Lisa Podwirny – Page 8

May 28, 2014May 28, 2014

Sheep Identification: The Basics

sheep
China leads the world in number of sheep – claiming 15.9% of the world’s population. Australia and New Zealand have the most power in the world markets for wool and lamb. Iran has over 48 million sheep.

The U.S. is not a world leader when it comes to sheep and numbers, but sheep production is still an important business for many Americans. And as with all other livestock, proper identification very important. Let’s learn a little more.

Why Identify Sheep?

Sheep are multi-purpose animals. In other words, farmers raise them for various reasons. Although it pains most animal lovers to hear, most U.S. lambs are used for butchering. Meat production and dairying is a large industry in the U.S.

Sheep can also used be used for vegetation control, wool production, and even in lamb marketing.

As you could probably guess, it’s important to keep sheep in order for the right tasks. Keeping proper identification is important to know the sheep’s birth year, breed type, owner, sex, etc.

Here at Ketchum, our two most popular solutions for sheep identification are ear tags and tattoos.

Sheep Ear Tags

Farmers most commonly use sheep ear tags. Ketchum offers both brass and plastic ear tag options for permanent solutions. Both kinds of sheep tags have their advantages. Brass tags are light and they keep a low profile, but they’re not easy to read from afar. Plastic tags come in neon colors and are easy to read, but they’re more prone to fading.

Tattoos

Tattoos are an excellent way to identify sheep in the event a tag gets lost. Redundancy can save you from a major headache. Ketchum offers tattoo ink in various colors, as well as the equipment needed to get the job done. Tattooing the sheep absolutely will not hurt it.

There are other ways to identify sheep, such as paint identification, neck straps, and more. These forms of identification are meant for more temporary purposes.

Have questions about sheep identification? Call Ketchum Mfg. at 1-800-222-0460.

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on Google+!

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May 14, 2014May 14, 2014

5 Tips for Keeping Your Cat Happy Indoors

cat_inside
Do cats truly enjoy the outdoors? It’s a debatable topic. On one hand, the outdoors are a completely free place to roam around. On the other hand, there are an endless number of dangers; cars, fights for territory, and diseases are just a few. Despite the life of the average outdoor cat being only 2-3 years, the outdoors are what cats are built for. It’s part of their natural instinct to survive outside. But the truth of the matter is that cats are safer and better off inside. They’ll mostly likely live 5 – 10x as long. Here are some tips on how to make an outdoor cat a happy indoor cat:

Exercise:

Most of the time, cats won’t readily exercise when you want them to. But cats need exercise just like most other animals. You don’t need to attach a leash and walk them down the street…you can try a variety of simple exercises, like waving a laser pointer around, tossing some ping pong balls, or giving catnip incentives once in awhile. Or better yet, a cat treadmill!

Getting your cat to exercise is essentially you spending time/playing with your cat, which is very important in itself.

Screened-In Porches:

A screened-in porch is one of the best investments a cat owner can make. Why? It pleases the owner too. Nothing beats relaxing in a screened-in porch during the spring and summer. And cats love them because they enjoy the fresh air and looking out at nature. Just make sure the screens are fully secured so the cat won’t jump out, or be tempted to jolt at wildlife prey.

Quality Cat Food

An outdoor cat is used to eating any junk that will allow them to survive. And if you can feed them better, healthier food, they’ll be happier. A pretty simple concept right? This slideshow from PetMD will help you decide what the best food to feed your cat is.

Allow Climbing

Cats love climbing. It allows them to get a good look at everything. But how do you allow a cat to climb in the house? A cat tower or a cat tree. You can find these at pet stores for under $100, although for nicer ones you can end up spending upwards of $500.

Adding Another Cat

Wait…what? Cats actually like other cats? Most of the time, yes. It might take a little while for the cats to adjust to each other, but if done properly, you can give your cat a friend. A cat of the opposite sex may be the best bet.

And in the chance that your cat does escape its way back to an outdoor lifestyle, a cat tag is always a good idea.

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on Google+!

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May 6, 2014May 6, 2014

How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight

pictureofbeagle
Although you may not realize it, studies show that around half of American dogs are overweight. It’s actually quite easy to see why — pets want love, and we want to show it to them. That love often comes in the form of dog treats and hearty meals. And if that’s not enough to make a dog overweight, there’s always the fact that most dogs aren’t walked enough.

As humans, it’s very easy to look past the problem of pet obesity. You may think your dog looks cute with a little extra weight. You may think they’re just big boned. Or you may not even realize the extra weight is there! However, obese dogs are prone to suffer many of the same problems as obese humans. Canine diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, and other issues can all be the result of an overweight dog. As a dog owner, it’s your job to prevent those issues to the best of your ability. How can you help your dog lose weight?

Recognize Your Dog Is Obese

Before you can start correcting the problem, you need to acknowledge there really is a problem. You need to know your dog’s current weight in comparison to what it should be. While going to a veterinarian is usually the best answer, you can get a good idea at home. So how does one go about weighing a fidgety dog? Step on the scale while holding your dog, then subtract your weight when done. Your dog’s weight should match up with this chart.

Change The Eating Routine

Changing your dog’s eating routine involves 2 steps – portion control and the removal of treats. Your dog shouldn’t have a bowl of food left out for them during the day. Instead, follow the daily calorie intake depending on the dog you own. Make sure you’re serving healthy foods.

Also note that treats shouldn’t really be a part of your dog’s diet. Like anything in life, a couple treats once in awhile are alright — but don’t go overboard. Remember, treats are calories too. Try replacing treats with healthier foods in small portions.

Exercise Regularly

Just like human weight loss — most is based on what you eat; the rest is based on how much you exercise. The same goes for dogs. Make sure your dog exercises daily – a walk is the best, a good round of fetch is second best. Try not to do too much at once. Your dog could get tired easily, which will cause stress.

So there you have it – helping your dog lose weight is not an incredibly hard task. Dogs eat when they’re fed and exercise when they’re told. In many cases, it’s actually easier for a dog to lose weight than a human. Monitor your dog’s weight weekly to keep their weight at a healthy level!

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on Google+!

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April 29, 2014April 29, 2014

What’s Really In Your Pet’s Food?

pet_food
People try to provide the best for their pets. That usually includes buying the proper pet food. From the way most pet food is packaged, you’d think there’s absolutely nothing to worry about. The ingredients look healthy, and when you open it up, it looks pretty normal. But just like there are “secrets” to human food, there are secrets to pet food. Read below for more information – but just be aware, it’s not pretty.

Most would like to think that their pet’s food just comes from the meat of other animals. This isn’t the case. Why? That’s what the humans get to eat.

Pets get all of the leftovers – skin, bones, blood etc. And that’s not all. 4D animals, aka animals not fit for human consumption, get thrown in the mix. These are the animals that were dead, dying, disabled, or diseased upon inspection.

The whole process of putting all of this “junk” together is called rendering. All of those junk leftovers go to a rendering plant, where everything gets put into a vat and cooked. Anything infectious gets separated from the fat. When whatever is left is dried, it goes into pet food.

So when you see the words “By-Product Meal” on the packaging, what is your pet really getting? Well, anything that’s not meat, but still added to the pet food to raise protein levels – bones, intestines, brain, etc. And although you may think that labels with “natural”, “organic”, and “gourmet” on them are automatically better, this isn’t always the case. Natural pet food technically isn’t chemically altered. But on pet food labels, be wary. Natural pet food is less regulated. As for “organic”, it’s important to be aware what’s really in the food. Remember, there are plenty of foods (like grapes) that are good for humans, but not for pets. As as for “gourmet” food, it’s basically just a word on a label.

So what are you supposed to do? Stop feeding “pet food” to your pet? Absolutely not. At the end of the day, this is the food that’s currently available for pets to eat. Even if it all sounds appalling to humans, a pet can live a long and healthy life with pet food in their diet. You can keep feeding your pet as your normally do – but awareness is important!

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on Google+

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April 22, 2014April 22, 2014

5 Great Dog Breeds for Active People

bernese
It’s finally nice out, which means it’s time to get outdoors and do some running, cycling, or whatever else you love doing. And of course any active person needs an energetic dog by their side. But where to start? There are so many choices. Let the list below help you.

Airedale Terrier

Most terriers are energetic. But if you’re really energetic, the Airedale terrier is your best bet. Talk about an interesting looking dog! They stand tall, courageous, and ready to protect. Aieredale terriers were originally hunting/guard dogs, so they may not be the best choice if you have small children (just because they play a little rough). However, they’re still very friendly. Just a tip – these dogs need to be walked for long periods, since they really need the exercise.

Labrador Retriever

With 3 choices, choosing a Labrador retriever can be tough — you’ve got to decide if you want a chocolate lab, golden lab, or black lab!

Need a dog a little bit more toned down than the Aieredale terrier? The Labrador retriever might be one to look into. Talk about a family friendly dog; it’ll love swimming, hiking, or and other casual activities. Labrador retrievers will be playful when you want them to be, but can certainly calm down when it’s necessary.

Australian Cattle Dog

As you could probably guess from the name, this dog is a herding breed. Love running? This dog is the one for you. As long as Australian cattle dogs get exercise, they’ll behave. Otherwise, they could be trouble.

Bernese Mountain Dog

If a dog breed has “mountain” in its name, you know it means business. Perhaps they’re not as energetic as the Aieradale terrier, but they’re still fun, loving, and strong. Due to their thick coat, they’re perfect for taking on a winter snowshoeing adventure or playing with the kids, but even in the summer, these dogs are still adventurous. Walk them regularly and train them correctly, and you’ll have a very loyal dog on your hands.

Dalmatian

The Dalmatian used to be the official dog of the firehouse. The amount of stamina they have is incredible, and they absolutely cannot sit around all day with nothing to do. They love running, so if you have a large yard, this dog will keep playing for ages. They’re friendly with children as long as they’re getting the proper exercise.

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on Google+

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