Litter Training Your Adopted Kitty
Here are some tips that may help with litter training an adopted kitten: Have the litter box set up before you bring your kitten home. The box should be in a quiet place away from the eating area. When arriving home with your new kitty, show her where the litter box...
Lyme Disease in Dogs and Cats
What is Lyme Disease? Lyme Disease (not Lyme’s Disease) is caused by a spirochete called Borrelia. A spirochete is a type of bacterium. It is transmitted to dogs through the bite of a tick. Once in the blood stream, it is carried to many parts of the body. It is...
Over Weight Pets
Overweight Pets Is your cat or dog looking a bit pudgy? According to the Association for Pet Obesity, 58% of all cats and 54% of all dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. Our pets are becoming increasingly overweight, and this excess weight can cause as much damage to a...
Pectin Fiber Source
Classification of the Fiber, Pectin: Pectin, which is derived from apples and citrus fruit, is a highly soluble fiber. In general, different fiber sources are classified by their ability to absorb water. They range from basically insoluble (high lignin fibers such as seed hulls) to very soluble (pectin and other...
Probiotics and Pet Health
Microflora and the Gastrointestinal Tract The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of all healthy mammals contains approximately 400 species of microflora or microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts, fungi and protozoa. These microorganisms are acquired at birth from the mother, and later from the environment, and are necessary for the health and proper functioning...
Probiotics for Pets’ Digestion
Does your pet have digestion problems, diarrhea, skin problems, food intolerances, or other chronic health problems? Supplement with a high quality pet probiotic to restore your pet’s healthy gut, and chances are you’ll improve your pet’s health. A probiotic, sometimes referred to as good or friendly bacteria, is a microorganism...
Puppy Housebreaking 101
Puppy Housebreaking 101 Many people are hesitant to get a new puppy out of fear of the housebreaking process. While the puppy housebreaking process can be consuming it doesn’t have to be hard if you follow the tips we have outlined for you below. Housebreaking your puppy is best started when...
Puppy Socialization
Puppy Socialization Until they reach 16 to 18 weeks of age, a puppy will be in a socialization period. This period is the most important and critical in its life. Every effort should be made to socialize your puppy; meaning to expose him or her to a variety of positive...
Puppy Training Tips for the First Week
Puppy Training Tips for the First Week Bringing home a puppy and introducing her to your home is very exciting for everyone. The only one who may be anxious about the situation will be the puppy. If you handle your puppy properly when she arrives, she will quickly relax and...
Seizures in Pets
Seizures in Pets Witnessing your precious dog or cat having a seizure can be a frightening experience. During seizures pets often lose control, fall over, chomp their teeth, salivate or drool, whine, paddle with their feet, and begin to urinate or defecate on themselves. Their eyes become large (dilated) and unresponsive. A pet...
Supplementing With Probiotics to Improve Pet Health
How do Probiotics Improve Pet Health? If your pet has digestion problems, diarrhea, skin problems, food intolerances, or other chronic health problems, giving a high quality pet probiotic supplement can greatly improve your pet’s health. A probiotic is a microorganism necessary for a balanced and healthy intestinal tract. Within the intestinal tracts...
The Cat that ate Montecito: Feline Obesity
The Cat that ate Montecito: Feline Obesity The doorbell rang. “Do you have a shaggy Siamese?” Basil Pussy Willow had one fatal flaw: he loved cars. Not riding in them, but hiding under them. A neighbor directed me to where my Himalayan kitten lay on the street, killed instantly by...
The Difference Between Cats and Dogs
The Difference Between Cats and Dogs Why is it so difficult to train a cat to COME or SIT – a behavior which dogs learn with ease? Your dog learns this in 5 minutes but it could take you 5 weeks or more to do the same with your cat....
The Golden Years: How to Love a Geriatric Pet
The Golden Years: How to Love a Geriatric Pet Our sweet pets. They love us unconditionally through all of our family expansions, strange hair-dos and weight gains. We’re quick to place them into the arms of strangers when we go on extended trips, arrogant in our expectations of them to behave. They move with...
The Pet Wash
Washing Pets In case you’re planning on volunteering at a shelter or even if you want to know more about shampooing your own pet, here’s some little-known information and a few tips, just for you! When animals owned or homeless are outside, they pick up all kinds of stuff in their...
The Pomeranian Dog
The Pomeranian Dog The Pomeranian is one of they toy breeds and weighs between 3 and 7 pounds (there are larger poms, and although not to the breed standard, they still make wonderful loving pets!). Intelligent and vivacious, these little dogs will steal your heart, but don’t let them get...
The Siamese Cat
The Siamese Cat This enigmatic cat originates in Siam, the place we now know as Thailand. Siamese cats were highly honored by generations of Siam’s kings—so much so that they were kept in the royal palace. Talk about the royalty of the cat world! They were trusted to protect the palace and monasteries from...
The Truth Behind Pet Food Labels
The Truth Behind Pet Food Labels If you are reading the labels on your pet’s foods, you are doing the right thing. However, labels don’t often tell the whole story. Frequently, they are superficial representations of a product. When we cruise down the pet food aisles, labels are seldom able to adequately...
They Call It Dog Breath For a Reason
Dog Breath – may be a sign of poor dental health! It’s shame that most dog owners don’t realize that dental hygiene is as important for their dogs as it is for themselves. Teeth that have been neglected are subject to several types of mouth disease just like their human...
Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy – A New Solution to an Old Problem
Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy – A New Solution to an Old Problem A ruptured cranial cruciate ligament is a fairly common-and very painful-knee injury among human athletes. Dogs are also susceptible to this problem, but not because they play football. For dogs, this is a long-term progressive disease that can...
Tips For Washing Our Pets
Tips for Washing Our Pets — Don’t wash your pet outside unless you’ve found a way to get warm water out there. Cold water is not as enjoyable to pets as it is to us. –Don’t use the bathtub. It can hurt your back and it’s hard for your pet to...
Tired of Vet Bills?
Tired of Vet Bills? Do you make a lot of trips to the vet’s office? Do you spend your hard Photo Credit: Ikayama via Compfight cc -earned money on vet bills because your dog suffers from chronic ailments? Give your dog or cat the nutrition he needs, and chances are you can spend...
Training Your Dog to Lay Down on Command
Training Your Dog to Lay Down on Command Training your dog to obey commands is an important part of pet ownership . When your dog is properly trained, it is much easier for you to communicate with him and this enhances your relationship. In addition to making him mind you,...
Training Your Dog to Sit
Training Your Dog to Sit A poorly trained dog is a nuisance and can even be a danger to himself and others. A properly trained dog, on the other had, is a wonderful and pleasant companion. In addition to helping you bond, it can even protect your pet from being...
Training Your Dog to Stay
Training Your Dog to Stay A properly trained dog is a joy to be around for both the owner and anyone else you happen to come in contact with. Not only will it make for a better relationship but it can help save your pet from being hurt or worse,...
Urine Marking in Dogs
Urine Marking in Dogs Why do dogs engage in urine marking? Among dogs, urine marking is territorial behavior. An intact (uncastrated) male dog will instinctively mark his territory with his urine. A well-trained dog may not mark indoors in familiar surroundings, but as soon as he is moved to a new...
Why Does My Pet Eat Grass?
Are you concerned when your dog or cat eats grass, then throws up afterwards? You’ll probably feel relieved to know that pets eat grass because their bodies need it. Dogs and cats have been eating grass for a long time. In fact, grass is so popular among dogs that one species, dog...