Easter is quickly hopping its way on over to us. And with the holiday comes plenty of candy, gift baskets, and bunnies. As we await this happy, cheer filled celebration, let’s enjoy the hidden Easter eggs, and avoid the hidden pet dangers.  While enjoying your day, keep in mind the following hazards to your dog or cat:  Chocolate  Chocolate is a known no-no in the pet world. Harmful to animals, especially, dogs, this sweet is a common, popular candy for every occasion. Especially holidays like Easter. However, it contains the substance theobromine, which is particularly prominent in dark chocolate. Consuming...

Do You Snow How To Keep Your Dog Active In Winter? People tend to think of summer as the season to get in shape and engage themselves in more physical activity. Going for runs, swims, hikes, and much more. The best part of these activities is that people often use them to get their pets active, too! Many dogs love to do these sorts of exercises, especially if it means extra time spent with their pet parent. But what happens when the summer sunshine starts to dwindle away, leading into the chilly days of fall? And then eventually into the...

Probiotics: live microorganisms found in not only your gut, but your pet’s. Living organisms taking shelter in both mine and my pet’s bodies? Now this might sound a bit alarming, but take heart because we can reassure you that when given in appropriate amounts, it’s not. There’s a reason why so many supplements and food options available to both you and your pets use probiotics! Probiotics are indeed live organisms, typically bacteria or yeast, but they’re friendly ones! Most of the immune system is found working closely with the digestive system. It is for that reason that, found in the...

All pet owners know the dreaded moment of having to pick up their pooch’s poop when they go out for a walk. It can be embarrassing to be seen awkwardly scooping it up, and the smell and look of your dog’s stool doesn’t exactly help the case. So it’s only natural that you dispose of it as quickly as possible, not giving much thought to what exactly is going into the poop bag. But did you know that your pet’s feces is a major indicator of their health? After learning how much their waste reveals, you may want to consider...

Fleas and ticks - two of the peskiest problems to plague pet owners, as well as the most common. Fleas and ticks absolutely love to make comfy, cozy environments out of your pet’s soft, warm, clean fur. Because of this, it’s important to understand, as the responsible pet owner you are, what exactly ticks and fleas are, what they do, and how you can finally pinpoint these parasites. Fleas are wingless insects that feed on the blood of your unsuspecting pet. They’re known to be high-hopping little creatures that, according to FleaScience, can jump a height of about 5.2 inches and...

Even if your pet would like to take seven walks to the park in a day, we can’t always make it happen. Duty calls and things like work, the kids, or household chores take away some of the attention we’re able to provide our companions. If your pet is feeling the lack of attention and isn’t having their daily needs for physical and mental stimulation met, they’ll get bored quickly. And they won’t hesitate to let you know. Signs Your Pet Is Bored Vocalizing - It’s normal for dogs to bark here and there, especially if someone’s at the door...

According to the Pet Diabetes Month Campaign, it is estimated that 1 in 300 adult dogs and 1 in 230 cats in the US have diabetes. Diabetes is even more common among humans, and people will find that the disease is very similar for people and animals alike. Realizing that even furry friends can be affected by the health condition helps raise a sense of urgency in pet parents. Diabetes is a very real disease that people should be educated on not only for their own health, but their pet’s as well. What is diabetes, and is my pet at...

When you first got your new dog, it was from that moment on that you officially became a proud pet parent! You found yourself excitedly buying them all the necessary supplies and cutest accessories. But down the line, you may find yourself awaiting the moment that you become a parent to a newborn baby. The time to introduce your fur baby to your new baby will quickly approach, and you have exactly nine months to prepare your companion for this new and exciting transition in your lives. Dogs and cats all have very unique personalities and traits, so it’s not...

Dealing with Doggy Diarrhea Going for runs with your canine is great! Going for a run to the doggy park, a run on the trail, a run to the pet store. Is there any type of run you and your pet wouldn’t enjoy? Maybe just one - doggy runs. Doggy runs are another term for diarrhea in pets. This is caused by unabsorbed nutrients drawing water into the intestines, causing canines to pass soft, watery stools.  How long your dog has diarrhea ultimately depends on the reason why they developed it in the first place, leaving them to experience it...

Days spent wading in the pool, digging in the sand, and roasting marshmallows are slowly coming to an end, and are soon to be replaced by days spent sitting in the classroom learning some new lessons. It’s back to school season! To your surprise, you might not be the only one kicking and screaming at the thought of returning. Your pet may be, too.   Back to school blues are a very real thing for companion animals. Afterall, they’ve had a whole summer to get used to around the clock attention and endless cuddles, walks, grooming, etc! Such a transition can...

Beat Heart Disease in Pets Our pets have the biggest hearts. They’re the most loyal, loving companions to accompany us in life. And in turn, they make our hearts full! It’s a true testament of how strong their hearts are. But unfortunately, that doesn’t always mean physically. Some dogs and cats develop heart disease. It’s a scary and confusing illness, but the best way to help your furry friend is to inform yourself. What is Heart Disease? The heart is an organ with the vital task of pumping blood throughout your pet’s body. And in that blood is much needed...

A Pawsitively Easy Way to Transition Foods Adding a little variety to your pet’s day can be fun. Taking them to a new park, giving them a new bed, having them try a new treat, or maybe even enrolling them in a class. But another way is to give them new food! There are so many yummy, delicious, healthy options out there that you’re bound to be interested in more than one for your furry friend. Or perhaps it’s time to make a dietary change due to health concerns or allergies. Whether you’re switching from dry food to wet food,...

Restore Peace to Your Pet  Anxiety is now the most common mental health illness among people in the United States. So it’s not surprising to learn that even pets can experience it. As much as we need to look after our own health, the same needs to be done for our pets who rely on us for safety and security. But if It’s often hard to manage anxiety in ourselves, how will we be able to recognize and treat the symptoms of anxiety in our dog?   It’s easier to be on the lookout for signs of anxiety if you know...

The following article is from Wellness Pet Food's Live Well Blog: As we approach the winter season, the days will get shorter and the temperatures will get colder. Cats might be resourceful, but they still need shelter when the temperatures drop. When the temperatures get really cold, cats can suffer from frostbite or hypothermia. Their fur coats sometimes simply aren’t enough to keep them warm. Outdoor Shelters for Community or Stray Cats Building an outdoor cat house for kitties can keep your feline friends safe and warm during the coldest part of the year. You might want to build an...

If you open someone’s kitchen cabinet these days it’s not uncommon to see a hoard of multivitamins staring back at you. People now take multiple types of vitamins and supplements to keep their body in picture perfect health, whether it’s to make up for a deficiency, keep a certain body function in check, or even just to promote the growth of hair or nails! The wide variety of available gummies, chews, tablets, and powders leaves pet owners wondering if maybe they should be giving pet-friendly supplements to their fur babies, too. It’s true that some dogs would benefit from having...

Keeping Pets Out Of The Lyme Light Many dogs love to frolic in the grass, run along the trees and bushes, and get a good breath of fresh air. But did you know that the outdoors is exactly where your pet’s arch nemesis likes to hide out? Ticks are commonly found in greenery, such as tall grasses, marshes, shrubs, and wooded areas, allowing them to cling onto your pooch as they pass by. Ticks can even be carried into your backyard or very own household through another animal. This is the perfect opportunity for your pet to be exposed to...

FDA Continues Investigation into Potential Link between Dog Food and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)  On June 27th the FDA released a report about their ongoing investigation into the potential link between certain dog foods and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This report suggests that dogs that eat foods containing peas, legumes, lentils, and potatoes as main ingredients are susceptible to this condition. Many of the foods that contain these ingredients are labeled as "grain-free." Since this report was posted, it has been rapidly circulated in the pet community and has caused some concern for pet parents. According to the FDA, the underlying cause...

  Traveling with Toto Knowing you’re about to go on a fun vacation and get away from the daily routine of the household is a fun and exciting time! But what you can’t get away from is the question of who’s going to hold down the fort while you’re gone? Will you need someone to collect your mail? Someone to water your plants? More importantly, do you have a pet that needs to be taken care of? You have several options for how your pet situation can be handled when you’re about to leave for a trip. Fido can be...

You’ve got a picky eater, we’ve got some solutions! Some dogs love to eat – they’ll eat anything and everything. Other dogs … not so much. If you’ve got a picky eater at home – have no fear! Put down those homemade gourmet dinners for Fido and check out the following tips for fussy eaters.   Change the flavor of your dog’s current foodMany dog food brands offer a variety of flavors or formulas. If your dog seems to be losing interest in their current food, switching up the flavor may do the trick in making them interested in the...

Moist dermatitis, summer sores, hot spots… Whatever you choose to call them, they are irritations of the skin that commonly affect dogs. These red, moist, irritated patches of skin are caused by an initial irritation that worsens from a bacterial infection.     Hot spots are typically found on the head, chest, hips, or limbs. While hot spots can affect your dog year round, they tend to be more prevalent in the summer months due to high heat and humidity. Moisture and heat from matted hair, summer warmth and humidity, on open scrapes or cuts can further increase bacteria growth....

Healthy Essentials Probiotic Food Spray for Dogs An easy, natural, and effective way to give your dog probiotics. Healthy Essentials Probiotic Food Spray contains 11 strains of live and viable bacteria.     Why would I feed my dog bacteria?!When you first hear the word “bacteria,” you may think about germs or diseases. However, there are good bacteria that live inside of our bodies and help them function. Just like with humans, bacteria lives in the gastroinstestinal system of dogs and aids in digestion. These bacteria also help fight off possible pathogens, makes vitamins and minerals, and boosts the immune...

The best way to prevent pet illness is with vaccines! According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), vaccinations protect your pet from highly contagious and potentially deadly diseases. They also help improve your pet’s overall quality of life. Within the last century, the widespread use of vaccinations has prevented death and disease in millions of animals. There are many different vaccinations out there for both cats and dogs. However, your pet will not receive every single one of them. The vaccines they receive are determined by what is required of them and their risk of exposure to certain diseases....

As our dogs get older, they experience typical signs of aging, and sometimes that includes the common pain from joint problems. We hate to see our pets get older, and especially to see them in pain, but the good thing is there are things we can do to help our four-legged friends with these joint problems. There are two categories of joint problems: developmental and degenerative. Developmental problems occur when the joint does not develop properly. This is the case for hip or elbow dysplasia. Degenerative problems happen over time. Arthritis is a degenerative problem where the cartilage between the...

*The following blog post was written by King Kanine – all credit goes to King Kanine*“When our pets panic, we panic. Dogs, especially, tend to be anxious creatures when certain sounds or sights set them off, from rain and thunder to fireworks and the Amazon delivery man. No one likes to see their pets suffer, so when it comes to assuaging the nerves of a jittery Jack Russell or a petulant pussycat more pet owners are looking towards CBD for pets. According to Preventative Vet, CBD oil for anxiety can provide much-needed relief in pooches petrified of separation or travel. CBD...

*The following blog post was written by King Kanine – all credit goes to King Kanine*CBD affects the endocannabinoid receptors which are in both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. Endocannabinoid receptors are very important as they function to maintain body homeostasis. CBD is deeply involved in those endocannabinoid neurotransmissions in that they upregulate and downregulate neural transmissions as needed to maintain that homeostasis, helping keep the body in a normal and healthy state. Although we’re focusing here on the use of CBD for pain in animals, other known actions in humans include the downregulation of anxiety, noise...

Did you know that February is Spay & Neuter Awareness Month? It’s also Prevent a Litter Month, and the two go hand-in-hand! Pets.WedMD states spaying involves removing the ovaries and uterus of a female pet. Neutering is the process of removing the testicles of a male pet. These procedures are the only way to truly prevent a pet from reproducing. According to the ASPCA, pet homelessness is a big problem in the United States. Humane Society.org states that every year, 6-8 million homeless animals enter animal shelters. Only about half get adopted. The other half are euthanized due to overcrowding. Spaying or neutering...

February is National Pet Dental Health Month! Just like people, taking care of your pet’s teeth is an important part of their overall health. Just like we take regular trips to our dentists to make sure our pearly whites are healthy, your pets should also visit their vet at least once a year to get their teeth checked out. This yearly visit is helpful in keeping the teeth healthy and determining if there are any potential health concerns. If you notice any of the following symptoms or problems, you should have your pet’s teeth checked sooner rather than later. These...

Pedicures are for pets, too! Nail care is an important part of a healthy pet’s routine. A cat’s nails should be trimmed every ten days to two weeks. A dog’s nails should be trimmed at a minimum of every four weeks. However, the schedule of trimming depends on the lifestyle of the dog. In any case, a dog’s nails should be trimmed when they are just about to touch the ground when they walk.

Microchipping is a simple procedure for dogs and cats that only takes a few seconds, but lasts a lifetime! A microchip provides your pet with a permanent ID that cannot fall off, be removed, or become impossible to read over time. If your pets get lost and is brought to a veterinarian or animal shelter, they will be scanned for a microchip. You will then be contacted via the information on file with your pet’s microchip. A common misconception is that microchips act as a GPS or tracking device. This is not true; they cannot tell you the exact location...

Many different types of oils have been used by both people and their pets throughout the years. Coconut oil, CBD oil, Hemp oil, and essential oil have all become popular for several reasons, whether it be their ability to relax and calm, or their ability to leave behind a healthier, glowing look. Another type of oil has recently joined the team - salmon oil!  Salmon oil is taken from the salmon, which is a fish native to the North Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. They hatch in freshwater and migrate to the ocean before returning to the freshwater to reproduce. These...

If you have a dog and you have a lawn, chances are you have experienced a lawn with brown, burnt, or dead patches. These spots are due to – you guessed it – dog urine. No one wants their lawn to look like this. But in order to fix the problem we must first understand it. Why does lawn burn occur? Lawn burn is caused by the nitrogen in dog urine. According to Doctors Foster and Smith, because dogs are carnivores they have high levels of protein in their diet. Their bodies break down the protein and excrete it in...

Handling A Hairy Situation Pet owners love the soft, silky feeling of running their fingers through their cat’s fur. But what they love less is when that same fur comes back up minutes later in the form of a hairball. It’s even worse when you’re the one that catches your kitty retching it up onto your prized sofa or newly vacuumed rug, becoming your responsibility to clean it up. It leaves a lot of people feeling disgusted or nauseated, while it leaves others wondering “What causes this mess to happen in the first place? Is this normal? What can I...

Everyone loves a new puppy. A new member of the family to welcome in and spoil endlessly with cuddles, treats, toys, and more! One that will give you constant attention, loyalty, and company. What’s not to love?

For some, it’s the process of housebreaking. Along with your pup comes all of their basic needs, like using the bathroom. They can’t help it, of course. Your new dog isn’t quite sure where its designated spot for elimination is yet. But you can’t seem to help but prepare yourself to lose a couple rugs or shoes in the process! That’s why housebreaking at an early age is essential. You have to train your companion where exactly they are allowed to relieve themselves. This not only saves you a few pieces of furniture and extra time from cleaning up, but it helps your furry friend to become more obedient and respectful of the home.

Prepping Your Pet for the Fireworks: CBD for Anxiety Relief Every year, millions of people look forward to the holiday of the summer: the Fourth of July! After all, what better way to spend the day than at a family barbecue, clinking bottles, taking a dip in the pool, and most importantly, ending the day off with a spectacular show of fireworks. With the Fourth of July quickly approaching, it’s certain that plans are already being made and people are already scouting out the best areas to catch a view of the show.  Humans may love the fireworks, but did...

5 Types of Toys for 5 Types of Dogs Mealtime, bedtime, potty time. These are all important parts of you and your canine’s day, but without a doubt, your dog’s favorite will always be playtime!  Playtime is of the utmost importance in your dog’s day to day life for several reasons. Firstly, it provides them with much needed physical activity. Whether the toy gets your dog biting, running, chasing, pulling, or jerking, they’re all great ways of allowing your dog to stretch and strengthen their muscles, as well as practice their agility skills. Some even provide your dog with the...