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It’s easy to assume that cats know what’s best for their health seeing as they’re so self-sufficient.  But, the fact is, there is one thing that they sometimes aren’t doing in their best interest and that’s staying hydrated.  A lot of cats simply don’t drink enough water on their own.  It may seem harmless enough at first glance, but it can actually turn into a medical emergency fast.

While dehydration can be an emergency in itself, cats can also develop life-threatening urinary stones from lack of water.  Now, we know it’s not always easy to get cats to do something that they don’t want to do, but the key to keeping your cat in good health and avoiding these serious issues, as is the case with humans, is to make sure that your cat is drinking plenty of water.

If you suspect your cat isn’t drinking enough, there are some creative things that you can try to get them to drink more: 

Urinary tract infections in cats is a surprisingly big deal.  It’s tough on both your pet and all family members, as it can be quite stressful and financially burdensome.  In fact, urinary tract issues are one of the most common reasons cats are given up to shelters, or worse.

Fortunately, you can get ahead of a more serious situation and seek medical solutions if you learn the signs and symptoms of urinary tract disease.

If you have a new puppy or plan to bring one home soon, you know that they are just bundles of happiness and energy!  Of course, you probably also know that puppies can be quite challenging at times, especially when it comes to potty training.

Often, puppies just can’t wait to use the bathroom outside.  They’re just too excited and distracted to pay attention to where they are and aren’t allowed to go – yet, anyway.  But, the good news is that they will learn to go outside with a bit of training.  And, to speed that process up, we’ve put together some basic potty training tips to help them learn to go outside to do their business.  Here’s what you should keep in mind:

• Spend Lots of Time with Them – It’s important to spend as much time with your pup as possible in those early days. This helps build your bond, yes, but it also allows you to catch your pup when they try to go to the bathroom indoors so that you can correct their actions immediately, and take them outside.  They’ll learn pretty quickly that doing their business indoors is bad and won’t want to continue to do it in front of you.
• Stick to a Schedule – All pets need a routine. You can start by taking your pup outside every day at the same time, whether they have to go potty or not.  Get in the habit of taking them out first thing in the morning, when you come home from work in the afternoon, before bedtime, etc.  This will teach your pup that there are specific times when they can expect to be let out to use the bathroom.
• Take a Potty Break After Every Meal – To help your pup get a hang of his or her routine quickly, get in the habit of taking them outside after every meal or snack, and wait for them to go to the bathroom. This solidifies the need to go outdoors to do their business.
• Designate a Potty Spot – When you first start training, always take your puppy to the same spot outdoors. This helps them to associate a specific area with potty time.
• Reward a “Job” Well Done – If your puppy goes to the bathroom outdoors, give them a reward for a job well done. Praise and treats lend to positive reinforcement for good behavior.
• Crate Train – When you’re out of the house, train your puppy to stay in his or her crate. Dogs won’t go to the bathroom where they sleep, so this is a good way to keep everyone and everything happy and clean.  Then, when you let them out of the crate, take them outside immediately so they can go to the bathroom.
• Get Rid of Odors – Your puppy will have an accident indoors. It’s kind of a given.  But, when they do, clean the area immediately to remove stains and odors.  This ensures that they won’t return to the same spot to potty again.

Raising a puppy is a wonderful experience, but it’s also a lot of responsibility.  They require great love and care and will look to you for guidance.  One of the most important things that you can do for them, as well as yourself, is to train them early on.  Teach them to be housebroken, so they can live happily and comfortably by your side for many years to come.

Featured photo credit: 3194556 via Pixabay, cc

Our dogs are our best friends.  They’re there for us when we need them, they share affection, keep us on our toes and most of the time, respond to our requests.  At least, that’s how it should be.  But, what do you do when your dog just won’t listen?  How do you know if they need obedience training?

The truth is, even the best of pets can develop behavioral problems, especially in those early years.  So, when issues pop up, it’s best to start obedience training right away to prevent bad behaviors from becoming more serious and continuing throughout adulthood.  Here are some key signs to look out for to know if your dog is in need of obedience training:

Have you ever heard the expression, “It’s like herding cats?”  It’s often used as an expression of exasperation, and well, they don’t just say it to be funny.  It’s because cat’s have a reputation for doing their own thing; they have a mind of their own, and they only do what they want to do.  So then, is it even possible to train a cat, or is it just wishful thinking?

Surprisingly, it’s not impossible to train a cat.  But, you should think of it more as convincing than training.  You see, when it comes to training a cat, the key is in the treat.  You have to find the right “must-have” treat that will convince them to co-operate.  If you find the right treat, they just might be more willing to obey your wishes.

So, with this in mind, let’s take a look at three vital tips to successfully train your cat: 

There’s so much to love about Easter.  It’s the start of spring, egg hunts, Easter baskets with gifts, sweets and celebrations with family and friends.  Of course, the festive treats of this fun-filled holiday can also present certain hazards to your pet, so do be on your guard!

Easter is a time when many bring different festive items into their homes to aid in the celebrations, like chocolate candy wrapped in foil, small, plastic toys, poisonous plants and synthetic grass to adorn the carefully decorated Easter eggs.  Unfortunately, all of these items pose very real health risks to your pet were they to get ahold of them and ingest them.

That’s why you must be mindful of what you bring into your home and what you leave out around the house.  So, before you start hiding the eggs and putting up those pastel streamers, take a look at these most common Easter hazards that you should keep in the forefront of your mind: 

If you’re bringing a new pet into your home, and you already have pets, the thought of that initial introduction can be a little stressful.  You just never know how they might react to one another.  Whether you’re adding a newly adopted furry member to your family or moving in with a new roommate, family member or spouse who has pets, combining households can be a tricky transition.  Sure, you might see it as them gaining a new brother or sister, but they might see it as a stranger stepping on their territory.

Whatever has brought you to this new introduction, here are some tips that will help make the transition easier on everyone: 

As pet owners, we want the absolute best for our furry little family members.  But, have you ever really taken the time to ask yourself just how and what you can do to be the best pet owner you can be?  Well, we have, and we’ve put together a list of suggestions to help you be the best that you can be while bringing happiness and good health to your pets’ lives.  Here’s what you can do:

If you’re dealing with canine anxiety, it can be a bit overwhelming for both your dog and you to get through a day.  Like us, dogs have anxieties and fears.  Their anxieties may not be or work the same as our own, but they still cause a great deal of stress and physical reactions just the same.

Canine anxiety affects all breeds of dogs and can lead to very serious behavioral problems if left untreated.  Fortunately, there are steps that we, as pet owners, can take to help our beloved pets learn to live and better cope with their anxiety.  Let’s take a look at some of the common symptoms, treatment options and potential prevention techniques that you can use to work with your pet:

Signs of Anxiety

• Your dog keeps attempting to escape, either passively or actively
• Your dog has excess energy that has the potential to or sometimes does turn to aggression
• Your dog barks or howls beyond what is ordinary
• Your dog is often found to be shaking, hiding, tucking their tail, etc.
• Your dog has a habit of licking or biting at his or herself

What Causes Anxiety?

• Sickness or pain can make your dog more prone to fear and anxiety
• Changes in the central nervous system due to aging or disease
• Past experiences that were negative or caused fear and anxiety
• A lack of socialization in the first few months of life
• Having multiple owners or having been abandoned or neglected

How to Help Your Dog with Anxiety

• Practice separation – If your dog has separation anxiety, let him or her adjust to small periods of you being away. Then, as they start to adjust, increase the time you’re away.
• Occupy your dog – Give your dog something to do while you’re away. Try filling a toy with treats, or give them a chew toy that won’t be unsafe if destroyed.
• Stay calm – Your dog responds to the cues that you give them. Don’t make leaving or coming home a big deal.  Be calm and speak in a normal tone of voice.
• Prioritize exercise – Your dog will be less likely to exhibit anxious behaviors if he or she gets regular exercise. Take them for a walk before you leave the house to reduce anxiety.
• Consider doggy daycare – If your dog likes socializing, consider taking him or her to doggie daycare. This way, they will be having fun and using up excess energy while you’re away.
• Ask about medications – Your dog’s anxiety could be due to a hormonal or thyroid imbalance, which may require medication. Ask your veterinarian about this and about anti-anxiety medications.

Don’t let your dog’s anxiety take control of your (or their) life.  Talk to your veterinarian to identify the type of anxiety your dog may be suffering from and the possible causes and triggers.  With the right treatment strategy, you can help your dog overcome his or her anxiety and prevent dangerous and destructive behaviors from becoming a daily occurrence.  If you think your dog is suffering from anxiety, talk to your veterinarian today to come up with a plan of action that best suits your dog and your lifestyle.

Featured photo credit: moshehar via Pixabay, cc

Valentine’s Day can be a lot of fun for humans, but it can also be anything but fun for your pets if certain precautions aren’t taken during celebrations.  In fact, on this love-filled holiday, animal poison control and emergency vets see a huge rise in pet health emergencies both on Valentine’s Day and in the week leading up to Valentine’s Day.  Veterinarians say this is because people simply don’t realize that a lot of the treats and holiday gifts that are given can be very harmful to pets.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy the bountiful treats of Valentine’s Day.  You can still give and enjoy chocolates, home baked goods and other fun gifts.  It just means that you need to be a little extra cautious about what you bring into the house around your pets.  That means keeping toxic foods and other items away from your dogs and cats on Valentine’s Day.  And, if you’re unsure of what other precautions you should take, here are some tips to help you have a safe and pet-friendly Valentine’s Day: