PetSugar

Dog Days of Summer: Keep Pets Out of the Trash!

PetSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:45:31 -0700

Keep the trash safe from your nosy pets! In addition to the obvious dangers of cleaning product poisons or choking hazards, the bacteria and molds found in rotting foods can seriously endanger your furry friends . . . they can't distinguish between spoiled and fresh yums!

The millions of bacteria found in your old take-out or spoiled meat can lead to food poisoning and inflammation or bloating of the intestinal tract and abdomen (bacterial enteritis). What's more other foods like cheese, nuts, and pasta are ripe environments for a variety of molds that can produce the scary-sounding tremorgenic mycotoxins, substances that cause symptoms similar to snail bait or strychnine poisoning. If your pup has ingested these metabolites, look out for muscle tremors, spasms, seizures, and elevated temperature – it can require overnight hospital care so bring a pet to a vet if you suspect it!

Even if your trash is safely contained, learn one more risky spot pets can find these threats when you read more.

The fungi, molds, and bacteria that grow in garbage and compost can also be found in weathering fruit on the ground – so if you've got a fruit-baring tree nearby, don't let your pets eat the fallen fruit!

Source

A Piece O'Pumpkin Advice For Jack-O'-Lantern Snacks

PetSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:00:51 -0700

Since pumpkin is high on my list of healthy foods for a chubby or rumbly puppy tummy no matter the season, I feel the need to address those carved creations, if that's your kind of thing.

Not only can an open flame pose a danger, the unlit pumpkin is not pet-safe! While the fresh stuff is fine for furry friends, don't leave the jack-o'-lantern within paws' reach - after being carved and exposed to air, the vegetable grows bacteria and mold, which is very dangerous to doggies. Save the gourds for the garbage come Nov. 1 and pick up some canned pumpkin instead!

Source: Flickr User thegordons

Farm Animal Art: E-I-E-I-Ohhhhh!

PetSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:00:03 -0700

I may not peruse the halls of the MoMA every weekend, but I can appreciate art when I see it. Especially when the subject is animals! Artist Federico Uribe was inspired by ordinary objects to make these amazing farm animal sculptures, which are now on display at a Colombian gallery.

View 5 Photos ›

Take this cow for example - made up of soles from hundreds of shoes, they were molded and shaped to look like grazing livestock. But Federico doesn't stop at footwear. He's using mops, belts, and office supplies to complete his work. Check out a few more examples in the gallery above!

Give Back When You Give Your Dog the Boot

PetSugar — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:20:23 -0700

Strong chompers take note: this toy's a sturdy option that will not only live up to powerful teeth, but also give back with each bite. You see, Vibram, the leading provider of military footwear for the most conditions on earth has teamed up with FetchDog to create a nontoxic rubber shape from the same molds used to make the soles of military boots and added a mountaineering rope for toss and tug times, too. Two bucks of every Chewy Shoe purchase goes towards the DogTags program at Puppies Behind Bars.

Now you may remember seeing Glenn Close honor members of the first New York DogTags graduating class back in November and tomorrow she'll be on Oprah to talk more about this program where prison inmates train puppies to become service dogs for soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. So tune in and give your own dog the boot . . . toy, that is!

Pet Food Recall: Solid Gold Pop-Top Cans

PetSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 07:30:22 -0800

If your pup dines on Solid Gold brand dog food, then sit up and take note! The company has voluntarily recalled one formula from their line of canned pet food because of several complaints regarding mold found in a batch of 13.2 oz cans. Affected formulas are:

13.2 oz Turkey and Ocean Fish Canned Dog Food
Purple label with a POP –TOP (Pull top) only
Date on bottom of can 01/02/2010
(Turkey and Ocean Fish cans without a Pop-Top are not affected.)

This limited production was never distributed in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, or Washington so, if you live there, you may have never seen this item anyway. If you have any of these affected formulas with the dates noted as above, please return or discard the item! If you suspect your pup has eaten a contaminated food, or you see something suspicious, refresh your memory about how to report this to the FDA here.

To the Rescue: Pop Goes the Rope Toy in the Microwave

PetSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:00:42 -0700

When I spotted this tip, I wondered why I didn't think of it myself! I know North's sweet plush toy collection can easily become a not-so-sweet breeding ground for all sorts of ickiness, just like your household sponge. I guess the yumyums stuck in your pet's teeth combined with floor dirt and slobber can create quite the coating!Just like people pop sponges into the microwave to kill bacteria, yeast, mold and more, you can actually do the same thing with your pup's favorite rope toy! Find out how when you read more.

Wet the rope toy under the faucet, shake off excess water, and place it on a safe dish in the microwave. Because of wattage variations, monitor the toy when you cook it up for one minute. Be careful when removing the dish and rope because it will be hot and (obviously) let it cool down/dry completely before giving it back to your pooch. Good as new!

Online Sale Alert! Pottery Barn Twill Round Dog Bed

PetSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 12:45:25 -0700

If you're trying to add a pop of color to your place with accent pillows of pink and green, let your furry friend get in on the decorating action, too! The Pug's not included (obviously), but it's still a great deal: Any of the three sizes seen here can be yours for under $40. That's right, in a discount of magnificent proportion, these Twill Round Dog Beds are priced to go, go, go. The cute covers seen here (either green with espresso piping or pink with green piping) are $12.99, $14.99, and $19.99 for the three cases respectively (orig. $39-$69).

If you don't already have one at home, simply add the Round Dog Bed Inserts, also on sale from $16.99 to $19.99 (originally $59-$89). These polyurethane memory foam cushions will mold to the shape of your pet’s body and naturally retain heat for cozy snugglies. Now I'm a sucker for anything monogrammed, so I'd definitely shell out the extra $6.50 to get North's customized – how about you?

Hands-Free Umbrella Makes Rainy Dog Walks Easy

PetSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 03:00:12 -0700

So, if you hated that matching doggie 'brella set, there may be times when you don't want to pull on a parka, but don't want to get wet either. If your dog's half as crazy as mine (scratch that, a quarter), this product would come in handy . . . or out of handy, actually. Fresh from the MoMA Store, this Ryo Masaki-designed Hands-Free Umbrella ($50), is absolutely perf for walking the dog on a rainy day. The handle is made of a flexible rubber that can be wrapped and molded around the shoulder for easy protection. I'm not brave enough to try to carry a normal umbrella while grappling with North's leash, so I think this product is amazing – wouldn't you agree?

Pet Present Extravaganza: Teethers

PetSugar — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 08:00:39 -0800

Any new puppy owner quickly realizes that puppies love to chew! Toys, fingers, paws – if they can get it in their mouth, they will mouth it. As an extra treat for a new pup (or any pet with tender gums), pop this toy in the freezer for soothing relief. This Cool Teething Stick ($6.99) has a fabric shell that's crunchy when frozen... and mold-resistant when wet. To check out my favorites, read more