I just completed my certification in a flea control as part of a new program of education for Parasite Control Counselor which is a project through the American Animal Hospital Association. This program was made possible by a grant through Merial.

Since I’ll be traveling, you might want to contact Dr Flea for any interviews on the topic.

Now, we are again at the beginning of flea season in many parts of the United States and this would be a timely news. I wrote about the EPA flea treatment investigation before but it is an evergreen topic especially with these stories:

• Promeris to be pulled off the market
• Sergeant’s Generic Flea Product Now Available
• Target Now Sells Pet Specific Medications
• Target Now Sells Flea Products
• WalMart Now sells Flea Products
• Dr Flea Named Vet of the Year (2010)
• Beware Counterfeit Flea Products

If you want to keep on top of this topic, please follow Flea Control Book on Twitter or join the conversation on Facebook.

Not too long ago Walt Disney World opened their pet resort and what I want to point out is that Disney tends to be a leader in reaching out to its patrons.

Other businesses should take note and this might be a great story series.

On the West Coast, Disneyland is managing a feral cat colony in the theme park.

I bring this up because I’ve always considered Disney to be a bit progressive when it comes to business and watched them closely as they prepared to open the Animal Kingdom.

Now it seems that they are finding animals to be a trend that warrants some serious attention.

You see, opening a pet resort and humanely managing a feral cat colony is pretty progressive.

It is also indicative of a larger shift that has been happening in the United States for a while.

In fact, now the pendulum has been swinging from side-to-side for some time.

Some people still manage working animals and do not consider those animals as furry family members.

Others support the metro pet trend with furry kids that seem to resemble human children in the way they are pampered and primped.

The pet service industry is growing by leaps and bounds with a variety of new pet services springing up.

Competition for the dollars of the pet parents is growing rapidly.

During the recent economic down turn, it was the pet industry that continued to show growth despites cutbacks and drops in sales in other businesses.

So, what this shows me is that we are becoming an increasingly pet friendly nation.

Along with that we should also become a bit more pet savvy.

By that I mean learn the ways to make your pet happier, healthier and better behaved.

Of course, that is why I am working on the pet parenting school–which is a pet retention program and so much more.

I am wondering what you think of the changes happening in the pet world and if you are keeping on top of them. I certainly am, so please subscribe via RSS and you can get my updates over in my media feed on Twitter.

Animal disaster preparedness is not something new but it is something that people forget about. Me, I was obsessed over it for a long time.

In the aftermath of the Japan earthquake, people are disturbed and the topic is in the minds of some, while others still fail to prepare.

Animal disaster preparedness and rescue is not something that I am a stranger to and I wish more people were not strangers to it either.

In fact, when I first wrote, Animal Disaster Preparedness for Pet Owners & Pet Professionals I had no idea I’d get so proactive in preparedness.  (See my credential area) and when the 6.8 earthquake hit my town, I was ready–and thus began my adventures in that field.

I began giving away the educational animal disaster guide and have updated it over and over again through the years. In fact, my plans are to update it this year and start selling it but people can download for free by signing onto my list at Ark Animals.

I’ve watched the awareness on this issue grow from its infancy to the point where national attention became a reality (PETS Pet Evacuation Transportation Standards Act) but it still is not a coordinated effort.

My research looked into the behavior of animals prior to quakes (seismic sentries) and I’ve been quoted about it in a lot of places. (PBS and in the book, The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes are two examples.) Below is a recent video you might find of interest.)

It is a topic that cycles through every time there is a disaster. I’ve tackled it a bunch of times and you might be able to glean some interesting tidbits to share with your readers or viewers.

• Japan Animal Rescue/Donation Links (Facebook Discussion)
• Animal Disaster Rescue Links (National Groups)
• High Tech Animal Disaster Preparedness Tips
• California Earthquake Pet Preparedness Tips
• Pet Earthquake Safety Tips
• Animal Disaster Predictions
• Seismic Sentries

If I can help you, give me a call on the media line.

Photo Credits: FEMA

Above: Fat cat photo by Yukariryu.

Those of you who have been following me for a while know that I’ve written a few pieces on pet obesity over the years. In fact, my syndicated pet newsletter shares some information that most people have not heard about.

In January I covered the following topics:

• Pet Weight iPhone Application
• How to get a pet to eat
• Canine Fitness Coach?
• How to deal with pet begging
• Pet Obesity Drugs
• Feeding Tips
• Pet Obesity
• What is the best food to feed your pet?

You might like to see this:

• Are You Killing Your Pet

Here is an excerpt from that post (but check out some of the links there)

How do you tell if your pet is a healthy weight?

* Ribs are easily felt
* Pet has firm abdomen
* Waist can be seen when viewed from above

How do you tell if your pet is overweight?

* Difficult to feel pets ribs under fat
* Pet has sagging stomach
* Pet has a broad, flat back
* Pet lacks a waist

Ark Animals

You are here: Home / Care for Pet / Are You Killing Your Pet?

Are You Killing Your Pet?

December 30, 2008 By Ark Lady (Edit)

Above: Pet Obesity is a HUGE problem.

This time of year people are thinking about New Year resolutions–those promises of change that may or may not happen.

One of the most common resolutions is for weight loss and fitness so I thought I would ask you–are you killing your pet?

You might be.

Many pets gain extra weight during the holidays right along with their owners according to a pet obesity study.

One of the things people do is overfeed their pets even beyond the holidays.

For instance, I had one client whose diabetic dog was on a strict diet–but she kept giving her lots of treats–which defeated the purpose and kept the dog fat.

It eventually killed the dog.

Now this might sound awful but most people I meet make the same mistake.

Right now I have a client that moved her dogs onto a better food–she should be feeding less but instead she is feeding the same amount and her dogs are plumping up as a result.

People don’t think treats count and people don’t adjust their pet’s diet when they change the main diet–both actions create problems.

Just check out this announcement from the study conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) headed up by veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward:

The National Pet Obesity Awareness Day study (October 2007) found 43% of all dogs and 53% of all cats were classified as overweight or obese by a veterinary health care provider; 10% of all dogs and 19% of all cats were classified as obese.

Above: Fat cat photo by Yukariryu.

The problem is that urban animals are also not getting enough exercise to justify the caloric intake.

Free feeding is not a good option for many animals either.

How do you tell if your pet is a healthy weight?

• Ribs are easily felt
• Pet has firm abdomen
• Waist can be seen when viewed from above

How do you tell if your pet is overweight?

• Difficult to feel pets ribs under fat
• Pet has sagging stomach
• Pet has a broad, flat back
• Pet lacks a waist

At the end of every year I take time to do upgrades and maintenance to the blogs I run and this is that time!

In the meantime, I wish you the happiest of holidays and a great new year. I am around for last minute media commentary as I know the holiday season can be a little slow for you for stories. Just give me a jingle if you need some ideas.

Photo Credit: Randy Son of Robert

*If you didn’t read about the trial project of a dog park whose lamp is fueled dog poop–take a look.

*Proposed California legislation to regulate pet insurance was vetoed by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (AB 2411). Instead of passing the legislation the gov is seeking better consumer disclosure of pet insurance and the benefit schedules & policy exclusions of pre-existing conditions and other provisions that might limit coverage.

*California proposed veterinary services tax is another topic that has the hackles of pet owners and pet professionals raised.

*No cost spay and neuter in the Los Angeles are is getting an infusion of funds (to the tune of $1 Million) from actress Katherine Heigl
as part of the Compassion Revolution.

September 9, 2010 – An Ohio man lost his life to a bear attack last week but it wasn’t sensational enough to gain the attention of the mainstream.

September 9, 2010 – So just how far does regulation reach and is this change in the ADA enough or is it making more of a mess of things?

September 9, 2010 – With all the fuss over the recent lion incident at the MGM Grand, I thought it might be a good perspective to share that deer attacks are way more common. ]]> http://www.dianalguerrero.com/2010/09/09/animal-experts-weekly-roundup-september-9-2010-2/feed/ 0 http://www.dianalguerrero.com/2010/09/01/animal-experts-weekly-roundup-september-2-2010/ http://www.dianalguerrero.com/2010/09/01/animal-experts-weekly-roundup-september-2-2010/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:02:58 +0000 Animal Expert Diana L Guerrero http://www.dianalguerrero.com/2010/09/01/animal-experts-weekly-roundup-september-2-2010/

August 31, 2010 – Additional news about the making of “The Cove.”

August 31, 2010 – Along with the canine corps from homeland security, this is another great example of working dogs.

August 31, 2010 – Military service dog video is a nice one. Might be a great story to follow up.

August 31, 2010 – Homeland security ups their canine corps.

August 31, 2010 – More news from the gulf and this one is an interesting twist–oil eating microbes.

August 26, 2010 – Pet overpopulation myths abound but this long standing numbers exaggeration was exposed by pet writer Christie Keith. Worth a read and repeating.

August 26, 2010 – For international news, you might like this story about an elephant. Working elephants are in peril in their country of origin as mahouts fail to earn enough for their upkeep.

August 26, 2010 – Vulture awareness day is coming up in September also. Would make a fun short clip.

August 26, 2010 – I did not hear much about this. How much is a life worth?

August 26, 2010 – This is a disturbing blog post with some links to resources and would make a good story for Pet Health Month which is in September. ]]> http://www.dianalguerrero.com/2010/09/01/animal-experts-weekly-roundup-september-2-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.dianalguerrero.com/2010/08/25/animal-experts-weekly-roundup-august-26-2010/ http://www.dianalguerrero.com/2010/08/25/animal-experts-weekly-roundup-august-26-2010/#comments Thu, 26 Aug 2010 06:00:51 +0000 Animal Expert Diana L Guerrero http://www.dianalguerrero.com/2010/08/25/animal-experts-weekly-roundup-august-26-2010/

August 20, 2010 – Elephant sanctuaries are springing up around the globe and this might be a nice spin on the topic leading into national projects in elephant management.

August 20, 2010 – Supervision of children is super important anywhere but to lose track and have the child climb and fall into a bear enclosure is really bad. People’s perceptions of animals are distorted and such incidents are not as rare as most would like to believe. ]]> http://www.dianalguerrero.com/2010/08/25/animal-experts-weekly-roundup-august-26-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.dianalguerrero.com/2010/08/18/animal-experts-weekly-roundup-august-19-2010/ http://www.dianalguerrero.com/2010/08/18/animal-experts-weekly-roundup-august-19-2010/#comments Thu, 19 Aug 2010 06:00:54 +0000 Animal Expert Diana L Guerrero http://www.dianalguerrero.com/2010/08/18/animal-experts-weekly-roundup-august-19-2010/

August 12, 2010 – Bear predatory attacks seems to be in the news more than normal this year. As bears become habituated to humans they become bigger problems but as man encroaches and narrows their territories I don’t see this getting any better.

August 12, 2010 – Polar bears are the ultimate predators and man is just another snack–this guy was lucky he survived.

August 12, 2010 – Federal Management of many resources are dismal actions rooted in the past and that are reactionary instead of proactive. The deaths of the wild mustangs in 2010 was a tragedy especially when the agency cannot afford to manage those it captures and while it continues to lease land out to ranchers.

August 12, 2010 – Pet lovers are getting into the social media act via some favorite sites that create a community and share news with them. ]]> http://www.dianalguerrero.com/2010/08/18/animal-experts-weekly-roundup-august-19-2010/feed/ 0