Why Does My Cat Conduct “Gravity Experiments?” How Cats Play
Training
How cats play varies between kitties, but there are some techniques nearly all share. My cat Seren-Kitty played “gravity experiments,” knocking things off tables, until the past few years. At age 21, she’s finally slowed down, but before that Seren never had an off-switch and was a cat-play maniac from the moment she entered my […]
Cat-cophony? Take The Fear Out Of Loud Noises
Training
Do cats develop fears of loud noises such as fireworks? You bet! Cats have keen hearing that is as sensitive as that of dogs. We don’t always recognize that a cat may be fearful of loud noises because unlike dogs, who may engage in destructive behavior in an attempt to escape, the typical feline response […]
Take The Scare Out Of Care
Training, Travel & Safety
The scare of care begins at home for many cats. Being shoved into a carrier and taken on an unwanted car ride causes stress levels to rise and often become overwhelming before the cat ever sets paw inside the exam room. That cumulative unease and upset have a detrimental effect on the cat’s ability to […]
Help! My Dog Pees on my Bed!
Training
You’ve had a long day and all you want to do is slide in between the sheets. As you do so, however, you feel a cold wet spot. Ugh! Your dog has urinated on your bed. Why Does This Happen? Many theories have been offered as to why some dogs urinate on their owners’ beds. […]
Don Your Apron and Become Your Canine’s Chef
Exercise & Enrichment
Dogs seem to be lousy spellers until you spell the word t-r-e-a-t. Before we can finish the final “t,” most of our canine pals are making hairpin turns around the kitchen island and plopping into a sit in front of us as we hold a tasty homemade delight. In our five-dog household, it is tradition […]
Your Puppy’s First Eye Exam
Kittens & Puppies
Puppies experience several medical evaluations in their young lives to make sure they are off to a happy, healthy start. One of the things you can expect your veterinarian to do is examine your puppy’s eyes. Why an eye exam? Sight is a vital part of any dog’s life, so it is important for a […]
Forgetful Feline? Your Cat May Have Cognitive Dysfunction
Senior Pets
Does your geriatric cat prowl the house late at night, yowling mournfully or “get lost” behind the toilet tank? Instead of giving a happy mrrrp when you return home from work, does she look confused, as if she doesn’t recognize you? Although your cat may still be in good physical condition, she may have developed […]
Cat Talk: What Does “Elevator Butt” Mean?
Training
For cat lovers, one of the most common feline postures can be puzzling. We know that cats communicate not only with meows and purrs, but also with scent and body position. A comical posture of happy, healthy cats, something I call “elevator butt,” actually communicates different information depending on the cat. The pose looks similar […]
Feline Hospice Offers a Fear Free Path To a Life’s End
Senior Pets
Cats these days can make the most of their nine lives, thanks to advances in veterinary care, nutrition and just love from their people. The day comes, though, when nothing more can be done to save their lives, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that euthanasia is an immediate next step. Pet hospice programs can help […]
