Frequently Asked Questions

A: Halloween is a favorite holiday for many humans, but it also brings a number of dangers for pets. Here are five tips for keeping your cats safe: 1. Keep black cats indoors. This is a time of the year when superstition runs high. Some people are outright cruel to black cats, and others are just thoughtless. This has escalated to a point where some shelters won't adopt out black cats during the month of October. It also happens that people take black cats indoors as a neat decoration, not giving a second thought to the cat's wellbeing or home. Keep your black cat indoors until the holiday is over. It is also wise to confine cats. Ringing doorbells, people shouting "trick or treat" and the front door repeatedly opening and closing can be scary to a cat. It's better to keep kitty locked in a back room than a panicked cat rushing through the door. 2. Hang decorations high Candy wrappers, tinsel, and decoration are irresistible to cats. Keep decorations out of reach and throw all candy wrappers away at once. Cats might not immediately want to eat wrappers, but if they play with them they might accidentally ingest one anyway. Wrappers and tinsel can cause intestinal blockage and require surgery. 3. Keep human candy out of reach Human candy is bad for cats and dogs. Chocolate, xylitol, and other substances that we enjoy are highly toxic to pets. Also watch out with the carved pumpkin. Unsweetened canned pumpkin is great for pets, but the carved pumpkin that's been on the porch for days can be rife with bacteria. 4. Be careful with candles There are many fun and cute Halloween candles. Don't keep lit candles in the same room as the cat - cats and fire make a recipe for disaster. 5. Watch out for electric cords Many halloween decorations come with lights, and electric cords can seem like a lot of fun to a cat. Chewing on cords can cause electrocution and burns. Also keep batteries out of reach and sight. Cats love to swat batteries around, but that game can get really dangerous if they bite they battery. Stay safe, and Happy Halloween!

A: Bo is an Alabama pooch who recently made himself popular amongst  the police - and very likely less popular with his owner. The police was at the owner's house with a drug search warrant, and when the owner dashed away from the house to a nearby wooded area, officers told Bo to "go get him." The happy puppy obeyed and took off so quickly officers lost sight of him. Just as they were about to give up, someone spotted Bo's wagging tail over the high grass where his owner hid. The owner is now taken into custody on several charges, and happy puppy Bo is placed with relatives. The local animal control checks in on the husky/pit bull mix, and he is doing fine. Image from CNN.com

A: Almost eight years ago, Mike Nuane had a Shih Tzu puppy named Jordan. The little dog disappeared and was presumed stolen from the back yard in Denver. During the years since then life moved on, but Jordan was never forgotten. Not long ago the Nuane family got a phone call from the Fulton County Animal Shelter in Atlanta, saying, "We've got a dog here that's yours." All their dogs were accounted for, but the Atlanta stray's microchip insisted he belonged to Mike Nuane. It was Jordan, turned in as a stray, many years later and several states away from his home! Jordan was in pretty bad shape, but has gotten loving care from the shelter, and Nuane flew to Atlanta with leash, collar, food, and food bowls to pick up his lost friend. //youtu.be/JqWC5cB8imU

A: Some dogs are always on the go. Physical and mental exercise are the best ways to keep a dog occupied and stimulated, but it is possible to train a more relaxed behavior even when you're not directly playing or training. It is a good idea to give your dog a spot of their own. This can be a doggy bed, the crate, or other suitable place. Odds are your dog will appreciate a snuggly place with a comfortable bed, but this might not be enough to make it the best spot in the world. Leave a treat in this special spot at random times through the day. Your dog will discover them eventually, and this makes the bed one of the most interesting places in the house. It is also a great idea to stop by with a treat every now and then when the dog rests on the bed. If your dog loves to be petted, make a point out of noticing when she's on her bed, and give some extra attention. Unless she's really sleeping, of course. It might take a little time before your dog figures it out, but keep sending the message that resting on the bed makes good things happen. It is much easier to handle a dog who begs for attention and goodies through resting than one who jumps and barks.

A: Many believe that dogs and cats are natural enemies. That's not true - whether a cat and a dog will get along or not depends on the individuals, but also on the socialization they've received earlier in life. Many cats and dogs are great friends. Whether your cat and dog will get along or not usually depends on the dog. Many dogs will chase small animals that run, and this is particularly a problem amongst herding breeds and those with strong prey instinct. Of course, the cat won't appreciate being chased, and the more kitty runs, the more the dog will give chase. Make sure the cat can get away and hide if it wants to. It's great to give kitty access to an elevated resting place the dog can't reach. Keep your dog restrained during introductions. He or she shouldn't be able to chase, even if the cat runs. Baby gates are a great way to gradually introduce dogs and cats. Let them take their time. Don't force physical closeness. If you pick up the cat and hold it in the dog's face to introduce them, odds are the cat will scratch the dog, and the dog won't like the cat. Let introductions be slow and supervised, and watch for any potential problems. It can take weeks for a cat and dog to get used to each other, and to learn to communicate.  If they don't seem to tolerate each other even after a few weeks, consider seeking help from a professional trainer.

A: Many people are attracted to big cats, and their beauty, strength, and independence holds an irresistible allure. Lions, tigers, cheetahs, and bobcats don't make good pets, but that hasn't stopped people from trying, and the Bengal was developed to create a cat with the wild look in a safe and domestic package. The first Bengals were bred in the 1960s, and come from small Asian Leopard Cats and domestic shorthairs.  The typical Bengal is extremely intelligent, active, and curious, and these cats want a lot of interaction and attention. Translated to dog people, a Bengal cat is like a Border Collie in cat shape - if not properly stimulated the Bengal will get bored, and they're quite able to open drawers and cabinets to see what's inside, or dismantle things to see how they work. Bengals love to climb - the higher the better - and they love playing with water. Don't be surprised if your Bengal wants to join you in the shower. Unlike many other cat breeds, Bengals like to learn tricks and games, and enjoy puzzle games. Each cat is an individual, but the average Bengal gets along fine with dogs. They are affectionate, energetic, and overall healthy.

A: Anyone who has seen an agility competition can feel awe at the talented dogs scaling ladders, running through tunnels, and balancing on teeter boards. Agility is a great sport that strengthens the bond between dog and human, and it poses a healthy challenge for the dog. If you want to try with your dog, you can do so at home. You can make your own obstacle course, and once you have that, it just takes some patience and training. A basic agility course has weave poles, a dog walk, standard jumps, a pause table, a tunnel, and a tire jump. All these things are for sale, but you can also make them yourself with materials from a hardware store or a flea market. You can make your own weave poles through sticking PVC pipe into the ground. Make sure there's enough space between the poles for your dog to navigate around them. Bamboo poles also work very well. The dog walk is basically a long bench where the challenge for the dog is staying on the bench instead of jumping down. You can use a picnic bench, or make a dog walk by placing a piece of plywood across cinderblocks. For pause table you can use an old coffee table. Just make sure that it's stable and not too high off the ground. When it comes to jumps, make sure they're low enough for your dog to be able to get over. You can increase the height as your dog gets in shape and figures out what to do. Many build jumps out of PVC pipes, but you can also balance a broom stick on two flower pots. For a tire jump you can use a hula hoop tied sideways between two chairs. Just make sure the construction is stable enough not to fall when the dog jumps through. Most department stores and children's stores have collapsible tunnels. One of these won't last as long as a specially made agility tunnel, but it's a good start that will last long enough for you to figure out if this is the right thing for you and your dog. You can also make your own tunnel with a row of low tables and blankets. Before starting on the course, make sure your dog knows basic commands such as sit, come, stay, and lie down. Once you have that down, help your dog through the course. Take your time and start slow.

A: Dogs are natural scavengers and tend to eat what comes in their way. That doesn't mean that all dogs like everything, or that everything they eat is good for them, but fruits and berries are nature's treats, and most dogs love them.  Not all fruits and berries are good for dogs. Here is a list with the most common ones, and whether your can let your furry friend share. Remember that everything should be given with moderation - you don't want to give your pet a whole bowl of berries, because his or her digestive system won't be used to it. Apples Dogs shouldn't eat the seeds, because they can be toxic to dogs, but the fruit is fine. Most dogs won't care for the skin of the apple, but will happily gobble down a nice slice. Bananas Some dogs don't like the consistency of banana, and others love it. If your dog likes peeled banana it's a great snack. Blueberries Blueberries are fine, and rich in antioxidants. Many dog foods and treats contain blueberries. Coconut Dogs can eat both coconut meat and milk. Grapes No. Dogs should not eat grapes or raisins. Not all dogs react adversely to them, but those who do can die from kidney failure. Don't take the risk. Mango Mango has a large pit that the dog shouldn't have. Dogs can have a piece of mango flesh without the peel and pit. Oranges Peeled and de-seeded citrus fruits are fine for dogs. Just make sure to remove the seeds. Peaches Peaches are tricky, because the pit contains cyanide, and this is deadly to everyone, not just dogs. If you absolutely want to give your dog peach, make sure to only give the outer layers of the fruit, because cyanide can seep out from the pit into the meat close to the center. It's not enough to harm a human, but it can be enough to harm a dog. Pears Dogs can eat pears, as long as you remove the seeds and cores. Pineapple Pineapple meat is fine for dogs. They shouldn't have the prickly husk, of course, but the meat is fine. Plums Avoid giving your dog plums, for the same reason they shouldn't have peaches. The pit is dangerous, and there isn't enough meat on a plum to find a layer where you can be absolutely sure it's safe. Raspberries Raspberries are fine, and many dogs love them. Some dogs have been known to eat raspberries directly off the bushes! Strawberries Sure, but you should remove the leaves and any stem. You want the dog to eat the berry, not the greenery. Watermelon Yes, dogs can eat watermelon, but you should remove the seeds.

A: This is a great season for family get-togethers, and everyone enjoys the Thanksgiving dinner table. Make sure the holiday flows smoothly and safely for the pets too with our handy tips. Dogs and cats can nibble on some boneless and well cooked turkey. They shouldn't have raw turkey, undercooked turkey, skin, or bones. It is also okay to share some unsalted and unbuttered vegetables. Dogs and cats cannot eat onions, garlic, leeks, or scallions. They also shouldn't have grapes or raisins. A taste of mashed potatoes is fine. Just consider that mashed potatoes can contain other ingredients than just potatoes. If your pet is lactose intolerant, cheese, butter, and milk in mashed potatoes can cause problems. A taste of macaroni and cheese is also fine, if your pet can handle dairy. Cranberry sauce is fine for pets, but there can be a lot of sugar in it, so limit the amount. Some other things to watch out for are xylitol, sage (common in stuffing), and raw bread dough. The bread dough seems harmless, but it will continue to expand when eaten, and this can be very dangerous

A: Image from peoplepets.com When JR Nicholson needed a ride to the emergency room, his best friend Buddy would not accept being left behind. If Nicholson was going, so was Buddy. This wouldn't be so strange if Buddy was human, but he is a 40 lbs Beagle mix, adopted by Nicholson just four months prior to the incident. The dog leaped onto the small side step of the ambulance and hitched a ride, unbeknownst to the crew. The ambulance went around 20 miles before another driver stopped them, telling them there was a dog on the side of the vehicle. Luckily Nicholson didn't have to stay long at the hospital, and he could return home with his four-footed friend the same day.