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pet health

Rabies Facts For World Rabies Day 2012
shots

What Do You Know About Rabies?

Today is World Rabies Day, which aims to raise awareness about the impact of this very dangerous virus.
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Today is World Rabies Day, which aims to raise awareness about the impact of this very dangerous virus. To date, World Rabies Day events have educated 182 million people and vaccinated nearly 8 million dogs! If your pet receives regular veterinary care, then there's a good chance he's up to date on his rabies vaccine . . . but today serves as a good reminder to check. We've rounded up a few important facts about rabies in this quiz, so bone up on your rabies know-how by starting with Question 1!

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How to Treat Motion Sickness in Pets
pet Advice

Help Your Pet Conquer Motion Sickness

As we pile into our cars for Labor Day road trips this weekend, some of us are faced with a messy situation: motion sickness.
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As we pile into our cars for Labor Day road trips this weekend, some of us are faced with a messy situation: motion sickness. Sure, it's awful when it happens to us, but many pet parents also have to come to grips with dogs or cats getting queasy — or reliving breakfast — when they are cruising on the interstate.

Motion sickness among pets is usually caused by travel-related anxiety, but young dogs may be more prone getting car sick because their equilibrium still needs time to develop. Or it could be linked to a bad travel experience in the past. Just like when our gag reflexes kick into gear at the sight of a food that made us sick, dogs and cats may associate car travel with a previous vomiting episode.

If your pet's stomach gets tied up in knots at the sight of the back seat, there are some remedies you can try to help him overcome the queasiness. Keep reading for our tips!

How Many Calories Are in Dog and Cat Treats?
treats

Guess How Many Calories Are in These Pet Treats

This week, we learned that for pets fighting the battle of the bulge, losing weight is more than just switching to diet food; understanding his target weight, his daily caloric needs, and the content of his food bag are vital to a healthy weight-loss plan.
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This week, we learned that for pets fighting the battle of the bulge, losing weight is more than just switching to diet food; understanding his target weight, his daily caloric needs, and the content of his food bag are vital to a healthy weight-loss plan. But even armed with this knowledge, I still succumb to a common doggie-diet wrecker: treats. We adore our pets like children, so it can be difficult to say no when they've accomplished great feats or just need a little love. The good news is that you don't have to forego treats altogether. Just tally up the calories behind your pup or kitty's reward and factor them into his daily caloric intake. Take our quiz to see if your pet has eaten his fill of these common treats!

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Weight Loss For Dogs
Weight Loss

Has Fido Fattened Up? Services to Help Your Dog Drop Pounds

Dog, plus too much food, plus not enough exercise, equals one flabby little Fido.
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Dog, plus too much food, plus not enough exercise, equals one flabby little Fido. Although a roly-poly pooch might look cute, obesity poses the same health risks for your pet as it does for you. Diet and exercise are key, but if you're having trouble slimming down Sparky, here are some services that can help.

Pooch to 5K
Yes, you read correctly. Just like the Couch to 5K for humans, there's a Pooch to 5K for dogs, a service that offers personal training for the furry loves of your life. Over 40 percent of dogs are overweight, which can lead to joint pain and heart disease, so there's no time like now to get your four-legged friend in tip-top shape. The free Pooch to 5K 12-week training program will help your dog go from lounging around to comfortably running a 5K. What's even better is that you're the one running with your dog three times a week, not the dog trainer, so you too will get in excellent shape. Two paws up!

Keep reading to hear the other ways you can help your beefy Boomer lose weight.

How to Help a Dog Lose Weight
pet Advice

5 Solutions If Your Chubby Pet Is Hungry Like a Wolf

Just because your pet eats it, doesn't mean he's hungry, as science doesn't show that dogs "feel full" as humans do!
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Just because your pet eats it, doesn't mean he's hungry, as science doesn't show that dogs "feel full" as humans do! Gobbling up food can cause a pooch to become overweight or, worse, develop a case of bloat. I've gathered up five solutions for better weight management so settle in and read on.

  • Know the signs: While you usually have a clue if you have an overweight pet, key features to look for are a rounded belly or any bulging in the back area. If you foresee a growing problem (literally) on your hands, pay special attention to these areas for any changes first.
  • Try two-a-days: Many vets recommend feeding a cat or dog at least twice a day for longer lasting energy and less hunger. Remember, after checking with the label on the packaging for portion guidelines based on your pet's weight, divide the total amount by the number of meals you offer.
  • Say time's up: Although my pup scarfs down all his food in seconds, you should remove any unfinished portions after 20 minutes to prevent your own pet from overeating from the trough if he ever slows down.

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Dog Massages
Poll

Would You Invest in a Puppy Massage?

Have you ever considered a spa treatment for your pooch?
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Have you ever considered a spa treatment for your pooch? According to the APPA, in 2011 it is estimated that pet owners will spend $3.65 billion on grooming and boarding alone. And across the country, pet massage specialists have been popping up.

Doggie masseuses promise that the process affects your dog's physical health and overall quality of life. Your pup with anxiety issues can unwind and de-stress, older dogs can benefit from specific massage techniques that alleviate joint pain, and overweight dogs will have an easier time getting around to exercise. Would you give it a shot, or is it too over the top for your taste?

What Has Been Your Scariest Pet Emergency?
Do Tell

Do Tell: What Has Been Your Scariest Pet Emergency?

Resident Frenchie Samson had a bit of a health fiasco this week, and was taken to the ER for treatment!
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Resident Frenchie Samson had a bit of a health fiasco this week, and was taken to the ER for treatment! Word on the street is that he may have ingested some sort of toxin leaving him with muscle spasms and vomiting, which we all can imagine, are big signs of trouble. Thankfully, Samson is doing much better, but it sure did give mom a scare.

I imagine many of us have been there: pacing the waiting room of a vet's office on pins and needles, hoping for some good news. So tell me, what has been your scariest pet emergency, and how did you handle it?

Keeping Pets Ears Clean
summer

Just a Reminder: Keep Those Ears Clean!

With the weather out here in California constantly changing from hot, to windy, to cold, and back again, I noticed that North's ears tend to get dirtier faster (especially with us hitting the beach more often in the Summer months).
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With the weather out here in California constantly changing from hot, to windy, to cold, and back again, I noticed that North's ears tend to get dirtier faster (especially with us hitting the beach more often in the Summer months). I like to clean his ears about once a week or so with Fuzzyard Organic Ear Cleanser ($22) that contains Aloe Vera to soothe, and a mixture of Almond and Macadamia nut oils to soften stubborn wax.

But, if you aren't keen on the liquid solutions, I learned that Samson uses Earthbath Ear Wipes ($9) that come in a jar of 25. Since they are all natural, they don't sting or burn, and LilPeaPod tells me they work great! If your pet is a swimmer, it's especially important to keep an eye out for ear infections, and cleaning regularly will help stave off any problems. What do you use to keep your pet's ears clean?