Last weekend it was hot. Okay not as hot as on the East Coast, but hot for the Bay Area - and I decided Jade was desperate for a walk. The front of my house has two driveways divided by about 30 feet of lawn (a friend of mine claimed that the second driveway was for speedboat storage); I put Jade on a leash and we walked down the “boat” driveway, parallel to the front lawn, and back up the driveway in which we actually park - and right back to the front door. And nothing, not even treats, convinced Jade that we should go for a longer walk. I opened the front door, he dashed inside, flopped down on the tile inside the front door, and began snoring. Which leads me directly to suggestion number one for helping your pets beat the summer heat.

Tip #1: Provide Your Pet With a “Cool” Room

Designate one room in your house to be a “cool” room. Last year the Bay Area experienced record breaking highs, and I began reading stories in the newspaper about animals who had died from heat exhaustion in their homes. You don’t need to air condition your entire house to keep your pet safe. Instead, pick one room and make it as cool as possible. Put up blackout curtains to block out the heat of the sun; install a window air-conditioning unit and leave it running on hot days (keep the door partly closed so that all the cool air does not simply escape); if you have a pet who is extremely prone to overheating, consider purchasing a cool bed for your pet to sleep on (my favorites are those made by K&H manufacturing).

Tip #2: Exercise At Dawn and Dusk

Dusk and dawn are the coolest times of day and your pet is least likely to overheat at these times. Personally, I don’t believe “dawn” is a time that any normal human being should actually be awake, so I take advantage of the long daylight hours and head out for a walk around 6:30 or 7pm when I get home from work. And try to avoid blacktop and pavement and stick to grass and dirt trails - paved trials, even in the evening, can be so hot they can actually burn your pets’ paws. A good rule of thumb: if it’s too hot for you it’s too hot for your pet.

Tip #3: Ensure Your Pet Has Access to Water Fresh Water At All Times

Ensuring your pet has access to fresh water is never so important as during hot times. Pets are especially prone to dehydration in hot weather. Dehydration can lead to permanent organ damage and even death. The simplest way to prevent dehydration is to ensure your pet always has access to fresh water. In addition to fresh water, you can give your dog the occasional frozen treat. Fill a Kong with water or diluted chicken broth and place it in the freezer. Once the liquid is frozen, give it to your pet (outside is best) for a doggy version of a Popsicle!

How do you help your pet beat the heat?

IAMS seems to be having some problems with its cat food. In June, IAMS was forced to recall some types of its canned cat and kitten food because of a vitamin deficiency. Over the weekend, IAMS parent company Proctor and Gamble announced that it was voluntarily recalling two lots of its Veterinary Formula Renal (Multi-Stage Renal) because of possible salmonella contamination.

Salmonella is a catch-all phrase for over 2,500 types of bacteria, and is the most common cause of food poisoning. In humans, symptoms can include abdominal cramping, vomiting, diarrhea and vomiting. In severe cases, salmonella can ultimately lead to death if left untreated. Pets with salmonella may exhibit decreased appetite, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. If your pet has consumed the recalled food and is exhibiting any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The recalled products are the 5.5lb bags of IAMS Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal and have lot codes of 01384174B4 and 01384174B2. Lot codes can be found in the lower right hand corner on the back of the bag. These particular formulas are sold through veterinary clinics throughout the United States.

If you have purchased the recalled food, please do not feed it to your animal. Please dispose of the product and call P&G toll-free at 877-894-4458 (Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST) for a product refund.

Four years ago I started noticing just how many car commercials are specifically made to appeal to families with children. Why four years ago? Because that’s when my best friend go pregnant - followed it seems by everyone else I know. When my friends and I would go shopping for baby things, I started learning that an extra roomy back seat really does come in handy when you’re trying to stuff two normal sized adults and a baby seat into a back seat; or that rear seats with cup holders can make the difference between a peaceful 10 minute ride with a three year old, and a 10 minute ride that you would swear was three hours long.

I currently have no children, but I do have my beloved Jade (my soon-to-be 8 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) and when the time comes for a new car, Jade, my husband, and I might just have to test market the new Honda Element and see if it meets the approval of all three of us. Yes you read that right - the car industry has jumped onto the pet product bandwagon - and I have to admit that I’m pretty impressed.

From what I can tell from the website (I haven’t actually seen the car in person) Honda is not only attempting to visually appeal to the dog owner (the car comes with, amongst other accessories all weather mats patterned with bones and a dog-friendly badge for the outside of the car) they are actually taking the dog’s safety into consideration. For example, the rear cargo area opens up to reveal a sturdy looking, soft-sided crate. While not as safe as a seat-belt, this will probably help ensure that in the event of an accident, a dog will not go flying through the windshield or into a passenger; and it comes with an extremely comfy looking dog bed so your pet has a comfortable place to snooze while travelling.

To ensure your pet has access to fresh water at all times (make sure you have plenty of access to rest stops!) a spill-resistant bowl nestles into a specially designed spot in the corner of the crate, and a plug-in fan helps your pet beat the heat when you have to travel on warm days (even with the fan going - please do not ever leave your pet unattended in a car on a hot day). The car even comes with a stowable ramp, ideal for helping older or arthritic dogs get into and out of the car comfortably, and for helping younger dogs protect their joints.

Interested in adding these accessories to your Element? Learn more at Honda’s Dog Friendly Element website.

Let’s see a show of hands - how many of you, after checking out some of the doggy day camps listed on got just the teeny tiniest bit jealous that our dogs get to go to camp and we don’t? Of course there are plenty of day camps for adults; however I always feel guilty when i’m out hiking or at the beach and my dog isn’t with me.  And apparently I’m not the only one who feels that way.

I found (and I want to just make it clear that I am not endorsing this place in anyway - I found them on the internet and thought they looked neat) a place in upstate New York that has turned its ranch into a camp for dogs and their humans.

Glen Highland Farm is located in upstate New York. Founded in 2001, the owners of this 175 acre “farm” left their corporate jobs in Connecticut to start a combination Border Collie rescue and camp for dogs and humans. Today, you and your dog (all breeds welcome!) can choose from three different camp experiences. Whether you want to join up to 35 other dog lovers for a week of hiking, agility, flyball, water sports, seminars and much more, or you and a loved one want to have a unique vacation with your furry family member, Glen Highland Farms seems to have it all. You can learn more about this amazing place - and about the ongoing rescue work at http://highlandvue.com/ccg_intro.html

Have you ever been to camp with your dog? I would love to hear your story!

I loved camp when I was a kid. For years I went to day camp and then at 9, I announced to my parents that I was ready for sleep-away camp. And for the next 9 years I went every year (once I left for college I started spending summer vacations at home). Yesterday, while I was out for a walk, a bus bearing the name of my beloved day camp passed me and made me nostalgic. And since I don’t have children to send to camp, I decided to investigate if there is actual camp for dogs! Now if you type “dog camp” or “camp for dogs” into Google, you come up with a lot of places that advertise themselves as “camp,” so after reviewing a number of these places, I decided to put some criteria into place (that the place was certified, vaccines required licensed etc. - tha for me is a given).

1) The organization had to offer a mix of structured and free-time activities

2) Development of socialization skills are a must

3) There must be indoor and outdoor play areas

And much to my amazement, there are a ton of places that are what I truly consider to be “camp for dogs.” The best of the best offer huge places for the dogs to romp and run, agility courses where dogs and humans can either take classes, or dogs can use at whim as a huge doggy playground, and  some even have restaurants and spas that cater specifically to their canine clients! For a great list of doggy day camps, check out campsfordogs.com. Have a wonderful summer!

This past fourth of July weekend brought food, fun, fireworks, and a surprising number of pet product recalls.

Merrick Pet Care issued a voluntary recall of their Beef Fillet Squares (10 oz bag, Item #60016, Lot #10084TL7, Best By March 24, 2012) after a sample tested by the FDA tested positive for Salmonella. According to the site OregonLive.com - Merrick recalled this same product in January for the same reason.

Feline’s Pride, a manufacturer of raw, frozen cat food issued a recall of its Feline’s Pride Raw Natural Chicken Formula with ground bone for cats and kittens ground. The recall, which affects all  2.5 lbs. containers bought between June 10-17, was issued because of possible salmonella contamination. Feline’s Pride ships direct to customers, so consumers are urged to call 716-580-3096 with questions, or to request a replacement or refund.

United Pet Group, which private labels its supplements and vitamins for dogs and cats and sells to companies such as Drs Foster and Smith, has issued a recall for over 30 of its products because of possible salmonella contamination. All of the affected products are in tablet and powdered form. These products are being removed from retail stores and consumers should immediately stop feeding these supplements to their pets. The affected products are those with expiration dates that include and are between “01/2013″ and “06/2013.” Products with expiration dates earlier than 01/2013 or later than 06/2013 are not included in this recall. The expiration date can be found imprinted vertically on the right side of the product label. Please visit the FDA’s recall website for a full list of the recalled products. Consumers may contact United Pet Group at 1-877-399-5226, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm EST.

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. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

People who handle these products can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with them or any surfaces exposed to these products. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can 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 the product should contact their healthcare providers.

What comes to mind when someone says “4th of July”? Fireworks? Picnics? Backyard BBQs with friends and family? For us humans, the 4th of July is usually a fun and relaxing holiday; for our pets however, it can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Even normally calm pets can become anxiety-ridden by the thunderous booms and bright lights generated by fireworks. The Humane Society says it is quite typical at this time of year for shelters to receive what they term “4thof July dogs.” These are dogs that have run off after being scared by a fireworks celebration. The good news is that by taking a few simple precautions, you and your pets can both have a wonderful holiday. Please note that while these tips are written with dogs and cats in mind, many of them apply to small animals such as birds, rabbits, and ferrets.

• If you are going to a fireworks display, leave your pet at home. Even well-socialized dogs can become frightened and possibly aggressive when confronted with large crowds and thunderous explosions.
• Keep your pets indoors. A stressed or anxious dog can become destructive, so make sure to “dog proof” the area where your dog will be while you are gone. Leave out two or three favorite chew toys; chewing is a natural way for dogs to relieve anxiety. Even if your dog typically spends his days outside, he should be kept inside during the evening and preferably overnight. Outdoor dogs have been known to escape by digging their way out of yards or to become dangerously entangled in their chains or leashes. If you have an indoor/outdoor cat, consider keeping him or her inside for the night.
• If your pet has a history of being frightened by loud noises, consult your vet about using an appropriate sedative. I am a personal fan of the all-natural product Pet Calm.
• Ensure your pet is wearing identification tags. An ID tag is the absolute best way to ensure that a lost pet will be returned. If you are traveling with your pet, write your temporary contact information on a piece of masking tape and wrap it around your pet’s collar, or use a paper luggage tag (like those you can pick up at the airport).

Let me put this in perspective. Jade, my 8-year old Cavalier has been known to run for cover at the sight of a leash. I have attempted to take him for a walk when it’s a gorgeous 70 degree sunny day and he hasn’t been out in a week - and we only get anywhere because I leave a trail of Liver Biscotti in my wake and Jade follows, vacuuming them up as he goes. So you can imagine my complete bewilderment when today, at 2:15pm (read “heat of the day”), when it’s easily 90 degrees outside (read: entirely too hot to be outside), my dog does everything put break down the front door trying to convince me to take him outside (he has a dog door so I knew this wasn’t a simple “I need a bathroom excursion). This is the same dog who feels the need to sleep for 6 or 7 hours after making the strenuous trek from the bedroom to the kitchen where we keep the treats.

Had it been any other dog, there is simply no way I would have gone for a walk in the heat of the day. Taking dogs for a walk in this kind of heat greatly increases the risk of their becoming overheated. In Jade’s case however I wasn’t too worried. Jade’s idea of a neighborhood “walk” (which was all I was prepared to do) consists of going around the corner to the park - and even that takes him up to 45 minutes because he has to stop and smell something every 2 feet. At that pace, I was significantly more worried about me becoming sunburned than I was about Jade overheating. And as I searched for my sunscreen, I started thinking about sunscreen for pets.

As it turns out, certain pets do benefit from the use of sunscreen. Pets (cats and dogs alike) with light-colored noses, those with very thin or missing fur (for example if your pet has a shaved area - just be sure to check with your veterinarian before putting sunscreen on over a wound or stitches), or pets who like to expose their bellies to the sun all benefit from the application of sunscreen during the hot summer months.

If you plan to use human sunscreen on your pet, choose one that is hypo-allergenic and fragrance free. Avoid using human sunscreen in a place your pet is likely to lick it off; licking off the sunscreen not only defeats the purpose, but ingesting sunscreen can be harmful to your pet. For lickable areas and/or for easier application, opt for a pet-specific sunscreen (you can find a good one at doggles.com).

If you’re on Twitter,  you know that some pets have twitter accounts. However it’s a pretty safe bet that their humans are the ones doing the actual tweeting. Last month however, Sony released a device that will allow cats to do their own twittering.

This device is an actual collar that your cat wears around his or neck, and contains an accelerometer, a GPS, and a built-in camera. The accelerometer (a fancy word for motion detector) for example is designed to detect when your cat is on the move, sleeping or eating. Once it has detected your cat’s activities, it will send a tweet via Bluetooth.

The prototype contains 11pre-set phrases, although Sony plans to add more over time. My only question: is Sony planning to make these collars break-away for maximum safety?

Natural Balance is one of the few pet foods I recommend without hesitation when someone says they need a good “hypo-allergenic” dog food formula. I have tremendous respect for this company’s values and for its commitment to providing consumers with quality cat and dog food. And despite their current recall, my opinion of this company remains extremely high.

On Friday June 18th, Natural Balance issued a voluntary recall for their 5 lb. and 28 lb. Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog food, manufactured on December 17, 2009 with a “Best By” date of June 17, 2011. A random sampling of this product tested positive for Salmonellaby the FDA. No consumers have called to report that their dogs have come down withSalmonella after eating this food, and testing by both Natural Balance’s in-house laboratory and an independent laboratory failed to reproduce the FDA’s finding of this food being contaminated with Salmonella.

Regardless, consumers are requested not to feed the recalled to their pet. If you have a bag of the recalled food, please return it to the store where you purchased it for a full refund. I highly recommend reading a letter written by Natural Balance’s president and founder for full details on the recall.