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Teaching Your Child Pet Care Basics Is your child eagerly looking forward to the day a dog, cat, guinea pig, or fish joins your family? Caring for a first pet offers many benefits for kids and may encourage them to become more responsible and compassionate. Here are a few ways your child can help care for your new addition. Feeding,

Adults and children oftentimes enjoy sleeping with household pets. They can keep us warm, feel comfortable, make us feel safe and loved. They may lick our faces, hands or other exposed areas before or during sleeping time. Scratches and bites, wounds, abscesses, ulcerations or other breaks in the skin can allow bacteria to enter the body. Pay special attention to

Parents love both their children and their pets. Many pet owners even call their pets fur children. But it is important to create a safe and healthy environment for both children and pets. We especially worry about parasite and bacterial transmission from animals to people, although the reverse can occur as well. The following are some ideas to keep children

Should Your Dog Wear a Backpack? Have you noticed more and more dogs wearing backpacks lately? More than just a fashion statement, backpacks offer the perfect place to stow water for a long walk and give working breeds a sense of purpose. Although backpacks can be a good choice for your pet, it’s important to consider your dog’s size, temperament,

How Often Should You Schedule a Dental Cleaning for Your Pet? Dental cleanings are essential for good oral health in both pets and people. Regular cleanings eliminate plaque and tartar on teeth, reducing your pet’s risk for periodontal (gum) disease. Is It the Right Time for Your Pet’s Dental Cleaning? Annual dental cleanings performed by a veterinarian are recommended for

Stress isn’t just a problem for humans; your pet can experience the negative effects too. Illness, changes in the usual routine or the death of another pet can lead to an increase in your pet’s anxiety level. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help your furry friend relax. Signs of Stress Your pet may not be

5 Warning Signs Your Pet Needs Urgent Care “Be prepared” is an excellent motto, whether you’re a Boy Scout or a pet owner. The more you know about pet emergencies, the quicker you can respond if your pet needs urgent care. Below are five warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored: Difficulty Breathing Trouble breathing is a sure sign your pet

Massage Offers Important Benefits for Pets Have you given your pet a massage recently? The hands-on therapy isn’t just for humans but also provides a few benefits for our furry friends. Massage Relieves Aches and Pains Dogs and cats can’t complain about tight muscles, but that doesn’t mean that their muscles aren’t sore after a vigorous session of catch-the-frisbee or

Family pets are often described as our “best friends” and news that they are sick can be devastating. Cancer is a disease that can affect family pets like dogs and cats. Through the years, research has developed many cures and treatments for use in improving or sustaining the health of pets that present with a cancer diagnosis. Let’s look at

When you visit the grocery or pet store, you can find hundreds, if not thousands, of kinds of dog and cat foods. The advertisements and marketing materials for each claims their food is the best. How can you decide what food to feed to your pet? Dedicated pet owners will attempt to read labels to help them make a decision