Written by Dr. Melinda J. Mayfield-Davis, DVM, WCHP-AH | Featured on vetericyn.com
There comes a time in every dog’s life when things begin to slow down. The games of catch become less exuberant. The patter of feet racing up and down your staircase becomes a little slower, a little more cautious. The enthusiasm is still there; their eyes sparkle when you come home from work and the wagging tail goes wild when you pick up their leash.
However, if your dog is struggling with a hip issue, then you’ll notice signs of rapid physical deterioration.
As with any loved one or family member, learning to adapt to and accommodate a physical change in your canine friend can be a trying endeavor. Watching your companion begin to wane and lose energy is one of the heartbreaking facets of being a dog owner. So, if you want your dog to age gracefully, it’s essential that you learn about the early warning signs of hip problems in dogs so that you can immediately take preventative and proactive counter measures.
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Common Grooming Behavior Problems and How to Fix Them
Behavioral Issues, Caring for Your PetWhether you groom your dog or cat yourself or take them to a professional groomer, behavior problems can cause unpleasant conflicts and create difficult situations for you and your pet. Fortunately, there are several ways you can work to correct your pet’s poor behavior and still keep them beautifully groomed.
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Why cats have more lives than dogs when it comes to snakebites
cats, Injuries, Pet safety, PoisoningArticle Featured on ScienceDaily
Cats are twice as likely to survive a venomous snakebite than dogs, and the reasons behind this strange phenomenon have just been revealed. The research team compared the effects of snake venoms on the blood clotting agents in dogs and cats, hoping to help save the lives of our furry friends.
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What are the Signs of Hip Problems in Dogs?
dogs, Hip ConditionsWritten by Dr. Melinda J. Mayfield-Davis, DVM, WCHP-AH | Featured on vetericyn.com
There comes a time in every dog’s life when things begin to slow down. The games of catch become less exuberant. The patter of feet racing up and down your staircase becomes a little slower, a little more cautious. The enthusiasm is still there; their eyes sparkle when you come home from work and the wagging tail goes wild when you pick up their leash.
However, if your dog is struggling with a hip issue, then you’ll notice signs of rapid physical deterioration.
As with any loved one or family member, learning to adapt to and accommodate a physical change in your canine friend can be a trying endeavor. Watching your companion begin to wane and lose energy is one of the heartbreaking facets of being a dog owner. So, if you want your dog to age gracefully, it’s essential that you learn about the early warning signs of hip problems in dogs so that you can immediately take preventative and proactive counter measures.
Read more
New research reveals root causes of separation anxiety in dogs
Behavioral Issues, dogsArticle Featured on Science Daily
Separation anxiety in dogs should be seen as a symptom of underlying frustrations rather than a diagnosis, and understanding these root causes could be key to effective treatment, new research by animal behavior specialists suggests.
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How to House Train Your Puppy: A Step by Step Guide
Caring for Your Pet, TrainingArticle Featured on PetMD
House training your puppy is about consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement. The goal is to instill good habits and build a loving bond with your pet.It typically takes 4-6 months for a puppy to be fully house trained, but some puppies may take up to a year. Size can be a predictor. For instance, smaller breeds have smaller bladders and higher metabolisms and require more frequent trips outside.
Your puppy’s previous living conditions are another predictor. You may find that you need to help your puppy break old habits in order to establish more desirable ones.And while you’re training, don’t worry if there are setbacks. As long as you continue a management program that includes taking puppy out at the first sign he needs to go and offering him rewards, he’ll learn.
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What to Know About Feeding Your Cat
Caring for Your Pet, catsArticle Featured on PetMD
“Cats are very opinionated about food, and a lot of their food preferences are formed in the first year,” says Julie A. Churchill, DVM, PhD, associate professor of nutrition at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in St. Paul. So if your cat is a kitten, now is the time to get her used to different types of food — wet, dry, and semidry.
But even if your pet is older, there are still ways to make sure she’s getting all the nutrients she needs to be healthy. Start by learning more about what you’re buying and what your cat needs.
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Differences between Indoor Cats and Outdoor Cats
catsArticle Featured on Everyday Health
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It’s Time to Protect Against Lyme Disease
Fleas & Ticks, Lyme DiseaseArticle Featured on Valley Vet
Exploring the great outdoors is what our dogs do best, right? It is important to consider that if they are not protected, more time outdoors could mean heightened risk for tick bites and deadly disease. Insert stage left, Lyme disease–the most commonly reported vector-borne illness in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Lyme disease is a zoonotic disease, meaning the illness affects both animals and humans (not transferrable between the two, however, only through infected tick bites). Continue reading for crucial disease information, from transmission to prevention.
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Is My Dog a Healthy Weight? Too Fat, Too Thin Or Just Right?
dogsArticle Featured on Purina.com
Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most important concerns when it comes to your dog’s health. Factors like diet and exercise in the right amounts can help keep your dog at an ideal weight.
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Puppy to Dog: Your Pet’s Life Stages
Caring for Your Pet, dogsArticle Featured on PetMD
As your dog grows from puppy to senior, you’ll need to adjust how you take care of him. Here’s what to expect as he moves through six stages of life.
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