If you grew up in the United States like I did, there are only two borders that you can cross when taking a road-trip out of the country: Mexico or Canada. Crossing into Canada is relatively easy, but what about when you are taking a pet with you? Read on to discover what you need to know about crossing the border with pets. USDA APHIS USDA APHIS stands for the United States Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Health Inspection…
Road trips are a tried and true method of adventuring and traveling the nearby world. There is something so invigorating about hitting the open road and cruising to places previously unknown. As an added benefit, driving is one of the most pet-friendly modes of transportation. However, traveling with pets does take a little added planning. Follow the steps below to make sure your pet-friendly road trip is a success. 1. Make Sure Your Pet Is Comfortable In The Car The…
Did you know that February is National Pet Dental Health Month? As humans, most of us have a regular dental hygiene routine. We brush twice a day, attempt to floss at least once a day, and see our dentists/dental hygienists twice a year. We do this to keep our teeth as healthy as possible and address concerns as soon as they arise. The month of February is a great reminder to recognize that pets need dental health care just as…
As a veterinarian, it seems that everyone knows that cats and dogs shouldn’t eat chocolate, but what about other frequently consumed human foods. Check out the list below for information on human foods that our furry companions should avoid and why. 1. Avocados (Dogs and Cats) Avocados contain a toxin called persin. Birds and ruminants (like cows) are very susceptible to this toxin and should never be fed avocadoes. While dogs and cats are far less sensitive, they can still…
I was recently asked why cats react to sniffing catnip. As a veterinarian, I figured this was a question I should have an answer to. But as I thought about it, I realized that I didn’t know. So I looked into it and figured I would share the information I found with my readers at Pawsitively Intrepid. What Is Catnip? Catnip, Nepeta cataria, is a plant. Or more specifically, a herb belonging to the mint family. This plant is indigenous to Europe…
Can you believe that there are only 5 days till Christmas! What are you and your pet doing to celebrate the last few days of the Christmas season? Here are 10 Christmas traditions to start (or continue) with your pets. Many can be enjoyed before Christmas day. Start now to help fill the time spent waiting for Christmas Day to arrive. 1. Decorate the Christmas Tree If you haven’t yet, start off the week leading up to Christmas by decorating…
Many of us love to travel with our pets. Whether it is a car trip to visit friends or a backpacking trip into the wilderness, it is important to always have a good travel pet first aid kit on hand. While my at home first aid kit is a little extensive to travel with, there are a few items that I always like to have on hand. And the more things that can overlap between the human first aid kit…
Ah Thanksgiving. A holiday that is as much about shared feasts of turkey, stuffing, and pies as it is about remembering to give thanks for the abundance of blessings that have been bestowed upon us. The start of the “holiday season,” Thanksgiving is the last holiday before the world (at least my part of it) fully unleashes Christmas. So in honor of celebrating Thanksgiving with pets, read on for holiday specific pet safety tips and a Thanksgiving day recipe for cats….
Why do cats need boredom busters? While the housecat life is a safer one that results in cats living longer, healthier lives, it can also be a less mentally stimulating life compared to life outdoors. The environment rarely changes significantly and many housecats are left home alone during long workdays. This can result in a rather monotonous (aka boring) life for our cats unless we, as their caretakers, strive to help make their worlds a more exciting place. If I…
The end of October is fast approaching. Soon it will be October 31st and Halloween will be upon us. Read on for my tips and tricks to enjoy a petacular Halloween! Petacular Halloween Costumes This wouldn’t be a proper petacular Halloween post if I didn’t start off with a paragraph about pets in costumes. The resident pets at my house have suffered through a few costumes over the years. Just like harnesses and collars, it is important that costumes fit…