Why Dogs Dig and How to Stop Them

Pam
Is your dog making your yard full of craters? Before you judge him or her too harshly, you should know that it is in your dog’s nature to do so. Relatives of wild dogs dig dens to raise their pups. Your dog is not digging to be spiteful. According to the Humane Society of the United States, dogs that dig are either seeking to be entertained, looking for prey, seeking comfort or protection, trying to escape, or looking for attention. In order to stop your dog from digging, you first need to identify why they are doing it in the first place. Looking for Entertainment Some dogs that dig are… Read More Continue Reading

10 Signs That Your Cat May Be Sick

Pam
Though cat lovers may disagree, veterinarians consider cats to be creatures of subtlety. Specifically, when it comes to cats letting you know they are sick, they are masters of disguise. According to veterinarian Patty Khuly, cats purposely don’t want you to know that they are feeling under the weather. Dr. Khuly says that sick cats naturally try to hide it, due to the fact that they don’t want to give predators and competitors any indication of weakness. Cats feel that if they show they are sick, they might lose status among other cats, or fall prey to predators. Khuly says that on a regular basis, veterinarians discover feline illnesses that… Read More Continue Reading

Dogs in Namibia Are Saving the Lives of Jungle Cats

Pam
Up until now, farmers in Namibia have had a problem protecting their livestock from large jungle cats like the cheetah. This is why throughout history, the single biggest threat to the cheetah population have been ranchers, who trap and kill them to prevent their livestock from being killed. Cheetahs need large amounts of land to roam on. Because of this, cheetahs often stray out of protected areas and onto these farms. This becomes a big problem for Namibian ranchers. For a very long time, these ranchers felt they had no other option than killing this threat to their livelihood. Farmer Andries Pretorius explains, “There was no other way. We shot… Read More Continue Reading

How to Introduce a Dog and a Cat

Pam
Perhaps you already have a dog and want to bring a cat into your family, or vice versa. Despite what is shown in cartoons, cats and dogs can get along. However, it takes a bit of preparation and planning to make them cohabitate successfully. According to the experts at Vetstreet, you shouldn’t just put the two of them in the same room and assume it will all work out somehow. Keep in mind that the initial introduction can be particularly dangerous for the cat. If your cat sees the dog and starts to run, the dog may see the cat as prey and naturally chase her. Consider the Breed Let’s… Read More Continue Reading

The Most Popular Puppy Names of 2015

Pam
Do you ever feel like when people tell you the name of their dog, you are hearing the same names over and over? Maybe because you are. Just like names for human babies, different puppy names gain a following, while others slowly fade out. According to research conducted by Vetstreet, here are the most popular puppy names out of their 1,512,750 possibilities. Top 10 Female Puppy Names You are unlikely to be surprised that Bella still reigned at #1 in 2015. It has held that position since all the way back to 2006. It just so happens that in that same year, Twilight came out, starring Bella as its main… Read More Continue Reading

5 Medical Conditions That Dogs Can Detect

Pam
Dogs are wondrous creatures, particularly due to their keen sense of smell. Thanks to their 220 million scent receptors, dogs are able to smell things we can only imagine. Did you know that there are dogs who have been able to smell medical conditions before doctors were even aware of them? Dogs are able to detect the smallest of changes in the human body, from a small shift in our hormones to our cells releasing VOC’s, or volatile organic compounds that cancer cells release. It is just now becoming understood how dogs are able to do this, and how dogs can help medical science. Let’s take a look at different… Read More Continue Reading

Enrich Your Life by Adopting a Senior Dog

Pam
If you have decided to adopt a dog, you are on the right track. However, there are many things to consider when it is time to adopt. The dog’s breed and age are generally the first aspects that come into question. Many people have a tendency to look toward puppies or young dogs to adopt, thinking this is a more desirable choice. In reality, a much wiser choice would be to adopt a senior dog. Why Adopt Senior Dogs? Dogs are like a fine wine, they just get better with age. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you go with a puppy, you are starting from scratch. Expect… Read More Continue Reading

Cat Sounds and What They Mean

Pam
Cats communicate in the most charming ways. Whether they are making cat sounds like meowing, purring, hissing or yowling, cats express themselves in a most unique manner. Cats really do have quite a large vocabulary. Have you ever wondered what your kitty was trying to tell you? Are they letting you know that they love you, or something completely different? Let’s take a look at the different vocalizations that cats express throughout their lives, and their interpretations from Modern Cat Magazine. Meowing The most well-known of all the cat sounds is the meow. Cats meow in order to communicate exclusively with humans, not with other cats. As little kittens, cats… Read More Continue Reading

Flea Allergies in Pets

Pam
Logically, pets are itchy when they have fleas. But if your cat or dog is allergic to a flea’s saliva, they will become especially miserable. Known as flea allergy dermatitis, (or FAD), this condition causes pets to scratch and chew at the bites. Eventually, the pet’s skin becomes inflamed, and the dog or cat may develop sores and begin losing their fur. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, flea allergy dermatitis is the most common skin problem of dogs in the United States. Some pets have such an extreme reaction to flea bites that even just one little flea bite can cause a serious reaction. If the problem is not… Read More Continue Reading

Belly Bloat in Dogs

Pam
Most people wouldn’t be too concerned if they saw their dog’s stomach a little swollen. The logical conclusion many would make is that the dog simply ate too much. Although that is a possibility, swelling of a dog’s stomach can actually be a life-threatening condition known as GDV. According to Doctors Foster and Smith, if your dog’s stomach appears swollen, you should contact their veterinarian immediately. About GDV Also known by the names bloat, twisted stomach or stomach torsion, GDV can cause a dog to die in only a matter of hours. This is why if your dog’s stomach is bloated, you should consider it to be a life-threatening emergency.… Read More Continue Reading