When shopping for that special cat lover in your life, you can’t go wrong buying your friend, family member, co-worker, or significant other an item that reminds them of their four-footed furry friend! The following are some great themed gift items you might consider when shopping for the purrfect gift:
Practical Presents
Who does not like to receive their favorite food or a tasty treat to celebrate any special occasion? Felines, like their owners, also appreciate something yummy for snacks between meals or better yet, a case of their favorite flavor of food. Other practical gifts are those that provide hours of play and entertainment for it and its owner. One such fun item is a scratching post. You can find scratching posts in many different colors, styles and sizes. Not only will the cat thank you, but so will the owner’s couch! More practical items include, jewelry, watches, handbags, sweaters, books, videos or DVDs, mailboxes, wind chimes, door knockers, door mats or beautiful handmade items like a fluffy pillow and blanket to share for naps!
Cultural Cats
Throughout centuries, felines have been worshipped and revered in just as many cultures. Perhaps the most noted in history is the relationship between them and Egyptians. They were honored as graceful and poised, were often mummified as their human owners! As in ancient Egypt, what better way to show love and admiration than owning a pair of earrings, necklace, or scarf featuring the cat-head goddess Bast? For those who are a little more difficult to shop for, a personalized themed pin makes a very thoughtful gift!
If that someone special enjoys Asian art pieces, a scroll decorated with Japanese brushwork kittens makes an alluring gift. If you’re looking for a gift to make a bolder statement, consider a gift bearing jaguars and ocelots, which are prevalent in Mayan and Aztec art pieces.
Fluffy Feline Friends
You may find yourself shopping for a cat lover with limited living space, or who is allergic. Don’t worry because you can still find an appropriate themed gift! One very popular gift idea is a soft and cuddly stuffed replica of the real pet. You can select one from many different colors, shapes and sizes depending on the breed.
Cat-Inspired Houseware
For those that don’t actually own one but adores them, then themed houseware items are the perfect gift! Gift items for the bathroom include cat printed towels, soap dispensers, toothbrush holders, tissue box covers, night lights, and bath mats. For other rooms in the home, you can shop from a wide selection of popular three dimensional wall art pieces, clocks, patterned prints or add a personal touch by framing a favorite photo.
Knowing the gift recipient’s personality and preferences will help when selecting the purrfect gift. Just keep in mind when you’re shopping that there are plenty of great cat themed gift options!
Methods for alternative cat health care and feeding can be viewed at www.allthingscat.com
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Airline Traveling with Cats
Previously I have had such a hard time traveling with my cats. Once I attempted to
place them on an airplane flight with me, but was told that they were too large to
go under my seat, even if I wanted to pay first class, which is roomier.
Also I spoke with an airplane pilot and asked him if it was okay for my cats to fly in the belly of the plane where most animals are designated to fly. He emphatically stated "No, don't do that if your pet is important to you. There really is not climate control in that area and the noise is unbearable to most animals."
With that first hand information, I sadly left my cat at home and paid someone to pet sit in my home as I traveled.
Recently I became aware of an airline designated for Pets Only. Their website address is: www.Flypets.com.
Here is an article about them: Hope this helps whenever any of you are in need of
traveling accomodations designed just for your feline or canine friend. Check out today's pricing for it may have changed.
Pets Only Allowed On New Airline
Now your pets can fly the pet friendly skies of Pet Airways. That’s right, a new airline just for pets.
Pet Airways is the first and only exclusive pet airline. No humans except the crew are allowed on the plane with them. Your pets fly in the comfort of the cabin, not the cargo. The way it works is you arrive with your pet and wait in the pet lounge until its time to board. If you cannot wait with your pet, it can be boarded up to 72 hrs before their flight. Before boarding, airline personnel make sure that your dog has had plenty of potty breaks. They are then boarded in their carriers and safely secured.
A pet attendant monitors the dogs every 15 minutes of the flight. As soon as they land, pets are then taken for another potty break before being taken to the pet lounge where they are picked up at. If you cannot pick up your pet at the time, it can be boarded overnight. Your pet is monitored throughout the entire process.
Currently there is a limited amount of cities that the pets can fly between; however, Pet Airways is hoping to expand that based on demand.
Tips on how to prepare your pet for travel are available on their website.
Right now, you can get an introductory rate of $149.00 each way.
I think it’s pretty awesome that the industry is realizing that people want their pets treated in a humane way, and sticking them in the cargo isn’t necessarily the way I would want my pet to travel. In fact, at certain times of the year, pets would not even be able to travel in the cargo area. Some pets hate being in the car, but if you wanted to take your pet on a trip with you, this would be a great alternative, to just meet them at your destination.
Pet Airways also has a club you can join for $29.99 a year and receive multiple discounts on pet items, pet friendly hotels, pet meds and pet insurance.
Hopefully this will also help with transporting pets that get adopted out of a shelter in different areas since at times transporting them can be a deterrent for an adoption.
Currently this is limited travel times and space, so if you are considering trying them, you might want to make your reservation pretty far in advance.
place them on an airplane flight with me, but was told that they were too large to
go under my seat, even if I wanted to pay first class, which is roomier.
Also I spoke with an airplane pilot and asked him if it was okay for my cats to fly in the belly of the plane where most animals are designated to fly. He emphatically stated "No, don't do that if your pet is important to you. There really is not climate control in that area and the noise is unbearable to most animals."
With that first hand information, I sadly left my cat at home and paid someone to pet sit in my home as I traveled.
Recently I became aware of an airline designated for Pets Only. Their website address is: www.Flypets.com.
Here is an article about them: Hope this helps whenever any of you are in need of
traveling accomodations designed just for your feline or canine friend. Check out today's pricing for it may have changed.
Pets Only Allowed On New Airline
Now your pets can fly the pet friendly skies of Pet Airways. That’s right, a new airline just for pets.
Pet Airways is the first and only exclusive pet airline. No humans except the crew are allowed on the plane with them. Your pets fly in the comfort of the cabin, not the cargo. The way it works is you arrive with your pet and wait in the pet lounge until its time to board. If you cannot wait with your pet, it can be boarded up to 72 hrs before their flight. Before boarding, airline personnel make sure that your dog has had plenty of potty breaks. They are then boarded in their carriers and safely secured.
A pet attendant monitors the dogs every 15 minutes of the flight. As soon as they land, pets are then taken for another potty break before being taken to the pet lounge where they are picked up at. If you cannot pick up your pet at the time, it can be boarded overnight. Your pet is monitored throughout the entire process.
Currently there is a limited amount of cities that the pets can fly between; however, Pet Airways is hoping to expand that based on demand.
Tips on how to prepare your pet for travel are available on their website.
Right now, you can get an introductory rate of $149.00 each way.
I think it’s pretty awesome that the industry is realizing that people want their pets treated in a humane way, and sticking them in the cargo isn’t necessarily the way I would want my pet to travel. In fact, at certain times of the year, pets would not even be able to travel in the cargo area. Some pets hate being in the car, but if you wanted to take your pet on a trip with you, this would be a great alternative, to just meet them at your destination.
Pet Airways also has a club you can join for $29.99 a year and receive multiple discounts on pet items, pet friendly hotels, pet meds and pet insurance.
Hopefully this will also help with transporting pets that get adopted out of a shelter in different areas since at times transporting them can be a deterrent for an adoption.
Currently this is limited travel times and space, so if you are considering trying them, you might want to make your reservation pretty far in advance.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Cat Litter Box not Working? Pet going on bed and elsewhere?
Cat Litter Box not Working? Pet going on bed and elsewhere?
If you know that your cat is not ill…
Maybe it’s the litter box, why should it be, you say. Hmm, let’s see.
Are you aware that most boxes are the wrong size?
Your pet propels what’s in the box to the outside. It urinates over it, around it, on the walls adjacent to it. There's no way it can be the litter box, something must be wrong with the cat, right?
Is it attempting to communicate in the only way it knows how, that whoa…something is wrong here, I need help, fix it please.
Lets use the process of elimination to help determine what your feline friend wants you to know about its personal toilet.
a. Is it cleaned often enough or too dirty ? Who wants to smell and walk on stuff that should be removed? Would you?
b. Is the placement away from noisy appliances,air ducts, furnace or anything that may frighten it?
P.S. a dark closet is a no no as proper placement.
c. Could the kind of litter be the problem? Is it one thatyour kitten doesn’t like?
d. Could the size of the box be inadequate? Are thesides really high enough to keep stuff in? Is thereroom for it to easily walk around inside and properly cover things up?
In summation, most of your litter box problems may be related to the size and type of the box and not a problem with your kitty. Therefore one should evaluate your present box and make the necessary changes.
See what simple item can put an end to this dilemma,click on article title above.
If you know that your cat is not ill…
Maybe it’s the litter box, why should it be, you say. Hmm, let’s see.
Are you aware that most boxes are the wrong size?
Your pet propels what’s in the box to the outside. It urinates over it, around it, on the walls adjacent to it. There's no way it can be the litter box, something must be wrong with the cat, right?
Is it attempting to communicate in the only way it knows how, that whoa…something is wrong here, I need help, fix it please.
Lets use the process of elimination to help determine what your feline friend wants you to know about its personal toilet.
a. Is it cleaned often enough or too dirty ? Who wants to smell and walk on stuff that should be removed? Would you?
b. Is the placement away from noisy appliances,air ducts, furnace or anything that may frighten it?
P.S. a dark closet is a no no as proper placement.
c. Could the kind of litter be the problem? Is it one thatyour kitten doesn’t like?
d. Could the size of the box be inadequate? Are thesides really high enough to keep stuff in? Is thereroom for it to easily walk around inside and properly cover things up?
In summation, most of your litter box problems may be related to the size and type of the box and not a problem with your kitty. Therefore one should evaluate your present box and make the necessary changes.
See what simple item can put an end to this dilemma,click on article title above.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Is Your Cat Food Actually Table Scraps? Is This Healthy?
There are many foods that should never be given to your cat. They can be extremely dangerous to its health and /or make it extremely sick.
A few of these foods are listed below and are not considered to be proper cat health care:
Dog Food… If you have a dog and a cat, and the cat eats the dog’s food this is surely a no-no. This type of food is formulated for the body of a canine. It does not have ample protein or taurine that is essential for proper nutrition in cats. If a cat eats dog food consistently it will get sick.
Table Scraps… This is healthy for us, but not good for our cats. The same facts apply to this category. What we eat is not properly formulated for the cat’s nutritional health, especially the lack of taurine. No taurine and ample protein indicates physical disaster for our beloved feline.
Chocolate, in any form… This is extremely toxic to cats and dogs. The pet can become very sick and die. Be really careful not to leave it around in an open container, or bowl where they may ingest it.
Bones and string (even though not a food)… Bones can crack and the little pieces can get lodged in their gums, throat or intestines causing irreparable damage. Cat food should never contain bones of any kind.
I know there are lots of photos showing cats with balls of string and some pet stores sell them for cats, but it should never be given to a cat as a toy. It too, can get lodged in the throat, as well as, causing blockages in the stomach, intestines and anus.
The best food that should be given to a cat is a homemade cooked variety.
Dry foods may be easy for us to administer because it is quick to pour. However, it is very high in carbohydrates that contribute to feline obesity and diabetes.
Canned food with a high content of protein, low content of ash is preferable if one can’t provide the homemade cooked cat food.
There are recipes that take 15 minutes or less to prepare and can be done in a large quantity during the weekend or whenever you have a few spare moments.This will surely go a long way in assisting your cat to stay healthier without eating preservatives and fillers.
So in conclusion, table scraps, bones, chocolate and dog food are not healthy cat food alternatives for your beloved feline.
Check out a quick and easy 15 minutes or less homemade cat food recipe.
Methods for alternative cat health, care and feeding can be viewed at www.allthingscat.com/homemade_cat_food.html
A few of these foods are listed below and are not considered to be proper cat health care:
Dog Food… If you have a dog and a cat, and the cat eats the dog’s food this is surely a no-no. This type of food is formulated for the body of a canine. It does not have ample protein or taurine that is essential for proper nutrition in cats. If a cat eats dog food consistently it will get sick.
Table Scraps… This is healthy for us, but not good for our cats. The same facts apply to this category. What we eat is not properly formulated for the cat’s nutritional health, especially the lack of taurine. No taurine and ample protein indicates physical disaster for our beloved feline.
Chocolate, in any form… This is extremely toxic to cats and dogs. The pet can become very sick and die. Be really careful not to leave it around in an open container, or bowl where they may ingest it.
Bones and string (even though not a food)… Bones can crack and the little pieces can get lodged in their gums, throat or intestines causing irreparable damage. Cat food should never contain bones of any kind.
I know there are lots of photos showing cats with balls of string and some pet stores sell them for cats, but it should never be given to a cat as a toy. It too, can get lodged in the throat, as well as, causing blockages in the stomach, intestines and anus.
The best food that should be given to a cat is a homemade cooked variety.
Dry foods may be easy for us to administer because it is quick to pour. However, it is very high in carbohydrates that contribute to feline obesity and diabetes.
Canned food with a high content of protein, low content of ash is preferable if one can’t provide the homemade cooked cat food.
There are recipes that take 15 minutes or less to prepare and can be done in a large quantity during the weekend or whenever you have a few spare moments.This will surely go a long way in assisting your cat to stay healthier without eating preservatives and fillers.
So in conclusion, table scraps, bones, chocolate and dog food are not healthy cat food alternatives for your beloved feline.
Check out a quick and easy 15 minutes or less homemade cat food recipe.
Methods for alternative cat health, care and feeding can be viewed at www.allthingscat.com/homemade_cat_food.html
Monday, May 26, 2008
Ya Gotta Tell About Your Pets!
Summer vacation time is coming and a lot of pet owners will be boarding their pets. This article is a perfect reminder on how to keep you and your pet happy during this process. Sheri
by Susan Thixton
I read an article recently about a family whose dog escaped from a Dog Day Care Facility. The family was a new customer to this Day Care and when they returned to pick up their dogno dog. The article didn't share if the dog was later found, but what it did share was that after the escape, the owners told the day care the dog was a fence climber.
I used to own a boarding kennel and dog training facility. Over the Christmas holiday one year, a new family brought me their two Cocker Spaniels to board for two weeks. The wife dropped the dogs off and instructed me to clean the dog'sears daily. Knowing that not all dogs enjoy an ear cleaning and since I was not familiar with my new guests, I questioned her how well the dogs would accept the cleaning. She assured me they would be fine. On the first attempt to clean the ears I received the worst bite of my professional career. I thought the dog crushed my finger - had it notbeen so painful, it was almost comical. One of those moments where the dog had my hand locked between his jaws and I had to use the other hand to pry open his mouth! He made a very strong point that he didn't want to have his ears cleaned.
Fast forward two weeks to when the owners were to pick upthe dogs this time it was the husband who picked them up(wife dropped them off). As soon as he came in the door I informed him that the dogs never got their ears cleaned and that the male bit me badly on my first attempt. His reply"oh yeah, I'm sorry, they bite us all the time when we do that too!"
The point to my sharing these stories whenever you take your pet to a Groomer or Vet or Kennel - please tell the pet care provider things that you know about your pet's behavior and personality. If the Day Care had known the dog was a fence climber, they could have taken precautions to make sure he did not escape. If I had known the cockers were biters, I could have put a quick muzzle on them and been able to keep their ears in good health and my hand in good health. I could share a million more stories just like the two above -my only guess as to why they happen so often is that some pet owners might be a little ashamed of their pet's behaviors sometimes. My advice to you is to get over the embarrassment and tell pet care professionals what they need to know to keep your pet safe.
On the other hand - there are many pet care providers out there that just don't care enough. I've seen many of them -and I cringe when I think about the heartbreak they could cause because of their reckless or careless behavior. I wish I could tell you exactly how to avoid those type of petprofessionals - but I can't. I can however give you some suggestions from the perspective of someone who took care of pets for a living.
1. The pet business should be clean, clean, clean! To me, if a business owner doesn't care enough about the cleanliness of the facility, what else don't they care about? The kennel or grooming shop or daycare doesn't have to be 'state of the art' - but it does need to be clean.
2. Meet the staff. Not just the person at the desk - try to meet, look in the eye, and talk with as many of the employees as you can. That's a little difficult -especially from the business owners perspective - but those are the folks that will be caring for your baby, try your best.
3. Get references - and call those references. There is nothing better to calm the nerves of a nervous pet owner than to talk with other pet owners who have experienced the care provided by this pet business.
4. Depending on your state - some pet care businesses are guided by local Animal Control licensing. If that is the case in your state, call the licensing agency and ask about any reports of abuse or misconduct with this business. At the very least, check with the BBB.
Visit www.allthingscat.com for more interesting details about cats, and their alternative health care.
by Susan Thixton
I read an article recently about a family whose dog escaped from a Dog Day Care Facility. The family was a new customer to this Day Care and when they returned to pick up their dogno dog. The article didn't share if the dog was later found, but what it did share was that after the escape, the owners told the day care the dog was a fence climber.
I used to own a boarding kennel and dog training facility. Over the Christmas holiday one year, a new family brought me their two Cocker Spaniels to board for two weeks. The wife dropped the dogs off and instructed me to clean the dog'sears daily. Knowing that not all dogs enjoy an ear cleaning and since I was not familiar with my new guests, I questioned her how well the dogs would accept the cleaning. She assured me they would be fine. On the first attempt to clean the ears I received the worst bite of my professional career. I thought the dog crushed my finger - had it notbeen so painful, it was almost comical. One of those moments where the dog had my hand locked between his jaws and I had to use the other hand to pry open his mouth! He made a very strong point that he didn't want to have his ears cleaned.
Fast forward two weeks to when the owners were to pick upthe dogs this time it was the husband who picked them up(wife dropped them off). As soon as he came in the door I informed him that the dogs never got their ears cleaned and that the male bit me badly on my first attempt. His reply"oh yeah, I'm sorry, they bite us all the time when we do that too!"
The point to my sharing these stories whenever you take your pet to a Groomer or Vet or Kennel - please tell the pet care provider things that you know about your pet's behavior and personality. If the Day Care had known the dog was a fence climber, they could have taken precautions to make sure he did not escape. If I had known the cockers were biters, I could have put a quick muzzle on them and been able to keep their ears in good health and my hand in good health. I could share a million more stories just like the two above -my only guess as to why they happen so often is that some pet owners might be a little ashamed of their pet's behaviors sometimes. My advice to you is to get over the embarrassment and tell pet care professionals what they need to know to keep your pet safe.
On the other hand - there are many pet care providers out there that just don't care enough. I've seen many of them -and I cringe when I think about the heartbreak they could cause because of their reckless or careless behavior. I wish I could tell you exactly how to avoid those type of petprofessionals - but I can't. I can however give you some suggestions from the perspective of someone who took care of pets for a living.
1. The pet business should be clean, clean, clean! To me, if a business owner doesn't care enough about the cleanliness of the facility, what else don't they care about? The kennel or grooming shop or daycare doesn't have to be 'state of the art' - but it does need to be clean.
2. Meet the staff. Not just the person at the desk - try to meet, look in the eye, and talk with as many of the employees as you can. That's a little difficult -especially from the business owners perspective - but those are the folks that will be caring for your baby, try your best.
3. Get references - and call those references. There is nothing better to calm the nerves of a nervous pet owner than to talk with other pet owners who have experienced the care provided by this pet business.
4. Depending on your state - some pet care businesses are guided by local Animal Control licensing. If that is the case in your state, call the licensing agency and ask about any reports of abuse or misconduct with this business. At the very least, check with the BBB.
Visit www.allthingscat.com for more interesting details about cats, and their alternative health care.
Friday, March 14, 2008
How the Largest Beef Recall In History Effects Pet Owners
by Susan Thixton
The U.S. is experiencing the largest beef recall in history. Major television networks and social websites on the Internet have provided a hidden camera video provided by the Humane Society showing downer cattle - animals that are sick or diseased and unable to stand - being prodded with forklifts and beaten in attempts to move them to the slaughter area. If you can stomach it, the link to the video is below. The video is very difficult to view and alarming to know that any meat processor would disregard the safety of U.S. citizens and process diseased animals into human food. Pet owners should be aware that even though it is illegal toprocess downer cattle into human food, it is legal and common to process these downer animals into pet food.
The FDA and the USDA classify downer cattle as SRMs -Specified Risk Materials. Meat products known to be a specified risk of spreading mad cow disease. According to federal law, it is illegal to process SRM animals for use in human food AND to be processed into ruminant (cattle, sheep,pig) feed in order to protect U.S. citizens from mad cow disease. Unfortunately, it is legal and common practice to process SRM animals into pet food. Sick or diseased animals that are known risks to humans - are processed into pet food. Mad cow disease has already crossed species into cats in Europe and mink worldwide. Are U.S. pets next?
When the FDA was considering a change in the pet food regulations, members of the cattle industry, rendering industry, pet food industry, and various other organizations lobbied the FDA either for stricter/safer regulations to protect pets - or lobbied against it.
A letter dated August 13, 2004 from the Humane Society ofthe United States wrote in favor of a ban of all SRM material in all foods - human, ruminant, or pet foods."As the country's largest animal protection organization we are deeply concerned about the potential impact of transmissiblespongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) on animal health.The removal from animal feed of downers, dead stock (animals that have died on the farm), cattle showing signs of a CNS disorder, and cattle who appear rabies-suspect but test negative would add another important layer of protection since these animals have a greater incidence of BSE than the general population.There is strong evidence that cats are susceptible to BSE and we therefore urge the FDA to prohibit immediately the use in pet food of any SRMs, downers, deadstock, or cattle showing signs of a CNS disorder or testing negative for rabies.There have been confirmed cases of Feline Spongiform Encephalopathy in approximately 100 cats in Europe. Since the FDA is charged with ensuring the safety of the food cats consume, we feel it would be reckless not to prohibit the inclusion of the high risk materials enumerated above in pet food."
Opposing the proposed ban was Garth Merrick (Merrick PetFood). Quoting his letter to the FDA dated July 28, 2004"ANPR's proposed rule to prohibit SRM's from all animal food including pet food and prohibiting materials from non ambulatory cattle and dead stock from all animal feed creates the below listed consequences of disposal of pounds that previously could be manufactured into animal feed. SRM's in cattle under 30 months of age have been estimated to be 20 pounds per head. In Texas there are four packing houses processing approximately 100,000 head per week times 20 pounds equals 2,000,000 times 52 weeks equals 104,000,000 of product that no one has discussed what to do with. If you cannot render it for feed to be fed to chickens, swine or pet food, then you have destroyed a system that currently works. We are the original recyclers. These numbers are only for Texas; when you consider the other lower 47 states, the consequences are inconceivable as to what the health hazards could be if these products are not processed the way they are currently being done."
No decision has been made by the FDA to ban SRM materialsfrom use in pet food or pet treats.
Do you think SRM cattle - diseased or dying animals should be processed into dog food or cat food? The HumaneSociety's hidden camera video of downer cattle - available for the not so weak to view at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWmAJlwLnQI shows the health conditions of these SRM animals.
Even if you are a non pet owner reading this article, I'm doubtful you would think sick and dying animals are safe to feed pets.Personally if a livestock animal has been declared a Specified Risk Material - I don't care who has the expense of disposing of the material - just don't usepet food as the 'disposal method'.Pet food becomes theprofitable disposal method.SRMs are sold to pet foodmanufacturers providing revenue for a product that is otherwise un-sellable.Those pet food manufacturers that purchase SRM materials obtain 'meat' at hugely discountedprices. By no means could SRMs be profitable to the pet or the pet owner.
By products, meat and bone meal, meat meal, animal digest,and animal fat are all ingredients that could be processed SRM animals.Please read your pet food and pet treat labels!
Before you put your pet at risk, learn the Truth About PetFood. Register for the Truth About Pet Food free newsletterand stay updated on the latest pet food news. (http://www.petsumerreport.com/)
The U.S. is experiencing the largest beef recall in history. Major television networks and social websites on the Internet have provided a hidden camera video provided by the Humane Society showing downer cattle - animals that are sick or diseased and unable to stand - being prodded with forklifts and beaten in attempts to move them to the slaughter area. If you can stomach it, the link to the video is below. The video is very difficult to view and alarming to know that any meat processor would disregard the safety of U.S. citizens and process diseased animals into human food. Pet owners should be aware that even though it is illegal toprocess downer cattle into human food, it is legal and common to process these downer animals into pet food.
The FDA and the USDA classify downer cattle as SRMs -Specified Risk Materials. Meat products known to be a specified risk of spreading mad cow disease. According to federal law, it is illegal to process SRM animals for use in human food AND to be processed into ruminant (cattle, sheep,pig) feed in order to protect U.S. citizens from mad cow disease. Unfortunately, it is legal and common practice to process SRM animals into pet food. Sick or diseased animals that are known risks to humans - are processed into pet food. Mad cow disease has already crossed species into cats in Europe and mink worldwide. Are U.S. pets next?
When the FDA was considering a change in the pet food regulations, members of the cattle industry, rendering industry, pet food industry, and various other organizations lobbied the FDA either for stricter/safer regulations to protect pets - or lobbied against it.
A letter dated August 13, 2004 from the Humane Society ofthe United States wrote in favor of a ban of all SRM material in all foods - human, ruminant, or pet foods."As the country's largest animal protection organization we are deeply concerned about the potential impact of transmissiblespongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) on animal health.The removal from animal feed of downers, dead stock (animals that have died on the farm), cattle showing signs of a CNS disorder, and cattle who appear rabies-suspect but test negative would add another important layer of protection since these animals have a greater incidence of BSE than the general population.There is strong evidence that cats are susceptible to BSE and we therefore urge the FDA to prohibit immediately the use in pet food of any SRMs, downers, deadstock, or cattle showing signs of a CNS disorder or testing negative for rabies.There have been confirmed cases of Feline Spongiform Encephalopathy in approximately 100 cats in Europe. Since the FDA is charged with ensuring the safety of the food cats consume, we feel it would be reckless not to prohibit the inclusion of the high risk materials enumerated above in pet food."
Opposing the proposed ban was Garth Merrick (Merrick PetFood). Quoting his letter to the FDA dated July 28, 2004"ANPR's proposed rule to prohibit SRM's from all animal food including pet food and prohibiting materials from non ambulatory cattle and dead stock from all animal feed creates the below listed consequences of disposal of pounds that previously could be manufactured into animal feed. SRM's in cattle under 30 months of age have been estimated to be 20 pounds per head. In Texas there are four packing houses processing approximately 100,000 head per week times 20 pounds equals 2,000,000 times 52 weeks equals 104,000,000 of product that no one has discussed what to do with. If you cannot render it for feed to be fed to chickens, swine or pet food, then you have destroyed a system that currently works. We are the original recyclers. These numbers are only for Texas; when you consider the other lower 47 states, the consequences are inconceivable as to what the health hazards could be if these products are not processed the way they are currently being done."
No decision has been made by the FDA to ban SRM materialsfrom use in pet food or pet treats.
Do you think SRM cattle - diseased or dying animals should be processed into dog food or cat food? The HumaneSociety's hidden camera video of downer cattle - available for the not so weak to view at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWmAJlwLnQI shows the health conditions of these SRM animals.
Even if you are a non pet owner reading this article, I'm doubtful you would think sick and dying animals are safe to feed pets.Personally if a livestock animal has been declared a Specified Risk Material - I don't care who has the expense of disposing of the material - just don't usepet food as the 'disposal method'.Pet food becomes theprofitable disposal method.SRMs are sold to pet foodmanufacturers providing revenue for a product that is otherwise un-sellable.Those pet food manufacturers that purchase SRM materials obtain 'meat' at hugely discountedprices. By no means could SRMs be profitable to the pet or the pet owner.
By products, meat and bone meal, meat meal, animal digest,and animal fat are all ingredients that could be processed SRM animals.Please read your pet food and pet treat labels!
Before you put your pet at risk, learn the Truth About PetFood. Register for the Truth About Pet Food free newsletterand stay updated on the latest pet food news. (http://www.petsumerreport.com/)
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Second Hand Smoke Is A Health Threat to Pets
ScienceDaily (Sep. 3, 2007) — It has been in the news for years about how secondhand smoke is a health threat to nonsmokers. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that secondhand smoke is attributed with killing thousands of adult nonsmokers annually.
If smoking is that harmful to human beings, it would make sense that secondhand smoke would have an adverse effect on pets that live in the homes of smokers, said Dr. Carolynn MacAllister, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service veterinarian.
“There have been a number of scientific papers recently that have reported the significant health threat secondhand smoke poses to pets,” MacAllister said. “Secondhand smoke has been associated with oral cancer and lymphoma in cats, lung and nasal cancer in dogs, as well as lung cancer in birds.”
She said a study conducted recently at Tuft College of Veterinary Medicine found a strong correlation between secondhand smoke and certain forms of cancer in cats. The number of cats with mouth cancer, also known as squamous cell carcinoma, was higher for those animals living in smoking environments versus those felines living in a smoke-free home. In addition, cats that lived with smokers for five or more years had an even higher incidence of this type of oral cancer.
“One reason cats are so susceptible to secondhand smoke is because of their grooming habits. Cats constantly lick themselves while grooming, therefore they lick up the cancer-causing carcinogens that accumulate on their fur,” MacAllister said. “This grooming behavior exposes the mucous membrane of their mouth to the cancer-causing carcinogens.”
Malignant lymphoma is another type of cancer that cats that live with smokers have a higher risk of getting. This cancer occurs in the lymph nodes and cats are twice as likely to have this type of cancer compared to cats living in a non-smoking home. This form of cancer is fatal to three out of four cats within 12 months of developing the cancer.
MacAllister also pointed out that secondhand smoke is greatly associated with the increased occurrence of cancer in the nose and sinus area among dogs. Research also indicates a slight association with lung cancer.
“A recent study conducted at Colorado State University shows that there is a higher incidence of nasal tumors in dogs living in a home with secondhand smoke compared to dogs living in a smoke free environment,” she said. “The increased incidence was specifically found among the long nosed breed of dogs. Shorter or medium nosed dogs showed higher rates for lung cancer.”
MacAllister said the longer nosed breeds of dogs have a great surface area in their noses that is exposed to the carcinogens. This also provides more area in which the carcinogens can accumulate. The carcinogens tend to build up on the mucous membranes of long nosed dogs so not as much reaches the lungs.
Unfortunately, dogs affected with nasal cancer normally do not survive more than one year.
“The reason short and medium nose dogs have a higher occurrence of lung cancer is because their shorter nasal passages aren’t as effective at accumulating the inhaled secondhand smoke carcinogens,” she said. “This results in more carcinogens reaching the lungs.”
Pet birds also are victims of secondhand smoke. A bird’s respiratory system is hypersensitive to any type of pollutant in the air.
MacAllister said the most serious consequences of secondhand smoke exposure in birds are pneumonia or lung cancer. Other health risks include eye, skin, heart and fertility problems.
Secondhand smoke is not the only danger faced by pets that live in smoke filled environments. Poisoning is another risk they face.
“Curious pets can eat cigarettes and other tobacco products if the products aren’t stored properly,” MacAllister said. “When ingested, this can cause nicotine poisoning, which can be fatal.”
It is important, both for the health of pets and others living in the household, that the smoker has a designated area in which to smoke that is physically separated from the home. In addition, always keep cigarettes, cigarette butts and other tobacco products put away.
“A better choice that could enhance your chances of enjoying a healthier lifestyle with your family and pets would be to stop smoking altogether,” MacAllister said.
Adapted from materials provided by Oklahoma State University.
If smoking is that harmful to human beings, it would make sense that secondhand smoke would have an adverse effect on pets that live in the homes of smokers, said Dr. Carolynn MacAllister, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service veterinarian.
“There have been a number of scientific papers recently that have reported the significant health threat secondhand smoke poses to pets,” MacAllister said. “Secondhand smoke has been associated with oral cancer and lymphoma in cats, lung and nasal cancer in dogs, as well as lung cancer in birds.”
She said a study conducted recently at Tuft College of Veterinary Medicine found a strong correlation between secondhand smoke and certain forms of cancer in cats. The number of cats with mouth cancer, also known as squamous cell carcinoma, was higher for those animals living in smoking environments versus those felines living in a smoke-free home. In addition, cats that lived with smokers for five or more years had an even higher incidence of this type of oral cancer.
“One reason cats are so susceptible to secondhand smoke is because of their grooming habits. Cats constantly lick themselves while grooming, therefore they lick up the cancer-causing carcinogens that accumulate on their fur,” MacAllister said. “This grooming behavior exposes the mucous membrane of their mouth to the cancer-causing carcinogens.”
Malignant lymphoma is another type of cancer that cats that live with smokers have a higher risk of getting. This cancer occurs in the lymph nodes and cats are twice as likely to have this type of cancer compared to cats living in a non-smoking home. This form of cancer is fatal to three out of four cats within 12 months of developing the cancer.
MacAllister also pointed out that secondhand smoke is greatly associated with the increased occurrence of cancer in the nose and sinus area among dogs. Research also indicates a slight association with lung cancer.
“A recent study conducted at Colorado State University shows that there is a higher incidence of nasal tumors in dogs living in a home with secondhand smoke compared to dogs living in a smoke free environment,” she said. “The increased incidence was specifically found among the long nosed breed of dogs. Shorter or medium nosed dogs showed higher rates for lung cancer.”
MacAllister said the longer nosed breeds of dogs have a great surface area in their noses that is exposed to the carcinogens. This also provides more area in which the carcinogens can accumulate. The carcinogens tend to build up on the mucous membranes of long nosed dogs so not as much reaches the lungs.
Unfortunately, dogs affected with nasal cancer normally do not survive more than one year.
“The reason short and medium nose dogs have a higher occurrence of lung cancer is because their shorter nasal passages aren’t as effective at accumulating the inhaled secondhand smoke carcinogens,” she said. “This results in more carcinogens reaching the lungs.”
Pet birds also are victims of secondhand smoke. A bird’s respiratory system is hypersensitive to any type of pollutant in the air.
MacAllister said the most serious consequences of secondhand smoke exposure in birds are pneumonia or lung cancer. Other health risks include eye, skin, heart and fertility problems.
Secondhand smoke is not the only danger faced by pets that live in smoke filled environments. Poisoning is another risk they face.
“Curious pets can eat cigarettes and other tobacco products if the products aren’t stored properly,” MacAllister said. “When ingested, this can cause nicotine poisoning, which can be fatal.”
It is important, both for the health of pets and others living in the household, that the smoker has a designated area in which to smoke that is physically separated from the home. In addition, always keep cigarettes, cigarette butts and other tobacco products put away.
“A better choice that could enhance your chances of enjoying a healthier lifestyle with your family and pets would be to stop smoking altogether,” MacAllister said.
Adapted from materials provided by Oklahoma State University.
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