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What Do You Know About Cat Allergies?

PetSugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:00:30 -0700

Achoo! A kitty allergy is no joke to those who have it. Did you know about 20 to 30 percent of people with allergic asthma flare up after meeting with a cat? See what else you know about this ailment by taking my quiz!

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Do Your Pets Have Allergies?

PetSugar — Tue, 26 May 2009 11:30:27 -0700

Uh-oh, little smooshy Samson has a problem, and the name is pollen! LilPeaPod took Samson to the vet over the long weekend, having lately noticed lots of sneezing, droopy and goopy eyes, and one other interesting symptom: red, itchy paws. After a few painless skin tests, she found out that Samson has allergies!

Right now is the height of pollen season, and allergies aren't just for humans. Your pets can inhale lots of pollen as they walk with their noses to the ground and even be allergic to grass, just like Samson is. If you notice your pets licking their paws, scratching their face, or even an extra wet nose in the Spring and Summer, they may have allergies. Thankfully, it can be relieved with (pet-safe) antihistamines so your pets can enjoy the fruits of Spring, just like the rest of us.

Do You Believe in Hypoallergenic Pets?

PetSugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 04:15:50 -0800

While much of the nation was captivated with yesterday's inauguration, I couldn't help but continue to wonder about the First Dog-to-be, especially now that the family's all moved into the White House. The Obamas are still sticking to their rescue dog preferences, saying that either a Labradoodle or Portuguese Water Dog are top picks because of their daughter's allergies.

Some people consider those breeds to be "hypoallergenic" because of the limited shedding, yet others claim that the main allergen is excreted as sweat and secreted into the saliva making essentially no dog safe. What do you think?

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To the Rescue: Two Bathing Alternatives For Kitty Allergy Relief

PetSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:15:00 -0800

I've definitely heard conflicting advice when it comes to dealing with cat allergies. While some recommend washing a pet to reduce the amount of allergens released into the air, others say that bathing will cause her to lick herself more . . . thus increasing the amount of allergy-causing saliva on her coat. Since coaxing a cat into a tub doesn't sound like fun no matter what, here are two other ways to combat this problem.
While having someone comb your pet frequently and properly dispose of the hair is a good way to limit the flying fur on your furniture, taking a damp micro fiber cloth and rubbing down the cat's coat can help get rid of visible dander and pick up stray hairs, too.

To hear of the product to apply straight to the coat, read more.

The solution Allerpet can be applied to a pet with a washcloth once a week (or more often) to cleanse the hair of saliva (Fel d1) and dander better than water alone. Any of you have tips for living with allergies and cats? I'd love to hear them in the comments below!

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What's Your Take: Desperate Housewives' Tom vs. Toby?

PetSugar — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 03:00:59 -0800

Although I'm expecting to hear heated debates in the comments about this clip, I must say the line where Ida suggests they put her cat, Toby, and Lynette's daughter, Penny, upstairs in a closet during the tornado "since it's safe" makes me laugh every time. Now, if you're at your own home (and there's not a tornado going on outside), whether or not to sequester a pet when someone with allergies comes over is usually not a tricky decision. However, if you're a guest, and in an emergency situation like this one, what would you do?

Do Tell: Have You Suffered an Allergy in the Name of Love?

PetSugar — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:30:08 -0700

I know it would take something bigger than a new guy to shove my number one out of my life, but cat allergies are more common and typically more severe than dog ones. Which brings us to this adorable feline - she needs a new home since her owner is moving in with a new girlfriend who's just not that into cats and allergic!

It's a tough situation, but I'm curious to hear from you - ever sacrificed a pet or sucked it up to save a relationship? (Oh, and if you're in the San Francisco Bay Area, shoot me a PM to hear more about this soon-to-be-homeless cat.)

The Scoop: There's Less to Love With Micro Pigs

PetSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:50:15 -0700

It's a pig party! Now we've seen cute little oinkers here, before but the latest pet craze over in the UK are micropigs, bred down from a mixture of the miniature potbellied pig, Tamworth, Kune Kune, and Gloucester Old Spot varieties. Fanciers say they can be easily litter-box trained, grow equivalent to a medium-sized dog (45-60 pounds), and are fine for allergy sufferers since they have hair not fur. There are a couple catches: they must be sold in pairs - double trouble? - and, at this time, only overseas.

Do you think micropigs will eventually make it big, or should I say small, Stateside? Just don't go making any swine flu jokes around the lil ones.

Pet Peeves: Why Does My Dog Snore?

PetSugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:35:47 -0700

I know I'm not the only one whose home includes a four-legged snorer - North makes noises in his sleep that friends can hear in the next room or even over the phone. There are several possible reasons for the odd sounds coming out of those wriggly noses and I've gathered a bunch below:

Smooshies. Breeds with smushed faces or short snouts can be predisposed to snoring problems. If you think about it, they're forced to breathe with only a fraction of their actual nostrils and have to work extra hard to maximize that space. Since it's harder for them to control breathing (wheezing and snorting) when awake, the constriction of their nasal passages make it equally hard, if not more so, when sleeping.
Loose Tissue. Loose throat tissue also contributes - snoring also results from a slight obstruction that's vibrating during sleepytime breathing.

See three other reasons your pooch could be snoring (that you can do something about!) when you read more.

Overweight. Just like with humans, obese dogs may snore because they have more excess flesh around the throats. This can cause the obstruction that causes the vibration that causes the snoring sound. (Refresh some of my pet weight-management tips here.)
Allergies/Illness. Snoring can be a result of a bigger, medical problem. Even dogs get allergies and other breathing issues - if snoring suddenly starts where silence was found before, it may be worth a trip to a vet's office to check that nose out.
Positioning. Some dogs only snore when sleeping on their backs so picking up a donut-shaped bed that encourages curling up can help your pooch change his sleep method and hopefully the sounds that result, too.

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To the Rescue: 9 Tips For Kitty Care and Conundrums

PetSugar — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:30:59 -0700

I live in a dog house. That is to say, sometimes my dog, North, lets me in his territory. Though we don't share our space with any kitties, I know many of you do. Here are some simple tips and advice for all you feline fanatics out there.

Guide to Choosing a Shelter Cat	Help! Dog + You + Boyfriend + Cat = . . .	Try Kitty's Cute Outdoor Catwalk
Tips For Getting Kitty to Take a Pill	Can You Help Kitty Think Inside the Box?	How to Take Phenomenal Kitty Pics

Leashes Aren't Just For the Dogs

Can Kitty Be Obsessive and Compulsive?

Two Bathing Alternatives For Kitty Allergy Relief

Top 10 Insurance Claims For Dogs and Cats

PetSugar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:15:46 -0700

Dogs will eat just about anything (as we saw earlier this week) but what about their kitty cousins? Once again, Veterinary Pet Insurance took a look at the claims they got last year – these top 10 lists account for close to 25 percent of all canine and feline medical claims received in 2008! Unsurprisingly, the more repetitive or chronic illnesses topped the list – after all, continuing care will require continual trips to a doc.

It's important to note that most of the top pet conditions will bring about a noticeable change in the behavior or appearance of a furry friend. Just another reason to take note of any lumps, bumps, sores, cuts, and unusual odors or behaviors in your pets, and react accordingly. Check out the top claims when you read more.

I've bolded any changes from last year's list, are you surprised?

Canine	Feline
1. Ear Infections	1. Lower Urinary Tract Disease
2. Skin Allergies	2. Gastritis/Stomach Upsets
3. Pyoderma/Hot Spots	3. Chronic Renal Failure
4. Gastritis/Vomiting	4. Enteritis/Diarrhea
5. Enteritis/Diarrhea	5. Diabetes Mellitus
6. Urinary Tract Infections	6. Skin Allergies
7. Benign Skin Tumors	7. Hyperthyroidism
8. Osteoarthritis	8. Ear Infections
9. Eye Inflammation	9. Upper Respiratory Virus
10. Hypothyroidism	10. Eye Inflammation

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