When was the last time your dog greeted you with a million licks? This morning? Last night? A few minutes ago? Is he just saying hello, or giving you his version of a kiss on the cheek? Although he may never tell us, it helps to understand the psychology of the lick. Dogs lick often and for many reasons. A mother may lick her puppies to clean them or to stimulate elimination. Once her puppies reach about six weeks old, they often lick their mom's face and lips when they want her to regurgitate food for them much like their...

From the most common to some of the more unusual, your pet’s allergies can typically be treated using natural cures, such as acidophilus, evening primrose oil, and omega-3 fats. Like people, dogs can suffer from allergies. Allergies in dogs most often manifest through the skin, causing itching, scratching, or paw licking. From a holistic perspective, allergies usually indicate some sort of internal imbalance. Allergies of any type are an overreaction of the immune system. When the body’s immune system identifies an allergen, it goes on the defensive and treats the supposed allergen as a foreign substance that must be eliminated. As...

What is Homeopathy, and why should you look into it for your pet?  Is it the same thing as herbal remedies? Although Homeopathic medicines are made from natural substances such as plants, minerals and some animal matter, it acts more deeply than either herbs or drugs by stimulating the immune system on the most basic level that few medical modalities can. Herbs and drugs can affect the molecular level at best, however Homeopathic medicine goes to the root of the problem by using medically active substances in very small doses that stimulate the immune system, allowing for self-healing. Homeopathy stimulates the...

Do you love dressing your fur friend in the latest fashion? Does your dog or cat enjoy it as much? Belonging to the species Canis familiaris, the latter part of the name indicates your dog and his ancestors' familiarity with their extended family, the human. Thoroughly domesticated for over fourteen thousand years, your dog may seem to tolerate dressing up gladly. By submitting to your fashion sense,your dog gains something valuable - your attention, and maybe an extra serving of real meat zombie apocalypse beef; a beef oatmeal and molasses cookie treat.  On the other hand, dressing up your dog is...

It should come as no surprise that cats can be fickle about when, where and what type of affection they are willing to receive. Your cat’s need for affection changes daily, or even hour by hour depending on its mood. The love you received this morning from your feline friend may very well become a swat or hiss when you reach for him later in the evening, perpetuating the myth that they are indeed moody creatures. However, if you learn their secret language, you will go a long toward understanding them. So should you kiss your cat? Hug him, and...

Instead of leaving their pet pals to fend for themselves during the day while at work, many pet parents bring their pet to a doggy daycare provider. While it might seem like an exciting opportunity for the dog to socialize and fill his days with seemingly happy activities, there are pros and cons to the concept of doggy daycare. Did you know that your family, including your beloved dog, can be considered part of a pack? A pack is a group with a cohesive structure, rules and hierarchy. By dropping your dog into a group, the concept of who is in...