Dog-Friendly Travel: Road Trip Checklist

It’s almost summer, and what better time than now to hit the open road with one of your favorite companions? However, preparing your 4-legged friend for a 4-wheel adventure is a must to ensure that his health and well-being stay intact along the way. 1.      Make sure your dog is comfortable in the car. For [...]

The Science Behind Funny Dog Behavior

Dogs benefit the lives of their owners quite a bit. These lovable pets are companions, play pals, and even entertainers.   As countless YouTube videos prove, people are enthralled with funny canine behavior. Some dogs seem to talk and play basketball. Others fetch far more than a stick. But what’s the science behind this behavior? [...]

Spring Health for Your Pet

Spring is here, the weather is warmer and days are longer. Just like you, your pet wants to go outside and enjoy to beautiful weather. So what does this mean for your pet? For starters, ticks, fleas, allergies, and a greater risk of injury. You and your pet will be spending much more time outside so it is only natural that more troubles will occur.

Heat Stroke in Pets

Heat stroke is a life threatening issue for both humans and pets. As humans we can shed layers of clothes to stay warm this is not the case for pets. Imagine not being able to shed your winter clothes on a hot summer day, and you could only cool yourself by panting, to say the least it would be difficult to stay cool. Recognizing the signs of heat stroke in your pet is crucial. Dogs with short noses, heavy coats and heart or respiratory problems have a higher heat stroke risk so make sure to watch them with extra caution. Some pets are more suited for the heat, so make sure to know what weather your pet is bred for.

Cats and Dogs With Asthma

Asthma is characterized by chronic problems with the respiratory system, and just like humans, cats and dogs are susceptible to asthma. It generally affects cats more frequently than dogs. Similarly to humans, asthma in pets can be triggered by environmental factors such as a change in season. It can be challenging to determine the exact cause of the asthma, but the most frequent culprits are grass, dust, pollen and smoke.

Own a Pet? You May Have a Healthier Heart!

It’s well known that owning a pet has many health benefits. However, a new study reported in the American Journal of Cardiology shows that pet owners with chronic ailments may even have healthier, more adaptable hearts. The study followed people with conditions such as diabetes and high cholesterol and found that they had more changes in heart rate than people without pets during the same period of time, indicating that they were more adaptable and would therefore less likely to be less taxed under certain circumstances; for instance, high-stress situations.

Food to Never Feed Your Pet

Almost everyone with a pet has been guilty one time or another of feeding their pet table scraps. When you’re eating dinner and your beloved pet gives you ‘the eyes’, it can be nearly impossible to resist. Unfortunately, an occasional table scrap may be more harmful than you think. Giving in may instill bad behaviors, such as begging and whining – which I know from firsthand experience, can get very annoying. The odd piece of meat shouldn’t harm your dog, but there are many foods out there that can be very harmful if ingested by your pet.

Feeding Senior Dogs

Are diet changes required as a dog ages? If so, at what age should you change your dog’s diet? These are questions that many pet owners wonder. We have all seen pet foods that cater to elderly dogs, but are they necessary?

As dogs get older, they do require a change in diet. You can either feed them less of their regular food or choose a senior-specific dog food. Older dogs will inevitably begin to put on weight, so it is important to feed them a low-fat diet. Bowel problems such as diarrhea and constipation are almost inevitable, which is why a diet high in fiber can be very beneficial.

Can Your Pet Get Jealous?

It may seem hard to believe, but animals can feel jealousy, and I know from firsthand experience. Every time my sister brings over her Boxer named Buddy, my Pekingese Pawz gets extremely jealous. The moment I go to pet Buddy, Pawz jumps in the way and demands my full attention. If I ignore Pawz, he will start whining and eventually start fighting with Buddy. It’s pretty amusing, and being that they rarely see each other it’s not a big deal. However, some pets have jealousy issues with animals they live with, which can become troublesome or annoying at best. For most this problem may be more prominent when introducing a new animal into the house, or even bringing a new baby home.

Help Curb Cat Spraying

Spraying is a problem that should be remedied quickly to avoid repeated behavior. Whether your cat just began ‘marking his territory’ in this unpleasant manner or you’ve come in contact with a neighbor’s cat with this bad habit, there are natural ways you can help put a stop to it.