Cat & Dog Behavior & Care Advice
Amy Shojai, CABC, Pet Expert & Award-Winning Author
DWAA Hall of Fame & AVMA Veterinary Media Award Winner
First Aid for Top Pet Poisons
Dogs are prone to poisoning because, like human infants, they put everything in their mouths. Cats are more discriminating about what they eat, but contact poison can affect any pet if they walk through something toxic or it spills on fur and ingested during grooming.
Symptoms vary depending on the poison, amount of exposure, and the individual animal. You may see anything from drunken staggers and collapse, to salivation, seizures, or hyperactivity.
Here’s what you need to know about these common pet poisonings!
Pawsitively Clearing the Air: Answering Your Top 6 Questions about Amy Shojai Books
I get that being a pet parent means being a little careful – and sometimes even a little skeptical – when you’re deciding what ‘stuff’ you or your pet actually needs, like pet books. You’ve got to juggle a lot of decisions, balancing your pet’s personality, health, and well-being, plus the practicalities of budget and lifestyle. That’s where Amy Shojai books come in.
After publishing my first book in 1992, I’ve had decades of feedback and so many incredible conversations with y’all about my books and pet care information. I think I’ve found the top folks tend to ask us about finding the best info-tainment for you to help your cats and dogs. Or simply to provide YOU with fur-tastic fun!
New Year Book Bundle: 7 Hardcover Thrillers, Anyone?
Enter for a chance to WIN all 7 September & Shadow Thrillers–in hardcover.
Yes, you can purchase them from my bookstore at a discount. But you can enter the giveaway contest for free, and then “gift” the paw-tographed books to yourself–or someone who loves pet-centric stories.
The more you share the contest, the greater your chance to win. Fill out the form, and start sharing. Good luck!
Cyprus Cats Update: New FIP Strain Identified
This past summer I reported on the apparent FIP outbreak among cats on the island of Cyprus. As thousands of cats quickly sickened and died from signs of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), experts puzzled over why. While the feline-specific illness tragically kills most infected cats (if not given expensive hard-to-access treatment), pockets of “outbreaks” had previously been limited to handfuls of cats in cattery or shelter population.
But in Cyprus, things changed. Here’s the update…stranger than fiction, but true.
Mystery Canine Respiratory Disease? What We Know
Each fall and winter heralds a rise in respiratory illnesses in people–and also in dogs. Like humans, dogs can contract a number of hacking, wheezing, coughing, yucky illnesses that make them feel bad. Canine respiratory diseases get lumped together as canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC). These are a constellation of different illnesses resulting from viral, fungal, or bacterial infections.
One of the most common, kennel cough, spreads easily from dog to dog. It gets its name because dogs housed closely together in kennels, boarding facilities, shelters, and similar places provide the perfect transmission opportunity. But recently, an apparent increase in dog respiratory disease has owners, and many vets concerned.
Merry Cat-Mas & Doggy Ho-Ho-Ho! Here’s How to Create a Tree for the Pets
Have you decked the halls yet with your howl-iday decor? What do the pets think? Have they joined in the spirit of ho-ho-ho and wreaked havoc? Or do they ignore the festivities?
The Christmas tree might as well be an early holiday gift to your cats and dogs. Pets can’t resist the urge to sniff, claw, water—and scale the branches to reach the highest possible perch. Don’t blame your cat or dog. It’s normal for cats to compete for the top spot (literally and figuratively) to secure their place in kitty society, and dogs may want to “mark” the convenient indoor doggy signpost.
Protect your precious memories by pet-proofing to prevent breakage (yes, this happened to me!) And give your pets something “legal” to enjoy. Here’s how to create pet safe holiday fun for cats and dogs.
Playing Around…in SISTER ACT Musical!
From time to time, I’m blessed to participate in the local community theater productions. Sometimes, that means playing cello or keyboard in the loft, and other times, onstage. This month, I’m “playing around” as Sister Mary Martin-of-Tours, a nun in SISTER ACT musical. We open Friday December 1 and run three weekends (Thursday-Sunday matinee) through December 17th.
Cat Books Sale: “When you get a cat, there should be 4 requirements by law:
I was born to love pets & spread JOY! My books bring smiles, save lives, and reduce vet bills. So I put ALL MY CAT BOOKS ON SALE…cuz maybe you’ll want to “adopt” more of my 35+ award-winning pet books or share the purr-fect love with other pet lovers.
You can get ’em for full price on Amazon, BUT…
Dog Books Sale: “One of the best I have read…”
I was born to love pets & spread JOY! My books bring smiles, save lives, and reduce vet bills. So I put ALL MY DOG BOOKS ON SALE…cuz maybe you’ll want to “adopt” more of my 35+ award-winning pet books or share the purr-fect love with other pet lovers.
You can get ’em for full price on Amazon, BUT…
Counting Thanksgiving Blessings, the Pet Writer Way in 2023
Time for my annual Count My Blessings post. The past year has meant change, change, and more change, and that’s good and also challenging. But some things never change…I’m thankful to you—yes, those who read this blog, the cat book lovers, and the dog book lovers, and folks who have “adopted” my thriller series. And those who offered awesome applause and support any of the other venues mentioned…
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
