Do you know how to trim a pet’s nails? Pet nail trims can cause angst for pets and people alike. Magic and Bravo both had jumbo-size nail claws and paws. Shadow’s nails are much smaller but used just as effectively to hold down toys, scratch himself, pounce on grasshoppers, and paw-pat (or paw-pound!) everything of interest. Karma-Kat’s claws and paws, even smaller, work just as well for his size. Whether big and blunt, or small and sharp, pet claws need nail trimming to stay healthy…
OUCH! Why Do Cats Chase Feet? Here’s How to Stop It
Do your cats chase your feet? Fun and games for them means DANGER for humans! Youngsters think EVERYTHING invites play-attack, but cats chase feet at any age. Karma-Kat has decided bare ankles merit a bite-attack each evening, while I try to relax and watch television. It’s part of kitty play.
Seren-Kitty also enjoyed targeting toes, but since she only weighed 6 pounds, at most we endured a furry ankle decoration. With big cats like Karma (15+ pounds!), when cats chase feet, it can be a dangerous tripping hazard…
Pet Dehydration? Causes, Symptoms & First Aid for Dog Dehydration and Cat Dehydration
Cat and dog dehydration refers to the excessive loss of body water. Pets are prone to dehydration when the weather gets very hot, and they don’t have access to enough water. As a result, they can develop heatstroke. More often, though, dog and cat dehydration happens from vomiting and diarrhea.
Here in Texas, we’ve had weeks of triple-digit temperatures. I worry about the outside pets, but even indoor cats and dogs can suffer from dehydration. Normal water loss occurs in the pet’s bathroom deposits, through moisture exhaled with the breath, and through sweat. These fluids get replaced when the cat and dog eat and drink.
Any illness may prompt pets to stop eating and drinking, and prolonged fever increases the loss of body fluid. Specific disease conditions or injuries like diabetes or kidney disease may cause excessive urination that also causes of dehydration.
Cats evolved as desert creatures and have an amazing ability to conserve water, but cat dehydration can still kill. Even though cats seem to prefer to drink water in the weirdest places (the sink? your glass? the TOILET?!) they most often just don’t drink enough water. Here’s what you need to know.
How to Find Lost Pets
July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month. More pets disappear over the July 4th holiday than any other time, because they get so scared about the noise. But pets get lost all the time. Both Karma-Kat and Shadow appeared as lost babies. Please bookmark this site for tips how to find lost pets. Now, chances are neither Karma or Shadow get lost on their own, but many adult dogs and cats get scared, run away from fear, and end up lost. Petco Love Lost offers a new, innovative way to track lost pets, adding to resources for keeping pets safe.
Backyard BBQ with neighbors, family, and kids are fun–until someone leaves the gate open and a pet goes AWOL. One in five pets goes missing after being scared by loud noises like thunderstorms or fireworks. Whether it’s summer fun, or winter vacation, we often want to include our pets in the adventure. Nothing stops the fun faster than lost pets, so it’s vital to create a pet-safe plan. Read on for more tips to prevent pets going AWOL and how to find a lost pet…
Pets & Sunburn: What You Need to Know About Sunburn Pain and Solar Dermatitis
Long sunny days can bring misery for people—and their pets. You can keep them safe with these tips. Yes, pet sunburn is real, and can not only cause painful nasal dermatoses in cats and dogs, but sometimes leads to skin cancer.
I’m very careful about my own sun protection, as I get sunburn very quickly. Wearing a hat, sunglasses, long sleeves and sunscreen works well during gardening.
Hairless or thinly furred pets are at highest risk and need protection from the sun. But most dogs and cats are very well protected against the sun by their fur and don’t routinely suffer from sunburn. When they do, it’s the hairless or thinly-furred areas of the body that are most at risk, like the ear tips, bridge of the nose, and the tummy. So if your white dog loves to sleep on his back in a sun-puddle on the carpet, think about taking care.
Most pets know to stay out of severe heat like what we experience here in North Texas. Heatstroke more typically occurs when they have no way to avoid the sun. Those who live in higher altitudes, such as the mountains of Colorado, suffer sunburn more frequently. The cooler air partnered with higher elevations predispose people–and sun-bathing pets–to sunburn.
White pets are at highest risk. Nope, pets may not care if tan turns fair skin to leather-like textures, but sunburn risk goes beyond changes to their appearance. Here’s what you need to know.
Dare Or Die Releases in Audiobooks on Amazon, Audible & More!
It’s taken a while, with several technical BUMPS along the way. But I’m delighted to finally announce the audiobook release of my latest thriller DARE OR DIE, #7 of my September & Shadow series. With the major storms we’ve had here lately in Texas, I had several delays when lightning fried my computer speakers, and then also killed my ergonomic computer keyboard. I’ve replaced the speakers, and must use an old spare keyboard while the new one ships hopefully sometime next week.
Meanwhile, the ACX/Audible dashboard also gave me some errors–supposedly fixed–but that causes delays in distribution. I’ll share another note when the book releases on those platforms. But there are many options already for the DARE OR DIE audio. Please, if you like the book, I’d feel tail-wagging happy if you shared a review on your platform of choice!
Work Goes To the Dogs & Cats: PSI’s Take Your Pet To Work Week!
Friday it’s PSI’s TAKE YOUR PET TO WORK DAY! At my house, every week is Take Your Pet to Work Week. For many folks who continue to work at home, they experience the joy–and challenges–of work with furry companions 24/7.
Created by Pet Sitters International in 1999 to help promote pet adoptions, this week celebrates the 25th anniversary of the event. I’ve written about this nearly every year, so you’ll recognize some of the pictures in the blog.
Check out all the deets on how you (and your employers) can “GO TO THE DOGS” (and cats?) and include fun events and positive benefits with furry love.
First Aid for Pet Drowning
Swimming comes naturally to most animals, but pet drowning happens just as easily. Many puppies leap before they look, or simply fall into the swimming pool, hot tub or break through ice on the lake and can’t get out. Dog paddling may be instinctive, but they can still drown if they can’t climb out and get too tired to float. Learn how to treat dog drowning and save pet drowning victims.
High Risk Pets
Some breeds adore the water, (even cats like Turkish Vans) but others have a hard time staying afloat. For instance, Labrador Retrievers especially love the water. Breeds with heavy coats such as Collies become waterlogged and dislike puddle jumping. Heavy-bodied breeds like Bulldogs have trouble staying afloat and actually could sink and be unable to get out of the pool.
All pets are at risk, but especially small breeds, puppies, and cats are most prone to pet drowning. Their inexperience, curiosity and fearlessness prompt them to explore but they may not climb out of even small bodies of water. The steep sides of backyard pools and hot tubs prove dangerous during the summer.
Wintertime risks happen when the pet walks out onto the ice-covered pond or river and falls through. A puppy’s or small pet’s light weight means he can travel far away from the bank before the ice cracks, and you won’t be able to reach him for rescue. If you discover your pet near water and suspect near drowning, read these 1st aid tips to treat pet drowning and save pet lives.
9 Tips for How to Keep Pets Safe Around Water
If your summer fun means time spent at the lake, swimming and paddling about to stay cool, do you take your pets? How do you manage pet water safety?
Dogs and cats quickly drown. While most instinctively “dog paddle” to stay afloat, some dog breed conformation types (Bulldogs, for instance) more readily sink. Water weighs down heavy coats and makes it difficult to stay afloat. In oppressive heat, wildlife braves drawing near houses to find water from swimming-pools and hot tubs. And any creature unable to gain purchase to climb out of the drink—a slippery or steep bank of the river, lake, or stream, or hard to reach the swimming-pool ladder—become exhausted and drown.
Here in North Texas, Lake Texoma provides a fun place to spend time with your furry friend. Boating safety means taking care of yourself with life preservers, AND providing for your pet’s safety. Many pet products companies offer doggy (and kitty) life preservers, or even doggie deck booties for non-skid paws. Here are 9 tips for keeping pets safe around the water.
Recent Posts
9 Bucket List Activities to Do With Your Aging Pet
I adore the golden oldie pets. My Seren-Kitty lived to nearly 22 years old, my first shepherd made it to just over 13 years old, and Magical-Dawg lived large and loud until 11 years old. Seren just wouldn’t give up, despite her arthritic clawed paws click-click-clicking as she tottered along. When Karma arrived, he acted like the fountain of youth and gave her a boost.
Eight-month-old Karma-Kat showed up (Magic rescued him!), making his birthday in June 2013. Oh, how can my kitty-boy have become 10 years old? He no longer leaps from a standing start onto the countertops. He sleeps more, and plays less. But Karma still gives his dog brother Shadow fun games of chase and tag and usually wins. He has a wellness check scheduled this week and, I hope, will again get a great report.
Anyway, I don’t want to wait to start a bucket list for Karma-Kat. We’re having fun now…and what about you and your furry wonders? Here are some fun ideas!
FIP Cyprus Outbreak: The Experts Share Insights (an UPDATE!)
On June 10, 2023, veterinary researchers posted an ALERT to the British Veterinary Association publication VET RECORD: Cyprus FIP outbreak is ‘very alarming’
The outbreak began in January 2023 in the capital city of Nicosia, with increasing numbers of cases reported in the districts of Larnaca, Limassol and Famagousta. “Within 12 weeks the number of PCR-confirmed FIP cases increased more than 20-fold compared to the previous year,” says the Vet Record report.
An outbreak of FIP (feline infectious peritonitis) means devastating disease and usually death to companion cats as well as feral or community cats. Testing complicates matters—there is no single definitive test—and only recently have effective anti-viral treatments become available. But these treatments take up to 12 weeks, costs a lot, and the drugs are not FDA approved for veterinary use, and therefore difficult to get.
While Cyprus seems a world away to those of us in the United States, we know from recent experience that diseases may rapidly spread. The news led to media inquiries resulting in scary, confusing, and even contradictory reports in the press. So I reached out to the vets on the ground and experts who know–and here’s what they had to say. Dr. Danielle Gunn-Moore weighs in!
A Magical Ear Ache: Treating Dog Ear Infection
A couple of years ago, Bravo-Dawg began scratching his ear, and yelping if bumped on that side—even tilting his head that direction. I suspected he had a painful dog ear infection. Magic had his share of ear infections, so I knew this was something that needed veterinary care sooner rather than later.
Dogs (and cats) are prone to ear infections because of the conformation of the ear itself. Human ear canals are straight, unlike the L-shaped pet’s ear canal. Debris and moisture can become trapped in the foot of that L, creating a perfect percolating environment for nasty agents to set up housekeeping. Some dogs invite you to rub their itchy ears with moans and groans.
Dog ear infections just like canine hot spots, also often develop because of allergies. If your dog has seasonal allergies, you’ll need to be extra vigilant. When dogs enjoy hot water games like hose tag, getting water inside the ears can predispose to earache and dog ear infection. Here’s how to deal with achy ears…
Amy Shojai receives AVMA Steve Dale Excellence in Veterinary Media Award
Today I received the AVMA Steve Dale Excellence in Veterinary Media Award. My friend and colleague of (mumble-mumble) years received the inaugural award last year, and it’s extra special to be honored as the second recipient and recognized with an award named for Steve Dale.
Throughout the years, veterinarians generously shared their knowledge, from my hometown vets loaning me copies of JAVMA and answering countless questions, to researchers picking up the phone and sharing their passion–so that I could share with readers. I am honored and humbled to receive this award because it validates my body of work and shines a light on what I do to help cats and dogs. But I’m also thrilled because it celebrates my HEROES–veterinarians who shared their passion with me over the years.
I call myself the accidental writer–yet here I am, 35+ books and thousands of articles later because I followed my passion and received help along the way–from my furry muses, as well as the two-legged muses from the AVMA. For those reading this post, please never ever hesitate to ask for help–or to pay that help forward to lift others up.
In my world, ultimately, it’s not me as much as the pets who benefit. And after all, that’s why I — and what veterinarians — do what we do.
Read more here…
Nailing Pet Claws: How to Trim A Pet’s Nails
Do you know how to trim a pet’s nails? Pet nail trims can cause angst for pets and people alike. Magic and Bravo both had jumbo-size nail claws and paws. Shadow’s nails are much smaller but used just as effectively to hold down toys, scratch himself, pounce on grasshoppers, and paw-pat (or paw-pound!) everything of interest. Karma-Kat’s claws and paws, even smaller, work just as well for his size. Whether big and blunt, or small and sharp, pet claws need nail trimming to stay healthy…
Dog Hot Spots & Home Remedies
Dog hot spots often happen during both the spring and fall shedding season and are the bane of many dogs’ existence. Some develop hot spots all year long, especially those with very thick, wooly coats. Have your dogs ever suffered from hot spots?
Fortunately, hot spots are not a problem for cats. Kitties, though, do have their own issues with shedding and hairballs. Bathing cats can help with that.
When dog hot spots are a chronic problem, it can be aggravating and frustrating for pet owners. And painful for the dog! While severe problems need veterinary attention, home remedies for dog hot spots often help enormously. Here’s what you need to know.
OUCH! Why Do Cats Chase Feet? Here’s How to Stop It
Do your cats chase your feet? Fun and games for them means DANGER for humans! Youngsters think EVERYTHING invites play-attack, but cats chase feet at any age. Karma-Kat has decided bare ankles merit a bite-attack each evening, while I try to relax and watch television. It’s part of kitty play.
Seren-Kitty also enjoyed targeting toes, but since she only weighed 6 pounds, at most we endured a furry ankle decoration. With big cats like Karma (15+ pounds!), when cats chase feet, it can be a dangerous tripping hazard…
Pet Dehydration? Causes, Symptoms & First Aid for Dog Dehydration and Cat Dehydration
Cat and dog dehydration refers to the excessive loss of body water. Pets are prone to dehydration when the weather gets very hot, and they don’t have access to enough water. As a result, they can develop heatstroke. More often, though, dog and cat dehydration happens from vomiting and diarrhea.
Here in Texas, we’ve had weeks of triple-digit temperatures. I worry about the outside pets, but even indoor cats and dogs can suffer from dehydration. Normal water loss occurs in the pet’s bathroom deposits, through moisture exhaled with the breath, and through sweat. These fluids get replaced when the cat and dog eat and drink.
Any illness may prompt pets to stop eating and drinking, and prolonged fever increases the loss of body fluid. Specific disease conditions or injuries like diabetes or kidney disease may cause excessive urination that also causes of dehydration.
Cats evolved as desert creatures and have an amazing ability to conserve water, but cat dehydration can still kill. Even though cats seem to prefer to drink water in the weirdest places (the sink? your glass? the TOILET?!) they most often just don’t drink enough water. Here’s what you need to know.
Seussical the Musical at Theater for Hope
OH THE THINKS YOU CAN THINK! Seussical the Musical Opens Thursday July 6!
From the beloved kids books comes a musical for children of all ages–and those young at heart! I’ve played cello for Seussical the Musical for three other productions over the years, and this time…well, I decided to audtion and I won TWO ROLES…
How to Find Lost Pets
July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month. More pets disappear over the July 4th holiday than any other time, because they get so scared about the noise. But pets get lost all the time. Both Karma-Kat and Shadow appeared as lost babies. Please bookmark this site for tips how to find lost pets. Now, chances are neither Karma or Shadow get lost on their own, but many adult dogs and cats get scared, run away from fear, and end up lost. Petco Love Lost offers a new, innovative way to track lost pets, adding to resources for keeping pets safe.
Backyard BBQ with neighbors, family, and kids are fun–until someone leaves the gate open and a pet goes AWOL. One in five pets goes missing after being scared by loud noises like thunderstorms or fireworks. Whether it’s summer fun, or winter vacation, we often want to include our pets in the adventure. Nothing stops the fun faster than lost pets, so it’s vital to create a pet-safe plan. Read on for more tips to prevent pets going AWOL and how to find a lost pet…
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Amy Shojai CACB is an award winning author. You can find all her publications and book her to speak via her website.
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