By Arden Moore When it comes to comparing the ability to smell things, dogs easily beat us by a nose. Olfactory receptor cells inside a dog’s nose are boosted by tiny hairs called cilia that are coated with mucus to help trap scent. Why dogs win by nose is because there are about 100 million olfactory receptor cells in canine …
Learning Pet First Aid Generates Global Interest
By Arden Moore April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month The month of April is recognized as Pet First Aid Awareness Month where I fittingly spent much of the month traveling to England and Greece to conduct pet first aid classes to pet professionals and pet parents. This was a sponsored trip from a nonprofit group called Let’s Be Smart …
Pay Attention to Potty Changes in Your Pet
By Arden Moore Noticing Potty Problems Even though your adult dog aced house training years ago or your cat has always been a champ at using his litterbox, you may discover a piddle on your rug. As our pets age, they can be at risk for a loss of bladder control or unable to control their bowel movements. The medical …
Tips to Help Your Pet Live a Longer and Healthier Life
By Arden Moore Four of my six pets qualify for senior status. Where did the time go? It seems like only yesterday, Kona, my terrier mix, was a youngster enrolled in canine obedience classes and Casey, my orange tabby, was finishing the steps needed to qualify as a therapy cat with Love on a Leash. Both are now nine. The …
Keep Your Dog’s Joints Healthy with Super Foods and Safe Activities
By Arden Moore Weight and Age Matter Are you blessed to have a canine athlete? Whether your dog’s go-to sport is agility, dock diving, canine musical freestyle, surfing, long hikes or other activities, it is vital to keep tabs on his overall health and especially his joints. Our dogs are not insulated from muscle tears, joint dislocations and yes, arthritis. …
Got a Reactive Dog? You’re Not Alone
By Arden Moore I just returned from a tour of London and Paris. As expected, the Eiffel Towel was magnificently lit up as our boat glided past it on the Seine River. As expected, the Tower of London housed beautifully jeweled crowns of monarchs past and present. What I didn’t expect was the consistent calm behavior in dogs at both …
Get Your Groom on for Your Dog’s Sake
By Arden Moore All the dogs in my life have sported easy-to-maintain coats. Sure, Chipper, a Husky-golden retriever mix, did shed a lot, but rarely encountered any matted fur. Kona, my terrier mix, is easy to keep clean, requiring occasional brushing and water-free shampoo baths. Regular Grooming But a few years ago, we rescued Emma, a nine-pound poodle-Chihuahua mix. With …
The Heat Is On for Dogs and Cats This Summer
By Arden Moore Summer is Here With summer’s heat in high gear, dogs and cats are at risk for heat-related health issues. Living in Texas, a state with a reputation for soaring temperatures, I am especially conscious of outdoor activity for my dogs, Kona and Emma, and my pet-stroller-riding cat, Casey. Be aware that heat stroke (medically known as hyperthermia) …
Beware of Corn on the Cob Dangers to Your Dog
By Arden Moore Access to Corn Cobs Corn on the cob certainly ranks as a popular food choice at cookouts and picnics. Whether you grill it or steam it and then slather it with butter, corn on the cob just tastes delicious. For people, corn on the cob is packed with protein, essential fatty acids and offers an energy boost. …
Avoiding Springtime Problems for Your Pets
By Arden Moore What Spring Brings As many of us begin to shed our winter coats and store our snow shovels, we welcome the warm temperatures of spring. That means more opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors with your dog or adventure-minded, leashed cat. But be vigilant as there are many perils lurking that could cause injuries or sickness in …