A recently released study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), of American dogs and cats revealed that some of the same chemical pollutants found in people are also present in in our pet family members. According to the study, pets typically had higher concentrations of the chemical tested than those of humans. Out of the 70 chemicals tested, pets showed evidence of 48 of them, including mercury, heavy metals and fire retardants. Many of the chemicals used in the test are often the same ones monitored in people by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

How can this happen? Just as with small children in the home, domesticated dogs and cats often sniff and eat off of the floors, carpets and grass where contaminants tend to reside in abundance. Our pets usually drink tap water from the faucet which may contain contaminants from the municipal water supplies. There is also pet food that may contain high levels of mercury that we feed our cats and dogs on a daily basis. More importantly, the findings in this Environmental Working Group (EWG) study, may also show people who have pets, that their present environment may be more toxic than they know, if they have pets who get cancer and other diseases, sort of an early warning signal, sad to say.

The study is inconclusive as to the health risks that dogs and cats face from these chemicals, but the same chemicals have been found to cause health problems in people.

* For dogs, blood and urine samples were contaminated with 35 chemicals altogether, including 11 carcinogens, 31 chemicals toxic to the reproductive system, and 24 neurotoxins. The carcinogens are of particular concern, since dogs have much higher rates of many kinds of cancer than do people, including 35 times more skin cancer, 4 times more breast tumors, 8 times more bone cancer, and twice the incidence of leukemia, according to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Center (2008). Between 20 and 25 percent of dogs die of cancer, making it the second leading cause of death in dogs (Purdue University Department of Veterinary Pathobiology 2000).

* Cat samples contained 46 chemicals altogether, including 9 carcinogens, 40 chemicals toxic to the reproductive system, 34 neurotoxins, and 15 chemicals toxic to the endocrine system. Endocrine (hormone) system toxins raise particular concerns for cats, since they include the thyroid toxins and fire retardants called PBDEs. Thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism) is a leading cause of illness in older cats (Gunn-Moore 2005). The growing use of PBDEs in consumer products over the past 30 years has paralleled the rising incidence of feline hyperthyroidism, and a preliminary study suggests that PBDEs are found at higher levels in cats stricken with this disease (Dye 2007). Studies also show a high correlation between eating canned food and developing hyperthyroidism later in life for cats (Edinboro 2004; Kass 1999, Martin 2000). In addition to PBDEs, hyperthyroidism in cats could be linked to the plastics chemical and potent endocrine disruptor BPA that is known to leach from the pop-top cat food can lining into food (Edinboro 2004; Kang 2002).

To read the entire report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), click here.

In the meantime to try and minimize the chemical exposure to cats and dogs, wipe your feet or take off your shoes when coming in from outdoors; check the chew toys for harmful plastics and other contaminants; watch out for recalled pet foods, and materials used for pet beds and accessories. We may not be able to prevent chemical exposure to our dogs, cats and even ourselves, but we can try to limit the exposure as much as we can!  These are just a few suggestions and if you can think of others, leave a comment about it below.
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At these foreclosure rates, we may know of someone who is going through this weary process and their pet family members are also going through tense times. One of the worst casualties in the foreclosure process is when a homeowner loses their home in foreclosure and have to relocate when the lender gains possession and they abandon their pets. In some of the most inhumane and disgusting cases people are vacating their homes and leaving their pets to starve, either too embarrassed to admit they are in foreclosure, or figuring the animals will be found and taken care of. In these cases, the scenario has turned tragic for dogs, cats, birds, horses and other animals. Pet abandonment is a high occurrence when a family loses their home in foreclosure and may have to move into accommodations that do not accept pets. Many pets are left alone in the empty houses with little or no food for periods of time until someone in the neighborhood discover that they are there or a home inspection can reveal a pet on the brink of starvation and other health afflictions.

There is something we can do to help these pets before and after they have been abandoned. We must become as neighbors and reach out to help a struggling family facing the dreadful foreclosure process. Armed with information, we may be able to help them with placing their pets in a safer place, than left alone in vacant properties.

Here are some pet help tips for the family facing foreclosure and their families and friends.

• Check with family, friends and neighbors to see if they can take care of your pets until pet-friendly accommodations can be found.
• Contact local shelters, veterinarians and local humane society for foster homes or boarding homes for your pets in your area or area you may relocate to.
• Ask real estate agents and rental agencies about neighborhoods and housing that are pet-friendly before moving out of your home.
• Look for housing in the classified ads, internet and other sources for pet-friendly accommodations.
• If you cannot take your pet with you, contact the local animal shelter or animal control agency and tell them that you need food and shelter for your pets until you can settle down and reunite with them.

These are just a few tips to help the pet family members in foreclosure, and hope that they will not be abandoned and left alone to starve and perish in vacant homes. For more tips and information on saving pets in foreclosure check with the Humane Society of The United States.

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The AKC unveiled their Top 10 most popular dog breeds in America which are based on its 2007 registration figures. According to the AKC, the Top Breeds Nationwide and their previous rankings are:

To celebrate the newest member of the Top 10 list, the Bulldog, long recognized as a popular sports team mascot, was fitted with a #10 jersey to mark the occasion. The bulldog has not appeared in the AKC’s Top 10 Breeds for 75 years. AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson had this to say about the bulldog’s rise

“This is the first time the Bulldog has made it onto the top ten list since 1935, said This breed appeals to a very wide range of dog lovers so it’s no surprise that it is a favorite amongst AKC’s 157 breeds. The Bulldog is both docile and adaptive, and can thrive in small or large homes. It’s an excellent all-around family pet.”

If you want to see your favorite dog ranked in the AKC Top Breed List, then click here to check out how the other dog breeds fared.

There is also a list broken down by the different cities here, so you can see if your dog made the Top Breed of your City.

This is an informative list, but I must say that my babies are mixed with some of the top breeds and they still rate number One to me!

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