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The Halloween-Thanksgiving-Christmas Holiday trifecta is traditionally characterized by festive and sometimes flamboyant displays of decorations. While many of these decorations are considered benign to the health and safety of you and your family, you may want to consider how they affect your pets. Dogs are the most likely culprits of gobbling up a poisonous holiday plant, so it's important to take certain precautions when decorating your home for the holidays.First, beware of the poinsettia: This vibrant green and red plant indigenous to Latin America is a timeless decoration in the holiday season that garnered attention in the past for its...

Nuts are always popular treats, not just as an easy snack, but also in all sorts of baked goodies and other recipes. It is important that dog owners not share many of those snacks and treats with their pets, however, because of the different nut dangers to dogs. Understanding those dangers can help dog owners keep their pets safe. Some Nuts Are Okay – In Moderation When dog owners first learn that nuts can be dangerous to dogs, they may be shocked to see peanut and peanut butter-flavored treats available for dogs from pet stores, major retailers and even specialty...

Birds can be enjoyable pets and loyal companions, but it can be distressing when your feathered friend shows signs of illness and isn't its usual chirpy self. Recognizing common pet bird diseases and knowing the best solutions for these conditions can help you be sure your bird leads a healthy and happy life. Most Common Pet Bird Diseases and How to Help There is a wide range of diseases that can infect pet birds, but different bird species have different susceptibilities to various infections. The most common conditions that can affect a wide range of popular pet birds inclue… Parrot...

Halloween can be an un-intentionally scary time for pets. In fact, veterinarians see many pet injuries that can be avoided this time of year. With all of the shrieks and howls coming our way, we thought it would be a good idea to make sure they are happy ones, in keeping with the fun atmosphere of the holiday. It’s always a good idea to keep aware that the festivities may not be as fun for our pets as it is for the kids, teens and adults.To keep this Halloween from being a real-life nightmare for you and your pet, consider...

From turtles and tortoises to snakes, geckos and iguanas, reptiles can be great pets, even for kids. Unfortunately, many children are squeamish around reptiles or even afraid of them. With patience and understanding, however, you can teach your child to be comfortable around all types of popular pet reptiles. Why Kids Can Be Uncomfortable Understanding why a child doesn't like pet reptiles is the first step toward helping them feel better about these animals. Unfortunately, many reptiles that young children are first exposed to are often portrayed as monsters, such as vicious dinosaurs, dragons or supervillains. The size, speed and...