You can never underestimate the importance of understanding the AAFCO cat and dog food nutrition standards and of knowing how to read  food labeling when choosing a commercial diet for your pet.
The AAFCO approves both low and high quality ingredients; but unless you know what’s in the commercial pet food your dogs and cats are eating, you might think everything is just fine.

There were problems with many of the lower quality dog foods and the ingredients used that have been brought to light in the early part of 2007. Speaking of problems with dog food will of course trigger the memory of the most recent devastating loss of canine and feline lives due to contaminated food.

Reports indicated the number of affected cats and dogs to be in the 39,000 mark across the country. Animals became extremely sick or died due to contamination of commercial pet foods with an industrial chemical (melamine), used to make plastics and fertilizers. This chemical was found in more than 100 brands of dog and cat food recalled in Canada and the USA in mid-March.

The major culprit was identified as rice protein concentrate (otherwise called rice gluten), NOT brown rice. In June, concerns were raised about reports of acetaminophen (Tylenol) being found in dog and cat food, followed by salmonella poisoning in others.

To cruise through the FDA site for information (some of which is dated by now due to the passage of time), here is their url: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html

The second chemical found with the melamine was cyanuric acid! Deadly when combined. Both were found in the cat and dog food recall in March 2007. Cyanuric acid is commonly used to slow the breakdown of chlorine in swimming pools. It has NO place in healthy pet food!

It was speculated then and still believed today, that those two chemicals were used in dog food to increase the reported nitrogen content but the rice gluten contaminate with melamine was simply known as a “filler.” The recall of those contaminated pet foods has done nothing to stop the use of fillers in lower grade commercial.dog food.

Such pet food manufacturers keep their costs down by loading them with bulk, which has absolutely no nutritional value. Your pet’s food could contain one or more of a number of fillers, including, cereal by-products, cottonseed hulls, citrus pulp, peanut hulls, weeds, straw, corncobs and soy

If there’s one fear that is constant across all pet owners it’s that the pet will be lost. Especially if you live in a heavily wooded area where a lot of predators roam, it’s particularly concerning for pet owners. But there are certain things that pet owners can do to decrease the likelihood that their pets will go missing. First of all, make sure that you get all your pets inside once it’s dark outside. Many dangerous animals come out at night, so you want to make sure your pets are safely inside once they start coming out.

The other major way to keep your pets safe is with pet ID tags. By having your pet wear one of these collars, it’s an easy way to have him returned. If he wanders off to an unfamiliar neighbor, these collars can contain as much or as little of your contact information as you’d like. It truly is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to ensure that your dog or other pet is returned to you. Just make sure that the pet is always wearing the collar, so even if he unexpectedly bolts outside, he’ll still be identifiable.

 Pets Give You More Than Love
If you’re like most pet owners, your cat and dog is a favored member of the family. But your pet gives you more than love. Studies now show that pets are not only a great source of comfort to their owners but are also good for their health.
Research shows that pets help you relax, might help you exercise, and distract you from anxiety.
Allan Beck, the Director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University’s Veterinary School, says,
“When we touch and pet our cats and dogs, we actually have a drop in blood pressure.” 
Not only do pet owners feel better and more relaxed when they interact with their pet,
but so do the pets.
Many dog lovers out there have experienced how magnificent it is to treat your dog as a family member.
Why dogs and not cats? Well, by associating with the cat, one only risks becoming richer. Moreover, thousands of years ago cats were worshipped as gods,
Perhaps they have never forgotten this and vent their feelings on a cat scratching post.
Because dogs are loyal, and you treat yours with a dog agility course and healthy dog treats, it will never abandon you and many dogs, capable of doing so, will even put your life above theirs.
But you should know that each dog has a unique personality and although some will not show the dedication you may be expecting you should consider whether you have given the right opportunities to your dog to help it achieve this.
 Some things to remember:
- If you adopt a stray dog it will never forget it and will give it back to you ten times more
- Always trust your dog and give it the attention it needs. You have your family, your friends, your job but your dog has only you..

You and I realize the value of taking herbal remedies to support healthy immune system function and to keep the liver functioning properly. We are aware of the role that antioxidants play in preventing age-related diseases. The diet of an animal in the wild would often include these antioxidants and herbs. But, they are mostly lacking in our dog food and wellness cat food.

Our four-footed family members deserve the best care that we can possibly provide for them. While living safely indoors with us protects them, it also limits their capability to take care of their own health, as they would do instinctively.

In the wild, they would seek out milk thistle, cat’s claw or echinacea when they were feeling unwell. These are not plants that we grow in our backyards as most people consider them to be weeds. You may notice after rainy periods when weeds begin to sprout, that your dog may nose among the weeds and chew on them. This is where our animals may find these natural cures for what ails them but this source falls far short of their requirements to maintain good health. 

Luckily, there are some supplement companies that realize the importance of our cat and dog food nutrition. They make dietary supplements for humans also, and follow the same safe manufacturing practices for pet supplements. These supplements are meant to make up for some of the short-comings in the diets of our animal friends.

C-Caps by Native Remedies, are among the best dietary supplements on the market. They were created specifically for dogs and cats. They contain no artificial ingredients and none of the artificial colors that are present in many pet foods and even in the nutritional supplements sold by major corporations.
The principle ingredients of C-Caps are:

Astragalus - an ancient herbal remedy, because of its possible use to treat cancer. It has been used to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels, increase vitality and improve appetite.

Mistletoe - a highly nutritious plant that animals would naturally eat in the wild. It is a popular herbal remedy in Europe, where it is used to treat circulatory problems, respiratory problems and cancer.

Echinacea - a well-known plant that supports normal blood pressure and stimulates the immune system.

Indian ginseng - a tonic herb that supports growth, strengthens the immune system and nourishes the blood.

Milk Thistle - used as a liver tonic for thousands of years. It has been recommended for cirrhosis, jaundice and hepatitis. Modern research has found that the plant contains a compound called silymarin, which is responsible for its beneficial effects.

Cat’s Claw - another plant that supports and maintains the immune system.

Remember, these ingredients do not suppress symptoms. They treat the causes of the symptoms. They support the body’s ability to fight disease.

Whether your animals are well and healthy or suffering from chronic health problems, C-Caps are a good investment

With the choice of so many models of pet doors, you should have no difficulty finding the perfect one for your home.

The electronic dog door is great for so many reasons. It is much more secure than the average cat door or dog door. Burglars can’t use them and wild animals and strays are firmly locked out as well, while baby is locked in.

Since the electronic pet door use special collars or tags on the collar to trigger the door, you can control which pets can enter and exit your home via the pet door. By removing the collars or tags, you can even control when your pet uses the pet door.

In some models, there may be a control panel which will let you turn the pet door on and off with the push of a button, or allow your pet only a one-way trip through the door. This provides even more security to your home, and to your pet.

An electronic dog door is also economical. The owner does not have to be a door attendant and since they prevent air leakage you’ll save on heating and cooling unit’s energy bills, which is also good for the environment.
For even more security, magnetically operated doors, using no batteries or electricity, will continue to operate even if you lose power.

There are many forms of the cat and the dog door on the market, but automatic pet doors are arguably the most useful.

It’s difficult to resist feeding your pet scraps, but it’s more important to provide your pets with healthy dog food and natural cat food.
Feeding them good organic or natural food with all the nutrients they need can aid development, prevent obesity and ensure a good immune system. If you don’t maintain a healthy diet for your pet then this will only lead to poor health.

Some pet snacks and dog treats are specifically developed to reduce tarter and plaque build up. Cat and dog owners may still need to take their pets to the vet for regular dental checks, as cat and dog dental health can affect the overall health and well-being of your animals.

Active pets are healthy and happy pets - and maintaining a sensible exercise routine can help those pets with excess flab lose weight. Walking and running are great exercises for dogs and will increase flexibility and stamina.
In addition, fun toys can keep both cats and dogs entertained by turning exercise into quality playtime.

As the warm weather approaches, it’s important to be prepared for nature and its effect on the health of your pet. Warmer weather brings insects that could harm your pet or cause discomfort; therefore, be aware of bees and wasps, as a sting can be distressing to cats and dogs.
What’s more, flea infestations can affect both pets and your family, so remember to regularly treat your pet and home with a flea preventative.

In addition to showering your pet with love and affection, regular grooming can help your pet stay trim and healthy. Washing your pet will not only help reduce germs and prevent diseases, but it also ensures you are properly examining for potential problems that may cause pain and discomfort to them.

If you have both a dog and a cat, is it OK for them to eat one another’s food?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is a resounding NO!
An occasional dog’s nibble at the cat’s food shouldn’t hurt it. However, a dog that is allowed to heartily eat cat food could become dangerously obese as cat foods are high in calories; and cats that eat dog food regularly may develop
nutritional deficiencies.
Cats are obligate carnivores with complex metabolisms. They require nutrients that dogs don’t need!
Thank you for reading this . . . Your pets will thank you too.

 Pets, just like people can be crippled by foreign substances found in municipal drinking water. to help maintain their health and strength, fill their bowls with . . . . filtered water .      

People food to Avoid Feeding your Pets
Provided by ASPCA nutrition experts, an article lists the
 top10 people foods that must not be fed to your pet, 
please Click Here for list. 
If ingestion of any of these items occurs, note the amount ingested and contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at
(888) 426-4435 immediately.

Pets can be allergic to certain ingredients in their food. With companies trying to keep costs down and substituting cheaper ingredients the probability that an allergy could be triggered for your dog or cat has probably increased.

Sometimes a food allergy can come from something besides their commercial pet food. There was a case where a dog was suffering from low energy, a chronic cough, and a yellow discharge from his nose. The holistic vet took the dog off commercial food and switched him to a natural dog food diet. The idea being to give the dog food it had never had before to make the allergy go away. The new diet worked but the dog was still having some problems. It turns out the owner was giving the dog its daily medication in a piece of cheese and the dog was allergic to cheese. Once the cheese was eliminated from the dogs diet, all the allergy symptoms disappeared.

Dogs and cats most common sign of an allergic reaction is itching and scratching. Any ingredient may cause allergies, with beef and soy protein causing the largest percentage of allergic reactions and treating allergies may take as long as two months. To help with the itching and scratching consider using a natural dog food or natural cat food product to reduce itching. Vets also recommend boosting your dog or cat’s immune system to help their bodies resist triggering an allergy. There are herbal remedies available for dog and cats to strengthen their immune system. Common ingredients are dandelion, yellow dock, burdock and goldenseal

.

Pet Identification is most important. Dog collars with tags  should be worn, however, a cat or dog microchip identification is much more reliable. A dog tag, dog ID tags, dog name tag, pet ID tags, or pet identification tags are small flat tags worn on a pet’s collar or harness.

 Cats may have microchips also, but if your cat is allowed outdoors, train it to wear a CatSafety collar (without) tags. The collar should have your cat’s name and your telephone number (inscribed) to distinguish it from strays.

Collars with dangling tags may endanger cats and all climbing pets and. some owners object to these ID tags because of the sound made as pets move.      Collar-mounted tags or collar name plates, riveted flat or slipped on the collar’s surface are silent and do not protrude and may avoid these problems.

Collar tags are made of a variety of materials. Metal tags usually made of aluminum, steel or brass, have their information embossed, engraved or stamped onto their surface.

Humane societies, government animal care and rescue organizations recommend that dogs and cats wear ID tags, containing information that will enable them to contact a pet’s owner.
 
Identification enables contact with you if your pet strays too far from home. 
Microchip implants, tattooing, when used, and registering the dog’s license number, microchip information, and tattoo number with lost-pet registries are good backups to identify stolen or lost strays found without ID tags but it is always a good idea to include registry ID numbers on engraved dog ID tags as a thorough method to identify a pet.

In this age of mobile phones, pet ID tags showing the pet’s owner’s home and cell phone number make it easy for anyone finding a stray pet to contact its owner.

When buying a cat tree there a lot of things to consider and many options out there.  Here are some questions to ask before buying.

How much room do you have?   -A cat tree comes in many different sizes.  Knowing your size limit will begin to narrow the search.

How active is your cat?  - If you have an older cat that doesn’t like to climb too much, you can look for a cat tree with fewer levels.  If your cat is extremely active- go for more levels to help them release some energy.

How much can you spend?  

Are you trying to blend the cat tree in with your home decor?  - Cat trees are normally carpeted.  With carpet, comes many different colors.  If you’re trying to match your home decor, start by only looking at cat trees that match your current decor. 

Do you want a cat condo attached?  - Many cat trees come with cat condos on top of 1 of the levels, or on a perch.  If you’re also looking for a cat condo, look for 2 in 1!

Do you want a scratching post too?  - Most cat trees have a scratching post somewhere on them, but this will narrow down your options a little bit.

Whatever you choose, your cat will be thrilled to have a place all there own.