Top 5 Monthly Pet Subscription Boxes

With popular companies such as BarkBox, Meowbox, and PupBox, your pets can enjoy their own monthly subscription boxes full of toys and healthy treats. Before signing up, it’s crucial you understand what each box offers and how it will benefit your pets needs. Subscription boxes are a great way to introduce your pet to new products you wouldn’t otherwise pay full-price for. Recognize your pets likes and dislikes. If your dog has dietary restrictions, they might not benefit from particular boxes. Monthly deliveries are also convenient for those who lead busy lifestyles. Most subscription boxes contain a combination of both food and toys. Here is a list of the top 5 companies that provide products your four-legged friends will love.

BARKBOX

BarkBox is a monthly themed collection of two bags of all-natural treats, one chew product, a grooming item, and two toys. There are three subscription plans available for one month, to six months, and 12 months. The pieces are hand-picked based on the size of your pet.

MEOWBOX

Meowbox is also a themed box of four to six items that can be ordered monthly or every other month. Complete a questionnaire about your cat’s personality and a full box of goodies will be sent the next business day.

PUPBOX

PupBox focuses on puppy training and re-inventing the way you raise your pet. Every month, hand selected puppy products, and training education are delivered straight to your door. Boxes include, accessories, toys, treats that are all customized to fit your puppy’s needs. PupBox will guide you through teething, potty training, adolescence and into adulthood.

PET TREATER

Pet Treater is a subscription box for dogs from small to over 50 pounds. Your boxes will include helpful items such as grooming supplies, poop bags, and leashes. Pet Treater offers discounts and special promotions where you can receive a free pet bed with your first order.

RESCUEBOX

One of the few subscription boxes that cater to both dogs and cats, RescueBox includes treats, toys, and accessories for all pet lovers. RescueBox works with The Animal Rescue Site and The Hunger Site. A portion of a subscription purchase provides vaccines and food to pets living in shelters. Your box will be customized based on the size of your pet from small to over 50 pounds.

Lisa Landman is a strong advocate of adopting pets and has six rescue dogs! Want to see photos of her dogs? Check our her dog gallery or Twitter!

Prevent Greyhound Racing

Modern greyhound racing got its start in California in 1919. At this time, the invention of a mechanical lure made it easy to encourage the dogs to run around a racetrack. Spectators quickly began betting on the dogs, and a new industry was born. Unfortunately, where there is money to be made, people often succumb to their coarser instincts. In greyhound racing, that meant developing cruel practices designed to breed and train dogs who become viewed and treated as commodities rather than living creatures.

What is Greyhound Racing?

The greyhound breed has a strong prey drive, and dog racers use this to encourage the dogs to race. In a race, owners line up their dogs and then release a mechanical rabbit. This faux rabbit is on a track that runs around the race course. As it moves, the Greyhounds’ prey drives kick in, and they chase the rabbit around the track. The dogs aren’t really racing at all. They’re simply following the instinct that tells them to hunt and kill prey that they can eat.

Why is Greyhound Racing Cruel?

At the track, people view greyhounds as assets rather than pets. Only the best and fastest dogs make money. Those who can’t keep up or suffer an injury on the track are often euthanized, sometimes inhumanely. The typical retirement age for a racing dog is usually between 18 months and five years. After that, dog owners kill them or use them for breeding. Proven winners don’t fare much better. Track and dog owners store winning dogs in crates stacked in barns and warehouses where they get very little exercise or attention between races.

How to Help

No one person can single-handedly stop greyhound racing, but everyone can help. Adopting a rescued greyhound is an excellent way to support the cause, as is donating to a greyhound rescue organization. Greyhound racing is still legal in 10 states. People living in them can get involved by asking their lawmakers and legislators to make greyhound racing illegal. Of course, refusing to visit racetracks or place bets on the dogs helps too.

Greyhounds are a loving and social breed who just don’t thrive in a racetrack environment. Supporters have made great strides in protecting the breed and banning races, but there are still many more of these gentle giants in need of rescue.

Lisa Landman is a strong advocate of adopting pets and has six rescue dogs! Want to see photos of her dogs? Check our her dog gallery or Twitter!

Farm Animal Cruelty & How to Prevent It

Most people are familiar with the cruelty that can be inflicted upon dogs and cats. People are justifiably outraged when they learn of someone being cruel to a household pet. Most would not hesitate to report a dog or cat abuser to the appropriate authorities.

Pets aren’t the only animals that can suffer and be subject to cruel and inhumane conditions. Farm animals are often subjected to brutal conditions, and they are often treated as if they are simple economic units instead of being treated as the living beings that they are.

Farm animals most often face abuse on what are known as factory farms. These type of farms make up well over 90 percent of the farms within the United States. Factory farms are often owned by large corporations whose main concern is maximizing their profits.

On factory farms, animals are often forced into overcrowded conditions. Chickens can be packed into cages so tightly that they cannot move. Pigs are often kept in very small crates. They are kept indoors in buildings without the proper airflow and sanitation. Cows on factory farms face feedlot conditions which are filthy and crowded.

Many factory farms feed hormones and antibiotics to the animals in order to make them unnaturally larger and to combat the diseases that are rampant in substandard conditions. These hormones and antibiotics then get into the food chain and can harm people who eat meat.

Animals should not have to live in substandard conditions, and they shouldn’t be treated in an inhumane manner. People who care are not powerless to take action and make a difference.

One way to make a difference is through what is purchased. The ASPCA has a list of labels that are placed on products that let consumers know if the meat they are purchasing is from a humanely raised source. If consumers would only buy meat that is humanely sourced, this would be an economic incentive for animals to be raised and housed in better conditions. Eating a vegetarian or vegan diet would also be a great way to help farm animals.

People can help end farm animal suffering by being politically active. Laws need to be placed on the books that regulate the way in which farm animals are housed and the way that farm animals are treated.

Farm animal cruelty is a terrible reality. However, if people make important lifestyle choices and work to pass laws to help animals, much animal suffering can come to an end.

Lisa Landman is a strong advocate of adopting pets and has six rescue dogs! Want to see photos of her dogs? Check our her dog gallery or Twitter!

Pet Dehydration - Causes, Signs, and Prevention

Summer is well upon us — which means warmer temperatures and a higher chance of dehydration. It is extremely important to stay hydrated all year long, and we cannot forget about hydrating our pets! Dehydration in dogs, cats, and other animals can cause serious health issues. While every animal is different, here are the causes, signs, and prevention tips of dehydration for our furry friends.

Causes

Just like humans, animals become dehydrated due to a lack of water and fluid loss. If your pet is not drinking or eating enough, then dehydration should be a major concern. Vomiting, diarrhea, and excess urination are other causes of dehydration. “Another potential cause of dehydration is illness, especially one that includes fever, vomiting or diarrhea,” Dr. Liz Stelow, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and chief of service of clinical behavior service at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California, said. “Even if the pet is not vomiting or feverish, his sluggishness when ill may cause him to make fewer trips to the water bowl or fountain.”

Signs

Every pet is different so each animal may display different signs of dehydration. A few symptoms of dehydration in dogs include weakness, dry gums, sunken eyes, and collapsing. The most common sign in dogs is the loss of elasticity in the skin. As for cats, common symptoms include panting, sunken eyes, dry mouth, and loss of appetite.

Prevention

Preventing pet dehydration is extremely important for your furry friend’s health. The best and easiest way to ensure a hydrated pet is to provide access to clean, cool, and an abundance of water. “In most cases, your dogs or cats will naturally know when they should drink some water and when they should stop,” Dr. Gicking, a board-certified in veterinary emergency and critical care, said. If you have more than one pet, he recommends providing more than one water bowl.

Furthermore, if your pet shows signs of dehydration, be sure to provide plenty of cool water, Pedialyte, or an electrolyte formula designed especially for animals to help rehydrate them. If temperatures are extremely warm, you can freeze your pet’s water bowl before filling it with water. Freezing the bowl will keep the water cooler for longer and ensure your pet gets a nice cool drink of water.

The most important result of keeping your pets properly hydrated is keeping them healthier and happier! Be sure to monitor your pet’s hydration and contact your vet if you have any questions or concerns.

Lisa Landman is a strong advocate of adopting pets and has six rescue dogs! Want to see photos of her dogs? Check our her dog gallery or Twitter!

Originally published at lisalandman.org on July 28, 2018.

Coping with the Loss of a Furry Family Member

We all love our pets dearly and to many of us, they are another family member to cherish. For many of us, a pet is not just a dog or a cat, but rather a loving family member. Coping with the loss of a furry family member can be difficult, so here are a few ways to help you cope during a difficult time.

Acknowledge Your Feelings

Unfortunately, not everyone understands the grieving process of losing a pet. Losing a pet can be very painful and can cause intense feelings. These feelings are completely normal and you are allowed to feel this way. While you may encounter others who have a hard time understanding the pain you feel, you should not downplay your feelings. Finding at least one person to talk to about the loss is extremely helpful. Whether you know a friend who has lost a pet or even contacting your veterinarian, talking to someone about your feelings can be extremely helpful. If you are having trouble finding a friend, the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement and the Pet Loss Grief Support websites offer chat rooms and online memorial services for those who recently lost a furry family member.

Engage in Rituals

When one passes, we often have funerals, ceremonies, or life celebrations to acknowledge those who have passed. This same idea can be used for when a pet passes. Many find comfort by holding a small ceremony or funeral for their pet. You could bury the pet in your backyard, have a moment of silence in a dog park, or hold a ceremony in a place special to you and your pet.

Memorialize Your Pet

Another helpful tip for coping with the loss of a pet is by having a living tribute in honor of them. For example, plant a tree or flowers in their honor. This can serve as a reminder for years to come. You can also consider compiling a photo album or scrapbook in dedicated of your pet. Find a way to celebrate the life of your pet as well as a legacy for you to remember the wonderful life they had.

Invest in a Noisemaker

If your house or apartment seems extremely quiet after the loss of a pet, consider buying a noisemaker help ease the transition. The silence in your home after their passing may cause more upset feelings, so a noise maker can help prevent a flood of emotion.

Losing a pet can be very difficult and it is completely normal to have intense feelings after their loss. Remember that you and your furry family member had a special bond and you gave them a wonderful life.

Lisa Landman is a strong advocate of adopting pets and has six rescue dogs! Want to see photos of her dogs? Check our her dog gallery or Twitter!

Originally published at lisalandman.org on July 23, 2018.

Preparing Your Special Needs Child for School

Getting ready for a new school year is stressful for most children, but it can be especially difficult for a child with special needs. Transitioning to a school schedule is a challenge, as is making sure a special-needs child receives the attention they need from the school staff. Fortunately, there are things that you can do as a parent to make the transition much more manageable.

Gather the Proper Documentation

Being a parent of a child in school means keeping track of lots of paperwork. You need to know about things such as school field trips, parent-teacher conferences, and anything else that will require your involvement. As a parent of a special-needs child, you will also have to gather documentation on your child’s needs for their school. This may include having an individualized education program, or IEP, for your child. Work closely with the school staff to review and implement this plan, and make sure that it is shared with the right staff members.

Set Goals

Most young children won’t see the “big picture” when it comes to their education, and that goes double for those with special needs. What they can understand better is short-term goals such as completing one assignment on time or even just being able to get ready for one school day. The goals you set will depend on your child and their capabilities, but try to keep them short-term and straightforward if you really want to see positive results.

Visit The School

Visiting a new school before your child attends is always a great idea, and it is particularly beneficial if your child has special needs. Many special-needs children thrive on structure and routine, and suddenly disrupting their current routine can cause a lot of problems. By taking them on a tour of their new school and allowing them to meet their teachers, you can help ease them into their new schedule when the new school year begins. It’s also best to schedule this tour when the previous school year is over or right before the next year is beginning since there won’t be as many staff members of students to overwhelm your child.

Be Patient

Above all else, the most important thing you can do when preparing a child for school is to be patient. Transitioning from a months-long period of no school to spending all day in classrooms is hard for any young child. There may be tantrums, meltdowns, and other setbacks during the transition, so be patient with your child. They will adjust to their new schedule on time and discover that going to school can be a positive experience.

Lisa Landman has a passion for helping others and has worked with special need adults throughout her career. Learn more about her professional work or check out her Twitter!

Originally published at lisalandman.net on August 2, 2018.

The Benefits of Strength Training

The benefit of strength training in both professional and non-professional athletes has been well documented over the past 20 years. Improvements in muscle strength and power, increase in muscle size, and enhancement in sports performance are common benefits resulting from strength training programs. In addition, strength training has also been suggested to reduce the risk and the severity of musculoskeletal injuries. Although studies reporting the direct effect of strength training on injury reduction are limited, the physiological adaptations seen following strength training on bone, the connective tissue and muscle does imply better protection against injury for individuals who participate in a strength training program.

Reducing the incidence of injury by engaging in a strength training program is as beneficial for the beginner as it is for the professional athlete. Strength training can fortify muscles and make them less vulnerable to damage. Many injuries are caused by weak (http://www.brianmac.co.uk/muscle.htm) muscles which simply are not ready to handle the specific demands of everyday life. The force on them is greater than their natural strength causing them to tear. For example, people who start a running program for the first time often do well for a few weeks but then as they add distance to their workout, they begin to develop foot/ankle problems, hamstring soreness or lower back pain. Their bodies simply are not strong enough to cope with the demands of the increased training load. A balanced strength training program can go a long way toward preventing injury. Strength training makes muscles stronger so that they can withstand greater forces and therefore helps to prevent injuries. In addition, along with strength training, nutrition is a key element in helping individuals to avoid the kind of muscular-skeletal injuries that are more commonly found.

Preventive strength training delivers a general increase in strength and is an effective way of remaining strong and healthy for everyday activities, work or sports.

The more we train, the more strength we have at our disposal. Muscle strength is what keeps us upright, brings us upstairs, and supports us. Without muscle strength we would be rooted to the ground without the ability to move. Most people can double their muscle strength within two years and about one-third can triple it. Quality of life is dependent upon the body’s weight/strength ratio.

A common misconception about strength training concerns the potential of “bulking up”. Many people tend to lump all types of strength training/weightlifting together, but there’s a big difference between strength training, power-lifting, and competitive bodybuilding. Strength training uses resistance methods like free weights, weight machines, resistance bands, and/or a person’s own body weight to build muscles and strength. Olympic lifting, or power-lifting, which people often think of when they think of weightlifting, concentrates on how much weight a person can lift at one time. Competitive bodybuilding involves evaluating muscle definition and symmetry, as well as size. A practical strength training program will not cause you to “bulk up” but will provide you with overall muscular definition.

Increasingly, medical experts are recommending strength training to improve physical and mental health and help prevent/diminish a wide array of medical conditions. Some of the most extensively researched areas are osteoporosis prevention, arthritis, cardiovascular benefits, insulin metabolism, injury prevention, sleep benefits, mood enhancement, increased stamina, weight loss and overall slowing of the aging process. Because weight training makes the body leaner, it also reduces the risk for certain cancers, diabetes, and other conditions linked to obesity. Further, muscle requires more calories to maintain than fat, so those with bigger muscles can eat more without gaining weight and lose fat more easily.

A practical strength training program is a vital part of a balanced exercise routine and should be incorporated in to everyone’s lifestyle.

Lisa Landman is a fitness and health guru. Learn more about her professional work or check out her Twitter!

Originally published at lisalandman.com on July 20, 2018.