CitizenSugar -- Breaking News, Together.

Win a Sleep Number Pet Bed!

LibertySugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:45:41 -0800

Win a Sleep Number Pet Bed! Select Comfort has launched a Sleep Number® Pet Bed just in time for the holidays and we're giving one to one lucky PetSugar reader's furry friend! The bed aims for the "ultimate sleeping experience" for mid-size pets by providing them with a fancy resting place that can be personalized to their desired comfort and firmness level at the touch of a button.

Fact or Fiction: Can You Catch a Cold From Your Pet?

FitSugar — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0800

I think pets can definitely improve your health, but can you catch a cold from Fido or Fluffy? Take this quiz to see if you can separate fact from fiction and if your cat or dog can give you a cold.

Source

5 Ways Pets Improve Your Health

FitSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:00:00 -0800

When I come home from a long day of blogging, my dear dog Bonnie greets me at the door with blind adoration. All that love is such an ego boost. Pets are good for more than your self-esteem. Besides being great buddies, according to WebMD pets can also improve your health in these five ways:

Prevent allergies: Many new studies show that children who grow up in a household with furry animals or on a farm, have less risk for allergies, and asthma and a stronger immune system.
Friend magnets: Pets are natural conversation starters so your pet can help you meet people if you have social anxiety or chronic shyness.
Benefit the aged: For the elderly, caring for a pet can offer exercise and companionship. Studies have also shown that for Alzheimer's patients, those who have a pet have fewer anxious outbursts.
Good for the mind and soul: Those who have pets are less likely to suffer from depression, are better equipped to handle stressful situations, and they also have lower blood pressure.
Good for your heart: Pet owners who suffer from a heart attack will live longer than those who are petless. Studies have also shown that men who own pets have lower cholesterol.

Source

Barney's Barking, Biting Mad as His First Dog Term Ends Soon

CitizenSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:30:33 -0800

Barney's Barking, Biting Mad as His First Dog Term Ends Soon Don't get jealous lil guy! Seems like Barney (one of the two Scotties belonging to George W. Bush) may sense that another pup – one that we haven't even seen yet! – is already at the top of everyone's list.

Bare Bones: Reflective Gear

PetSugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:00:51 -0800

Now that it's nearly dark by the time I get home from work, it's time to start thinking about reflective gear for my four legged pal. Not only are there some pretty stylish and highly reflective rain jackets that pets can throw on before leaving the house for the evening potty walk, but if your pooch isn't the coat wearing type, you can always attach a safety light to his harness or collar to make sure he's seen even on the rainiest or darkest of nights.

Take for example this Buddy Beacon ($13) from Ruffwear. Waterproof and reliable (the bulb has a lifetime guarantee to never need replacing), this flashing safety light will ensure that you and your pup are seen from up to a half a mile away.

Plus, Ruffwear is committed to making sure their manufacturing and packaging is as environmentally friendly as possible. Check out some of my other picks for reflective gear below!

Do Tell: What's Your Favorite Pet-Friendly Hotel?

PetSugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 03:00:21 -0700

When LilPeaPod came back from her adventure with Samson at the Worldwide Fido Awards, she told us all about the great staff at the Le Merigot – where she stayed while filming the show. I know some hotels have a "Pet-Friendly" policy, but aren't too friendly when you check in. Thankfully, that wasn't the case when she arrived:

I was very impressed with the staff of the Le Merigot Hotel in Santa Monica, who went out of their way to make us feel comfortable, and treated Samson like a king – it was definitely all about him while we were there. Our hostess at the hotel café even brought Samson some ice to chew on to cool him down in the heat! Needless to say, if we ever need a place to stay in Santa Monica, we'll be heading back to the Le Merigot.

I've stayed at a few W hotels (and North loved the doormen at the one in our old NYC neighborhood), where do you like to stay when traveling with your pet?

Love It or Hate It? Pets in Shelter Photos

casasugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:00:08 -0700

I've been inspired by a lot of the Apartment Therapy Fall Colors 2008 Contest entries, and it seems like my favorites involve homes with pets in the photos. Of course, this is a reflection of my pet love in general. However, I really do believe that a cute pup or kitty in a photo makes an appealing home look 10 times better. Are you with me, or do animals in shelter shots leave you cold? Source

Love It or Hate It? Pets in Shelter Photos

Love it

Hate it

Undecided

Should Children Under 5 Have Hamsters as Pets?

lilsugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:00:34 -0700

Just about everyone has heard a hamster horror story, from the critter that fled its cage and burrowed into the furnace, to the pet who leaped from his owner's lap and found his fate in a collapsing La-Z-Boy. But now, experts are attributing another reason for why children under 5 should not keep the rodents (as well as others like hedgehogs, baby chicks, lizards and turtles) as pets — the kid's health. One report said: About 11 percent of salmonella illnesses in children are thought to stem from contact with lizards, turtles and other reptiles, Pickering said. Hamsters also can carry this germ, which can cause severe diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.

What's your opinion?

Should Children Under 5 Have Hamsters as Pets?

Yes — Hamsters have long been good pets for lil ones.

No — I wouldn't take the chance with my tot.

Other — I'll tell you below.

Israeli City Using DNA to Stop Doggie-Dropping Disasters

LibertySugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0700

In an effort to clean up the neighborhood, the city government of Petah Tikva, Israel has created a dog-DNA database. In exchange for registering their pooches' DNA with the city vet, residents will be eligible for pet-food coupons and dog toys if they place doggie doo-doo in marked bins. But — if a pooch's poop is found on the street, the registered owner will get a ticket.

Officials say not only will this reduce the number of "land mines" around the city, but it could allow vets to research genetic disease in dogs and help the pound ID strays. Should city governments go further and require pet owners to register doggie DNA, or would this be legislating good manners?

Source

Hurricane Gustav Evacuees Included Pets This Time, Too

PetSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:30:14 -0700

One of the most devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina three years ago was the fact that pets were not allowed on evacuation buses or boats – so thousands of people were forced to leave their furry loved ones behind if they had no other way out of the hurricane's path. Thankfully, we have since then not only learned how to better prepare ourselves for a natural disaster, but lawmakers have come to realize that pets are part of your family, too.

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In May of 2006, the Pet Evacuation Bill was approved by the House of Representatives in response to the unfortunate treatment of animals during Katrina's evacuation. The bill says that states must take pets into consideration when drawing up evacuation plans, or they will not get federal grant help from FEMA. This is all good news for pet owners, and it looks like the evacuation for Gustav went smoother not only for humans, but for their pets as well!