The temperature is beginning to rise, and it is only going to get hotter. Make sure you know how to keep your cat safe in the summer heat. In the Northern Hemisphere, summer starts on June 21. During the summer heat, while you can adjust your clothing according to the weather, your cat is still wearing her fur coat. This can easily become a health issue. Just what can you do to keep your feline friend comfortable during the summer? If you are going to be away all day and it is going to get warm in the afternoon, drop...

When was the last time your dog greeted you with a million licks? This morning? Last night? A few minutes ago? Is he just saying hello, or giving you his version of a kiss on the cheek? Although he may never tell us, it helps to understand the psychology of the lick. Dogs lick often and for many reasons. A mother may lick her puppies to clean them or to stimulate elimination. Once her puppies reach about six weeks old, they often lick their mom's face and lips when they want her to regurgitate food for them much like their...

It should come as no surprise that cats can be fickle about when, where and what type of affection they are willing to receive. Your cat’s need for affection changes daily, or even hour by hour depending on its mood. The love you received this morning from your feline friend may very well become a swat or hiss when you reach for him later in the evening, perpetuating the myth that they are indeed moody creatures. However, if you learn their secret language, you will go a long toward understanding them. So should you kiss your cat? Hug him, and...

Like people, your pet needs to keep his brain stimulated and challenged. He needs both physical and mental exercise daily. If not given the opportunity to exercise and release energy, dogs of any size can become anxious, frustrated or destructive. You may send him out to play in the yard, or take him for a long walk, but his brain needs a work out as well. Did you know that wild dogs would spend about 80% of their waking hours hunting and scavenging for food? While domestic dogs have been beside us for thousands of years, and are bred for...

by Scott Pollak The hot days of summer can be a strain for pets, as well as for us! Taking cues from our own ways of keeping cool and applying them to our pets will help them have a happier summer. And, always remember, use common sense: If you take your dog for a long walk every afternoon and the dog has been sitting in an air-conditioned house all day, carry some water with you. Here are some other hot-weather tips: Pets eat less in the summer, especially during days of high heat. This is normal. Having cool, NOT cold, fresh...