Has a furry guest been paying you a visit? Perhaps you’ve been gardening in the backyard and spotted a cat in the shadows, looking on with curious eyes. Although stray cats are elusive, you’ll see them around more often if you provide a nice home.

Summer is finally here, which means it’s time for a dip in the pool. It’s tempting to jump right in without a second thought. But as you enjoy the refreshing water with your dog, concerns might be floating at the back of your mind. You’re probably wondering: Is it safe for my dog to swim in all these pool chemicals?

If you own more than one cat, you’ve likely had to break up your fair share of kitty skirmishes. When the claws come out, your cats are at risk of sustaining an injury. Unfortunately, what may seem like a harmless scratch can fester until it becomes an abscess. If left untreated, this type of wound can spread and turn into a much bigger problem.

Wouldn’t life be so much easier if you could read your pet’s thoughts? For one, you’d know right away if something was wrong with their health. Unless you’re a dog or cat whisperer, pet owners usually don’t realize parasites have taken root until their poor furry friend starts getting an upset stomach on a regular basis. By then, parasites have long since made themselves at home in your dog’s or cat’s intestinal tract.

If you’re going to let your cat partake in the great outdoors, it’s important to recognize the greater responsibilities that come with it. In letting them out of the house—especially to roam free—you’re opening them up to a wave of new concerns. Some you have no control over; others, like protecting them against parasites, are your responsibility.

In early 2019, Flash the 10 year old Jack Russell terrier was given two months to live. Before then, this active and energetic pup lived up to his name. When he wasn’t going for a walk, swimming, or playing tug of war, Flash was exercising his mind retrieving his toys one by one on command. His tragic diagnosis slowed his lightning fast nature nearly to nothing, but thankfully not for long!

If you’ve ever caught a fleck of dust in your eye or accidentally touched your eyes with an irritant on your hand, you know how agonizing it can be. You might spend all day dabbing tears away, putting in eyedrops or rinsing your eye. For some, it means taking out contacts and wearing glasses for the day. A dog can’t do these things, and it’s often surprising to pet owners that, just like you, your dog can suffer from irritating eye problems. 

As the weather starts to heat up and your family begins making plans to spend more time outdoors, practicing warm weather safety with your cat will be vital to keeping them happy and playful all summer long. Much like humans, cats that spend too much time in extremely warm environments—whether that is in a particularly hot house, a car or outdoors without the cover of shade—can suffer discomfort or distress from extended heat exposure.  

Similar to many humans who are unable to ride in the car for long stretches of time without feeling ill, dogs can suffer from motion sickness that leaves them feeling uneasy, nauseous and stressed—and makes a mess of your backseat. Often caused by the lack of development in the ear structures that help with balance, dog motion sickness is most often seen in young puppies, but it commonly afflicts older dogs, as well.