Favourable Pets: Pet Care Tips & Articles

Senior Dogs: Common Behavior Changes

Puppies have their behavior problems, and older dogs have theirs. For older dogs, in many cases it is not that they do not understand the 'rules,' but that they may, for many reasons, be unable to follow them.

SEPARATION ANXIETY
Separation anxiety is one of the most common behavior problems seen in older dogs. A dog who has separation anxiety will become very anxious when he senses his owner is about to leave. When the owner does leave, the dog often becomes destructive, barks or howls, may urinate or defecate, and may salivate profusely. A dog with separation anxiety will often be overly exuberant when his owner returns.
Contact Your Veterinarian When Your Dog Shows These Signs

The following information may help you decide which conditions are absolute emergencies, and which ones may let you take a "wait and see" attitude.
Healing From Pet Loss During the Holiday

The holidays are around the corner and it can be easy to feel lonely and isolated after experiencing the loss of a pet.
Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Fresh air and exercise is important for both people and pets. Winter offers crisp air and a magical landscape in which to enjoy your outings together. Before you head outdoors, consider the following:
- Protect your pet from the cold (yes, even with all their fur, pets DO get cold!).
Healthy Diet for Healthy Birds

It’s a well-known fact that obesity and poor nutrition are growing problems in our culture, but did you know that obesity is also a leading cause of problems in pet animals? Birds are no exception to this alarming trend, and it’s important for pet bird owners to have the facts about avian nutrition and proper feeding.
Improper diet is one of the biggest causes of health problems in pet birds, so knowing what your pet bird’s dietary needs are is essential. Most birds in the parrot family are florivores, which means that their diet is largely plant-based.
Leash-Free Dog Park Etiquette

Dog parks are often full of groups of proud pet owners, happily watching their dogs enjoy some playtime with their own kind. "Off-leash" dog parks, however, are a fragile thing: citizen complaints about dogs running wild or owners who don't pick up after their pets can lead to these valuable parks being shut down. Good "dog park etiquette" can help to save your local dog parks! Here are a few etiquette tips:
- Keep your pet on leash if there isn't a sign stating that dogs may run off-leash.
- Always carry a leash.
Comparing Pet Insurance Plans

Most pets will require veterinary care beyond basic health care at some point during their lifetimes. Pets owners naturally want to keep their pets as healthy as possible, and pet insurance can help with expensive vet bills.
If you're good at putting away "emergency" funds then you may not need pet insurance. Many people, however, find that unanticipated vet bills can cause a real financial strain.
Bad Human! Training Yourself to Train Your Dog

One of my mother's favorite television shows is The Dog Whisperer, a National Geographic Channel program starring the dog behaviorist Cesar Millan and many ill-behaved pooches of all breeds. After watching the show with her for the second time, I rolled my eyes and said, "Mom, this isn't about messed up dogs, it’s about messed up people!"
Healthy and Fun Additions to Your Pet Bird's Diet

Providing your pet bird with a nutritionally balanced diet is of utmost importance. Seed mixes and pellets form a great foundation for your bird’s diet, but birds benefit from a variety of other foods as well as enjoying the new flavors, colors and experiences that fresh foods bring. You can feel free to add a variety of fruits and vegetables to the bird’s diet, such as lettuce, green beans, parsley, corn, broccoli, carrots and cauliflower. Fruits that birds enjoy include apple chunks, banana, melon, mango, oranges and other citrus fruits, grapes, pineapple and berries.
Fun Ways to Exercise With Your Dog

Regular exercise is important to help keep your dog's heart, lungs, joints, and muscles healthy. It also helps their minds stay healthy and happy and can alleviate behavioral problems.