Fireworks
Get your pet used to fireworks, so they’re less likely to be scared and anxious during holidays. Check out more information here.
Category: Pet Care
FIV Positive Cats Can Live With FIV Negative Cats!
Today in News of the Obvious: FIV-positive cats can live with other uninfected cats and not transmit the virus. A veterinary study concludes this. Finally. Check out the full article here.
Dental Care
Dental care is very important for your pet no matter what age! This page has a number of resources for your cat & dog’s teeth – what you can do at home to improve dental care, the costs of professional care, dental insurance information, and more! Check out the resources at Our Dental Care Blog.
Resolving Cat Behavior Issues
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has prepared an extraordinary compilation of information on cat behavior counseling. If you’re having any behavior issues with your cat, please check out the guide and see if you can resolve the problem. Hopefully this will help keep more cats in their homes! Click here to check out the guide!
Chronic Kidney Disease
www.felinecrf.org
What happens when a dog loses his human?
Most of us have experienced the loss of a pet. But there are times when a pet loses his human. That’s what happened to Tommy. According to the Daily Mail, Tommy is a 7 year old German Shepherd living in Italy. He was adopted as a stray by a woman named Maria. The two were super close – Tommy even went to church with his mom! Maria died two months
NAET Allergy Elimination Techniques
We have heard reports that people have had success with this drug-free allergy treatment: http://www.naet.com/Patients/locator.aspx
“The Miracle of Life” – a poem
This is a poem that every animal shelter and cat rescue group can relate to–and everyone who cares about animals must read and share. … View Full Post“The Miracle of Life” – a poem
The 12 Most Talkative Dog Breeds
While some people seek quiet canine companions, other dog owners prefer a pup with something to say. And these dogs have plenty to talk about! We asked 218 veterinary professionals which popular breeds they deemed most talkative, and these 12 were at the top of the list. Although it’s important to keep in mind that many dogs can be louder than average if allowed to become nuisance barkers, these dogs
Cat allergy research offers hope of possible cure
British scientists say they have discovered how cats trigger allergies in people, raising hopes for a possible cure to the feline-caused affliction.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge say they have found a protein in cat dander — or dead skin cells — that interacts with a chemical in the human body to cause allergy symptoms, which can range from itching and sneezing to asthma attacks. … View Full PostCat allergy research offers hope of possible cure
Heat stroke signs in dogs
Summertime safety is an important consideration for pet owners. Pets should never be left in parked cars, as temperatures can quickly rise to deadly highs. Other tips include limiting walks and runs with your dog to early morning or evening hours, watching out for paw pad burns on hot asphalt, and using a pet-friendly sunscreen on pets with light-colored fur. For more information on summer pet safety, check out the
Hot Car Safety
70 degrees is too hot to leave a dog in the car. … View Full PostHot Car Safety
Pets may help cut heart disease risk
Anyone wanting to live longer and cut their risk of suffering from heart disease might want to consider getting a pet. … View Full PostPets may help cut heart disease risk
Devocalized Dogs Speak Out
Their Vocal Cords Were Cut to Stifle Their Voices. They Hope YOU Will Listen to Them…and Share Their Stories. [embed_youtube src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/tnE_3O7QUNY” width=”100%” height=”400px” class=”” id=””] Take 2 minutes to meet Bagel, whose surgically altered barks sound like a cry for “help”… Cody, a former show dog, who struggles to breathe… Lady, given up twice after she was devocalized… and other dogs who speak for themselves and the countless dogs and
Spay/Neuter Videos
Take a look! … View Full PostSpay/Neuter Videos
Spay/Neuter Facts
Did you know only 1 out of 10 dogs and 1 out of 12 cats born ever finds a permanent home? … View Full PostSpay/Neuter Facts
Establishing and Keeping Alpha Position
Below is a list of rules every dog owner should follow to ensure your dog knows his place in your human pack. If your dog guards his food or growls at humans in the family, and especially if you own a wolf hybrid, these rules should be strictly followed. Dogs need to have a clear place in their pack. A dog lacking in this clear order is an unhappy dog.
Separation Anxiety
Dogs are social animals and form strong attachments to other dogs and to people. The dog’s first experience with separation anxiety is when the pup is separated from its mother and littermates. New owners expect their puppy to be restless the first few nights he spends in his new home. In later life, problems arise when a dependent dog has a strong attachment to one person. The owners are kindly
A Dog’s Purpose
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old
A Pet’s Ten Commandments
My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. Give me time to understand what you want of me. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you. Talk to me. Even if
10 of the most common “behavioral” reasons cats urinate outside the box
The litter is dirty The box smells bad The box is too small The box smells like harsh cleaning chemicals You don’t scoop often enough They don’t like the kind of litter you’re using The litter is too deep The litter isn’t deep enough The box is in a noisy location / they have no privacy You don’t have enough boxes (one box per cat is preferable) Do not assume
View Full Post10 of the most common “behavioral” reasons cats urinate outside the box
Teaching Your Cat to Use a Scratching Post
Cats scratch on things for two reasons: to shed their claws and to mark their territory. To save your furniture from damage, you should provide your cat with a scratching post or two and teach him/her how to use it. … View Full PostTeaching Your Cat to Use a Scratching Post
Tips on Finding Lost Cats
The sooner you start searching, the less distance your pet will have traveled. … View Full PostTips on Finding Lost Cats
Renting
If you have a pet, a landlord may demand that you pay a “pet deposit” to protect the landlord in the event that your pet causes damage to the unit. While such a deposit is clearly illegal if the landlord is also collecting a security deposit equal to the first month’s rent, a landlord may not let you move in unless you agree to pay the additional deposit.
Microchip your pet… and help them find their way home.
Read about the dog missing for 8 years who was identified through microchipping! … View Full PostMicrochip your pet… and help them find their way home.
Love means never having to say, “My cat is missing.”
Did you know that only 5% of lost cats are reunited with their owners? … View Full PostLove means never having to say, “My cat is missing.”
Safety Tips for Your Pets During a Hurricane
Your home may be ready for a hurricane, or other severe weather, but your pets need a few special precautions. … View Full PostSafety Tips for Your Pets During a Hurricane
Raisins and Grapes Can Be Toxic
Let’s discuss raisin and grape toxicosis. For some years now veterinarians have known that certain dogs, upon eating grapes or raisins, have reactions that range from mild GI (gastrointestinal, stomach and intestine) problems to kidney failure and death. Cats, being fastidious eaters, probably just have better sense than to eat raisins or grapes. But take no chances and do not offer grapes or raisins to your kitty.
Pet First Aid: 5 Things Every Dog and Cat Owner Should Know
No matter how careful we are as pet owners, dogs and cats sometimes still manage to cut themselves, get overheated and eat things they really shouldn’t.
Feline Leukemia (FeLV)
Feline leukemia is a cancerous disease caused by feline leukemia virus (FeLV). FeLV causes diseases other than leukemia including other cancers and immunodeficiency. Cats may not start to show signs of disease for months or years after being infected with FeLV. Infection with FeLV is a major cause of illness and death in domestic cats. Approximately 2.3% of cats in the United States are infected with FeLV. Read more at
Declawing
If you are considering declawing your cat, please read this. … View Full PostDeclawing
If you’re for declawing cats, raise your hand.
Ever wonder what goes on behind closed doors at veterinary clinics? Why do veterinarians always take animals into the back? Are there dirty little veterinary secrets that animals can’t tell us? Declawing is one of the most painful, routinely-performed surgeries in all of veterinary medicine, and yet it is so common that one-quarter or more of all cats in the US are declawed.
Feline Vaccination Series
This vaccination series is designed to help protect your pet from several diseases. Booster shots should be given every 3 to 4 weeks until kittens are 3 months old. Adult cats should be vaccinated every 3 years but should have annual physical examination to screen for other illnesses. Vaccinations should be given to all cats even if they are strictly indoors. Recently adopted cats with unknown health histories should also
Cancer in Cats — Fourteen Signs to Look For
Lump or growth that grows quickly A mass that seems to be attached to the underlying tissue A mass that changes its character Weight loss or loss of appetite Coughing or difficult/labored breathing Bloody urine or difficulty urinating Lethargy or a decreased energy level Straining or difficulty defecating A firm mass A pigmented mass A sore or wound that does not heal Difficulty eating or swallowing Persistent lameness Repeated vomiting
FIV: Catching a Bad Case of Rumors
By Kristi Littrell (originally posted on bestfriends.org) Despite what many people think, cats with this condition can live perfectly long, happy, healthy lives. I was on my way back to the sanctuary after a family visit in Colorado. Curled up beside me, purring contentedly, was Reggie, the cat nobody dared take in. You’d think he was an unexploded bomb or an X-rated movie. Make that FIV-rated. FIV stands for Feline
Feline Immuno-deficiency Virus (FIV)
The Feline Immuno-Deficiency Virus (FIV) is a slow virus that affects a cat’s immune system over a period of years. FIV cats most often live long, healthy, and relatively normal lives with no symptoms at all. FIV is a cat-only disease and cannot be spread to humans or other non-felines. FIV is not easily passed between cats. It cannot be spread casually, like in litter boxes, water and food bowls
Senility in Cats
Many people have known old cats that have matured to the point of minimal activity, and who have lost most of their kittenish joie de vivre. That’s normal aging. Feline cognitive dysfunction (FCD), however, is a truly pathological condition represented by a constellation of behavioral signs that are abnormal, seem out of character, or are performed out of context. No one sign is absolutely diagnostic, but the insidious onset of
Tired of Those Awful Mats on Your Long-Haired Cats?
Just rub corn starch into the mats first and use a wide tooth comb and gently comb. Not only will your cat look better, but your cat will feel better, too. Mats not only look awful but can cause discomfort to your cat as they grow taut and tug at their skin.
Good News for Feral Cats
Feral cats — nearly invisible and often reviled — have prowled into the spotlight. The free-roamers with an aversion to humans have grabbed headlines this spring because of a bounty on their heads in Iowa, a threatened roundup and disposal in Fairfax County, Va., and other elimination plans across the country. But the cats also are receiving attention of a different sort. Grass-roots groups and animal-welfare organizations are directing money
Feeding Your Kitten Right — From the Start
Good feeding habits will help your kitten grow into a healthy, well-behaved cat. Start early and establish a pattern for meal times according to the following guidelines: 1. Feed a food specifically designed for KITTENS or GROWTH until about one year of age. 2. Offer individual meals 4 times a day until 6 months of age, then 3 times a day until one year old. Offer a measured amount of
Feeding Tips for Adult Cats
Cats maintained at their optimal body weight live longer than their overweight littermates. Establish a pattern for meal times according to the following guidelines: Adult cats should be fed an adult maintenance food to maintain an optimal body weight and condition. Indoor neutered adult cats should be fed a low-calorie, Light or Lite dry food. Feed the cat in the same place at every meal. Offer clean water at all
Seven Great Ways to Keep Your Indoor Cat Happy
Create a Window View. Think about getting a window perch or window seat for your cat. It is important for your indoor cat to have a “view” and the ability to watch what is going on outside. This is a great way to create a stimulating environment. There are commercially available “window beds” that attach to your window frame. Cats love these. Another option is a cat tree placed near
View Full PostSeven Great Ways to Keep Your Indoor Cat Happy
Fear Aggression in Dogs
Dog fear aggression is the direct result of a dog’s fear. Just like their human counterparts, dogs have the ability to fear and can develop phobias towards certain elements. This is typically the case with dogs that have a history of abuse or neglect, but keep in mind that any dog can develop a fear. As with most humans, these fears are often irrational, but they may run deep and
Urine Marking (Spraying) in Cats
Urine marking (spraying) is a normal feline behavior that is quite unacceptable in the human household. Cats urine mark primarily to advertise their presence to other cats and to establish and maintain territories. The most common triggers for urine marking include a new cat in the household, free-roaming cats outside, or social conflict between family cats. However, other events such as a visitor to the home, new furniture, or unfamiliar
Introducing a New Cat Into the Home
Tips on introducing your new cat. … View Full PostIntroducing a New Cat Into the Home
Cats and Their Litter Boxes
The best thing about cats is that they don’t need to be potty-trained. Relieving themselves in soft, loose material and burying their waste is an innate behavior, so even young kittens know what to do without being shown. All you have to do is provide an acceptable place for the cat to do her business. To start out on the right foot with your new cat or kitten we
Correcting Unwanted Behavior in Your Cat
Sometimes cats do things we don’t like such as jumping up on the table or counters, scratching on the furniture, or attacking our feet when we walk by. The first thing we need to learn before we try to “correct” these annoying behaviors is that they are all motivated by natural feline instincts. Cats naturally seek out high places to rest and survey their environment, so you should provide them
Dealing with Abused or Neglected Cats
JUST AS YOU WOULD FEED A STARVING ANIMAL frequent small meals but never a large meal, give the emotionally deprived cat frequent light contact for very short periods. In some cases it may be necessary to pull yourself back all the way to just eye and voice contact. When you add petting, move slowly, use the light touch, and keep it short. Always stop soon enough to leave him wanting
Stray or Feral Cats
Should I Feed Stray or Feral (Wild) Cats? The desire to help a hungry cat is such a compassionate one, and it’s estimated that 10% of the population feed outdoor cats. There are stray cats in almost every neighborhood, although they will tend to concentrate around food sources – a sympathetic person, or a dumpster. While it is a kindness to feed a hungry cat, consider how you will cope