We left off last week talking about how long we should feed puppy and kitten foods.

We also promised to devote special attention to feeding large breed puppies.

Let's start with how long to feed kitten food. That's an easy one for me, but often a difficult one for cat parents.

Lots of kittens start to look like adults at only six months of age. Since they look like adults many of us start feeding them like adults too. This can be a mistake as they are still developing and growing for up to a year.

Continue Reading "More on Feeding Kittens and Puppies" »

Maizie, Marleigh and I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend! We spent ours relaxing, getting some sun and enjoying the South Texas heat.

But, of course, safety first when playing in the water!

-- Chloe Ochse --

Did you know that how you feed a puppy or kitten during growth can have a profound impact on health for the rest of their lives?

Proper nutrition during this critical stage is one of the most important keys to a long and healthy life. Conversely, poor nutrition during growth and development can lead to a shorter life, plagued by a variety of health concerns.

Improper feeding and nutrition during the growth phase can result in serious bone and joint abnormalities in dogs and may predispose both species to a lifetime battle with obesity.

Let's start at the beginning. Conception!

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The number one e-mailed story on the NY Time's web site yesterday was about Raw Pet Food.

The story appeared on Well, one of my favorite blogs, and usually a very reliable source of information on health and wellness.

Not that this particular story was inaccurate in any way; they did offer up varying points of view, it's just that it veered dangerously into the realm of anecdotal evidence, which has a tendency to become truth for many people.

Continue Reading "The Dangers of Anectodal Evidence" »

May 20 - 26 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. According to the Centers for Disease Control, dogs bite more than 4 million people each year. Most of these victims are children and senior citizens.

The U.S. Postal Service, the American Veterinary Medical Association and State Farm Insurance have teamed up to raise more awareness about this issue during National Dog Bite Prevention Week.

Whether it is your dog or someone else’s, here are some tips to prevent dog bites:

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Believe it or not, there is a new "reality" TV show that deals with dog cloning.

This according an article that was at the top of the NY Times most emailed stories list this morning.

I don't know about you, but I think this may be the nail in the coffin marking the decline of Western Civilization. One more channel to skip in the list of hundreds on the cable dial.

Now, along with the Kardashians and the various Housewives of various urban ghettos, we'll be treated to stories about  people that have spent a fortune to have a their beloved dog duplicated by mad scientists in South Korea.

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I was finally able to sleep through the night without waking up to an elaborate sneeze or unable to breath. I was excited about the opportunity for hours of uninterrupted slumber.

I should have known better. Apparently, Marleigh wanted to make sure she got me back for all the times I spooked her with my terrifyingly loud sneezes. And, she did, in the most sinister way.

Continue Reading "The Things that Go Bump in the Night" »

There's one more topic from Dr Bill's post on behavior that I would like to elaborate on.

The good old litter box and anything having to do with feline house soiling is worthy of several posts. Any issue that involves cats going outside the litter box is probably the number one feline behavior issue for cat owners and Veterinarians alike.

Given the importance of this issue let me offer the following list of general tips on litter box issues. If you follow these guidelines you are much less likely to suffer the consequences.

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Last post we discussed aggression in dogs, but did you know that cats can be aggressive too?

When I was in Veterinary School I had a class mate that used to come to class with bite marks and scratches all over her hands and arms. When she told me she had a cat at home and that she got these wounds from playing with her cat, I assumed she had a Bobcat or Mountain Lion living with her.

Actually she had a regular old domestic short-hair that looked pretty much like a normal cat. Unfortunately this normal looking cat had a checkered past or misspent youth. Not that he hung around pool halls or anything. He just didn't associate with the right crowd, or maybe any crowd for that matter, and that is a common history for cats with aggressive behavior issues.

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Summer is just around the corner. For many families, the first thing on their summer to-do list is to take a much-needed vacation. As for those traveling with pets, additional preparation can make the difference between a stress-free holiday and a trip filled with anxiety for you and your pet.

The most important consideration before traveling with your pet is to make sure they can withstand the stress that comes with any type of travel. Illness, injury or temperament all play a part in deciding whether or not your four-legged family member is ready to travel. Check with your veterinarian to ensure all required vaccinations are up-to-date before packing up the pet for the trip.

Continue Reading "Four-Legged Friendly Travel" »