Some ideas to banish boredom if your dog has to stay indoors a lot due to smoke, bad weather, or quarantine: Create an obstacle course. Use cushions or chairs to build tunnels and using old hula hoops or inner tubes for him or her to leap through. The Muffin Tin Game. You’ll need a muffin […]
Health Tips
Smoke Is No Joke for Pets
The team at [HOSPITAL NAME] is taking the safety of our staff extremely seriously as the air quality has deteriorated significantly as a result of the fires in our area. While we are still open and accepting patient visits, we are trying to limit staff and client exposure as much as possible. Animals can suffer […]
Giardia Is No Joke!
Pronounced jee-ARE-dee-ya, it’s not a worm, bacteria, or virus—just a simple, one-celled parasite that can make your pet (and you) feel terrible. It’s also pretty common. While infected pets may not show symptoms right away, giardia can cause persistent diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, gas, and vomiting—and can sometimes be difficult to clear. How does your pet […]
What’s That Scary Sound?? (Fireworks & Thunder solutions)
Fireworks and thunderstorm season is here and while you may enjoy both, the racket can be downright terrifying for your dog. If your pet trembles, whines, drools, or clings to you when there’s loud noises, he or she likely suffers from a condition known as noise aversion. There are several things you can do to […]
Beware the Lily–and Other Spring Dangers!
They’re beautiful and a sure sign of spring—but lilies can be deadly to cats, and they’re not the only spring dangers you should be aware of if you have companion animals: Grow your garden with care. Fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides can have ingredients that can make your pet very sick if they’re ingested. Also, many […]
Don’t Slip Up With De-Icers
Looks like winter isn’t going to pull any punches again this year, and that means lots of de-icers and ice melts on walkways and parking lots to make them safer for people. Problem is commercial de-icing products are usually full of chemicals that are dangerous for pets, who might ingest them when cleaning themselves, or […]
What’s That Lump? Pet cancer is on the rise—here’s what to look for
So you’re snuggled up to your furry best friend scratching the “kick button” and you feel it: a lump that wasn’t there before. It’s understandable to be concerned, because one in four dogs and one in five cats will develop cancer in their lifetime. November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month, which was created by […]
Dog Treat Recall! (Chef Toby Pig Ears)
The FDA has announced a voluntary recall on the part of Dog Goods USA LLC, a dog treat distribution center in Pennsylvania. The specific treats are “non-irradiated bulk and packaged pig ears branded Chef Toby Pig Ears” and are being recalled based on a positive sample test for Salmonella at the manufacturing plant in Brazil. Salmonella will have varying effects on pets. Some will […]
Is Your Senior Pet One of the 14%?
It’s reported that some 39% of the pets owned in the U.S. are older than 7, which is generally the age at which most dogs and cats are considered seniors. Sadly, only about 14% of senior animals undergo a regular health screening. The joys of having an older pet are many—but keeping your canine or […]
Beware Blue-Green Algae
If your summer plans include taking your dog to local lakes and reservoirs, it’s important to be aware of advisories regarding toxic algae blooms in those bodies of water. These blooms are expected to become more common, but most of [STATE/OUR REGION]’s lakes and reservoirs are not monitored regularly, so people should be on the […]