Pets – Page 6

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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March 25, 2014May 6, 2014

The Benefits of Animal ID Tags

Here at Ketchum, we sell ID tags for many different animals. We make dog tags, cat tags, cattle tags, poultry leg and wing bands, and more. But what’s the purpose? It’s 2014, there’s probably some app you can download on your iPhone to identify animals, right? Not exactly. Check out these benefits of animal ID tags:

Auctions

animal_auction
We make plastic numbered tags that come in very handy for livestock auctions. If you’ve ever attended an auction, you know that there are a lot of people and a lot of animals. It would be virtually impossible to make order of it all without a way of identifying the animals. Our tags come in very bright orange, white, and yellow colors. You can order them blank or numbered; they’re perfect for any auction.

Accountability

When it comes to farm animals, accountability is VERY important. You need to monitor animals to make sure they’re healthy, you have as many as you think you do, etc. ID tags are at the root of the system when you’re keeping track.

However, plenty of animals won’t stay on one farm their whole life – they’ll more then likely get shipped around in the process before the grocery store. At that point, accountability is, potentially, even more important. If your animals need blood tests before they leave your farm, or they need to be checked for disease, it’s important to have all animals properly accounted for. Plastic ear tags, metal ear tags, neck tags, etc. are all humane ways to identify certain animals.

Lost Pets

dog_tree
ID tags can save your pet’s life. If your pet gets lost, an ID tag is really the only way it could be brought back to its owner. Put your dog’s name and your phone number on the tag, at the least. The person who finds your dog will be able to comfort them by name.

Other Uses

Our tags are so durable and high quality that they go beyond being useful for animals. We had our tags being used to mark the gate positions at a ski resort. After all, they are tags — they can be used to number anything!

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March 18, 2014March 18, 2014

Recognizing & Caring for a Sick Pet

sick puppy

It doesn’t come as a surprise to any of us when I say that this winter has been brutal. We have faced piercing cold temperatures and have been pounded with snow. We also, have had some surprisingly nice days. It’s always a nice thing when the sun comes out, but its not nice when your head starts to pound and your nose starts to run. As adults, we know our bodies well enough to feel “sickness” approaching. Children are able to voice their concerns when they start feeling ill. But, pets? Do you know your pet well enough to know if something isn’t right? And how are you supposed to care for them when they are feeling under the weather. Check out these tips and be alert of some of the symptoms.

How to Tell if Your Pet is Sick

Vomiting:
Always a clear sign that something is not right with your pet. While it might just be something simple as coughing up that green grass they snuck in at the park, it could also be something a little bit more serious. As unappetizing as it may be, you must investigate the materials. Are there colors? Undigested food? Liquid only? These key observances will help aid your veterinarian into determining the cause. Same goes for diarrhea. As gross as it may be, pay attention.

Change in Appetite:
Whether an overly excited eater is suddenly not interested in dinner, or a super picky eater is suddenly eating everything in sight, a change in eating patterns can pose a serious problem. There could be experiencing a virus or have a digestive problem. Be observant, these poor guys can’t always tell us what they want.

Other Physical and Behavioral Symptoms:
– Watery eyes
– Unease of balance
– Ear discharge
– Irregular or lack there of bowel movements
– Excessive panting
– Coughing

The list is long, and the possibilities of physical and behavioral indications could be anything and may differ per breed/per pet. Trust your gut. If you think something is wrong, go to a vet. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

How to Care for Your Sick Pet

If your little guy or gal is under the weather you might want to make some small changes around the house to help nurse up a speedy recovery. If your vet gave you medications, make sure you know how to distribute them properly.

Quiet Time:
Personally, when I’m sick, all I want to do is bundle up in my coziest PJ’s and snuggle in my bed. Make a similar room for your pup. Clean up their area and fluff up their pet bed with clean, warm, and dry blankets. Make sure there is always fresh water available.

Bath Time:
Splish Splash, let’s take a bath. If your pup is down in the dumps or is not feeling ill, maybe a small sponge bath rinse is just what the doctor ordered.

After your pet heals, they will be full of energy and you can both get back to your daily routines!

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

(above photo taken from fox news)

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March 4, 2014December 10, 2018

A Cats Meow. Understanding The Feline.

thinking cat

We all know that your furry feline has a mind of it’s own, but how smart is it exactly? A cat’s intelligence is determined by its ability to learn, solve, and adapt to its environment. It might be safe to say, if you can understand the cat’s brain and how it works, you might be able to better understand your furry friend and all of their antics.

The Cats Brain

A cat’s brain is separated into different areas that each performs specialized tasks. Feline’s are smart because each area is interconnected and can rapidly share information. Every part of their brain is working together quickly which enables your cat to quickly think on its feet. In most cases, this allows them to manipulate the situation so that it favors them the most.

Memory:

Cats have the ability to store both short and long term memory. In their world, practice makes perfect and they learn best by observation. Have you noticed that after so many times, your cat will just start to open up doors and cupboards? It’s not a coincidence… they are secretly watching your every move. As a kitten, they pick up tips and tricks from their mother. As they mature into cat status it is all about trial and error.

Cats are not motivated in the same way dogs are. Dogs have been trained to guard, protect, herd and assist. Cats, being the opportunists they are, slowly take their time to investigate every alley and blind corner. Who knows where their prey might be hiding in the real world?

Similar to dogs, different types of breeds have different type of personalities. The only difference is, most people don’t ask “what type of cat is that” because to us, they are all the same. Here are a few of my favorites and some traits to be aware of.

Maine Coon:
Also known as the American Longhair, the Maine coon is the second largest breed of domestic cat. Commonly known as the “gentle giants” these beautiful creatures can be spotted with long elegant fur. They are extremely personable, easily trained, and just like being in the company of a human. Although not your typical lap-cat, they are more considered your best bud.

Bengal:
These little leopard creatures are so stunningly beautiful, but they also have a mind of their own. Before you go ahead and adopt or purchase one of these guys there are a couple things to keep in mind. They might cuddle, when it’s convenient for them. Their idea of a good time is climbing, chasing, and investigating. Think rambunctious when considering this type of breed.

Siberian:
Oh my goodness, can these sweet little munchkins get any cuter? Seriously? I can’t even take it sometimes. Incredibly intelligent, these adorable kitties will test your skills. They love to jump, and are pretty good at it considering their long legs. The Siberian kitty will also find ways to talk to you. A purring machine when it feels loved and a chirping noise to exchange in a quick convo.

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

Ketchum Manufacturing provides Cat Tags & Cat Id Tags to help in the event that your cat gets lost.

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