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If you feed your dog a grain-free diet, you’ve probably heard about the potential link between grain-free dog foods and a condition called canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). And if not…well, listen up, because it’s something that needs to be on your radar.

Does this sound familiar? It’s about a month before your pet’s annual checkup at the vet’s office, and you’re suddenly inundated with notices about all the different shots your dog or cat is due to receive…If so, you’ve likely wondered, “how often do cats and dogs really need vaccines…every year or not?”

There’s no doubt about it, keeping fleas and ticks off our pets (and out of our homes) is important for both our health and our sanity. Ticks can carry and spread serious illnesses like Lyme disease, and fleas are not only creepy, but they can also transmit diseases to humans and pet alike. Where the question actually lies is, which flea and tick control methods are the best solutions?

If you take vitamins and nutritional supplements to support your health, you’ve probably wondered if vitamins may be good for your dog or cat, too. After all, our pets face some of the same issues of aging that we do…right? The answer here is both yes and no. Our pets absolutely can benefit from a […]

When I was young, my parents and dentist repeatedly drilled into my head the importance of caring for my teeth and gums. Years later, I can honestly say I’m grateful for those constant reminders – and not just because it saved me time in the periodontist’s chair. As a cardiologist, I became aware of the […]

We are what we eat… As a doctor, I’ve said it countless times, and for good reason. The quality of food we eat on a daily basis plays a huge role in our health. Why should it be any different for our beloved pets? Choosing the healthiest cat food you can afford will not only […]

Cat personalities are all over the map – it’s part of the reason these beautiful creatures are so near and dear to our hearts. Wonderful companions, with their purrs, snuggles, and antics, cats can also be somewhat stoic and mysterious. This can make it difficult for pet owners who are not aware of the signs […]

As anyone who suffers from anxiety knows, there are good days and bad days—and multiple triggers can bring on tell-tale (and often-intense) feelings of unease, worry, fear, or nervousness. And just as anxiety is a difficult and complex condition in people, it can be equally challenging in dogs (and cats). Also, as is the case […]

This homemade dog treats recipe is a terrific way to treat your furry friend to savory turkey and pumpkin flavors while you enjoy Thanksgiving. Stick these cookies into a toy to occupy your pup even longer! Skip directly to Turkey-Pumpkin Dog Treats Recipe   What Makes these Homemade Dog Treats Healthy? Humans need to eat […]

Like most pet owners, I consider dogs and cats to be important parts of the family. My dogs ruled the roost around here, especially when we had three of them at once! Although we don’t have any pets in the house these days, we get to see our grand-dogs, grand-cats, and all the pets in […]

Ageless Paws freeze dried pet treats are grain-free and made in the USA with just one ingredient each: 100% wild-caught salmon, bison liver, chicken breast or turkey heart…No fillers, preservatives or artificial flavors. We sent our friend, Beth Bell, samples of each of our treats for her furry friend, Lily (as part of a care […]

As any dog owner knows all too well, these furry companions just love getting their noses in (and mouths on) anything they can get a hold of. Fortunately, most of the food and other “stuff” (bugs…newspapers…very small socks) they end up ingesting goes through them without causing too much trouble. But there are a few […]

I know that most pet lovers join me in wishing that our beloved animal friends could live with us forever. As a result, we’re likely to do just about anything to hopefully insure that our family pets remain healthy, happy, and part of the family for as long as possible. Yet while protecting a pet’s […]

Having loved many dogs throughout my life, I’ve spent a good amount of time training my furry family members. If I had to sum up the general dog training philosophy I’ve employed over the years with my own dogs, I’d probably borrow a couple of lines from an old song: You’ve got to accentuate the […]

I’ve been crazy about dogs ever since I was a kid. As a result, dogs have always been a big part of my personal life and my professional life. In fact, over the 40-plus years I’ve studied, researched, and practiced cardiology, I’ve owned many dogs and have tried to use my clinical experience with human […]

Nature possesses countless healing powers, so it’s important that we connect with it on a daily basis. That’s why I get outside as often as I can—and why my wife Jan, who’s an avid gardener, sees to it that we always have beautiful greenery outside and inside our home. Being pet lovers, however, we have […]

If I could bottle and distribute all the benefits that come from dog ownership, I’d be the most popular doc on the planet. That’s because science has clearly shown that sharing your life with a dog is good for your body, mind, and soul. A dog can lick your face—as well as help you lick […]

If you follow my health and wellness advice, you know I’m bullish on living with positive intention and reframing our setbacks as opportunities. But I’ll be honest. Every now and then, something really sets me off…like a dog food recall. I’m a HUGE dog lover, and the rash of recalls in past years has certainly […]

If there’s one thing any cat owner wants to avoid, it’s a stressed out cat. Whether it’s a trip to the vet, moving to a new home, or too much noise, stress can result in a number of unsettling (and unwanted) feline behaviors. Hiding, excessive grooming, not eating, and aggressive actions such as hissing,  growling, and […]

For me, an important part of being a cardiologist has always been listening for the bits of information patients share about their lives that aren’t related to their heart issues. Their relationships with family and friends…their worries…their joys…and, naturally, their other health concerns. Those insights always helped me understand how to give these folks the […]

Safe and Unsafe Human Foods for Dogs Here’s a scenario I’ll bet you know all too well. You sit down with a sandwich or snack. A couple minutes later, your dog sits down next to you and starts licking its lips. You’re tempted to share, but you resist. Then your dog takes it up a […]

As a cardiologist, nutritionist, and anti-aging specialist, I know firsthand how important gastrointestinal health is for our overall well being. Our guts are filled with bacteria – both good and bad strains – that can profoundly influence our health and how we feel. Experts refer to all this bacteria as the “forgotten organ” in our bodies, […]

I’ve owned many dogs in my life, but one of my favorites was a chow chow named Chewie. She and I were attached at the hip. We traveled everywhere together—including my office, where she never failed to bring smiles to my patients’ and staff’s faces, or to raise my spirit during long days. It broke […]

If you love to burn candles and you also own a pet, then you know that the two don’t always go well together. Spilled wax, singed whiskers…they’re par for the course! But those aren’t the only dangers candles pose to your pets. Many candles give off toxins that can be risky to your pet’s health. […]

Many cat owners can relate to the saying, “dogs have owners, cats have staff…” I have a special place in my heart for cats. Growing up, my family’s cat, Bright Eyes, brought a lot of joy to our home. She lived to be 20 years old, and we were all heartbroken when she passed away; […]