Pets, while lovable and home-warming, come with their fair share of messes and smells. Here are some quick tips to clean up after your pets! Continue reading “8 Quick Ways To Rid Pet Stink And Mess”
Allergies in Pets
Being a pet owner is never easy. While pets bring us joy and companionship on a daily basis, they also require training, veterinary care, time, love, attention, and even tolerance. Tolerance is especially necessary when a pet owner is allergic to his or her companion animal.
Studies show that approximately 15% of the population is allergic to dogs or cats. An estimated one-third of Americans who are allergic to cats (about two million people) live with at least one cat in their household anyway. Continue reading “Allergies in Pets”
Animal Angel: How You Can Help Neighborhood Critters In Need
It was impossible to ignore the cat’s wails. His cries shattered the darkness and echoed through the quiet suburban Maryland neighborhood. Behind a row of houses, someone’s pet cat had fallen from a tree, broken one of his legs, and become entangled in the branches.
Krista Hughes, special events manager for The HSUS, heard the cries from her home and ran to help. Equipped with a ladder and pillowcase, Hughes lowered the cat to safety in the makeshift cloth carrier and transported him to the local animal shelter, where staff immediately took the animal to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic.
Just days later the cat was reunited with his guardian at the local animal shelter. The owner can thank Hughes for that kindness as well; she posted flyers around the neighborhood briefly explaining what happened to the cat. It’s not an exaggeration to say that, without Hughes help, the cat may have died from his injuries. Continue reading “Animal Angel: How You Can Help Neighborhood Critters In Need”
“Bowser Meets Baby” – How To Introduce Your New Baby To The Family Dog
Congratulations, you’re going to have a baby! In all the flurry of activity, many parents-to-be neglect to prepare the family dog. This can be a mistake. Dogs are social creatures. Left on their own, they form packs. The pack is organized. There are leaders and followers, all equally essential to the pack’s survival. Your dog belongs to a pack, too: your family. The people lead, the dog follows. It’s that simple. Many people tend to forget their dog is a dog. It is important to recognize and respect your dog for who and what he is. You must be able to communicate with him and read his body language. He needs structure and guidance if he is to function appropriately within the family. How? Read on. Continue reading ““Bowser Meets Baby” – How To Introduce Your New Baby To The Family Dog”
Choosing The Right Dog Food
When choosing the type of dog food to feed your dog, you need to consider his age, breed, your dog’s activity level and also his health condition. For instance, puppies and older dogs will have different types of nutritional needs and you need to ensure your dog or puppy has sufficient consumption of these nutrition for a long and healthy live. It is best if you seek advice from your veterinarian before deciding on which dog food to feed your dog or puppy. Continue reading “Choosing The Right Dog Food”
Common Household Dangers
Many common household items can pose a threat to animal companions. Even some items specifically meant for pets could cause health problems. To protect your pet, simply use common sense and take the same precautions you would with a child. Although rodent poisons and insecticides are the most common sources of companion animal poisoning, the following list of less common but potentially toxic agents should be avoided if at all possible: Continue reading “Common Household Dangers”
Dog Obesity
No doubt you’re aware of the statistics on obesity in humans, but it may surprise you to know that our dogs are similarly afflicted. Over 40% of pet dogs are obese, and many people aren’t aware of the harm it does to their much loved pet. Research shows that dogs that have a healthy body weight will live up to 15% longer than an overweight animal. Continue reading “Dog Obesity”
Dog Toys – The Right Ones
For dogs and other animal companions, toys are not a luxury, but a necessity. Toys help fight boredom in dogs left alone, and toys can even help prevent some problem behaviors from developing. Although cats can be pretty picky when it comes to enjoying particular toys—ignoring a $10 catnip mouse and marveling over a piece of crumpled newsprint—dogs are often more than willing to “play” with any object they can get their paws on. That means you’ll need to be particularly careful when monitoring your dog’s playtime to prevent any “unscheduled” activities. Continue reading “Dog Toys – The Right Ones”
Heart Hazard – Protecting Your Pet From Heartworm
It’s a devastating, debilitating illness found in every corner of the United States. So why, despite the fact that the disease is easily preventable, are millions of dogs, cats, and other animals across the nation heartworm-positive? Continue reading “Heart Hazard – Protecting Your Pet From Heartworm”
Heat-Related Illnesses
Heat Stroke
Caring pet owners already know how dangerous it is to leave their dogs in the car. However, leaving pets outdoors or in hot, unventilated, indoor places on hot summer days can also be extremely dangerous. What people forget is that their dogs cannot handle the heat the same as humans do. Dogs do not have sweat glands as humans do, except for a few on their feet. They do not perspire and can only rid their bodies of heat by panting, which is not enough when the temperature soars. Continue reading “Heat-Related Illnesses”