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If you're planning on making a trip to the water this summer, keep in mind NOT ALL
DOGS SWIM! Yes, contrary to what you might think, it's common that many dogs
don't naturally know how to swim. If your pooch falls in this category of “canine
non-swimmers” then you might want to consider making sure he's appropriately
prepared with The Paws Aboard Doggy Life Jacket! The Paws Aboard Doggy Life Jackets provide ultimate buoyancy and high visibility to keep pets safe on the water.
Constructed to provide buoyancy, along with a cozy secure fit, the Paws Aboard
Doggy Life Jackets features an advanced breathable mesh underbelly for proper
draining and drying, which provides your dog more comfort and healthier conditions than traditional pet life jackets! So make sure that you grab a Paws Aboard Life Jacket and keep your pooch safe
from the water!
http://www.furrytravelers.com/m7/4103--paws-aboard-doggie-life-jacket.html
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It's always a good reminder to review potential holiday hazards for your pets. The following comes from my local vet's office:
COOKIES AND CANDY: Consumption of chocolate can cause agitation, vomiting, diarrhea, high heart rate, tremors, seizures and even death.
MACADAMIA NUTS AND WALNUTS: These nuts can cause severe lethargy, increased body temperature, vomiting, tremors, joint stiffness and the inability to walk.
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS: Tinsel, ribbon and similar decorations can cut up the digestive tract and cause intestinal obstruction. Ornaments should be kept off low-lying Christmas tree branches.
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS may cause vomiting, disorientation, diarrhea, lethargy, lack of coordination, difficulty breathing, tremors, coma and seizures.
LIGHTS AND CANDLES: If your pet can reach them, they may be a fire hazard if knocked over.
GRAPES, RAISINS, AVOCADOS, ONIONS AND GARLIC: These can cause lethargy, lack of appetite and vomiting.
ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS: Sugarless gum and artificially sweetened treats may cause vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination, seizures and liver failure.
FATTY TRIMMINGS AND BONES: Fatty foods can also promote pancreatitis. Swallowed bones can cause stomach perforation and painful constipation.
HOLIDAY PLANTS: Holly, mistletoe and poinsettias may cause irritation, vomiting, diarrhea and heart arrhythmia in both cats and dogs.
ELECTRICAL CORDS: if chewed, live electrical cords can cause burns in or around a pet's mouth, difficulty breathing, seizures and cardiac arrest.
FOR SUSPECTED POISONING, YOU CAN CONTACT THE ASPCA POISON CONTROL HOTLINE: (888) 426-4435.
OTHER PET HEALTH QUESTIONS? Call your vet.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
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The following information was taken from the FDA Veterinarian Newsletter
With the summer months rapidly approaching, vacation season will soon be here. We all need a little time away from the monotony of an everyday routine, so as you get ready to retreat, it's important to know how to care for your four-legged friends traveling with you. Most of us travel by car or plane, but each option brings certain drawbacks for pets.
Car Travel
Car travel is usually less stressful on pets because it allows Freckles and Champ to be close to you, so you can monitor their well-being and come to their aid when needed. If you choose to drive to your destination, here are a few helpful hints to make the trip more enjoyable.
Motion sickness: It's common for pets to experience motion sickness while traveling in a car. To help avoid an upset stomach, don't feed your pet a large meal before travel. Cracking a window to allow fresh air to circulate through your vehicle also helps. If Champ is prone to motion sickness or if Freckles' sensitive stomach acts up again, you may want to put them in the front seat next to you. Riding up front helps because less motion is felt in the front of the vehicle.
Bathroom breaks: While Champ may snooze for the majority of the trip, it's still important to give him frequent bathroom breaks. Traffic is unpredictable, so if it has been more than a couple of hours, stop and give your dog a chance to relieve himself and stretch his legs.
Sedatives: While sedatives may make your pet seem less stressed during car trips, these medications also have a tendency to dull the senses and lessen your pet's ability to react to the environment, which can be dangerous in an emergency. When traveling by car or by plane, avoid giving your pet any type of sedative. If you think Champ or Freckles really needs a sedative to travel, talk to your pet's veterinarian before your trip.
Air Travel
For people, flying is often quicker and easier than driving, but flying can be a more stressful experience for your pet. If you decide to travel by air, it's important to keep a few things in mind.
Cargo travel: While you're snacking, reading, and sleeping in relative comfort up in economy seating, Champ is usually traveling in the cargo area below, subjected to temperature fluctuations and loud noises. A cat or small dog may be allowed to travel in the plane's cabin, as long as the pet is kept in a crate and the crate fits underneath the seat. Check with specific airlines for more information about cabin travel for your pet.
Check on your pet: Make sure to tell the plane's Captain or flight attendant that you have a pet on board. If the flight staff knows about Champ in cargo, they are better able to check on him for you, especially if an unusual situation occurs, such as an unscheduled landing, extended taxi time, or long layover.
Walk your dog: If you and Champ have a connecting flight, try to walk him before that connecting flight departs. Many airports provide dog parks just outside the terminal. A bathroom break and a short walk will help Champ relax and stay calm during the remainder of his journey.
Crate your pet: During flights, most pets are housed in pet crates provided by their owners. It's important to prepare your pet's crate with safety in mind. Pet crates should provide ample space for your pet to move around and should also meet the requirements set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) and the International Air Transportation Association (IATA).
When your pet is crated, remember to include:
A bowl of dry food;
A bowl or other container of frozen water that will melt over the course of the trip, giving your pet constant access to cold water;
Appropriate bedding, such as a soft towel or blanket, or shredded newspaper or wood chips if the traveling pet is a hamster, gerbil, or guinea pig; and
A label on the outside of the crate that is clearly marked with your pet's name and your contact information. You should include both your home contact information and your destination contact information.
Be Prepared: If you plan to stay in a hotel while traveling, contact the hotel ahead of time to make sure it is pet friendly.
Before your trip, research veterinary hospitals in the city or town of your destination in case of a pet emergency during the vacation.
Hawaii and Abroad: Traveling outside the continental United States with your pet requires advanced planning. For international travel, contact the appropriate country's embassy or consulate at least 4 weeks before your trip. Different countries may require different documentation for your pet's entry. The state of Hawaii also has entry requirements for arriving pets.
For more information about traveling with your pets, please check the following Web sites:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/
http://www.cdc.gov/animalimportation/TravelingPets.html
http://www.avma.org/animal_health/travelingwithpet-faq.asp
http://www.avma.org/animal_health/brochures/traveling/traveling_brochure.asp
http://www.avma.org/services/vprc/travel.asp
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For those cats and dogs who like to take a quick snooze on their way to the vet, the multiple award winning Sleepypod is the safest and the most comfortable environment to be in. This Pod is created so that you are able to transport it wherever you like, and builds a positive association for your pet due to your ability to bring it anywhere. When traveling, your pets will feel at home no matter where they go! The Sleepypod is easy to adjust in your car, just wrap your car's seatbelt around the outer shell and through the top handle to secure your Sleepypod like a car seat! With the Sleep Pod, there's no more need for pets to be anxious and restless during drives!
http://www.furrytravelers.com/m7/3066--sleepypod-mini-and-standard.html
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Fun and unique dog toys for your pet. Dog toys that encourage play and exercise, food toys, chew toys and more.
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PET PRODUCTS NOW ON SALE!
Save on a variety of popular pet items. Check back often as items are changed regularly!
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The holiday's are almost here! And for a lot of people that means traveling. If you plan on flying with your pet this year, here's a list of 5 most pet-friendly airlines of 2009. You're pet will thank you!
Continental
The airline's PetSafe program has a 24-hour Live Animal Help Desk that tracks your pet from origin to destination. It's more expensive than other airlines, but your pet will travel in climate-controlled vehicles for connections and you'll earn extra miles. The airline also allows small pets to be carried in the cabin on most domestic flights for $125 each way.
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue launched JetPaws last summer, providing passengerspet carrier bag tag, two TrueBlue points each way, a welcome e-mail and pet-travel guide, all for no additional cost. But like almost every other airline, they have raised their in-cabin pet charge. One-way fees range from $75-$100.
Airtran
Airtran is currently the least expensive airline to fly with your small pet: just $69 each way. They only allow small pets that can travel the cabin, so if you have a larger breed that needs to be checked-in, this airline isn't for you.
American Airlines
The airline has assisted transporting animals from popular zoos in cargo. Although they allow a limited number of pets in the cabin, they ask passengers traveling with pets to make special notes for their animals flying in cargo and promise to abide by all requests.
United Airlines
They accept small cats, dogs and birds in the cabin; rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs as checked baggage and other animals including parrots, cockatiels and ferrets in United Cargo. Shipping by cargo is for items, like some pets, that you can't check as baggage.
For more information about these airlines and their pet policies, click on the airline name above.
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It's the holiday season and chances are you will be taking your dog for a car ride.
We assume all dogs love to go for rides in the car, but there are many that become very anxious while traveling. Whatever the cause may be, there are some steps you can take to ease your furry friend's stress.
If your have have an older dog, try sitting in the car with the engine off for a short period of time. Reward with a treat. When this is no longer challenging, sit in the car with the engine on and reward with a treat. The next step is a quick car ride and then hopefully you will soon have a nice, calm Furry Traveler.
If these steps don't work, there are all-natural stress relievers such as Rescue Remedy for Pets you can try. These work by gently calming your dog's nerves. You can administer directly or put a few drops in the water bowl.
If your dog is used to a crate, traveling in the crate can be comforting as well as safe. Put a familiar blanket or toy in the crate and secure it from sliding around while you drive.
Make sure you bring plenty of water to keep your pet properly hydrated.
Of course, NEVER leave your pet in an unattended vehicle.
You can find some great travel items at www.furrytravelers.com/11.html!
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I came across an aritcle recently (from Cars.com) that listed the pet friendliest cars on the market and thought I would share the information. A few of these brands will soon no longer be manufactured, but can be a useful if you are looking for a pre-owned car.
As a pet owner, we want to keep our pets as safe and comfortable as we are. Volvo was found to do the best job of offering products for pet owners, however many automakers offer features and options that are pet-friendly, even though not all of them were specifically designed for pets.
Volvo:
Nets that span the space between the ceiling and the backrests of the front or rear seats to keep pets in their own area.
A collection of metal dividers for wagons and SUV's.
A Vertical grate that divides the cargo area into halves, separating a dog from cargo or another dog.
Saab:
The 9-3 SportCombi and 9-5 SportCombi (wagon) include a cargo space divider, cargo mat, cargo apron and cargo guard in the back; the 9-5 SportCombi also has a trunk tray.
Saturn:
The Vue has a cargo management system.
Volkswagen:
The Jetta and Passat wagons offer cargo partitions, while driver accessories include a VW Beetle squeaky toy, air freshener and squishy pillow. Other VW gear includes heavy-duty floor mats and cargo liners.
Nissan:
A Pet Guard Divider accessory that helps keep pets secure while in a vehicle's cargo area.
Other features that can make traveling with pets easier, and a few cars that have them, include:
Fold-up backseat cushions, which allow a larger area on the floor for pets to lie down. (Honda Ridgeline, Dodge Dakota)
Fold-flat second row seats, which open up the cargo area for more pet space. (Most wagions/SUV's/Minivans.
Fold-flat front passenger seat, which opens up the cargo area for even more pet space. (Toyota Tacoma, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Dodge Caliber, Toyota Sienna, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Edge, Nissan Xterra, Pontiac Torrent
Hard-coated and scratch-resistant load floor/folding seatbacks, making for easy cleanup. (Jeep Compass, Dodge Caliber, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Chevrolet HHR, Toyota Yaris hatchback, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Honda Element, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Honda CR-V)
Washable/stain-resistant upholstery. (Dodge Caliber, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Jeep Compass, Jeep Wrangler ('07), Honda Element, Chrysler Aspen, Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chrysler Sebring ('07), Dodge Nitro, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Durango, Dodge Ram 1500 Mega Cab, Jeep Patriot)
(Sources: Cars.com)
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The American Pet Products Association (APPA) is having their 2nd Annual APPA National Children's Pet Poetry Contest through their public awareness campaign, Pets Add Life (PAL).
Third, fourth and fifth grade students are invited to write a unique poem about their pets, what they love about them, the joys they bring, and then post it online at www.petsaddlife.org or mail their final poem and submission form to: Pets Add Life, 45 Winter Street, Reno, NV 89503. The deadline for submissions is February 15, 2010 at 5:00pm EST.
Two students from each grade level (6 total) nationwide will win a $250 gift certificate for pet products, and a "by-line" in a nationally circulated publication. In addition, the six winning students' classrooms will each receive a $1,000 scholarship to spend on pet related education.
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