It’s the height of summer, which means that mountain trails, bucolic meadows and forested thickets are beckoning your dog to romp and explore. This impulse may be at odds with concerns about new research on Lyme disease, which may have you more inclined to restrict your canine companion’s activities to the Great Indoors. Before you put the kibosh on outdoor fun, make sure you know all the facts about canine Lyme disease. More...

We love our companion animals. But sometimes their actions are mystifying, if not altogether baffling. Fortunately, our own Dr. Jane is on-hand to offer some rationale behind some of the most perplexing pet behaviors. More...

If you’ve ever noticed a foul odor wafting from your pet’s hind end, there's a chance that anal sacs may be the source of the problem. As any pet parent will tell you, nothing smells as uniquely terrible as the material emitted from these glands. More...

Imagine walking down the road. Suddenly, you are confronted by a large, snarling dog heading directly for you. Try to imagine your level of fear. If you were once terrorized by a dog earlier in life, multiply that fright by a factor of ten. Your heart would race, your body would start to shake and your breathing would become shallow and rapid. These reactions are caused by a surge of hormones, such as adrenaline, often referred to as the ‘fight or flight response’. It’s how your body reacts to a perceived threat, and it’s totally normal. More...

February is National Pet Dental Month, and a great time to talk to your veterinarian about the state of your pet’s mouth and, if needed, schedule a dental cleaning.

There is a price to pay for neglecting your companion animal’s dental health. It’s a long-term cost that’s potentially much higher than the short-term fees associated with a dental cleaning. Several problem areas can develop as a result of poor dental care: excessive tartar, tooth decay, periodontal disease and oral abscesses. These conditions can be the gateway to other major medical conditions involving the heart, liver and kidneys. As with humans, such advanced dental disease can diminish your pet kid’s quality of life and even shorten lifespan. More...

Heart Health Awareness Month is right around the corner, beginning February 1st. While technically concerned with human heart health, I think it’s vital that we expand the scope of the conversation to address canine and feline heart health, too.

Most people have a basic understanding of the risks of heart disease in humans, but when it comes to the heart health of our pet kids, that area remains a mystery to many. More...

My Dear Friends,

If you have read my end of year letters in the past, you know that the holidays, for me, are a time of joy and reflection. A time to celebrate the courage and dedication of our families and friends. To fondly remember loved ones we’ve lost. To find inspiration and hope. To share with those less fortunate than ourselves. So much to be grateful for and so much to hold precious. More...

Along with the majority of our customers and Field Reps, I consider companion animals as family members. I believe that their diets should be as healthy and delicious as our own, which is why I have dedicated my life to researching the best foods and products for our pet kids. Although there are significant differences in nutritional requirements and taste preferences between dogs and humans, new compelling research published this year suggests that canine diets, and subsequent genetic profiles, evolved in order to cohabitate with humans. More...

Moving to a new residence can be a nerve-wracking event for everyone involved. With the average American moving 11-14 times, that’s a lot of trips to ‘Stressville’. Between sorting through your possessions, packing up boxes, traveling to the new location, switching utilities and all of the other steps that go into a move, it’s easy to become frazzled at the mere prospect of all that work. Coordinating all of these elements can prove challenging even for folks with a knack for organization. More...

While boarding facilities are a great option for many people, some pet parents feel more comfortable hiring a pet sitter to stay home and care for their pet while they are away. Pet sitters and pet parents can make for a winning combination in companion animal care, but the secrets to this relationship are preparation and communication. If you are planning on hiring a pet sitter, here are some tips that help ensure a seamless experience: More...