Dog Toys: Do’s & Don’ts

The best dog toy is that which is not harmful to the dog, but affords him hours of fun.  Let’s look at some do’s and don’ts when purchasing a dog toy. Depending on the breed, some dogs prefer a particular toy over others.  In fact, while it may not be a toy at all, some dogs may become attached to an inanimate object much like a child will hang on to a security blanket. Generally, however, dogs love toys that squeak.  Doesn’t matter what shape or color it is, as long as it squeaks,... [Read more]

What Causes Worms in Dogs?

There are a variety of worms that cause illness in your dogs such as: heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms.  What causes worms in dogs? Let’s take a closer look. Hookworms are predominately found in dog feces.  If your dog eats these feces they can develop this condition.  Look for the following signs: loose stool or blood in the stool, the dog seems bloated, gas, has an unusual appetite, and his coat seems to be on the dull side. Roundworms come from dogs ingesting the... [Read more]

Common Household Poisons to Dogs

I’ll never forget the day I arrived home from work to find brown slimy piles all over the floor, on the couch, on my bed, and on the rugs. There was also an empty bag of chocolate chips on the floor. Then I saw my peek-a-poo, Buffy, laying on the floor barely consciounce. I grabbed her up and rushed her to the vet. Thankfully, she was OK (since she threw up everything she consumed) after an overnight stay in the vet for observation. I learned that day that chocolate is toxic to dogs. I was very... [Read more]

Rise in Family Pets Entering Animal Shelters

I read a troubling article in my local newspaper siting statistics about the rise in animal shelter populations as a result of the economic downturn.  Both of my cats , Bingo & Chloe, are shelter kitties that we rescued, and they have been wonderful companions. We love them dearly. So I have a soft spot in my heart for the plight of animal shelters and their inhabitants. The article indicates that our local Humane Society shelter (Indiana) is at full capacity, seeing a 59% increase in surrendered... [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]

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]

The Importance of Spaying & Neutering Your Dog

What is the importance of spaying and neutering your dog?  According to the Humane Society, approximately three millions dogs or more are euthanized each year.  Remanded to shelters because they have been abandoned or because their owners can no longer care for them, the over-population of dogs in animal shelters has reached major proportions.  While the aforementioned statistic is hard to imagine, it is nonetheless true.  This is why animal advocates constantly remind the general population to have... [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]

Worms: Ways to Prevent Them in Your Dog

Unfortunately, dogs can develop worms quite early in life.  Here are some ways to prevent them in your dog. 1. One of the major causes of tapeworms is attributed to fleas and lice.  Brush your dog regularly with a flea comb and keep a watchful eye for any odd behavior exhibited by your dog.  Dogs that ingest fleas, for example, can develop tapeworms.  Thus, it is necessary to determine whether or not your home or yard is infested with these parasites, which will require using a variety of methods... [Read more]

Holistic Health is for Pets Too

The concept of holistic health should hold true for a pet as well as humans. Holistic health revolves around the fact that the body should be viewed as a whole structure and not regarded just as a collection of individual parts. This concept holds true for pets as well as humans. All systems within an organism are connected with one another in some way, and any imbalance may disrupt other body systems before any physical signs your pet may display and therefore be seen. Viewing the body as an inseparable... [Read more]

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