September 2008 Archives

(NAPSA) - Pets often seem to have limitless energy and robust constitutions, but don't let this fool you: They are susceptible to all sorts of maladies, ranging from mild to life threatening. That's why it pays to have a relationship with a veterinarian.

To find just the right veterinarian, ask pet-owning friends for recommendations. If you are new in town or don't know anyone who has a pet, don't worry. Most veterinarians belong to the American Veterinary Medical Association or the American Animal Hospital Association. You can contact one of these national organizations for a referral to a member veterinarian in your area. Once you get some recommendations, make an appointment for a first visit so the three of you can get to know each other.

In order for your veterinarian to maintain your pet's good health, it is important for you to schedule regular checkups and practice preventive care at home. At each appointment, be sure to communicate clearly your pet's behavior and habits. Since many signs of illness are subtle, even minor changes in your pet's behavior can give your doctor valuable information on what might become a serious health issue.

When bringing your pet to the vet, it can be helpful to take along a stool sample. Scoop a recent sample out of the litter box or yard and take it along in a little plastic bag. This will enable your veterinarian to immediately test your pet for internal parasites. All pets are at risk for parasites-not just those who live primarily outdoors. And when there are small children in the house, there is additional risk of children picking up parasitic disease from their pets. An easy, effective way to protect your pet is to use a monthly oral parasite preventive, available through veterinary clinics.

Remember that veterinarians care as much about you as an owner as they do about your pets. They are available to give you the information and resources you need to take the best possible care of your animals. By taking the time to select the veterinarian that you feel confident can provide for your needs as an owner and the medical needs of your pet, you will establish a rewarding partnership.

To learn more, visit the Web site at www.growingupwithpets.com.

You can locate local veterinarians in the PE Pets directory, click here.

(MS) -- If you have a cat, undoubtedly one of the problems you face is the litter from the litter box being tracked throughout your home. You've probably been jarred awake on your way to the restroom in the middle of the night by a loose piece of cat litter. Not only is litter tracking a nuisance, but it can lead to frustrating problems around the home.

According to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Air and Radiation, an increasing amount of scientific evidence indicates that the air within our homes can be more seriously polluted than outdoor air in even the largest, industrialized cities. Since we spend much of our time at home, it's important to keep the air clean and free of dust and other airborne allergens.

Most cat owners have encountered the plume of dust that rises when you pour litter into the litter box, or the tracks of dust that kitty has left behind. However, within recent years a new breed of natural litter has hit the market. Unlike outdated clay based cat litters, many of the natural litters, such as Feline Pine, are virtually dust free. More information is available online at www.stopcatlittertracking.com. Taking this one small step and changing your cat litter can improve air quality and cut back on dust levels that can potentially harm your family.

Filling the litter box with an all-natural pine based litter will not only cut down on tracking and dust, but also cut back on toxins. The US National Center for Health Statistics reported that one in three people today suffer from asthma, allergies, bronchitis or sinusitis. One suggested treatment for these conditions is reducing synthetic chemicals within the home. Search the market for a cat litter that is silica dust free and has no chemical additives or artificial fragrances.

Cat litter tracking can also be particularly harmful to home furnishings. Clay litters contain an extremely abrasive substance, silica, that can damage hardwood and even some tile flooring. One way to protect your floor is by using a mat at the front of the litterbox; also switch to an all-natural litter, such as a pine litter, that touts less tracking and has smoother surfaces than gritty clay litter. Most floors are made of "hardwoods" -- maple, oak or cherry; they'll lose the scratching battle with clay every time. Cat litter made of "softwood," such as pine, is non-abrasive and will keep your floors looking their best.

-Courtesy of Metro Services

It's a healthy sign to see bounce in your dog's step and joy in his jump during your walks together.

(NAPSA) - Ask most dog owners and they'll probably tell you their furry friend is considered a part of the family. Every day, dogs give us so much love and joy and don't usually ask for much in return.

As a loving pet parent, it's important to take the choices you make for Fido seriously, because he counts on you to provide him with the best nutrition available, plenty of exercise and, of course, all the cuddling he can handle. And just as important is to be aware of the signs that help tell you your dog is healthy. Iams ProActive Health promotes the seven signs of healthy vitality so you know what to look for, including:

1. Strong, firm muscles. Make playtime fun and enjoyable for your pet as he races you around the yard. Choose a pet food formula that has chicken or lamb meal as the primary protein source to help promote strong, firm muscles.

2. A healthy heart. Your love for him grows with every beat of his heart. You can feel good knowing that his heart is being nourished with seven essential heart-healthy vitamins and minerals.

3. Strong bones and joints. You can tell everything is okay when there is bounce in his step and joy in his jump during your walks together.

4. Healthy digestion. Iams ProActive Health's gentle fiber system supports your dog's ability to absorb nutrients and minimize waste.

5. Healthy teeth. For that cute doggy smile every day as he greets you at the door, use a formula that has crunchy kibble to help reduce tartar buildup.

6. A strong immune system. Dashing through the snow and singing in the rain together is more fun when you're healthy. Make sure your pet food brand helps promote a strong immune system so you and your friend can enjoy all the seasons together.

7. Healthy skin and a shiny coat. Look for pet food that is enriched with vitamin-rich fish oil to help promote a soft, shiny coat.

To learn more about pet health, visit www.iams.com.

(NAPSA) - There's good news for those who would like to adopt a pet but find visiting a shelter to be an emotionally draining experience. Now, thanks to a Web site, they can start their search online and make a considered decision. Plus, they can find more prospective pets to choose from than they would by visiting a single shelter.

Using Petfinder.com, a person can search for a pet from the comfort of his or her own home. He or she simply types in search criteria and a zip code, then back comes a list of pets matching those criteria. The available pets closest to the person's home will be at the top of the list.

There are more than 240,000 adoptable pets available on the Web site - Petfinder.com - at any one time.

The Petfinder.com Foundation, a separate entity and a public charity, was established in 2003 to assist animal welfare organizations in time of need.
Today, more than 11,500 adoption organizations post the pets on Petfinder. Each one of these agencies has a home page on the site. Each pet has a page of its own as well, with a description and photos. The shelters and rescue group members can now also add videos of their adoptable pets.

In 2006, Animal Planet acquired Petfinder.com, and the site became part of Discovery Digital Media. So popular is the Petfinder.com Web site that Animal Planet decided to create a new series all about animal adoptions. Airing on Mondays at 8 p.m. (check local listings), "Petfinder" matches shelter animals with families searching for their perfect pet. Whether the adoptee is a pig, a pug or a python, the Petfinder co-hosts and trainers help families (and viewers, too) understand the essential elements of figuring out just what pet will be right for them.

For more information about the "Petfinder" television series, visit www.animal.discovery.com.

Petfinder.com is free to adopters and to the pet adoption groups that post on the site. Adoption fees may be charged by the adoption groups. However, pets adopted from shelters and rescue groups often come with benefits that make that adoption fee a real bargain. The site also includes a library of pet-related information, videos, forums, a volunteer database and classifieds. To learn more, visit www.Petfinder.com.

You can now find a pet to adopt online regardless of your location. There are more than 240,000 adoptable pets currently available on Petfinder.com. Use PE.com/pets "Find A Pet" in the top section of our website, then go to the section "Adopt A Pet". Enter what type of pet you are looking for and your zip code. It is that simple.