Saturday, March 31, 2018

Ways Pets Help Improve Your Health

Coming home from a busy day at work, you are greeted at the door by your furry pal waiting for you. A wagging tail and a happy look on their face is all it takes to make your hard day melt away. Having a pet provides you with love and unconditional acceptance not to mention they are always there for you. This bond helps drastically in mental health. Here are some other ways pets help improve your health.

1.     Reduced Pain. It has been shown that with chronic pain such as arthritis, migraines and other conditions that pets can be an affective medicine. A Loyola study found that patients that received therapy dog visits post joint replacement needed 50% less post-op pain medication compared to other patients.

2.     Lower Cholesterol/Triglycerides.  The American Heart Association notes dogs help their owners adopt a healthier lifestyle. Studies show dog owners engage in more walking and physical activity than non-dog owners.

3.     Lower Blood Pressure. Having a pet has shown to decrease and help keep blood pressure in check, especially with people who are at risk or diagnosed with high blood pressure.

4.     Stress Management. Thanks to their continual entertainment and loving ways pets provide a joyful mental break from whatever stresses may be beleaguering you.

5.     Depression Help. Along with medication in mild to moderate depression, those with a dog/cat seem to feel better. Their unconditional love helps with self-esteem along with positive focus provided by caring for them.

6.     Less Allergies. Recent studies have shown infants exposed to dogs have up to a 50% reduced risk of developing allergies and asthma.


Your pets are the heart and soul to your wellness. Through their unconditional love they help you enjoy and live a healthier life!

Sunday, March 25, 2018

March is Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month

Originally the third week of March was dedicated to Poison Prevention Awareness, it has since grown to encompass the entire month. To help keep your pet safe and healthy it is extremely important to understand the harmful poisons that can be present in both your home and yard. Some of the items you may recognize easily, while others you might not have been aware of. 

Common items

Many items you can commonly find in a household such as food, plants and products. Here is a list of common items to help you better know what to be on the lookout for; 
  • Chocolate 
  • Poisons (rodenticides) 
  • Household plants 
    1. Lilies 
    2. Aloe 
    3. Philodendron 
    4. Elephant ear 
    5. Ivy 
    6. Pothos 
    7. Jade 
    8. Dieffenbachia 
    9. Sago Palm 
    10. Zamioculcas 
    11. Corn plant 
  • Medications / Vitamins 
  • Xylitol 
  • Caffeine 
  • Household Cleaners 
  • Antifreeze 
  • Insecticides 
  • Herbicides

What to do?

If you suspect your pet has consumed any of these or another questionable substance, IMMEDIATELY call Pet Poison Helpline or your veterinarian for assistance. The effects of ingestion can be instant or may take a few days. Accurate and timely identification of the questionable substance is also very important. Any information such as a label or ingredients can help save precious time and the life of your pet!

We love our furry friends, and they are an important part of our family. Knowing which items can pose a risk to your pet can help prevent unintentional poisoning! Do your part to keep them safe, stay educated, and if anything does happen don’t hesitate to call!