Fever pets

Losing a Pet
By Shelley Ontis

Pets become members of our family, and quickly win our hearts. Losing a pet causes the same kind of grief as other losses, and that grief, and the resultant mourning period, should be taken just as seriously. In modern society, we have rituals and ceremonies that help us when we lose a loved one. Wakes, funerals, burial services and visits to the gravesites are important in helping us to deal with the loss. But typically, with the loss of a pet we have no such ceremonies to aid us in the grieving process, even though the grief is just as real.

In her book, On Death and Dying, Elizabeth Kübler-Ross described grief as having 5 stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Losing a beloved pet is a traumatic life moment, but time, and an understanding of the stages of grief and how to deal with them, can be important steps in healing.

1. Denial. The first stage often occurs immediately and passes quickly, but it can linger for some time, depending on the age of the pet and the circumstances. The inability to believe that a dog or cat is really gone, especially after having the pet for years, is a normal part of the grieving process.

2. Anger. Why did my pet have to die? Why did it have to happen this way? Anger is a perfectly natural reaction to losing something so dear. Understanding that all living things must die, that the only mystery is when and where, can help ease you through this stage.

3. Bargaining. This often happens immediately, like denial and anger, with pleas for the pet to live, perhaps making deals with God that if everything is okay, you'll be better, or go to church, or give to charity. Any number of bargains can come into play, depending on your lifestyle. This is a natural reaction to a trauma-somehow we try to find a way to undo what's happened, or make it okay. A part of bargaining unique to the loss of a pet is a type of bargain with yourself, in which you tell yourself that if you get another pet, you won't hurt so much. And some make oaths to never have another pet again, because it's too painful to lose them. It's common to believe that either of those things will stop or greatly alleviate the pain, but often, that doesn't hold true. A new pet might distract you from the pain for a while, but you owe it to yourself to deal with your grief as well as you can before taking on the responsibility of another pet. Conversely, there's no need to deprive yourself of the joys of pet ownership in the future just to avoid losing another pet. These extreme feelings will pass.

4. Depression. When the denial and anger have faded, and it's obvious that bargaining doesn't help, depression can set in. Depression is a normal reaction to loss. You're sad because your loved pet is gone, and the pain of that loss is terrible. Ways to cope with the depression include good nutrition, enough exercise, and enough sleep. Be around people and socialize to avoid the loneliness that can come from missing a pet, but realize that you cannot avoid the pain of the loss. Instead, try to focus not on how your pet is gone from your life, but on the joy your pet brought to your life while he or she was with you. Make a photo album or keepsake album of dog or cat pictures, a special memento that you can look at when you want to revisit specific memories.

5. Acceptance. The final stage of grief is the hardest to reach--the acceptance that what has happened cannot be changed, and that a beloved pet is truly gone. But accepting that a cherished companion is no longer with you does not mean that you'll forget the pet or the happy times you shared. Some people equate lessening grief with a sort of disrespect, but that's not so. There are many ways to honor your pet's memory and his or her importance in your life, even as the pain of loss lessens. You can place a lovely headstone at your pet's gravesite, or choose a memorial stone for your yard or garden. Keep your pet's collar or favorite toy in a keepsake box with your pet's photo on the outside. These serve as powerful symbols of remembrance and love, and can help you feel closer to your pet in a healthy and sustainable way.

Losing a pet is painful, but the grief and sadness you feel is necessary and healthy. Now is the time to move from mourning your pet's loss to celebrating the time you had with your special animal. Take the time to be good to yourself and honor your pet's memory in a way that feels right to you.

Pet Care - 5 Easy Ways to Keep Happy Pets
By Donald Mckenzie Jr

1) Create a great living atmosphere for your pet.

One of the best things you can do for your pet is to create a highly comfortable atmosphere for them. This goes for pet dogs, cats, birds, mice, lizards, turtles, rabbits, and all other house pets. Think of it this way; would you like to live an uncomfortable house? That answer is an obvious one. Your pet is a living being and would love to live comfortably in a good atmosphere. A couple things going for this tip include fresh drinking water, a comfortable resting spot, and great clean nutritious food. You will also want to keep their living space fresh and comfortable.

2) Only feed them the best nutritious foods.

Your pet will only stay as healthy as the food you are feeding it. If you are feeding your pet unhealthy food, it will show through its health. A few signs of this are pet sickness, hostility, and your pet literally avoiding you. Try to find the best foods in the pet stores to feed your loving pet. As previously mentioned, your pets are living beings that need to be taken care of. Would you eat dirty unhealthy foods everyday? Put yourself in the position of your pet and you will understand what is being asked better.

3) Shower your pet with love and affection.

The love and affection you show your pet will help it to live a long life. A few ways to do this are using low sweet voices when interacting with any pet, petting and hugging frequently, and physically playing with your pet. If your pet is a lizard, snake, mouse, or bird, you can sometime take them out of their cages to get some fresh air. If you have a pet dog, then pull off the leash and let them run around outside each day. Believe it or not, your pet will greatly appreciate this and love you in return. If they are kept cooped up in a cage or indoors each day, they will tend to grow viscous and hostile towards anyone who comes close.

4) Give your pet great baths.

Try to remember that a clean pet is always a happy pet. Would you be happy with dirty smelly skin? Although some pets hate baths, they greatly appreciate a clean body. And even though some of them like to lick themselves to stay clean, it is always a great idea to get some fresh water and pet shampoo on them. This will also help to prevent and parasites or bacteria from getting them sick.

5) Buy your pets great toys to keep them happy.

It is always a great idea to get your pet toys and items that keep them busy. Cats seem to be fascinated by yarn and fur. They can just sit there all day swiping at it with their paws. If you can find out what fascinates your pet, it will help them to stay alert and even healthy. A lazy pet is never a good thing to have around.

Pet Nutrition and Health - Continuous Learning!
By Richard Monson

When people moved from rural areas to more populated centers for job accessibility, cultural and entertainment purposes, the age old way of feeding a pet table scraps and allowing a free running pet to scrounge for food, changed. The concentration of people meant pets and people existed in a more confined environment. Individuals did less and less growing of their own food and more and more processed foods were purchased.

The resulting change of humans purchasing processed foods created the processed pet food industry to begin flourishing in the 50's and 60's. Somewhere I read an estimate that over 90% of all the food pets consumed is preprocessed. This accounts for a large portion of the $40 Billion pet owners spend on these furry friends yearly.

Recently the nutritional health of pets became of grave concern when the pet food recalls surfaced. The importance of quality and integrity in pet foods was on every pet owner's mind. The pet food industry attempted to correct all the problems as fast as they could, but a lot of doubt still exists and increased nutrition education is paramount in the pet owner's mind.

We would all like to have pet food products that are "natural" and "organic", but must realize the major manufacturers are more inclined to cater to the "Bottom Line" which requires volume more than their dedication to nutritional quality which by government standards has only to meet the bare minimums. The words "natural" and "organic" are hard to verify in any product.

An important bit of information about pet foods is: The label does not tell the whole story. Consider this...the first listed ingredient is supposed to be of the greatest quantity, but since the ingredients are listed by weight what is the moisture content of the first item when processed into this food? Grains and meat can be 10%, 20%, 40% or? Additional items can be 5%...what is the true amount within.

What are meat bi-products? Are they the bone scrapings, cartilage, tallow and/or some unthinkable items? Why are preservatives used? Is it because such large production creates distribution problems and the pet food sacks can be in a hot warehouse or semi-trailer (parked in the hot sun) for extended periods of time (think 6 months or even a year) before being delivered or sold. Consider the processing, overheating and chemical processing destroys much that is necessary for proper nutrition.

Quality and integrity of pet foods cannot be totally determined by reading the label, it requires investigation and education found by comparing ingredients (particularly quality), asking and questioning experts in the field, veterinarians (except those well versed in nutrition) are not always the most reliable source of information.

There are good sources of information and products on the internet. Most sellers of commercial pet foods (veterinarians and store sales personnel) are coached by the manufacturers or distributors of these mass produced products. Read and read some more, then use that information to provide the best nutrition for your pet(s).

Pet Poisoning Symptoms - Your Rhubarb Plants Can Be Harmful
By Elizabeth Orr

It is a well known fact to many, that a substance called oxalate is quite prevalent in the leaves of the rhubarb plant. It is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream if ingested and can cause severe problems.

Rhubarb lovers and gardeners alike know that only the stems are eaten, and the leaves are cut off at harvest time. Some of us faithfully wear gloves at all times. Some do not. Some people compost the leaves. Others make a quick trip to the garbage dump. There is some debate on the severity of the dangers.

Yet, with all we know, and all we have read, how many of us put our pets outside on a daily basis?

We consistently send our pets outdoors to wander the property to enjoy the sun, get some fresh air and exercise or simply to do their business. We don't give this daily routine any second thought.

I bet that a huge chunk of the population never really considers the danger a simple garden plant can pose to a curious animal. It isn't due to a lack of caring or concern for our beloved pets. I think it is simply a case of wishful thinking and crossed fingers that our pet will return in the same state as when he left.

Animals are so instinctively curious and notorious for getting into things they should avoid.

Humans know better, or at least we should. Animals do not, and so we should be aware that the symptoms displayed by rhubarb poisoning in pets are very similar to those displayed in humans.

A pet in trouble will typically display the signs in the form of excessive drooling or vomiting or both. They will obviously be not too steady on their feet and appear to be staggering. Your pet may show signs of obvious abdominal pain when touched. Eventually he may even go into convulsions. Would you know how to handle this, seeing that your pet is in distress?

The most obvious thing to do I believe, would be to immediately call your veterinarian for his opinion.

You are sure to be advised to get your pet medical attention. Instructions have been published on how to give an animal ipecac to induce vomiting. I don't believe this is the best thing to do, simply because we are not qualified to determine if that is the solution. I would not use the hydrogen-peroxide and water mixture either for the same reason. Vomiting can even enhance the problem on the way back up as well.

I also don't believe this is a good idea, as it means physically forcing your pet to do this while they are distressed. I speak from experience that the worst thing you can do, is put your hands around the face of a pet who is severely agitated. If you think there is poison in a rhubarb leaf, consider the bacteria contained in the front long fangs of a cat. While trying to comfort a distressed pet, I was immediately bitten on the knuckle. My hand became horribly red and inflamed overnight. It swelled to an incredible size much to the worry of my doctor. That is a dangerous situation, and took two weeks to begin to heal.

Get some assistance, wear heavy gloves and muzzle your pet if you can. Transport them in a carrier to your vet and keep them warm with a familiar blanket. Take vomit samples with you. Have a sample of the leaf if possible.

If you are not sure to begin with how serious the situation is, call your local SPCA, or Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435. Be as ready for them with information as you would with your own child.

We need to discipline ourselves as responsible pet lovers to improve our efforts to keep them safe in their own surroundings. We should be faithfully accompanying them when we put them outside to roam freely. We should be there to guide them away from any garden dangers. We need to put barriers around the dangerous parts of our gardens. Better yet, we should have specific places for them to roam where they are restricted to that one safe area only.