Blog


18
Sep 2019
Take me for a ride! How to Keep Your Dog (and YOU) Safe in the Car

Most dogs absolutely love riding in the car. However, traveling with dogs in your vehicle can pose a lot of safety risks. Seat belts and air-bags aren’t designed with canines in mind. And a dog who is unrestrained in the car can provide a distraction to the driver rivaling that of a cell phone. Some countries and states require that dogs be properly restrained or crated in a moving car. Regardless of the laws in your area, it’s wise to make sure your dog doesn’t “help” you drive. Crates Are Best When......

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27
Aug 2019
Is my dog choking? Having a seizure? No, It's just a reverse sneeze!

Does your dog do this? If your dog sounds like he’s trying to do an impression of a goose, there’s no need to rush to the vet or Google how to perform CPR on your dog; He’s just reverse sneezing! This also goes by the lengthy medical terms mechanosensitive aspiration reflex, inspiratory paroxysmal respiration, or pharyngeal gag reflex. Episodes of reverse sneezing can last from a few seconds to a minute or two. As soon as it passes, the dog’s breathing returns to normal and he behaves as if nothing happened. For......

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22
Aug 2019

Sergeant Stubby took part in 17 battles, saved his regiment from mustard gas attacks and caught a German spy during World War I. By any standards, Stubby is a hero. But what makes his story all the more extraordinary, is that he was a dog. Stubby became the official mascot of the USA’s 102nd Infantry Regiment after Private J. Robert Conroy found him in July 1917 at Yale University campus where troops were training before being deployed to France. Conroy found he could not part with his four-legged friend and smuggled Stubby in his......

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12
Aug 2019
Dogs and "People Food"

Long gone are the days when dogs ate only scraps from our dinner tables, but who hasn’t sneaked a tasty morsel of “people food” to their dog from time to time? Dogs do not have a magic instinct that keeps them from eating things that won’t agree with them. Though treats from your table may be tempting to your pup, there are several common foods that can actually be harmful. By no means an exhaustive list, the items below should stay on your plate and not in your dog’s bowl.   Xylitol......

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07
Aug 2019
How is my cat feeling?

Wondering if your cat is happy? Nervous? Ready to rumble? Cat body-language may not be as easy to read as that of humans or dogs, but there are a few key things you can observe to determine your cat’s mood.          ...

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04
Aug 2019

Many dogs get kennel cough during their lives, and though the hacking, raspy cough may sound serious, the condition itself rarely is. In fact, it usually clears up without needing treatment. The main symptom of kennel cough is a harsh, hacking cough. Like so… Apart from the cough, your dog should otherwise be unaffected and still have a good appetite and normal energy levels. Kennel cough is a respiratory infection in dogs caused by any of a host of bacteria or viruses. Because it is not caused by one specific pathogen, there......

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02
Aug 2019

Dogs are like magnets for many children, drawing them in with squeals of delight and grasping little fingers. Nevertheless, the same gestures, sounds, and posture that might reward a child with a chocolate chip cookie from Great Aunt Mable could result in a growl, nip, or worse from an unfamiliar dog. Fortunately, there’s a handy and highly alliterative way to remember how to greet an unfamiliar dog: PAT, PET, PAUSE. PAT: Pat your leg to encourage the dog to come into your space. Don’t invade his. PET: Pet the dog on his......

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07
Jul 2019
How to Protect Your Dog During Foxtail Season

Foxtails and grass seed awns are designed to do one thing: burrow. This is how the grass spreads as the seed slowly works its way deeper and deeper into soil. Unfortunately for our canine companions, this mechanism works just as well on your dog’s skin as it does on dirt.   Due to the unique shape of this seed, it’s always moving forward — never backward. As a seed burrows into your dog’s skin, it has the potential to cause an abscess or other injury. The most common areas for your dog......

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24
Jun 2019
10 Tips for Getting Your Dog to Come When Called

We’ve all been there: You’re out on the beach or at the dog park, and when you cheerfully call, “Spot, come!” your dog blithely ignores you, or worse yet looks you straight in the eye and then runs away. A good recall is one of the most important skills you can teach your dog. Here are some ideas for getting a reliable recall that will work in the real world. 1. Always use the same command. If sometimes you say, “C’mere, Spot” while crouched down with arms outstretched, and on other occasions......

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18
Dec 2017
How to Make Vet Visits Easier on Your Pet

A doctor’s appointment can bring out just about anyone’s anxious side. If shots, cold exam tables, and being poked and prodded are enough to stress you out, consider how they make your pet feel. It’s no wonder pets become skittish at the sight of the vet’s office. Fortunately, you can try a few basic steps to help ease your pet’s vet-related stress. Here’s where to start. 1. Stay calm Animals are highly intuitive, and because your pets look to you for safety and security, your mood can affect their disposition more than......

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15
Nov 2017
7 Western Washington Animal Welfare Nonprofits to Know

For families who are prepared to offer a lifetime of safe, compassionate, and enriching pet care, adopting can be a deeply fulfilling experience for animals and pet parents alike. Your rescued friend may even end up returning the favor and rescuing you! In addition to facilitating adoptions, local shelters and rescues often maintain a strong community presence and serve as a resource for fellow animal lovers. These seven Western Washington area nonprofits are at the top of the local animal welfare game. In no particular order, let’s take a look at the......

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31
Oct 2017
Why Your Pet Needs a Tag and License

While most pet advocates will vouch for the benefits of microchipping (and for good reason!), it’s important to remember that a microchip is not always enough to improve a lost pet’s shot at a safe return home. The reality is this: only about 10 to 30 percent of lost pets are returned to their owners. However, the good news is that there are a few straightforward and user-friendly ways to keep your pet as safe as possible. 1. Tags No pet owner likes to think about the possibility of their dog getting......

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29
Aug 2017
Know What Plants to Keep Away from Your Pets

While they’re pretty to look at, often smell good, and can serve several functional purposes for humans, many household plants can prove toxic for curious canine and feline grazers. In no particular order, let’s review six of the most common poisonous suspects, and learn why it’s safest to keep these out of your house or garden (or limit and monitor your pet’s outdoor access). Azaleas: Also known as Rosebay or Rhododendron, this springtime bloom causes vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and even cardiac failure in dogs and cats, often even if a small portion......

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29
Jul 2017
How to Coexist When Living in an Apartment with Pets

Life with roommates can bring joy or misery, and the result starts and ends with basic compatibility and conscious coexisting. This principle is no different when you’re considering introducing a new fur roommate. If you rent an apartment, like many young adults in the Seattle area, you may wonder how life with a pet works when you’ve signed a lease. If you feel you’re ready to become a pet parent, here’s how to successfully share close living quarters with your future roommate — and soon-to-be best friend. (Bonus: If you’re already sharing......

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05
Jul 2017
How to Keep Pets Cool in a Home Without Air Conditioning

When temperatures start to climb, there can be little escape for those without air conditioning. This is especially true in the Seattle area — a region that notoriously lacks air conditioning in homes and rentals. While you may spend much of your day at work, your pets must endure the temperature in your home. Fortunately, there are plenty of simple ways to help keep your pets cool at home during the dog days of summer. It’s important to note that certain pets are at greater risk than others. Pets that are very......

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31
May 2017
It's Allergy Season! How Are Pets Affected?

Allergy season is in full swing, and many of us have been suffering the consequences, from runny noses and sneezing to watery eyes and itching. However, your human friends and family members are not the only ones that can be affected by these seasonal issues — our beloved pets can also experience uncomfortable allergy symptoms. For this reason, it’s important for owners to educate themselves about the telltale signs of pet allergies, as well as potential treatments. Stay tuned into your furry friends’ behavior and help them thrive through the season! Pet......

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28
Feb 2017
In Honor of World Spay Day: Why You Should Spay or Neuter Your Pet

On the last Tuesday of every February, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and its international partners host World Spay Day — a time devoted to raising awareness about the many positive benefits of spaying and neutering. While “fixing” pets remains just as important throughout the calendar year, this day is an opportunity to remind ourselves and our neighbors to take this critical step in helping community animals. Many people assume that spaying female pets and neutering male pets will leave owners footing a hefty vet bill. However, an abundance......

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26
Jan 2017
How Your Pet May Improve Your Mental and Emotional Health

Most people can’t help but smile when their dog greets them at the door, tail wagging in full force, or when their cat purrs and crawls onto their lap when they sit down after a long day. However, studies have shown that a pet’s companionship provides humans with more short- and long-term benefits than a simple, brief mood lift. While caring for a pet does come with a host of responsibilities and obligations, the reward of being an owner pays off in countless ways. Pets Improve Your Mood and Attitude When your......

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19
Dec 2016
5 Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Favorite Furry Friend

You’ve purchased a sweater for Great Aunt Muriel, picked out something special for your significant other, and picked up gift cards for everyone in between… but what about your favorite pet? Don’t let this important family member’s stocking go unstuffed! Though they can’t wrap a present in return, we know their love and companionship are the greatest gifts of all. Even though they may not be able to write a thank-you note, wagging tails and merry meows are even sweeter. Your furry friend is bound to love these five gift ideas —......

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28
Nov 2016
A Guide to Holiday Safety for Pets

Now that we’ve wrapped up Thanksgiving (and, consequently, the heaps of leftovers we’re bound to be reheating every day for the foreseeable future), there’s only a handful of weeks left in the holiday rush! Are you ready? For pet owners, being “ready” for the holiday season takes on some added meaning. Between the usual bouts of careful planning and attention to detail, we’re also responsible for making sure our furry family members feel the holiday love… and that means keeping them safe, healthy, and happy in the midst of all the merriment......

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