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  • National Mutt Day 2016: Adopting A Mixed Breed

    National Mutt Day 2016: Adopting A Mixed Breed

    If you are looking for a new addition to the family and are entertaining owning a dog, you should really consider adopting a lovable mixed breed. There are lots of benefits to choosing a mixed breed dog over a purebred dog. There are lot’s of reasons to own a mutt and the first thing that comes to mind is longer lives.

    Mixed breed dogs are known to live longer and end up having healthier lives than their purebred counterparts. Purebreds are prone to breed-specific diseases and conditions. Mutts are usually healthier due to driving for a more diverse gene pool than a Purebred dog.  It’s possible you won’t have to deal with complications later in life with purebred dogs, dealing with higher risks of cancer or tumors, heart disease, and neurological diseases. Not that purebreds will necessarily get these type of complications, just bringing them to your attention.

    Mutts can be the perfect pet and come in all kinds of sizes and shapes.  They get a bad rap.  People say things like “Why were the dogs in the shelter anyways.” or “You just can’t trust a shelter dog because you don’t know their history.” Well, owning a mutt from the shelter means your new companion is probably housebroken, obedient, and knows a few commands. Mutts love harder than purebreds and many agree with that.

    Mutts are truly one of a kind.

    If you are going to save a life, it’s a great feeling. A mutt is an amazing canine companion. Also, one less purebred bought from breeders is one less mutt that is on the street.

    Share and spread the word about National Mutt Day this year. You might save a mutts life.
    Call us and ask us any questions you may have to see if a mutt is right for you.

    SOURCE: Pet Health Network
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value LLC

  • Pet Friendly Thanksgiving Foods

    Pet Friendly Thanksgiving Foods

    Thanksgiving is almost here and while we are busy preparing for the festive holiday, there are some precautions to look after when it comes to pet safety. Thinking of keeping your pets safe isn’t exactly the first priority you think about on a holiday but the food that falls on the floor may be toxic to your pet. That is why we will go over a few foods that are pet friendly, as well as foods that are “not so” pet friendly. Let’s take a look.

    Pet Friendly Thanksgiving Food

    1. Turkey Breast – If your cat or dog does not have food allergies, it’s safe to give (just a small amount) of some turkey breast to them. Just do not give them any skin, bones, gravy, etc. Just turkey breast and a little bit would be a great treat for them.
    2. Vegetables – Every dog ever owned has loved vegetables. Most of them are wonderful snacks for your fur babies. Just make sure there is no butter, gravy, cheese or any sauce that could be potentially harmful to your pets. You could give them some carrots, broccoli or sweet potatoes and they’ll love it! They are essential in fiber and will keep your pet fuller longer.
    3. Salmon – If you’re serving appetizers then pick up a salmon plate! A small amount would be the perfect treat for your dog or cat and they’ll love you for eternity (or until you give them more salmon).

    “Not-So” Pet Friendly Thanksgiving Foods

    1. Turkey Skin – As mentioned above, turkey breast can be a great treat, but keep the skin away.
    2. Cooked Bones – Don’t question it, just don’t give them any cooked bones. When a bone is cooked, it becomes very easy to break and can splinter into your pets mouth, throat, or intestine, causing harm to your pet and costing you a pretty penny at the vet.
    3. Chocolate – All pet owners know not to feed chocolate your your pets as it can be extremely toxic. We would never intentionally feed our pets chocolate, however it’s important to keep in mind. Keep chocolate away from your pets and encourage your guests to do the same. Candy bowls could be potential targets that your pets would want to get in to.

    SOURCE: Pet Health Network
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value LLC

  • Adopting A K-9 Veteran This Veterans Day

    Adopting A K-9 Veteran This Veterans Day

    With all the talk about adopting senior dogs this month, you might consider adopting a k-9 veteran this Veterans Day. Most people don’t think about “dogs of war” but they are just as brave and courageous as our troops and deserve to be put into wonderful homes when they retire.

    Most people think of “attack dogs” when they think of military or police dogs, but this is not the case. There is more to our courageous K-9 pals. They play such an integral role in the society of our police department and our military. Going beyond that, the military trains these brave soldiers to be search and rescue dogs, detection dogs, arson dogs, bomb detecting, even dogs that detect decomposing bodies.

    Petful.com suggests an estimated 2,300 dogs are enlisted in the U.S. armed forces. How long a dog will stay in service and how long it will take to train these brave K-9’s all depends on the specialty of the dog. The Army provides the veterinary care for these animals and the Air Force is responsible for training dogs for military service. Veterans Day commemorates the appreciation for the brave men, women, and dogs that serve the county in all areas of public service.

    It is truly amazing what our military dogs do for us every single day. They will continue to pave their way in history as intelligent and magnificent animals. Do you feel that you would like to adopt one of these amazing, 4-legged companions a great home? The Air Force website has more information on adopting a these retired heroes. Or you can contact us and we can help point you in the right direction to owning one of these magnificent dogs. You might find that they are the perfect loyal companion to you and your family.

    SOURCE: Plentiful
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • 3 Reasons Why You Should Adopt A Senior Pet

    3 Reasons Why You Should Adopt A Senior Pet

    It’s Adopt a Senior Pet Month and we are spreading the word to everyone that is looking to adopt a new fur baby. Yes puppies or kittens are adorable but pets that are well past the puppy and kitten stages are not likely to be overly hyper, curious or crazy chewers of anything within reach.

    Maybe you could consider giving a home to an older dog or cat that needs a home. Yes, November is Adopt A Senior Pet Month but senior dogs shouldn’t be overlooked by younger pets. Animal shelters across the country are full of animals of all shapes, sizes, breeds and ages, but senior pets are typically the most difficult to place. So let’s take a look at a few reasons why you should adopt a senior pet into your family!

    1. Older pets are calmer – When you bring your new pet home you will notice they are probably a lot more calm than say a rambunctious kitten or puppy. If you are looking for the perfect cuddle companion then look no further than a senior pet!
    2. They are probably trained and housebroken – Oh the joys of training puppies. Not really the training part but the chewing. Nothing like coming home to lamp shades and the back of the couch missing. Usually, senior pets have had some form of training and you don’t have to spend hours training them. And the good thing is that old dogs CAN learn new tricks!
    3. Vet Bills Might Be Lower Than You Think – Just because a dog or cat reaches the senior years doesn’t mean that each of those pets will get cancer or tumors, or that expensive medications will be necessary. If you take your pet to regular appointments with your local vet, nourish with quality food and exercise regularly then you and your senior pet should have a happy life together.

    Adopt a Senior Pet Month is the perfect time to provide a home for a shelter pet.  Call us to talk to a friendly face so they can help you pick out your perfect senior pet and keep one less pet out of the shelter this holiday season.

    SOURCE: Petful
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value LLC

  • Halloween Cat Safety Tips

    Halloween Cat Safety Tips

    Halloween can be a fun event for families and their pets. However, if you don’t take the correct safety precautions, it can also be very dangerous for our wet-nosed furry friends. Let’s take a look at some life saving tips that can help your pet this Halloween!

    Keep your cats inside

    According to Pet Health Network, “If your cats aren’t already indoor-only cats, be sure to keep them inside on Halloween night, so they are not terrified by all of the scary Halloween trick-or-treaters. With lots of scary noises and children in costumes shouting “Trick or Treat,” even indoor cats can become frightened. Many pets are lost each Halloween when they get scared and dart out of open doors, so keep your cats safe and away from the commotion by keeping them in a back room.”

    Another thing is to consider is to make sure your cats have a collar with an ID tag. It’s always a good idea to make sure all info is updated and all info is not worn off the ID tag (if it’s old). If your cat hasn’t had a microchip implanted then you might want to consider it in case your furry friend runs away. Always better to be over prepared than underprepared.

    Halloween Decorations and Fire Hazards

    If you like to decorate your home in the Halloween spirit, take into consideration what you’re putting on display and where the decorations will be placed. Easy-to-reach decorations — or candles — can be eaten or knocked over, potentially leading to choking, foreign body ingestion, electrical shock and even burns and a household fire. To be safe, make sure all decorations are safely out of reach of all pets.

    Keep candy out of your cat’s reach

    Halloween candy can be very dangerous for cats, especially chocolate and xylitol! Most people think this is something only dog owners need to worry about, but unfortunately, cats can eat candy too. Most people know that chocolate is extremely toxic to pets but few people know that candy sweetened with xylitol, like sugar-free gum, can also be very dangerous. Xylitol causes insulin release and low blood sugar levels and can lead to liver failure. Be sure to keep all Halloween candy away from your pets. Every last piece of it. You know how curious your cat is and you know they can open the wrapper. (Cats are experts at that you know) If your cat manages to steal and eat candy, immediately call us right away or take your cat to a veterinary emergency clinic.

    SOURCE: Pet Health Network
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • Why Your Cat Is Good for Your Health

    Why Your Cat Is Good for Your Health

    We could go on and on about why cats are such delightfully amazing pets. Think about it. They’re the perfect low-maintenance companions. Besides being adorable, they also give you a warm, happy welcome when you come home (but on their own accord of course).

    Simply owning cats is good for your health, too.

    When you think of things that can help you get healthier, you don’t really think about cats that much. However, health professionals and researchers are finding that owning a cat can actually benefit your health. You can enjoy a number of benefits from cat ownership.

    How Are Cats Good For Your Health

    Reduces stress, anxiety, and depression – It’s no secret that millions of Americans suffer from stress, anxiety disorders and/or depression. Having a cat has many psychological benefits, and one of those is relieving stress, anxiety and depression. Being able to care for an animal, or having a cat snuggle with you, can help you feel better, and reduce your level of stress.

    Helps you recover more quickly from sickness or accidents – ‘Cat rehab’ has great health benefits and has even been found to comfort cancer patients. See, your cat is more than just a cute ball of fur. They help reduce, blood pressure, and risk of stroke as well.

    Gives free therapy – A kneading massage, warm body heat, and the vibration from purring make cats the perfect therapeutic healing tool.

    Improve your mood: In many cases, interacting with a pet can help improve your mood. This includes cats. Owning a cat can help you feel better in general, boosting your mood. If you are looking to see mood improvement, a cat can help with that.

    Reduced loneliness: Many who have feelings of loneliness can find relief with a pet. Cat companionship can help those who are lonely feel a connection with another life. Just having a cat to come home to and spend time with can help those who are single, or widowed.

    SOURCE: PetSafe
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • Have an Obese Dog? Try These Tips to Get Them Back Into Shape!

    Have an Obese Dog? Try These Tips to Get Them Back Into Shape!

    We all know that obesity can cause a host of health problems for people — but it also causes a list of medical issues for dogs.

    “More and more people are becoming health conscious and watching what they eat and making sure that they get enough exercise. This is important for pet owners to do for their pups too.” says Petful.com. A recent study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention shows that a staggering 54 percent of American dogs are overweight or obese, and the number is climbing. In other words, it’s an epidemic.

    We want our dogs in top shape so they can live longer and healthier lives. The question is, what’s the best way to help your dog lose weight and get back in shape?

    Bring Your Dog To Us

    You might have noticed your dog is a few pounds overweight but didn’t know the correct way that they should lose the weight.

    • How much food do you feed them without starving them?
    • What is a healthy weight loss rate?
    • How much exercise should my dog get?

    You should call us and schedule an appointment for your dog so we can answer any important questions you have. The veterinarian will do a complete evaluation of your pet’s physical condition and let you know if he is healthy enough to start on an exercise program.

    A dog that appears to be overweight and not in optimum condition could have underlying health issues such as thyroid problems, diabetes or Cushing’s disease.

    It’s critical that you talk with us before changing anything in your dog’s schedule or diet. We will also be able to provide pointers on dieting and exercise, and should be able to determine a target weight that is realistic for your dog.

    SOURCE: Petful
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • How To Choose The Perfect Shelter Dog

    How To Choose The Perfect Shelter Dog

    How To Choose The Perfect Shelter Dog

    It’s Adopt-A-Shelter Dog month and it’s the perfect time to bring a shelter dog home to join your family. If you’re thinking of adopting a new canine family member this month – or any month of the year – here are some tips to consider before choosing the perfect shelter dog for you and your family.

    Questions To Ask Yourself

    Why is the dog in the shelter in the first place?

    A stray’s history is an unknown, but if a dog was given up, you’ll want to know why. It may have nothing to do with the dog at all…in fact, it could have ran away, the owners neglected the animal or even a divorce in the family. You have to also consider that the previous owners got rid of the dog due to behavior problems Behavior problems are often treatable, but it’s good to know about them up front.

    Does the dog have any known medical issues?

    It’s better to know in advance if the dog has any medical ailments that might not be visible. You don’t want to be stuck with outrageous vet bills.

    Has the dog been temperament tested?

    Temperament tests try to gauge a dog’s personality and catch red flags such food and object aggression and overall temperament. However, if you do adopt a shelter dog, be careful and gauge the dog’s behavior for the first few weeks to make sure it doesn’t become aggressive with objects, other dogs and food.

    How Do I Select The Right Shelter?

    Picking the right shelter is the first step in picking your perfect shelter dog. While some communities have only one animal shelter, others may have two or even three shelters from which you can adopt.

    Schedule A Meet & Greet

    You can schedule a meet & greet so you can see how your potential shelter dog acts around your family. Spend plenty of time and get a good vibe for the dog. Does it feel like a good fit? Get to know it and make the wise decision.

    SOURCE: PetSafe
    COPYRIGHT: LocalValue