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A sudden thunderstorm can be terrifying for any pet, and cats and dogs can become very stressed during storms. There are easy ways to help your pet feel more comfortable, however, and keep them from getting too excited or anxious when storms pass by. Provide a Safe PlaceYour pet will feel more secure if they have a safe, comfortable place to retreat when a storm strikes. A small, interior room without windows works best, such as a laundry room, walk-in closet, pantry or bathroom. Make sure there is a comfortable, familiar blanket, some water and other comforting objects in the room, but avoid crating your pet or restricting their movements, which would make them more anxious or destructive. Minimize the...

Good dental care is essential to a pet's health, and cleaning their teeth at home is the first step to good oral hygiene for your dog or cat. But while you may brush your own teeth several times a day, how often should you be cleaning your pet's teeth?Why Dental Health MattersPoor tooth care can lead to a range of problems for pets just as it can for humans. It may start with a simple buildup of plaque and tartar, but that can lead to...Excessive, uncontrolled droolingTooth decay and loose or lost teethInflamed gums and gum diseaseBad breath from rotten tissuesPain eating and loss of appetiteIn time, untreated dental problems can also lead to heart, liver or kidney disease, conditions...

It can be deadly to leave a pet in a car during the summer, even if a day seems cool, it's only a few minutes time or the pet seems fine. Learning the facts about hot summer days and how pets in cars can be affected is critical for safeguarding pets and ensuring they are cool and comfortable even on the hottest days.Even "Cooler" Warm Days Become Boiling Hot Cars in MinutesIt doesn't take a 100-degree day to turn a car into an oven. When the temperature is 70 degrees outside, it may not seem overly hot, but the temperature inside a car can rise above 100 degrees in just 30 minutes. When it is 90 degrees outside, that same...

Pet obesity is something that happens to pet owners every year. The scenario usually begins with a trip to the vet at which point your pet is weighed and the veterinarian notices that Bucky the French Bulldog has gained 10 pounds since his last visit.  You and Bucky both look at the vet as if he’s crazy because you honestly can’t believe it. The truth is you’re not alone. Many pet owners have a very similar visit with the vet and are instructed to start their pets on a diet. However unlike adult obesity, obesity in pets is much easier to deal with because you as the owner are in control of what your pet ultimately eats. If your pet...

Every dog owner is familiar with their pet's emotions and moods from begging eagerly for a treat to excited to go for a walk to dramatic and fearful about a bath. There is one mood, however, that is often overlooked, simply because the owner is not around to see it – separation anxiety. What Is Separation Anxiety in Dogs? All dogs may have brief moments of separation anxiety, but momentary whining when an owner leaves does not mean the dog is genuinely distressed. True separation anxiety is a distinct behavioral change that occurs only when the owner, or whomever the dog is strongly bonded, is not around. Symptoms may be mild and could disappear quickly, but in severe cases that...