Ticks are all the rage this season, with many reports saying ticks are coming back with a bang. In previous years, about 50% of Nova Scotia was at high risk for Lyme disease; this year’s estimate is 95%. What’s important to know? The biggest issue for most people when they hear “tick” is Lyme disease. There is only one known Lyme carrying tick as of right now in Nova Scotia — the Ixodes Scapularis, or better known as the black-legged deer tick. Lyme is an issue for everyone, those on four legs and those on two. Lyme disease can be transmitted to both humans and pets. Early detection can help w ..read more

Did you ever notice that when you’re sad, your dog sticks closer to you? Or if you’re stressed out your dog exhibits odd or even obsessive behaviour? This is not a coincidence. Dogs are very in tune with their human’s feelings, so you should pay attention. Dogs watch people so closely that they will notice any slight change in mood. Recently I had a friend come stay with me who had been through a hard time, and my dog would sit beside her every day with her head on her lap. It was like she knew from the moment she walked in she needed some TLC. Unfortunately not long after my friend came to st ..read more

As an owner of two very anxious dogs, I could talk for days about the many benefits of crate training your dog properly. I think by far the most important reason (for you and your pet’s relationship, well-being, not to mention wallet), is that it provides a safe place to keep them out of trouble while they are unsupervised. Many dogs can develop certain behaviours from separation anxiety, like destroying furniture, clothes, eating garbage, electronics etc. These could result in danger overall to your pet if they were to get into something potentially harmful and not to mention a messy cleanup ..read more

Ticks are an epidemic in Nova Scotia, Canada. The numbers are on the rise, making the risk of tick bites an unfortunate part of spending time outdoors. Ticks are small, but they can carry very serious diseases, such as Lyme Disease that can be passed from the tick to both you and your pet if bitten. These diseases can be transmitted within approximately 48 hours of the tick being attached. Because of this, you must remove ticks as quickly as possible if you notice one on your pet. Before removing a tick from your pet, you will need a few supplies: Rubber gloves A tick twister Rubbing alcohol ..read more

I always knew I wanted to add a furry best friend into my life but never knew when the right time was. In February I decided to email the breeder in hopes they were planning to have puppies, lucky for me they were expecting their arrival in late March. I finally receive the most exciting email with the title “Puppy”. I was excited, proud and nervous all at the same time. Weeks went by as I tried to prepare myself for my new puppy and make sure I had absolutely everything he would need. After many emails and picture updates May finally comes around and I get the chance to meet him. That was wit ..read more

Here are some tips and tricks to help keep your pet cool this summer! Exercise – With this hot weather, the best time to walk your animals is during the early morning and the evening. The afternoon is the hottest time of the day and pets can go into heatstroke very quickly! Swimming is a great form of exercise for your pet during the summer, tires them out while keeping cool! Hot Paws – Do you plan to take your pets on walks this summer? To the beach? Having booties for your pet to wear is a way to keep those paws safe! Both pavement and sand can become very hot during the warm weather and ca ..read more

Twelve and a half years ago a bouncy, ridiculously friendly Golden Retriever bounded into my life. She was my first dog, and I know I made my fair share of mistakes over her lifetime, but she never lacked for anything, never missed an adventure and never missed a meal. When this beautiful girl came to me at ten months old, she had hip dysplasia already. It meant I had to keep her active and keep her slim. I can’t count how many times people thought she might be ill due to her teeny tiny waist, but I can assure you, she was as healthy as healthy could be. We walked every day; she played with he ..read more

Having a new pet in the family can be an exciting time. There are certain expenses that we expect to pay as pet owners, like food, toys, obedience classes, grooming and apparel. Often pet owners don’t think about the unforeseen costs of owning a pet, and that is the expense of unexpected illnesses or accidents. They can be costly and often overwhelming. When you’re not expecting a large vet bill, how do you cope? Did you know that the average price of owning a dog in its first year can be estimated upwards of $3000, and for a cat almost $2000? It isn’t including illness or unexpected visits to ..read more

Our pets are always there for us through good times and bad, they make us laugh, give us warm cozy cuddles, and give us unlimited emotional support when we’re sad. So here are a few hidden dangers we may not think of as dangerous to our pets but can have devastating effects. Edibles Most of us know the dangers of chocolate in any form, but there is also alcohol and marijuana, candy (especially once with the sugar substitute xylitol), and raisins and grapes. If you suspect your pet has ingested any of these please contact your local vet or emergency clinic immediately as these can be very time ..read more

FORLs are one of the most common dental problems reported in felines. For reasons not yet determined – up to 75% of cats over the age of 4 may be affected other might not be affected at all. These lesions tend to appear around the “neck” or the base of the tooth and invade multiple layers. The tooth and its root become progressively weaker and will eventually fracture or resorb into the bone. Any tooth can be affected, and they may be causing your feline friend more discomfort than you realize. Some typical signs to look out for: Small to large “lesions” that are very red in the appearance at ..read more