Tainted Wheat Gluten Suspected in Pet Deaths

Celiac.com 04/05/2007 – Recent news indicates that wheat gluten tainted with melamine, a chemical found in Asian fertilizers, and forbidden in American pet foods, has been implicated in the sickness of as many as 8,800 pets, including the deaths of up to 2,797 animals, mostly cats1 .

Stephen Sundlof, director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, stated that: “The association between the melamine in the kidneys and urine of cats that died and the melamine in the food they consumed is undeniable,” though he stopped short of placing blame for the animal deaths conclusively on the melamine-tainted wheat gluten.

Sundlof did go on to say that melamine, in any amount, is not permitted in pet foods sold in the U.S.

Wheat Gluten is Not Part of Your Pet’s Natural Diet

These stories invite a deeper consideration about the role that non-tainted wheat gluten may play in chronic illness and degenerative diseases in our beloved cats and dogs.

The simple truth is that cats and dogs are, by nature, primarily meat eaters. Dogs are historically scavengers, whose natural diets, according to a recent study by biologists Ray and Lorna Coppinger, consisted of “bones, pieces of carcass, rotten greens and fruit, fish guts, discarded seeds and grains, animal guts and heads, some discarded human food and wastes”3. In the wild, a dog’s diet included only the smallest amounts of grains, while cats are almost totally carnivorous, and subsist in the wild on a diet made up almost exclusively of small rodents. The natural diets of both cats and dogs provide large amounts of animal protein and fats, water, and little in the way of carbohydrates.

Dogs and Cats Should Avoid Grains and Carbohydrates

Most veterinary textbooks agree that both cats and dogs need almost no carbohydrates, yet the so called “recommended” diet of dry pet foods, which is a major component of most pets’ diets, contradicts both their natural diets and the veterinary literature. Many of these dry pet foods are high in carbohydrates, low in animal protein and fats, and contain almost no water.

This fact is largely ignored by major pet food producers, which is also noted in the book Canine and Feline Nutrition, which states that “the nutrient content of most commercial foods includes carbohydrates”4.

Many pet owners who feed canned, moist food to their cats and dogs do so believing that they are providing much-needed meat and moisture to their animals. This is largely true, but what is also true, as came to light in the recent spate of illnesses and deaths from tainted wet formula pet foods, is that wheat gluten is a significant ingredient in such foods.

The problem is that the digestive systems of dogs and cats have not evolved to digest plant proteins like gluten—they are designed to digest animal protein, and gluten is not the same—and feeding these animals foods that contain gluten can result in many of the same problems that afflict their human counterparts who are sensitive to gluten.

Toxic Effects of Wheat Gluten and Other Proteins in Pets…and Humans

According to veterinarian John B. Symes (”Dogtor J”), gluten and other proteins that are added to dog and cat foods are causing many of the same diseases that they cause in their human counterparts. Dogs and cats that have suffered and died from consuming tainted pet food belie the fact that even untainted gluten can cause many of these same problems and more. In human celiacs and gluten-sensitive individuals, untainted gluten can induce both chronic and acute kidney failure. This form of kidney failure is typically called an IgA nephropathy, in which antibodies and immune complexes formed against gluten are deposited in the kidneys, which leads to damage and ultimately failure. Again, this can be chronic leading to persistent blood (microscopic) and protein in the urine or it can be acute.

Dr. Symes claims that it is a startling but well-established fact that the lectins of gluten (wheat, barley, rye) dairy products (e.g. casein, lactalbumin) soy, and corn are all capable of inducing serious health issues in those humans who are sensitive to them. He takes this belief even further and states that such foods are actually not healthy for anyone—neither Pets nor humans and they just happen to be more harmful to some individuals than others. According to him anyone who consumes or feeds these foods to their pets on a daily basis will encounter resulting health problems—it is only of matter of time.

Dr. Symes believes that the onset of a lectin-related disorder—whether it be rheumatoid arthritis, type-one diabetes, lupus, etc.—is usually preceded by another event such as viral or bacterial infection. Vaccines can act as triggers as well. The result of such secondary events is a sudden influx and attachment of these inflammatory proteins to various cells in the body, ushering in what we often refer to as “autoimmune” disorders. That term implies an immune system that has gone haywire, attacking the body for no reason. According to him, our immune systems, along with those of our pets, never make that kind of mistake. These conditions happen for certain reasons, and these food proteins are often the cause.

All one needs to do, according to Dr. Symes, is to study celiac disease to see how all of this works and appreciate the Health implications that accompany this extremely common condition. That a similar condition does occur in dogs and cats has become painfully obvious during the past seven years that he has been studying the issue. Dr. Symes states: “The Irish Setter is a breed known to suffer from gluten intolerance, but it is clear that gluten is affecting many other breeds of dogs and cats. And why wouldn’t it? It is affecting humans and we have had millennia to adapt to eating wheat. Our pets have only been eating wheat-based pet foods for about 20 years now.”

According to Dr. Symes it does not matter whether they ever tell us that tainted wheat gluten caused kidney failure, or that it be proven responsible in these pet deaths. The fact is that wheat gluten, tainted or not, can, and does cause and/or contribute to these conditions. Thus, according to Dr. Symes, gluten should never end up in pet foods.

To illustrate his theory Dr. Symes points out that the average American dog lives 12 years—13 for cats, when their wild counterparts, eating a natural diet, can live to be nearly thirty and t forty years respectively. For the cause, we need look no further than what we put in their bowls. A European study shows that pets fed with table scraps lived an average of three years longer than those fed commercial diets alone. Why? The answer, at least in part, is that highly processed Foods cannot possibly contain all of the essential nutrients found in fresh meats, fruits and vegetables.

Reasons for Your Pets to Avoid Gluten

For all of the reasons stated, it’s probably a good practice to keep wheat gluten and carbohydrates away from you pet in favor of a “natural” diet rich in animal protein and fats and low in (or free of) carbohydrates. As specialty foods can be expensive, a list of readily available pet foods that are free of wheat gluten is provided below.

Avoid senior, lite and diet foods, as they contain increased fiber and carbohydrates and reduced protein and fat, compared to adult maintenance diets. This is the opposite of what they really need, and this food has no scientific foundation. Older and overweight pets usually respond well to increased protein and fats gained through a diet rich in meat, not grains.

Another benefit of this approach is that many dogs on the dangerous non-steroidal and steroid drugs so commonly prescribed for dogs may see marked improvements in their conditions and, in fact, may no longer need such drugs, which tend to shorten dogs’ lives. Many owners who feed their pets fewer grains see less inflammation.

Top 10 Pet Foods that are Free of Gluten and Other Potentially Harmful Proteins

The following pet foods are recommended by John B. Symes, D.M.V., and according to him, none are “ideal”, but each is gluten-free, wheat-free, barley-free, dairy-free and soy-free and can produce miraculous results in treating chronic diseases that are now found in many pets:

1. IVD/Royal Canin – L.I.D.s (potato-based diets)

2. Nutro Natural Choice Lamb and Rice

3. NaturalLife Lambaderm

4. Canidae and Felidae- Dog and cat foods

5. Dick Van Patten Natural Balance Duck and Potato, Venison and Brown Rice, and Sweet Potato and Fish Formulas

6. Solid Gold Barking at the Moon

7. Natura California Naturals

8. Canine Caviar Lamb & Pearl Millet and Chicken & Pearl Millet formulas

9. Eagle Pack Holistic Select®Duck Meal & Oatmeal and Lamb Meal & Rice \ Formulas

10. Eukanuba Response KO and FP

Resources:

1. Your Whole Pet – Bigger than you think: The story behind the pet food recall (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2007/04/03/petscol.DTL&feed=rss.news)

2. Coppinger, Ray and Lorna, Dogs: A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior & Evolution, Scribner, 2001. 59 — 78.

3. Case: Cary, and Hirakawa, Canine and Feline Nutrition, Mosby, 1995. 93.

4. Morris, Mark, Lewis, Lone and Hand, Michael, Small Animal Clinical Nutrition III, Mark Morris Associates, 1990. 1-11.

5. Burger, I., Ed. The Waltham Book of Companion Animal Nutrition, Pergamon 1995. 26-27: 10.

6. Symes, D.M.V., Dr. John B. (”Dogtor J”) www.dogtorj.net

Jefferson Adams
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/gluten-and-toxins-in-pet-foods-are-they-poisoning-your-pets-128815.html

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Let’s face it, even the best of pet owners is powerless to prevent a pet accident. Even my stepmom, who babies her poodle constantly, has to pick up an "unwelcome present" from time to time.

I have just installed new carpet and would like to make it available to people who have pets (why discriminate against people who care about animals?). But how do I do it without having to pay huge amounts to clean/replace carpet every time someone moves? Does anyone have SUCCESSFUL experience with this?

You can list "no pets allowed". And to the landlord that made the comment about a pregnant barmaid with the cat, this is an isolated incident and just because they work in a bar doesn’t make them deadbeats or noncollectable.

I have given my landlords a $500 pet deposit ($250 nonrefundable) and am required to have the carPets professionally cleaned when I vacate and provide them with a receipt from the company that has done the cleaning. Yes my dogs have had their accidents but I clean it up ASAP as I don’t want to live with doggie mess everywhere or smell it. I will be honest though I have 4 boys (ages 5-10) and they are capable of doing 10 TIMES more damage to the carpets and I am a stay-at-Home mom who is constantly keeping on them to take off their shoes & keep drinks in the kitchen. But more accidents have come from spills & dirty feet than my 2 ten year old inside doggies. Just do a good job screening the people. But keep in mind you can’t discriminate against tenants with children but you can with pets & aquariums (just put it in your listing).

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Most families at some point decide to introduce a pet or animal to their family home at some point in their lives. Although cats, dogs, rabbits, gerbils, fish and other small animals are the most common family pet it is becoming less unusual for families to look at bringing home exotic pets.

Exotic Pets may seem more exciting and different however unless your are fully prepared and understand enough about the exotic pets you choose bringing one home could end in disaster.

Generally speaking, the more exotic the pet the more Education you will need and it will probably require more expensive housing and Food. When you are looking for exotic pets do your research before you shop, you may find you purchase an animal on impulse that you know little about and does not fit your family surroundings.

It is extremely important to do plenty of research on exotic pets before you decide what sort you want. You can find plenty of information on the internet simply type in the animal you are look for and read as much as you can to see if this animal suits you. You can also visit your local library and borrow books on exotic pets.

It may be helpful to visit a few pet shops to seek advise about exotic pets, make sure you are aware of all the special requirements they need.

Things To Ask
What sort of housing do they require including the size and shape.
What sort of food do they eat and how often should they be fed
Are they prone to any type of diseases or problems you should look out for
Do they require any special equipment such as a UV light or heat mat
How long is their life expectancy
Do they need any type of vaccinations
Do you need any sort of licence to own this type of animal

If you have children it may be worth finding out how much your exotic pet likes to be interacted with. If you have chosen an animal that does not like to be handled will your family be happy with a pet that can only be looked at and not touched?

If you have other pets already you will need to know if the new addition will upset your existing animals and how they will get along. You may need to set up alternative measures if they need to be kept well away from each other.

Buying exotic pets is not as easy as it seems but if you are fully aware of everything that it needs and have prepared a loving home with the correct facilities there is no reason why you should not enjoy having one.

Allen Jesson
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/exotic-pets-making-the-right-decision-134634.html

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Discount vitamins are a boon for all mammals, whether they have two legs or four. Some pets have particular ailments that would benefit greatly from adding supplements to their regular diet. Even the birds and reptiles in the family can benefit from better nutrition, and all pets will be happier and healthier with the proper diet. Although pet vitamins are available, they are usually more expensive and harder to find than similar human products, and there’s no reason why humans and pets can’t share a regimen of good nutrition.

The first step is to look at what your pet is already eating without supplements. This seems obvious, but how many people read the label on a bag of dog food? Most pet food is designed to pump protein and fiber into the animal’s diet, which is reasonable since they’re not in the wild catching mice and lizards. Unless you are spending top dollar for the most expensive brands, usually sold only in pet stores, your pet food probably doesn’t have more than a few supplements, such as vitamins A and D. It may not have any. Since veterinarians usually recommend keeping pets on the same food, whatever they’re missing nutritionally, they’re missing all the time.

Please note that kittens, puppies, and baby guinea pigs are not good candidates for vitamin supplements. Their pet food already contains more supplements than adult food, and this guideline is intended for adult animals, especially older animals that eat less, are less active, and have more health problems. Pay close attention to dosages, as discussed below. Also many human supplements are totally inappropriate for animals, such as Human Growth Hormone. When in doubt, ask your vet. Most veterinarians do agree that some important and helpful supplements are missing in action from traditional pet food:

Glucosamine and Chondroitin
German Shepherds are one of many breeds that suffer from a hereditary disease called hip dysplasia, which means “badly formed” hip in Latin. It’s a degenerative disease, which just keeps getting worse with age until the poor creature can barely get up or go for a walk. Vets often prescribe Glucosamine Hydrochloride and Chondroitin Sulfate for this condition, because those compounds promote cartilage development and healthy joints. They’re usually combined into one product that can easily be adjusted for Pets by splitting pills, according to the pet’s weight compared to human weight and dosage. Vitamin C and the minerals copper, manganese, and zinc are also important for cartilage and ligament Health in older animals.

Thiamine, Riboflavin, and Niacin
These supplements, also known as Vitamins B1, B2, and B3, are often found in more expensive pet food. They help the body convert carbohydrates and fat into energy, while they promote proper function of the heart, nervous, and digestive systems. Vitamin B2 is needed to form red blood cells and antibodies, and is essential for healthy skin, nails, and coat. Riboflavin also helps prevent many types of eye diseases, including cataracts, which afflict many animals in old age. Niacin is needed for a healthy liver and metabolism, and it aids in repairing cells and DNA.

Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, and Garlic
If you were covered in fur, you would probably be more interested in maintaining a healthy coat, too. All of these supplements do just that, plus they perform various other useful functions in a mammal’s body, from maintaining a healthy immune system to good blood clotting and bone formation. Omega 3 and Vitamin E are found in fish oil, which is often easy to give pets because it’s a liquid. All of these are easy to find in stores and websites that specialize in discount vitamins.

Calcium is for the Birds
There’s a good reason to put a cuttlefish bone in the cage of your favorite bird, because he needs that calcium for his own healthy beak, bones, and talons. Commercial birdseed is almost a perfect Food for a feathered pet, but it is missing calcium and Vitamin C. Cats may get enough calcium and Vitamins A and D if they are regular milk drinkers, but poor dogs have digestive systems that don’t agree with milk. Dogs are very dependent on having healthy teeth, so they need more calcium in their diets. Calcium pills are easy to split and measure and are often combined with other supplements.

Children’s Multivitamins for Your Pet?
One brand of generic children’s chewable vitamins is virtually identical in composition and supplements to an expensive brand of dog multivitamins, even down to the dosages. One is fruit-flavored and the other is beef-flavored, but is there any reason to pay three times more for the beef-flavored one? Kids will seldom eat dog vitamins, but it’s not the other way around. A pet owner can also learn a lot about proper dosages by studying the labels on children’s multivitamins and vitamin-packed breakfast cereals. These dosages are usually on the conservative side, and the supplements contained are plain vanilla, with nothing too exotic. Even reptiles have been known to enjoy small chunks of kid’s chewable vitamins, getting nutrients missing from their regular fare, especially if they don’t eat much fruit.

Many supplements are sold in liquid form, or tinctures, designed to be added to food and drink with an eyedropper. This is often a more precise way to add the proper amount to food and may fool those finicky felines better than half a vitamin pill. Obviously the smaller the animal, the more careful his owner must be in giving him dietary supplements. Only a few are known to be harmful when administered in too large a dosage. One rule of thumb: if the animal would consume this nutrient as part of his varied diet in the wild, then it’s okay to give him in captivity. That’s the latest theory why dogs eat grass, because their ancestors were used to eating grass as hunters and scavengers in the wild.

Of course, good nutrition is not all a pet needs. Fresh air, clean water, fun exercise, and love are just as important. Regular trips to the vet and good grooming rituals are a must, and fleas and ticks should be vigorously controlled during their prime season in the summer. A breakout of ticks in one household might spread to neighboring households. Senior animals are often the most challenging to deal with as they lose some of their physical and mental abilities. Like human seniors, they’re the ones who can benefit most from Garlic, Ginseng, Vitamin E, Vitamin C and the other supplements known to extend life, increase brain function, and bolster the immune system.

In truth, humans could benefit from eating a few common ingredients found in pet food, such as bone meal and chicken byproducts, but we already have a more varied diet. We know our pets must be missing some vitamins, but after food, licenses, medicines, and trips to the vet and the groomer, it’s hard to take on another expense. Fortunately, there’s no reason to buy high-priced pet food or special pet products to give our loved ones full nutrition. Lots of discount vitamins readily available for humans are suitable for four-legged mammals, too. In the long run, good nutrition is second only to love in making a pet’s life long and fulfilling.

Freelance Writer
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/pets-need-discount-vitamins-too-96539.html

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I have a 30 gallon, with 2 green tree frogs, with a fountain, moss, soil, and gravel substrate. I am also keeping live tropical plants in the terrarium as well. What other Pets can I keep in this terrarium with my green tree frogs?

Big snake

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Pets are no longer considered working animals they are more members of the family, you will probably find you spend the same if not more time with your pet than anyone else and losing a pet can be devastating.

Everyday there are reports of lost pets, some are stolen others simply escape from home and can not find their ways back. It is important to secure your home so this does not happen to you and your pet.

Finding lost pets can depend on luck but there are additional methods you can take to try and track down lost pets.

Make sure you have checked every possible place in your Home and garden to rule out if your pet has simply curled up somewhere.

Talk to neighbours and friends and see if they have seen your pet or heard if anyone has found any lost Pets, hand out leaflet or flyers, try to have as much detail as possible including a recent photo of your lost pet so people can see exactly what it looks like
Report lost pets to your local vets providing them also with a photo and description.

Contact your local animal shelters and ask if any lost pets have been handed in around the time your pet went missing.

Keep checking the same places over and over again as your pet could return to a place you may have already looked.

Ask local kids if they have seen your pet, if you offer any sort of reward never say how much until your pet has been found safe and sound.
There are many ways in which you can prevent your pet from becoming lost. Most are obvious yet we forget to do them, these include the following.

Make your home and garden more secure by putting up pet proof fences and make sure all your gates are locked at al times

Never let your pet roam around the neighbourhood alone.

Provide your pet with a collar and a tag which clearly states the pets name address and a contact phone number.

Consider having a micro chip implant, this would have to be done by your local vet and is a pain free way of tracking your pet and has helped find may lost pets.

Although losing a pet can be distressing there are so many ways to prevent this from happening and ways to find them should they still become lost, not all make it home but a huge majority do.

The most important thing is to try and prevent this from happening in the first place as this will keep your pets safe and save you a lot of heartache.

Allen Jesson
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/lost-pets-how-to-find-them-136792.html

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Diabetes is one of the most common hormonal disorders in dogs and cats. When the pet’s body has too much blood glucose because is insensitive to the available insulin in his body or because doesn’t produce enough insulin, diabetes occurs.

There are known two types of diabetes. When there is an insufficient number of insulin-producing cells in the body, there appears a deficiency of insulin leading to type 1 diabetes. This type of diabetes is not preventable, appears usually in young pets and is the most serious form of the disease.

Type 2 diabetes results from a body’s resistance to the effects of insulin and usually more affected are obese and older pets. It is known that weight control through diet and exercise may help preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes.

There are some signs and symptoms that can show diabetes is present. The most common are increased water consumption and frequency of urination, but also weight loss despite a large appetite may occur. It is known that diabetes can become a life-threatening condition for your pet if it is left uncontrolled.

In order to see if your pet has diabetes, you should take it to the veterinarian. The veterinarian will perform a physical examination, including blood and urine tests.

After that, if it is necessary, he will recommend an appropriate course of treatment for the pet. It is known that most diabetic pets require one or two daily injections of insulin to control blood glucose levels.

However, the treatment may also include a combination of oral medication, a special veterinarian recommended diet and regular exercise ; it is recommended spaying in female diabetic pets.

The diabetic pets should be close monitored. It was seen that low blood glucose levels, resulting in disorientation, weakness or seizures can appear because of the insulin overdoses.

It is known that the daily insulin injections are the most effective way to treat diabetic pets. It is important to relax, not to be nervous when you are giving the injection to the pet, because it might feel your emotions and become nervous too.

It is important to warm the insulin before you administer it, by holding between the fingers for a minute the syringe full of insulin.

A good advice is to reward your pet after giving it the injection. In this way, the pet will associate the injection with a pleasant experience.

The doctors say that diabetic pets have not a significantly shorter life span than healthy Pets. Diabetes can not be cured, but with treatment, patience and love, the diabetic pet can have a happy and normal life.

So, if you want to find out more about type 2 diabetes or even about what causes diabetes please follow this link http://diabetes-info-center.com/

Groshan Fabiola
http://www.articlesbase.com/Health-articles/diabetes-and-pets-136072.html

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I am going to be putting some lawn patch repair on the bare parts of my fenced in backyard (mulch/fertilizer/seed) and also some turf builder on the rest of the lawn. When can I let the Pets go back in their yard? Would it be best to supervise them when they are in the yard? The packages say it is safe for pets, but I am not sure it is safe for the grass for them to be on it. Any other suggestions would be appreciated on how I can avoid having a big muddy mess this spring since the winter/pets have turned the backyard into a big mess.

Its fine as long as they arent trampoling the seeds to death but Its best to keep them off.

Make sure you keep the seeds well watered.
They will need potassium. Potassium will strengthen the root system.
Check the ingredients on the bag. Dont use it if it has alot of nitrogen, it can burn the new roots and kill it.
Once the roots have developed after a month or 2, then use the nitrogen. Nitrogen encourages growth. Iron helps with color.

I think the turf builder has alot of potassium and low nitrogen, that’ll probly be good. Just dont over fertilize!

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Let’s face it; in many Homes around the world, the family pet is just that – part of the family. There is nothing that loving pet owners would not do to ensure the longevity and vitality of their pet. So it’s unsurprising that pet owners are well versed in first aid for pets. Knowing what to do in order to temporarily treat injuries or react in an emergency can significantly impact the Health of your pet.

Because most pets are similar to children in their natural curiosity, they can sometimes get in over their heads resulting in injury. Just as we prepare for minor injuries and serious emergencies when it comes to our children, so too must we make similar preparations for our pets.

Much of what we would include in a first aid kit for the human members of our household can also be included in a first aid for pets kit. Gauze, scissors, tape, alcohol or other antiseptic with which to clean a wound, antibacterial cream, and tweezers are all important items to include when administering first aid for pets.

Keep in mind that an animal who is in pain will often snap at you in an effort to keep you away from its wound. Use extreme caution when approaching your injured pet. Regardless of your warm and loving relationship, your pet may surprise you. This is simply an instinctual reaction. You may want to keep a muzzle handy should you ever need to administer emergency first aid for pets to a growling or biting animal.

First and foremost, keep in mind that first aid for pets is only a first line in defense against injuries. A veterinarian should always be consulted when dealing with an injury. You can certainly treat minor injuries at home but always give a call to your vet to make sure your pet does not need to be seen.

Of course, in the event of an emergency, administer what lifesaving first aid that you can and get to an animal hospital immediately. Keep the numbers of your veterinarian and your local animal hospital posted in clear sight.

For more information about preparing appropriate first aid for pets, your veterinarian can be enormously helpful. Ask him/her what to keep on hand in the event of an emergency. The short amount of time that it takes to gather such necessary items will be well worth the effort should you ever need to administer first aid for pets.

Michelle Bery
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/providing-first-aid-for-Pets-107794.html

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It’s a known fact that animals have the amazing ability to calm their owners and promote positive emotions. So, besides the fact that if they’re left behind, they most probably will suffer from separation anxiety, if you migrate with your pets, they’ll most likely help you ease into your new home and country.

If you want to migrate with your Pets – this is what you need to know!!

Restrictions

There are a few restrictions in regards to pet immigration in various countries. Pet Immigration is not a very simple process but it is very possible. For example, if you’ve decided to migrate to New Zealand  consider that this country only accepts cats and dogs. Unfortunately, no other kinds of pets can gain access to New Zealand. So, if you have a parrot or pet rabbit called bunny, you’ll have to find a loving home for it in your homeland, and bid them farewell. Also, consider the following. Animals are required to come through Auckland International Airport. Most animals are subject to quarantine. This depends on which country they are from. Your pet will typically spend at least 6 months in their departure country and will require full vaccinations. Rest assured a subcutaneous chip comes standard.

Pet Lab Tests

In most instances, pets will also require a rabies lab test at least three weeks after vaccination. Vaccinations for your pets include the following: For dogs (Rabies (Except UK and Australia), Distemper, Hepatitis, Adenovirus 2, Parainfluenza, Bordatella , Leptospirosis , Parvovirus. For cats; (Rabies (Except UK and Australia), Panleukopnia, Rhinotrachetis, Calicivirus. If you need more information regarding the rules and regulation of pets, visit the Ministry for Agriculture and Forestry. The lab test result identifies the animal by its identity chip number. This chip must be at least 6 months old before the animal will be eligible for importation. Be sure to handle this in advance. If you fail to do so, you may be without your pet for several months.

A Permit to Import may be required.

Exceptions

This does not apply to animals migrating from Australia and the UK. Your pet may also have to undergo a period of quarantine. There’s no way of telling what the specific set period will be. So, keep this in mind. In fact, your pet could be kept in quarantine for up to a month or longer. Take into consideration that shipping pets is a very expensive exercise and could currently cost you over $1000 NZ Dollars!

Contact a quarantine facility

If it’s not necessary for your pet or pets to be quarantined before applying for a permit to import, you must contact a quarantine facility in New Zealand to reserve a space for your pet/pets. When you book a space the quarantine facility will send you a letter of confirmation. This letter must be included with your permit application.

Prepare your pet

You’ll need to ensure that your loved one is prepared well. All animal products, this includes pet Food and poultry feather meal products require Import Health Standards. If your pet requires medication, you may be able to import the medicine. You’ll need approval from Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Group. You’ll require The Import Health Standards (IHS) documents. These are documents that detail the import conditions for live animals and animal products into New Zealand. These documents define the conditions that must (if an import is made), be met in the country of origin or of export. This applies to the period during the transit of importation and quarantine. What’s more, the ISH will be able to tell you whether you’ll need a permit to Import or Post Entry quarantine.

Factors to consider

These factors are important as to they’ll ensure that your pet arrives safely and is well cared for. If you intend to import your cat or dog, be sure to check the requirements in the personal Travel section. Note that cats and dogs coming from Australia, United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Hawaii and Singapore are not required to undergo a period of quarantine, but they do require certification. These pets will however be inspected for ticks on arrival.

Pets Immigrating to Canada

If you immigrate to Canada, you’ll need to have medical documents showing that your pet is healthy. You’ll also be required to follow certain procedures while crossing the border. Take into account that all documents for your pets are required to be documented in English or French.

Canadian Requirements

If you’re importing puppy pets under 3 months old, you don’t require documents for them. Although, for all cats and dogs older than 3 months, you’ll have to prove, via medical certificates for example, that they don’t have rabies. Thankfully, if you’re coming from a country recognised as rabies-free, you’re required to secure a document from a veterinarian who works for a government veterinary service in your home country. The vet will then have to state that there have been no cases of rabies in your country for at least 6 months. The vet will also be required to state that your cat or dog have been in the country throughout this time.

Consider the following

Currently, the following countries are recognised by the government of Canada as rabies-free. These countries are: Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Fiji, Finland, Iceland, Ireland (Republic of), Jamaica, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla , St. Lucia , St. Martin (Netherlands Antilles), St. Pierre et Miquelon Islands , St. Vincent , Sweden , Taiwan, Turks and Caicos Islands , United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) and Uruguay.

Pets Immigrating to Australia

In regards to pet registration, you should contact the National Pet Register (NPR) which is a wide free pet ID service. The NPR operates throughout Australia for 24 hrs a day through the year. There’s simply no excuse not to register your pet! A valid passport will come in handy too!

By the looks of it, it’ll do you and your pet good to research about your future countries animal import policies. Be sure to check the rules of the carrier that you plan to use to transport your pet. At the end of the day, all the trouble’s well worth it when you hold your pet in your arms, in your new country.

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Lindsay Wagner

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