Dogs and children benefit by being fed healthy nutritional foods

For some people, dogs rank right next to children in the hierarchy of family importance. Depending on your children, your dog may rank higher. You wouldn’t feed your family something you knew was harming them— shouldn’t the same practice apply to our pets? With almost 62 percent of United States’ homes housing a pet (according to the ASPCA), it is obvious that many of us appreciate the companionship offered by animals— and learning about their diet is a good way to show them we care.

The Importance of Diet

We all know that eating right equates to feeling good. When you eat healthier, you have more energy, an improved mood and you experience less illness. Recently, researchers have begun to consider whether the same applies to our furry companions.

Little Research, a Big Problem?

According to a study from Nutritional Research Reviews, little actual work has been done in determining the effects of diet on canine behavior. The authors of the study predict that many problem behaviors in dogs— such as aggression, barking and anxiety— could be addressed through diet.

The study’s authors conclude, though there is little research into canine diet, other animal studies indicate that nutrition does impact behavior. Rats, for instance, were less likely to kill mice if they were given enough tryptophan. With good research, it could be possible to address canine behavior through nutrition.

What We Do Know

The lack of official research has not stopped dog lovers from attempting to create the perfect dog food. The results of these efforts range from all-raw meat diets to vegetarian diets and everything in between. The common thread between all of these diets, though, is the inclusion of high-quality ingredients.

Because there has been no scientific consensus on the perfect dog diet, owners have been forced to experiment. Specialty food manufacturers provide the healthy, happy and long-lived dogs of their customers as evidence of the effectiveness of each diet. This leaves you (the dog owner) with the final decision on what you think is best for your dog.

Avoid the Cheap Stuff

According to Whole Dog Training, an entire host of behavioral problems can often be laid at the feet of cheap commercial dog food. Ingredients such as corn, a cheap protein filler in low-quality dog foods, do not have the necessary nutrients to keep your dog healthy.

What Diet Is Best?

Dogs appear to be pretty versatile omnivores; they just need good quality food. According to Living Green Magazine, the Guinness Book of World Records includes the oldest living dog: a Border Collie that lived for 27 years. The dog was fed a vegan diet with no meat or animal products.

Others argue that feeding a dog (an animal obviously designed to eat at least some meat) a vegetarian diet is ridiculous. Most veterinarians, according to ABC News, would never recommend a vegan diet for dogs.

It appears that there will be no consensus anytime soon on the perfect diet for a healthy, well-behaved pet. You, however, do not necessarily need to seek perfection. Simply doing some research and reading labels on your pet’s food is a great place to start. Provide clean water, plenty of pats on the back and happy trips to the park. Shop at trusted pet stores or websites, and feed them high-quality food for their furry tummies.

Trial and Error

In the end, the diet that works best for you and your pet will be determined through trial and error. Learn what to avoid and aim for a more wholesome approach. Then sit back and see how it works for your dog.

Question: What do you do to keep your dog healthy and happy? Please share your ideas here.

Meet Zeki, a cat who may have more doggy friends than most dogs!

I’ve had many cats in my life. Growing up in Crown Point, Indiana, I had a Siamese named Corky who would swim in our backyard lake and follow anyone with a fishing pole in hopes of garnering a bluegill snack. My senior cat, Murphy (now 14) is the only cat I know who will come when you whistle the Jeopardy theme song.

But I have never met a cat so calm and content — and cool — to be a feline as Zeki. Zeki’s beginnings as a stray were scary. On a Fourth of July a few years ago in Dallas, she was a hungry stray. She made the near-fatal mistake of coming up to a man in hopes of scoring a treat. Instead, he took his hunting knife and skinned her back before she managed to wiggle free and scoot under a porch. Kind neighbors heard her cries of pain and rushed her to the veterinary clinic where she underwent extensive treatment, far too many sutures and water therapy.

Zeki was fostered by my friend, Dusty Rainbolt who knew that this white cat with distinctive gray markings would be a good match in my household — and my heart. She was right.

Today, Zeki is about 4 years old. She is very social, quite confident and has yet to meet a stranger or feel like she is in a strange place. She travels with me all over the country as Pet Tech’s first official feline teaching assistant. I am a master certified pet first aid/CPR instructor and Zeki (and often my dog, Chipper) come to class to give students opportunities for hands-on skills on a pair of very tolerant teaching assistants who just happen to wag tails and purr.  If you are interested in taking one of my classes, learn more by visiting my Pet First Aid 4 U site.

And, of course, she has her own Facebook page — Zeki the Cool Cat - and we invite you to join and catch her latest feline escapade.

Recently, Zeki became certified as a therapy cat with Pet Partners (formerly known as Delta Society) and our goal is to have her visit VA hospitals and reading programs in schools.

But one of her uncanny traits is her ability to make friends with dogs. She has this energy I suspect that she emits to dogs to let them know she is not a fraidy cat and that she likes them. She has canine pals who are Great Danes, pit bulls, poodles and even itty-bitty Chihuahuas.

Need proof? Here is a recent photo taken in my backyard of Zeki hanging with her ‘pup posse’ that consists of my dogs, Chipper and Cleo and our neighbor pals, Stanley and Buddy.  Zeki is working hard to debunk that notion that they ‘fight like cats and dogs.”

Do you have a cat who really digs dogs? Please share your feline tale!

Mother Nature needs to take a doggy obedience class and learn how to behave! We have had far too many natural disasters and in each case, beloved pets get injured, become lost or worse. That is why as founder of Four Legged Life.com, I salute the efforts led by my pals at Petsitting.com. They immediately jumped in and are doing their part to help the pets affected by the Oklahoma tornado.

Details are posted below — together, we can make this a better planet for pets and their people! — Arden Moore

Petsitting.com to Donate 10% of Sales Toward Helping Homeless and Injured Pets in Oklahoma

Company seeks to help animals after a tornado claiming the lives of more than 20 people

NEW YORK (May 22, 2013) – In response to the recent natural disaster in Moore, Oklahoma, Petsitting.com has announced that it will be donating 10 percent of its total sales this week toward helping the dogs and cats left without homes in the area.

The company will donate to the Pet Food Pantry of OKC, which is offering dog and cat food, leashes, collars, food bowls and other items to pet owners in need. Many pets and pet owners have been separated during the storm, and Petsitting.com is doing what it can to help rescue these pets and hopefully reunite them with their owners.

“This disaster has had a devastating impact not only on the people who live there, but on their pets as well,” said Jared Katz, Vice President of Sales for Petsitting.com. “We feel it is part of our responsibility to do whatever we can to help out using the resources at our disposal, and we encourage our partner organizations in the area to do the same.”

Petsitting.com encourages any residents who find lost or homeless pets in the Moore area to call the local Animal Resource Center at 405-604-2892. The center, which is also offering shelter for displaced people temporarily, is located at 7949 S. I-35 Service Road in Oklahoma. The City of Moore Animal Control Department will collect information on lost and found pets, and can be reached at 405-793-5190.

In addition to the contributions, the company is also calling on its partner pet care providers in and around Moore to help care for injured and homeless animals.

On Monday, May 20, an EF-4 tornado touched down in Moore, with an estimated 24 people—including nine children—losing their lives and many more seriously injured, according to ABC News. Many dogs and cats have been left wandering the streets without homes, many of them suffering from injuries of their own.

Petsitting.com has a network of trusted pet care providers across North America, including near Moore. Pet owners use the website to find pet care services—such as dog walking, boarding and doggy daycare—close to where they live.

The Central Oklahoma Humane Society is currently hard at work rescuing and providing shelter to pets. To learn more and to make a contribution, visit http://www.okhumane.org.

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About Petsitting.com:
Petsitting.com allows pet owners to find local pet care service providers, such as pet sitters, dog walkers, boarders, groomers, doggy daycare facilities, pet waste removal services and more. To use the service, users can simply visit the website, fill out a brief online form and indicate which services they need. Shortly thereafter, the company’s local partners contact users with prices, references and any other relevant information. Learn more at http://www.Petsitting.com

About FamilyPet.com

FamilyPet.com is the leading strategic marketing company within the pet industry, providing significant value to both pet businesses and pet owners across North America. In addition to Coupaw.com, the network includes Petsitting.com, LocalDogWalker.com, PetWasteRemovals.com, PetBoardingFinder.com, FindDoggyDaycare.com, PetGroomingFinder.com and PremiumDogTraining.com. FamilyPet’s integrated network provides resourceful and convenient destinations for pet owners looking for high-quality pet care services, products and information. To learn more, visit http://www.FamilyPet.com.

For tips on how to deal with the hair, hair everywhere in your canine household, please check out the tips from guest blogger Ron Rutherford posted below:

1. Brush Your Pet Daily

One of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce the amount of shedding is to brush your dog on a daily basis. Brushing your pet helps remove loose fur before it has a chance to rub off and stick to your furniture, carpet, car seat, and everywhere in between. The type of brush depends on the type of dog you have. For instance, a bristle brush works best for shorthaired dogs, a “rake” is best for longhaired pets, and a pin brush is best for those with long, wavy fur. Most pet stores will also carry special brushes designed for dogs with excessive shedding problems, and any clerk should be knowledgeable enough and happy to help you find the right type for your pet.

2. Add Moisture to Your Dog’s Diet

Dogs who lack moisture in their diets are more likely to shed because a meal regimen based solely on dry dog food (especially one that uses lots of fillers) can make for weak fur that breaks off easily. There are many ways you can increase your pet’s moisture intake: melons (cantaloupe and de-seeded watermelon), green beans, and carrots are all healthy snacks that your dog can eat in moderation to help increase the moisture consumption. Many people also feed their dog flax seed oil in order to keep the coat in top condition, but since there is conflicting opinions on this, make sure to check with your veterinarian first.

3. Bathe Your Dog Regularly

Another helpful trick to help keep your dog’s shedding to a minimum is regular bathing; giving your dog a bath helps remove clotted and matted up fur, and there are plenty of anti-shedding shampoos and conditioners to choose from as well. How often you should wash your dog depends on many factors; the breed, the lifestyle (if he spends a lot of time outdoors or loves to roll in dirty or leap in mud puddles), and the skin type all come into play. It’s important to consult your veterinarian first as bathing your dog too often can strip the coat of necessary oils and increase dry, itchy skin.

4. Keep the Vacuum and Lint Roller Handy

While daily brushing, regular grooming, and a healthy diet all help keep your dog’s shedding under control, there is no magic fix, and chances are, you’re going to have some loose fur pop up here and there. Vacuuming your carpet and furniture daily can significantly help with the build-up, and having a lint roller on hand is a must for any pet owner. Try putting down a blanket or a sheet on the couch before you invite your dog up to cuddle with you, and if you’re daring enough to wear black, change right before you head out the door to minimize the amount of time you have to get covered in fur.

Shedding is the one downside to having a dog, but if you’re willing to take the time and make the efforts to minimize the problem, it shouldn’t be anything you can’t handle. Besides, considering the friendship, loyalty, and entertainment your dog gives you on a daily basis, it’s really not that much to ask.

Ron Rutherford is a writer with a passion for nature and a soft spot for Thai food. He currently freelances for Havahart Wireless, which specializes in progressive and humane wireless dog fences.That’s him in the photo with her sweet-but-shedding dog, Winston.

Within a minute, Stan the Man let out a friendly yelp and plopped into a play bow and the fun began. Check out the short video of this fun foursome dashing and romping and enjoying one another’s company.

Dogs do learn a lot from us, but when we give them the opportunity, they can teach us a lot about getting the most out of life. Play — it does a body good! That’s the “woof” message today from Arden Moore, the Pawsitive Coach(tm) and Four Legged Life.com.

Every day, Zeki continues to amaze me with her ability to not let the horrible past consume her present state of mind. She is a spunky survivor blessed with a can-do attitude and plenty of feline charm for people, cats and even dogs.

Please enjoy this profile on Zeki and share it with your pet pals. And, be sure to become a Facebook fan of Zeki — click here! Learn more about Zeki’s pet first aid role by visiting Pet First Aid 4 U.

http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-rescue-zeki-arden-moore

What is a blog hop? Basically, it is a way for readers to discover new authors. After all, we authors need to be creative not only with words, but with marketing. With bookstores closing and publishers not promoting new authors as much, the Blog Hop is a way to introduce readers to authors they may not see in their local bookstore.

Here is an easy, effective way to find new authors. I first wish to thank fellow author Amy Shojai for tagging me to participate. She is a best-selling author of both non-fiction and fiction books, including her latest thriller called: LOST AND FOUND. New York Times bestselling author James Rollins penned this review of Amy’s book:  “Riveting, heart-wrenching, brilliant, the debut of a stunning talent.”

Click here to find out more about this book and Amy Shojai, co-founder of Cat Writers Association and one of the world’s top pet authors!

In this post, I am following the Blog Hop protocol by answering these 10 questions about my latest book, What Dogs Want, and my background as an author. I hope you enjoy this and share it with your pet-loving pals!

1. What is the title of your latest pet book?

My 24^th pet book is entitled, What Dogs Want: A Visual Guide to Understanding Your Dog’s Every Move.

2. Where did the idea come from for this book?

I’ve traveled all over North America and given talks about dog (and cat) behavior to people who are frustrated, perplexed or confused by what their pets do and say. One day, I received a call from a book editor from Global Book Publishing in Australia. She was searching for an author to write a canine communications book and said I was the publisher’s top pick to write it.

3. What genre does your book come under?

This is a non-fiction pet book filled with great insights into the canine mind.

4. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

In an easy-to-follow format, this book bridges the canine-people communication gap by decoding 100 postures, expressions, sounds and actions from dogs.

5. Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

What Dogs Want is a global release from Global Book Publishing. Firefly Books is handling the North America release.

6. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Surprising a shorter-than-anticipated time: about four months. Like most of us authors, I wrote this book while I was juggling other book projects, magazine article assignments and editing chores.

7. What other books would you compare this book to within your genre?

Two of my favorite pet authors who really know how dogs think are Dr. Marty Becker, America’s Family Veterinarian and author of Your Dog: The Owner’s Manual; and Dr. Sophia Yin, a terrific veterinarian-behaviorist and author of How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves.

8. Who or what inspired you to write this book?

My two rescued dogs, Chipper and Cleo, who taught me to practice the three C’s in ‘chatting’ with dogs: be clear, concise and consistent.

9. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

The photos! Each page you turn ushers you to another stunning photo of dogs evoking all types of emotions. The cover features a Jack Russell terrier cocking his head and looking right into your eyes.

10.  How can we find out more about you and your other books?

I invite you to ‘sniff around’ my main website: Four Legged Life, to learn more about my mission to bring out the best in pets and their people. I am also the creator of National Dog Party Day and one of 14 Master Certified Pet Tech pet first aid/CPR instructors in the world. Visit my pet first aid site.

Below, you will find the names of five talented authors who will be joining me by blog, next Wednesday. Do be sure to bookmark and add them to your calendars for updates on WIPS and new releases! Happy writing and reading! And, now in alphabetical order, I salute:

1. Andrea Chilcote – transformational leader for corporations and individuals and gifted, inspirational author. I happily wrote the foreword to her paw-mazing book, Erik’s Hope: The Leash That Led Me to Freedom and am proud to announce her latest book, This Very Moment, a collection of thought-provoking essays. Learn more by visiting her site and her blog: www.erikshope.wordpress.com.
2. Cathy Conheim – official ‘cat scribe’ to Henry the Cat. Don’t be fooled by her title. Cathy was a successful business coach and psychologist whose philosophy to reach out to others grew global after she adopted this three-legged tabby. She champions the causes of people and pets and her latest must-get book is called Henry and Tink: A Remarkable Romance. This delightful book depicts the unlikely friendship of Henry and a special two-legged Dachshund named Tink. Proceeds go to various charities. Learn more by clicking here.
3. 3. Jennifer Quasha – accomplished author of more than 40 books for children and adults. Her latest works appeal to dog and cat lovers and are part of the highly successful Chicken Soup series. The titles: I Can’t Believe My Dog Did That! And I Can’t Believe My Cat Did That! Discover more about this multi-talented author by visiting her site.
4. Robert Semrow – Best known as The Pawtographer, Robert captures the full gamut of canine emotions with his camera lens. He recently assembled some of his best work in a clever, motivating gift book called Life Is Pawfect. An excerpt: “Life is pawfect…when you can shake, rattle and roll in a poodle skirt!” Learn more about Robert by visiting his site.
5. Margie Yee Webb – This accomplished writer-photographer is a friend to all felines, especially a green-eyed tabby named Cat Mulan. Paw through the pages of her book, Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings, and be prepared to be inspired by its words and images.  Learn more by visiting her site.

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have a favorite author you would like to spotlight? A favorite pet tale? Contact Arden at www.fourleggedlife.com.

As host of the Oh Behave Show on Pet Life Radio, I was part of the media pack covering the 2nd annual American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards at the Beverly Hills Hilton on Oct. 6 — my birthday.

I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than to be with ordinary dogs who have done extraordinary things and genuine pet-supporting celebrities strolling by on the red carpet. Eight special dogs were finalists for this year’s award won by Gabe, a retired military dog who has saved countless lives and provide canine compassion to military men and women during his 13-month tour of duty in Iraq. He and his handler-now-proud-pet parent Sgt. Charles Shuck saluted all attendees, the military all over the globe and dogs who every day give us unconditional love.

Now back to Betty White. She has been a guest on my radio show and we’ve exchanged autographed copies of our books to one another, but this was our first meeting. The cameras were rolling and the media was pleading with Betty to please stop and chat during her walk down the red carpet. I was fortunate that she did stop when I introduced myself and let her know it was my birthday. She gave me a hug and wished me a happy birthday.

I also received birthday hugs from Josh Hopkins, a star on the comedy, Cougar Town (with Courtney Cox) and Mark Stiennes, former Entertainment Tonight host now doing shows for Hallmark. Not a bad birthday.

And my year-long birthday wish is one that I never alter: to do my best to bring out the best in dogs, cats and other critters on this planet. They bring so much to us and deserve our love, attention and healthy treats.

Learn more about the Hero Dogs by clicking here. You will make Betty White proud.

We taped the show on Oct. 11 with my cat, Zeki and I positioned in front of the video cam on my laptop inside my office. Zeki was ‘enticed’ with her favorite treat: low-sodium deli turkey. She sported her famous white-with-purple-trim harness and perched on the middle landing of her cat tree during the show. I swear she knows instinctively where the cameras are and did her best posing.

We thank Billy and Tibby for the opportunity and want to invite you to catch the episode. Click here for the YouTube link. And catch up on the latest adventures of Zeki, the ONLY cat teaching assistant in the entire Pet Tech first aid program by becoming one of her faithful feline fans on her Facebook page: Zeki The Cool Cat. And sign up for a pet first aid class today taught by Arden Moore by clicking here.

Pet expert Arden Moore welcomes Emmy-winning actor Eric Stonestreet of ABC TV's smash hit, Modern Family, to the Beneful Dream Dog Park contest team. DIY Landscape star Jason Cameron is also part of this team.

One more photo from the unleashing of the $500,000 Beneful Dream Dog Park in Alabaster, Alabama. I am welcoming the newest member of our Beneful Dream Team — Emmy-winning actor Eric Stonestreet from the No. 1 comedy, Modern Family. He loves, loves, loves his dog, Coleman Hawkins. Win a $500,000 dream dog park for your community.  My good friend and multi-talented Jason Cameron, star of the DIY Landscape show, is the other member of this team that ensures we produce ‘heaven on earth’ for dogs of all ages, sizes, breeds and attitudes with these amazing dog parks.

Want one for your community? Then submit your video entry. The contest is underway and more details can be found by going to www.benefuldreamdogpark.com. Good luck!