This article was originally published on GoCompare Pet insurance gives you quick access to care when your pet’s in need, and depending on what your policy includes, it may also cover you for some costs at the vets, such as your pet’s annual check-up and vaccinations, up to a certain sum. As you compare pet insurance… Read More
Dogs need to eat twice a day – once in the morning and once at night – but if you’re at work or school during feeding times, an automatic dog feeder can come in handy to give your pooch his meals on time. Automatic dog feeders dispense your dog’s food automatically, either by electronic programming… Read More
If you are a dog owner that likes to ride a bicycle, a dog bike trailer can enable you to safely bring your dog with you on your bike ride. There are different dog bike trailers available, depending on the size of your dog and what features you need. Some of the dog bikes collapse… Read More
Question: What are These Red Spots on My Dog? My 10-month-old dog has red round spots on her belly. She does not lick or itch them. Here’s a picture. -Sandra Answer: Dear Sandra, Thanks for sending the great photos of your dog’s skin. I would describe the red spots as “papules,” meaning circumscribed, elevated solid lesion… Read More
Every pet rabbit needs an outdoor rabbit hutch. Outdoor hutches provide valuable exercise and fresh air to all pet rabbits, which usually cannot be provided indoors. While most owners use outdoor hutches as an alternative, exercises areas for their pet rabbits when the weather is beautiful, others use them as full-time shelters for their vulnerable… Read More
There are countless wonderful things about dogs, but fleas aren’t one of them. Unfortunately, dealing with fleas is just part of being a dog parent, and you have to decide the best way to prevent or get rid of them. If you’re looking for an alternative to tablets or “spot on” style treatments, flea collars… Read More
It goes without saying that we all love our pets, but what many of us don’t love is the accumulation of pet hair in our homes. The majority of traditional vacuums aren’t necessarily up to the job of removing large amount of pet hair though. So if yours is having trouble, then it might be… Read More
One of the biggest purchases that goes into a home is the furniture–nothing makes a room like a big cozy sectional, a stately chaise lounge, or an overstuffed armchair by the fire. Of course, nothing really compliments a cozy chair quite like a content, sleepy feline. However, most cats can’t help but sharpen their claws… Read More
Question: My Dog Just Ate Chocolate! Should I Be Worried? My 60-pound female shepherd mix just ate about a half bar (standard size) of dark chocolate. What are the consequences and is there anything I should do? –Mike Wagner Answer: Dear Mike, Dogs seem to love chocolate almost as much as we humans do. In… Read More
Joint health is extremely important for our canines to live long and happy lives. After all, functioning joints are what let our dogs move and run freely without pain or stiffness. Sometimes though, our beloved pets need a little extra boost to keep their joints healthy and functioning as best as they can. Joints can… Read More
Considering the amount of grooming cats do every day, you wouldn’t think that you’d need to bathe your cat. And you’d be right. Cats obsessively clean themselves, so they typically only need regular brushing. However, there are situations where you’ll need to give your cat a bath. You may have just adopted a new kitten… Read More
If you have never experienced the itching, hair loss, and skin and ear infections associated with mites in dogs, consider yourself fortunate. Dogs can be infested with several different species of mites, all of which cause unpleasant symptoms that range from itching and discomfort to severe skin infections secondary to the damage caused by these pests…. Read More
Your furry friend deserves proper care and nurture and the first step in providing it is maintaining their hygiene at a high level. Although dogs groom themselves to some extent, they still need bathing to help them stay clean and healthy. Bathing removes dirt and odor from their skin and coat, and it is necessary… Read More
Cats are natural-born hunters that love the great outdoors, but they need places to take shelter from the elements, too. Maybe you’d like to give your cat a cozy hideaway in your backyard, or maybe you want to make sure the neighborhood stray has a warm place to live when the weather gets cold. If… Read More
Worms are a familiar, yet disgusting issue that many pet owners face. Not only do worms pose a hazard to your dog, but they’re also contagious to other pets and family members. If you have other pets in your household who are suffering for worm issues, make sure to treat them too. To find the… Read More
All it takes is one time for your cat to pee outside of the litter box and the smell will linger. It’s not just about the potent smell, though. If you don’t promptly take care of the cat’s urine smell, your cat will keep up the behavior. Most people are aware that cat pee is… Read More
It’s natural for dogs to bark, but it’s a nuisance to owners and their neighbors. Whether you’re making an urgent phone call or putting down a sleeping baby, it’s helpful to know how to quiet a barking dog. Some dogs bark at every person who walks by, whereas others howl while their owner is at… Read More
Coldwell Banker has released an ad, titled “Old Dog, New Dog,” which displays how adopting a pet can bring joy and love to a home. The ad features an adorable, full-grown dog, named Cooper, as well as a heartwarming story about adopting older dogs – older dogs often have a harder time finding homes. In… Read More
Question: How Can I Help My Dog Recover from Chronic Staph Infections? My dog, Riley(Long coat Chihuahua) started having these breakouts on him in either 2014 or 2015… My vet said that he had staph. She gave him an antibiotic shot & it cleared, however it ended up returning… I have noticed that it isn’t… Read More
Whether you’ve just bought a new puppy or have an older dog who’s been a member of your family for years, choosing the right method of disciplining and training your dog can help you form a rewarding relationship with your pet. But determining how to discipline your dog can be tricky. There are so many… Read More
It’s 2:00 am and you are outside with your sick pup, again, for the third time since bedtime, when you notice bright red blood in his stool. As if being awakened repeatedly to the sound of vomiting and diarrhea was not difficult enough, you now feel a little panicked about this recent development. Worried, you… Read More
You’re in bed, about to drift off to sleep, when you hear the unfortunate sound of your cat ripping your brand new furniture into shreds. Or, you walk passed the dining room table, and your cat attacks you out of nowhere. Or, even worse, your kitty decides the litter box is the only place it… Read More
The obesity epidemic in cats has mirrored the epidemic in the human population in industrialized countries. Cats that were once hunters for vermin and insect control are now living the good life inside of our homes. While there are many benefits to having cats in our homes – improved lifestyle and longevity, safety, companionship and… Read More
When you were a child, you likely received a series of vaccinations designed to protect you from diseases such as polio, measles and mumps. These diseases are rare today due to widespread vaccination. Similarly, many diseases that were once common in puppies are now prevented by vaccines. Parvovirus and canine distemper virus were initially highly… Read More
Question: What Can I Do for My Cat with FIP? My 9 month old kitten has just been diagnosed with wet FIP, my vet has offered no curative plan. Can you please enlighten me on the latest research and what medicinal plan can we put him on. We adopted a family of four brothers, and this… Read More
Cleaning your dog’s ears is absolutely vital to maintaining your pooch’s overall health and wellbeing. Keeping your dog’s ears clean can prevent them from getting ear infections and troublesome ear parasites, such as mites. But, this task can easily become complicated and difficult. After all, you must ensure that you do get all the gunk… Read More
What are the most important questions to ask pet adoption centers and shelters when you’re considering adopting a pet? Pet overpopulation is a problem and it’s estimated that 6.5 million animals enter pet shelters in the US every year. Sadly a portion of the animals have to be euthanized to make room for newcomers. For… Read More
Cats are quite efficient in keeping themselves tidy, but even they need our help when it comes to keeping their ears clean. Although a cat’s ear has a natural cleaning mechanism that enables the wax to move toward the outer part of the ear, regular checks are necessary to avoid possible ear infections and other… Read More
Sometimes, our furry friends need a little help getting around. It is not uncommon for small dogs or older dogs to have difficulty accessing high places. It can be heartbreaking to watch your pup attempt to jump up onto the couch with no success, and waking up to help your canine on the bed can… Read More
If you’re a proud parrot parent, you’re going to need somewhere to keep your feathered friend so he’ll be safe and secure. Even if your parrot spends a lot of time having free rein of the house, or at least a room or two, he’ll still need a cage for when you can’t be there… Read More
It is not at all uncommon for our furry friends to get bored, especially if they’re home alone all day! Ordinary dog toys might entertain them for a little while, but there is only so much you can do with a tennis ball when you’re by yourself. This is where interactive dog toys come in!… Read More
As a dog owner, you want your dog to be comfortable, warm, and well-rested. A dog blanket that’s created specifically for your dog may feature a cute dog print or have features that make it ideal for your dog. The best dog blanket often depends on your pet’s size and needs. Larger dogs need larger… Read More
If you have a cat, then you may already know that grooming your pet is an essential part of your routine. But don’t forget that part of the grooming routine also includes brushing your cat’s teeth. Cat dental disease is a common health problem for cats. Plaque and bacteria can grow inside the mouth of… Read More
Dogs love spending time outdoors, but they need a way to stay contained and safe from dangers. If you don’t have a fenced-in yard or electric fence, an outdoor dog kennel is a perfect option. A kennel gives your dog the benefit of playing outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air while keeping him safe… Read More
If you own a guinea pig or plan to adopt one in the future, you know the importance of choosing a guinea pig cage. You want a model that will give your pet space to roam around while being safely contained from hazards. With multi-level cages and options marketed toward other pets like rabbits, it… Read More
If you’re a dog owner, chances are you’ve noticed your dog’s breath isn’t always the freshest. But cleaning your dog’s teeth isn’t just a benefit for your olfactory senses – it’s essential to a dog’s health and well-being. Poor dental hygiene in a dog can lead to gum disease or painful tooth decay and can… Read More
Finding the right litter box or litter pan for your cat will make both of your lives easier. The litter box you should use varies depending on the size of your cat, their litter habits, your preferences, and aesthetics, which makes finding the right one a challenge. Some cats love to kick their litter and… Read More
Arthritis is very common in dogs. Joint injuries, like cruciate ligament rupture, or developmental disorders, for example hip dysplasia, increase the risk that a dog will have early or severe arthritis, but sometimes arthritis just develops with age. Whatever leads to a dog’s arthritis, owners now have access to many safe and effective options for… Read More
When it is time to buy a pet dog for your home or for your family, there are literally hundreds of breeds to choose from. Each breed has its own needs, so you should choose the one that you know you can take care of properly. From the size, diet, and shedding to its daily… Read More
When most people see their dog straining to defecate, they assume he’s constipated. The truth is that often the dog is straining because he has diarrhea, not constipation. In fact, most dogs will strain a lot when they have diarrhea due to intestinal cramping. How Do You Know If Your Dog Is Constipated? You may… Read More
My mom used to have a greyhound named Earl, whom we called “Earl-o-Meter 2000.” He would hide under furniture and tremble from head to toe. It happened regularly and was a bit concerning at first. Have you ever wondered, “What does it mean when my dog gets the shakes?” We figured out that Earl was… Read More
Cancer is the leading killer of older dogs. The good(ish) news: While not every type of cancer can be detected by looking at and feeling your dog, many can. It’s important for pet parents to be able to recognize the common signs of a cancerous tumor so you can get your dog treatment early in… Read More
As the old brown dog stood on my examination table, her fur seemed to have taken on a life of its own. In fact, her fur did have a life of its own: thousands and thousands of fleas. She had lived most of her life fastened to a chain in the yard, unable to move… Read More
Each spring, my clients ask, “How do I safely remove a tick from my dog?” Great question. Ticks are a reality of life for most dogs at one time or another, but unfortunately, these cringe-inducing little parasites can pass very serious diseases to dogs and humans. In this article, you’ll learn how to detect and… Read More
Guinea pigs, sometimes called cavies, are hardy, funny, easy-to-maintain pets that are growing in popularity. Affectionate and good with children, guinea pigs don’t require a lot of special care. Still, with any pet, it’s important to know how to keep them healthy and happy. Read on to learn about how to take care of your… Read More
When you adopt a new kitten, you may be overwhelmed with cuteness. You will likely find yourself spending a lot of time just playing with her for those first few days. All too often we get wrapped up in showering a new kitten with affection and forgetting the basics about what you’ll actually need for… Read More
There are several ways your cat can get worms: fleas, hunting, exposure to infected cats or infected feces; worms can even be passed on through their mother’s milk. While it is possible to minimize the risks, you may find it virtually impossible to eliminate the risk of parasitic worms entirely. Because of this, you need… Read More
If you’re a cat owner, you know all too well the bother of your cat’s hairballs. Not only is the coughing and gagging a frequent cause of worry for you, but it also has to be annoying for your poor cat, too. It will often lead to vomit, also, which makes it more than just annoying… Read More
You love your cat and probably hate to think of her bored. What would your cat do if forced to entertain herself? A bored cat is much more prone to destruction, and your house will thank you for finding alternative outlets for your cat’s energy. If you’re drawing a blank on how to entertain her,… Read More
If your vet has mentioned to you that your pup has a few pounds to lose, you may be surprised. After all, your dog does not need to bend to unrealistic social standards, does he? He’s adorable the way he is! Except adorable doesn’t equal healthy and if your vet thought it worth mentioning, you… Read More
