Puppy, kitten doesn’t make good gift on Christmas Day

I had planned to write a post on the topic of giving your children a puppy or kitten as a Christmas present, then I read this article written by the Aiken SPCA that covered it all.  Enjoy. Happy Holidays! The calls have already begun coming in. “I want to get my kids a puppy for Christmas. Can you hold it until Christmas Eve?” We certainly understand that kids love puppies and kittens, and many would be very happy to see one as a member of the family on Christmas morning. However, if you take... [Read more]

Find the Right Veterinarian for Your Dog

Just as humans need to have a regular physician in case of illness, so too a dog needs to have a qualified vet to take care of him in case anything goes wrong.  How to find the right veterinarian for your dog requires a bit of research and careful consideration. There are several ways in which you can find the right vet.  First, ask neighbors or friends who are dog owners to give you a recommendation; Second, talk to pet groomers in your area to find out who they use; Third, check online by going to: ... [Read more]

Feline Leukemia Symptoms

I lost my beautiful black and white long hair cat, Fluffy, to feline leukemia (FeLV) when I was in college. I spent hundreds of dollars on her treatment and it was a very emotional and traumatic experience to watch her die of this disease.  Feline Leukemia is responsible for more deaths among cats than any other infectious disease. There are vaccinations for FeLV, but they are not 100-percent effective, so it is important to know the signs of infection. Back when Fluffy died of FeLV there were not yet... [Read more]

3 Major Health Problems in Cats

Having a cat to share your life with can be a rewarding experience. This furry family member can often be aloof, but he needs your love and care to thrive. In order to protect the health of your pets, it is important that you become familiar with common feline health problems. By knowing what to watch for in your cat, you will be able to keep him healthy and happy throughout his life. Heartworm Heartworm is one of the most common and well-known health problems that your cat may encounter. Heartworm is... [Read more]

Secondhand Smoke Harms Your Pet – Would you stop smoking to save your dog’s health?

Would you quit smoking for your pet’s health? New survey findings suggest that 28% of adult pet owners would try. The study is from the Henry Ford Health System Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and appears in Tobacco Control. Of interest to me were the cited studies that linked pet health and secondhand smoke. (Sorry, no word on pets who actually smoke.) Dogs: Nasal cancer, lung cancer, allergic reactions Cats: Lymphoma, oral cancer Birds: Eye disease, respiratory problems, dermatitis I... [Read more]

Learning Tricks is Not Just for Dogs – Your Cat can Learn Tricks too!

You may not be able to teach your cat to brush his own teeth, but cats can learn tricks just like dogs ~ they learn and respond in different ways. It has been shown that cats respond better to working for food than for positive reinforcement like many dog trainings methods. SET THE FOUNDATION To lessen the likelihood of upsetting your cat’s diet have moist or dry cat food as a treat on hand. Like dogs, cats also respond to praise, so when your cat performs a task you have asked of her, be sure... [Read more]