By Arden Moore Dental Issues Serious dental issues can quickly surface in your pet. Kona, my 9-year-old terrier mix, was about to deliver a doggy kiss to me when I detected a foul odor from her mouth. I looked closely inside her mouth and discovered she had red, swollen gums. Every couple of weeks, I do a head-to-tail health check …
The Brrr is On: Protect Your Pet From Exposure to Freezing Temperature
By Arden Moore When I moved to Dallas, Texas several years ago, I expected to endure hot temperatures starting in the late spring and continuing through the early fall. But I didn’t expect Texas, as well as other states in the country with warm climate reputations, to be socked by bitter cold temperatures this winter. Play it Safe – keep …
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. …
Take a Hike…With Your Dog
By Arden Moore Walks around your neighborhood can become so ho-hum for your dog. Workouts at the gym can be so boring for you. So, why not step out in style by going on an adventurous hike with your canine pal? In addition to the daily jaunts in our neighborhood, I treat my dogs, Emma and Kona, to periodic longer …
Ways to Keep Halloween Safe and Not Smoky For Pets
By Arden Moore This year, Americans are expected to spend a scary amount of money – about $700 million just on Halloween costumes for dogs and cats. That’s according to the National Retail Federation. For many people, Halloween is a major holiday to be celebrated. For some pets, there is no escaping Halloween. While some dogs may happily prance about …
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. …