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Most Common Pet Toxins
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals puts together an annual list of the main substances that are toxic for pets. They received over 160,000 phone calls in 2010 from people whose pets were exposed to poisonous substances. Keep your pets safe and be aware of the top pet toxins: Human Medication Human medications were at the top of the list in 2010 for pet toxins according to the ASPCA. Over the counter medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, as well as antidepressants and ADHD medications were the most common. Never flush unused medicine down the toilet, as it will pollute the water supply. Instead, look into safe ways to dispose of medicine to protect both your pets and the environment. Veterinary Medications Most medications for pets are flavored so they’ll ingest them easier. Thus, it’s easy for a pet to accidentally ingest the entire bottle of medicine because it tastes good. Arthritis and incontinence medications are common chewable medications that can be dangerous when consumed in excess. Human Food Some snacks are okay to give your pets, but certain others can be very harmful for them. For example, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and xylitol can be bad for pets. Onions and garlic can cause ...- Bookmark :
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Eco-Friendly Cat Litter
Cat litter is a necessary evil for cat owners. There are potential health risks associated with litter for both pets and humans, and it is bad for the environment. An estimated 8 billion pounds of cat litter ends up in landfills throughout the United States each year. EnviroKats is a new product that intends to combat this problem by offering a cat litter that can be reused over and over again. The first of its kind, EnviroKats is a reusable cat litter that will save you trips to the store and money, as well as spare you the awful odors and the need for plastic bags for disposal. EnviroKats litter is made from 100% discarded tires, and the materials absorb odors naturally without the use of any additives. The EnviroKats box is specially designed to allow the liquid waste to build up at the bottom of the box so that when it comes time to clean the box, you rinse the surface area of the litter, open the drain, and release the liquids. The disposal of used tires has been an environmental challenge for a long time. EnviroKats is helping to combat this problem while also helping cat owners ...- Bookmark :
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How to Make Cats’ Toys from Recycled Materials
Cats' toys are so easy to make from materials you'd normally throw away. Cats' natural tendency to explore spaces and their love of things that crinkle or wiggle makes them easy to please with regard to toys. Here are some ideas on how to make your own cat toys. 1. Plastic bottle tops are fun for cats to bat at and chase around. There's nothing elaborate you need to do; just put the plastic bottle top on the floor and pretend like you're not watching. 2. Cardboard boxes are kitty favorites. Cats can keep themselves entertained for a long time with a cardboard box. Just set it in the middle of the floor or on a favorite piece of furniture. If you have more than one cat, it can be very entertaining to watch them cram together into the box or chase each other in and out of it. 3. Old socks that you want to get rid of can be filled with catnip and tied shut. Catnip is pretty magical stuff to cats. The catnip sock is sure to be a favorite. 4. Take all that nice, crinkly junk mail and make cat toys from it. You can simply ball the waste paper ...- Bookmark :
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How to Make Healthy Recipes for Your Dog
There have been some pet food safety scares lately. Some pet owners are choosing to make their own pet foods for safety reasons. Others do so because they believe it's healthier. For pet owners whose animals have allergies, homemade food can be a life saver. Just be sure to check with your vet to make certain your dog is getting the proper nutrition. If you would like to make healthy recipes for your dog, here are some ideas as to how. 1. Allergic Dog Recipe If your dog has food allergies (and the number of allergic dogs is growing), this is a simple recipe that your dog will love. It's a healthy recipe for non-allergic dogs, too. -1 quart spring water (using spring water assures there are no tap water chemicals that could worsen your dog's symptoms) -2 1/2 cups instant oatmeal (unflavored) -1 cup ground venison or grass-fed beef -2 tablespoons organic canola oil Bring the water to a boil and stir in the oatmeal. Cook according to package directions, then remove from heat. Stir in the ground meat, working it in well with a spoon. Stir in the canola oil. Cover and allow the mixture to cool. Then store in the refrigerator for up to a ...- Bookmark :
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Puppy Mills – Why You Should Not Buy an Animal from a Pet Shop
Pet stores can be such fun to visit. The animals are so cute behind the glass windows, especially the dogs. They roll around, look cute, and often charm pet store customers into buying them. But where did that puppy come from? It's a good question, and often the answer is: a puppy mill. While not all pet stores obtain their stock from puppy mills, nearly all puppy mills sell to pet shops. The likelihood that the doggy in the window came from a puppy mill is very high. Puppy Mills versus Responsible Breeders A well-run breeding facility is not a puppy mill. The term is not clearly defined, which makes it frustrating for responsible breeders. But generally speaking, a puppy mill refers to unclean, over-crowded facilities where animals are irresponsibly bred for economic gain with no consideration for breed integrity or health of the animals. Puppy mill puppies are often inbred, or have diseases and chronic disorders. Buying Makes the Problem Worse You may really want to buy that poor pet store puppy. After all, it's not his fault he was bred in a puppy mill and he needs a good home. Yes, he does, but don't let your heart lead you. Buying a puppy ...- Bookmark :
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