PetSugar

6 Ways to Enjoy Flowers (Safely) With Your Furry Friend

PetSugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:00:04 -0700

Warm weather walks aren't just a fresh way to get your pet out and about or work on your posture and fitness. They offer the visual bonus of blooming buds, chirping birds and an air of romance. In celebration of Flower Day, which happens to be today, I have put together a roundup of helpful hints for enjoying flowers and plant life both within your home and on the street. Do you know which plants are poisonous and which are fine for pup to munch one? Find out before you take that Summer jaunt through the wildflowers.

1. Let Him Stop and Smell the Flowers	2. Know Which Flowers Are Poisonous to Pets	3. Pet-Proofing Your Home by Avoiding Poisonous Plants
4. Just Say No to Cocoa Mulch	5. Plant a Pretty and Pet Safe Garden	6. Know What to Do When Kitty Eats Plants

Dog Days of Summer: "Death Cap" Mushrooms

PetSugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:30:49 -0700

As if the ominous name didn't clue you in, death caps are very dangerous. This species is responsible for the majority – 95 percent! – of fatal mushroom poisoning of people and pets. Not commonly found throughout the US, the fungi have been reported in areas as wide-reaching as upstate NY and New Jersey over to southern Oregon and the San Francisco Bay Area.

If you're taking a walk with your pooch, know how to recognize and avoid the (scientific name) Amanita phalloides. They grow year-round and thrive in moist environments commonly found on the roots of live trees. Although the above picture is one example, exact identification is unreliable because their appearance can vary . . . translation: Don't eat, or let pets eat, any wild growing mushrooms.

Learn how this affects your pets and should be treated when you read more.

Untreated ingestion of even a small portion of a death cap mushroom can be fatal because it causes liver injury and failure. If you suspect that a pet has sampled this species, bring him to the vet immediately. If treated early enough, the doctors can induce vomiting and give activated charcoal to save your pooch.

Source

Dog Days of Summer: Just Say No to Cocoa Mulch

PetSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:30:55 -0700

Don't let a nosy pooch sniff around or dig up any flowers you haven't planted yourself! If Summer travels take you to new parks or yards, double check that the gardens don't use cocoa mulch, a common fertilizer made from poisonous cocoa beans. Just like chocolate, it contains theobromine, a chemical that can cause vomiting, muscle tremors, or even death to furry friends. If you're planning your own late-blooming garden, be certain to also brush up on poisonous plants, and pick out some of our pet safe suggestions instead.

Source

Spring Cleaning: Plant a Pet Safe Garden

PetSugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:00:21 -0700

You may (or may not know) that some plants can be toxic to pets if they get the urge to munch the flowers and plants you keep around the house and garden. Even some of the most common flowers like Baby's Breath, which come in many arrangements, can be unassuming but totally harmful to your pets if ingested. Thankfully, the ASPCA has a complete list of plants that are a-ok and safe for plant-snacking pets, even if it wears down your patience! This Spring, when you are planting your garden, make sure that you double check the list for any plants that would look great in your yard . . . but can do major damage on your cat or dog's tummy. Some of my favorite flowers are great looking and safe for pets too, like these Honeysuckle Fuchsias. To see what else I would pick for my yard, just read more.

Source

Snowboarding Pups Take on Mock Slopes: In the LINK of an Eye!

PetSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:00:38 -0800

The next Rose Bowl parade will feature snowboarding dogs! - People Pets
Sharkey and Francesca give gardening a go - The Daily Wag
More reasons to keep your lawn chemical-free - Dolittler
Things to know about owning an animal hybrid - Paw Nation
Would you make your own ecotastic litter freshener and flea spray? - Haute or Not?
Missing 14 months, bomb detecting Labrador discovered in desert - Dogtime
Maui's snug as a bug in a sweatshirt? - Celebrity Dog Watcher

Source Damian Dovarganes/AP

Bare Bones: Kitty Garden

PetSugar — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 13:00:21 -0800

I've seen these edible grass kits for cats popping up everywhere these days, and I knew (like dogs), grass can helps aid in digestion. What I didn't know was that a grass garden like this one from Cat Livin ($18), is loaded with a variety of oats, wheat, rye, and barley all-in-one, and naturally helps kitty rid herself of hairballs. Growing in 4-6 days, you can reuse the stainless steel container and replacement seeds are inexpensive at $5. It makes sense if your cat doesn't go out as much as your pooch, or is strictly indoors, that you bring the grass to her – and protect your hardwood with one of the three handy placemat ($15) patterns. Plus I'd like having a nice, green patch of grass inside my apartment – especially when living in a city where grass isn't always readily accessible (or sanitary)!

Source

Miracle Grow a Pet in Your Garden?

PetSugar — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 01:00:25 -0700

I'm no stranger to hedges groomed like animals or other shapes that do not occur in nature and acheiving that result is easier than ever. Coming in three varieties for different planting options, you can opt to get your pet topiary pre-filled with moss seeds (think Chia Pet), add seeds yourself (think Miracle-Gro), or choose to add other adornments (think costumes and holiday lights). But just because someone makes it, doesn't mean you need to buy it... does it?

I'm curious to know – if price was no object, how likely am I to see this in your backyard garden:

Get Crafty: Downloadable Dog Breed Pumpkin Stencils!

PetSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:00:07 -0700

Do you think Jack O'Lanterns go together with Halloween like dogs and costumes? Well, for those crafty carvers that want to carry their canine love to the gourds, consider putting a pup's face up front.

Better Homes and Gardens offers downloadable dog breed stencils like this precious pug, pumpkins not included. Just print and enlarge before grabbing tools and tape and starting the scrape - they've got many breeds to pick but perhaps you can combine some stencils or use furry features as an inspiration point to create your own orange doggie faces!

Amount of Ear Hair the Key to Rhino Identification?!

PetSugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:00:29 -0700

When checking out a herd of animals at a zoo or wildlife park, do you ever wonder if they all have names? Of course, the wise keepers can tell members of the pack apart . . . but often in strange ways. For a crash of rhinoceroses at Busch Gardens, it's all about the (ear) hair. Get the scoop straight from another keeper's mouth in the video below!

What else would you ask a trainer if you had the chance?

Do You Know the Kinkajou's Favorite Snack?

PetSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 11:05:25 -0700

Curious about what goes on behind-the-scenes with animal caretakers? With all the creatures - and massive amounts of food (yum) and cleanup (yuck) - I can't imagine it's an easy job, but still looks like so much fun. Now, I've already settled on a career path but Sea World and Busch Gardens have super cool Adventure Camps, geared to give teen girls this hands-on experience at their parks and encourage careers in science. A couple trainers took time out to share some secrets, this one about Kinkajou and Killer Whale treats - they're not the same snackers so check out the clip below!