My Fit K9

Dogs Help Children to be More Active

2010-10-26T07:14:00.000-07:00

Improving fitness plus being best friend

Claudia Kawczynska | September 27, 2010

As dog lovers we know that our dogs are important to both our mental and physical health—our dogs with their daily “walkathon” needs induce us to be more active, for one. In 2009, researchers from the University of Missouri found that walking dogs makes people not only more consistent about regular exercisebut those who walk with a dog showed greater overall improvement in fitness than those who simply walk with two-legged companions! Another study found that dog owners actually take 25 percent more steps per day than do those without dogs. Both studies looked at adults, excluding the younger family members.

So recently, researchers in the UK set out to discover if dogs also increase the level of physical activity in children. They based their study on 9- to 10-year-olds, from 78 schools across the UK. The young participants wore activity monitors for a week (a small instrument that was worn over the left hip on an elasticized belt). Only 10 percent of the kids had a family dog—but they recorded the most “overall activity count, counts per minute, and steps compared with non-dog owners.”

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National Walk Your Dog Week

2010-10-04T10:56:00.000-07:00

The First Annual National Walk Your Dog Week Has Officially Kicked Off With Community Walks Around The Nation
This vital pet holiday was founded by Celebrity Pet Lifestyle Expert and Animal Rescuer Colleen Paige, to bring awareness to the ever increasing problem of canine behavior issues and canine obesity in America.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) October 4, 2010

National Walk Your Dog Week has officially kicked off with community walks around the nation. This vital pet holiday was founded by Celebrity Pet Lifestyle Expert and Animal Rescuer Colleen Paige, to bring awareness to the ever increasing problem of canine behavior issues and canine obesity in America. Sponsored by Animal Miracle Network, it aims to improve the health and well being of America’s dogs and sends the message to unchain your dogs!

"With more and more people becoming sedentary and gaining weight due to a lack of exercise, say's Paige, dogs don't get the necessary outlet they need to stay physically and mentally healthy. I feel that part of the overpopulation of dogs in this country is hugely associated with our growing waistlines. Generally, the less a person exercises, the less a dog exercises. Having trained thousands of dogs in the last twenty years, it's my estimation that at least 75% of dogs in shelters are there due to a lack of exercise, which has thus resulted in serious behavior issues such as aggression, destruction and separation anxiety issues. Often, dogs run away from home because they're kept sequestered all day long in a crate or a small yard, says Paige, which only exacerbates a dog's destructive, aggressive or anxious tendencies. This, coupled with too much fatty food, leads to obesity, as well as medical issues like pancreatitis, diabetes, heart disease and the number one killer of dogs – cancer. October is a beautiful time of year everywhere to get outside. Walking your dog on a daily basis not only increases the endorphins in both human and canine brains but it improves the bond between the two”.

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Enrichment Toys An engaged mind equals a happy dog By Karen B. London, PhD

2010-10-04T10:49:00.000-07:00

A great many dogs today live lives of leisure, and even dogs who are physically active often lack opportunities for mental exercise. That understimulation can result in the boredom that is the enemy of the happy, well-behaved dog. Dogs evolved to solve problems, and a life of lying on the couch while the rest of the household is at work, and then taking a human-paced walk around the neighborhood, doesn’t present many interesting problems. Which is where enrichment toys come in. Making dogs work to get treats (or even all of their food) by solving the puzzles offered by enrichment toys is a natural fusion.

The Swedish toys from Nina Ottosson’s Zoo Active (see Bark's article) line are some of the highest quality and most original enrichment toys I’ve seen. Each is a puzzle that the dog must figure out using her sense of smell, reasoning abilities and dexterity in order to get the reward. Besides the food itself, the dog benefits from mental stimulation; problem-solving practice; the opportunity to develop dexterity, coordination and balance; and last—but definitely not least—the fun of facing and succeeding at new challenges. The complexity and variety of the toys’ designs heralds a new era in enrichment toys for dogs.

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For the best exercise, get a dog!

2010-10-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

Jim Hillibish: You don’t need a gym, get a hound dog instead
I had a heart bypass last summer. Our dog took it personally. As many of you know the hard way, bypasses are fairly easy.

The killer is the rigorous and highly therapeutic permanent exercise they require afterwards.

“It’s one thing to get the blood flowing again. It’s another thing to keep it flowing.” Physical thera-pests are trained to say that.

I had to sign off on the therapy program, a contract that included swimming and thrice weekly visits to the torture chamber, I mean gym. The manual was 84 pages of hell.

I did not buy the track suit, no Nikes for me, but a year later I am in great shape. My most recent inspection revealed I have the “heart of a younger man.” (They gave me a transplant?)

“Congratulations, your blood’s flowing in the right direction.” That was the conclusion of my echo-cardiogram.

When I got home, Lily, our mini long-hair Dachshund, did her appropriate welcome dance, then pointed to her leash. She has me trained. Exercise time.

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10 (More) Easy Pieces to Liven Up Your Dog’s Meals Surprises from the grocery shelf By Roschelle Heuberger, PhD, RD

2009-10-16T13:36:00.001-07:00

In part one of this article, we asked the rhetorical question: “If you’re going to feed your dogs ‘people’ food, shouldn’t you feed them something that’s actually good for them?” and answered it with a list of 10 healthy, easily obtainable options straight from the shelves of your local market. As promised, here are 10 more “easy pieces” for your consideration. (Part One can be found here.)

As before, we urge you to keep a few cautions in mind: None of these items by itself constitutes a “complete and balanced” meal. If your dog has health or weight issues, check with your vet before adding any of them to your dog’s food dish. And, as always, start with a small portion and introduce gradually.

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Ten Commandments of Veterinary Office Visits Become an advocate for your dog By Nancy Kay, DVM

2009-10-16T13:29:00.000-07:00

How much easier it would be if vets had Dr. Dolittle’s ability to talk to the animals—when we took our pups in for a check-up, they could speak for themselves. Since that’s not the case, our dogs rely on us to act as their advocates in the exam room. In Dr. Nancy Kay’s ground-breaking book, Speaking for Spot, she provides us with the tools we need to do just that, relayed clearly and with gentle humor. We’re pleased to offer our readers a sample.

Here are 10 tried-and-true secrets to making every visit to your dog’s veterinarian exceptional for you and the entire office staff. They also directly benefit your dog’s health—and nothing is more important than that.

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Social Networking for Dogs Online or on the ground, 21st-century technology provides options By Peter Bronski

2009-10-16T13:26:00.001-07:00

Proper and regular socialization is an important aspect of life for any pup. My dog, Altai, is no different. He’s a Korean Jindo, and a highly energetic, loving and sociable one at that. He’s a lover and a licker, and put simply, he needs to get out and see other dogs. As a self-employed writer who works from home, I can certainly sympathize with his desire to leave the house and mingle with the outside world. If we didn’t, who would blame Altai—or me—for coming down with bad cases of cabin fever?

For both of us, avoiding that ailment has usually meant a trip to our local Boulder, Colo., dog park. A fenced-in OLA adjacent to the East Boulder Community Center, most of it is dirt and rocks. There’s some grass around the perimeter and in the far corners, a tree or two; on one side is a lake where dogs swim, wade in to cool off, or chase tennis balls and sticks.

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Tax Break for Pets, from Bark Magazine

2009-08-26T14:21:00.000-07:00

Tax Break for Pets

Rep. McCotter introduces HAPPY to encourage responsible pet care.

JoAnna Lou | 18 Aug 2009

Earlier this month, Michigan Congressman Thaddeus McCotter introduced HR3501, a bill more commonly referred to as HAPPY, the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years Act. The new bill proposes a change to U.S. Tax Code that would allow pet care up to $3,500 to be tax deductable.

Qualifying expenses include veterinary care, but won’t include the cost to acquire a new pet. The deduction is exclusive to legally owned, domestic animals. Animals used for research or owned in conjunction with a business do not qualify.

HAPPY was drafted to encourage responsible pet care and reduce the abandonment of pets by people struggling as a result of the economic downturn. The bill also mentions that 63 percent of U.S. households include a pet and that the human-animal bond has been shown to have positive effects upon people’s emotional and physical well being.

I don’t currently itemize my taxes, but if I could deduct pet care, it might become worth it for me to change the way I file. I’m not convinced that HAPPY will help reduce the number of abandoned dogs, but I do think it has the potential to encourage responsible pet care. It also legitimizes animals as a member of the family since we can currently deduct for human health care and education. However, if HAPPY passes, I would hope that no one would buy a pet because of the potential tax benefit (which isn't much compared to the cost of caring for an animal).

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Fun and Useful Pet Gadgets

2009-08-26T14:16:00.001-07:00

Here's the latest in pet gadgets and goodies from Bark magazine! I particularly like the cup holder water bottle...although My Fit K9 encourages all pet parents to securely strap in their K9 companions in a seatbelt designed just for them, or even better, a crate is the safest option. We also love the Kangaroo pouch! It's cute and efficient! If anyone buys these items, we'd love to hear from you.

Obesity in Dogs

2009-08-04T14:29:00.001-07:00

Obesity is defined as the excessive accumulation of body fat. Between 25 and 40 percent of dogs are considered obese or are likely to become obese. It is the most common nutrition-related health condition in dogs in our society.

The primary causes of obesity are overeating and lack of exercise. When regular caloric intake exceeds the energy burned, the excess is stored as fat. As little as an extra 1 percent caloric intake can result in a 25 percent increase over ideal body weight by middle age.

Most owners don't recognize that their dogs are overweight until they take them to the veterinarian for another reason. Most pets begin slowly gaining weight and only a historical review of body weight reveals the insidious nature of this condition.

Dogs that are overweight may experience difficulty breathing or walking or they may be unable to tolerate heat or exercise.

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Obesity is one of the issues we at My Fit K9 are trying to address. Daily walks are essential to your dogs health, and aren't bad for you either. Very few dogs seem to get the daily exercise they need. Please exercise your pup!

Pet Allergies

2009-08-04T14:24:00.000-07:00

July 28, 2009

Itchin’ and Scratchin’: Does Your Pet Suffer from Allergies?

According to the ASPCA, more than 20 percent of pets may suffer from some sort of allergy. Allergic reactions in cats anddogs are caused by inhaling, ingesting or having physical contact with an allergen, and the resulting symptoms can cause great discomfort to our furry friends. Furthermore, dogs and cats may persistently lick and scratch itchy areas, causing skin irritation, hair loss and, in some cases, skin and ear infections.

We all want our pets to be comfortable and healthy, so it’s extremely important to determine the source of an allergy and treat it appropriately. Flea allergies are especially problematic during the summer months, and need special attention because they can cause serious health problems like anemia.

If you suspect your pet is suffering from allergies, talk to your vet about determining the exact cause and a specific treatment program. Here are a few common causes:

Tree, grass, weed, mold, mildew and dust pollens
Food
Fleas and flea-control products
Prescription drugs
Perfumes
Cleaning products
Cigarette smoke
Fabrics
Rubber and plastic materials

Removing the offending allergen from your home is the best way to combat allergies. Check out our other expert tips for treatment:

Prevention is the best remedy for allergies caused by fleas. See your veterinarian for advice about safe flea control products for your pet.
If dust is the problem, clean your pet's bedding once a week and vacuum at least twice weekly—this includes rugs, curtains and any other materials that gather dust.
Weekly bathing may help relieve itching and remove environmental allergens and pollens from your pet’s skin.
If your pet suffers from a suspected food allergy, she may need to be given a prescription or hydrolyzed protein diet to determine the exact cause of the irritation.

For more information about pet allergies, please visit our online health center for cats anddogs.

What do you think? Tweet on this article. Include @aspca and #PetAllergies

Sad Story

2009-08-04T14:23:00.000-07:00

August 4, 2009

Dog Hurled From Roof of Brooklyn Housing Project

On July 31, Brooklyn resident Fabian Henderson, 19, was arrested by ASPCA Special Agent Peter Rivas for hurling his one-year-old Terrier mix from the roof of his Brooklyn housing project—the Red Hook Houses.

The cold-blooded act occurred on June 18. “The ASPCA initially received a complaint that an animal was being beaten on the third floor of 28 W. Ninth St., where Henderson lives with his family,” Joseph Pentangelo, Assistant Director of ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) says. “A few minutes later, HLE received two more calls from people reporting a dog had been thrown off the roof.”

Upon their arrival, ASPCA officers found Oreo on the ground six floors below, badly broken, but alive. “We couldn’t believe the dog survived the six-story fall,” says Special Agent Rivas. “We immediately took her to the nearest animal clinic, where she received emergency care.” As soon as she was stabilized, Oreo was transferred to the ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital where veterinarians treated her shattered legs, bruised lungs and severe internal bleeding. Surgery was also performed to reconstruct her front legs, using plates and screws.

“She's showing a lot of resilience. She's eating on her own, she's standing and she’s walking,” confirms Pentangelo. “But it is a long road ahead.”

Henderson pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated cruelty to animals—a felony punishable by up to two years in prison—reckless endangerment and criminal trespass. He is being held on $50,000 bail. The case is scheduled for the grand jury in Brooklyn, date to be determined.

Pet Airline, Sunblock for the Kitty, Legislation

2009-07-19T14:08:00.000-07:00

Great news for pet owners!

Pet Airline

Kitties can get sunburns too.... Protect Your Cat

From the Humane Society ... Legislation For Our Pets

Tips for Staying Cool in the Summertime

2009-07-17T10:10:00.001-07:00

Since it is summertime, why not make Fido a frozen treat? Here's a great recipe from Bark magazine called Frozen Sunrise

Frozen Sunrise

An icy treat to be enjoyed from sunrise to sunset.
Ingredients
2 cups fruit juice (apple works best)
1 mashed and puréed banana
1 cup plain non-fat yogurt
1 cup puréed strawberries
Directions
Combine all ingredients and whisk thoroughly. Pour mixture into small disposable cups (three-inch bathroom or kitchen paper cups work best). Freeze until solid (at least four hours). To pop out the treat, push up on the bottom of the cup.

And don't forget that dogs can suffer from heat stroke too! Another great article from Bark magazine about being safe in the summer: Summer Health Tips

New info coming soon...

2009-07-15T19:22:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the My Fit K9 Blog. Here we will post K9 info that you will find beneficial!