I Tried The Weirdest Pet Products On The Internet
Sadie Dingfelder, The Washington Post

From the Licki Brush to Bacon Bubbles, The Washington Post's Sadie Dingfelder has tried some the oddest pet products for sale on the Internet. She's here to tell us not only her opinions, but what the animals thought of these products as well.

The pet industry is huge, with close to $63 billion being spent on pet products, food, etc., so it's no wonder that everyone is trying to get a piece of the pie, leaving the Internet full of interesting pet products. And because America's pets are practically begging for more innovative playthings, Sadie searched the Internet for interesting pet products and then tried them out with actual cats and dogs.

Here's what she found:

Licki Brush
The Licki Bush is not yet available, so Sadie tried out a prototype. A Licki Brush is a tongue-shaped contraption you hold with your teeth. It has knobs on it, which allows you to lick your cat without getting hairballs. She said it tasted a little funny and was worried if she should put it in her mouth. When she called the company, she was assured that it was fine. Sadie's cat was not into the Licki Brush and started avoiding her.

Cat Exercise Wheel
In Sadie's living room right now, much to her boyfriend's chagrin, is a huge 5-foot-tall cat wheel, which likes like a big hamster wheel, but for cats. Sadie has tried to walk her cats, but there weren't into it. So, she was excited to get her cats on this product to get some much needed exercise that they normally don't get in her little apartment. It took almost a week of clicker training to get her cats on the wheel, but unfortunately her cats were too light to move the wheel and make it rotate.

The Turd Burglar
The product with the funniest name that Sadie tried as The Turd Burglar. The Turd Burglar is an attachment for a hockey stick. It's a little confusing, because it is to pick up your dog's poop, but then what do you do with it? Sadie said she grew up with two Golden Retrievers and had a large back yard. One of her chores was to "chuck" the poop into one corner. She thinks The Turd Burglar is designed more for this purpose and not for people who walks dogs in the city and need to place the poop in a garbage can. The Turd Burglar only seems useful for someone with a yard. Plus, you need to own a hockey stick and who has one of those lying around?

Bacon Bubbles
Sadie felt that this was going to be an immediate hit with the dogs, but she was disappointed. She tried it on a few dogs and none of them seemed to care about them. But then Sadie thought that dogs have an exceptionally good sense of smell and maybe they could tell that it was a fake bacon smell and not the real thing. The smell can trick humans, but didn't seem to trick the dogs. Sadie said her living room still smells faintly like synthetic bacon, but it still makes her hungry for breakfast when she smells it.

Puppy Tweets
The most disappointing product she tried was Puppy Tweets. You are supposed to place this on your dog, and while you are at work missing your pooch, you can check their personal twitter account and it chooses from 500 phrases pre-written by Mattel to tell you your dog's innermost thoughts based on their activity level. But Puppy Tweets did not work, because it required you to download software that is no longer available and was discontinued in 2011. Said then called customer service and asked if they could provide the software to her and they were not able to.

Sadie is a humor columnist with The Washington Post and writes about a variety of topics, which often includes her cats.

http://www.WashingtonPost.com

How My Cat Made Me A Better Man
Jeremy Feig, Author, Cat Enthusiast & Self Help Guru

Jeremy Feig was at rock bottom - broke, alone, and living in a shoe box-sized apartment. At the same time, his cat was perfectly content. What was her secret? She couldn't say it out loud, but it was clear she had all the answers to living a good life. Jeremy will share those answers with Animal Radio listeners.

A lot of guys have no idea what they're doing. They can't hold down a job, struggle with relationships, and have an ever-expanding beer belly where their abs used to be. But have you ever watched your cat to see how happy they were? That's exactly what Jeremy did!

Jeremy found himself single and living in a tiny shoebox of an apartment with his cat, Shelly. He said his closet was bigger than the apartment itself, which made things worse, because he didn't have anything to put in it.

He then looked at his cat, which was in the same situation as he was, and she was happy. This made him think that he should look at her closer, and that if she could be happy then he could be too.

The first thing he realized was that you don't need a lot to be happy and you don't need to be surrounded by material possessions. If you're still alive and have a roof over your head and can by cheap noodles for food, then something is working. You should be thankful for what you've got.

Okay, Shelly just didn't cone out and tell him all of this; he had to read between the "paws." He just watched her to see how she was happy and content she was.

But it wasn't always easy for Shelly. She was a stray for the first year of her life and probably had to scrounge around for food and shelter. Now she is living in this tiny shoebox apartment, but instead of feeling sorry for herself because the place was so small, Jeremy felt Shelly thought that this was a great apartment! So if she could have that attitude, he was going to have the same attitude himself!

Things have changed for Jeremy and he is no longer a single guy living in a small apartment. He is married with a child and says things are better overall.

So what advice would he give someone who felt they didn't have much? Jeremy says it's all about figuring out what makes you happy. Too many times people do things because other people think they should, but they forget to do the things that make them happy.

For example, he bought a little crinkly toy that was shaped like a lobster. He felt that shelly would absolutely love it and go crazy over it! When he gave it to her, she had no interest at all. But, she soon discovered the plastic wrap that the toy came in and started playing with it. That plastic wrap became her favorite toy for the longest time. Shelly taught him that she was going to go for what Jeremy thought would make her happy, she knew to go with what she wanted and what would make her happy - the wrapping!

To sum it up, Jeremy says you can't do what other people think is right for you; you have to do what is right for yourself.

Jeremy's book "How My Cat Made Me a Better Man" covers everything from happiness to fear, grooming and relationships, as well as health and careers. This self-help book is a humorous how-to-guide for guys. It's self-development for men. Even if they don't like cats.

Jeremy Feig is a writer based in Southern California. Originally from New York, Jeremy headed west after college to pursue creative endeavors. He's written and directed numerous comedic short films and cartoons including Lady and the Ostrich (featured at the Indie Spirit Film Festival and VisionFest) and This Dam Life. When he's not writing, Jeremy enjoys taking long walks and competing in midnight scavenger hunts. He enjoys spending time with his wife, young daughter, and large cat.

http://www.JeremyFeig.com

10 Million Reasons The Pet World Is Inspiring To Me
Robert Semrow, Animal Radio Listomania

I am a Pet World Insider. In fact, I have spent the past several years sharing my insider knowledge, observations and learning with the animal world and all that would listen and watch. We recently hit a remarkable milestone for us - 10 Million verified viewers of our Pet World Insider video releases. Producer Derek and I took a minute to reflect on that, as we continued to plan, produce, edit and release more content for the Pet World. This got me thinking about this weeks Animal Radio list - "10 Million Reasons The Pet World Is Inspiring."

Many of you know that my dogs Sugar and Zoey, along with the support and love of my wife and daughters, brought me deep into the pet world. Like so many in the pet world, it was not a goal as much as it was a path brought on by the inspiration of my own pets. I started with a goal to make sure that as many people as wanted, could have heirloom portraits of the pets they loved. This wonderful journey led me to becoming The Pawtographer. I met so many wonderful people and pets along the way that I had to do more and become more involved.

That led me to Pet World Insider. Pet World Insider was born out of my frustration that there were so many wonderful experts, products and services that would benefit pets and the people who love them, if only they knew about them. Thus, Pet World Insider was born. We set out to make sure people could find the information they wanted, need and could trust to help enrich their pets lives and make the pet parents experience better. We have been so blessed to meet so many wonderful people, animals and companies throughout the pet world. It's been a journey that has so far given us much more than we could ever give back.

A few of the more memorable things we've done include filming at wildlife sanctuaries, learning from the pet world's top experts and even just simply cooking recipes for our pets in our own kitchen. The animals have rarely surprised me as I have learned they are amazing and incredible beings, who love, connect with and inspire us. It's been the people and their efforts, their care, their knowledge and their selflessness that have made me realize how truly wonderful the pet world is and how lucky I am to see and share so much of it. Each week here on Animal Radio, we get to share time, thoughts, insights and hopefully a few laughs with all of you. For that I say thank you and I want you to know that you inspire myself and the Pet World Insider team to continue to create pet content that makes a difference for the pet world.

If you haven't seen any of our videos, you can do so on YouTube or on Roku (Pet World Insider Channel) and more to come soon.

Share your pet world inspirations and experiences on our Animal Radio Facebook Page.

http://petworldinsider.com





Pheromones In Puppy Training -Dr. Debbie

So you just got a new puppy and you have all your training tools at the ready, the collar, leash and dog crate. But beyond that, do you have the one thing that can make your training tasks easier all around? Tap into your puppy's own sense of smell using canine pheromones, and ease your new pup's training and transition into the home.

Pheromones are scent signals emitted by all animal species, including humans. Various pheromones work under the radar to influence the perceptions and behaviors of others within a species.

Shortly after whelping, a pheromone is emitted from the bitch's sebaceous (oil) glands located between the mammary glands. The pheromone, dubbed the canine appeasing pheromone, reassures the puppies, calms them and facilitates nursing. The bitch stops emitting this pheromone as the pups mature, but all dogs retain the ability to "read" this pheromone. Not only do older dogs recognize this pheromone, but it continues to have a natural calming effect on canines of all ages.

In veterinary behavior cases, the dog appeasing pheromone is used for dogs with noise phobias, car travel anxiety, separation anxiety, and other fearful situations. Various forms are available including pheromone collars, plug in diffusers and sprays. The canine appeasing pheromone doesn't sedate the dog; rather it decreases fear and excitability.

The dog appeasing pheromone is also helpful for newly adopted puppies. Those first few days to weeks in a new home are full of changes for the pup faced with novel environments far from the comfort of mother and siblings. The dog appeasing pheromone has been shown to ease the transition of the pup into new home and improve sociability and training during a pup's critical socialization period.

Pheromone Research
For skeptics that need to see the proof in the studies, veterinary behavior studies have examined the positive influence of the dog appeasing pheromone. When comparing treatment responses for dogs with separation anxiety, the use of the dog appeasing pheromone equaled the benefit of the anti-anxiety medication, amitriptyline.

One study looked at 66 puppies as they settled into new homes after adoption. Approximately half of the puppies wore a pheromone collar and half wore a placebo. The study found that puppies wearing a pheromone collar displayed significantly fewer nuisance behaviors like vocalizations or scratching within 3 days of adoption. Pups wearing the pheromone collar woke their owner's less during the night and displayed fewer signs of distress and vocalizations throughout the course of the study.

The researchers concluded that pheromone collars helped both the pup and family. Pups were less stressed and adapted easier. By decreasing the pup's stress and fearful behaviors, the pet owners found a more enjoyable bonding experience with the new pup and faced less frustration through the training process.

In another study, puppies 8 to 15 weeks were enrolled in an eight-week long puppy socialization and training class. Half wore a pheromone collar and the other half wore a placebo collar. The pups wearing the collar were calmer in the face of novel experiences and displayed less fear, anxiety, and aggression. In the end, the pups with pheromone collar not only were less nervous, but had fewer behavioral problems and learned better. And a long-term effect on sociability was recognized in dogs up to one year after the class and study was completed.

Pheromones and My Pup
As the new owner of a nine-week old Bouvier puppy named Nikki, I used both the pheromone collar and diffuser upon welcoming my new pup home. One day before bringing Nikki home, I placed a pheromone diffuser close to the puppy crate, where it would have maximum benefit during her first nights in the kennel away from mother and siblings. Immediately upon leaving the breeder's home, Nikki was fitted with a pheromone collar to serve as a source of reassuring pheromones that went everywhere she did. The pheromone collar has become a tool in Nikki's socialization. It's on her when she meets new people or animals, when she explores new environments, and during puppy kindergarten class.

Did pheromones help in my pup's transition and training? The four hour drive home from the breeders was a dream, no crying or whining the entire trip. Now three weeks later from acquiring my pup, and Nikki never soiled in her kennel during the day or night. I'll admit I had my share of interrupted sleep in the first two weeks, but most of Nikki's night time wakes were for genuine elimination needs. Overall her transition into the home was smooth and lacked the wailing, inconsolable cries of a stressed pup.

The canine appeasing pheromone isn't a magic bullet though. Nothing matches a quality pup obtained from a reputable breeder who focuses on health, genetics, and early socialization. Likewise pheromones do not replace the hard work and consistent training efforts that any new pet owner must provide. However, by adding the the canine appeasing pheromone to your new puppy training, you can help your pup become the best he or she possibly can.

For more information on the DAP products, visit CEVA.

Featured veterinarian known as "Dr. Debbie" on national pet radio program, Animal Radio. Ebook author of "Yorkshire Terriers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; "Pugs: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; "Mini Schnauzers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; and "Shih Tzu: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend."

http://www.drdebbie.net





Why Would You Want To Genetically Preserve Your Pet?
Melain Rodriguez, ViaGen Pets

Melain Rodriguez from Viagen Pets says there are lots of reasons you should think about Genetic Preservation. Collecting a sample of your pet's DNA could be helpful if there are medical advances that could potentially help your furry-friend. Of course, you could also use the DNA to clone your pet too.

If you are considering cloning your pet, the first step is genetic preservation. Genetic preservation is a safe and simple way for pet parents to preserve genetic material from their pet that is used for cloning, either right away, or at any point down the road.

To preserve your pet's genes, a veterinarian draws the DNA under a local or general anesthesia. It is basically a small skin biopsy. A good time to have this done is while undergoing other routine procedures, which are already done under anesthesia, like a dental cleaning or even a spay or neuter

Why would you want to do genetic preservation and cloning? Some pet parents consider this a way to honor and give eternal respect to the special bond they shared with their pet. Some clients even get a sense a piece knowing that they have a tangible connection to a special pet that they can't imagine living without. While some even choose genetic preservation now, with the intention of cloning later.

Genetic preservation can also eventually be used for current or future cell-based therapy. This preservation normally costs around $1,600. However, they currently have a special offer for listeners who call in and mention that they heard about ViaGen Pets on Animal Radio.

To learn more, visit ViaGenPets.com or call 888-876-6104.





Lucy Pet Foundation

The Mission of The Lucy Pet Foundation is to reduce pet overpopulation by having mobile spay/neuter clinics across the country and to support causes that benefit animal welfare. The Lucy Pet Foundation currently has two buses that travel around Southern California focusing on spaying and neutering. These buses are state of the art surgery units. Their next focus is in generating more funds to expand the work of these buses and have more across the country.

The Lucy Pet Foundation not only offers free and reduced spays and neuters, they also do microchipping, vaccines and de-wormings. Spaying and neutering is not only great for pet population control, but it has been proven that an animal will live on an average of 40-percent longer after having this surgery.

Upcoming Clinics

Free Spay & Neuter for Los Angeles City Residents! Here is a list of upcoming free or reduced fee mobile spay and neuter clinics in California:

Call for more information, questions and to reserve space to get on the list: (855) 499-5829

August 2, 16: East Valley Shelter, 14409 Vanowen St., Van Nuys, CA Spay/Neuter APPOINTMENT ONLY; Vaccine Clinic 10:00am-2:00pm

August 3, 10: West Valley Shelter, 20655 Plummer Street, Chatsworth, CA Spay/Neuter APPOINTMENT ONLY; Vaccine Clinic 10:00am-2:00pm

August 6: Vallarta Supermarket, 10175 N. San Fernando Rd., Pacoima, CA Spay/Neuter APPOINTMENT ONLY; Vaccine Clinic 10:00am-2:00pm

August 7: Superior Store, 9801 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima, CA Spay/Neuter APPOINTMENT ONLY; Vaccine Clinic 10:00am-2:00pm

August 9, 27: Superior Store, 10211 Avalon Blvd., Los Angeles, CA Spay/Neuter APPOINTMENT ONLY; Vaccine Clinic 10:00am-2:00pm

August 12: Vallarta Supermarket, 13820 Foothill Blvd., Sylmar, CA Spay/Neuter APPOINTMENT ONLY; Vaccine Clinic 10:00am-2:00pm

August 18, 31: Food 4 Less, 1748 West Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA Spay/Neuter APPOINTMENT ONLY; Vaccine Clinic 10:00am-2:00pm

August 20, 25: Superior Store, 3480 S. La Brea, Los Angeles, CA Spay/Neuter APPOINTMENT ONLY; Vaccine Clinic 10:00am-2:00pm

August 21: Superior Store, 133 West Avenue 45, Los Angeles, CA Spay/Neuter APPOINTMENT ONLY; Vaccine Clinic 10:00am-2:00pm

August 24: Food 4 Less, 5100 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA Spay/Neuter APPOINTMENT ONLY; Vaccine Clinic 10:00am-2:00pm

August 28: ANGEL HANZ FOR THE HOMELESS, North Hollywood Park, 11455 Magnolia Blvd., Spay/Neuter APPOINTMENT ONLY

County and City Vouchers accepted. But remember, you must get on a list to have your pet seen at these locations. Please call The Lucy Pet Foundation toll free at 1-855-499-5829 or Email: Info@lucypetfoundation.org to schedule an appointment, or register at the events.

See the current list of clinics at http://www.lucypetfoundation.org.

http://www.lucypetproducts.com

Tails Inc. Pet National Events for August 2016
Janice Gork, Tails Pet Media Group, Inc.

Passionate about rescue and adoption, Tails Pet Media Group, Inc. was founded in 2000 by Janice Brown. What started as a magazine, is now a mission! Tailsinc.com is an interactive website and online community committed to connecting the animal welfare community with the general pet-loving population. Tails Inc. features expert knowledge, advice, pet product reviews, local resource guides, community event news and monthly contests, in order to promote and encourage people to live responsibly with their pets.

Here is a list of upcoming May Events around the Country:

WHAT: 2nd Annual Friends & Alumni Canine Cruise & Lunch - Experience Chicago's skyscrapers, historic buildings and modern marvels. You and your pup can Relax and unwind on a scenic Chicago River boat tour and Lake Michigan cruise. You'll enjoy lively narration and stories of Chicago's rich history as you take in the Willis Tower, Aon Center, John Hancock Building, Museum Campus, Marina City and more
WHO: Perfect Pooches Adoption Agency
WHEN: Sat, Aug 6, 10am-12:30pm
WHERE: Meet at Mercury Skyline Box Office, southwest corner of Michigan Ave Bridge (112 E Wacker Dr if using GPS), Chicago
COST: $34/adults; $13/child 3-12; free/children under three and dogs
INFO: Info@PerfectPooches.org

WHAT: Woofstock DC - dog-friendly event in Washington D.C., with live music, craft beer, food trucks and lots and lots of puppies
WHO: Barkly
WHEN: Sat, Aug 6, 3pm-7pm
WHERE: The DC Pavilion (Gallaudet Pavilion), Washington D.C.
COST: FREE!
INFO: 202-780-9932 or support@barkly.us

WHAT: Canadian Sheepdog Championships - see with your own eyes the magical teamwork between dog and handler as they welcome North America's top sheepdog handlers to a premiere dog event. With side attractions including demonstrations, crafts and vendors,
WHO: Canadian Border Collie Association
WHEN: Weds, Aug 10, 2016 to Sunday, Aug 14; 9am-5pm
WHERE: Shepherd's Crook Farm on Lorneville Road near Woodville, Ontario
COST: FREE!
INFO: tcast4dogs@gmail.com

WHAT: Dog Days of Summer Charity Dog Wash - walk through our vendor marketplace and watch our exciting K9 demo or learn more about raising a puppy to be a guide dog
WHO: Vested Interest in K9s
WHEN: Sunday, August 14; 10am-2pm
WHERE: CareOne at Essex Park, 265 Essex Street, Beverly, MA
COST: $5/dog for a wash, shampoo, towel dry, and a complementary bandana
INFO: 978-816-0557 or email SScharf@care-one.com

WHAT: National Mill Dog Rescue's Dog Jog - a family and dog-friendly 5K/1K walk/run - vendors, prizes, dogs, contests, event t-shirts for participants
WHO: National Mill Dog Rescue
WHEN: August 20; 8:30am-11:30am
WHERE: Cottonwood Creek Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado
COST: varies
INFO: 719-445-6787 or email customerservice@nmdr.org
BONUS: If you can't attend in person, register as a Drowsy Dog….stay at home and receive an NMDR Visor.
Mission: To rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home discarded breeding dogs who have spent their lives living in puppy mills, and to educate the general public about the cruel realities of the commercial dog breeding industry.

Want to list your event for free? Click here. Please note that non-profit events (fundraisers, adoption events, etc.) will be listed for free and for-profit events will incur a fee. Please email the advertising team if you wish to advertise your for-profit event in their directory.

Tails has local focus, but national reach - with magazines in 10 different cities across the United States, and 150,000 issues printed per month, 12 times a year, and an ever-increasing audience of over 1 million people. Pet lovers can pick up their free magazine at pet-related businesses and vet offices, grocery stores, health clubs, bookstores, coffee shops, restaurants, libraries, park districts, and other "mainstream" locations. Currently they are in over 10,000 individual locations.

To find out where you can get a copy of your own, email locations@TailsInc.com.

http://www.tailsinc.com

Animal Radio News - Lori Brooks

A "Foster" Revolution
The founder of Petfinder.com has announced the launch of her newest mission-driven website, 911FosterPets.com. PetFinder is credited with finding over 25 million homes for adoptable pets according to its founder, Betsy Saul, who states to this day she is still haunted by some of the special souls she met along the way that just needed extra time to find homes and that her new website will be dedicated to finding short-term foster families for those urgent animals. The mission of 911FosterPets.com is to create a foster revolution to give shelter pets the extra time they need so they can live. The site is easy to use. Animal shelters post pets that are urgent, which implies they will be destroyed in 48 hours or less, but in some cities it's only 18 hours. Potential foster families can search the urgent pets in their community with various search criteria, including length of time they can foster. Once a foster family sees a pet they would like to help, they simply click the foster button to connect with the shelter where the pet is. You can sign up at 911FosterPets.com and they'll even notify you when new urgent pets in your community are posted.

Soap Removes Stuck Cat
You have probably heard the helpful hint that using soap will help remove a ring that is stuck on your finger. Well, there must have been a few firefighters in Massachusetts who knew that trick too because they used to dish soap to help rescue a cat that had become stuck in a storm drain. The one-year-old cat was dangling below the grate, with its head stuck in one of the holes. When they arrived, the cat was barely breathing but quick thinking firefighters removed the grate and placed it in a way that allowed the cat to breathe. Next they used the soap to work on getting its head loose and within a few minutes, the cat was free.

Third Largest Pet Specialty Retailer in North America
The chain stores Pet Valu and Pet Supermarket have merged, creating the third largest pet specialty retailer in North America. The new company is called Pet Retail Brands and has more than 930 stores across the U.S. and Canada. The top two pet retailers are PetSmart and Petco.

Long Road For Pet Vehicle Safety
Cars are developed for people; pets are not even thought of when it comes to vehicle safety even though the Center for Pet Safety says that dogs are the #! Traveling companion. Now, a small group of engineers and workers at an auto supply company in Michigan want to engineer seats and devices to protect pets and their human owners better. They've been studying various sizes and breeds of dogs and how dogs travel in cars using dogs whose owners work there, and surveyed them. They've had researchers observe and record video of how these dogs got in and out of vehicles and what they did while their owners were driving. The process of making cars safer for a pet is underway and they've already begun sketching what a safer car might look like. Of course, the look of a car is important in the auto industry too. But, in many ways this is the next step in vehicle safety, plus it's a largely unstudied area with no government or industry standards. So, while the group at Johnson Controls has started their work, it won't be until next year that they hope to develop some standards for pet travel safety. They estimate it will take at least a decade before actual safety devices and their applications for pets can be used universally. In fact, they liken their journey to that of the development of auto safety for children which came out of a demand for more child passenger protection way back in the 60's when they discovered children riding on their parent's lap in the front seat offered the child no protection in an accident, yet it was done all the time. This could be a very long road.

England's Rat-Catching Cat is Keeping His Job
Larry, the very cool cat that has been employed by England's government for its rat-catching skills will keep his job despite the departure of former Prime Minister David Cameron. Larry has served as "Chief Mouser" at England's Downing Street residence of the British Prime Minister for years because of his "strong predatory drive." He was brought in to Downing Street from a shelter five years ago after a large black rat was seen near Cabinet members offices on a live television broadcast. Apparently, everyone thought the previous chief mouser, Humphrey, who was retired in 1997, eradicated the rat problem nearly 20 years ago. Nope. Now that is Larry's job and he is there on Downing Street to save the day and probably calm the fears of many employees who work there. Of course, everyone is also hoping that new Prime Minister Theresa May is a cat lover like the Cameron family was.

Human Food Trends Show Up in Your Dog's Dinner Bowl
I bet your diet has changed a lot with the healthier food revolution and chances are your pet's food has gotten a lot healthier too. Foods like kale, avocados and quinoa are showing up in pet food bowls, too. Experts say anything that has gone on in human trends has shown up and been tried for pets. The reason behind it is the "pet humanization" trend, which translates into pet owners wanting the same quality and safety standards for pet food as their own food. In fact, healthier "premium" dog food makes up nearly half of all the dog food sold. Following in the footsteps of the popular premium brand, Honest Kitchen, many brands are now touting dog food that is made from "human grade" ingredients. In fact, the Honest Kitchen box of dehydrated real food says you can eat the food, but they stress it's not made for humans - it's made to keep dogs healthy. Did you know that supermarkets sell a fourth of all pet food? Then pet specialty retailers, drugstores, and warehouse clubs account for the other 75-percent. U.S. pet food sales totaled $23 billion last year, making up more than a third of the $60 plus billion dollars that Americans spent on their pets in 2015. Ever wonder how we decide which pet food to buy? 45-percent of consumers say it's if their pet likes the taste. Next we consider price, then the all important, is it made in the US?

Velcro Dog Food Bags
The company that makes Velcro has sort of entered the pet food arena by working with Zuke's natural food brand to integrate the PRESS-LOK closure into packaging for Zuke's Ascent Natural Dog Food line. You know how hard it is to line up those tracks on zip close bags! This new Velcro Press Lok is said to be easy-to-use because you can hear and feel that the bag is tightly and securely closed without the need for tedious and precise line-up that can take so long

New Dog Anti-Venom Treatment May Also Be Used Treat Humans
Australian scientists have developed a new anti-venom treatment, which they say will help save thousands of pets from deadly snakebites since Australia is home to 10 of the most venomous snakes in the world. As it is now, many Australian pets who suffer snake bites can't be saved with existing treatments, which can be very expensive and often times ineffective, and that's only if doctors can locate and get it. Once the final testing of the new anti venom product has been completed it will then need the government's approval for sale, but everyone is hopeful because the new anti-venom could also be used for treating humans with snakebites, and against the toxins of paralyzing ticks.

Listen to the entire Podcast of this show (#869)