Archive for March 28th, 2010
Pets (especially the younger ones) love to play! And they aren’t particular about the items they choose to play with. It can be a cat toy or a dog toy purchased at a pet store or it could be as simple as a tape measure they found in the sewing room or a pencil they knocked off a desk. Dr. Jennifer Zablotny, an AAHA veterinarian, says that items that pets play with must be checked out and she even advises that play time be supervised. And really, doesn’t this make sense? We are overly concerned about what babies get ahold of, and that same concern should transfer to our pets.
I read an article in the newspaper the other day about a dog dying from chewing on a ping pong ball. So we need to be extra careful about what is lying around for our pets to get ahold of. Dr. Zablotny says, “The most common hazards are toys that are inappropriately sized for the pet.” Let’s really scrutinize what our pets are playing with and get rid of any that could cause a tragedy!
An article by the American Animal Hospital Association states, “Most people know that cats are easy animals to love and care for, and can be wonderful family pets. What you may not know is that owning a cat offers much more than just companionship. Studies show that owning a cat can have numerous benefits on overall mental and physical health for people of all ages. From lowering blood pressure in adults to helping children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), cats are more than just furry friends — adopting a cat can mean a healthier, happier family.” I would say from my experience that dogs could also be included in that paragraph. What is sad though is that pets who provide humans with so much more than companionship are sometimes taken for granted and fed with the cat food or dog food that is on sale.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials dictates how meat, poultry, and seafood can be used in pet food names. At least 95% of the food, excluding water for processing and seasonings, must be the named ingredient. Your pet may require more or less of a particular food depending on its age, environment, and activity level. So when selecting food for your pet, know what is best for him or her (you may need to get suggestions from your veterinarian), then make sure you read the directions, and scan the ingredients list. After all, a pet that contributes to a healthier, happier family deserves to be fed what is most healthy for him/her.
I always assumed that cats had the easiest lives in the world because it seems to me that the majority of their day is spent sleeping. However, I read an article the other day in PetsMatter by the American Animal Hospital Association that says that cats lounging around the house DO feel stress and that it can lead to aggressive play. My initial thought was, “Cats laying around feel stressed? Are you kidding?” However, after thinking about it, I could see where the author was coming from because I know from experience that boredom can certainly be stressful.
What the article recommends to alleviate this anxiety is a minimum of ‘owner-involvement’ play five minutes a day with cat toys that involves chasing and pouncing. Now I am certainly guilty of not ‘playing’ with my cat at least five minutes a day. Sure, I brush him and pet him and hold him, but I am going to start playing with him. I have a feeling it will take both of us some time to get used to this since neither of us is a youngster, but , hey, you’re never too old to play. Wish us luck!