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Warm Weather and Your Pets!
Warm Weather And Your Pets!
 
by Syl Stretch
 
Summer is a great time to spend lots of time outdoors with your pets. But you need to take
precautions with your pets also.  The  Humane Society of the United States offers these tips for
pet owners to keep their pets happy and safe during the warm and hot days ahead.
    In nice weather you probably will take your pets with you on errands. But you have to remember
that now the car can get so hot inside, 120 degress and more even in the shade! This can be
quite a problem for your pets if left in the car this way! Even briefly this can cause serious
problems for your pets! You know how it goes, you only plan to be a couple of minutes while I run
into the store or wherever and you run into someone you haven't seen in a while, well a couple of
minutes turns into 20 or 30 or more sometimes. Dogs and cats can't perspire and only get rid of
heat through panting and their footpads. What they can suffer from is heat exhaustion, heat stroke,
brain damage, and even death! If you happen to see animal or a small child left in a closed car
alert the managment of the store or if the owner does not return prtty quick then I would call local
police or animal control.
     It is probably illegal  to drive with your dog in the back of a pick up truck. But some states it is
ok. Well just so you know the animal is in real danger of any number of things going wrong when
you are driving. The best and safest thing for your dog is not to put him in the back of your truck. If
no other choice is available, think about using a crate and tying it down.
    Summer is a time of being outside in your backyard or garden. But with pets you must be extra
cautious. Many of our products that we use for our gardens plus some of our plants are
poisonous to our furry friends.
    Warm weather also means more dog bites as more people are out with their dogs etc. Did you
know that spaying and neutering your dog reduces the likelihood of him biting along with many
other grat benefits.Here are some rules to avoid dog bites.
Always ask the owner first if it ok to pet a dog. Always approach slowly outstretching your hand to
let the dog sniff you first. Then you can pet the dogs back or sides gently.
Don't ever sneak up to a dog, especially if they are eating or chewing a bone or bisquit. Dog
don't really like when you mess around with them while they have someting in their mouth,
whatever it is.
Don't try to pet a dog even if he's playing with a toy. Watch little children who also love to play
with the dogs toys too. Dogs can be protective of their toys!
Don't try to pet a dog while they are in a car, beacuse again they are protective of their space.
That goes for trying to pet a dog while he is behind a fence. They are protective of their whole
environment.
    Always make sure your pets wear ID Tags. You can always get them back if they are always
wearing them!
    Now the warm weather will also bring in the little pests. Make sure that you get them their shots
that they need and the best protection I have found for fleas and ticks are the drops that you put
on their backs such as Frontline Plus for cats and dogs, Advantix for cats and dogs,  Bio Spot
drops for cats and dogs and Revolution which has Heartworm and other worm medications in
with the drops. Great medication and it works becausse I have six dogs and I know!!! But you aslo
have to give them heartworm medication separately unless you give them Revolution.
    Another summertime danger for pets are pools. You have to watch them like children.
    Always Always, give your pets plenty of shade and water!
    Pets need exercise even in the hot months. But limit it to early mornings or early evenings.
Remember the asphalt and sidewalks are hot and can burn your pets paws!
     Watch out for sunburn. Light colored noses and light colored fur on their ears are more
vulnerable to sunburn.
      Leave your pets home whenever you are going to be a crowd. They get scared of loud
noises.
       Summertime heat can also make your pet sick. They can suffer from heat exhaustion and
heat stroke just like people.Here are some signs to watch out for.
Heavy panting
Glazed eyes
A rapid pulse
Unsteadiness
A staggering gait
Vomitting
Deep red or purple tongue
If your pet becomes overheated move him into the shade and give him cool water. Apply cold
compresses only to his head neck and chest. If he dosn't respond right away get him to a vet
pronto! Have a GREAT summer!
 
 

Here's a resouceful page for more information on pets. CLICK HERE
Dog Training Books CLICK HERE
10 Things You Need to Know Before Adopting a Bird
 
 
By Monica Engebretson
Grassroots Coordinator
Animal Protection Institute
 
 
Birds are not domesticated animals. Domestic animals are animals that have been bred for hundreds of years to live in the care of humans and are distinct from their wild ancestors. Birds commonly kept as pets are no different than their wild relatives - they are the native species of other countries.
 
 
Chlamydiosis (psittacosis) and avian tuberculosis can be transmitted through the air from birds to humans. These diseases can cause significant illness, especially for people with compromised immune systems. Birds also continually shed "feather dust" - particles of feathers, which may aggravate asthma in some people. Many homes with pet birds have HEPA-type air filters in rooms with birds to control allergies from bird dander.
 
 
Parrots, including lovebirds, parakeets, and cockatiels, are noisy and messy, and can be destructive. Vocalizing (squawking, chirping, talking) is an important part of any parrot's social communication. Birds eat continually throughout the day, dropping and discarding bits of food everywhere. Birds are instinctively programmed to chew and shred wood, whether it is a perch, toy, picture frame, or furniture. Birds will also chew electrical cords, paper, and curtains.
 
 
All parrots have long life spans. Depending on species, they may live 20 to 50 years or more. Caring for a bird is often a life-long responsibility.
 
 
Parrots are extremely social animals, and have been compared to human toddlers in the needs of their emotional and social lives but, unlike children, they never grow up.
 
 
Birds are active and inquisitive and must be provided with ample room to move about and play. An indoor or sheltered outdoor aviary or a flight safe room (windows covered, no cats/dogs, no ceiling fans, etc.) that will allow the bird(s) to fly is good for exercise. Birds with clipped wings can get exercise by climbing, swinging, and flapping, if provided with ample space, toys, and climbing structures.
 
 
All birds need a varied diet, not just seeds or pellets, but grains, beans, fruits and vegetables too.
 
 
Light exposure and sleep are very important to birds. Birds need at least 4 hours exposure to UVA and UVB rays from sunlight or full-spectrum lighting to provide them with vitamin D, which promotes vitamin A absorption, critical for upper respiratory health. Birds must have a minimum of 10 hours of sleep each night.
 
 
Birds are very sensitive to air quality. Unlike humans, a bird replaces nearly all the air in its lungs with each breath. Because no residual air is left in the lungs during the ventilation cycle of birds, they transfer more oxygen and more pollutants during each breath. Birds should never be exposed to tobacco smoke, chemical fumes (hairspray, cleaners, etc.), or Teflon coated materials. Exposure to some toxic inhalants can cause immediate death; chronic exposure to other toxic can lead to premature death.
 
 
Birds need veterinary care from a veterinarian that specializes in birds. Proper vet care for birds can be expensive. Your vet will probably recommend a complete examination and diagnostic tests when you first acquire your bird; in addition, she/he will probably recommend annual well-bird examinations. Smaller birds require the same vet care and regular examinations.
 
 
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9 Ways to Welcome Home your New Cat
 
 
By Jacque Lynn Schultz, C.P.D.T.
Companion Animal Programs Adviser
National Shelter Outreach
ASPCA
 
 
Congratulations! You have just begun a relationship that's bound to be filled with fun and affection. By starting off on the right foot, you can cut short that rocky adjustment period most new relationships go through.
 
 
Go slowly at first. A new cat may need seven to fourteen days to relax into her new environment. Save meet-and-greets with friends, neighbors and relatives until the cat is eating and eliminating on a normal schedule.
 
 
Offer her a safe place to hide while she gets her bearings. She'll appreciate the chance to observe her new family's routine from a small, dark space or one high above the action.
 
 
Bring your new feline to a caring veterinarian for a wellness exam within one week after adoption.
 
 
Provide the same diet she had at the shelter at least for the first week or two. If you wish to switch to a different flavor or brand, slowly make the switch over one to two weeks, starting with a quarter ration of the new food mixed into the old favorite. From there, up the ratio of new to old about 10% each day.
 
 
Set up a litter box in a quiet, low-traffic area. Unsure of what litter to use? The majority of cats prefer fine grain clumping litter. Try that first unless the new adoptee is so young that she is in the litter-eating stage. Non-clumping litter is recommended for kittens under ten weeks of age.
 
 
Cats must scratch, so make sure to provide yours with a sturdy, rough-textured scratching post to save wear and tear on furniture. Cat manicures every ten to fourteen days also help reduce damage.
 
 
Cat-proof your home before giving your new feline run of the house. Put away harsh cleaning products, human medications and household poisons. Re-home any poisonous houseplants. And if the newcomer is a kitten, lock away any breakables and remember to keep the toilet lid down.
 
 
Once settled in, a young cat or kitten will be eager to play. Stock up on interactive toys such as feather wands and kitty fishing poles to engage attention and direct energies toward a positive pursuit.
 
 
Ready a comfortable cat perch on a sunny window sill - if it overlooks the birdfeeder, all the better! Observing live birds and squirrels beats out kitty videos any day.