Charity Offers Advice To Concerned Pet Owners At Crufts
04 Mar 2009 – 16:14
As thousands of people prepare to descend on Crufts on Thursday for the annual celebration of all things canine, The Blue Cross animal charity is gearing up to offer advice and support to dog lovers who are concerned about recent controversy surrounding the health of pedigree dogs.
A survey of more than 1,000 pet owners, conducted by The Blue Cross earlier this year revealed that 74% were concerned about the issue of inherited health defects in some dog breeds, but 38% felt powerless to do anything about it.
Furthermore, while 33% of pet owners thought they would be able to help reduce the problem if they knew more about it, 65% did not know where to find reliable information about the health and welfare of pedigree dogs.
In response to these findings, the charity has produced a guide to pedigree dog health, containing practical steps that every dog lover can take to help make a difference through making informed choices and supporting responsible breeding practices.
Kim Hamilton, Blue Cross chief executive, said: “While there is some very positive work going on at high-level to tackle the problem of inherited diseases in dogs, we mustn’t forget the millions of pet owners in this country who also have a powerful voice.
“The British public has voted with its feet on other animal welfare issues in the past and we believe that by making the right choices, every single pet owner can make a difference to the health of pedigree dogs.”
As one of the UK’s oldest animal charities with a network of animal adoption centres and hospitals, The Blue Cross sees the impact of irresponsible breeding practises on all species of companion animals and is well placed to offer trusted, independent advice to pet owners.
Information on choosing the right pet will be handed out at Crufts from the charity’s stand (84) in Hall 2. Visitors will also be able to benefit from a jargonbuster guide to some of the more confusing terms in pedigree dog health – as well as a list of the key attributes of the top ten most popular pedigree dog breeds.
Experienced Blue Cross staff will be on hand to offer advice on all aspects of pet ownership, and a selection of more than 70 free advice leaflets will be on display for visitors to take away.
Debbie Curtis, The Blue Cross head of communications added: “We know that three quarters of pet owners are concerned about inherited health defects in dogs, so we will be attending Crufts to provide as much information as possible so that every pet lover can help us achieve a brighter future for our pets.”
Further advice is available to download free from www.bluecross.org.uk/pedigree and www.allaboutpets.org.uk – the charity’s online community for pet lovers.
Labrador crowned UK’s best pet slimmer by veterinary charity
A formerly porky Labrador has been crowned the UK’s best slimming pet by a veterinary charity after shedding 1st 6lbs (10kg).
Keano, from Plymouth, was so overweight at 7st 2lbs (46kg), he could not roll over on his back before joining the PDSA scheme.
But regular walks and proper dog food helped him find a new lease of life.
Five obese dogs and one cat completed PDSA’s 100 day diet and fitness programme, devised by vets.
The charity says canine obesity rose by 9% in the last year, which can cause potentially fatal conditions.
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Pet Owners Splurge on Premium, Fortified Food for Animal Companions
The premiumization trend in the global pet food market indicates that pet owning consumers are as willing to spend more on premium food infused with health fortifying ingredients such as glucosamine, omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and probiotics for their pets as they are for themselves.
Premium pet foods cover all bases — from natural/organic to functional/nutraceutical to special diet (segmented by lifestage, weight, health condition, breed, etc.) to gourmet — while also often reflecting trends in human foods.
Driven by premiumization the global pet food market reached an estimated $49 billion in 2008, according to market research publisher Packaged Facts in the all-new report, “Pet Food in the U.S.: Health, Humanization and High Quality Ingredients in an Increasingly Value-Driven Global Market, 8th Edition.” The 2008 global total marked a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of almost 5% for the preceding five-year period.
North America accounted for the largest share of global pet food sales in 2008 with 40%. “Particularly in the United States, the premiumization trend goes beyond the tendency Americans have to be better educated about health and nutrition issues. In addition, the pervasive humanization dynamic cannot be underestimated. Pet owners often view their pets as part of the family, or even as surrogate ‘children.’ Thus they are looking for the safest and healthiest products possible,” says Tatjana Meerman, Publisher of Packaged Facts.
“Pet Food in the U.S.: Health, Humanization and High Quality Ingredients in an Increasingly Value-Driven Global Market, 8th Edition” examines the global pet food market (sales overall and by world region, marketer shares, new product trends, U.S. export trends, etc.); strategic directions for current and prospective marketers; high-growth product segments; and trends in pet food purchaser demographics and lifestyle pursuits (media and marketing psychographics, Internet usage, “green” involvement, etc.). The report has separate chapters each discussing food for dogs, cats, and other companion animals. For further information visit: http://www.packagedfacts.com/Pet-Food-1653956/.
Common Pet Health Problems and Solutions
Fleas
Fleas are nasty little critters that can infest your home and make your pets miserable. To rid your pets and home of fleas you must attack them from all sides. To combat fleas you have to make sure that you treat your pets and all indoors and outdoors of your home.
You can begin by using a product that prevents the flea pupa from leaving the egg. You can get this type of medicine from your vet. It is usually prescribed in tablet form which is given to your pet once a month. This treatment prevents flea breeding but does not kill fleas. You will want to also use a product which will kill adult fleas; some type of topical insecticide. These types of products are usually in aerosol form. They work by dissolving into the fatty skin tissue of your pet which means your pet will still be protected after shampooing. Some of these products last up to 3 months. You can also use flea powder and flea collars on your cats and dogs. You should also use a flea spray for your home. Make sure it is the kind of spray that takes care of both adult fleas and their larvae. Most of these types of products last up to 7 months. The most important step is to vacuum thoroughly and often. Vacuuming is very effective and should be done daily.
Worms
A person should have their cats and dogs wormed regularly. The reason for this is that worms carried by cats and dogs can be a health risk to other people and animals. There are many different types of worms and parasites that your pet can be infected with. Since young animals have a lower resistance to infection and unborn pups and kittens can be infected while in their mother’s womb. It is important to start worming pups and kittens at about two weeks of age. There are different types of worms, including; roundworms, tapeworms, whip worms, and hookworms. Since all of these types of worms are common in pets it is hard to prevent them from getting infected; but you can control them by worming your pet on a regular treatment schedule. Usually the doses can be giving orally in powder, liquid or tablet form. By using preventive care and making sure that your cat or dog is wormed at least every three to four months you can control infestations.
Ear Mites
Ear mites are very small parasites who infect the ears of cats and dogs and live in the ear canals. Ear mites are highly contagious among animals. Ear mites can be seen using a magnifying glass or by looking at a sample of tissue from the ear under a microscope. These types of parasites are not always easy to see with the naked eye. Unfortunately, if one of your pets has ear mites then the rest of your pets probably do too. Ear mites easily spread between animals. It is also a good idea to use flea products on their bodies as well, such as flea powder or flea shampoo. Ear mites can be found on other areas of the body besides the ears. It is also recommended that you wash the pet’s bedding. The type of treatment for ear mites depends on how severe the infestation is. Your veterinarian can prescribe ear medications with anti inflammatory ingredients which will give your pet relief. If the ear mites are severe you may need your pet’s ears cleaned along with ear medication.
Today with things such as the cost of medical treatment and veterinarian visits for your pets at a all time high and still increasing; a smart move is to buy pet insurance. This will give you piece of mind and the ability to take care of your four legged family members in case of a medical emergency or injury. You can get pet insurance on older pets too. They don’t have to be puppies or kittens to be eligible; as long as you keep the premiums up they will be covered for their lifetime.
So please visit us to see how we can help protect your pet – you can buy online easily too at Pet Insurance by Animal Friends.
Pet Slimmer of the Year
Weight and obesity always seem to be hot topics in the news. Yet it’s not just people that need to watch the pounds, our pet dogs are just as at risk from the health implications of obesity as we are.
A Labrador dog has been crowned pet slimmer of the year in a UK wide competition after shedding 9 and a half kilos! A diet of fatty foods, and too many of them and the extra weight piled on Oscar, the black Labrador.
A one hundred day diet of water and dog biscuits, along with regular exercise and Oscar is now unrecognisable as a slim fit and energetic pet. Well done Oscar!
No matter what breed they are, all dogs enjoy food. Most of them would eat you out of house and home given half a chance but it is important not to indulge your pup too often. Like us humans they need a balanced diet and lots of exercise.
Pets to be given same costly lifesaving procedures as health service
One of the country’s leading veterinary surgeons has revealed plans for a pet hospital that will offer treatments as sophisticated as anything available to humans on the NHS.
Pets to be given same costly lifesaving procedures as health service
Read more Pet news at UK Pet Insurance Review