Search Results for: blog seven ways to help an aging pet

The Longevity of Pets

If you’re planning to live to be a hundred, you might want some company. Pets are living longer lives these days, too! The number of dogs and cats living into their twenties (and beyond — there are accounts of cats living into their thirties!) may be indicators that the life spans of our beloved companion animals are increasing. If you’re interested in a long-lived pet, here are some things to consider: Size matters. The largest dog breeds are often the ones with the shortest life spans. One heartbreaking example is the Irish wolfhound, with a life span around 6-8 years … Continue reading →

Skin and Coat Care for Senior Pets

Did you know that the skin is the heaviest organ in your pet’s body? It can account for an average sixteen percent of your pet’s total weight! What does the skin do? Prevents water loss Allows us to perceive touch Allows swelling after injuries Protects against impact and friction injuries Protects against damaging UV rays Helps regulate body temperature Acts as the first line of defense against germs, bacteria, parasites, and other disease-causing organisms. Skin and coat care is important for pets of all ages — but especially for the senior pet. Taking care of your aging pet’s skin and … Continue reading →

Pets Can Have Senior Moments, Too!

Senior pets — generally, that means pets over the age of seven, but it varies depending on species, breed, and size — can suffer from a lot of the same problems senior humans do. That includes the dreaded, embarrassing, or frustrating “senior moment”. What’s a senior moment? It’s a cute name for a somewhat disturbing problem. Your brain just won’t feed you the information you need — even though you KNOW you know it. Some senior moments are innocent; others are indicators of a more serious memory issue in action. For pets, a senior moment may lead to a lost … Continue reading →

The Top Pets Blogs of 2007: January – May

Aimee and I, along with the occasional guest blogger, tried our best to bring you informative, interesting, and entertaining articles this past year. But you seemed to like some more than others. So I decided to do a Year in Review recap of the ones that you responded most to. What Makes a “Top” Blog? Even though you all may enjoy most of the blogs we write, not all of them inspire you to leave comments or rate them. Those that received star ratings made the Top Blogs cut. January 2007 Top Blogs Assistance Dogs of the West and The … Continue reading →

National Pet Cancer Awareness Month: What You Should Know

November is National Pet Cancer Awareness Month, which is a subject near and dear to my heart because Budly had cancer. In his case, we detected it far too late to even attempt treatments. (By the time we did find it he was suffering pretty badly and the most humane thing to do was immediately put him to sleep.) But if I could prevent Murphy, Kitty, or Tabby –or any of your pets– from experiencing the abrupt and heart wrenching goodbye we were forced to endure with Budly, I’m all for it. So I did a little research to find … Continue reading →

PETitionz.org: Your Link to Voicing Pet Food Recall Concerns

Are you upset about the recent Menu Foods pet recall and the continuing search for clues as to why it happened? Do you feel procedures should be reevaluated and/or upgraded so something like this can’t happen again? Want to do something about it? You’re not alone. Built in just five days, Ron Smith, together with the help of volunteers, launched PETitionz.org on April 1. I found out about it thanks to a comment Mr. Smith left on a Week in Review blog not too long ago. I contacted him and asked if he would consider being featured in a blog … Continue reading →

The Pets Blog Week in Review for Feb 26-Mar 4

It’s concise, quick, and handy. For your Pets Blog pleasure, here’s the breakdown of what Aimee and myself wrote about this past week: Monday, February 26 Pets need to keep warm in cold winter weather, too, and what better way than with a coat made just for them? Aimee interviewed Holly Glover, a dog-lover who turned her talent for sewing into Project Puppy Love, which ultimately warms up the lives of shelter dogs. Speaking of warming … the weather prompted me to take Murph for a walk, which sparked “What Kind of Dog Is That?”: Why I Love My Pound … Continue reading →

Seven Ways to Help an Aging Pet

Life with a senior pet can be challenging… especially if your pet has physical or mental health issues! Here are some ways you can make life better for your aging dog or cat. Stick to the routine. Animals like routine, and need it now more than ever. Make sure feeding times and play times are always the same every day. Breaking routine can make your pet feel anxious and insecure. Talk to your veterinarian about your pet’s diet. It may be time to add disease-fighting antioxidants to your dog or cat’s dish. Check your pet’s blood pressure. Hypertension is a … Continue reading →

The Effects of Off Gassing on Our Children

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When Maggie was born, I knew little about off gassing. I knew it existed, I knew it caused problems, but I wasn’t overly concerned. Then she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and protecting her lungs became our number one priority. That is when my husband and I began to pay much closer attention to the products in our home. We rid our house of chemical cleaners and bleach and we keep the windows open as often as possible. We also used no VOC paints and run air purifiers throughout our home. Off gassing has become a serious threat to our … Continue reading →

The Old Brown Dog Ain’t as Brown as He Used to Be

I was over at a friend’s house yesterday. Hadn’t been over in a few weeks, and was surprised at how grey her dog’s muzzle had gotten. I commented on it, and she agreed that the change had come quickly. While I was outside with my own dogs, I noticed how much Moose’s coloring has changed over the last few years. His chin was the first to start going grey; the color has advanced down his muzzle. But that’s not the only change. His snout used to be nearly all black — now it’s a mix of brown and black. His … Continue reading →