Cat & Dog Behavior & Care Advice
Amy Shojai, CABC, Pet Expert & Award-Winning Author
AVMA Veterinary Media Award Winner 2023


August Audio Book Binge! Thrillers discounted on Chirp, Apple, Nook & Spotify
August Audio Book Binge: Amy Shojai's Thrillers Discounted I've discounted all the audiobooks in the September & Shadow Thriller Series. So if you've not yet listened, here's your chance to get a killer discount on the 3-book bundle, plus individual titles! Each book can standalone as a story. But why wait, when you can get 6 audiobooks at a deep discount? Read on for the deets. SEPTEMBER & SHADOW THRILLER TRILOGY #2 DISCOUNTED TO $1.99 FIGHT OR FLIGHT (#4) introduces Lia and her Rottweiler police dog, and fills in what happened to September's missing service dog Shadow in the previous story. HIT AND RUN (#5) sends September and Shadow back to South Bend, Indiana to ferret out mysteries about her first husband's tragic murder. WIN OR LOSE (#6) finds September and Shadow racing to rescue her chosen family, and learning more about the vendetta from the past that haunts their every step. Get All 3 BOOKS here on CHIRP for $1.99 Get All 3 BOOKS here on APPLE for $1.99 Get All 3 BOOKS here on NOOK for $1.99 GET 3 MORE BOOKS BOOKS ALSO DISCOUNTED! Yes, I also individually discounted the previous books in the series on the Chirp, Apple, Nook, and Spotify platforms. Usually $13.50 per audiobook title, they're now $4.99 (or LESS). LOST AND FOUND (#1) kicks off the saga, with September searching for her missing nephew in a snowstorm--aided by Shadow the service dog. Discounted to $2.99 on Chirp and others. HIDE AND SEEK (#2) shares September's tragic backstory when a stalker...
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…