Tag: pet

Pets in need of medical treatment may benefit from acupuncture and touch therapy.


And you thought you'd heard everything when it comes to pet pampering. Now we're signing up our furry friends for alternative therapies. "Many people don't want their pets on medications for long periods of time," says Carvel Tiekert of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.

Pets are like kids: they love new stuff and they get bored easily. So, in looking for perfect pet gifts this year, I focused on pet toys that have the potential of holding your pet's attention for more than a few minutes on more than one occasion. High on my list are those toys that don't require the owner to participate in the play, which is what I mean by interactive.

What are pet allergies?

A pet allergy is an immune reaction to animal dander (skin flakes), saliva, urine, or feces. (Animal fur or hair itself isn't much of an allergen, but it can trap pollen, dust, mold, and other allergens.) When a child with pet allergies breathes in dander or comes in contact with saliva or droppings, his immune system goes on alert and releases histamine and over 40 other chemicals to fight off the allergen.

Generally speaking, it's all right to allow your pet near your new baby, as long as the pet is well behaved and you are there to supervise.

It's common for a pet, who has until recently been the focus of the family's attention, to become jealous of a new baby. You should allow your pet to become accustomed to this new member of your household while in your presence. Continue to give your pet plenty of attention, both when your baby is present and when you have time alone with your pet. This will keep the jealous behavior to a minimum.