I’ve been blessed to share my life with two senior dogs, but only Magical-Dawg showed signs of dog senility, also known as canine cognitive dysfunction. Yes, both dogs and cats can suffer from a form of dementia, that some might described as a type of canine Alzheimer’s disease. There’s no cure–but you can reverse the signs or slow them down for at time with these tips…
Do dogs love car rides? Are car rides good for dogs? My first dog HATED car rides and would shiver, shake and cry the entire time inside the vehicle. That’s probably because he got car sick during his first-ever ride, and then later he began to associate the ride with vet visits and being left behind at a boarding kennel. No wonder he turned into a basket case! That was more than 40 years ago, and I’ve learned a LOT since then. Here are 8 tips to help…
Cold weather pet protection becomes more in winter weather. Here in North Texas we’re bracing for temps to drop. Forecasts predict dangerously cold weather all over the country. Wind chill makes it even more uncomfortable or even dangerous for our dogs and cats.
Outside animals, like feral cats or stray dogs, suffer greatly from hypothermia or frostbite. House pets used to warm indoor temps need extra help, too. It seemed like a good time to remind everyone about cold weather pet protection.
In the past I’ve blogged about cold weather dangers for pets and the past weeks North Texas has enjoyed some sunny, warm days. But in other parts of the country–yet another blizzard threatens.
Bizzard tips for pets help you prepare and keep cats and dogs safe during the worst weather. Thank you to the ASPCA for sending this important and insightful infographic designed to keep your dogs and cats safe!
Do you brush dog teeth? How about brushing cat teeth? The AVMA sponsors National Pet Dental Health Month every February to help prevent pet dental problems.
According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3.
But it’s never too late (or too soon) to get your pets’ pearly whites checked out by your veterinarian. Often the doctor has some great tips for keeping cat teeth clean and dog breath at bay, including how to brush doggy teeth.
Does the thought of brushing dog teeth make you cringe, roll your eyes, whimper, slink away–and feel guilty? You’re not alone. But once that puppy-sweet breath morphs into curl-your-eyebrows stench, it’s long past the time to address that stink-icity.
Caring for and grooming your dog or cat grooming can be daunting. This is especially true if you have a Poodle that needs specialized grooming, a Persian that easily matts, or a pet who objects to hair care attention.
Every dog and cat has different grooming needs. Here are 8 tips to help you keep your fur-kids in top fur condition.
It’s another circle around the sun. How did that happen? New Years comes faster each time, and for me provides a time to reflect, remember, savor the “wins” and explore the “not greats” and make plans for the next 12 months. Rather than making New Year resolutions, I make new year goals—and hope that the journey along the way proves equally rewarding.
Here’s my annual yearly recap, plus New Year Goals…from the pets!
Anyone who lives with pets benefits from an effective pet smell eliminator. With changes in weather keeping pets indoors for longer periods, pet potty accidents may increase. But be careful your pet accident cleaner doesn’t cause more problems. Here are my top 7 pet stink solvers!
We love snuggling baby dogs with sweet puppy breath, Frito-smelling toes, lap snuggles, and then–OH NO, puppy diarrhea! What’s a pet parent to do about dog loose motion? We’ve already had this issue with our new pup, Shadow, and had to deal with it.
Of course, adult dogs also suffer from the occasional loose stool as well or they pass gas (flatulence). At any age, dog diarrhea can be a sign of something serious that needs immediate attention. This is not about puppy accidents during house training, but an illness your dog can’t control. Knowing home remedies, dog first aid, and when to call the vet about puppy diarrhea could save your pet’s life.
Begob and bejabbers, are ye Irish? My family hails from both Ireland and Scotland, and while Karma-Kat, Trinity-Kitten and Shadow-Pup can’t claim the same, it’s fun to share St Patrick’s Day pets breeds that have a distinctive Irish heritage. After all, St Patrick’s Day offers the perfect time to brag some blarney and lift a pint of greet beverage! Far more Irish dog breeds fill the list. But at least one cat breed arose from Ireland.
Also, beware of some festive decor and treats that may prove toxic to your pets. Shamrocks (both the green and purple lucky four-leaf clover type plants), can cause drooling, head-shaking and upset tummies in small amounts. Eating a bunch could cause kidney damage. And it should go without saying that beer or alcohol in any form (even green beer) is a no-no!
Read on to learn more about these Irish pets.
In today’s world of cutting-edge medicine, we consider herbs for pets and herbal medicine to be old-fashioned. But holistic veterinarians continue to use herbs for pets because many of these plants are the foundation of modern drugs and medications, but don’t cause the same side effects.
Chinese herbal medicine has regained popularity for both human and pet care treatments. I learned a lot about them while researching my book NEW CHOICES IN NATURAL HEALING FOR DOGS AND CATS. And when the vet diagnosed Bravo-Dawg with hemangiosarcoma, I learned about I’m-Yunity, a Chinese herbal medicine treatment shown helpful in veterinary studies of the herb. Here are some things you need to know about using herbs with pets.
Have you heard about grain-free cat food? A few years ago, the word “natural” got attached to both people and cat food products, even though there was no legal definition of the term or specific benefit—folks just like the idea of a “natural” product. Today the latest buzz-word is “grain-free” and a wide variety of grain-free cat foods are now available. Is that good, bad, or…?
We typically think of howls to be a wolf trait, and it’s true that these wild cousins use howls in a haunting, effective manner. In my neck of the woods, wannabe wolves (aka coyotes) serenade the evening moon, and house dogs sing along with their wild cousins. Despite popular memes to the contrary, dogs are not wolves—or coyotes—so exactly what’s up with all the arrrroooooo-ing? Why do dogs howl?
DEAR ASK AMY…Why won’t my dog go on grass?
Here’s my answer…including another YouTube video with tips.
Here’s my most popular Ask Amy YouTube video… what have I missed? How do you handle such things?
With better weather coming as spring approaches, dogs tend to spend more time outside. With outdoor fun comes exposure to (YUCK!) ticks! Here’s what you need to know about Rocky Mountain spotted fever…
Pets have exceptional hearing…until they don’t, and hearing loss can develop as they age. Learn some tips to help with cat and dog hearing loss…
With many of us now working from home, and our cats demanding more attention, I’ve heard from many folks wondering how to manage pestering kitties. Others have adopted a new kitten (bless you!) and are at a loss what to do. Why not train cats? Training offers one of the best ways to connect with new kitties or enhance the bond with our longtime cat friends…
I’ve always described myself as a pet owner advocate, one who figuratively speaks for dogs and cats and translates for their owners. But I never realized that I’d serve as a spokesperson in the more literal sense.
In August 2010, a local defense attorney contacted me about a dog bite case that happened many months earlier. At first, he simply wanted my opinion about dog behavior. Ultimately, the court appointed me as an expert witness…
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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