When Your Dog Chokes What Should You Do?

Dogs very rarely think about what they consume, unless it’s a hidden pill wrapped in a piece of bread or cheese (my dog carefully eats the tasty wrapper and spits out the pill). Most of the time, a dog will simply swallow its food whole, and dogs can choke just like humans. Saving a dog with a blocked airway uses the same treatment as a human as well. If you know CPR, you can help your choking dog. Dogs are like children: You have to keep an eye on them all the time. Before you start giving... Read more »

All About Traveling With Cats

If you are planning to travel with your cat, first ask yourself these questions: Are cats allowed at my destination? If so, will my cat adjust to conforming to regulations concerning pets and really be happy away from home? Cats tend to be creatures of habit and it is important that your cat can adapt to change. The pets who travel best are those who have been trained to ride in a car. If you would like to include your cat in your travel plans, accustom it to riding in the car. Ideally this training... Read more »

Are There Benefits To Crating Your Dog?

Everyone needs a space of their own. You have your home office or den, your husband has the garage or workshop, your children have their bedrooms. But what about the dog? Even the family dog needs a space of his own from time to time. This is the true function of the dog crate. Many dog owners refuse to use them because of the negative connotations that come with it. But, if used properly, a dog crate or a small dog cage, can serve as a place of solitude for your dog. In order for the crate to be... Read more »

How To Treat Dogs With Insect Stings

Sometimes the greatest threats to life and limb are too small for many people to take notice of. What this means is that dogs, with their heightened senses, will find a way to injure themselves with small but surprisingly potent health hazards. Two of these hazards include spider bites and insect stings. Of the two dangers, spider bites are the greater threat, though in the United States, only two spiders are dangerous to dogs: The female black widow spider (distinguished by a black body and red... Read more »

The Pros and Cons of Paper Training

As kids, we were taught that paper training a puppy is the best way to go about house breaking your dog. Simply lay out a layer of newspaper on the kitchen floor and hope for the best, right? Not necessarily. Paper training your pup has long been considered the very first lesson in doggie education, but you shouldn’t take it for granted that it’s the best track to take with your pooch. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but you need to take two ideas into consideration before you... Read more »

Three Things Every Puppy Must Be Taught

Play is a very large part of any puppy’s early life. But were you aware that playtime can also be learning time as well? Play can be a valuable tool in teaching your puppy everything from learning simple commands to teaching them the ins and outs of socializing and what it takes to be a well behaved dog. The most important word your dog will probably ever learn is the word “No”. Pups as early as six weeks old are capable of learning the implications of “no” and it is... Read more »

What To Do About Fleas

External parasites live on a cats skin. They not only cause irritation, but sometimes carry other diseases. As you groom your cat, examine its coat for any evidence of parasites. Fleas are tiny insects that feed on the blood of animals and create mild to severe discomfort. They cause chronic scratching and, if swallowed by a cat, can also transmit tapeworms. Flea bite allergy is the most common allergy affecting cats. It occurs when a cat is exposed to flea saliva as the flea bites. The saliva acts... Read more »

Feline Obesity - A Growing Concern

Obesity in cats is a growing concern. In fact, 25 to 30 percent of pet cats seen by veterinarians these days are overweight. The condition seems to be more prevalent today than it was 20 years ago, primarily because of differences in lifestyle and feeding. A large number of cats are exclusively indoor pets who are rarely called upon to defend their territory, stalk their prey or do little more than beg for their next meal. Boredom is also a culprit, and good-tasting cat food is a never-ending temptation... Read more »

Emergency First Aid For Dogs With A Snakebite

All animals are creatures of instinct and your dog is no exception. In spite of this some instincts have left dogs, creating situations where an owner needs to step in. With at least fifteen thousand years of domestication, many of the base instincts for survival have fallen by the wayside, making dogs more careless than their wild brethren and one such case is that of snake bites. Knowing what to do in the event of a snake bite is especially important, as estimates show around 15,000 pets being... Read more »

How To Care For Your Cat’s Teeth

Problems involving the gums and teeth are very common in cats. In fact, surveys have shown that as many as 70% of all cats over the age of two suffer from significant dental disease. Far from being harmless or isolated, mouth disease can eventually lead to serious systemic problems for your cat. How can you help your cats teeth and gums stay healthy? Two ways, one have a dental cleaning, under anesthesia, every six months. Two, the most important ingredient of dental health is home care. Consistent... Read more »