We have just put up a lens on Microchipping on Squidoo. You can visit our lens at www.squidoo.com/microchipyourpet

Its almost a year since the petfood poisoning and subsequent recall happened. A lot of media attention and voluntary recalls have happened across North America and thousands of pets may have sacrificed their lives through shoddy purchasing,supply chain economics and centralization of production . One thing for sure is we love our pets and don’t necessarily believe what the biggest pet food companies tell us and we have a healthy skepticism . The video below by Andrew Lewis, author of “Dog Food Secrets” outlines some of the discoveries about dog food that have surfaced and he offers to provide more consumer education and advice on how to be aware and beware.

CLICK HERE FOR DOG FOOD SECRETS

One of the best ideas to protect your pet and your piece of mind is by having your pet chipped when you first get it and know what to do if and when your pet goes AWOL.

Microchipping is the implantation of a small chip through a injector-needle in the shoulder blades areas of cats and dogs . This chip ,about the size of a grain of rice has a code number in it that will activate and identify it to any animal control, spca or veterinarian who has a scanner and scans the pet .

Most animals that are adopted by shelters are microchipped for identification. Veterinarians can inject the chip and ensure that the registration is filled out and submitted with the pets details and the name and contacts for the owner. It can be done online by some of the registries. In the US and Canada there are several databases where these are stored. The 24Petwatch.com is a system which will store and keep your records handy in the case of a lost pet report. It also connects to an animal welfare software system ,Petpoint,which over 850 shelters and rescues across North America have access to. They can scan the dog or cat and know the name and address and contact that the owner has registered, in order to expedite reuniting the pets with their owners. Other database and pet recovery services exist such as Schering-Plough’s Home Again program, and Avid Identification’s database. All of these have Toll-free numbers to call in the case of a lost or found report.

Some database owners only register the microchips made by them, but the 24Petwatch system will register any and all valid chips in their files. Owners can register online at www.24petwatch.com or call their 1-866-597-2424 toll-free line. The shelter or veterinarian microchipping the pet should also be able to give you a copy of your registration and information to make sure it is submitted.

Many families have been reunited with their lost pets through this method and you should make sure you have it done when you get your new pet.

Kittens and puppies are almost like little babies in certain ways.  They can get cold easy and they can get very sick without any notice.  They will require meals often and at different times of the day. They are going to rely on the adults that are taking care of them for everything that they may need.  The caregiver of a kitten or puppy is going to have to know what to do in order to give the animal the right type of care for good nutrition.  
Puppies or kittens will go home with someone when they are about eight weeks old.  This is where you have to be concerned with their well being.  You need to make sure that you are choosing all the right things for your new pet.  
You have to find the right type of food that will offer the best nutrition and also give them love and care that they are expecting from you.  Choosing the right type of puppy or kitten food is something that you have to take your time with.  You may want to consult a veterinarian to find out what type of food is going to work best for your animal.
Having a good growth formula for puppies is very important so that they can grow into healthy dogs.  There are so many great new ideas behind a lot of the food on the market today.  Smaller breeds are going to be feed differently from the larger breeds that are out there.  The difference is going to lay with the fat and the calorie intake of the animals.  You want a good formula that is going to give your animal the right type of energy that they are looking for.  
You need to keep your puppy in lean condition so that they can stay healthier throughout their lives.  You may want to read up on how you can keep your puppy healthier throughout their life with the nutrition that you are giving it now.  Take the time to learn as much as you can so that they will have the opportunity to live with you for a long time.  
Kittens have to be fed the right type of formula as well. They need to have food that is going to give them the nutrients and the minerals that their body needs.  Cells are going to respond better when they have the right type of formula in their body.  Keeping healthy cells is going to be important when it comes to making the body healthier and giving the kitten the ability to grow strong. 
Animals need to have their protein along with lots of water.  Fresh meats are wonderful but they will be filled with water.  When the food is cooked, the water is going to be taken out and there will not be as much fresh meat left behind.  This is why dry protein meals are going to be crucial in giving enough protein levels to your new pet.  
There are safe and effective preserved foods that are pets can eat these days. They are going to have good ingredients that offer nutrition to the animal.  Many of the kitten and puppy foods that are on the market today will include grains, fruits and vegetables.  These ingredients are going to help promote a healthier metabolism and good sources of vitamins and minerals for their intake.  
The main goal of keeping our kittens and puppies filled with good nutrition is to keep them happy and healthy for a long time so that we can enjoy them for a lifetime.

Here is an interesting piece from Science Daily

ScienceDaily (2008-01-20) — When people lack a sense of connection with other people, they are more likely to see their pets, gadgets or gods as human-like, according to new research. In one experiment, the team found a correlation between how lonely people felt and their tendency to describe a gadget in terms of humanlike mental states.

Letter to the Pets

To be  posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - nose height.

Dear Dogs  and Cats,

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn’t help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king-sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up into a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years — canine or feline attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat’s butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets:

1.  They live here. You  don’t.
2.  If you don’t want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture.
(That’s why they call it “fur”niture.)
3.  I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4.  To you, it’s an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who
is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn’t speak clearly.

Remember: In many ways, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
1.  Eat less
2.  Don’t ask for money all the time
3   Are easier to train
4.  Normally come when called
5.  Never ask to drive the car
6.  Don’t hang out with drug-using friends
7.  Don’t smoke or drink
8.  Don’t have to buy the latest fashions
9.  Don’t want to wear your clothes
10. Don’t need a “gazillion” dollars for college.

And finally,

11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children!

I got the opportunity in Atlanta recently to meet a most extraordinary veterinarian, Dr Andrew Jones. Dr Jones is a practicing veterinarian in a small town in British Columbia, Canada and a great supporter of his local Animal Shelter. He is also an accomplished author and publisher of E-Books, and multimedia materials.I encourage you to click on the picture below to get a copy of his FREE E-book You will also see him on the right side of this page. I hope you take up his FREE offer and use this valuable resource to assist you in caring for your new pets.

It is well worth your while and may do your pet and your wallet a favour.

Adopted Pets as Your New Pet

Animal overpopulation is a huge issue. Pet shelters are overflowing while the stray population grows as well. Adopting an  adult dog or cat is increasingly becoming popular. While an adopted pet can have many benefits, there are also unique problems that come with the task. Before you adopt and old pet as your new pet, there are some pieces of information you should know.

Introduce Adopted Pet to Old Pets

Many families looking to adopt a new pet already own other pets. When these older dogs and cats are introduced to other adult pets, problems can arise. When puppies and kittens are introduced, however, dominance is clearly outlined. Since this is not able to occur with adopted pets, slowly introduce them to your animal family. Make sure you supervise the meetings for the first few weeks at least. This will help both the new and old pets adjust to each other.

Be Patient

Adopted pets can come with a multitude of issues. They may have been abused or neglected. For this reason, be patient with your new dog or cat. If he cowers when you try to pet him, try a slower approach. This is usually a trait of formerly abused dogs.

New pets may also take longer to learn obedience. If you’ve ever heard the saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” you’ll understand. Learning where she should go when she needs to go outside is something a dog must learn over time.

Old Shirt for Sleeping

One way to help your new adopted pet get used to you is to give him an old shirt of yours. Make sure to wear the shirt for at least 8 hours before handing it over. This can be a sleeping bed for your new pet. Your scent will quickly become the one he knows the best.

Walk Around the Neighborhood

Adopted pets need to become familiar with their surroundings. It helps them find their way home in case they get lost. These animals tend to be moved around a lot. To get your dog or cat used to her surroundings, take frequent walks. Let her stop and smell whenever she wishes.

Implement Consistency

When you adopt a new pet, you may be adopting bad habits as well. Some animals are allowed to chew on furniture and eliminate in the house. When you introduce a new pet into your life, make sure to be consistent with your rules right from the beginning to minimize old tendencies. Consistency is the only way your new dog will learn.

There is nothing more loving than adopting a dog or cat from a pet shelter. There are, however, certain things you must be educated about before you make that purchase. While you can skip the puppy stage, you cannot skip other undesirable pet steps. Loving patience is the best thing you can provide for your adopted pet. Over time, your adopted pet will become an important and essential part of your family.

When you have a dog or cat you will need to make sure that, you are training them so that they are not going to the bathroom in the wrong places. You need to make sure that they are housebroken so that you can be sure that your pet is not ruining your home and so that you can live freely. You need to make sure that you are looking at all your options and choosing the best one that suits you.DogsFirst of you need to learn how to detect the warning signs and how to intercept before they go to the bathroom in your home. You need to learn their patterns and their behaviors. This will better help you learn how to get them used to going outside so that they are able to go outdoors to use the bathroom.Stay outside as often as possible during the nice weather so that your puppy or dog can develop a preference for going outdoors. You should help him or her learn how to like the outdoors and all the hard surfaces. Play with them and get them used to the idea of being outdoors. This will help them want to be outside and let you know when they have to relieve themselves.Make sure that you are putting the dog or puppy in a crate at night if you are trying to housebreak them. Dogs do not like to soil any place where they have to sleep. You can find comfortable crate so that your animal is safe and comfortable at night when you cannot watch them all the time.You may even want to try to carry them outside if they are restless. This may help them get used to going outdoors once they see how much better they feel once they have gone.You may also want to have a little box around the house for at night and when the animal is left alone. This will be a good place for the animal to go when they are not able to make it outdoors in time.Cats If you are trying to train your cat or kitten to use the litter box, you may find it to be a lot easier than training a dog. Usually a cat will have the instincts to use the litter box for their needs. They will usually have no problem realizing what this box filled with tiny little pebbles is for. However, some cats are not interested in making it simple or they will all of a sudden stop using the littler pan that you have provided for them.You need to make sure that you are cleaning the litter box daily. Your cat will start to use other places in your home if you are not keeping up with it. If you have recently started using some other brand of litter, you may want to try changing back to what you originally had. Some cats are very meticulous and will not like the change that you are trying to make for them.Put the little box and your cat or kitten in a small room like a bathroom. Make sure that they will have plenty of food and water. You need to check on your cat at least every hour. If the cat has done their business in their litter box, you should reward them with some playtime or they are favorite treat. You should then put them back in the room and repeat this a few time until your cat seems to have gotten the hang of it all.If your cat is still not using the litter box as they should you may want to take them to a vet. Make sure there is nothing medically wrong with them such as kidney problems, parasites or any type of infection.You should not punish your cat if they soil in your home. This will only make them want to use another location that you cannot see when they have to do their business. You want to make sure that you are following through with these tips and you should be able to train your cat or kitten in no time at all.

Children and New Pets

Children love pets. Dogs, cats, hamsters, ferrets, and anything with fur tend to drive kids crazy. When that pet, however, comes with responsibility, many children begin to waiver. Dogs and cats are all fun and games until you have to clean up urine or feces. Whether your children promise to take care of the new pet or not, there are some good ways to help children keep and uphold their promises.

Discuss Pet Chores

Sometimes children simply don’t understand how much work is involved with pet ownership. Sit them down and discuss the various responsibilities. These responsibilities include: feeding, potty training, bathing, playing, walking, and obedience training. This will help get your child mentally prepared for the responsibility.

Create a Pet Contract

Before you go to the pet store, animal shelter, or breeder, create a pet contract with your child. This should visibly convey all pet responsibilities and the child’s knowledge of these responsibilities. Make sure to collect signatures.

Choosing a Pet

Children who get to choose their pets tend to take more ownership than the children who are not involved in the selection process. When you take your child to the pet shop or animal shelter, he or she is allowed to create a bond with a particular animal. This bond comes with a desire to care for the animal.

Assign Pet Duties

Make your expectations perfectly clear. Simply telling your child that he/she will need to care for the pet is not enough. Give specific duties for specific days of the week. Even assigning times to the duties helps a great deal. For example, tell your child to empty the litter box before bed each night every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Praise and Reward

Good deeds should not go unnoticed. When your child has completed all his/her duties without being told, give praise. If this continues for a month or more, reward the effort with a treat. Go to a movie or out to ice cream.

Share Duties

Children are more likely to continue caring for their pets if the duties assigned are split. If you have more than one child, make sure to rotate pet care responsibilities between children. If a child only has to feed the dog 2 or 3 times a week, completion of that chore will be more likely. Parents can even take on some responsibility as well. It sets a good example for children when parents get involved with pet care.

When children think of pets, they think of the cuddling and the play. They do not think about taking the dog outside in the middle of the night, or cleaning up after an accident. Unfortunately, these elements go hand in hand with pet ownership. Convey to your children that responsibility comes along with all of the benefits. In order to experience the joys of a pet, you have to experience the duties as well. Setting clear expectations for your children and setting achievable goals is the best way to solidify child pet care duties.