Don't Give the Dog Beer

Seriously.

I know it sounds weird, but many people often ask if it's okay to give the dog a cold one. The answer is simply this; no. Some dogs might even like the taste of a Bud, but it's really not a good idea. The fact of the matter is, even though beer doesn't have a high alcoholic content, it can be poisonous to your dog. Alcohol poisoning can result in your dog slipping into a coma or even death.

So what's the problem then? Dogs don't have the body mass or weight of a human, therefore it can't absorb the same amount of alcohol as you or I can. So even a few sips may get your dog very drunk and depending upon how many sips the dog has, could lead to toxicity.

Look for specific signs in your dog's behavior to tell if it has alcohol poisoning. Vomiting, dizziness, collapsing, even hypothermia are all immediate signs that there is a problem and the dog has been poisoned. All of them obvious, of course.

If the dog has been poisoned, call for help immediately. Your vet will help the dog try to rid the toxins from its system by giving the dog activated charcoal. This will help absorb the poisonous components from the body. The vet may also induce vomiting in the dog or even have the stomach pumped clean. All of these are very unpleasant things to have to go through for anybody, much less your poor dog.

So as a rule of thumb, keep all open alcoholic beverages away from your dog. Better to be safe than sorry.

Your Cat Loves You

Cats. They can be mysterious and moody, their behaviors often making us wonder what's going on in those cute little heads of theirs. The truth is, they may sometimes exhibit odd ways of showing their affection for and appreciation of us in their everyday lives.

You might notice little habits or routines that may run from the whimsical to the nonsensical. Cats are funny creatures and their particular mannerisms all too often have us scratching our heads. Well scratch no more, as some leading veterinarians attempt to shed some light on these enigmatic fluff balls and their methods of kindness and devotion. See how many of these you recognize in your cat...

Bunting
This is the primary behavior of a cat, meant only for their most favorite of people. If your cat rubs its face or head against you, this is what they call "bunting". Basically, the cat is scenting you and claiming you as theirs' and theirs' alone.

Rolling
Pretty self-explanatory. If your kitty flops to the floor and rolls over, exposing its belly to you; this is a sign of total and complete trust. It's up to you now to return the affection with some rubbings of that exposed belly.

Gifting
How many of you woken up in the morning or come home from work to find a dead mouse, a bird or the head and tail (and only the head and tail) of a squirrel waiting for you? Yup, this is your kitty bearing gifts. It's a sign of appreciation and devotion where the cat is doing what comes naturally; hunting down prey and providing for those the cat loves. As disgusting as it may be, you must praise your kitty and thank him or her for bringing home such a wonderful bounty. Then step over it gingerly and pick it up with paper towels and gloves.

Napping
Not all cats are lap kitties, but those that are will find safety and security in the lap of a human it loves. Since cats sleep a lot, they are often particular about where they will get that napping done. If a cat chooses your lap, that's telling you the cat trusts you very much.

Any or all of these behaviors are healthy signs of a happy cat in a good, loving home. Congratulations!

Fleas and Ticks? Try an Herbal Dog Collar for Relief

Herbal dog collars are a new way to fight fleas without the unpleasant odors and toxic chemicals. These herbal collars sometimes even contain ingredients that help soothe stressed pets and calm their nerves while combating the mosquitoes, ticks and fleas that transmit potentially deadly diseases. Many pet owners worry about the use of pesticides in commercial flea and tick products, because they could lead to poisoning, renal failure, liver failure, nervous system disorders and even cancer.

These types of collars are safer, yet equally effective while helping you keep costs down so your pet can live a comfortable, pest-free life. There are a wide variety of manufacturers who make reliable products for your dog or cat. Here are just some of the options available to you on the market.

Castor and Pollux 

The herbal dog collar offered by Castor and Pollux blends beads of cedar, citronella, eucalyptus, pennyroyal and rue. The oils are molded into the plastic collar and slowly release for weeks. Biting insects hate the scent of citronella and cedar, and stay far away from your pet. These herbal collars are safe for puppies and elderly dogs.

Natural Animal Cotton Collars

Natural Animal offers a cotton dog collar (fits dogs with necks up to 34 inches) that you use with herbal insect repellant. Before placing the collar on your dog, add drops of the herbal oil. The collars are inexpensive and you purchase the bottles of insect repellant oils separately, in either two or eight ounce bottles good for 12 to 48 uses.The insect repellant oil mixture blends cedar, citronella, lemongrass, rosemary and sesame oils. It's a non-toxic blend that is perfect for pets of all ages.

Sentry 

Sentry makes a line of herbal collars that help calm stressed pets. These collars are beneficial for high-stress pets, especially those suffering from separation anxiety. As an added benefit, the scent is extremely pleasing to humans and eliminates smelly dog odors.

The Sentry Calming Collar uses a blend of chamomile and lavender oils. Both scents are proven effective at calming pets. The oils in the collar are activated by body heat, so the scent becomes stronger when your pet does become agitated and starts moving around or pacing.

Naturally Best from Zodiac

Naturally Best offers an herbal flea collar. The main ingredients (cedar, citronella, eucalyptus and pennyroyal) deter mosquitoes for up to three months. The herbal collar is suitable for dogs with necks up to 21 inches in diameter. You can use the collar on puppies and elderly dogs.

Pet Guard 

Pet Guard's Herbal Collar is used primarily to reduce dog odors. If you have a dog with particularly strong body odor, the herbal collar helps eliminate the offensive smell. In addition, some of the all-natural ingredients offer insect-repellant qualities. Insects simply loathe the smell and stay away from your pet. With a blend of natural oils, the Pet Guard Herbal Collar smells great, with a mix of cedar, citronella, eucalyptus, pennyroyal, rue and rosemary. The collar has a strong menthol-cedar aroma that is extremely pleasing to both pet and pet owner.

Causes for Obesity in Cats and How to Prevent It

Obesity in felines may originate from many causes; genetics, lack of exercise and, of course, an inadequate diet. In order to help prevent obesity in your pet, it's important to be able to identify the key factors that can lead to this dangerous condition. Just like in humans, certain cats are prone to being overweight. This is due to the genetic information inherited from the parents. But there are other possibilites to consider that you can help prevent: 

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions will cause obesity in your pet:

• Hormonal imbalance, which can affect the metabolism and may lead to weight gain
• A heart condition, which will not allow the pet to exercise and he can easily gain weight, due to inactivity
• Arthritis, which will also make certain movements painful and the cat will refrain from moving

Older pets may also be more prone to obesity, as the cat will be less active and will sleep more. If he eats the same food, he will most likely gain weight.

Inadequate Diet

An inadequate diet can lead to weight gain. The cat may eat more than he needs and all the excess energy will turn into fat.Many owners tend to over feed their cats. The cat should have a diet that is adjusted to his size, breed and age. You should work closely with your vet to find the amount of energy your pet needs for his daily activities and administer the exact same amount. You should also make sure that the cat eats quality food that contains fewer fillers, which can contribute to obesity.

Lack of Exercise

The lack of exercise can contribute to weight gain. A sedentary cat is very likely to become obese. This is due to the fact that he consumes more food than he needs and all the remaining energy will be deposited. A cat can easily become obese if he fails to exercise. The amount of exercise required by a cat will depend on his breed and age, but he will need to play or consume his extra energy each day. On average, cats need around 15 to 30 minutes of exercise per day. Exercise may not be recommended if the pet has arthritis or a heart condition. In this case, the diet has to be adjusted so that the pet eats only as much as he needs.

Dangers of Obesity

Obesity can present certain health dangers and can be linked to these health problems:

• Heart problems, as the heart has to work extra to pump blood to the fat tissues as well
• Early onset of arthritis
• Diabetes, which can occur if the cat can no longer assimilate the blood sugar properly

Obese cats have a lower life expectancy so be sure to consult your vet if you suspect your pet may be overweight.

Natural Balance pet foods

Del Monte Foods and Natural Balance Pet Foods have signed a merger agreement. Natural Balance Pet Foods, makers of super-premium pet food for dogs and cats sold throughout North America and also in Europe and Asia, will join Del Monte’s robust pet products portfolio. PRESS RELEASE Del Monte Foods and Natural Balance Pet Foods®, Inc. announced today that the companies have signed a merger agreement. Natural Balance Pet Foods®, makers of super-premium pet food for dogs and cats sold throughout North America and also in Europe and Asia, will join Del Monte’s robust pet products portfolio. “Natural Balance was created nearly 25 years ago to give pet parents the best super-premium pet food on the market,” said Joey Herrick, president and founder, Natural Balance Pet Foods®, Inc. “After careful consideration, we believe we’ve found the perfect partner to help the business grow for the next 25 years. Not only does Del Monte care about pets as much as we do, they have a complementary culture and set of values, their respected brands are found in eight out of ten U.S. households and they have been a trusted name for healthy, quality consumer food for more than 100 years. Natural Balance looks forward to working hand-in-hand with Del Monte to leverage their strong distribution, supply chain and innovation resources that will help the brand achieve its next level of growth.” “Natural Balance will continue to offer pet parents super-premium, high quality formulas that they have come to know and expect, and we look forward to continuing to nurture our valued relationships with our customers and other partners,” continued Herrick. “Del Monte Foods is proud to welcome Natural Balance® into the Del Monte family of brands,” said Dave West, CEO, Del Monte Foods. “Natural Balance is well-positioned in the super-premium pet specialty channel and Del Monte looks forward to supporting and further strengthening that position, while honoring the brand’s esteemed culture and history.” Continued West, “This merger is consistent with our long-term strategy for Del Monte to further strengthen our pet food and snacks brand portfolio and accelerate growth by expanding in the pet specialty channel. This offers us exciting prospects for continued growth, particularly in terms of strengthening our reach to independent pet retailers.” The merger includes the equity interest held by private equity firm VMG Partners. “We are very proud to have worked side by side with Joey and the Natural Balance team in building one of the strongest brands in the pet specialty channel. We are excited about passing the baton to Del Monte Foods, who we believe will continue to grow and strengthen the Natural Balance brand,” said David Baram, VMG Managing Director. Natural Balance Pet Foods®, Inc. was founded in 1989 by Dick Van Patten and Joey Herrick. Today, the brand includes both dog and cat formulas and spans wet food, dry food and treats. Natural Balance is headquartered in Pacoima, CA. The purchase price and financial terms are not disclosed. The merger includes all Natural Balance® brands, products and other trademarks. The companies anticipate the merger will close in mid-June, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory clearances. About Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Pet Foods® Natural Balance® Pet Foods, created in 1989 by Dick Van Patten and Joey Herrick, is a leading premium pet food brand, offering more than 225 dog and cat products. Natural Balance products include Original Ultra® Ultra Premium Pet Foods, L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets® Formulas, ALPHA® Grain-Free Formulas, Delectable Delights™ Stews for dogs and cats and many more. About Del Monte Foods Del Monte Foods is one of the country’s largest producers, distributors and marketers of premium quality, branded pet products and food products for the U.S. retail market, generating approximately $3.7 billion in net sales in fiscal 2012. With a powerful portfolio of brands, Del Monte products are found in eight out of ten U.S. households. Pet food and pet snacks brands include Meow Mix®, Kibbles ‘n Bits®, Milk-Bone®, 9Lives®, Pup-Peroni®, Gravy Train®, Nature’s Recipe®, Canine Carry Outs®, Milo’s Kitchen® and other brand names. Food product brands include Del Monte®, Contadina®, S&W®, College Inn® and other brand names. The Company also produces and distributes private label pet products and food products. CONTACTS: Chrissy Trampedach, Del Monte Foods, (415) 247-3420, media.relations@delmonte.com Joanna DiNizio, Coyne PR for Del Monte Foods, (973) 588-2000, jdinizio@coynepr.com Rob Bailey, RBCPR for Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc., 201-760-0200 ext. 101, rbailey@rbcpr.com

Some Things to Think About When Choosing Pet Insurance

It's similar in many ways to human health insurance, but you're buying it to keep your pet healthy and your vet bills low. There are a wealth of companies that offer this type of protection for you and your furry friend. The first thing you want to do is your homework. Research the competitive prices and policy features of each before deciding on which one to invest in. You'll find highly-credited organizations such as the ASPCA, and the AKC; and corporations you're familiar with, such as Purina, who sell pet insurance policies.

But be warned; not all insurers offer the same types of policies. Some cover accidents but not illness; others may offer coverage at higher deductibles than the competition. So it's important to compare. There are websites online that you can seek out to help you with this. Don't only consider price either; as cheaper policies don't necessarily cover all eventualities or hazards to your pet's health.

The good thing about all of these insurers is that, unlike human health insurance, any licensed vet is covered. No need to worry about your veterinarian being included in the insurer's plan or any other such nonsense.
However, you will need to pay "out of pocket" for any medical bills and wait to be reimbursed by your chosen insurer. So be prepared to incur some expense before getting made whole once again.

Another to keep in mind with pet insurance is that pre-existing conditions are not covered. There's no way around this as pretty much any insurer will refuse coverage if your pet has a serious illness or medical condition. It sucks, but there's nothing you can do about this. But in the long run, pet insurance is really a good idea because healthy pets will only need preventative care and routine check-ups every so often and while they may not seem all that expensive in the beginning, over time they can add up. Obviously, if your pet contracts a serious disease or a degenerative condition that requires repeated vet visits; those costs are de-frayed by your insurance company and you will save money.

Dealing with Ringworm in Your Pet

It can be difficult and uncomfortable to both dogs and cats, and it's even contagious to humans as well. You've heard of it, you may have even seen it on TV, it's ringworm. This infection can be transmitted through skin, hair, even your pet's living environment, if the spores haven't been fully eliminated.

The trouble with ringworm is that it's not always noticeable from the get-go, in fact it is sometimes mistaken for other types of skin conditions. So even if you think your pet has been affected bring it to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Here are some ways to distinguish whether your pet has such an infection.

The symptoms you want to look for don't always indicate ringworm specifically, but these are the most commonly associated with this affliction:

• Circular areas of hair loss on the head, feet, legs or tail. This is your best bet that what you're dealing with ringworm as this symptom is exclusive to this type of infection. Look for small blisters near or around these areas as well. 
• Scaly and inflamed skin. 
• Dandruff
• Acne that is mostly on the chin.

Diagnosing the problem is best left to your vet. He or she will try to determine if your pet has ringworm through a number of tests, but they'll likely check out your pet's skin under a Wood's Lamp first. This is a form of blacklight that can identify the ringworn fungi as they will appear fluorescent almost immediately. It's not a fail-safe, fool-proof way of finding ringworm, as healthy animals will also have fluorescent types of fungi on their coat which do not always lead to ringworm fungi. But this is a good start that vets will be able to identify the problem.

If your pet does have ringworm, there are a number of ways to treat it. Topical treatments such as Lotrimin and miconazole cream, along with antifungal shampoos, dips in lime sulfur and other antibiotics are all effective for slight to moderate infections. Oral treatments may be necessary, such as Griseofulvin or itraconazole, and can be used with ringworm vaccines. These will require blood tests to be taken during their use.

One thing to keep in mind: ALWAYS use gloves and wash your hands thoroughly and repeatedly when handling and treating a pet that has ringworm; so as not to spread the infection due to its high contagion factor.