Researchers in Finland conducted a survey of nearly 14,000 dog owners to determine the causes of canine anxiety. They found that over 72% of dogs experience some form of anxiety. What types of anxiety are most common, and are there certain breeds that are more anxious...
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has created a fact sheet on Coronavirus for pet owners. They address common concerns, including whether or not cats and dogs can become infected with the virus or pass it on. As of this time, there is no evidence that...
This year’s Global Pet Expo, a convention hosted by the American Pet Products Association and the Pet Industry Distributors Association, highlighted some new product trends that are driving the pet food market this year. A Switch from Grain-Free to Grain-Friendly Diets The grain-free pet food trend, which...
An important animal awareness holiday happens in March: Pet Poison Prevention Month. The ASPCA urges pet owners to be mindful of the following common pet poison hazards: Household cleaning products Pesticides (insect and rodent) Certain people foods Automotive products (like antifreeze) Medicines (human and pet, Rx...
Veterinarians at the University of California, Davis have been studying the health of cats affected by the recent California wildfires. They have found that cats who suffered burns and smoke inhalation developed a high incidence of cardiovascular problems. Researchers examined 51 cats referred for veterinary treatment...
The Royal Veterinary College recently completed a large study on elbow disease in UK dogs. Researchers examined the records of over 455,000 dogs under veterinary care to determine the risk factors for elbow disease in dogs. Here are some highlights of the study, you can read...
The new strain of coronavirus from Wuhan, China (2019-nCoV) is believed to be a virus that jumped from animals (possibly bats via another species) to humans. While its contagiousness among people is a worldwide health concern, what about our pets? Veterinarians at Texas A&M University report...
Accidental opioid poisoning is a danger for our companion animals, especially dogs, as well as for humans. A new study analyzed data from the Animal Poison Control Center for the years 2006-2014 to identify risk factors for opioid poisoning in U.S. pet dogs. Not surprisingly, there...
Taking your dog for a walk is a great way for you and your pet to enjoy quality time together and get in some healthy exercise. Seems like a simple activity, but the American Veterinary Medical Association reminds dog owners to keep their best friend’s...
The New York Times recently shared some good animal welfare news: companion animal euthanasia rates have fallen an impressive 75% since 2009. The Times collected animal shelter data from 20 US municipalities. They found that shelters in many cities are reporting significant drops in dog and...
The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) has updated their testing and management guidelines for the feline retroviruses FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) and FeLV (feline leukemia virus). These two potentially life-threatening illnesses can be managed with proper owner education, testing, and vaccinations. As the AAFP notes...
There are many reasons to spay and neuter your pets. Spay/neuter is the best way to reduce homeless pet overpopulation and to prevent certain kinds of diseases—including cancer—of the reproductive system in both males and females. New research published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical...
There’s lots of information about how to socialize dogs and cats out there, but what about small and exotic pets? They can learn polite behavior too! The San Diego Humane Society’s San Diego Pets Magazine recently shared some tips on how to socialize your rabbits, rodents,...
Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu has teamed up with PETA to create a public awareness video on the dangers of dogs being kept outside in freezing cold weather. Tyrann stepped into a walk-in freezer to experience what it must be like for dogs left out...
The hardest part about sharing your life with a companion animal is when the time comes to say goodbye. The loss of a beloved pet is difficult for all pet parents. Luckily, there are some helpful support resources out there, including Ohio State University Veterinary...
An organization of cat care professionals in the UK called The Cat Group has created a very helpful “Kitten Checklist” for anyone thinking about adding a new kitten to their family! This user-friendly checklist was designed to help owners choose a happy and healthy kitten, whether...
The University of Washington and Texas A&M University have teamed up for a large-scale study called the Dog Aging Project. The project invites dog owners to nominate their pets to be part of the study. The goal of the Dog Aging Project is to identify factors...
The placebo effect is a known factor in human medicine. It occurs when a patient feels that they are benefiting from a fake pill or treatment, often given to patients in double-blind studies when researchers are testing new medications. Is there a placebo effect for pets? ...
Diabetes is a health issue that can affect dogs and cats as well as us humans. Did you know that 1 in 300 dogs and 1 in 230 cats in the U.S. have diabetes? November is Pet Diabetes Month, the perfect time to find out if...
Wishing all of our friends a happy--and safe--Halloween! Check out these Halloween pet safety tips to ensure that you and your best friend have a holiday that's not too spooky! ...
Today is National Cat Day, an annual event to raise awareness about stray and homeless cats. To learn more about ways to help cats in need near you, check out these resources, courtesy of the Newsweek website. ...