Pet

Pets Are Now as Unaffordable As College, Housing and Healthcare

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petCharles Hugh Smith – One of the few joys still available to the average household is a pet. At least this is what I thought until I read 5 money-saving tips people hate, which included the lifetime costs of caring for a pet.

It turns out Poochie and Kittie are as unaffordable as college, housing and healthcare (and pretty much everything else). Over the course of 15 years, small-dog Poochie will set the owner back an eye-watering $17,560 to $93,520, while big-dog Fido costs $22,025 to $82,929 over 12 years.

Kittie is a relative bargain at $16,800 over 15 years.

Some estimates of responsible pet ownership are considerably lower, but non-pet owners may be surprised by 1) how many options for the care of pets are now available and 2) how many medical interventions and treatments are now available, at prices that aren’t much different from human healthcare.

Five-figure bills for pet surgeries and other care are not uncommon. Continue reading →

The Best Emotional Support Animals for Mental Health

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esaFor individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders, there is nothing more comforting than the love of an animal. That’s why interacting with Emotional Support Animals has become a popular form of holistic treatment for mental health afflictions.

How to decide which type of animal to use as an ESA? As with general pet ownership, there are pros and cons to consider in your search for a furry friend. Here are some commonly used Emotional Support Animals, and some benefits and challenges of each.

Dogs

Dogs are the most popular choice when deciding which ESA works best for someone. That’s not surprising, given a dog’s reputation of being loyal and affectionate to their human. Dogs are a great choice for someone who longs for the unconditional love of their furry companion. Continue reading →

Do Animals Have ESP?

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“When you have enough anecdotes, you have a statistic, and the statistic that I was showing was that a lot of dogs especially have this empathosphere connection,” Dr. Fox said.” T MacIsaac

AnimalESPVeterinarian Dr. Michael Fox has encountered many stories of dogs seeming to sense from a distance that their masters are in trouble and other such experiences that seem to indicate animal clairvoyance.

Dr. Fox believes that animals can tap into what he calls the “empathosphere,” where thoughts and feelings physically exist. Animals seem able to detect events at a geographical distance or to find their way to useful places (such as the locations of their masters) even if they’ve never been to those locations before. This arises from their heightened empathy, according to Dr. Fox.

Animals’ abilities function “more cleanly than ours, which is buried most of the time under the weight of consciousness,” wrote co-author of “The Spiritual Anatomy of Emotion” Michael Jawer in an email to Epoch Times, explaining Dr. Fox’s theory.

Here are a few surprising stories of animals seeming to sense things in a way we can’t yet explain.

Animals Travel Miles to Refuge They’ve Never Been to Before

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How to Deal With Common Pet Emergencies

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PetEvery once in awhile, I want to write about a particular preparedness topic and realize that I simply do not know enough to write about it without some extensive research.  Such is the case with pet first aid for as much as I like to use a proactive approach to my own healthcare (Survival Healthcare: 5 Things You Can Do Now to Promote Medical Self-Care), I am a bit of a loss with when it comes to my pet.  Yes, I can count on his body language and demeanor to tell me that he is not well but other than that, he cannot verbalize his woes like a human can.

Today I would like to provide you with some suggestions for dealing with pet injuries and illnesses.  As much as for myself as for you, I have put together the following list of solutions to pet accidents and illnesses that may occur following a disaster or other catastrophe when professional help is not around.

Gaye Levy Disclaimer: I am not a health care professional or veterinarian.  The information below was gathered from what I believe to be credible sources.  That said, if you have any questions, please consult with your pet’s own veterinarian for expert advice on what to do in an emergency situation.  Also, please remember that in almost all of these circumstances, it is preferable to transport your pet to your veterinarian than to treat the illness yourself.

Checking Your Pets Vital Signs

If your pet is ever in distress, it is helpful to be familiar with your dog’s vital signs. So what should those vital signs be?  The best thing to do is to determine your pet’s “normal” or baseline vital signs so that you can make a comparison to this baseline during times of stress, accident or illness.

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All Natural Pet Care

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All Natural Pet Care April 26 2013

Cat

From day 1, our furry friends are fighting fleas. In the spring and summer months, the flea population tends to multiply, leading owners to come to the rescue.

What You Should Know About Fleas

Fleas have a four stage life cycle; the egg, larvae, the pupa and the adult. Flea products will kill the eggs, larvae and the adults, but nothing can kill the pupae. When you have a flea infestation in your home it can really become a nuisance because they multiply within days and get all over your furniture and bedding. To eliminate fleas from your home you need to remove them from your carpets while killing the eggs and the adult fleas as well.

Chemical treatments to rid fleas can be toxic to pets and can contain ingredients that could harm pets and people. It is critical to read their labels and consult with your veterinarian before applying it to your pet. Rather than bathing your dog in chemicals try some of these natural solutions.

Natural Dog Shampoo

Because chemical flea shampoos can cause adverse reactions, try using this all natural shampoo using some of your pantry staples. Both Dawn dish detergent and white vinegar have cleaning and deodorizing properties that make great ingredients for homemade dog shampoo. Depending on the size of your dog, the recipe may need altering. The following recipe is what I use on my 10 lb. dog.

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