Mushrooms can seem to appear all around your yard overnight, especially after rain, warm weather, or a stretch of damp conditions. One day the lawn looks normal, and the next day there are small caps growing near a tree, along the fence, in mulch, or right where your dog likes to sniff. For many pet owners, yard mushrooms can be...
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Summer vacation is easier to enjoy when you know your petâs boarding plans are in place. But before drop-off day, there are a few important details to handle because boarding is not just about reserving a spot. Your pet may need updated vaccines, parasite protection, medication instructions, diet notes, and a health check before...
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You are petting your dog or cat and notice tiny black specks in their fur. At first, it may look like regular dirt, especially if your pet has been outside, rolling around, or exploring under furniture. But sometimes those dark specks are not dirt at all. They may be flea dirt, which is one of the most common clues that fleas ar...
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Summer can be hard on any dog, but it can be especially challenging for flat-faced breeds like Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, and Boxers. These dogs are often full of personality and eager to be part of family activities, like cookouts, camping, and days on the water, but warm weather can...
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A beach or lake day can be one of the best parts of summer with your dog. There is room to explore, water to splash in, and plenty of new smells to investigate. But for some dogs, the fun is followed by an upset stomach, loose stool, or a sudden need to go outside much more often than usual.
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Bad breath in pets is easy to joke about, but it is not something to ignore. In many dogs and cats, ongoing bad breath can be one of the first signs that bacteria, plaque, and inflammation are affecting the gums and the structures that support the teeth.
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It can be surprisingly hard to tell whether a pet is at a healthy weight just by looking at the number on the scale. A 10-pound cat may be overweight, underweight, or just right depending on their frame. The same is true for dogs, where breed, build, age, and muscle all change what a healthy weight looks like.
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Leptospirosis is a dangerous infection that can spread from dogs to humans. This disease is caused by the Leptospira bacterial species. It is found worldwide and is considered zoonotic, which means it can spread from animals to humans. According to the CDC, each year, there are around 1 million confirmed cases of leptospirosis j...
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Adding a pet to the family can be a wonderful experience for children, but the best choice is not always the cutest or the easiest pet to buy. For families with younger kids, the right pet is usually one that fits the householdâs space, schedule, budget, and supervision level. Temperament matters, but so do handling needs, enric...
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Bee and wasp stings are common warm-weather problems for pets, especially curious dogs and cats that chase, swat, or investigate flying insects. A dog stung by a bee may yelp, paw at the face, or suddenly start limping if the sting happened on a paw. A cat bee sting can look similar, although cats are often harder to read and ma...
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