Owning a pet with a chronic illness can present some unique challenges. A chronic illness can last anywhere from three months to the lifetime of the pet. This article will give a basic overview of the most common types of chronic illnesses and their treatment. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) Urinary tract infections are common in both cats and dogs. They are caused by a build-up of bacteria in the urethra and bladder. Physical symptoms include blood in the urine, trouble urinating, urine with a very strong smell and incontinence. We often don’t notice what our pet’s urine looks or smells […]
Every year, many dogs and cats become infected with heartworm. More dogs than cats are infected. It is found most commonly in outdoor pets, but indoor pets can also be infected. Heartworm is most prevalent in the mid-western, eastern, and southern parts of the United States, but there have been cases reported in all 50 states. Heartworm is a very dangerous condition with very few, if any, symptoms. By the time the pet begins exhibiting any signs of infection, it is often too late. Fortunately, heartworm is a very preventable condition. What is heartworm? Heartworm is a parasitic worm that […]
Several common diseases and illnesses can affect our pets. Some diseases such as rabies, distemper, parvovirus, bordatella (kennel cough) and heartworm are easily preventable by keeping your pet current on its vaccines. This article will focus on diseases that are not preventable by vaccination and are, for the most part, very treatable. Ear infections Your pet may develop an ear infection for several reasons. Puppies and kittens may get ear mites from their parents. They usually aren’t visible until three or four months of age. Then you may notice something that looks like coffee grounds in the ears. Ear mites […]
Walking and hiking with your pet can be a great form of exercise and socialization for you and your dog. Many people decide to get a dog so they will have a walking or hiking buddy; it can be a great incentive for getting out and enjoying some fresh air. It can also be a great socialization tool for both you and your dog. Your dog gets used to meeting new people and other dogs and you will most likely make some new acquaintances yourself. Dogs are great icebreakers! Often people are more likely to approach someone who has a […]
More and more communities are providing dog parks, where dog owners can take their pets to run off-leash. There are more than 600 designated off-leash areas in the US. Most provide fenced areas, but some are open and designated as off-leash areas. Most coastal cities and recreational areas have at least one dog beach. A typical dog park has a double-gated entrance and exit to prevent dogs that are already in the park from escaping when a new dog is entering the park. There may be separate areas for large and small dogs. There should be water available, plenty of […]
By some estimates, there are about 165 million dogs and cats in American households today compared to about 61 million dogs and cats 30 years ago. Coupled with this fact is the reality that the entire American family, children and adults, now have more demands on their time than ever before. This leaves less time to walk the family dog. This is where a relatively new industry, “professional dog walking” has developed to fill this demand. This article discusses key points about professional dog walkers and offers information on what to look for when choosing a professional dog walker. One […]
Basic obedience training is a very important part of being a responsible pet owner. Every year, many pets end up in shelters because their owners didn’t take the time to teach them basic obedience and house manners. By spending a few minutes a day, you can turn your dog into a well-behaved companion. This article will give some simple tips on teaching your pet the most important obedience commands and basic house manners. First, I’d like to clear up a misconception many people have about crate training. Contrary to what some people believe, training a dog to use a crate […]
When most people think of exercising with their pet, they automatically think of walking and/or running. While these are great activities to do with your pet on a daily basis, there are other fun activities that you can share with your pet that can provide not only physical exercise, but mental exercise as well. Agility Dog agility is a popular competitive sport in which you direct your dog to run through an obstacle course. One dog at a time runs the course and the dog with the fastest time and fewest penalties wins. Many communities have agility clubs where you […]
We all know that vitamins and minerals are necessary for our health. Thus, many of us take vitamins and supplements regularly, but we may not always know what vitamins, minerals and supplements are necessary or healthy for our pets. This article will attempt to answer this question and will discuss the more common vitamins and supplements used by pet owners. Possible dangers will also be addressed. If you feed your pet a high quality, commercially available pet food additional vitamins are not typically necessary. However, if you are feeding them a homemade or nutrient deficient diet, it may be necessary […]
We love our pets and many of us love spoiling our pets with treats and human food. It’s good to give our pets treats sometimes, it can help clean their teeth and depending on the treats, it can provide extra nutrients. But, it’s never good to give our pets human food or to feed our pets too many treats too often. This article will clear up some common misconceptions about our pets and their weight and offer some suggestions on what to do if you are living with an overweight pet. Some scientists estimate that between 25 and 40% of […]
