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• Would You Make a Good Reptile Pet Owner?

  February 1, 2015

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  You’ve always thought you were a confirmed cat and dog owner. Lately, though, you’ve thought about adding a small reptile pet to your miniature menagerie. You know that reptile pets must live in their own separate habitats, which is welcome news since you wouldn’t want a snake or lizard to have free reign of your house. Reptiles don’t seem very cuddly, either. However, reptiles have a certain quirky appeal, likely because of their odd appearance … Read More »

• My Cat Has Gone Into the Shredding Business

  January 15, 2015

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  Your cat Rudy has decided to become a feline entrepreneur. More specifically, Rudy has decided to open his own furniture shredding business. Since Rudy wants to provide excellent service to his clients, he’s been practicing his skills on your living room furniture. For the past several days, Rudy has been industriously gnawing on your lovely upholstered couch and matching wing chairs. When he tires of chewing, Rudy sinks his sharp little claws into the rich … Read More »

• How to Tell if Your Hamster Has a Cold

  January 1, 2015

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  Did you know that hamsters can catch colds? Your little pocket pet can get a case of the sniffles, just like we do. Unfortunately, chicken soup and Netflix marathons aren’t going to do much for your little buddy. In this article, your local vet Welland goes over some basics about how to tell if your pet hamster has a cold. Prevention As the saying says, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. … Read More »

• Budget-Friendly Holiday Gift Ideas for Pets

  December 15, 2014

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  With the holidays approaching, many of us are digging deep into our wallets to cover the seasonal expenses of gifts, extra food, travel, decorations, and higher heating and lighting bills. Cooking that mouth-watering holiday food, wrapping gifts, and spending time with our loved ones are, for many of us, things we do while our furkids are at our feet, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. If you want to include your pet in the seasonal festivities, but … Read More »

• Holiday Safety for Birds

  December 1, 2014

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  As the holidays approach, many of us are getting caught up in the magic and bustle of the season. Preparing those mouth-watering holiday meals, shopping for friends and family, decorating our homes, and listening to seasonal music are all part of this special time. The holidays do bring some very specific dangers for pet birds, however, so if you are sharing your home with a feathered roommate, there are a few things you’ll want to … Read More »

• Canine Agility Work Can Challenge Your High-Energy Dog

  November 15, 2014

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  Your Australian shepherd Sydney was born to run. Sydney runs at breakneck speed through the dog park, jogs briskly through the neighborhood with you, and plays countless rounds of fetch without breaking a sweat. You’re running out of ways to tire this canine athlete out! Try canine agility work, a super-energized canine sport in which off-leash dogs race through an obstacle course. On a typical course, Sydney will run through tunnels, leap over barriers, and … Read More »

• Watch for These Quirky Reptile Behaviors

  November 1, 2014

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  Owning a reptile pet provides you with exposure to out-of-the-ordinary habitats and food choices. Reptile pets also have drastically different behaviors than your familiar dog and cat. For example, while your furry pets like to hang out with your family, your reptile pet is content to remain almost motionless in his enclosure. You’ve also observed several other strange behaviors, although he probably thinks they’re perfectly normal. Observing your reptile frequently helps you determine when something’s … Read More »

• What’s Behind Your Cat’s Excessive Shedding

  October 15, 2014

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  You’ve always enjoyed brushing your cat Moxie, as you know brushing stimulates her skin and keeps her coat in good condition. Lately, though, Moxie has been shedding like crazy, generating several brushfuls of fur in a single session. While cats often shed their dead hair, and indoor cats shed throughout the year, Moxie’s current shedding volume is off the charts. You’d like to find out why Moxie’s shedding so much, and you’d especially like to … Read More »

• Common Conditions That Affect Your Pocket Pet

  October 1, 2014

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  Your hamster Billy looks like he could grace the cover of a pocket pet calendar. Billy eats a nutrient-rich diet, and he grooms himself daily so his hair coat shines. Billy’s intestinal system maintains itself pretty well, too, which makes your cage cleanup chores a lot easier. When Billy joined your family earlier this year, your Welland veterinarian gave him a complete physical exam and a clean bill of health. Even though Billy seems healthy, … Read More »

• How Obedience Training Benefits Your Dog (and You)

  September 15, 2014

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  You’ve been itching to adopt a dog for several weeks, and you finally found your new best friend through a local rescue group. Cody is a rambunctious Labrador retriever mix with lots of energy and charm, but with a local lack of obedience skills. In fact, you don’t think four-year-old Cody has ever seen a dog trainer in his life. That’s about to change, as you’ve signed Cody up for basic obedience classes with a … Read More »