Happy New Year!

Petlane wishes you and your family wealth, health, and happiness in 2009!

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Why Cats Scratch

Scratching is a normal and necessary behavior for cats. Scratching allows them to shed the outer layer of their claws, mark their territory (cats have scent glands on the pads of their feet and when they scratch they leave their scent behind as their way of saying “this is my territory”) and provides a great way for them stretch out their muscles. Scratching is such an instinctive behavior in cats that even cats who have been declawed scratch on a regular basis.

mysterious soma Of course, knowing that scratching is a normal part of cat behavior is all well and good and does nothing to prevent you from tearing your hair out when your cat is using your couch as his favorite scratching post. Here are some tips for keeping your cat happy and your furniture and drapes intact. First, keep your cat’s nails trimmed to help blunt damage to the furniture. Second, provide your cat with a good quality scratching post (I’ll talk next time about how to choose a scratching post). And third, use a harmless deterrent like Sticky Paws on your furniture. These simple steps will save your furniture and greatly improve your relationship with your cat.

Best Food for Cats Allergic to Fish

My company, Petlane, sells both cat and dog food.  Our cat food has both salmon and whitefish meal.  A customer of mine recently came to me and asked the following: “What food would you recommend I feed my cat?”  Petlane’s of course.  “My cat is allergic to fish.”  Oh.  Wanting very much to help my customer out, I began searching the internet for high quality foods that do not contain fish - and found exactly three

formulas (not brands, formulas) that meet my standards for high quality and have no fish.  Here are my recommendations of what to feed your kitty if he or she is allergic to fish (please note that these are dry food recommendations only - fish free wet food seems to be easier to find):

1) California Natural Chicken and Brown Rice (http://www.californianaturalpet.com/products/default.asp?id=72)

2) Felidae Chicken Meal and Rice Formula (http://www.canidae.com/cats/chicken_and_rice/dry.html)

3) Eagle Pack Holistic Select Duck Meal and Oatmeal Formula (http://www.eaglepack.com/Pages/HS_CatDuck.html)

Best Animal Horror Films

Halloween and horror movies seem to go together like, well, like Halloween and horror films (I was going to say Halloween and candy but somehow that seemed too trite). My original intent was to have today’s post be a list of the top 10 animal horror films of all time.  However, when I sat down to write, I immediately encountered two problems: 1) I absolutely hate horror films (which eliminated my going to the movie store, renting all the horror films with animals, watching them, and then making a list based on my own opinion).  In fact, I hate being scared altogether.  I’m the one who refuses to go into the haunted houses at carnivals (you know, the ones where the ghosts are painted on the wall in day glow yellow).  2) The internet was not

going to come to my rescue because typing in “top 10 animal horror films” brought up titles ranging from “Pet Semetary” to “Attack of the Giant Leeches”.   However, I could not end this post without a list of some-kind.  I found on Amazon.com a list entitled “Bad Dog! Fantastic Dogs in Horror Movies“. 

Based on this list, here are the top five horror movies starring canines (this list is based on customer reviews - all movies listed reviewed a minimum rating of 4 out of 5 stars):

• The Pack
• Devil Dog: Hound of Hell
• Zoltan, Hound of Dracula
• Atomic Dog
• Wilderness

Horror movies about cats seem to be harder to come-by.  After an amazing amount of research (an amazing amount anyway for someone who does not like horror movies), I managed to uncover the following three classic horror movies about cats:

• Cat People
• The Black Cat
• Cat’s Eye

Finally, with regards to horror movies starring our feathered friends, it seems to me that it would be hard to top Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds”.  Now, I am appealing to you my readers for help!  What do you consider to be the best animal horror films of all time? Happy Howl-O-Ween!

In California, Lap Dogs are Legally Staying Lap Dogs

A report by the American Automobile Association ranked cell phone usage as the sixth worst distraction of drivers. Pets were ranked number three. Despite this report, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced this weekend that he will veto a bill that would fine drivers $35 for driving with an animal in their lap.  According to the Associated Press, Schwarzenegger said that he is currently signing only bills that are “the highest priority for California.”  Apparently saving the lives of the Californians who helped to put him in office does not meet the criteria for high priority.  I urge all of my readers who feel strongly about this matter to contact the Governor and ask him to reconsider.

Carriage Rides in Central Park - How to Ensure a Safe Ride

For many of us, a carriage ride seems to be the epitome of romance. Carriage rides abound in just about every city in America, brides are frequently driven to their wedding in a horse and carriage, and even in winter cities like Lake Tahoe, NV offer horse drawn sleigh rides.  In New York, the holidays bring a surge of tourists to Central Park clamoring for carriage rides.  The vast majority of the carriage drivers are good people who take excellent care of their horses.  Indeed, in New York City cruelty to horses is a crime and carriage drivers, according to the ASPCA, must adhere to the following rules:

I am completely for “dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh,” and as long as you are confident that your driver is putting his horse first, you can be comfortable “laughing all the way.”  If you suspect a carriage horse in New York is being abused, you can contact a number of New York authorities including the New York City Department of Health, the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, and the New York City Police Department.

Mars Petcare US Issues Cat Food Recall

Alright folks, here’s the scoop on the latest pet food recall. I swear if this keeps up, I’m going to have to rename my blog “The Pet Food Recall Blog.” On October 27th, 2008 Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of a limited number of bags of SPECIAL KITTY® Gourmet Blend dry cat food sold at Wal-Mart locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, NorthCarolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled following a positive test result indicating a potential contamination with Salmonella .

Salmonella refers to a type of bacteria that is most commonly found in animal feces.  Food may also become contaminated by the hands of an infected food handler who did not wash hands with soap after using the bathroom.

Salmonellacan cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in people as well, especially children, the aged, and people withcompromised immune systems. Healthy people potentially infected with Salmonella cafergot should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. On rare occasions, Salmonellacan result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms and potentially infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The recalled product is called  SPECIAL KITTY® Gourmet Blend Dry Cat Food and is available in 3.5lb., 7lb., and 18lb. bags.  If you have purchased this brand of cat food, please look on the back of the bag to see if your information matches the information below: 
Best If Used By Date: AUG 11 09
Production Lot Code: 50 XXXX X (Found on back of bag just after “Best If Used By” date. Consumers should look for “50″ as the first two digits of the second line.)

Food with this sell-by date and/or production lot code has bee recalled and absolutely should not be sold or fed to pets. Pet owners should dispose of product in a safe manner (example, a securely covered trash receptacle) and return the empty bag to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-877-568-4463 or visit www.petcare.mars.com.  And just to do a little shameless self promotion, I would like to point out that the manufacturer of Petlane’s dog and cat food (Pure Woof Gold and Pure Purr Gold) has never been involved in a recall.

Tips for Flea and Tick Control

Ticked off by fleas? I am a huge believer in Frontline and Advantage for flea and tick control; here are steps you can take to maximize the effectiveness of these products. The natural oils on your dog’s skin help distribute the product so be sure to apply Frontline or Advantage no less than two days before or after you bathe your dog. You also want to choose a shampoo that leaves flea and tick control intact. Earthbath shampoos are my particular favorite.

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When applying the product, find the spot between the dog’s shoulder blades and part the hair until you can apply the liquid directly onto the dog’s skin. Don’t put the whole amount in place however. A patch of skin can only absorb a portion of the liquid, the rest runs off onto the dog’s fur and does nothing to help kill fleas. Squeeze the liquid out slowly and, as soon as you notice it start to run off onto the skin, move the tip of the applicator to a spot 1/3 of an inch or so away (part the hair again until you come to skin) and continue to apply the liquid. These quick and easy steps will help both you and your dog have an itch-free flea season.

Horn of Plenty? Not for Fido!

It was Thanksgiving Day. Heidi, the Labrador, was thrilled with the smells in the air and all of the people around her. Mom was testing the turkey, and when she saw Heidi’s doleful eyes, she relented and gave her a little of the skin. Grandma Millie gave Heidi one of the cookies; Uncle Bill gave Heidi a little of his eggnog in her bowl. When they all sat down to give thanks, no one was more thankful than Heidi who was under the table taking food from big and little hands alike.

Three hours later Michael ran to his mother and said that Heidi was sick. Mom would normally have rushed Heidi to the veterinary hospital—but she had a full house of guests. She decided to wait until the next day.

The next morning, Heidi was repeatedly dry-heaving; she had a high fever, and her eyes begged her for help. While the mother rushed her to the vet’s, Heidi had an accident of foul-smelling bloody diarrhea in the car.

What’s your diagnosis of Heidi’s problem?

Thanksgiving evening she had a bout of acute gastritis, a rapidly-forming inflammation of the lining of the stomach. Giving her no more food that evening, an adult dose of Pepto Bismol, and a long walk (something about a long walk soothes gastritis in people and dogs, and colic in livestock) could have stopped the problem there—but it had progressed to Pancreatitis, a potentially deadly inflammation of the pancreas.   It’s extremely painful; any existing bacteria start multiplying at an alarming rate, releasing toxins into the body—and unless stopped by drugs and fluids from a veterinarian, the dog will probably die.

Heidi spent the next two days hooked up to IV fluids and antibiotics and getting only ice cubes to lick for supper followed by a bland diet for the next week.  Fortunately, Heidi survived but such stories all too often do not have happy endings. 

This Thanksgiving Holiday is a golden opportunity to feed your companion animals foods especially prepared to meet their body’s needs.  Petlane’s Pure Woof Gold and Pure Purr Gold have been formulated to provide a healthy and balanced diet and the wide variety of that Petlane offers are the perfect, healthy way to tell your companion animal, “I love you.”

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HSUS Rescues 700 Dogs in Puppy Mill Raid in Tennessee

Many breeders are responsible, reliable, and truly have the best interest of their animals at heart.  The blog Fun Times Guide to Dogs offers an article with excellent guidelines on and resources for choosing a reputable breeder.  Sadly, there are many “breeders” out there who care nothing for the health and  well-being of their dogs.   These “breeders” run what are known as puppy mills.

Puppy mill owners raise their dogs under horrifying conditions.  Their sole purpose is to make as much money as possible by selling as many puppies as possible to pet stores and unsuspecting people looking for a puppy.  The HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) recently rescued close to 700 dogs from a puppy mill in Tennessee.  Many of dogs rescued had been living in cramped, wire cages (their feet had never touched anything more solid than the wire mesh on the bottom of their cages) and were covered in feces and urine.  The leader of the rescue wrote that one Yorkshire Terrier’s fur was so matted that she could not even move her legs.  I encourage all of my readers to read the full account of the rescue, written by the rescue’s leader.

This video was taken by the HSUS workers who rescued the animals.

 

To learn more about puppy mills and what you can do to make a difference, please visit http://www.stoppuppymills.org/.