Fear, stress, and puppy brain development: what to know
Behavior & Training, Kittens & Puppies
The dog brain is very different from that of wild dogs, so that in some ways puppies are born ready to fit into the human world. But the puppy brain still has a lot of developing to do after birth, and understanding that process is important to raising confident, well-adjusted dogs. It’s now generally believed […]
Keep those claws! Why cats need them
Behavior & Training, Kittens & Puppies
Recent studies show that declawing can significantly increase the risk of long-term adverse effects on feline physical and emotional health, including chronic neuropathic pain, biting, and an increased likelihood of house-soiling. Here’s what you should know if you’re considering this procedure for your cat. Declawing is an emotional, controversial, and divisive topic. Some people consider […]
Reading to shelter pets can lower stress, improve adoption chances
Behavior & Training, Exercise & Enrichment, Shelter Animals
Who doesn’t love being told a story? Dogs and cats are no different. Here’s how shelter reading plans can improve pets’ chances of adoption. Imagine you are housed in a shelter, suffering loud noises from other anxious animals and smelling scents that definitely aren’t from a home. You enjoy little social interaction and are confined […]
Is Your Cat’s Litter Box Stressing Him Out?
Behavior & Training, Health & Nutrition, Kittens & Puppies, Uncategorized
A mantra for cat caretakers: You can’t scoop the litter box too often. While there’s a litany of tips for successful litter box training, if the box isn’t scooped often, the prettiest setup is useless. Cats have extremely sensitive noses, and while they find comfort in familiar scents, a box full of urine clumps and […]
Gotcha! Why grabbing your puppy’s collar needs to be fun
Behavior & Training, Kittens & Puppies, Uncategorized
Sometimes you need to catch your puppy by the collar if he’s eating something dangerous or about to take a flying leap and you need to stop him quick. Here’s how to successfully teach him to like having his collar handled so he doesn’t respond aggressively during these incidents. “Time out!” I called. Seven people […]
Can cats and dogs get along? Science says yes
Behavior & Training, Kittens & Puppies, Uncategorized
If you were to go by all the talk about “dog people” versus “cat people,” you’d think that everyone had to choose one and stick to it. They don’t, of course; plenty of us have both cats and dogs and despite their differences, it seems to work out. If you want to ensure a good […]
Relieve Your Pet’s Stress-Related Diarrhea
Behavior & Training, Health & Nutrition, Travel & Safety
It’s not unusual for pets to suffer stress-related diarrhea, especially when it comes to car rides or veterinary visits. Here’s how you can help relieve the causes. With a dog or cat who tends toward an anxious outlook on life, visiting the veterinarian can be a big stress. One of the most obvious signs of […]
When “Fine” Isn’t
Behavior & Training, Kittens & Puppies, Uncategorized
Socialization can go wrong when people don’t recognize a puppy’s signs of fear. Here’s what to look for and how to avoid problems. “We don’t understand where this aggression came from,” the woman said, tears in her eyes. “We took her everywhere as a puppy like you’re supposed to do. She went with us to […]
Taking The Blues Out Of Doggie Bath Time
Grooming, Kittens & Puppies, Uncategorized
Lots of dogs don’t like bathtime because they are uncomfortable in the bathtub or shower stall. Fortunately, if you follow the Boy Scout credo of being prepared, it’s easy to turn bathtime into a fun time and get a dirty dog clean again. The primary reason dogs are hesitant to climb into the tub or […]
Bathroom Basics: Roll Out These Safety Tips For Cats
Health & Nutrition, Kittens & Puppies, Travel & Safety
Can your kitten or cat get into trouble in the bathroom? You bet! From unrolling the toilet paper (fun!) to licking surfaces that may have been cleaned with harmful substances (not so great), bathrooms can be hazardous areas for felines. To lessen the risks, consider making some changes for your cat’s safety and your peace […]
