Discover Everything !!!: Pet Care

Showing posts with label Pet Care. Show all posts

Pet Care

Stem Cell Therapy for Cats and Dogs?

For decades, researchers have touted stem cells as a potential treatment for a number of diseases. Doctors already use stem cells to treat people with leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood disorders as well as for some solid cancer tumors.

Pets can also take advantage of stem cell treatments. "Used for appropriate conditions, I think this therapy will significantly help a large number of animals. In the right instances, the results have already been astounding," says Sean Owens, DVM, DACVP. He's an associate professor at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and medical director for the school's Regenerative Medicine Laboratory.

The most common and successful veterinary use of stem cells treats osteoarthritis in dogs, as well as injuries to bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and the spinal cord. Early research also shows that stem cells might successfully treat dry eye in dogs and stomatitis -- a severe, painful oral disease -- in cats. In the future, pets and people could benefit from stem cell therapy for chronic diseases such as diabetes and autoimmune diseases such as lupus, Owens says.

What Is Stem Cell Therapy?

A stem cell is a blank slate that can become any type of cell, with the potential to regenerate tissue in a part of the body where disease has damaged it and caused it to lose function.

Pet stem cell therapy uses stem cells from the bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, or fat of either your pet or another animal of the same species. A veterinarian injects the stem cells into the diseased area, such as a knee joint damaged by osteoarthritis. The cells move to the inflamed or damaged tissue, suppress the inflammation, relieve pain, and cause new tissue to grow. This new tissue is more like the original tissue than the scar tissue that would typically grow in an untreated inflamed area, Owens explains.

Stem cell therapy is not for every pet or every condition. Beware of veterinarians who claim it's a cure-all. It's not for every budget, either. A course of two to three injections can run $2,000 or more. If you have the resources and your pet still has several good years ahead of him, stem cell therapy might be a good option. Find a veterinarian who has experience with the therapy and ask lots of questions, including not only if your dog or cat would be a good candidate but why.

First-Aid Tricks for Pet Emergencies

You’re probably prepared in case a member of your family cuts himself or gets injured. But do you know what to do if your pet chokes on a bone or has a seizure?

Knowing some basic pet first-aid techniques could mean the difference between life and death.

Here are some common pet emergencies and what to do on the spot, before you head to the vet.

Hit by Car

An animal in pain is more likely to bite. So muzzle it first with a scarf, belt, or towel, unless it’s vomiting. Get the animal off the road by gently sliding it onto a towel or blanket (these should be in your car's first-aid kit). Don't lift the animal. Make sure it’s warm, as it may be in shock. If it seems to have any broken bones, roll up a magazine or newspaper to use as a splint.

Poisoned

Many household items can be dangerous to dogs and cats -- everything from antifreeze, insecticides, and aspirin to raisins and sugar-free gum. But don't panic. Many of these have antidotes. Call the Animal Poison Control hotline at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680 immediately. They can probably help you even before you get to the vet.

Choking

If your pet is unconscious, open its mouth and try to clear the object out with your fingers. Or hang a small animal from its back legs and try to shake the object out. If the animal is conscious, do a modified Heimlich maneuver. Place the pet on its side, applying pressure right behind the ribs and pressing your hands forward. This may help push the item out. Get someone else to drive to the vet so you can continue to do this on the way.

Seizures

A seizure will generally pass on its own in less than 3 minutes. Your job is to make sure the animal is safe while it's happening. Get any movable furniture away from the pet. Don't put your hands or your face near the animal's mouth, and don't pull its tongue out of the mouth. Unlike humans, animals won't swallow their tongues during a seizure. When the seizure is over, contact your vet.

Dog Bites

If another dog bites your pet, get to the clinic as soon as possible. Dog bites can pull a lot of hair and debris into the wound. If it’s not cleaned out soon, it can become infected.

Bee and Wasp Stings

Bee and wasp stings usually cause just minor swelling and itching. If you can see the stinger, use a credit card to scrape it out, or pull it out with tweezers. An antihistamine like Benadryl will relieve some of the symptoms, but call your vet to ask how much to give. If you notice any swelling on the face or neck, or hives all over the body, get the animal to the vet right away. This could be a severe anaphylactic reaction -- a definite emergency.

Heatstroke

If your animal is panting heavily, drooling, having trouble breathing, or showing other symptoms of heatstroke, move it to a shady area immediately. Put a cool, wet cloth around its neck and head (not its face). You can also gently hose the animal down with cool water, especially the belly, before transporting it to the vet.

10 Things Professionals Want You to Know About Pet Care

It can be difficult to stay on top of what's best for your own health and well-being, so knowing what's good for your pet may seem a little confusing.
Keep your feline friends and canine companions healthy and happy by following these 10 pet care tips the pros want you to know.

1. Regular Exams are Vital

Just like you, your pet can get heart problems, develop arthritis, or have a toothache. The best way to prevent such problems or catch them early is to see your veterinarian every year.
Regular exams are "the single most important way to keep pets healthy," says Kara M. Burns, MS, Med, LVT, president of the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians.
Annual vet visits should touch on nutrition and weight control, says Oregon veterinarian Marla J. McGeorge, DVM, as well as cover recommended vaccinations, parasite control, dental exam, and health screenings.

2. Spay and Neuter Your Pets

Eight million to 10 million pets end up in U.S. shelters every year. Some are lost, some have been abandoned, and some are homeless.
Here's an easy way to avoid adding to that number -- spay and neuter your cats and dogs. It's a procedure that can be performed as early as six to eight weeks of age.
Spaying and neutering doesn't just cut down on the number of unwanted pets; it has other substantial benefits for your pet. Studies show it also lowers the risk of certain cancers, Burns tells WebMD, and reduces a pet's risk of getting lost by decreasing the tendency to roam.

3. Prevent Parasites

Fleas are the most common external parasite that can plague pets, and they can lead to irritated skin, hair loss, hot spots, and infection. Fleas can also introduce other parasites into your cat or dog. All it takes is for your pet to swallow one flea, and it can to end up with tapeworms, the most common internal parasite affecting dogs and cats.
Year-round prevention is key, says McGeorge, who suggests regular flea and intestinal parasite control, as well as heartworm prevention in endemic areas.
Because some parasite medications made for dogs can be fatal to cats, talk to your vet about keeping your precious pets worm-free, flea-free -- and safe.

4. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Many dogs and cats in the U.S. are overweight or obese. And just like people, obesity in pets comes with health risks that include diabetes, arthritis, and cancer.
Overfeeding is the leading cause of obesity, says Douglas, who adds that keeping our pets trim can add years to their lives.
Because pets need far fewer calories than most of us think -- as little as 185-370 a day for a small, inactive dog; just 240-350 calories daily for a 10-pound cat -- talk to your vet, who can make feeding suggestions based on your pet's age, weight, and lifestyle.

5. Get Regular Vaccinations

For optimal health, pets need regular vaccinations against common ills, such as rabies, distemper, feline leukemia, and canine hepatitis.
How often your dog or cat needs to be immunized depends on their age, lifestyle, health, and risks, says McGeorge, so talk to your vet about the vaccinations that make sense for your pet.

6. Provide an Enriched Environment

An enriched environment is another key to the long-term health and welfare of your canine and feline friends, says C.A. Tony Buffington, DVM, PhD, a veterinary nutritionist and professor at Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center in Columbus.
Pets need mental stimulation, say the pros, which may mean daily walks for your pooch, and scratching posts, window perches, and toys for your cat. It means play time with you, which not only keeps your pet's muscles toned and boredom at bay, it also strengthens your bond with your four-footed companions.

7. ID Microchip Your Pet

Lack of identification means as few as 14% of pets ever find their way home after getting lost. Fortunately, "microchipping allows for the pet to be reunited with its family," no matter how far away it is when found, Burns says.
About the size of a rice grain, a microchip is inserted under the skin in less than a second. It needs no battery and can be scanned by a vet or an animal control officer in seconds.
Be sure to register the chip ID with the chip's maker. A current registration is the vital last step in making certain your pet can always find his way home.

8. Pets Need Dental Care, Too

Just like you, your pet can suffer from gum disease, tooth loss, and tooth pain. And just like you, regular brushing and oral cleanings help keep your pet's teeth strong and healthy.
"Dental disease is one of the most common preventable illnesses in pets," Ohio veterinarian Vanessa Douglas tells WebMD, "yet many people never even look in their pet's mouths."
It's estimated 80% of dogs and 70% cats show signs of dental disease by age three, leading to abscesses, loose teeth, and chronic pain. In addition to regular dental cleanings by your vet, "periodontal disease can be avoided by proper dental care by owners," Douglas says. Owner care includes brushing, oral rinses, and dental treats. Your vet is a good source of information about brushing techniques, oral rinses, and dental treats.

9. Never Give Pets People Medication

Medicines made for humans can kill your pet, says Georgia veterinarian Jean Sonnenfield, DVM. As a matter of fact, in 2010 the ASPCA listed human drugs in the top 10 pet toxins.
NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen are the most common pet poisoning culprits, but antidepressants, decongestants, muscle relaxants, and acetaminophen are just a few of the human drugs that pose health risks to pets. Human drugs can cause kidney damage, seizures, and cardiac arrest in a dog or cat.
If you suspect your pet has consumed your medication -- or anything toxic -- call the 24-hour ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Also be sure to immediately check with your vet, and if it is during evening or weekend hours when your regular veterinary clinic may be closed, check for a local 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic and take your pet there for an examination. Many metropolitan areas have these clinics.

10. Proper Restraint in a Vehicle

You buckle up for safety when you're in the car, shouldn't your pet? Unrestrained pets in a car are a distraction to the driver, and can put driver and pet at risk for serious injury, "or worse," says veterinarian Douglas. To keep pets safe in transit:

Never allow pets to travel in the front seat, where they're at risk of severe injury or death if the airbag deploys.
Don't let dogs ride with their head out the window or untethered in the back of a truck bed. Both practices put them at risk of being thrown from the vehicle in the event of an accident.
To keep pets safe, confine cats to carriers, suggests Douglas, then secure the carrier with a seatbelt. For dogs, there's the option of a special harness attached to a seat belt, or a well-secured kennel.

Pet Food Recalls

Last spring, I bought a brand of cat food I'd never tried before. My two cats seemed to like it, but I noticed that they were a bit sluggish for a few days. Then I heard about the infamous pet food recall from Menu Foods and realized that the new food was on the list. I called the vet immediately and took "the kits" in later that same day. Much to my chagrin, anger and worry, blood tests revealed that they were both suffering from compromised kidney function -- one of the problems caused by the contaminated pet food.
In the end, thanks to my committed veterinarian and weeks of intensive (and expensive!) treatment, the kits ended up being just fine. A tentative settlement agreement has been reached for the class action lawsuit that resulted from the recall. If your pet ate any of the recalled food, find out how to submit a claim.
How do we keep our pets safe from contaminated pet food, especially with bad news breaking every few months? You could feed your dogs and cats the so-called BARF diet (Bones And Raw Food), which is a homemade approach to pet food that mimics what animals eat in the wild. But if that's going a bit far for you, consider these pet food safety tips.

Stay informed. Prevention may be the best medicine, but it's nearly impossible to prevent what you can't predict. One of the best things you can do is to regularly check for recalled pet foods. The Humane Society of the United States has a Pet Food Safety Center that reports pet food and pet treat recalls.
Stay really informed. Does the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulate pet food? Sort of. Pet food products don't require pre-market approval by the FDA, but the organization does ensure that ingredients used in pet food are safe and have "an appropriate function" in pet food. Get more information about the FDA regulations and check for known pet food recalls.
Take action. If your pets have eaten a recalled product, immediately stop feeding that product to them. Make a vet appointment right away, even if your pet doesn't show any symptoms. (Symptoms of illness from eating tainted food can include lethargy, vomiting, or changes in "bathroom" habits. But don't wait for any of those to show up.) I believe that early intervention brought my cats back to health after they ate the recalled food.
Report problems. If you suspect that your pet has eaten contaminated food, file a formal complaint with your state FDA's Consumer Complaint Coordinator
Take political action. There is a bill before the U.S. Congress known as the Human and Pet Food Safety Act of 2007. It proposes to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Among other things, it would require food labels to be clearer and more comprehensive and would establish an early warning system for contaminated food products. The Humane Society urges you to contact your congressperson and senator to show your support for this bill by calling them and submitting an email petition.

The bottom line is to stay informed and to take action when necessary. These are relatively simple steps that can make a big difference for all pets. I'm going to add a note to my calendar to check for recalls every week-better safe than sorry.

How Should You Care for Your Pet During the Holidays?

It's that time of year, again. The holiday music has started. The door-buster sales are buzzing. The family is gathering at Grandma's -- and you're trying to figure out how to squeeze Fluffy into a carry-on.
Holiday traveling is stressful. Whether going on a plane, train or automobile, adding your pet as your passenger doesn't make things any easier. The roads are busier, airports are crowded and flights are packed. Whether your family is opting to travel without your furry friend or plan to invite him to bon voyage, you need to be prepared. So if taking Fido to the family function or leaving him at home, here is everything you need to know - and prepare, for pet travel and at-home pet care, to make sure this season is hairball-free!

Leaving a Pet at Home

If your family decides the hustle and bustle of pet travel is too much around the holidays, there are other options that can give you peace of mind.

Place your pet in a kennel. Although this option can be expensive, kennels can provide excellent care. They take care of animals all year round, have the comforts of home a pet needs and some states have specific kennel laws. Research kennels online prior to dropping off your pet as there may be differences in prices and availability. Just be warned: they tend to book up fast around the holidays.

Hire a pet sitter. Pet sitters can be a great alternative to kennel care (and often a cheaper option). Most pet sitters will watch your pet at their residence but some can also come by your house if your pet is more comfortable at home. Typically, pet sitters will stay with your pet for a majority of the day or will check in on him frequently. An experienced pet sitter will watch your dog or cat, keep up on training, take your dog for walks and be a friendly, loving face while you are away.

Hire a dog walker. A dog walker coming by twice a day to take your dog on walks while your family is away is often the cheapest option. This could be the least expensive option if you are only going away for a short time, your pet is comfortable being alone, and he only needs a few breaks a day to run and play.

Pet Airline Travel

Before you go to the airport, make sure you and your pet are ready for travel. Check with the airline. It's so important to know what is allowed and what isn't so you aren't surprised when you arrive.

Booking Your Tickets

Research restrictions. Some breeds are restricted and cannot be checked. Most of the restricted breeds are short-nosed dog breeds (such as the American Bulldog, Pug, King Charles spaniel, etc). Refer to your airline to make sure your pet is allowed to be checked. If the breed is restricted, you must carry-on your pet.
Book early. A limited number of animals are allowed on each flight so to ensure your pet is accommodated, book your reservation early.
Find your flight. Go online and look at the flights you wish take to your destination and decide what days you want to travel.
Call to book your pet. Pets cannot be booked online. Call the airline's Reservations phone number and ask the agent to check for pet availability (checked or carry-on). If they have availability on the flight, book your flight online (it's $25 for you to book your ticket over the phone so you save money by booking online) and then call them back to book your pet.
Budget for the fee. Pets will carry a fee associated with their travel. Ask the airline what their prices and policies are. (Note most pet fees are non-refundable so you want to be certain your pet is coming with you before you book his ticket.) Fees associated with pets can be $75-$125 for a carry-on pet and $175-$250 for a checked pet each way.

Carrying-on Your Pet

Know the rules. Carry-on pets are not allowed on transatlantic flights, pets cannot come out of their carrier, and only one animal is allowed per customer.
Check the fit. Make sure your carrier meets the requirements. You can find carrier dimensions guidelines on most airline websites which will let you know the maximum size of cabin pet carriers. Some airlines may allow carriers 19" long x 13" wide x 9" high while others may allow a maximum of 17" long x 12.5" wide x 8.5" high so research ahead of time. There may also be restrictions on the type of carrier you can use (leak proof bottom, etc). Click on your airline's Pet Policy guide below to see what the maximum size and other restrictions are.
Travel light. Your pet carrier will count as your one personal carry-on item. Use a pet carrier with side pockets. Store all necessary items in the side pockets and check all other baggage.

Checking Your Pets

Go inside. Pets must be checked at the ticket counter. Pets cannot be checked with curbside services or at the Self-Service kiosks.

What to Bring

Required vaccinations and documentation for each destination you are flying to (only if you are flying internationally)
Pet's license and identification tags
Favorite toys-to give him a sense of home!
Blanket/comfortable bed (Some airlines, like JetBlue, carry great Pet Travel Kits available for purchase.)
Leash
Things your pet will need in the travel destination
Snacks and treats
Puppy pads (just in case)

Dog Walking and Pet Exercise

Having someone come in the middle of the day to walk the dog, give him water, and keep him company is the obvious first choice for many. Through a service like Care.com, it's pretty simple to find pet care. Someone nearby can come walk your dog for an hour at lunch for anywhere between $10 and $25 a day, depending on where you live. Different cities will have different rates--the cost of Boston Pet Care may be different than the cost of New York Pet Care. If you live in a state with many major cities, like California, we suggest checking out the rates for San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego Pet Care so you can compare rates before you hire a pet sitter. (That is, it's simple once you get over the idea of a stranger in your house when you're not home and of giving them a set of your keys.) Pet caregivers who come to your home to care for your cats may also charge by the hour or by the job depending on the type of care needed. If your cat sitter is coming in to feed, brush, administer medication and play with your cats, expect the rate of pay to increase. Additionally, most pet caregivers will charge more if they're caring for more than one pet at a time.
Most dog walkers charge an increased fee to come more than once a day (at lunch and after work, for instance), so that $60 a week (at $12 a day) can quickly became $90. For people who are frequently away on weekends for conferences, traditional dog walkers can be extremely expensive (for overnights especially), which means you'll need a supplementary pet sitting option. Cat owners who travel frequently may also need to consider supplementary care, as daily fees for regular checking in by a caregiver, for various tasks, really add up.

Doggie and Kitty Day Care

For $18 a day (most run between $15 and $35, again depending on where you live), you can drop off your dog any time between 6 and 10 a.m. and pick him up any time until 7 p.m. The hours of day care operation vary by business, so be sure the place you choose works well with your schedule. The dogs can play all day, indoors and out, with a cast of other dogs big and small, and came home each day happy and exhausted.
Many doggie day care centers offer overnight and weekend sitting for just a few dollars more, which can be convenient and comfortable for your dog since they're already comfortable with the place and the people. Some day care centers cater to cats and other small animals, and offer overnight boarding as well, just be sure you're satisfied with the safety and security, as well as the feeding and exercise regime available to the various pets.

Veterinarian Boarding

Most veterinarians provide kennel space for boarding. Since a veterinarian's kennel houses both sick and healthy animals, make sure you check with the vet about how the boarding accommodations are handled. Find out how much time, if any, your pet will be allowed out of his or her primary enclosure each day. Some veterinarians have indoor runs, some have outdoor runs, and some have no runs at all. Keep in mind that an austere kennel in a busy veterinary office can be a very stressful atmosphere. However, having an animal doctor on site has undeniable advantages.

Pets Need Stability

Whichever pet care option(s) you choose, make sure they meet and anticipate your needs (and your pet's) in the long term. If you live in an urban area, pet care -- much like food, entertainment and rent -- will be readily available but at a premium price. If you live in the suburbs or a more rural area, expect to have to hunt a bit more for pet care options, but once found, you'll most likely pay less for that pet care than you would in the city.
No matter where you live, however, remember that pets are more affected by change than humans, and need routine and structure to be the happy, healthy pets you love and hoped to have. Their behavior (good and bad) will depend on the regularity of care and number of caregivers, so do your homework, make sure your bases are covered, and feel confident that the options you choose are ones you can afford to sustain.

10 Signs Your Family is Ready for A Pet

Pets can be an important part of family life, but knowing the right time to bring an animal into your home is tricky. To learn more about how parents can tell if their kids are ready for a pet, we talked to Gina DiNardo, a spokesperson at the American Kennel Club; KC Theisen, director of pet care issues for The Humane Society of the United States; Lisl Fair, author of "Good Enough Parenting" and Colleen Pelar, author of "Living with Kids and Dogs ... Without Losing Your Mind."
Here they offer their insight on what you should know before adding a pet to your family.

Your Child Is Comfortable Around Animals
Getting a pet isn't the cure for a fear of animals. "A fearful child is more likely to make a mistake around animals," says Theisen, so work on building up your child's comfort level in ways other than getting your own pet. Visit an animal shelter or spend time with friends' pets. Begin by introducing your child to calm animals, such as older dogs, rather than puppies.
"Some children are naturally scared of animals, and parents should not force their children to touch or interact with a pet; rather, let the example of how you interact with the pet guide them out of their fears," says Fair.
Your Child Shows Respect for Animals
Kids must respect the guidelines for appropriate behavior around animals. For example, they must understand pets should not be tugged or hit. They must be touched gently and left alone while eating. Just because a child wants to interact with a pet doesn't mean it's an appropriate time to do so, and kids need to have the self-control to leave the animal alone.
Your Child Can Handle Family Tasks
How does your child do when you ask him to unload the dishwasher or set the table? If he's taking care of his current responsibilities, he might be ready to participate in pet care.
Your Child Remembers to Brush Teeth Without Reminders
Fair suggests remembering to brush one's teeth every day without being reminded is a good indication of a child's maturity level and readiness for pet care.
"If the child is going to have the main responsibility for the pet, it is best to wait until they are pre-teen to early teens," DiNardo says. "Before that, they can help out, but some important care-giving aspects, like walks and training, cannot be done alone by a child."
No matter the age of your child, however, expect to do spot checks on how they're doing, and be prepared to take over the responsibilities if they're not following through.
Your Children Are Truly Committed to the Idea of Getting a Pet
Make sure your child is in this for the long haul before bringing your new pet home. Determine whether the wish for a pet is a passing fad or a desire that will stick around, even when pet ownership feels like a chore. As Theisen says, "The novelty wears off."
Your Children Want a Pet That Is the Best Fit for the Whole Family
Children need to understand not every pet will be right for your family. Pelar says every animal needs enrichment, but some need more than others, so consider which pets fit the time and space you have available. Birds require the most time investment, followed by dogs, then cats.
The American Kennel Club offers information to help families who are interested in dog ownership select the right breed. Additionally, Fair points out that small animals aren't always a good fit in a family with very small children: "Toddlers could easily love smaller pets to death."
Your Child Has a Lot of Energy
If your child loves running around in the yard, going to the park and playing outside, a pet may help him or her get all of that extra energy out. If your children are old enough, they can walk the dog together after dinner to get some exercise or you can all go as a family.
Your Family Has Given Pet Ownership a Trial Run
"Spend time with pets before acquiring one," Theisen encourages. Pelar suggests offering to take on a weekend of dog sitting in your own home, so kids can experience what it's like to have a animal in their everyday environment. Cats, however, are not a good animal for a pet-sitting experience; a change in environment stresses cats, so it's not a good idea to bring one into your home for the weekend.
Your Entire Family Is On Board
"The entire family should be engaged in the adoption of a new pet," says Theisen. If anyone in your house is allergic to animals or doesn't like them, then your family needs to respect that. Pet ownership can be a rewarding experience, but if the whole family doesn't support the idea, then this isn't the right time to get a pet.
You're Prepared to Take on the Responsibility
Lastly, if your family is going to get a pet, the adults in the house need to assume responsibility for the animal. Pelar says the appropriate way to think about it is that you are getting a family pet in whose care the children can participate, rather than expecting your children will be the main caretakers. Even if your child shows every sign of readiness, if you're not ready, then it's not the right time.

There are many benefits to having pets. They provide companionship, lessons in responsibility, emotional well-being and countless other perks. However, pet ownership is only a good thing when your family is ready for it. If you're considering bringing an animal into your family, let our experts' advice guide your decision, so your introduction to pet ownership will be the best it can be.

How to Interview a Pet Sitter

You love your pet and want it to have the best care at all times. But sometimes you can't be there to provide it. So you need to look into finding pet care options in your area. One considerable choice may be a pet sitter, who comes to your house to look after, walk, feed and play with your four-legged family member. But choosing a pet sitter is not a task you should approach casually. Once you've posted a pet care job on Care.com, the applicants will start rolling in. But how do you choose one?
The interview process is key. You need to interview candidates with the same care you would when interviewing a babysitter or nanny. Go through the applications you receive and narrow the choices down to a handful that show promise. Reach out to the candidates and set up interviews -- in-person if possible. Here are nine questions you should ask during the interview process to help determine the best match for you and your pet:

Why Do You Like Being a Pet Sitter?
Starting with an open-ended question like this gives you the opportunity to assess the sitter's level of enthusiasm for animals and for this type of job. If a person seems animated about this field, it may be something she's doing because she actually enjoys it -- not just as a way to earn some extra cash.

Will You Play with My Pet?
Bring your pet along to interview to see how compatible it is with the sitter. All the training in the world doesn't matter if your pet doesn't get along with the person you're interviewing. Sometimes pets have an instant negative reaction to a person. See how the candidate interacts with the pet. Is she comfortable playing with and being around your animal?

What Training Have You Received?
Having someone who is enthusiastic is important, but also ask what type of actual training the person has had. This may include a degree of some sort. A Veterinary Technician who is licensed to give shots, help with exams and assist in surgery would be quite a catch. In lieu of that, make sure the sitter can spot health problems and react accordingly.

What Previous Experience Have You Had?
Has she cared for similar types of pets in the past? What did the sitter like and dislike about these experiences? What did she learn from them?

What Services Do You Provide?
Do you want your pet to be groomed while you are gone? Do you think it's important that he spend at least an hour a day catching a Frisbee. Do you want a sitter to provide a checklist of what she did with your pet? A pet sitter can do all these things. But you need to find out if your pet sitter will do them. And ask specific questions. What types of grooming products does she use? What does she look for in a dog park?

Do You Have a Contract?
A contract that lists services and fees is good for your peace of mind. (Although this is information on a nanny contract, read this article about contracts to get an idea on what a contract should say and provide for). Read any contract thoroughly before signing, so you know what you're getting. For example, make sure the pet sitter doesn't have a clause in her contract that states "Will feed but will not water."

Can You Provide References?
You really want a pet sitter who can prove that he or she satisfied customers before she got to you. Call the references and ask what their experience with the sitter was like.

Are You Bonded and Insured?
This would cover many dire contingencies(accidents, negligence, theft of your property, etc,).

How Many Other Pets Are You Currently Sitting for?
You want to make sure she has enough time to care for your pet. If she also watches over numerous other animals, she may not be able to devote lots of special attention to yours.

Remember that this interview isn't only about you and your pet. The pet sitter should be asking you as many questions as you are asking her. If the candidate doesn't seem curious about your pet or isn't asking thoughtful questions, that is a red flag.

Pets Can Improve Your Health and Aid in Recovery

There is now evidence showing that domestic animals not only provide great companionship, but they can also help prevent illness. A recent study conducted by the University of Minnesota has highlighted the importance of regular contact with pets. The study showed that having a cat for a pet can reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke by just under 50 percent.

The study included 4,500 adults between the ages of 30 and 75 years. The study participants were followed for 10 years. The conclusion was that cat owners had a 40 percent lower risk of a fatal heart attack.

The correlation between stress and anxiety and cardiovascular problems has been standard information for years. The conclusion is that owning pets relieves some of the factors leading to these health problems. Another study published in 2007 concluded that dog owners had lower cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure. Again, the conclusion is that dogs (as well as cats) directly improve humans' health by improving stress levels.

Owning a pet can also improve a patient's chances of survival after suffering a life-threatening illness. The effect pets have on blood pressure is thought to be the reason. Pets also help cut rehabilitation time following a stroke.

There is a charity that takes pets to patient centers to aid patients in their various recoveries. It is called Pets as Therapy (PAT) and was formed in 1983 by a group of pet owners who were sure that their pets could help others in need. Their initial goal was to help elderly patients who had been forced to give up their own pets to enter care facilities. The mission of PAT has grown over the years to now encompass the animals being used for desensitization in phobia patients, for aiding in stroke rehabilitation, for helping people regain the use of limbs again and for relearning how to talk.

There are thousands of facilities that PAT animals frequent each year. After a slow start, there is now a waiting list. There are currently 3,600 dogs and 92 cats that work in the organization. The animals wear a brightly colored PAT vest and they are always freshly groomed to ensure sanitary conditions for patients.

Each PAT animal is carefully assessed prior to using them to make sure that they are properly behaved and will remain calm when they come into contact with patients.

Part of the benefit of pet ownership, especially among the elderly, is that a pet fulfills a need to be needed. Very often the emotional support given freely by an animal is far more meaningful than what can be offered by a human. Studies have also shown that children who have pets have higher self-esteem and are more emotionally secure and stable. Some teachers are even introducing pets into their classrooms to enhance the learning environment for children.

Workable Solutions To Pet “Problems”

It is not surprising that almost 65 percent of households have at least one animal companion. There is more than ample evidence that having companion animals can have all kinds of benefits. According to the Center for Disease Control, pets can decrease your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels and feelings of loneliness, and increase your opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities and also opportunities for socialization. Furthermore, pets have been found to reduce stress, anxiety and depression, shorten hospital stays, help people recuperate faster, and even act as an early warning system for serious health incidents like heart attacks and seizures.

Even with all of this evidence, there is a deep-rooted resistance to allowing pets in association-run housing. Condos and other CIDs (home owners associations, co-ops and mobile home parks) often come with no-pet deed restrictions. The common complaints are pet droppings, barking, jumping on people, and allergies.

All around the country, animal activists and Responsible Dog Owners groups work to educate people to clean up after their dogs. In a number of places, these groups have successfully instituted dog parks and dog beaches. There are other things besides education, to help deal with the poop issue. There are pooper-scoopers, even some with long handles to minimize bending, to make it easier for people to do self clean-up, and poop freeze products to get rid of the smell. Wouldn't it be less expensive to create special dog walk areas, complete with plastic bag dispensers and waste receptacles - or to even hire a waste removal service than to hire lawyers to remove people's pets?

Incessant barking is definitely undesirable. How to deal with inappropriate barking? People who live close to their neighbors may have to choose between having a barking dog or opening doors and windows for fresh air flow. It is just not neighborly to have a dog barking out of an open porch. Part of general obedience training can be barking control. Training can help reduce barking. A segment of The View showed Cesar Milan, "The Dog Whisperer" training Joy Behar's dogs not to bark out of control every time she walked out of her apartment. Some barking, though, is a good thing; it warns of danger.

Jumping is another issue that can be solved with training. Dogs need regular exercise. And they need general obedience training. Like Cesar Milan says, the person has to become the pack leader, the boss. Also, dogs walked in common areas should be properly restrained. A condo is no place to let a dog loose.

The allergy issue is a spurious reason to deny pets. If pets are banned because of possible allergies to them, then there should also be bans on cigarettes, perfumes and home deodorizing products. If a building allows scents to travel between units, any of these items could be allergens. Consult an engineer, HVAC specialist or an air filtration expert for assistance determining whether allergens from your animal are infiltrating other units and for possible solutions, if needed.

Outside in the common areas is a different story. Unless people are in close quarters with the "offending" pet, there is no reason for objection. If you have a neighbor who is allergic, you should have the courtesy to not bring your pet right up next to them. Let them use the elevators and wait your turn to bring your pet on the elevator. When you really think about it, pets are not the problem. Irresponsible owners/guardians are the problem. It is not the dogs who fail to use a plastic bag or pooper scooper to clean up the poop. It is not the dogs who leave doors and screens open so that barking becomes a problem even in condos with thick concrete walls. It's a problem when a relatively few irresponsible people ruin it for everyone else.

It is such a natural human desire to have a furry companion that every condo has people hiding pets. Why are animal companions so desired? According to cardiologist Stephen Sinatra, studies have shown that patients who suffer heart attacks but own pets are likely to have five times the survival rate of patients who are not pet owners. The simple act of petting an animal is known to cause a person's blood pressure to drop, says Alan Beck, ScD, director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond. Research has shown that pets can relieve stress, alleviate loneliness, lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels.

Here are some guidelines (if you're a building manager or property landlord) that have worked other places, to allow animal lovers to live peacefully with their neighbors:

* Create a Pet Application to be signed by unit owners stating they will be liable for any damage caused by their pet(s). The application should include a picture of the pet(s).
* Require that animals must be on a leash or in carriers when taken outside.
* Limit the number of pets per unit to be reasonable for the space. It is actually better to have at least two pets because pets tend to be better behaved when they have company.
* Do not allow dogs with a vicious or aggressive disposition.
* Association management should NOT require de-clawing of cats. Instead, the cat owner should be responsible for any damage.
* Require proof of spay/neuter for animals who have reached 6 months of age.
* Instructions for disposal of pet waste and kitty litter should be clearly posted.
* There should be a designated area for walking dogs. An improvement on this idea is to have stations along the walk with plastic poop bag dispensers.

The Healing Power Of Pets

How does the person with the most stressful job in the country relieve the pressure? President George W. Bush does it by playing with his dog. Stroking a pet, holding a purring cat, hearing a bird sing and chirp, and even watching a fish swim in a tank can have a calming effect. Playing with pets or even watching their antics can be endlessly amusing and rewarding.

One writer said that pets are the furry form of valium. An extensive body of clinical research indicates that animal companionship helps with anxiety and depression, and even lowers blood pressure. In this high-anxiety world, going back to nature with animal companionship is just what the doctor ordered.

The mental health profession has long recognized the health benefits of having companion animals. Psychiatrists have added pet therapy to their treatment repertoire. Therapy pets are used in schools, mental institutions, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities and children's hospitals. Seniors are a target group which can greatly benefit from more opportunities to be around animals. People are retiring earlier and living longer.

More and more people are able to continue to responsibly care for pets, making it a win-win situation for the animals the people who care for them. When people cooperate by taking proper care and responsibility for their pets, there are fewer objections to having pets around. For our health and for the homeless animals, we need to have a pets-allowed environment in all types of housing. Citizens for Pets in Condos, Inc (www.petsincondos.org) is working to increase acceptance of pets in condos and other types of association-run housing.

The True Horrors Of Pet Food Revealed: Prepare To Be Shocked By What Goes Into Dog Food And Cat Food

If you check the labels on grocery store foods, you've probably already begun to see that the list of ingredients doesn't always tell the whole truth about what's in your food. The same goes for your pets' food. Behind innocent-sounding words like "meat byproducts" and "meat meal" are horrific manufacturing practices that would turn your stomach. The nutritional considerations of pet foods go beyond the sources of meat in them. Pet food manufacturers add dangerous preservatives and vitamin fortifications that actually make your pets' food less healthy.

What mysterious "meat byproducts" really are

Let's start with what usually appears as the protein source and the primary ingredient in pet food: Meat byproducts or meat meal. Both are euphemisms for the parts of animals that wouldn't be considered meat by any smart consumer. The well-known phrase "meat byproducts" is a misnomer since these byproducts contain little, if any, meat. These are the parts of the animal left over after the meat has been stripped away from the bone. "Chicken by-products include head, feet, entrails, lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, liver, stomach, bones, blood, intestines, and any other part of the carcass not fit for human consumption," writes Henry Pasternak in Healing Animals with Nature's Cures. Meat meal can contain the boiled down flesh of animals we would find unacceptable for consumption. This can include zoo animals, road kill, and 4-D (dead, diseased, disabled, dying) livestock. Most shockingly, this also can include dogs and cats. That's right, your pets could be cannibals. Fast Food Nation author Eric Schlosser writes, "Although leading American manufacturers promise never to put rendered pets into their pet food, it is still legal to do so. A Canadian company, Sanimal Inc., was putting 40,000 pounds of dead dogs and dead cats into its dog and cat food every week, until discontinuing the practice in June 2001. "This food is healthy and good," said the company's vice president of procurement, responding to critics, ''but some people don't like to see meat meal that contains any pets."

How roadkill ends up in Fido's food bowl

The process that turns these animals and animal parts into pet food is also disgusting. After all, it takes a lot to turn roadkill into something owners feel good about pouring into their pets' bowls. Ann M. Martin describes the process in Food Pets Die For: "At the rendering plant a machine slowly grinds the entire mess in huge vats. Then this product is cooked at temperatures between 220 degrees Fahrenheit and 270 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes to one hour. The mixture is centrifuged (spun at a high speed) and the grease (or tallow) rises to the top and it is removed from the mixture. The grease becomes the source of animal fat in most pet foods. Oftentimes, when you open a standard can of dog food, you will see a top layer of fat. The centrifuged product is the source of that fat, which is meant to entice a hungry dog or cat. After the grease is removed in the rendering process, the remaining material is dried. Meat meal, and meat and bone meal are the end product of this process. This dried material is usually found in dry pet food."

Chemical dangers lurk in commercial pet food

Rendering practices aren't just gross; they're also dangerous for your pets. The chemicals used to euthanize zoo animals, dogs and cats can survive the cooking process, which means these chemicals end up in pet food, and ultimately, in your pet. Martin writes, "Euthanized cats and dogs often end up in rendering vats along with other questionable material to make meat meal, and meat and bone meal. This can be problematic because sodium pentobarbital can withstand the heat from rendering. For years, some veterinarians and animal advocates have known about the potential danger of sodium pentobarbital residue in commercial pet food, yet the danger has not been alleviated." In short, that means the poisons designed to kill pets are the same ones being fed to them. Now that you know pet food manufacturers will seemingly go to any length to fill their foods with the cheapest sources of protein they can find, you probably won't be surprised to find out that the other ingredients in pet foods aren't much better. Cheap grain fillers, cellulose to bulk up the food, preservatives and poorly monitored vitamin and mineral supplements round out the recipe. In Healing Pets with Nature's Miracle Cures, Henry Pasternak writes, "Remember, pet foods are primarily processed, grain-based diets. These foods are 'fortified' with synthetic B vitamins, which can cause a subclinical B vitamin deficiency." Martin mentions in Food Pets Die For that one bag of dog food was overloaded with so much zinc that she had to take her dog to the vet because he became ill. She took the bag of food to an independent lab to verify that the zinc content of the food was 20 times the recommended daily allowance for dogs.
Preservatives in dog and cat foods keep the foods seemingly fresh for long periods of time: "Unfortunately, harmful chemical preservatives and other artificial additives are the norm in most pet foods. Some are intentionally added by the manufacturer, while others come from the herbicides, insecticides, and pesticides used by farmers to boost crop yields," Pasternak writes. While some pet food companies have decided to use less harmful preservatives and natural preservatives, most pet food companies don't find these ingredients to be cost effective.
So what should you do with this information? Many pet owners are discovering there are more natural alternatives to commercial pet food. Natural health food stores usually stock a few varieties of organic or all-natural pet foods. There are other owners who go even further and prepare their pets' foods from real, whole ingredients. Though this might not be for everyone, some owners say it's worth the peace of mind, and it helps them feel closer to their animal companions. Be aware though, that once your pet finds out what real, whole foods take like, they may not want to go back: "I used to feed my cat canned or dry pet food, but now I prepare her food from fresh ingredients. She thrives on raw meat," writes Debra Lynn Dadd in Home Safe Home. "She will eat canned or dry food if it is a natural brand, but if I give her pet food from the supermarket, she paws around it like she's trying to cover up something in her litter box."

The experts speak on pet food processing:
Most veterinarians acquire their only knowledge on pet nutrition in elective classes in veterinary school. These classes may only last a few weeks and are often taught by representatives from pet food companies. Hill's, lams, and Purina are the largest contributors for these courses. In addition, pet food companies even donate food to the vet students for their own companion animals. This practice has become so widespread among pet food companies that the veterinary school at Colorado State University made this an agenda item for an Executive Committee meeting in 2000. "Discussion was held on how to handle dealing with pet food companies and their donations of pet food to the university," according to the Executive

Dry food has its advantages. In fact, the dry pet food you buy in the supermarket is manufactured for your convenience as much as Fifi's and Fluffy's health. It's the nibble-at -will, no-can-opening, no-greasy-spoon, no-smelly-bowl, no-budget-busting pet food. It has lower levels of fat than canned meat because the fat seeps through the paper bags (you don't want that greasy bag on your car upholstery or in your kitchen cabinet). Fifi and Fluffy get to eat more for your money, thus getting pleasantly full tummies, while less protein, fat and digestibility keep their figures from becoming unbecomingly porcine.

Fats are necessary for good health and disease prevention. Here again, fats should be raw or unrefined—not processed. Meat, fish, eggs, or milk in their natural states are the best sources of fat. The pet food industry prepares some pet foods with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids that are claimed to be effective for treating various inflammatory diseases. However, omega-3 fatty acids are quite sensitive to heat and are destroyed and easily become rancid during processing. Cod liver oil can be added to pet foods. It is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids as well as vitamin A. Proteins

They don't need "special" diets. Your typical pet will do nicely on typical pet food. "There are a lot of marketing gimmicks in the pet food industry that aren't necessarily in the best interest of the dog," says Dr. Donoghue. It's not always a good idea, for example, to reduce protein in the diet of a healthy old dog.

Sodium Pentobarbital:
As I discuss elsewhere, euthanized cats and dogs often end up in rendering vats along with other questionable material to make meat meal, and meat and bone meal. This can be problematic because sodium pentobarbital can withstand the heat from rendering. For years, some veterinarians and animal advocates have known about the potential danger of sodium pentobarbital residue in commercial pet food, yet the danger has not been alleviated. The "Report of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Panel on Euthanasia," states, "In euthanasia of animals intended for human or animal food, chemical agents that result in tissue residue cannot be used."
Another staple of the Tenderer's diet, in addition to farm animals, is euthanized pets-the six or seven million dogs and cats that are killed in animal shelters every year. The city of Los Angeles alone, for example, sends some two hundred tons of euthanized cats and dogs to a rendering plant every month. Added to the blend are the euthanized catch of animal control agencies, and roadkill. (Roadkill is not collected daily, and in the summer, the better roadkill collection crews can generally smell it before they can see it) When this gruesome mix is ground and steam-cooked, the lighter, fatty material floating to the top gets refined for use in such products as cosmetics, lubricants, soaps, candles, and waxes. The heavier protein material is dried and pulverized into a brown powder—about a quarter of which consists of fecal material. The powder is used as an additive to almost all pet food as well as to livestock feed. Farmers call it "protein concentrates." In 1995, five million tons of processed slaughterhouse leftovers were sold for animal feed in the United States. I used to feed tons of the stuff to my own livestock. It never concerned me that I was feeding cattle to cattle.

Pet owners are horrified to learn that rendered cats and dogs can be legally recycled back into pet food. At times, this outrage leads consumers to seek change. One case in point is Valley Protein, a rendering company that operates in twenty-two states in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Southwest regions of the United States. In the first edition of Food Pets Die For, I wrote about the Baltimore City Paper reporter Van Smith who described what he observed at the Valley Protein Rendering Plant in 1995. His article was replete with photos of barrels of dead dogs and cats about to be rendered. Smith reported that there are "thousands of dead dogs, cats, raccoons, possums, deer, foxes, snakes, and the rest that local animal shelters and roadkill patrols must dispose of each month." In that same article, Smith observed, "In a gruesomely ironic twist, most inedible dead animal parts, including dead pets, end up in feed used to fatten future generations of their kind."

Pets used in Pet Food:
While researching and writing, there were times that I was absolutely horrified with what I discovered. There were other times when I was extremely frustrated with the run-around I received from government agencies, organizations involved with the pet food industry, the rendering industry, and at times, veterinary research centers. What has kept me going is the hope that pet owners will read my findings and be convinced that their pets' health is directly related to what they eat—and that most commercial pet foods are garbage. The most objectionable source of protein for pet food is euthanized cats and dogs. It is not uncommon for thousands of euthanized dogs and cats to be delivered to rendering plants, daily, and thrown into the rendering vat—collars, I.D. tags, and plastic bags—to become part of this material called "meat meal."

Extensive records had to be kept on the disposition of various animal proteins, and feeds that were now prohibited for cattle had to be clearly labeled as such. There were no new restrictions, however, on what could be fed to poultry, hogs, zoo animals, or pets. Indeed, the Grocery Manufacturers of America, the National Food Processors Association, and the pet food Institute successfully lobbied against any new labeling requirement for pet foods. These industry groups rightly worried that the FDA's proposed warning label — "Do not feed to ruminants" — might alarm consumers about what their pets were actually being fed.

The current FDA feed rules are primarily concerned with efficiency and utility, not public health. They allow cattle to be fed pigs, pigs to be fed cattle, cattle to be fed poultry, and poultry to be fed cattle. They allow dogs and cats to be fed dogs and cats. Although leading American manufacturers promise never to put rendered pets into their pet food, it is still legal to do so. A Canadian company, Sanimal Inc., was putting 40,000 pounds of dead dogs and dead cats into its dog and cat food every week, until discontinuing the practice in June 2001. "This food is healthy and good," said the company's vice president of procurement, responding to critics, "but some people don't like to see meat meal that contains any pets."

Ingredients in Pet Food:
One of the dirty little secrets kept by the pet food industry is that some by-products also contain substances such as abscesses and cancerous material. In my opinion, feeding slaughterhouse wastes to animals increases their chances of getting cancer and other degenerative diseases. Some meat, especially glandular tissue, may contain high levels of hormones, which may also cause serious health problems including cancer. Unlike bacteria and viruses, these hormones are not destroyed by the high temperatures or pressure cooking used in the manufacture of pet food. Cats seem to be most adversely affected by high hormone levels.

PET CARE Many pet foods claim to be " 100% nutritionally complete and balanced." This claim legally can be made and printed on commercial products based on information studies using isolated nutrients and not whole foods, or by feeding the complete pet food to animals for several weeks to determine whether it prevents obvious disease or malnutrition. Although motivated by an interest to assure quality for the consumer, these tests ignore important nutritional issues and give both producer and consumer a false sense of knowledge and security. Measuring a food's merit by levels of isolated nutrients tells only a partial story. There are more than forty known, essential nutrients, and more than fifty other nutrients are under investigation. Thus, making sure a food contains appropriate amounts of only a dozen of these nutrients can't possibly assure that a food is "complete."

Harmful components (and ingredients) found in Pet food:
Unfortunately, harmful chemical preservatives and other artificial additives are the norm in most pet foods. Some are intentionally added by the manufacturer, while others come from the herbicides, insecticides, and pesticides used by farmers to boost crop yields. Many pet foods advertised as "preservative-free" do, in fact, contain preservatives. As the law is currently written, manufacturers don't have to list preservatives that they themselves did not add. Many preservatives make their way into pet food at rendering plants before the meat is even sent to the manufacturer. An analysis of several pet foods labeled "chemical free" or "all natural ingredients" found synthetic antioxidants in all samples. With continued use, low levels of these synthetic antioxidants may build up in the tissues; inges-tion of small doses over time may be just as toxic as a single large dose. About 60 percent of all herbicides, 90 percent of all fungicides, and 30 percent of all insecticides are considered to be cancer causing in and of themselves.6-7

Under AAFCO guidelines, acceptable meat by-product can include animal lungs, spleens, kidneys, brains, livers, blood, bones, low-temperature fatty tissue, and stomachs and intestines freed of their contents. Livers can be infested with worms (liver flukes) or diseased with cirrhosis. Lungs can be filled with pneumonia. If an animal is diseased and declared unfit for human consumption, the carcass is acceptable for pet food. Even parts of animals, such as "stick marks,"—the area of the body where animals have been injected with antibiotics, hormones, or other drugs—are cut from the carcasses intended for human consumption and used for meat by-product for pet food.

Commission warned that a series of mysterious dog ailments at kennels in Michigan may be the result of fluoride contamination of pet foods. They noticed a high incidence of deformed puppies and pointed out that chronic effects of fluoride poisoning may not be noticeable for a long time.

After 45 weeks of producing fertile eggs plagued by hunger, debeaking, detoeing, decombing, toxic ammonia, and diseases, these breeder chickens are "liquidated" and turned into human animal "food" and nonhuman animal "feed" and pet food products.

She sees the problem all the time in older canines and felines, "usually those eight years or older." She blames the commercial pet foods and owners' irresponsibility for most of it. "There is just too much sugar in everything. You can't buy a decent brand of [pet] food anymore without there being some kind of sugar in it. An animal's system will rebel just like the human body does when excess sugar is taken into it. The same autoimmune disorder that attacks human pancreatic cells that make insulin destroys the insulin-producing capabilities in our dogs and cats."

Just as products for kids carry the same dangers as I their adult counterparts, products for pets have the same I hazards as their human counterparts—pet food contains the same carcinogenic pesticide residues, and the pesticides used in flea collars are as toxic as the pesticides used to kill any other insects. And just as babies and children are more susceptible to the effects of toxic exposures than adults, so too are animals more susceptible to the effects of toxic exposures than humans.

Slaughterhouses also provide renderers with the leftovers from slaughtered animals not fit for human consumption. Before these animal parts and by-product used for pet food are shipped from the slaughterhouse to the rendering plant, the by-product is "denatured." This means that crude carbolic acid, cresylic disinfectant, or citronella, is sprayed on the product. In the case of a whole beef or swine carcass that has been condemned, the denaturing product is injected into the entire carcass. If meat inspectors condemn only parts of an animal, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires that "before an approved denaturing agent is applied, the product must be freely slashed so that pieces are less than 4" in diameter. This allows the denaturant to contact all parts of the product."

Both animal-care professionals weren't at all reticent about vocalizing their strong opinions about this matter. Dr. Tejinder: "There are way too many chemicals in pet food that no one knows the side effects of. And the rancid fat that is used to cook a lot of this food that pets eat only complicates things more." Dr. Stefanatos: "The pesticides, preservatives, and additives in pet food reprogram the organs so their functions behave differently. No one knows the full extent of the problem, but it's there, nevertheless." The Nature of Animal Diabetes

Mad Cow and Other diseases:
Those of us who are intimately acquainted with what goes into commercial pet foods have no problem discerning where a good majority of liver disorders originate. In their January 1998 newsletter, Love of Animals, Dr. Bob Goldstein and his wife, Susan, featured an interesting article entitled, "The Truth About Canned Dog and Cat Foods." They note that many so-called "naturally preserved" pet foods contain meat by-products that usually come "from diseased cows or sick chickens." "These are terrible foods" they warn their readers. And the fact that they contain chemical preservatives (to keep the high fat content from going rancid) and artificial coloring agents and dyes (for eye appeal of pet owners), not to mention appetite stimulants (salt, sugar, glucose, sucrose, fructose, phosphoric acid) only makes their impact upon the average animal liver that much more deadly.

Cattle—dead, diseased, dying and disabled (4-D)—can legally be rendered and used in pet foods in the United States and in Canada. Rendering will not eradicate any of the TSEs, including the chronic wasting disease in deer, elk, and roadkill, which can also be rendered for use in pet food. The U.S. government believes it is safe to render diseased cattle for use in pet foods because this practice does not affect humans since we don't eat dogs and cats. But rendering diseased cattle into pet food does potentially endanger our animal companions. This is already happening in Europe. If dogs and cats succumb to a TSE disease, would their owners know the actual cause?

Although you won't see it on the label, since it is often added at the rendering plant and not by the manufacturer, ethoxyquin (EQ) is used to preserve most dry pet food. First used as a rubber stabilizer, EQ is the most powerful of all preservatives and may be the most toxic. Originally, it was permitted in livestock food. So since pet food is considered animal feed, the use of EQ is also permitted in pet food. The fish industry uses high levels of EQ; factory workers exposed to it exhibited side effects similar to those of agent orange: a dramatic rise in liver or kidney damage, cancerous skin lesions, hair loss, blindness, leukemia, fetal abnormalities, and chronic diarrhea. In animals, EQ has been linked to immune deficiency syndrome; spleen, stomach, and liver cancers; and a host of allergies.

In Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats (Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, Inc., 1995), the author, a renowned veterinarian, lists a number of other factors that could expose a family dog or cat to possible carcinogens. "These include," he writes, "… consuming pet foods high in organ meats and meat meal (concentrators of pesticides, and growth hormones used to fatten cattle, which can promote cancer growth) as well as in preservatives and artificial colors known to cause cancer in lab animals."

Pages

Search This Blog