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Obese Dog & Cat Numbers On The Rise

Posted on August 22, 2011 | 1 comment

A recent article in the Chicago Tribune highlighted the growing number of obese dogs and cats. According to the article, pets like people, are getting fatter. Fifty-four percent of dogs and cats are overweight or obese, reports the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. The most common side effects are osteoarthritis; insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes, primarily in cats; high blood pressure; heart and respiratory diseases; and joint problems.

Many pet owners become complacent, get busy and stop walking their dogs, reward them with fattening treats, equate food with love and maybe figure their cats prefer to sleep all the time. Exercise is essential. Be sure to talk with your vet about the right kinds of exercise for your dog or cat. It's especially important not to do too much too quickly.

And, there are some great ways to cut calories without depriving your pet by switching to carrots and green beans instead of high carb snacks like biscuits and cookies. You can also cut your dog's meals 1/4 by adding low-fat, plain yogurt. It's satisfying and packed with healthy protein and probiotics. Switching from kibble to a dehydrated raw diet is another great way to help your pet slim down. Low calorie treats are also a great way to keep your dog's weight in check.

Helping your pet lose unwanted pounds isn't easy but it will prolong your pet's life and significantly increase your pet's quality of life if he or she suffers from obesity related problems like diabetes or joint pain.

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Childhood Pets May Lower Risk Of Allergies

Posted on July 27, 2011 | 1 comment

Reuters Health reports that children exposed to cats and dogs at a young age may have a lower risk for developing nasal allergies later in life.

According to Reuters, growing up with pets has already been linked to a lower risk of other types of allergies. A 2010 study from the University of Cincinnati showed than owning a dog may decrease the risk of childhood eczema, a skin condition. Similarly, a 2011 study from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit found that growing up with pets cut kids' risk of developing pet allergies by half.

A new study looked at survey responses from nearly 8,500 adults from Europe and Australia and focused on those who grew up around house pets or farm animals, and those who had the troublesome runny noses, itchy eyes, and sore throats that plague nasal allergy sufferers.

"Family pets, in particular dogs...need not be removed to prevent allergies, and in fact may protect against them," concluded Melanie Matheson of the University of Melbourne, lead author of the study.

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Hypoallergenic Dog Myth?

Posted on July 19, 2011 | 1 comment

A recent study conducted by Henry Ford’s Department of Public Health Sciences measured the allergen output of hypoallergenic dogs, like the labradoodle. Scientists reported that they did not find any measurable differences between so-called hypoallergenic breeds and other dogs.

The label, hypoallergenic, is generally given to breeds that shed little or not at all and do not salivate excessively, however the researchers acknowledged that there is no single list of hypoallergenic dogs. Their study found that these traits seem to do little to reduce allergens. One important finding, according to the study’s senior author, Christine Cole Johnson, indicates that an individual's exposure to a dog early in life provides protection against dog allergy development later on. The study will be published online later this month in the American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy.

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