Dearpets.com

Pet Activism

Asheville just voted to ban dog tethering (chaining) when an owner is not home, which came after months of campaigning by animal rights activists. In conjunction with this new law, a group called ChainFree Asheville is running a wonderful program that will build fences for owners who cannot afford one. Several cities across various states have already... (more...)

This week police raided a daycare because of a dog-fighting tip. Turns out the nightmarish thought was a reality when the police seized 9 dogs that all had serious injuries requiring surgery, even puppies that were used as bait. Three people were arrested on charges of dog fighting as well. The dog fighting equipment and one of the injured dogs were... (more...)

This is really disturbing news…..with the recent crackdowns on dog-fighting, some people are adapting by taking dogfights mobile.  “Trunking” is where the dogs are put in a really large trunk of a big car to fight with the music blasting to muffle the brutal sounds. Then once a dog wins, the car will often stop and throw the dead... (more...)

Last month the US Marine Corps. decided to create a rule that bans so-called aggressive breeds, such as Rottweillers, Pit Bulls, and Wolf-Hybrids from the military bases. There is a chance these dogs could stay if they pass a temperament test conducted by the AKC, but owners are still nervous about their dogs being booted from the base or having to... (more...)

This is another sad story (from Australia). His dog, Max, was seized by the authorities for mauling sheep and was scheduled to be destroyed. The man had already unsuccessfully attempted to overturn the decision in court. The man went to visit his dog to say goodbye, but instead he cut the dog out and fled with him. Unfortunately, the authorities found... (more...)

Did You Know?

According to psychologist and leading canine researcher Stanley Coren, PhD, of the University of British Columbia, dogs have the intelligence equivalent to a 2 – 2.5 year old human child. Coren, who has written numerous books on the topic has concluded from reviewing several studies that dogs have the ability to solve complex problems and are... (more...)

Did you know that the most common treats found in pet stores, such as raw hide, cow hooves, and pig ears, can be dangerous for your pet? Raw hide, if consumed rapidly can cause diarrhea and vomiting, as well as sit undigested in the GI track. And if large pieces are swallowed, they can cause chocking or even an obstruction in the stomach. Also, dog... (more...)

This is an very interesting and insightful video about how dogs’ intelligence has evolved through their communication with humans over thousands of years. In fact, because dogs have been man’s best friend so long, they have evolved in a way that they can do things that our closest genetic relatives (monkeys) cannot do. There is an amazing... (more...)

This is another good video to watch. They mention some flea medicines and shampoos that are dangerous. You will notice that the products they are showing are all ones that are available in your grocery store, pet stores, or pharmacy. We recommend staying away from any products like this and only getting the products recommended by your vet.  Read More →

This is a good video to watch if you have an older pet. It discusses common behaviors in older pets, as well as symptoms for potentially life-threatening illnesses. One of our older dogs is starting to show some of these symptoms and it is hard for us to realize that she is not quite the same dog she used to be. We have taken her to the vet numerous... (more...)

Favorite Products

This harness is especially designed to help if your dog pulls a lot on his leash. Plus, we recommend a harness rather than a collar for dogs that pull because the collar can damage your dog’s trachea. However, do not use the Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harness with a retractable leash because the dog is “rewarded” with more leash and less resistance... (more...)

We like this product because it can save your pet’s life during an emergency. It will alert fire rescue or police to save your pets in case of an emergency, such as a fire, flood, or storm. Each package contains two (2) decals that you place on your window or door. They are made of static cling, which will easily stick to any glass surface, without... (more...)

This dog bed is made particularly for dogs with arthritis and joint problems. The custom “I-beam” design creates a series of coil air-filled chambers that provide a comfortable resting surface while providing outstanding support for your dog. You can watch a video and learn more about this bed on our “Unique Products” page. Or... (more...)

If your dog has a tendency to eat too fast, then we recommend this bowl. As posted in our dog health topics, the deadly condition called “Bloat” is caused when a dog eats too fast. To learn more about the dangers of bloat, and how this bowl could potentially save your pet’s life, read our post called “Bloat: An Urgent Emergency”... (more...)

Health Topics

Diabetes is a disease where the body is unable to regulate blood sugar levels. It can be challenging to treat in cats because they have a narrow range of needed insulin to control blood glucose levels. However, most cases can be successfully treated with insulin injections and dietary modifications. Type 1 diabetes is most common in cats, where very... (more...)

Hyperthyroidism is very common in middle-aged and older cats. It is caused by an increase in the amount of thyroid hormones produced by enlarged thyroid glands. Symptoms to watch for include:  weight loss, increased appetite, increased thirst,   restlessness, unkempt hair with excessive shedding and matting, vomiting and diarrhea Due to hormone... (more...)

This vet describes some potential signs to watch for that could indicate your cat has liver problems. While some cats may show no symptoms, here are some possible ones: skin and eyes could be yellow vomiting anorexic (not eating) straining in litter box and passing hard stools  Read More →

I recently became aware of an extremely dangerous condition in your dog called “Bloat.” While I have read that it mostly affects larger dogs with deep chests, smaller dogs could potentially develop this dangerous condition. Generally Bloat occurs when a dog eats a large mean too fast, followed by exercise or some type of physical activity.... (more...)

I have always given my dogs Frontline spot-on treatments monthly for fleas because my vet told me that it is water-proof and prevents ticks as well.  However, I did read that the EPA is investigating all spot-on treatments for safety issues for dogs.  While I have never had any problems with Frontline, I would love to discover a non-toxic solution... (more...)