Critter Consulting

We look forward to all things spring this year.  And we wish you and your pets lots of fun, sunny days!  Enjoy these tidbits of springy-goodness to get you off to a good start:

• Flea & tick season is upon us, and it’s already a busy one!  Ask your vet about the latest & safest preventatives.  Be sure you use the correct, pet-specific product & dose.  Do not use over-the-counter products; buy them from your vet.  Read more – this could save your pets’ lives!
• Avoiding tick bites (for humans) – a diagram from the CA Dept. of Public Health.
• Easter safety tips from aspca.org.
• “Spring’s here: Get out & play!” Visit our “evergreen” post from last spring.
• There’s an app for that! Aspca.org’s fabulous list of plants (indoor & outdoor) that are safe for pets is now the “Pet Safe” app.  We love it because it’s portable, of course.  But now you can also identify plants by photo if you, like us, can’t name every plant in your yard.
• Cute but smelly:  Keep your pets away from skunks!  Females den now thru May/June when the babies are born.  Cozy skunk cribs include under your deck or in your woodpile.   Block your pets’ access to both now.  Learn more about prevention & solutions if the worst happens to your dog or cat – ugh!  Visit our site for more wildlife how-to’s.  By the way – did you know skunks like peanut butter, too?  Watch!
• Spring cleaning? Be pet friendly – here’s how.
  
• Early puppy & kitten training is the best way to enjoy the rest of the year with your pet.  We can help you start now!

A corny but comedic video-montage wish from us to you:   As you bid a fond farewell to playing in the snow, welcome spring with a happy song in your heart.  Go enjoy a romp in the sun with your pets!

© 2010 Critter Consulting

What do we have in common with our pets?  Our food supply is one and the same!  And, a quality diet is healthier – mentally & physically.  (For our pets, that translates into fewer vet visits, longer lives & better behavior!)  That’s why we mix pet & human diet info in this post series.  Dig into this informative, fun smorgasbord of foodie news!

Recalls

• “Pet treat under investigation” from usatoday.com, 3/12/10.  (Real Ham Bones for Dogs can splinter & block dogs’ intestines.)
• “Salmonella recall spreads quickly to other products” by Mark Huffman, 3/12/10.  (This one’s big, and it affects all of us!  Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HPV) is widely used in many processed foods.)
• “What’s going on with Walmart’s Special Kitty cat food?” by Susan Thixton, 2/23/10.
• “Nature’s Variety pet food issues recall” by Beacon Journal staff, 2/15/10.  (This recall was expanded on 3/8/10!)
• “FDA warns pet owners of salmonella in (Merrick) beef treats” by Lisa Wade McCormick, 1/16/10
• “Pet Carousel recalls beef hooves and pig ears because of salmonella risk” US Recall News, 12/11/09  (Note:  If you get our e-newsletter, you already know about this one!)

Articles & posts of interest

• “Most store-bought chicken contains harmful bacteria” by James Limbach, 12/1/09.
• The truth about Kibbles ‘n Bits dog food and Pup-peroni & Milkbone dog treats:  Read Darcy’s 2/9/10 post on why you shouldn’t fall for manufacturers’ emotion-based advertising.  Get good @ reading ingredient lists on food packaging!  Check our site for more info.
• “Food allergy may be causing feline cystitis” by Dr. Michael Fox, 2/14/10.  (Note:  Another case against corn.  Contact us if your pet house soils!)
• “Fish oil supplements contain PCBs, so eat fish?“  by Deborah Mitchell, 3/3/10.  (Note:  There are healthy fish oil supplements that can benefit you & your pet.  Read on, and, as always, consult your vet.)
• “Feline feeding ‘faux paws’” by Amelia Glynn, 3/1/10  (Note:  We are as skeptical as the author is about 9Lives being a spokes-company for “wholesome” & “highly nutritious” cat food.  But read on….)
• “FDA concerned about substance in food packaging” by Denise Grady 2/15/10.  (Note:  The latest on BPA in food/beverage containers.)

Tasty & safe

• New FDA widget! A glimmer of hope from the FDA comes in the form of their new “Pet Health & Safety” widget, designed to update you on the latest news on pet food, including recalls.  Find it on our homepage:  Scroll to the bottom of our sidebar.  Check back often, as it self-updates!
• We love “Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual” by Michael Pollan.  Read or watch interviews with the author about his new, quick-read book on human food safety.  Follow his simple rules to easily choose healthy, natural (single-ingredient) foods over what Pollan calls “edible, food-like substances” (processed foods in the modern, Western diet).   Example:  Rule #2 from the book is “Don’t eat anything your great grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.”  Good advice that applies to your pets, too!
• Did you know this is National Peanut Butter Lovers’ Month? Odds are your pup knows!  Here’s a recipe for Peanut Butter Cups to help Fido celebrate, courtesy of threedog.com.  Dogs-with-thumbs will love eatingwell.com’s Peanut Energy Bars.  Yum!
• Easter safety for pets

Video-goodness

Three of our favorite foodie flicks: Slow-motion dogs catching treats.  (A sweet video, but we don’t recommend Pedigree products.)  Joris eating dinner.  (Good for a belly laugh.)  And, in the spirit of spring & Easter, Baby bunny eats tiny flower.  (Kids will love this one!)

Information provided on this site is not a substitute for veterinary care. See your vet before you begin a complementary health care or exercise plan. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration/Center for Veterinary Medicine, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

© 2010 Critter Consulting

Everyday should be Valentine’s Day:  Give a gift from the heart, and you’ll brighten someone’s day, as well as your own!  We listed a few ideas to get you started, along with some heartwarming heroics to watch….

• Help others locally: Donate time, money or supplies to shelters & rescues.  Offer to walk or care for the pets of a neighbor-in-need.  Adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue, or foster a pet until it finds its forever-home.  (We can help your adoption or foster go smoothly.)
• Help others globally: Donate to trustworthy organizations working in Haiti, as they continue to need funds.  Visit American Red Cross‘ site to aid the people of Haiti.  Read their blog for progress updates.  Or, join the ASPCA in supporting ARCH (Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti).  Stay updated via ASPCA’s ongoing field reports & slide shows on the animal relief efforts in Haiti.

Do what you can to make a difference in others’ lives, and it will be returned to you ten-fold.  Need more inspiration?  Watch these amazing animal rescue videos.  (Nail-biters, we know.  But they all have happy endings!)

• “Baltic” the dog rescued from atop an ice floe 15 miles from land in the Baltic Sea.  Read & watch!
• “Spikey” the dog rescued from the raging L.A. River.  Watch the rescue.  (Yes, Spikey was so terrified he bit the firefighter who rescued him, but everyone’s fine, and all is forgiven.  Watch the interview with the rescuers & the follow-up report.)
• “Sky” the cat rescued by Kay Leclaire.  Sky’s one lucky kitten:  Kay just happens to a champion climber who scaled Mt. Everest @ age 60!  Read & watch.

Happy Valentine’s Day – every day!

© 2010 Critter Consulting

More foodie news for you & your pets, including the latest in pet food recalls & meat safety:

Recalls

• “Wysong Dog Food Recall” by Susan Thixton (truthaboutpetfood, 10/14/09).
• “Diamond Pulls Premium Brand Cat Food from Shelves” – by Lisa Wade McCormick (ConsumerAffairs.com, 10/5/09).
• “NUTRO Pulls Some Puppy Food from Shelves” – by Lisa Wade McCormick (ConsumerAffairs.com, 9/30/09).
• “Ground Beef Products Recalled in California:  Salmonella contamination” (USRecallNews.com, 8/6/09).  Check your freezers…..

Food source safety

• Ditch those hard, plastic drinking bottles.  A new Harvard study says the plastic used leaches BPA.  While you’re @ it, switch Fluffy & Fido to stainless steel or heavy glass food/water bowls.  Avoid plastic or ceramic food bowls.
• Understand how E.coli gets into ground beef, despite inspections & regulations.  Watch the nytimes.com video, “Tainted Meat“.  Read the accompanying article, “E.Coli Path Shows Flaws in Beef Inspection”.  We recommend purchasing whole cuts of beef and having them ground for you @ the meat counter.  It’s not perfect, but it’s a start.
• Can you prevent E.Coli contamination @ home when you prep ground beef for cooking?  NYTimes.com explores this question in their video, “Hamburger Confidential“.  (Not recommended viewing for hypochondriacs!)

Fall fun!

• Coffee cat stencils for the cat-loving, caffeine fiend in your life.  A nice way to warm up! 
  
• It’s pumpkin time! We love “Pumpkin Pieces” Kong stuffing recipe from dogs.thefuntimesguide.com:  “Combine some plain yogurt, canned pumpkin, and cooked rice in a small baggie.  Mix well inside the bag, then snip off a corner of the bag and squeeze it into the Kong toy.  Freeze.”  Yum!
• Amy Shojai, CABC, recommends a canned pumpkin treat for cats that can also act as a home remedy for hairballs:  “Divide the pumpkin into tablespoon dollops in an ice cube tray, freeze, and thaw one dose as needed.”  (Cats love the flavor of pumpkin, but often don’t like to eat cold things.  So thaw the pumpkin to room temperature, no hotter.)
• Pumpkin & bananas are good for humans, too.  Try this Low Fat Pumpkin Banana Bread from about.com.  Careful – If you add the chocolate chips, as one reader recommends, keep Fido out of the kitchen!

In case you missed it, we love the SNL short video, “Mostly Garbage Pet Food”.  (We also noticed the uncanny resemblance between the mock food bag in the video & a Pedigree food bag.  Enough said.)

Information provided on this site is not a substitute for veterinary care. See your vet before you begin a complementary health care or exercise plan. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration/Center for Veterinary Medicine, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

© 2009 Critter Consulting

June’s a busy month!  Here’s what’s happening:

• Happy Father’s Day! – We’ve got lots of great suggestions for celebrating Dad’s big day in our post from last year, as well our Mother’s Day 2009 post.
• Circus in town - As animal lovers & positive, pet-friendly trainers, we’re saddened.  The Carson & Barnes traveling circus will be in Santa Rosa @ the Wells Fargo Center (6/8 – 6/9), then @ the Petaluma Fair Grounds (6/10-6/11).  In 1999 a videotape was released of a “training” session in which bullhooks & electric prods were used on elephants in this circus.  Folks will be protesting the treatment of elephants & other animals “trained” to perform in this circus.  Local animal welfare groups are speaking out & standing up.  Read the Press Democrat article and the SCHS’s info on the circus & how you can protest.  Want to know more about the emotional lives of elephants? Watch this touching video of the bond between Tarra the elephant & Bella the dog from the Elephant Sanctuary in TN.  And read “When Elephants Weep:  the Emotional Lives of Animals” by Masson & McCarthy.
• Dog Bite Prevention week (5/17 – 5/23/09).  But we think every week is bite prevention week!  Listen to Dr. Bonnie Beaver discuss bite prevention techniques.  Read Andrea Arden’s article on the American Humane Association’s (AHA) new dog-bite prevention program for kids age 7 years & younger called:  “American Humane KIDS: Kids Interacting with Dogs Safely”.  Visit the AHA’s store for teaching materials for the kids in your life.  Plus, we have lots of goodies on kids & pet safety on our reading list, including free materials to download!
• June is “Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat” month because so many kittens are born in the spring & end up in shelters.   The American Humane Association (AHA) and the ASPCA both offer tips on adopting & reasons to adopt.  Check your local shelters for animals in need of a home.  And don’t hesitate to contact us.  We can help you consider:  characteristics to look for in your new pet; compatibility with your current pets; and how to introduce a new pet to resident pets.

Just for dad:  We found some cute videos of guys “exercising” with their pets (dog & cat!).  As always, we’re here to help you have a well-mannered family pet!

© 2009 CritterConsulting

Did you miss these? Animal-related stories that caught our interest:

• “Dachshund adopts tiger cub in German zoo”- from latimes.com, 5/20/09.
• “Sea lion saved on highway” – from sfgate.com, 5/21/09.
• “Vick will work with Humane Society” (And HSUS CEO, Wayne Pacelle, blogs about the decision.)
• “Countries unite to reduce animal use in product toxicity testing worldwide”- from nih.gov, 4/27/09.
• “A bird quickly learns to tell urban friend from foe” (including your pet!) – from NYT.com, 5/18/09.
• “4 feet and a tail, and the cause of many falls” – from NYT.com, 5/18/09.
• “Oregon airport hires herding dog to cut down on bird strikes”- from latimes.com, 5/11/09.
• “Paris Hilton purse dogs are filling shelters” – from examiner.com, 5/10/09.
• “Blown-away Chihuahua reunited with owners”- from sfgate.com, 4/28/09.
• “Tiny Chihuahua scares off cougar” – from examiner.com, 5/30/09.
• “South Koreans clone beagles – and they glow!” – from AP, via newser.com, 4/28/09.
• Lucky the cat falls 26 stories, and he’s OK!  (abc news video & story- 5/29/09).
• Last but not least – Exactly what is a jerboa?  (See videos of a baby & an adult.)  Fascinating!

We’re happy jump start your summer reading. (And, if you find yourself tripping over Fluffy & Fido, as in the article above, contact us.  We’d love to help!)

© 2009 Critter Consulting

In our 4/27/09 post, we warned to stop feeding Nutro to your pets.  Now, a very important update in Nutro news…. and what’s up with Greenies?

• Nutro recalled 2 dry cat foods due to improper zinc & potassium content that sickened many cats.   (Seven flavors of Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care & Nutro Max are affected.)  As of today, the FDA is calling their investigation “high priority”.  This wasn’t always the case:  Christie Keith of SFGate.com nicely summarizes the FDA’s role in delaying this recall.  It seems like Nutro hasn’t been a healthy choice for pets since Mars Pet Care bought the company in 2007.  Read about the company’s previous health scares.
• Greenie concerns:  Also by Nutro – this popular chew treat will now only be sold thru vets & specialty shops.  The company wants their product questions & recommendations to be handled by more knowledgeable retailers.  We cannot recommend Greenies because they have caused GI obstructions in pets.  And, we believe this new step in Nutro’s marketing will boost sales more than ensure Greenie safety.  Why risk it?  Check our resource page for alternative toy, treat & chewy ideas for your pet.

It’s not all grim news. We laughed @ this hamster perfectly illustrating the “eat this, not that” concept.  And, if pet food recalls have you down, chin up!  We’re dishing into a new favorite cookbook, “Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook“ from the Bubba Rose Biscuit Company.  And Arden Moore shares her recipe for Marvelous Mutt Meatballs from her book, “Real Food for Dogs“.  Yumm – healthy treats for Fido!

Information provided on this site is not a substitute for veterinary care. See your vet before you begin a complementary health care or exercise plan. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration/Center for Veterinary Medicine, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

© 2009 Critter Consulting

A quick post on the latest in foodie news, canine & human alike.  Healthy body = healthy mind!

• Kibble crisis? The FDA is investigating numerous pet illnesses caused by Nutro pet food.  Apparently, this has been happening for @ least 2 years.  If you’re feeding Nutro, stop now.  Switch to a higher quality diet that suits your pet.  Talk with your vet, and check our dog & cat diet info for brand and ingredient suggestions.  (Read 4/30/09 update on the Nutro/FDA controversy.)
• Considering cooking for your pet? Dr. Michael Fox developed recipes for your cat & dog.  (Again, check with your vet first.)
• Spices & sprouts: New spice & alfalfa sprout recalls due to salmonella contamination.
• Toxic tidbits: Check petplace.com’s list of 10 dangerous foods.   An important read!
• Flea, not food, news: It’s flea & tick season now, so be aware of harmful products.  We discussed the dangers of OTC topicals in an earlier post.  Now there’s a new warning that many flea collars sold in chain pet stores & grocery stores can contain residues of 2 carcinogenic neurotoxins that might affect people & pets.  Be safe:  Purchase your flea/tick preventatives from your vet.  In addition, the NRDC recommends:

“… the frequent use of a flea comb, regular baths, in addition to the frequent vacuuming and washing of pets’ bedding. If chemical-based flea control is necessary, the safest options, which often contain the least toxic chemicals, are those dispensed in pill form.”

• Want the freshest ingredients for you & your pet? We love farmers’ markets!  Check out foodie diva Heather Irwin’s article on what’s yummy @ Sonoma County farmers’ markets.  (As always consult your vet and our diet info for OK “people food” for Rover & Fluffy.)

That’s the latest.  By the way, if your pilfering pooch is an expert in counter-surfing for food like the dog in this video, contact us!

Information provided on this site is not a substitute for veterinary care. See your vet before you begin a complementary health care or exercise plan. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration/Center for Veterinary Medicine, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

© 2009 Critter Consulting

This is the 1st installment in our new series on behavior & training, designed to illustrate the dynamics between guardians & pets using current events & pop culture as relatable examples.  Understand your dog’s or cat’s point-of-view, and you’ll be a better trainer, enjoying a sweeter relationship with your pet.   Plus, Fluffy & Fido will thank you!

Bo meets the White House press.  Watch CNN’s Jeanne Moos’ unique spin on this video.  What could the Obamas have done to improve the situation?  How can you best introduce your dog to new places & people?   A few rules of thumb:

• Your pup should only get to things he wants when he’s calm, the leash is loose, and you give him permission.
• Pup should meet people one @ a time, so he’s not overwhelmed or over-excited.
• Lead your dog, on leash or off, not the other way around.  (Who’s walking who?)
• Before you bring a new dog into your home, take him for a walk.  This helps your dog see you as a leader, and he’ll enter your home calmly.  Not to mention, the walk’s a built-in potty opportunity!

If you need help introducing a new dog or cat (of any age) to your home – contact us.   We can improve Rover’s leash & house manners.   And - we can help pet-proof your garden to keep those tomatoes safe!

Welcome home, Bo!

© 2009 Critter Consulting

So much to cover in this new installment of our recurring series, “You are what you eat“.  Dig in!

• Happy Easter! Play it safe & pet-proof your Easter.  Chocolate; candy; artificial sweeteners in sugar-free candies (xylitol); wrappers; lilies; artificial grass; and small plastic parts are all hazards to your dog & cat.  Are eggs & food coloring safe for your pet?  Barring any allergies or sensitivities, small amounts should be OK.  But always check with your vet.
• Spring fever is contagious! Read our post on enjoying spring with your pet.  (Ever wonder why dogs eat grass?  No fertilizer, please!)  Looking for a fun, spring-time way to improve your dog’s diet, as well as your own?   Create an herb garden!
• Good news for our food supply? In our Jan. ’08 post, we hoped for more vigilance & transparency from the growers, suppliers, manufacturers & agencies who bring food to us & our pets.   These articles illustrate the progress that’s been made since then:

“Salmonella outbreaks lead to food-safety changes” (usatoday.com, 4/2/09).

“Official calls for ‘country of origin’ food labels” (msnbc.com, 2/18/09).

“Is a food revolution now in season?” (nytimes.com, 3/21/09).

• We’re going nuts! First peanuts, now pistachios & spices.  Salmonella-caused recalls continue.  Proceed with caution.  (We’ll keep you posted…)  By the way, non-contaminated pistachios & peanuts can upset Fido’s tummy due to their high fat & salt content.  Again, always ask your vet first!
• The confusing controversy continues regarding which diet is best for your pet. Should you feed Fido a processed diet?  If so, is kibble better than canned?  Would a raw or cooked diet be better for Fluffy?  (As always, consult with your vet about your pet’s diet.  Check our diet pages, as well as our reading lists.)  We love Christie Keith’s summary of the debate in her article for sfgate.com:  “Raw Food for Pets?”.  Though we don’t usually recommend articles from online retailers (biased!), onlynaturalpet.com’s list of “Common Myths About Pet Food & Nutrition” is worth reading.
• If you wouldn’t eat it, should your pet? And - if your pet’s eating it, you are, too.   As we’ve learned from salmonella recalls & melamine contamination, human & pet food supplies are one-in-the-same.  We really need higher standards for all food sources.  For example, some veterinarians say that by-products are an acceptable ingredient in our pets’ processed diets.  Their reasoning is that by-products often contain nutrient-dense organ meat & mineral-rich bones.  But we don’t know that’s true in each case because pet-food manufacturers aren’t yet required to list what their “by-products” include, or the countries-of-origin for ingredients on that list.  Without definition, they are suspect.  Sadly, the FDA has found that ambiguous ingredients like “meat and bone meal”,  “animal fat” & “animal digest” in dog food could contain pentobarbital (euthanasia solution).  Please educate yourself & draw your own conclusions:  Read Susan Thixton’s article, “Stop the Confusion!” .
• A recession-proof diet? Cooking for Rover to pinch pennies isn’t as simple as it may seem.  Do your research to make sure a home-made diet meets your pets’ species-specific nutritional & mineral needs.  Work closely with a vet or an animal nutritionist certified by the ACVN.  Read & watch this story.  Check our site for more resources to help you & your vet develop the best diet for your pet.
• Just for fun:  We couldn’t decide between the bunny born with 2 noses (still cute!); the “Smile” video; or the adorable pics of pets & kids sleeping.  It’s very possible that Lucille’s corn-on-the-cob skills top them all!  (Caution:  Only small amounts of tepid, cooked corn for your Lucille.  No butter or salt.  And cobs can cause an obstruction if swallowed.  Never leave your dog alone with one.)

Have a howling-good Easter holiday!

Information provided on this site is not a substitute for veterinary care. See your vet before you begin a complementary health care or exercise plan. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration/Center for Veterinary Medicine, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

© 2009 Critter Consulting