Locate pet sitters,
dog walkers, & dog daycare
throughout the USA
Home | FAQ | Hiring Checklist | Prepare for your pet sitter | Advertise | Newsletter | Contact | Links
 


The PetsitUSA.com News

September - October, 2007     Page 1     Page 2

Pet Food Recall & Related News

  
The pet food recall may seem like a distant reminder to most, however, did you know there were two new recalls at the end of August? And, although there has been no official recall, Wal-Mart has pulled Bestro Jerkey Treats from their shelves due to the fact that they tested positive for melamine. However, Wal-Mart has not followed up with an official recall.

PetsitUSA.com is staying current with pet food recalls, pet food recall related news, and other important pet topics, which we post on our blog. We also post information about pet foods on our website, The Pet Food List.

Pet Food Bloggers Need Your Vote!

South by Southwest, the prestigious internet/music/film conference held every March in Austin, TX, is considering a panel on pet bloggers and the pet food recall. Christie Keith, from Pet Connection will be there, I will be there, as well as other pet food bloggers....Ben from Itchmo.com, and David Goldstein from the Huffington Post and horsesass.org. All of our websites gained quite a bit of attention during the recall. If our panel is chosen, we'll be there to talk about how bloggers made an impact in the recall, and how they are changing the way other major stories are reported.

If you’d like to see this panel idea at the 2008 SXSW interactive conference, please visit SXSW’s Panel Picker and give the idea some stars! You do have to register first, but it’s fast and free.

To vote: Go to the “Pet Blogging: Not a fluffy puppy story” panel submission page. Iif you aren’t already registered, click “sign in” to comment, then follow the directions to create an account. After that, go back to the panel submission page and give it the number of stars you think the idea deserves - five is a great number!

See the PetsitUSA.com Blog for more info.

  

Visit The Pet Food List for info
about your pet's food, including...

  • Ingredients, & where they're from
  • Manufacturer info, and more!
 

Last minute changes

If you make last minute changes to your trip, or the care of your pets, be sure to let your pet sitter know before you leave. It is advisable to call your pet sitter as well as giving him or her the changes or instructions in writing. The call will give your pet sitter the chance to ask for clarification if needed. And the written instructions will serve as a written reminder to both of you.

Getting Ready for the Fall

Fall is almost upon us and there are several hazards to pets, some of which are potentially fatal. Knowing what these hazards are and taking simple precautions can keep your pet healthy through the upcoming months.

Antifreeze: Most radiator antifreeze/coolant contains ethylene glycol and is highly toxic. It has a sweet taste and is readily consumed by children and animals. Five teaspoons can kill a 10-pound dog, less will kill a cat. It is very fast acting and results in kidney failure and death in as little as four to eight hours. Store new antifreeze in its original container, out of reach of pets and children. Keep the empty container or a record of the product used so that if your car leaks and your pet finds it before you do, you can tell your veterinarian what was consumed. If you think your pet has consumed antifreeze, call your veterinarian immediately.

Rodenticides: Rodenticides that kill the rodents will also kill your pets. They cause severe bleeding, kidney failure, and death. There are no safe rodenticides. Whether out of hunger, boredom, or curiosity, pets will consume these products. If rodenticides are used in your home, put them in places inaccessible to pets and children. Keep a record of the product used, and if accidental poisoning occurs, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Chocolate: Chocolate is a favorite people-treat at Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, but it is toxic to dogs, cats, and birds. The initial signs of chocolate poisoning are those of stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. If sufficient chocolate is consumed, an animal will become restless and uncoordinated and will suffer heart failure and/or respiratory failure. As little as one ounce of chocolate can kill a 10-pound dog. Like other poisonings, chocolate poisoning requires emergency medical treatment.

Holiday Meals: Holiday meals can also cause medical emergencies for pets. Chicken and turkey bones can get stuck or pierce holes in any portion of the digestive tract. Rich foods can cause sudden pancreatitis or bloat. Keep holiday meal, leftovers, and table scraps out of reach of your pet. If your pet insists on participating in the feast, cooked vegetables (without the butter and salt) are safe in small amounts.

Cold Weather: Indoor pets not acclimated to winter temperatures should not be left outside in cold weather for long periods of time. Outdoor pets can withstand cold temperatures if they have shelter from wind, rain and have bedding to insulate the floor they lay on. Always avoid electrical heating devices. They could electrocute your pet if wet or chewed on. Outdoor pets need extra food in cold weather to generate body heat, and they need access to water at all times. Keep your pet's feet clean and dry. Very cold weather can cause severe irritation when caught between pet's toes.

JoAnn Carlson is the owner of #1 Pet Mom, a professional pet sitting and dog walking business in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.

Go to Page 1 of the PetsitUSA.com News

Do you have a great pet story?
If you've got a great story about your pet that you'd like to share, we'd like to hear from you! We're looking for stories about funny pets, lovable pets, pet heroes, and more. Contact us with your story and we may put it in our next newsletter.
 

PetsitUSA.com accepts no liability on behalf of the businesses listed on this site.
© 2006 PetsitUSA.com All rights reserved