Obesity in Dogs

Pam
In recent years, the problem of canine obesity has increased significantly. In fact, it is the most common medical condition in companion animals. What exactly defines canine obesity? A dog can be classified as overweight when their weight is greater than 15% of what it should be. A dog can be classified as obese when their weight is greater than 30% of the ideal weight. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that between 22% and 40% of dogs are overweight or obese. More often than not, obesity is the result of too much energy consumed and not enough expended. As few as five pounds above the ideal body weight can put… Read More Continue Reading

Home Pet Remedies

Pam
It is becoming increasingly popular to seek out home remedies for common ailments for your pets. This is because many pet owners consider them to be safer than traditional medications are. In addition to this, they are easy to acquire as you don’t need a prescription from the vet. With this being said, using a home remedy isn’t necessarily going to be as effective as a prescription may be. However, as long as they are safe to try, why not give some home remedies a shot? Herbal Remedies Herbal remedies for pets can be found in specialized stores or from online retailers. These remedies usually consist of different herbal substances… Read More Continue Reading

First Aid for Dogs

Pam
Accidents can happen in life when you least expect them. That is why it is a good idea to know some basic first aid information to help your dog in case he gets in trouble. Being prepared for the unexpected is key. Keep a list of important dog first aid phone numbers on hand in case of an emergency. This list should include your veterinarian, your local emergency clinic and the ASPCA animal poison control center. Remember, dog first aid is not meant to be a substitute for veterinary care. It is simply a means of helping your dog until professional assistance is available. It is a good idea to… Read More Continue Reading

Animal Cruelty News: Woman Tapes Dog Mouth Closed and Brags on Facebook

Pam
Police in North Carolina have reported that a woman in their state taped her dog’s mouth shut with duct tape to make it stop barking. Kimberly Ann Howell, 25, of Salisbury, N.C. has been charged with animal cruelty in this case. Not only did she admit to doing this to her dog, she bragged about it on Facebook. On September 28th of this year, Howell took pictures of the dog and posted them on Facebook. She must have thought it was funny, as she posted “hah hah” below them, according to the Rowan County Sherriff’s Office. These pictures got noticed right away. After receiving “harassing comments via Facebook,” Howell removed… Read More Continue Reading

People Food for Cats

Pam
Although cats don’t usually beg the way dogs do, it may be hard to resist giving your precious feline a treat from the dinner table. However, as you probably know, not all foods are safe for cats. Examples of foods that are not safe include onion, garlic, kelp, grapes, raisins, sugary snacks, chocolate, alcohol and caffeinated drinks. Not every human food is off-limits. When it comes to giving cats people food, the general rule is to not let human food make up for more than 15% of a cat’s diet. The first thing to understand is that cats are carnivores that require meat to thrive. Cats need meat protein so… Read More Continue Reading

How to Give Your Dog Medication

Pam
Food Is Your Friend Wait until your dog is hungry. You can put a pill or liquid medication in their food or water, unless the instructions on the medication indicate otherwise. Use a food that is soft and will form easily around the pill, disguising it. It usually isn’t a good idea to just mix the pill in with his regular food. This will cause you to waste his food and the pill at the same time. Some great examples include peanut butter, cream cheese, or a hot dog cube. Whichever one you choose, gather 3 samples of it. Begin by giving your dog some of the food that doesn’t… Read More Continue Reading

How to Prepare Your Dog for a New Baby

Pam
Bringing home a new bundle of joy is a wonderful, yet potentially stressful time in the life of a family. Pets also can become stressed along with everyone else. However, if you prepare and train them properly, your dog can live together in harmony with your newborn baby. It is never too soon to start preparing your pets for the arrival of your baby. Training should start months before it is time for your baby to arrive. There are a few different things that should be addressed before the big day comes. Monitor the Dog’s Behavior You may know this already, but you need to take an honest assessment of… Read More Continue Reading

Black Dog Syndrome: The Struggle Is Real

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We all know that it is hard to be a rescue dog, without a home or family. Turns out it is even harder to be a black rescue dog, and the odds of adoption get worse the darker the coat color.  Even though black-coated animals are just as friendly as their light-coated cohorts, they are more likely to be overlooked at the shelter by potential adoptive families and take longer to be adopted then the light-colored dogs. According to the director of Petfinder, large black dogs are often the very last animals to be adopted, solely because of their coat color. As a result, black dogs are euthanized at a higher… Read More Continue Reading

Dog Grooming 101

Pam
Grooming is an essential part of the well-being and overall health of a dog. It supports general cleanliness, and skin health. Grooming helps to create a closer bond between the dog and the owner. Not to mention, it just makes our furry friends look clean and pretty. Brushing Performing regular grooming with a brush or a comb helps keep your dog’s hair in good condition. It gets rid of dirt, distributes natural oils throughout his coat, prevents tangles and keeps his skin clean and free of irritants. Not to mention, it cuts down significantly on the amount of hair you will have to remove from your car, furniture and other… Read More Continue Reading

Australian Shepherd

Pam
The ultimate working dog, the Australian Shepherd actually comes from the Basque region of Europe, not Australia. Believed to be sacred by Native Americans, Australian Shepherds were nicknamed “ghost eye,” because of their striking eye coloration. They commonly have eyes of different colors, or have varying colors within each eye. Lively and vivacious, they gained their first bit of fame as rodeo trick dogs. These superb herders are so intelligent that they are used as Seeing Eye dogs for the blind, as well as search and rescue dogs. Among the smartest of all dog breeds, the Australian Shepherd will not be content spending his life alone in the backyard, or… Read More Continue Reading