2019-05-01 02:17
Have you ever considered fostering pets from your local animal shelter, but something held you back? Maybe it was the fear of becoming too attached. Perhaps you felt worried you might not ha… Read More
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The Good Pet Parent Blog - Helping Pet Parents Do Blog
goodpetparent.com
Helping to educate pet parents on animal health and wellness by translating complex veterinary topics and terminology into concepts that are easy to understand.
2019-03-20 03:55
For pet parents, choosing a veterinarian is just as important as choosing a family doctor. Our furry kids are so much a part of our families that we would never think of entrusting their car… Read More
2019-02-24 20:31
We all seem to have that one friend who can eat anything. But what if that “anything” included things that didn’t actually qualify as food?
Pica is a surprisingly common t… Read More
2019-02-11 00:49
This is a story about two dogs. Both are greatly loved by the same family. Both happen to be Pit Bull mixes. And both have been deeply affected by breed-specific legislation’s dirty li… Read More
2018-12-12 18:05
I have to confess, I absolutely adore the holidays. I don’t even mind the parts that most people don’t enjoy all that much, like the inevitable last-minute dash on Christmas eve… Read More
2018-11-04 06:06
Adopting a special needs pet can change your life in ways you may never have thought possible. Although it’s true that adopting a pet with special needs can come with its own set of un… Read More
2018-09-15 02:19
When most people think of introducing pets to a new human family member, the first thing they usually think of is bringing home a new baby. Although it’s true this is a very common sce… Read More
2018-08-25 03:06
In veterinary medicine, few diseases seem to break the hearts of veterinary professionals more often than injection-site sarcomas in cats. This is because these cancerous tumors are believed… Read More
2018-08-06 03:28
In the animal rescue world, no-kill shelters are a fairly new idea, having come on the scene around the early 1980’s. Before then, it was common practice for shelters to kill animals w… Read More
2018-07-16 03:19
Lymphoma in dogs is one of the most common forms of canine cancer. Fortunately, it’s also one of the most treatable, earning it the #1 spot as the most overall commonly treated cancer… Read More
2018-06-25 04:09
Whether we like it or not, all of us at some point in life will be forced to walk through the fire. For me, the last year has been a raging inferno, bringing with it the end of my 20-plus ye… Read More
2017-09-10 04:20
Cruciate ligament injuries not only cause a great deal of pain and discomfort for the dogs unlucky enough to suffer from them, they can also be very stressful for dog parents. These injuries… Read More
2017-08-26 02:20
Declawing cats is one of the most common elective veterinary procedures performed in the United States. It’s estimated that between 20 – 25% of all cats living in U.S. households… Read More
2017-07-11 03:14
Cerebellar hypoplasia is a neurological condition that occurs in kittens and puppies who are born with an underdeveloped cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls coordination, balance… Read More
2017-06-24 07:03
Although most people have heard of Lyme Disease, not many know about another dangerous tick-borne illness that can cause serious complications in our dogs – Tick Fever.
Tick Feve… Read More
2017-06-10 06:58
When I was in veterinary practice, we always got REALLY excited whenever the latest veterinary miracle drug made its debut. What made them “miracle drugs” was that they usually m… Read More
2017-05-13 00:12
Although most people have heard of canine distemper, many people don’t know just how dangerous this disease really is.
During the first half of the twentieth century, canine distemper… Read More
2017-04-22 05:05
Has this ever happened to you? You’re out enjoying a nice walk with your dog, when suddenly she yelps, lifts one of her back legs completely up off the ground, and immediately appears… Read More
2017-04-08 17:52
By now we’ve all heard about the damage too much sun exposure can do to our skin. But did you know that despite their furry coats, pets are also at risk for sunburn?
Protecting pets fr… Read More
2017-03-25 03:51
Feline asthma, the most commonly diagnosed respiratory disorder in cats, is very similar to asthma in humans. In both cats and people, an asthma attack happens when an allergic reaction caus… Read More
2017-03-11 04:02
Spring is almost here, and with warmer weather comes the arrival of one of nature’s most epic battles: the clash between dogs and porcupines.
Unfortunately for dogs, this colossal conf… Read More
2017-02-26 01:21
Introducing a new pet into your home can be exciting, intimidating, fun, and stressful, all at the same time. Not only do we wonder how our new addition will adjust to life with us, but if w… Read More
2017-02-11 00:57
Collapsing trachea is a chronic condition found in dogs, especially older dogs and toy breeds, that causes a dry, hacking cough and difficulty breathing. It starts in the trachea (also known… Read More
2017-01-28 20:09
We pet parents love our dog and cat treats. We love buying them, baking them from scratch, dehydrating them, and looking for the newest ones to bring home to our furry family members. We use… Read More
2017-01-14 05:38
I had never heard of “Non-Recognition Aggression Syndrome” in cats until, as the story often goes, one day it happened to me. Or rather, it happened to my two sweet kitties, Trou… Read More
2017-01-02 06:17
Chances are pretty good that if you’ve ever shared life with a dog, somewhere along the way someone has instructed you about the importance of learning how to dominate your dog. Most d… Read More
2016-12-10 22:22
Anyone who’s been around dogs or cats for any length of time knows they’re not exactly discriminating when it comes to what they put into their mouths. Edible hazards for pets ab… Read More
2016-11-22 06:26
Photo Credit: Sherrie Buzby, Sherrie Buzby PhotographySo let’s just get it all out on the table up front…to say that 2016 was not the best year for me would be a massive underst… Read More
2016-10-29 06:33
Rabies is a disease nearly everyone has heard of, especially if you share your life with pets. But how much do you really know about it?As recently as 50 years ago, the most common rabies ca… Read More
2016-10-15 07:10
Hot spots are one of the most frustrating skin conditions in dogs – itchy and painful for dogs, and very concerning for dog parents! These raw, moist, and downright scary-looking skin… Read More
2016-10-01 08:50
To vaccinate, or not to vaccinate?Never before has the topic of vaccination been so hotly debated as it is right now, in both human and veterinary medicine. Not surprisingly, it’s also… Read More
2016-09-13 07:20
When you hear the words “animal rescue”, what images immediately come to mind?If you’re anything like I was, maybe it’s cold concrete floors, windowless rooms, and sa… Read More
2016-08-27 08:09
Last month I had the incredible good fortune to meet, fall in love with, and ultimately adopt a sweet, tiny, smart-as-a-whip calico kitten who now goes by the name of Piper (more about her i… Read More
2016-08-13 06:42
As a pet parent, few things are more frightening than watching helplessly while your pet experiences a seizure. Seizures in dogs and cats are due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain… Read More
2016-07-30 08:20
Should cats go outside? It’s a question that stirs up lively debate, on both sides of the argument. In some countries, like the United Kingdom, it’s generally believed that keepi… Read More
2016-07-16 06:15
Anyone who’s familiar with yoga knows what an incredible mind/body experience it offers. We humans practice yoga to reduce stress and tension, improve concentration, increase flexibili… Read More
2016-07-05 03:14
When it comes to understanding pet food labels, many pet parents have a difficult time, and I totally get it. I worked in veterinary medicine for years, and to this day I still have a hard t… Read More
2016-06-18 00:06
Years ago while working in a small animal veterinary practice in Ohio, I saw my first case of Limber Tail Syndrome in a big, handsome, yellow Labrador Retriever. Being a Lab (which of course… Read More
2016-06-03 22:31
So, lately my faith in humanity has taken a bit of an uppercut to the jaw, for various reasons that I will not elaborate upon here. Let’s just say the world can be a cruel place at tim… Read More
2016-05-21 07:41
Brachycephalic dogs, otherwise known as dogs with “smushed” faces, are quickly becoming some of the most popular breeds in the world. They include, to name a few, the Pug, Bulldo… Read More
2016-05-07 06:40
Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common health problems in cats, especially in older kitties over the age of 10 years. It happens when the thyroid gland, which is responsible for regulatin… Read More
2016-04-27 03:38
Nothing seems to throw new dog parents into a state of panic quite like their dog’s first episode of reverse sneezing. This common respiratory event sounds so dramatic and alarming whi… Read More
2016-04-09 02:14
Have you ever seen a cat suddenly stop what they’re doing, freeze for a moment, then bound into the air and take off running as if a hellhound were after them?For most cats, this is pr… Read More
2016-03-26 05:04
Over the last few years, bully sticks have become one of the most popular chew treats on the dog treat scene, and for good reason. Bully sticks are a single ingredient, all-natural, high-pro… Read More
2016-03-13 00:40
Most dogs love to run, whether it’s chasing squirrels through the yard, frolicking with other dogs in the park, or trotting down beautiful stretches of sandy beach. Dogs make great wor… Read More
2016-02-27 05:55
According to the Animal Cancer Foundation, 1 in every 5 cats will develop cancer in their lifetime. Cancer in cats can occur at any age, but it’s most commonly seen in middle-aged to o… Read More
2016-02-20 08:27
No one likes to hear that their pet needs a veterinary procedure. But if the procedure requires anesthesia, for many pet parents this adds a whole new level of worry.Anesthesia is simply a c… Read More
2016-02-06 05:28
To chip or not to chip? That’s the question many pet parents have when it comes to microchipping their pets. The use of microchips as a system to reunite lost or stolen pets with their… Read More
2016-01-30 07:25
Cushing’s disease is one of the most common medical disorders found in dogs. It results when a dog’s endocrine system malfunctions, leading to potentially life-threatening illnes… Read More
2016-01-23 06:26
Arthritis in pets is one of those double-edged swords; if we’re lucky, our pets will live long enough to develop it. Arthritis is extremely common in dogs, cats, and horses. In fact, 1… Read More
2016-01-16 06:21
Veterinary acupuncture is an exciting and welcome addition to modern veterinary medicine. Now animals, both small and large, can receive the same benefits from acupuncture that humans do, in… Read More
2016-01-09 05:35
Leptospirosis, a nasty disease that can infect both animals and humans, is caused by a specialized type of bacteria known as a spirochete. Corkscrew-shaped spirochetes enter the body by burr… Read More
2015-12-19 10:06
Nostalgia can be a tricky thing. It’s in our nature as human beings to romanticize the “good old days”, fondly reminiscing about the way things were while somehow inexplica… Read More
2015-12-12 05:11
Parrots are intelligent, complex, beautiful birds. They are also extremely popular as companion pets, with birds coming in third place in pet popularity in U.S. households, ranking just behi… Read More
2015-12-05 06:22
Kennel cough is an extremely common and highly contagious respiratory infection in dogs. It’s found worldwide, and will infect a large percentage of dogs at least once in their lifetim… Read More
2015-11-28 02:54
Lots of people talk to animals. Not very many listen, though. That’s the problem. ~ Benjamin Hoff, The Tao Of PoohBedside manner. It’s one of those terms probably more easi… Read More
2015-11-21 04:33
Back in my veterinary clinical practice days, I vividly remember a cat whose owner brought him in because he had lost his appetite and just wasn’t “acting right.” I remembe… Read More
2015-11-14 01:51
Nothing seems to strike more fear into the hearts of dog parents than the dreaded “C” word. Hearing that your dog has been diagnosed with cancer is a heart-wrenching experience… Read More
2015-11-07 10:20
Dental disease in dogs and cats is one of the most common diseases that occur in our pets. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most overlooked. If you ask many pet parents, they’… Read More
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