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Toxic Holidays
No, we're not talking about Grandma's cooking! We're talking about those beautiful houseplants that grace our homes, especially around the holiday season. Many houseplants, and some that seem to be part of Christmas itself, are toxic to pets. Does your cat or dog have a taste for your greenery? Here is a list of some common holiday plants which are dangerous - or even fatal - to pets:
Poinsettia - leaves, stem, and flowers
Mistletoe - whole plant
Holly - berries
English Ivy - whole plant, especially leaves and berries
Azalea - whole plant
Rhododendron - leaves
For a more complete list, visit The Humane Society of the United States.
Other dangers to your pets exist at the holidays, including ribbon and tinsel, which can cause severe intestinal problems if ingested. Not to mention those leftovers that are so tempting! Human seasonings are not good for animals, and our favorite holiday foods are often too rich or fatty to be healthy for pets. Their digestive systems are easily upset, and they could develop a distaste for their own food, with resulting inadequate nutrition and illness.
An excellent review of other ways to keep your pet safe during the holidays can be found at http://www.sniksnak.com/holidays.html
Parisian Dogs
There are more dogs in Paris than children! About half a million dogs live in the city. Paris is extremely pet-friendly, and dogs are allowed in most public places, including restaurants. Don't forget to watch where you step!
Did You Know???
A person who loves cats is called an ailurophile.
World's Smallest Living Dog
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the world's smallest fully mature dog living (in terms of height) is Whitney, a Yorkshire terrier who measured three inches to the shoulder on November 26, 2002. Whitney lives in Shoeburyness, Essex, UK.
World's Largest Litter of Puppies
On November 29, 2004, Tia, a Neopolitan Mastiff, gave birth to a litter of 24 puppies. Tia resides in Cambridgeshire, UK.
Pets Help to Lower Health Care Costs People with pets actually make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)
There are 73,900,000 pet dogs in the United States.
Our Pampered Pets
According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) 2005-2006 National Pet Owners Survey, close to 154 million pet owners are expected to spend $2.6 billion on pet gifts this holiday season.
Pardon Us, But Did You Know That
Cats Can Be Toilet Trained?
It's true! Just in case you need proof, take a look at Goldberg. (Can't a cat get a little privacy???) Melissa, of Ferndale, Michigan, sent these pictures of her cat using the (ahem) facilities. Apparently, Goldberg decided if it was good enough for people, it was good enough for him; he is completely self-trained!
If your cat isn't quite as much of a self-starter, there are several products available to aid you in your potty-training efforts. One example is the
Pets Help to Lower Blood Pressure
A recent study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did those who did not own a pet. (Dr. Karen Allen, State University of New York at Buffalo)
Pets Help to Reduce Stress
Walking with a pet helps to sooth nerves and offers instant relaxation. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners, especially males, than on those who do not own a pet. (Josephine M. Wills, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, United Kingdom)
Longest Cat Whiskers
Do you measure your cat's whiskers? Well, someone does, and the Guinness Book of World Records knows who. According to their experts, the record for the longest whisker on a cat belongs to Mingo, a Maine Coon living in Finland. Mindo's record-holding whisker measured 17.4 cm (6.8 in) on July 30, 2004.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
~ Margaret Mead
World's Oldest Bird
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the greatest irrefutable age reported for any bird is over 80 years. Cocky, a male sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), who died at the London Zoo in 1982, holds the record.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.
Photo: DA Trounson/Nature Focus
© Australian Museum
Faster Than A Speeding...... Cat???
The average housecat runs about 12 miles per hour (20 km per hour.) But a frightened cat is not so average! The "scaredy-cat" is capable of running 30 to 36 miles per hour - sprinting about the same speed as a giraffe!
Free To Good Home?
If you have a pet you can no longer care for, please think twice before placing a "Free To Good Home" advertisement. There are many people who have less than honorable intentions for a free animal, and others who may have a very different idea about what constitutes a "good home." Those of us who love animals may not believe that there can be people out there who don't feel the same as we do, but animal rescue groups hear too many sad stories.
Before you list a free pet, please visit the following page:
If you feel you can no longer keep your pet, please visit:
People Food Can Be Dangerous To Your Pet!
Animals have much different metabolisms than humans do. Something you consider delicious (and maybe Fido, does, too) could potentially cause serious dangers to your pet's health. We suggest that you memorize this list of foods you don't want to share with your furry friends!
Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet
- Alcoholic beverages
- Avocado
- Chocolate (all forms)
- Coffee (all forms)
- Fatty foods
- Macadamia nuts
- Moldy or spoiled foods
- Onions, onion powder
- Raisins and grapes
- Salt
- Yeast dough
- Garlic
- Products sweetened with xylitol
- Vitamins
- Diet Pills
- Many pain killers
For more information, refer to:
Homeless Pet Statistics
If every pet in the U.S. were to have a home that would mean every family would have to own 7 dogs and 21 cats!
If 92% of all dogs and cats were spayed or neutered the remaining 8% could provide enough puppies and kittens for the entire world.
An average of 575 homeless dogs and cats are still being euthanized every hour at shelters across the nation.
It is estimated that only 1 in every 6 cats is lucky enough to have a home.
On average 15-30% of dogs ending up in U.S. shelters are reclaimed while cats average only 2-5% being reclaimed. Please keep a current tag with your address and phone number on your pets. It is a lifesaving act!
Please Spay and Neuter Your Pets!
Garlic, Onion and Dogs
Garlic and onion are used as flavor enhancers in food. Some human baby foods have onion in them, and it is not recommended to feed them to pets. In dogs and cats, garlic and onion can cause a type of anemia, resulting in a breakdown of the red blood cells. Very small amounts of garlic that are present in some commercial pet foods have not be shown to cause any problems.
The bulbs, bulbets, flowers, and stems of the garlic and onion are all poisonous.
Toxic Dose:
Unknown. Cats appear to be more sensitive than dogs.
Signs:
Vomiting, diarrhea, anemia, discolored urine, weakness, liver damage, allergic reactions, asthmatic attacks, and in case of skin exposure, contact dermatitis.
Immediate Action:
Induce vomiting and seek veterinary attention. If dermal (skin) exposure, bathe thoroughly and contact a veterinarian.
Veterinary Care:
General treatment: The induction of vomiting may be continued, gastric lavage is performed, and activated charcoal administered, if ingested. If dermal exposure has occurred, the animal will be bathed and dried thoroughly.
Supportive treatment: IV fluids are administered to maintain hydration. The animal will be monitored and treated for liver damage. Repeated blood tests will be performed to monitor for anemia; blood transfusions will be administered if necessary.
Specific treatment: Unavailable.
Prognosis: Variable.
For more information, visit:
