Nikolina Antonacopoulos, a psychology graduate student at Carleton University in Ottawa, in Canada, conducted a study in March to discover the psychological health benefits of owning a pet for individuals who live alone.

Antonacopoulos said there were two sides to the study results.

If people lived alone and had high human social support, dog owners were less lonely. But if people had low levels of social interaction, dog owners did not experience positive psychological benefits. In fact, if their attachment to the pet was high, loneliness and depression levels were increased.

Tim Pychyl, associate professor of psychology at Carleton University, supervised Antonacopoulos’ research and said he has 11 dogs, but research has shown pets cannot fill a void of human interaction.

Although the study showed people living alone without much social interaction did not receive significant health benefits, Pychyl said if high levels of human support, such as the typical college student’s experience, are present, the pet companionship does add to lowering negative moods and depression.

“The rich get richer,” he said. “If you have high levels of human support, then the dog will provide added support.”

Marissa Keep, a music performance junior, said having her cat Eli allows her to place her focus healthily beyond herself.

“Because there’s a living creature you’re responsible for, it helps get your mind off of your problems,” Keep said.

In previous semesters, Lansing’s Capital Area Humane Society, or CAHS, has partnered with MSU’s Department of Residence Life to provide puppies and kittens to rent for a short amount of time during finals week.

Eric Langdon, director of development at CAHS, said he has read similar research about the role of animals in healthy lifestyles.

“It was a fun and unique way to benefit students and use it as a fundraiser as well,” he said.

In general, Langdon said he believes people are looking for a form of companionship and living in the dorms is not conducive to owning a pet.

“That bond is missing for many students, and this program allows for that,” he said. “Finals couldn’t be a better time to do it when everyone is stressed and needs an outlet.”

Halfhill said owning a pet makes him a more rounded individual.

“I understand why you can’t have pets in the dorms and some apartments, but I think the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks,” he said.

Beyond psychological benefits, Pychyl said other research also has shown reductions in stress levels when people are petting dogs.

“Associating with animals can be very calming,” he said. “As much as I said it can’t replace human relationships, it is still a real relationship.”

1: Parasite killers on the move. Between the new topical flea killers for cats and the new six-month tick collar for dogs, parasite control is getting more manageable.

2: Lasers! It’s a fad, perhaps, but therapeutic laser devices are everywhere. Looks like I’ll be doing a post on this sometime soon.

3: Pet food takes to the long tail. From new products that address portion control and obesity to the myriad novel protein diets and smaller pet kibble sizes, the take is the same: Tackle the niche issues and you shall succeed. And I cannot say they’re going about it wrongly.

4: Digital devices are disappearing! Well, not exactly, but they are selling like hotcakes, and they’re getting smaller and more portable with each passing conference.

5: Stem cell stuff everywhere! Yes, everywhere. You couldn’t walk halfway down an aisle in the exhibition hall without being reminded that stem cell injection is a big deal in vet med.

To read her full post visit the following link:

http://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvetted/2011/feb/new_stuff_from_vegas

Winter is hard on everyone’s skin. Your pet is no different, except that your pet’s skin is completely exposed. Bitter cold can cause chapping and cracking of paw pads, especially if your pet is outdoors much of the time. Rock salt and chemical de-icers are very irritating to pads as well. Exposure to salt and de-icers, which are commonly used on sidewalks or paths that your pet may frequently walk on, will cause sore pads, infection, or blistering. Not only are the chemicals harmful to paws, but they can be toxic when ingested, causing diarrhea and vomiting.

To combat the effects of salt and chemicals, wash the paws with warm water after outdoor play time or walks. You can either use a washcloth, or dip the entire paw into a bowl of warm water. This will wash away any residue so that your pet cannot lick the salt off later and become sick. Pay attention to the space between the toes as well, because small grains of salt can become trapped in there, causing irritation. Once clean, apply Vaseline (other paw care products will work, but Vaseline is quite inexpensive and readily available) to the foot pads. This will help to prevent chapping, cracking, and soreness. Make sure to apply the Vaseline again before any outdoor time or walks.

As a rule, brush or remove any snow or ice that builds up on your pet. Trim any long hair from the legs that touches the ground. Also, trim any hair from between the dog’s toes; ice loves to collect on this hair. Trim the hair so that it does not hang below the foot pad. Be sure to keep the nails trimmed, because long nails actually cause the toes to separate, allowing ice and salt to become trapped between them. Ouch!

If your pet really seems to hate the snow and cold, or if you would like an easier way to protect their paws, consider booties. Though it may take a while for your pet to adjust to wearing the booties, they provide a protective barrier at all times. Neoprene boots seem to be the most effective, as they are quite sturdy, and even offer some support for the dog’s legs.

Taking preventive paw care measures in the winter months can save your pet a lot of pain and trouble. Be aware of the dangers that snow removal products and cold weather may present to your pet, and protect him.

from www.professorshouse.com

• Treats: Try not to give your pet extra treats at the holidays. Too much of a good thing can irritate the digestive system, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, or both.  While most  cases of simple gastroenteritis are self-limiting, it can be messy.  Your veterinarian can prescribe medications to shorten the duration and severity of symptoms.

• Fatty foods: These can trigger inflammation in the pancreas causing abdominal pain, digestive upset, anorexia, and lethargy.  Some cases may require hospitalization and intensive care.

• People foods: It’s always tempting to “share” your food with you pet. If you can help it, try not to do it. Some foods that are especially dangerous for pets include:
  • Grapes/raisins: Just a few can result in kidney failure in some animals.
  • Onions/garlic: These cause gastrointestinal problems or even damage to the red blood cells.  Cats are more susceptible to toxicity.
  • Chocolate: Methylxanthines contained in chocolate can cause gastrointestinal disturbances, heart arrhythmias, and even death.
  • Macadamia nuts: Ingestion can cause depression, vomiting, and tremors.
  • Xylitol: This artificial sweetener causes the release of insulin, resulting in low blood sugar and liver failure.

• String and Ribbons: Tinsel, ribbons and string are tempting toys, especially for cats.  However, these can easily become lodged in the digestive tract and block the normal passage of food or cause damage to the intestines.  So, be careful.

• Bones: Bones can easily splinter and get stuck around the jaw or lodged within the mouth or intestines, requiring surgery.  Small sharp bones may cause perforations on the way out.

• Plants: They’re pretty and brighten a room, but did you know that many holiday plants can cause digestive upset, and some are downright toxic?  Mistletoe and lilies can be deadly.  Poinsettias may cause oral and gastrointestinal irritation.

Please take extra care during the holidays to ensure the safety of your pet. Make sure your pet has a collar on at all times and that, if possible, it’s micro-chipped as well. With people coming and going during the holidays, it’s easy to accidentally let your pet out without meaning to. Also, keep your veterinarian’s number close at hand just in case you need it.

From Aftercare for Pets to you, all the best wishes this holiday season!

At Aftercare for Pets we offer state-of-the-art goods and services that allow for each individual or family to choose what is right for them.  Whether you choose cremation or burial, and whether you wish to have a memorial at the crematory facility or in your home, we want you to feel like you gave your pet your loving care not just in life, but in death as well.

Thank you for learning about Aftercare for Pets.  I wish you and your furry companion health and happiness this holiday season.  I hope it’s a while before you need my services. But, rest assured that if and when you do, I will be here ready to help you through your loss.