FETCH! FURRY "TALES"

Taking a Bite out of the Organic Pet Food Market--By: Lynn Coccodrilli

2010-02-26T11:36:00.004-05:00

In today’s health conscious society, emphasis trends on healthy eating, exercise, and overall wellness as part of one’s daily lifestyle. Every day we make informed decisions about the kind of foods we eat. Thus, the demand for and consumption of organic foods continues to grow. After all, you are what you eat. Not surprisingly, pet dogs have taken a bite out of the organic food market as well. According to the Organic Trade Association, organic pet food sales have been growing at nearly three times the rate of organic human food. What is all the bark about? Just like you, your pet dog’s health depends on the proper blend of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vegetables, essential fatty acids and antioxidants. In order for food to qualify as organic, certain standards pertaining to how agricultural products are grown and processed must be met. It includes a system of production, processing, distribution and sales that assures consumers, both human and canine, that food products will maintain the organic integrity that began on the farm. Organic foods undergo a strict certification process before deemed as “organic.” Inspectors check crops and animals for unnatural alterations that are not environmentally or animal friendly, (hormone injections in cows, antibiotics in chickens). Therefore, organically grown food – being void of chemicals, preservatives, growth hormones, antibiotics, and other unnatural additives & artificial substances – is naturally more flavorful, nutrient-rich, and digestibly soluble. This allows your pet dog to absorb & retain far more quality nutrients every meal. Why should I be wagging my tail? Consider the potential benefits of organic food for you r pet dog. Organic foods (and treats!) can make a big difference in your dog’s overall life: 1. Optimal Health & Vitality. Chemicals and fillers found in non-organic food tend to make your dog feel sluggish, no different than how you feel when your eating habits wane. All natural food contains pure, holistic ingredients that aid digestion, and keep your dog’s body systems functioning at their best. 2. Prolonged Life of Your Pet. Feeding your pet dog an organic diet, which lacks synthetic additives, may prolong your pet’s life and even help eliminate existing health problems. 3. Health Immunity & Disease Prevention. Conventionally manufactured pet food contains pesticide-laden food products, which do pose the threat of illness such as cancer; food allergies have long been linked to toxins & chemicals used throughout the food industry. The body becomes more resistant to disease when it is nourished with pure, all natural ingredients. 4. Organic Pet Food Tastes Great! ‘Not for human consumption’, ‘non specific animal source’ and ‘Contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin’ likely tastes as horrible as it sounds. Overall, foods that are 100% natural are healthier than those with synthetic additives. Therefore, when you buy organic food, you are actually paying for the reassurance and luxury of knowing that the food has been handled with care. Does your dog deserve anything less? Paws down, your dog is worth it.

How to Keep Your Pet Fit for the Winter Months

2010-02-09T09:41:00.001-05:00

As winter continues to tighten her grip across the nation, our pet dogs might feel a tightening of the winter sweaters right about now. This can be a difficult time of year not only for humans but for our pets as well. Whether you’re guilty of giving your pet scraps from the holiday buffet table or just from one too many doggie treats, the fact is 40% of dogs are overweight. According to a Reuter’s article from 2008, this translates to 17 million dogs carrying extra weight. Time to call a pet sitting service for your pet’s dog walking needs! Dog walking is the most popular service request that pet services get. This is a great way to keep your pet dog fit and trim, consistently active and avoid boredom that can lead to behavioral issues. It will also relieve the doldrums that come from your pet sitting around all day waiting for you to come home. In addition to signing on with a pet service for your pet sitting and dog walking needs, you can also make dog treats from scratch; there are terrific recipes online or even pet recipe books, how fun! Or find a pet bakery that specializes in healthy, natural treats for your pet dog. If you’ve been thinking about changing over to a diet dog food you’ll want to be extra careful. When it comes to their actual pet food you want to be cautious and not change it overnight. It should be a gradual change of mixing the food and then over time you’ll switch over completely. Speak with your vet about these changes and what’s best for your pet dog. Here’s a handy suggestion for keeping your furry kids happy and healthy…When it comes time to feed my Beagle Daisy instead of using a traditional dog bowl we use a Kong. Every morning and evening we measure her food, pour it into the gadget and for the next ten minutes she rolls it around by her nose and waits for the food to drop out, piece by piece. This way she’s active while she’s eating, it stimulates her brain and she doesn’t inhale a bunch of air from eating way too fast. Just by measuring her food and using this feeding method she has shed 13lbs. And, the difference is amazing! She’ll be 10 this year but she has all of the energy of a 3yr old dog. She’s like Benjamin Button. Still not sold on using a pet service or changing her feeding habits? Not even sure if your pet dog is actually overweight? Try this simple test…Stand over your dog, what do you see? Do you see her sides plump out or does she have more of an hourglass figure? You want to see the latter; even the slightest bit of visible rib cage is acceptable. Having a dog as a pet is a great way to stay in shape, be active and relieve stress which can lead to weight gain and boredom. This article was written by Carolyn Alonzo, owner of Fetch! Pet Care of Chicago Loop-Lincoln Park. Carolyn can be reached at 312-235-2409. Fetch! Pet Care is the largest national pet services and pet sitting company in the United States; serving 38 states in more than 2,000 cities and towns

10 Commandments of Pet Love

2009-11-14T18:04:00.003-05:00

I watched in horror one night as my 1-year old kitten, Jack, knocked over and broke an $800 Murano table lamp. Gasping for air, I screamed, "Look at what you did!" He scurried away and left me to clean up the broken glass.

Remove pets or face fines!

2009-10-26T23:14:00.003-04:00

More than a dozen dog owners in a luxury Hoboken condo complex that's home to Gov. Jon Corzine and Giants quarterback Eli Manning have been given until this Saturday to get rid of pets over 25 pounds or face fines of up to $500 a day,

The purr-fect Howl-een

2009-10-26T20:13:00.010-04:00

With all of its mystique, legend and lore, Halloween is a fun event for the entire family -- including your furry friends. Keep your pets safe and happy this fall with a simple checklist.

Kennel Nation? Far from it!

2009-10-26T20:10:00.006-04:00

So you're going out of town for awhile and you need someone to care for your pet: A recent survey shows that, among the various options, the "top dog" is in-home pet sitting.

The Great Escape: Must see Video

2009-10-21T10:38:00.002-04:00

A dead-bolt was no match for Pharoah, a German shepherd on the mend who fled his vet's office in the middle of the night and is now bound for viral video history, thanks to our local ABC News affiliate.

Republican Rep. Thaddeus McCotter & the HAPPY ACT

2009-10-16T11:57:00.006-04:00

Listen or read the latest on the HAPPY ACT with NPR and Rep. Thaddeus McCotter. Please consider supporting this ACT!

LOBBY for the HAPPY ACT!

2009-10-15T16:00:00.003-04:00

Lawmakers in Washington are considering a tax break of up to $3,500 for pet owners, under what would be known as the "HAPPY" Act.

TELL US!

2009-10-14T14:52:00.001-04:00

What makes your “furry baby” so special and lovable?

5 Ways to Keep Your Pet Safe on Halloween

2009-10-14T12:06:00.001-04:00

Halloween may be full of tricks and treats for humans, but the holiday does not hold the same appeal for our pet counterparts. In fact, Halloween can be a downright frightening time for pets.

ADOPTION ALERT: 2-year old Shih Tzu

2009-10-12T21:05:00.001-04:00

Amanda is a 2-year-old Shih Tzu mix who was dropped at the Liberty Humane Society by an owner who could no longer afford to keep her.

For some, hard times are a gateway to new careers

2009-10-12T18:21:00.002-04:00

Caroline Blake knew what she didn't like — her job — and what she did — animals. The result was a new career in pet care. A year ago, Blake, 29, of Kenilworth, N.J, was a recruiter for an IT consulting firm that was laying people off. Fearing she was next, she quit.

Liberty Humane Society Raises $25K and Awareness

2009-10-12T16:24:00.002-04:00

The Liberty Humane Society held its 6th annual Bark in the Park this weekend, and today organizers reported some good news.

Looking for Love in all the right Cages

2009-10-12T14:29:00.004-04:00

"as soon as we walked into the second room full of incredibly deserving animals, we heard it – a thump, thump, thump that cut through all of the barking,"

How to Punch a Clock and Pamper your Pet

2009-10-12T13:13:00.006-04:00

With summer over, pet owners now back at work full time are contending with challenges beyond their bosses' demands -- namely, how to keep Buck and Fluffy happy, healthy and out of trouble.