Dog’s aren’t the only pets that can suffer bad breath. Cats too can emit powerful, foul smelling odours when they open their mouths, which can also make their fur reek after they engage in a thorough grooming session. Whilst your cat’s breath is not supposed to scent sweetly of perfume, if it smells strongly unpleasant there are a variety of medical conditions that may be to blame.    Image Credit Bacterial colonies in residence of kitty’s mouth are the uninvited occupants responsible for unpleasant smells. This bacteria may not only cause you to want to hold your breath when your cat starts yowling for dinner but also seriously affect your cat’s health. Bacteria spread via the bloodstream from the mouth to other organs, such as the liver, kidneys and heart can result in serious ailments, and even organ failure making bad breath more than problem for your nose.   Image Credit   Poor dental care is one of the most common causes of reeking cat mouths. Teeth brushing is just as necessary to dogs and cats as it is to human dental care. A number of cat friendly pastes in flavours such as chicken and fish are available along with specially designed toothbrushes to allow you to clean your cat’s pearly whites and reduce tartar and bacterial build up. Dental chew toys and treats are also recommended for use in conjunction with brushing to improve dental health, as are natural 'chews' like chicken necks from the butcher.   Image Credit   If your cat’s dental problems are more advanced, a trip to the vet for extensive teeth cleaning may be essential. The procedure involves placing the cat under anaesthetic and scraping away large amounts of residue – and even removal of certain teeth if it appears deterioration has drastically progressed.   Image Credit   If your cat appears to have perfect teeth, yet still suffers horrid breath, other feline disorders may be responsible. Bad breath is a symptom of kidney disease and diabetes along with a number of other feline diseases and syndromes. If you suspect these my be an issue with your cat, veterinary diagnosis and treatment is essential.   

Vestibular disorders are unfortunately common in cats.  Also known as the labyrinth, the vestibular apparatus is a sense organ which is composed by three canals, an utricle and a saccule. The apparatus is stimulated by gravity and rotational movement and plays a vital role in allowing cats to orient themselves in space as well as maintain balance.   A vestibular disorder essentially interferes with a cat’s ability to move correctly. A cat suffering a vestibular disorder is likely to wobble, circle, fall and roll continually with the world through their eyes seeming to spin. They may also lean again the wall to try and hold themselves up as well as crouch low to the floor when attempting to walk. Rapid jerking eye movements and head tilting are also common symptoms.   Image Credit   The causes of vestibular issues vary. Some cats are affected by a simple inner ear infection, however other causes can be far more serious issues such as strokes, brain tumours, head trauma, thiamin deficiency and brain infections.   Idiopathic Vestibular Syndrome is also a common cause of the problem. The syndrome is mysterious with there being no current understanding of how it begins. Onset is typically sudden and affects a cat’s ability to walk. There is a suggestion environmental factors may be to blame as there is usually a significant increase in cases in July and August in the United States.   Image Credit   In idiopathic cases, just as suddenly as the syndrome begins, it ceases, with recovery usually occurring in two or three days. Generally speaking a cat with be healthy again in three weeks time, though some cats retain a permanent head tilt. Whilst recovery usually occurs naturally, a suffering cat will need supportive care from a veterinarian as eating and drinking will become difficult for them during the first stages of the syndrome.   Disorders can also be the result of a congenital vestibular defect. Particularly prevalent in Oriental breeds such as the Siamese, kittens may born with the issue and manifest rolling and circling behaviours shortly after birth. Sadly, there is no cure. 

Wouldn’t it be amazing if your dog knew how to open the door to let themselves outside in the mornings? Guide dogs are taught this skill as a necessity, but with a bit of training it is quite possible for any dog to become a door opening extraordinaire.   There are a number of methods to teach door opening – one of the most effective is to use the humble post-it note.   Image Credit   The first step is to get your dog to learn that touching the post-it note is a great idea. Hold it in your hand and show it to your dog and say ‘Door’. When they sniff or paw at it, give them a treat immediately. With some persistence your dog will get the idea bumping the post-it note leads to yummy things.   The next step is to stick the note onto a door. Your dog should see the note and go to tap it to get their reward. Even if the door barely moves, give them a reward and make a great fuss.   To move closer to your dog actually fully opening the door, withhold the treat until your dog pushes the door harder – let them try tapping twice, opening the door farther, before you give them their biscuit. Gradually increase the amount your dog has to push the door before they get what they are after.   Once your dog has learnt opening, the next step is to teach closing. Allow your dog to push open the door and give them a reward. Then direct their attention to the post it note you have placed on the other side.   Image Credit   Dogs are great pattern learners. Repeating ‘tap post-it’, ‘walk through door’, then ‘turn and tap post-it’ should cement the idea in their mind with persistence.   When your dog has mastered that pattern it is time to make things a bit more difficult once again. Start to cut down the post-it, so it gets smaller and smaller, until there is nothing left of it for your dog to see at all. This will teach your dog to associate the action with the door itself rather than a square of paper.   Now your dog can push a door open and shut it is time for the challenge of handles. Some handles are going to be impossible for your dog to master – round knobs for example. However any kind of handle you can tie a piece of rope to that will open it with a tug such as a long metal handle are entirely conquerable.   Image Credit   This part of training is going to be lots of fun. Using the rope play tug of war with your pup until they see the cloth and think “I need to grab and pull”. Next it is time to tie to your door handle and encourage them to tug, helping by waving the end of the rope around if necessary. If you dog tugs even just a little reward them. Practice getting your dog to tug the rope enough for the handle to drop and open the door.   Once you have that down, it is time to put it all together! As with all training practice makes perfect. Repeat consistently tugging the rope, pushing the door open then pushing it shut until your dog can do it on autopilot. Pretty soon you will never have to jump out of bed early on a weekend to let them outside again!    Image Credit   Feature Image Credit   

Due to modern health care innovations, dogs, like humans, are living longer than ever before. This means we can now enjoy many more years of play and cuddles with our canine pals than we might have done in the past. However, with this increased life span we have also seen a rise in the number of dogs affected by cognitive dysfunctions like dementia.    Physical changes in the brain and its chemicals resulting from the aging process lie at the heart of canine dementia or Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) as it is also known. Studies of suffering dogs have shown brain lesions evident on scans similar to those displayed by human sufferers of Alzheimer’s. Essentially, these brain changes lead to differences and deterioration in how your dog thinks, learns and remembers.   Image Credit   You dog may have dementia if they: Seem to become lost or disoriented in the house or backyard they used to know well Fail to respond to their name or other training commands they used to Wander the house endlessly without purpose Struggle to learn new commands or how to navigate about new places Become increasingly withdrawn and sleep a great deal Seem to forget their housetraining and have increased accidents Fail to recognise family members Incessantly bark for no apparent reason   Image Credit However, it is important to note a dog displaying one or a number of these behaviours does not necessarily have dementia. Some dogs become increasingly deaf as they age, meaning their lack of response to commands could derive from their inability to hear them correctly. A loss of the same bladder control they had when younger can lead to accidents rather than confusion over where they are supposed to go.   A vet diagnosis is essential to establish whether or not your beloved senior is suffering from CCD or is simply aging gracefully. If your dog is affected by dementia the drug Anipryl has been shown to be extremely helpful in a number of cases. Supplements and vitamins such as omega-3 fatty acids and anti-oxidants can be also be useful by supporting brain function also.   Image Credit No solution however will entirely turn back the clock. Keeping your elderly dog’s life comfortable as well as showing patience and compassion is the best way to help keep them happy as they live out the remainder of their days in your care.  Try to maintain a solid routine of feeding and exercise to keep things as simple as possible and avoid moving around your furniture and other objects in your dog’s world to keep down their levels of disorientation. Most of all, enjoy the time you have together while you still have it and thank them for the years of love and loyalty they have shown to you with patient affection.   Feature Image Credit

Cats are like us in many ways – they enjoy a stretch, a nap in the sun and some peace and quiet. They can also experience an increased appetite. Cold weather, greater activity, growth periods, pregnancy and lactation are all possible, and normal, causes of increased appetite.   Polyphagia is the term used for an increased consumption of food. Your vet should investigate any change in appetite that results in a change in your cat’s weight as it could be related to a medical condition. You should always consult your vet if your cat loses their appetite, whether accompanied by any weight change or not.   Often older cats will experience polyphagia and this is a normal part of the aging process. Your cat could beg constantly for food due to learned behaviour or overfeeding.   Food that is of poor quality will mean that your cat needs to consume larger amounts to meet nutritional and dietary requirements. Always give your cat quality food that has the right nutritional value. Your vet will be able to provide brand suggestions.    Some medications, such as those containing steroids, may lead to increased appetite. Your vet and the information on the medication’s packaging will indicate if this is expected. If it is not an expected side effect then consult your vet.   Medical conditions Some diseases or conditions are associated with increases in appetite and will result in weight gain or loss. Intestinal parasites or worms  Hyperadrenocorticism or Cushing’s disease – more common in middle-aged or older cats and is caused by the excessive production of cortisol by the adrenal gland. Often associated with increased thirst and urination. Hyperthyroidism – usually occurs in older cats and results from a tumour of the thyroid gland. Other symptoms include weight loss, vomiting, increased heart rate and increased activity.  Acromegaly – the overproduction of growth hormone by the pituitary gland usually as a result of a tumour. Diabetes mellitus – due to an insufficient production of insulin in the body or when cells don’t respond to insulin.  Usually also accompanied by excessive thirst and urination.  Diabetic ketoacidosis – caused when the body can’t utilise glucose and instead begins to break down fat for energy. Insulin producing tumors (insulinomas, liver tumors) – these cause a lowering of blood sugar levels.  Conditions associated with malabsorption or maldigestion such as inflammatory bowel disorders, intestinal cancers and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency where there is insufficient pancreatic enzymes for complete digestion. Accompanying symptoms to look out for : Weight loss or gain Increased thirst Increased urination Change in body shape Muscle weakness or degeneration Vomiting Diarrhoea Changes in behaviour   Feature image credit  

It can be like a scene from Jaws. You can imagine the music playing in the background as you walk down the dark hallway, or near furniture where it could be lurking underneath. Just as you think you've made it safely passed, it springs from its hiding place and latches onto your legs. This isn't done with playful kitten joy, but with seemingly vicious intent to draw blood.   If you know this scene all too well, then you live with a cat that attacks without provocation. Some cats may turn on you when you are petting them. They may seem relaxed and happy one moment and then angry and fierce the next, leaving you with a bloody hand.   There are several reasons why a cat acts out with unprovoked aggression. Understanding the cause can help you decide how to work on solving this feline behavior problem.   Health issues A cat that is sick for any reason may have a sudden personality change. A once sweet and affectionate cat may now be aloof and aggressive. A cat with an injury may attack when you touch a spot that hurts. Take your cat to the veterinarian to find out if there is a medical reason for your cat's behavior.     Lack of socialization Kittens that are not handled regularly by people at a young age grow up to be cats that don't know how to properly socialize with people. This can turn into aggression because they may fear people or just don't know how to properly interact with people.   Territorial behavior The cat may be protecting its territory from intrusion. In such cases, the cat has not accepted humans as friends. They see people as enemies who are encroaching on their territory.   Hyperesthesia Hyperesthesia is a recognized anxiety disorder in cats. Cats with hyperesthesia are overly sensitive to any touch along the spine and tail. When pet down the back, they may have muscle spasms, become aggressive, or even appear to hallucinate. Experts do not completely understand this condition, but two theories are that it is a type of seizure disorder or a form of obsessive compulsive disorder.   How to stop a cat that attacks If your cat's aggression is not caused by a medical condition, then you can take steps at home to help your cat feel more comfortable around people. Make sure your cat has a retreat area where it can hide, feel safe, and take a break from people. A covered cat bed or tall cat tree works well as a kitty retreat. When your cat is in this space, leave it alone. Spend time with your cat feeding it favored cat treats. Feed the treats while petting to help your cat associate petting with good things. Don't ever hit or yell at your cat, as this will only reinforce their fear and aggressive behaviors.   If you have tried all these things at home and your cat is still aggressive, then ask your veterinarian for help. Your vet can prescribe medications to help with cat behavior problems. A veterinarian can also recommend a cat behaviorist who can come to your home and give you more advice that is specific to your individual cat's personality and behavior.

The common cold and flu virus knows no boundaries in infecting humans. Regardless of your age, skin color, or nationality, you can become infected by illnesses that disrupt your life and make you feel miserable. Your dog is no different. Whether your dog is small or large, it can become infected with a number of common illnesses. The following list covers the 10 most common illnesses that affect dogs around the globe.   Giardia Giardia is a disease named after a water-borne parasite that is commonly found in open water sources across North America, such as lakes, ponds, and stagnant pools of water. Your dog can easily become infected with this disease by drinking from infected water sources. The resulting symptoms include diarrhea and abdominal pain, as well as weight loss or trouble gaining weight. Fortunately, giardia can be prevented with monthly heartworm medications.   Distemper Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that impacts your dog's respiratory and nervous systems. Distemper can be as mild as causing a simple fever and fatigue, but can also progress to cause coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. If left untreated, distemper can lead to death. Vaccinations from your veterinarian can prevent it.   Parvo Better known as Parvovirus, Parvo is considered one of the most contagious dog illnesses. Parvo affects your dog's bowels, leading to diarrhea and vomiting that can be so severe that your dog could ultimately die from the illness. The infection is common in dogs of all ages, but puppies are particularly susceptible to the disease. Parvo is typically transmitted through contact with feces, but a readily available vaccination from your vet can protect your dog.   Coronavirus Coronavirus is another virus in dogs that leads to diarrhea and vomiting. Diarrhea alone is the most common symptom, though severe cases of the virus can present with diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and constant water drinking. Some dogs have been known to contract both parvo and coronavirus at the same time. Again, a simple vaccination can protect dogs from this disease.   Hepatitis Similar to hepatitis in humans, the disease impacts a dog's liver function. Symptoms of hepatitis in your dog include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Serious cases of hepatitis can lead to permanent liver damage in your dog. Once again though, a vaccination can prevent hepatitis in dogs.   Lyme disease If your dog spends a great deal of time outdoors near wooded areas in the summer months, Lyme disease is a serious concern. This bacterial disease has an irreversible impact on your dog's health, including symptoms such as arthritis, lameness, fatigue, depression, and loss of appetite. When left untreated, Lyme disease can result in permanent heart, kidney, and brain damage. Vaccinations are available to protect your dog from this disease.   Rabies This is perhaps the most dreaded dog disease. Rabies is a viral infection that attacks your dog's brain and is, in many cases, deadly. The most common form of contraction is through a bite from rabid wild animals such as skunks, raccoons, and bats. Unlike many other diseases, rabies can be passed to humans through a bite or scratch. A vaccination against rabies is not only readily available, it is mandatory across North America.   Leptospirosis This is another disease carried by wild animals, but unlike rabies it is a bacteria and not a virus. Common forms of infection include consumption of contaminated water or interaction with an infected wild animal. If your dog is infected with leptospirosis, you'll notice a high fever, jaundice, and potential hemorrhaging noticeable as blood in the dog's feces. There is a vaccination to protect against this disease.   Kennel Cough If you've ever put your dog in a kennel while you hit the road for a summer vacation, you are no doubt familiar with kennel cough. The Bordetella virus is responsible for kennel cough, though other organisms have been known to cause kennel cough. The disease is highly contagious and spreads most frequently through dogs in close contact with other dogs. Symptoms include severe coughing spells with the potential for vomiting, gagging, nasal discharges, and watery eyes. A vaccination is available for this disease, though it is not automatically given to your dog by a vet like many of the other vaccines mentioned above.   Parainfluenza Last but not least, parainfluenza is a strain of kennel cough that is highly contagious and presents with symptoms similar to the flu. This disease can easily be contracted through contact with another dog, and not just at the kennel. Parainfluenza can be contracted at the park, beach, or off-leash dog park. Feature image credit  

There is no feeling more frustrating than trying to silence a dog that is barking excessively. Excessive barking can occur in a number of situations for various reasons. One common instance of excessive barking occurs when visitors come to your home. The doorbell rings and your dog launches into a barking tirade that it seems will never end. Another example would be excessive barking as a sign of stress during separation from an owner.   Regardless of the scenario, there are steps you can take to help prevent your dog from barking excessively. The keys to succeeding in this process are patience and consistency. Remember, it is important to be firm, but reasonable when training your dog. It is not going to help the situation to get carried away. Also, your dog won't learn in just one training session. It will take consistent training to change its behavior.   Don't yell A common reaction to excessive barking from many owners is to yell "shut up" at the dog. Remember that your dog is an animal, not a human. It has no idea what the words "shut up" mean. In fact, you are only reinforcing the barking when you raise your voice because the dog thinks that by yelling loudly you are joining in on the barking.   Instead, use a soft, but firm voice with the command "quiet." You can get your dog to understand the action you want along with the word "quiet" through training. When your dog is barking, use a firm tone and tell them "quiet." Wait for them to stop barking naturally (even if it's a few seconds to take a breath), and when they do reward them with praise and a treat.   This will help your dog associate the term "quiet" with a calm attitude and teaches them that listening to that command results in a treat.   Ignore your dog If your arrival home after running errands or a long day of work gets your dog worked up into a barking frenzy, the best thing you can do is ignore your dog. The barking is a cry for attention from your dog. If you make eye contact or physically reward that behavior with affection then you are teaching your dog that it is not only OK to bark, but that it will get what it wants from doing so.   When you come home, walk past your dog and make no contact with it until the barking stops. Pay close attention though, because the moment your dog stops barking is when you should give them affection and attention as a positive reward for being calmer and quieter.   Desensitize and prepare your dog With time and effort, you can also desensitize your dog to the stimuli that bring on excessive barking. If the front door and doorbell are a particular problem, work to desensitize your dog to these stimuli. Start by having your dog sit and stay in a particular spot where they can see the door, but are not near it. Move towards the door and make contact with it, making sure your dog stays.   If it stays put, reward your dog for that behavior. Gradually work your way up to turning the knob, opening the door, and having someone stand outside the door. At each stage, your dog should be trained to stay put. Expect setbacks at times, especially when you progress to having an individual outside the door or ringing the doorbell. Remain consistent with praise and treats, as well as corrections.   In the case of separation anxiety, a good way to prevent excessive barking is to prepare your dog. A tired dog is a happy dog; and a happy dog doesn't bark excessively. If you are going to be gone for long periods of time, find the time in the morning to take your dog for a walk to release its energy before leaving. This will help your dog settle in for the day and avoid excessive barking in your absence. Feature image credit

Summer is in full swing and families have migrated outdoors to enjoy the warm weather while it lasts. As you head outdoors more frequently now, so too do your household pets. Although most people believe cats to be indoor animals, there are a significant number of cats that are allowed the freedom to roam the great outdoors. As your cat spends more time outside, it becomes increasingly likely that it will interact with other cats.   Infectious diseases are not unique to the human race. Mad cow disease and bird flu are just a few examples of infectious diseases that impact the animal kingdom. It is important to be aware of the potential infectious diseases your cat could come in contact with, including the symptoms, so you can help your cat get the treatment it needs to remain healthy.   Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) FIV is very similar to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This infectious disease can lead to a number of different health problems because it lowers the ability of your cat's immune system to fight off disease. In a worst case scenario, FIV can lead to immunodeficiency syndrome. This condition is often referred to as feline AIDS. Once your cat is infected with FIV, it will be infected for life. However, FIV is manageable if detected and treated, and does not mean a death sentence for your feline friend.   Although FIV is from the same family as HIV, it cannot be spread to human beings or other animal species. The disease is spread primarily through bite wounds, meaning cats that spend a great deal of time outdoors, potentially fighting other cats, face the greatest risk of contracting FIV. Signs and symptoms of FIV include fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and low white blood cell count.   Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) FeLV suppresses the immune system in your cat, and can lead to cancer, or cause other serious illnesses in your cat. FeLV is a particularly tricky infectious disease in cats because an infected cat can live with the disease for years without displaying symptoms. FeLV is found in the saliva, nasal secretions, bodily fluids, and feces of cats and poses a particular transmission risk to those cats that spend a lot of time outdoors or in direct contact with other cats. Kittens, because they already have weaker immune systems, face a greater risk of contracting the disease.   There is not guaranteed reaction from your cat's body to FeLV. After initial infection, FeLV begins circulating in your cat's bloodstream. Once this occurs, your cat can spread the virus to other cats. However, some cats have immune systems that are capable of warding off FeLV. In these cats, the virus no longer circulates in the bloodstream. Instead, the virus lives on in a latent form in the cat's body without harming the cat.   Upper Respiratory Infections This particular infectious disease in cats is most prevalent in kittens and is a term that actually describes a variety of diseases that can occur alone or together in your cat. The symptoms of upper respiratory infections, regardless of specific disease, tend to be similar. The primary areas of your cat's body impacted by these diseases are the nose and throat.   There are a variety of causes behind upper respiratory diseases, ranging from multiple forms of bacteria to feline herpesvirus 1. The signs and symptoms of upper respiratory infections include fever, nasal discharge, sneezing, runny eyes, reddened eyes, cough, gagging, and rapid breathing.   Feline Calicivirus Calicivirus comes in a variety of different strains that can infect cats in mild to severe ways, depending upon the specific strain and disease it leads to in your cat. Although it is extremely rare, there is a particularly virulent strain of calicivirus that can cause very severe illness and even death. Cats suffering from calicivirus often remain infected for a long time, and in some cases for life.   This disease frequently presents as a form of upper respiratory infection, either alone or in combination with another disease. There is a particularly rare form of the disease that impacts numerous bodily systems and functions, and is known as a systemic illness. Recent outbreaks of this particular disease have been noticed in cat populations that live together in large groups, such as shelters.   Signs of calicivirus in your cat can range from runny noses and watery eyes to sores on the skin, vomiting, and diarrhea. Fortunately, it is possible to protect your cat against calicivirus with various vaccines. The VS-FCV vaccine is designed to combat the most serious forms of calicivirus.  

Human beings express a range of emotions using various physical movements and expressions. As a human, you can show your happiness with a smile, or express your displeasure by frowning. You can take a tall, stiff stance with your body to display aggression, or reveal disbelief by rolling your eyes. Although it may be hard to believe, your dog possesses many of the same skills when it comes to communicating without language. Dogs will bark to express excitement, nervousness, or anger, and can also use body language to communicate. However, did you realize that your dog can also use its eyes to communicate with you?     It is already well-known that wolves and dogs are social animals that rely on a pack to live a mentally healthy, happy lifestyle. Living in a pack requires various forms of communication, from tail wags and barks to general body language. A team of scientists from Japan has recently discovered that canines may also use their eyes to communicate with one another. The team found that wild canines (gray wolves, fennec foxes, and bush dogs) all gazed at each other with the same frequency, but that gray wolves held their gaze for much longer periods of time. Gray wolves even used various gazes to differentiate between play and aggression. Canines, such as wolves, have a higher level of contrast in their eyes and are likely to rely on that contrast to determine what other dogs (and people) are looking at while gazing around their environment.   The link between gazes and eye shape has a long way to go in order to establish a firm connection, but there are already a few well-known gazes that domestic dogs use to communicate (sometimes indirectly) to humans their mood. A domestic dog can, with some limits, vary the shape and size of its eyes. Additionally, a dog can adjust the intensity and direction of its gaze. Your domesticated dog can give you clues to its mood through its eyes. A happy dog, for instance, will exhibit eye shape and size that is normal. If your dog normally has round eyes, that normal appearance indicates that your dog is happy and relaxed at the moment.   If, on the other hand, your dog's eyes appear larger than normal this could be a sign of aggression. When your dog's eyes appear smaller, this is usually a sign of stress or fear. An example of an aggressive cue is when your dog stares at you out of the corner of its eye. This often serves as a sign that it is ready to aggressively defend a chew toy or bowl of food.   Did you also know the direction of your dog's gaze sends messages too. Dogs will rarely gaze directly at one another because it is a sign of aggression. However, many domestic dogs will look directly at humans. The key is to decipher the different stares you might encounter. A dog that looks at you with a relaxed facial expression is likely happy and simply wants to interact with you.   If, however, the dog is staring directly at you with a tense facial expression is sending a different message. This dog feels threatened or aggressive and the best way to handle that is to slowly avert your gaze. Averting your gaze shows that you have no aggression toward the animal and can help diffuse the situation. Feature image credit