Pets – Page 10

July 30, 2013July 30, 2013

Pets for Kids with Allergies

Every kid should be able to have a pet. Pets can play a huge role in teaching your child responsibility, while providing many years of love and great fun. Unfortunately, allergies can get in the way. Some studies show that 15% of Americans are allergic to animals. Even people who aren’t allergic to certain animals can develop symptoms over time. It’s very important to be careful when selecting the perfect pet for your allergy-prone child.

Just remember that when your child has a pet allergy, the best solution is for him/her to stay away from the pet whenever possible. Conversely, if you get a pet, your child will not be able to stay away. Make sure to keep all the areas clean, and assign designated pet areas.

Below you will find two categories containing potential pets!

Cold-blooded

Cold-blooded animals are the safest choice for a child with allergies. Although they don’t provide the furriness and warmth that an ideal pet may have, they can still make for a interesting, fun pet. Some kids want them even more than common pets!

Most frogs, fish, and lizards are fairly easy to care for. Their maintenance and food costs are very low. And the less your child handles their choice of cold-blooded pet, the lower their chances of getting sick. Don’t worry, children can still form a bond with cold-blooded animals!

Warm-blooded

Warm-blooded animals are a trickier, riskier choice. For children with allergies, a choice of a hamster, guinea pig, or dog will fall into this category. Make sure to avoid cats! They’re allergy magnets.

Some children may experience allergic symptoms around hamsters and guinea pigs, but the reactions could be decreased greatly if the cage is cleaned often. As for dogs, there’s good news! You may have heard that some dogs are “hypoallergenic.” There is no solid research proving this term true, however, some dogs will work a lot better than others for your child’s allergies. Consider small and medium sized dogs, like a poodle or a maltese. Keep them and their areas clean, as well as air filters in your home, and you may be good to go. Remember, if you’re allergic to one dog, you’re allergic to them all. So be careful!

Remember to keep your home and air clean, and have fun with the pet of your choice! Please remember that there are no perfect animals to go hand-in-hand with kids who have allergies. Your child’s safety is the most important, and if it means not having a pet in the home, it will be much better than your child developing serious health issues.

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

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July 25, 2013July 25, 2013

Exotic Animals: Not Your Average Pet

There are many types of exotic animals that can make great pets for those looking for a companion other than your typical dog or cat. Exotic pets can range from pocket pets like sugar gliders to endangered animals like wolves. By nature, these animals are wild and can be potentially dangerous to humans. Truth is, you’re keeping a wild animal as domestic pet. However, while some exotic animals can make good companions, they often require special care, housing, diet, and maintenance. Here’s a list of exotic animals that can make great pets:

Alpaca

Alpacas can make very good pets if they are treated well and you have realistic expectations for the animal. Like any livestock, the more you interact with alpacas as babies the more comfortable they will become with humans as they mature. In time, many alpacas will eat comfortably out of the palm of your hand. You can also train them to lead by a halter. Alpaca fur is made of luxurious fiber, which is known for its fineness, lightweight and luster.

Chinchilla

Chinchillas are quick, happy little animals. As part of the rodent family, they are closely related to guinea pigs. Chinchillas have soft fur, clean living habits and lack of odor, which make them great pets! Nocturnal by nature, you can expect your chinchilla to be most active at nighttime. However, they can adapt to daytime activity too. Chinchillas come in a variety of colors, the most common color being silvery gray. For the most part, chinchillas are low maintenance, but they cannot tolerate hot weather well.

Gecko

Geckos come in all sizes and colors and make wonderful pets. There are over a thousand different species of gecko lizards available, with several of these species living in human homes. Geckos have many unique characteristics, including the chirping vocalizations they use for communication. They also have one of the longest lifespans of any lizard, living on average, 10-20 years. Geckos are widely available in pet stores. But, before you purchase a gecko, take the time to become knowledgeable of their care and breeding.

Sugar Glider

Also known as pocket-size pets, sugar gliders are cute, friendly and fun! They’re named due to their fondness of sweet food and their love of gliding from tree to tree. One reason why sugar gliders make great pets is because you can take these charming animals wherever you go. Sugar gliders love to they be carried in pockets or pouches. More importantly, sugar gliders are extremely lovable, outgoing and they enjoy being around people.

Wolfdog

Probably the most exotic animal to make this list is the wolfdog, which is a crossover between a wolf and a dog. Because they are part wolf, they require more patience and care than a normal dog. Wolfdogs consider themselves as members of the family and are very loyal. Be prepared to own a wolfdog for a long time, as they can live up to 20 years. Wolfdogs prefer to be outdoors, with plenty of room to roam. Keep in mind, the legality of owning wolfdogs in your area. For example, U.S. law states that it’s legal to own a wolfdog if he or she is less than 75 percent wolf. Any percentage over that and you must have a “dangerous animal” permit, which is the same type needed to own a lion.

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

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July 24, 2013July 24, 2013

July is National Blueberry Month

These tiny little berries are packed full of health benefits, and if you ask me, they are one of the best tasting fruits out there. They are so good in fact, that an entire month has been dedicated to them! There are so many recipes incorporating blueberries that you don’t have to look far to find one you will enjoy. However, research has shown that eating them raw provides the most nutritional benefit. We all know that blueberries are full of healthy antioxidants, but recently a study has shown that eating blueberries can actually help improve your memory. Blueberries have also been shown to improve cardiovascular health when consumed regularly, as well as helping to regulate blood sugar.

It would seem that the health benefits are endless when it comes to this sweet little fruit. Luckily for me, I live in an area where they readily grow. If you also live in an area that blueberries are common, check into your local farms and see if they offer a Pick-Your-Own type service. Many farms in my area of upstate New York will let you come out and pick your own sweet blues. However, this service is not limited to just blueberries; there are a variety of different fruits and veggies that you can go out and pick for yourself. The benefit of picking your own produce is that you can be as selective with the quality and quantity of each item you choose, and on top of that you get the rewarding experience of harvesting your own food. It gives us just a small taste of what our farmers are hard at work doing come harvest time! After spending an afternoon picking my own produce, I have a new level of respect for them.

Blueberries are ready for harvest from mid-July through late August, so you still have plenty of time to check your area for a blueberry farm. These delicious little berries also freeze well so they can be used later in the year for recipes. Let’s not forget our four-legged friends either. The health benefits of blueberries are not just limited to us humans! Our dogs can also benefit from the antioxidants found in blues, and just for them I have included a very simple, Martha Stewart recipe for homemade blueberry biscuits! I can assure you that my dogs will be getting some of these once I get my Pick-Your-Own blueberries from a local farm. I hope you and your wagging friends enjoy National Blueberry Month!

Homemade Blueberry Dog Biscuits

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups oat flour
2 1/2 cups quinoa flour
3/4 cup flax meal
1/2 cup frozen, organic, unsweetened blueberries
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large egg

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper; set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients with 1 cup water to form a dough. Roll out mixture between two sheets of plastic wrap to 1/4-inch thick; remove plastic wrap and cut out biscuits with a 3 1/2-inch bone-shaped cookie cutter. Re-roll scraps and continue cutting out biscuits.
Space biscuits 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes until nicely browned and firm.
Transfer biscuits to a wire rack. Turn off oven and place biscuits on wire rack in oven overnight. Remove from oven and store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.

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

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July 9, 2013July 9, 2013

How ID Tags Can Save a Pet’s Life

One of the best items we can purchase for our pets is an identification tag. Let’s face it, accidents happen. If your pet wonders out of sight, pet ID tags can help to ensure their safe return. Even an up-to-date rabies tag on your pet will help in the returning process. Just be sure to register your pet with a veterinarian.

An ID tag is like your pet’s get-out-of-jail-free card, if ever it were to be picked up by up by Animal Control. According to The Humane Society of the U.S., pet owners reclaim 30 percent of shelter dogs each year. More shockingly, only two to five percent of cats are reclaimed yearly. While the vast majority of these stray animals have no identification, those who do often get to return home before heading to the shelter.

What should be on the tag?

At the very minimum, your phone number should be on the pet’s ID tag. This will provide the rescuer with a means to contact you. In our technologically advanced world, you may want to use your cell phone number, as you’ll likely be out looking for your pet and you’ll only be reachable by cell. Another piece of information you will want to include on your pet’s ID tag is your address. This way, if your pet were only to wander down the block, it will be more apt to be returned immediately.

Tags are cheap and accessible

Do not put your pet’s life at risk, purchase ID tags. They are super cheap and easily accessible. You can order them online or pick them up at your local veterinarian. At Ketchum, we specialize in pet identification tags. We produce all of our tags in your choice of materials, including aluminum, brass and stainless steel. We also offer a variety of shapes and sizes to match every pet identification need. More importantly, our tags are created with your pet in mind. They are built to last and perfect for hanging on your pet’s collar, no matter where he or she might go.

Pet ID tags save lives; it’s as simple as that. While our country has come a long over the years increasing pet ownership and decreasing euthanasia, there are still an estimated 2.7 million healthy shelter pets not adopted each year. And with a good percentage of these pets strays, it’s more important than ever to use animal identification.

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

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June 26, 2013

Top 10 Pet-Friendly Cities in the US

It’s no secret that we love our pets, which is why today we want to highlight the best cities throughout the United States for having pets! From east coast to west, here are the best pet-friendly American cities.

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is well known for their abundant sunshine, but did you know they have a plethora of pet stores, dog parks, and even an annual Halloween costume contest for pets? With six off-leash dog parks, 14 pet stores, over 270 veterinarians, and a variety of pet-themed events, it’s no wonder Phoenix, Arizona is one of the best US cities for owning a pet.

Sacramento, California

Over to the west coast, Sacramento ranks at number nine on our list for pet-friendly cities. Having seven off-leash dog parks and four major pet stores is a good start, but there are also some fantastic pet-friendly events such as the annual Sacramento SPCA Doggy Dash-a 2k/5k walk and other big pet festivals. Some pet policies include mandatory spay-neuter law for dogs and cats and a permit number is required in all advertisements selling animals.

Fort Worth, Texas

Have you ever heard of Barktoberfest? If you live near Fort Worth, Texas, chances are you have! With strict spay and neuter laws, this city isn’t messing around. This city includes four dog parks, six major pet stores, dog meet up grounds and dog park events. A pet policy in this city to note is that all female dogs and cats over the age of six months and male dogs and cats over the age of eight months have to be spayed or neutered unless the owner obtains an intact pet permit.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte is not only a beautiful city, but it’s a fantastic place to spend with your favorite furry friend. Not only does this city love pets, but they also love volunteering. They have a total of eight dog parks, three major pet stores and 160 vets. Some great fundraising opportunities include Pet Palooza, where dog owners can do a fundraising walk or run a 5k with their pet as well as the Ties & Tails Gala.

Tucson, Arizona

This city has it all – 10 dog parks, nine major pet stores and over 200 veterinarians. It doesn’t end there! Some great pet-friendly events include The Puttin’ on the Dog Tucson Cover Dog Search, Chow Down for Hounds, Paws in the Plaza, Tails and Ales, Paws for the Holidays, and more.

Denver, Colorado

Denver is already well known for their outdoor activities, but chances are you didn’t know how seriously pet-friendly this city is. There are 28 dog parks, four major pet stores and about 220 vets. In a city that’s all about activity, there are so many pet-friendly events to keep your average pet-owner busy! This includes puppy preschool training classes, the canine festival and European market, and doggie meet ups!

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Talk about a city full of events – Minneapolis is full of them for pets! The American Humane Society puts on three pet-friendly fundraising events each year in Minneapolis, as well as two formal dining events each year. There are 10 dog parks, plus five off-leash dog parks, and 200 veterinarians.

Seattle, Washington

Love having options? Seattle, Washington has all the dog park options one needs. With 40 dog parks, you can visit a different one each day with your pet! They also have Put O Ween, the annual Halloween party that’s set specifically around your pet’s schedule!

Dallas, Texas

Dallas has its southern charm, but it’s also a great place to have a pet! Some big pet-friendly events that occur there are the Christmas country dog events, walk wag and run event, Walk to Nowzad, and Barktoberfest. Dallas, Texas also has around 22 dog parks and seven major pet stores to cater to your dogs every need!

San Diego, California

Rounding out our list is this west coast city, which ranks as number one for a variety of reasons. Aside from it’s nine off-leash dog parks and dog-friendly beaches, this city includes 60+ pet-friendly hotels and over 50 dog-friendly restaurants as well. For San Diego, the city has many laws for the protection of animals, including rabies vaccination laws, enclosure laws and feeding and watering and sanitation requirement at kennels.

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

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