Secondhand smoke can be dangerous to your cat by causing respiratory issues and even cancer. Since your cat is in your home at all times she cannot escape the smoky air all day and all night long. All the household surfaces such as the sofa, drapes, carpeting and even her bed are covered with smoke residue so your cat experiences contact exposure everywhere she goes. And she ingests the smoke residue whenever she grooms herself. The best and healthiest solution is to forbid smoking in your home. Otherwise, open the windows to air out the home often. Wash all cloth items frequently in hot water especially the items your cat spends her time sitting on. Brush your cat and clean her with wipes to remove some of the smoke residue. Empty ashtrays promptly since your cat could get sick from chewing on cigarette butts. ... Read more »

In their natural environment, birds love taking showers when it rains. It helps keep their feathers in good condition.

Misting pet birds offer many benefits. These include the following:

• Promote preening of the feathers
• Reduced incidence of feather picking and plucking
• Invigorate the skin and feathers
• Birds that are molting will benefit from misting because it can help loosen the keratin sheath cover of the new pinfeathers. This makes the sheath easier to remove during preening.
• Daily misting can boost the health of the bird’s respiratory system. It increases humidity in their immediate environment. Poor humidity is one common problem that captive birds are exposed to. Misting improves the humidity of your pet&rsquo ... Read more »

Your cat needs ample exercise to stay healthy and happy. Plan on at least one half hour of exercise daily. Cats don’t exercise in the same way as dogs but your cat will respond to toys that stimulate her hunting instinct. A ball, laser pointer or fishing rod toy with a feather lure can entice your cat to run, pounce and jump. Keep the intensity of the exercise sessions within your cat’s fitness level and increase the level as your cat gets into shape. Always use toys when playing with your cat so she doesn’t inadvertently scratch you when overly excited. Give your cat toys to play with on her own. Boxes and bags make fun lairs to ambush prey even if it’s just a squeaky toy. Cat trees encourage your cat to climb and jump from place to place. Provide an environment that encourages movement. Contact your C ... Read more »

Grooming comes naturally for cats; in fact, it is a daily habit. In addition to grooming themselves, cats also groom other cats that are familiar to them. This is one way to increase and strengthen their bonds with other cats in a multi-pet household.

Cats that are exposed to stressful situations also tend to turn to grooming in an effort to find release. Without proper intervention, grooming can become an obsessive-compulsive behavior. The cat may continue to engage in the habit long after the stressor is gone. Excessive grooming can eventually lead to loss of hair, a condition that is referred to as psychogenic alopecia.

Over-grooming can also be due to the presence of external parasites, such as fleas, lice, ticks, and mites. Allergies, fungal infections, and skin problems may also be potential underlying causes of the behavior.

A visit to yo ... Read more »

A dog’s eyes are extremely sensitive; it can easily be injured and damaged when it comes into contact with something. Dog fights, cat claws, tree branches, insect bites, dirt and debris, chemicals, and fireworks are just some of the things that can injure your pet’s eyes. Allergies may also cause your dog to paw at his eyes or rub his face on something. Eye injuries can range from mild to severe. One or both eyes may be affected, depending on the cause. Some of the most common eye injuries in dogs include:

• Laceration of the cornea as a result of a cut or scratch
• Corneal ulcers due to chemicals or debris, or pawing of the eye
• Puncture wound during fights
• Tearing of the eyelid when the eye gets caught on something
• Proptosis – occurs when the ... Read more »