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As spring arrives and the first buds appear, gardening can be a relaxing and healthy way to pass the time. But it can also pose some potential risks to our cat and dog friends. With care and some knowledge, these risks can be avoided. Here is a list of potential concerns. Fertilizers and Pesticides: Fertilizers containing blood meal, bone meal, feather meal or iron can be tasty for dogs and particularly dangerous. Ingestion of large amounts of meal containing products can form concretions in the stomach resulting in obstruction and severe pancreatitis. Those containing iron can lead to iron poisoning...

April showers, bring May flowers. Most of us are familiar with this saying. But April showers also bring pollen and mold, and for those with allergies that means runny noses, puffy eyes, sinus pain, sneezing and headaches. For our pets, allergies can also be problematic. While their exposure can be from inhaled molds and pollens (allergens), pets absorb many of their allergens through their skin. The process of absorbed allergens to allergy response and symptoms is a complex one. Inhalant allergies, also called atopy, is a genetic tendency to have a heightened immune response to common, usually harmless, allergens. The...

It is estimated that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some form of periodontal disease. Aside from being the most common disease in pets, periodontal disease is also the most overlooked by owners, for many reasons. Most of us do not routinely lift our pet’s lips and examine their teeth and gums. Pets also do not show obvious signs of mouth pain. Despite severe dental disease, loose teeth or infection they continue to eat and do not cry out in pain like we would. Many will show dental pain as changes in routine behavior, lethargy, and shyness about...

Tis the season to be jolly! It is also the season to be more diligent at keeping our pets safe and healthy over the holidays. With holiday parties, trees, tinsel, candles and presents, our pets are at a greater risk to get into trouble. Here are a few holiday safety tips to keep them safe. The tree: With pets in the house, it is safest to place the tree in the corner. This will make it easier to anchor the top of the tree so climbing cats don't knock it over. Also, use a tree stand that is one size...

It is well known even to non-horse people that horses are herbivores, but just grazing or feeding a horse a diet of hay alone will not provide them the proper nutrition. A limited amount of fat is essential for more energy, and there are many additional benefits of providing fat in your horse's diet. Fat as Energy All horses burn calories as energy, and very active horses with a heavy work schedule, athletic training routines or extensive show schedules need more energy in their diet. Gestating or nursing mares also need more energy to keep up their strength as they...