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A puppy’s nutritional needs are different than those of adult dogs, but as your puppy grows, how will you know when it is time for adult dog food? The answer is more complicated than just your puppy’s age, but it is possible to make a safe and healthy choice for your growing friend. How Puppy Food Is Different Than Adult Dog Food Puppies require richer food higher in protein, nutrients, and calories to support their accelerated growth, energetic play, and changing physical condition. Many types of puppy food also have smaller kibbles or softer formulas to better accommodate a puppy’s...

When temperatures drop, we layer up in warm clothes, turn up the furnace, enjoy hot drinks, and take other steps to stay warm and safe. But what about our pets? Practicing good cold weather safety for pets is essential to keep all our furry, scaled, and feathered family members safe and comfortable in winter. How Animals Adapt to Cold Animals have many natural adaptations to cold weather. Our furry friends may grow a thicker winter coat, while many animals will gain weight in autumn to store an insulating layer of fat just under their skin. Some animals slow their metabolism...

The Halloween-Thanksgiving-Christmas holiday trifecta is traditionally characterized by festive and sometimes flamboyant displays of decorations. While many of these decorations are considered benign to the health and safety of you and your family, you may want to consider how they affect your pets. Dogs are the most likely culprits of gobbling up a poisonous holiday plant, so its important to take certain precautions when decorating your home for the holidays. First, beware of the poinsettia. This vibrant green and red plant indigenous to Latin America is a timeless decoration in the holiday season that garnered attention in the past for...

In many homes, a beautifully decorated Christmas tree is the undisputed centerpiece of holiday decorations. Unfortunately, the garlands, tinsel, lights, and ornaments are just as attractive to pets, but can be dangerous if cats and dogs decide this unusual tree is a new and fascinating toy. There are several ways you can keep your pets and tree apart, however, without harming either one. Dangers of Christmas Trees Despite their beauty, Christmas trees hide some very ugly dangers to pets, such as: Shocks or electrocution from chewing on light cords Injuries from sharp needles or illness from toxic oils in the...

Moving is a stressful event for every family member, with children changing schools, leaving old friends and meeting new ones, and learning a new neighborhood, adults working on overwhelming paperwork while setting up new utility and professional services, and everyone packing and unpacking, organizing new spaces, and so much more. But what about our feline family members – how can you help them adjust to a new home safely and comfortably? How Moving Can Affect Cats Cats are creatures of habit, and dramatic changes to their routines can be unsettling. Moving to a new home is very disorienting to a...