As dog owners, we adore our pets, so much so that we often shower them with treats and snuggles. Unfortunately, these acts of love can also lead your dog to spend excessive amounts of time sleeping or eating, which contributes to sedentism and canine obesity. The good news is these concerns are entirely preventable with a few minor lifestyle adjustments. This Canine Awareness Month, we’re here to explore various ways to get active with your beloved companion.  Raising Awareness for Canine Obesity  Canine obesity affects an estimated 55.8% of all dogs across the nation. This means tha ..read more

Preparing your home for the arrival of a new puppy is an exciting yet important step in ensuring their safety and well-being. Just like toddlers, puppies are naturally curious and can get into mischief if their environment isn’t properly puppy-proofed. From electrical cords to household chemicals, there are numerous potential hazards that can pose a risk to your furry friend. In this guide, we’ll explore practical tips and strategies to help you create a safe and secure environment for your puppy, allowing them to explore and thrive in their new surroundings without the worry of accidents or i ..read more

National Pet Dental Health Month occurs every February, and it’s a reminder to pet owners that caring for your pet’s oral and dental hygiene can add years onto their lifespan. The holiday was created by the American Veterinary Medical Association to highlight the importance of pet dental health to the happiness, health, and overall well-being of pets. Let’s take a look at why dental care is so important to pets, and what you can do to protect your pet’s oral and dental health. The Importance of Dental Health to Pets Pets can develop many of the same problems that humans do if their teeth and g ..read more

A dangerous new respiratory illness is affecting dogs around the country. The illness comes on quickly, and dogs who have contracted it can rapidly deteriorate in health. Unfortunately, not much is known about this illness. Veterinarians and medical specialists aren’t sure if it is viral or bacterial. Some experts believe it is a dangerous new canine superbug. It is important to recognize the symptoms and take your dog to the veterinarian right away if he or she appears ill.  What is Canine Respiratory Illness?  Canine respiratory illness is a new illness that was first detected in t ..read more

Should you be concerned about respiratory illness in your dog? A mystery canine respiratory illness has been spreading across the nation with occurrences reported in Oregon, Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Washington, Idaho, California, Nevada, and portions of the Northeast. The symptoms mimic those of kennel cough or canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC), as respiratory signs including coughing, sneezing, eye and nose discharge, lethargy, decreased appetite, and fever may be evident. While the exact mode of disease transmission remains unknown, since respiratory signs predomina ..read more

November is National Adopt a Senior Pet Month. Senior pets are often overlooked at shelters because of their age, appearance, or perceived health issues. They are more difficult to find homes for than any other type of pet. The ASPCA and petfinder.com created National Adopt a Senior Pet Month to raise awareness of the needs of senior pets in shelters. The goal is to find loving homes, so that they don’t spend the rest of their lives in a shelter cage. Learn more about Senior Pet Month and find out how you can help here. Why Should I Adopt a Senior Pet?  People who adopt senior pets end up ..read more

Did you know that August is National Immunization Awareness Month? This is an important time for pet owners to recognize the importance of immunizations and to schedule veterinary care to get their pets up to date with the necessary shots. Getting immunizations and regular boosters is important for your cat to have a long healthy life, but which vaccines does your cat need? Keep reading to learn more about immunizations for your cat. The Core Immunizations Your Cat Needs There are several immunizations that all cats need to get. Most owners know about the rabies vaccine, mostly because almost ..read more

Do you have a scaredy cat? If you have noticed your cat acting out for no discernable reason, it is possible your cat could be experiencing anxiety. Keep reading to learn signs of anxiety, causes, and how you can help your cat. What are the symptoms of anxiety in cats? Anxiety will not look the same for every cat, and sometimes it is not obvious. Some common signs your cat may be experiencing anxiety may be shedding or excessive grooming, going to the bathroom outside of the litter box, aggression towards you or other animals in the home, decreased appetite, yowling or excessive meowing, hidin ..read more

Children who start caring for pets at a young age learn responsibility, accountability, compassion, and empathy. Caring for and nurturing another living creature is an amazing opportunity to teach your child responsibility in the most effective (and fun!) way possible. Here’s a look at how caring for pets teaches children responsibility.  Maintaining a Schedule It’s important to maintain a daily schedule when caring for pets. Both pets and children love routine and want to know they can expect certain things to happen at certain times of the day. Having your child be involved in caring fo ..read more

Did you know that it’s Heartworm Awareness Month? Heartworms pose a serious threat to both pets and people, so it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms, as well as how you can protect your pet. Read on to find out more about this parasite and what you can do to protect your pet. Understanding Heartworm Heartworms are parasitic worms that live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of an infected animal. It is transmitted through mosquito bites, and it’s most commonly found in dogs, cats, and ferrets. When a mosquito bites an infected animal, it ingests microscopic larvae, which the ..read more