Pet Products Review - ASPCA's Pet Valentine's Day Tips

As you have seen, I love my pets, and want to do something special for them on Valentine's Day.  There are important tips to know, lucky for us, ASPCA has put them all together for us.  Here they are:

Pet Valentine’s Day Tips

Valentine’s Day can be as much fun for pets as it is for humans if dangerous foods and fauna and other items are kept out of paws’ reach. Each year our poison control experts see a rise in cases around February 14, many involving chocolate and lilies, a flower that’s potentially fatal to cats. So please heed our experts’ advice—don’t leave the goodies lying around on Lover’s Day.

Pet-Safe Bouquets
Many pet owners are still unaware that all species of lily are potentially fatal to cats. When sending a floral arrangement, specify that it contain no lilies if the recipient has a cat—and when receiving an arrangement, sift through and remove all flowers. If your pet is suffering from symptoms such as stomach upset, vomiting or diarrhea, he may have ingested an offending flower or plant. Use our online an online toxic reference libraries as visual guides of what and what not should be in your bouquets.

Forbidden Chocolate
Seasoned pet lovers know the potentially life-threatening dangers of chocolate, including baker’s, semi sweet, milk and dark. In darker chocolates, methylxanthines—caffeine-like stimulants that affect gastrointestinal, neurologic and cardiac function—can cause vomiting/diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures and an abnormally elevated heart rate. The high-fat content in lighter chocolates can potentially lead to a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Go ahead and indulge, but don’t leave chocolate out for chowhounds to find.

Careful with Cocktails
Spilled wine, half a glass of champagne, some leftover liquor are nothing to cry over until a curious pet laps them up. Because animals are smaller than humans, a little bit of alcohol can do a lot of harm, causing vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination, central nervous system depression, tremors, difficulty breathing, metabolic disturbances and even coma. Potentially fatal respiratory failure can also occur if a large enough amount is ingested.

Life Is Sweet
So don’t let pets near treats sweetened with xylitol. If ingested, gum, candy and other treats that include this sweetener can result in a sudden drop in blood sugar known as hypoglycemia. This can cause your pet to suffer depression, loss of coordination and seizures.

Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Don’t let pets near roses or other thorny stemmed flowers. Biting, stepping on or swallowing their sharp, woody spines can cause serious infection if a puncture occurs. “It’s all too easy for pets to step on thorns that fall to the ground as a flower arrangement is being created,” says Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine for the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. De-thorn your roses far away from pets.

Playing with Fire
It’s nice to set your evening a-glow with candlelight, but put out the fire when you leave the room. Pawing kittens and nosy pooches can burn themselves or cause a fire by knocking over unattended candles.

Wrap it Up
Gather up tape, ribbons, bows, wrapping paper, cellophane and balloons after presents have been opened—if swallowed, these long, stringy and “fun-to-chew” items can get lodged in your pet’s throat or digestive tract, causing her to choke or vomit.

The Furry Gift of Life?
Giving a cuddly puppy or kitten may seem a fitting Valentine’s Day gift—however, returning a pet you hadn’t planned on is anything but romantic. Companion animals bring with them a lifelong commitment, and choosing a pet for someone else doesn’t always turn out right. If you're still not sure, make a donation to your local rescue.

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Pet Products review - Morris Animal Foundation Veterinary Memorial Program and Sympathy Cards

Recently, I had a friend who lost their kitten and to tell you the truth, I did not know what to say or where to find a suitable card.  Well the people at The Morris Animal Foundation, one of the countries premier vet organizations is helping us with this difficult issue. 

The Morris Animal Foundation Memorial Card Speaks Compassionately to the Sadness of the Pet Owner, and Builds Client Loyalty for Growing Practices. When veterinarians make donations in memory of pets, clients receive personalized cards that communicate grief and identify a commitment to finding future veterinary cures. There is a $10 minimum per card for veterinary memorial donations – a small price for a big gesture.

With the proceeds from the sale of the cards, The Morris Animal Foundation provides research at leading veterinary institutions. This research advances veterinary medicine, which enables you to provide patients with the best care possible. Memorial gifts make this possible. Make your confidential donation on behalf of your little one at: http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/pdf/memorial_card_flyer-1.pdf

or To send a card to by calling:

Morris Animal Foundation at
(800) 243-2345
Minimum donation is $10 per card.

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Pet Product Review - Hill's 3 Bag Challenge - Feeding Is Believing

Ok, as you know from reading my blog, pet nutrition and what I feed my pets is a paramount concern of mine.  But often, especially in these tough economic times, we forgo the super premium brands for products that may be less expensive.  The problem with this story is that the costs in the long run may exceed those immediate savings.  That's why I applaud the folks over at Hill's. 

Hill's wants you start thinking of the importance of what you feed your cats and your dogs, and will give you free super premium pet food for three months!  Yes, they call it the Science Diet 3-Bag Challenge.  Here are the details:

Eligibility: 3-Bag Challenge (the Offer) is open to everyone in the USA.

Timing: The Challenge takes place over the entire 2009 year.

How to Receive Offer: Visit www.FeedingisBelieving.com and follow the links and instructions to complete and submit the registration. Your registration must include a valid home street address, P.O. boxes are not permitted. Take the 3-Bag Challenge for your dog and/or your cat and receive valuable gifts in return. All you do is:

Dog Offer:

• During the Offer Period, purchase three (3) bags of any of the Hill's^® Science Diet^® dog food products that are 4 lbs. or larger; and
• Following each purchase, visit www.FeedingisBelieving.com, enter your email address to access your registration form, and then enter the UPC Code and Lot Code appearing on the bag of the Science Diet dog food that you purchased (you are limited to entering one (1) set of UPC/Lot Codes per day).
• You have completed the 3-Bag Challenge for your dog once you have entered the UPC/Lot Codes from each of the three bags of Science Diet dog food that you purchased.

Following your entry of each of the first two (2) sets of UPC/Lot Codes, an online coupon for $5 off your next purchase of any 17.5 lb. or larger bag of Hill's Science Diet dry dog food (excludes treats) will be available for you to download. Within 4-6 weeks following your entry of the third and final set of UPC/Lot Codes in this Dog Offer, Sponsor will mail you one (1) Dog Care Kit valued at $30 that includes five (5) money-saving coupons for Hill's Science Diet dog food, a training DVD, a new dog checklist, a magnetic picture frame, calendar stickers and a new dog care booklet.

Cat Offer:

• During the Offer Period, purchase three (3) bags of any of the Hill's^® Science Diet^® cat food products that are 4 lbs. or larger; and
• Following each purchase, visit www.FeedingisBelieving.com, enter your email address to access your registration form, and then enter the UPC Code and Lot Code appearing on the bag of the Science Diet cat food that you purchased (you are limited to entering one set of UPC/Lot Codes per day).
• You have completed the 3-Bag Challenge for your cat once you have entered the UPC/Lot Codes from each of the three bags of Science Diet cat food that you purchased.

Following your entry of each of the first two (2) sets of UPC/Lot Codes, an online coupon for $5 off your next purchase of any 8 lb. or larger Hill's Science Diet dry cat food (excludes treats) will be available for you to download. Within 4-6 weeks following your entry of the third and final set of UPC/Lot Codes in this Cat Offer, Sponsor will mail you one (1) Cat Care Kit valued at $30 that includes five (5) money-saving coupons for Hill's Science Diet cat food, a training DVD, a new cat checklist, a magnetic picture frame, calendar stickers and a new cat care booklet.

The whole idea is that once you start feeding you pet Hill's Science Diet, you'll notice within 3 bags of feeding a noticible healthy more active pet.  Hey, what do you have to lose?  Take the Challenge!!!  "Feeding Is Believing"!

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Pet Products Review:  Yorkie Stoneware Treat Canister Gift from The Bradford Exchange

Valentine's day is coming, and with that many biscuits, treats, bones and special snacks just for your favorite valentine pooch.  Well, if you're looking for a wonderful gift that double as elegant storage for all of those treats, GiftsToday.com has it:  Yorkie Stoneware Treat Canister Gift from The Bradford Exchange.

No if you're loved one happens to be a Yorkie owner, than its a no-brainer.  You've got to get this treat jar.  It is so nice.  I gave one to my friend Soo Jin, and she loved it!  Now Soo Jin is different, she keeps it at her office for her own cookies because it reminds her so much of her little Yorkie Chanel.  She told me that the artwork on the treat jar look exactly like her little one; especially the little sculpture on the lid.

CollectiblesToday.com points out the following features;

• Treat you and your Yorkie to this striking collectible Yorkie stoneware dog treat canister, a first-of-a-kind available only from The Bradford Exchange
• Adorable lifelike images by acclaimed animal artist Pollyanna Pickering adorn this custom-designed Yorkie collectible
• Bears the touching inscription "Yorkies leave paw prints on our hearts"
• Removable lid with inner ring keeps the snacks in this Yorkie collectible fresh and handy
• A colorful sculptural Yorkshire Terrier "topper" provides the perfect finishing touch
• To best preserve the art images and sculpture, hand wash only
• Edition is limited to 95 firing days, so order now
• Certificate of Authenticity
• Measures approximately 5-1/2" W x 9-1/2" H; 14 cm W x 24 cm H

Order yours today by going to:  http://www.giftstoday.com/product/tail-waggin-treats-yorkie-canister.html

Here is my picture, not as good as the above: 

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Pet Products Review - Sojos Premium Organic Catnip 1oz tin

Ok, my cat Stinky, is by far the most discriminating kitty around.  And one thing that drives me crazy is that he doesn't like Cat Nip.  Now don't call me an enabler, but I've tried just about all cat nip, and nothing had an affect on my kitty.  That is until I found the "good stuff" !  Sojos Premium Organic Catnip. 

This is super premium cat nip.  Hand grown and hand picked.  Now what I've found out is that sprinkling a little bit of Sojos Premium Organic Catnip on your kitty's bed or play area, wait 15 minutes and your kitty will be rendered to a groovy euphoric mood.  Don't use too much, only a little bit once or twoce a week. 

Sojos Premium Organic Catnip is super premium, but affordable.  A 1oz tin is only $6.  Go to http://www.sojos.com/catnip.html to order.

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