If temperatures are dropping and snow is in the forecast,the ASPCA recommends the following tips to keep your animal companions safe and sound:

• Never let your dog off leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm. Canines may lose their scent in winter weather, and can easily become lost.
• Provide your companion animal with a warm place to sleep, far away from drafts and off the floor. Dog and cat beds with a warm blanket or pillow are especially cozy.
• Please keep cats inside! Felines who spend time outside can freeze, or become lost or injured. And some outdoor cats seek the warmth under the hoods of cars — so if there are any such kitties in your neighborhood, remember to bang loudly on the hood and wait a few seconds before starting your vehicle.
  
• Wipe off your dog’s legs and belly when she comes in out of the elements. This will remove any salt, antifreeze or other harmful chemicals that could hurt your dog should she ingest them when licking her paws.
• Puppies can’t handle the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be more difficult to housebreak during the winter.
• Electrically-heated pet beds are great, but only with human supervision. Animals will chew on cords, leading to electrocution and house fires.
• Remember exercise for your pets; it is too easy for everyone to stay inside, but they still need to walk and run.
• If your pet is outdoors, provide a warm place to shelter, and ensure unfrozen water to drink.

For many senior citizens, the days seem empty and endless. Many seniors, whose children live far away, and are busy with raising their own families, may go long periods of time without any contact with other people. But one thing that is almost certain to shred that veil of loneliness, is a dog or cat who needs companionship too.

Purina recognized an ideal match-up 20 years ago – seniors need companions and shelter dogs and cats need homes. Purina developed Pets for Seniors, an initiative to make it easier for seniors and shelter animals to come together. Purina donates $50 for each pet adoption through the program, to defray the cost of spaying or neutering and vaccinating, making pet adoptions at little or no cost to seniors. Around 200 animal shelters across the nation participate in the program.

A dog or cat in the home gives a senior a friend to love, care for, and interact with everyday. A pet’s unpredictability breaks up stale routines and creates joyful moments of spontaneity, and provides something delightful to look forward to each day. A pet can dig up satisfying feelings that were buried – feelings of being relevant, needed and useful. The physical benefits are as important as the emotional ones. Seniors who have pets have significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures*. And those with dogs tend to walk longer each day than their peers without dogs.

Seniors Show Their Love for the Pets for Seniors Initiative

The Pets for Seniors initiative, originally called Partners for Pets, had remarkable and surprising success right from the beginning. Soon after it launched, three different senior citizens were so moved by their pets and this initiative that they left money in their wills to support it, so that other seniors could experience the same joy.

“We were honored and humbled that people would trust us so much to leave money to support this program,” said Brenda Bax, Brand Director of Purina Pets for People®, “We’ve kept it going for 20 years and I think that reflects the values and principles of Purina. We are a company of pet lovers and we know it’s the right thing to do. It’s our longest-running program, and it has been viable all these years regardless of company profits or buy-outs.” Purina’s partnership with ARF can help any senior with pet adoptions.

Anyone over age 60 is eligible to adopt a dog or cat at little or no cost through Pets for People, even if they do not live near a participating animal shelter. Through Purina’s partnership with Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), all you need is to complete a form, and pet adoption fees can be reimbursed.

If you know of a senior adult who is living alone, consider enriching his or her life by suggesting adopting a furry companion through Pets for Seniors. We say suggest, please do not purchase. Often times they won’t say, “No” but don’t want or can’t handle the responsibility.

*Source: Animal Rescue Foundation

 (ARF)

Anyone who believes that never had a cat!

No one can “prove” that a cat feels love anymore than it can be proven that a person feels love. Love is one of those things that cannot be proven.

Cats, of course, show affection—other than just when a meal is about to be served. Unless a cat has had a traumatic history with humans, she will seek out her owner for affection in the form of play, stroking or perhaps a chat.

With Love, Cats Are More Like People Than Dogs

Cats do what pleases them and show affection to their owners on their own terms. Because of this, some say that cats are unattached, unaffectionate and unloving—as evidence, they won’t even come when called.

These people are comparing cats to dogs.

Think about one of the human relationships, where there is no question about love, such as between mother and child. When the child calls from another room, and mom is occupied, she may not even notice. If she does, she’s most likely to call back, “Just a minute!” Unless she believes her child is in danger, she not going to go bounding into the other room wildly excited to see what he wants. So coming when called is not a sign or test of love and devotion.

Or, a mother hugs and kisses her child, and the kid happily hugs and kisses back, and then squirms out of her arms. That doesn’t mean the child is unaffectionate and detached; it just means she’s had enough loving for now. Cats, like people, have their boundaries.

Do cats form an attachment?

Cats form strong attachment to their owners. There are many known cases where the owner had to leave, or died, and the cat showed signs of distress. Cats have been known to sit at the owner’s bedroom door meowing. They’ve gone into hiding. They’ve even refused to eat. Some perfectly healthy cats have had such a strong attachment that they simply died after the loss of their owner, the only cause seeming to be a broken heart.

But the most remarkable evidence of a cat’s love for his owner, are the documented incidences of cats traveling hundreds or thousands of miles to places they’ve never been, and finding their owners.

Cats show love through understanding

On a less dramatic note—many cat owners say that their cat knows when they are upset and will give comfort. Cats have even licked away tears. If the cat were truly self-centered, she would stay away until the owner was more in a frame to please her. Though it may never be proven scientifically, those who give love and devotion to their cats, get the same in return. Sometimes more.

Anyone who has spent time with a disabled dog or cat knows that a disability detracts little from a pet’s ability to live a normal happy life. Puppies and kittens who are born with a disability, or acquire it early in life, have no idea they’re different. They simply adapt. The most common pet disabilities are deafness, blindness or loss of a limb.

Deaf Cats and Dogs
Since dogs and cats normally have such a tremendous sense of hearing, it would seem that a loss of this sense would be devastating. But, dogs and cats adapt quite well, and become more sensitive to vibrations they feel. And like all dogs and cats, they are excellent readers of body language, so communicating with them is not as difficult as you may imagine.

Deaf pets may not respond to their owner’s spoken words, such as announcing dinnertime, but they read the signals like any other pet. The owner may call their pet by clapping their hands or stomping their feet. Some use a flashlight for visual commands. If you have trained your dog to respond to hand signals, deafness is no barrier to good behavior.

Blind Dogs and Cats
Often, when people adopt a puppy or kitten, they don’t realize their pet is blind or deaf right away. Puppies and kittens tend to be a little clumsy and distracted anyway, so bumping into things or not responding when called may be chalked up to normal infantile behavior. Then they adapt, and learn to navigate the house and communicate with their owner so well, it may take closer observation to discover the disability.

Owners of blind pets usually are careful to keep all furniture in the same place at all times, and even pad sharp edges of furniture. Food and water bowls, litter box, pet bed, and toy stash all need to be in the exact same place for the pet to easily find what she needs.

Three-Legged Dogs and Cats
Seeing a three-legged dog or cat may make you feel sad, but most of them are perfectly adept at doing everything four-legged dogs and cats do. Rather than sad, feel glad these animals are still here in spite of whatever caused the loss of the limb. These guys are survivors!

Most three-legged dogs and cats don’t need any special accommodations to live normal lives – other than making extra sure they maintain a healthy weight. Their body weight has one less leg to bear it, which causes more stress on the other leg joints.

Love a Disabled Pet
Why are we telling you all this? Because we think every dog or cat deserves to have a good life in a loving home, and should not be overlooked in animal shelters because of a disability. When you go to a shelter or breeder to find your next perfect pet to love, we hope you’re open to the idea that your perfect pet may have some imperfections!

Help your overweight feline maintain a healthy mind and body by encouraging him to play. Cat play with appropriate toys promotes exercise, hones natural skills, alleviates boredom and stress — and is just good fun for both you and your kitty. So when purchasing toys, think about those that promote independent play and animal-human relationship building.

Whether your pet is overweight or not, feline experts strongly recommend selecting toys that enhance your feline’s natural instincts to hide, run, chase, bat, scoop, pounce and jump — the same skills that make cats great hunters.

According to author and certified animal behavior consultant, Pamela Johnson-Bennett, “as predators, cats need to hunt. But, as an indoor cat matures, he can lose his desire to hunt because he can easily leave the couch and walk over to the food bowl.”

Furthermore, Johnson-Bennett notes that far too many times her clients tell her that their cats refuse to play with their basket full of toys. Johnson-Bennett advises owners to make their cats’ toys come alive by using foraging toys, such as the Funkitty toys from Premier. “Have your pet work for food by hiding foraging toys, around the house. Allow him to do the job he was born to do,” advises Bennett.

This Door Dangli, by Funkitty video shows a cat playing with the Door Dangli and how it keeps the cat entertained and somewhat active.

This Twist ‘n Treat Teaser is another great toy by Funkitty that keeps cats moving and will provide hours of activity for them as well as entertainment for you!

After “Tiger” McDowell was diagnosed as being extremely obese, his veterinarian prescribed a change of diet and more play. His owner, James McDowell, slowly increased their playtime to three or four times daily. James McDowell uses a laser toy to keep Tiger running around the house and catnip spray to freshen up fishing poles and other toys to make them more appealing.

“He lost a good amount of weight, is energetic and seems happier. Now, I am challenged coming up with activities that keep his interest,” says his owner. “I think I am going to introduce him to walking on a leash.”

Before buying any toy, also make sure that toy is age and activity appropriate. A soothing toy like a tunnel is a better choice for an older pet while an activity center is an ideal purchase for a younger cat.

Also, when considering cat toys, buy toys that are well made and safe. Make sure the toys have no easily breakable parts. Rotate them weekly to keep a cat’s interest. And last but certainly not least — always follow all directions, including those providing for supervision.

Planned feline play will contribute to your cat’s health and longevity as well as creating a stronger bond between you and your cat.

What toys do you use to keep your cat active? Tell us below!

Article By: Charlotte Reed

As kids head back to school, many pet parents may wonder if their four-legged family members could also benefit from mental stimulation.

Fortunately, many products now feature interactive elements, giving pets the chance to enhance their curiosity and imagination during playtime.<

Here are some of our favorites:

The Leo Dog Toy from Canine Genius sharpens your pooch’s problem-solving skills through its unique treat-release system. Shaped like a bowling pin and made of rubber, your dog will enjoy teasing out the treat locked inside. As a bonus, you can combine multiple Leo toys to create a maze of puzzles for your dog. The toy is also available in miniature versions for smaller breeds or younger dogs.

Indulge your cat’s mousing instinct without worrying about rodents in your home–courtesy of the Playables cat toy by Toy Shoppe. These catnip-scented toys mirror the look and feel of real mice, including a rattling sound to entice and satisfy cats even further. Cat owners will also appreciate the handy packs of multiples, ensuring that your felines won’t completely rid the house of these “mice.”

The Busy Buddy Bouncy Bone, by Premier, combines three elements that stimulate a dog’s natural hunting and retrieving instincts — a mobile ball, a bone shape, and a rawhide taste. As with similar interactive toys, the parts of the bone can be replaced, providing lasting entertainment for your pooch.

Felines show natural curiosity about almost anything — even an empty cardboard box! — but cat owners looking for more engaging toys should investigate the Turbo Track for cats. Like the Leo dog toy, the pieces of the Turbo Track can be combined into different shapes to give cats new racetrack variations on which to chase the toy’s ball. To excite your cats even further, try switching the ball with a catnip toy, guaranteeing that they will stay focused on the track longer.

By Zootoo Pet News Staff

Mosquito Concerns in Dogs: general discomfort from bites especially for dogs with allergies, Heartworm (three confirmed cases at Dogwood Pet Hospital), West Nile (one confirmed case in West Linn).

Recommendations:

• Deet Wipes — lightly wipe ears, nose, and underbelly.
• Avon Skin So Soft
• Give a monthly heartworm preventative:  Sentinel (tablet), Heartgard Plus (chewable treat form), and Revolution (topical). We recommend Sentinel since it has the added benefit of flea and certain intestinal parasite prevention.

Cats

Mosquito Concerns in Cats: general discomfort from bites  especially for cats with allergies.  Although hearmworm in cats is extremely low in this area, it does exist.

Recommendations:

• Deet Wipes — lightly wipe ears, nose, and underbelly.
• Avon Skin So Soft.
• Monthly heartworm preventive available:  Revolution (topical).

Related Articles:

• Natural Mosquito Treatment
• Mosquitoes Spread Infectious Disease in Dogs: Q & A
• What are Heartworms?

If anyone in your family has experienced flu-like symptoms, we recommend minimizing contact with your pets and scheduling a veterinary exam if your pet develops any respiratory symptoms.

Please visit the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association  to read full article.

For more information, visit www.nutroproducts.com/affected-Products.html or call Nutro’s Customer Service at 1-800-833-5330.

P.S. — Happy Birthday Sadie!