All Pets Articles

Church-goers with snouts, paws and fur? Yes, animals and their human friends looked to the rector at St. John's Episcopal Church in Decatur, Alabama, on Sunday afternoon. In a crowd of more than 100, nearly half were four-legged. "This is way out of my comfort zone," said the Rev. Richard Lawson, looking around a crowded parish hall. Rain forced the church's Blessing of the Read more...

Pets lower hypertension, spur exercise and improve psychological health, and if this appeared in pill form it would be called a wonder drug, a U.S. expert says. "Research in this field is providing new evidence on the positive impact pets have in our lives," Rebecca Johnson, an associate professor in the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing, the College of Veterinary Read more...

People and their dogs need physical activity to fight obesity, a U.S. veterinarian said. However, Dr. Susan Nelson of Kansas State University in Manhattan said there are many benefits besides weight loss when humans and dogs exercise together. "Exercising with your pet also promotes the human-animal bond," she said in a statement. "People like dogs because of their Read more...

A dog may be your best friend, but that relationship doesn't come cheap. Owning a dog or other pets can incur a lot of expenses. "It's like taking care of a child. There are many parallels with taking care of a pet," said Jessica Douglas, a spokeswoman for PetSmart, one of the nation's leading pet store chains. "Naturally, there will be medical care expenses with the vet, the cost Read more...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Friends Marie Othic and Paula Younghanz last week picked up the perfect first birthday present -- colorful truffles and other treats -- for their two adopted girls. While Lacey and Sadie needed a little help opening the festive packages at their party, the golden retrievers didn't need any help finishing off the goodies from Kansas City, Mo., pet shop Land of Paws. Read more...

DECATUR, Ill. -- Susan Price knew how she felt when she had to board her cats with their veterinarian while she was away. She also knew the cats would be less stressed and happier if they could stay at home, in familiar surroundings. From there, it wasn't much of a leap to conceive the idea of Pet Sitter Services of Decatur, the business run by Price and her mother, Yyonna Price. Read more...

A man took his Rottweiler to the vet and said to him, "My dogs cross-eyed. Is there anything you can do for it?" "Well," said the vet "let's have a look at him". He picks the dog up by the ears and has a good look at its eyes. "Well," says the vet "I'm going to have to put him down." "Just because he's cross-eyed?" says Read more...

NEW YORK -- Susan Jacobs and her companion Kingston both like chicken and collards, chilling on the couch and riding in her convertible with the breeze tussling his curly black hair. Kingston, it should be said, is a black poodle. But for Jacobs, 45, of Long Beach, Calif., he is like a child. "The next time I travel, I'll probably take him with me," said Jacobs, a Mary Kay Read more...

QUESTION: We are going on a driving vacation to Yellowstone and leaving our dogs at home with a neighbor. He suggests we check on health insurance for them. Is there such a thing as "pet health insurance?" ANSWER: The Insurance Information Institute Web site says Americans spend $40 billion a year on 150 million pets they regard as "valued members of the family." Pet Read more...

POLLOCK PINES, Calif. -- DogFriendly.com (http://www.dogfriendly.com) announced its 2009 list of the Top 10 dog-friendly destination cities in the United States. DogFriendly.com compiles this list for people who want to take their dogs with them on vacation. The rankings take into account the quality of dog-friendly accommodations, transportation, beaches, parks, attractions, stores, dining and Read more...

Spring is in the air and it's a great time for an outdoor escape -- just not for your beloved pets. If your dog or cat has cabin fever, nice weather might be just enticing enough for them to pull a disappearing act. But local veterinarians say a few safeguards on your part could prevent even the sneakiest of furry flight risks. Puppy Precautions Dogs are used to the outdoors and Read more...

"Falling all over" a pet usually refers to indulging or pampering a four-legged companion, but a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that many Americans, particularly the elderly, are falling over their dogs and cats literally ... and hurting themselves. According to the CDC, more than 21,000 older Americans are treated in hospital Read more...

Even at age 91, Dee Dee, a Bayside, Wisc., resident, refuses to retire. She visits nursing homes and hospitals, comforting patients there. She gives educational demonstrations at schools. Dee Dee is a part-time therapist and full-time Brittany spaniel. She's 13 years old -- nine decades-plus in human years -- but she's ready to share play dates and companionship any time. Her owner, Read more...

A 5.5-ounce can of "holistic pheasant" cat food sells for $1.73 at a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., specialty pet food store. Three blocks away, you can get the same sized can of a supermarket chain brand cat food for 39 cents. Is the expensive one better for your cat than the supermarket food? Not necessarily, at least according to eight dog and cat nutrition experts at seven Read more...

The economic crisis isn't just affecting us humans, it's affecting our pets as well. According to the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), in the U.S. alone, an estimated 500,000 to 1 million dogs and cars are in danger of becoming homeless. “Everyone is being affected by the current economic crisis in some way, including animals,” said ASPCA Read more...

Even man's best friend isn't safe from the economic crisis, and officials with the Humane Society of Yuma, Arizona, say they're seeing more and more pets dropped off because families cannot afford to keep them. Samantha York, administrative supervisor with HSOY, said she saw the trend start last summer. "When gas was $4 or $5 a gallon, it was an indicator of a national crisis," Read more...

It’s a time to give thanks in Hollywood, at least for a select few. Award season is in full swing, which means a multitude of acceptance speeches, and a standard litany of acknowledgments -- the kids, spouse, mom, dad, agent, publicist, fellow nominees, anyone associated with the movie, an occasional high school drama teacher, and, oh yeah, God. But when Mickey Rourke picked up a Golden Read more...

They know their best buddies can be naughty (wrecking the sofa -- again). Or their best buddies can be nice (volunteering to be a sickbed foot warmer). But pet owners can't resist pet books, no matter how their furry or feathered friends have behaved during the past year. Here's a sample of some of the best books for animal lovers this season: "Hip-Hop for Dogs" by Janet Perr; Read more...

Man's best friend? Depends on who you ask. In the United States, pets outnumber us humans by about 76 million: 378 million pets vs. 302 million people. While 65 million dogs are our pampered pals, there are 78 million favored felines found in American homes today. Your chosen chum -- be it cat, dog, fish or fowl -- provides you and your family with comfort, companionship and joy; and according Read more...

If the pitter-pat of dog feet is sounding more like clickety-clack at your house, it's time for a trim. Indoor pets don't wear down their nails naturally, so a pedicure every two weeks is a healthy indulgence that will keep your dog comfortable. Step 1 Consider investing in nail clippers specially contoured for dogs. Step 2 Choose a spot for your dog's pedicure that's quiet, with few Read more...