Category Keeping your pet healthy

People have very different relationships with their pets than with their cars, which is why a consumer magazine’s advice of a few years ago to focus on price when selecting a veterinarian doesn’t make much sense. After all, if a tree falls on your car and destroys it, and an insurance company picks up the tab for a new one, what are you out except some inconvenience?

Internet pharmacies, 800 numbers, catalogs, big box stores, and retail chains have all, to one degree or another, gotten into the pet drug business. These changes have left both pet owners and veterinarians confused and a little worried: Will human pharmacists get pet prescriptions right? How can you tell if a website offering medications is legitimate?

If you're like many of us, you long to get away. You've been working hard while budgeting responsibly, and it's finally time to plan your long-awaited trip. You've had your sights set, after all, on that ocean-front cottage, that cross-country roadtrip, or that secluded cabin in the woods for quite some time now.

You know the routine. You get up in the morning, walk and feed your dog, and go about your day. As you’re leaving your home, you look back at your dog and think, “Man, he’s got it good. The whole house to himself.” Meanwhile, while you’re gone, your best friend is pacing the floors, whimpering, and generally acting like something terrible is happening.

It’s a somewhat controversial issue, and it’s been debated for years. Is sharing your bed with your pet a good thing or a bad thing? Some people are very close with their pets, and nightly snuggles with their cats and/or dogs are second nature. In fact, a survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association found that 62% of small dogs, 41% of medium-sized dogs and 32% of large dogs sleep with their owners, while 62% of cats sleep with their adult owners, and another 13% of cats sleep with children.

Everyone likes a treat. This is especially true for our pets. It’s a delightfully satisfying moment when you see your dog’s tail rapidly wagging or when your cat is purring and rubbing against your leg as he or she anxiously awaits the opening of that bag of goodies. But before you hand over that treat, make sure you know what you’re giving — especially if it’s a jerky treat.

It’s another scorcher! As heatwaves spread across the country, taking special care to protect your pets from the dangerous effects of summer’s heat is crucial. In the summertime, you need to provide your pets with adequate shelter to protect them from the sun and the heat. You’ll also want to keep them regularly groomed, and always have cool, fresh water available.

You just brought home a new pet and you’re thrilled to welcome the newest member of your family into your home. You’ve got it all — the best pet products money can buy, comfortable bedding, grooming tools, food, and of course, toys. Yes, your new dog, cat, bird, whatever has everything he or she needs to live a long and happy life.

Going on vacation? Got a long work trip coming up? Or do you just want to get out of the house for one night? If you have pets, sometimes getting away is a difficult endeavor. You basically have two options when you have to leave your house for an extended period of time. The first is to kennel your pets, and the second is to have a pet sitter watch them.

Summer time means travel time. For many, it's a tradition to load up the old “family truckster” and head out on the road like the Griswolds in National Lampoon's Vacation . But when pet owners hit the “holiday road,” they've got a difficult decision on their hands - whether to board their pets or take them along.

Did you know that you can use your smartphone or tablet for more than just posting pictures and videos of your adorable pets? Shocking, we know, but it’s true — in many ways these devices are like having a veterinarian right there in your pocket or bag, especially when you take advantage of the right apps.

When you leave the house in the morning, your dog sits at the door, begging you not to leave. Or your cat sits in the front window and longingly watches you pull out of the driveway. When you return, your dog is back at the door waiting for you, and your cat is back in the window. Surely they didn’t spend the whole day in those spots, right?

Do canines, cats, and cannabis mix? While several states across the U.S. (including the District of Columbia) have already legalized marijuana in some form, the debate continues to rage on. Regardless of which side of the issue you fall on, one thing is certain - the more marijuana is legalized, the more readily available it will be, which means more chances for animals to get into it.

Fall is finally here, and what better time than to brush up on some fall pet care tips! The tiring heat of summer has faded and the kids are back in school. From colder weather to holiday decorations, there are many hazards that you need to be aware of to keep your pets safe. Get your pets ready for the changing of the seasons with our best fall pet care tips.

One of the biggest news stories of the summer of 2016 was “Brexit” — the UK voting to leave the European Union. Brexit has created uncertainty about Britain’s relationship with the rest of the European Union, and it’s affecting pets as well, especially when it comes to international travel.

Winter continues to hold us within her icy grip, and pet owners need to take precautions to keep their animals safe and healthy. The danger may be worse than what the thermometer reads. The wind chill factor can drop the temperature by 20 or 30 degrees. In other words, if the thermometer reads 34 degrees, the wind can make it feel like zero.

It’s that time of year where the list of resolutions you made in December is coming back to haunt you. As you try to make peace with the changes you want to make — and the ones you’ve already given up on — why not think about adding some New Year’s resolutions for pets?

Love is in the air! In February, animal lovers get two great days to focus on the special relationships they have with their pets — Valentine’s Day on February 14 and National Love Your Pet Day on February 20! Want to show your pets how much you care and shower them with attention and love?

What do animal shelters do? A lot. Animal shelters are buildings or areas devoted to the temporary care and shelter of homeless or unwanted animals. Nearly every city in the United States has at least one animal shelter. Shelters require numerous employees and volunteers, and must follow various state and local laws and regulations.

Pet friendly airports are a breath of fresh air for travelers who bring their pets along for the ride. Flying with your pet can be stressful and confusing, especially if it’s your first time doing so, or you’re flying on an airline whose pet policies you’re not familiar with. You typically need to be at the airport hours before your flight, but your pet will need to be there even earlier.