Tag: pets

A Balancing Act

Protecting Your Dog’s Immune System

(Family Features) – Allie stopped eating when she was 16. Her owner, Dr. Elizabette Cohen says she went crazy trying to find a healthy diet for her beloved pet.

“Her problem is that she has a very sensitive digestive system and would suffer from upsets pretty often,” said Cohen, a New York veterinarian and popular radio show host. With a majority of a dog’s immune system residing in the gut, it was critical to address Allie’s digestive health.

Understanding Bacteria

Like humans, dogs and cats have short digestive tracts and a complex gastrointestinal (GI) ecosystem. Bacterial cells in their digestive tracts outnumber animal cells. In fact, they account for approximately 95 percent of the cells in the GI tract. As many as 500 different species of bacterial cells may be represented.

Some of these bacteria are beneficial, and some have the potential to be pathogenic. It’s the balance between the two types of bacteria that determines whether the digestive system is healthy and functioning optimally. When the bacterial balance is disrupted, the result is often digestive upsets and loose stools.

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Ensure a Fun and Safe Howl-O-Ween for Your Pet

(Family Features) Halloween isn’t just for kids. Pets are joining the festivities too by dressing up in fabulous costumes. But in addition to picking out a costume, pet parents should keep their pet’s safety in mind as well. Here are some safety tips and costume ideas to help ensure you and your pet have a safe and fun holiday.

Keep them happy. “Before having pets join in the Halloween fun, it’s important to assess whether your pet will be comfortable participating, or if the festivities will cause undue stress,” says Dr. Simon Starkey, Pet Care Expert at PetSmart. “If you have a young or senior pet, or one that is shy around others, it’s better to give them a quiet space away from all the activity where they’ll feel more comfortable.”

Make sure treats are pet friendly. With so many Halloween treats about the home, you want to make sure your dog doesn’t accidentally consume something that could be harmful. Chocolate is particularly tempting for pets, but it can also make them seriously ill. Instead, choose a pet friendly treat to celebrate, such as GREENIES Dental Chews, which also keep pets’ teeth clean and their breath scare-free.

Keep them safe. If you plan to take your dog around the neighborhood in the evening, make sure they’re properly outfitted. Reflective leashes, collars and ID tags with flashing lights are essential accessories for any pet Halloween costume.

Halloween Pet Fun
“Choosing a costume for your pet is like choosing a costume for yourself – you want something that reflects your or your pet’s personality,” says author and entertainment expert Kimberly Schlegel Whitman. Here are a few favorites exclusively available at PetSmart:

Make your pet a star. If you fancy your pet a rock star, consider dressing them for the part. Check out the Bret Michaels Pets Rock wig. With blonde tresses and a bandana to top it off, your pet will be ready to rock and roll.

Classic costumes are spooktacular. For a fantastic costume that also offers safety features, check out the glow-in-the-dark Martha Stewart Pets Black Halloween Skeleton costume. Or, if you love retro, outfit your pet in the Top Paw Plush Sock Monkey costume, which is sure to evoke some “oohs” and “aahs” from witches, goblins, zombies and monsters of all ages.

Halloween Pets Shine
No matter what costume you choose, your pet is sure to look their best. Pet parents can show off their frighteningly adorable pets in costume at PetSmart’s annual Howl-O-Ween pet parade on October 20 at your local store or online via the Monster Cute Photo Contest Powered by GREENIES. Submit your pet’s Monster Cute photo at www.facebook.com/PetSmart between September 10 and October 21 for a chance to win the grand prize, which is valued at more than $10,000.

For more tips on pet safety as well as Halloween costumes and events, visit your local PetSmart or www.PetSmart.com.

Is Pet Adoption For You?

How much will owning a pet cost? How much time do I really need to devote to a pet? These are questions potential pet owners should ask prior to adopting. However, not everyone takes the time to assess the responsibilities and requirements associated with pet ownership, increasing the likelihood a pet will be surrendered to an animal welfare organization. Sometimes a pet is given up for hardship reasons such as displacement after a natural disaster or home foreclosure. But one of the biggest and more controllable factors affecting pet relinquishment is a lack of knowledge on the owner’s part.

The good news is pet relinquishment is often preventable through education. Potential pet adopters who truly evaluate their situations and get answers to important questions before bringing pets into their homes can increase their chances of a permanent pet adoption.

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