Ideas for pet presents

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Some people love it, and others loathe it, but buying and exchanging gifts with others is now a big part of Christmas, and it some cases it includes buying for the animals of the household too.  Of course, animals can’t tell you what they want under the tree on Christmas morning, so here are a few ideas to get you started.

·         A sure-fire winner with pets – and people for that matter – is food. Whether that’s an extra-generous helping of your pet’s favourite treat, or a special purchase for the festive season, you won’t go far wrong appealing to their stomachs over Christmas!

·         An easy choice for dogs is a chew toy, of which there are probably a hundred tired and ragged ones around your home already. The choice in these types of animal toys is huge, especially if looking online, so finding something even for cats or other animals should be easy enough.

·         An idea for one-pet households for those who have the resources (i.e. time, money and attention) spare, a second pet to keep your incumbent happy would be a fantastic idea. Of all the ideas listed however, this is the one that should certainly be considered the most, as the statistics themselves show how many pets end up neglected or homeless as a result of rash festive purchases.

·         For cats and dogs, pet houses are something that might not instantly come to mind, but could work out as a great gift for your pet for Christmas.  With this type of gift, it’s important to consider other factors around the use of the kennel or cat cabin, especially if it will be intended for outdoor and night-time use, such as the climate of the area you live in and the structure’s suitability therein.

A lot of pet shops will now take all the hassle out of thinking of ideas for pet gifts, with Christmas stockings aimed at animals.  A stocking for a dog for example might contain a chew toy, some treats to eat and a ball, making it easy to pick something up for your pet.

Happy Holidays!

Wayward pooch, owner reunited after 3 months apart

Pet Reunited With Owner

Great article about a pet that was away from his owner for three months.

Halloween safety tips for your pets‏

Fetch! Pet Care Helps to Promote Humane Halloween

Halloween may be full of tricks and treats for humans, but the holiday does not hold the same appeal for our pet counterparts. In fact, Halloween can be a downright frightening time for pets. Paul Mann, Founder of Fetch! Pet Care, the nation’s largest provider of professional pet sitting and dog walking services, is devoted to the safety and comfort of pets. He provides the following tips to keep your pets safe this holiday season:

· Tricks are for kids. While ghouls and goblins provide entertainment, your pet does not understand the person behind that mask is their friend. Dogs and cats are creatures of habit and can easily become frightened, aggressive or agitated by the unaccustomed sights and sounds of costumed visitors. So when the trick ‘or’ treaters come knocking at your door, it’s best to keep your furry friend contained indoors in a quiet, comfortable area of your home. Also, make sure all pets are wearing collars and ID tags in case they get spooked and escape your home or yard.

· Candy is not a treat for our pets. Sweets may look appealing to pets, but candy – especially chocolate – can be downright toxic to animals. Keep your candy bowl out of reach from pets and make sure your children sift through their bags at a table where Fido can’t sneak a piece. Candy wrappers can be just as harmful. Instead, purchase a box of your pets’ favorite treats for them to munch on. If you believe your pet has ingested a harmful item, call your veterinarian or the Animal Control hotline immediately.

· Decorations should shock Trick ‘or’ Treaters – not our pets. Keep all electrical cords and decorations out of reach. One chomp on an electrical cord could have a potentially deadly outcome. Pets can also become tangled and injured by dangling cords or decorations. You can purchase plastic tubing or casing at your local hardware store to provide some level of safety. Keep lit candles and jack-o-lanterns out of reach and on stable ground. Your pet could accidentally bump the pumpkin, resulting in fire damage to the home – and potentially to your pet.

· Costumes are constraining. Yes, your pet may look adorable as a dinosaur or Cleopatra, but pets can feel constrained and uncomfortable in costumes. Many costumes also have loose accessories that could be hazardous if chewed or swallowed. If you must dress your pet, find a costume that has few accessories and is loose fitting.

· Extra care for black pets. Don't let your pet fall victim to Halloween pranks; keep them inside or under supervision during the Halloween season. This is especially important for pets with black fur, since they are a target for pranksters.

As an alternative to keeping your pets at home this Halloween, Fetch! Pet Care has the ability to provide a safe and quiet overnight boarding, day or evening care environment at one of their 5,000 pet sitter’s homes across the country. As a way to support the cause of pet safety on Halloween and throughout the year at homes and in shelters, Fetch! Pet Care will be donating a portion of their Halloween revenues to Best Friends Animal Society, a partner in pet care and safety. For more information on Best Friends, visit http://www.bestfriends.org.

East Coast Snow

Hope all of my fellow bloggers on the east coast got through this crazy autumn storm. My dogs enjoyed watching the snow, but I think they are just as confused as we are about this weather.

Protecting a Little Fish

The Atlantic menhaden doesn't look like much, but it's not called "the most important fish in the sea" for nothing. These little fish are critical food for striped bass, bluefish, tuna, whales, porpoises, seabirds and other wildlife.

Protect Atlantic menhaden from dangerous overfishing »

By weight, more menhaden are caught than any other fish on the East Coast, and its population is now less than 10 percent of its historic level.

As the menhaden population suffers, so do our coastal economies, where thousands of commercial and recreational fishing businesses rely on the predatory fish that depend on menhaden as a food.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has taken a historic first step to restore menhaden by laying out a plan that could significantly increase the number left in the ocean, finally taking into account the needs of their predators.
Take action link: http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/Agtez/zLFF/BWaxv

2011 PET PRODUCTS TREND REPORT

2011 PET PRODUCTS TREND REPORT


From high-end items to high-tech items, products for our companion animals now extend beyond traditional necessities. The American Pet Products Association (APPA) presents top pet product trends for 2011.

Reducing Your Pets Carbon PAW print

Around the world people are making conscious efforts to help our planet Eart, and the pet industry is no exception. From natural litters to toys, accessories and organic food options, earth-friendly pet products are sprouting up everywhere.



Going to the Dogs

More and more companies traditionally know for human products are going to the dogs, and cats, and reptiles. Big name companies including like Paul Mitchell, Omaha Steaks, Origins, Harley Davidson and Old Navy are now offering lines of pet products ranging from dog shampoo, pet attire, and name-brand toys to gourmet treats and food.



Pets Welcome

Many hotels across the country are adopting pet friendly policies. Several chains have announced new pet-friendly policies that include everything from oversized pet pillows, plush doggie robes, to check-in gift packages that include a pet toy, dog treat, ID tag, bone and turn down treat. Some even have a licensed dog masseuse on staff.

Pet Products Sold Here

Shopping for pet products is becoming easier than ever with an increasing variety of retail outlets now selling pet products. Right along side fertilizer and shovels, shoppers can now find pet products such as doggie doors and yellow lawn spot removers sold at many lawn and garden stores, nurseries, and major home improvement stores including Home Depot.



Ultra-Clean…

Pet-owners take grooming one step beyond a haircut, a quick bath and a nail trim. Mouthwash and an electric toothbrush for canines are routine steps in a beauty session for some pooches. Birds receive daily pedicures with special cage perches, while others enjoy manicures complete with nail polish. Pet-owning homes stay cleaner with automatic, self-flushing litter boxes, cleaning cloths for muddy paws that mimic traditional baby wipes, and scented gel air fresheners to keep rooms free of pet odors.



Dinner is Served

Today's pet foods include complete and balanced diets that tantalize our pets' taste buds and satisfy their tummies. Formulas for puppies and kittens, specialized meals for reptiles, birds and fish and diets for senior pets ensure a long and healthy life for our beloved companions.



State-of-the-Art

High-tech products including computerized identification tags, digital aquarium kits, automatic doors and feeders, enhanced reptile terrarium lighting systems and touch-activated toys help pet-owners take care of companion animals with ease and precision.



Loosen Up

As pet owners meditate in yoga class, cats relieve stress by frolicking in a toy gym or relaxing in a feline spa before enjoying herbal catnip packaged in a tea bag. Dogs sip fresh water from flowing fountains after a soothing rub with a doggie massager.



Help Yourself!

Products designed with convenience in mind lead this trend. Programmable feeding and drinking systems, automatic and battery-operated toys, self-cleaning litter boxes and self-warming pet mats let pets virtually care for themselves!



Straight from the Catwalk

Faux mink coats, hipster lumberjack vests, designer plaid jackets, matching jeweled and leather collar and leash sets, Halloween costumes, and holiday outfits keep pets in fashion throughout the year. Upscale leather carriers complete with a cell phone and water bottle holder are the perfect accessories to keep the pet owner in style as well.



Keep on Truckin'

Whether it's a quick trip to the supermarket or a long ride to the beach, companion animals are now traveling animals too. Buckled up in a harness, seat belt system or a portable carrier, these pets stay safe and secure while on the road. Food and water along with safety supplies are on hand in all-in-one kits, waste disposal systems make for easy clean-up on quick stops and motion sickness aids are available too.



Hello, My Name Is…

From monogrammed sweaters and personalized food and water bowls to digitized collar tags and hand-made treats, owners embrace their pets as true members of the American family celebrating their fluffy, finned and feathered companions with their very own belongings.

Heath Benefits of Pets

HEALTH BENEFITS



Pets Help to Lower Blood Pressure A recent study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did those who did not own a pet. (Dr. Karen Allen, State University of New York at Buffalo)

Pets Help to Reduce Stress Walking with a pet helps to sooth nerves and offers instant relaxation. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners, especially males, than on those who do not own a pet. (Josephine M. Wills, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, United Kingdom)

Pets Help to Prevent Heart Disease Because pets provide people with faithful companionship, research shows they may also provide their owners with greater psychological stability, thus a measure of protection from heart disease. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)

Pets Help to Lower Health Care Costs People with pets actually make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)

Pets Help to Fight Depression Pets help fight depression and loneliness, promoting an interest in life. When seniors face adversity or trauma, affection from pets takes on great meaning. Their bonding behavior can foster a sense of security. (Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship)

Pet Industry Spending

Total U.S. Pet Industry Expenditures

Year Billion

2011 $50.84 Est.
2010 $48.35 Actual

2009 $45.5
2008 $43.2
2007 $41.2
2006 $38.5
2005 $36.3
2004 $34.4
2003 $32.4
2002 $29.5
2001 $28.5
1998 $23
1996 $21
1994 $17

Estimated 2011 Sales within the U.S. Market
For 2011, it estimated that $50.84 billion will be spent on our pets in the U.S.

Estimated Breakdown:

Food $19.53 billion

Supplies/OTC Medicine $11.4 billion

Vet Care $14.11 billion

Live animal purchases $2.15 billion

Pet Services: grooming & boarding $3.65 billion