Cats and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
~ by Nomi Berger As the days grow darker and shorter, and the thermometer plummets, so does the mood of millions of people living in the Northern Hemisphere. But humans are not the only ones affected by what scientists refer to as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. Our cats – even the happiest, most active and energetic ones — can suffer the same dramatic
Cherry Eye in Dogs
~by Nomi Berger~ The condition commonly called “cherry eye” occurs when a tear gland protrudes from your dog’s eye socket. Easily spotted, it appears as a pink or red mass bulging from the corner of the eye nearest your dog’s nose. It can affect either one or both eyes AND can be recurrent. Located underneath the nictitating membrane (known as the third eyelid) which
ADOPTING CATS WITH FELINE LEUKEMIA
By Nomi Berger A cat diagnosed with Feline Leukemia (FeLV) is still an ADOPTABLE cat. What, then, is FeLV? FeLV is a virus that weakens a cat’s immune system, predisposing it to certain infections, severe anemia, and potentially leading to cancer. Most at risk are kittens born to FeLV positive mothers, cats under the age of one, cats living with an infected cat, and
Holiday Health Hazards for Pets
By Nomi Berger Dogs are prone to hazards at any point in their life, within their own genetics. Different breeds suffer with different illnesses in general or in old age, and many owners have to find some info on their pet and what they might need to be prepared for. Some of these conditions are non preventable due to their hereditary nature, however, there
Why Spay and Neuter Your Cat
By Nomi Berger If you’re about to get a new cat then you must be extremely excited! I’m sure you’ve been looking at products like this cat backpack with window, treats, and scratching posts so you know your home will be ready when they arrive. But you also need to make sure you know how to keep them healthy and also tackle some of the less pleasant
A Tale about Hope
Once upon a time, in a town not so far away, a dirty, thin, black-and-white cat was found wandering around in someone’s garden. Townspeople flocked to the scene to have a look at the magnificent animal with piercing green eyes, wondering how it came to end up in this particular garden on this particular day. “Perhaps it is just visiting, and will go home
Getting a Microchip is a Must
By Nomi Berger Millions of dogs and cats go missing each year. Unfortunately, very few of them are ever reunited with their owners. Many of them become and remain strays. Others are taken to pounds or shelters, where they are either adopted out to new homes or, all too often, euthanized. Now protective pet parents, no longer content with relying on collars and tags
Consider the Pet Sitter
By Nomi Berger Are you hesitant about planning a vacation because of your dog? Are you stopped by images of your cherished family companion in a boarding kennel run by well-meaning strangers? Consider another possibility: your dog, safe and snug at home, cared for by someone who’s qualified and experienced. Consider a pet sitter. Pet sitters are paid professionals who come to your home
Dental Care for Pets
by Nomi Berger Protect Your Pet: Provide Proper Dental Care Did you know that 80% of dogs and cats over the age of four have some form of dental disease? As with people, the main culprit is a build-up of plaque, which eventually hardens into tartar, leading to gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontal disease. The result? A bacterial invasion of the gums
Cottage Safety Tips for Dogs!
Written by Lindsay McGill Photo above is of Brandy, taken by her foster mom Sharon at the cottage. With a few long weekends and the warm weather coming up lots of people plan on going camping and up to the cottage with their furry side-kicks. What a lot of people don’t realize is that there are lots of potential safety concerns that they must