Pet Stories And News

I do not normally wear my heart on my sleeve, but an explanation for the intermittent publication of this daily blog is required.

No doubt most of you will be aware of the trouble that is ongoing in Kenya. I originate from there and unfortunatley a large number of my immediate family still live there.

Clearly in the circumstances I am unable to keep my eye on the ball as well as I would like - hence the intermittent postings to this blog.

Bear with me and as things return to normal and as soon as I can ascertain the safety of my family I will recommence this blog on its more regular daily schedule.

In the meantime do look in from time to time because I will keep posting as and when I can.

Thank you all - ed

Dear readers we at Pets Stories and News (PSN) wish you all a very happy 2008. We trust you had a lovely holiday season and you and your pets are thriving and looking forward to good times together in 2008.

To start this year off we have found this great story for you about how you and your pet can have mutually bneneficial health benefits from living together - enjoy and keep coming back every weekday for more Pet Stories News and Information. (ed)

The Secret Behind Better Health and Pet Ownership

Joseph Mercola

An interesting review of studies in the British Medical Journal may shed some light on why pet ownership is beneficial to human health.

An interesting review of studies in the British Medical Journal may shed some light on why pet ownership is beneficial to human health.

Decades of Research

Many years of research has shown that pet ownership can result in benefits such as:

Higher survival rates after heart attacks
Reduced risk of asthma in children exposed to pet allergens during the first year of life
Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
Better physical and psychological wellcbeing in community-dwelling older people

An Emotional Bond

The reasons are apparently not as simple as to whether a pet has a measurably beneficial effect on the owner’s physical health; the emotional bond between owner and pet may confer psychological benefits similar to human relationships.

Stress Reduction

Pet ownership may exert a direct effect on human health and well-being through the nature of the relationship; it may reduce perceptions of stressful events, and therefore protect against anxiety-related illness. This can also aid in recovery from serious illness such as stroke, myocardial infarction, and cancer.

A Broader Definition of Health

The review concludes by noting that a broader definition of health may be needed to truly allow for understanding of the effect of pets. People do not own pets specifically to enhance their health; instead, they value the relationship and the contribution their pet makes to their quality of life.

British Medical Journal November 26, 2005; 331(7527): 1252-1254

Dr. Mercola’s Comment:Recently, I told you how visits from a dog measurably improved the mental health of heart disease patients in a hospital setting. There is endless documentation of exactly how pets can be beneficial to your health.

It’s interesting that this review concluded that the reasons why may lie in “a broader definition” of good health that encompasses improved physical and mental well-being and socialization. In other words, better and more natural solutions that have nothing at all to do with taking potentially toxic drugs.

This is yet more evidence that there is more to the world of health than drugs and surgery, which is why I am so dedicated to spreading my vision of a health care system based on natural cures that address the true roots of diseases – roots like psychological stresses and lack of social interaction, which, according to this review of studies, are:

“A major risk factor for health, rivaling the effects of cigarette smoking, blood pressure, blood lipid concentrations, obesity, and lack of physical activity.”

In fact, the intrinsic non-humanity of pets actually confers certain advantages to their owners; namely, their relationships are much more even-keeled and don’t provide the kinds of strains ones between humans do.

If you want to maintain that relationship for many years to come, you’ll want to review articles I’ve posted by contributing editors Beth Taylor and Steve Brown, experts in the fields of holistic pet health and nutrition.

Family Pet Dogs

This blog is now taking a little time off for the christmas holiday.

We will be back on January 7th 2008 with more daily news to keep you informed and helping you with matters that affect your pets

In the meantime please have a happy and safe holiday season.

From all of us at Family Pet Dogs very many happy returns to all our readers.

M Bauer Pulis

Recent alerts about unsafe commercial pet foods have encouraged more and more pet owners to begin ‘home cooking’ for their pets. However, in order to properly home-cook for your pets, you should first have a basic knowledge of canine nutrition; and, even more importantly, a thorough knowledge of human foods that are harmful to dogs.

Recent alerts about unsafe commercial pet foods sounded an alarm among pet owners. Unfortunately, this problem isn’t a first occurrence – or even extremely rare. Incidents similar to this occur from time to time. Perhaps this is one reason more and more pet owners are opting to ‘home cook’ for their pets. However, in order to properly home-cook for your pets, you should first have a basic knowledge of canine nutrition; and, even more importantly, a thorough knowledge of human foods that are harmful to dogs.

Some foods which are safe for human consumption can be poisonous for our canine companions.

.. has put together a list of 25 common human foods that are toxic to dogs. Of course, when in doubt, always check with your vet. Here is a list to get you started:

1. Onions (Both onions and garlic contain the toxic ingredient Thiosulphate. But onions are more of a danger. Many dog biscuits contain *small* amounts of garlic – garlic contains less of this toxin so huge amounts would need to be consumed to be toxic. And, by the way, this poison builds up the system – it can be toxic in one large dose – or with repeated consumption of small amounts.)

2. Chocolate (Chocolate contains Theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic. This can be fatal to dogs.)

3. Grapes (Grapes are dangerous because of an unknown substance which is toxic to dogs – affects canine’s kidneys)

4. Raisins (See above.)

5. Most Fruit Pits and Seeds (Contain Cyanogenic Glycosides resulting in cyanide poisoning – though the fruit itself is OK.)

6. Macadamia Nuts (Macadamia nuts contain an unknown substance that is toxic to dogs.)

7. Bones (Most bones should *not* be given (especially chicken bones) because they can splinter and cause laceration of the digestive system and/or become lodged in your pet’s throat – so they also pose a choking hazard.)

8. Potato Peelings and Green Potatoes (black">Contain Oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.)

9. Rhubarb leaves (See above.)

10. Broccoli (Broccoli is only toxic in large quantities.)

11. Green parts of Tomatoes or Green Potatoes (black">Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.)

12. Yeast Dough (Yeast Dough can produce gas and swell in your pet’s stomach – leading to rupture of the digestive system)

13. Coffee, Coffee Grounds, Tea, Soft Drinks (Coffee, tea, & most soft drinks are dangerous due to the caffeine.)

14. Beer/Wine/Alcohol of any kind (Alcohol of any kind could lead to coma or even death.)

15. Human Vitamins (Human vitamins, especially those containing iron, can cause damage to the lining of the digestive system as well as cause kidney and liver damage)

16. Moldy or Spoiled Food (I think this goes without saying.)

17. Persimmons (Persimmons can cause intestinal blockage)

18. Raw Eggs and Raw Fish (Raw eggs and some raw fish can cause Salmonella poisoning.)

19. Salt, Baking Soda, Baking Powder (In large amounts these can cause an electrolyte imbalance – and severe electrolyte imbalances can lead to muscle spasm or even congestive heart failure.)

20. Mushrooms (Mushrooms may contain toxins which could cause liver and kidney damage)

21. Sugar-Free Foods (Sugar-free foods containing Xylitol have been found to cause liver failure in some dogs.)

22. Nutmeg (Nutmeg can cause tremors, seizures, and central nervous system damage.)

23. Excessive Fatty Foods (Excess fatty foods can cause Pancreatitis.)

24. Avocado (All parts of the avocado and avocado tree are toxic to dogs.)

25. Diary Products (Dairy products don’t usually pose a great danger; but many dairy product have high fat content (see number 23) – and many pets are lactose intolerant – some pets more than others. Lactose intolerance leads to gas and diarrhea; though small amounts of yogurt and cheese are usually fairly well tolerated.)

Keep these 25 toxic foods in mind when cooking for your dog. There may be other foods that your dog can not consume; so always ask your vet when you are unsure about anything concerning your pet – including being sure you include all ingredients necessary for proper pet nutrition

Family Pet Dogs

Bruce Dinger

Oh, so you think your pet isn’t human? You think humans
are the only ones that can feel the loss of a loved one?

While we obviously don’t know for sure - think about it.
If pets eat like we do, sleep like we do, have the same
body make up (within) like we do, cry when in pain like we
do, then why won’t they too feel the pain of a loved one
like humans do?

It is sad that many humans think they are the only ones
that are qualified to feel sad, happy or grieve when the
loss a loved one.

If your pet can feel happy when there is the cause to,
then why do you think it can’t feel sad and grieve when
there is cause to?

Why won’t your pet moan when the closest pet to it has
just died. Now it has to stay alone, play alone, sit alone,
eat alone, etc. It will definitely feel the loss of the
other and this will be manifest in its behavior.

Or you think because your pet can’t speak to you and tell
you how it feels, then it doesn’t mourn?

Fact is this - when one of your pet dies and the other
starts behaving in ways such as - eating less; loss of
interest in things that it used to feel interest in;
staying aloof from you and others; not sleeping where it
used to sleep, staying silent most of the time, etc.

All these are signs that your pet is silently grieving the
loss of the other pet. If the pet isn’t really sure whether
the other one died or not, it could be hoping that the
other pet will return.

What should you do when this happens?

Nothing much than to wait for time to heal the heart of
this grieving pet.

Like humans, pets also feel the loss of a fellow pet, but
get over this loss after some time. Time, they say, heals
all wounds - in humans and even in pets.

So, when one of your pet dies and the other feels the loss
so much, don’t fret too much about it - this pet will get
over it in due time. Some pets heal within a few weeks,
while some last for many weeks and even months before they
forget about the loss of their fellow pals.

What you can do is to give your pet all the necessary
support, care and tenderness it needs to get over the loss
in good time.

In other words, do everything you can to take the mind of
your pet away from her object of worry. Engage her in those
activities that she normally loves to do. If your pet is
one that loves to have other pets to play with, then invite
your friend over and have them bring their pets.

Best of all, you can buy another pet to keep your pet from
feeling too lonely. With time she will eventually forget
about the loss of the previous one.

Do all these and your pet can feel better despite the loss
of its previous pal.

Family Pet Dogs - Breed Information

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