Pet Health Tips

Is Your Pet in Pain? Signs to Watch For
Our pets are so good at hiding pain that it becomes our job as their people to look for the subtle signs and clues that may indicate pain. Here are some things to watch for.

Dental Care for Your Pet
Why it's important to keep your pet's teeth clean... and some ways to go about it. It's about much more than bad doggy breath or 'prettiness' of the pearly whites!

7 Factors That Affect a Dog or Cat's Lifespan
Many of us grew up hearing that every year that a dog lives is equivalent to 7 human years. This is no longer thought to be true; there are many theories and opinions on how old a dog is in human years but the fact of the matter is, every dog is an individual and lifespan is dependent on many different factors.

How to Manage Anxiety in Dogs
Anxiety in dogs isn't uncommon. Many dogs become anxious due to medical conditions, such as illness, injury, or the aging process; or because of past experiences (or lack of experiences) that can cause them to fearfully anticipate a future danger. As you can imagine, living with anxiety isn't pleasant. It makes the dog's life more difficult, and makes their humans' lives harder too! Here are some tips on how to understand and manage anxiety in dogs.

Paw Problems in Dogs
You just can't help but smile when you watch a happy dog running and playing, completely immersed in the joy of living. But because dogs explore so much, their paws absorb a lot of punishment. Here's a look at some of the more common foot problems found in dogs.

Toxic Plants & Signs of Poisoning in Pets
A list of some common garden plants that are toxic to pets ... as well as signs that your pet may have ingested something poisonous. It's something every pet owner should know!

Flea Control and Prevention
Why it's important to treat our pets for fleas, as well as warnings and cautions that every pet owner should be aware of when using flea control or prevention products.

Complementary / Alternative Therapies for Pets
We all try to do the best we can for our pets... and sometimes we face a difficult decision about whether to pursue surgery or give harsh drugs, especially when our pets are aging or ill. Fortunately there are complementary therapies available that are well worth investigating. Here are a few possible alternatives to surgery and drugs.

How Exercise Affects a Dog's Well-Being
Have you ever been told by a vet that your dog is fat? If so, you're not alone... couch-potato dogs are common these days, with everyone's lives being so busy. But making sure your dog gets regular exercise isn't just about weight control - it's about the overall health of your canine pal. Here's why exercise is so important to the overall well-being of your dog.

Poisoning in Pets - Causes and Symptoms
Pets sometimes eat or drink things that they shouldn't. They can be poisoned by many commonly found items and substances in and around our homes and yards. Here's what to look for and tips on what to do if you suspect your pet has been poisoned.

Feeding Your Dog: Kibble, Homecooked Meals, or Raw Food Diet?
Meal times for dogs is a much-anticipated time of day. Here are some pros and cons of feeding commercially-prepared foods (like dog kibble, canned food, even dehydrated or freeze-dried foods), a homecooked diet, and a raw food diet for dogs.

Seasonal, Environmental Allergies in Pets
Dogs like to be outdoors. Rolling in the grass, sniffing all the interesting smells, basking in the sun, and exploring the neighbourhood are all part of the joys of being a dog. Unfortunately, some pets can suffer from seasonal allergies just like people can. Here's what you can do to minimize the effect of allergies on your pet.

A Pet Owner's Guide to Fleas & Ticks
Fleas and ticks can be found in outdoor spaces where we spend time with our pets, whether we're out hiking with the dog or simply working in the yard and garden. Here's information that every pet owner should know about these common pests.

How to Choose a Veterinarian
Health care for our pets has become incredibly complex. Many medical procedures that are available to humans are also now available to our pets, too. Here are a few tips on how to go about choosing a veterinarian.

Inappetence In Dogs - What To Do When Your Dog Won't Eat
It's hard to know what to do when your dog stops eating. A loss of appetite in dogs can be worrisome and frustrating at the same time. Do you take a wait-and-see approach, or run the dog in to see the veterinarian? Here are some tips on how figure out if the problem is more likely behavioral or medical, and what to do to get your dog to start eating again.

Is Your Dog Anxious at the Vet's? Here's How to Calm Him
Many dogs experience some stress when visiting the vet. Here's this person, who they don't know (or don't know well), who wants to restrain them in order to poke and prod at them. And this is often during a time when the dog isn't feeling his best! It's no wonder that a trip to the vet can cause some dogs to worry. Here are a few tips to help make things easier if your dog is anxious about going to the vet.

How to Prevent, Recognize and Treat Heat Stroke in Dogs
Dogs cool themselves down by panting. They also have sweat glands in their paws that can help to dissipate heat. But on hot summer days, these aren't always enough and dogs can be at risk of overheating. Here's how to recognize the signs of heat stroke in dogs, along with what to do if you think your dog has been affected.

Foods That Are Poisonous to Pets
A list of foods that are toxic to pets, including the symptoms to watch for.