Dorm Pets: Good or Bad Idea?

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More and more colleges are beginning to allow pets in select dormitories. Stressed-out students may benefit from the blood pressure reducing benefits of stroking a pet or watching fish in a tank. In addition, some students … Read More

Give Your Pet a Mother's Day Gift: Spay Her!

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What’s the best gift for your intact female dog or cat this Mother’s Day? How about an appointment to be spayed? We’ve discussed spaying and neutering here before, but it’s an important subject that deserves to … Read More

Economy Driving More Owners to Relinquish Pets

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With the current recession showing no signs of letting up, shelters are stuffed to the gills with pets whose owners simply could no longer afford to care for them. The Chicago Tribune reported this week that, “When … Read More

New Airline Means Friendlier Skies for Pets

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Remember when we discussed how difficult flying with rats safely can be? I’ve also mentioned the potential hazards of shipping dogs and cats by plane. In fact, I personally will not ever fly with my dog … Read More

End of Earth Week Tips for Greener Pet Ownership

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As Earth Week ends, tree-planting events and free seed offers die down, CFL bulbs return to regular price, and most people go right back to the lifestyle they’re accustomed to during the other 51 weeks of … Read More

When Pets Cause Conflict in Relationships or Marriages

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Many pet lovers have been involved in an argument with a significant other regarding pets either brought into the relationship/marriage by one party, or acquired as a couple. Just like children, pets require you to expend time, money, … Read More

Keeping Dogs Out of Cat Litterboxes

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Snacking out of the catbox is perhaps the most disgusting habit a dog can have, in my opinion– and that’s a pretty competitive category. Unfortunately, at least a substantial minority, and probably a vast majority of … Read More

Including Pets in Your Wedding

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Once upon a time, including pets in a wedding would have been a massive social blunder frowned upon by the majority of guests. Now, many pet lovers can’t imagine marrying without their pets present. It makes … Read More

Do Pets Grieve?

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Do pets grieve when they lose an owner or a companion? In short: Yes. There are various scientific studies, some contradictory, on the subject of animals’ responses to loss, but my experience as the owner of … Read More

What to Do if You Find a Stray Cat

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Yesterday I had dinner with my parents. On my way out the door after the meal, I encountered a handsome ginger tomcat, who immediately made himself at home in my car. When he heard a rustle … Read More

Keeping Pets Safe on Easter

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Most people know that Halloween can be a dangerous holiday for pets,  but what about Easter? Just as much chocolate is given out on Easter as Halloween, but some families are so eager to celebrate that … Read More

Should You Raise Littermates Together?

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It’s not easy to look at a litter of puppies, kittens, rats, or any other animal and pick just one baby to take home. Should you really choose just one? Wouldn’t those two littermates be happier together? … Read More

Does Your Pet Twitter? Dogs and Cats Join the Microblogging Community

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No, I’m not asking in a roundabout way whether or not you own a bird. Twitter is a microblogging website that allows users to send short messages of 140 characters or less. You can “follow” other users … Read More

Car Sickness in Pets

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Nothing ruins a pet-friendly vacation like car sickness. One moment you’re anticipating a game of fetch on the beach, and the next you’re cleaning a puddle of pre-digested kibble out of the car. For pets with … Read More

Uh-Oh, Spring Allergies!

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Is your pet sneezing? At this time of year, the problem could be spring allergies. Just like humans, many pets have allergies to pollen, dust, or mold, and those allergies often flare up during the spring. … Read More

What to Do If You See a Dog in a Hot Car

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Warmer weather is coming, and with it will come the inevitable reports of dogs dying from heat prostration when left unattended in hot cars. But alongside those reports will be the stories of a dog owner … Read More

When Adoption Fails

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Nothing is more discouraging to a pet lover than a failed adoption. You fully intend to give a loving, permanent home to a pet in need, and instead you find yourself over your head with an … Read More

Touchy Situation: When a Friend or Family Member Mistreats a Pet

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Sadly, most people have been in a situation in which they’ve witnessed someone close to them mistreating a pet. Whether it’s your college roommate giving alcohol to the fraternity cat, or your aging mother beginning to … Read More

Giving Pills to Dogs and Cats

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Even the most experienced pet owners sometimes dread giving pills to dogs and cats. Children are hard enough to medicate, let alone pets, who won’t understand, “This is for your own good!” However, with a little … Read More

Why Do Pets Watch TV?

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Not all animals seem to watch TV, but some do. We’ve all known a dog who barks at Lassie or Garfield, or a cat that bats at the television when the Nature Channel shows songbirds. Why … Read More

Pet Ownership in a Down Economy: The Three R's

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We’ve talked about owning pets during a recession before, and as the economy continues to stagnate, it’s more  important than ever to share ways to keep your family together without breaking the bank. I’ve recently started doing … Read More

Dehydration in Dogs and Cats

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Is My Dog Dehydrated? Is your dog dehydrated? Dehydration is fairly common in a sick dog or cat. And unfortunately, it’s a condition that can make a sick pet even sicker. Ultimately, a pet can die … Read More

Should I Spay My Dog?

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Many dog owners are hesitant to put their dog under anesthesia for a procedure like a spay or neuter, and many wonder the precise benefits of spaying or neutering a dog. In this article, we’ll examine … Read More

Five Reasons to Adopt a Formerly Stray Cat

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Many people don’t want a cat who was found as a stray. Former strays are passed over at shelters in favor of kittens relinquished due to allergies, cats given away for shedding, and more. Strays are sometimes … Read More

Ten Ways to Use One Hour Per Week to Help Homeless Pets

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When I mention that I volunteer for animal rescues, the most common response I get is something along the lines of, “That’s so great! I wish I had the time to do something like that.” Of … Read More

Does Your Pet Need a Tooth Cleaning?

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Veterinarians often recommend yearly tooth cleanings for dogs and cats, which require general anesthesia and often cost $200.00 or more. If your veterinarian has recommended dental work, you may be able to get the procedure performed … Read More

Are Table Scraps Always Bad?

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You’ve probably heard time and time again that table scraps should not be fed to pets, but how true is that old adage? Like most absolute statements, it’s not that simple. Some scraps could be lethal; … Read More

Can cats kill sea otters?

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Cats vs Sea Otters? Is it possible for a house cat to kill a sea otter? The answer is yes. Okay, I know this sounds a bit odd since sea otters live in, well, the sea, … Read More

Choosing a Cat Litter Brand

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Litterbox problems are commonly cited as a reason for rehoming or abandoning pet cats. It’s sad enough that pet parents give up their pets just because cleaning up after them becomes inconvenient, but the worst part … Read More

All About Ear Infections

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Oh, yum, everyone’s favorite subject: Ear infections! Dogs and cats can easily get ear infections, and acute infections may become chronic if not treated correctly. Monitoring pets’ aural health is very important to overall wellness. Ear infections … Read More

How Shelter Volunteers Can Reduce Adoption Returns

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If you’ve ever volunteered with any sort of animal rescue, you likely know the pain of sending a pet off to what you believe will be its forever home, only to see it returned a few … Read More

A Look at the Top Pet Poisons of 2008

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The ASPCA Pet Poison Control Center has released its list of the Top 10 Pet Poisons of 2008 in an effort to educate pet owners about the most common toxic hazards that exist in and around … Read More

What Does It Mean When My Cat Yowls?

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Cat owners often ask me about unusual vocalizations from their pets. One of the most common and alarming experiences for the concerned cat parent is unexplained yowling. Cats yowl for a variety of reasons, ranging from … Read More

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