.: Pet Health Care

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

As a pet owner, you never know when an emergency may arise. No matter how caring and conscientious you are as a pet owner, there’s always a chance that your pet will get sick or injured. … 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

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

Some people feel so strongly about allowing horses to go without horseshoes that they consider shoeing a form of abuse; others won’t let their horses take three steps without iron armor on their soles. The most … Read More

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

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

Trimming cats’ nails is often a task that intimidates pet owners far more than performing the same procedure when trimming a dog’s nails. While it’s true that some cat owners have attempted a nail trim and … Read More

When you think of a child’s first pet, do you picture a hamster? A kitten? A wiggly puppy? Maybe a Shetland Pony? A goldfish? If you’re like most people, one thing you’re not thinking of is an … 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

There are many holiday hazards facing dogs and cats, but what about the birds? You’ll find lots of literature out there on how to avoid illness, injury and other catastrophes involving dogs and cats during the … Read More

Pet poisoning incidents skyrocket around the holidays and holiday gifts are part of the reason for this increase in dog and cat poisoning incidents. The typical present-related pet poisoning incident occurs like this: a family member … 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

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

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

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

A report earlier this fall from a group of USA pediatricians cautioned parents against keeping exotic pets in a home with young children. The doctors involved cited Salmonella, as well as possible bites and scratches, as reasons … Read More

Obviously, there’s no one proven way to be sure your pet won’t ever get cancer. If there was, we’d all be doing it, and veterinary oncologists would all be out of business. However, it may be … Read More

There’s few things more frightening than a pet food recall and unfortunately, it’s happened again – yet another pet food recall has been issued, placing thousands of pets at risk of illness or worse. Mars Petcare … Read More

The holiday season brings all sorts of poisoning risks and holiday health hazards for pets, and while it’s always a good idea for pet owners to educate themselves about household pet dangers and what foods, plants … Read More

New rat owners often purchase exercise balls and wheels and are disappointed when their rats will not use them. Sometimes, rats are even brought to veterinarians by well-meaning owners concerned about their health because they don’t … Read More

Yes, I know, it sounds counterintuitive to allow your horse to have a say in his or her training, but communication should go both ways between a horse and rider. For example, my horse recently was … Read More

I love my many pets, and they all get along fairly well, even the cat and rats. Interactions between pets of different species can be fascinating and humorous. However, there are certain common pets that simply … Read More

This post was submitted to heighten awareness about animal shelter adoption. Adopt a pet today! Monster at 4 1/2 weeks, fitting into the palm of one of my hands. During my time as a foster home … Read More

I think most pet lovers, especially those who read this blog, know why it’s a bad idea to buy a cat or dog at a pet store. Even Oprah has taken up the cause of raising … Read More

Halloween’s coming, and that means pet owners should be thinking about their pets’ safety as well as holiday fun. Treats like chocolate and caramel can be harmful or even fatal to some types of pets. In … Read More

As worldwide financial panic continues, so does our series on pet ownership in a down economy. Last time, we talked about making pet toys at home. That’s a great way to save some money, but you … Read More

Okay, I’ll admit that I’m a huge cat lover. I put up with a lot from these furry four-legged purr machines, but the one thing that drives me crazy is the frequent up-chucking. Yuck. I think … Read More

Sometimes dogs refuse food. Failing to eat can be indicative of as little as a mild upset tummy, or of conditions as serious as bloat or organ failure. So, how do you tell the difference? When … Read More