Have you ever walked away from a pile your pet has left on public property? Have you gone days, or even weeks, without picking up your pet's piles in the back yard? Many pet owners do not realize that cat and dog feces carry parasitic worms capable of infecting humans. [read more]

Wallet, cell phone, insurance cards, plastic toothpick, poop bag, leash, and tennis ball: the contents of a dog owner's purse. [read more]

Spring is here and love is in the air, but when dogs and cats start getting romantic, unwanted puppies and kittens can be the result. In the United States, millions of dogs and cats, including purebreds, end up homeless or euthanized each year as a result of pet overpopulation. [read more]

Ah, the sunny days of summer are here--time for dogs to take long walks and play Frisbee at the park or beach and for cats to sunbathe on the windowsill. Before stepping out to enjoy the summer weather, you should protect your pet as well as yourself from the harmful effects of too much sun. [read more]

When the cold winds start blowing, we need to consider how the cold can affect our furry companions. Cold weather hazards range from hypothermia to antifreeze poisoning. [read more]

The idea of a kitten or puppy with a gift bow on its collar may be very heartwarming, and a cockatiel in an antique cage may look very beautiful on a gift table, but in the long run, giving an animal as a gift can be a bad idea. According to Cheryl Weber, client counselor specialist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, a "surprise" addition to any household can be stressful and costly. [read more]

It's time for the obligatory pilgrimage to Great Aunt Annie's. Of course, Patches can come along, she says. Patches is welcome to stay in a cage on the back porch, where it is 90 degrees in the shade. Never mind that Patches usually sleeps in my bed on my softest down pillow. Great Aunt Annie is certain Patches will do fine on the back porch. I considered it, then decided to ask Dr. Linda Berent, veterinarian at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine at Urbana, for advice on selecting a boarding kennel. [read more]

As the proud and loving owner of one roly-poly ball of purring fur, I felt obliged to find out whether and how obesity can affect a pet's health. After all, there is no societal pressure for my cat to be sinewy slim, and she is quite content with her physique. The process of slimming her down certainly poses a risk to her ambient happiness level. How does this compare to the risk to her health of being so round? I asked the advice of Dr. Jennifer J. Brinson, veterinarian and researcher on obesity in pets at the University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital in Urbana. [read more]

"Aggressive behavior is one of the most difficult pet topics to talk about outside of euthanasia. However, the number one reason animals are euthanized is problem behavior," says Dr. Sheila M. McCullough, veterinarian at the University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital at Urbana. "We think of euthanasia as a merciful relief from suffering for an incurably ill or old animal. But the majority of pets are euthanized because of behavior problems." [read more]

Don't let the end of summer end your exercise regimen! If not for your own sake, get out and exercise for your pet's sake. "Exercise is good for your pet for the same reasons that it is good for you," says Dr. Linda Berent, veterinarian at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. For the past three years, Dr. Berent has observed pets and their owners walking and running while she served as an on-site veterinarian at Omega Tau Sigma Professional Veterinary Fraternity's annual 5K pet race. Here are her tips for exercising with your pet. [read more]

There are many different styles of dog training, and finding the one that works best for you is important for creating a dog that is a talented, loyal and faithful member of the family. All successful methods of dog training work to reinforce the relationship between dog and handler, and the foundation of any successful training program is getting the respect of the dog. Fortunately, dogs are wired by nature to seek out leaders, and to follow the direction of those leaders. [read more]