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Summer is a great time to enjoy all sorts of outdoor fun, but when temperatures rise too high, conditions can become uncomfortable and even dangerous for pets. Conscientious pet owners, however, can take easy steps to keep their pets cool and safe even on the hottest days. Know Your Pet’s Temperature Tolerances Different pets enjoy different temperatures, and some pets are more sensitive to heat than others. Fish, for example, are more temperature-sensitive and must be kept within an optimum range or they can begin to suffer ill effects very quickly. Many reptiles, such as lizards, tortoises and snakes, often...

Cookouts can be amazing family fun, great neighborhood get-togethers, and spectacular ways to celebrate. It is natural to want to include a beloved pet as part of a picnic, barbecue, or camping trip, but cookouts can be dangerous for cats and dogs. Understanding those dangers is an essential first step to keep your four-legged friends and family members safe. Cookout Foods Can Be Toxic to Pets Many of our most popular cookout foods can be dangerous for pets, even in small quantities. These items should never be offered to animals, even as tiny treats. Grilled Meats – The spices, rubs, marinades,...

Cats have naturally independent natures, and many pet owners believe that other than basic litter box training or getting them to respond to the sound of a can opener, it isn’t possible to train a cat. It is easier than many people realize to clicker train your cat, however, and the training can create a stronger bond and deeper relationship between you and your feline friend. Benefits of Clicker Training Using a clicker to train your cat gives the animal a consistent signal to respond to, allowing all family members to use the clicker with ease. This can reinforce the...

Licking is one way a dog senses its world, and occasional licking is perfectly normal behavior and nothing to be concerned about. When your dog licks excessively, however, it can be an indication of underlying problems, or the licking itself could cause problems and injuries. Understanding why your dog licks can hep you identify any potential difficulties and redirect your dog’s behavior. How Much Licking Is Too Much? Licking is normal behavior for a dog to groom itself, express affection, and taste objects, and some casual licking can be comforting and soothing to the animal. Too much licking, however, is...

When social distancing is necessary, we have many options to entertain ourselves – books, videos, working from home, cleaning, gardening, board games, texting, online games, crafts, podcasts, and much more – but what about pets? Severe disruptions to our daily routines can be just as stressful to pets as they are to humans, but there are many ways to entertain your pets while social distancing and keep everyone safe. What Social Distancing Means to Pets For many pets that normally stay at home, social distancing won’t dramatically impact their lives or activities. For pets with more robust schedules of training...