February is all about caring for your animal’s dental health because, keeping their teeth healthy is much more than just eliminating their bad breath.    This month is dedicated to providing information on how to maintain your animal’s dental health. Without proper care, most of them will suffer from serious and painful complications later in life. That’s why caring for your animal’s dental health is crucial to avoid all sorts of problems. Here are three ways you can incorporate your pet’s dental hygiene into your daily routine!   1. Clean your cat or dog’s teeth regul ..read more

Each animal species has their own characteristics, several of which are unknown. The Montreal SPCA drafted this little “True or False” document to test or increase your knowledge on new animal companions. Hamsters are excellent animal companions for young children. False. Hamsters are nocturnal and fearful animals by nature. Their lifestyle rarely corresponds to that of children, who’d which to manipulate them during the day, when the animal would prefer to sleep peacefully. Like all rodents, they need a safe place to live that needs to be cleaned constantly to prevent bacteria or mold from fo ..read more

When plants and animals are incompatible More and more people are passionate about plants and are cultivating small gardens inside their homes, growing vegetables on their balconies or buying decorative plants. In addition to bringing beauty to your décor, gardening is a very sane activity that allows you to relax and stay in the moment. However, an important challenge can present itself when plants and animals are living under the same roof. You might find that the cohabitation between plants and animals isn’t as simple as you might have thought, for instance if your pup started chewing on to ..read more

We’ve all met a dog that’s very sweet, but excited to the point they can become annoying and difficult to contain. Certain dogs are also impatient and can react strongly when they don’t have access to what they want. As well as being a puzzle for guardians daily, this can also become stressful for visitors. However, you can teach your companion that remaining calm can be very beneficial. How? By teaching them to control their own excitement without you having to ask them to. Teaching your dog self-control will allow them to measure and reflect on their actions. The following recommended games ..read more

The first COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020 marked the beginning of telecommuting for many workers. Feeling alone and with more time on their hands than usual, many people decided to bring a four-legged friend into their family.  Fall 2021 is now upon us and many companies are preparing for a return to the office in the coming months. But what will happen to your dog when you leave for work and your kids head off to school? Here are a few tips to help you prepare your animal, ensure thei ..read more

Buying, rather than adopting, a dog, cat or rabbit from a pet store has been prohibited in Montréal since January 1, 2020. This is a first step in the right direction, but the bylaw should have gone further and completely banned the sale of exotic animals in pet shops, putting aquatic turtles at the top of the list. Despite the Montreal SPCA’s recommendations to this effect during the 2020 review of the municipal bylaw on animals, the sale of turtles is still permitted in Montréal. This was a missed opportunity to solve a recurring problem and a significant threat to animal welfare, public hea ..read more

Every year, we receive many calls for advice when people find a squirrel who seems to need help. Developed with Écureuil Land, this procedure will help you choose the right action to take. Click to view full size 1 – Do any of the following apply to the squirrel you found? They are bleeding, have an open wound or a fracture They may have been bitten by a cat or dog They are covered with fleas or fly eggs (look like small grains of rice) They are cold, wet or shrieking a lot YES: This squirrel is injured. They need care. Contact your local shelter quickly. Secure the animal in a box. Make sur ..read more

ADOPTING A RABBIT Increasingly popular companions in Quebec, rabbits are cute, quiet, sweet, playful, and can be affectionate and house-trained. They are great animals for people living in apartments. However, rabbits are frequently abandoned because many people adopt them without being informed of their needs. Like any other animal companion, a rabbit whose needs go unmet is likely to develop undesirable behaviour. DID YOU KNOW? RABBITS… are gregarious animals with a highly developed social language and need to be with another rabbit to express their natural behaviours. have an average life ..read more

Dogs need to be kept busy and active for their mental and physical health and, just like for humans, a lack of outings can have negative effects, like health issues including obesity, behavioural problems, excessive barking, destructive behaviours at home, and leash pulling to name but a few. Always enthusiastic for a good romp, the Montreal SPCA has a few ideas to share of how to keep your dog fit and happy—and their human companion in a good mood—throughout the winter season.  1) Mental stimulation When the weather gets cold and our walks tend to get shorter, it’s possible to stimulate ..read more

Muzzles can be a very useful accessory in your life with your dog. Their use has many advantages, whether helping during veterinary care, teaching them to play safely with fellow dogs or preventing them from eating anything and everything along their walk. However, having an unfamiliar object on their snout can enervate and even frighten some dogs at first. This is why it’s useful to desensitize your pup. After all, you want the accessory to work when you need it, not to be a source of stress for your animal. When they have accepted the muzzle, they’ll be happy to wear it and will even gladly ..read more