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There is no question that indoor cats live longer and healthier lives. The average life expectancy for an indoor cat is 12 to 15 years vs. 4 to 5 years for an outdoor cat. To ensure that they also live happy lives, it is imperative that cat guardians provide a stimulating environment. If you feel strongly that your cat should have access to the great outdoors, leash training is a way to allow her to safely enjoy being outside. For some cats, safe outdoor excursions can help p

We hear the same story over and over—a helpless dog left in a burning hot car with their human nowhere to be seen. Despite lawmakers, judges, and news reporters spreading the word about the potentially deadly situation, dogs across the nation are still left in hot cars every day. One North Carolina veterinarian set out to show pet parents why they shouldn’t use the excuses: "But I left the windows cracked open” or “I’ll only be a few minutes.” The Experiment Dr. Ernie Ward

Do you ever wish there was a way to entertain your dog when you’re working, cooking, or just too busy to play? Well, this DIY dog puzzle may do the trick! How It Works This puzzle is nothing more than a cut up water bottle stuffed with treats. Your dog has to paw at the bottle and spin it around to make the treats fall out. When I first put the “toy” on my floor, my two pups were immediately intrigued. They knew treats were inside, they just didn’t know how to get them out a

Despite the stereotype of “fighting like cats and dogs,” cats and dogs can live together peacefully in the same household and even become best friends. If you are thinking of adding a canine companion to your feline household, some simple common sense precautions will ensure that everyone gets along. Why dogs chase cats Dogs chase cats because of their prey drive. Dog breeds with a higher prey drive may not be a good choice for your household, or it may take more time and ef

Sure, dogs don’t have to deal with nagging bosses, piles of bills, dreaded taxes, or too many daily commitments to count. But that doesn’t mean they can’t get stressed out from time to time. In fact, a lot of us dog parents unknowingly cause our canine kids stress. Say what?! Here are 10 ways that you could be stressing out your dog (and what to do instead): 1) Punishing Them For Acting Like Dogs I know this sounds silly, but have you ever forgotten that your dog is, well, a

Moving is tough on every member of the family, including the ones with fur and four legs. According to the American Kennel Club, some breeds are so averse to relocating that they may stage an escape from the new residence in an attempt to return “home.” This good-hearted effort on their part could end in a frantic search for your missing friend, or even worse. So it’s important to do whatever you can to make your dog comfortable in her new residence. Here are some tips to h

Fear and anxiety are common for cats when they have to visit the veterinarian, and for far too long, this has been accepted as “that’s just way cats are” by both cat guardians and veterinarians. Thankfully, this is changing. Two initiatives, The American Association of Feline Practitioners’ Cat Friendly Practice Initiative and Dr. Marty Becker’s Fear-Free™ initiative both take a multi-pronged approach to reducing the stress of veterinary visits for cats. “Fear is the worst t

Okay, I know what you’re thinking: When my dog yawns that must be a sign that he’s sleepy or bored. Well, while that’s sometimes the case, a dog yawn doesn’t necessarily mean the same thing as a human yawn. Read on to find out the various reasons dogs yawn. 1) Stress and Anxiety Just like humans, dogs can get stressed out at times too. While humans fidget their fingers, bite their nails, tap their foot, or want to pull their hair out, dogs yawn! If you notice your dog yawnin

Picture this… You’re lying down to relax after a long day and invite your canine companion to join. He shuffles over to you and looks like he’s about to lie down. But before he can find a comfortable resting position, he begins walking in tight circles and scratching the surface beneath him. He lies down just to stand back up and repeat the process. He may go around two or three times before finally settling down. Does this sound familiar? So it begs the questions: Why do dog

1) Extreme Fear It’s normal for dogs to get a little nervous when they first arrive at their grooming shop. Afterall, the loud hair dryers and buzzing clippers aren’t things that dogs look forward to. But extreme fear should serve as a red flag. So when you arrive at your grooming shop, watch your dog closely. Does she cry or attempt to run away? Does her heart begin pounding? Is there a general look of fear on her face? Don’t ignore these signs! 2) Burns and Cuts It’s under