It's estimated that up to one third of pet cats are kept indoors only, and over fifty percent of cats, that are kept indoors, also spend part of their time outdoors.  The indoor environment is fairly static and unchanging. This can lead to boredom and stress for the cat. Stress in cats can be...

It is estimated that up to 10% of dogs have some form of vision and/or hearing impairment. Impaired vision or blindness can occur in dogs affected with conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, or retinal degeneration. Deafness can be seen in certain breeds such as Dalmations, among others. Many of t...

Successful breeding of dogs is dependent on several factors. One of the most important factors is ovulation timing in the bitch. The reproductive or estrous cycle and timing of ovulation is influenced by several hormones. The Hormones of the Reproductive Cycle and Ovulation Estrogen - This hormo...

One of the more common problem behaviors seen in cats is house soiling (urinating or defecating outside of the litter box). This problem alone is one of the major reasons that cats are relinquished to shelters, cast from households, and, in some cases, euthanized. In most instances this is truly a...

Although grapes and raisins are safe for human consumption, these foods can cause kidney damage in dogs. The damage can be extensive leading to hypovolemic shock (severe imbalance of bodily fluids) and deprivation of oxygen to the kidneys. Although it’s not clear which toxin is the culprit, co...

Amaryllis This is a pretty, bright red, long-stemmed flower that looks like the Christmas version of a Lily. This plant contains Lycorine and other toxins that, if ingested, can cause increased salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, lethargy, and tremors in pets. Ch...

Most of us cook with these flavorful goods, but what’s good for us isn’t always good for our pets. Onions, garlic, and chives are part of the Allium genus of plants, which also includes leeks, shallots, and scallions. All of these foods (and their derivatives) ca...

One of the harmful consequences of the human use of illicit drugs is the unintentional exposure of pets.  A pet's exposure to cocaine can be deadly. Cocaine is a powerful and addictive stimulant that directly affects the brain It is derived from coca leaves It is the second most common...