Americans have long had a love affair with their pets. And the Web is booming with sites paying tribute to the bond we have with our furry friends.
About 71.1 million homes in the U.S. have at least one pet, according to a survey conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. And the emotional bond between people and their pets is stronger than ever, the study goes on to say.
Bottom line: Pets aren’t owned, they are adopted members of the family.
This change in attitude has led to a growing desire for information about everything that affects a pet’s health and wellness. To help our readers stay up-to-date on the latest in everything from the latest nutrition to current veterinary practices, we have developed a new pet health section www.foxnews.com/health/pethealth.
Log on to get news about new and improved products and services that will keep your pet a healthy part of the family for many years to come.
In addition to our Web site, there are dozens of pet-related Weblogs on the net you may want to check out. Keep in mind that these blogs offer general health advice.
Here are my favorite blogs:
American Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals
For those who truly love their pets. This site is dedicated to alleviating pain, fear, and suffering in animals through educating, training, and guiding those who care for animals. Its blog is designed to provide the latest pet health information, as well as news alerts and updates on humane legislation.
About.com Vet Blog
This site is all about the reader. The veterinary medicine blog answers questions posed by readers and offers solutions to issues like itching and picky-eating, how to pick a pet sitter and a vacation checklist for those traveling with pets.
Horse Kinetics
Horse lovers this is for you. Daniel Beatty, DVM, is a holistically minded veterinarian, with a love of giving out information to make the horse owner more knowledgeable and able to handle any health issue with confidence.
Dolittler for Pet Lovers
Dolittler welcomes you to the real world of veterinary medicine. It was created to entertain and challenge the minds of animal lovers everywhere with intelligent, real-world information on veterinary medicine for pets.
Your Pets’ Best Friend
This blog offers a wealth of information on pet care and was started by a small town veterinarian who offers pet owners advice on a variety of health issues. The blog also posts the latest in animal news.
Pet Connection
This pet health blog is put out by Universal Press Syndicate and is much more than a pet column. It allows readers to search for archives for answers to their pet questions and offers helpful links to other pet health sites. Universal Press also offers lots of best-selling books on pet care.
Vet Techs Blog
This is a great place to pet owners to find answers to pet owner questions about veterinary procedures, technology, terminology, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and other products. It’s also a place for techs to voice their frustration with vets who don't respect their skills and pet owners who don't take care of their pets.
Cat Manager
This blog was started to give a broader voice to veterinary industry and as a place to collect and explore a wide range of topics of interest to veterinarians, veterinary support staff, industry insiders—anyone interested in the veterinary world.
All About Species
This blog is all about living through veterinary school and the vast beyond. In addition to offering pet health information on fish, reptiles, and warm-blooded animals, this site offers would-be vets with issues such as surviving 12-hour shifts.
I Can Has Cheeseburger
Just for fun. A wildly popular blog that allows readers to submit humorous, or as the site calls them, LOL (Laugh Out Loud) pictures of cats and kittens.
Remember, you should never make decisions about your pet’s health without first consulting your veterinarian.
Foxnews.com health editor Marrecca Fiore and writer Maria Esposito contributed to this report.
Click here to check out Dr. Manny's book The Check List (Harper Collins, 2007).
Dr. Manny Alvarez is the managing editor of health news at FOXNews.com, and is a regular medical contributor on the FOX News Channel. He is chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Science at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. Additionally, Alvarez is Adjunct Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York University School of Medicine in New York City.
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