Details on Wisconsin Dog Fair 2010 in Madison

Mad About Pets' guide to feeding wild birds in Wisconsin

Here in Wisconsin, we are fortunate to have a wide array of wild birds to watch year round. If you enjoy watching birds, setting up a few bird feeders is a great way to attract them to your yard, balcony, or patio. The right type of bird feeder to purchase depends on what type of birds you're hoping to attract and how much space you have at your disposal. Here is a list of the most common types of bird feeders available, what types of seed work best in each feeder, and some of the Wisconsin birds you can expect to see at your feeder.

TUBE FEEDER- Tube bird feeders are excellent feeders for attracting smaller song birds. They are a cylindrical tubes with tiny openings for releasing small bird seed; the openings are generally small enough that large birds cannot fit their beaks in to extract the seed. Generally the perches are too small for larger birds, or the feeders may entirely lack purchases in the case of mesh feeders. The feeders can be plastic, wire mesh, or sometimes just a hanging sack of cloth mesh.

Best seed- Thistle, nyjer, sunflower chips (if seed opening is big enough), Finch blends

Common birds- Goldfinch, House Finch, Chipping Sparrow, House Sparrow, Purple Finch

HOPPER FEEDER- A hopper bird feeder is more or less a reservoir that holds seed, and gravity causes the seed to disperse onto a flat tray (hopper.) This type of feeder is great for larger birds that cannot perch on tube style feeders, and a more versatile seed blend can be selected.  Spillage from this feeder will attract other birds on the ground as well.

Best seed- Sunflower seeds, whole corn, millet, peanuts, safflower, insects, cracked corn, thistle

Common birds- Cardinal, Mourning Dove, Blue Jay, Nuthatch, Finches, Sparrows, Woodpecker, Chickadee

SUET FEEDER- Suet bird feeders are generally hung to attract woodpeckers. Suet is a cake made of animal fat, and often has seed, fruit or insects blended into the cake. A suet feeder is usually just a wire cage which holds the suet cake and prevents hungry possums and raccoons from running away with it. Suet is very important to Wisconsin birds, as it provides them with the necessary fat content they require year-round. A suet feeder should be incorporated into any bird feeder setup when possible.

Best feed- Store bought suet, homemade suet

Common birds- Blue Jay, Cardinal, Nuthatch, Wren, Starling, Redheaded Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker

HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER- Hummingbird feeders are different from every other type of bird feeder in that they dispense liquid, rather than solid seed. Hummingbirds drink nectar from flowers, so the feeder is filled with a sugary nectar substitute. The feeder has a small opening for the hummingbird to insert his beak and drink of the nectar. This type of feeder can also be attractive to orioles. Hummingbirds only live in Wisconsin during the summer months, so this feeder should be put away when it begins to cool off outside. Four species of hummingbird have been documented in Wisconsin, although only two are common: the Rufous Hummingbird and the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. These hummingbirds winter in Central America.

Best feed- Commercial hummingbird food, Homemade hummingbird syrup

Common birds- Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Orioles

ORIOLE FEEDERS- Oriole feeders come in several different varieties. Some oriole feeders simply contain nectar syrup, much like a hummingbird feeder. They are larger to accomodate the larger size of the bird. Some feeders simply contain a spike on which to spear an orange, orioles favorite food.  Many commercial oriole feeders will incorporate orange slices, jelly, and nectar into one feeder.

Best feed- orange slices/halves, jelly, oriole nectar

Common birds- Orioles

Great Product Find: Nylabone Nubz Dental Treats for Dogs

Did you know that dental disease affects up to 80% of pets over the age of three? The first sign of dental disease in dogs is often bad breath. You might also notice lethargy, bleeding and swelling of the gums, and reluctance to play with chew toys. Dental disease might seem like a minor issue, but it can actually lead to far more severe health matters including problems with the heart, kidneys, and other organs. The infected parts of the mouth have bacteria that can spread to other parts of the body, often causing severe illness or infections.

It's best to start a dental care regimen as soon as you get a new pet. Your veterinarian can give you great tips on how to brush your pet's teeth, and your pet will become accustomed to it over time. If your pet's dental health has been neglected for some time, you can schedule a dental cleaning with your veterinarian where your pet will be put under anesthesia and receive a thorough dental cleaning and extraction of any infected teeth, if necessary. Your vet will also do a blood panel to see if the dental infection has spread into the bloodstream at all. Another great option for supplementing your pet's dental health is dental treats.

A perfect example of a dental treat for your dog is a product I've recently discovered called Nylabone Nubz, Edible Dental Dog Chews. These dog chews are highly digestible, made of real chicken with no added sugar, salt, plastic, or preservatives, and they are also gluten-free (great for dogs with food allergies.) Nylabone has been creating quality bones and chews for dogs for over 50 years, crafted right in the United States.

Nylabone Nubz are textured treats with nubs (hence the name!)which help clean teeth, freshen breath, and reduce plaque and tartar build-up as your dog chews. Each package contains over 2 pounds of treats, 18 large-sized bones in all. The large bones can also be easily split to create 36 smaller bones. Feeding one dental bone per day is a great way to help keep your dog's mouth in great health and aid in preventing potentially dangerous plaque and tartar build-up before it starts. These treats should, or course, be used in conjunction with a regular dental hygiene regimene for your dog (including trips to the veterinarian.)

TIP: Nylabone products can be found at most popular retailers, but Costco members can enjoy a special discount! From August 19-September 12, 2010, Costco members can use a coupon in their monthly coupon book for $3.50 off Nylabone Nubz while supplies last.

Dog Paddle 2010 to be held September 12, 2010

From Capital K9's:

Thanks to dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors and a heap of water-loving dogs the annual event to help raise money for the Madison K9 Unit is back. We are expecting a crowd so be sure to come early and have your registration form filled out to avoid long waiting times.

Sorry, no puppies or intact dogs allowed. All dogs must have proper vaccinations and current dog license. It is very important to note that we have a ZERO AGGRESSION POLICY. Any dogs that engage in aggressive behavior will be asked to leave immediately for the safety and security of all participants. For helpful links and additional rules and guidelines please click here.

What is Dog Paddle?


Each year Capital K9s hosts a canine only swim event to raise money for the Madison Police Department K9 Unit. A census of the greater Madison area puts the number of licensed dogs at near 15,000. More than 1000 of those were at the event in 2009 and that number is expected to climb. Activities may include, but are not limited to the following:
 

*Biggest splash contest

*Fastest retrieve contest

*Farthest water jump contest

*“Coolest wet dog” contest

*Photos with K9 Madison K9 teams

*Live remote radio broadcast

How much does it cost?

There is an admission and registration fee of $10 per dog. The fee also includes entry for two people. For those without dogs there will be a fee of $5 per person. Children 14 and under will be admitted free.
 
When is it?

September 12, 10 am – 4 pm. Other than menacing weather, this event will go on rain-or-shine.
 
Where is it?

Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Swimming Pool
325 Olin Avenue
Madison, WI 53713

Guest Post: Why We Shouldn’t Ignore Older Shelter Pets

Puppies and kittens are only part of the great selection of pets available from the many animal shelters in the USA. Older, and in many cases, already trained pets make up a large portion of the population of these temporary homes for unwanted and unloved pets.

Animal shelters were set up as a safe haven for pets whose owners did not realise the amount of time, effort and money that is required in looking after an animal. It has been estimated that almost half the pets in the shelters are euthanized due to a lack of suitable new homes available. It is likely that many of these are older pets.

When visiting an animal shelter, chances are you will be immediately be drawn in by the cute looks from young animals just wanting you to make them your newest family member. But try not to neglect the great selection of older pets that are also available. These pets are often already vaccinated, spayed or neutered, de-wormed, and most importantly – toilet trained! So the chance of ‘little accidents’ is somewhat less than with young puppies or kittens!

It is an age old fact that kittens and puppies are bought as presents, which seems like the best idea in the world at the time. The realization of what you have let yourself in for only begins to sink in with the chewed up shoes, hairs in the carpet and the need to walk them or let them in the garden in the freezing cold and pouring down rain. Not such a brilliant idea now. Or the pet that was bought for a child that promised they would walk, feed and generally look after it which also loses its novelty when it is no longer so small and adorable.

What is often considered the easy option is to pack the pets off to a shelter where they can just be forgotten about. This is why there is such a huge amount of older animals being left in shelters. People seem to forget the famous saying, ‘a pet is for life, not just for Christmas’.

Now you wouldn’t want to be overlooked or ignored just for being an adult would you? Or be left on the shelf for a younger and seemingly more appealing model. So next time you consider a new addition to the family, why not take a look at the pets that don’t get the attention they most definitely deserve.

(This article was written by Ellie on behalf of GJW Titmuss pet supplies)

Photo credit: www.miccio.org

Madison cockfighting case dismissed.

Jorge Iglesias (photo below), the Madison man accused last year of running a cockfighting operation out of his home, is a free man. The Dane County District Attorney moved to dismiss all charges on August 17, 2010. All thirteen charges of Instigation of Animal Fights have been dropped, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

Click here for more information about the original charges, and here for a great story from the Wisconsin State Journal.

Madison's very own: Comfy Cozy Pet Furniture

Do you want to support local pet businesses, but just don't find enough variety in-store? Good news- you can shop online for pet furniture, products, and gifts, and STILL support local Madison entrepreneurs!

Online retailer Comfy Cozy Pet Furniture provides designer and luxury pet furniture for cats and dogs of all sizes. The website features quality premium cat and dog beds for sale, in small and large sizes, bumper, donut/round, and elevated/raised. They also offer a large selection of Made in the USA and earth eco friendly furniture for your pet.

Madison resident Barb Pawlik has owned and operated Comfy Cozy Pet Furniture since 2007. Her husband, Carl, helps out by doing unique engraved glass pet portraits, memorials, pet portrait lights, etc. It is truly a 21st century "mom and pop" business! As of March 11, 2009, Comfy Cozy Pet Furniture carries only products made in the USA. According to Barb, "I've always thought it was important to try to use only products produced in America in both my personal and business life. I'm happy to say I've now found several manufacturers who not only make their own products right here on U.S. soil, they do it in an earth-friendly manner. Yes, you can buy less expensive beds, gates, toys & more elsewhere. But I hope you won't! This is my small effort to support USA workers and the products they make. If we all make some contribution to this effort maybe we can turn the economy around. It's become my mantra, "Is it made in the US? Ok, let's talk. If not, thanks but no thanks." "

So before you buy your next piece of pet furniture from Amazon or another online retailer, consider purchasing from Comfy Cozy Pet Furniture to keep your money right here in Madison supporting local business and American manufacturing.