We all know that the internet was made for cat videos, so it makes total sense that as a result, we have a new category of celebrities – the Cat Celebrity! Have you heard of Grumpy Cat, Nala Cat or Oskar The Blind Cat? What about Tara Hero Cat? Our friends over at Friskies put together the definitive guide to the most influential kitty celebrities on the web so you can keep track of who’s who and which cat will be the next big thing! The Friskies 50 is an index of the most influential cats on the Internet, based on each cat’s social reach and engagement across an array of social accounts. See the full list at www.Friskies50.com where you can see the arrows displayed beside each cat’s position which indicate upward or downward movement from the previous month and a gold star indicates a first time appearance on the Friskies 50. Also, if you know a cat that should be in the Friskies 50, you can nominate them by typing in their name! Check out the fun at www.Friskies50.com
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Why do dogs chew?
Our friends over at Purina created this simple graphic to help you understand some of the key reasons that puppies and dogs often like to chew. It’s important to give your puppy or dog appropriate chew toys and treats so they can have relieve pent up stress and energy… and have some fun! It’s also important, of course, to keep things like shoes and other chew-licious items safely out of your dog or puppy’s reach, as they can chew off chunks of material which could cause a life-threatening intestinal blockage. Even chew toys designed for dogs often say to allow your dog to chew only when supervised, in case your pup has Godzilla-like chewing power. Chewing appropriate things also can help keep teeth and gums strong, clean, and healthy. Let’s hear it for chewing!
Who Knew Dog Safety Could Be So Much Fun?
by Katie Kirnan
“I’ve always wanted a diagram to evaluate Zelda’s poo, and now I’ve got it. And although I hope we’ll never use it, I now feel very well-versed in the doggy Heimlich maneuver. This book rules.”—Seth Rogen
What could easily be an inaccessible, tedious read is instead a thoroughly entertaining reference guide thanks to Adopt-a-Pet.com co-founder and lifelong animal advocate, Amy Luwis, who has created one of the best dog books on the planet: For Dog’s Sake!: A Simple Guide to Protecting Your Pup from Unsafe Foods, Everyday Dangers, and Bad Situations
“This has to be the cutest serious book I’ve ever seen. The cartoon dogs on every page are a riot and engaging and worth the price of the book alone. The actual information inside is equally good.”—Top 1000 Reviewer Vine Voice
While many dog health resources are already out there, none of them are like Amy’s book. Sure, some of us may own a sturdy, 400-page veterinary tome (that we’ve never opened), and while these are full of excellent information — and guaranteed to impress any guests in your home — they’re also long, difficult to read, and devoid of illustrations. More importantly, their inaccessibility makes it less likely that a dog parent will pick it up and read it.
Amy’s book is the opposite and will most likely be dog-eared from day one. For Dog’s Sake! covers a lot of vital topics, from the Heimlich Maneuver, to rescue breathing, to dressing a wound, to toxic substances and somehow Ms. Luwis manages to make it all so adorably cute and easy to understand! Luwis also tackles unsavory, but crucial topics like poop and yes, she makes poop look cute, too. There’s a Review Quiz at the end of the book for the studious and an excellent section dispelling the myths of shelter dogs. I think it’s safe to say that Amy’s book is a treasure trove of life-saving information.
While dog parents seem like the go-to audience for this book, For Dog’s Sake! is really for anyone in the dog world — vets, dog-sitters, shelter employees, pup lovers, and hey, why not, any dog out there who can read. (And if you are a dog and you’re reading this, wow. Just… wow.)
As if all of this wasn’t compelling enough, a portion of the book’s proceeds will help sick and injured homeless pets through Adopt-a-Pet.com’s Veterinary Care Fund. So, by purchasing this book, you’re not just helping your dog — you’re helping other dogs and animals in need, too!
Amy’s book is published by Andrews McMeel. For more information, visit: ForDogsSake.Rocks and be sure to follow Amy for more dog tips and cartoons @RedandHowling.
Wonderful Life with Dog
TRUTH! Once you’ve had the love of a dog (or ANY pet) it’s impossible to live without it. Pets make life so special. Ready to experience that feeling for yourself? Millions of amazing animals are awaiting adoption right now. Search for them at Adopt-a-Pet.com! If you like this cartoon, like our Facebook page at Adopt-a-Pet.com for more cartoons like this one from Redandhowling.
Why Does My Dog Cry At Night?
There are many reasons your dog may cry at night including loneliness, anxiety, pain, and alerting you to noises he hears outside. Since there are so many possible reasons for the crying, it can be difficult to pinpoint the reason without looking at context and then working to eliminate each potential cause. The good news is that, more often than not, it’s no cause for alarm when your dog cries at night.
Ruling Out A Medical Issue
Anytime there is any notable change in your dog’s behavior, a visit to the vet is warranted. Since dogs can’t tell you when they feel sick, you have to rely on other cues to know when something is wrong.
If your dog has typically been pretty settled at bedtime but suddenly has started crying at night, it’s a good idea to schedule a vet visit to rule out a medical issue. Also note that some dogs begin crying at night as they age even in the absence of a medical problem.
Dealing With A Crying Dog
Once the vet gives your dog a clean bill of health, you’ll have to decide how to deal with the crying. It sounds unkind, but don’t run to comfort the dog every time he cries or he’ll quickly learn that crying in the middle of the night equals attention.
Instead, keep these tips in mind:
- Puppies in a new home will cry. It’s to be expected. Once they settle in and realize they are safe, it will stop on its own.
- It’s possible that the crying stems from a lack of exercise. Try giving your dog an extra walk or two during the day.
- Limit food and water as it gets close to bedtime.
- Try playing soft music or the television to calm your pet.
- If the crying only occurs when you’re out of the room, it’s possible your dog has separation anxiety. Make note of any other behavior that seems off, and mention this to your vet.
- While you may have the urge to run to your pet anytime he cries at night, doing so only sets you up for the crying to continue indefinitely. Instead, try the tips above. If none work, talk to an animal behaviorist for advice tailored to your pet.
Why Exercise & Training Your Adopted Dog is Important
When people adopt a dog, many people don’t realize the importance that spending time training your dog can have on keeping you and your dog happy. Dog training gives you a reason to spend quality time with your dog while training him or her. Your dog will get the pleasure of learning how to work well in your home, and will even get a reward for their efforts!
Training your dog is also about training you and your family on how to communicate with your dog in a loving and clear way. It’s really just communicating clearly to your dog what the rules of your home are, and since dogs are eager to please, once they know the rules, they are happy to get with the program. This is especially true with a rescue dog who is so appreciative of the love you are giving, and who may not have been given the chance to learn how to work well with people in his or her previous home. When you, your family and your dog know what is to be expected in terms of behavior, everyone is happy! Click here to check out this article on training your dog to do sports on Petcentric.com
Why Is My Dog Whining For No Reason?
If your dog is whining, there likely is a reason—even if you’re having a hard time figuring out what that reason is. Puppies and dogs use whining as a form of communication, so the whining could be because he’s trying to alert you to something, he’s hurt or sick, or to let you know he wants something. In most cases, whining isn’t an issue, but if it’s excessive, you may need the help of an animal trainer to curb the behavior.
Is Your Dog Sick?
One thing that is important to rule out is a medical condition. Sometimes it’s easy to tell when the whining is due to pain, but other times it’s not. If it started suddenly and occurs at random times, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your vet to make sure nothing is medically wrong.
Is Your Dog Alerting You?
If your dog is whining and running to the same spot or staring out the window, it’s likely that he’s trying to alert you to something. This could be anything from a stranger in the yard to a stray plastic bag stuck in a bush, but it’s always a good idea to check things out. Once your dog sees that you’ve given the all clear, he’ll likely stop whining. Be sure to praise him, so that he’ll know that alerting you to potential danger is the right thing to do.
Is Your Dog Looking For Attention?
Some dogs will whine for extra food, more treats, or additional playtime. While you want to supply your dog’s needs, you also want to be careful not to teach your dog that whining = getting what you want.
If your dog whines to get certain things, only supply that thing once the whining has stopped. This will reward silence rather than whining.
Whining rarely happens for no reason, so try to pinpoint the cause so you can stop the behavior.
Worlds of Wonder contest
We wanted to let you know about the Worlds of Wonder contest being put on by Friskies. The four grand prizes are valued at $8,500 to $10,000. If you win, you’ll choose one of four adventures: Signature Blend Mountain Ranch Adventure (at the pet-friendly Triple Creek Ranch in Montana), Seafood Sensations Paradise Island Adventure (at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas), Indoor Delights Tree House Adventure (at The Tree House Lodge in Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica) or the Feline Favorites Build-Your-Own Adventure (Awarded in the form of a $10,000 gift certificate to Carlson Travel). There are also two types of online instant-win prizes: A coupon for Friskies 3.15-lb dry cat food up to $4.97 each (6,624 total, 24 available per day) or a very cute Friskies-Branded Cat Food Bowl, Average Retail Value $17.50 each (2,760 total, 10 available per day). We like those kind of odds of winning! To enter the contest read on…
To Enter the Contest: First you need a Game code. Game codes are inside specially-marked 3.15 lb bags of Friskies dry cat food, and available via mail for free. (Details at http://www.friskies.com/Worlds-of-Wonder/Faqs/Default.aspx#sweeps). Then you have to join their free club for cat-lovers. All fields are required, and you’ll need to choose a unique user name. Then, you have to play four times to be entered to win one of the four grand prizes. You have from now until 1/31/10 to play.
Got your code and you’re ready? Enter on their website at http://friskies.com/Worlds-of-Wonder/Default.aspx.
Will A Dog Eat Itself To Death?
It would be highly unusual for a dog to eat himself to death, but some dogs will certainly overeat if given the chance. Free feeding is a common practice among pet owners, and it may work for some dogs who will stop eating when satisfied. Other dogs, however, will continue to eat until they make themselves sick. Fatalities from gorging are extremely rare. That being said, bloat is a serious condition that can be caused by eating too much too quickly and can be fatal if not treated immediately.
Problems With Overeating
While your dog isn’t likely to eat himself to death in one sitting, long-term overeating can certainly shorten his life and lead to a myriad of medical conditions including:
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Arthritis
As is the case with humans, ensuring your dog eats a proper balanced diet is important to his good health. If your dog tends to overeat, then free feeding is not the way to go. Instead, you’ll want to put out measured amounts of food two or three times a day.
Why Do Some Dogs Overeat?
Like humans, some dogs tend to eat until satisfied while others overeat anytime they have the chance. There is no one simple answer as to why some dogs overeat, but potential causes include:
- Boredom
- Anxiety
- Former food deprivation
- Hormone imbalances
No matter the reason, curbing your pet’s overeating is important in order to help him maintain optimal health. Free feeding may be convenient, but if your dog doesn’t know when to stop, then it’s detrimental to his health.
Even though your dog isn’t likely to eat himself to death in one sitting, long-term overeating could lead to serious health consequences. If you’re not sure how much or how often your pet should be eating, talk to your vet for advice specific to your dog.
Why is Obesity so Dangerous for Pets?
Obesity is just as dangerous for pets as it is for humans. The extra pounds weigh on an animal’s cardiovascular and respiratory systems, exacerbating existing problems and causing new ones. Fat cats and dogs are also prone to injury, more at risk in surgery, and predisposed to conditions such as diabetes. And the laundry list of problems doesn’t end there. Decreased stamina, diminished immune function, and digestive disorders are all potential consequences of obesity.
Being severely overweight can significantly diminish your cat or dog’s quality of life. So when your porky pet pleads with you for an extra treat, remember that saying no may be the kindest response.