.: Pet Dogs

For many dog owners, the first surgery that a pet will undergo is a spay or neuter operation. But the prospect of caring for a dog that’s just undergone surgery makes many dog owners very nervous. … Read More

Breed bans, also known as Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) are ineffectual and at best serve only to temporarily reassure a community afraid of dog attacks. At worst, they result in the needless killing of family dogs with loving … Read More

There’s lots of instances when a dog owner may wonder, “Is my dog sick? Should I take him to the 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic?” Making the decision to take a pet to the emergency clinic can … Read More

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

At some point, every dog will need to take a pill, whether it’s medication, a vitamin or a supplement. But when it comes time to give your dog a pill, do you know how to do … Read More

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

Are you wondering “Is my dog sick?” If so, there’s a few things you’ll want to check on your dog – his temperature, his capillary refill time and his gum color. But do you know how … Read More

Dogs need walks year-round, but walking on icy streets during the winter months can be dangerous in more ways than one. Your dog’s paws are exposed not just to ice and snow, but to road salt, … Read More

Puppy kindergarten, or puppy socialization class, is a vital part of your puppy’s upbringing. Puppy kindergarten teaches basic obedience and how to play safely with other dogs. It also exposes your puppy to  variety of stimuli that can help … Read More

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

No, I don’t mean the winter coat your dog can grow all by himself– I mean the manmade creations that come in every color of the rainbow and can be found adorning pooches belonging to fashionistas around the world. … Read More

Stuffed toys are fun for dogs, but swallowed stuffing can cause intestinal blockage. Is the fun of playing with a stuffed toy worth the risk of surgery or death if stuffing is swallowed? Squeaky stuffed animals … Read More

Tug-of-war is one of the most common games played with dogs, but some trainers strongly recommend against it. Others see no reason not to play tug with dogs, so long as the pet parent follows a … Read More

With more and more hotels becoming pet-friendly, an increasing number of pet owners are deciding to take their cat, dog, ferret or other pet along for the ride on that road trip or vacation. It takes … Read More

Almost everyone knows what a guide dog is, and most people even understand it’s not appropriate to pet them while they’re working. For many people, that’s as far as their service animal knowledge goes. There’s nothing wrong with that– … Read More

Your pet’s safety should always be among your top priorities when traveling with pets.  Most people wouldn’t leave a chocolate bar next to a dog, or leave a pet in a hot car, but many drivers do something … Read More

Hosting a houseguest can be a wonderful experience for humans, but a visitor staying in the home is often a less-than-good experiences for pets like dogs, cats and birds. Whether you have a German Shepherd, a … Read More

As the New Year dawns, I encourage pet owners to resolve to improve their pets’ lives in 2009. A happier, healthier pet will make you happy, too. My resolutions include taking a Flyball class with my … Read More

A good, old-fashioned romp in the park for a game of fetch is harmless fun, right? Well, vets worldwide are urging dog owners to think again, saying that serious and even deadly injuries can result from … Read More

Pets are my favorite exercise equipment. Nothing motivates me to go for a run like the pleading eyes of a dog who’s been cooped up indoors all day. Even the cat helps me exercise: When she … Read More

Dogs of all breeds and sizes face a couple big obstacles during the cold winter months, when paw pad injuries, cracked or peeling paw pads or frequent licking of the paws becomes commonplace. The cold winter … Read More

Did you forget to get yourself a Christmas gift? If you’re like most people this time of year, you’ve been running around like crazy shopping for gifts for friends and family, but you haven’t taken time to … Read More

Training with distractions is a great way to make sure a learned behavior will be performed on cue in a variety of situations. Dogs don’t automatically generalize learning. If you train your dog to sit in the living … Read More

Whether you own a dog, a cat, a rat, a bird, or a horse, pet logs are an extremely useful tool for every pet owner. Pet logs can be used to help diagnose illness, disease and … Read More

A house full of visiting family can get hectic and noisy, particularly if kids are visiting and have extra energy from being stuck inside. The solution? Round the whole group up, and perform a volunteer project … Read More

Most dogs need their nails trimmed regularly, but few of them enjoy it. Worse yet, a clumsy snip could cut into the quick, causing profuse bleeding. I quicked my own fingernail recently after I was startled … Read More

Dear PetLvr Mailbag … My family is in the market for a puppy and when I went to obedience class with a dog years ago they had me use a 30′ lead and a choker to … Read More

Sasha-Simone, The Very Energetic Puppy! When many soon-to-be dog owners think dog adoption, they automatically think of a puppy. But many new dogs owners fail to realize that an adult dog is often the better choice. … Read More

In 2007, a close friend lost her dog as a result of a pet food recall. So as a pet writer, I’ve been closely monitoring the pet food recall situation ever since. It’s a topic I’ve … Read More

Ice storms are battering the Northeast, while the West and Midwest are now experiencing record cold due to an Arctic front. In my city, a record-breaking low was recorded yesterday, with temperatures of -15 degrees Fahrenheit … Read More

Christmas trees are a wonderful tradition, but they can also present a safety hazard to pets. Decorations like angel hair and tinsel could be fatal if ingested. Then there’s the tree itself– a cat could be … Read More

This post was written by guest author Cindy King. Please visit her blog Cindy King: Cross-cultural marketer and international sales specialist. Living 40km south of Paris, Cindy has over 25 years of international marketing expererience. The … Read More

How often do you look at your pet’s teeth? If you’re like most pet owners, it’s been a while since you peeled back your pet’s lips and took the time to examine his or her molars … Read More