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Pet Food Facts

Posted on March 1, 2010 by Jenn
Posted in Health & Wellness, Paws for Thought

Feeding a nutritionally sound diet to your pet will promote overall health. Benefits can include:

Longevity
Weight Management
Healthy Skin & Coat
Disease Prevention
Proper Bone and Joint Development

Dogs and Cats are carnivores and therefore should have high quality meat and meat meal as the majority of their food.

What is a Carnivore? A carnivore, meaning ‘meat eater’ (Latin carne meaning ‘flesh’ and vorare meaning ‘to devour’), is an animal that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of vertebrate and/or invertebrate animal tissue, whether through predation or scavenging. …
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivore

Read your pet food ingredient labels! This will give you a clear picture of what your pet is eating. The first FIVE ingredients are the most important and the first TEN ingredients will tell you everything you need to know. Ingredients are weighed prior to being cooked and the heaviest ingredients are listed first.

Good Ingredients include:

Chicken, Beef, Salmon, Herring, Duck, Turkey, or any other whole protein source

Chicken Meal, Beef Meal, Salmon Meal, Herring Meal, Duck Meal, Turkey Meal or other high quality meal source

Brown Rice, Barley, Oats, Oatmeal, Quinoa or other whole grain

Fruits, Vegetables, Vitamins and Supplements such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin

Bad Ingredients include:

Corn

Wheat

Soy

Gluten

Meat (unspecified)

By-products

By-product Meal

Animal Fat (unspecified)

Salt

Sugar

Artificial Colors and Flavors

*Corn, Wheat and Soy are common causes of pet allergies.

The first two to three ingredients in a pet food should be whole meats or high quality meat meals. Whole meat followed by a meat meal is the best situation. Since a whole fresh meat will lose most of its water weight after being cooked, a meat meal will ensure that a good portion of the final weight is derived from meat.

Corn and Corn Gluten Meal have high protein counts. Many commercial pet foods use corn products to bump up the protein count in pet food to inexpensively meet AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) Standards. As carnivores, dogs and cats do not need corn for protein but high quality MEAT!

So, what do all of these terms mean?

Click here for AAFCO definitions of pet food ingredients: http://www.braypets.com/FRR/aafcodef.htm

Interested in knowing how your pet’s food stacks up? Visit www.dogfoodanalysis.com and find out!

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Facebook Gives Dog a New Leash on Life

Posted on January 16, 2010 by Jenn
Posted in Animal Rescue, Paws for Thought

Those of us on Facebook, Twitter or any of the other popular social networking sites have most likely caught up with old friends, established new business connections, snuck a peek at pictures of an old fl ame or have even avoided a friend request from someone we just didn’t know…or let’s be honest knew all too well! But we are also very aware of the power of the repost and how fast a story can circulate. Hence the story of Chunk, a little brown and white Boston Terrier who captured my heart in less than 24 hours. I first learned about Chunk via an email from St. Francis Society Animal Rescue in late October. Chunk’s bio was emailed along with a few other dogs who had limited time left at Polk County Animal Services. I scrolled down the list of dogs and promptly hit forward and typed in all of my “dog” friends and customers who I knew would forward the email along. Typically, someone in the litany of forwarded emails is touched by a dog’s plight and volunteers to be a foster parent or guardian angel. So, I was hopeful. The first week of November, I received another SOS on Chunk. This time he was the only dog in the email. For some reason, this little guy had not had anyone come to his rescue. His days were numbered. After an hour or so of attempting to send another group email blast, Yahoo decided to halt all sent email from my account. They thought I was sending Spam!! What to do? O.k. I thought, I am posting this guy on both of my Facebook accounts and Twitter and let’s see what happens. I typed in his bio, attached his picture and hit Share. Amazingly, in less than 3 hours, one of my long time friends, who now lives in Orlando, replied to my Facebook post offering a glimmer of hope. She said the owners of Pookies Bow Wow Bakery in Orlando were looking for another Boston to add to their pack. She would get back to me the next day.

Oh, the time crept by… the next morning couldn’t arrive fast enough. I couldn’t sleep, continued to check my Blackberry to see if a Facebook message had come through…had somehow snuck up in the last 30 seconds…but time and again nothing. Finally, the next morning at 8am the message from my friend said Yes, they are very interested in Chunk. Here is their number. YES! This was the first step he needed. Next was to organize the logistics, Chunk had to be “sprung” from Polk County Animal Services, brought to the vet in Tampa, then if he checked out o.k. he would be off to Orlando to meet his new foster parents. A lot to do in a couple of days. I had come this far, so I decided I would see this rescue to the end. On November 9, I drove to Polk County Animal Services to pick up this little guy. I found Chunk in the quarantine ward as he had been pulled out of an animal hoarder’s home (he was there with 67 other animals!!!) He had Demodex, which is a treatable skin condition and was receiving the most minimal vet care. When I approached his cage, he was immediately at the gate licking my fi ngers and looking at me with hopeful eyes. Is she here for me? Really me? After about 30 minutes of paperwork and speaking with Animal Services officials, I walked Chunk out of his concrete jungle and to my car. As soon as I opened the car door he was ready to launch his compact 20lb body right in. His crate was set up with comfy blankets and a furry toy which he immediately began to love, shake and paw. As I started the car, he was nuzzling his bedding and getting comfortable for the ride. As we headed West on I-4 with the windows rolled down, I couldn’t help but stare at him through my rearview mirror. What he was thinking as the wind whipped across his face and he watched the scenery fl y by. Did he know this was his chance? His second chance at life? We pulled in to Bayshore Animal Clinic that afternoon and I left him there for a few hours. After a great report he came to my home for a night of playing, walking, eating, snacking and overall good snuggling. A bath was certainly on the agenda. He was a joy to have around. Chunk loved our yard and the walks around the neighborhood, but he most loved hanging out in his bed gnawing on a turkey patty.

The next morning we hopped back on I-4 and headed east to Orlando. This time, Chunk was snoozing in the back seat…I mean really sleeping, head thrown back, mouth open and peeking at me with bleary eyes every once in awhile. A lump was building in my throat the entire drive. How did this little dog, skin infection and all, touch my heart so quickly? I wished for more miles between Davis Islands and Winter Gardens. We made it to our destination, the West Orange Veterinary Hospital where Chunk met his new moms, Melissa and Marcia. It was love at fi rst site. After a quick once over by Doctor Fink, she asked Melissa and Marcia if they were in fact going to move forward and foster Chunk….Marcia quickly said, I think we are keeping him. It was time to say goodbye and I cried like a baby all over Chunk’s head. Melissa and Marcia couldn’t have been any happier and Chunk, the little boy who had been in a 5’x5’ cage at a shelter for three weeks, looked right at home. A simple post on Facebook brought him from Pasco County, to Tampa, then to Orlando…his fi nal destination. I received my fi rst Chunk report on November 14 and learned that Chunk has a new lab mix girlfriend, loves his new raw food diet and most importantly has been accepted by the family matriarch, the house cat! Success!

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To Board or Not to Board

Posted on January 16, 2010 by Jenn
Posted in Lifestyle, Paws for Thought, Travel

Oh, the holidays. Ready or not, they have arrived. Turkey dinners are forecasted, suitcases are dusted off and it all begins! Many of you are planning your holiday travels…to see Grandma Millie in New York, Mom and Dad in Atlanta or you may just want to get away to an island in the Caribbean and escape the chaos! What about your four legged family member? Who will care for them while you are away? Instead of visions of sugar plums dancing in your head, are you having visions of Macaulay Culkin in the movie Home Alone? If you have used your last I.O.U. and your trusted neighbor, friend or family member just can’t care for Fido this time around…you do have options.

Pet Boarding. There are wonderful facilities in the area that will house your pet while you are gone and offer many packages from which you can choose. Your dog can stay in a higher end facility with indoor “suites,” outdoor playtimes, daycare and grooming… the list of add on’s is extensive. Or, you can board at a facility that has traditional kennels which typically offer outdoor and indoor space and a couple of walks a day. Nowadays, pet resorts, as they’re often called offer a wide variety of options, all safe and secure, giving you peace of mind while you are away. Before you decide if this is the route you should take, go visit a few boarding facilities, take a tour, learn their policies and prices, meet the managers and note how you feel when you are there. Rates for cats and dogs can start anywhere from $20 a day and go up from there. Don’t be surprised that if you choose a top of the line package with a large suite, many play times, extra cuddling, treat before bed, etc. that your price per night could be upwards of $50. Most facilities offer multiple pet discounts. Look for a place that allows your dog to eat his own food, not food provided by the facility. Your dog might be a nervous boarder, so any change in his diet might impact his digestive wellness. Also, your buddy will need to be up to date on the following vaccinations: DHLPP, Bordetellaand Rabies. Once you have decided on a facility, have your dog or cat visit and spend the night prior to your trip. This way, he will be familiar with his home away from home and have an idea of the routine, smells, sounds and staff. The goal is for your pet to feel like he is on a vacation while you are on yours!

Pet Sitter – Pet sitters are a dedicated group of men and women that will take care of your pet in the comfort of your home. You can choose how many times a day they come to visit your pet and what they will do with Fifi or Fido while they are there. If your dog loves to play ball in the back yard, they will incorporate that during their visit time. If your dog is a dog park regular he can certainly enjoy this routine with his sitter. Pet sitters can also take your pet to the vet or grooming appointments and will keep a close eye on their health and behavior while you are away. Some sitters will spend the night at your home if you so desire. Upon your return you will fi nd notes written after each pet sitter visit so you will get a clear snapshot of how Fido spent his days while you were gone. They will let you know how often Fido did his “business” and how he behaved on his walks. Pet sitting costs range from about $18-$20 per visit per day. As with boarding facilities, most sitters offer multi pet discounts. Before making the decision to go the pet sitter route, assess whether or not your dog is well suited to be home alone for several hours a day. If your dog has severe separation anxiety or has destructive habits like chewing items, walls, furniture, etc, this might not be the best option for you. On the other hand, if your dog has no separation issues and is quite calm and happy in his own space this might just be perfect. Always have a new pet sitter come for a meet and greet prior to your trip…just to make sure their personality and Fido’s are a match. Visit www.petsitters.com to find a pet sitter or to find out if your pet sitter belongs to the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. Or, visit www.petcareservices.org to find a boarding facility that is part of the Pet Care Services Association. There is nothing better than having the peace of mind that your pet is safe and well cared for while you are enjoying your holidays. Best wishes on finding the most sensible solution for you and your pet and happy travel.

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Houndsight is 20-20

Posted on January 15, 2010 by Jenn
Posted in Health & Wellness, Paws for Thought

My eyesight is horrible…I mean bad… really, really bad. At my last eye exam the doctor displayed the largest E on the brightly lit screen and I couldn’t decipher what it was. Sadly, I couldn’t read anything on the screen at all. Thank God for corrective lenses!

Have you ever thought about what your dog sees and doesn’t see? Is Fido’s vision 20/20? In one simple word, no. His vision is more like 20/75! What a person can see from 75 ft away a dog can only see at 20 ft.

You probably have heard that dogs are color blind. That their world view is in black and white. The latest research has shown that this is not the case. Because the retina in a dog’s eye contains about 1/10 the amount of cones (cones provide color perception and detailed sight) as a human’s eye their vision is more like someone who is color blind. Distinguishing red, green, orange and yellow is impossible for dogs. Studies have shown that they can pick out blue/violet and yellow, however. They can also differentiate between shades of gray.

Don’t feel too bad for them though. Dog’s can see much better in dim light than their two legged parents. They are also excellent at seeing things in M O T I O N. For all of you who have dogs that can run down a Frisbee and pluck it out of mid air or whose dog can catch a ball at any angle and height…or have witnessed your pooch chase down a lizard across the yard at dusk…you know what I mean. Why is this possible? A dog’s retina may be lacking in the cone department but it is rod dominant. Rods provide the ability to detect motion and to see things in dim light. AHA! This explanation makes perfect sense when you think of dog’s evolution. Our pet’s wild ancestors were hunters and predators chasing prey at dusk or at night.

Night vision and detection of movement was crucial for survival of the species. Let’s apply this knowledge to our modern dog’s life. Think about training your dog. If you have taken a training class in the past you most likely were taught hand signals as well as voice commands. Your movement reinforces your voice and satisfies your dog’s sense of sight. Even more innate is a dog’s ability to distinguish even the slightest movement in other dogs. This is how they understand the hierarchy of the pack, the messages being relayed and how they should respond. In fact, this is how they learn about us…their humans. They are very tuned in to our body language and take their cues from our actions. Don’t expect your dog to know who you are from a distance but as soon as you make one of your characteristic moves they will realize who you are.

A dog’s sight or lack of vision in bright light…is supplemented by their other, stronger senses of smell and sound. Going back to our ball example, a dog can follow the ball as it fl ies through the air, but as soon as it hits the ground and stops rolling, their sense of smell kicks in and they “sniff out” their round prize. Or, our other example of knowing you from a distance…as soon as you use your voice they will identify you and of course they intimately know your scent.

So, even though Fido’s sight may not be 20/20 it is perfectly made to suit his needs and has worked for his species for millions of years!

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Pilots N Paws

Posted on August 4, 2009 by Jenn
Posted in Animal Rescue, Lifestyle, Paws for Thought Tagged cats, dogs, paws, pet adoptions, pets, pilots

Pilots_Paws Altruism is defined as an unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others. In this economy I am certain that we have seen altruistic behavior at its best. Neighbors helping neighbors and people stepping up to make life just a bit easier for others in need.

The story I am about to tell you takes Animal Rescue to another level…like 10,000 feet to be exact! Consider this, pilots donating their time, planes, gas and miles to transport animals in jeopardy to a safe house in another city or state. Sound unlikely? Meet Pilots N Paws.

This amazing effort, started by Debi Boies and her partner Jon Wehrenberg, began in February 2008…just a little over one year ago. Since then, over 1,000 animals have been air lifted out of precarious situations and flown to a forever home, foster home or non kill shelter. The website, www.pilotsnpaws.org, provides an online meeting space for pilots to connect with animal rescue volunteers and help to transport animals by air.

Debi, cofounder of Pilots N Paws (a 501c3), is extremely low key. You will not find her story or her name on the Pilots N Paws website. And that’s how she likes it. During our interview, she made it clear, that it is not about her or what she does, but about the animals whose lives are saved on a daily basis.

Debi founded Pilots N Paws after her adoption experience with Doberman Pinscher, Brock. Brock was in a Tallahassee shelter and had been used as a “bait” dog in the past. Debi (who lives in South Carolina) and her husband Bob were preparing to drive to Tallahassee to pull Brock out of his situation. This is where cofounder Jon comes in. Jon, a family friend, is an avid pilot living in Tennessee. He volunteered to fly to South Carolina, pick up Debi and Bob, and then fly to Brock in Tallahassee. He did and the rescue happened in just a couple of hours rather than in a couple of days! Thus, Pilots N Paws was born.

As you can imagine, the heart warming stories abound and I was fortunate enough to speak with two pilots in between flights. It is clear that they love what they do and have a deep passion for saving animals in their own special way.

Jeff Bennett, a pilot out of Big Pine Key, has rescued 81 animals since October of 2008. He doesn’t limit his rescue missions to dogs and cats however. Jeff’s count includes pythons, pigs and even a baby chick! Jeff says that the best part of his job is saving lives. His fondest memories are of animals that were on death’s door, next in line for euthanasia, and through his efforts are now protected.

His farthest flight involved many legs…literally. From the Keys to Lakeland, Lakeland to Bambridge, GA, from Georgia to Alabama…and in Alabama he rescued 19 puppies. Seventeen of the puppies were flown to a rescue group in Tampa and two returned to the Keys.

I asked Jeff if he receives feedback from adoptive families, shelters or rescue groups. He said occasionally… like the shepherd mix that he flew from Islamorada, FL to Philly. His owner contacted Jeff to let him know that the rescued dog was thriving. But, for Jeff, the stories are written in his heart and in the memory book he has made which contains each and every rescued animal’s picture and story.

Nancy Moore, a pilot out of Ft. Lauderdale, sums up her experience in these words, “Ellen Herr and I became involved with Pilots N Paws about 5 months ago. I think, as I believe most pilots do, that we are very lucky to be able to do what we love to do – fly. Being part of Pilots N Paws allows us to combine two passions – our love for flying and our love for animals. Especially in these hard economic times, when more animals are being abandoned or given up because of their owners’ inability to care for them, it is very gratifying to be able to use our flying to assist them in finding new homes. “

If you are a pilot and would like to get involved like Jeff and Nancy and many others have, please visit the website http://www.pilotsnpaws.org/. There is especially a need for pilots in the Southern and Midwestern regions of the country. Your flights are tax-deductible and quite possibly might be the most rewarding flights you will ever make.

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A Mosquito’s Filet Mignon!

Posted on July 1, 2009 by Jenn
Posted in Health & Wellness, Paws for Thought, Skin & Allergies Tagged mosquitoes, neem, pets

filot mignon Is your pet the victim of fly by bitings? Fleas may not be the problem…but an onslaught of mosquitos might be.

As you may or may not know, mosquitos carry heartworms from pet to pet (yes, cats are susceptible to heartworm disease as well). Even if your pet is an “inside” pet, they are still susceptible to mosquito bites and should be on a heartworm preventative.

If you have an “outside” dog or cat, PLEASE get your pet protected by using a monthly heartworm preventative. Heartworm disease is expensive to treat, hard on a pet’s body and can be deadly.

There are a few basic things you can do to prevent your pet from being the daily special:

Change outside water bowls two or three times a day. This will prevent mosquitos from harvesting eggs in your pets H2O.
Eliminate stagnant water from your yard. Water buckets, wading pools, bird baths, wheelbarrows, clogged roof gutters, discarded tires, plastic containers or any water-holding container should be cleaned or emptied on a weekly basis. We recommend twice or more a week.
Keep your pets inside during dawn and dusk hours as these are peak mosquito feeding times.

Neem to the Rescue

If your pet does go outside, we recommend to spray them down with an all natural pest repellent such as one derived from Neem and Citronella. Neem is a tree native to India whose oils, bark, sap, fruit, leaves and gum are used to naturally heal humans and pets in a variety of ways. For the purposes of this article you should know that Neem is effective in warding off mosquitoes and is used to sooth and calm skin and coat issues such as insect bites and skin irritations.

Ark Naturals has a great Neem spray and shampoo as well as a new product that hit the market called Flea Flicker Tick Kicker that will repel and kill fleas ticks and mosquitos.

Avoid sprays and repellents containing DEET. Pets are extremely sensitive to DEET and can develop neurological problems if a DEET product is applied.

Lastly and most importantly, healthy pets are less susceptible to insects, disease and general maladies than are unhealthy pets. Ensure your pet is in optimal health by feeding the correct diet, exercising appropriately and visiting your veterinarian annually. These steps will go a long way in PREVENTING unwanted problems. A healthy pet is a happy one and a happy pet means a content owner!

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Poochie Smoochie

Posted on June 18, 2009 by Jenn
Posted in Eyes, Ears & Teeth, Health & Wellness, Paws for Thought

Does Your Pooch Have Smoochable Breath?

I think I hear a resounding “NO” screaming through the page from many of my readers out there. Even if your dog’s breath is minty fresh, pet oral hygiene should be taken seriously and monitored continuously. This will lead to not only pleasant breathe but could extend the life of your pet.

How do you know if your pet’s dental health is less than pearly white? The first indicator is bad breath. I am not talking about typical doggie breath…but a can’t stand to be around you….odor that makes your pooches smooches something to be avoided. Also, discolored teeth, mouth pain, excessive drooling, bleeding gums or loss of appetite are all signs.

As with humans, pets will build tartar and plaque if their teeth go uncared for. The build up of these two culprits may lead to gingivitis and then periodontal disease (gum disease). Gingivitis is treatable but Periodontal disease is not. It can be stopped and then managed by the proper professional treatment. You definitely do not want your dog or cat to get to this point.

Poor dental hygiene can also lead to other problems such as Oro-Nasal Fistulas, Feline Odontoclastis Resorptive Lesions and finally Kidney, Liver or Heart Disease. The latter is life threatening and can lead to the death of the pet. It occurs by the bacteria gaining access to the blood stream through the compromised gums. Bacteria-laden plaque can actually lodge in the heart valves, liver, kidney and lungs.

You will be happy to know that there are easy solutions to get you back on the road to pleasant doggie kisses.

1. Brusha Brusha Brusha- Yes, brush your pet’s teeth at least once a week. Use a special pet toothbrush or finger brush and pet toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste or baking soda. Not pet friendly.
2. H2O additives- There are many all natural products out there that you simply add to your pet’s water. So, as they drink throughout the day they are also cleaning their teeth. Many of my customers have tried this and have had wonderful results. A few great products are made by Triple Pet and Ark Naturals. www.triplepet.com, www.arknaturals.com
3. Mouth Sprays and Gels- If a toothbrush won’t work, an easier way may be to spray an all natural cleanser in the pet’s mouth or rub a gel on the teeth and gums with your finger. The PetZLife oral care gel and spray work wonders. These products are made with Grapefruit seed extract, Grape seed extract, Thyme oil, Neem oil, Rosemary oil, and Peppermint oil. www.petzlife.com This one is easy and highly recommended!
4. Rope toys and Chew Toys- Believe it or not play time can be a great time to get a bit of teeth cleaning in without your pet realizing it! While your dog is doing double duty as he earnestly chews his rope bone.
5. All Natural Dental Treats and Bones- Make sure that the dental treat you choose is highly digestible and made of all naturally products. These treats work but just make sure they will not lodge in your pet’s tummy or intestinal track. Flossie tendons by Merrick are wonderful as they help clean in between teeth. They are 100% beef tendon and digestible. Raw bones are great cleaners as well. Make sure the bones you feed your dog are either raw or slow roasted. Bones in any other form may splinter and cause harm to your pet.
6. Yearly Vet Cleanings- the hope is that by doing a few of the above, you can avoid as many trips to the vet and vet bills. Make sure to work with your vet to ensure pet dental health!

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Get Ready for Hurricane Season!

Posted on June 16, 2009 by Jenn
Posted in Environment, Paws for Thought, Safety

Hurricane Season is officially upon us and many are preparing their homes and their families for a potential storm. What about your pet? Do you have a plan for your four legged family members?

To safely flee the scene with Fido in tow:

• Know where you will go. You can’t leave your pet behind, because even if they do survive the storm they could escape through a broken window, door, etc. They could get lost or harmed by predators and unsanitary conditions. A few helpful sites I found www.floridapets.net, www.pets-allowed-hotels.com, www.dogfriendly.com and www.petvacations.com.

• Get your pet an i.d. tag or better yet micro-chipped. Microchipping can be done at your veterinarian’s office or you can oftentimes find low cost micro-chip clinics around Tampa. The Humane Society and the Animal Coalition of Tampa provide chipping for approximately $25.

• Have a pet carrier handy to transport your pet easily. For this situation, a simple plastic or rubber pet carrier will be ideal. Bring a crate along that offers your pet ample room to stand up, turn around and lay down.

• Take up-to-date photos of your pet from all sides. Take these with you along with pet meds, i.d. and ownership papers.

• Create Pet Disaster Kit: this should include: meds, medical records, collar, leash, food/water dishes, 14 day supply of food and H2O, manual can opener, blanket, toy, cleanser and disinfectant to handle wastes. Make sure to bring your waste pick up bags. Canned and freeze dried pet foods are good to always have on hand this season.

• Create Pet Medical Emergency Kit include tweezers; scissors; tape, gauze pads and a roll of gauze to clean and cover injuries; an antiseptic solution for cleansing wounds; alcohol pads to clean scissors, tweezers and hands; antibiotic ointment; buffered aspirin for pain and inflammation and Benedryl to reduce allergic reactions to insect bites; and a thermometer (the normal temperature in dogs and cats is between 101 to 102 degrees).

Early preparation is key! Be safe this season!

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