Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

‘Tis the season for friends, family and holiday feasts—but also for possible distress for our animal companions. Pets won’t be so thankful if they munch on undercooked turkey or a pet-unfriendly floral arrangement, or if they stumble upon an unattended alcoholic drink.

Check out the following tips from ASPCA experts for a fulfilling Thanksgiving that your pets can enjoy, too.

Talkin’ Turkey
If you decide to feed your pet a little nibble of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and well-cooked. Don't offer her raw or undercooked turkey, which may contain salmonella bacteria.

Sage Advice
Sage can make your Thanksgiving stuffing taste delish, but it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of certain essential oils.

No Bread Dough
Don't spoil your pet’s holiday by giving him raw bread dough. According to ASPCA experts, when raw bread dough is ingested, an animal's body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery.

Don't Let Them Eat Cake
If you’re baking up Thanksgiving cakes, be sure your pets keep their noses out of the batter, especially if it includes raw eggs—they could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning.

Too Much of a Good Thing
A few small boneless pieces of cooked turkey, a taste of mashed potato or even a lick of pumpkin pie shouldn’t pose a problem. However, don't allow your pets to overindulge, as they could wind up with a case of stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse—an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. In fact, it’s best keep pets on their regular diets during the holidays.

A Feast Fit for a Kong
While the humans are chowing down, give your cat and dog their own little feast. Offer them rawhide strips, Nylabones or made-for-pet chew bones. Or stuff their usual dinner—perhaps with a few added tidbits of turkey, vegetables (try sweet potato or green beans) and dribbles of gravy—inside a Kong toy. They’ll be happily occupied for awhile, working hard to extract their dinner from the toy.

Friday, October 9, 2009

National Pet Wellness Month

National Pet Wellness Month this October focuses on educating pet owners about wellness examinations, disease prevention, and pet health insurance.
The "Pet Wellness Starts With a Plan" campaign will continue through the year as part of the National Pet Wellness initiative.
Thousands of veterinary clinics now participate in the initiative. The AVMA and Fort Dodge Animal Health launched National Pet Wellness Month in 2004. This year, Veterinary Pet Insurance joins as a campaign sponsor.
The National Pet Wellness initiative has emphasized disease prevention and twice-a-year wellness examinations since its inception. Educating clients about pet health insurance also fits into the initiative's mission. Studies have shown that, on average, clients with pet health insurance schedule more veterinary visits. Insurance is available for routine wellness care as well as injuries and illnesses.
The "Pet Wellness Starts With a Plan" campaign will reach out to pet owners through educational materials at veterinary clinics and through national public relations encouraging pet owners to contact their local veterinarian.
Veterinary clinics that have registered with the National Pet Wellness initiative will receive a free education kit containing the following Pet Wellness Plan items:
• Checklists—one for dogs, one for cats—to help identify the patients disease risk via questions about behavior, environment, health history, and other factors. The veterinarian can use the results to assist in developing an individual wellness and vaccination protocol. Additional questions address pet health insurance and provide staff with an opportunity to discuss coverage.
• A roll-out brochure and colorful poster to inform clients about wellness examinations, disease prevention, and pet health insurance.
• Staff buttons to encourage clients to ask the clinic's personnel about pet wellness plans.

Clinics that have not yet registered with the
National Pet Wellness initiative
can sign up at
www.npwm.com.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Dog-Park Manners and Safety

Dog parks were developed to give urban canines a place to run free and to be used by socially responsible dog owners. Which is nice is theory but, you must remember that not every dog owner is tuned into their dog’s behavior. You need to be responsible for your dog and yourself. Follow whatever guidelines and permit requirements your dog park has. If a dog that comes to the park is a continuous problem, and you have a group of park users who think so then look into whom the governing body of your park is and summit a formal petition to have that dog’s right to use the park revoked. If only your dog as a problem with this dog you need to simple avoid using the park at the same time, if you noticed the problem so has the other dog owner. Try simple asking them what days and time they come to the park and agree not to come at the same time. Dogs are just like people they are not going to like every dog the meet, and they certainly do not want a friendship with them, and that is ok, just do not encourage interaction with those dogs.
Vistit Angell's Cafe for more info.

Westchester Dog Park
  • Bark Park at Baldwin Farm Delfino Park Main St. White Plains, NY
  • Canine Commons at Beaver Dam Park Beaver Dam Road Katonah, NY
  • Cedar Lane Dog Park 235 Cedar Lane Ossining, NY 10562
  • Elmsford Dog Park North Evarts and Winthrop Ave Elmsford, NY
  • Kingsland Point Dog Park Palmer Ave. in Philipse Manor Sleepy Hollow, NY
  • Mount Kisco Bark Park 295 N Bedford Rd. (Ice House Rd.) Mount Kisco, NY 10549
  • New Cortlandt Dog Park 1 Heady Street Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567
  • Sycamore Dog Park Long Pond Rd. Carmel, NY
  • Ward Acres Park between Broadfield Rd. and Pinebrook Bivd. New Rochelle, NY

Monday, July 13, 2009

Questions asked in July of 2009 Part 2

Kim of New Rochelle also asked:
How can we care for the joints of our aging Rottweiler, his legs shake once awhile when he defecates?

As our pets age so do their joints, whenever you notice limping, stiffness, or a change in gait, it is important to have you dog examined by your veterinarian. Different breeds of dog’s age at different rates, once the vet has determined that it is just natural aging and not an injury that needs treatment, you should start your pet on glucosamine and chondroitin, these supplements play an important role in maintaining optimal joint function. Healthy articular (joint) cartilage is crucial to joint utility. Joints generally get worse with time, so the sooner the supplement is started, the more opportunity your pet will have to respond. This supplement can also be started early in your dog’s life as a preventive measure, it should not be started until your dog is over a year of age and the joints are fully developed. This can be especially important for maintaining an active life in large breed dogs, working dogs, and those dogs predisposed to joint problems. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements can also be used to help support cartilage following joint surgery. Two brands that recommended by vets are Cosequin and Synovi G3, the come in various formulations, but the chewables are the easiest to use just give them like a treat. Cosequin is also, made for cats and horses and recommended for the same reasons.

Questions asked in July of 2009 Part 1

Kim of New Rochelle asked:
When if ever in a dog’s life should you feed your dog more than once a day?

Young puppies should be fed small meals 3 to 4 times daily depending on the breed: their digestive system is not yet developed to handle one large feeding per day. Young puppies are also susceptible to Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar; small dogs such as Chihuahuas, Shih Tzu, and Pugs are at higher risk then a larger dog such as a Boxer. After 6 months of age dogs can be fed 2 times daily; morning and evening. In general feeding dogs 12 hours apart, helps them stay full throughout the day. Small dogs can not fit a whole day’s food portion into their stomach at one time. However, the main reason to avoid once a day feedings is a condition called Gastric Dilation-Volvulus or bloat; large breed deep chested dogs are most susceptible, i.e. Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Rottweilers. It is seen in dogs that eat one large meal daily and play or exercise after this meal. It often goes unnoticed because dogs cannot verbalize their distress. Symptoms include salivating, panting, flatulence, agitation, futile vomiting, and swelling in the abdomen. More often than not, when your dog is eating large portions and without properly breaking down the food before starting digestion, it leads to one, if not all of these uncomfortable and potentially dangerous conditions.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Pet Care Services

Are you tired of feeling guilty when you leave your dog each morning, knowing it's going to be at least 9 hours before he gets outside again?

Maybe you're sick of racing home at lunch to make sure your puppy gets a potty break?

Or are you anxious about what minor destruction your canine companion will wreak on your shoes while you're gone?

Relax, you're not a bad pet-parent. You can honestly find a way to provide your dog's daily exercise and entertainment needs.

Angell's Cafe is now offering full Service pet care to meet your needs and those of your pet.


  • Dog walking - while working on the basics
  • Pet Sitting
  • Pet Transport
  • Much Much More

Visit Us @ www.angellscafe.com