The Come Command

One of the most important things for dogs to learn is to come to you when you call his or her name. Dogs regularly get themselves into trouble and/or engage in risky activities (like blindly chasing anything that moves). If …

Clipping Dog Nails and Cat Nails – Pet tip 184

Did you know that it is recommended that you clip your dog’s or cat’s nails every 3 to 4 weeks? Feeling like a neglectful owner now? Don’t feel too bad; most of us seem to forget about our pet’s nails …

Glowing eyes in cats and dogs – Pet tip 119

Have you ever been frightened at night when looking in your backyard, seeing a pair of glowing eyes glaring back at you? As you quickly flick on the porch light, your fears subside as you realize that it is just …

How much Does Owning a Dog Cost?

How Much Does It Really Cost To Own and Care For A Dog?

Depending on where you live, and the type of dog you are considering, there can be substantial differences in the costs to acquire and care for a …

Kidney Failure in Cats

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a progressive and irreversible deterioration of kidney function. It is one of the most common health problems affecting cats, and is a leading cause of death in elderly felines. There are a number of different …

Limber tail in dogs – Pet tip 140

Limber Tail Syndrome (AKA cold tail, dead tail, broken wag) is quite common among some breeds of hunting dogs, such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Pointers, Setters, and Beagles. It is a condition in which the tail becomes limp and sometimes painful after exertion, particularly during inclement weather, swimming, or in an under-conditioned dog. It is a condition well-known to hunting dog owners and trainers, but not commonly seen by veterinarians. The syndrome is characterized by the swelling of the muscles at the base of the tail (the wagging muscles, which are also used heavily during swimming when the tail may serve as a rudder). These muscles are bound to the tail by a tight ring of connective tissue. As the muscles swell and expand, the connective tissue begins to serve as a tourniquet – cutting off normal blood flow.

When increased pressure within a confined space results in reduced blood flow, it is known as a ‘compartment syndrome’.

Medication and Pets

At some point during your pet’s life, it will go on medication. It might only be for a week, or it could be permanently. Your veterinarian uses drugs as a tool to help a dog or cat heal itself, or …

Should I Clip My Bird’s Wings

Are you a new bird owner? Perhaps you are unsure about what kind of regular care your bird will need. Of course you need to feed and love it, but did you know that many bird owners choose to have their bird’s wings clipped? Wing clipping is one of the most controversial topics in pet bird ownership. In this article, we will discuss how wing clipping is done and what information you need to know before making this decision.

Although the thought of clipping a pet bird’s wings is horrendous to some bird owners, clipping is a very common procedure done to pet birds. It is done to prevent the bird from flying away and from flying into harmful household objects like windows and ceiling fans.  The idea behind wing clipping is to cut the “primary feathers”. Primary feathers are the long feathers that are closer to the wing tip. These feathers are very important for the bird’s ability to fly and to steer while flying. Some people will clip (cut) only one wing. When this is done, it is believed that the bird will not be able to fly, but will instead float down to the ground in a spiral.

Cats Biting Humans – Pet tip 187

Although when we normally think about aggression in pets we tend to think about dogs, some cats can also exhibit aggressive tendencies. Cats exhibit this aggression primarily through hissing, scratching and biting. Scratching and biting are particularly concerning as cat …

Kids that Want a Dog- Pet tip 185

This scenario gets played out time and time again throughout households in North America and the rest of the world. One or more of the kids want a puppy or a dog and parents have mixed emotions about the whole …