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]

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]

3 Major Health Problems in Dogs

Life with your dog can be fun and exciting. There are times when this excitement can take a turn in the wrong direction. This is when your dog gets sick. There will be times in your dog’s life that he will become ill. It is for this reason that it is important that you are aware of some of the common health problems in dogs. There are the big three that you should be aware of when it comes to taking care of your dog. Heart Disease Heart disease is not just a serious health problem for humans. Dogs... [Read more]

Traveling with Your Dog - Six Tips for Success

Nothing is quite as fun as packing up and heading out of town for a weekend or a longer trip. A change of scenery from time to time is important to recharge your battery. This is true for your dog as well. Most dogs love to travel and to be exposed to new places just like you do. But there are a few things that you need to do to make the trip a positive experience for everyone. TIP ONE Make sure that you take with you items that your dog is fond of on the trip. Being ripped away from their routine and... [Read more]

Your Pet’s Home for the Holidays

If you think your Aunt Betty’s travel stories stress you out, think about the stress your pet must feel when his territory is invaded by strange humans, often for days at a time. Pet experts have endless advice for helping pets survive the holidays; here are some of the most important: Keep table scraps to a minimum. Your pet is already nervous with the change in his routine. Changing his diet too by adding rich human food is bad for his stomach and could backfire on you when your home is full of... [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]

Tips for Traveling with Pets

Nothing is quite as fun as packing up and going on a trip. A change of scenery is something that is important to recharge your battery from time to time. This is true for your pets as well. Pets love to travel and expose new places just like you do.  So consider taking your pet with you. There are a few things that you need to do to make the trip with your pets as comfortable for them as they do with you.   Tip One   Make sure that you take items that your pet is fond of with you on the trip. There... [Read more]

Tips to Make Dog Nail Trimming Easier

The one thing dogs are most afraid of and bothered by is nail trimming.  It can be a daunting task for any dog owner.  Here are some tips to make dog nail trimming easier for you and the dog. A dog’s nails should be trimmed at least once a month.  Before trimming a dog’s nails, it is necessary to have the proper implement.  Check your local pet supply store for more information. To clip the nails, it is important to just cut the very tip of the nail and not go too far down the nail.  This... [Read more]

Grooming Tips for the Family Dog

Just as proper grooming is important for humans, so too ensuring that your dog remains healthy is part of the grooming experience.  Here are some grooming tips for the family dog. Depending upon the breed of the dog, that is, long-haired or short-haired, regular brushing should be part of the grooming routine.  This prevents the hairs from matting and ensures a continuous healthy coat.  Bathing a dog is usually performed on a monthly basis.  However, if you have a dog that lives outdoors, you may... [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]

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