Advice

This is where we share things that we have learned about living with pets, and where we engage some really knowledgeable experts to pass on their wisdom. This part of our website will continue to grow and grow as we add more and more articles.

We hope that the articles here will help you to experience greater satisfaction from having pets, but we don’t always have all the answers, and that’s where you come in.

At the bottom of each article, there is an opportunity for you to submit comments on it, to provide user reviews on related products, and to pass on your advice to other pet owners. We’d really appreciate hearing from you.

Additionally, we would welcome your well thought out, well written, and informative article. The “Advice” topic is pretty wide open, and you can choose the topic. Of course, we reserve our editorial rights, but you would receive full credit for your article that we publish, and we’ll send you a $25 A Pet’s Life gift card as thanks. If you are interested, click here and send us your idea and a brief outline.

Articles

TEACHING YOUR DOG TO SWIM

by Marion Corber

A breed of dog with the word “water” in its name (Irish Water Spaniel or Portuguese Water Dog, for example) should adapt easily to swimming. Setters, Retrievers, Akitas, Terriers, and Poodles are also strong swimmers, who love to play, hunt, and retrieve in the water.

WHY DOGS AND CATS EAT GRASS

by Marion Corber

It may be difficult for you to imagine your sweet little housecat Hermione as a predatory jungle beast, hiding in the tall grass, hungrily waiting for a snake to slither along her path, or a little mouse to make the wrong turn and wind up in her sights. Or perhaps your little dachshund Schnitzel, charging through the forest like a wolf on the hunt.

FLEA CONTROL

by Marion Corber

Before we get into how difficult and dangerous fleas and flea control can be, let me surprise you a little by stating the following: Flea control can usually be handled simply, as long as you take the necessary steps to prevent an infestation.

Read more about Choosing a Dog Breed...

INTRODUCING A NEW CAT TO YOUR RESIDENT CAT

by Marion Corber

Bringing a new cat home to a house with a resident cat requires planning and patience. Keeping the cats separated at the beginning and allowing them to meet gradually are the best ways to ensure a successful period of adjustment and integration.
Read more about introducing a new cat...

HOW OLD IS MY DOG?
Like humans, dogs don’t all age at the same rate. There are many factors that combine to determine the rate at which your dog ages and how long he will live.
Read more about your dogs' age...

HOW OLD IS MY CAT?
While the average lifespan of a cat is about 15 years, the age that cats live to varies widely. An intact feral tomcat may live only three years in a tough environment, while it’s not uncommon for pampered house cats to live into their twenties.
Read more about your cats' age...

TEN COMMON MYTHS ABOUT DOGS
MYTH #1: A wagging tail means a dog is friendly.
FACT: This is a common misunderstanding. A more accurate definition of why a dog wags its tail is a “willingness to interact.”
Read more about 10 common myths...

IS YOUR PET IN PAIN?
When we hurt, we’ll likely treat it ourselves if it’s minor, or if it’s more significant we can explain it to someone else, such as a doctor, and get help from them. Our pets can hurt too, but they can’t come and tell us, at least not directly. It’s our job to understand how our pets tell us that they are in pain and then to do what’s necessary to ease their suffering.
Read more about pain and your pet...

SPARE THE ROD, SPOIL THE DOG?
Why, When and How to Say No to your dog.
Likely the most discussed and disagreed upon facet of guiding and teaching our canine companions is…. discipline.
Read more about disciplining your dog...

HOME ALONE AND VERY AFRAID.
WHEN YOUR DOG HAS SEPARATION ANXIETY
Separation Anxiety is a crippling state of mind for a dog. It is heart rending for owners to see the manifestations of their dog’s fear when they are left alone. Dogs are inherently social animals that crave being part of a group or pack. For some dogs, being separated from their pack and family causes intense fear.
Read more about separation anxiety and your dog..

THE POWER OF PRAISE
Good Dog! Two words that we most enjoy saying to our beloved canine companions and so it should be.
Read more about praising your dog...

ALL ABOUT CAT LITTER
It’s easy to get confused and even overwhelmed when considering all the different types and brands of cat litter that are available today. How do you choose which one to use?
Read more about cat litter...

CRATE TRAINING: GOOD FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG
There’s no question – crate training your dog is the single best thing you can do to promote happy, healthy, and harmonious human/canine relationships in your family.
Read more about crate training...

TEACHING YOUR DOG TO COME WHEN CALLED
by Steve Huxter, Transform Canine Behaviour Solutions
One of the most common training issues that dog guardians deal with are dogs that don’t respond to commands reliably, especially dogs that don’t return when called.
Read more about teaching your dog...