.. By Jelena

It’s every dog owner’s worst nightmare: A missing pet. Even if you’re fortunate enough never to have experienced the disappearance of a pet, it’s important to plan in advance so you’ll be prepared if your dog ever … Read More

I frequently write about the importance of daily training sessions for all dogs. Pet dogs are happier, healthier and more obedient if training is reinforced daily. Sessions don’t need to be lengthy or intensive every day. … Read More

Wet tail is one of the most common and most deadly hamster illnesses. It is caused by the bacterium Lawsonia intracellularis, and is more accurately described as regional enteritis or proliferative ileitis. Wet tail is common … Read More

Pet rat cages are sold in most pet stores and online. Unfortunately, many cages marketed for pet rats are wholly inadequate for the needs of even one rat. Take into account the fact that one should … Read More

Cat owners often complain that their cats are “jealous” or “get revenge” by urinating and defecating inappropriately after being left alone during an owner’s vacation. This myth is so pervasive that it appears in comics, books, movies and … Read More

If your pet has healthy paws, you probably don’t spend much time thinking about them. But if a problem is allowed to develop, you’ll be spending both time and money treating it. Preventive care for paws … Read More

We’ve all been there: In the midst of a training session, things go downhill. Your dog looks at you like you’ve grown a second head, even when you give a cue he should know backwards, forwards, … Read More

Due to the current economic climate, more pet-friendly rentals have become available. Property management companies need all the business they can get. For some, that means opening their properties to pet owners,  even if dogs were … Read More

Hiring a pet sitter isn’t easy. Choosing one person to be solely responsible for the health and happiness of your pets while you’re traveling is nerve-wracking at best. Making the wrong choice can be disastrous. Pet … Read More

So you’ve got a new puppy. One of the first things you’ll need to do is choose a collar that the puppy will wear, either all the time or only on walks. There are numerous styles … Read More

Anticipation is a common problem in horses in all disciplines, particularly those that are advancing rapidly in their training and learning new things. All horses may anticipate cues, but hot-blooded breeds and high-energy horses are most likely … Read More

This summer, many dogs and their pet parents will be heading to beaches, mountains, and everything in between for a relaxing camping trip. What could be better than roughing it in the wilderness with your pooch?  … Read More

As any rat owner knows, rats are prone to obesity, particularly older male rats. However, being omnivores and foragers, they seem most content with free access to as much food as they like. It’s hard to … Read More

Many people have only one cat and wonder why their cat attacks their feet, races around the house at night, yowls, or is overweight. Many of these problems are not present in cats that have been … Read More

Does your dog wear a bark collar? If so, it would make my day if you removed that collar right now and threw it into the trash can. It’s not necessary, may be harmful behaviorally and … Read More

Your dog was just neutered, and he’s now licking his incision. What do you do next? It’s not wise  to allow the licking to continue. Even if your dog only licks his incision occasionally, he’s likely … Read More

Giving pills to a dog can be easy, depending upon the dog, but it can also be nearly impossible, particularly if it’s a small dog that needs to take a large pill. I’ll use this post … Read More

If you’ve been given a goldfish bowl, please don’t put a goldfish in it! Goldfish, like all members of the carp family, grow to a large size quite rapidly. They also eliminate waste more often than … Read More

Toy dogs (members of the AKC Toy Group) are becoming more and more popular every day, but many owners don’t take the time to train these dogs. Training toy breeds represents unique challenges, but it’s both … Read More

If you’re lucky enough to still have a little extra time or income during this recession, and if you love animals, you already know that donating to or volunteering with an animal shelter or rescue can … Read More

I worked for a large retail chain dealing in live animals and pet supplies as my first job out of high school. At the time, I thought it would be the perfect job for a young … Read More

Hairless rats are among the most unique pets a person can have. They look like little alien lifeforms, feel like warm raw chicken when held, and are certain to start a conversation with any houseguest brave … Read More

It’s among every pet owner’s worst fears: You die, acquire a severe disability, or are hospitalized in a coma, and your pets are bounced around between family members until someone gives up and drops them off at … Read More

Ah, early Summer. The birds are singing, flowers are blooming, and people are arriving in droves to dump their pets at local animal shelters. Litters of kittens and puppies conceived and born in the  Spring fill kennels … Read More

Many dogs love water. It’s hard to resist letting a happy dog frolic in a creek or lake while out for a long walk, especially on a hot day. I’m sometimes tempted to jump in myself! … Read More

You spend hours every day exercising and grooming your dogs, letting caged pets out for free-range time, petting and playing with your cats,  and coaxing the elderly horse to just eat one more bite of beet … Read More

If you’ve never been fortunate enough to interact with a large group of domestic rats over an extended period of time, you may not know that rats are very similar to humans in terms of social … Read More

The Internet has never before been more powerful, useful, or ubiquitous than it is today. Dog parents can get information, pet supplies, professional training advice, and more, without leaving their own homes.  However, at the same time, there’s never before been more … Read More

I’ve always avoided topical flea and tick medications whenever possible. I’m just a little uncomfortable with the idea of putting something on my pet’s body that is so poisonous to fleas and ticks that it will … Read More

If you’ve ever walked into a pet store and seen “albino corn snakes” or “albino red-eared slider turtles” for sale, you know that many pets labeled albino in stores or by breeders don’t look like a … Read More

Cryptorchidism in dogs is a condition that is congenital (present at birth) and results in one or both testicles failing to descend normally. This is a common condition that usually has no particular ill effects, provided … Read More

Have you ever seen a news story about hundreds of animals rescued from a single person? Frequently, these horrifying stories come with graphic details of pets that starved to death or attacked each other because of … Read More

As rats age, they may become either obese or thin. If your rat has a health problem, please consult your veterinarian about feeding and nutrition. However, if your rat is aging normally, you may be able … Read More