Have you ever heard that a wet nose is a sign that your pet is healthy? Although that’s often the case, it’s not always true. A moist nose can benefit your pet in several ways, but it doesn’t necessarily guarantee good health. How Does a Wet Nose Help My Pet? Have you ever been woken at 5 a.m. by a…
Teaching Your Child Pet Care Basics Is your child eagerly looking forward to the day a dog, cat, guinea pig, or fish joins your family? Caring for a first pet offers many benefits for kids and may encourage them to become more responsible and compassionate. Here are a few ways your child can help care for your new addition. Feeding,…
6 Tips That Will Prevent Your Pet from Becoming Lost Ten million pets wander away from their homes every year, according to American Humane estimates. Sadly, not all of them return home. July’s National Lost Pet Prevention Month is the perfect time to take a few steps to help keep your pets safe. Use Collars and Identification Tags If your…
How to Calm an Anxious Pet Does your pet cower in fear during thunderstorms or hate to be alone? Although it doesn’t seem fair, anxiety isn’t just a human problem but can affect animals too. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to decrease your pet’s anxiety. Anxiety Triggers Identifying your pet’s triggers can help you create a…
Are You Ready for Flea and Tick Season? The spring and summer months are peak flea and tick season in many parts of the U.S. Although the insects thrive in tall grass and wooded areas, you may also find them in your backyard. Luckily, reducing your pet’s risk of a flea- or tick-borne illness can be as simple as taking…
Heartworm disease can have a devastating effect on your pet’s health. National Heartworm Awareness Month, observed annually in April, reminds pet owners about the health dangers this preventable disease poses for pets. What Are Heartworms? Thin, white heartworms look like cooked pieces of spaghetti. Male worms range in length from 4 to 6 inches, but females can grow as long…
Is Your Pet Protected from Heartworm Disease? Heartworm, a life-threatening parasitic infection, sickens dogs, cats, and ferrets in all 50 states. Like many diseases, heartworm is much easier to prevent than treat. National Heartworm Awareness Month, held every April, offers a timely reminder of the devastating health effects of heartworm disease. How Do Pets Get the Disease? Heartworm disease is…
Straining to urinate, frequent urination, blood in the urine, and accidents in the house are common symptoms that pet owners report to their veterinarian. Many times the signs come on suddenly, as people find urine spots on the floor, often near the door where the dog goes outside. Cat owners may notice that the urine balls in the litter box…