Humans prefer creature comfort

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London: A study carried out amongst 6,800 UK pet owners, reveals that 95% of people preferred to confide in their pets over family or friends.

Results showed that 58% of pet-owners would talk to their pets about their general day and while the adage about never talking to friends and family about politics may be true, some even admitted to confiding their political views in their pets.

Confirmation of the special bond between pet and pet –owners was that 75% of those surveyed in the UK wish they could better understand what their pets are trying to tell them.

The new study was carried out by the PURINA PetCare Team with the aim of finding out how much pet owners understand the behaviour of their dog or cat and what the meaning is behind their reactions. The PetCare team, Purina’s dedicated team of advice specialists are on hand to help pet-owners glean a better understanding into any aspect of pet-care including their pet’s behaviour.

So integral is the relationship between pet and owner that both dogs and cats were found to emulate the owners’ routine with over 62% of pets preferring to follow “mum’s” routine over the rest of the family. The survey also found some cats enjoyed watching TV with their owners “especially if Snooker or the Daleks were on”. 29% of the UK’s pets chose to wake-up at the same time as their owners and amusingly, some owners chose to follow their pet’s routine instead and will cook dinner when their dog is hungry or wake-up ”when the cats do at 3:30am”.

Claire Robinson-Davies from PURINA comments; “As much as owners choose to confide in their pets, it’s equally important for them to understand how their pets feel in return and developing this understanding could prove beneficial to both pet and owner. The Purina PetCare team is ready to help pet-owners looking for advice on any aspect of pet-care, including understanding behaviour on freephone 0800 212 161.

The survey of over 6800 pet owners also revealed:

An astonishing 26% of cats in the South East wait by the gate for their owners to return.

Whilst 56% of the UK’s dog owners talk to their dog about general life, only 10% chose to trouble them with their problems.
When asked what routines pet-owners pursued together, some of the more unusual responses included, ‘using the keyboard at the same time’.

The PURINA Petcare Team is a service staffed by a dedicated group of PetCare professionals, vet nurses and customer service experts – available Monday to Friday 8 am – 6 pm for advice free on 0800 212 161(within UK).

Pet Longevity Guide – by Dr Carol Osborne

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The Pet Longevity Revoultion
by Dr Carol Osborne, D.V.M.
People and pets are now living longer than ever before. As owners, we naturally want our pets to live the longest, healthiest lives possible. After all dogs and cats aren’t just pets, they are cherished members of our family and for most of us, best friends. In fact, according to a recent Gallup survey the relationship we share with pets gets stronger with every passing year. Our love is so deep, and our relationship so special, that today almost 75% of us wouldn’t hand over their pets even in exchange for $1 million cash.

So, What’s Best For Pets?

Prevention and early disease detection combined with good nutrition, exercise, and proper veterinary care are the cornerstones of good health. Although the aging process is different for every animal (large and giant dog breeds tend to age faster than smaller ones) it generally begins at maturity, somewhere between one and two years of age, for dogs and between 10 and 12 months of age for cats. Most pets become senior citizens at seven. Giant dog breeds are considered seniors at age 5. Shorted lived cat breeds, like Persians, are considered seniors at age six.

How Old Is Old

To determine whether or not a pet is old, it’s important to distinguish between chronological and biological age. Chronological age is determined by the year in which your pet was born or the number of candles on your pets birthday cake. Anti-ageing medicine focuses on biological age, which is determined by how your pet looks, acts and feels.

LONGEVITY AND HEALTH

Longevity is attributed to 70% to lifestyle and 30% to genetics. Up to 90% of diseases in dogs and cats are due to the degenerative processes associated with ageing. Longevity research confirms the fact that a fresh organic diet along with optimal nutritional supplementation can deter and slow the aging process and can help your pet stay younger longer and enhances his or her life expectancy.

Backed By Decades of Research

A successful longevity program starts by supplementing your pet’s body with the critical nutrients it needs on a daily basis. Look for anti-ageing supplements, like PAAWS, specifically designed for pets that contain a scientifically proven, natural blend of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, anti-oxidants, herbs, essential omega 3 fatty acids, digestive enzymes, immune system boosters and longevity factors. They should be are synergistically balanced to optimize your pet’s health and maximize his or her longevity.

SIGNS OF AGEING IN PETS
Signs of aging occur slowly. Their detection requires your close observation and keen eye. Before beginning any supplement use this checklist to identify signs of aging in your pet. Then monitor your pet’s progress by filling out this list 30, 60, and 90 days later.

AGEING SIGNS in DOGS & CATS:
• Weight gain/weight loss
• Changes in skin, hair coat
• Excess shedding
• Changes in appetite
• Drinking more
• Increased urination
• Loss of house training and/or
Accidents in the house
• Hesitant to climb the stairs
• Limping/less mobile, stiff gait
• Harder to get up and down
• Has trouble or can’t jump in and
out of the car
• Bad breath
• Gas or indigestion after eating
• Vision and/or hearing loss
• Less interaction with family members
• Aimless wandering/ walking in circles
• Skin problems
• Excess itching
• Excess barking
• Frantic or cries when left alone
• Easily irritated
• Less enthusiastic when owners return home
• Sleeping more during the day and/ or staying awake at night
• Disoriented or confused
• Litter box problems
• Behavioral changes

TEST YOUR TEST YOUR PET IQ
True or False
1. Over half the dogs and cats in developed countries are overweight.
True False
True. An overweight pet is 15% or more above his or her ideal body weight.
2. Being 10% overweight decreases a pet’s life span.
True False
True. Being 10% overweight also predisposes pets to heart, liver and kidney disease,
as well as arthritis, diabetes and cancer.
3. It is okay to feed my pet my leftovers.
True False
False, Throw out table scraps.
4. Leave meals in your pet’s bowl all day.
True False
False, don’t free-feed. This leads to obesity.
5. Exercising an old pet is not a good idea.
True False
False. Exercise for dogs and cats (of all ages) is essential for good health
6. It is risky to put a pet on a diet.
True False
False. It is risky to let any pet stay fat.

DR. CAROL’S GORMUTT TREATS:
Recipes for Tail Wagging K-9 Treats
BOW WOW’S Blazin Biscuits

3/4 cup flour 1 tsp Vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. baking soda 1 1/2 cups regular oats (uncooked)
1/2 tsp. salt 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2/3 cup butter 1/2 cup wheat germ
2/3 cup brown sugar 1 cup bacon, cooked crisp &
1 cup bacon, cooked crisp 1 egg (slightly beaten)

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix well and set aside. Cream butter and brown sugar. Beat in one egg and vanilla. Add flour mixture, stirring well. Stir in cheese, wheat germ and crumbled bacon. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto un-greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute and serve!

Carol Osborne, D.V.M. is a leading authority on alternative veterinary medicine and age-related pet diseases. She is worlds only veterinarian to be a board certified Diplomat of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, and is the author of international best sellers Naturally Healthy Dogs and Naturally Healthy Cats. She is a popular lecturer and broadcaster on the subject of pet longevity and wellness has her own patented line of longevity nutritional products for pets which can be purchased at www.drcarol.com