pet valu companion - canadian winter issue

History of Nine LivesSkin & Coat Tips

"Flying" Hamsters, p.3

}Boost Your Pet's Health with Supplements P.7Why flowers in food? Find out p.19

❉ It's All AboutChewing!

Short bald & big

earS... GorGeous purebred

cats Give us somethinG to purr about

Winter I 2012 Your Pet. Your Life. Your Store

Pet Valu

Fascinating Ferrets

Why this small pet is hugely popular

Learn about stopping unwanted chewing, encouraging food chewing & pet dental in this issue

tm

NOW FreshLarge Breed

Something new for your big dog

FascinatingFerretsFascinatingFerretsFascinating

Why this small pet is hugely popular

another year has passed, and this new one is well-underway. Most New Year’s resolutions are fond

memories by February, but that doesn’t mean 2012 has to be the same old thing. There’s never been a better time to try something new for your pet. Resolve, for your pet’s sake, to finally follow through on consistent

training or your promise to transition to a natural, holistic food. Maybe you want to spend more time walking your dog? Nothing would make him hap-pier. For most of us, all we really have to do to be happier this year is see the world through the eyes of our pets.

This issue might have been called the Chewing issue! While that might be an overstatement, we do have three distinct articles related to chewing. On page 13, you can get tips on how to train your dog to chew her appropriate chew toys, rather than household items. Our annual dental article on page 4, just in time for Dental Month in February, discusses chewing as one of the ways dogs can clean their teeth. And Dr. David Summers, our resident nutritionist, takes an opposite approach on page 8 with tips for pets who don’t chew. This can be a real issue that leads to vomiting. As Dr. Dave says: “If a dog or cat doesn’t chew their food, the chances of seeing the food again increase dramatically!”

We also cover different breeds of cat and the fun of ferrets in this issue. It’s important to me that Companion provide well-rounded information about pet care, covering everything from behavior to health products to just plain fun. A balanced, well-planned approach is a good way to tackle all life’s opportunities – but sometimes, it’s just as effective to jump in with both feet. Here’s to a new year, new opportunities and a happy outlook – courtesy of our pets.

Libbi Hoodeditor

EDITOR'S LETTER

editor LibbiHood deSigN DanielCullen CoNtributorS LoraKee DavidSummers,Ph.D. CandaceEberts

CoNtaCt uS at:PetValuCompanion

130RoyalCrestCourt,Markham,ONL3R0A1

email: [email protected] availability will vary by store location. Products may not be exactly as shown. Not responsible for typographical errors. Prices listed are in effect until Feb. 29, 2012 and thereafter are subject to change without notice. Please note that the suggested retail prices referenced in Companion magazine are merely

suggestions and may differ in stores. ©2012 PET VALU

CaNadiaN editioN

YourPet.YourLife.YourStore

Pet Valu

3 New in Store Something for everyone. Even faux snow!

4 Pet dental Care It's important to your pet's overall health.

6 New Food for big dogs NOW FRESH dog food for large breeds.

7 Supplemental helpers Healthful extras can give your pet a boost.

8 the importance of Chewing Dr. Dave helps you get your pet chewing.

10 a Cat of a different breed Beautiful and fascinating cat breeds.

12 Skin & Coat health Follow along for better coat conditioning.

13 how to Stop unwanted Chewing Chewing is natural, but...

14 Why Nine lives? Some theories about the history behind it.

15 Keeping healthy in Winter All pets are impacted by cold weather.

16 Fascinating Ferrets All about this popular small pet.

18 Crossword Puzzle All the answers are from p. 10!

19 ingredients and More Tidbits about ingredients, new foods and more.

In this issue

®™ Trademarks used under license.

p10Beautiful Breeds

Franchises available 〉〉 For more information about joining Canada’s largest pet specialty franchise chain, please email [email protected]

editor

Franchises availableavailablea 〉〉 For more information about joining Canada’s

p13How to

Stop Unwanted Chewing!

opportunities – but sometimes, it’s just as effective to jump in with both feet. Here’s to a new year, new opportunities and a happy outlook – courtesy of

Libbi Hood

p16Fascinating Ferrets

p14Nine Lives

Ideal Winter FunIfyouhaveasenseofhumorthenthisistheperfectnewchewtoyforyourdog!TheSnowballisaclassicPlanetDogOrbee-tufftoy:durable,buoyantandminty.Thisnon-toxic,recyclablepieceof‘winter’ismadeintheU.S.A.› 52936,$11.99

NEw IN STORE

HelicopterCruiserYourdwarfhamsterorpetmousewillbethecoolestpetinthehousewiththeirveryownhelicopter!SimilartoaRun-AboutBall,thehelicopterispoweredbyyourpet.It’sagreatwaytocontainyourpetduringcagecleaning,orsimplytoincreasehisexercisewhileheentertainsthewholefamilyinhisHelicopterCruiser.

b.f.f.best Feline FriendTreat your cat to a new, natural canned food that tastes great! Best Feline Friend is made with ingre-dients fit for humans and perfect for cats, like real chicken, tuna, salmon and shrimp. Each of the eight flavors is grain-free, made with only meat and fish, plus the vitamins and minerals required to make a complete and balanced cat food. Some formulas include vegetables, and all are made with enough real meat to appeal to the carnivore in your cat.

•74153 › $17.99

Skinneez Plush toysSkinneeztoysarestuffing-freeandsuper-softtoysthatsqueak.Withthreedistinctversions,you’resuretofindtheperfectoneforyourdog.Tons-o-Squeakersfeature19squeakers,forthedogwhocanneversqueakenough.

SkinneezPlushasalife-liketexturethatmanydogswillfindirresistible,andtheMaskedBanditsaresmallertoyswithtwosqueakersandanadorablelook.

•63746-63751 › $7.99-$14.99

•24991, 24995, 25004, 25005, 25033, 25035, 25037, 25039 › $1.19 per can

.f.f.est Feline Friend

• 63746-63751 $7.99-$14.99

Ideal Winter Funchew

is

Helicopter Cruiser.

Winter2012-Companion 3

elicopterNew Style for theNew yearFour new patterns of adjust-able clip collars give you stylish choices for 2012. Each collar is machine washable with a reflective label and nickel-plated hardware. Choose from personality-packed Maltese Cross, Sailor Tattoo, Modern Damask or Pawprint Camoflauge pat-terns, in collars and six-foot leashes, all made in Canada!•69075-9, 69086-9, 69091, 69104-5, 69130-3, 69106-8, 69134 › $12.99-$17.99

I can fly, I can fly!Brighten-up

winter with Something New

neWproduct

in-store

noW

editor's

picK!

PET DENTAL CARE

4 Companion -Winter2012

February is Dental Month. Of course, caring for your pet’steeth and gums needs to be a regular, daily part of yourpet care routine.

Did you know that gingivitis (gum disease) puts your petat an increased risk for heart disease? It’s scary, but true.Oral diseases are usually a progression from plaque totartar to gingivitis, and the bacteria from gum disease canget into the bloodstream and travel to the heart.

Terrible teeth and gross gums can lead to personalitychanges as well. Imagine what a terrible mood you’d bein if your teeth caused you pain every day.

I knew a rescue cat named Spice that was quiet andshy, but perfectly nice. Over the years, her personalitystarted to change and her owner couldn’t identify thereason. Spice would scratch and hiss at almost every-one, and the family decided it was the stress of having a

new dog in the family. They werecompletely surprised when theirveterinarian told them that Spicehad several teeth that needed to bepulled. After her dental care anda short recovery time, Spice wasback to being her timid but friendlyself. She still didn’t spend muchtime around the family dog, butshe was happy.

Dental Month

A mixture of several dental care products will likely give you the best results. However, it is true that the most labor-intensive tool, brushing your pet’s teeth, will provide your pet with the best results.

toothbrushingYour best option for pet dental care is actually brushing your dog or cat’s teeth. Pet toothbrushes and pet-friendly toothpaste are designed to make the task easier. For better control, EZ Dog makes a brush that fits over your finger. Always use a pet-specific toothpaste as it’s safe for your pet to swallow.

Establishing a regular brushing routine, ideally daily or on alternate days, will help keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy. Start slowly and build up to a full brush of all teeth when your pet is accustomed to the brushing routine. First, massage the outside of your pet’s mouth and let him taste the toothpaste. Second, place a small amount of toothpaste on the brush and brush a couple front teeth, slowly and gently in a circular motion. Finally, increase the number of teeth and the time spent each time your brush. Remember, always stop brushing before your pet becomes irritated. You don’t want to ‘reward’ his bad behavior by stopping. Instead, reward him with praise when the brushing is over.

FoodsIngredients such as Hexametaphos-phate and Sodium Tripolyphosphate are used in pet foods and treats to help reduce tartar build up. These ingredients weaken tartar by replac-ing the calcium in tartar with another mineral. The most common mineral

used to replace calcium is phosphorus. Basically, the phosphorus replaces calcium in the structure of the tartar, causing the tartar to weaken and crumble. Combined with these ingre-dients, the scraping action of hard kibble or treats can help remove tartar from teeth. Without the hard tartar it is easier to remove the plaque, and best of all, the population of bacteria is dramatically reduced.

SupplementsIf the bacteria are eliminated from the mouth, less plaque and tartar will form. Most pet dental aids rely on eliminat-ing bacteria by using an ingredient that has antimicrobial activity, such as zinc gluconate or essential oils. Try Tropi-clean dental gel, which stays on the teeth longer than liquid, or Tropiclean dental water additive, which benefits your pets each time they drink water. Wysong DentaTreat uses cheeses as a main ingredient, which is unusual, but the fat in the cheese helps it stay in the mouth longer, killing more bacteria.

Chews – edible and NotWith dogs, the chewing action can also be used to create physical abra-sion. This works with certain types of chew toys and certain types of edible treats. The treat or toy that results in the most chewing is likely to have the most dental benefit. Raw-hide treats can reduce plaque and tartar about 50%. The longer lasting chew treats like Greenies can have up to a 70% reduction.

Several non-edible toys or chews also help to scrape your dog’s teeth, but there aren’t many options for cats. With cats, the chewing action is not a viable solution simply because most cats don’t chew.

What You Should DoBetter oral hygiene is so important for pets that it warrants its own designated month: February! by libbi hood

Dental Month

What You Should Do

happy.

•EZ Dog Fingerbrush44919 › $5.99 each

•Tropiclean Clean Teeth Gel44903 › $17.99

•EZ Dog Dental Kit44922 › $13.99

Happy, HealtHy pets need HealtHy teetH

y pets y teetH

Specially formulated to clean teeth, Hill’s®

Science Diet® Oral Care pet food helps

ensure that your pet gets both precisely

balanced nutrition and enhanced oral care

benefits every day.

• Larger kibble size ensures that your pets teeth chew through each kibble, to help clean them from the tip, to the gumline.

• Contains no mineral abrasives or active chemicals, so you can be sure your pet’s mouth is naturally clean!

• The only* pet food brand recognized by the Veterinary Oral Health Council for controlling plaque and tartar in both dogs and cats.

• Also freshens your pets breath.

How does Hill’s® Science Diet® Oral Care pet food work?The patented Hill’s fibre matrix technology holds the kibble together longer to scrub each tooth like a toothbrush.

* Amongst all non-therapeutic products.

© 2010 Hill’s Pet Nutrition Canada, Inc. ®/TM Hill’s, Science Diet and the slogan Pets Need Dental Care, Too are trademarks owned by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. The VOHC seal design is a trademark owned by the Veterinary Oral Health Council.

Always look for the Veterinary Oral Health

Council (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance on

products for dental health.

The seal indicates proven efficacy in

controlling plaque and tartar.


NOW FreSh™ premium pet food for dogs is getting a new look, and adding a new option for big dogs: Large Breed

foods that are big on freshness and flavor. by lora Kee

Many of us are trying to eat better these days, and the trend towards eating fresher, less processed foods is a great way to start building

healthier habits. Why not take the same approach with your pets?NOW FRESH wants to help your pets eat better. With foods made using

100% market-fresh turkey, salmon and duck, Omega-3&6 oils from coconuts, canola and vegetables, plus fresh berries, spinach, cranberries, pumpkin and other tasty ingredients, NOW FRESH will have your pet eager to eat healthy!

On top of that, NOW FRESH has just expanded their line of products to include a large breed in life-stages (puppy, adult and senior). Many people think that all dogs can eat the same food – big dogs eat more food, small dogs eat less food, and everything just works out nutritionally. This isn’t always the case. Especially for puppies, a food designed specifically for large breed dogs can be very beneficial and even help prevent health problems later in life.

To be sold as appropriate for puppies, foods must meet certain conditions. If you’ve ever had a puppy, you know how fast they grow up. The fast growth means they need more calories and nutrition to support their bodies. For this reason, puppy foods are more nutrient-dense and digestible to give growing puppies all the nutrition they need to grow into healthy dogs. Overfeeding

smaller breed puppies is difficult to do because their stomachs are small. However, it is much easier to overfeed large breed puppies, which can cause them to grow too fast.

For large or giant breed dogs, growing too fast can cause problems. Their young bones and joints may not be able to support the fast-growing weight of a giant dog, which can cause joint problems, especially as the dog ages.

Young growing bones have more flexibility, and if too much weight is placed on them they can bend very slightly. This slight bending can alter the angle of the joint, causing wear spots in the cartilage. Damage can occur while the dog is young, but often the effects of the damage are not apparent until later in life. To prevent the damage, it’s important to help the puppy grow at a slower, more controlled pace. The right food can achieve this controlled growth.

Large breed puppy foods have a lower calorie density. Larger dogs (and larger puppies) have larger stomachs, which means they can ingest more food than they actually need. You might think that a puppy would simply stop eating when he’s had enough calories, but, as with many people, some will continue to eat and take in more calories than they actually need. With puppies this causes speedy growth. A large breed puppy food is formulated with less calories per cup, so that the dogs are satisfied with the volume of food without overeating in a way causing

them to grow faster and weigh more. As your large breed puppy transitions to adulthood

(around 15 months) and then to his senior years (5 years), he’ll benefit from NOW FRESH foods which are designed to support the needs of a big dog. The adult and senior formulas include added Glucosamine and Chondroitin to maintain joint health, plus L-Carnitine and Taurine to support heart health. Large breeds are also prone to weight gain, and extra weight can put even more strain on a large dog’s joints, so these foods are designed to keep your dog’s big stomach full without too many calories.

Keeping your big dog active and on a healthy food designed to meet his needs, like NOW FRESH Large Breed, will give him the best chance at a lifetime free from pain and joint disorders.

satisfied with the volume of food without overeating in a way causing

As your large breed puppy transitions to adulthood (around 15 months) and then to his senior years

RESH foods which are designed to support the needs of a big

The adult and senior formulas include added Glucosamine and Chondroitin to maintain joint

support heart health. Large breeds are also prone to weight gain, and extra weight can put even more strain on a large dog’s joints,

dog’s big stomach full without too many calories.Keeping your big dog active and on a healthy

food designed to meet his needs, like NOW Large Breed, will give him the best chance

at a lifetime free from pain and joint disorders.

Larger kibble is shown actual size!

Big Dogs Get Fresh

NEw FOOD FOR bIg DOgS

NOW Fresh™

NOWFRESHisagrainfreelineofpetfoodsthataremadewithfreshingredients.Therearenomeatmeals,whicharedehydratedmeats,noby-productmeals,andnoartificialpreservatives.Tomeettheneedsofmoreofthepetpopulation,aLargeBreedlineofNOWFRESHisbeingintroducedforpuppy,adultandseniordogs.

The key differences in the new large breed foods are:•Largerkibblesize•Balancedprotein,fat,calciumandphosphorus

levelstosupportalargebreeddog’sgrowth,developmentandlong-termhealthandwellness

•DHA/EPAtosupportbraindevelopmentinlargebreedpuppies

•GreenLippedMussels(andGlucosamine/ChondroitinintheAdultandSeniorrecipes)forhipandjointhealth

•AddedL-Carnitineforhearthealthorfatburning

SuPPLEmENTAL HELPERS

Supplementing Your Pet's Healthby libbi hood

Pet Kelp • Kelp, a type of seaweed, is considered to be one of the most nutrient-rich plants on the Earth. For that reason, dried kelp makes an excellent nutritional supplement. Pet Kelp is available in three formulas: Wellness, Joint & Bone, and Skin & Coat. Each formula is made with kelp that is hand-harvested in Nova Scotia, Canada, and sun-dried to retain the highest possible quality of vita-mins and minerals from the kelp. Pet Kelp is safe and effective for dogs and cats.

➔ The Wellnessformulahasaddedblueberries,apowerfulantioxidantsource.Antioxidantsfightfreeradicals,helpingtorepaircellulardamagewhichinturnhelpstofightdiseaseandmaintainastrongimmunesystem.

➔ The Joint & boneformulaincludesafulldoseofglucosamine(1440mg)andchondroitin(576mg),bothwell-knownandeffectivesupportsforhealthyjoints.

➔ The Skin & CoatformulausesaddedOmega-3andOmega-6fattyacidsinanoptimalratioof3:1.

PetKelpSkin&CoatFormula43839〉〉$10.99PetKelpJoint&BoneSupplement43838〉〉 $10.99PetKelpAntioxidantSupplement43822〉〉 $10.99

Firm Up! • Here’s a supplement that sounds like it belongs at your local gym, but in fact it’s an innovative product to help improve the quality and texture of your dog or cat’s stool. Digestive issues including diarrhea and constipation are no fun for pets or pet parents.

➔ Firm upusespumpkin,anaturalsolutionthatisfullofantioxidantsandimmune-boostingvitamins.Dehydratedpumpkinflakesarere-hydrated(toavolumeofmorethantwocansofpumpkin)andcanbeusedasanocca-sionalsupplementtosolvethepreviouslymentioneddigestiveproblems,orasadailysupplementtohelpkeeppetsregularwhileprovidingadditionalnutrientstodailyfeedings.

➔ Asecondformula,Firm up Pumpkin & Cranberry, uses the addition of cranberry tosupport urinary tract health. Cranberries help inhibitthe adhesion of bacteria to the urinary tract, whichallows them to be eliminated naturally.

Firm Up supplements from Diggin’ Your Dog are grown, processed and packaged in the U.S.A. The pouches are manufactured in California and they are BPA-free. Firm Up supplements are safe and effective for dogs and cats.

FirmUp!Pumpkin43644〉〉 $8.99FirmUp!Pumpkin&Cranberry43645〉〉 $9.99

TripettTripett supplements are made of pure green tripe, which is the stomach lining of animals. Dogs instinctively love tripe, as they evolved eating it. Stomach and stomach contents are an important and highly nutritious part of the diet of wild dogs. Green Tripe – "green" simply means the tripe is pure and unbleached – contains the partially digested grasses found in an animal’s stomach and is rich in digestive enzymes, gastric juices, taurine, amino acids and essential fatty acids.

When you open a can of Tripett pure green tripe as a daily nutritional supplement or topper for dry food, you’ll believe that it’s all natural because it has a strong, natural aroma. This is why your dog will instinctively love it.

Tripett is available in four varieties:

➔ beef tripe–madefrompuregreenbeeftripe.BeefTripecontainsallthepartiallydigestedgrassesinacow’sstomachandisrichindigestiveenzymes,Omega-3andOmega-6essentialfattyacidsandmanyothernutrientsimportanttoyourdog’shealth.It’s100%puremeat.

➔ lamb tripe – This pure green lamb tripe issourced from lamb raised and fed on the grass-lands of New Zealand. Lamb tripe is easy for pup-pies to digest and provides them with the widevariety of beneficial nutrients in green tripe. Thisformula also includes added glucosamine andchondroitin to promote healthy joint cartilage.

➔ Venison tripe–AlsosourcedfromNewZealand,greenvenisontripeprovidesallthebenefitsoftripewiththeaddedfactorofbeingauniqueproteinsource.Thismakesgreenvenisontripeagreatchoicefordogswithallergiesorfoodsensitivities.

➔ beef tripe with duck & Salmon –This “Advanced Skin & Coat Formula” includesadded duck, salmon and Menhaden fish oil topromote optimum skin and coatcondition. Glucosamine andchondroitin are also added topromote healthy joint cartilage.

Winter2012- Companion 7

You can choose a healthy food, holistic treats and provide plenty of exercise and love, but sometimes your pet needs more. There are natural, effective supplements available to support a wide variety of health issues.

blueberries,fight freewhichstrong

mg), bothjoints.

Omega-3 and

➔

➔

TripettGreenBeefTripe,14oz,26571〉〉 $2.69TripettGreenBeefTripewithDuck&Salmon,14oz,26572〉〉 $2.89TripettGreenLambTripe,14oz,26573〉〉 $2.99TripettGreenVenisonTripe,14oz,26574〉〉 $2.99

THE ImPORTANCE OF CHEwINg

8Companion -Winter2012

Pets that Don't Chew Their Foodby david summers, ph.d.

does your dog or cat throw up whole, undigested food? If so, your pet may have a gorging problem.

It’s always a concern when your pets vomit. First, you worry if they’re ill. Immediately after that thought, you act fast to clean up before other pets come to investigate. Then you hope they don’t vomit again for a long time.

One of the reasons dogs and cats vomit is they don’t chew their food. The lack of chewing is often because they gorge their food. Gorging can be defined as eating greedily.

If your dog or cat throws up a food they have been eating and enjoying for a while, check to see if the food pieces are whole. Pets that eat fast and then throw up whole pieces of food usually are not properly chewing their food. If a dog or cat doesn’t chew their food, the chances of seeing the food again increase dramatically! To solve this problem, what you need to do is slow your pet’s eating pace to help encourage him to chew his food.

Make a ChangeOne of the simplest ways to slow a pet’s eating pace is to change the feeding bowl. Instead of having a smaller bowl piled high with food, try a larger bowl that allows the food to be spread out, ideally in a single layer of kibble. This makes it more difficult for the dog/cat to gobble a mouthful of food at a time, and hopefully this will encourage a slower pace that allows time for chewing.

Raised feeders are reported to help with digestion. The higher bowls allow your dog to eat in a more natural position, rather than bent over to the f loor. This should keep him from gulping his food which can also lead to indigestion.

If there is an obstacle in your pet’s bowl, it can slow her down. Place a heavy ball or similar heavy object in the feeding bowl along with dinner. Your dog or cat will have to work around the ball, requiring a slower pace and smaller mouthfuls.

The ball trick may work in the beginning, but many dogs (and some cats too!) will find ways of removing the offending object, rather than eating around it. In that case, you may need a bowl with the ‘object’ built in. See ‘A Bowl Full of Options’ for details.

Just add WaterRacing sled dogs in particular are very prone to upset stomach and throwing up their food whole, so most mushers feed their food wet. You can switch to canned food, or you can simply add water to your pet’s kibble to make the food softer or mushier. This can be an effective solution to break the cycle of gorging and vomiting, but it does have several drawbacks. Having to add water and let the food soak for a few minutes to absorb the moisture decreases the convenience of feeding dry food. Adding water also negates any dental benefit derived from crunchy kibble scraping the teeth.

Maybe ‘wolfing’ down our meals is unhealthy for pets and people.

New FoodChanging foods can be difficult on your pet’s digestive system. I’d recommend changing foods as a final option, or last resort. When choosing a new food to try to solve the problem of swallowing whole kibble, start with a large kibble. A larger piece of food is going to require more chewing. With cat food, unique shapes of cat food can encourage chewing of the food because kibble with pointy edges can be uncomfort-able to swallow whole.

Not all pets that vomit have a problem chewing their food. If the pieces come up whole, and the vomiting is not all the time, then slowing your pet down while eat-ing is a good first step. Vomiting could also be a sign of illness, so monitor your pet closely and visit your veterinarian if you suspect anything more serious than eat-ing too quickly.

Pets that Don't Chew Their Food

oes your dog or cat throw up whole, undigested food? If so, your pet

It’s always a concern when your pets vomit. First, you worry if they’re ill. Immediately after that thought, you act fast to clean up before other pets come to investigate. Then you hope they don’t vomit again for a long time.

One of the reasons dogs and cats vomit is they don’t chew their food. The lack of chewing is often because they gorge their food. Gorging can be defined

If your dog or cat throws up a food they have been eating and enjoying for a while, check to see if the food pieces are whole. Pets that eat fast and then throw up whole pieces of food usually are not properly chewing their food. If a dog or cat doesn’t chew their food, the chances of seeing the food again

Maybe ‘wolfing’ down our meals is unhealthy for pets and people.

THE ImPORTANCE OF CHEwINg


Stop the Gorging! Ifyourdogorcatisgorging–takinglargemouth-fulsoffood,swallowingthekibblewholeandthenthrowingitup–the“SkidStop”SlowFeedBowlisanoptionforyou.Themolded-plasticbowlhasimpedimentsthatyourdogmustworkaround,inordertoeat.Theseimpedimentslooklikedividers

andthey’remoldedrightintothebowl,soyourdogcan’tmovethemoutoftheway.Thespaceinthebowlallowsyourdogtotakemoderatemouthfuls,whichcanencouragehertochewherfoodratherthangorgingandswallowingitwhole.

59951 SKIDSTOPSLOWFEEDBOWL MD 7.99

59952 SKIDSTOPSLOWFEEDBOWL LG 9.99

Fun for Dinner! Sometimesyourdogorcatneedsanewbowlsimplybecauseyou’reboredofthepreviousones.ThenewBoneandFishbowlsaretheperfectantidotetothewinterblahs.Durable,easytocleanstainlesssteelbowlssitperfectlyinbrightly-colored,funshapes:abonefordogsandafishfor

cats.Multiplecolorsincludingblue,red,pinkandblackallowyoutomatchyourpet’sdiningareatoyourdécororeventoyourpet’spersonality.Whilethesebowlswon’tslowyourdogdownatfeedingtime,ormakeyourpetaneatereater,sometimestheaddedfunisenough.

53781 THEBONEBOWLBLUE 24.99

53782 THEBONEBOWLRED 24.99

53784 THEBONEBOWLWHITE 24.99

53787 THEBONEBOWLBLACK 24.99

53792 THEFISHBOWLRED 24.99

53793 THEFISHBOWLPINK 24.99

53794 THEFISHBOWLWHITE 24.99

53797 THEFISHBOWLBLACK 24.99

Stylish & effective Raiseddiningoffersyourdogmanybenefits.Whentheirbowlsareraisedclosertotheheightoftheirhead,dogscaneateasierwithoutbend-ingdowntogulpfoodorwaterandthenraisingtheirheadtoswallow.Benefitsofthiscanincludeslower,morecomfortableeatingandbetterdigestion.Theraisedbowlsusuallyresultinamuchcleanerdiningareaaswell.Dogsspillless

foodandwaterwhentheydon’thavetobenddowntothegroundtoeat.

NewraiseddoubledinersavailableatPetValu,Paulmac’sandBosley’sstoresconsistofstainlesssteelbowlsthatnestleinawrought-ironstand.Stainlesssteelisdurableandeasytoclean,whilethestandshaveattractivepatternsofpowder-coatedwrought-ironwhichwon’tstainorrust.

76252 BARONDOUBLEDINER LG 99.99

76253 BARONDOUBLEDINER SM 69.99

76254 BARONSINGLEDINER LG 69.99

76256 MESHSINGLEDINER MD 49.99

76259 REGALDOUBLEDINER MD 59.99

76260 REGALDOUBLEDINER SM 54.99

76261 BONEDOUBLEDINER SM 49.99

A Bowl Full of Optionsby LIBBI HOOD

There are many types of bowls for pets, likely many more than you ever thought possible!

•Skid Stop Slow Feed59951 › $7.99

•Baron Single76254 › $69.99

dogthe

mouthfuls,rather

Skid Stop Slow Feed

THE ImPORTANCE OF CHEw

A Bowl Full of Options

•Regal Double › from $54.99

andarea to

at

Winter 2012 - Companion 9

sometimes the added fun is enough.

Different breeds don’t just look different from one another. There are some personality traits that certain breeds are known for. While the Siamese cat is one of the most prevalent and recog-nizable breeds, they’re also well known for being very vocal.

Even more interesting is the Turkish Van. Revered in their native Turkey, they have only start-ed to become a popular breed in the last 20 years, arriving in North America in 1989. What makes these guys so special? Aside from their coloring, which includes a white body with color on the tail and head, Turkish Vans actually like the water, and are known as the swimming cats! If you have a cat that loves jumping in the shower with you, it might just have some Turkish Van in its history.

Ragdoll cats are also popular for what their name suggests. Pick up a ragdoll cat and it will likely go limp in your arms. These popular cats are very affectionate and love to follow their humans around, flopping on laps when-ever possible.

If you’re thinking of adding a breed of cat to your family, make sure you work with a reputable breeder and do your homework to make sure the breed you’ve select-ed is a good fit for your home.

FEATuRE STORY


in our adoption-friendly world where most household cats come

from random acts of cat-love, most of us end up with cats of the domes-tic short-, medium- or long-haired varieties. These are great cats – a diverse genetic profile can make your standard cat less prone to genetic dis-orders caused by selective breeding. Of course, responsible breeders test for genetic anomalies and breed them out. Domestic cats come in a wide variety of colors, sizes and shapes, not to mention personalities! Some people, however, prefer to select their cats based on the characteristics of specific breeds.

Cat breeds often develop by acci-dent, based on cats living in an isolat-ed area where certain traits become more prominent due to the limited gene pool in a small population. For example, the Manx breed developed naturally on the Isle of Man. Cats likely traveled to the island by ship, stayed on the island and the Manx breed was developed. Its defining feature? Manxes have no tails!

Kindred Kitties

Different breeds don’t just look different from one another. There are some personality traits

Cat breeds often develop by acci-dent, based on cats living in an isolat-ed area where certain traits become more prominent due to the limited gene pool in a small population. For

breed developed naturally on the Isle of Man. Cats likely traveled to the island by ship,

Kindred

10 Companion - Winter 2012

specific breeds.

Traditionally a dog’s world, distinct cat breeds are now more recognizable. by lora Kee

TheTheRagdollRagdollRagdollRagdollRagdollRagdollRagdoll

Pick up a ragdoll cat and it will likely go limp

in your arms

Meeeeooowwwwwwell known for being

very vocal

VanVanVanSplish Splash

they like to take

baths!

The ManxLook, no tail!

CAT bREEDS


Other Distinct Breeds

Scottish Foldcatshaveearsthatfolddowninfront.Thisgivesthebreedadistinctivesadexpression,thoughthetypicalpersonalityisfriendlyandsweet.

Cornish Rexcatshaveadistinctivewavycoatthatshedsverylittle,andalsohasproportionallylargerearsthanothercats.

Pixie Bobsaretheresultofnatu-rallyoccurringmatingbetweenbobcatsandbarncats.TheyhaveanaturalbobtailandtheirearshaveLynx-liketips.

The Sphynxisahairlesscat.Sphynxesarecoveredwithafinefuzzthatmakesthemfeellikeawarmpeach.

Smallest Cat: Singapuras are small cats that usually weigh only fiveto eight pounds when full-grown. The breed came out of South Asia andresembles other cats from the area, such as Burmese cats and Abyssin-ians, although the Singapura is known for its dark, sandy brown color.

largest Cat: The largestdomestic cat is the Maine Coon,which can weigh up to 25 pounds.This breed was first recognized inMaine, and is special among catsbecause it is well adapted to harshwinter climates. The long-hairedwater-resistant coat keeps themwarm in winter, and they have largepaws, perfect for walking on snow.

Distinct Breeds

Scottish Fold cats have

Cornish RexCornish RexCornish RexCornish RexCornish RexCornish RexCornish RexThis breed originated

in Cornwall, England

CaTS of CUriOUS CLaSSeS

Singapuras are small cats that usually weigh only

OUSS

Shortest Cat: Munchkin cats –these little guysresemble ferretswith their dispropor-tionately short legsand long bodies dueto a natural geneticmutation. They haveno trouble gettingaround, though.Look up these kittieson YouTube for someadorable videos!

even larger Cat: A relatively new trend in catbreeding is the crossing of domestic cats with an Africanwild cat called a Serval, which has created a new breedcalled Savannah cats. When a domestic cat is bred with aserval, their offspring can weigh up to 40 pounds. The stan-dard house-cat version of this breed is much smaller, atabout 17 pounds on their long, lean bodies, and have only12.5% wild cat genes. These exotic cats have an almost dog-like personality and can be trained to walk on leashes.

SphynxHairless & as soft as a fuzzy peach!Singapura

KittenDoesn't grow much bigger

Scottish FoldFriendly & sweet


HEALTH TIPS

Skin & Coat HealthFollow the trail for recommendations on achieving a healthy coat of hair for your dog.

How is your dog’s

hair &coat?

SevereThese severe hot spots are beyond a hot spot remedy.

remedyTry a hot spot remedy and consider supplements.

HOT SPOTSMy dog has hot spots where the skin is inflamed & the hair is thinning from continuous licking.

SHiny Shiny, tangle-free, clean & full.

THinningSevere shedding, leading to all over thinning of hair coat?

gO See THe veT!For severe cases, especially if the symptoms have started rapidly,

visit your vet to check for underlying medical reasons.

SHedSNot great – my dog sheds a lot.

AverAgeAverage shedding?

SHAmPOO Do you shampoo your dog too often?

dull Not great – my dog’s coat is dry and dull.

mATTedNot great – my dog’s coat gets easily matted.

nO I only shampoo once per month or less. TOO mucH

Shampooing more than once per week, or using the wrong shampoo, may remove too much of the skin’s oils. This leads to skin inflammation and causes a dry, dull coat.

leSS Consider less frequent shampooing and switch to a mild, pet-specific shampoo with moistur-izing or soothing properties.

SuPPlemenTSConsider a skin and coat supplement that includes Omega-3 fatty acids, ide-ally sourced from fish oils. Fish oils have more potent Omega-3 fatty acids than canola oil or flaxseed, and therefore are the most effective against inflammation.

BruSH Groom your dog regularly with a good brush. This will help get rid of excess hair, to slow shedding. It will also spread your dog’s natural oils, decreasing matting and dullness.

FOOd A good coat requires good skin. Both hair and skin are made mostly of protein. Make sure that your dog is eating a food with high quality protein.

dAyligHTShedding is governed by the hours of daylight. Indoor pets shed a little throughout the year, pri-marily because artificial light creates the illusion of more daylight.

cOngrATulATiOnSSounds like a healthy coat.

light creates the illusion of more daylight.

12 Companion - Winter 2012

REDIRECT THEIR CHEwINg!


Chewing is a normal, natural and necessary behavior for dogs.

Chewing helps to maintain healthy teeth, and it is also your dog’s primary form of entertain-ment! By chewing on something, your dog is learning what an object feels like and how it tastes, so he can determine if it’s good enough to eat.

Your dog must learn from you what to chew and what not to chew. Have you ever come home to find feathers flying around the family room from torn pillows? Do your baseboards have teeth marks? Have your shoes seen better days? If you answered yes, then you need these tips and tricks to understanding and correcting unwanted chewing!

Chew Toy Training is a method commonly used to help teach your pet to chew appropriate chew toys rather than household objects. It is important that you spend the time teaching this to your dog, especially during those oh-so-cute puppy years, to maintain a happy and healthy relationship in the long-term. Chew toy train-ing can be done with a variety of toys that food can be hidden or frozen into. This alternative eliminates feeding your pet from a bowl and encourages exclusive chewing on the toys pro-vided. Until completely chew toy trained, don’t feed your dog from a bowl and instead, use hand feeding as a reward when you see your dog hap-pily chewing away on the toy provided. A vari-ety of toys is important to maintain interest and to keep your dog entertained.

This method can also be incorporated into crate training your dog. Chew toys in the crate help encourage the development of a chew toy habit. Remember to only leave behind what your dog is allowed to chew!

➳ How to

SToP Unwanted Chewing!

Why does your dog chew specific items like shoes or socks? One reason is scent. Dogs will seek out objects that smell like their family members. Basically, shoes, socks and clothing are a wildly popular chew because they smell like us! As a member of the family, it is natural for your dog to think that your belongings are his belongings too. To train your dog to use appropriate chew toys, place your scent on them. Leave a new or existing chew toy at the bot-tom of your laundry hamper for a day so it picks up your scent, making it just as attractive to your dog as shoes.

Many types of deterrents are available as well that can be used on objects such as plants and furniture. If your dog chews your house plants, it may be due to a lack of plant containing nutrients in his diet. A wide variety of treats and supplements available at your local Pet Valu can help prevent the need to consume your household green-ery. Sprays such as Bitter Apple also deter your pet. Once sprayed directly onto an object, spray deterrents leave behind an awful taste that is non-toxic and won’t hurt your pet, but will make her stop chewing.

Along with making chew toys more attractive, and non-chew toys taste awful, it’s important to always encourage your dog when she chews appropriate objects. Positive reinforcement is the best reward as your dog wants noth-ing more than to please you. If you do catch your dog chewing on something you don’t want him to, immediately take it away and replace it with the correct chewing alter-native. If you come home to chewed shoes or worse, don’t punish your dog after the fact. Your dog doesn’t think like a human being and he won’t connect his punishment to the shoes. Instead, puppy-proof your home by putting chewable objects out of reach and using deterrents on larger objects. Then remember to praise your dog when he chews appropriately.

Sometimes the problem is larger than just remember-ing to put your shoes in the closet. Destructive chewing is most commonly seen in dogs that spend a lot of time alone. It is important for any dog owner to understand that dogs require a healthy dose of mental and physical stimulation every day. Naturally, dogs will chew to relieve stress and boredom. The longer your dog is by himself, the more objects he seeks to keep him entertained!

A healthy dose of mental stimulation includes provid-ing your dog with a wide variety of toys to keep him busy. Puzzle toys that challenge your dog can stimulate the brain and provide great entertainment for the whole family. Tricks like ‘Search’ or ‘Find’ also make your dog think. Physical stimulation includes exercise. Taking your dog for a morning run before you leave for the day has been noted to help discourage anxiety, another behavior associ-ated with destructive chewing. An evening walk is just as rewarding as your dog is exposed to different sights, smells and sounds. If your daily routine includes a walk, try a dif-ferent route every couple of days. This introduces new ele-ments into the walk which provides fantastic mental and physical stimulation for your dog.

by candace eberts

hewing is a normal, natural and necessary

Chewing helps to maintain healthy teeth, and

How to

oPUnwanted Chewing!

Why does your dog chew specific items like shoes or socks? One reason is scent. Dogs will seek out objects that smell like their family members. Basically, shoes, socks and clothing are a wildly popular chew because they smell like us! As a member of the family, it is natural for your dog to think that your belongings are his belongings too. To train your dog to use appropriate chew toys, place your scent on them. Leave a new or existing chew toy at the bottom of your laundry hamper for a day so it picks up your scent, making it just as attractive to your dog as shoes.

Many types of deterrents are available as well that can be used on objects such as plants and furniture. If your dog chews your house plants, it may be due to a lack of plant containing nutrients in his diet. A wide variety of treats and supplements available at your local Pet Valu can help prevent the need to consume your household greenery. Sprays such as Bitter Apple also deter your pet. Once sprayed directly onto an object, spray deterrents leave behind an awful taste that is non-toxic and won’t hurt your pet, but will make her stop chewing.

Along with making chew toys more attractive, and non-

trythIs

Grannick's Bitter apple for Dogs Spray Bottle Invented by a pharmacist in 1960, Bitter Apple spray leaves an unpleasant yet harmless taste on your dog's fur to discourage licking, chewing and biting. Keeps dogs from licking wounds & hot-spots, so they have a chance to heal properly.43880 › $12.99

yet harmless taste on

chewing and biting.

everyone has heard that cats have nine lives. It’s a phrase that’s

made its way into popular culture. If you search “Nine Lives” on the inter-net you find all sorts of companies and connections, many that have nothing to do with animals or pets. There is adventure tourism, a design studio, an art gallery, movie titles and countless articles online that trade on the phrase nine lives.

Obviously very popular, what is the origin of this saying? The obvi-ous first thought is that cats are said to have multiple lives because of their physical nature. They are graceful, acrobatic and highly athletic crea-

tures – all at the same time. They balance on the thinnest (and high-est!) of railings and ledges. They can turn and twist their body, while on firm ground or even in the air, mid-jump, in ways that are mind boggling to most humans.

This turning and twisting is embodied in a cat’s “righting reflex,” which is its natural ability to turn its body mid-fall and land on its feet. It’s an automatic sequence of movements that take only a moment: first the cat adjusts its head to an upright posi-tion and its body follows by twist-ing or rotating to match the head. The cat’s tail is the final ‘rudder’ to ensure balance and a perfect landing are attained. Plenty of slow-motion video has revealed the righting reflex in action, and it’s illuminating to watch. Apparently cats were

thrown from towers in medieval Europe and many survived, seem-ingly unscathed, to the amazement of those watching. In Ypres, Belgium, there is a Festival of the Cats which acknowledges the tower-throwing history when a jester tosses plush cats from the belfry tower of Cloth Hall to an excited crowd below.

There are many theories about how the throwing of cats began. One is that the cats were in the tower to control the mice, and when they weren’t needed anymore, they were tossed out of the tower. Another legend is that cats were connected to witchcraft and black magic, and

throwing the cats from the tower was supposed to remove evil spirits.

Witchcraft and magic is another possible source of the nine lives myth. It’s thought to be more than just the cat’s flexible, supple nature. A book from the dark ages, Beware the Cat, is said to have contained the phrase “It is per-mitted for a witch to take her cat’s body nine times.”

Cat MythologyDoes your cat have nine lives? by libbi hood

WhynineIsthenumberninesignificant?Nineisconsideredamysticalnumber,atrinityoftrinities.However,insomeSpanish-speakingregions,aswellasArabicandTurkishareas,catsaresaidtohaveonlysixorsevenlives.

AthirdtheoryisthatthereverenceofcatsinancientEgyptislikelytheoriginoftheirninelives.AncientgodsthatdescendedfromAtum-Ranum-berednine,andwerecollectivelyknownasEnnead,orthenine.Atum-Ratooktheformofacatforvisitstotheunderworld,andherepresentedallninelivesofhimselfandtheancientgodsdescendedfromhim.


CAT mYTHS

One thing to consider… if cats have nine lives, how does “curiosity kill the cat?”

So, how many lives you got left?

Need to be more careful, only one

life left!!!

I've nine, I think?

Wasn't 'Curiosity

Killed the Cat' a band?

Who keeps count?

Seven, used one up yesterday, had a run-in with a washing

machine on gentle cycle!

COLD COmFORT


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ChillFeeling

Pets can feel the effects of winter just as much as people.

1 According to the American Society for the Protection of Animals. ASPCA.com.

DOGMost dogs love to go

for walks regardless of the weather. Be aware that snow

and ice make it harder for dogs to find a scent, and therefore

more likely for them to become lost. More dogs are lost in the winter than any other season.1Keep your dog on

a leash in the coldest, snowy months.

CATCatslovetogooutdoors

all-year-around,butmanydriveuscrazybycryingtocomeinafew

minuteslater.It’smuchsafertokeepyourcatindoorsyear-round.Manyout-doorcatsfallasleepunderthehoodofa

carthat’sstillwarm,leadingtoinjuryorevendeathwhenthecarisstarted

again.Bangonyourcarhoodinwintertoensurenoneighbor-

hoodcatsarenapping.

HUMIDITYRemember that most home heating causes

dry air in cold climates. Birds, with their delicate respiratory systems, need enough humidity to

thrive. Humidifiers or a daily misting can help keep your bird healthy.

VEHICLESAllpetscouldsufferilleffects

frombeingleftunattendedinyourcaronacoldwinterday.Temperatures

canquicklydropandunexpecteddelaysinyourreturncouldleadto

hypothermia,orworse.

HAMSTERSDogs and cats aren’t the only pets susceptible to cold temperatures.

Hamsters will basically hibernate if the temperature in their room drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If your hamster

appears comatose in a colder-than-usual room, he should be just fine once the

temperature (and his body) is warmed up gradually.

RATSRats are happier in cool weather

compared to hot, as they don’t have an effective way to cool their body tem-

perature. However, a steady temperature is much better for rats, and really for most small animals, than wide variations in temperature during the day. If your thermostat automati-cally drops 10 or more degrees lower during

the day when you’re out, make sure your rat has ample bedding, enclosed areas

and fabric strips with which to keep warm.

BIRDSBirds are great pets with interesting habits and often beautiful

coloring – because many of the species originate in the tropics! With an ancestry accustomed to warm weather, it’s important to ensure your bird is

healthy during the winter months. Maintain a steady room temperature as much as possible, within the ideal range of 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Most birds will be

fine in a colder room for a few days, as long as the temperature change was gradual. Sudden changes, such as a cold breeze from a window, are

much more likely to cause distress to your bird.

SHELTERAll pets can keep warmer with appropriate

shelter, but remember that the shelter needs to be an appropriate size. Covering your bird cage

with a blanket does little to warm your bird, because the space around them is much more than can be warmed with body heat. A cover may block a cold draft, but that’s all. Dog houses also need to be

a snug fit if they are going to help your pet stay warm outdoors in the winter.

COMFORTConsider your pet’s comfort in win-

ter months. Older and overweight dogs and cats can be susceptible to the aches and

pains of arthritis, which is made worse by cold or damp weather. Provide a warm, soft place to

sleep indoors such as a pillow or padded pet bed. Leave your dog’s hair at a longer length in winter for

added warmth, rather than shaving it short. For increased comfort, consider functional apparel

like a warm, water repellant coat for walks and a soft, warm sweater to keep

warm indoors. warm indoors.

POISONOUSAnti-freeze is poisonous to dogs

and cats, and worse, it tastes sweet and appealing to pets so they are

tempted to drink it! Always clear up spills and keep pets away from

harmful substances.

RABBITSRabbits are another pet

that prefer cooler temperatures to extreme heat. However, any pet

rabbits kept in outdoor hutches need to be provided with proper shelter, including a wind break and a warm

box filled with hay for insula-tion during winter.

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You might be surprised to learn that one of the most popular pets in North America is the ferret. These small creatures have been kept as pets for

thousands of years – it’s reported that even the Romans kept ferrets. Through the Middle Ages and into the Victorian era, ferrets were kept as pets by British aristocracy and royalty - in 1390, a law was passed that only the very wealthy could own ferrets! Fortunately, that law doesn’t apply anymore, and now fer-rets are great pets for many people.

Ferrets were first kept by humans as working animals – they were used in rabbit hunts because they could crawl through rabbit burrows. They are still used today for this purpose in Europe and Australia, although it’s illegal to hunt with ferrets in the United States. Ferrets are also helpful in setting up communications systems – a ferret crawls through the wiring tubes with a guide string tied to its harness so that the wiring can be strung through the tubes. But the main job for most ferrets these days is bringing joy to their owners by being fun and adorable pets!

FascinatingFascinatingFerretsFascinatingFerretsFascinating

by lora Kee


SmALL ANImAL

a Ferret in the FamilyFerret enthusiasts believe that ferrets arethe best pets, and for many people they are.Ferrets have a lot to offer. They’re smart andlove to play and learn tricks, and each ferretwill have its own unique personality. Fer-rets live an average of 6-8 years. They aregenerally 13 to 16 inches long, with malesbeing larger than females. Males weigh moreas well, up to 4 pounds. Ferrets have greathearing and a sharp sense of smell, but theireyesight is average at best.

Ferrets can also be trained to use litterboxes, making them easier to care for. Oftenthey won’t take to it as quickly as a cat, but alittle patience will pay off. Choose a ferret-specific litter pan with a high corner as fer-rets back into a corner to eliminate and theycan easily “overshoot” the edges of a regularcat litter box. Ferret pans will attach secure-ly to the edge of the cage.

Watch your ferret and make sure he usesthe litter box when he wakes up, as most

ferrets will go to the bathroom within 15minutes of waking. Once he has used thebox, you can take him out of his cage to play.Have a litter box outside the cage as well,and place your ferret in the box at least onceevery half hour. Act immediately if your ferretstarts to back into a corner, placing him inhis litter box.

When your ferret uses her litter box, give hera treat as a reward. Positive reinforcement willhelp your training efforts – especially if thereward immediately follows the action.

In addition to litter training, ferretswill require unique preparationthat you should consider beforeadopting. You will need toferret-proof your home!Ferrets can squeezethrough very tinyopenings, and theircuriosity means theywill find every last one

of them in your house. Before letting yourferret out, make sure any and all holes arecovered up or filled. Some ferrets will enjoychewing on electrical cords. This is bad forthe ferret, and anything the electrical cordmight have been powering, so it’s best for

everyone to keep ferrets away fromcables. This also means plugging anyholes or spaces in appliances that aferret could get into or underneath.Supervise your ferret in the house tomake sure he stays out of trouble.

A wire cage is the best home for aferret. This will make sure he has

lots of air, which will help keep hishome smelling fresh. His cage

will also need a water bottle orbowl, food dish, and litter box.

Lastly, your ferret will wanta soft, warm, dark place tosleep, like the Super PetSleep-e-Tent.

These active pets are both entertaining and adorable.

rabbit hunts because they could crawl through rabbit burrows. They are still used today for this purpose in Europe and Australia, although it’s illegal to hunt with ferrets in the United States. Ferrets are also helpful in setting up communications systems – a ferret crawls through the wiring tubes with a guide string tied to its harness so that the wiring can be strung through the tubes. But the main job for most ferrets these days is bringing joy to their

the bathroom within 15 of them in your house. Before letting your

•Ele-Fun Tunnel74286 › $24.99

•Super Pet Sleep-e-Tent58034 › $21.99

SmALL ANImAL


The Ferret FragranceOne of the myths about ferrets isthat they have an uncontrollableunpleasant odor. The truth is thatthey do have scent glands thatproduce a mild odor, but as longas your ferret is healthy and keptin a clean environment, the smellis easy to control. Keeping thelitter box clean is the first step tocontrolling odors. Clumping litteris not good for ferrets, as youngferrets may eat it, and most fer-rets will play in their clean litter.Clumping litters could clump inthe eyes and nose of your ferretif they tunnel in the box. Manyabsorbant pellet litters made ofrecycled newsprint or wood areavailable and will do a good job ofcontrolling the smell.

Because of their scent glands,bedding and other parts of thecage will start to smell. For thisreason, it’s best to buy beds, ham-mocks and other accessories thatcan be washed. Cages should bemade of non-absorbent materialslike plastic and metal. Woodentoys and cages will absorb odorsand can’t be cleaned well enoughto remove them, so avoid these foryour ferret.

The hunter DietFerrets are natural hunters andare descended from animals thatwould have only eaten meat. Forthis reason, meat protein shouldbe the basis of their diet. It’s impor-tant to feed a food that’s designedfor ferrets that contains enoughprotein and little or no grains.Some ferrets will enjoy other foods,but treats should be given in mod-eration to avoid digestive problems.A meat-based treat like Bandits isa good option that your ferret willlove.

One risk that ferret ownersmust be aware of is that ferretswill eat just about anything. Manylove to chew on rubbery thingslike erasers or headphone cables,but ferrets have been reported tochew on or eat almost anything.Numerous household items couldbe very dangerous for the ferret ifswallowed. To avoid a hefty vet billfor x-rays, or even surgery, keepan eye on your ferret when he’sloose to make sure he doesn’t eatanything other than food.

Ferret instinctsFerretshavesomeoddbehaviors.Theyhaveareputationasthieves,anddoliketocollectitemsandhoardthem–favouriteitemsaresocks(especiallydirtyones!),rub-berthings,andjustaboutanyothersmallitemtheycancarry.Ifyou’remissingsomething,checkyourfer-retfirst,hemayhavehoardedit!

Hoardingitemsisaninstinctualbehaviorforferrets.Inthewild,theirancestorswouldhidepreythatthey’dkilledsotheycouldeatitlat-er.Inyourhome,thisinstinctguidesthemtohidewhatevertheycangettheirpawson.Asfordirtysocks,someferretslikethembecausetheymakeanicesoftbedthatsmellsliketheirfavoritepeople.

Ferretshaveareputationasbit-ers.Someferretswillhaveissueswithbiting,butotherswillhavenoproblem.Sometimespetferretsbitesimplybecausetheywanttoplay.Ferretsbiteeachothertocommunicateorshowdominance,soyouneedtotrainthemnottobiteyou.Ferretshaveathickskin,sothetypeofbitingtheytypicallydowouldn’thurtanotherferret,butitwillhurtaperson.Ifhebitesyou,tellyourferret“no,”andofferachewtoyinstead.

ham-that

materials

enoughfor

Ferret instinctsFerrets have some odd behaviors.

The Ferret

recycledavailablecontrolling

Becausebeddingcagereason,mockscan bemadelike plastictoys andand can’tto removeyour ferret.

•Crinkle Tunnel74272 › $5.99

•High-Corner Litter Pan58222-3› $8.99-$12.99

•Bandits Ferret Treats30515, 30517, 30518, 30519, 30514 › $3.99

Ferret Facts

• Queen Victoria bred albino ferrets & gave

them as gifts.• The name ferret is

derived from the Latin word furonem, which

means thief.• Ferrets are very deep sleepers – so deep that sometimes their owners

think they’re dead!• Ferrets have a hard time containing their emotions – they do a ‘happy dance’ when

excited.

K ID'ZONE

find the answers atwww.petvalu.com/companionanswers18 Companion -Winter2012

CrosswordName that Cat Breed

Across Clues1 The largest domestic cat has large paws for walking on snow.

3 The most recognizable breed, and they don't mind talking about it.

5 The 'ferret' cat with very short legs.

7 This breed is a cross between a bobcat and a barn cat.

9 The swimming cats, revered in their native country of Turkey.

11 A large breed that is the result of cross breeding with African wild cats.

13 South Asian cat that likely hails from Burma.

15 An affectionate cat that loves to flop on your lap.

17 The breed of cat with no tail.

Down

2 South Asian cat that looks like No. 10

4 This breed has ears that are folded down, giving it a sad look.

6 A wavy coat and large ears give this breed a distinct look.

10 Tiny cats that weigh only five to eight pounds when full-grown.

16 This hairless cat is usually covered in 'peach fuzz.'

Down Words

AcrossWords

1 2

3 4

9

11

15

10

65

13 16

17

7

Name the breed of cat from the clue, and write it

in the numbered space. HINT: All the answers are in

the story on pages 10-11

Dogs have a much better sense of smell than people – up to 100,000 times more powerful! This fact of life is why dogs are used for law

enforcement. Highly trained dogs can track a scent and sniff out drugs and explosives. Amazingly, earlier this year

German research discovered that dogs could also detect cancer, spe-cifically identifying lung cancer from breath samples. Multiple anecdotal stories have also sur-faced of dogs identifying cancer in their owners. One dog smelled his owner’s breath and then nudged her right breast. It was cancer. Another dog wouldn’t stop licking a mole on her owner’s leg. It was a malignant melanoma – cancer.

These amazing canine feats are leading to more research, includ-ing an attempt to determine whether cancer has a specific scent. If it does, machines could be invented that detect cancer in a much less invasive way than cur-rent technology.

In the mean time, we should all pay attention to our dogs. They are amazing. are amazing.

➳ All about

ingredients


Healthy pet foods come down to the ingredients used to make them. At Companion magazine, we want to help you recognize and understand the ingredients in the foods your pet eats every day.

basil isanherbthataidsthedigestionprocess.Basilalsocontainstheantioxidantmonoterpenes,whichisassociatedwithcardiovascularhealth.

dandelion is another ingredient that helps digestion. It’s a mild laxativeand diuretic, meaning it gets both solid and liquid waste moving out of yourpet. Dandelion also has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.

birch leaf isananti-inflammatorythatiscommonlyusedtotreaturinarytractinfections.

Camomile is well known as a calming tea for people, and it providessimilar properties in pet food. Camomile calms stress and anxiety andrelaxes the lining of the digestive tract.

lemon balm,muchlikecamomile,reducesstressandeasesindigestion.

Kelp is a brown seaweed which is a rich source of natural organic mineralslike iodine, potassium and calcium, as well as B vitamins and Vitamin C.

Parsleyhelpspurifybloodandotherbodyfluids.Itsupportsliver,kidneyandadrenalglandfunction.

thyme, a member of the mint family, is an herb with antiseptic properties.

garlic containsthepowerfulantioxidantallicin,whichsupportsimmunefunctioningandhasantimicrobialproperties.

Marigold is a source of lutein, which helps protect eyes fromharmful ultraviolet rays.

rosemaryisanantioxidantwhichhelpstosupportcardiovascularandliverfunctioning.Theantisepticpropertiesofrosemarymakeitusefulasanaturalpreservative.

As you can see, herbs and botanicals provide much more than flavoring to a pet food. In general, they provide ‘boosters’ like antioxidants, antiseptics and anti-inflammatories which protect and enhance the natural functions of the body, ideally resulting in a health boost.

like "sliders" for dogsIntroducingPerformatrin Ultra Grain-Free small

Bite formula–thesamegreatfoodinasmallerkibblesize!SincethelaunchofPerformatrinUltraGrain-Free,dogownershavebeenaskingforasmaller-sizedkibble.Manysmalldogsonlyeatsmallkibble,whichiscommonwithsmall-breeddogfoodformulations.SincePerformatrinUltraGrain-Freeisanallbreed,alllifestagedogfood,thenewSmallBitebagsareperfectforpuppies,smallbreeds,andanyotherdogthatpreferssmallerkibble.LookforitinPetValu,Paulmac’sandBosley’sstoresinearlyFebruary.

•Kibble shown actual size.Left 〉〉 Small Bite Right 〉〉 Original

the Nose that Knows

faced of dogs identifying cancer in their owners. One dog smelled his owner’s breath and then nudged her right breast. It was cancer.

urinary

indigestion.

ngredients

properties.

immune

andas

Coming in

february

Left 〉〉 Small Bite Right 〉〉 Original

Try our best dental chew ever

#1 Vet RecommendedDental Chews**In pet specialty among veterinarians that recommend dental chews for at home oral care.

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M E C H A N I C A L A P P R O V A L S

J O B #

304 10TH AVENUE SOUTH, NASHVILLE , TN 37203 T: 615.815.3820 F: 615.815.3838

SPECIAL NOTES / PANTONES:

ACD:

AD:

CW:

PPM:

C R E A T I V EW. HUNT

D.TODD

T. LOFTIS

J. STAPLEY

INITIAL/DATEOK AS

ISOK W/

CHANGESNEW

PROOF

A C C O U N T INITIAL/DATEOK AS

ISOK W/

CHANGESNEW

PROOF

SrPM:

PM:

J. TEATERS

CLIENT:

PROGRAM:

ELEMENT:

TRIM/FINAL:

BLEED/SAFETY:

COLOR SPEC:

MARS

P?

Full Pg Flex FSI

8” x 10.5”

.125

4/4

RELEASE DATE:

EDIT DATE:

ROUNDS:

REVISED BY:

OUTPUT SCALE:

PROOF SCALE:

12/21/11

12/21/11

2

Cat

100%

---

GREE_11220-65

Pet Value AD - Round 1

B:10.75 in

B:8.25 in

T:10.5 in

T:8 in

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