A Passion for Pets: Building a Business in the Pet Industry Inside this issue: Feline Facts and Cat-astic goodies Camping with your Dog Celebrating Mom Obesity in Cats Growing Up Together: When your Puppy Gets Old Separation Anxiety vs. Isolation Distress The post May 2024 Digital Issue of Houston PetTalk appeared first on Houston PetTalk ..read more

By Cheryl Conley Lake Creek Nature Center Board of Directors These opportunistic rascals with the masked faces are everywhere. They’re highly intelligent with amazing problem-solving skills and thrive in cities. Often called “trash pandas”, I’m referring to raccoons.  Although nocturnal, you might see one during the day. Don’t automatically jump to the conclusion that they must have rabies.  Most likely, they are pregnant or nursing moms foraging for food. Like any good mom, pregnant raccoons seek out den sites that offer protection from predators and the elements.  Acceptable s ..read more

Spring Gardening; Know What Can Harm Your Pets! By  Laura Noaker: VERGI 24/7 Emergency Hospital Springtime always seems to arrive with an explosion of birds singing while butterflies and bees stay busy pollinating our gardens. The flowers and weeds have begun to bloom and it is time to start your spring gardening! We want to share a few precautions you can take to keep your animals safe in the yard. Before you buy new plants to adorn your garden, a quick Google search can inform you about the safety of them around your pets. There are many, many plants that can cause our pets significant ..read more

Houston SPCA: 100 Years, A Century of Saving Creates Great & Small Inside this issue: Spring Gardening: Know What Can Harm Your Pets! Anticipatory Grief: Dealing With Loss Before It’s Happened A Tiny Vet Tale from the Houston Zoo + Much more! The post April 2024 Digital Issue of Houston PetTalk appeared first on Houston PetTalk ..read more

By Cheryl Conley Lake Creek Nature Preserve Board of Directors As youngsters, we are told to be afraid of the “big bad wolf” but in reality, wolves don’t see us as prey and attacks on humans are very rare. Although you won’t find wolves in Texas, it’s interesting to know that they were once a necessary and important part of the state’s ecosystem. Both red and gray wolves were abundant in Texas with red wolves occupying the eastern half of the state and gray wolves in the west. Extensive hunting, trapping and habitat loss led to a rapid decline in their numbers. They are now considered extinct ..read more

By: Katie Clark, Director of Training at Peace Love Dogs, PeaceLoveDogsHouston.com The bond between children and dogs can be special and, quite frankly, adorable! However, maintaining a safe and harmonious relationship can take a lot of work. Here are a few tips to create an environment where kids and dogs coexist happily: Prevention is everything! Establish a safe space for your dog, such as a crate or pen, where they can relax independently. This not only provides a refuge for the dog, but also teaches kids to respect the pet’s personal space. Setting these parameters early on lays the ..read more

Get Enlightened: Annual Dog Training Issue Inside the issue: Puppy Socialization Resource Guarding Enrichment Safety for Kids & Dogs + Much More! The post March 2024 Digital Issue of Houston PetTalk appeared first on Houston PetTalk ..read more

Emancipet’s Pulling For Pets Event at Emancipation Park April 14 Emancipet invites everyone to this free, family-friendly, and pet-friendly event featuring the return of Pulling for Pets, vendors, activities and more. Come for the fun and learn more about Emancipet’s non-profit veterinary clinics and support their mission to provide accessible, affordable veterinary care in Houston.  Every dollar donated to Emancipet allows them to reduce the costs their clients pay for services. For details visit, Emancipet.org The post Emancipet Fundraiser April 14 appeared first on Houston PetTalk ..read more

By: Lucy Goo Pet Sitting’s Nicole Bruder-Gillis and Shelby Coleman. Catching on with some momentum is city folks raising chickens…yes, chickens! Some cities allow backyard chickens, while others do not. Fortunately in Houston, you can have up to 30 of them! (If are subject to HOA rules, check their policies.) Raising chickens can yield delicious, healthy eggs but they cal also be fun pets as well. Here are some of the rules for Houston: 1. The chickens must be housed in a confinement and the coop must be kept at least 100 feet away from any neighboring homes, churches ..read more

By Cheryl Conley Lake Creek Nature Preserve Board of Directors It’s much easier for birds and squirrels to find food in the summer but it’s challenging in the winter. There are about 300 species of birds that spend their winters in the Houston area because of our mild temperatures. Squirrels are here year-round. You can help our birds and squirrels by supplementing their diet when food is scarce. SUET – birds burn a lot of calories just to stay warm. Suet is a high-energy, high fat food source and Is available at big box stores and Amazon. You can order feeders specifically for suet cakes. If ..read more