NEWS: FDA Recalls Pet Food Product

This is not the first time the FDA recalled tainted products from this company. In July 2015, there were two recalls involving six products.

Carnivore Meat Company of Green Bay, Wisconsin, has announced it is voluntarily recalling a single lot of Vital Essentials Frozen Chicken Patties Entrée for Dogs due to possible contamination with Salmonella bacteria.

Vital Essentials is a raw pet food brand that sells frozen and freeze-dried products for both dogs and cats.

What’s Being Recalled?

The single lot involved in this voluntary recall is:
Vital Essentials Frozen Chicken Patties Entrée for Dogs
Net weight 6 pounds

UPC 33211 00807
Lot # 11475
Best by date 20161108 (11/08/16)

The “Best By” date code and lot # is located on the back of the package.
Where Was It Distributed?

The affected product was distributed in the following states:

• California 
• Florida 
• Georgia 
• Rhode Island 
• Texas 
• Washington

Why Was It Recalled?

The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) selected and tested product as part of a national collection initiative, which was issued by the Center of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) on June 3, 2015.

The Agency notified Carnivore Meat Company that one of the samples collected, tested positive for Salmonella, bacteria commonly associated with fresh and frozen poultry, in human and in pet products.

There have been no customer complaints reported.

No other product manufactured by Carnivore is involved in this recall.

About Salmonella

Salmonella can cause serious illness or fatal infection in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Although healthy individuals may suffer only short term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal cramping and diarrhea.

Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

What to Do?

If you are a consumer and have purchased a bag of the affected product, please call the the company at 920-370-6542 Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM CST.

The company will assist you in obtaining replacement or a full refund from your local retailer for your original purchase.

If your package has been opened, the company suggests that you dispose of the raw food in a safe manner. This can be accomplished by securing it in a covered trash receptacle.

U.S. citizens can report complaints about FDA regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.

Or go to FDA Pet Food Complaints.

Canadians can report any health or safety incidents related to the use of this product by filling out the Consumer Product Incident Report Form

►You also can view all alerts from the last 365 days.

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Class Action Lawsuits Says That These Brands of Pet Food "Made in USA" Actually Aren’t

A pet owner has brought class action lawsuits against two pet food makers, alleging their kibble, while marketed as “made in the USA,” actually includes ingredients from outside the U.S. This is placing American dogs at risk and violating state consumer fraud laws.

Marsha Sensenig, of Lee County, filed her complaints Feb. 1 in federal court in Rockford against Nestle and Wellpet.

*Class Action Lawsuit: A lawsuit that allows a large number of people with a common interest in a matter to sue as a group.

Sensenig’s complaint against Nestle focused on its Purina brand, and specifically the Ultramix Grain Free and Poultry Free adult dog food product.

The complaint said Sensenig is unsure of who actually manufactures the dog food because, last July, Nestle acquired Merrick Pet Care Company, a Hereford, Texas, organic pet food maker that itself marketed under the brand name Castor & Pollux Natural Petworks, or C&P. Merrick had itself acquired the C&P brand name recently, as well.

All of the Ultramix products, as well as Nestle-branded Organix products, carry labels reading, “Made with Love IN THE USA.” However, Sensenig asserted those labels are false because the “food contains ingredients sourced from foreign countries. 

As one example, these products contain tapioca, a gluten-free starch made from the cassava root” sourced from foreign countries. Further, the food’s ingredients include vitamin, mineral, and amino acid packs sourced outside the United States.”

Sensenig said the allegedly misleading labeling prompted her to believe the dog foods and their component ingredients were all made in and sourced in the U.S., causing her to willingly pay more for the food than she believes she should have in an effort to provide her dog with allegedly safer food.

Country of origin is important, she noted, because pet food recalls frequently attributed to “adulterated foreign-sourced ingredients have been rampant in recent years. 

“Recalls as recent as this month were issued because of contamination with:

• listeria bacteria
• salmonella
• propylene glycol (an ingredient not approved for cat foods because of toxicity) mold
• Amantadine (an antiviral human drug not approved for use in animal food), elevated and toxic levels of Vitamin D, heavy metals and others,” Sensenig alleged in her complaint.

Nestle’s other pet foods containing the “Made with Love IN THE USA” label are falsely marketed, she said, because the Vitamin C used in each product is not an American product.

Sensenig asserted laws in:

• Illinois
• California
• Florida
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• New Jersey
• New York
• Washington

These States forbid this kind of marketing, and she asked the court to expand a potential plaintiff class to include residents of those other states, as well. She also offered the court the option to certify an Illinois-only class.

The complaint alleged one violation of the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act and one of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act and a third count to cover violations of the similar statutes in the other states, as well. 

In addition to class certification and a jury trial, Sensenig asked the court to award compensatory and punitive damages of at least $5 million for class members.

Sensenig brought virtualy identical allegations in a separate class action complaint also filed Feb. 1 against Wellpet, of Tewksbury, Mass., maker of Wellness dog and cat food, Eagle Pack dog food and Holisitic Select dog food. As with the Nestle complaint, Sensenig noted Wellpet uses foreign-sourced vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C.

As with Nestle, she said these ingredients are a “significant part” of Wellpets’ foods “because all of these products are labeled with a core product description ‘with added vitamins, minerals and trace nutrients for wellbeing,’ or a similarly worded description. 

Therefore, under the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the use of the phrase ‘made in the USA’ on the labels is deceptive.”

Organizations in this story:

Bekkerman Law Offices LLC 308 W Erie St Suite 300Chicago, IL 60654

Davis & Norris LLP 2154 Highland Avenue SouthBirmingham, AL 35205

Article by Cook County Record 

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How Pets Are Saving Americans Billions On Doctor Bills

That new puppy you just adopted may be keeping you up at night, but don’t despair. Your health might actually be better because of it. Studies show that having a pet in your home may save you money on medical bills.

Two researchers from George Mason University calculated a savings of more than $11 billion in health care costs in the United States as a result of pet ownership.

“There was abundant research to show that pets have a positive effect on our health, but this is the first time that anyone has looked at the impact on the U.S. health care system,” said study co-author Terry L. Clower in a release.

“Our analysis shows that pet ownership produces meaningful savings for total health care costs in the United States.”

On average, the 132.8 million pet owners in the country visit a doctor 0.6 times less than the average non-pet owners. With the average cost of a physician office visit at $139, that accounted for $11.37 billion they did not spend.

RELATED: Adopting An Animal Could Save YOUR Life

Not only that, but the dog owners who walked their pet five or more times a week had a lower incidence of obesity and were responsible for saving $419 million in related health care costs, according to the study.

“Thinking about things that people should do to maintain their health, ‘get a pet’ belongs on that list,” said Steven Feldman, executive director of the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative.

“When health insurance companies are looking at wellness incentives to keep costs down, pet ownership provides another way for people to stay healthy and save money.”

Not only are there financial incentives, but also health benefits such as:

• less cardiovascular disease 
• hypertension 
• high cholesterol 
• allergies 
• stress 
• lower blood pressure 
• psychological issues 

A study reviewed the risk factors associated with multi-drug resistant staphylococci among nursing home residents with pet contact. There was a lower percent infection rate among those who had contact with pets.

Another study indicated pet owners have lower blood pressure than non-owners. It is not just an issue in which those with lower blood pressure choose to own pets, however.

“When non-pet owners became pet owners, they also enjoyed subsequent lower blood pressure levels,” the report says.

A 2011 study showed that exposure to indoor dogs and cats in a child’s early years reduced the risk of that child having allergies at age 18.

One study provided pets to individuals in high-stress occupations. Their blood pressure and heart rate decreased after six months.

It’s not just dogs and cats. Those pets included:

• snakes 
• fish 
• chimpanzees 
• goats 

“Pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, is probably associated with decreased cardiovascular disease” and “pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, may have some causal role in reducing cardiovascular disease risk,” according to the American Heart Association.

Approximately 65 percent of households in the United States reported having one or more pets. Households with one or more dogs are approximately 44 percent of households.

Pet ownership is on the increase, according to the 2015–2016 National Pet Owners Survey.

More than 10 percent of the current pet owners are new pet owners, equating to almost 8 million new pet owners in the last year.

The majority of those are in the younger generations. They tend to pamper and spend more on their pets than their parents and grandparents, the Pet Owners Survey said.

Pet owners and doctors alike both say pets are good for health.

The National Pet Owners Survey cited a survey of 1,000 family doctors and general practitioners, in which 97 percent said they believe in the health benefits of pet ownership and 60 percent would recommend a pet to improve overall health.

“The body of science validating that pets are good for us is growing with strong research in numerous areas of health,” said Bob Vetere, president and CEO of the American Pet Products Association.

“Studies now exist that show pets can help improve our : 

• cardiovascular health 
• improve immunity in young children 
• assist with therapy for autistic children 
• people suffering from PTSD

Our desire to take better care of our pets and the joys and benefits they provide are continuing to work together to grow pet ownership and keep this great industry strong.”

“Examining the economic benefits of just two of these areas of health care improvement, physician office visits and treatment for obesity, we find major cost savings associated with pet ownership totaling almost $11.8 billion per year,” the report from George Mason says.

“As this research area attracts more attention and studies are initiated with specific economic variables included to capture potential health care costs savings, we will gain a much deeper understanding of the greater total economic value of the human-animal bond.”

The report may be accessed at www.habri.org.

Source: Article by Barbara Christiansen 

Images by PNM

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[VIDEO] The Dark Side of Pet Vaccinations

This video shows, in less than 3 minutes, the true cost of vaccine reactions — the heartache and vet bills. Please watch it, share it, like it. Learn about documented reactions in dogs and cats.

Allergies, skin problems, behavior changes, autoimmune disease, seizures, injection-site cancers — these are just a few of the well-documented adverse vaccine reactions in dogs and cats. 

Reactions aren’t rare; they are just unrecognized and unreported. Risks are only acceptable when they greatly outweigh benefits yet, sadly, many vaccines are unnecessary. 

We humans don’t get childhood shots throughout our lives — why do our pets?

Please learn the true cost of pet vaccination — the heartbreak and the high cost of treating reactions — before vaccinating again. 

Be informed before you consent.

I know too well the heartbreak of losing not one but two cats from these lethal vaccination shots. Please, don’t ever consent to a “combination” immunization shot if you feel you must vaccinate your pet.

Giving multiple vaccines to small and medium sized dogs can be especially dangerous. A veterinary Journal article estimates reactions increase 24% on average for each vaccine given. 

Combination shots typically contain 4 to 7 vaccines. Add kennel cough and rabies and that’s 6 to 9 vaccine. Reactions reported ranged from hives to death.

The following articles will tell you the real story behind vaccines, plus which ones are essential, and the ones you can pass on. 

My words to you are…”Be Informed”.

RELATED ARTICLES:

• DANGERS: Pet Vaccinations 
• Q. Why are vets over vaccinating? A. The ‘Vaccination Business’ is a Major Profit Center for Many Veterinarians. The markup on rabies vaccines is astronomical – 2400 to 6200 percent in many cases…Read more >
• Class Action Lawsuit Update: Vaccinations
• Shocking Expose’: Veterinarians

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5 Weird Cat Behaviors Explained

If you have a cat I’m betting you’ve scratched your head a time or two at your cats baffling behavior. If so, you might find the following answers to common cat owner questions enlightening.

According to the most recent estimates, 43 percent of U.S. households are ruled by at least one cat, and the total number of pet cats is about 86 million.

That’s a whole lot of kitties, which means there are a whole lot of humans puzzling over the often mind-bending antics of feline family members.

Story at-a-glance

> Almost half of U.S. households include at least one cat, which means there’s a lot of crazy cat behavior going on across the country

> If you have a cat at home, you’ve probably asked yourself at least once or twice, “What the heck is he doing?”

> Common curious cat behaviors include petting-induced aggression, strange conduct at the water bowl, and empty box obsession

Don’t Be Insulted by This Kitty Behavior – It’s Actually a Big Sign of Trust

5 Weird Cat Behaviors Explained

1. Touch Me! Don’t Touch Me!

Cats are famous for sending this particular mixed message. Miss Whiskers jumps into your lap or rubs against your legs. She’s purring and looking at you with adoring eyes. You begin stroking her soft fur, and suddenly she lashes out with her paw or sinks her sharp teeth into you.

This is known in feline behaviorist lingo as petting-induced aggression and it usually occurs when your cat has decided she’s had enough handling. Some kitties seem to have a very limited tolerance threshold for being touched by human hands.

If your cat gets over-stimulated from petting or her “I’ve had enough” body language signals aren’t apparent to you, she may lash out to make you stop.

If while holding or petting your cat you notice her skin twitching or her tail lashing … if she stops purring or starts meowing … or if her ears are flattened to her head or pointed backward, she’s telling you, “Enough already!”

2. The Chew and Spew

This lovely feline pursuit happens both with cats allowed outdoor access, as well as indoor cats whose owners keep houseplants around. Let’s say Garfield is out in your backyard (either on a harness or in a catio-type enclosure) and begins grazing on your lawn like a small fluffy cow.

Or perhaps he has an obsession with sampling your (cat safe) houseplants. In either case, typically what happens immediately after he eats greenery is that he throws it right back up.

There are many theories as to why cats (and dogs) eat grass. They are probably either trying to add something to their diet they instinctively know is missing, or they have an upset tummy and know that eating greenery will trigger vomiting and relieve discomfort.

If you have a grass or plant-nibbler in the family, consider offering safe, nutritious sunflower sprouts instead. 

3. Fun With Water

While it’s true most cats fight tooth-and-claw to avoid being immersed in water for a bath, many kitties come up with fascinating ways to interact with their water bowl. For example, have you noticed some cats dip a paw into the bowl and then lick the water off?

You’d think just lowering her head to drink from the bowl would be simpler, but actually, from your cat’s perspective, the paw maneuver makes sense. Perhaps her whiskers are hitting the sides of the bowl as she drinks. Cats don’t like their whiskers touching things or being touched.

Or perhaps she’s feeling threatened by another household pet (or human) and doesn’t want to lower her head, which would mean taking her eyes off her surroundings.

Some cats seem to paw dip to determine where the water line is, while others appear to enjoy making the water move with their paw.

If your kitty seems to enjoy moving rather than still water, consider investing in a pet drinking fountain to keep her occupied and encourage her to drink more water. Always offer fluoride and chlorine free drinking water. 

4. Back It Up!

Many cat guardians mistakenly believe that when Tigger turns his back on them, he’s either angry or showing disrespect. Not true!

If your kitty leaps into your lap, then turns away from you before he settles in, or if it seems no matter where he sits, it’s always with his back to you, he’s showing you how much he trusts you.

As both predator and prey, your cat is naturally inclined to situate himself for safety. Non-threats (like you, his favorite human) will be to his rear as he positions himself to watch what’s going on in front and to either side of him.

5. Cat-in-the-Box

Many cats absolutely love boxes and will cram their fluffy behinds into a box half their size or some other tight space like a bowl or coffee mug. The reason? Cats are heat seekers.

Many cats feel their best when the temperature in the room is 86 to 96 degrees F. This is the range at which they don’t need to use metabolic energy trying to warm up or cool down.

Of course, most humans are more comfortable in considerably cooler surroundings — typically 66 to 77 degrees F. Since home thermostats are set by human family members, cats have to find ways to warm up their immediate environment.

Cardboard boxes provide insulation, and small spaces in general require your cat to curl up, which preserves body heat.

Article by Dr. Karen Becker

Images submitted by PNM

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3 Telling Signs Your Pet Is Your Spirit Animal

 In pagan and Native traditions, a spirit animal is an animal that represents the characteristics and skills that you are supposed to have and learn.

It is a combination of personality traits that you have now, and the ones that you should take the time to teach yourself and develop.

It’s nothing too complicated or spiritual, it’s just a matter of drawing from the behaviours of other species you relate to in order to provide insight into your own life.

Spirit animals can provide guidance on the following things:

• An aspect of yourself that is already strongly developed or needs to be explored more.
• A situation or environment in your everyday life that has a strong emotional impact.
• A life direction you could consider or reflect on.

Many people take online quizzes to see which wild animal they relate to best, not realizing that their spirit animal might be living in their own house.

Here are 3 signs that your pet is your spirit animal:

1. They are your better half

They display character and personality traits that you wish you had. Forgiveness, unconditional love, acceptance, and non-judgment are behaviours that they can’t avoid. They are literally your better half, and you often look up to them for wisdom and guidance.

This is not just an ordinary pet that you have to keep you company or provide you with some therapeutic benefits, they act as a positive mirror for you and reflect back to you personality traits that you need to have.

When you see them, you see a better version of yourself that is more relaxed, collected, forgiving, and wise. They act almost as a sort of teacher for you, and you find that you extract a lot of lessons from their behaviour.

2. They inspire and humble you

They inspire you to become a greater version of yourself. Let’s say you have a fight with someone and you end up hurting each other’s feelings. Your pet walks up to you and greets you with total love and acceptance.

 It doesn’t care what you did or said, it just wants to share a loving space with you. By doing this, they humble you and remind you that love is the greatest truth, and the next day you apologize to that person and end on good terms.

This is just one example of how your pet is actually a kind of mentor and life coach to you. If you have a pet that inspires you to be a better person, appreciate them.

Source: Psychic Society 

3. They help you heal emotionally and spiritually

Your pets act as a therapist, a psychiatrist, and an anti-depressant for you. When you feel upset, alone, or angry, you will often think to yourself how much you would like to cuddle with your pet.

 In fact, pets have been scientifically proven to lower blood pressure, reduce depression, and improve heart health.

According to an article published in Scientific American, cats purr during both inhalation and exhalation with a consistent pattern and frequency between 25 and 150 Hertz.

Various investigators have shown that sound frequencies in this range can improve bone density and promote healing.

So when you feel like you are being healed emotionally and spiritually by your pet, you literally are.

Almost everyone has a variety of pets in their lifetime, but every once in a while a special kind of pet comes along that sticks out from the rest.

They connected with your spiritually, inspire you to be a better version of yourself, and help you heal from your wounds and traumas.

These are your real “spirit animals”. Not a raven, or a hawk, or a deer. The animal that is here to guide you and represents characteristics you are supposed to learn and develop may just be the one that sleeps at the foot of your bed each night.

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What’s The Best Pet For Your Sun Sign?

If you’re considering getting a pet or expanding your animal family, learn what your Sun sign suggests is the best choice for you! Certain Sun signs are well suited for sharing their home with an animal; others, less so.

Traditionally, Aries, Taurus, Leo, Sagittarius, and Capricorn are each linked to animals. It’s no surprise, then, that these zodiac signs are collectively known as the “signs of the beasts”! If you’re one of these signs, you’ll flourish living with a pet, especially a four-legged kind such as a cat or dog.

Gemini, Libra, Aquarius, and Virgo are known for the emphasis they place on humanity, so if you’re one of these signs, it’s highly likely that human contact is more important to you than pet company most of the time.

Talking birds can be a great fit, especially for Air signs Gemini, Libra, Aquarius. Earth sign Virgo, meanwhile, adores animals that are tidy and low-maintenance, making fish or certain breeds of cats (particularly short-hair types) ideal pets to own!

Water signs, Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces are often the most nurturing signs of the zodiac, so pets that require more care or come from a troubled background are sure to be lovingly cared for by these folks. They would do well with a rescue pet or an animal with a disability.

Related: Pet Zodiac Signs – Pet zodiac signs and traits might give you some insights into their behaviors ~ good or bad.

Keep in mind we are referring to SUN SIGNS only, which is the strongest influence in a persons life. People have many attributes making up the “total you”.

What sign the “moon” is in at birth represents emotions – Venus represents love and friendships in our lives, and so on. Each of these planets are in a different “sign” when we’re born, which very simply put, makes up a person or pets “chart”, which if read by a knowledgeable person in astrology, can just about read all about you….so to speak.

The following chart is a general guide to ones “characteristics” and which pet would be right for that sign.

Zodiac Sign	Symbol	Date	Quick Characteristics and What Pet is Best for Your Sign
ARIES	♈	March 21 – April 19	Active, Demanding, Determined, Effective, Ambitious You like to exercise, so a dog is always a good choice. You’re better off to keep the dog a smaller breed though, as you are never at home. You also would do well with a bird.
TAURUS	♉	April 20 – May 20	Security, Subtle strength, Appreciation, Instruction, Patience Any type of dog suits you, but ones that are calm and like to lie around and watch TV with the family are the best. You also get along very well with cats as they are gentle.
GEMINI	♊	May 21 – June 20	Communication, Indecision, Inquisitive, Intelligent, Changeable You love having a constant companion so a lap dog is the best choice for you. You need a pet you can travel with. Many Gemini’s have pets in pairs. They often have two dogs or two cats so they can keep each other company.
CANCER	♋	June 21 – July 22	Emotion, Diplomatic, Intensity, Impulsive, Selective You do well with small furry creatures including hamsters, gerbils, kittens, and ferrets. You’re also a lover of fish, because you are a water sign.
LEO	♌	July 23 – August 22	Ruling, Warmth, Generosity, Faithful, Initiative You are the perfect sign for a cat as you enjoy the independence and charm of a feline in your home.
VIRGO	♍	August 23 – September 22	Analyzing, Practical, Reflective, Observation, Thoughtful You are not that fond of pets in general as they tend to mess up the house. You would do well with a cat that can take care of itself. Exotic pets are not for you!
LIBRA	♎	September 23 – October 22	Balance, Justice, Truth, Beauty You are a friendly, gentle person so you really prefer a dog over a cat. Walking dogs in the park is a great way to meet new people too!

SCORPIO	♏	October 23 – November 21	Transient, Self-Willed, Purposeful, Unyielding You are one of the few signs that loves a snake, turtle or reptile for a pet. You also have a way with cats, as to you the symbolize sensuality and the occult.
SAGITTARIUS	♐	November 22 – December 21	Philosophical, Motion, Experimentation, Optimism You are not a pet lover as a rule as you like to travel and be free of responsibility. You do well with low maintenance pets like fish or tortoises.Some Archers are great equestrians and own not just one but several horses.
CAPRICORN	♑	December 22 – January 19	Determination,Dominance, Persevering, Practical, Willful Generally, you are not that fond of pets as they tend to mess up your lifestyle. You prefer a big dog that stays outdoors. You are very good at running a farm if you are so inclined.
AQUARIUS	♒	January 20 – February 18	Knowledge, Humanitarian, Serious, Insightful, Duplicitous You do not like to keep pets in general, but you are fascinated by creatures of the air. Birds and bugs are your best choices for a pet.
PISCES	♓	February 19 – March 20	Fluctuation, Depth, Imagination, Reactive, Indecisive You like calm animals so you prefer a cat over a dog. You are also a major water sign so fish, especially Koi fish, are not a bad choice for your sign.

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9 Out of 10 Pet Owners Don’t Realize This About Their Pet

It’s astonishing that owners are in such denial about this, and because of it, they are forcing their pets to suffer from unnecessary painful conditions and disease, as well as early death.
 
And, tragically, all too often it can lead to euthanasia. Are you enabling this to happen to YOUR pet?

Sadly, the majority of pet cats in the U.S. are either overweight or obese. According to the most recent research by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), 58 percent of American kitties are overweight, and 28 percent are considered obese.

Even more discouraging is that an astonishing 90 percent of cat guardians think their too-heavy cat is a normal weight. According to Dr. Ernie Ward, founder of APOP:

“Pet owners think their obese dog or cat is a normal weight, making confronting obesity difficult. No one wants to think their pet is overweight, and overcoming denial is our first battle.”

Our animal companions have much shorter lifespans than we do. Depending on her breed and other factors, your kitty’s life is compressed into a short 12 to 20 years. And just as her lifespan is accelerated compared to yours, so too is the damage done to her body when she is forced to carry too much weight.

Yes, I said forced. There are no fat felines in the wild. It is humans who have created this problem, and it is humans alone who have the power to reverse the disastrous trend of an ever-increasing number of fat, sick, immobile, and short-lived pet cats.

Story at-a-glance

> According to current statistics, 58 percent of cats in the U.S. are overweight, and 28 percent are obese

> There are no fat felines in the wild, so the painful truth is that humans are creating an epidemic of obesity and unnecessary suffering in pet cats

> Overweight cats are at greatly increased risk for shortened lifespans, diseases affecting mobility, and numerous disorders involving major organ systems

> There are many things you can do as a cat parent to help your pet achieve and maintain a healthy weight, including feeding the species-appropriate nutrition in the right portions, and encouraging her to be physically active

> Overweight cats must lose weight very slowly, so work with your veterinarian to develop a weight loss plan customized for your pet’s individual needs

Fat Cats Routinely Become Very Sick Cats        

There are so many reasons to prevent your cat from becoming overweight or obese. One of the most important is to insure your kitty has a good quality of life throughout her life. Another is so that you’ll have your pet with you for as long as possible.

• Overweight pets often don’t live as long as pets at a normal weight. The shortened lifespan of a heavy cat can be the result of one or more obesity-related diseases.
• Carrying around extra weight on a small feline frame places tremendous stress on joints, tendons and ligaments. This can cause arthritis. Tragically, in worst-case scenarios, senior cats immobilized by weight and intractable pain wind up euthanized.
• Overweight cats have fat lurking in places you can’t see. For example, accumulations of fat deposits in the chest and abdomen can restrict the ability of your kitty’s lungs to expand, making breathing difficult.
• Obesity is the biggest risk factor for diabetes mellitus in cats. Kitties fed processed cat food, in particular dry food (kibble), are at highest risk for developing this often difficult-to-manage disease.
• Overweight kitties can also develop hypertension (high blood pressure), which can negatively impact major organ systems.
• Hypertension does significant damage to a cat’s body. It causes small blood vessels to leak and in some cases, rupture. The result can be a detached retina or a stroke. High blood pressure also takes a toll on the kidneys and heart.
• Overweight and obese cats are often predisposed to fatty liver disease, a potentially life-threatening disorder also called hepatic lipidosis. A buildup of fat cells in the liver prevents normal functioning. Left untreated, the liver ultimately fails and sadly, cats can and do die from this condition.
• Your overweight kitty is also at greater risk for feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). FLUTD is a group of disorders, any of which can affect your cat’s bladder or urethra, including cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), urinary tract infections, urinary stones, urethral plugs, cancer and other disorders.
• Overweight cats are also at higher risk for surgical complications, decreased immune function, skin disorders, constipation, and certain types of cancer.

Are You Enabling YOUR Cat to Be Fat?

Read the full article >

                                                                       

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Dognapping: What to know to keep your dog safe from this growing crime

There are tormenting “tails” of loss, as man’s best friend becomes a thief’s biggest target. If you think your dog is safe the experts say think again.

 

Dognappers are prowling both the cities and suburbs, stealing people’s pets at an alarming rate.

An estimated two million pets are stolen each year in the United States. That’s up 32 percent, according to the American Kennel Club.

And the number of actual dogs stolen could be potentially much greater, because that statistic only reflects dogs reported missing in the news media and to the AKC.

“It is a problem,” said Kellie DiFrischia, “You can’t be too cautious.”

DiFrischia is Director of Columbus Dog Connection, a non-profit 501c3 animal rescue group that has co-authored animal rights legislation and provides low-cost spaying and neutering across the state.

She says they have seen dogs taken from every kind of neighborhood, from extremely wealthy developments to working class communities and rural areas.

“Dognapping is a crime of opportunity,” said DiFrischia. “Dogs have been stolen from fenced-in yards and front porches.”

The thief punched the owner of the dog in the face and took off with the dog

Some dogs are used for dog fighting either as a fighter, trainer or bait. 

Animals that are not “fixed” are often sold to puppy mills to be used as breeders, and other dogs might be sold for a quick profit on websites like Craigslist.

Dogs: Most Frequently Taken

Dogs are the pets reported stolen the most often, generally for financial gain as breeders.

Wandering cats may go missing when people who don’t want them on their property make off with them and either dump them elsewhere or do away with them.

Parrots, too, have been stolen from porches and yards, and last April, a giant tortoise was taken from a backyard.

Reptiles seem to fare better; herpetology enthusiast Steve Strichart says that he doesn’t usually hear about stolen reptiles unless it’s from a store that has a membership in the herpetology club he belongs to.

He does read about it sometimes on Facebook, however, and every now and then one turns up at a reptile show.

Often times the thief is a stranger but not always. DiFrischia said ex-spouses or former friends might take the dog to hurt the other person.

One Northeast Ohio couple says an estranged family member took their beloved dog.

Shelby and Brian Patton told Fox 8 news reporter Suzanne Stratford that they were moving out of a house on the family member’s property in Wayne County when their 6-year-old dog Ryder disappeared last summer.

She says the male family member told her the dog ran away while they were loading the truck. He wanted them to leave and claimed he had already looked for the dog, but said she was nowhere to be found.

The couple tried to return to the farm on multiple occasions to look for Ryder, but Shelby said the family member wouldn’t let them on the property. “We had a feeling something was up,” said Shelby.

The couple continued to post fliers and notices on Facebook for months and she says that’s when the now-estranged family member contacted her.

“He kept the dog for himself,” said Shelby. “He said ‘well I microchipped this dog and relicensed her’… I was totally at a loss for words.”

Shelby and Brian have now had to take the family member to civil court in Wayne County and must prove through dog-licensing records, veterinary care receipts and photographs that they are the rightful owners.

They went before a judge in November 2015 with their evidence but are still awaiting a final hearing and ruling. “We’ve been nothing but a ball of stress and anxiety,” said Shelby, “I used to always look up to him and this has really hurt.”

Shelby has started a petition hoping to change Ohio laws so that this can’t happen to anyone else. **Click here for the link to the petition.**

There are other important steps all pet owners should take now to protect their dog.

Kellie DiFrischia said never, ever leave your dog unattended, not even in a locked car or enclosure, because thieves will smash the glass to get them.

She also suggests microchipping your pet or purchasing a GPS collar or monitor, which can cost anywhere from $50 to $200.

But one of the most important steps a person can take now is to document the animal’s history.

Save all of your pet’s dog licensing and veterinary care records.

It doesn’t matter if you get the dog from a friend, breeder or shelter, Kellie says, make sure you have the transfer of ownership documented.

And in the case of romantic relationships, pre-determine who would get custody of the pet if you were to break up.

Source:

• Fox 8 News
• Pet Theft – Keep Your Friends Close and Your Best Friends Closer

Don’t miss these related articles:

• 10 Breeds That Are Favored by Dog Thieves
• Tips on Finding a Missing Pet
• Pet Custody: Establishing Your Ownership Rights

Nick Brummitt CEO and Founder at DogTrac.com

Please help us Stop Dog Theft and sign our petition.
https://www.change.org/…/david-cameron-mp-make-dog…
Like · Reply · 30 July 2015 20:22

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Never Make Your Puppy Endure This Cruel Procedure… No Matter What

Legal is not the same as ethical and humane. There’s no reason any dog should have to endure this agony. Yet it’s highly popular, especially in these 18 breeds. Would you allow this to happen to a loved one? Hopefully not… so don’t make your puppy suffer either.

The College of Veterinarians in the province of British Columbia in Canada (CVBC) has recently banned the practice of ear cropping on dogs for cosmetic purposes. The procedure involves the surgical removal of two-thirds to three-quarters of a dog’s ears, with the goal of making the ears stand straight up.

“This decision by the CVBC to make cosmetic ear cropping an unethical practice of veterinary medicine is a significant step forward in the humane treatment of animals in our province,” said Craig Daniell of the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), “and we are extremely pleased to support and endorse this change.”

Veterinarians practicing in British Columbia who crop ears will now be charged with the unethical practice of veterinary medicine, and will face disciplinary action.

Ear Cropping Explained

Ear cropping is typically done when a puppy is 8 to 10 weeks old.

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. A dog’s ears have lots of nerve endings, and the pain this surgery would cause without anesthesia is extreme.

Cropping involves the surgical removal of around two-thirds of the pinna, or floppy part of both ears. The remaining tissue is then tightly taped into an upright position. Pain medication may or may not be given after a cropping procedure.

Over the next several weeks or months, the altered ears will be taped and re-taped in an effort to get them to stand up straight. This process may or may not yield the intended result. Many cropped puppies, even after weeks or months of taping, still have floppy ears.

Cropping can also disfigure the ears, leaving them scarred or bent.

In the U.S., the American Kennel Club (AKC) breeds with traditionally cropped ears include:

• Boxer 
• Doberman Pinscher 
• Great Dane 
• Miniature Schnauzer 
• Boston Terrier 
• Cane Corso 
• Giant Schnauzer 
• Brussels Griffon 
• Standard Schnauzer 
• Neapolitan Mastiff 
• Manchester Terrier 
• Briard 

What’s the Reason Behind Cropping a Dog’s Ears?

In my opinion and the opinion of many others in the veterinary and animal welfare community, there’s absolutely no justifiable reason to mutilate a dog’s ears for cosmetic purposes.

Infuriatingly, in some breeds, like the Doberman Pinscher, it’s done to make the animal appear more menacing.

Another excuse is that cropping reduces the incidence of ear infections because it provides increased airflow to the ear canal. There is zero scientific evidence to back up this claim, and in my view, it’s utter nonsense.

Cropping proponents also argue that most breed standards do not allow for uncropped animals.

The AKC, while it has no rules specifically requiring ear cropping, is not likely to score uncropped show dogs of certain breeds highly for conformation.

Standards for certain cropped breeds establish severe penalties for uncropped animals.

The result is that many dog owners who want to show their animals feel pressured into cropping so they can compete in the ring, and the AKC’s position on cosmetic procedures to meet breed standards encourages the practice:

“We recognize ear cropping and tail docking, as prescribed in certain breed standards, are acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character, enhancing good health, and preventing injuries.”

RELATED TOPIC: 

Dangers of De-Clawing Your Kitten

Is Ear Cropping Harmful to Dogs?

Complications can occur – and the pain could last the lifetime of the dog

Just as there is a use and purpose for every organ and appendage you were born with, so it is with your dog.

All ear cropping methods cause suffering for the animal, and many dogs go on to experience the phantom pain of a missing appendage much like human amputees do.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) lists three welfare concerns-risks with regard to ear cropping:

1. General anesthesia. Cropping should always be carried out under full anesthesia, which itself has associated risks.
2. Postoperative care. Dogs will experience some discomfort during healing, stretching, re-taping and bandaging, and other manipulations after surgery, and
some will need their ears bandaged or taped upright for days to months, and they may be isolated from other dogs during this period.
3. Potential complications. As with any incision, cropped ears may become infected. Cropped ears may also fail to stand or have a distorted shape or position potentially leading to subsequent operations.

The AVMA’s position as of 1999:

“Ear cropping and tail docking in dogs for cosmetic reasons are not medically indicated nor of benefit to the patient. These procedures cause pain and distress, and, as with all surgical procedures, are accompanied by inherent risks of anesthesia, blood loss and infection.

“Therefore, veterinarians should counsel dog owners about these matters before agreeing to perform these surgeries.”

In 2008 and again in 2012, the AVMA added the following to their official position (much to the dismay of the AKC):

“The AVMA opposes ear cropping and tail docking of dogs when done solely for cosmetic purposes. The AVMA encourages the elimination of ear cropping and tail docking from breed standards.” 

My opinion is that the ideal “standard” for the appearance and function of your canine companion is quite evident at birth. His or her ears and tail were created exactly the way they were meant to be.

Other Locations Where Ear Cropping is Currently Banned or Restricted

Many Canadian provinces in addition to British Columbia prohibit ear cropping, including Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan. The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom not only supports the ban on ear cropping, but also prohibits dogs with cropped ears from competing in shows.

Ear cropping is also banned in Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Europe. In the U.S., the practice is regulated in some states, including Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

Article written by Dr. Karen Becker

Images submitted by PNM

Wikipedia: Ear cropping has been performed on dogs since ancient times. … cropped to reduce the possibility of wolves or aggressor dogs getting a hold on them.

If ears cropping for dogs is not necessary due to the health problems and complications which the veterinarian diagnoses, croping the ears of dogs really shouldn’t be, because it is a dog mutilation.
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