Feeding Tubes: A Fear Free Path to Recovery
Health
Have you ever developed a food aversion? To this day I avoid artificially flavored grape candy because that was the flavor of the cough syrup I had to choke down when I was sick as a kid. The same thing can happen to pets when they don’t feel well. Several months ago, my dog Dorie […]
Be Quiet! How to Cue Up Silence
Behavior
The doorbell rang. Rudy the Miniature Schnauzer erupted into a frenzy of barking. He ran to the door and back to his parents, back and forth, with increasing urgency. At times, his bark reached such a high pitch, you were certain it physically penetrated your brain. Even after his folks had retrieved a package and […]
Home Dental Care Saves Teeth, Tames Breath
Grooming, Health
Did you know that over 80 percent of adult dogs and cats have some form of dental disease? The good news is that this does not need to happen to your pet. Preventive dental care, both at home and from your veterinarian, can help to ward off dental disease. Preventing dental infections and injuries to […]
Feral to Friendly-ish: Cats Coming in From the Cold
Behavior, Feral Cats
A major conundrum of the cat world is the profusion of feral cats. Robin Olson, president of Kitten Associates in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, recently trapped the most beautiful tabby-marked Siamese kitten in her yard. Dubbed Silas Buttonwood, he will be vetted, neutered, fostered, and placed in a loving home. He is proving to be a […]
Did the Breeder Call Your Pup a “Pet”? It’s Not an Insult
Kittens & Puppies
People sometimes feel slighted when they learn that their pup from a responsible breeder is considered “pet” versus “show quality.” No need to feel slighted! Good breeders love all their puppies and give each one the best of care. Here’s what to know about the similarities and differences between pet pups and conformation contenders. Same […]
Your Pet Is Undergoing Anesthesia and Surgery: What Should You Expect? What Questions Should You Ask?
Health, Vet Visits
Most of our pets will need to undergo anesthesia for a surgery or other procedure at some point in their lives. Puppies and kittens have spay or neuter surgeries. Dental cleanings are also common. Other surgeries might include wound repair or removal of a skin tumor, correction of a cruciate tear. or any number of […]
Nosing Their Way to Confidence
Exercise & Enrichment
One thing every dog knows how to do and loves to do is sniff. Dogs devote over 40 percent more of their brains to smells than we do and have up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their nose compared to the paltry six million we humans have. That makes sniffing sports and games a […]
Decoding Your Cat: Behavior Experts Uncover Cat Secrets
Behavior
Veterinary behaviorists are last responders. When no one else can assist, they swoop in and save the day, and often a pet’s life. Boarded veterinary behaviorists are true specialists. Not only are they veterinarians who understand medical health, they are also experts at understanding emotional health. They unpack animal behavior for us–in the case of […]
Stem Cell Science: Can It Help Pets?
Health
Stem cell therapy, often referred to as regenerative medicine, has grown in popularity in veterinary circles as a way to treat many painful issues that affect the wellbeing of dogs, cats, and horses. Bosco was having difficulty walking and generally moving about. The 8-month-old Labrador Retriever was taking anti-inflammatory medication daily as well as glucosamine-chondroitin […]
Are Our Pets Really Happy We’re Home All the Time, Or Is It a Mixed Blessing?
Behavior, Relationships
At the start of the coronavirus pandemic when my state issued a stay-at-home order, a handmade sign appeared in a neighbor’s window that proclaimed: “AT LEAST OUR DOGS ARE HAPPY!” Meanwhile, the internet exploded with memes of cats being unamused that their humans were cramping their style by invading “their” home so much. Reality seems […]
