Adopting pets, particularly dogs and cats from rescues or saving them from shelters have become two of the most popular and inexpensive ways of finding a family pet. There are, however, some very important differences between rescues and shelters. This article will outline some of the biggest differences to help you choose which might be best for you to find your family pet. Adopting from a rescue group can be a somewhat long process, depending on the group. Many rescue groups require you to fill out an application where you will need to list veterinary and personal references. Once your […]
Every spring as the flowers begin to bloom and the wind shifts I can count on getting that itchy, watery-eyed, sneezy and scratchy feeling that says to anyone with allergies, “hay fever alert”. What I didn’t know until my vet told me, pets can get allergies like hay fever too. In fact, many of the most bothersome allergies found in humans (hay fever, food allergies, etc.) also show up in our closest animal companions such as dogs and cats. Many things might cause a moderate to severe allergic reaction in your pet. This list includes things that don’t usually cause […]
We all wish our pets could be with us everywhere we go but this is often impractical or impossible. Thus, many pet owners find themselves having to decide on one of the boarding kennels in their area. Here I hope to give you a few of the most important things you will want to consider when choosing a local boarding kennel to care for your pet while you are away. First, whenever possible, you should personally visit any boarding kennels you are considering. Pick two or three so you can do some comparison-shopping. You may want to do some phone […]
Over the past few years, veterinarians have begun to place increased emphasis on dental care for pets. Dental care is as important for the overall health of pets as it is for humans. According to the Animal Medical Center of New York, 85% of dogs and 50% of cats have periodontal disease by the age of three (http://www.amcny.org/dentistry). Proper dental care can prevent periodontal disease that can lead to more serious health issues, and could actually increase your pet’s life by two to five years. Stages of Periodontal Disease Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria in the mouth causing a […]
You may have heard references to the five stages of grief (also known as the Kubler-Ross model)—denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. According to Kubler-Ross, not everyone goes through the grief process touching on every stage or in any particular order. What is true is that when grieving, everyone goes through at least two of the stages. When we lose a treasured companion suddenly, the stages of grief may blur from one to the other or they could be distinct and obvious. The sudden loss or death of a pet can cause grief and the difficulty associated with it. For […]
