My grandma came for a visit this weekend, which meant that I had to get all of the animals in tip-top shape. She’s not an animal person. It&r... Read More
What is the real difference with between the $10 bag of food and a $40 bag of the same size? Actually, there can be lots of differences between the two bags. From the price tag to long term health issues, making and knowing how to make a good choice about your dog’s food is very important.
Where to begin
As a rule of thumb, the cheape...Read More
Even though most dogs today are domesticated and grow up on commercial dog food, they still have the same teeth their wild ancestors had. Dog teeth are also very similar to human teeth, with a few main differences. It is important for dog owners to learn about these differences in order to be able to keep their dog’s teeth and gums healthy...Read More
Did you know that there is a organization that regulates pet food? It’s true. The organization is AAFCO, which stands for the Association of American Feed Control Officials. The organization is made up of volunteers from local, state, and federal levels who join together in order to set guidelines and best practices for the pet food indust...Read More
You probably don't even realize it, but there are many plants that might be in your backyard that could be harmful or even fatal to your pet.
Many common garden plants and wild growth can cause some serious damage to your pet’s health. The problem is that dogs and cats use their sense of smell and of taste to explore what is around...Read More
Unfortunately, humans are not the only species that get cancer. It is actually the number one killer of dogs and cats. Since your pet cannot tell you what is wrong with them, you have to be on the lookout for any signs that your pet may exhibit that may suggest they have cancer. Just as in humans, the earlier a cancer is detected, the greater th...Read More
It makes sense that you would want to keep your pet’s food and water bowls clean since you keep your own food plates clean. But, is it really safe to clean your pet’s bowls the same way you clean your plates?
The short answer is yes. However, your pet’s bowls are a little different from our plates and bowls, so there are a ...Read More
As the weather starts to get warmer and draw summer closer, it is a great time to start thinking about flea and tick protection.
We will be spending more time outside with our pets in the following weeks and months. Unfortunately, what happens outside does not always stay outside. Those pesky little fleas and ticks love to hitch a ride on ou...Read More
Cats and dogs are great pets. They give pet owners a sense of pride and bring them joy. However, they do also shed. Even “hairless” pets shed. It can be frustrating, but there are ways to prevent your house from looking like a giant hairball. Here are 5 tips to managing shedding season.
1. Start on the inside with good diet
Feed...Read More
Winter is a magical time for those of us who live in snowy areas. It can be incredibly relaxing to watch the snow gently fall to the Earth while sipping some hot cocoa with one hand and petting the dog with the other.
On the other hand, winter can also be a very uncomfortable time for us and our pets. The dry climate and lowered humidit...Read More
One of the most frightening things for a dog owner to see is blood in their dog’s stool. Before you panic, realize that blood in a dog’s stool is actually quite a common occurrence and is not necessarily cause for alarm.
Before you freak out, ask yourself these questions:
Does your dog still have an appetite?
Has y...Read More
Itch, itch, itch! Is that all your dog seems to do these days? You are not alone. There are some dogs that itch and scratch so bad, it keeps their owners up all night.
There are many reasons why your dog may be itching and scratching. Too many for one article, in fact. One possible cause in particular seems to be getting more and more common...Read More
There are plenty of options when you have to leave your pet and go away in a quick manner. However, there may be few options that will actually work out with your individual pet. Since every pet is unique and you are a responsible owner, it is important to make sure that a pet sitteris really the best choice for your pet. Here ...Read More
The dog’s nose. No matter how annoying it can be, it is hard to resist. Despite being right in front of your face, there are still many myths surrounding this useful organ.
Your dog’s nose does more than smell. It aids in keeping you dog cool and also acts as a filter that can stop the chemicals in the air from entering the body....Read More
As crazy as it might sound and in today’s economy…taking a day off with your dogwill greatly improve your quality of life. I know for those of you living up north it’s kind of hard going out because it’s really cold. However, you can still take a day off and dedicate it entirely to your canine friend. Give him/her an esp...Read More
It might be fun to look at photos of obese cats on YouTube, but if you really think about it, extra weight on a cat is unhealthy. It impedes quality of life for our feline friends, even if they are relatively healthy despite the extra weight.
It’s not surprising that so many cats are overweight. It’s...Read More
Getting a new dog is a process. From deciding if you want to buy or adopt, to picking out a breed, to dog proofing you home, there is always something to do or worry about. One of the most important steps in the process is getting your dog spayed or neutered, depending on if it is a female or male dog respectively.
It is almost impossible fo...Read More
October is a busy month. There are lots of contests, Halloween is coming, and it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Many cities and towns are “going pink” this month in order to raise public awareness of this type of cancer.
Living in Connecticut, I am especially aware of this cause. My state has the second highest rate of ne...Read More
Sometimes an animal gets an injury and won’t stop picking at the wound, even when doing so makes it worse. Other times, when an injured animal receives surgery, they feel compelled to scratch at their stitches, oblivious to the harm it will do to them. In these cases, the vet will typically outfit the animal with an Elizabethan collar, ...Read More
Diarrhea is a sign of intestinal disease in dogs just as in humans. Eating inappropriate food is one of the main causes of diarrhea. There are also worms, bacterial infections, viral infections, and parasites causing diarrhea in dogs. Many dog owners feel frustrated because what’s good for them might not necessarily be good for their pets....Read More
Onions, garlic, grapes & chocolate are bad for dogs; especially chocolate which poison becomes in their system. They are not able to absorb it. Beware of chicken bones. Salty, sweet (high in sugar content), or fatty should be avoided as well. Some dogs are allergic to some particular foods. If you see your dog vomiting or having diarrhea chances...Read More