Cats and Catnip

Pam
If you are a cat lover, at one time or another you have probably given catnip to your feline. If your cat is like most, he or she probably began rolling around in ecstasy. Cats also enjoy rubbing their faces against it, and drooling everywhere. Some cats act hyperactive, running around like crazy. Others can become quite aggressive, if you approach their precious herb! After they react in this manner for about 10 minutes, you can expect a cat to chill out for a while. After this, the cat becomes immune to catnip for about 30 minutes. What Exactly Is Catnip? A member of the mint family, catnip contains volatile… Read More Continue Reading

How Can I Help a Rescue Dog that has Anxiety?

Pam
Rescue dogs make wonderful pets. They are loving, devoted and grateful creatures that realize you have given them a second chance at life. Just like adopted children, these fur kids can come with mental and emotional baggage, associated either with their time in the shelter or their prior lives. Helping rescue dogs cope with and overcome their anxiety can be a rewarding experience, but it does require some patience, dedication, and know-how. With the proper tools, even the most scarred rescue dogs can become loving companions. The first step is to identify the type of anxiety your rescue dog may be suffering from. Dogs can develop anxiety to many things,… Read More Continue Reading

Having Pets Sleep in Your Bed

Pam
Do you let Fido sleep next to you in your bed at night? Well, you are not alone. According to a Harris poll in 2012, around 70% of dogs and cats in the United States share their owner’s bed, at least on occasion. Of these numbers, more cats than dogs are allowed in the bed, more women than men let pets sleep in the bed and more small dogs than large have the privilege. A Healthy Choice? Well, it depends on who you ask. The first thing to consider is if you suffer from pet allergies or not. According to Derek Damin of Kentuckiana Allergy, Asthma & Immunology in Louisville,… Read More Continue Reading

Top 10 Pet Halloween Costumes

Pam
Hot dog! This all-American pup is decked out and ready to make his Halloween debut. This precious kitten is sure to be all the buzz at her Halloween celebration. This king of the jungle looks tame enough to enjoy a good belly rub. Homey cat has his mind on his money, and money on his mind. May the force be with you, Star Wars canine. Stay away from the magic mushrooms, Mario kitty! Martinis, anyone? To the Batmobile, Batkitty! Tony the Tiger, is that you? You’re Grrrreat! Now that’s ‘a spicy meatball! Continue Reading

What to Do If You Spot Animal Abuse

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Warning Signs A vast majority of animal cruelty cases involve animal neglect. Falling within this category are all of the following situations: Animal Hoarding: When someone is housing more animals than they are able to physically take care of, this is defined as hoarding. Visual Indications: You may look at an animal and immediately notice that it is in need of veterinary care. There are a number of red flags you may notice such as the animal being excessively skinny, having untreated wounds, scabs or hair loss. Inadequate Shelter: If the weather is very hot or very cold, there need to be provisions for pets kept outdoors, which include providing… Read More Continue Reading

Vegan Dog Food

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As a vegan diet is gaining in popularity for humans, those who have chosen a meat-free lifestyle may wish to extend this to their pets. If you are considering having your dog switch to a vegan diet, here are some pros and cons that will help guide your decision. Advantages of Vegan Dog Food The main appeal of vegan dog food to most consumers is that no animals had to be killed to make the food. A cruelty-free option, vegan dog food is made completely from plant-based sources. Many owners of dogs who eat vegan food claim that their dogs enjoy eating the vegan food just as much as they… Read More Continue Reading

Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

Pam
Hip Dysplasia is the veterinary term for ‘abnormal growth’ of the hip joint. The two most commonly affected joints are elbow and hip. In hip dysplasia, a malformation develops in the joint as a puppy grows. Dysplasias can range from mild (you don’t even know your dog has it) to severe, and a dog can develop problems with mobility at any age. Hip dysplasia is diagnosed with by your veterinarian with a physical exam and radiographs (x-ray). Dogs that have hip dysplasia have skinny back legs with less muscle, and often big barrel chests because they use their front legs to pull themselves up. They have a stiff, stilted hindlimb gait, and can cry out… Read More Continue Reading

German Shepherds

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The popularity of German Shepherds started long ago and continues today. It all began in 1954 with the first canine movie star, Rin Tin Tin. This German Shepherd became his own celebrity who received more than 10,000 fan letters a week! Today, German Shepherds are the second most popular dog breed in the United States. One of the most easily recognized breeds, the German Shepherd has an imposing size, pointed and alert ears and dark, intelligent eyes. His coat is either black and tan, all black or occasionally all white. He has a very dense undercoat that protects him against the elements. The German Shepherd is known as the most… Read More Continue Reading

How to Find and Remove Ticks

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Every year, tick bites are responsible for causing thousands of dogs becoming infected with serious diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis. If you live in a grassy or woody area, you need to check your pet for ticks every day. Although ticks are more prevalent in places like the Northeast, they can be found everywhere in the United States. A tick survives by feeding on blood. It takes 24 hours of the tick feeding to infect an animal. This is why it is crucial to find and remove them early, as this can actually stop your dog from getting sick in the first place.… Read More Continue Reading

Household Dangers for Pets

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When it comes to protecting your pets, you almost have to look at it in terms of childproofing your home. Pet owners should already know to keep obvious things out the reach of pets, such as rat poison and insecticides, however these two things continue to be the most common sources of animal poisoning. There are other less obvious sources of dangers for pets in your home, which are identified by The Humane Society of the United States. Antifreeze consumption is responsible for many pets getting poisoned every year. Particularly, antifreeze that contains ethylene glycol is deadly. It is so dangerous because to pets, it has a sweet taste. It… Read More Continue Reading