Dogs love the outdoors. They notice everything, not only with their eyes but with their whole bodies. Watch Fido, and you’ll see him sniff, move his ears, cock his head, wag his tail, raise his hackles, paw at things, maybe even dig. And if he finds something really, really stinky, watch out! Chances are, he’ll want to roll in it. One of the best vacays with your dog is hiking. He probably likes that more than any other activity because he gets to explore sights, sounds, and smells he doesn’t usually get to enjoy. Your dog lives with his whole …

Does your fur baby love catnip? Well, here’s why! Cat owners respond with laughter when they see their cat’s reaction to catnip, an herb in the mint family. Their normally lazy feline rubs her nose and cheeks in the catnip, rolls around on the ground, leaps around like a kitten, and then in roughly 10 minutes falls asleep. Most cats enjoying catnip also vocalize more than usual, but not all cats are equally respondent. Some people question the ethics of giving what appears to have the effect of a recreational drug in human use to an animal. But is it …

How to keep your pet’s paws perfect. Summer is hot, and when that sun is still beating down on the asphalt, rocks, and cement, it can really do a number on your pet’s toe beans, regardless of size. Most dogs show signs of distress when they walk on pavement that is too hot. How hot is too hot? The general rule is “if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for his paws.” It’s hard to believe that when your temperature reaches 77 the pavement can be 125, but it is true. Pavement that hot can literally burn …

The what, why, and how. Make sure your pet is safe! When I was small, we moved from one neighborhood to another pretty far away. During the move, our Boston Terrier, Chippy, got lost. We searched high and low for her until finally she was found in the trunk with some of the things we were moving! If Chippy had been lost in the new neighborhood, chances are highly unlikely that we would have gotten her back. Today, your pet is much more likely to be returned to you if it has a microchip implanted. (Yes, I get the irony …

As pet owners, we’re constantly being lectured by our vets about the importance of setting yearly vaccination appointments. So what’s the big deal, anyway? Well, over 5,000 dogs are infected with rabies each year in the U.S.; that’s just one of the dozens of contagious diseases that your pet could come in contact with throughout their life. Vaccines are just as necessary for our dog’s longevity as they are for us, and since it’s Vaccination Awareness Month, we’ll tell you why! Why Should You Vaccinate? You already know that rabies is highly infectious, but were you aware that the disease …

If you own a pet, eventually you will have to bathe him. Dogs can be challenging to bathe, but cats can be near impossible. But all of them like to roll in stinky substances, hide in dirty places, or occasionally get a condition (fleas, maybe?) that requires putting them in water and soaping them thoroughly before rinsing them clean and toweling them dry. But the question remains, “How do I do that?” Well, the answer is the same, whether you’re bathing a dog or a cat. I’ll give you some tips that will help you make bath time as pleasant …

Summertime is the perfect time to throw a bash (and a frisbee or tennis ball) for Barkley. It can be the highlight of the warmer season if you follow some common-sense rules and dip into your imagination. (If you’re not that imaginative, check out Pinterest or Instagram for ideas.) Basically, if you’ve ever thrown a birthday party for kids, you already know how to make things fun. Your dog’s birthday is an ideal occasion, but if you don’t know when he was born, the date you first met is a great alternative. (Besides, isn’t it anytime a good time for …

So you’ve got a baby on the way, congratulations! This is such an exciting time period for moms, dads, and furry siblings. They can sense your joy and see that changes are being made to the home, but they’re not exactly sure of what’s to come next. Instead of abruptly interrupting your pup’s established routine, keep the harmony by working to ease into the transition a few months prior to the arrival of your infant. This way, it’s not such a shock to the system when their schedule is altered and new boundaries are set in place. What’s Yours Is …

Celebratory seasons and fireworks sure go hand in hand, don’t they? During the months of July and December, Americans are celebrating Independence Day and ringing in the New Year. The awe-inspiring light shows may be entertaining for us, but they’re terrifying for Fido. Here are a few tips on keeping your pup safe and relaxed through the festivities! Secure the Room It’s completely understandable that you’d want to let your dog roam the house as he normally does. However, it’s not a risk worth taking under these special circumstances. Instead, set up a cozy “panic room” for them to take …

Taking a walk is always fun, but here are some fun games to keep your dog physically enthusiastic as well as sharpening up their grey matter… “Treasure hunt.” Take along his favorite treats and as soon as he gets distracted from you, toss one and tell him to “find the treat.” You might have to guide him the first few times, but this game is learned easily and teaches him to stay focused on you.  “Pathfinder.” If you’ve gotten in a rut taking the same walk every day, chances are Fido’s as bored as you are. Vary your route and …