Pets

Wednesday, July 6, 2011 - North Shore News - A29

North Shore

Pets

Spend any time at all on the trails, beaches and in the neighbourhoods of North and West Vancouver and you will quickly come to realize: this is one pet-friendly community.

We don’t relegate our cats to the barn, canines to the dog run or rabbits to the soup pot; over here we consider them part of the family, and we treat them as such. It’s proving to be a healthy way to think about animals; studies increasingly show that living with a pet is good for you.

Pet owners — especially seniors — are less likely to suffer from loneliness and depression.

Pet owners have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which puts them at a reduced risk for heart disease.

Pet owners report fewer headaches, fewer bouts of indigestion and less difficulty sleeping.

Dog owners in particular exercise a lot though you can certainly get exercise playing with an energetic cat or kitten.

Pets help improve social skills.

For children, owning a pet helps teach them about unconditional love, responsibility and death.

Some studies suggest having a pet in the house can also help prevent the development of allergies in children.

Pets reduce the number of visits to a doctor by elderly patients.

Pets help to ease loss. An older person whose spouse has died is less likely to experience deterioration in health if he or she is attached to a pet.

With evidence like this, no wonder we love our furry, feathered and four-legged friends.

In the following pages you’ll meet just a few of the North Shore’s most loveable pets in photos submitted by our readers, plus tips and ideas for caring for your own animal family members.

Enjoy!

NEWS photo Paul McGrath

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A30 - North Shore News - Wednesday, July 6, 2011

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Wednesday, July 6, 2011 - North Shore News - A31

North N No orth h Sh Shore Pet P Pets Keep pets comfortable in warm weather

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Jessica Jarvis , playing frisbee 4, and the family’s dog Am be /tag in their ba ckyard, as wel r, who is also 4 years old. Je l as having the ss occasional tea ica and Amber like party.

That was a long, chilly spring.

While many of us have been counting down the days until 30-degree weather, pets may not share the same enthusiasm. The hot weather can bring discomfort to our four-legged friends. We know keeping a dog chained up outdoors in the heat is cruel, as is leaving him locked in a car, but there are other things to consider for your pet’s summertime comfort.

Outdoors • Cool down. Have a source of water for pets to use to cool down. This may be a retired baby pool or a misting hose.

• Offer shade.

• Provide plenty of fresh, cool water to drink.

• Watch for hot feet. Although the pads of dogs’ feet are thicker than human skin, they can still burn. Check for redness and if your pet is limping, it’s time to cut the walk short.

• Prickly foes. Cats and dogs may inhale barbed seeds or have them lodge in their paws and coats. If a pet seems uncomfortable after being outdoors, burrs could be the culprit. Seek assistance from a veterinarian.

Indoors • Keep it cool. Keep a ventilation source available even when you’re out, such as

an open window, ceiling fan or leave the A/C set to low.

• Leave water out. An indoor water bowl is a necessity.

Other Tips • Walk dogs early in the morning and in the evening when the weather is cooler.

• If you’ll be taking a dog along on a hike during warm weather, be sure to pack enough water for both of you.

• Dogs may not be allowed on beaches during the summer season. Check ahead before planning a seaside adventure.

• Warm weather helps parasites multiply.

Don’t keep food left out or it may attract bugs and become spoiled.

For more summertime health tips for a pet, consult with a veterinarian or visit www.vetinfo.com.

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