5 Tips for the Ultimate Dog Road Trip

Is a road trip with your dog in your future? It's never too early to start planning and prepping to ensure your trip is enjoyable for all - and without too many unexpected surprises. Consider these five tips now for a successful road trip filled with memories for a lifetime.

Pet Food Facts

Avocados: Why You Should Feed Your Pet

Avocados have a reputation for being poisonous to both dogs and cats, but are they really? While the fruit does contain persin, a toxin that can cause health complications, avocados may be an appropriate, beneficial treat for dogs if you're careful to avoid these common mistakes.

Can Wild Dogs Bond With Humans, Too?

It's long been thought that the ability of dogs to form attachments to humans is solely a function of more than 15,000 years of domestication. But now this new study with wolf pups may turn that theory on its head.

The Deadly Dog-Walking Hazards No One Expects to Find

A dog collapsed unexpectedly while on a walk with his owner, and in another incident, more than 14 dogs became sick - and one died - after consuming treats left behind on a beach. You can't be too careful with your dog's safety - be aware of these hidden hazards outdoors, and in your own home.

Pet Food Facts

Barley: Why You Should Feed Your Pet

If you check the label on your commercial pet food, you might see this ingredient listed, but can it do your pet good? Here's the real reason why it's a common part of their formula, and whether or not it's really harmless for your pet.

Cats and Milk: A Wives’ Tale or Good Practice?

Since the 19th century, artists have drawn cats drinking from bowls of milk, but is it a good idea in real life? Should you give your kitty milk, even if she enjoys it? Here is what you need to know about a myth that just won’t go away - feeding cow's milk to cats.

Why Your Pet's 'Stinky Dog' Smell Won't Go Away

If your dog has a persistent unpleasant or strong smell, he may have an issue with his skin. More common in dogs with unbalanced immune systems, this opportunistic infection can grow uncontrollably. Know the signs of infection and the No. 1 treatment to control it.

8 Quick Fixes for Everyday Emergencies

Did you know that not every minor injury or illness requires a trip to the veterinarian? With the right tools on hand, you can help your pet overcome digestive issues, a low blood sugar attack, cuts and scrapes, bee stings, and nail injuries.

Bringing the Gift of Integrative Care Into the Home

What's even better than a local veterinary clinic that provides alternative modalities such as acupuncture, Chinese medicine and laser therapy? House calls! That's what our newest Game Changer, Dr. Peggy LaCombe, is doing - giving her patients the gift of in-home integrative care.

The Unique Personality Traits of Ultra-Smart Dogs

People who are more skillful at solving problems tend to also be more playful. Could that be true for 'genius dogs' too? This group of researchers decided to put smart dogs to the test to see how their personalities compare to those of other dogs.

Penguin in Boots: A Renewed Lease on Life

Birds are susceptible to a degenerative foot condition called bumblefoot, & if not treated, can lead to system-wide infection & ultimately, death. The care specialists at San Diego Zoo hopped into action when they diagnosed the condition in Lucus, resulting in a heartwarming outcome.

Help! My Dog Is Choking!

Would you know what to do if your dog choked on food or a toy? The procedures are different for small versus large dogs, so don’t be caught off guard not knowing. Learn the steps now so you can act immediately if and when it happens.

Creative Strategies to Get Your Indoor Cat Moving

Your indoor kitty doesn't have the freedom that she would in the wild, so it's up to you to bring out her natural behaviors to help her get the exercise and mental stimulation she needs. Here are ways to interact with your cat - and strategies to inspire her to play and exercise on her own.

Your Dog Still Itchy? This May Be the Reason Why

Cooler weather has arrived in much of the US, and pets with environmental allergies should be feeling some relief. If your dog is still itchy, it may be something else. These five clues can help you determine the cause.

Feeling Squeezed by Inflation? These 6 Resources Can Help

Many pet owners are feeling the effects of rising prices, and some are making decisions that may not be in their pets' best interests. If you're feeling the pinch, check out these resources that may help you provide the pet food, supplies and veterinary care your pet needs.

A Passion for Foxes, the Wildly Misunderstood Animal

Game Changer Mikayla Raines spends her days rescuing surrendered, abandoned and abused domestic foxes bred in captivity, either as pets or at fur farms. And she spends her time educating people about how owning one of these beautiful, adorable creatures can be a tremendous challenge.

What You Probably Don't Know About Zoomies

FRAPs (frenetic random activity periods) or zoomies can be one of, if not, the most comical behavior you'll ever see in a dog, and even cats, rabbits, ferrets and elephants. But do you really know what causes them, and could they be associated with OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Inviting Your Pets to Your Holiday Table

Thanksgiving usually means mouth-watering aromas wafting through the house, with pets eagerly awaiting bits of food to drop to the floor. Instead of depriving your cat or dog of the holiday festivities, why not prepare some dishes with them in mind? Here are 15 ideas to get you started.

A Win-Win Strategy for Soothing Your Anxious Pup

If your dog is feeling stressed for any reason, or may be kenneled or boarded soon, you won't want to miss this important discovery. In a study, 90% of dogs who received this treatment showed a reduction in overall anxiety, including improved cortisol levels and heart rates.

What You Need to Know About Vaccinating Your Cat

There was a significant change in 2020 to feline vaccination guidelines, and it's one I don't agree with. I believe their focus is all wrong, and following their recommendations could put your cat at significant risk of one of the worst side effects of vaccines - a tumor that requires amputation.

What Petting a Dog Does to Your Brain

How does petting - and even looking at - a dog affect your brain, specifically the prefrontal cortex, an area that plays a role in memory, problem solving and attention control? What types of activities cause your brain to light up the most? Can a stuffed animal provide the same feel-good benefits?

Be Aware, This Human Medication Could Kill Your Pet

If your cat/dog ingested even the tiniest bit of this, by licking your skin after you apply it or if they were to puncture the tube with their teeth, it would likely be deadly. Death can occur in as little as six hours after exposure, so take precautions now if this medication is in your home.

Hats Off to Saving 800,000 Cats and Dogs Since 2003

In a country that has 10 to 12 million dogs on the streets and thousands in shelters, saving lives isn't easy, even when the animals are treated as part of society. Now with Dr. Ala's compassionate care, Soi Dog Foundation in Thailand is changing one animal and one person at a time.

How to Help Your Dog Love Her Toys

You find the perfect toy for your dog and can't wait to get home to surprise her with it. Then, like with the other new toys you've brought home in the past, she takes one sniff and walks away. What if the problem is with your presentation? Try this simple strategy for a different result.

What Many Hamster Owners Don't Know About Their Pet

Torpor is a state hamsters can enter when the temperature becomes too cool. It's an unnerving experience for new owners, as their pet may appear lifeless. Here's what you need to know about this normal response to certain environmental conditions, and what to avoid doing if it happens.