Fitness PR Division

WebMD the leading source of health information, today announced the launch of the WebMD Healthy Pets site on WebMD.com, providing pet owners with the latest health and wellness information to help their pets live healthier lives.

WebMD Healthy Pets helps owners care for their cats and dogs with veterinarian-reviewed information on pet diet and nutrition, behavior and training, and preventive care. A new WebMD Healthy Pets online newsletter, as well as interactive slideshows, videos and expert blogs assist owners with daily decisions for their pet's well-being. WebMD Healthy Pets also focuses on the human health benefits of owning a pet, such as lower blood pressure and less anxiety, as well as the impact pets can have on health conditions such as allergies and asthma.

Over 60 million unique visitors come to WebMD each month as their trusted source of health information to better manage the health and well-being for themselves and their families. More than 75% of the WebMD audience are pet owners who also care for the health of their pet. WebMD's comprehensive pet wellness information allows owners to take an active role in managing their pet's health, to help reduce unnecessary expenses and provide the best care possible.

"WebMD Healthy Pets provides pet owners with reliable health news and information on topics ranging from general wellness to disease--for all stages of a pet's life," said Nan-Kirsten Forte, Executive Vice President, Consumer Services, WebMD. "Pet owners who already trust WebMD for health and wellness information for their families now have WebMD's veterinarian-reviewed pet information to help them care for their pets."

WebMD Healthy Pets includes:

 WebMD Launches New 'Healthy Pets' Site

WebMD the leading source of health information, today announced the launch of the WebMD Healthy Pets site on WebMD.com, providing pet owners with the latest health and wellness information to help their pets live healthier lives.

WebMD Healthy Pets helps owners care for their cats and dogs with veterinarian-reviewed information on pet diet and nutrition, behavior and training, and preventive care. A new WebMD Healthy Pets online newsletter, as well as interactive slideshows, videos and expert blogs assist owners with daily decisions for their pet's well-being. WebMD Healthy Pets also focuses on the human health benefits of owning a pet, such as lower blood pressure and less anxiety, as well as the impact pets can have on health conditions such as allergies and asthma.

Over 60 million unique visitors come to WebMD each month as their trusted source of health information to better manage the health and well-being for themselves and their families. More than 75% of the WebMD audience are pet owners who also care for the health of their pet. WebMD's comprehensive pet wellness information allows owners to take an active role in managing their pet's health, to help reduce unnecessary expenses and provide the best care possible.

The New York Times had an interesting article titled The Truth About Cat and Dog Food in their personal health section on Monday. For as long as I can remember, there has been the debate over whether premium pet food is better than supermarket brands. Certainly if your vet is selling Eukanuba with Prebiotics its got to be better than Pedigree found at Walmart, right?

Well, the truth is, nobody really knows because scientific studies haven't been done to prove it one way or another. What the article did say, is that among the premium brands prices ranged from low to high all for the same exact ingredients. So is this a case of buying into a lifestyle (organic, vegetarian, etc.), simple brand loyalty or in the end are there certain ingredients that rank higher for premium brand buyers?

What is your choice and why?

True Food For Dogs, the highly anticipated brand, online store, commercial "dog kitchen," and retail store in Orange County, California announced today both the opening of its Newport Beach retail location and the start of its local delivery service beginning Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011.

"I think the big buzz around the opening of True is because the commercial dog food business in 2009 in the U.S. was between $11-$14 billion dollars. That means we are spending a lot to feed our dogs but our options have been somewhat limited to off the shelf kibble. People are spending more because there is an increased understanding of what ingredients are actually allowed in the food we feed our dogs," said Shawn Buckley, co-founder and owner of True. "It might sound cliche but most people consider their pet part of the family and they should really have a better option to feed them the best food for their health. That was the entire goal in the creation of True," he continued.

TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site, has announced the results of its pet travel survey of more than 1,100 U.S. animal-owners, revealing that pets today are vacation veterans. Forty-four percent of respondents have traveled with their pets in the last 12 months, while 47 percent plan to do so in the next 12 months.

Among those whose pets have traveled, 74 percent say their animals travel well, while owners themselves also take pleasure in the experience – with thirty-six percent maintaining that traveling with their four-legged friend is always enjoyable, and a further 41 percent saying it often is.

Among those planning to travel with their pets in the next 12 months, 96 percent will travel by car, and 12 percent will fly. Fifty-eight percent will stay in a pet-friendly hotel, fifty-four percent with family or friends, and 39 percent in a vacation rental.

TripAdvisor also identified the top 10 pet-friendly properties in the U.S., based on accommodations which have four or more circles out of five on TripAdvisor, and feature the greatest number of TripAdvisor traveler comments describing them as pet- or dog- friendly.

1. Affinia Dumont, New York City, New York – Average Nightly Rate: $192 – $614
Prized pooches, in addition to all other types of pets, will receive a warm welcome at this Midtown East hotel, whose amenities include plush dog beds and tasty treats. A $25 pet-surcharge applies per stay, and additional services – from grooming, to a pet psychic – can be booked via the concierge. “The hotel is pet friendly and welcoming… A gem in N.Y.C.,” said one TripAdvisor traveler.

Family Dog Magazine from the American Kennel Club features Pierce Mattie PR client The Company Store. If you’re working on a pet accessories story be sure to give our Pierce Mattie liefstyle PR team a call at 212-243-1431 or follow us on Twitter @PierceMattiePR and FaceBook.

Family Dog Magazine from the American Kennel Club features Pierce Mattie PR client The Company Store. If you’re working on a pet accessories story be sure to give our Pierce Mattie liefstyle PR team a call at 212-243-1431 or follow us on Twitter @PierceMattiePR and FaceBook.

Family Dog Magazine from the American Kennel Club features Pierce Mattie PR client The Company Store. If you’re working on a pet accessories story be sure to give our Pierce Mattie liefstyle PR team a call at 212-243-1431 or follow us on Twitter @PierceMattiePR and FaceBook.

 As of May 8, 14 brands of pet food were recalled due to aSalmonella bacteria contamination. Although there have been no reports of animals acquiring the illness, the Center for Disease Control has reported that 14 individuals have become sick due to contact with pet food made at the plant. The recent pet food recall has left many pet owners scrambling to replace their recalled pet food brands, yet few are aware of the proper protocol for disposing of contaminated food and rapidly changing their pets' diets. To assist pet owners,petMD.com has pulled together a list of recommendations for what to do if your pet's food has been recalled.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110802/PH45832LOGO )

"There's no doubt about it, pet food recalls like this are scary," states Dr. Jennifer Coates, a practicing veterinarian and petMD.com Spokesperson. "Invariably, owners are halfway through feeding a bag of potentially contaminated food when they hear of the recall, which means they have to go on high alert for a week or two. In the case of Salmonella, we have to watch both pets and people in the household for vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and fever."

What to do if your pet's food has been recalled:

1.       Remove the Recalled Food: If you check the labels of your pet food bag and find that it has been recalled, seal it in a plastic bag and place it in a secure garbage can. This helps ensure that neither your pet nor an outdoor animal will eat the contaminated food and risk becoming ill. 

2.       Clean: Thoroughly wash all containers, utensils, bowls, your hands, and any other items that have come into contact with the recalled food. If surfaces are not sanitized, bacteria can attach itself to various objects and people and live for several hours or even days.

3.       Change Food: Switch out your pet's food for a non-recalled brand. Talk with your veterinarian or pet food supplier to get more information on the status of the recall and to identify which brands are considered safe.

How to quickly and safely change your pet's diet:

1.       Find a Similar Pet Food Formula: Pick a new pet food that closely matches the "old" variety. For example, if your pet was eating a lamb and rice product that was recalled, purchase another company's lamb and rice formulation. Read the ingredient list. If you can match up the first few ingredients, the foods will be fairly similar. Also, review the guaranteed analysis on both labels. Avoid big changes in the percentages of protein, fat, and fiber whenever possible.

2.       Offer Small Meals Gradually: Once you get the new food home, start by offering your pet a small meal. If he or she eats it and doesn't develop any tummy troubles as a result, offer another small meal a few hours later. Gradually increase the size and decrease the frequency of your offerings until you are back to your normal schedule in a day or two. If your pet doesn't take to the new food, pick it up and don't offer anything (including treats) for eight hours or so. It is okay to let your pet get a little hungry, so long as you continue to offer the new food every 6-8 hours and then pick it up if it is not eaten. Continue this pattern for 24 hours (cats) to 48 hours (dogs). If you cannot get your pet to eat the new food within these timeframes, consult your veterinarian and try another formulation — but avoid frequent changes in flavor as this can promote finicky eating habits.

3.       Go Easily Digestible: If your dog or cat has an especially sensitive stomach and you are forced to making a rapid diet change, consider switching to an easily digestible formula at the offset and then gradually mix in small amounts of the new, long-term diet a few days later. Probiotics for dogs and cats can also reduce the chance that a pet will develop diarrhea when its diet suddenly changes.

4.       Consult Your Veterinarian: If you can't find a new food your pet likes or if despite all precautions the change in diet results in vomiting, diarrhea or other signs of gastrointestinal distress, talk to your veterinarian. He or she may be able to suggest other pet food brands that are less likely to cause your pet a diet-related illness.

 As of May 8, 14 brands of pet food were recalled due to aSalmonella bacteria contamination. Although there have been no reports of animals acquiring the illness, the Center for Disease Control has reported that 14 individuals have become sick due to contact with pet food made at the plant. The recent pet food recall has left many pet owners scrambling to replace their recalled pet food brands, yet few are aware of the proper protocol for disposing of contaminated food and rapidly changing their pets' diets. To assist pet owners,petMD.com has pulled together a list of recommendations for what to do if your pet's food has been recalled.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110802/PH45832LOGO )

"There's no doubt about it, pet food recalls like this are scary," states Dr. Jennifer Coates, a practicing veterinarian and petMD.com Spokesperson. "Invariably, owners are halfway through feeding a bag of potentially contaminated food when they hear of the recall, which means they have to go on high alert for a week or two. In the case of Salmonella, we have to watch both pets and people in the household for vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and fever."

What to do if your pet's food has been recalled:

1.       Remove the Recalled Food: If you check the labels of your pet food bag and find that it has been recalled, seal it in a plastic bag and place it in a secure garbage can. This helps ensure that neither your pet nor an outdoor animal will eat the contaminated food and risk becoming ill. 

2.       Clean: Thoroughly wash all containers, utensils, bowls, your hands, and any other items that have come into contact with the recalled food. If surfaces are not sanitized, bacteria can attach itself to various objects and people and live for several hours or even days.

3.       Change Food: Switch out your pet's food for a non-recalled brand. Talk with your veterinarian or pet food supplier to get more information on the status of the recall and to identify which brands are considered safe.

How to quickly and safely change your pet's diet:

1.       Find a Similar Pet Food Formula: Pick a new pet food that closely matches the "old" variety. For example, if your pet was eating a lamb and rice product that was recalled, purchase another company's lamb and rice formulation. Read the ingredient list. If you can match up the first few ingredients, the foods will be fairly similar. Also, review the guaranteed analysis on both labels. Avoid big changes in the percentages of protein, fat, and fiber whenever possible.

2.       Offer Small Meals Gradually: Once you get the new food home, start by offering your pet a small meal. If he or she eats it and doesn't develop any tummy troubles as a result, offer another small meal a few hours later. Gradually increase the size and decrease the frequency of your offerings until you are back to your normal schedule in a day or two. If your pet doesn't take to the new food, pick it up and don't offer anything (including treats) for eight hours or so. It is okay to let your pet get a little hungry, so long as you continue to offer the new food every 6-8 hours and then pick it up if it is not eaten. Continue this pattern for 24 hours (cats) to 48 hours (dogs). If you cannot get your pet to eat the new food within these timeframes, consult your veterinarian and try another formulation — but avoid frequent changes in flavor as this can promote finicky eating habits.

3.       Go Easily Digestible: If your dog or cat has an especially sensitive stomach and you are forced to making a rapid diet change, consider switching to an easily digestible formula at the offset and then gradually mix in small amounts of the new, long-term diet a few days later. Probiotics for dogs and cats can also reduce the chance that a pet will develop diarrhea when its diet suddenly changes.

4.       Consult Your Veterinarian: If you can't find a new food your pet likes or if despite all precautions the change in diet results in vomiting, diarrhea or other signs of gastrointestinal distress, talk to your veterinarian. He or she may be able to suggest other pet food brands that are less likely to cause your pet a diet-related illness.