no eye contact. The squirt of breath spray is only to interrupt the behavior. However, I suggest starting with the above method and only using the Binaca as a last resort as, believe it or not, it is a form of attention--some dogs even crave negative attention.

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.

FEATURED PET PRODUCT

Instinctive Choice Premium Moist Cat Food

We fell in love with a feral cat that visited our place for many years before we were to make a move to another state. It took a couple of years to even get to pet her head and by the time we were selling the house, she had been with us for almost 4 years, visiting daily and now even lying on the rug inside the patio door. We called her Kitty Girl all those years, but it seemed that since she was to officially become part of the family, we should give her a name. Since all we'd ever heard out of her was a squeak rather than a meow, I decided to name her Squeek.

We discovered she was an opera star after we got her into the truck and off to the highway. She serenaded my husband in his vehicle for 13 hours. Why don't animals ever get hoarse?

We had always fed her natural dry foods which we knew only supplemented her diet since she would share her wild meals with us from time to time. Finding a vole, mouse, or lizard at the doorway was not a treat to me, but she meant well, and she seemed to think it grand that we allowed her to share in the meal. Any time we would try a moist food she would refuse it. When Healthy Pet Net came out with Instinctive Choice, I thought it would possibly fit her wild nature and ordered some. What a delight to see her dig in as if she had been given a gourmet feast.

She finished her wet food before her dry Life's Abundance, so we thought we'd fill in a bit with a variety of natural canned foods at the health food store. I opened one after the other to have her refuse them entirely. Even if I left it there all day, she would rather fast than eat them. We are delighted to have Squeek's approval on the Instinctive Choice canned food. She certainly appreciates getting a bit of "wild" food again and apparently quality is worth more to her than variety.

PET INFO

Have You Lost A Pet or Know Somebody Who Has?

Maybe this website will be of comfort to them. My Auntie buried a beloved cat a short while ago and she sent me the link to this place. The site offers a place to post photos, send ecards, read poems and tributes, and even a message board to communicate with others. This may be a comforting site for those who have a recent loss or one that they've not been able to move beyond. Here's the website address: www.in-memory-of-pets.com

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.

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 testimonials. 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.

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
© 2006 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

Natural Pet News - 10/20/06

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 18:08:00 +0000

Natural Pet News - 9/22/06

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 20:48:00 +0000

NATURAL PET NEWS
September 22, 2006
Sponsored by Healthy Pet Corner

Newsletter Archives - Use the search engine to search topics

A NOTE FROM DONNA

In Central Virginia we've got Fall in the air. Mornings are chilly and afternoons luxurious. The colors in the garden are still vibrant and the hummingbirds have not had their fill to make them ready for their long journey south.

This week we had the opportunity to visit an American Chestnut Restoration Project over in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Nelson County. It was a beautiful day and we learned a lot about American Chestnuts which were devasted with a blight that killed most of them in the earlier 20th century. This tree provided wood for many things since it was a fast-growing hardwood, easy to split and bug-resistant. We took photos of our American Chestnut Field Trip where we got to see wildflowers also.

If you enjoy reading things about the natural world around us, be sure to join me at A Touch of Nature for a twice-monthly mailing. I love learning and sharing about the birds, critters and plants, along with some green living and shopping tips.

Note From Last Month's Issue:
You will notice that we are no longer linking to the sites referenced in the newsletters unless they are maintained by us. This is because over the years we have archived thousands of issues of our newsletters and as sites have shut down, change platform languages which makes previous links dead, and with the fact that news site links become dead after a certain period of time, we end up with a bunch of dead links on our websites which affect our search engine rankings. Taking off these links one at a time has been very laborsome over the years, so we've changed our format on the newsletters. The segments that have links outside of our own sites will not be clickable ones, but you can cut and paste them into your browser bar.

Give your pet a hug from me today :-)
Donna

NATURAL HEALTH FOR PETS

Our website has a detailed pet section with an online catalog by health topic, natural health information for pets, free consultations, natural heartworm programs, instructions on how to give herbs to pets, and lots more. Visit The Herbs Place for Pets.

PET NEWS

Healthy Pet Newsletter

Natural Pet News is now sent once a month instead of two. We would like for you to replace the other issue with another professional monthly newsletter with content from nationaly-known veterinarian, Dr. Jane Bicks.

View a sample issue or join the mailing list. Here's an article on Separation Anxiety that was in one of their issues. This seems to be a growing problem. I guess the stress of our lives and world have spilled over into the pets' nervous systems also.

One Year After Hurricane Katrina for Pets

100,000 companion animals were left homeless because of Hurricane Katrina. Tens of thousands have been rescued and are in adoption shelters around the country, but due to the enormous amount of pets displaced by the storm, there is very little space left in U.S. shelters, so there is nowhere to send the thousands who still need to be rescued.

If you are considering a new pet, please adopt from a local shelter. By doing so, you will be helping to make room for the others still waiting for a place to be fed and cared for, and hopefully at some point, that wonderful feeling of being "home."

BEHAVIOR ISSUES

Separation Anxiety & More

Once again, a new school year begins. Consequently, some parents are dealing with separation anxiety issues with their children. And, with busier school and activity schedules, it’s also the time when pet parents may begin to notice separation anxiety symptoms in their companion animals, too.

The most common definition of separation anxiety is that when left alone, your pet exhibits destructive behaviors. There are differences of opinion among pet professionals regarding the diagnosis and treatment of this complex behavioral issue, but all are trying to achieve the same result – the reduction and/or elimination of these destructive and harmful behaviors. The information presented here is intended to help you identify whether your companion animal might be suffering from your absence, and to provide some idea of available treatment options.

Although more common in canines, separation anxiety can be exhibited in both dogs and cats. In dogs, the destructive behaviors can include: constant barking; destroying furniture; chewing doors or the walls; ripping apart books; urinating and/or defecating in the house; and self-abuse (like chewing their paws raw). In cats, separation anxiety manifests itself in any of the following ways: indoor spraying; urinating or defecating in closets or on clothes; refusing to eat or drink; and hiding from you when you are at home.

Professionals attribute separation anxiety to a wide array of internal or external causes, or a combination of both. External causes range from changes in the environment, a lack of exercise or stimulation, and changes in behavior of the pet parents. Internal causes can include illness, persistent pain, nervousness, being in season and negative physiological changes due to poor diet.

To determine whether your companion animal might be suffering from separation anxiety, ask yourself these questions:

• Does your pet exhibit unusual behavior when you are getting ready to leave the home?

• Does the destructive behavior occur only when you are not at home?

• Does your pet greet you frantically, following closely wherever you go when you are home?

If all of these are true for your pet, you could be dealing with separation anxiety.

Once you have established that your companion might be experiencing separation anxiety, it’s critical that you are aware of the following:

• Do not punish your pet when you arrive home and discover the damage – this will only aggravate the problem.

• Do not bring another pet into your home. Introducing another being at this time will only add additional stress. Although it seems logical (i.e., your anxious pet will now have a companion), the separation anxiety is due to your absence.

• Do not make a big production out of leaving or entering your home. There is strong support for a relationship between your displays of heightened emotion at these times and the destructive behavior of your companion animal.

There are numerous training techniques that can help you deal with this pressing issue. These usually incorporate desensitization strategies as well as changes in your own behavior. We advise consulting a professional trainer or animal behaviorist for the best way to deal with your unique situation.

As with all training, affecting behavioral changes takes time. Here are some short-term solutions that can help to alleviate these symptoms while you are away from home.

• Have a friend or relative care for your pet.
• Place your pet in a day care facility.
• Bring your pet to work.

If none of these options are available to you, there are other stress reducers you can try on your own. When leaving your home, give your dog a toy (be sure it’s one that’s safe for him or her to have without supervision) like a treat ball – this will keep your dog occupied and provide a source of pleasure and gratification that your dog will learn to associate with your absence. For cats, make sure they have unobstructed views through windows, use a water fountain, play soft music or a DVD with birds and butterflies to engage their attention. For both dogs and cats, try leaving a pillowcase or a recently-worn article of clothing in an area where they commonly stay – just the smell of you may bring them some comfort.

The time you spend now addressing this issue could save you and your companion animal grief and distress in the future. If you suspect that your companion animal is experiencing separation anxiety, we strongly recommend you speak with your vet and a trainer with whom you feel comfortable. With patience, persistence and a lot of love, you can help your pet overcome this syndrome.

Source:
This article was taken from the Healthy Pet Newsletter, a free monthly email newsletter.

ADDING A PET TO YOUR HOME?

Cat or Kitten - Which Is Best For You

There are few things more adorable than a kitten. Kittens are entertaining and full of fun, but like a puppy, they will have more needs for attention and supervision than adult cats. As a kitten learns about the world by playing, your curtains, couch and flower arrangements can become sacrificed in the process. An adult cat can settle in faster, and choose to nap in front of the window instead of climbing the window draperies. If you're trying to decide which way to go when you adopt your next feline, read more in this article: www.sspca.org/KittenCat.html

Dogs Are A Big Loveable Responsibility

Since dogs have a life span of 12-14 years, a little planning will prevent your dog from being one of the 4 million dogs entering animals shelters next year. There's a lot of information being written about the benefit of pets in the home, but before you make that addition to the family, take the time to read about what's involved in owning a dog. They are a big responsibility and knowing how to be a responsible pet owner is your first step to truly being able to enjoy your new addition. Visit this website for a great article and list of resources too: www.thedogsbestfriend.com/yournextpurchase.htm

PET NATURAL HEALTH SUCCESS STORIES

Cystitis
"I awoke to find our cat leaving bloody drops of urine every where. I began JP-X hourly through that day until she was going freely without blood. The next day she slept a lot as usual which was a great change compared to frequent runs to the litter box. I gave her 1-2x/day for a week. No antibiotics! How wonderful! After having another cat that had recurring cystitis, this is a miracle for our family!" W.D.

Constipation
"My cat was having small bowel movements and they were tan or clay colored. It concerned me because she seemed to look like she was gaining weight and I wondered if she had a lot of "backup" in the intestinal system. I read the information about what stools tell you to determine what the problem was and began using LIV-J since it indicated a bile and liver problem. She is also a very nervous cat, so I thought I had better feed her nervous system with the STRESS-J to tackle the problem from both angles and to get her feeling a little less stressed which definitely affects the health of an animal. LIV-J and STR-J were designed to be used together, so I thought it was a good program. I began adding it to her food when it arrived and it was like she knew she needed it. She gobbled it up and only a few days later I noticed her bowel movements changing. She's doing so much better and we really enjoy a more relaxed kitty. Thanks for the great info and products!" D.P.

Compulsive Chewing
"My dog has had a problem with compulsively chewing his back near his tail. I've tried several things and they don't seem to work for long. I saw Soothing Mist on Healthy Pet Corner's site and decided to give it a try. The herbs in it sounded very soothing and healing. I added some Tea Tree Oil because I like to deter fleas. I've used a spray of Lavender and Tea Tree to prevent fleas for years, but he always ran from me when I wanted to spray him. When I get the bottle of Soothing Mist, he comes to me and sits still, so I think he knows it's helping him. I've been using it on my cat that has skin issues also and it's been doing good." Robin

These herbal formulas and supplements can be found online at The Herbs Place. You can also find more success stories on the site.

FEATURED HEALTH PRODUCTS

Advanced Daily Supplement for Dogs

Bandit's Buddies is featuring this supplement which provides a broad spectrum of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, natural plant oils and green foods.

Read more about the product and find lots of great health info for pets at Bandit's Buddies.

FEATURED PET FOOD PRODUCT

Bonita Fish Flakes for Cats

These dried fish flakes will have your cat begging for more. Got something you need to get down the kitty in her food but it makes her turn her nose up at it? Sprinkle on some of these flakes and she'll dive in.

Nothing in these packages but 100% Shaved and Dried Bonita Fish Flakes. Order this Flint River Ranch product here.

Trout and Sweet Potato (Fish and Chips) for Dogs

This allergy formula for food-sensitive dogs has received rave reviews. No wheat, corn or chicken. This Flint River Ranch all-natural formula is oven baked under controlled temperatures to ensure a very nutritional and digestible product with added probotics, enzymes, vitamins and chelated minerals. Read the list of ingredients here.

PET JOKE

Talking Dog

A guy is driving around Wadsworth, Ohio and he sees a sign in front of a house: "Talking Dog For Sale." He rings the bell and the owner tells him the dog is in the backyard.

The guy goes into the backyard and sees a Labrador retriever sitting there. "You talk?" he asks.

"Yep," the Lab replies.

"So, what's your story?"

The Lab looks up and says, "Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA about my gift, and in no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping. I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running."

"But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals. I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I'm just retired."

The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.

"Ten dollars," the guy says.

"Ten dollars? This dog is amazing. Why on earth are you selling him so cheaply?"

"Because he's lying, he never did any of that stuff."

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.

Microbest Safe Cleaning Products
Sunshine Concentrate Household Multi-Use Cleaner

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 more about Pet Force.

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 testimonials about Flint River Ranch.
Read about the Flint River Ranch Difference and shop here.

Healthy Pet Foods & Supplements Formulated by Dr. Jane Bicks
Your pet depends on you to make the right choices when it comes to his or her health and happiness. HealthyPetNet is a family-owned company that wants the best for their pets and yours. That’s why they promise to provide veterinarian-formulated products that are inspired by nature and made using good science. Read more about or shop for Healthy Pet Net foods and supplements.

Learn More About Pet Food Ingredients
Diet is so important for our own health, so we know it's important for our pets. Many health issues directly link to diet and it definetly affects long-term health. Consider your pet's diet if you are having recurring health problems or if you want to know that your pet is getting the best your money can buy. Read more about what's in pet foods.

Nature's Sunshine Herbs and Supplements for People
Find a natural solution for yourself. Many pet owners do everything to keep their pet healthy, but neglect their own health. One reason to keep yourself healthy is because your pet needs you! Be sure you're taking supplements to stay healthy and avoid the expensive drug prices. Shop for Nature's Sunshine Products - 100% Guaranteed.

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.

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
© 2006 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