Pet parents are often left wondering why their four-legged friends get so excited about eating brown, bad-smelling pellets. The evolving pet food industry has found that animals will eat almost anything as long as it smells and tastes good—even if the ingredients are unsavory!

Cat owners often like to poke fun at their kitties for reacting strangely to weird noises. The muscle spasms and repetitive chomping cats respond with are signs that those noises are not appreciated! Some pet parents might even find their cats twitching uncontrollably for what appears to be no reason at all.

Many pet parents are quick to snap at their dogs when they misbehave. After all, it’s frustrating when dogs repeatedly poop in the house or tear up the couch cushions. But punishing them only teaches fear—not obedience. Punishment may work in the moment, but owners who use this training tactic will find the bad behavior happens over and over again.

One of the biggest misconceptions about cats is that they don’t love humans. Many people assume cats tolerate humans simply because they provide food and a place to enjoy their cat naps. People who doubt the love of a cat have usually had negative experiences with cats in the past. Give cats another chance, and you’ll likely find a friendly kitty purring contentedly in your lap!

In our own backyard this time, we had the pleasure to finally connect with VOKRA (Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association). This time we got to make the donation in person to our fellow Vancouverites! Their awesome staff were so kind as to offer us a tour of their extensive facility including a shelter with specific areas for different cats’ needs and state-of-the-art- medical facilities.

When pet parents see their pups hobbling around, they often believe arthritis is to blame. What many don’t know is that joint pain is associated with a slew of other canine diseases, most notably Lyme disease.

Winter means saying goodbye to long hikes and playing fetch on the beach. The temperature is plummeting, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop! Nor should it—dogs need exercise year-round, even when they’re cooped up indoors. Otherwise, your restless pooch may resort to destructive behaviors like tearing up the couch to blow off some steam.

When the winter blues start affecting humans, pet parents often ask, “Can my pet experience seasonal depression, too?” The short answer is maybe.

Pets itch from time to time. But if they’re itching all the time, it becomes a problem! Pet parents can usually tell when something’s wrong, but it’s not as easy to tell what’s causing the skin to itch so badly. Some owners chock it up to general dryness, while others suspect allergies could be to blame. Either way, a vet’s diagnosis is necessary to get to the bottom of the issue.