Cat & Dog Behavior & Care Advice
Amy Shojai, CABC, Pet Expert & Award-Winning Author
DWAA Hall of Fame & AVMA Veterinary Media Award Winner
How to Travel With Pets: Vacationing with Cats & Dogs
Whether you enjoy vacationing with cats and dogs, travel with pets on business, or go camping with pets, it’s important to gauge how well your individual pets will react. Plan ahead for any pet travel, and you and your pets will be happier.
Dog Lover’s Guide & Cat Lover’s Guide to Edu-tainment: Must Know Resources List
Many years ago (in dog years, I should be dead!) I began this journey to guide pet parents by writing about dogs and cats. Basically, I created dog lover guides and cat lover guides to help folks make informed decisions about their fur kids’ health, care, fun, and partnership. Here are some of my favorite resources.
What to Do About Symptoms of Cat Separation Anxiety
Yes, cat separation anxiety affects many felines. When school restarts, and the kids go back to class, your cats (and your dogs) may suffer from separation anxiety. The signs of distress are very different, though. I encourage you to read on to learn about tips for helping your furry family members adjust.
More recently, with more folks working from home, the cats have finally settled into a new routine. But just about the time Kitty gets used to your new schedule, the world changes again if you go back to the office. That may make them more prone to developing separation behaviors when you go back to work or kids return to school and leave them alone.
We very often hear about doggy angst during a beloved human’s absence, but what about cats? Yep, it’s exactly the same—only different. Here’s how.
Don’t Go! Dog Separation Anxiety & What to Do
WIth back to school this month, you may wonder how to deal with dog separation anxiety. Whether the adults change work schedules, kids have less time to play with Fido, or college and classes means routine goes out the window, dog separation behaviors cause stress for everyone. Will canine separation anxiety become a problem for your dog? After summer vacation with the kiddos, dogs left behind at home can mope and feel awful…and so can cats. Any kind of absence might result in canine separation anxiety. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Does My Dog Paw My Arm
I’ve recently had a couple of requests for some insight into a very common dog behavior–one my own Shadow-Pup indulges (see picture above). That is, why does my dog paw my arm? Here are two requests…and then we’ll get into the reasons behind the behavior.
Lordosis in Cats: What does elevator butt mean
For cat lovers, one of the most common feline poses can be puzzling. We know that cats communicate not only with meows and purrs, but also scent and body position. A comical posture of happy, healthy cats, something I call “elevator butt,” actually communicates different information.
The pose looks similar to the canine play-bow, and in some circumstances, has a similar meaning. The cat lowers her front end toward the ground, while elevating her nether regions and tail. Kitty looks sort of like a race car revving her engines…
Sick Pets Won’t Eat? What to Do About Anorexia
Ever wonder why cats won’t eat, or why your dog snubs the bowl? All pets lose their appetite once in a while. It’s normal if pets won’t eat for a meal or two.
Why Do Cats Spray and How to Stop Cat Spraying!
When you live with and love pets, a certain amount of crappiocca comes with the territory. That doesn’t mean you must LIVE with a spraying cat. You need to understand why do cats spray before you can stop the behavior. Here’s what you need to know.
Matchmaking Tips for Cats & Dogs & Introducing Pets
Do you know how to introduce dogs to cats? Or how to choose the right pet for your existing pet home? This past week’s behavior consults included a family with two cats wanting to introduce a young German Shepherd to their life. The couple has had lots of dog and cat experience but wanted specific tips to smooth the transition and keep their kitties happy and safe.
Pet Microchips? Why You Should Check the Chip
It’s Check Your Pet Microchip Day on August 15! If you ever wondered how does a dog microchip or cat microchip work for pets, read on! Your cats and dogs are microchipped, right? When he was (ahem) neutered, Shadow-Pup got his microchip. Both Bravo-Dawg and Karma-Kat already had microchips so that if the worst happens, we’d be reunited. I don’t even what to think about losing my pets.
It goes beyond checking for the chip, too. Keep your pet info updated. When I added Shadow to my pet account, I also adjusted for Karma’s weight (he’s shed some poundage, good kitty!). I changed Bravo’s picture once he became a tripawd dawg and then, sadly, let them know he’d passed away.
And of course, I also have tags on my pets, to give ’em every reason to be found. Here’s everything you need to know about microchipping pets.
Awards
CWA Muse Medallion Award
Dog Writers Association of America Maxwell Award
Fear Free Certified
CWA Muse Medallion Award
Cat Writers Muse Medallion Awards
Memberships
