27
Aug 2019
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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12
Aug 2019
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
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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24
Jun 2019
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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15
Nov 2016
We know our clients consider their pets an important part of the family. When you care so deeply for your pets, it’s natural to want to make sure they are happy and healthy. When the sun is shining, it’s easier and far more desirable to spend loads of time outdoors with walking and playing with our dog friends — but what happens in fall or winter when it’s too cold and dreary to be outside for long? Just like you, your dog needs to follow a regular exercise regimen to stay healthy......
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08
Aug 2016
It’s no secret that even the shyest pets tend to imprint on their owners. While this can mean a whole lot of love, snuggles, pets and playtime, it can also spell trouble when the lovefest must be placed on pause from 9 to 5. Dogs and cats who suffer from separation anxiety can become anxious, distressed, or act out while you’re away — and this can the form of potty accidents, excessive barking or vocalizing, hiding, chewing your personal belongings, shredding the furniture, or other destructive activities. Ease your fuzzball’s stress by planning......
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05
May 2016
When you adore your dog, but just can’t stand the shedding fur all over your sofa, it may be time to train your four-legged buddy that this piece of furniture just isn’t a welcome place for him to be. These tips for keeping your dog off the couch are tried and true, provided that you’re consistent and patient … Discipline Training is crucial to your dog following your rules, and if you’re unable to start teaching your dog that the couch is off-limits right from puppyhood (for instance, if your dog is......
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15
Apr 2016
One of the common questions we get from pet owners is how much exercise is right for their dog. Honestly, it can be hard to answer! Exercise needs are based on a blend of factors, including breed, age, temperament, size, and health. And even with these factors taken into consideration, no two dogs are the same – just like people. Athletic breeds like herders or hunting dogs might need as much three runs day, while breeds like pugs will overheat and have trouble breathing if they’re pushed too hard. One thing that’s......
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19
Jan 2016
When pet owners want to express their love, we have lots of ways of doing it—verbal praise, petting, treats, toys or play. Even though they can’t tell you they love you, your dog has many ways of showing her love, too. Here are a few to look for: Contagious Yawning Humans and dogs are both social animals, and part of social behavior is mimicking the actions or expressions of those around you as an act of unconscious empathy. If you’re talking to someone who smiles, you’re more likely to smile. If they......
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12
Jan 2016
Most people know how they should feed themselves. A healthy human diet is balanced, low in “bad” fats, sufficient in “good” fats, high in protein, and sourced from natural ingredients. Less nutritious treats are ok every once in a while—and even an important aspect of your quality of life—but should be consumed in moderation. Many pet owners don’t apply the same logic to their pet’s diet as they do to their own, causing inadvertent harm. An astonishing 90 percent of the aliments affecting domestic cats and dogs may be related to their......
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14
Aug 2015
Tips to keep cool in the heat Swimming pools, spraygrounds and cooling centers Don’t use fans as primary cooling system Check on your neighbors Don’t leave kids or pets alone, especially in cars If you work outdoors, take frequent breaks Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing Take advantage of discounted public transit Exercise in an air-condition place and drink two to four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour Protect yourself from the sun with suncreen of SPF15 or higher, as well as wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses With high temperatures expected in......
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03
Jul 2015
Humans may “Ooh!” and “Aah!” at the thundering booms of fireworks displays this Fourth of July weekend, but pets are far less impressed. In fact, many dogs and cats are deeply frightened by fireworks displays, and can injure themselves — and even run away — trying to escape the nerve-wracking racket. “The Fourth is the busiest day of the year here because so many dogs get freaked out,” said James Dress, community engagement manager for Sonoma County Animal Services. Dogs left in back yards, for example, can panic at loud sounds they......
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27
Jun 2015
By Barbara Elisse Najar July 9, 2012 Summer is here, and we’ve shed our coats. Dogs and cats don’t have that luxury, but their fur, which keeps them warm in winter, also protects them in the summer by preventing them from taking on too much heat. It’s a fine system until it gets too hot, at which point it can be overwhelmed, with potentially dire consequences.Dogs and cats are homeotherms, meaning they maintain a fairly constant body temperature of 101 to 102 degrees, according to James H. Jones, an expert in comparative animal exercise......
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26
May 2015
Dental care isn’t just for humans. Dogs and cats need it too. “Taking care of our pets’ teeth doesn’t only make them smell better but it contributes to a longer, healthier life,” Dr. Dan Carmichael, a veterinary dentist at Animal Medical Center in New York City, told CBS News. “Not only can dental problems cause pets to have oral pain and infection, but the bacteria from oral disease can spread through the bloodstream to the vital organs,” he explained. Carmichael treats a variety of dogs, cats and even Bronx Zoo animals. He......
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04
May 2015
Cats may prefer to use their eyes rather than follow their nose when it comes to finding the location of food, according to new research by leading animal behaviourists. Felines have a tremendous sense of smell and vision, but the new study by researchers at the University of Lincoln, UK, has for the first time investigated which sense they prefer to use under test conditions — and suggested sight may be more important than smell. A group of six cats were placed in a maze which had ‘decision’ points — and the......
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05
Apr 2015
Is YOUR pet rabbit happy? Mammals may be stressed by their hutch-mates and a lack of exercise, study claims Study by the University of Bristol shows rabbits needs are not always met Researchers surveyed 1,254 pet rabbit owners in England Found pets have irregular access to exercise at the wrong time of day While 60 per cent lived on their own, limiting their opportunity to be sociable, a quarter put up with unsuitable, feisty hutch-mates Just over 12 per cent had dental or eye problems, seen in previous studies Just under 60......
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12
Mar 2015
TAKE HEART FELINE enthusiasts. Your cat’s continued indifference toward her new Deluxe Scratch DJ Deck may be disappointing, but there is an object that’s pretty much guaranteed to pique her interest. That object, as the Internet has so thoroughly documented, is a box. Any box, really. Big boxes, small boxes, irregularly shaped boxes—it doesn’t matter. Place one on the ground, a chair, or a bookshelf and watch as Admiral Snuggles quickly commandeers it. What’s Up With That? Each week, we’ll explain the science behind a strange phenomenon that you may be wondering about, or......
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07
Feb 2015
Marley, a Springer Spaniel, was always licking and chewing at her feet. Her owner, Lin, didn’t know what to do about it, but she knew it was driving her 3-year-old dog crazy (not to mention turning Marley’s snow-white feet dark burgundy). Lin decided to take her suffering spaniel to her veterinarian for some answers.Lin had guessed Marley chewed at her feet because they itched so much. Was Marley having a reaction to something she stepped in? Did she have bug bites? What Lin didn’t know until she saw her veterinarian was......
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