Animal Lovers

Thinking of using human bath products on your pet? Don’t – these products can cause health issues for pets. You’re just about to give your dog a bath when you realize you ran out of canine shampoo. But you have a full bottle of human-grade shampoo right in your shower. It’s okay to substitute the human shampoo in, right? Just this once? Just because you may have bath products handy in your home doesn’t mean that they’re safe for use on your pet. In many cases, they can cause serious health issues, and some products are even toxic to your pet. Common Bath Products That Aren’t Okay for Pets So what bath products should you avoid? Well, pretty much all of them. Hair dyes, lotions, shampoos, and soaps intended for humans can all potentially harm your pet. That’s because these items are designed for a human’s skin pH. A dog has a different skin pH level, and these products can irritate the dog’s skin, leading to rashes, itchy skin, and other issues. If you need shampoo, dye, or anyt...

Two senators are taking action after the tragic death of a dog that was placed in an overhead bin on a United Airlines flight. Republican Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) and Democrat Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced the Welfare of Our Furry Friends (WOOFF) Act in mid-March . The bill prohibits pets from traveling in overhead compartments, and requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish regulations and penalties for anyone found in violation of the rule. “Too many animals have died as a result of human neglect and carelessness. Our WOOFF Act is designed to protect the wellbeing of our beloved family members – our pets – when traveling,” Cortez Masto tweeted. A spokeswoman for United Airlines apologized for the “tragic accident” on a United flight that resulted in the death of the French Bulldog put in the overhead bin by the flight attendant. She also said the airline is thoroughly investigating the matter. “This was a tragic accident that should...

While separation anxiety isn’t exclusive to any specific dog breeds, studies suggest that it is more common in some breeds than others. Like hip dysplasia or stubbornness, separation anxiety isn’t guaranteed for certain dog breeds, but there are breeds that are at higher risk. A dog with separation anxiety exhibits extreme signs of distress that go beyond a mournful whine and a chewed-up shoe. He could chew up an entire sofa, have consistent “accidents” in the house, exhibit excessive barking or howling, get up on window sills and destroy curtains or shades, and if he’s confined to a crate, he could end up hurting himself in an attempt to escape. There is no specific known cause for separation anxiety, but it seems to be more common in breeds known to be “people-dogs” as well as rescue animals. If you’re looking to add a new canine into your life, keep in mind that these six breeds are more prone to separation anxiety than others and could have behavior problems. 1. Labrado...

99% of wild mushrooms are actually non-toxic. What you have to worry about is the 1% of highly toxic mushrooms that can cause life-threatening problems to pets! April showers bring more than April flowers – they bring poisonous mushrooms. That’s why it’s a great idea to be proactive and continuously remove all wild mushrooms from your yard. Why take a chance with that 1% of deadly mushroom species found across North America? Unless you know that the mushrooms in your yard are not toxic, it’s better to make shroom removal part of your spring routine. According to the North American Mycological Association (NAMA) : “Pets have been known to eat mushrooms in yards and while on walks…Dogs take a special interest in both Amanita phalloides and Inocybe species, quite possibly because of their fishy odor. Amanita phalloides is well known to be a deadly species but Inocybe species that also contain muscarine can be lethal to dogs.“ Ingesting poisonous plants on a hike is more likely but...

If you dog has hair loss, he or she might have Alopecia X. Alopecia X is a breed-specific hormone hair-loss disorder most commonly affecting Nordic breeds, like Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes, Chow Chows, Samoyeds, and Toy or Miniature Poodles. It’s caused by an imbalance of the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone which are produced by the adrenal glands. Dogs with the disorder can appear completely bald, either in patches or all over their body. Other names for Alopecia X include Adult Onset Growth Hormone Deficiency, Growth Hormone-Responsive Alopecia, Castration-Responsive Alopecia, and Adrenal Hyperplasia-Like Syndrome. In Malamutes, it’s often termed Coat Funk of Malamutes and in Pomeranians, Black Skin Disease of Pomeranians. Cachorrinho da raça Spitz Alemão, apresentando um doença muito comum nessa raça: Alopecia X. ———————————— Alopecia X, also known as Black Skin Disease, is a skin disease in dogs that causes canines to lose patches of hair...

The Siberian Husky breed has an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years and are an ideal pet choice for lots of different people, including families. However, purebred Huskies do have a number of canine health problems that prospective owners should consider. As with all animals, it’s important to be aware of the common health concerns that plague Siberian Huskies since many of the problems can be expensive and time-consuming to treat. If you’re thinking of adopting a Husky, learn about their common health problems here so you can make an informed decision about the requirements of the dog breed. Most Common Health Problems for Siberian Huskies Siberian Huskies suffer from common health issues that most dogs are at risk for, like hip dysplasia and eye disease, but they are generally a relatively healthy breed of dog. Compared to other breeds, Huskies are known for their ability to maintain a healthy weight with less food but still require a high-protein diet. They are clean...

Pancreatitis is the inflammation of your dog’s pancreas. This can be chronic or acute and is often seen around Thanksgiving! Pancreatitis is a very scary illness (can be fatal in some instances) and once your pet gets this once, it’s likely to reoccur. It can get worse and worse each time. The pancreas is an organ that produces and stores enzymes for digestion, sitting alongside your dog’s small intestine. High fat diets can cause low grade re-occurring pancreatitis, which can be mild or life threatening. So around the holidays when pet owners accidentally give their dog a piece of turkey (or any other rich table scraps) dripping with butter, veterinary hospitals get busy with pancreatitis cases. Some dogs are pre-disposed to pancreatitis like the Schnauzer or Miniature Schnauzers. Stress and some medications (e.g. prednisone) can cause this as well. Pancreatic disease can also develop in older dogs, as well as dogs predisposed to obesity. According to The Dog Journal : Certai...

There are many reasons to make homemade dog treats. Many owners don’t want to feed their dog just anything, and buying specialty treats for your favorite pup can get pricey. But making homemade dog treats can be a fun and easy rainy day (or any day) activity that produces something delicious, inexpensive, and possibly even nutritious for your canine companion. You just need to have the right recipe. When it comes to easy, one peanut butter treat recipe stands out. These treats ( a variation of this recipe ) are reminiscent of peanut butter cookies, but smaller. There are endless possible variations, and the recipe can easily be scaled, as well. Best of all, it only requires three ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. You will need: 1 cup of oats 2 cups of flour 1/2 cup of peanut butter 1 1/4 cups hot water First, preheat your oven to 350 F. Then, mix the hot water and oats in a bowl. Let that sit for a few minutes, stirring until you have something re...

Easter is a special time for a lot of families. Most kids are home enjoying Spring Break during Easter. And even if you aren’t religious, Easter is a time to appreciate family and the springtime weather. Even if it’s still snowing where you are, you can admit that the temperature definitely feels warmer! Easter is a time to dye eggs, and have a fun Easter egg hunt. There are chocolate bunnies to be eaten, and a ham to cook. But while you get ready for Easter Sunday, don’t forget about keeping the holiday safe for your pet. Our friends at Embrace Pet Insurance helped us out with a list of Easter dangers you should never forget come spring. 1. Chocolate Chocolate is always something you should keep from your dog. But during Easter there is more it around, and often left in low places by distracted children. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, specifically the ingredient theobromine which affects the cardiovascular and nervous system ; make sure everyone in the family knows t...

Here is how you can help your pet if they start to choke on a foreign object. For a smaller dogs or cats, you first check his mouth for the object. If you can, remove it with your fingers. If your pet is unconscious, you may be able to release the obstruction by pulling his tongue toward you. You should NOT put your fingers in his mouth unless you see the object! You may push the object down further. If you can’t get the object out easily, hold your pet with his head pointed down. The object may come out on its own, and your pet may start breathing again. Image Credit: HonestToPaws If the object doesn’t come out, face your pet away from you and clasp your hands into a fist just below his ribs. Image Credit: HonestToPaws Push quickly upwards on the abdomen about 5 times. Stop and check the mouth again. Repeat these steps until the object is released enough you can get it out with your fingers. Image Credit: HonestToPaws Once the object is out make, sure your pet...

Well, I’ll be honest with you, this is going to get really gross. A woman in England was recently walking her dog along the beach, when something caught his attention. She let him pull her over to what he wanted to see. It was a chunky, smelly, white lump on the beach. It wasn’t a rock, but instead, something called a “fatberg”. For those of you interested in etymology, yes, that’s “fat” and “iceberg” smushed together. These fat bergs come into existence when dirty cooking oil that’s been disposed of improperly combine with trash in sewer systems. Image Credit: Boredom Therapy They sometimes get out into the ocean and float up to the beach. They’re incredibly dangerous for dogs and humans alike because they’re filled with harmful bacteria. Image Credit: Boredom Therapy Even worse, city workers have found these fat bergs lodged into pipes, causing massive blockages and loads of trouble. One of these things weighed 15 tons! Image Credit: Boredom Therapy That’s...