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Home dental care for your cat or dog has the same goal as home dental care for yourself, to remove dental plaque. Plaque is the sticky, whitish film with the bad taste and offensive odor that accumulates inside the mouth. Plaque is about 85% bacteria and will mineralize to form tartar. Plaque accumulation causes infection in the gums (gingivitis) and

Many pets dislike having their feet touched and their nails trimmed. Owners worry that they may hurt their pets especially if the pet struggles when having their nails cut. This is probably why many owners take their pets to their veterinarians or groomers to have this done. If you are thinking of trimming your pet’s nails at home, there are

One of the most common complaints from pet owners is that their pets are destructive or disruptive when they are left alone. Dogs may bark, howl, chew, dig, defecate or urinate. Although these behaviors are often a sign that dogs need to be housebroken or crate trained, they can also indicate that a dog is suffering from stress and anxiety.

Joint problems plague dogs just as commonly as they do humans. That’s why orthopedic care can improve your beloved friend’s quality of life. Common Orthopedic Issues A dog’s joint problems may result from a variety of orthopedic injuries and illnesses. In some cases, these vulnerabilities are partly inherited. For instance, certain small breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers and Pomeranians are

Ringworm is not actually caused by a worm, but rather by a fungus that infects the outer layer of skin and hair. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from pets to humans, or people to pets. There are numerous species of ringworm. It is most commonly recognized in cats (often kittens) and dogs, although rabbits and

Pet owners occasionally tell veterinarians they are reluctant to use prescription medicine, spot-on flea products, heartworm preventatives, etc, because they would rather use something that is “natural.” They are afraid of chemicals, and would rather use something that is organic or natural. But what is natural? By definition, natural products are those that come from nature. But not all items

For years, pet owners have disagreed about whether purebred or mixed breed dogs are healthier. Until recently, there was no scientific data to back up their opinions, but UC Davis researchers recently helped answer the question with a landmark health study. The Arguments Pet owners who thought that mixed breed dogs were healthier argued that inbreeding in purebred dogs increased

Exercise is the key to good health, whether you’re a person or a pet. When your life is busy, it can be difficult enough to devote a half-hour to a work out, let alone find an extra hour to spend with your pet. Why not save a little time and exercise with your furry friend? These pet-friendly exercises will help you and

Have you ever wondered if the vaccinations your pet receives are really needed? Although getting your pet into the car for the drive to the veterinarian’s office isn’t always easy, skipping vaccinations can have a serious impact on your pet’s health. Why Are Vaccines Important? Vaccines not only prevent your pet from catching infectious diseases, but also offer other important

The grooming that is necessary for birds is something that may get overlooked, since typically we don’t let them constantly roam freely around our houses like with other pets. However, just because they are set on a perch safe within their cages doesn’t mean that their maintenance should be any less. Just like other pets they require regular upkeep and