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The Pet Friendly Canada Newsletter
For Pets and The People Who Love Them!
www.petfriendly.ca (Accommodations in Canada)
www.petfriendly.travel (Hotels in the USA)
www.pawfriendly.com (Pet care directory)
June 2010
This newsletter is available by subscription only. To
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PET QUOTES
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"The purity of a person's heart can be quickly measured
by how they regard animals." (Anonymous)
"There's no need for a piece of sculpture in a home that
has a cat." (Wesley Bates)
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Featured Story: LIFE LESSONS FROM A BORDER COLLIE ANGEL
Source: PawFriendly.com - Pet Stories
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"The day my life changed for the better was the day I
met Killian, my Border Collie Angel. I have always loved
animals, but I didn't know anything about Border Collies.
A friend of mine was a breeder and she had her first
litter. On impulse, I had to buy one.
This little puppy, known as King of the Pups, attached
to me immediately. I would lie down on the floor and he
would lie on my chest. If I left the room, he would cry
until I returned. It didn’t matter if someone was in
the room with him or not. I felt the pull on my heart
strings. Little did I know that I was making such huge
investment in myself. From that day forward the Border
Collie formerly known as 'King of the Pups', became
Killian, my personal angel..."
[Continue Reading]
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PHOTOS FROM PROUD PET PARENTS
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Lincoln & Lacey in Alberta
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Zoe & Timon
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Want to see your pet here? Send us your photos!
You can also post your pet photos on our Facebook page!
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FAT DOGS - COMBATTING CANINE OBESITY
- from dogsdogsdogs at HubPages.com
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Canine obesity is on the rise. People lead such busy
lives and what they eat, and how much they exercise, also
affects what they feed their dogs and how much exercise
their dogs get. It can sometimes be hard to realize that
your dog is fat, especially for those breeds that have
thick coats. But canine obesity is a serious health risk
for your furry pal and taking action now can help him to
lead a healthier life.
It's important to remember that an extra 5 pounds on your
dog means more than an extra 5 pounds on a person. An
extra 5 pounds on a normally 50 pound dog, for example,
is 10% overweight. An extra 5 pounds on a normally
20 pound dog is 25% overweight!
Fat dogs are at higher risk for health problems which can
lead to shortened lives. On the other hand, fit dogs who
are at a healthy weight tend to be more active which means
they can enjoy all sorts of activities with their people.
DIFFICULTIES IN RECOGNIZING OBESITY IN DOGS
I was chatting with a vet one day at the dog park, and
she told me that many vets are uncomfortable telling pet
owners that their dogs are fat. Some pet owners take it
as a personal insult, or are upset because they think
that their dogs are being insulted.
Often times your dog's weight gain is gradual, and you may
genuinely not notice that it's happened: you now have a fat dog.
Some people don't know how to assess whether their dog might
be carrying some excess weight too. It's particularly hard with
the fuzzy, fur-ball types of dogs. This is where a consultation
with a vet can help you determine if any action needs to be
taken to bring your pet back to a healthy weight.
The first step is to recognize obesity. Then steps can be taken
to help your dog lead a healthier life.
CAUSES OF CANINE OBESITY
- "Free-feeding" - always leaving a bowl of food out for your dog
can easily lead him to overeat. Not all dogs will overeat, but many will.
When they have food available whenever he feels like eating, he may just eat...
and eat... and eat... until the bowl is empty.
- Overfeeding at meals. Those "feeding guidelines" on the back of
pet food packages are only guidelines - they need to be adjusted to every
individual dog. For example, one of my dogs eats just over half the amount
listed in the guidelines. If you notice that your dog is gaining weight
when feeding the amount in the guidelines, then cut back. If he seems a
little thin and always hungry, gradually give him a bit more until you
find the right amount so that he maintains a healthy weight.
- Too many treats. It's hard to resist those big, soulful doggy
looks that say that they're starving and would really, really, appreciate
just a little treat. Too many snacks, whether they're doggy treats or
table scraps, can also lead to weight gain.
- Too little exercise. Dogs need fresh air and exercise just
like people do. Exercise will help them to burn the calories they take
in for their meals.
- Aging. Your dog's metabolism will probably slow down as
he gets older.
- Spaying & neutering. Spaying & neutering may lead to a lower
metabolic rate in dogs, but being "fixed" doesn't automatically make your dog fat.
Too much food and too little exercise makes a fat dog.
- Medical problems. In rare cases, a dog's weight gain may be tied
to a medical issue.
Continue reading for the following additional information:
- Dog Health Problems Related to Excess Weight
- How to Tell if Your Dog is Overweight
- What You Can Do to Help Your Dog Maintain a Healthy Weight
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UPCOMING PET EVENTS
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- June 5, 2010 - Calgary, Alberta: the Calgary Humane
Society's 10th Annual Dog Jog! Walk or jog 2km or 5km
through beautiful Fish Creek Park in support of the
8,500 animals sheltered at the Calgary Humane Society
each year. Registration fee of $35 for adults, or $20
for teens and pups includes a t-shirt and gift bag.
More info
- Summer 2010 (next date, June 19, 2010) - Calgary, Alberta:
join the Calgary Humane Society at Bowmont and Southland
dog parks for their Saving Lives Take Balls campaign!
More info
- June 27, 2010 - Edmonton, Alberta: the Edmonton Humane
Society's Pets in the Park event at Sir Wilfrid Laurier
Park. Don't miss your opportunity to show off your pet!
More info
- June 27, 2010 - Winnipeg, Manitoba: the Winnipeg Humane
Society's Paws in Motion - Grab a leash, a water bottle
and your furry friend!
More info
If your non-profit pet organization is holding an event,
please send us the details!
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We hope you enjoyed your visit to the Pet Friendly Canada website!
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