Search Results for: pets types of pets

Types of Arthritis in Pets

Just like with humans, there isn’t just one kind of arthritis that strikes pets. Auto-immune arthritis, also known as rheumatoid arthritis, usually affects several joints at the same time. The cause of this type of arthritis is not known, but something triggers your pet’s immune system to attack the joints. Your pet will experience pain, swelling, and decreased mobility. Acute traumatic arthritis manifests rapidly and is usually caused by a direct injury or trauma to the joints. Your pet will experience swelling and lameness quickly; immediate surgery can help prevent permanent problems with the affected joint. Without treatment, osteoarthritis can … Continue reading →

Taking Your Pets to Work

Last week saw a new sort-of holiday, Take Your Dog to Work Day, which indicated a growing trend: pets in the workplace. The North County Times looks at the trend. Just about the only cases you’ll see of animals actually living at the office are for cats, like library cats or the one that lives in my sister-in-law’s office. However, more and more employers are starting to allow the dogs to come in to work with their owners. Some very dog-friendly businesses allow this every day, others just haves special times sent aside, like Take Your Dog to Work Day. … Continue reading →

Pets Have Allergies Too

It’s that time of year: my car, porch, deck, and even some of my plants, are covered in a yellow dust. Pollen season is upon us, and for many unfortunates that means it’s time to suffer through allergies. As is true with many things, humans aren’t the only ones that might be affected by the dreaded plant powder. All this past week my dog has come in with her snout, muzzle, and sometimes even her eyes, covered in pollen. She didn’t seem any different than normal, however, which leads me to believe that despite her many itching problems pollen is … Continue reading →

Dangerous Exotic “Pets”

Exotic pets have been in the news lately. I define exotic pets as wild or barely domesticated animals that you’d sooner expect to see in a zoo than someone’s home. They’re often illegal to own. Even then the classification gets tricky; I’ve previously written about potbelly pigs and hedgehogs, two uncommon pets, that are sometimes illegal in certain states or counties. In these cases, however, the illegality issue has to do with invasive species; certain types of hedgehogs and pigs are not native to the country and officials want to keep out the non-native breeds. When I’m talking about exotic … Continue reading →

VPI Has List of Presidential Pets

The letters VPI stand for Veterinary Pet Insurance. They are the pet insurance company that does the annual Hambone award. Their website also has tons of helpful information for pet owners, and an interesting blog. They just put together a brief list of Presidential pets. It makes a certain amount of sense for VPI to compile a list of Presidential pets on their blog, right in time for Presidents Day. Washington’s birthday is just a few days away. That makes Presidential pets a very timely topic. One cannot assume that all of the pets mentioned on the VPI blog were … Continue reading →

How to Keep Pets Off Furniture

I decided I liked everyone on the sofa more than off We might love our pets but that doesn’t mean we want to let them go anywhere they want in the house. For example, both my cat and my dog aren’t allowed upstairs because I’m a light sleeper and they tend to keep me up by making a lot of noise in my bedroom. Far more common, however, is the practice of keeping your pets off of your furniture. Unless you’re willing to spend either the time or money to properly groom your pet or have a professional do it … Continue reading →

Support Your Pets and The Earth with Planet Petco

An eco-conscious dog As we come out of Earth Day weekend, I’d like to take a look at how we pet owners can contribute to keeping the planet clean. Many animal lovers I know, myself included, also love nature and are often sympathetic with the green movement. However, for some of us who don’t live in more urban areas it might be difficult to obtain many environment-friendly pet items. Sometimes small local stores might carry them, but at high prices some might not be able to afford. Others might not have any purchasing options nearby. Options abound on the internet, … Continue reading →

Dressing Up Pets

With my favorite holiday Halloween coming up soon, costumes are on the mind. We have to help the kids get theirs ready, and maybe some of us still dress up ourselves (I certainly do). But what about buying or creating costumes for our pets? I’m curious what you guys think about dressing pets up in costumes. For the past few years I’ve managed to come up with partnered costume ideas for my husband and I (which is a feat, because he won’t wear many types of costumes) to wear to our friends’ annual Halloween party. We usually stay for the … Continue reading →

Dental Insurance for Pets?

If you are a pet owner, you may have at least considered getting pet insurance. Pets need checkups, and shots, and to be neutered or spayed. Sometimes, pets will get sick, or injured, and require medical care. Pet insurance is designed to help a pet owner pay for some of the bills associated with the medical care that your pet needs. Did you know that some pet insurance policies also cover dental care? There are many things to consider when you decide to purchase a pet insurance policy. If your pet is a breed that tends to get a particular … Continue reading →

Diagnosing Cancer in Pets

I was chatting with an owner at the cats-only boarding facility about various health issues, and the topic of cancer came up. “How do you know if a cat has cancer?” he asked me. I was stumped for a moment, then managed to say that it was probably the same way we figure it out in humans. Biopsies and blood tests. Just to be sure, I did some research. Yeah, I’m the sort of person where if I don’t know the answer to a question, I’ll find it. Cancers that present as tumors on or near the surface of the … Continue reading →