Pages

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Health Benefits of owning a pet

5 Ways Pets Can Improve Your Health

Repost of original article By
WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
A pet is certainly a great friend. After a difficult day, pet owners quite literally feel the love.
In fact, for nearly 25 years, research has shown that living with pets provides certain health benefits. Pets help lower blood pressure and lessen anxiety. They boost our immunity. They can even help you get dates.

Allergy Fighters

"The old thinking was that if your family had a pet, the children were more likely to become allergic to the pet. And if you came from an allergy-prone family, pets should be avoided," says researcher James E. Gern, MD, a pediatrician at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
However, a growing number of studies have suggested that kids growing up in a home with "furred animals" -- whether it's a pet cat or dog, or on a farm and exposed to large animals -- will have less risk of allergies and asthma, he tells WebMD.
In his recent study, Gern analyzed the blood of babies immediately after birth and one year later. He was looking for evidence of an allergic reaction, immunity changes, and for reactions to bacteria in the environment.
If a dog lived in the home, infants were less likely to show evidence of pet allergies -- 19% vs. 33%. They also were less likely to have eczema, a common allergy skin condition that causes red patches and itching. In addition, they had higher levels of some immune system chemicals -- a sign of stronger immune system activation.
"Dogs are dirty animals, and this suggests that babies who have greater exposure to dirt and allergens have a stronger immune system," Gern says.

Date Magnets

Dogs are great for making love connections. Forget Internet matchmaking -- a dog is a natural conversation starter.
This especially helps ease people out of social isolation or shyness, Nadine Kaslow, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Emory University in Atlanta, tells WebMD.
"People ask about breed, they watch the dog's tricks," Kaslow says. "Sometimes the conversation stays at the 'dog level,' sometimes it becomes a real social interchange."

Dogs for the Aged

"Studies have shown that Alzheimer's patients have fewer anxious outbursts if there is an animal in the home," says Lynette Hart, PhD, associate professor at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
"Their caregivers also feel less burdened when there is a pet, particularly if it is a cat, which generally requires less care than a dog," says Hart.
Walking a dog or just caring for a pet -- for elderly people who are able -- can provide exercise and companionship. One insurance company, Midland Life Insurance Company of Columbus, Ohio, asks clients over age 75 if they have a pet as part of their medical screening -- which often helps tip the scales in their favor.

Good for Mind and Soul

Pet owners with AIDS are far less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets. "The benefit is especially pronounced when people are strongly attached to their pets," says researcher Judith Siegel, PhD.
In one study, stockbrokers with high blood pressure who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did people without pets.
People in stress mode get into a "state of dis-ease," in which harmful chemicals like cortisol and norepinephrine can negatively affect the immune system, says Blair Justice, PhD, a psychology professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health and author of Who Gets Sick: How Beliefs, Moods, and Thoughts Affect Your Health.
Studies show a link between these chemicals and plaque buildup in arteries, the red flag for heart disease, says Justice.
Like any enjoyable activity, playing with a dog can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine -- nerve transmitters that are known to have pleasurable and calming properties, he tells WebMD.
"People take drugs like heroin and cocaine to raise serotonin and dopamine, but the healthy way to do it is to pet your dog, or hug your spouse, watch sunsets, or get around something beautiful in nature," says Justice, who recently hiked the Colorado Rockies with his wife and two dogs.

Good for the Heart

Heart attack patients who have pets survive longer than those without, according to several studies. Male pet owners have less sign of heart disease -- lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels -- than non-owners, researchers say.
Mickey's Pet Supplies is a natural pet store for cat and dog pet supplies.
We believe pets are a part of your family.  We strive for the finest in personal service, being available anytime by e-mail and phone for our customers. We only carry the highest quality products for pets.
Call 877-863-5431 or e-mail: sales@mickeyspetsupplies.com 
Shipping is Free on your order of $75 or more.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Help your dog adjust to baby

Repost of article in Miami Herald February 27, 2012

American Kennel Club

Congratulations, you're having a baby! You spent nine months preparing for your newborn, but the American Kennel Club asks what about your other "baby" your dog?
"Most dogs are used to being the 'baby' of the family and many have difficulty adjusting to the new family dynamic," warns AKC's Canine Good Citizen and AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Director and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Mary Burch, Ph.D. "However, many gradual adjustments to your lifestyle can help prepare your dog for changes he will experience and ensure a smooth adjustment."
The AKC offers tips on how to ease your dog into this new phase and exciting period of your life. Among them:
- Start early. Begin to make adjustments to your dog's schedule before your baby arrives. Make a list of all the ways your dog's routine will be changed. For example, will your dog's daily walk be switched from morning to afternoon? Will your pup have less one on one time with you?
- Use sight, sound and scent. If any of your friends have babies, you can ask if your dog could be introduced to one of their new babies. Play a CD of a baby crying to acclimate him to the new sound. Before you bring your newborn home, bring a baby blanket home from the hospital so your dog can get used to the infant's scent. When your dog behaves well around these new stimuli, praise and reward him with treats.
- Exercise. One of the best ways to combat any undesired behavior in your dog is through exercise. Make sure that your dog has plenty of time to exert his energy by making the daily walk a priority or hire a dog walker so he doesn't become bored.
- Schedule time with your dog. After the baby arrives, things will be very hectic. To make sure the dog stays a priority, decide on times when you can give your dog a little extra attention-perhaps while the baby is napping or make it a point to have your dog accompany you on walks with your baby.
We highly recommend the Nina Ottosson puzzle toys for your dog.  They are mentally stimulating and really help keep your dog from being bored.  It is a great way to spend some one on one time with your dog.
Additional tips can be found on the American Kennel Club Web site at www.akc.org.
(c) 2012, The American Kennel Club, Inc., www.akc.org
Mickey's Pet Supplies is a natural pet store for cat and dog supplies.
Personal service and Free shipping on your $75 order.
We are all about customer service.  You can call us at 877-863-5431 anytime with questions or e-mail sales@mickeyspetsupplies.com


Glucosamine treats for dogs

There is so much discussion regarding the benefits of glucosamine for dogs.
Everyone knows that it is great for dogs with osteoporosis, hip and joint dysplasia and arthritis, but are you aware of the benefits of glucosamine in promoting healing?
Studies have indicated that glucosamine may be rate limiting for the body's hyaluronic acid synthesis and that the supplementation of glucosamine following surgery or trauma may increase hyaluronic acid production in the wound and encourage more rapid healing and diminish scarring.
Did you know that the two major building blocks for cartilage synthesis is Glucosamine and Chondroitin.

Glucosamine is responsible for the synthesis of hyaluronic acid and glycosaminoglycans within the joint.
Chondroitin, while being one of the major gylcosaminoglycans, also acts to inhibit degradative enzymes that promote the breakdown of cartilage.
These two important building blocks of cartilage in your dog break down with age.  The incidence of degenerative joint disease increases with your dog's natural aging process.
Mickey's Pet Supplies- a natural pet store- carries easy to feed dog treats that make it so easy to give your dog the much needed glucosamine and chondroitin.
Wholesome Hide Happy Hip Chunkees are great tasting treats made by the made in USA certified Wholesome Hide. These treats are made of ground, fresh rawhide formed into a 3 inch breakable treat.  They are fortified with 500 mg. of glucosamine and 200 mg. of chondroitin.
Zuke's Hip Action treats are a soft and chewy treat fortified with 300 mg of glucosamine and 50 mg of chondroitin.  They also contain essential cofactor vitamins and minerals that aid in absorption.
They are wheat and corn free and available in Chicken, Beef and Peanut Butter flavor.
Find only the best healthy and natural treats for your dogs at Mickey's Pet Supplies.
Free shipping on your $75 order.
Call 877-863-5431 to order anytime.
Mickey's Pet Supplies is a family owned business that truly cares about our customers.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Canines for Service

Mickey's Pet Supplies is rather new to Wilmington, NC and just recently discovered that there is a wonderful organization called Carolina Canines for Service. 
We would like to share their information
Programs
Canines for Service – continues to be based from the Wilmington corporate office.  Demands for services continue and we need foster families (individual, couple, traditional or non-traditional) to step-up to the cause.  We cannot serve people in need unless we have puppies in training coming up the ranks to fill those needs in 2-4 years.   The commitment is great, but the reward is even bigger.  Our goal for 2012 is to bring the foster program to Charleston, SC.    Our second goal for this program is to obtain our U.S. Department of Labor approval for service dog technician training program.  Canines for Service continues on the forefront of service dog training standards and the U.S. Department of Labor approval confirms a level of standards for the trainer.  This apprenticeship program approval will make it possible to offer a vocational curriculum in service dog training. 

Canines for Veterans – continues to serve our wounded and injured service members from 1991 – current.  We know the demands are high and Canines for Veterans is on track to meet the needs with 10 to 15 service dog partnering planned for this year.    Working with the brig to increase the number of prison handlers and then increase the number of dogs in training is a goal for this program.

Canines for Therapy – continues in Wilmington and in Raleigh taught by Teamworks Dog Training.  To meet the continued needs in Wilmington, two staff members are in the process of becoming AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluators so our enrollees will be able to complete this evaluation before enrolling in the therapy class.  Our goal is to bring this program into Charleston within the first quarter of 2012.

Canines for Literacy – continues in the greater Wilmington area in 5 elementary schools.  Request for the program have never been higher, but we need certified Canines for Therapy teams so we can increase the number of children served.

Events
Southeastern Wildlife Exp (Charleston) on Feb 17th- 19th
6th Annual Walk for those who can't (Wilmington) on March 24th

Carolina Canines for Service
Juggling and balancing it is all good
Sometimes in life, even the life of a non-profit, one is pulled in many directions almost all at the same time.  The day-to-day mission becomes a balancing act of what has to get done, what needs to get done and what would just be nice to do.  One month into the new year and  Canines for Service has already been presented with wonderful opportunities.  


We are planning are 6th Annual Walk for Those Who Can't on March 24th at Hugh MacRae Park in Wilmington, NC.  In-kind sponsors have been generous and include CBS 10WILM, Sunrise Broadcasting and the radio groups of Sunny 104.5, Z 107.5, Jammin 99.9, 98.7 Modern Rock, ESPN Radio, Carrabba's Italian Grill, DogLiving Magazine, StarNews Media, Queensboro, PawPrints Magazine, Indian Springs Water Company, Port City Java and Dock Street Printing.  These donation help tremendously, but we also need financial sponsors that can help with the costs of providing services in our community.  Registration is open for the Walk and people are beginning to register and raise money.  Some of the folks are being quite creative like StarNews Media holding a pet photo session on February 4th at 11 am or Blissful Living challenging all their Facebook fans to donate just $5.00.    Our goal is to raise $60,000 that will help us provide service dogs to people who are waiting, continue to offer a comprehensive animal assisted therapy program for owners and their dogs to volunteer in the community and support our children through the Canines for Literacy program.   None of this can happen without funds to make it possible. 


Rick and Pat Hairston were recently invited to Ft. Myers, VA to share an afternoon with some of the countries bravest as we gathered to enjoy the American pastime of football. One of our clients, Leslie Smith and Service Dog Issac were on Days of Our Lives.  Canines for Veterans was recently honored as a finalist in the Joining Forces Community Challenge for our innovative program supporting military members and their families.  People can continue to help us with this honor by voting daily for as a the People's Choice.  Representatives of the organization will be invited to the White House to celebrate the honor of being a finalist later this spring.

Grant research and writing is in full swing with the hope of funding opportunities that will help us to continue our work.  The Harry Barker Canines for Veterans product line continues to gain attention in the retail world, Raising the communities awareness with attendance at upcoming events like the Conscience Fair in Wilmington on February 4th, Run for the Roses on February 12th in Raleigh, the Southeast Wildlife Expo in Charleston February 17-19th,  Coastal Living Show March 17-18th, the Walk on March 24th and a Pet Expo in Jacksonville, NC on March 31st.
Mickey's Pet Supplies is a online natural pet store based in Wilmington, NC
We carry the Harry Barker silhouette food and water bowls and are proud to be associated with a pet product that lends it's support to the Canines for Service.

Cat Saves Owners Life

Repost of article in Green Bay Press Gazette February 19, 2012
STURGEON BAY — A Sturgeon Bay woman has a lot to be thankful for after her newly adopted cat woke her from an insulin reaction just hours after bringing him home.
Amy Jung and her son, Ethan Jung, originally went to the Door County Humane Society on Feb. 8 to play with the cats, not to bring one home. Then Jung, 36, saw Pudding lying on a counter. She made a quick decision to adopt Pudding and his pal Wimsy.
When the Jungs arrived home, the 21-pound, orange-and-white Pudding made himself right at home, acting as if he had always been there.
"He just really took right over. Really second nature," she said.
At around 9:30 p.m., she went to bed and about 1½ hours later, the prodigious kitty came to her rescue.
Jung, who was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 4, started to have a seizure. According to Jung, Pudding planted his weight on her chest and, when he could not wake her, began swatting her face and biting her nose.
"Anything he could to pull me out of it (the seizure)," she said.
It worked. She woke up and the convulsions stopped long enough for her to call to her son for help. When Ethan did not respond to the calls, the cat ran to his room and jumped on his bed.
Ethan later told her that he didn't know anything was wrong until the giant cat landing on the bed woke him up.
Jung is convinced that she would not have survived the night if Pudding had not intervened.
"If something or someone hadn't pulled me out of that, I wouldn't be here," she said.
The next day she spoke with her doctor about her seizure and her cat's unusual actions. The doctor told her he had heard of animals alerting their owners to a health crisis but had never known anyone who had experienced it.
"Realistically you can't be without him," he told her. Jung is registering Pudding as a therapy animal.
Pudding will also sit at her feet and meow when her blood sugar is low, she said.
At first sight Pudding's only significant attribute is that he is really, really big. As Jung, wearing a red Humane Society fleece, told her story, Pudding lay curled on the couch apparently unaware of his new role in her life.
Carrie Counihan, Door County Humane Society executive director, has known the laidback cat on and off for years and finds the story believable.
"I think it's an amazing story, and I knew Pudding pretty well from his time at the shelter," Counihan said.
Pudding, born July 2003, was originally surrendered to the Humane Society in February 2008 due to his owner's allergies. In April 2008 he was adopted and lived with his last owner until January, when she died.
When Pudding and Wismy came to the shelter, Pudding would lounge on Counihan's desk, never acting pesky.
Hearing that Pudding had acted out of character was enough to convince her.
"That, for me, makes the story really stand out," she said. "That he was sensing something and reacting to it."
The Humane Society is glad that there is a happy ending for both Pudding and Jung.
"We're glad that she called us (about what happened) and that Pudding went into her family that day," Counihan said.
Article written by Samantha Hernandez writes for the Door County Advocate.
At Mickey's Pet Supplies we love cats. 
You will find a great selection of cat wands and toys at great prices.
Call 877-863-5431 to order. We are available by phone for our customers anytime. 

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Dog anxiety- Music Therapy


Music has a powerful effect on our pet’s health, physically, emotionally and mentally. Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in a wide variety of healthcare educational and every day settings.and heart rate are lowered, emotions are stabilized, and mood is elevated. Music therapy has been found to be helpful to:
Promote Wellness
Manage Stress
Lowers Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
Elevate Mood
Stabilizes Emotions
Alleviate Pain
Enhance Memory
Promote Physical Rehabilitation
Harmonic music with pleasant sounding chords of piano, strings and cellos who’s size and reverberating chamber produces tones that resonate within the body to provide overtones and undertones that resonate sympathetically. The higher purer tones of the flute create a sympathetic resonance which reverberates into deeper levels and the responses can be in the range of pure joy and happiness. The reactions release hormones that rid the pet of stress, elevate mood and provide a sense of well being.
Classical music definitely has a calming effect on animals, it is known to be effective to:
calm and soothe
quiet kennels
calm during thunder storms
calm during and after surgery or sickness
aid in healing
aid sleeping disorders
aid in emotional stress when settling into a new home
soothe when being left alone (separation anxiety)
Composer, Robert Boyd states: “that all too often an animal’s ability to appreciate music is underestimated. Animals are very responsive to sound. Dogs are walking ears and noses and it is well known that they hear higher frequencies than humans. They have a better range of hearing not so much in the low frequencies, but in the high. You can drop a pin close enough to a cat and its ear will twitch towards that noise which you wouldn’t have heard at all.” Robert Boyd Music
Dr. Deborah Wells, Belfast, Ireland In 2002, Belfast-based psychologist and animal behaviorist Deborah Wells undertook a research program to determine the influence of five types of auditory stimulation: human conversation, classical music, heavy metal music, pop music, and a silent control (no music at all).
From Dr. Wells’s study, we came to understand that classical music had a marked soothing effect on dogs in animal shelters when compared to the other types of auditory stimulation. In the discussion section of her published research, Dr. Wells stated, “Classical music resulted in dogs spending more of their time resting than any of the other experimental conditions of auditory stimulation. This type of music also resulted in a significantly lower level of barking.
Alianna Boone, a harpist who plays for ill family pets and produced a CD “Harp Music to Soothe the Savage Beast” – conducted one of the few studies on harp music’s effect on animals. In 2000, she performed for recently hospitalized canines at a Florida veterinary clinic. The hour-long sessions immediately began to lower heart rates, ease anxiety, and respiration in most cases.
It is believed that the harmonic overtones in classical music work at a cellular level and reduce stress levels. It appears that dogs must hear at least three minutes of music for it to take effect. Generally at this point, most dogs will start to sit down. Within 10 to 20 minutes, most lie in a resting state with some sleeping soundly.
Resources:
Audio – Dr Susan Wagner – Interview and Book review of Through A Dog’s Ear
THROUGH A DOG’S EAR, MUSIC CALM YOUR CANINE VOL. 1 AUDIO CD
THROUGH A DOG’S EAR – MUSIC TO CALM YOUR CANINE COMPANION, VOL. 2 AUDIO CD
THROUGH A DOG’S EAR, MUSIC CALM YOUR CANINE VOL. 3 AUDIO CD
There are also now numerous other CD’s and downloads of calming music available designed especially for calming anxious dogs. Why not give a couple a try?
Mickey's Pet Supplies is a natural pet store with natural cures for dog anxiety.
The Thundershirt, Bach Rescue Remedy and Sam's Yams calmly chamomile treats are great products that you may find work together to help with your dog's anxiety.  
Call 877-863-5431

Made in USA pet supplies-Free Shipping on $75 order

Mickey's Pet Supplies cares about your pets and we love to support made in USA pet supplies.
We carry only the highest quality pet products for beloved pets.  We believe our pets are a part of our family and know you feel that way too.
You will find a great selection of brand new made in USA odorless bully sticks, dog toys, dog treats, dog shampoos, supplements and much more.
Shop our Made in USA category to find Wholesome Hide made in USA rawhides, Mickey's bully sticks, Doggie Styles toys, West Paw Design toys, Planet Dog toys, WholeLife pet treats, Yummy Chummies salmon treats and oil, John Paul Pet products, Happy Tails grooming products,CloudStar products, Kona's Chips, Kong dog toys,Sojos dog treats, Overby Farms Cherry Hip Bones, Merrick chews, Jones chews and bones, Smokehouse bones, Sam's Yams, Isle of Dogs treats, Zuke's treats and many more. Call us at 877-863-5431 anytime to order and ask questions.
We are always here to help with any questions and help you find the right treat, chew or toy for your pet.
We ship for free on your $75 order.
We also ship internationally to most countries.

Thundershirt for Dogs- Free Shipping

Thundershirt --Drug Free solution for dog anxiety- barking, whining,crating anxiety,separation anxiety Thundershirt’s gentle, constant pressure has a dramatic calming effect for most dogs if they are anxious, fearful or over-excited. Based on surveys completed by over two thousand customers, over 80% of dogs show significant improvement in symptoms when using Thundershirt.
Please order size by measuring around the largest part of your dog's chest and not by weight.
Mickey's Pet Supplies has all the sizes available and ships for free within the U.S.
This is guaranteed to work or your purchase price is refunded.
Call us at 877-863-5431 to order today.  Spring is around the corner and thunderstorms are a big source of dog anxiety.

Feline Hyperthyroidism

This is an article from our veterinary clinic here in Wilmington, NC
They are one of the premier clinics that offer radioactive iodine treatment for feline hyperthyroidism.
http://www.thesoundcat.com/radioactiveiodine.html
We love our pets and wanted to share this important information.  The Sound Cat has been wonderful with our cats. 
Mickey's Pet Supplies is an online pet store located in Wilmington, NC
We carry a great selection of cat wands and cat toys for your special feline friends.

Odor Free Bully Sticks Made in USA

We have odor free bully sticks that are from USA cattle. 
Support made in USA and buy bully sticks that are coming from cattle here in the USA. They are dried and processed without any additives or preservatives- Only one ingredient-bull pizzle.
These bully sticks are odorless because they have been vertically dried to remove any liquids or odors, thus an odor free bully stick.
Our bully sticks are available as singles or in value packages of 10 and 25. 
Find made in USA pet supplies at Mickey's Pet Supplies.
We are a family owned business that cares about our customers. We believe in the old-fashioned way of treating each and every one of pet parents as family.
You can reach us anytime by e-mail or phone.
Call 877-863-5431 to order.

Made in USA jerky treats for dogs

We know how much you love your dogs.  Mickey's Pet Supplies only carries the best made in USA jerky treats for your pets. 
Try the new Konas's Chips chicken jerky or beef jerky filets. 
Believe us when we say our own dog goes nuts for these really fresh delicious treats.
The bags smell like real chicken breast and beef filets when you open it.
The jerky can be broken into bite size pieces as a treat or super high value training treat.
Visit us at http://www.mickeyspetsupplies.com/ to see all our made in USA dog supplies
We ship your $75 order for free.
Expect nothing but the best for your pets from Mickey's Pet Supplies.
We are a family owned company that truly cares about your pets. 
Call toll free 877-863-5431 to order today.



Animals Apawthecary Clearance

We have put all our Animals' Apawthecary herbals on clearance.
We have Detox Blend, Dandelion Milk Thistle, Constitutional, Tranquility, Vitality and Spring Tonic available.
Clearance priced at $7.95 with $4.99 shipping.
Visit us at http://www.mickeyspetsupplies.com/
We ship for free on your order of $75 or more.