In a press release issued February 20, 2013 the company says, “they are voluntarily recalling Nutri-Vet and NutriPet Chicken Jerky Products because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can sicken animals that eat these products and humans are at risk for Salmonella poisoning from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the pet products or any surfaces exposed to these products.”

The recalled Chicken Jerky Treats were distributed nationwide through online sales and in retail stores from April 2012 through February 2013 with Best By Dates ranging from April 20, 2014, through October 3, 2014.

The product comes in a clear plastic bag containing Chicken Jerky Treats as described below:

Consumers who have purchased Nutri-Vet and NutriPet Chicken Jerky Products are urged to stop feeding them to pets and return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Nutri-Vet at 1-877-729-8668 Monday thru Friday from 7am to 5pm MDT.

The company has identified the source of the plastic and has solved the problem, however, the voluntary recall is in place for the following products with a “Best if Used By” date of 10/04/13:

• UPC# 7 69949 60137 1 – Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula medallions, 3 lbs. bag
• UPC# 7 69949 70137 8 – Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula medallions, 27 lbs. case
• UPC# 7 69949 60127 2 – Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula patties, 6 lbs. bag
• UPC# 7 69949 70127 9 – Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula patties, 36 lbs. case

The “Best if Used By” date is located on the back of the package below the “Contact Us” section. The affected product was distributed through retail stores and internet sales in the United States and Canada. No other products were impacted.

According to the company, “consumers feeding the affected product should discontinue use and monitor their pet’s health, and contact their veterinarian if they have concerns. Consumers who have purchased one of the above products can obtain a full refund or exchange by either returning the product in its original packaging or bringing a proof of purchase back to their retailer.”

Consumers with additional questions can call the Nature’s Variety Consumer Relations team at 1.888.519.7387 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST. Or, questions can be emailed directly to cservice@naturesvariety.com.

His name is Porter.

He drives a car.

Now before you say, “no way.”  Read on.

As dog owners, we all think our dog is the cutest, most adorable, smartest pooch on the planet.  That’s true… but my dog can’t drive a car.  I don’t think yours can either.

Porter, a 10 month old Beardie Cross, was a stray before being taken in at the SPCA Auckland.  He’s been joined by Monty, an 18 month old Giant Schnauzer, and Ginny, 1 year old Beardie Whippet Cross, who also have been turned in at the SPCA.  These three remarkable dogs were trained to drive a Mini Cooper – and do it quite well, if I may say so.

Their time behind the wheel resulted from extensive training and I’m sure a lot of dog treats.  Take a moment to watch the video of Porter the Mini Cooper Driving Dog and visit the DrivingDogs Facebook page to learn more about their time behind the wheel and to see videos of Monty and Ginny driving as well.

These three dogs show remarkable skills and they were all turned in at a shelter.  If you’re considering adding a furry companion to your loving family, why not consider adopting a shelter pet.  Give these little ones a chance at a better life.  Who knows, you may end up with a Porter, Monty or Ginny!

The treats under the recall include:

• Hartz Chicken Chews
• Hartz Oinkies Pig Skin Twists Wrapped With Chicken

As of today, the company says there has been no illness reported due to the consumption of the recalled products.

If you have these dog treats, you can call Hartz customer care at 1-800-275-1414 for information on how to receive a refund.

For the complete text of the recall announcement, click here.

Hartz Chicken Chews Dog Treats are currently the subject of a voluntary recall.

Harts Oinkies Pig Skin Dog Treats Wrapped With Chicken are currently the subject of a voluntary recall.

Exercise is just as important for dogs as it is for humans. As with humans, exercise affects a dog physically and mentally. It can mean the difference between a loveable, well-behaved pet, and an ill-tempered, aggressive animal. Dogs need more than just a five minute walk that they may get when they need to use the bathroom. They can develop serious health problems without adequate activity. If you want your dog to live a long, healthy life, you need to provide them with opportunities to exercise.

When your dog is exercising outdoors, they get to experience different mental stimulation than they would just lounging around the house. These sights, sounds, and smells help your pet develop skills that allow them to better socialize with humans and other animals. Dogs that don’t receive this stimulation can become more aggressive when they meet a new person or animal. They may not even mean to be hostile. It could be a matter of over-excitement because of the sedentary life they live.

Many people don’t know that regular exercise can also make dogs easier to train. The same stimulation that makes them behave properly, also increase their intelligence. It can greatly improve their focus, allowing them to better comprehend the commands you give them. Dogs that don’t receive enough exercise can become bored and distracted when attempting to train them.

Lack of exercise has almost the same negative effects on dogs as it does on humans. It can lead to obesity, too much or too little sleep, diabetes, and various heart problems. Without regular activity, joints and muscles may develop arthritis or chronic pain and inflammation. Even worse, if a dog that isn’t used to physical activity attempts a strenuous task, they could possibly break a bone.

There are several ways to ensure your dog gets the exercise he or she needs. Going for routine walks each day is a good start. Playing fetch can also be very helpful. Even certain toys can promote a healthier life style. It helps them strengthen their jaw muscles and they will often run around while playing. Ideally, everyone would like to have a large yard that the dog can run around in at their discretion. However, if this is something that you don’t have, a park or field is a good alternative. It’s much better to have a fenced in area though for the safety of the animal and others. Just remember, plenty of water and a nutritious diet isn’t enough. Yet, combined with exercise, your dog should live a healthy life.

Eric Blair writes about animal health and the benefits of supplements like NuVet Plus.

Milo’s Kitchen Chicken Grillers and Chicken Jerky dog treats have been recalled by the manufacturer.

Milo’s Kitchen has announced a recall for their Chicken Grillers and Chicken Jerky dog treats.  The recall is due to the presence of an unapproved antibiotic that was given to the chickens used in the treats.

If you have any of these treats, you can return them to the store where they were purchased for a complete refund.  You can also visit the company’s website for more information on the dog treat recall by clicking here.

You can also read the company’s press release by clicking here.

Walkies

The thing which all dogs love most of is going for walkies! You need to make sure that have enough time each day to bring your dog out for a walk. If you believe that you are not going to be able to walk your dog regularly enough, you will need to look at smaller breeds which do not need to be taken for long walks as regularly. If you do not take your dog out for a walk enough, you may find that they become distressed in the home environment and this is when you may start to see some bad behaviour. Your puppy will need to go for a walk each day to burn all that excess energy he has.

Training

As well burning all the physical energy your dog has, you also need to interact with your pup mentally. All dogs love learning, that is why they are used often by the police. If you do not try to interact with your dog when you are at home, you may see his behaviour turn bad and he might start destroying stuff in the home, this is because he will be bored. You should spend a little time with your dog each training him. Not only is this helping him get some of the attention he needs, but it will also make him better behaved as he will see you as the master.

Care

You will have many rules in your home so your dog knows who the boss, but it is important that you spend time with your dog showing him that you do care. You can do this by spending time stroking and grooming him. You should also ensure that his comfortable when his in your home so look at some luxury beds for dogs which keep him feeling cosy and loved.

Vet

If you have just got yourself a puppy, then you should know that he will need his first injection at 8 weeks, this will prevent him from catching any unwanted illnesses on the street. He will then need his second injection at 12 weeks. You should get his booster jab every 12 months after his second injection; this will protect him from catching any illnesses from dogs outside.

Kerry is a loving dog owner from Birmingham and loves buying her dog luxury treats from http://thestylishdogcompany.com/

Antler bones are also healthier for your dog because they naturally contain calcium and minerals. Perfect Pet Chews refrains from chemically enlarging the bones and respects the form that nature gave them. If you have an acute or sensitive smell, you will benefit from the fact that humans cannot smell the antler’s aroma, which only your dog can crave.

Antler bones come from moose, deer and elk, each of which have different species that all provide their own distinct aroma. Therefore, Perfect Pet Chews offers a variety of 16 mouthwatering bones, to guarantee your dog’s favorite. None of them can be determined the most delicious because every dog will desire a different flavor.

Every year, countless deer, elk and moose shed their antlers all across North America which makes a perfect treat for your companion. Best of all Perfect Pet Chews would happily gift wrap them for you.

The Different Reactions To Insect Bites And Stings

Mild – Mild reactions to insect bites and stings are similar to reactions your dog can get after a vaccination. Your pet may experience sluggishness, loss of appetite and even fever. Immediate medical treatment is not always necessary, but relief from pain, mild swelling or itchiness will sometimes be required to keep your pet comfortable.

Moderate – Moderate vascular reactions also known as urticaria can be identified on the skin by hives, along with rapid swelling and redness of the lips, neck and around the eyes. It is very uncomfortable due to the itchiness and it isalso dangerous as it can progress to anaphylaxis which is fatal. This is a common reaction with pet dogs with poor immune systems.

Severe – Anaphylaxis is a severe reaction which is a sudden severe allergic response that leads to breathing difficulties, fainting and death. Symptoms of severe reactions occur within a few minutes of being bitten or stung and these are diarrhea, vomiting, staggering, decrease in blood pressure, larynx swelling, seizures and fainting, which can all become fatal.

Insects That Can Bite Your Pet

Bees, wasps, hornets and ants can sting and bite your dog most especially if it has the liberty to roam outdoors. The most common places for you to look for the wounds are on the head, belly, and face and around the mouth. Symptoms will often show within 20 minutes of the bite or sting and mild to severe symptoms can show after 12 to 24 hours. Most of the time, the insect bites and stings can result in pain and inflammation that can subside within an hour. In cases where wasps and bees sting your pet, you can expect redness and the sting wound will feel hot to the touch. Remember that you must not pull out the stinger with your fingers,nails or tweezers, as it can cause the stinger to eject more venom into the wound. In order to remove the stinger, you can simply scrape it off.

The common pests that can bite your dog are fleas and ticks. These tiny pests can attach themselves onto your pet’s skin and suck blood until they are full. Unfortunately, they are also known to transmit deadly diseases. These diseases can also be transmitted onto you when you are bitten and fed on by fleas and ticks. Spiders often bite dogs, but only a few spider species have venom which can cause serious consequences.

Here are symptoms you can expect when your pet dog is bitten or stung:

• Swelling on eyelids and ear flaps
• Swelling on lips and/or entire face
• Trembling
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Complications in breathing
• Hives – Itchy and anaphylactic
• Weakness
• Increased Heart Rate
• Fever leading to Shock
• Wheezing
• Weak pulse
• Unconsciousness

Home Treatments

Here are a few home treatments you can use to provide relief for your pet dog when bitten by insects. Bear in mind that these may only work for mild reactions. For moderate and severe reactions, medical attention by a professional is essential. After seeking medical attention or applying home treatments on your pet dog, have your house and garden treated by a professional that offers a three barrier system in their pest control services to ensure that pest infestation is prevented in the future.

• Aloe vera gel can help soothe pain and any burning sensations.
• A paste of baking soda and water can be applied on bumps and sores until they recede.
• A diluted solution of baking soda and water can be used to clean a sting wound. A cold pack can then be used to reduce the pain and swelling.
• Calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream can be applied several times a day to ease the irritation.
• Oatmeal can provide relief and irritation from bites, bumps and sores.
• Witch hazel can be used to treat hot spots on skin.
• A solution of Epsom salt and warm water can be used to bathe your dog to treat irritation and itchy paws and skin.

Valerie Williams is a freelance writer specializing in natural methods of pest control. She regularly contributes articles to Preventive pest control websites that offer various pest control services.

The Five Main Types of Worms

Heartworms: These parasitic worms travel through the bloodstream of the dog until they reach the lungs and heart. They develop as a result of a mosquito bite.

Roundworms: This is the most common type of worm and it lives in the stomach and intestines. Puppies can become infected with roundworm from their mother before birth or after birth through their mother’s milk. Dogs can also ingest worm eggs by eating contaminated soil or by eating mice, rats, birds etc.

Hookworms: These worms are very small and thin and use their hook like mouth to latch onto the dog’s small intestines and live of its blood and tissue fluids. Hookworm infestation occurs in the same way to that of the roundworm along with directly through the skin.

Tapeworms: They live in the small intestines of a dog and like the whipworm this worm attaches itself to the gut wall. This parasite is acquired by eating fleas or lice that have themselves ingested the worm eggs.

Whipworms: This long thread like worm has one thick end which makes it look like a whip. It lives in the small intestines and the large intestines and attaches itself to the gut wall like the tapeworm.

The Most Common Symptoms of Worms

• Coughing – Heartworms, hookworms, roundworms.
• Diarrhea – All worms but hookworms may cause blood in their stools.
• Vomiting – All worms but hookworms may be visible in the vomit.
• Lethargy – All worms can affect energy levels.
• Pot Belly – Most common in puppies that have gotten worms from their mother.
• Weight Loss – Tapeworm, whipworm.
• Gain/Loss of Appetite – All worms can cause a change in appetite.
• Poor Coat – All worms can cause your dog’s coat to become dull.
• Scooting – Worms may cause dog to scoot around on its rear end to relieve itching.
• Scratching – Worms can cause visible skin irritations which your dog will scratch at.
• Stool – Worms or blood may be visible in the dogs stool.

Keep Your Dog Worm Free

It is very important to keep your dog wormed at all times throughout the year. This will save you time and money in the long run and will help to keep your dog worm free and happy. If you suspect that your dog may have worms be sure to contact your vet for advice and medication.