Please note that some posts contains affiliate links & I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links Find out More

BITE Prevention for Halloween: 9 Ways to Keep Fangs At Bay

BITE Prevention for Halloween: 9 Ways to Keep Fangs At Bay

Have you thought about dog bite Halloween safety? and I’m not talking about vampires, either. Many dogs enjoy the howl-idays. But dogs biting kids happens more often at this time of year than any other.

This is a timely subject so I try to revisit the information every year. I write about this every year because it’s so darned important. With Halloween in the offing, this is the perfect time to brush up on dog safety issues and protect your kids, too.

To give equal time, there are many kitty-centric Halloween myth-teries you’ll find fascinating, especially about black cats.

While nonstop doorbell rings and visitors showering attention may be doggy bliss for your pet, even friendly laid back pooches get their tails in a twist over the disruption to routine. That can be dangerous for the pet—and for the human. Learn more about dog bites and kid safety here…

read more
Does Your Dog Hate the Vet? Get Quick Solutions Now!

Does Your Dog Hate the Vet? Get Quick Solutions Now!

We want to provide the best care possible for our beloved dogs, but what do you do when your dog becomes a howling mess at the vet? Fearful dogs visit veterinarians less often because their owners hate to see them upset and afraid of the carrier, car ride, and stranger handling….

read more
Your Hero Pet Winners: TRICK OR TREAT Thriller #9

Your Hero Pet Winners: TRICK OR TREAT Thriller #9

Today, Friday October 3, I sent my latest thriller TRICK OR TREAT to my editor. Yay! Once again, the book takes place in Texas. But the characters (and readers) come from all over the world. So it’s fitting that my editor lives in Canada.

Oh, and my cover designer lives in England–he just sent me the draft, and I’m over the moon! I hope you’ll love it!

As with past books, I invited my newsletter subscribers to nominate hero pets to appear in the upcoming TRICK OR TREAT thriller. Boy, did y’all come through! Here are what these amazing characters add to the story, and the winners that YOU voted for! Following the theme, the hero pets come from Texas, from Ohio, and from Mexico! Without further ado, here are your hero pets…

read more
Ghost Cats, Ghost Dogs, and Visitations From Beyond

Ghost Cats, Ghost Dogs, and Visitations From Beyond

Has a ghost dog or ghost cat visited you? They have blessed me that way more than once, but never when I wish for it and always unexpectedly. Far from scary, the visitation from beyond brought me great comfort. I know my furry wonders live on–somewhere, somehow, and that I’ll see them again.

It wouldn’t be heaven without them. In fact, one of my Pet Peeves radio programs discussed whether pets go to heaven. At my church, Pastor Craig Sturm also shared a message about whether or not pets go to heaven. Read more about pet ghosts, and what (maybe) they mean.

read more
A Magical Ear Ache: Treating Dog Ear Infection

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…

read more
Karma’s Swollen Ear: Aural Hematoma & What to Do

Karma’s Swollen Ear: Aural Hematoma & What to Do

Some years ago, Karma-Kat visited the veterinarian for his annual wellness check. He’d lost a little over a pound (yay!), and the doctor said Karma looked like a two- or three-year-old kitty rather than a mature nine-year-old man-kat. He’s a senior kitty now, but doesn’t know it or act like it. We celebrated a great exam until I got home–and discovered the swollen ear flap, or aural hematoma on Karma’s right ear.

read more
Voting Open! Name That Hero Dog!

Voting Open! Name That Hero Dog!

Vote NOW for your favorite for HERO PETS in the next thriller TRICK OR TREAT! Share and vote often–voting closes SEPT 28. Who will be the hero CAT, hero DOG, and hero HORSE? It’s up to you!

read more
Shadow-Pup Puts His Smile to the Test: Our Review of PetLab Co.’s ProBright Advanced

Shadow-Pup Puts His Smile to the Test: Our Review of PetLab Co.’s ProBright Advanced

When Shadow-Pup bounds over for one of his close-up cuddle sessions, nose to nose, tail wagging, I want all the love without the “eau de doggy” aroma. Sweet as those snuggles are, they’re also a reminder that fresh breath matters just as much as shiny coats or wagging tails. Doggie dental care is one of those things pet parents know is important, but not every pup is a fan of toothbrushes or dental wipes…

read more

Recent Posts

How to Eliminate Pet Smells with Pet Stain Removers

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!

Puppy Diarrhea, Home Remedies & When to Call The Vet

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.

Cat to Cat Introductions: Introducing Cats

Whenever a new cat arrives, cat to cat introductions take over. We base cat training on kitten behavior to get the most out of the learning process. Each spring heralds that lovely time of the year for happy surprises, and that may mean a new kitten in your holiday plans. If that’s you, and you already have a feline, prepare in advance for cat introductions of the resident feline to the new baby. Many times, shelters and rescue groups recommend adopting PAIRS of kitties. That way, if the cats already know each other — or the kittens are littermates — they help entertain and soothe each other. Instead of chasing and attacking your feet, they target each other.

But what if you have a resident cat and a new kitty shows up? How do cat to cat introductions work when introducing cats to kittens, or adult cats to cats?

It can be heartbreaking when the cats you love don’t get along. Proper introductions help enormously to soothe the angst.

6 Holiday Tips to Keep Kitty Calm

Do your cats enjoy the holidays, or does it add stress to their world? With the holidays fast approaching, it’s a good time to offer some tips for keeping your cats (and guests!) happy. Read on for 6 holiday tips to keep cats calm (say that fast five times, LOL!)

How To Pet Proof Your Holidays with 11 Life-Saving Tips

Do you pet proof for the holidays? Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations are popular times to break out the holiday trimmings, not just in terms of munchies, but decorations, too. There ARE safe foods for cats and dogs, but dangers abound as well.

Holiday homes become pet playgrounds at this time of year. Cats like our new Trinity-Kitten delight in un-decking the halls and climbing the tree. Dogs like our Shadow-Pup want to eat decorations and baptize the tree. The result is a Christmas that’s anything but merry. Refer to these tips to keep your pets safe and your holiday happy. Read on for tips!

Pet Holiday Visits? 10 Tips to Keep Tails Wagging

Are pet holiday visits in your travel plans? Family gatherings are a big part of the holidays, and pets double the fun—and the stress. Here are tips for keeping your cat calm during the holidays, and read on for more tips.

Shadow-Pup’s Wag-alicious Review of Dog Is Human Daily Multivitamin

Shadow’s still a young adult pooch, but I want to keep him healthy. So, when DOG IS HUMAN reached out to us to review their Daily Multivitamin product, I welcomed the opportunity. But what would Shadow think about a dog pet health care supplement?

Read on for Shadow’s review!

Cat Enrichment, How & Why to Stimulate A Cat Brain

From time to time, I receive queries from other journalists asking for interviews on a variety of pet-centric topics. I’ve written extensively on the subject of cat enrichment, which helps stimulate kitty brains and keeps them healthy. For example, scent enrichment for your cat can help stimulate the kitty brain. Here’s a recap with some new information along the way.

4 Eco-Friendly Ways to Enrich Your Dog’s Environment

Dogs, cats and other pets can get bored just like we do. I struggle not to binge on snacks and bad TV. Keeping our minds and bodies active is important for our health, and environmental enrichment elevates your dog’s physical and emotional health.

When Shadow-Pup feels bored, he terrorizes Karma-Kat. Oh, they love to play together, but he overdoes things and can get too rough when he feels bored. He’ll also demand more attention from his humans. That takes the form of staring and barking at us (READ MY MIND!), or bringing toys to play, or even indulging in zoomies–racing around and around the house l

There are many ways you can add some stimulation into your pet’s world. That doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Check out these easy and green pet-parent projects you can try this spring.

Holiday Pet Books, Time to Order!

This year, Amazon has delayed nearly every book order I’ve made. That’s incredibly frustrating when “gifting” for the holidays. I see books ordered TODAY not expected to arrive before December 24 at the earliest, eeeek! Order PAW-tographed copies NOW to get ’em in time for the holidays.

Visit Amy’s Website

Amy Shojai CACB is an award winning author.  You can find all her publications and book her to speak via her website. 

On Demand Writer Coaching

AmyShojai.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com http://amazon.com/.

Awards

Memberships