Take These Steps to Find Your Lost Dog

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March 26, 2014

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions in felines, with urethral obstruction more common in males than females. Having an understanding of what causes these conditions can help you prevent them. And knowing that there are natural remedies available that can help your cat recover will also open up your options, especially if you want to take an integrative approach to your pet's care. Symptoms A urinary tract infection is very painful, so you'll notice that your cat is uncomfortable. The typical symptoms include having to urinate frequently, licking the genitals excessively, lethargy, reduced appetite, straining or crying out in pain while urinating, avoiding the litter box, blood in the urine, and other signs that your pet is in pain and may have a fever, such as a hunched back. Causes Urinary tract infections can be caused by bacteria, parasites, or fungi. Diet, however, can also be ...

Spring Is In the Air, but Keep These Dangerous Flowers Away from Your Pets

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March 24, 2014

While it may be tempting to welcome back the warmth and sunshine of spring by bringing flowers into your home, if you have pets, you need to think twice about what flowers you can safely use as décor and which ones should be avoided because they can be toxic if your animals ingest them. Below is a list of just some of the many flowers that, while attractive, can be dangerous to your pets, according to the ASPCA. Be sure to check the list if you're uncertain of the safety of a plant before bringing it home. Calla Lily The calla lily, in the family Araceae, is toxic to both canines and felines. When a pet tries to eat this flower, he'll experience vomiting, excessive drooling, irritation and burning of the entire mouth, and difficulty swallowing. As with all of the other toxic plants on this list, if your pet ingests this flower, ...

The Importance of Playtime with Your Cat

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March 20, 2014

Although felines can be independent, they also crave companionship and playtime with their human guardians and with other cats. Taking just a little bit of time each day to play with your kitty can make a positive impact upon his disposition and his health. Releasing Energy, Anxiety, and Stress According to Drs. Foster and Smith, cats can get very bored, anxious, and even stressed when they aren't allowed to release their pent-up energy in the form of play. If you've ever watched an episode of the television show, My Cat from Hell, you already know that a cat with a lot of energy and nowhere to release it will end up destroying your belongings or getting vicious with other pets in the house and even his human companions. It's very important to give your cat just a little bit of time each day to really run around, chasing after a toy, to ...

How to Know If Someone Is An Animal Hoarder

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March 18, 2014

No one expected to find 199 animals in this rather unremarkable single-family home located in a quiet, somewhat affluent, suburb of Boston, Mass. But that’s exactly what Lynnfield police discovered after responding to a medical emergency on Feb. 26. Not only did they find a woman - Gaye Miville - dead, but they discovered that the home she shared with her husband was the setting of one of the largest cases of animal hoarding in recent memory. While Miville’s death was not criminal, the condition she provided her animals was. Amid the floors caked with feces, odor that affected breathing, and crates and cages piled to the ceiling, were 77 cats, 81 birds, 27 dogs, 4 newborn puppies, 5 lizards, and 2 snakes. The animals were voluntarily surrendered. A handful had to be euthanized due to medical issues, with the vast majority of the animals dispersed to local shelters, in the hopes ...

Dogs and Their Ability to Smell and Detect Cancer

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March 17, 2014

A dog’s sense of smell is one of its coolest features. Its nose can pinpoint bombs, drugs, and, in some cases, the moment a diabetic is suffering from a hyperglycemic event. And now, thanks to the work being done by organizations including a UK charity - Medical Detection Dogs - man’s best friend might be able to identify the odor of one of our biggest fears - cancer. The creation of Medical Detection Dogs is a personal one for Claire Guest of Berkshire, England. One day she was letting her dogs out, when one of her dogs, Daisy, began to jump and nuzzle her head against Guest’s chest. Guest later went to the doctor and discovered she had breast cancer. And while critics might assume Guest’s “diagnosis” was a mere fluke, science isn’t quick to dismiss this theory. Three dogs are currently being trained to smell ovarian cancer at the University of ...

The Problem with Feeding Birds an All-Seed Diet

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March 14, 2014

Although seeds are a convenient and affordable option when it comes to feeding your pet bird, they actually aren't the best in terms of nutrition, and feeding a diet made up exclusively of seeds can result in a number of health problems, including cardiovascular issues and malnutrition, in the long run. It's All About Variety and Whole Foods When it comes to avian care and nutrition, things are more complicated than they appear on the surface, and while you may have thought that purchasing seeds from your local pet store was enough to keep your feathered friend happy and healthy, the truth is your bird's diet should contain a lot more variety in order to be absolutely sure all of her nutritional needs are met. According to Holistic Care for Birds: A Manual of Wellness and Healing by Dr. David McCluggage, DVM, and Pamela Leis Higdon, even supplements added to seeds aren't sufficient ...

How To Treat Toy Aggression in Dogs

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March 12, 2014

Toys are a great way for dogs to burn off energy and socialize. But they can be counterproductive if your dog doesn’t know how to play nice with others. If your dog demonstrates the signs of toy aggression, you as an owner must learn how to stop this behavior before it explodes into something far more dangerous. What are the signs of toy aggression? Baring teeth and growling whenever you or another animal approaches a toy is certainly an obvious sign that your dog is aggressive with his toys. But there are other signs as well you must look out for, including: Does your dog stand over his toys often (to protect them)? Does he take his toys to a hiding place (like under a table) Does he snap at you when you try to take his toy away? These are all signs of toy aggression and possessiveness. Possessiveness is a normal trait that’s helpful if ...

The Most Overlooked Animals in Shelters

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March 11, 2014

Shelters aren't fun places for any animal, but certain individuals, in particular, find it harder to get adopted and have a much higher risk of being euthanized when there isn't enough space left for incoming pets in need of homes. So, in addition to making it a point to adopt your next companion rather than purchasing her from a breeder or pet store, consider focusing in on the following pets who are the most often overlooked ones at shelters. Black Dogs and Cats Black cats, especially, are often overlooked by those browsing through a shelter for their new furry friend. But black dogs, too, are often left behind, especially if they're big. There are quite a few reasons why black animals are less likely to be adopted than lighter colored pets. These include superstitions about black cats being evil or bringing about bad luck, as well as the idea that big black ...

How to Part With Your Dog When Called to Action

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March 10, 2014