2016

Exploring The Nutrition Needs Of An Older Cat
As cats age, their dietary needs change. They may need more or less of certain vitamins and their human counterparts are tasked with finding the right things for them. Whether this means dropping that extra tuna treat before bed or just making sure they get more chicken, senior cats have their own unique needs. Protein When it comes to checking ingredients on the label, cat owners should be looking for protein for their senior cat.

Creating A Garden For Your Indoor Cat
Many cats spend the duration of their lives indoors. While this might keep the animal safe from predators or injury, it can limit the number of foods that a cat can consume during its lifetime. If you want to supplement your indoor cat's diet without the risks of allowing him or her to lead an outdoor lifestyle, you can plant a cat-friendly container garden inside your home instead. Here are some plants to consider incorporating into your cat garden.

3 Alternative Therapies For Pets
Animals can suffer from many diseases, pains, and illnesses. Many pet owners are keen to ensure their pets have the best quality of life possible and are not troubled by persistent pains. As a result, more and more owners are looking to alternative therapies for their pets. Such therapies can help alleviate pain and improve function of the joints and muscles. Acupuncture  Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique that can help alleviate chronic pain.

3 Dog Breeds To Avoid As Pets If You Have Other Small Animals In The House
Many dog breeds work just fine with other pets, but there are those that will see a fluffy kitty,  docile bunny, or even a little hamster as more of  chew toy or target of prey as anything else. If you are planning to bring home  new dog and you already have other small pets in the house, the last thing you want is to discover the two don't get along and your smaller pet is in danger.

Found A Stray Dog And Want To Keep It? Tips To Get Rid Of Fleas
If you have found a stray dog in your area and have decided to keep it, it likely has some fleas on its body. If the dog has already come into your home, you may also have fleas in your carpeting and on any furniture.  Below is some information about treating your dog to remove the fleas and getting them out of your home. Get Rid of Fleas on the Dog

In Honor Of Deaf Dogs Awareness Week, How Much Do You Know About Hearing Loss In Dogs?
The last full week of September is Deaf Dog Awareness Week. This week is meant to honor furry family members, but even if you do not have a deaf dog, it's a good time to learn a bit more about hearing loss in dogs and signs to watch out for. What are the signs of hearing loss in dogs? The older your dog gets, the more at risk he is for hearing loss.

How to Know When to Put Your Dog to Sleep
If you have a dog, you likely care about him or her very much. You want them to enjoy time with you. You also likely don't want your dog to suffer if they should become ill with something that is not curable. If you find yourself in a situation where your dog is sick and is definitely going to die, you might consider putting him or her down. However, the last thing that you want is to deprive your dog of life too early.

Canaries And Feather Cysts: How To Identify Treat And Prevent This Painful Condition
Just like humans get ingrown hairs when hair has trouble growing through the skin, birds can get ingrown feathers, which are often referred to as feather cysts. Certain types of birds, such as canaries, are genetically prone to developing cysts. So if you have a canary, you have to be aware that this condition may occur so you can take preventative measures. You should also know how to identify and treat a feather cyst if one were to occur.

Three Tips To Handling Pet Allergies With A New Pet
Bringing home a new pet can be a joyous occasion as you add a new member to your family. While you may not have pet allergies yourself, one of your family members could. In fact, about one in three people in the United States who have allergies end up having an allergic reaction to a dog or cat. This can put a great damper on the whole event of bringing in a new pet.

Do You Have A Vet For A Pot Bellied Pig?
If you are considering a pot bellied pig for a pet, and you don't live in or near a rural area, you may want to check on two important issues before going out to get your piglet. This first issue involves zoning. While some municipalities consider pot bellied pigs as domestic pets, others treat them as farm animals. If you are allowed to keep a pot bellied pig as a pet in your area, you will likely need a permit.

Is Your Dog Elderly? Things To Know As Your Canine Ages
There are some signs that every pet owner should watch for when it comes to their aging canine. Older dogs are susceptible to serious conditions that younger dogs may not be, and these signs should be evaluated and treated by your vet. Larger dogs over 20 pounds age faster than smaller breeds, and a seven-year old dog that weighs more than 50-pounds is considered a senior, while a seven-year old small breed is considered an adult.

Three Ways To Keep Your Puppy From Chewing Electrical Cords
Puppies like to chew on everything—their toys, your furniture, and even your electrical cords. While chew marks on your furniture are mostly just a nuisance, it's a much bigger problem when your puppy decides to chew on cords. They could get an electrical shock, burn the inside of their mouth, suffer seizures, or even die, so it's important to keep your puppy from chewing cords. Elevate Cords When you have a puppy, your electrical cords should never be running along the floor or hanging close to the ground.

Preparing For A Pet Emergency
As a pet owner, it's your job to take care of all of your pet's medical needs — including the cost of visiting an emergency veterinarian when needed. Unfortunately, many people don't take future medical costs into consideration when adopting a pet. In fact, not all pet owners even know what to do if their pet requires emergency medical attention. Check out these tips so that you're prepared for any type of pet emergency you might encounter in the future.

Understanding And Caring For A Cat With Acne
Believe it or not, cats can get acne just like humans can. Although some cats will go their entire lives without a single pimple, others will be struck by a sudden outburst of dozens of irritated pustules on their faces. While cat acne is uncomfortable and irritating for a cat, it can also become something far worse if left untreated. Read on to learn what causes cat acne, what you can do about it, and how to prevent it from worsening.

Four Things You Need To Know About Gum Disease In Dogs
Dogs can develop diseases inside their mouths, just like people can. Your dog can develop gum disease, also called gingivitis. Here are four things you need to know about gum disease in dogs. Why do dogs develop gum disease? Dogs develop gum disease due to poor oral hygiene, just like people do. If your dog's teeth aren't cleaned, the bacteria in their plaque and tartar will lead to gum inflammation. While dog's mouths are reported to be cleaner than people's mouths, poor oral hygiene can still lead to disease.

Long-Haired Cats: A Grooming Guide for New Owners
Long-haired cats are incredibly beautiful, but they are a little higher maintenance than short-haired cats. Keeping their coats well groomed is essential to prevent hair mats and skin conditions. While taking your long-haired cat to the groomer every few weeks is an option, you can do most of the grooming yourself if you set aside the time and invest in the right tools. Just follow this guide. Buy the right tools.

Doggy Got A Tummy Ache? 4 Steps To Take If Your Dog Has Diarrhea
If your dog has diarrhea, you'll need to do a bit of detective work to determine what caused the bout of loose stools. In most cases, canine diarrhea occurs when your dog overindulges in garbage or table scraps. If your dog has been hitting up the garbage cans for an after-dinner treat, here are some steps you can take to settle their digestive tract and get the diarrhea under control.

How to Get Your Cat to Stop Scooting on the Carpet
Although it's typically seen as a dog behavior, sometimes cats sit and scoot across the carpet on their rear ends. It's an unpleasant thing to see and can be embarrassing for you if your cat does this in front of friends or family. If your cat is scooting on the floor or carpet, read on to learn what might be causing this behavior and what you can do to stop it.

Replacing Your Dog's Bad Hip Through Veterinary Orthopedic Surgery
Most people are familiar with the concept of hip replacement surgery, which can be a life-saving procedure in the elderly or patients with bone or joint disorders. But if you have ever watched your dog with arthritis or hip dysplasia hobbling stiffly or struggling to get up, you may have wondered if any such options are available for canine companions as well. Thankfully, the rapidly advancing discipline of veterinary orthopedics has now become a commonplace practice in veterinary medicine, and many dogs receive full hip replacements every year.

Naturally Eliminate Fleas from Your Dog's Body and Discourage New Ones from Appearing
If your dog has been scratching excessively, and if upon inspection you have noticed several fleas on their back, eliminate the pests and discourage new ones from making a home on your pet's body or in your home with the following natural methods. Once the flea problem has been resolved, set up an appointment with the veterinarian who normally treats your pet to receive additional help with keeping fleas at bay.

Best Options When It Comes To Paying For Your Dog Vaccinations
According to the Animal Care Centers of NYC, vaccines are not only important to your canine's health, but they are also important the pet owners. Diseases like rabies can be contracted by dogs and transferred to humans. Of course, vaccines cost anywhere from $15 to $100 a piece, which can really add up over time, especially when you factor in the fee for the vet visit. It is best to take advantage of one of the following methods to decrease the overall cost of your dog's vaccinations.

3 Medical-Imaging Solutions for Your Dog
There might be occasions when your dog so needs the service of a veterinary radiologist. Each form of radiological imaging plays a specific role and has a different goal in mind when it allows you to see the inside of your dog's body. Read on and discover which medical-imaging solution will benefit you and your dog and why you may want to choose—or why your veterinarian might recommend—each specific one.

Summer Hazards That You May Not Have Thought Could Harm Your Dog
Summer brings warm weather, outdoor activities, and a host of hazards for your beloved four-legged family members. Keep dogs safe this season with awareness of some common objects, items, and foods that can pose danger to your best friend. Household items Tennis balls should only be given to dogs when you are around to supervise. These can cause a choking risk, and could also be ingested, which will require emergency surgery to remove.

3 Common Dog Skin Issues
Does it appear that your dog has red, irritable skin or is otherwise itching themselves into discomfort? It could be the case they they are suffering from a skin related issue that is causing them this pain, itching sensation, or general discomfort. Read on and discover just a few of the most common issues related to your dog's skin and whether or not these issues necessitate a visit to the animal hospital or require a visit to the animal hospital such as Stroudsburg Animal Hospital.

Trying To Get Your Picky Cat Adjusted To A New Food? 3 Tips That Can Help
Getting your cat used to a new food can be necessary as they get older and their dietary needs change, because of a sudden dislike of their food, or simply due to the fact that their current food is being discontinued or no longer carried at the store you regularly shop at. If your cat is especially picky and you want to make the best effort towards getting your cat adjusted to their new food, consider the following three tips that can help get your cat on the right track towards loving their new food.

Three Questions To Ask Your Vet For After Buying A Puppy From A Pet Shop
If you are interested in getting a puppy for your family, one of the venues that you may turn to is a pet shop. Pet shops often have a variety of animals, especially desirable breeds all available for purchase or adoption. Getting a puppy from a pet shop also means that you need to be a little more careful. Once you buy a dog from a pet shop, you should take the dog to the veterinary hospital immediately.

New Dog Owner's Tips: How To Check And Remove Ticks From Your Pet
One of the things you will have to do as a new dog owner is to check your dog for ticks – especially after hikes in the woods and other places where ticks thrive. Ticks like to feed on blood and then move to a spot where they can give birth to more ticks. The biggest problem is that when ticks are done eating, they can inject a poison into your dog and make it sick.

Important Tips For New Puppy Owners
Are you considering getting a new puppy? Do you want to make sure that everything is ready for this new addition to your household? Puppies can be a lot of fun, but they can also be a lot of work. If your home isn't properly puppy-proofed, your four-legged friend could wind up sick or injured. In order to prevent midnight trips to your nearest animal hospital, here are some things to keep in mind:

Hesitation Can Kill: Feline Medical Emergencies That Require Urgent Care
While some symptoms and conditions can wait until your veterinarian's next available appointment to be addressed, others require immediate emergency care. Familiarizing yourself with the symptoms of feline medical emergencies that call for urgent attention can make the difference between life and death for your furry friend. If you are a cat owner, you should know about these common kitty emergencies. Urinary Obstruction The urethra of a male cat is narrow in diameter.

Do You Know Your Indoor Cat's Unique Care Needs To Keep Her Happy And Healthy?
If you opt to keep your feline friend strictly indoors at all times, your decision is a proactive step toward keeping her healthy. You have eliminated her risks for being struck by a moving vehicle, getting into nasty fights with aggressive dogs or wildlife, contracting diseases from other cats and falling victim to a host of other outdoor dangers. However, with this decision comes a set of special care needs. Find out how to satisfy your indoor cat's special needs to ensure her optimal physical and emotional health.

Worried About Bringing Your Cat To A Tropical Climate? 3 Reasons To Insist On Vaccinations
Traveling to a tropical destination can be a dream come true for you, but it can come with some concerns if you're bringing your cat along. If you're moving to a tropical destination or simply traveling for a brief trip and bringing your cat along, you need to look into how pet vaccinations can be a necessity for keeping your cat healthy while in this new area. If you're unsure of how vaccines can be helpful, look into the following reasons why a trip to the vet for vaccines can be essential for preventing medical problems.

Three Tips For Preventing Bumblefoot In Guinea Pigs
Bumblefoot is a painful condition that can affect guinea pigs if they aren't carefully cared for. If your guinea pigs develop bumblefoot, the pads of their feet will get swollen and develop painful sores. Here are three tips for preventing bumblefoot in your guinea pigs. Keep their cage clean and dry Your pigs can get bumblefoot if bacteria like staphylococcus aureus get inside their feet. Since guinea pigs use their entire cage as a toilet and can poop up to 10 times every hour, bacteria are a major concern if the cage is not kept clean.

Kitty Under The Weather? 4 Steps To Ease The Symptoms Of Feline Flu
If your cat is acting a bit under-the-weather, it might have the flu. Unfortunately, your cat can't tell you when it's not feeling well, so you have to pay attention to the signs. Some signs of feline flu include sniffling, sneezing, and a mild cough. Here are four simple steps you can take to help your kitty feel better. Encourage Eating Your cat isn't going to be extremely hungry while it's sick.

Three Cage Design Issues That May Cause Your Guinea Pig Harm
Your guinea pig is going to spend most of his time in his cage, so if that cage is not designed appropriately, you could end up with an unhappy – and ultimately unhealthy – pet. Here's a look at three common cage design mistakes that even the most well-meaning guinea pig owners sometimes make. Avoid these pitfalls, and you'll have a healthier, happier piggy. Mistake #1: Not choosing a large enough cage.

Doggy Not Seeing Clearly? 3 Steps to Take If Your Dog Is Having Vision Problems
Has your dog been bumping into things? Does it have a difficult time finding its way around the house? Is it getting up there in years? If you answered yes to these questions, your dog may be suffering from age-related vision problems. Here are three steps you should take if your dog is having trouble seeing. Avoid Sudden Changes If your furniture has been in the same place for as long as you can remember, avoid making sudden changes.

Adopting And Caring For An FIV Positive Cat
When looking for a new pet at the local animal shelter, people often pass over cats that have any chronic illnesses, especially those with the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). These cats need a good home, too, and can become great feline companions. When you are ready to adopt a cat, consider one that is FIV positive. Once you understand their illness, you'll be able to create a forever home for these often neglected cats.

Tips To Help Your Dog Recover After Getting Spayed Or Neutered
It's pretty common these days for dogs to get spayed or neutered in order to help control the population and avoid the unwanted arrival of additional pets. But as common as the idea of the procedure may be to you, for your dog it will likely be the most traumatic experience it's encountered in its young life. If you are about to take your dog to a spay and neuter veterinarian, here are 3 tips to keep in mind to help keep your family pet comfortable in the aftermath of the procedure.