Can Dogs Have Mental Illnesses? (Part One)

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Dogs and humans suffer from many physical illnesses that can also be contracted by humans. Cancer, pneumonia and kidney failure are common causes of death in both dogs and humans. But can dogs and humans also … Read More

Why Do Cats Chew?

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Pet owners expect dogs and puppies to chew, but it’s somehow much more surprising when a cat starts chewing. Cats that chew often target books, lampshades, curtains and other similar household items. This can be frustrating … Read More

Packing for a Road Trip with Dogs

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Traveling by car with dogs can be fun, but it’s also exhausting. I find packing for trips with my dog more frustrating than any other part of traveling with him. I always seem to forget something … Read More

Compounding Rat Medications At Home

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Have you ever struggled to get your rat to take his or her medicine? Pre-mixed medications for rats are often flavored to be appealing to cats or dogs or birds or hamsters, but leave rats wholly unimpressed. … Read More

Hamster Illness: Wet Tail

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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

Keeping Pets' Paws Healthy

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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

Should Rats Be Free-Fed or Calorie Restricted?

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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

Three Reasons to Own Two or More Cats

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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

What to Do if Your Dog Licks His Neuter Incision

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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

Best Ways to Give Pills to a Dog

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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

Hairless Rat Care

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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

Should You Let Your Dog Play in Creeks and Lakes?

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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

EPA Reviews Safety of Flea/Tick Products, Plus Frontline/Advantix Alternatives

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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

What to Do If Your Puppy is A Cryptorchid

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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

What to Do About Animal Hoarders

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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

Feeding Aging Rats

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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

Planning Ahead for Pet Expenses During the Recession

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Animal shelters are bursting at the seams with pets who have lost their homes due to the current recession. Whether it was an unexpected vet bill, routine expenses, or a non pet-related expense that was the … Read More

Are Laser Pointer Toys Safe for Pets?

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There’s nothing like the bright red dot of a laser pointer racing across the floor or wall to get a cat’s attention. Many dogs also are fascinated  with and will chase laser pointer toys. Even fish often … Read More

Should You Shave Your Dog for the Summer?

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I live in Colorado, where we have, from time to time, experienced snow in July and 90-degree days in November. But if you can rely on one thing in Colorado, it’s that we’ll have a fairly hot summer. … Read More

Nebulizing Rats

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Most rat owners will, at some point, own a pet rat with chronic respiratory disease. Rats are prone to infections caused by Mycoplasma pulmonis, a naturally occurring bacterium found in the lungs of nearly all rats. The only … Read More

Do Cats Need Baths?

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Do cats need baths? In most cases, the answer is no, unless the cat is a show cat– in which case, you should either already know all about grooming for shows or have a mentor helping … Read More

Moving with Dogs, Without the Stress (Part Two)

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In Part One, we talked about how to plan a move and  prepare for a move without stressing your dog and causing undesirable behaviors. Now, let’s look at the move itself and the settling-in period immediately after … Read More

Should Cats Wear Collars?

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We recently covered the possible dangers of dog collars, but what about the cats in the family? Cats, too, can be injured or killed if they wear a collar; on the other hand, just like dogs, … Read More

Can Hedgehogs Become Diurnal?

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Hedgehogs are charming pets that appeal to many people, particularly those who prefer a pet that is somewhat exotic yet still handleable. I’ve never been without hedgehogs since 2001, and I very much enjoy their company. However, one … Read More

Is Your Dog Suitable for Therapy Work?

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Among the most common goals of active, involved dog owners is to certify their dog as a therapy dog and do therapy work with elderly people, children, veterans, or people with disabilities. Therapy dogs can help people … Read More

Fetch 'Til You Drop: The Dangers of Over-Exertion in Dogs

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I know I’m not the only person who jokes,  “My dog would fetch until his legs fell off, if I kept throwing that ball!” It’s usually  worth a chuckle, especially if Augustin and a tennis ball are … Read More

Warm Weather Means Time for a Reminder About Pets and Hot Cars

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This afternoon I witnessed a confrontation between a concerned passer-by and a driver who left her small dog in her Toyota Prius as she entered a fast casual restaurant and placed a to-go order. The other patron … Read More

Petlvr Mailbag: Found Hedgehog

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Dear Petlvr, I just received a hedgehog. It was found by a friend’s dog. I learned on the internet that hedgehogs can have babies as early as May. I would like to keep this hedgehog, it … Read More

Can Your Family Give a Pet with Special Needs a Home?

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Do you have extra love to give to a pet who is truly in need? If you’re an experienced pet parent looking for a new family member and want to know you’ve made a big difference to … 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

What's In Your Dog Food? Comparing Dog Food Labels

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When I recommend premium food to dog owners, they often ask, “Is it really worth the price?” Or, “How could it possibly be that much better than the grocery store brands?” The answer is: Yes, absolutely. … Read More

Incontinence in Aging Dogs

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One of the most saddening and frustrating issues for any dog owner to deal with is that of incontinence in an aging dog.  After years of successful housetrained behavior, older dogs often seem to regress 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

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