Pet Care Articles

Courtesy of CatChannel.com...

Kitten behavior diversity makes you wonder just how a kitten’s personality develops. Check out the top four factors in shaping kitten characteristics.

1. Mom and Dad Make the Most Impact
 Mama cat plays the main role in nurturing and raising her kittens, but you might be surprised to learn that their dad has a strong influence on the type of personality the kittens will end up with.  "It’s likely that the development of a cat’s distinct personality begins before birth, as numerous studies suggest that paternity [even if the kittens never have contact with their father], as well as breed-specific characteristics play a role in the development of certain behavioral attributes,” says Sandra McCune, PhD, scientific leader in human-animal interaction research at the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition in Leicestershire, United Kingdom.

 Researchers have found that friendly fathers ...   Read more...

Courtesy of petfoodindustry.com...

A recent petMD survey on petfood recalls showed that a majority of pet owners have concerns about petfood safety.

According to the survey, 86 percent respondents said that strict quality-control measures are important to them; however, only 15 percent said they know whether or not the manufacturer of their pet's food practices strict procedures.

"Responsible petfood companies go to extremes to keep the areas where raw ingredients are received and prepared separate from the areas where the cooked product is processed and packaged," said Dr. Lorie Huston, veterinary advisor to petMD. "What's disconcerting is that not many pet owners know whether their petfood company of choice practices these quality control procedures."

The survey's key findings include:

•Petfood recalls affect consumer confidence: More than 82 percent of survey respondents said they do not believe ...   Read more...

It's hard to believe it, but we've been blogging online for more than TWO years now and we recently celebrated our two-year anniversary of pet sitting, back in May.   The entire Paw Minders Plus family would like to wish everyone a SAFE and Happy 4th of July!  Remember, most animals don't like fireworks.  The lights and loud sounds can scare them.  BE CAREFUL with them around your animals.  Our two little ones will be staying at home when we take in the fireworks shows around Henderson this 4th.  We love the shows, but know they don't.  Anyway, enjoy the fun that comes with the 4th and we'll return later this month with more tips and articles on animal care!  In the meantime, click the link below to check out the fireworks show at the Disney-MGM Studios in Walt Disney World, FL. Taped in 2005.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeFi3SDi_n8

U.S. households spend more each year on their pets than they do on alcohol, furniture, landline phone service or men and boy’s clothing, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data collected by the Census Bureau.

Pet ownership is at a record high nationwide, and the overwhelming majority of U.S. households now own pets, survey data show.

Americans love to treat their estimated 218 million furry, scaly, feathered and hoofed companions: Pet owners spent a record $53.3 billion on their critters last year.

Even during the economic downturn, spending on pet food remained stable, when most Americans cut back on dining out.

“That was a surprise to me, because anecdotally, I expected people to switch to generic 80 pound drums of dog food at Costco,” said Steve Henderson, with the Consumer Expenditure Survey division of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “When people are faced ...   Read more...

Courtesy of PetSide.com

The hardest decision you make about your pet will also likely be the last one. Most dogs and cats need to be euthanized, says Dr. Jules Benson, Vice President of Veterinary Services at Petplan. This is, however, a decision nobody wants to make.

Conversely, it can also be a difficult decision to keep your pet alive. Here are some things to consider:

How to Gauge Your Pet’s Quality of Life

Consider whether your pet is doing the things he previously enjoyed, such as running around the yard or chasing leaves.

“If your pets can’t do the things that they like to do it’s time to consider letting them go,” says Dr. Brenda Stevens, Clinical Assistant Professor at the North Carolina State School of Veterinary Medicine.

She suggests using online quality of life scales from sites such as The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement or the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, which can help ...   Read more...

Schedule an appointment to see your pet’s veterinarian. Bi-annual exams are the best way to ensure that any potentially life-threatening condition is detected early. At this time of the year, have your pet’s doc give him a blood test for heartworm, in order to prescribe a preventive program.

2) Groom Your Pet

What a great time for a makeover! Have a groomer revitalize your pet’s fur and trim those winter-ravaged ends.

3) Flea & Tick Protection

When you choose a flea treatment, recognize the importance of killing not just adult fleas but also the eggs or larvae. The Advocacy for Pets and Affordable Wellness (APAW), a national coalition of pet owners and advocates dedicated to ...   Read more...

Courtesy of AllPetsNews.com...

Canines suffering from separation anxiety tend to follow their owners from room to room at home and greet them frantically when they get home, even if they were only gone for a few minutes. Watch your pup in the morning. If he paces nervously as you get ready to go and starts howling or scratching at the door the minute you step out, then there’s a good chance he has separation anxiety, according to the Humane Society of the United States website.

Five ways to reduce departure stress

1. False departures: Grab your keys, hat and coat, then take a seat on the couch. Your dog knows the sights and sounds of you leaving, so faking him out can help “de-condition” the anxious reaction. Follow through with some of your fake departures by leaving and locking the door behind you, then wait 10 to 30 seconds and come right back inside. The goal is to help your dog understand that you won’t be leaving for ...   Read more...