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Pet Nanny’s Cutest Pet Photo Contest!

Frankie

 

 

 Does your pet have what it takes to win our Cutest Pet Photo Contest?

  • Attention, pet lovers and owners! Get those flashes ready to take your BEST photo, because we’re running one of our biggest contests ever!
  • The winner receives a $250 Gift Card to Pet Nanny Mainline| has no cash value, and expires on 12/31/2014. ALL entries must be received by March 1, 2014.
  • If you haven’t already, “like” our Facebook and get your pet ready for their close-up!

If you are a new Pet Nanny customer, there just may be a surprise waiting for you on our

Facebook page. “Like us” to reveal your savings.

Have Fun Walking Your Pet

Do you enjoy walking your pet? You do?! Well good, because they enjoy it too. Not only is it great exercise for your pet, keeps them active, and provides them fresh air, it’s just as good for you. However, walking your pet can be difficult if your pet pulls on a leash, or the leash is harsh on your hands. There is also traffic you have to look out for, as well as deciding when and where to walk your dog. We have provided several tips on how, what, when and where to walk your pet:

Leashes

  • Leather leashes are the easiest.
  • Nylon leashes hold up well in cold and warm weather, but are not the best for the hands.
  • Chain leashes are hard on the hands, but are very good while walking your pet, especially those who like to tug or bite.
  • Flexi-leads are best while walking your pets in the park, but not in a high-traffic area.

Pulling on the Leash:

  • If you have a pet that’s pretty active while on the leash, attempt to walk he or she in the middle of the day, if possible.
  • Attempt to walk when other animals or wildlife are likely not to be out. 
  • A head halter is useful for those pets excited on the leash.

Keep Out of Grass and Flower Beds:

  • Spring plants like daffodils and tulips cause stomach problems, so keep the leash short while letting your pooch sniff the pretty flowers.
  • Keep your pets off lawns during warmer months, because of insecticides, and other toxic lawn products.

To Be Continued…

Source: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-walking-101

Why Fostering a Pet Is Good For You and Them

 

 

Fostering a pet can be a lot of work, but the rewards are worth the effort for many homeless pets that have been vetted and rescued, needing a cozy and warm home to rest before they arrive at their forever home. Of course, fostering can place an emotional toll on those who get especially attached to those they foster, but you’ll never regret saving a life or two. When you foster, you’re helping another pet get a chance at life, and you are helping the pet you’re fostering learn valuable social skills to easily be adopted.

“The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals makes more than 1,000 foster placements a year,” said Gail Buchwald, the ASPCA’s senior vice president of adoptions.

There are times when a foster will adopt the pet their fostering, although shelters have to begin locating new fosters. Of course, saying goodbye is the hardest part, but here are some tips that may help with carrying a lighter burden:

  • You are saving not only one, but several lives. Pets are euthanized less the more fosters there are.
  • Remind yourself that your helping pets find loving, permanent homes.
  • Encourage a successful adoption and be happy!
  • Never feel saddened or guilty that you’re giving your foster pet to another home. As long as they’re treated with love and kindness, they will continue to adapt to their new family.
  • Join a foster network or community.
  • Don’t constantly foster; take a breather every now and again.
  • You have great memories of saving lives; never forget them.

There are no statistics about how much nationwide data there is available referencing fosters in shelters. Even high kill shelters have foster programs. Be resourceful and do some research on the shelters in your community to inquire how you can be involved in your wanting to foster a pet.With the economic decline, there are more and more pets without homes, ending up in shelters. Sadly, many of them are euthanized, but with incredible foster individuals and families, some of them get a second chance at life.

Do you foster a pet? What do you love the most about it?

Source: http://www.abqjournal.com/279210/living/foster-pet-care-has-many-rewards.html

Keep your Pet Healthy and Safe This Holiday Season

During this busy and hectic holiday season, there is a rise of pets entering veterinary clinics, because either they have ingested something they shouldn’t, or something is out of the ordinary that places your pet’s health at risk. Leaving out foods and other items that are hazardous to your pet’s health can be avoided by putting things up out of a pet’s reach, and knowing what’s in it that can harm them.

The following is a list of the most common complaints veterinary clinics receive.

  • Gastritis– In other words, stomach inflammation, and the symptoms are mostly vomiting.  This occurs by your pet ingest something other than food.
  • Enteritis– This is intestinal inflammation, with symptoms of diarrhea. Like gastritis, is caused by ingesting something your pet shouldn’t, and is also caused by bacterial infections.
  •  Colitis– Intestinal inflammation in the colon segment of the intestine, caused by infection and stress. Symptoms are diarrhea that is bloody and full of mucous.
  • Pancreatitis– Inflammation of the pancreas, caused by eating an overzealous amount of food high in fat. This can become a life-threatening condition that can cause excessive diarrhea, vomiting, along with extensive dehydration. Take it easy on the table scraps, so to speak!
  • Gastric foreign body– This occurs when an object like toys, balls, or anything foreign ingested by a pet, gets stuck in the stomach. Vomiting is a common occurrence, and sometimes it has to be surgically removed.
  • Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis– Bloody vomiting and diarrhea, and occurs when the pet has ingested garbage (trash) of spoiled food, commonly known as “garbage gut.” This is a very serious condition, as the bacteria from the spoiled food causes toxic-shock like reactions, and the pet needs to be treated immediately.
  • Intestinal foreign body– Results when an object gets lodged in the intestine. This is one of the more serious conditions, as it is most commonly treated with surgery, because blockage has occurred.
  • Methylxanthine toxicity– Probably the most dangerous, as too much chocolate acts as a stimulant, resulting in tremors and chocolate toxicity. Other serious symptoms include seizures and severely elevated heart rates. Treatment depends on the amount and type of chocolate your pet consumes.

Hopefully, none of these will be a problem in your furry and feline household. If it does happen, please take adequate and proper precaution, and consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Do you have any other recommendations of what to watch out for with your pet getting into during busy and rushed seasons?

Article Source: http://www.pantagraph.com/blogs/ask-a-vet/dc4348d4-4ad0-11e2-ab00-001a4bcf887a.html

Medications Your Pet Should Never Consume

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the number one reason owner’s call the ASPCA Poison Control Center is due to pets consuming their owner’s meds. The reason for this is that owners give their pets medications without first seeking counsel. They also may drop pills or accidentally leave them in an accessible location.

The most common pills that are consumed by pets are:

  •  Ibuprofen causes stomach ulcers and kidney failure.
  • Tramadol (known as Ultram) is not always hazardous, but has to be injected with strict, recommended dose. Over-dosage induces vomiting, disorientation and tremors, among several others.
  • Alprazolam (also known as Xanax) can cause extreme lethargy or agitation.
  • Adderal causes hyperactivity, tremors and seizures.
  • Zolpidem (also known as Ambien) in cats, makes them drunk-like and sleepy, along with agitation and increased heart rate.
  • Clonazepam (also known as Klonopin) causes low blood pressure, fatigue, and collapsing in pets.
  • Acetaminophen causes liver or red blood cell damage.
  • Naproxen causes ulcers or kidney failure.
  • Duloxetine (also known as Cymbalta) causes agitation, vocalization, tremors and seizures.

Want to know the best way to keep your pet from ever having the possibility to consume these hazardous pills?

Keep your medications in an airtight cabinet, desk, etc., or keep them with you. If, for any reason, your pet happens to consume any medications, call your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Source: http://www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/how-protect-pets-medication-poisoning

Pet Nanny Main Line’s Did You Know Post of the Week

I personally love this news, and think there might be less patients with heart problems in the hospital, and much less of a stay while recovering. Several doctors think it’s a great thing, especially for those patients who are in critical conditions, and fare better when their companion is near them. It has been noted to calm the patient tremendously and reduce risk.

There is a new program called Faithful Friends that takes place at the University of Maryland Medical Center, which allows a patient’s pet to visit he or she in the hospital. Before worry or concern sets in for the patient or other patients in the hospital, the pet must undergo strict screening, grooming, along with vaccinations. These visits from their canine or feline companion can help turn the patient’s outlook for the better and reduce their recovery time. The patient’s pet has been noted to reduce the heart rate and offers “a calming piece of home.”

Article Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-news/52246306#52201872

The Yellow Dog Project

We here at Pet Nanny Main Line are really liking the concept behind The Yellow Dog Project, which is a hands-on, volunteer effort for communities to “raise awareness about dogs who need space while training, recovering from surgery, or being rehabilitated. A Yellow Dog is any breed, any age, purebreed and mutt.”

To join Yellow Dog in their efforts, join their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/TheYellowDogProject, along with filling out the volunteer and waiver application form located on Yellow Dog Project’s website, printing it out and mailing the form in. This incredible project has reached 47 countries and counting!

For more information and more tools to use to spread the word online, visit the official website at http://www.theyellowdogproject.com

Pet Nanny Main Line’s Pet Tip of the Week

Many people think that feeding their pet table food is okay and isn’t harmful. I’ve had people tell me, “If we can eat it, it must be okay for them,” and “What’s the big deal if we sneak food to them here and there?” Why shouldn’t you feed a pet table food? Because it’s more harmful to them than it is to you. Another fact (and possibly shocker):

  • With 55% of pets being overweight leading to decreased life expectancy, arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer, feeding your dog a hot dog is the equivalent of a human eating three cheeseburgers. Talk about a cholesterol overload and if we did that everyday, we’re sure to have a heart attack come on!

It’s not just dogs you have to worry about feeding table food; it’s a no-no for cat’s too, and even worse for them because of their size and shape! The reason?

  • Giving your cat an ounce of cheese is the equivalent of a human eating three and a half cheeseburgers or four Hershey’s chocolate bars.

So, the next time you’re dog or cat begs, or gives you that irresistible look that you just can’t ignore or entices you to ‘give in’, think again for the sake of your pet’s health and longevity.

Source: http://www.upnorthlive.com/news/story.aspx?id=895120#

Check out our blog writer’s pet German-Shepherd, Beba

 

 

We would like to introduce our very own Pet Watchman and Pet-Nanny’s blog writer, Lindsey’s pet German-Shepherd, Beba. She’s affectionately known as Beba-bay. While my family and I were trying to pick out a name for her, our neighbor Kristine, who is German, suggested the German nickname Beba. We liked the sound of it, and stuck with it! 

Beba is full of imagination, thinks she’s a cat because she sometimes covers up her #2, paws at her face when she wakes up and yawns, and paws at you when she wants to play. She LOVES playing ball with her Mom, also a German-Shepherd, Lucy. They have brought such joy to my family and I, and we enjoy spoiling them and taking them on long walks and hikes.

Note: This is not the best picture of Beba, and is the only one on my computer that’s the best. I will try and find a better one to put up 🙂

 

What Will They Think of Next?

 

An organization in New York is currently developing a pet food stamp program, and it’s intentions will be to help pet owners who are unable to afford support for their animal friends.

Pet Food Stamps website states that” The Pet Food Stamps program has been created to fill the void in the United States Food Stamp program which excludes the purchase of pet food and pet supplies. In these rough economic times, many pet owners are forced to abandon their beloved pet to the ASPCA, North Shore Animal League or other animal shelters due to the inability to pay for their basic food supply and care.”

What do you think of this new development:

  • Love it
  • Meh
  • Why pet food stamps?

Let us know in the comment section below. We can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

Read more:

http://dailycaller.com/2013/02/24/scooby-snaps-new-mexico-organization-offers-pet-food-stamps/