Search Results for: blog new pet products for 2011

Increased Competition Reduces Medicare Fraud

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A pilot program that has been going on for a year has resulted in $200 million in savings for Medicare. It started in nine cities, and will be expanded soon. The experiment showed that competitive bidding for personal medical equipment led to savings for Medicare. This is good news for consumers. This experimental program was launched in nine metropolitan areas. Those areas were: Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, (North Carolina and South Carolina), Cincinnati-Middletown (Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana), Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor (Ohio), Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington (Texas), Kansas City (Missouri and Kansas), Miami-Fort Lauderdale- Pompano Beach and Orlando (Florida), Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), and Riverside-San Bernadino- Ontario (California). The purpose … Continue reading →

Spending on Pets Skyrockets

Despite our recession (though apparently it’s recovering), some industries are on the rise. One of them, according to BBC News, is the pet industries. That’s right, in a time when pet food banks are growing at Animal Control facilities across the country and some people are still losing/struggling to stay in their homes, Americans are spending more on their pets than ever before. As you might guess, 65% of the overall amount spent is on food and veterinary costs. More people are also buying pet insurance. Maybe this just indicates that more people are looking to own more pets. This … Continue reading →

Do Your Pets Factor into Your Holiday Plans?

Do you make your holiday plans around your pets? That’s an assertion that the Associated Press recently made in an article: pet owners revolve their late-December events around their pets. Examples given by the AP include taking holiday-themed photos of pets, using these or other pictures with the animal for seasonal cards, buying pets gifts (the article maintains that just over half of pet owners do this), and even creating special menus for the pet so it can have a holiday meal alongside its human family. There are two sides to this: one, in which a little holiday cheer is … Continue reading →

PetPlan has Advice for “Take Your Dog to Work” Day

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Will you be bringing your dog to your workplace on “Take Your Dog to Work” Day? It is being celebrated on June 24, 2011, and has been an annual event since it started in 1999. PetPlan insurance has some great advice for individuals and workplaces that are considering participating in what could be a really fun day. “Take Your Dog to Work Day” is a special day where employees have the opportunity to bring their dog with them to their workplace. It is something like “Take Your Child to Work” Day, but designed for people’s pets, instead of their children. … Continue reading →

What Does Your Pet Do All Day?

Some pets love the camera My engineering husband is a bit of a techie. He’s an odd sort, however, who never asks for any presents. Most gadgets he wants are expensive, so he feels bad putting them on any gift wish lists. Ever since we started dating, I would spend the months before his birthday and Christmas browsing the internet looking for suitable contraptions or other toys he might like. That’s how I discovered website thinkgeek.com, a site devoted to cool geeky toys, technology, t-shirts, books, and more. Given the breadth of Think Geek’s offerings, it was only a matter … Continue reading →

Caring for Pets in Cold Weather

In June I posted about the dangers of heatstroke for animals. Now that we’ve entered the opposite extreme of seasonal weather, I’d like to take a look at ways to keep our pets safe when it’s cold outside. The ASPCA has a list of several things to remember when looking after pets in the winter. Just as leaving a dog in the car is dangerous in the heat the same is true in the cold. Especially when it isn’t sunny outside, cars trap the cold and can drop to dangerous freezing temperatures. If you must leave your pet in the … Continue reading →

Save On Pet Supplies From PetCo

It’s time to stock up on all the supplies that your pets need. You can save 15% off the price of nearly everything that appears on the PetCo website right now, through Saturday, January 8, 2011. They also have a deal on free shipping, and a contest where you could win a free aquarium. PetCo is doing a “New Year, Big Savings!” sale right now. All the pet supplies that you see on their website are 15% off, until January 8, 2011. This includes crates & kennels, beds for dogs and beds for cats, cat furniture, doggy doors, fish tanks, … Continue reading →

New Pet Products for 2011

Before Christmas pet website Zootoo published a list of new holiday pet products. None of the items are explicitly Christmas-themed, however, so I thought I’d share them now; maybe you might even be able to find some of these at post-holiday discount prices. The Walking My Dog Kid-Sized Leash is the latest product meant to make those dog walks easier. My little 20-pound shepherd/beagle mix gives the leash such a hefty pull that I use a Gentle Leader with her on walks, so I can imagine how difficult it might be for children to hold a lead for many dogs. … Continue reading →

Air Fresheners, Allergies, and ADHD

Air fresheners are used in many schools as a means of improving the smell that tends to appear in classrooms that are overcrowded. However, many air fresheners contain chemicals that can irritate the sinuses of children and adults. Could it be possible that an allergic reaction is being misread as ADHD? A study that was presented at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) this year noted that scented candles and air fresheners can trigger allergy symptoms, can aggravate existing allergies, and can worsen asthma attacks. These same air fresheners are frequently used … Continue reading →

A Kitty on a Leash

Every time the rest of the household, human and canine, is outside, Cole gets jealous and lonely. He sits in a window or by a door and cries nonstop until we all come back inside. Cole’s always been a vocal cat, but this feels like a bit much, even for him. The answer is obvious: let Cole outside. Try as I might, I can’t feel completely comfortable with that. I’m a worrier in all aspects of my life, so I know I’m being overly anxious about letting Cole be an outside cat. We live in the perfect area for it, … Continue reading →