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  • Pet Food

    Pet Food

    Pet Food: Future Trends, and Potential Outlook

    Pets may not seem like a new phenomenon, but the evolution of pet food is undoubtedly a force to reckon with in the market. Here is the potential shift we expect to influence the pet food industry this year and beyond.

    Search for New Protein Sources

    With the growing demand for protein in pets, the traditional supplements of fish, and meat are facing replacements as nutrition options. The animal by-products are facing rejection with pet owners looking for healthier supplements. Consequently, pet food manufacturers are working on plant-based sources such as kales, greens, chard, and duckweed.

    Strict Labeling and Oversight

    With reports of Salmonella fears leading to the recall of pet food brands, there is every need pet parent to seek healthy and safer alternatives. Ultimately this has grown the demand for better product labeling on pet food. Usually, the dog food customers are only trying to know the nutrients their pets are receiving and with the growth of the dog food market.

    Targeted Foods

    Pets just like humans do also face food-related health problems such as illnesses, allergies and other specialized care circumstances. The situation has put plenty of pet owners on a proactive approach to countering the health problems through functional health foods. Soundproof of the trend is the rise in dog food formulas which support a variety of body functions in pets such as bone growth, digestion, hypoallergenic functions and joint health.

    Emphasis on Pet Food Ingredient Sources

    Another popular pet food trend comes with the rise of environmentally conscious models that consumers seek. As a potential driver in the dog food market, the need for sustainable sources of ingredients has led manufacturers to find alternative methods for their products. Such a factor has led pet food customers to seek for healthier, naturally-based and environmentally-friendly foods that meet their demands.

    Home Delivery Options

    With the Millennial generation possibly every item is available for purchase and delivery through e-commerce sites. Recent endeavors have gone beyond the human factor to include delivery of pet food to the respective owner’s front door.

    A New Direction

    Recent years have shown the growth of understanding the pet food industry and it is evident from the elimination of using raw food for pets. Still, it remains prudent that each trend brings a positive outlook not just for the pet food brands and demand but also healthier living for the pets.

    SOURCES: Food Check Systems, NIH, PetCo, Pet Food Industry
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • Protect your Pet from the Summer Heat

    Protect your Pet from the Summer Heat

    Essential Guidelines to Protect your Pet from the Summer Heat

    Summer is always a good time for the dog to run around, exercise and stroll. However, the summer heat can become uncomfortable to pets. For the pet sitters, here are simple procedures to follow in case of heat strokes

    Hydration

    Hydration is an essential practice, especially during the summer months. With the high temperature, any pet would need to drink plenty of water to drink and maintain cool body temperature. It is imperative to regularly fill bowls with fresh cold water as a constant hydration strategy.

    Cooling Mats and Vests

    A cooling mat acts as a great alternative especially when you don’t have stone floors where the pet can cool down. Dog cooling vests are also a new effective tactic to help bring cooling through evaporation. If there is plenty of sweating, the cooling vests work by allowing one to dunk the garment in water, dry it a bit and put it on the pet. The wet jackets help cool the dog throughout the day.

    Damp Towels

    At times the dog might show overheating signs, and it is recommended to always have a wet cloth just in case. In such a situation, it is advisable to put the damp towel over the dog to bring down its temperature. However, the procedure for using the wet towel varies, and the local veterinarian best explains it.
    Fans and AC units

    The increase in summer heat often ends up making the indoors uncomfortable, and it is essential to ensure there is plenty of flowing air to provide active cooling. Most houses do bear insulation measures, but not all can accommodate the varying temperatures during summer. That is probably where ceiling fans and air condition units come in as alternatives measures to present a cooling effect.

    Travel Safety

    Traveling during summer with your animal friend may need extra protection when it comes to keeping the pet secure. An ideal situation will require a pet crate to accommodate the animal during the drive. Additionally, the best interest necessary is not to leave the pet unattended for a length of time.
    Watch out for apparent signs

    Excessive panting, excessive drooling, red gums, weakness, dizziness, and vomiting are immediate signs of dehydration. If the dog indicates any of the symptoms, then it is best to seek immediate action to relieve the pet. Most importantly, the health and safety of the pet is the primary concern.

    Sources: DCAER, NIH, Rover, Paw Gear Lab, AKCCHF
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • How to House Train Your Dog

    How to House Train Your Dog

    The Right Way

    Taking time to house train your puppy/dog can be stressful, especially on the first few days. Therefore, be ready to exercise a lot of patience, consistency, and commitment.  Consequently, you should be well prepared for unfortunate accidents as they are part of the process. But if you adhere to some of these useful house training tips, you and your pet could be on the right within no time.

    Know their Schedule

    Take a few days to monitor your pet’s pooping, urinating and play schedule before you embark on the actual training. Through this, you will get a rough idea as to when to guide them to the toilet area. Remember every puppy is different, and so should be their potty time.

    Establish a Routine

    Now that you already know their routine, it’s time to come up with yours as well. It’s even easier if you are dealing with puppies, unlike mature dogs. Let them know that there is time for everything like eating, play, and other issues. It might be stressful when you begin, but they will sure get used to it with time. Be sure to be consistent.

    Take the Supervisor Role

    We know you have other chores to attend to, but that shouldn’t prevent you from keeping a close eye on your pet. Keep them close to you to detect when they want something and limit their activities within and outside the house until they get reliable.

    Plan for When you are Away

    If you happen to leave the house for a few hours, have someone mature take your role. Explain to them your dog’s routine. If you don’t have anyone in mind, then consider training them on using a specific area indoors.
    Above all, remember, mistakes do happen. Therefore, be stern but calm on your puppy when they forget and move forward with the training. Happy training!

    SOURCES: Humane Society, Dog Obedience Training Review, Dog Care Knowledge, Perfect Paws

  • Doggy Diet Tips

    Doggy Diet Tips

    Doggy Diet Tips for Healthy Weight Loss in Dogs

    A good percentage of canines today are overweight as their owners continue indulging them with lots of treats and foods. These few tips listed here should help your dog to lose weight. 

    We love our dogs and often like to lavish them with treats and foods. This has led to overweight dogs who are more vulnerable to illnesses like arthritis, heart problems, diabetes and breathing difficulties. Once dogs are overweight, they also become less active and have a generally poor quality of life. To help you avoid all these health complications, here are a few tips to ensure your dog maintains a healthy lean weight.

    Always Feed Them Less

    The first place to start is to ensure that your dog is eating fewer meals. To achieve this, you will need to measure their current portion sizes and then gradually cut down at least five percent at a time. Ideally, active dogs will require more calories as compared to their less active counterparts. So, ensure you are giving your dogs the minimum amount of food they need to stay fit and healthy.

    Let your Dog Exercise More Often

    Exercise is one of the best weight loss strategies for both dogs and humans as well. Try incorporating more playtime with your dog every day as a way of exercising them. For example, three sessions of fetch or tug can allow your dog to easily burn off the extra calories. Most importantly, start the activities slowly and allow them to build up strength and endurance.

    Avoid Unnecessary Dog Treats

    You need to avoid giving into all your dog demands for food and treats during the day. Even if you are using the treats for dog training, you should start spacing them out or breaking them into smaller bits. In addition, you can also consider replacing dog treats with veggies or fruits.

    Conclusion

    Helping your dogs to lose weight is critical to ensuring that you get to enjoy spending time together for many years and these tips listed above will allow you to do that.

    SOURCES: Puppy Leaks, Blue Cross, Web MD

    COPYRIGHT: Local Value
     
  • Keep Your Cat Healthy

    Keep Your Cat Healthy

    For the lovers of pets, your cat is part of your family. And for that reason, they deserve the best care in the world.
    Therefore, your cat’s health should matter to you as much as that of your other family members. In fact, pet owners should pay more attention to preventive health care information as it proves to be more important than that of cat illness. Through information gathering, you take up to your responsibility to ensure your kitty remains healthy all year long. After all, preventing is way better than cure. Ready for some helpful tips? Here we go;

    Grooming

    Some of you would pass this, thinking the cat can take care of themselves, right? But that isn’t the case. As much as your kitty takes time for some cleaning sessions courtesy of their tongues, they definitely require a little boost from you. Let them enjoy a nice bath, nail trim, and tooth brushing frequently.

    Provide a Scratching Surfacing

    We all know cats like scratching. Hence if you have an indoor kitty, then you could consider getting some rough surfaces solely for this purpose. How about getting a cat tree house or even posts. The idea is to keep your fur friend content while saving your household furniture from early wear out.

    Preventive Healthcare is Key

    Due to various environmental exposures, your cat’s immunity is likely to lower with time. Ensure to schedule them for regular vaccines and immediate medical attention whenever you spot signs of illness. We advise you to get a Cat Health Insurance for your pet.

    Upgrade their Diets

    One of the cat care areas that’s on constant change is nutrition. There are so many pet food brands these days, and you must be well-informed on what to feed your kitty. Apart from making decisions on whether to feed them dry, canned or raw food, depends on what they like plus the information you get from your vet. Remember they also got some allergies!

    Use a Clamping cat Litter

    We find this tip helpful as it will assist you to monitor your cat’s urine throughout the day closely. That way, you get to detect the changes in color, amount and even smell that would help prevent and manage diabetes, hyperthyroidism and kidney disease.
    There you have it, but remember the list is endless, so while at it, be sure always to keep yourself informed!
     
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value
  • How to Prepare Your Home for Guests with Pets

    How to Prepare Your Home for Guests with Pets

    Having guests over is a great feeling, but you would have a lot of considerations to make if they intend to tag along with their fur friends. Hence, you should always prepare to receive guests with pets in an exclusive manner.
    The idea here is to make everyone at your home comfortable around the new-comers, and that would include your pet. But what if your pet isn’t guest friendly? How do you go about it?

    Learn about the Visiting Pet

    We advise that you take time, like a few days before the visit to call your guest and inquire about their pet. What do they like and how do they behave around strangers (both human and animals). That way, you will get a rough idea of how to organize your space and even prepare other family members for a visit.

    Prepare a Spot for your Pet

    Before the visit, organize a place for your pet. For instance, if they like resting near the living room, you can shift them to the hallway for some privacy and avoid conflicts with the visiting pet. However, be sure they are comfortable and used to the spot at least before the big day.

    Let your Guest Corporate with You

    Inform your visitor/s that you also have a pet at home and let them know. By doing this, it won’t come as a surprise when you request them to keep their dog/cat out of the way as yours makes its way to the yard. Also, some people don’t like their pets mixing with others, so it’s important that your guests stay informed.

    Keep your pet Busy

    You can decide to have someone take your canine for a walk during the time of visit to avoid conflicts. Consequently, if that isn’t possible, buy them a new playing machine to keep them wowed. Remember to have their toys within reach as well and check on them often.

    Don’t skip your Pet’s Daily Routine

    Ensure your pet gets on with their daily activities, and this calls for the help of other family members. For instance, meals and toilet visits should be on time to avoid triggering your pet into throwing a tantrum. It could get worse if they feel the “intruder” is receiving more attention themselves.

    Reconsider Those Seat Covers

    It’s more likely that the visiting furry might climb on your seats. So if you are not comfortable with them leaving some scent, you can take your favorite seat covers off.

    COPYRIGHT: Local Value
     
  • Protect your dog from ticks

    Protect your dog from ticks

    7 Habits to help protect your dog from ticks

    This article intends to offer simple solutions for the average dog owner to keep ticks at bay. While they may not eliminate ticks, these are practical methods at ensuring they are under control and protect your pet.

    The Dangers of Ticks on your Pet

    Apart from the blood-sucking, ticks present danger to not only your dog’s health but also you. Ticks characteristics as disease vectors is always a point of concern as transmission to the host happens faster than expected. Some ticks do only cause temporary conditions to the dog; they could manifest into more complicated situations that could be life-threatening. Some of the tick-borne diseases that pose a danger to your dog might include

    1. Lyme disease
    2. Rocky Mountain spotted fever
    3. Bartonella
    4. Babesiosis
    5. Ehrlichiosis
    6. Anaplasmosis
    7. Hepatozoonosis

    Actions that Could Save your Dog from Ticks

    For dog owners struggling against ticks is a challenge in itself. The sight of seeing your dog scratching and irritated is very frustrating. However, we have found tidbits that could prove useful in consolidating your dog’s conditions and keeping the pesky ticks at bay. Here are the practices that you could do piously as a sign of god measure against ticks.

    Regular Baths

    While it may seem simple, regular bathing your dog helps keep them well-groomed and consequently reduces the chances of carrying external parasites. You can do this every fortnightly with a specially formulated anti-tick shampoo that has medicated ingredients to kill the ticks.

    Comb and Frisk

    It may sound unimportant, but combing and frisking do help in protecting from ticks. The concept is that combing and frisking prevent hair from matting which is how ticks get to hide on the dogs.

    Regular use of Anti-tick Products

    Luckily, there are several tick-preventive items one can purchase to protect their pet form ticks. There are products such as a tick collar, anti-tick soaps, powders, dips or topical tick repellents. However, be sure the products are not toxic.

    Keep a Trimmed Lawn

    Trimming the bushes, trees, and grass around the house help prevent a tick infestation within the vegetation. Ultimately, this will ensure you can play and breed your dog around your home with fewer chances of being affected.

    Identify the Tick Season

    Ticks are seasonal parasites, and it is best to know when they strike the most. As such you could protect your dog from these external parasites by regulating his movement during such times

    Sources:  CT, Tufts
    Copyright: Local Value 

     

  • Symptoms that Indicate your Dog might be Sick

    Symptoms that Indicate your Dog might be Sick

    While dogs are unable to communicate whenever they feel ill, it is wise as a dog owner to know the early signs of sickness.

    The Condition of your Dog

    As a dog owner, you would probably do everything to ensure that your pet is healthy. However, aside from the regular vet checkups, there are very few ways you can tell that your dog is sick. Even with the regular checkups, vaccinations and a healthy diet cannot prevent the animal from getting sick. That means as a dog person you have the extra burden of having to always watch out for any conditions. Specific signs and behaviors do require seriousness and a proper veterinarian examination. If your dog indicates any of the following symptoms, you may need to seek health care services.

    Behavioral Symptoms

    1. Sleeplessness
    2. Too much sleeping
    3. Trembling
    4. Unusual scratching
    5. Loss of appetite
    6. Weakness or lethargy
    7. Physical signs
    8. Loss of weight
    9. Trouble urinating
    10. Wounds
    11. Fever
    12. Excessive coughing and breathing problems
    13. Bloated abdomen
    14. Vomiting and Diarrhea

    What You can do About your Pet’s Condition

    The health of your dog is a significant aspect to observe. Consequently, if you happen to encounter any of the mentioned signs, it is wise to get medical attention right away. While new pet owners might not be aware of pet treat, the following are the standard tests that your dog might undergo to ascertain its health condition.

    1. Urinalysis to help identify any kidney disease or urinary tract infection
    2. Blood tests/count
    3. Tick-borne and heartworm disease tests for heartworm infection and tick-based diseases
    4. Fecal analysis to identify and treat intestinal parasites

    If you are in search of more quality and firsthand information on your dog health condition, the best source is always the veterinarian. Additionally, exercise and proper diet can assist in keeping away dog health issues.

    SOURCES: CDC, Google Books, Sage Pup