Your six-month-old puppy will eat anything that isn’t tied down. Like many dog owners, you know chocolate can be dangerous to your pooch. But you may not know that if he sticks his nose in your handbag and eats a pack of sugarless chewing gum, the consequences could be deadly. Sugarless gum may contain xylitol, a class of sweetener known as sugar alcohol. Xylitol is present in many products and foods for human use, but can have devastating effects on your pet. Over the past several years, the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has […]
Scary Symptoms
Smells associated with owning an animal are expected, particularly when so many of our favored companions live indoors with us. This article will tackle those common smells associated with having pets and ways to alleviate them. Depending on the type of pet, smells may accumulate for different reasons in different places. Every dog owner knows the smell of wet dog and even the most fastidious cat can occasionally have a stinky cat box. Ferrets are famous for their natural musky scent. Regular baths are a requirement for many pets, especially dogs and some cats. Factors such as type of pet, […]
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 […]
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 […]