With summer fully upon us, many of us are spending more time outdoors. Some of us may even be entertaining thoughts of beginning a new exercise routine.

The unspoken rule is don’t set yourself up to fail. Having a partner for your new endeavors can make a huge difference … but it has to be the right partner. The proposition to just beg off, to postpone until tomorrow, or ‘nah, let’s just go for a coffee instead’ – these statements are murder on any good intentions you may have towards making any real progress.

On the other hand, having a dedicated collaborator for these new activities can go a long way towards your long-term success. Especially if your exercise partner is someone who won’t ask you to procrastinate. How many of your friends could make that claim … that they’ll never, ever be negative and will always go with you, no matter the time of day? Probably not too many. Which is exactly why Dr. Sarah thinks someone already living in your home – namely, your canine companion – could make for one ‘Grade A’ exercise partner.

If you’re serious about getting healthy, don’t miss Dr. Sarah’s six vital steps for starting and maintaining an exercise routine with your dog.

Watch the latest episode of Pet Talk now, and check back next month for another brand new show.

Recent estimates put the number of dogs suffering from joint disease and chronic pain at nearly ten million, a significant percentage of the population. And, with more and more senior pet kids in American homes, those numbers are likely to remain high. Fortunately, veterinarians have adopted a treatment previously used only for humans, and it’s one that is dramatically improving the quality of life for pet patients. In this episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah explains how laser therapy offers a ray of hope for dogs and cats dealing with the pain associated with degenerative joint disease. Be sure to share this important message on alternative therapies with your fellow pet parents!

Pet parents postpone annual health exams for their dogs and cats for all manner of reasons. For some, it’s a fear of what your veterinarian will find during the examination. Others worry about the expense of the exam itself. And some seek only to avoid the stress a vet visit causes their pet kids. Regardless of the rationales behind not going in, the benefits far outweigh the more immediate costs of inaction.

The advantages of a yearly check-up are so vital, Dr. Sarah has devoted an entire episode of Pet Talk to the topic, providing all the motives why you shouldn’t put it off. In her clear and no-nonsense style, our good doctor walks you step-by-step through a typical annual wellbeing examination, revealing exactly what veterinarians are thinking when they’re investigating your pet kid’s health … and, why each step is vital to the long-term health and happiness of your companion animal.

Don’t miss this month’s episode of Pet Talk, and be sure to click on the ‘Email’ link to share this important message with friends and family!

In this month’s episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah reviews one of those I’ve-heard-mentioned-before-but-don’t-know-very-much-about canine health topics, Parvovirus. Sadly, with spring comes a seasonal increase in this potentially lethal disease, so you and your pup need to be prepared. Our staff veterinarian explains what the disease is, how it’s transmitted, tips about how to hinder its spread, symptoms to look out for, as well as what to do if your dog contracts this illness. And, be sure to watch the entire video, to learn how you can prevent your sweet pup from ever getting parvo. Thanks for watching this installment of Pet Talk, and check back next month for another brand new episode.

If your dog routinely chews for 10-20 minutes or more at a time, you’d better be sure that it’s something safe, as anything this repetitive can have significant wear-and-tear on teeth and gums.

Many pet parents can identify with the zoned-out expression of a dog who’s relishing a good chew experience. The benefits of blissing out on a good chew are many – exercise, mental stimulation, the promotion of dental health … some chew treats are even vehicles for superior nutrition.

In this episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah offers up her reviews of popular chew toys and treats, revealing which ones she does not recommend, and great alternatives. By the end of this episode, you’ll be an expert on the best options available to you, to make sure that chewing time is also safe time for your sweet pup. As a bonus, we’re revealing one of our newest products, an all-natural buffalo chew that can actually help to improve dental health, and it’s on sale! View all of our new buffalo chew treats now!

Be sure to share this helpful episode of Pet Talk with friends and family by clicking on the ‘Email’ link below.

It’s not just a typical winter when ‘polar vortex’ is the most popular weather phrase of the year. Even as we publish this post, the nation is on the brink of another bitter cold snap. While the thought of trekking around outside in frigid temps might instill a sense of dread for most people, your pup will likely be even more eager to explore the wintery landscape. In this episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah offers several useful tips to ensure that ‘outdoor fun time’ remains safe throughout the harsh winter season. A bit of precaution and planning makes all the difference, so break out the hot cocoa and watch the latest webisode now.

Would you be surprised to learn that 50% of the dogs and cats in America are overweight? Worse, these percentages, not to mention waist-sizes, are only going up.

The good news is that this serious health epidemic has more than one solution, and they are all easy to adopt. In this episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah shares her veterinary tips for weight loss, including one which utilizes a simple tool in virtually every kitchen.

Be sure to share this episode of Pet Talk with other pet parents. Sending a video link could be the first step in the process toward a better life for overweight pet kids.

In fact, by employing a couple of Dr. Sarah’s easy-to-master tips, 2014 could be the healthiest year ever for dogs and cats!

Some people just have a knack for attracting the affections of cats. Others, not so much. If you’re in the latter category, you should definitely watch this short episode of Pet Talk, where Dr. Sarah reveals the secrets to ‘cat whispering’. Joined by Alvis, her feline guest-host, our staff veterinarian presents an excellent tutorial for those interested in learning the proper way to pet a cat. Great for children or anyone with limited experience with felines.

For those of you who enjoy taking your pup to parks or on trails where no leashes are required, off-leash training is an absolute must.

In the latest episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah demonstrates how vocal control can direct your pup’s attention squarely on you, not the oodles of distractions populating the teeming wild. It’s the best way to keep you and your dog connected, even when she’s leash-liberated out in the great wide open.

Additionally, untethered training could prepare you for potentially dangerous, off-leash scenarios. Say, if your dog should ever encounter a wild animal, an ill-tempered dog who’s also off-lead or even a child who might inadvertently provoke aggression on your dog’s part. Just being aware that your dog simply has a bit of bolt in her nature can put you ahead of the game. Not to mention, some people suffer from cynophobia (an abnormal fear of dogs). An overly enthusiastic dog, especially a large breed, could strike fear in unsuspecting hikers who don’t even suffer from this particular phobia. For all of these reasons and more, training your pup to behave while off-lead could prevent events from spinning out of control.

Mastering voice control not only frees your dog literally, it liberates you, too, allowing you to have the same sort of influence as you do in the comfort of your own home. While no guarantee against trouble, teaching your pup to heed your commands is a great way to help ensure the safety of your free-roaming pup.

The occurrence of canine influenza is all-too-common these days. In what began with a viral infection in just eight dogs in one location less than a decade ago, the contagious disease has spread to more than half of the states across America. That’s why Dr. Sarah has dedicated this episode of Pet Talk to all of the pet parents who are dealing with this particular health challenge. The disease leads to symptoms similar to the flu in humans, including coughing, fever, malaise, loss of appetite, nasal discharge and possibly even pneumonia. Sadly, some dogs can experience permanent damage to their lungs, which is why awareness of the illness is paramount.

We encourage you to watch our Staff Veterinarian’s overview on canine influenza. In mere minutes, you’ll learn what a flu diagnosis means for your pup, how you can prevent onset of the illness and what steps you can take to help an infected canine recover as soon as possible. Watch this month’s Pet Talk episode now …