Cat & Dog Behavior & Care Advice
Amy Shojai, CABC, Pet Expert & Award-Winning Author
DWAA Hall of Fame & AVMA Veterinary Media Award Winner
New Hope for Victims of Canine Parvovirus
Parvovirus, a highly contagious and often lethal virus, affects dogs of any age, but puppies are the most susceptible. There are about 330,000 cases of canine parvovirus annually in the U.S. with a 91% mortality rate with no supportive care provided. The highest incidence of parvo occurs in kennels, pet stores, shelters, and poor-quality breeding facilities. Until recently, we had no parvovirus cure.
But now, all that’s changed. Learn how veterinarians can now successfully treat canine parvovirus.
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.
Tapeworm Trouble? Video for How to Deal with Parasite Problems
Dogs can contract tapeworm from ingesting fleas during self grooming, or eating a dead animal. Here’s what you need to know to protect your cats and dogs from tapeworms.
Liver Disease In Cats: Know The Signs
Liver disease is any condition which impairs that organ’s normal function. The liver is the body’s metabolic headquarters. It serves a dual role both as a kind of factory, and as a filter. That makes the liver the first line of defense–and at risk from damage–when filtering out toxins and more. Here’s what you need to know.
Dog Ticks: All About Ehrlichiosis
This disease has been reported worldwide wherever these ticks are found. Most cases in the United States occur in dogs living in the Texas Gulf coast regions and other southern states. All dogs are susceptible, but those with greater exposure to ticks. Outdoor dogs, working dogs and hunting dogs are at highest risk. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Homeopathy? Can Homeopathic Nosodes Replace Vaccines?
In the past I’ve received messages from pet lovers anxious to protect their cats and dogs from disease using homeopathic nosodes. In one case, the dogs had bad experiences in the past with pharmaceutical vaccinations and had dog vaccine side effects. With plans for a new puppy or two in the works, she asked for advice about alternatives to vaccinations for the new pups, to protect them from the most common canine illnesses: distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza, leptospirosis, and rabies.
More specifically, she asked for recommendations for where to obtain homeopathic nosodes for each of these pathogens.
Stressed Cats Overgrooming? Your Guide to Cat Hair Loss
Tabby doesn’t deal with office politics and gets to sleep 16 hours a day, but cats still suffer from feline stress. In fact, upset feelings can leave them biting their nails and pulling their hair. Literally…

















