Frame Your Pets - Info

Where Humans Learn More Tricks!

(NC)—When it comes to trends in food, both human and pet, the focus continues to shift to natural, holistic and organic options. These terms are becoming a part of our everyday vernacular but what do they really mean when referring to the food we choose to feed our pets?

Many pet food manufacturers have been jumping on the natural and organic bandwagon, but much of the terminology used to define these diets isn’t actually defined by law. Cutting through the clutter of jargon can help pet owners make an educated and informed decision about what they are feeding their pets while also knowing what is safe and governed by standards and regulations.

First and foremost it is important to note that the terms “natural” and “organic” are not interchangeable nor do they mean the same thing. In order for pet foods to be deemed “organic” they must follow USDA rules and regulations and will have the USDA organic seal on the packaging. “Natural” pet foods are also legally defined and, according to Association of American Food Control Officials (AAFCO) standards, if a pet food is deemed “natural” all the ingredients must be natural and without any chemical alterations.

When it comes to terms like “holistic” and “human grade” both are not legally defined. “Holistic” regulations and standards have not been formalized with regards to pet food and any manufacturer can make that claim on their labels or packaging. A claim the food is “human grade” is also misleading unless the entire product is edible by humans, in accordance to USDA and FDA standards.

If you want to choose a food for your pet that is not within the traditional pet food spectrum, it is important to seek out a reputable manufacturer who is clearly adhering to the guidelines discussed above. Many natural pet foods, such as Nature’s Best from Hill’s Pet Nutrition, offer the same level of quality and nutritional science of regular foods but also meet the regulations and legal definitions of a natural food, meaning all the ingredients used are natural and have not been chemically altered in any form. Pet owners can have peace of mind knowing their pet is being fed a natural food that will also provide the dietary support they need to live full and happy lives.

Source: www.newscanada.com

(NC)—Those long walks with your dog are more important than you may think. Not only are they are a great bonding experience, they keep your pet active, healthy and hopefully within their ideal weight. Just like every member of the family, dogs need a balanced and healthy lifestyle including exercise and nutritional food. Here are some tips to keep your dog fit and fab:

• An active dog is a healthy dog. Keep your dog active by going for a walk, running in the dog park or playing fetch indoors or out. Dogs typically need at least 20 to 30 minutes of outdoor exercise or playtime each day.

• Avoid feeding your dog your food. No matter how much they may like it, table scraps and leftovers are not good for your dog. They may make him sick and can cause gradual weight gain affecting his health in the long run.

• Keep a watchful eye on your dog’s weight. Talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s ideal weight – it will vary depending on breed, age, build and gender. Visit www.ismydogoverweight.ca to learn more about the warning signs of and health problems associated with canine obesity.

• While your dog may love to be rewarded for good behaviour with tasty treats, too many can cause your dog to gain weight. Find other ways to treat your dog such as a trip to the groomer, a long walk on a sunny day or a new toy.

• Rather than pouring your dog’s food into the bowl, pull out the measuring cup and feed your dog the recommended serving. This will help you monitor your dog’s calories and ensure that she doesn’t take in more than she needs.

Working to keep your dog in her ideal weight range will help to avoid the health problems associated with canine obesity. Use these tips as a reminder and remember, more important than looking good is feeling good.

Source: www.newscanada.com

Greetings once again from the doghouse! Eddie the Dalmatian here with another helpful pet photo tip. But before I get to it I should point out I don’t actually live in a doghouse. The Humans actually let me live in their big people house. It’s warm, there are places for me to sit or curl up and I get lots of attention!

Today’s trick is all about appearance. And it involves grooming. Depending on the kind of photo you are taking, it’s a pretty good rule of thumb to give your pets a quick brushing. That is, unless you happen to be a cat. Right, Magnum?

“As if you know anything about thumbs! I like to do my own grooming, but I know the Humans like to give me a brushing every now and then. I have to admit I like the way it feels and it fluffs up my coat, but there are exceptions.”

Magnum is right. It pretty much depends on the photo. If it’s a casual shot you are looking for, then the brush can stay in the cupboard with the dog treats. If you are taking a portrait or the family Christmas card photo, maybe you will prefer a more formal look – which means you’ll need to bring out the brush.

Being a short-haired dog, brushing me does nothing for my coat unless I’ve been rolling around in the dirt. Then again, I’ll never turn down a good brushing, and like Magnum, I enjoy the feeling.

So remember to give us a brush if you are taking formal photos. Oh, what the heck, brush us anyway and we’ll do just about anything you want.

Keep watching your inbox because I’ll teach you Trick #6 in a few days, which will give you some time to practice today’s trick.

By the way, how are you doing with these tricks? I hope you are finding them easy and are able to master them quickly. Write me at eddie@frameyourpets.com to let me know.

You can also write to Yogi or Magnum as well.

You can also visit my blog at: http://bengelonlinestore.blogspot.com/ where you’ll find updates on what we’ve all been doing along with photos, polls and and other fun stuff!

The next trick is a tricky one, but I’m sure you’ll be able to do it!

Work from home/Own your own business/Post Secondary Education…visit http://www.bengelonlinebusiness.com for the details!

(NC)—Parasites are a persistent health issue facing dogs and cats. They are organisms that get nourishment by feeding on or within another animal. The most common parasites in dogs and cats are worms, as the majority of all puppies and kittens acquire intestinal worms either before or after birth. Worms are only one member of the parasite family; other common parasites include fleas, ticks and ear mites.

Fleas and ticks are among the most common parasites and both can be detected on your pet’s skin. If you are worried about either of these pests, be sure to examine your pet on a regular basis especially if he spends a lot of time outside. Thankfully, there are ways to protect your pet from these pesky parasites. Ask your veterinarian about using a preventative product such as Revolution, a broad-spectrum topical product for fleas, ticks and internal parasites like heartworm. Revolution is easily applied once a month.

Roundworm is another common internal parasite that can affect your pet at any age, and may be detected in a stool sample taken from your pet. Through keeping your pet’s living quarters clean, you can minimize the chances roundworm will become an issue. Heartworm, another well-known internal parasite, can enter a dog’s bloodstream through the bite of an infected mosquito. Treatment options can be dangerous, and heartworm symptoms may not appear until six months after infection, so preventative actions are key to protecting your pet.

Rather than deal with parasites when they happen, go talk to your veterinarian and protect your pet against members of the parasite family.

Source: www.newscanada.com

(NC)—It’s always exciting to add a new pet to your household. But, it is likely that you and your kids will be more receptive to the new addition than your current cat or dog. There is no reason why your pets can’t become friendly or, even better, best friends. It is important to be patient, have realistic expectations and keep the following important tips in mind.

Before bringing a new pet into your home, take a trip to the veterinarian and ensure all of your pets have a clean bill of health. Talk to your veterinarian about your plans to introduce a new pet and about any treatments your current dog or cat may need. For example, treatments for fleas, ticks and heartworm like Revolution can help to protect all of your pets from these parasites

Your new and old pets will need their own separate area for sleeping and lounging during the initial months. Meal time can also pose challenges: by ensuring pets have their own food and water dishes, you can reduce the chance of fights erupting.

Cats are generally territorial and will require slow introductions to a new pet. Don’t rush the introductions and give the pets time to adjust to one another. If, during the initial introductions you notice any of your pets showing signs of fear or aggression, start over and introduce them again, slowly. And, if you have any questions during the introduction process, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinary clinic - they can be a great source for information and advice.

If you keep these tips in mind, you’ll have one big happy family before long.

Source: www.newscanada.com

Frame Your Pets - Info

Archives for: September 2008

09/27/08

12:57:03 pm Pet food terminology 101 - Cutting Through the Clutter of Pet Food Jargon

09/25/08

10:13:59 am Keeping Fido fit and fab

09/16/08

06:50:03 pm Paws ‘n’ Claws Photo Guide – Trick #5 “Brush up on grooming”

09/09/08

10:29:25 am Protect your pet against fleas and other pests

09/04/08

06:53:44 pm And then there were more… Adding new pets to your household doesn't have to be difficult