Can Dry Air Cause Skin Problems in Dogs and Cats?
As cooler weather arrives, you may notice your dog scratching more often or your cat developing a few extra flakes in their coat. It's easy to wonder whether dry air is to blame, especially as outdoor humidity drops and many pets spend more time in heated indoor environments. While seasonal changes can contribute to dry, irritated skin in some dogs and cats, they are only one of several possible explanations.
Why Do Senior Pets Seem More Confused at Night When the Days Get Shorter?
As the days get shorter, you may notice your senior dog or cat changing their nighttime routine. Maybe your dog starts wandering the house after everyone has gone to bed, or your cat begins meowing at you in the middle of the night. It can be easy to blame the earlier sunset, but nighttime confusion in an older pet is worth paying attention to because changes in sleep, awareness, and behavior can be associated with aging, cognitive dysfunction, pain, or another medical condition.
A Pet's Guide to Weight Loss
True or False: Dogs and cats will only eat until satisfied. Therefore, free-feeding, or simply leaving a bowl of food out at all times, is the best way to make sure your pet is properly fed.
Summer Plants That Can Be Toxic to Dogs and Cats
Summer brings nicer, warmer weather to many parts of the country, which often means more porch time, garden projects, backyard play, and fresh-cut flowers on the kitchen counter. But, for curious dogs and cats, it can also bring easier access to plants that may cause anything from mild stomach upset to a true medical emergency. The tricky part is that many toxic summer plants look completely ordinary.
Can Dogs Get Mosquito Bites? What You Need to Know
Yes, dogs can get mosquito bites. Even with a full coat of fur, dogs still have exposed or thinner-haired areas where mosquitoes can bite, including the belly, ears, nose, face, inner legs, and groin. Some dogs barely react. Others develop itching, redness, bumps, or irritation after spending time outside. Most mosquito bites are a short-term skin annoyance, but mosquitoes matter for a bigger reason too: they can transmit heartworms.
Why Does My Dog Get Diarrhea After a Beach or Lake Day?
A beach or lake day can be one of the best parts of summer with your dog. There is room to explore, water to splash in, and plenty of new smells to investigate. But for some dogs, the fun is followed by an upset stomach, loose stool, or a sudden need to go outside much more often than usual.
5 Great Pet Options for Families With Younger Kids
Adding a pet to the family can be a wonderful experience for children, but the best choice is not always the cutest or the easiest pet to buy. For families with younger kids, the right pet is usually one that fits the household’s space, schedule, budget, and supervision level. Temperament matters, but so do handling needs, enrichment, cleaning, and how much adult help the animal will need every day.
Thunder, Heat, & Hairy Situations: Spring & Summer Pet Preparedness
Spring and Summer present ever-changing weather patterns. This brings beautiful flowers but also emerging parasites and threatening storms. Situations that we may not anticipate at other times of the year can prove to be a big challenge. Let's define our Spring/Summer tips to make sure you are thinking ahead and prepared to take care of your pet in unexpected circumstances.
7 Shelltastic Reasons Turtles Make Great Pets
Have you ever been captivated by a turtle lumbering along a park path, its shell a mosaic of browns and greens? Or perhaps you’ve been mesmerized by the way a turtle basks on a sunny rock with its head outstretched in a moment of pure contentment. Or maybe you’ve even witnessed the beauty and grace of a massive sea turtle gliding effortlessly through the waves. Turtles, with their ancient lineage and prehistoric charm, are captivating creatures. But did you know they can also make fantastic pets?
How Do I Choose a Diet for My Dog? Top Tips for Avoiding Information Overload
When it comes to your dog’s health and happiness, canine nutrition and what you’re actually feeding your dog play major roles.