The Humane Society of the United States invites everyone to show their appreciation for animal shelters and the dedicated people who work in sheltering during the first week of November each year. Shelters are safe havens for homeless pets, and of course a great place to...
Today is National Cat Day! Founded in 2005, National Cat Day is not only a fun way to celebrate our love of cats, it's also a great opportunity to share important reminders about cat adoption and cat care. According to the National Cat Day website, today is...
The American Veterinary Medical Association convention went virtual this year, and one of the topics discussed was that a greater understanding of how genetic diseases occur can help vets prevent and mitigate their effects in our pets. The speaker, Dr. Jerold Bell, a veterinarian and geneticist...
Ask any cat lover what a “slow blink” is, and chances are they’ll know it’s a sure sign that their cat is enjoying their company. A recent study published in Scientific Reports analyzed this form of human-cat communication and found that both cats and humans...
An in-depth article on the decline of dog racing in the US published by National Geographic shines a light on the challenges faced by Greyhounds, both on and off the track. Earlier this year, the last Greyhound track in Texas closed. At the end of 2020,...
Pet Partners, a therapy animal non-profit that fosters human health and well-being through the human-animal bond, has created a new program that encourages young readers to practice reading with their pets. We Are All Ears is especially well-suited to this time of social isolation, when many...
What do humans and guinea pigs have in common? Unlike other animals, our bodies cannot manufacture vitamin C, so both people and guinea pigs need to supplement vitamin C through diet. Lack of vitamin C in our diet causes a disease commonly known as scurvy. In...
The wildfires in the western United States have been devastating for both people and their pets. An article in the Medford, Oregon Mail Tribune explains the kinds of injuries local veterinarians are seeing in dogs, cats, and other animals from the Almeda Fire. Vets at the...
Veterinarians have traditionally advised clients to have their cats spayed and neutered at 6 months, but because cats can begin reproducing before then, the American Association of Feline Practitioners has updated its position statement on pediatric sterilization in cats to recommend spay/neuter by 5 months...
A new study published in Scientific Reports examines how dog-related activities impact our well-being. The authors studied 58 dog-human activities and found—not surprisingly!—that most of them improved the owners’ sense of life satisfaction and well-being. The researchers acknowledge that most studies of dog owners show that...
Did you know that more than half of US cats are not taken to the veterinarian for an annual veterinary exam? Yearly checkups are an important part of keeping your cat happy and healthy. Royal Canin, Chewy, PetSmart, and Banfield have become partners to raise awareness...
Wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters can be traumatic events for people…and their animals. As you think about how you will react if a disaster hits your area, don’t forget to include your pets in any emergency preparedness planning. The American Veterinary Medical Association has created...
Researchers at the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine have found that early spay/neuter in heavier mixed breed dogs can lead to joint problems later in life. Specifically, the study found that mixed breed dogs with an adult weight of 44 pounds or heavier...
The American Veterinary Medical Association has been studying the growing trend of cannabis use for pet health, including the potential benefits and risks. They recently posted a statement about their perspective on this fast-evolving issue. Here’s a quick summary of what you should know before using...
Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors with your pets, but it’s never a good time for your dog or cat to get stung by a bee or other stinging insect. Veterinary emergency and critical care doctor Christine Rutter from Texas A&M University provides...
August 2-8 is International Assistance Dog Week, an annual event created to raise awareness about the important work assistance dogs do to help people with disability related limitations. Assistance dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and breeds and play a variety of roles. Here’s a quick...
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has traced a recent Salmonella outbreak that has sickened almost 1,000 people around the US to recently acquired chicks and ducklings. Salmonella is a type of bacteria that causes the foodborne illness known as salmonellosis. It is commonly...
Social distancing is an important component of keeping us all safe and healthy during these times. But as a social animal, your dog might be feeling the effects of reduced social contact with other pets and people. The American Veterinary Medical Association has created a list...
Community cats--unowned stray and/or feral cats that live outdoors--are common in all types of neighborhoods. Many kindhearted people who live in these communities provide food and shelter for the homeless cats in their area. The hot summer months can be as hard on these kitties as...
A combination of DNA and fossil evidence is confirming what scientists have long suspected. Arctic sled dogs have not only been around longer than most dog breeds, they also might be the first known example of our attempts at selective dog breeding. A new DNA study...
A new study published in the journal Parasites & Vectors examines the types and amounts of gastrointestinal parasites found at US dog parks. Is your pup at risk for making some not-so-nice new friends at the dog park? Here’s a rundown of the study. The researchers...