Monday, April 21, 2014

April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

If you’re anything like us here at the Pet Health Market, you love your pet and accept them as a regular member of the family. In fact, your favorite pet may be in better standing than some of your own biological family members! Whether you grew up with a family pet or discovered your love of four-legged friends as an adult, it’s impossible to say how much your pet means to you and how much you need one another.

Unfortunately, too many pet owners do not care for the basic needs of their animal or treat them cruelly. To help raise awareness and prevent cruelty to animals, the ASPCA has recognized April as Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. Every April, the ASPCA asks for animal lovers to “Go Orange for Animals”, which includes a number of fundraising and awareness ideas you can do to help end animal cruelty. The ASPCA has suggested you partake in the following to bring attention to the issue of animal cruelty:
  • Ask local businesses and offices to light up their buildings with orange light bulbs. Local news may even do a story, which should get the building owner’s attention!
  • Orange ribbons and bows look great on homes, trees and even your clothes! A dollar per ribbon is a perfect way to raise some extra money for your local ASPCA or shelter.
  • Ready, set, bake! Everyone loves bake sales featuring delicious treats. Organize a bake sale at a school, library, club or office and donate the proceeds to a local animal shelter.
  • Put your money where your heart is! Show your support for the ASPCA with a monetary donation and follow them on Facebook.
Since its founding almost 150 years ago, the ASPCA has worked to rescue animals from neglect and abuse, provide resources for local animal shelters and pet owners, as well as pass laws that protect the animals we love from abuse. While the ASPCA may be the largest and most well-known advocacy group in the country, there are countless local animal organizations that are doing just as much good.  In our own backyard of Covington, LA, we are proud to have St. Tammany Humane Society. St. Tammany’s is one of Louisiana’s biggest not-for-profit animal organizations that offers vet care and adoption services for unwanted or abused pets.

There are also breed specific advocacy groups that specialize in helping breeds of dogs that are too often abused. The PAWS Great Dane rescue out of Austin, TX, delivers refuge to stray and unwanted Great Danes. By promoting the public awareness of animal welfare issues and finding loving and permanent homes for Great Danes, PAWS of Austin has made a huge difference in the lives of many pets and their new families. But they can’t do it alone! Please help the PAWS rescue any way you can; either with a monetary donation, fostering a dog or attending an event!

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Soft Chews for Canine Joint Health

Your dog's paws and legs take the full brunt of running impacts throughout their life. As they grow older, joints may not be as resilient as before, requiring the dog to slow down and decrease their activity level. However, your dog needs to stay active for a long and healthy life. To improve their overall joint health, Butler Schein has created soft chew supplements that add critical nutrients to your dog's diet. You'll see the difference it makes in a matter of weeks.

Soft chews support the joints with essential nutrients that bolster cartilage strength and resiliency. Vitamins, including Vitamin C and E, are key components of the supplement, along with minerals and antioxidants that keep your dog’s body balanced.

One of the major benefits these soft chews offer is fatty acids. DHA and EPA Omega-3 fatty acids contribute to joint health by reducing inflammation. When joints are inflamed, they are more painful and force your dog to limp or stay still. Reduced inflammation gives them a chance to be active and exercise key muscle groups.

These joint support soft chews also have several other active ingredients, including MSM, glucosamine and Creatine. When you combine these nutrients together, you form a strong support for both muscles and joints. Muscles keep joints aligned, especially during strenuous runs. Your dog's muscle tone adds to joint health for many years of play and fun.

If you believe your dog could use some joint support, follow some basic steps to make these soft chews part of your dog's daily diet. Butler Schein suggests an initial 4- to 6-week period of daily chews administration to jump-start joint health. If your dog weighs between 16 and 30 pounds, for example, they should take one chew each day. Once the 4- to 6-week period elapses, only one-half of a chew is necessary each day for joint health maintenance.

You may be wary about your dog eating the chew at all, especially if they are picky eaters. The chews are best taken with a meal to prevent any digestive distress. Hide the chew in a treat or within their breakfast or dinner. You'll find that they'll eat the chew without even noticing. Make sure to check the daily chew amounts based on your dog's weight. Without a calculated intake, the chews won't be as effective over time.

Get your dog up and running around the yard again with Butler Schein soft chews. You'll feel like you have a puppy again with comfortable joints all day long. Your dog will notice the difference with a happier demeanor and increased vigor.