Pet Care

Did you hear the latest great news about dogs? The American Heart Association said last week that adopting a dog may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.

According to the American Heart Association, research shows that people with dogs might get more physical activity; having pets might be associated with lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and a lower incidence of obesity; and that pets can reduce the physical effects of stress.

Of course, dog people like us already had a hunch that dogs were great for our health! And we didn’t need any more reasons to adopt a dog—they’re wonderful for so many reasons—but this announcement comes as great news to us.

Missed this heartwarming news? Check out the New York Times blog post about dogs and your heart.

For those of us on the East Coast, the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 is still present and fresh on our minds. And most recently, persistent flooding in the Midwest has wreaked havoc on the lives of humans and pets alike. It’s important for pet parents in all parts of the country to be prepared to act in the face of a disaster—and that includes having an emergency plan in place for your pets.

That’s one of the reasons why we joined FEMA to recognize May 8 as National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day. We hope you’ll take this opportunity to learn more about the ways you can keep your furry friends safe in an emergency. Here are a few easy steps you can take:

1. Have a Plan. Your “all-family” plan needs to include how you will transport your animals in an evacuation, possible routes you will take and your destination/sheltering options. Practice that plan at least yearly and share it with your family and friends.

2. Build a Kit. Don’t forget a photo of your pet, medical records, vaccination records, and any special food or prescriptions.

3. Stay Informed. Keep an eye on the weather, follow a projected storm’s path and don’t get caught unprepared. Staying informed also means knowing which shelters house both people and pets, monitoring possible road closures and having alternate travel plans.

4. Know Your Neighbors. It’s best to form a relationship with your neighbors well in advance of a disaster situation.Develop a telephone tree and determine who is home and when. If a disaster occurs while you’re at work, your neighbor may be the only one who can reach your pets.

5. Vaccinate and Microchip. If you’re ever required to shelter your pets, you’ll want them protected against disease. And the single most important piece of advice we can offer is to microchip your pets. It is truly their ticket home.

Please visit our full list of disaster preparedness tips for more information.

Happy Earth Day, planet lovers! If you have an animal companion, you’ve got plenty of opportunities to cut down on waste, raise your pet’s quality of life and color your corner of the world green. Here are some fun ways you can celebrate Earth Day with your pet:

Spring Cleaning: Empty out the dark corners of your closets, basement and attic, but before throwing your dusty treasures away, call your local shelters and ask if they need old towels, bedding, leashes, litter boxes and pet toys.

The Power of Poop: Scoop dog poop with biodegradable bags instead of plastic bags from the grocery store. If you’re a suburbanite (or an urbanite with a lawn), do some research on doggie septic systems—they help keep your lawn free of smelly surprises and break waste down into a liquid the ground can absorb.

Garden of Delights: If you have space, consider growing your own garden for your fruit- and veggie- loving reptiles and small mammals. Before using insecticides, research mulching and other gardening practices that can help reduce the amount of insecticides and herbicides you might need.

Spot On: Should your furry love leave a little dribble (or more) on the carpeting or floor, don’t reach for the bleach. Use vinegar instead. This environment-friendly liquid can act as an effective odor-remover and can kill mold and bacteria.

Cut Back: There are plenty of small ways to cut back on energy and materials. Instead of using a blow dryer to dry your freshly bathed pet, towel or air dry her. Walk your dog to the doggie park rather than driving there. Or cut down on paper products—clean up with rags or recycled paper towels.

Are you doing something special for Earth Day? Tell us about it in the comments!

Do you know which pet poisonsare lurking in your home? Each year, thousands of pets accidentally ingest dangerous but common household items. Onions, grapes, gardening mulch…the culprits are surprising! In honor of National Poison Awareness Month, we’re holding a live Twitter chat with Dr. Tina Wismer, Medical Director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. She’ll be on hand March 27 at 2:00 P.M (EST) to answer all your questions about protecting pets from harmful substances.

We’ll also test your pet poison knowledge with a few trivia questions. Three guests will receive ASPCA swag bags—and one grand-prize winner will receive an Emergency Ready Deluxe Pet First Aid Kit! All participating guests will receive a FREE pet coupon code for 15% off all ASPCA First Aid and responder kits.

Join us, along with co-hosts PetMD and the ASPCA PetHealth Insurance for a life-saving chat. Not quite sure how to join a Twitter chat? No worries! Check out our How to Join a Twitter Party Guide.