According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 44 percent of dogs and 57 percent of cats in the United States are either overweight or obese. As a result, pets are in real danger of developing serious and costly diseases, such as diabetes, arthritis and other avoidable conditions. To help shed some pet pounds and make that bag of dog food last longer, cut down on the amount of food you put in your pet’s bowl. First, record his pre-diet weight. Over a two-week period, reduce the amount you normally feed him by one-fourth.

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Need a break? Check out these hilarious Web sites for a quick, free mood boost.

Icanhascheezburger.com: Funny pictures of cats accompanied by silly captions (there’s also a dog version at ihasahotdog.com)

Cutethingsfallingasleep.org: The name says it all—adorable videos of snoozing penguins, sheep, cats, dogs and squirrels

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Do you love when your cat or dog curls up with you on the couch, but hate the hair she leaves behind? Here’s a simple, low-cost solution: Watch for home sales at department stores, and buy a few inexpensive placemats that match your furniture and décor. Place the mats on your cat or dog’s favorite place to sit (my cat’s most-loved spot: the couch arms). Pet hair and dirt will end up on the placemat, not your couch. (Just throw the mat in the washer when it gets grimy.)

Source: Charlotte Reed, pet expert and author of The Miss Fido Manners Complete Book of Dog Etiquette

Posted by Emily Hendricks Turnier, Associate Editor

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Do you feed your cat Premium Edge Finicky Adult food or Premium Edge Hairball food from Diamond Pet Foods? If so, return the package to the place of purchase—according to the ASPCA, these foods are being recalled because they lack thiamine, a vitamin that cats can’t make on their own and must get from food.

So far, there have been 14 confirmed cases of thiamine deficiency. If your pet has eaten this food, schedule an appointment with your vet—thiamine deficiency can cause neurological problems such as loss of balance and even deadly seizures, says the ASPCA. (Other signs of the deficiency include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, mental dullness, dilated pupils, increased respiratory rate and low body temperature.) If given anti-seizure medication and thiamine supplementation promptly, your cat should recover.

Posted by Emily Hendricks Turnier, Associate Editor

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10 little known pet health hazards

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24 days until Halloween!

Make sure the holiday is fun—not frightening—for your cat or dog with these tips from the ASPCA:

Potential danger #1: Treats:
-Ingesting chocolate is dangerous for dogs and cats—it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and increased heart rate.
-The artificial sweetener xylitol (commonly found in sugar-free candy) can cause a drop in blood sugar in dogs, leading to depression, lack of coordination, seizures or even liver failure.
-Throw away all candy wrappers: ingesting foil or cellophane packaging can cause choking or intestinal blockage in pets.
-If you think your pet has eaten something dangerous, call your vet immediately.

Potential danger #2: Jack-o-lanterns:
Watch pets closely if you put a candle in your carved pumpkin. Pets can easily knock the jack-o-lantern over and accidentally start a fire, or become curious and get burned by flames.

Potential danger #3: Trick-or-treaters:
The doorbell rings every few minutes and groups of giggling kids are at your door—all of the commotion is enough to stress out even the mellowest pet. Keep your cat or dog in a room (stocked with food, water, toys and a litter box, if you have a cat) away from the front door on Halloween night.

Potential danger #4: Pet costumes:
We love to see doggies dressed up, but be sure your pet doesn’t mind masquerading as a caveman, pirate or pumpkin. Otherwise, your pet could become super stressed. If you do play dress up, make sure that the costume fits properly and doesn’t restrict your pet’s ability to move or breathe. Also be sure there are no strings or pieces on the costume that could come off and become a choking hazard.

Posted by Emily Hendricks Turnier, Associate Editor

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Haunt your house for Halloween

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Throw a ghoulishly glamorous Halloween party

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You know that children shouldn’t be left in a car alone, but did you know that this can be deadly for pets, too? If your dog or cat is your constant companion, consider using Emma’s Inspirations car window decals for pets. The decals, which say “Closed Cars Don’t Breathe, Check Your Seats Before You Leave,” are a visual reminder when you get out of the car. (The company started with stickers that remind parents to take their children out of the car; the inventors accidentally left their baby in a vehicle for almost 45 minutes. Fortunately their daughter, Emma, survived.) A package of six decals costs $10 (this price includes shipping; order at emmasinspirations.com) and could save you a lot of grief, heartache and money at the veterinarian.

Posted by Emily Hendricks Turnier, Associate Editor

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Meet 10 adorable dogs

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Thinking of adopting an animal? Visit theshelterpetproject.org, which features pet care information and a Pet Personals section, where you’ll answer questions like “Have you ever had a furry one in the family?” or “On a scale of 1-10, how patient are you?” The site then displays nearby cats or dogs that match your personality and lifestyle. You can also send friends and family a virtual pet via an Adopt-A-Gram. The e-message will also show the recipient shelter pets available in their area.

Posted by Emily Hendricks Turnier, Associate Editor

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Ask a vet about your cat

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Steal tricks from a dog trainer

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Pets offer many rewards, but the furry creatures take their toll on the furniture. Sure Fit has come up with a new solution to protect your sofa from pet hair and other messes. These large throws are attractive, machine washable, and affordable —less than $50! That’s a small price to pay to protect the investment you made in your couch. Now you don’t need to worry when your best friend jumps up and sits beside you to enjoy your favorite TV show.

Posted by Dwyer Paulsen, Associate Style Editor

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Find a cute halloween costume for your pet

What’s the best pet care advice you’ve ever received?

Surprising ways to save on pet care

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Summer is coming to an end, but in most parts of the country it’s still warm out. This means that you and your kids are probably continuing to enjoy the great outdoors. While you’re savoring the last bits of the season, it’s important to keep dog bite prevention in mind—4.5 million Americans suffer dog bites each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you’re a dog owner, remember that even friendly, easygoing pups may attack if provoked, says the ASPCA. The following tips from these two organizations should reduce the risk that your dog will bite:

-Spay or neuter your dog. This helps prevent aggression.

-Socialize your dog by exposing it to new and different people, places and things. This will help it be less frightened in unfamiliar or potentially upsetting situations. Fearful dogs are more likely to bite.

-Don’t play aggressively (such as wrestling) with your pup.

-Take your dog to obedience classes (start these as early as possible). Training will help your dog learn what you expect of her.

-Don’t keep your dog tied up outside—pups kept outdoors are nearly three times more likely to bite because they become frustrated and may feel defenseless. Your dog will be much happier if it lives in your home as part of the family.

-Get help from your vet or an animal trainer right away if your dog becomes aggressive.

To learn what to do when you encounter an unfamiliar or threatening dog, read the CDC’s Dog Bite fact sheet.

Posted by Associate Editor, Emily Hendricks Turnier

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10 little known pet hazards

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Pick a great family dog

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Do you spend a lot of cash on your dog or cat’s medications?

Go to petmedicationcard.com to sign up for and print your free pet prescription discount card. You’ll get a discount on human medications that vets prescribe for pets, such as anti-anxiety pills, blood thinners and pain relievers. The amount you’ll save varies by the medication and pharmacy, but may be as much as 75 percent off retail prices.

Discounts are available at more than 56,000 pharmacies, such as Walgreens, CVS, Target and Safeway. Just call your local drug store or bring your card in and ask how much you can save with it.

Posted by Emily Hendricks Turnier, Associate Editor

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Do you need pet insurance?

7 surprising ways to save on pet care

What’s the best pet care advice you’ve ever received?

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