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Keys to Your Pet's Wellness

(Family Features) - The problems of poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle aren't exclusive to people. Many pets don't get proper nutrition or enough exercise, which can lead to obesity and a host of other pet health problems.

According to a recent PetSmart survey, 93 percent of pet parents believe what they feed their pet matters to the pet's health and well-being.

"Pet obesity is the biggest health threat to pets in the U.S., now affecting 45 percent of all adult dogs and 58 percent of cats," said Dr. Ernie Ward, DVM, author and founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. "That's about 34 million dogs and 54 million cats that are overweight and at risk for diseases such as diabetes/insulin resistance, arthritis, high blood pressure, kidney disease, cancer and more."

Dr. Ward recommends two ways that pet parents can help their pets live healthier lives: good nutrition and daily exercise.

Good Nutrition

People often choose natural foods for themselves because they are nutrient-rich and support overall health and well-being. These days, pet parents are making similar food choices for their pets.

Recently, PetSmart began carrying the Wellness brand of natural foods and snacks for dogs and cats. Wellness is made with the finest natural ingredients, including lean meats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, in wet and dry recipes.

"Feeding your pet a natural diet that is low in fat and calories can help an inactive cat or dog maintain his or her weight or help an overweight pet lose weight," said Mark Finke, PhD, pet nutrition expert for PetSmart.


Key nutrients and ingredients found in natural pet foods that support overall pet health and vitality include:

  • Natural antioxidants like Lycopene and Beta-carotene.
  • Glucosamine and Chondroitin which help maintain joint health and may help overweight dogs and cats that suffer from arthritis.
  • Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and hair and to help maintain an optimal immune system.
  • An optimal blend of dietary fiber to help maintain digestive health and to help satisfy a pet's appetite without adding extra calories.

Daily Exercise

Exercise is essential for a pet to have a happy and long life. Setting aside time each day for physical activity helps to encourage a routine and also gives pets something to look forward to.

"All dogs need at least 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic intensity walking per day. Larger breeds often need much more," said Dr. Ward.

Having time to do this can be a challenge for busy pet parents. One solution is PetSmart Doggie Day Camp, a place to bring a dog for hours of play and exercise with other dogs that have all been screened for group play. Supervised by pet care specialists, Doggie Day Camp is open seven days a week with flexible drop-off and pick up times.

Each pet's nutrition and exercise needs are different, and pet parents can visit www.petsmart.com or a local store for solutions that help their pets stay healthy.

SOURCE:
PetSmart

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Helping People Grieve: Animals at Funeral Homes

It may not be surprising that funeral homes throughout the country employ grief counselors to help people mourn their lost loved ones and start the recovery process. But that those grief counselors sometimes make people feel better with a wag of the tail or rub against the leg may come as news.

Derek and Flags at Hillcrest Memorial Parks handful of funeral homes throughout the country are using dogs to help people who are in emotional distress.
Perhaps the best-known dog in the funeral industry is Derek, a 9-year-old golden retriever and the faithful companion of Tom Flynn, the owner of Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Flynn's son, John, owns the John Flynn Funeral Home in Hermitage, Pa., and the pair also operate the Hillcrest-Flynn Pet Funeral Home and Crematory.

"For family members, I would say Derek is like an oasis amid a sea of grief," Tom Flynn said. "He will change all those bad feelings."

Flynn explained that about seven years ago, he decided to get a dog. A friend of his, who was a volunteer for Canine Companions for Independence, suggested Flynn look into the organization.
About 90 percent of the dogs trained by Canine Companions for Independence go to disabled people, and the remaining 10 percent end up at facilities - generally hospitals or schools.

"Derek was the first service dog placed in a funeral home in the United States," said Flynn, who had to spend two weeks with Derek at the facility before bringing him home.
"They really match the dog to the person, not the other way around," Flynn explained. He added that when he went to the facility several years ago, there were eight people and 11 dogs.

Miraculously, at the end of the two weeks, each person got the dog they wanted. "The bonds were just so strong from the training," Flynn said. "Derek was my first choice but not the first choice with the other seven people."




Skunked?
What do do if your dog gets zapped by a skunk?
Did your dog get sprayed by a skunk? Here's some help for you until you can take your dog to the groomer. Wash your dog with tomato juice before you give him a bath. Now,the bath with soap and water and rinse well with water that has about 3 tablespoons of ammonia in it. Be sure to rinse well with plain water.
Another method?
Make a solution of equal amounts of vinegar and water. Scrub the dog well with this mixture. Be sure to rinse well, and then apply the vinegar and water again.
Rinse well! Be sure to wash your dog in a well ventilated area. If you can wash him outdoors,this is the best way!

Did you know that baking soda will clean your dog or cat?
Rub the baking soda on and be sure to rub into the coat. Let set a few minutes and brush off!
The doggy or cat smells will be all gone, and you don't need to get all wet!




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Derek on Duty, continued

Typically, when a family walks into the Flynn funeral home, a staff member will ask them if they would like to have Derek present. "More and more over the years, people have opted to have him there," Flynn said.
"They see the dog and invariably they smile, and then I approach them. Derek is very gentle. Sometimes I will even drop his leash, and he'll pick it up, put it in his mouth and walk over to them."

One of the great things about Derek is that he instinctively knows who needs him the most. He'll usually go first to the children, then to women and then to men. "When we do grief therapy, he'll basically go in a circle and visit everyone, and if someone starts crying, he will break off and go to that person," Flynn said.

Tom Flynn and Derek of Hillcrest Memorial ParkAs far as families are concerned, there has been a universal positive response to Derek. The golden retriever has attended hundreds of funerals, and the business has never gotten a complaint. Of course, a family can decide that they don't want Derek at the services.

"We do it on a case-by-case basis," Flynn explained. "Sometimes, the surviving spouse asks Derek to be with them, and they will stand at the casket with Derek with them and greet people who come to the visitation."

Derek also does his share of good deeds outside the funeral home. Flynn donates his dog's services to Sharon Regional Health System. At the hospital, if staff members are trying to get a child to walk again, they will often have Derek stand 10 feet away and then ask the child, "Why don't you go see the dog." Flynn said, "All of a sudden, there the child will be, standing next to Derek."

Flynn and Derek are inseparable and pretty much go everywhere together. They even traveled to New York City after Sept. 11, 2001, to work with a Long Island hospital that was helping children. "The director said that Derek was the most positive influence on the children of anything that they were doing at that facility," Flynn said proudly.

Other Funeral Homes Recognize Value of Pets

James M. Olson, owner of Lippert-Olson Funeral Home in Sheboygan, Wis., and a spokesperson with the National Funeral Directors Association, also knows the value of pets in helping people dealing with grief.

"As a funeral director and dog owner myself, I can understand the unconditional, without question and nonjudgmental love that comes from a pet," he said. "This can be extremely beneficial to the families who are experiencing a loss.
Whether it is with small children who just want someone to hug or adults who just need someone to sit by silently and be there for them, pets can fill an empty place in the heart to help one along during the grieving process."

Olson, who lives above his funeral home, has a German shepherd named Lobo who assists him in serving families. "Many times he greets people from upstairs, and I am asked to bring him in to meet a family," he said.
"Animals have a way of naturally putting people at ease, which opens up a dialogue where the family feels comfortable with you and the environment they are in."
As far as Flynn is concerned, every funeral home should look into having a dog on staff to comfort grieving families. "Anyone who deals with grief or works with patients on a long-term basis should think about getting a dog," he said. "They are wonderful."

Article Source: http://www.content-corral.com Thomas Parmalee is a correspondent out of New Jersey for Only For Pet Lovers. Check out our site to view the rest of our articles and register for our online community for pet lovers like yourself.
By: ONLY for PET LOVERS
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