Getting a New Pet - Be Mindful

BECOMING A RESPONSIBLE HUMAN TO OUR ANIMAL COMPANIONS

Adding a pet to the family is a serious, long-term commitment. It's a decision that needs input from everyone who would be involved in caring for the animal. Who will play with your new pet, feed and walk her/him daily? A pet needs attention and love EVERY DAY, not when it is convenient for you.

Too many people see celebrities carrying their Chihuahuas or other small breeds in their purse or bag. These pets are not an accessory. They are a living creature that deserves the dignity and care we'd want for any of our human loved ones. Often the latest blockbuster movie has everyone running out to purchase "that breed", but then in a short period of time, the novelty wears off and our shelters become inundated with Chihuahuas, Yellow Labs, Dalmatians, bunnies, Persian cats, potbelly pigs, etc.

There is responsibility in having an animal companion. The very first challenge is: Are you choosing the right breed for your entire family? You have to consider temperament, size, safety and general compatibility with EVERYONE in the home.

Who will bathe your pet? Who will administer the monthly flea repellant? Could someone be allergic to the pet? What is the cost of neutering and spaying? Why is this a good thing to do?

Please think about how much will it cost to feed them.

Questions like:

Where do I buy quality food to feed my pet? Do I know how to read a label on the pet food or treats to make sure they are the best for my animal's health? Do I honestly know what is in my pet's food? Premium quality food reduces your vet costs as they get fewer allergies, diseases and ailments.

How much money will it cost me annually for proper veterinary care? NOTE: Consider the age and any known condition of health at the time you have taken on care for your new pet. Older pets are often great to get, consider your emotions and how long this pet will be in your life. Do they have any physical conditions that will cost me more at the vet? Senior animals seem to not get as easily adopted...please consider it. They are already mellow and can be less effort to train. Who would look after the animal during my trips and vacations? You cannot leave most animals alone without at least partial human daily supervision.

Where to obtain your pet:

Instead of buying a puppy or kitten as a gift, consider looking into and possibly waiting to adopt a pet from a local shelter or breed- specific rescue group. You could give a loved one a "gift certificate" from a local shelter, or a stuffed animal representing a shelter pet. Shelters too often carry the brunt of too many decisions that are made unconsciously resulting in rejected animals being "returned". They are Not disposable items!

Just say "no!" to buying at the pet stores:

Many pet stores purchase their animals from "puppy mills": mass-breeding operations so bent on making a profit that they often disregard the physical, social, and emotional well-being of the animals in their facilities. Puppy mill-raised animals can suffer from neglect such as severe physical and emotional ailments, and some may even die.

NOTE: Puppy mills-The only way to put these facilities out of business is to hit them where it hurts: in the wallet. Don't purchase an animal from a pet store.

SHELTERS ARE THE WAY TO GO:

So instead of supporting the puppy mills or paying for a breeder to produce a live creature to be born 'just for you!'... head to your local animal shelter and breed-specific rescue group, which are wonderful places to find a new pet. Nationwide dogs and cats in shelters can be purebred, and there are millions of healthy mixed breed animals currently awaiting good homes. Most of these shelter animals have already been spayed or neutered, and have received all their vaccinations and up-to-date veterinary checkups.

No need to be impulsive or uninformed. This is a life; a live being you are taking on, and you want to be the best you can be for your animal companion. Ask yourself: AM I BEING A RESPONSIBLE PET PARENT?

Often, when the owner decides the pet is not that cute anymore, or too much work, or they just weren't ready for the responsibility, it is often the local shelter that takes in these animals. We need to remember that pets can't simply be returned or discarded like a broken toy.

Because so many shelters are already filled to capacity, unless other animals are adopted out to make room for the new ones, euthanasia is a possible ending to an already sad tale. It is heartbreaking and unnecessary if we humans all took responsibility in the first place.

Please think it through. Too many wonderful creatures are returned to shelters, as people just don't realize the responsibility of being a good pet owner and making a lifetime commitment. It will cost you money and time.

There will be bumps in the road like any relationship. Will you willing clean up their vomit? Clean their kitty litter daily? Clean the birdcage? Give a reptile the proper size environment? Is your child kind to small creatures? Do you have the patience to teach them how to be kind and properly care for your new pet?

You must be diligent about teaching your small child proper handling of your new animal companion.

A Personal Tail:

I once rescued a Pomeranian that was 5+ years old. She had been bred for 5 years of her life and "tossed out" after that. That is when I found her at a breed-specific rescue center. Somehow these sweet pets know they are being rescued; she was one of the most appreciative animals I ever had. Well behaved but a little skittish at the beginning. She was kept in a confined area when she was a "breeder" and it took her awhile to get used to her new home where with me she had freedom to move around physically and explore more, and the consistent love and attention was new for her. It took her almost a year to trust the situation and "relax" into her new home.

Give them time...they will figure it out. Rescues make wonderful companions!

All this for exchange of one of the best relationships you will have in your life. You will be rewarded with unconditional love like you have never known.

Be a responsible pet owner, your heart will be filled and you and your pet will be forever grateful to you!

Barbara M. Tapella

Getting a Dog Has Health Benefits

Dogs have long been thought of as man's best friend, but there may be other benefits as well. Did you know that owning a dog can benefit your health, too?

Medical professionals have conducted many studies and have determined that a dog owner can benefit in several different ways by having a pet:

1) Cardiovascular health is improved - Blood pressure and cholesterol levels have been found to be lower in people who own a dog versus other people. This fact alone decreases the risk for cardiovascular disease. A New York State University study has even determined that the benefits continue even when the pet is not with them. Stockbrokers with hypertension were tested in this study that concluded that owning a pet can decrease blood pressure.

Blood cholesterol levels may be lower for dog owners, too. Fifty-four hundred people were in the study conducted by Baker Medical Research Institute of Australia that concluded that people who own a pet do not only have lower blood pressure, but also have decreased levels of blood triglycerides and cholesterol when compared to people who do not pets.

2) Higher survival rates and faster treatment recovery time - Senior citizens who were recuperating from surgery or treatment were found to respond better to treatment when they were in contact with therapy animals in hospital studies. Even something as simple as petting a dog can make a patient more relaxed and be therapeutic in healing and recovery.

If recovering from a serious illness, dog owners are more likely to survive. Even pet owners who have suffered a heart attack are more likely to still be living after a year than people who do not have a pet. One New York study found that in some cases a pet affected survival rates even more than a patient's friends and family.

3) Fewer doctor's visits - Cambridge and UCLA studies have determined that pet owners also make fewer visits to the doctor and hospital because of their overall improved health. A Medicare study agreed with these findings when conducting their own study on elderly patients. They found that elderly patients who own a pet visit the doctor less than the elderly patients who don't have a pet.

4) Increased mental health - Dog owners have been found to be more stable mentally and emotionally than their non-pet counterparts. Pets offer patients love and affection unconditionally, as well as help to reduce loneliness in sick or ill patients who are not able to leave their homes. Stress of fighting a disease is even diminished in pet owners some studies say.

A dog does not just offer you fun and love, you also get health benefits that are far reaching. Why wouldn't you want a dog?

Andrew McNaught is a successful webmaster and publisher of Best Pet Guide [http://www.dogs.best-pet-guide.info] where you can find out more information about all things dogs.

Pet Health Care Basics - The 3 Best and Proven Methods For Getting Pets to Take Pills

Have you ever tried to give your pet a pill?

Sure can be tricky...and scary too!

But when your pet is sick, it often has to be done. That's all part of pet heath care.

Next time you have to give your pet a pill, here are the 3 best, proven methods and some tips and tricks for each to make the job easier - for both you and your pet!

Method 1. Encapsulate the pill in food. If the medication can be taken with food, this is generally your best bet. The best foods for dogs are butter, cheese, cream cheese, peanut butter, lunchmeat, liverwurst, bread, and bacon. For cats, butter, tuna, cream cheese, baby food, and canned cat food work well. Liverwurst works for cats too.

Experiment with different foods until you find something your pet likes and always praise them when you give it to them. With the right combination, your pet may actually look forward to pill time.

Use a small bite-size amount of food. Don't bury the pill in your pet's full meal portion because if he doesn't finish it, he may not get the medication.

It's often a good idea to occasionally give your pet the food without the pill, so he gets used to eating it quickly. What you want is for your pet to gulp it down without a second thought.

Method 2. Grind up the pill and blend it into some moist food. Again, ensure that the medication can be taken with food. Also, check with your vet to make sure crushing is OK. The crushed pill will dissolve much faster in your pet's stomach and some medications are intended to be digested slowly.

The best foods are those that are a little sticky and have a strong flavor of their own. These include cream cheese, butter, peanut butter, liverwurst, and honey. Again, use only a small portion size.

You can have your pet lick the food containing the ground medication off of your finger, or you can put it in their food dish, or spread it on a treat you already know they like.

Again, experiment until you find something your pet really likes and occasionally give them some of the food between pills. Praise them lavishly whenever you give them the food, making it seem like they are getting a special treat.

Method 3. Feed the pill to your pet directly. Use this approach if the pill must be given on an empty stomach or if the pet won't accept the pill hidden in their food. Be careful though, as some pets can react badly to having the pill force-fed to them. With cats, it is generally a good idea to wrap them in a towel to protect against getting scratched.

First, tilt your pet's head back slightly, then carefully open their mouth and place the pill in the back part of their mouth. Gently hold their mouth closed and slowly stroke them on their throat or blow on their nose until they swallow the pill. With cats, it is a good idea to follow the pill with a small amount of water given from an eyedropper or syringe (no needle please). This helps them to swallow the pill and protects against the pill abrading their esophagus. Always be calm and gentle. This will help your pet remain calm.

Whatever method you use to administer the pill, always check to make sure your pet has swallowed it. Pets can be pretty clever in disposing of the pill when you aren't looking, so never just assume it went down.

Important: Learning how to administer pills is an important part of pet health care. Find a method that works for your pet and always make sure your pet gets his or her meds on time every time. As a pet owner, that is your responsibility.

The health of you pet is important. They are members of your family too! All natural, holistic pet health care products and supplements are an excellent way to keep your pet happy and healthy at all stages of their lives. Check out some of the great all natural pet health care products available at http://www.PetHealthEtcetera.com.