Traveling with Pets in the Car Over the Holidays

file000267016039The number of people traveling with their pets, especially during the holidays, is growing. As a result, the number of options available for pets on the road is growing too. Whether it be rooming with family or friends, or staying in a hotel room, the time has never been better to pack up your pet and go.

However, traveling with your pet can off some challenges, but nearly all can be beat with common sense and creativity. Here’s what you need to know when you’re traveling with a pet in the car over the holidays.

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Tips for Traveling with Your Pet

Traveling with your dogThis is a joyful time of year — holiday parties, family gatherings and visits with friends cover the calendar. For many pet owners, spending the holidays away from their pets in inconceivable. With a bit of planning you can ensure that everyone—including the furry members of the family—has a safe and enjoyable trip. Here are a few helpful tips to make sure your holiday is a merry one!

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Low-Stress and Pet-Friendly Holiday Planning

10172828_711107185614321_5747443987048895088_nWouldn’t it be nice if we could guarantee a holiday season that is completely stress-free? Unfortunately, this is not likely to happen for most. No matter how much we plan, shop and prepare, we still can’t guarantee that the kids won’t discover the hiding place for the gifts or that all the packages shipped will arrive on time.

Although we may not be able to plan and prepare our way out of a certain amount of holiday stress and turmoil, there still is a lot we can do to make this season as comfortable and stress free for our pets as possible.

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Tips for Protecting Pets for Winter

10172828_711107185614321_5747443987048895088_nWinter is the season of cold and for some areas, numbing wetness. Make sure your pets stay safe and warm  by following these simple guidelines.

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Planning a Trip with Pets Who Get Car Sick

file000267016039Many people have experienced “that look” with their pets. The one where it’s like he’s trying to say, “What? You’re leaving me?!?” No matter how many times you try to explain it to him that he gets sick in the car and he’ll be miserable if you take him along, he doesn’t understand what you’re saying. All he knows is that you’re going on a vacation, and he’s not.

Having a dog who gets car sick when traveling can definitely present its challenges, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t all enjoy the holiday vacation together! Here are a few helpful tips for traveling with a pet who gets car sick.

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Cold Weather Activities for Pets

10172828_711107185614321_5747443987048895088_nDoes this cold winter weather of you and your pet feeling a little antsy? If you’re used to spending time outdoors, then chances are you’re both probably starting to feel a little restless by now.

Making an effort for both you and your pet to stay indoors this winter is great for the mind and body. Your pet will enjoy and appreciate the chance to play and be able to stay active and healthy at the same time. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

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Fall Weight Management Tips for Your Pet

13634795461edmuIt is officially Fall! This means shorter days, changing leaves, a crisp breeze, football, holidays and food. And with food comes the seasonal weight gain. We seem to find more and more excuses to stay inside our homes as the temperature drops. Add this to the holiday celebrations with the natural tendency to crave comfort food for the colder months, and you have the perfect combination for seasonal weight gain.

Overweight pets face many of the same health issues and concerns as people, including: heart disease, type 2 diabetes, bone and joint problems, various forms of cancers, and a shortened life expectancy, just to name a few. Fortunately, with a few simple modifications, you and your pet can avoid the seasonal weight gain.

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Could Your Dog Have Fall Allergies Too?

file1491279116895We’ve all seen or felt it before: the sneezing, the itching, the watery eyes, the irritated nasal passages and so on. But your dog is now exhibiting signs of the typical behavior for fall allergies in humans. Could your dog have allergies too? Is this even possible? What are the signs and symptoms you should be concerned about, and when is the appropriate time to call the vet?

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Fall Hazards for Pets

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Autumn is beautiful time of year, but it does bring certain hazards to our pets. Pet owners will want to be aware of these dangers, and take necessary precautions to keep their pet healthy and safe this fall. We will discuss some fall hazards for pets and how to avoid them and keep your furry companion safe.

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Canine Rabies: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Canine rabies

World Rabies Day is coming up on September 28. Canine Rabies is a severe, and often fatal, viral polioencephalitis that specifically affects the gray matter of the dog’s brain and its central nervous system (CNS). The primary way the rabies virus is transmitted to dogs in the United States is through a bite from a disease carrier: foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats. Infectious virus particles are retained in a rabid animal’s salivary glands to better disseminate the virus through their saliva.

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