Halloween can be very scary but Dr. Ahna Brutlag, Vice President of veterinary services and senior veterinary toxicologist at the Pet Poison Helpline, is determined to keep your pets safe. She discusses everything from candies sweetened with a dangerous sugar substitute, raisins, Macadamia nuts and chocolates and their potential dangers to pets. Also, she explains how THC (marijuana) is hazardous for pets, and what you might not have known about CBD for pets. And what that number one toxic danger to pets happens to be, and it’s from your medicine cabinet at home. And can too much catnip be toxic to cats?

October is National Pet Obesity Awareness Month.

10/20 – Victoria Stilwell from It’s Me or the Dog in a wide-ranging conversation regarding common tools that some dog trainers use, and should never use – in fact, should be banned. And Victoria articulately explains why.

She also describes why reactive dogs are doing what they are doing, and what to do about it.

It’s Me or the Dog is celebrating 20 years, and can be seen on the It’s Me or the Dog  YouTube channel and learn from experts, including professor Victoria herself,  which you can find and then watch Positively Pillars at positively.com.

Take a selfie with your pet for International Human Animal Bond Day.

Dr. Ernie Ward, is a world-renowned expert and advocate for pet health and nutrition. He’s the founder and President of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. He explains just how many pets are overweight or obese. He says we need to stop playing the blame game. Yes, feeding too much and feeding the too many human treats, definitely a part of the problem. But the explanation for so many overweight/obese pets is far more complex. He also offers the truth about pet treats, and what to watch out for. He’s a fan of a pure single ingredient, and he explains why.  Sponsored by www.farmtopettreats.com

Pet parents have been asking for simpler pet treats with far fewer less ingredients…and Jackson Jones founder/owner Farm to Pet, based in Chicago, offers just that. There’s no processing, no salt, no preservatives and no names that are really long that you can’t pronounce – we’re talking pure protein (truly single ingredient treats). Many of the treats can be utilized as food toppers too because they are so darn tasty and may be one of the most effective toppers on the market.  Farm to Pet also has a Halloween contest – check out Farm to Pet for scary Halloween treats, and the Farm to  Pet Instagram to learn about a costume contest, @farmtopet on Instagram.

Dr. Tammy Grubb, president International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management about how pain is sometimes hidden in dogs and nearly always hidden in cats.

Why do dogs so often stare at us?

Take a selfie with your pet for International Human Animal Bond Day.

Dr. Jeff Bloomberg of Veterinary Diagnostic Centers on how he has fulfilled a niche in the Chicago area which provides imaging for pets, primarily offering cardiac and abdominal ultrasounds. In fact, he’s been so successful – because of the need for his services and his Fear Free approach when fulfilling those services, similar centers may now soon pop up in other places around the country. Dr. Bloomberg also talks about what Fear Free is all about. 

According to the Cat Fanciers’ Association, here are the top cat breeds

Head of Development and Community Engagement at Orphans of the Storm in Riverwoods, Sandy De Lisle, talks a special upcoming tribute to dog loving, fallen Chicago Police Officer Ella French; and shares an update and truth about the animal sheltering situation on the North Shore and all about her award-winning film You’re Out, co-starring a pit bull looking dog.

In Chicago, and working on dog bite prevention initiative, Nahid Shirzadkhan and what she is doing with the Center for Canine Behavior Studies including an app for kids and other resources which will make a difference.

October is National Pet Obesity Awareness month.

Dreams can come true, as David Kerpel explains why he’s creating the Furever Home Dog Sanctuary. You can hear the enthusiasm, passion and determination to get this accomplished in his voice. The Sanctuary will be at 10720 Zarnstorff Rd., Richmond, IL. He explains what the mission will be (bottom line, to save dog lives). Furever Home is holding a spooky HOWL-O-WEEN benefit Oct. 18 and 19. Learn more about supporting this amazing effort, and simultaneously having fun.

Registered veterinary technician Mary Berg is a specialist in dentistry. She explains why regular dental care impacts the overall health of your pet. So, should you brush your pets’ teeth? And if you don’t, now what?  And what products may be pure marketing, as opposed to those which are proven to really do what they say?

Elephants actually have names for one another.

Lisa Lunghofer is the Executive Director of the non-profit Grey Muzzle Organization, the largest national nonprofit organization focused only on the well-being of senior dogs. Most dogs in shelters are seniors and most dogs who don’t make it out of shelters are seniors. She explains what the organization is doing to prevent those dogs from landing in shelters and getting those in shelters into homes. Also, she notes that Dr. Mary Gardner, Co-founder of Lap of Love, and Dr. Natalie Marks are climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise money for senior pets.  Consider supporting Two Vets Go Over the Hill for Pets That Are Over the Hill.

Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control is the non-profit part of Chicago Animal Care and Control. Charlie Propsom, who is the founder of Friends, explains why Friends is so essential and the difference this organization makes daily to save lives. The most important benefit, called Big Night is October 17, 6 to 8 p.m. at Room 1520, 1520 W. Fulton St. Learn more here.

 Harmful algal blooms are more frequent

Paul Owens is the original dog whisperer. He explains how the moniker was “permanently borrowed” by Cesar Millan. In his latest book is Training for the Joy of Dogs: 50 Lessons Learned, Owens describes the advantages of positive reinforcement training compared punishment based training, which was about the only choice when he began training 50 years ago. He talks about what is sometime a spontaneous connection between dogs and children, and why that’s often true. He says his great Aunt was right, don’t bother dogs when they’re eating and let sleeping dogs lie. Capturing – Luring- Cueing – Shaping is Owens’ model, which he explains.

Pet products and veterinary services inflation exceeds other overall inflation numbers.

Certified Cat Behavior Training Specialists Rita Reimers and Linda Hall aren’t only the Cat Behavior Alliance, they both with the late Richard Simmons. They talk about what the exercise guru was really like. Rita was also a pet sitter/dog walker for Richard. They also explain the Cat Behavior Alliance is an educational tool, and an outlet to help cat parents who have “cats with issues.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, author On Call: A Doctor’s Journey in Public Health has been asked everything – but never before about how cats have provided a clue to a drug which has treated thousands with COVID-19 around the world. Dr. Fauci rarely comments on veterinary medicine or cats but he does here.  Hear the entire full length interview from Steve Dale’s Other Word, WGN here.   

Dr. Mikel Delgado on tips for playing with cats; she is author of Play with Your Cat: The Essential Guide to Interactive Play for a Happier, Healthier Feline

Purina has launched pet power of dogs to create renewable electricity.