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What’s poisoning pets? Medicine

The ASPCA has announced the top poisoning agents of pets, and human medicine takes two of the top three spots. The Animal Poison Control Center took 165,000 calls last year, and about 1 in 4 were related to medicine. Here’s the ASPCA’s top 10:

1. Prescription medicine for humans.
2. Insecticides.
3. Over-the-counter medicine for humans.
4. People food. The top culprit: chocolate. Don’t celebrate Valentine’s day by making your cat throw up.
5. Household items. This includes things like paint and fire logs. 
6. Veterinary products.
7. Rodenticides.
8. Plants.
9. Lawn and garden products.
10. Automotive products.

The ASPCA’s poison control line is open 24 hours a day at (888-426-4435).

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Top pet names of 2011

Darn you, Twilight.

Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. recently released its list of the most popular pet names of 2011, and the world’s wimpiest female lead topped the list. Bella is the most popular name for both cats and dogs. Oh come on! It even made it on the bird list! Anyway, here are the list of most popular dog, cat and bird names for last year.

Dogs

1. Bella
2. Bailey
3. Max
4. Lucy
5. Molly
6. Buddy
7. Daisy
8. Maggie
9. Charlie
10. Sophie

Cats

1. Bella
2. Max
3. Chloe
4. Oliver
5. Lucy
6. Shadow
7. Smokey
8. Tiger
9. Charlie
10. Tigger

Birds

1. Charlie
2. Max
3. Baby
4. Sunny
5. Buddy
6. Jack
7. Angel
8. Daisy
9. Bella
10. Coco

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New breeder rules approved

The Tulsa World has an interesting story about the Commercial Pet Breeders Board that also ran in our paper today. They approved some rules but backed off on others. Breeders say restrictions are driving them out of business, but animal advocates say the industry needs to be humane. Interesting.

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Dogs at Work stamps

As if the Birds of Prey stamps weren’t enough, the U.S. Post Office is releasing a series of stamps depicting working dogs. The stamps show a guide dog, a tracking dog, a therapy dog and a search and rescue dog standing. Oddly enough, my dogs weren’t depicted doing their best work: napping. Like the Birds of Prey stamps, these will debute Jan. 20.  Here’s a look:

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Merry (early) Catmas!

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A dose of Christmas adorable

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Delicious for people, dangerous for pets

While many of us will eat way too much on Thanksgiving Day, there are some family members who should watch their diet: pets. I’m going to be honest. I’m horrible about giving my dogs table scraps. (It’s their adorable faces! I am such a wimp!) But there are several things you won’t find even me sneaking under the table for my dogs. Here’s a list from the ASPCA of the most toxic Thanksgiving foods for animals:

• Sage.
• Chocolate.
• Candy with xylitol.
• Bread dough.
• Batter with raw eggs.
• Onions and garlic.
• Macadamia nuts.
• Raisins and grapes.
• Rich or spicy foods.
• Alcohol.

There is good news, though, for pushovers like me. You can share turkey. Make sure it’s cooked and bone-free. That’s one way to safely give in to those puppy-dog eyes.

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Norman to expand animal shelter

Norman voters approved a $3 million bond last night to expand the city animal shelter. Here’s a little bit from the story that ran in the paper today:

The five-year bond issue for the expansion will increase property taxes by about $11 on a home worth $100,000. The proposition passed with almost 76 percent approval.

Currently the shelter holds 55 dogs and 25 cats. The shelter is projected to need space for 77 dogs and 57 cats in the year 2030.

Police Maj. J.D. Younger, who oversees the Animal Welfare Division in Norman, said that currently some adoptable animals are killed because there isn’t space at the shelter. The expansion will help them meet the need for more adoptions.

If you want to read more, check out this more in-depth story that ran last week.

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Horse + pup = adorable!

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Pet safety during earthquakes

I can’t believe I’m actually writing about this, but with the number of earthquakes we’ve had in the past few days, some disaster preparedness info is in order. Here is some excerpts from a couple of ASPCA Q&As about earthquakes.

Hi! I’ve read a lot about pets and flooding, but not so much on earthquakes. I have two cocker spaniels and a cat who hides when she’s scared. I’m worried that if there’s an earthquake, I won’t have time to find them in order to protect them. And when I do find them, what’s the best way to protect them? Thanks!
—Thea N.

You are right, there is less notice for an earthquake than other types of disasters. But again, it all comes down to proper planning. Work to develop a plan—if you know where the animals hide, is that a safe area of the house? Or could you set up a nice hiding space where you want them to be? Can you do training with the dogs (and maybe even the cat) so they come when called, regardless? Those things may help to save their lives.

How can I make sure my cat is safe during an earthquake? Thanks!
—M-A

Typically, a cat’s natural inclination is to hide under things when she’s scared. In the event of an earthquake (and also flooding), this can prove to be fatal. It’s a good idea to avoid storing lots of stuff under beds and dressers—when items shift during an earthquake or flood, your hiding cat could become trapped. If you must store things this way, please arrange them in a way that creates multiple exit points. This will increase your cat’s ability to escape from that hiding spot should one route become blocked.

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