Play with Your Cat! – That is both the name of the book and the message from Dr. Mikel Delgado. She discusses how to play with your cat, what are the best toys to play with your cat, when are the best times to play with your cat and most important why play is ESSENTIAL to your cat’s mental and physical health. And what is the potential consequence to cats who don’t have the opportunity to properly play.  

Dog Bite Prevention Week and a new idea to reduce dog bites.

Bradley Phifer, Director of Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers , explains what this organization is and what to look for if you happen to be sniffing out a dog trainer. And dog training is not a licensed profession, and some trainers use methods that can do more harm than good. That’s why demonstrating competence in the field is so important. 

Going deep on all sorts of topics with Dr. Lisa Radosta, including her own story – as she has a dog suffering from cancer. She explains her journey with her Labrador Retriever named Maverick and points out what you can learn from her experiences.

Behavior isn’t taught at many vet schools, or much behavior isn’t taught, and still behavior remains the number one cause of death in dogs (and cats). Solving – or better – preventing problems – saves lives.

Please don’t tie-out or tether your dog while you go inside a store or restaurant.

Founder and President of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, Dr. Ernie Ward, says the issue is far more complex than people merely offering too much table food. So, what exactly has been going on? And why with every passing year are there more and more obese dogs/cats? And it’s not only about weight, but also about body condition score. Clearly, our pets would live longer and healthier and even happier lives if they were not so many overweight/obese dogs/cats.

Jackie Ott Jaakola, Executive Director of the non-profit EveryCat Health Foundation explains how all cats truly have benefited from the over 50 years of funding cat health studies, and education events – such as the one coming up April 13-14, “Health Breakthroughs for EveryCat: Being Purrfectly Clear on Feline Pain. 

Is second-hand smoke a problem for pets?

From IT’S ME OR THE DOG on Animal Planet, a very wide-ranging conversation with superstar dog trainer Victoria Stilwell. She announces that the virtual Victoria Stilwell Academy 11th Annual Dog Behavior Conference is April 19-21 and discloses who some of the speakers are and what some of the topics are.

The hope is that San Francisco – working to ban shock collars – will succeed, and the same goes for her native UK. And she explains why she supports these bans.

This may be surprising, but Stilwell explains why she doesn’t approach strange dogs – that’s right, Victoria Stilwell doesn’t approach dogs she doesn’t know. Dog bites are going up. 

A warning about Xylitol or Birch Sugar.  

Dr. Sheilah Robertson, who received the Animal Welfare for the American Veterinary Medical Association, is as expert anesthesia and analgesia.  She points out that people (and pets too) can truly die directly due to pain and offers the history of what we know about this. And answers at what point do you not put a pet under anesthesia. And why it’s a good idea to show off your cat to your veterinarian with regular videos.

President of the Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago, Tracy Elliott, on celebrating 125 years. When the first facility was first created, it was done so to save horses. Of course, for a very long time, the mission has transitioned to support dogs and cats, and support families (since pets are members of the family). Conservatively, nearly 400,000 animals have been saved. He offers some of the many ways, which Anti Cruelty will serve the city moving forward.

Ireland has more lucky charm breeds, than the U.S. has native dogs.

Kara Burns is a Credentialed Veterinary Technician with a specialty in nutrition, dentistry, and internal medicine. To acknowledge the difference she’s made in veterinary medicine, she was just honored with the Icon Award from the Bridge Club. Burns is on the Board of Directors of the EveryCat Health Foundation, and talks about an upcoming symposium, “Health Breakthroughs for EveryCat: Being PURRfectly Clear on Feline Pain,” on April 13-14 at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. Pet parents and veterinary professionals can attend in person or virtually. Learn more HERE.

Katie Campbell, Director of Collaboration and Outreach at Red Rover, explains this non-profit’s important work in conjunction with Purina to ensure as much as possible that victims of domestic violence have a safe place to flee with all family members, including pets. 

How do you know your dog or cat loves you?

Virtual care or telehealth is available and it’s tempting – but might not be in your best interest or your pets’ interest, according to Dr. Gail Golab, Associate Executive Vice President and Chief Veterinary Officer of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Actually, Dr. Golab loves the idea of telehealth, noting “it can be amazing” IF and only IF it’s with a veterinary professional you have veterinary/client patient relationship with – and she explains why this one point is so vital. So many desperate pet parents are being misled by third party providers of telehealth – don’t be fooled.

Dr. Patrick Flynn is the President of the non-profit Human Animal Bond Association, and offers what his view of the bond is – and it goes way beyond only our companion animals, for example, bats to animals in zoos.

New data on second-hand smoke and pets.

Gene O’Neill is CEO of North American Veterinary Community and the VMX veterinary meeting –  the largest continuing education event for veterinary professionals. He explains how this matters to you as a pet parent. 

Dr. Tammy Grubb, President of the International Academy of Veterinary Pain Management and adjunct professor at Washington State University, discusss a Feline Health Symposium, Health Breakthroughs for EveryCat: Being PURRfectly Clear on Feline Pain. The event is at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine for both veterinary professionals and cat parents who simply want to better understand cats. Learn more HERE. Attendance can be in person or virtual. Dr. Grubb also talks pain in cats – and reveals what wasn’t known just a few years ago.

The 2023 most popular dog names.

Veterinary dentist Dr. Jan Bellows celebrates Pet Dental Health Month. He discusses preventive care (including several surprise answers). Indeed it’s all about prevention, like dental diets and treats, wipes and water additives like Oratene. 

Dr. Michael Lappin, Professor at Colorado State University, has been investigating that mystery dog respiratory infection. He reveals what experts know and what they don’t know.

Barb’s Precious Rescue in Palatine celebrates 10 years of saving cats! Founder Barb Weber tells the story of how this non-profit began, and offers an announcement regarding big plans down the road. She offers details on the February 17 benefit celebration fundraiser, at Chandler’s Chophouse Grill, Schaumburg. Purchase tickets and learn more HERE.

Coyote wild in Chicago – and how to co-exist.

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Lisa Radosta discusses common but truly sometimes life-threatening behavior problems in dogs and cats. She is co-author of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat. Topics include separation anxiety and cats who have accidents outside of their litter boxes.