Million Dollar Pet Pix

Does your housecat need a behavioral housecall? Help is here!

Cats have earned the title of America's favorite pet in part because they outnumber dogs in households across the country, but it could also be because their quirky personalities make life interesting.

More often than not, you'll find that your cat's entertaining antics leave you wondering, "What could she possibly be thinking?"

You may never have all the answers, but one of the keys to living a more connected life with your cat starts with understanding.

Special Needs of Older Felines

As your cat ages, they will encounter numerous changes over time that will eventually lead to a failure of their organs and internal systems – this is a fact of life. However, it is possible to prolong their longevity by paying attention to the special needs that of older felines and by providing your cat with those elements that they will benefit from as they grow older.

Hair Coat Shedding Related to Seasons

While excessive hair shedding is a common complaint heard among pet owners, in most cases, the shedding is usually normal. An understanding of why dogs and cats lose their hair coat, and what causes shedding, goes a long way towards explaining why they shed hair all the time.

Useful Advice For Cats: How To Care For Your Human

For us cats there are several sweet advantages in having a human as a pet. But remember you are taking on a big responsibility when you adopt one or more humans. Humans are demanding pets that need daily care and attention.

With responsibility come both advantages and disadvantages. If you adopt a human you must get used to spending time at home. Your human does not deal well with being left alone - they will get into all sorts of mischief.

Are you concerned when your dog or cat eats grass, then throws up afterwards?
You'll probably feel relieved to know that pets eat grass because their bodies need it. Dogs and cats have been eating grass for a long time. In fact, grass is so popular among dogs that one species, dog grass, is named after them. Dog grass is also known as couch grass and quackweed, and it grows in all but the southern-most states.

You can think of grass as an herbal medicine. It acts as an internal cleanser, expelling excess mucus, bile, and other impurities. It also cleanses the bowels and expels worms. Cereal grasses contain enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Grass also contains chlorophyll, which was used for relieving pain, treating infections, ulcers, skin diseases, and anemia prior to the use of antibiotics.

Q.  How do I train my cat to use the litter box?

A. Cats are very clever – some have even been taught to use the toilet – but most owners would be content to have a litter-box trained cat. To accomplish this, you need to manage space. Owners like to put litter boxes in the farthest corner of the basement. If a cat passes a potted palm along the way, the temptation to try another spot exists. Take a good look around you. If you were a cat, what might substitute for a litter box?

How To Care For The Senior Cat

Thanks to dedicated care from their humans and advancements in veterinary medicine, cats are living longer lives. After age 10, considered the beginning of a cat's "senior years," the aging process begins to slow your feline down. However, she still might enjoy another 5 to 10 years of life and love with just a little extra attention from her owner.

by Shawn Messonnier DVM, author of the award-winning The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats. Join over 5 million satellite radio listeners and listen to Dr. Shawn each week on his award-winning show, Dr. Shawn-The Natural Vet, on Martha Stewart Radio Sirius 112, Tuesday night from 7-8 PM CST.


Dr. Shawn Explains Ear Disease in Dogs & Cats

Ear problems are among the most commonly seen conditions in veterinary practices. Unlike the condition in people, where “earaches” involving the middle and inner ear are common, most of the ear problems in pets involve the outer or external ear canals. This article will take a look at some common ear problems in pets.

In most pets, ear disease takes the form of infections. While younger pets are more commonly afflicted with ear mites they contract from contact with other infected pets, older pets usually have infections caused by yeasts or bacteria. These can result from excessive wax in the ears (very common in many spaniels,) excess moisture, allergies, food sensitivities, mange, immune diseases, and hormonal diseases (thyroid and adrenal disease.)  Diagnosis of the cause of the ear disease is by visual examination and microscopic examination. A small amount of the material in the ear is examined microscopically and the cause determined. After determining the cause, the proper therapy can be prescribed.

Attention all cat owners!
Canine companions have a paw up on our feline friends when it comes to visits to the veterinarian, leaving cats shortchanged and in need of some tender loving care.

According to a Special Report appearing in the Feb. 15, 2008, edition of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, cats don't get the same affection - or medical attention - from their owners as dogs do.

by Shawn Messonnier DVM, author of the award-winning The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats. Join over 5 million satellite radio listeners and listen to Dr. Shawn each week on his award-winning show, Dr. Shawn-The Natural Vet, on Martha Stewart Radio Sirius 112, Tuesday night from 7-8 PM CST.

Dr. Shawn answers the age old question about people with allergies to pets...

The letter started, "Dear Dr. Shawn: Our family has a sweet cat named Doogie. While we really love him, our 12-year-old daughter was recently diagnosed with allergies, and it seems one of the things she is allergic to is Doogie. We do not want to give Doogie away, but is there anything we can do to ease our daughter's suffering?"

This problem is unfortunately quite common. Allergies to pets can be quite severe, and since family members are always in contact with the pet, relief is hard to come by for the sufferer. When the family pet is involved, a crisis situation often arises. No one wants to find another home for the cat, yet family members cannot suffer allergy attacks.