health
Playing is fun, but a pet owner's primary responsibility is to monitor their pet's health and look out for medical problems.
Ultimate Guide of Fruits and Vegetables that Dogs Can and Cannot Eat. Top Story - May 2018.
I have a rescue pit bull named Xander, so I know a thing or two about the fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat. It's especially a big deal for me because I belong to a community garden and eat a whole food diet. There's no refined sugar in my house, despite the protestations of my son Jarret. I tell him he can eat junk food at his mom's! But even though it might seem like fruits and veggies are okay for Xander because they're all natural, that's actually far from true!
By Devon Thomas8 years ago in Petlife
Is Your Dog Fat...?
It can be a rather touchy subject for a lot of people, but the truth is, by spoiling our fur babies, we may actually be doing them far more harm then good. Nowadays, there is a rather weird attitude around dogs and their weight; a chubby dog is thought of as cute and adorable, etc., when in reality, allowing your dog to become overweight can be almost cruel. Our dogs can have many of the same side effects of being overweight that we can, such as diabetes, joint problems, skin problems, some cancers; it affects their mobility and general quality of life. Overweight dogs tend to have a much shorter life span and will likely end up costing you big time at the vet. Now, let's be clear—no dog owner is knowingly being cruel when they have an overweight dog. Like I said, there is a strange attitude around the subject and most people are just not knowledgeable about it. How can a few extra treats or some table scraps hurt them, right? Turns out more than you think.
By Kathleen Migneault8 years ago in Petlife
More Hospitals Allowing Pet Visits for Patients
More than a dozen hospitals in the United States and Canada are now allowing patients to have visits from their pets. The programs not only brighten patients' spirits, but hospitals are reporting that the pet visits can have dramatic effects on patient's health, recovery and emotional well-being.
By Alicia Bayer8 years ago in Petlife
The Importance of Keeping Your Cat Inside
If you asked me this time last year how I felt about my pet situation, I would have said I'm overjoyed! As I sit here and stare at the picture of two of my babies, I get a heavy heart. Maybe if I would have kept them inside or gotten them vaccinated sooner, they would still be here with me. Feline leukemia stormed through my house, in total killing four of my cats. The youngest cat being six months and the oldest cat being a little over a year. I had to put each and every one of them to sleep and because of that. There is a stain on my soul that will never come clean. It could have been prevented.
By Stephayne Coatney8 years ago in Petlife
Does Your Pet Have a Food Allergy?
Our pets are an important part of our daily lives. We feed them, exercise them, love them and generally try to care for them as best we can. We hate to see them uncomfortable or unhappy, but sometimes it can be hard to know how to help them. If you suspect your pet is suffering from allergies, you may be confused about what is causing it and the changes you can make to make them more comfortable or even eliminate the issue.
By Emma Kathleen8 years ago in Petlife
Best Ways to Prevent Ticks on Dogs
When you go camping or hiking, people always make a point of telling you to wear long, thick socks to keep you from getting ticks. Well, your dogs can't do that. So you're going to have to find another way to keep them safe from those little bloodsuckers. The best ways to prevent ticks on dogs include vigilance, preventative treatments, and having a good amount of background knowledge.
By Ryder Paul8 years ago in Petlife
Do Rats Really Carry Disease?
Rats. When most of us hear the word for these furry rodents, our minds picture dirty grey creatures, with red eyes and worm-like tails, crawling out of sewers and garbage cans. The word rat is almost synonymous with "disease." The majority of us live with a preconceived idea that rats are "dirty, sewer animals that carry disease."
By Basil Miller8 years ago in Petlife
Food Do(n'ts)
There is a lot of speculation on what is OK for our babies and what isn't. Everyone feels they know their baby and to an extent it is true. But more often than not we feed them things that we didn't know were really bad for them. A lot of times, despite what we think we know, we are under-educated. We go off what we know and what we have learned and what we grew up seeing. I was the same way, I have had animals all my life. Cats, Dogs, Rabbits, Snakes, Fish, Turtles, even a hermit crab. I always wanted to grow up to be a veterinarian, have a farm, and lots of land to rescue animals. My dream didn't work out that way, they hardly ever do. But I did become a Vet Assistant, and I learned that a lot of what I THOUGHT I knew wasn't even half of it and a lot of it was wrong.
By Bunny Donham8 years ago in Petlife
Pets in College
When buying a dog, most people don’t immediately think of the potential future expenses that are likely to occur once the dog reaches old age. In the beginning, all people think about is the dog in its prime, healthy stage. If the dog was able to stay this way throughout its life, owning them would be perfect, but sadly, that’s not the case.
By Rebecca Weiner8 years ago in Petlife
The Mental Health Journey of My Dog
It's time! Your finances are in order, your life is finally calming down, so why not pick the puppy of your dreams?! In this time frame, you educate yourself on the health risks associated with the breed you're envisioning, what food to be feeding them, the list goes on. But how many of you think of the mental health of your dog?
By Alexa Schopfer8 years ago in Petlife
