pet health Archives -

Help! My Cat is Scratching the Furniture!

Posted on October 15, 2020October 1, 2020 by Lucy Moore

Here is the bad news.... cats like to scratch. It's an entirely normal and natural activity. Scratching helps your kitty keep her nails clean and sharp, alleviates stress, exercises her shoulders and neck. Plus, your feline's paws contain scent glands, so scratching releases her unique smell to mark your home. All of these benefits make scratching standard behavior, even if you...

Are Routines Boring for your Dog?

Posted on October 1, 2020 by Lucy Moore

We are all creatures of habit, and so are your pets. We've all heard before that keeping your dog on a routine helps with behavior and training. When a dog understands the routine (or rhythm) of their household, they are calmer overall. With a routine, your best friend is confident that their primary needs (food, water, exercise, and shelter) are going to be met. Of course, con...

National Disaster Preparedness Month: How To Create an Emergency Plan for Your Pets!

Posted on September 9, 2020 by Lucy Moore

National Disaster Preparedness Month: How To Create an Emergency Plan for Your Pets! Fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, violent storms, and other natural disasters are some of the more common things that we prepare for. It may be beneficial to include parameters around how to handle our pets during those times. Pets being left behind during a disaster are lik...

How Long Should a Dog Walk Be?

Posted on September 2, 2020September 2, 2020 by Lucy Moore

We all know that our pets need adequate exercise, but how do you determine how much is enough? To figure out what your pooch needs in the way of activity, you'll have to consider several factors: your dog's age, size, breed, and health. If you have a healthy adult dog, they will need a minimum of 30 - 60 minutes of walking or other activity (chasing a ball, agility, hiking, ...

Crate Training 101 – Tips from Lucy’s Pet Care

Posted on August 14, 2020August 7, 2020 by Lucy Moore

Crate training your pet is widely recommended by dog trainers and veterinarians. Yet many people resist using a crate because they feel confinement is cruel or unfair. These same people happily put their child in a playpen to keep them safe, so why not your dog or cat? If a crate is used correctly - not as punishment - your best friend will be easier to manage, and most pets wi...

How To Keep Your Dog Hydrated – Tips from Lucy’s Pet Care

Posted on July 21, 2020August 7, 2020 by Lucy Moore

Summertime again! In the Carolinas, it's not uncommon if the temperatures are 80 degrees Fahrenheit or more! If summer means more outdoor activity, chances are that you will be bringing your four-legged best friend along for the fun. Dogs, just like humans, are made up of mostly water. If not more! 80% of your dog’s body is water in comparison to the 60% we are made of. ...

Signs of Heat Exhaustion in Pets – Tips from Lucy’s Pet Care

Posted on July 16, 2020July 3, 2020 by Lucy Moore

Heat Exhaustion - Recognize the Signs Every summer, we talk about pets and how quickly they can get overheated; after all, they are wearing fur coats! Heat exhaustion is what happens before heatstroke, and it's best to learn to recognize it before it advances further, because heat stroke is deadly. Pets can't sweat out excess heat as we can, all they can do is pant ...

Why Is My Cat Spraying? – Tips from Lucy’s Pet Care

Posted on July 9, 2020July 3, 2020 by Lucy Moore

Why Is My Cat Spraying? Your cat's most important sense is her sense of smell. It's how they communicate with the world. Spraying (urine marking) is how she stakes out her territory; she also rubs her cheeks, paws, and hips on things (including you) to put her scent on them. Scratching isn't just for sharpening claws; it's also another way that she leaves her scent beh...

Dog Paw Injuries – Tips from Lucy’s Pet Care

Posted on July 3, 2020July 3, 2020 by Lucy Moore

Dog Paw Injuries Summertime means hiking, swimming, and oodles of outside time. A fun day with your pup can change quickly with a paw injury. Your dog's paw pads are tough, but a paw injury can occur even on a leisurely stroll. These pads are like the soles of your shoes. They cushion the foot, act as shock absorbers for bones and joints, insulate the foot from hot and cold...

Pet Separation Anxiety After Quarantine – Tips from Lucy’s Pet Care

Posted on June 12, 2020June 12, 2020 by Lucy Moore

There have been many joys with the "stay at home" order and one has been the delight of extra time spent with our pets. They have made us laugh and have kept us company throughout this ordeal. But as restrictions are slowly lifted, our faithful friends may become confused by the changes ahead. They have all become accustomed to the extra snuggles and hugs over the past month...

Tips on Flying with a Pet

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Lucy Moore

Flying with a pet can be confusing as well as complicated. Air travel can be risky with pets. Bulldogs, pugs, and Persian cats are especially susceptible to oxygen deprivation and over heating due to their short nasal passages. Consider all the alternatives to flying with your pet! If you are able to leave them at home with a sitter or a friend, that is probably ideal. If you d...

How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight – Tips from Lucy’s Pet Care

Posted on April 17, 2020 by Lucy Moore

How To Help Your Dog Lose Weight A cheat day here and there is okay, but you need to stick to the calorie limit that is appropriate for your dog. You can discuss with your vet what that may be, and what your dog’s goal weight should be. One source of excessive calories is giving your dog your scraps and bits of your food. That and the extra treats should be taken out ...

How To Help Your Cat Lose Weight – Tips from Lucy’s Pet Care

Posted on April 3, 2020 by Lucy Moore

Healthy cats are happier and tend to live longer. Here are some tips to get your cat down to a healthy weight: First, you should consult your cat’s vet. Every cat is different, and every breed has their own uniqueness. Your vet can help you get started. The average cat only needs 20-30 calories per pound a day. See what is the calorie count on your cat’s food and h...

5 Low Maintenance Pets – Tips from Lucy’s Pet Care

Posted on February 7, 2020 by Lucy Moore

Are you an animal lover with a busy lifestyle? You'd love to have a pet, but, are fearful you don't have the time available to devote to a beloved pet? Although, all creatures deserve to have love, attention and care, some animals don't require as much as others. Here's a list of a few: Budgie Bird Budgie birds are one of the most popular pets after cats and dogs. Th...

Winter Exercise Tips for Dogs – Tips from Lucy’s Pet Care

Posted on January 7, 2020 by Lucy Moore

Winter Exercise Tips For Dogs! Even though the weather outside is frightful, your doggy friends still need to get their daily exercise. Not only is it important for their physical and mental health, but it is an important part of the relationship between you and your pup. Here are some ways to get those exercises in without having to go outside. Think of games to play wit...

Pet Safe Holiday Plants – Tips from Lucy’s Pet Care

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Lucy Moore

Pet Safe Holiday Plants The holidays are here! Before you begin to decorate your home with the traditional holiday plants, make sure you aren’t putting anything up that could potentially harm your pet. Here are some wonderful alternatives to the traditional plant and flower options. Replace Mistletoe with Christmas Cactus! Mistletoe can be fatal for dogs and most mamma...

Things to Consider Before Becoming a Pet Owner

Posted on October 29, 2019October 29, 2019 by Lucy Moore

Owning a pet is an extremely rewarding experience. Pets bring so much love, joy, laughter and enrichment to our lives. However, there are many downsides to pet ownership of which you should be aware, before becoming a pet owner. It's not all sunshine and roses. Here are a few things to consider before becoming a pet owner. FINANCIAL BURDEN: MEDICAL: There are regular...

Eco-Friendly Litter Disposal + Dog Proof Litter Box Setup

Posted on October 3, 2019October 4, 2019 by Lucy Moore

Owning two cats, Midas and Shadow, I've wanted to find an eco-friendly litter removal system. I wanted to eliminate the wasteful practice of going through tons and tons of plastic bags, in the litter removal process. I also wanted a way to keep my dog, Sammy Star, out of my litter boxes. Here is the method I've curated for an eco-friendly litter removal system and dog pr...

Best Pets for Small Children – Tips from Lucy’s Pet Care

Posted on September 9, 2019December 20, 2019 by Lucy Moore

Best Pets for Small Children Hamsters Hamsters are a classic and easy first pet. Hamsters are easy to train to use litter and relatively low maintenance. The small breeds of hamsters, especially the females, can be more aggressive. Experts suggest getting the larger breeds if they are meant to be pets for children. Hamsters should also be kept in a roomy cage with tunnels a...

Pet Safe Candles – Tips from Lucy’s Pet Care

Posted on August 16, 2019August 16, 2019 by Lucy Moore

I love having candles burning in my home. The soft, flickering light adds so much more interest to an area and ups the cozy factor. However, also sharing my home with my 2 cats and my dog, I have to be very aware of safety issues associated with open flames. I want to make sure my home decor is pet safe. Thus, I've compiled this list of terrific pet safe candles options for...