Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine has a great program called the Indoor Pet Initiative, which was created to enhance the health and welfare of our companion animals so that our pets can enjoy optimal well-being and thrive in a safe indoor environment. As a...
This amazing dog rescue story luckily has a happy ending, but it does serve as a timely reminder that it’s always a good idea to keep your dog on leash when out for a hike. A dog named Lucy was in the hills outside of...
A Maine Coon cat named Gracie is being credited for saving the lives of a couple who were experiencing the deadly effects of carbon monoxide poisoning in their home. Kevin and Annette Shanahan of Reedsburg, Wisconsin went to bed not realizing that the vent of their...
A recent report in The New York Times highlights a dangerous and increasingly common health threat to our pets (especially dogs) – eating recreational or medical marijuana…and chocolate desserts that contain marijuana. Most pet owners know that they should keep chocolate, a known toxin, away...
The experts in veterinary toxicology at the Animal Poison Control Center recently put out a very useful list of the top 15 drugs, household items, and plants that are dangerous to pets. Here’s a quick rundown. Be sure to check out their website for the...
In recent years, we’ve become much more aware of the toxins in our everyday environment. One that has gotten a lot of attention is Bisphenol A, aka BPA, a chemical found in common items like plastic water bottles, thermal paper, and can linings. BPA is...
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has released a report detailing the many dangers of second- and thirdhand smoke to our dogs, cats, and other pets. You may know that secondhand smoke is when someone other than the smoker inhales tobacco smoke. But did you...
Many animal lovers who live in small spaces or have busy work and social lives get cats because they assume that having a cat is less of a work/time commitment than caring for a dog. While this can be true in terms of time and...
Are you hitting the road with your dog or cat this summer? Whether your vacation plans include travel by car, motor home, plane, or rail, bringing your pet along for the ride always takes a little extra planning and preparation. Here are a few basic...
We’ve all seen it…a dog left alone in a parked car on a hot summer day. Even if the window is cracked and the car is parked in the shade, a dog is at risk of heat-related illness and even death when left in a...
It’s official…summer is here and our pets depend on us to take good care of them during these warm months. Make sure your pets stay cool and well-hydrated when it’s hot, and of course, NEVER leave your pets unattended in a hot car…even with the...
With Memorial Day just around the corner, people are looking forward to lots of fun outdoor activities this summer, including spending time outside with their pets. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) has a few timely reminders about warm weather hazards for dogs and...
If you’ve been watching the news at all lately, you’ve no doubt seen reports about many terrible natural disasters happening in North America this spring…including the huge wildfire in Alberta, Canada and tornadoes and flooding in many U.S. states. Spring can be a dangerous time...
Going fishing with your dog? That’s awesome, but just make sure to keep your four-legged friend away from that raw fish you just caught. In certain situations, your dog could be at risk of becoming seriously ill…and even dying…from something called Salmon Poisoning Disease (SPD). Read...
Check out this neat interactive tool from Dr. Justine Lee, founder and CEO of VETgirl, a subscription-based podcast and webinar service that provides online veterinary continuing education: https://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/pet-food/#dangerous-foods Just click on the picture icon of the food you’re interested in learning more about. You’ll get detailed information...
While most family dogs are famously loving and protective with children, it’s always a good idea for parents and other adults to remind children about how to interact safely with dogs, especially unfamiliar dogs. The organization Doggone Safe is dedicated to the mission of dog...
What are the dog and cat injuries that are most frequently seen by veterinarians? Here’s a list of the top 10 pet accidents as compiled by WebMD. Is your pet well-protected from these common mishaps that lead to unexpected trips to the vet? Foreign body ingestion....
A recent story on the Today Show has been getting a lot of attention lately. As more pet owners are purchasing restraint harnesses to keep their pets safe in the car in case of an accident, they may be surprised to learn that 25 of...
Check out this informative video from Mercola on the benefits of soaking and disinfecting your dog’s paws after a walk outside. Cleaning off your dog’s paws before he starts licking them is important both now in the winter and later on in the summer. A dog’s...
The holiday season can be a fun time for both people and their pets, especially if pet owners are aware of a few common sense pet safety tips to make sure the holidays are happy and safe for their furry friends. With all of those yummy...