Pets Help us Heal

Who knew man’s best friend could be the best medicine for recovery? Many physicians are starting to recommend pet therapy to patients for living a healthier life.

Research has shown that being in a room with a pet can lower blood pressure and reduce stress levels. Some researchers believe this is because relationships with pets are not as complex as those with humans, which makes it easier to relax.

Pets have also helped ill patients deal with their conditions. Because it seems that pets are always happy, patients say they can’t feel anything but happy when the pets are in the room. Physicians have seen unresponsive patients become interactive with pets in the room.

Pets are also a proven way to help people maintain a healthier lifestyle. People with pets are more active than those without. The increased activity level helps people stay fit through the course of their life.

If you are interested in introducing a new pet into your life, my advice would be to contact your local shelter or humane society. There are many pets available through these channels and others that are waiting to give you unconditional love.

Fit Pets Live Longer

Like humans, if a pet is fit and healthy, it will likely live longer. Your pet is totally dependent on you for fitness and eating habits. If you are noticing that your pet is not as fit your vet recommends or a little over weight, now is the time to change the behavior to help them live a longer life. Here are some things you can do to help jumpstart the process.

1. Feed your pet properly - Do the necessary research for the breed and size of pet. If you are guessing, or just going by what you think the pet wants can be harmful to your pet. Talk to professionals to make sure that your pet is getting the proper type of food in the right amounts so that they will receive the nutrition they need. If you need to change your current feeding habits, do it gradually so your pet will have time to adjust to anything new.

2. Fresh Water - Give your pet fresh water throughout the day and be sure to give more in hotter months. Monitor water levels and keep up with your pets drinking habits. A hydrated pet is a healthy pet.

3. Play with pets – Play with your pets every day. This will help them stay active and have some fun too. Play ball with your dog or tease your cat with its favorite toy. Not only will playing keep your pet healthy, but it is a great bonding and social activity for the pet as well.

4. Training – This is one of the best ways to keep your pet safe. Taking a trainable animal to obedience school is a great idea for many reasons. It will help socialize the animal and keep you and others safe. A trained pet is a safe pet.

5. Doctor Visits – Many people take this for granted, but it is one of the most important steps to keeping your pet safe. It is important to take your pet to the vet at least once a year for check ups. If you have an exotic or special care pet, try to find a vet that is specialized and familiar with your pet’s species and breed.

Top Reasons to Neuter Your Male Pet or Spay Your Female Pet

Each year nearly 4 million pets are euthanized in the United States. This number is staggering when you consider how many options there are available to spay or neuter your pet. In most cases if you get a puppy from a shelter, the animal will be required to be spayed or neutered before it leaves. It’s easy for the owners of female pets to realize when they are contributing to pet overpopulation, but the owners of male dogs need to understand the impact that their dog is having on the unwanted pet population as well.

1. For male pets, eliminate the risk of testicular cancer. The testicles are removed during the neutering surgery so without testicles, there is no chance for testicular cancer. If you have a male pet that has only one descended testicle, it is especially important that both testicles are removed. Retained testicles are much more likely to develop cancer.

2. For female pets, greatly reduce the risk of breast or mammary cancer. If a female dog is spayed prior to her first heat, she is very unlikely to ever develop breast cancer.

3. For males, reduce the risk of prostate enlargement or abscesses. Without the influence of testosterone from the testicles, prostatic problems are much less likely. Enlarged prostates can cause difficulty in urinating and also can lead to constipation.

4. Keep your pets at home – Intact pets are much more likely to wander. Males will wander off in search of a mate and are much more likely to become injured by other dogs or hit by a car. In rural areas, it is not unheard of for dogs to be shot when they wander onto someone’s property and pick fights with other dogs or bother female dogs.

5. Reduces aggressiveness and undesirable behavior – It’s embarrassing when your puppy mounts a leg. While this is just play behavior, adult intact males will mount legs as a sexual behavior and this is pretty undesirable, especially at a dinner party! Neutered dogs are also less likely to be aggressive to people or other dogs, especially important if you live in a neighborhood or have people to your home frequently. Neutered cats are less likely to get into fights and cat fights usually result in unwanted veterinary bills.

6. Decrease odors in your home – Neutered pets are unlikely to have any marking behavior, which can leave unwanted stains or smells in your house.

7. Don’t spread bad genes. Professional breeders are responsible and work hard to ensure the integrity of their lines. Many pets are sold as “pet” quality, which means that there is something about them that makes them undesirable as a show animal. Don’t risk passing this undesirable trait on or making it worse. Your pet can be a wonderful pet without having puppies or kittens.

Remember, your pet does not feel that he or she is missing out by not contributing to the pet population of the world. Please have your pet spayed or neutered to control the pet population.

New Year’s Resolutions for You and Your Pet

The New Year is right around the corner, and with that brings the chance to make changes for the better! This year, why not get your pet involved? In many ways your pet mimics your personality – even when it comes to health and fitness. If you tend to be a couch potato, your pet may be the same way. If you are a fitness buff, chances are your pet is too. For those who see themselves and their pets as not in the best of shape, take a look at the next few tips to help get a jump start on a healthy New Year.

Healthy Treats

Instead of table scraps, which can be harmful to your pet, find a healthier snack. These healthy treats can be found in many pet stores and even grocery stores. If you are unsure about the nutritional value of treats, talk to your vet or ask a specialist at your local pet store to advise you. They will give you helpful advice so you can find the right treat for your pet. This goes for you too. Skip the cookies and grab some carrots. If you happen to drop one, it isn’t a bad thing. Carrots are actually good for dogs with stomach problems.

Get in Shape

If you, like many of us, have overindulged during the holiday season, then the New Year is an excellent chance to get back in shape. Make a resolution to get off the couch and be more active with your pet. Take walks, play ball, or start jogging. Not only will these activities help get you and your pet in better shape, but you will have more fun together as well. At this point you may be reading and saying, “I have a cat, and I am not jogging with my cat!” No problem. Look for a cat jungle gym, or some different indoor toys that will help keep your cat active. While this may not be the best option for getting yourself in shape, you’re sure to get a laugh out of watching your cat jump around.

If all this sounds like too much work for you, you can still get your pets in shape with these neat toys. For dogs: http://www.buygodoggo.com/seemovie.html . For cats: http://www.thecatconnection.com/Da-Bird-Cat-Teaser.html . With that, enjoy the year and good luck with your healthy efforts.

Should I Make My Own Pet Food?

With all that’s been in the news lately, many people are rethinking their approach to feeding their pets. The recall is alarming, but does affect a small percentage of foods that are out on the shelves.

If you are considering making your own pet foods, Diamond™ Pet Foods would like to remind you that there are many factors to take into consideration. Some of them, if not properly addressed, can put your pet in at risk.

Let’s face it, creating the proper pet food is a complex procedure, that’s why Diamond™ Pet Foods looks to veterinarians and experts in pet nutrition to ensure that our products provide the balance of macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients to meet your pet’s needs. How can we be sure that what we are making at home is not going to inadvertently harm our friends? It can be done, but the process requires research into the nutritional needs of your particular pet or pets. This can become a real challenge in a household that is home to different species of pets because dogs and cats certainly have different nutrient requirements.

At Diamond™ Pet Foods, we have done extensive research and offer products designed to give your pet a long and happy life. If you decide that homemade is the way to go, make sure to consult with a veterinary nutritionist or a reputable text for advice.

Wet Food can be Important to Your Pet’s Health!

Looking for a safe and wholesome canned food for your pet? At Diamond™ Pet Foods, we offer 3 flavor varieties of canned dog food and 2 varieties of canned cat food. Many people choose canned foods as a treat for their pets, to give medication, or as a supplement to regular dry foods.

Some medical conditions in cats may respond well to a wet diet – notably diabetes and feline urinary tract disease. Diamond™ Pet Foods our products have always been and continue to be made with your pet’s health in mind. Many people fail to realize that when a cat is on a dry food diet they tend to produce a more concentrated urine. Cats with more dilute urine will be less likely to have large numbers of crystals in the urine that can lead to blockage or irritation in the urinary tract. A wet food diet can help your cat maintain the hydration levels that he or she needs, leading to better kidney and urinary tract health.

Adult cats that are overweight are more likely to develop diabetes. Managing the diabetes is much easier when the diet being fed is low in carbohydrates. Wet foods are much lower in carbohydrates than any dry product available and may help manage or even eliminate diabetes.

Pet owners who find that they are searching for pet food brands that are trustworthy and healthy should look into Diamond™ Pet Foods canned food products for Cats and Dogs. You can find a list of our canned foods for cats, including a list of ingredients at… http://www.diamondpet.com/products/diamond/cats/canned_food/ .

For dogs, please visit

http://www.diamondpet.com/products/diamond/dogs/canned_food/

As always, our main concern at Diamond™ Pet Foods is the health and safety of our beloved pets. We are committed to bringing you news and information that will help provide a happy active lifestyle for your friend.