STUDY: 70% of Women View Their Pets…..

puppy

This is one of my dogs after a surgery. She was always cold and her bladder leaked for about 2 weeks. My poor baby girl.

 

Did you know? 

STUDY: 70% of Millennial Women View Their Pets as Children

According to Rover.com, many women view themselves as “dog moms” rather than owners. A study conducted by Veterinarians.org found that 70% of millennial women who chose not to have kids view their pets as children and treat them as such.

I can tell you, as a mom of biological, foster, adopted, and step kids- I also consider myself a fur mom. I never say “I own my dogs” or that I am an owner. I absolutely refer to them as my fur babies or 4 legged kids. I adore my dogs, as many of you know, and we do foster care and rehab for dogs of all ages and sizes. We love going to dog events, my dogs that get cold have sweaters, my small one has a backpack and a stroller we use for long days out that she can’t handle, and we have all manner of treats, toys, dog lotions for sore paws and hot spots and whatnot.

They are absolutely up to date on shots, get their heartworm pills, flea and tick treatments, and anything else in between. I love them and want them to be happy and comfortable- just like I would for my kids.  Are they as loved or as important to me as my children? No, of course not. But they don’t give me any crapola, either! Ha.

So. What did the professionals find?

Key Findings:

  • 69% of respondents say that having a pet is easier than having a child.
  • 52% say it’s easier to find care for their pet if they need to leave their home for an extended period of time.
  • 53% made a home purchase/renting decision based on whether there was enough outdoor space for their pet.
  • 33% of Millennial home-buying decisions were chiefly driven by the buyer’s dog (outranking marriage and kids as incentives).
  • 48% say the costs of caring for a pet are lower compared to children.
  • 42% of respondents say pets are less stressful.
  • 39% say that having a pet instead is less time-consuming.

pet parent

Birth Rates in US Survey Highlights

  • 42% of Millennial women who don’t plan to have children say the COVID-19 pandemic influenced their decision.
  • 41% say they don’t want to raise a child in the world’s current conditions.
  • 42% don’t feel there are enough programs and resources available (such as affordable healthcare and childcare) to help parents raise a child.
  • 49% believe people with children are more stressed than people without children.
  • Among Millennial women who don’t want children, 70% of those with pets view their dog/cat as their child.
  • Among these pet owners, 69% say having a pet is easier than having a child.
  • 48% of those with pets also say the costs of caring for a pet are lower than those for caring for a child.

While many believed the COVID-19 pandemic would fuel a ‘baby boom’ as couples found themselves spending more time together under lockdown, the opposite turned out to be true. In fact, according to data published by the CDC, birth rates in the U.S. reached a record low in 2020, showing a 4% decline in the number of U.S. births from the year prior. This figure is not only double the average yearly decline since 2014, but represents the lowest number of births since 1979.

However, this downward trend in births was noticeable even before the pandemic. Women, especially Millennial women, have been increasingly delaying motherhood to pursue careers and continuing education. Others have married later in life, or have put motherhood aside temporarily in the face of economic uncertainty.

There are also Millennial women who have opted out of motherhood altogether. We surveyed 400 of these women to explore their views on motherhood, children, and how domestic pets like dogs and cats may be the new ‘stand-in’ for children for millions of Millennial women around the U.S.

This study also discusses other reasons Millennial Women have decided to opt-out of motherhood.  See the whole article here- there is a lot of food for thought. See it here- https://www.veterinarians.org/birth-rates-in-us/

Wordless Wednesday – Dog Training Duo #WW #WordlessWednesday

therapy dogs

STUDY: Women Sleep Better Next to Their Dog Than Their Partner

Women and dogs are a match made in heaven and this was even supported by Honest Paws newly released study about dog and human relationships, where it listed down 95 benefits of having a dog.  Having both dogs and a husband, I can concur- the dogs are WAY easier to sleep with, LOL.

women sleep study

Dog provides women:

  • dog’s gaze (think of those puppy eyes!) induces a release of oxytocin, “the love hormone,” which is linked to a strengthened emotional bond between mothers and babies
  • Women are more intuitive to dogs’ emotions than men because they have a higher emotional sensitivity
  • Dogs who interact with women are 220% more likely to be treated like people versus dogs who don’t interact with women
  • Single women place more value on how a potential partner interacts with their dog than single men do
  • Women are more likely to view dogs as members of their family
  • Young women who own dogs take fewer days off sick from work
  • Women sleep better next to dogs than they do other people

Most of the time, my dogs are super easy to sleep with. The bigger dogs can be a little harder to move, but not always. None of them hog the bed or the blankets anywhere near the amount that my husband does, haha.

Sleep in whatever way works for you- which for me, most of the time, is with at least one dog, and my bed-hog husband. Goodnight!

Valentines’ Gift Idea That Gives Back

Valentine’s Day is about love, affection and giving back to those you care about. Whether it’s a simple heartfelt note, a dozen red roses, or a bottle of expensive champagne, there are endless ways to express those special feelings. However, this year, loved ones can offer one rose or two to a special set of precious animals quickly becoming an endangered species and in need of our love the most, America’s treasured and beloved wild horses and burros.

horse rescue

For brief background, over the last 20+ years, thousands of wild horses roaming our public lands out west have been brutally struck by the government’s giant bow and arrow, stripping away their protections, cruelly rounding up wild horses and giving away public lands to big oil, big cattle, and other special interests. That’s why for Valentine’s Day, there’s a unique opportunity to shower your loved ones with the following special gifts to help protect these beautiful creatures and also indirectly protect the environment since wild horses are a critical part of the overall eco-system that provide important nutrients to the soil they roam on.

Famed Wild Horse Photographer and Author Carol Walker is generously donating proceeds from of the sale of her breathtaking latest coffee table book, Wild Hoofbeats: America’s Vanishing Wild Horses and her photo calendar to the Wild Horse Freedom Federation (WHFF) in support of the organization’s efforts to save these animals and expose how the federal government is secretly implementing policies they know will result in the extinction of wild horses.  Carol was inspired to volunteer and support Wild Horse Freedom Federation after discovering that WHFF’s goals of keeping America’s wild horses and burros where they belong – wild and free on our public lands – aligned with hers.

wild horses

In addition, all who donate to this important cause can download a Valentine’s Day-themed donation certificate (in a loved one’s name) – that includes a custom beautiful photo of a wild horse – that will help keep wild horses and burros roaming our public lands for years to come.  More information on the special book, calendar and certificate can be found on the Wild Horse Freedom Federation’s website at http://wildhorsefreedomfederation.org/wild-horse-freedom-federation-fundraiser/.

Christmas plants that are toxic to pets

poisonous plants to pets

It’s important to remember if your pets consume any of these toxic plants, contact your vet straight away.

10 most toxic winter plants for dogs and cats:

  1. Holly – If the berries or spiked-edge leaves from a holly plant are ingested, this can result in irritation of the mouth, drooling, gastrointestinal upset (such as vomiting), and diarrhoea. It may also cause excessive head-shaking if consumed in large quantities.
  2. Mistletoe – Though varied in types, the berries from mistletoe contain chemicals including polysaccharides, alkaloids, and lectins which are harmful to both dogs and cats. When ingested in small quantities, it can cause gastrointestinal irritation such as vomiting and abdominal pain. Consumed in large quantities, it may cause abnormal heart rate, low blood pressure and incoordination.
  3. Poinsettia plants – Widely known for their bright red and green festive foliage, the milky white sap from the coloured leaves contains a chemical which could cause not only nausea, vomiting, drooling and diarrhoea, but also irritation in the skin, mouth and oesophagus.
  4. Christmas trees – If the pine needles from Christmas trees are chewed, the oils released may cause irritations in the mouth as well as stomach upset. Due to the prickly nature of the needle, these could also be hazardous to the mouth, throat and stomach if ingested.
  5. Ivy (Hedera species) – Ivy can cause severe skin irritation if pets come into direct contact with this plant. If ingested, ivy can also cause stomach upsets.
  6. Amaryllis – The whole amaryllis plant contains toxic substances, but higher quantities are contained in the bulb, so be careful of pets who like to dig. If consumed, they may experience severe gastrointestinal upsets (such as vomiting and abdominal pain), loss of appetite, lethargy and tremors.
  7. Lilies – Dangerous for both cats and dogs, if any part of a lily is ingested (even in small quantities) this could cause severe gastrointestinal damage, which may lead to kidney failure for cats.
  8. Laurel – Laurel plants including bay laurels (which are often used in cooking) and cherry laurel, contain toxins located in all parts of the shrub which cause vomiting, abdominal pain, hypotension and in extreme cases, muscle weakness and even seizures.
  9. Snowdrops – These small white flowers contain toxins in their stems and leaves, with the highest concentration in the bulb. When ingested, they can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, incoordination as well as a drop in heart rate and blood pressure.
  10. Yew – All parts of this plant, (including the leaves and berries) are highly poisonous as they contain taxines. When ingested they can cause vomiting, weakness, breathing difficulties and in critical cases, life threatening change in heart rate and blood pressure.

Salman Haqqi, pet insurance expert from money.co.uk comments:

“Pets are often curious creatures and can be found chewing anything around the house, especially at a young age. While decorative plants can add a bit of a life to your interior during winter, it’s important to remember that these could present problems if consumed by your furry family members.

“Taking the necessary steps, such as placing plants out of reach or adding barriers will help to ensure that pets do not ingest or come into contact with them. If your four-legged friend does consume a toxic house plant, it’s important to seek expert help and advice from your vet as soon as possible.”

Please see the following sources for more info on the guidance above: PDSA, The Kennel Club, PETMD and Pet Poison Helpline.

Love Dogs? You’ll LOVE Molly.

Do you love dogs as much as we do? If you are anything like us, you love your 4 legged friend more than pretty much anything. As well, you hate misinformation being spread! So many lies about pitbulls, who are as gentle a dog as you can find. Good with adults, kids, cats, other dogs of all sizes- it’s not about the breed, it’s about how they are trained. If you abuse a dog and train it to bite, that’s what happens. Blame the trash humans, not the abused animal. But Pit Bulls actually have a much lower bite rate then many other dogs, like Chihuahuas or Jack Russel Terriers, as well as a more gentle demeanor. Just like your kindergarten teacher said- don’t judge a book by it’s cover. And don’t believe everything you read- the media did the same thing to the German Shepherds, to the Rottweilers, and on and on. Just can’t blame the actual problem- humans doing awful things. Give these beauties a 2nd chance- they are by and large lovers, not fighters.

Molly A Love Story

Molly: A Love Story

by Dana Brackob is a true story about a cute little Pit Bull, lost and alone in the world until one day she was rescued and given a home. Molly’s story teaches children about the unconditional love that a dog can bring into the lives of a family. As a cancer survivor, Molly overcame adversity, and her story shows that despite every hardship, true love is everlasting. Children and dog lovers of all ages will be touched by Molly’s story and that of her adopted brother Logan, a Siberian Husky who became her best friend.  See more here: histriabooks.com/product/molly-a-love-story

A portion of the sale of each copy of Molly will go to support animal shelters in the Las Vegas area.
Dana Brackob lives and works in Las Vegas. She was Molly’s real-life mom and wanted to share her story. Pit Bulls are often maligned, but Molly proved that they are one of the most loving types of dogs. The illustrator, Evgeniya Kozhevnikova, is a talented Russian artist living in Tomsk, Siberia.

How to Show Your Pet You Love Them

Your social media friends know you love your pet because nine out of ten posts that you share include a picture of your furry friend. At home, your family knows that your role as a pet parent comes first each time you stay on the couch longer than planned in an attempt to avoid disturbing your fur baby.

Whether it’s the vet bills added to your budget each month or the treats and toys that you bring home every time you head to the store, your love for your pet is clear. One question remains, though—how can you make sure your pet recognizes the love you have for them?

Prioritize their well-being

As a pet owner, you’re presumably taking care of your pet as well as possible anyway. By making a purposeful effort to ensure you’re taking care of them, though, you‘ll be making your love for them even more clear. Of course, your dog, cat, or other pet won’t realize that you’re taking time to find the best pet insurance in Canada or paying your monthly premium to the pet insurers that you settle on. However, they’ll know that you’re caring for them when you take them to the vet to treat an illness or injury.

Give them space around the house

Since the moment your furry friend came into your life, your home has been their home, too. When you find tennis balls in your living room or a catnip mouse under the couch, you’re reminded that this is your pet’s home as well. To make this all the more obvious, though, you’ll want to make sure your pet can share a majority of the space, not just stick to a certain corner with their food dish and pet bed.

For example, are the houseplants adorning your living room safe for your cat? Seeking out cat-safe house plants is a small step, but one that makes a big difference. So much so that it could save your pet’s life!

Learn their preferences

No matter how low-maintenance your pet is, they’re sure to have a few particular preferences. Perhaps your dog seems to love lolling amidst the flowers in your garden. You might decide to add some indoor plants, too, so that they can enjoy a similar sensation inside. If your cat has severe anxiety around veterinarian visits, look into what routine care necessities can be taken care of in one appointment, rather than putting Fluffy through the process repeatedly.

Does your pet love to lay down in the bright light of the afternoon sun? Make sure that this favorite warm spot of theirs is clear from other family member’s belongings. Even something as simple as knowing their preferred spot for scratches or types of treats that are sure to get their tail wagging can be a subtle way of showing them how much you love them.

When in doubt, appeal to their stomach

Out of all your pet’s needs, the one that’s sure to garner excitement is food. If you’re not sure of how you can make your love for Fido obvious, focus on the kibble, wet foods, treats, and other edible tidbits to toss their way. For some pet owners, this might mean choosing a vet-prescribed brand of food. If this is the case for you, be sure to find a pet insurance provider that covers prescription cat or dog food, or that has a coverage option.

For others, this may be as simple as tossing your favorite feline a few extra nibbles for no reason besides the fact that it will make them happy. Of course, be sure to talk to your veterinarian and ensure you’re offering the right food at the right frequency for your pet’s age, breed, weight, etc.

From the insurers that you choose for a pet insurance policy to the pet-friendly decor that you add to your home, you might be surprised to find just how many elements of your day-to-day life can help show your fur baby just how much you love them. After all, everyone else in your life knows that your furry friend is the love of your life—with some special attention and a whole lot of care, your pet themself can know that, too.

Got Pets? Check Out These Dental Bites for Dogs & Cats

Our pets mean a lot to us- they are definitely on the spoiled side, as anyone who reads the blog or follows on social media will know.  Another thing you probably know- one area that I’m very fussy about with every living thing in the house (human and non) is oral healthcare.

If you’ve ever read any of my other posts, you know I’m more then a little neurotic about teeth and dental hygiene. It matters so much! Not only things like first impression and keeping away foul odors (no one wants to be the guy with halitosis), but also for comfort, ease of eating, and general health. If your teeth go bad, there are so many other problems that typically follow. Not to mention- how awful is tooth pain? Agony.

Anything to keep it at bay or prevent it. Back to the topic! Along with brushing their teeth, and adding drops to their water, we just discovered these amazing treats that help reduce plaque in your pet.

dog treats

More About SwedencareUSA ProDen PlaqueOff® Crunchy Dental Bites for Dogs & Cats 

  • ProDen PlaqueOff® Dental Bites provide an easy complement to ordinary oral hygiene
  • Only treats on the market containing the ProDen PlaqueOff® System, which helps reduce plaque accumulation by the natural chewing action, resulting in visibly whiter, cleaner teeth
  • Formulated with an algae that is clinically proven to help support normal oral hygiene
  • Highly palatable, fuss-free treats
  • Helps eliminate bad breath, fight plaque and keep tartar build up at bay
  • Grain-free, gluten-free, soy-free – contain 100% natural and sustainably harvested sea kelp, harvested along the North Atlantic coast
  • Suitable for dogs and cats of all sizes, PlaqueOff Dental Care Bites™ are available in 3oz and 6oz bags
  • Chicken flavor for dogs and Salmon flavor for cats
  • Available at independent pet stores and online at www.swedencareusa.com.
  • MSRP $7.99 – $8.99

Not the best picture in the world, but let me tell you, it’s not easy getting that many dogs to sit still and look at you at the same time! LOL.

Check out PlaqueOff Dental Care Bites for your pet- see what size they need, and get what works. You’ll be glad you did. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as they say, which is true enough.