Are you planning any road trips with your pet in the future?  Since President’s Day weekend is coming up, we at America’s Family Pet Expo thought it would be a good time to dish out a little advice on how you can make traveling with your pet go a little smoother.

Nobody likes to travel when they are sick, including your pet.  If you haven’t taken your pet to the vet recently, you may want to go in for a check-up and make sure all of its vaccinations are up-to-date.  If you are traveling out of state or out of country, be sure to ask your vet to issue a health certificate for your pet, which you should need when traveling over state and country borders.  While there, you may also want to snag an extra business card to carry with you, just in case your pet experiences a medical issue while you are traveling and you or another vet needs to get a hold of your regular vet.

No matter how well we train our pets, there is always a chance that they will somehow get away from us. This is especially scary when traveling in unfamiliar areas.  Micro-chip or no micro-chip, you should attach a temporary ID tag to your pet’s collar that lists your cell phone number, email address, and any other contact information that will allow someone to track you down if they find your pet.  It is also wise to take a recent photo of your pet along on the trip so you can show it to people if you and your pet get separated.

Plan your trip out ahead of time.  If you plan in staying in a hotel or resort at any point on your trip, you probably should book your accommodations before you leave.  Not all accommodations are pet-friendly and it can be very frustrating trying to find a suitable place to stay that meets your criteria while traveling on the road.

Equally frustrating can be trying to track down an item if you run out.  Be sure to bring along a generous supply of pet food and treats, as well as anything else your pet is picky about.  You may have a hard time tracking down your puppy’s specific dog food or kitty’s favorite cat treat along the way, and changing a diet on the road is probably not the best idea.

If you do not yet have something that will keep your pet restrained while you travel, you better hurry and get something before you leave!  Traveling with an unrestrained pet is not only dangerous for your pet, but also for you!  Many accidents occur because the driver gets distracted by a pet jumping on his lap or misbehaving somehow.  Travel crates, vehicle barriers, car seats, and seat belts are some of the options that are available specifically for pets.

We hope that you found the advice from America’s Family Pet Expo useful!  Safe travels to you and your pet!

Did you know that, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society, nearly 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by the age of 3?  Wow!  Since February is Pet Dental Health Month, we at America’s Family Pet Expo think it’s a good time to take a look at your pet’s dental health routine with a list of ways to prevent oral disease.

When assessing your pet’s dental health, a visit with your veterinarian is important.  Your veterinarian will know the best routine to implement after assessing your pet’s dental needs. Also, be sure that when your pet gets its yearly check-up, the vet does a dental exam as well.  Prevention is an important part to keeping your pet healthy and your pet’s teeth and gums in good condition.

If humans need to brush their teeth, why not pets?  Brushing your pets teeth is a great way to keep its teeth and gums healthy.  Your local pet store or your vet should have toothpaste and toothbrushes for pets you can purchase.  Using human toothpaste is not recommended as it can upset your pet’s stomach.   If you try a human toothbrush, be sure to use one with ultra-soft bristles to avoid hurting the gums.

There are numerous types of pet food and treats available that retard plaque and tartar on the teeth of animals.  Chew toys are another great option that help with your pets dental health.  Your pet can have some fun and work on its dental health at the same time!

These are just a few ideas on how to improve your pet’s dental health from America’s Family Pet Expo. How do you keep your preserve your pet’s dental hygiene?  Visit our Facebook page and let us know!

If you own a pet, you know that they bring so much fun and joy to your life.  But there are also other benefits to owning a pet that we often overlook.  America’s Family Pet Expo has done some research and has some information that you should be aware of!

• Studies show that pets can help lower the cholesterol, blood pressure and triglyceride levels in their pet owners.
• People with pets tend to exercise more, and children who have pets are said to get 20 more minutes of physical activity than those who do not have pets.
• Children who grow up with pets are less likely to develop allergies and have a better immune system.
• Having a pet can decrease heart attack mortality by 3%
• Owning a pet can decrease stress. One study done by Dr. Karen Allen studied 48 stockbrokers with hypertension.  Half of the stockbrokers adopted a dog or cat, and when the study concluded, the other half without a pet were twice as stressed.
• Kids who have aquariums typically score higher on SATs.
• Companion pets help children adjust better to serious illness or death in the family.
• Children who grow up with pets learn responsibility and nurturing skills.
• Kids who have family pets have higher self-esteem.  One study from the University of Kansas followed children ages seven to 14 and found that if they lived with a pet, their self-esteem and competence increased.

There are so many benefits to owning a pet and so much research that supports it!  Please click on the following links for more facts and research on the benefits of pet ownership:

www.petsintheclassroom.org

http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/health_benefits.htm

http://www.deltasociety.org/Page.aspx?pid=315

America’s Family pet Expo encourages you to carefully consider adding a pet to your family.  If you are ready to make the commitment, the benefits of responsible pet care await you!

America’s Family Pet Expo in Puyallup Washington may be close to a year away, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have some great information and services to provide you in the meantime!  The mission of the World Pet Association, the producer of America’s Family Pet Expo, is to promote responsible pet care worldwide, and that doesn’t only happen one weekend out of the year.  We hope that by following our social media updates, you find some great information and resources on pet care, as well as some fun updates about the upcoming show!  If you aren’t plugged in yet, please check out our pages on the following sights.

America’s Family Pet Expo Blog – If you are reading this, you are already aware of our blog.  Please continue to check in for pet tips, expo news, Puyallup pet news, and more!

Flickr – Check out our Flickr page to see great photos of America’s Family Pet Expo.

Twitter – Want updates of what is going on at America’s Family Pet Expo? Follow us here!

Facebook – We love to engage with our attendees on our Facebook page. Be sure to like us to get all of our updates.

Google Plus – We are now on Google Plus!  Please “+1” us to recommend us to Google and your friends.  Also add us to your circle to get in on the communication and conversations.

We love to hear from you, so please follow on the above listed sites and feel free to give us your feedback! We at America’s Family Pet Expo appreciate your support and hope you will find the information we post useful!

It’s the middle of October which means the Halloween fun is quickly approaching.  Do you have your Halloween decorations out and your costumes ready?  America’s Family Pet Expo wants to offer you a few friendly reminders as you start your celebrations.

When decorating for Halloween, pumpkins are of course very popular.  While pumpkins (as well as decorative corn, gourds, and other fall vegetables) are considered to be nontoxic, they can cause upset stomachs if your pets eat them.  Also, Jack-O-Lanterns or any other décor with candles should not be places where pets can reach them.  A pet can easily knock them over and start a fire or even burn itself.

We all know that chocolate is bad for pets, but you should also  keep your pet away from candies and baked goods containing the sugar free sweetener called xylitol as it has been known to cause liver failure and low blood pressure.  Candy wrappers can also cause problems as they can get stuck in your pet’s digestive track and make it sick.  By keeping the candy out of reach of your pet, you can avoid any complications that could arise if your pet decided to help itself to a little snack.

Trick-or-treaters can be stressful for some pets.  If your animal scares easily by loud noises and groups of people, it may be wise to find a place in your home to keeps your pet while you give out candy to trick-or-treaters. Also, be sure that your pet has identification (collar and tags or a microchip) in case it escapes outside when the door gets opened for the trick-or-treaters.

We at America’s Family Pet Expo wish you and your pet a Happy Halloween!  Be sure to visit the America’s Family Pet Expo Facebook page and post pictures of you and your animal family member enjoying the fun festivities!

We at America’s Family Pet Expo hope you had a great summer and a great expo experience!  As we wrap up the summer with some Labor Day Weekend fun, it is important to remember that we need to take some precautions to keep our pets safe while we play.  So if your heading to the beach, a back-yard barbecue, or enjoying the outdoors some other way, check out this article  written by the Zootoo Pet News staff for some great tips of keeping your pets safe.

To celebrate the last long weekend of the summer, many pet owners will hit the great outdoors with their four-legged friends. To make sure that you and your pets have a safe, fun-filled Labor Day weekend, keep these quick tips in mind:

Stock up your pet’s beach bag! If you’re enjoying the sand and surf this weekend, make sure to pack some protective eyewear and a doggy life jacket to keep your pet safe. Check out some suggestions for summer pet products, and be sure to review our beach safety tips for a refresher course before you hit the dunes.

Keep the grill “humans-only.” Although it’s tempting to slip pets a few goodies from the grill, animals can experience a bad case of an upset stomach if owners indulge them in their own BBQ feast.

Louise Murray, DVM, Director of Medicine for the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City, says after all major holidays centered on sit-down meals and lots of food, like Thanksgiving and Christmas, she always sees a sharp increase in patients being treated for pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas.
“Make sure your dog doesn’t have any treats, like pork chops or hot dogs. As much as you feel like having the dog or cat partake in the activities, they might be better off in a cool room by themselves,” Murray said. “There’s no need for someone to get sick.”

Use pet-friendly sunscreen and insect repellent — on both your pets and yourself. Yes, pets can get sunburns, too! Be sure to apply a pet-friendly sunscreen, or baby sunscreen if you can’t find pet sunscreen at your local pet store.

And don’t forget the insect repellent, as heartworm is contracted by mosquitoes. Make sure to use a pet-friendly repellent as well — products containing DEET can lead to vomiting and even neurological problems in animals.

Be mindful of human products, too. If you’re using human sunscreen containing PABA or zinc, or insect repellent containing DEET, make sure that your pets don’t lick your skin, as these substances can be toxic to animals.

Stay cool as cucumbers! Your pet may be suffering from heatstroke if he exhibits the following symptoms: excessive panting, profuse salivation, glazed eyes or staring, anxiety or restlessness, gums and tongue that appear bright red or purple, confusion, trouble standing or walking, collapse, and vomiting.

If you suspect that your pet is suffering from heatstroke, try to cool him down by soaking him with towels and water and placing him in front of a fan, if possible. Then contact your veterinarian immediately.

America’s Family Pet Expo had a successful 1st year in Puyallup, Washington as well as a successful 22nd year in Orange County, California with hundreds of animal adoptions.  To read more on the impact of these events, check out this great article written in Tacoma Weekly.

EXPO FINDS HOMES FOR 226 PETS

America’s Family Pet Expo – the world’s largest consumer pet show – is celebrating its successful inaugural event in Puyallup after 22 years in Southern California. The expo, produced by the World Pet Association (WPA), made its debut at the Puyallup Fair & Events Center July 8-10. A celebration of responsible pet ownership among an interactive backdrop, the expo featured stage shows, educational experiences and interaction with various breeds of animals, shopping, pet experts and family-friendly entertainment.

WPA donated 45 booth spaces to local shelters and rescue organizations, which resulted in the adoption of 226 animals. The adopted pets included 133 dogs, 55 cats, seven ferrets, 14 goats and 17 birds. Combined with adoption numbers from the yearly event in Southern California, America’s Family Pet Expo has helped more than 7,308 animals find forever homes since 1996.

“We are pleased with the success of our first-ever America’s Family Pet Expo in Washington,” said WPA President Doug Poindexter. “We were able to … bring our message of responsible pet care to the more than 12,000 local attendees.”

The 1st annual America’s Family Pet Expo has past.  We hope you enjoyed it!  We anticipate that the Expo will continue to grow and get to the size of the America’s Family Pet Expo we host in Costa Mesa, California, which fills 5 buildings and has an attendance of around 40,000 people!

Want to hear an attendee’s perspective on the Expo?  Check out the blog You Did What with Your Weiner: An Adventurous Weiner Dog Blog!

Washington State Pet Expo

I have been reading about all of these other blogger friends attending pet expos and pet blogging conferences and such with a bit of envy. Our region and state doesn’t seem to have much to offer in that regard. The pet blogging conferences seem to take place on the east coast. I looked for pet expos in my state and to my excitement I found out that there was going to be a Washington State Pet Expo for the first time in my state.

I waited in anticipation and ran down there on the first day of the expo this last weekend. Maybe it is because I had such high expectations but I was a bit disappointed. I had a good time but I was hoping for more.

Specifically, I was excited to meet a lot of pet product vendors and learn about emerging products on the market. There were a lot of vendors there but 95% of them were pet food companies or stores advertising dog food. Several of these booths even had the same dog foods on display. I am not complaining about all the free dog food samples I got but I am already pretty knowledgeable about the pet foods out there, have tried a lot and have pretty much settled on what works best for Chester and Gretel (we feed Avoderm which is good for itchy skin and dogs with allergies).

There were a few dog foods I haven’t had much experience with and wanted to try out – Blue Buffalo and Addiction.

Besides the dog food, the pavilion did also have a petting farm with deer, pot-bellied pigs, goats and some kind of kangaroos (or something related to them). There were also several dogs and cats up for adoption. Just because I own dogs doesn’t mean I don’t like cats. I have one that lives with my grandparents and until I got Chester I considered myself very much a cat person. Seeing all the kittens, and knowing S really wants one, made me want to take one home right then and there.

The expo also featured Splash Dogs – a dock jumping competition, Fly Dogs agility and a cat pavilion where they were having a cat show (there wasn’t actually a pavilion where they were showing dogs).

In all fairness, I went to the expo on the morning of the first day (which was a work day for most people) and it was clear that they were just getting into the swing of things around there. This early in the weekend, the dock jumping competition features dogs that were just doing it for fun or warming up for the competition ahead. There were only a few cats being judged and one of the judges said that in the beginning of the show the only cats judged are the ones that are nearing champion status and just need a couple of more points to help bump them up (I gathered that these earlier judgings with fewer cats are worth less competition points). The lady at the information booth when I came in to the Expo said that at the last-minute they found out that there was a bid dog show in the state the same weekend so many of the vendors were there. She said they are going to change their date next year so there is no conflict.

I am glad that I went and it was a good learning experience. I will probably give it another chance next year but I will go on a Saturday or Sunday when the competitions and shows are in full swing. I will go in hopes that next year there will be more vendors on board and I will have the chance to look at more pet accessories.

To see the full post including pictures, visit You Did What with Your Weiner: An Adventurous Weiner Dog Blog.

When many people think of pets, they think of playful puppies or friendly felines.  While these cute creatures can make a great addition to your family, there are many more animal options to consider.  Whether you are single and looking for an animal companion, part of a family and looking for an additional family member, or a teacher looking for a classroom pet, America’s Family Pet Expo is the place to go to see the multitude of options that are out there for a fitting pet.

Have you thought about a bird?  Birds are loveable creatures whose quirky mannerisms make it an interesting pet.  At America’s Family Pet Expo, bird experts will be on hand to help you pick out the appropriate equipment and teach you how to care for your pet bird properly.  Be sure to stop by the following exhibits and events for more information on birds:  Parrots from Around the World, the Avian Nursery, Food Prep for Lories, and the Walk Through Aviary.
What about reptiles?  Did you know that there are more than 8,000 species of reptiles on the planet?  That means you have a lot of choices for a pet!  The Reptile exhibits at America’s Family Pet Expo will give you a closer look at many different kinds of reptiles.  You may not learn about all 8,000 species, but our experts will show you an excellent selection of slithery creatures that you can consider for a companion.

How about Fish?  With the proper knowledge and equipment, fish can be an easy pet to care for and a great addition to any home.  Stop by our Aquatic Experience and the fish exhibits to get a great look at the beauty and tranquility that come with owning fish.  Did you know that studies have shown that gazing at aquarium fish reduces stress and subsequently lowers blood pressure?  Just another reason to look into purchasing some fish!

There are so many options out there for good domestic pets and America’s Family Pet Expo is excited to provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to make an informed decision on which pet could be the right companion for you. Please join us July 8-10 at the Puyallup County Fair & Event Center for some great insight into the animal companion world!

With 22 years of successful expos under its belt, the World Pet Association is expanding its expo locations as the America’s Family Pet Expo makes its debut appearance in Puyallup, Washington this summer.

The first America’s Family Pet Expo took place in 1981 in Anaheim, California.  Since then, attendance has grown, as has the impact of the show.  America’s Family Pet Expo has donated $1.5 million in booth space to dog breed clubs and has facilitated the adoptions of thousands of homeless animals.   This relates directly to the mission of the World Pet Association:  to promote responsible pet care worldwide.

At America’s Family Pet Expo, every aspect of the companion animal world gathers to “Tell their story” to the public. Almost every kind of companion animal is on display and many are featured in educational demonstrations and seminars.  Exhibitors include manufacturers, retailers, groomers, veterinarians, hobbyist groups, humane rescue organizations, humane societies, breeders, etc.  All of these aspects combine to create a fun, educational event that will enhance one’s knowledge of pet care and the joys of pet-parenthood.

To enjoy all aspects of America’s Family Pet Expo, visit www.PetExpoWA.org and learn about all of the demonstrations and events that are scheduled to take place July 8-10 at the 1^st Annual America’s Family Pet Expo in Puyallup, Washington!