The human-animal bond works both ways. People and dogs have shared a relationship for at least 15,000 years, so it is no surprise that dog personality has been affected, say researchers. Conversely, the benefits of the human-animal bond are frequently expressed as dogs helping people. Paula Fitzsimmons shares how dogs and humans benefit. Source: PetMD, Link. Dogs and people … [Read more...]
Addressing coprophagia
Dogs eat poop for a variety of reasons, most of which signal an underlying issue. Dog owners with poop eaters devour information and tips to stop this disgusting behavior. Wailani Sung, MS, PhD, DVM, DACVB, discusses the whys of coprophagia and ways to stop the behavior. Source: PetMD. Link. Also see: Why do dogs eat poop? Animal Health Digest, August 31, 2016. … [Read more...]
Pet care tasks often overlooked
In the midst of the COVID-19 disruption lies opportunity. With door traffic slow, staff can be redirected to conduct outreach. With more pet owners homebound and accessible by phone, addressing overlooked pet care tasks could produce great results. Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell shares tips from veterinarians about often overlooked pet care tasks. From flea, tick and heartworm … [Read more...]
Why dogs run away when they are called
Whether bullheaded or poorly trained, some dogs go the opposite direction when called to come. Victoria Schade shares common errors dog owners make when dealing with dogs that won’t return to hand. Source: PetMD. Link. Instead of having a conversation with your dog when you want him to come running, it’s better to use a single-word cue, like “come” or “here,” and then follow … [Read more...]
Opinion – Managing obesity? You have to count the treats.
In a recent post referencing the 2020 Banfield report <link>, I shared the experience of adjusting the diet for our Morkie. The discovery of the number of Kcals in his treats led me to seek resources that help animal health pros counsel pet owners on the impact of calories from treats. Treats are frequently mentioned in articles that give nutritional guidance, but limited … [Read more...]
Pet-friendly houseplants can purify air
“These days, many houses are built for energy efficiency. This can mean fewer fresh air opportunities for people or their pets,” says Dr. Cathy Alinovi, DVM. “Stale air can adversely affect health. Stale air has higher levels of carbon dioxide, possibly carbon monoxide and other waste gases. Higher wastes mean less oxygen availability.” The article includes information about … [Read more...]
Brrrrr! How cold is too cold for pets?
Some people think that because pets have fur coats they can stand freezing temperatures better than humans. But, pets are just as susceptible to hypothermia and other cold injuries as humans. Here are resources that can be used on social media and in newsletters. Pet owner reminder example: Do not let your pet stay outside for an extended period of time and make sure to … [Read more...]
Top 10 tips for senior cats
November is Adopt a Senior Pet month. To honor senior cats, the American Association of Feline Practitioners provided tips to set up aging cats for success and build the special bonds between them and their owners. The list is a great resource to share in social media posts, newsletters or targeted communications. Source: Cat Friendly Homes. Link. Also see: Tips for … [Read more...]
219 million people to dress pets for Halloween
The National Retail Federation annual survey results indicates there will a lot of four-legged pumpkins this Halloween with 172 million people planning to celebrate Halloween. Twenty-nine million of them plan to dress their pets in costumes. Animal health pros know Halloween is stressful for most pets before they get dressed up. We captured a selection of articles, tips and … [Read more...]