Take Your Dog To Work Day (TYDTWDay) celebrates dogs and promotes their adoption. The 2013 event will take place on Friday, June 21. On this day, thousands of pet owners will work with their dogs to celebrate the 15th annual TYDTWDay.

First celebrated in 1999, Pet Sitters International’s TYDTWDay was created to celebrate the great companions dogs make and to encourage their adoption from humane societies and animal shelters. This annual event asks pet lovers to celebrate the humane-canine bond and promote pet adoption by encouraging their employers to support TYDTWDay.

Experience the joy of pets in the workplace on Friday, June 21! 

http://www.takeyourdog.com/About/ 

According to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association, “pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, may be reasonable for reduction in cardiovascular disease risk.”

The statement takes into account research showing positive effects of pet ownership on heart health. For example, research shows that dog-owners get 54 percent more exercise than pet-free people. Other research shows pets can help lower stress, blood pressure, cholesterol and obesity, and that owning a pet boosts survival among people with heart disease.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/12/pets-heart-health-dog-ownership_n_3239290.html

The benefits of teaching your dog a few tricks are limitless! It is a great way to form a closer, more communicative bond with your dog. Trick training is likely to result in better health for your dog: builds muscle tone and stamina, increases flexibility, improves balance and concentration, and boosts your dog’s confidence.

Trick training is a useful way to challenge your dog’s energy into something positive!

Check out Jesse, the Jack Russell Terrier:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9Fyey4D5hg

April is Volunteer Month!  Why not contribute your time to help animals in suffering?

The Animal House Project is a great charitable organization in Chester County. Their mission is to help homeless and abused animals. You can donate money and/or pet food to help those individuals keep their pets at home and out of the shelters. For more information on the Animal House Project, visit their website at http://www.lovemelovemypets.org/index.html .

In addition to the Animal House Project, you can also make a donation to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). The Chester County SPCA is an award-winning shelter dedicated to promoting humane treatment of animals. Thousands of animals receive shelter, food, vaccinations, and a physical exam. They receive no funding from other humane societies or federal, state, or county sources.  The SPCA also makes every attempt to find permanent homes for these animals while continuing to solve the problems of animal suffering. For more information, visit the Chester County SPCA at http://www.ccspca.org/. 

How do you know the best food for your dog?

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, about 44% of dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese.

Pet store aisles are lined with dozens of brands of dog food. Many dog owners these days splurge on expensive dog foods, thinking they are buying the best for their dog. But according to many veterinaries, price isn’t a good guideline when it comes to the quality of food.

Dog food ingredients vary, depending on the manufacturer and the brand. Dog food contains protein, which supplies necessary amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Depending on the manufacturer, the food could contain protein from animal or plant sources. The FDA is responsible for ensuring that pet foods are safe and labeled appropriately. The type of food, whether it is dry or canned, depends on your pet and your preferences.

Many people love to lavish food treats on their dogs: bacon and cheese snacks, pig ears, and an endless amount of table scraps. But all those indulgences come at a hefty price. Too many owners forget to factor treats into a pet’s overall caloric intake. A general recommendation is that treats should not make up more than 15% to 20% of the pet’s total diet.

Adequate water is key to maintain appropriate health for your dog. Water makes up 80% of your dog’s body, and dissolves natural and unnatural substances as well as serves as the root of all biological processes, including digestion.

A nutritious, balanced diet is essential to keeping your dog healthy! 

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/diet-nutrition

Did you know that February 19 is National Boxer Day?!  We didn’t either until now!  Miss Mollie Mae Says… Celebrate (even if it is a day late)! 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=412412922182814&set=a.159834520773990.37155.123259951098114&type=1&theater  

http://dogtime.com/heart-health-ernie-ward.html

Cardiovascular Disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.  As cardiovascular disease becomes increasingly common, health organizations are generating efforts to educate and motivate the public about the importance of heart-healthy foods and exercise to tackle heart disease. This relevant information is essential for both you and your dog.

Heart Disease can strike a dog at any age. There are many forms of heart disease that are inherited and appear when the dog is a puppy, while other forms are associated at a matured age. The best way to prevent heart failure is to provide a healthy, active lifestyle for your pet.

How can you tell if your pet has heart disease? It is essential to have your dog examined yearly by a veterinarian. Because older dogs have a much higher incidence of heart disease, they should be checked twice a year. Common symptoms of heart disease in dogs include coughing, decreased stamina, pale skin, lethargy, decreased appetite, swollen abdomen, and decreased play/interactivity.

Veterinary research has stated that Omega 3’s have positive health benefits for dogs. Over the past few years, Omega 3 has become the fastest growing nutritional supplement for dogs! Omega 3 helps control your pet’s inflammation, ease arthritis pain, benefit the heart & kidneys, increase trainability, and improve mood. Even if you have a healthy pet, Omega 3 supplements are also good to maintain the health of your dog.

In order to keep your pet’s heart healthy: take your dog for daily walks, avoid high-fat foods and high-calorie treats, and maintain a healthy weight. Start protecting your dog’s heart this February! 

http://lovingtouchac.com/omega3s.htm

It’s the beginning of a new year and everyone is making resolutions to keep for 2013. Here’s a thought: skip the gym membership and exercise with your dog. Several studies now show that dogs can be powerful motivators to get people moving. People who walk their dogs are more likely to get moderate to vigorous exercise than people who don’t have dogs.

As you can guess, exercise offers the same benefits to dogs as it does for people: tones muscles, helps prevent obesity, strengthens the cardiovascular system, strengthens bones, improves sleep, improves mood, provides mood-stabilizing benefits, enhances mental alertness and promotes health.

Exercising with your dog is determined by age, breed, weather and general health. An adolescent dog might have the energy to outrun you, whereas an older dog should not be subjected to an intense workout. Smaller dogs with short legs usually don’t need to be walked or jogged as extensive as larger dogs because their energy needs are not as high as the larger dogs. Ideally, dogs should get out twice daily for exercise. Times may vary from 15-60 minutes, depending on your individual pet. Be consistent and committed with your dog. Having a daily exercise routine, while increasing the duration and intensity, will build stamina for you and your dog. For lengthy walks or jogs, bring water for yourself and your dog. Hydration is essential when exercising.

Not only is working out is a great way to bond with your dog, but there are both physical and mental health advantages for the dog owner and the dog when they exercise together.

Did you know that a 12lb Yorkie faces the same health risks as an average height female weighing in at 218lbs?  OR a 14lb cat as a 237lb man?

Obesity is no longer just a problem for humans.  The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention conducted a National Pet Obesity Awareness Day study in 2010 found that approximately 53% of cats and 55% of dogs were overweight or obese.  These numbers have been steadily increasing since the original study in 2007, suggesting that pet obesity is a larger problem than initially thought.

Risks and problems associated with pet obesity are no different than the risks and problems overweight and obese humans face.  Some of the problems a pet may face are:

• Diabetes
• Damage to the bones and ligaments due to excess weight
• Respiratory problems
• Increased blood pressure
• Heart Disease
• Increase risk for cancer

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention provides a wealth of information for pet owners.  The association has a Pet Weight Translator and offers physical activity and nutrition tips for your pet.  To get more information about obesity prevention in your pet, go to http://www.petobesityprevention.com/ .  

Preventing obesity in pets is similar to that of humans,

• Encourage exercise.  Take your pet for a walk or play with them outside. 
• Choose the correct food type and amount for your pet. 
  • Limit the human food intake.
  • Treats should only account for 10% or less of your pets total calorie intake.
• Regularly monitor and regulate your pets weight.

If you think your pet is overweight or obese, please talk to your veterinarian.  They will be a wealth of knowledge and should be able to answer more specific nutrition and exercise questions.  A recent article in the New York Times highlighted the effects of being overweight has on your pet.  To read more about this article, visit http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/20/paying-the-price-of-a-fat-pet/ . 

Resources:

http://oregonvma.org/care-health/overweight-pets

http://www.petobesityprevention.com/pet-weight-translator/

http://www.petobesityprevention.com/fat-pets-getting-fatter-according-to-latest-survey/