October is National Pit Bull Awareness Month! Pit bulls and pit bull mixes make up a whopping 20 percent of American dogs. They are also one of the breeds most often found in shelters. A vet discusses the pit bull below. Basics The term pit bull is actually an umbrella term for several dog breeds: the American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and the American Bulldog. However, there is … Read More
Today, October 1st, is National Fire Pup Day. Man’s Best Friend has held many different jobs throughout history. Fido has been a shepherd, guardian, tracker, and guide, to name just a few. However, fire dogs definitely rank up there with the best and bravest of our canine companions. A vet shines the spotlight on fire dogs in this article. The Dalmatian As you probably know, the Dalmatian is the breed most often found in firehouses. … Read More
National Deaf Pet Awareness Week starts September 19th, which is this Sunday. This is definitely a topic that could use more attention. About one percent of the kitty population is deaf. Fluffy can still lead a full and happy life if she can’t hear, and she’ll be just as cute and lovable as other cats. Of course, she will need some extra care. A vet discusses caring for deaf cats below. Other Senses You may … Read More
Do you have an orange kitty? If so, you may want to give your feline buddy a special treat: It’s Ginger Kitty Appreciation Day! Our feline pals come in all sorts of colors and patterns, and we think they’re all super cute. However, ginger cats definitely have some raving fans! A local vet discusses these miniature lions below. Boys Club When you see or meet a new ginger cat, the odds are your new feline … Read More
Have you ever considered feeding your dog or cat a grape or its dried counterpart, the raisin? It’s not a good idea. It turns out that grapes and raisins can actually prove toxic to our animal friends. These humble fruits can cause poisoning and even death in the most extreme cases. Read on as your local veterinarian tells you more about grape and raisin poisoning in pets. Why are grapes and raisins poisonous? You might … Read More
August 10th is a pretty special day for our canine companions. It’s the birthday of one of the most beloved iconic pups ever: Snoopy! A vet discusses some fun facts about Charlie Brown’s furry best friend below. A Star Is Born There’s actually a bit of confusion about Snoopy’s actual birthday. The pup made his first appearance on October 4, 1950, which was the third Peanuts comic strip ever. However, the matter was clarified in … Read More
Do you let your feline buddy go outdoors? Have you perhaps adopted—or half-adopted—a local kitty? While we always recommend keeping Fluffy inside, we do understand that some of our feline friends enjoy exploring the Great Outdoors. Others may have never become accustomed to indoor life. In this article, a vet offers some advice on keeping an outdoor cat happy, healthy, and purring. Food Like any animal, Fluffy needs good food in order to thrive. Kibble … Read More
Have you heard of cyanobacteria? You may know it by its common name: blue-green algae. This is an extremely dangerous algae that typically lives in warm, nutrient-rich water. Cyanobacteria can make both people and pets very sick. It can grow rapidly, or bloom, under the right conditions. Unfortunately, these blooms are becoming much more common. A veterinarian discusses cyanobacteria below. Warning Signs Blue-green algae blooms most often occur in summer and early fall, but they … Read More
Are you adopting a dog? Congratulations! Of course, if you have a cat, your kitty probably won’t be as enthusiastic as we are. First impressions are a very big deal to pets, so it’s important to handle introductions properly. Here, a vet discusses getting Fido and Fluffy started out on the right paw. Sniff Before bringing Fido in, put Fluffy in a quiet back room with kitty essentials. After your pup has sniffed everything, let … Read More
Have you recently added a puppy to your household? Congratulations on your new addition! Puppies are a lot of work, but they’re also loads of fun. One of the most important aspects of raising a well-mannered and well-adjusted puppy is proper training. The question is, how do you make your puppy’s training stick? There’s no sense in training your puppy when they’re young only for your hard work to go to waste. Use these simple … Read More