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Dogs need mental stimulation just as much as they need physical exercise, and cognitive training games can be a fun way to sharpen your dog’s intelligence. There are many different ways to exercise your dog’s mental muscles, and by providing that exercise, you will help your dog have a happier, more fulfilling life. How Cognitive Training Helps Your Dog Cognitive training is brain training, solving puzzles and figuring out solutions to sharpen mental acuity. This helps dogs focus their energy into constructive activities, rather than a bored pet acting out such as causing damage, barking uncontrollably, or otherwise becoming destructive for lack of anything better to do. Cognitive training can also help alleviate anxiety, depression, and stress in dogs by...

Allergies in pets are rarer than allergies in humans, but they can still make pets uncomfortable and severe reactions can cause grave health problems. Pet owners who recognize their pet's allergy symptoms can take steps to alleviate the discomfort and help pets lead happy, healthy lives.What Is an Allergy?An allergy is the immune system's reaction to something it perceives as a threat. When the immune system targets an allergen, it takes whatever steps it can to minimize the threat and eliminate it from the body. When that perceived threat is a common environmental element, however, allergic reactions can escalate and become acutely uncomfortable because it is impossible to completely remove the unwanted allergen. In these cases, medical treatment can help...

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 drooling Tooth decay and loose or lost teeth Inflamed gums and gum disease Bad breath from rotten tissues Pain eating and loss of appetite In time, untreated dental problems can also lead to...

Any pregnant pet needs a special diet to be sure both the mother and her developing offspring receive adequate nutrition to stay healthy during the pregnancy. If your cat is expecting kittens, what dietary considerations do you need for a healthy mama and litter? About Feline Pregnancies Female cats are sexually mature enough by 4-6 months old to become pregnant, and because cats have no change in fertile status as they age – no cat equivalent of menopause – they may bear kittens all their lives. Older cats have more dangerous pregnancies with greater risks to both the mother and the developing kittens, and cats having their first litter are likewise susceptible to more complications. A cat’s gestation period varies...

Holiday travel is naturally chaotic, and it can be even crazier if your pets are coming along on the trip. If you pack the proper pet essentials, however, your travel plans can go more smoothly. These holiday travel must-haves can help you pack along your pets with ease.Before You Make Your Travel PlansBefore you pack a bag for your pet, it is important to verify that the animal will be welcome wherever you are traveling for the holiday. While your dog, cat, or other animal may be a treasured member of your family, more distant relatives and friends may not feel the same way. There may not be enough space for your pet to be one more guest, or there...