“Va DMV warns of leaving pets in hot cars - NBC 29 News” plus 1 more

---

Va DMV warns of leaving pets in hot cars - NBC 29 News Posted: 07 Dec 2010 11:03 PM PST Associated Press - December 8, 2010 2:05 AM ET RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - It may be cold outside, but the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is warning residents about the dangers of leaving their pets in hot cars. At the urging of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the agency has devoted a page on its website to discussing leaving pets unattended in hot weather and the need to restrain pets while driving. PETA says Nevada, California and Idaho have added warnings about leaving animals in hot vehicles to their driver's manuals. A PETA official said Virginia could set an example by posting it on the DMV website. Dogs left in cars in the heat can suffer from a heatstroke and die in a matter of minutes. The website urges drivers to leave their pets at home. Online: http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/citizen/vehicles/pets_cars.asp Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php Five Filters featured site: So, Why is Wikileaks a Good Thing Again?.

Slim down secrets for pets - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Posted: 16 Dec 2010 11:28 PM PST Article provided by ARAcontent Thu Sep 30 00:00:00 PDT 2010 (ARA) - Humans aren't the only ones fighting the battle of the bulge. The number of overweight dogs and cats in America continues to rise. Nearly half (45 percent) of dogs and 58 percent of cats are overweight or obese (at least 20 percent above ideal weight), according to a recent survey of veterinarians by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. "Many owners don't realize that excess weight puts their pets at greater risk for developing serious health problems, including arthritis and diabetes," says Dr. Grace Long, a veterinarian with Nestle Purina. "While those health conditions can be nutritionally managed, obesity can be reversed." Fortunately, help exists for concerned pet owners. Dr. Meredith Rettinger, a veterinarian with Laurel Pet Hospital in West Hollywood, Calif., recently supervised a series of eight overweight pets and their owners as they participated in Project: Pet Slim Down - a 90-day weight loss journey documented online. Project: Pet Slim Down is a nationwide program from Purina Veterinary Diets that unites pet owners and veterinarians in helping pets lose weight. Dr. Rettinger offers five simple "Slim Down Secrets" to help you - working with your veterinarian - help your pet live a leaner, healthier life. Secret 1: Have your veterinarian rule out medical reasons for excess weight. Some conditions can lead to weight gain. Your veterinarian can screen for these and help to manage them before starting a weight loss program. Secret 2: Don't say "I love you" with food. Instead, spend quality time with your pet. Take your dog for a walk or play with your cat using a fluffy tail wand. Secret 3: Increase your pet's activity level. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian first, so you keep the exercise safe and appropriate for your pet's age and health status. Secret 4: Make portion control a priority. Your veterinarian can tell you the exact amount of food to feed your pet each day to achieve a healthy weight, so you don't need to guess. Track intake carefully, and make sure everyone in the household knows not to exceed the daily volume of allowed food. Secret 5: Treats count, too. If you are feeding your pet treats, these calories need to be subtracted from the total calories allotted for the day, and they shouldn't exceed 10 percent of that allotment. Consider low-calorie treats, or break treats into smaller pieces for more rewards with the same amount of calories. For more information on Project: Pet Slim Down, go to projectpetslimdown.com. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php Five Filters featured site: So, Why is Wikileaks a Good Thing Again?.

You are subscribed to email updates from Pets - Bing News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610