Start the year off with two fresh webcasts
New year, new webcasts. This January, we have two great webcasts for you — one of which is a series. Webcast: Is “Cage-Free” the Way to Be? Rethinking Shelter Housing for Happier, Healthier CatsJanuary 15, 2025 at 10:00AM PT / 1:00PM ETWhen it comes to caring for cats in shelters, housing isn’t just a place to stay — it’s a critical factor in their health and happiness. But how do you know when to go “cage-free” or stick with individual enclosures? In this webcast presented by Shelter...
Why your cat keeps you awake at night – and what to do about it
Cats are nocturnal creatures. When your cat keeps you awake at night, learn to manage their behavior and reclaim your rest. Cats are more active at night. This often leads to disruptions in our sleep. It might be cute occasionally, but if it continues, you’ll need to take steps to curb the behavior. Here’s why your cat keeps you awake at night, and how to reclaim your peaceful slumber. Your cat might feel lonely at night Cats are crepuscular animals, which means they’re more nocturnal, especially during the hours of...
2025: Overcoming Sheltering Setbacks
[embedded content] In an environment where overcrowded kennels, limited funding and people in desperate need of pet support services are the norm, HASS is inviting you to be a part of the solution to issues like these 2025! In this webinar, Lee Ann Shenefiel, program director for the Hays County Pet Resource Center, will share proven research, programming and free resources for your organization to unite with HASS in changing animal welfare industry setbacks to successes. Resources Mentioned: Source: Human Animal Support...
Using food as medicine for dogs
Does your dog suffer from persistent health issues? See how viewing food as medicine for dogs can help balance their health and improve their well-being. If your dog suffers from persistent digestive upsets, skin conditions, behavior issues and other problems, their diet could be to blame. Research shows that food directly influences a dog’s health, behavior, and digestion. As an integrative veterinarian, I’m passionate about using food as my treatment of choice for illness and disease. It’s amazing to see dogs thrive when...
Herbal Ingredients on Watchlist
Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being. Source: Animal Wellness...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Maddie’s Fund is hiring, webcasts galore and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Maddie’s Fund is hiring a Marketing and Communications Project ManagerMaddie’s Fund® is looking for an experienced Marketing and Communications Project Manager to enhance and collaborate with its existing team. If you are looking for an opportunity to work within a dynamic environment and an established group, please submit your cover letter, sharing how your experiences are applicable for the role along with your resume… Learn More Webcast:...
Dogs and Sticks: The Deal Behind Lava’s Obsession
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Hi, I’m Dr. Maja! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two crossbreed dogs, Lava and Hela. Lava has loved sticks since being a pup. Of course, then she picked those that matched her in size. With time she got ambitious and her sticks have become even bigger than I could have imagined. Her favorite stick, which is longer than she is, is neatly stacked next to her dog house in the yard, and she goes...
Ask Dr. Paola: Monday January 13, 2025
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our readers better understand their dog’s health and well-being. Whether you’re a new pet parent or a seasoned dog lover, Dr. Paola is here to provide answers to your most pressing questions. From nutrition tips and preventive care to troubleshooting common behavioral...
How to choose supplements for dogs and cats – do’s and don’ts
Check out how to choose the right supplements for your dog or cat with these essential do’s and don’ts. As dog and cat parents, we’re responsible for making informed decisions about the supplements we purchase for our furry friends. Our animal companions can’t communicate their needs directly. Therefore, it’s up to us to make sure we choose the right products. It’s easy to be swayed by flashy advertisements with inflammatory statements or glowing 5-star reviews. But good marketing does not necessarily...
Missing Your Four-Legged Angel? 7 Ways to Cope with Pet Loss
Grieving the loss of a companion animal is one of the hardest things any pet parent will face. And it’s often the little things that remind you of their absence that hurt the most: No clicking of nails on hardwood floors, no gentle snoring from their favorite spot on the couch, no excited panting when you pick up their leash. While nothing can fill the pet-shaped void a beloved fur baby leaves behind, here are seven things that can help you cope with pet loss. 1. Create a Memorial Walking Route Those neighborhood streets can feel...
Healthy grains for dogs and cats
Not all grains harm your dog or cat. Find healthy grains for dogs and cats that can benefit your pet’s well-being. Nutrition is one of the foundations of good health. It’s the first thing to consider when raising the bar on your dog or cat’s well-being. Whether you buy packaged food or prepare meals at home, you know that a diet made from high-quality, whole food ingredients keeps your four-legged friend healthy and happy. Those ingredients usually include fresh meats, vegetables, fruits, and often grains. However, not...
Integrative treatment for chronic diarrhea in dogs
Chronic diarrhea in dogs may have simple or complex causes. An integrative approach that combines allopathic and alternative therapies helps manage complicated cases. Chronic diarrhea in dogs is distressing, especially when they have ongoing episodes in the house or at night. To add to the problem, chronic diarrhea (CD) often causes dogs to experience vomiting, appetite and weight loss, and pruritus. CD has a long list of causes. Understanding the potential triggers, diagnostic approaches, and management options is crucial. Integrative...
Collars vs. harnesses for dogs
A properly-fitted harness is safer and more comfortable for your dog than a collar. Learn why and discover tips for choosing the best harness for your dog. Collars are synonymous with dogs. They often carry an ID tag, and you can choose one to accentuate your dog’s coat color or reflect your personal style. However, a harness is often a better and safer choice than a traditional dog collar, for several important reasons. Let’s compare collars vs. harnesses for dogs. The downsides of collars As common as they are, collars can...
Nutritional therapy for dogs with skin disease
Explore how nutritional therapy for dogs with skin disease can enhance skin health and promote healing with the right balance of nutrients. Skin diseases are common in dogs, and can result in discomfort, itching, inflammation, secondary infections, and hair loss. Proper nutrition plays an important role in maintaining healthy skin and hair in our canine companions. Nutritional therapy for dogs with skin disease can also help manage and treat a variety of skin conditions. Nutrients essential for skin health To maintain healthy...
Effective dog training with food rewards — 9 tips for success
Master effective dog training with food rewards! Learn expert tips for using treats to encourage desirable behaviors and build a better bond. If you’ve ever trained a dog, you’ve probably noticed that food and treats tend to get the best and quickest results. This article explores effective dog training with food rewards. You’ll find nine tips on how professional trainers use food rewards to encourage desirable behaviors from their canine students. Tip #1: Know that dogs don’t get addicted to food rewards ...
Mmm, Feet… Why Do My Dogs Like Licking Me? The Attraction & Whether It’s Normal
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred. I don’t think there’s any doubt that, despite having many shared food interests, dogs and humans do not always see eye to eye about what should go in one’s mouth. There are dogs that enjoy partaking in poop (or in Fred’s case, picking bits of carrot out of...
Postbiotics for dog gut health
Support your dog’s digestion, enhance immunity, and promote a balanced microbiome with this innovative approach. Explore the benefits of postbiotics for dog gut health. A “new kid on the block”, postbiotics play a range of roles and offer numerous benefits for your dog’s gut health. By now, most of us are familiar with probiotics and prebiotics. These compounds offer significant health benefits for both humans and dogs. More recently, the term “postbiotics” has been coming into view. You may be...
Insights from the Field
Shelters with High Return-to-Home Rates for Dogs While many animal shelters continue to face challenges in successfully reuniting lost pets with their owners, some have developed innovative strategies and are making significant strides in this crucial area. With current trends in technology, data sharing, and community outreach, many shelters are achieving impressive return-to-home rates. British Columbia SPCA and HASS Partner Organization, Wisconsin Humane Society, are two shelters who are achieving dog return-to-home rates as high as 80% by...
Holistic Approaches to Managing Feline Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a prevalent condition affecting many cats, particularly those in their senior years. As a cat parent, understanding holistic approaches to managing CKD can significantly improve your feline companion’s quality of life. Understanding Feline Chronic Kidney Disease CKD is a progressive disease characterized by the gradual loss of kidney function, which can lead to a buildup of waste products in the bloodstream. It affects 30-40% of senior cats, making awareness and proactive management essential. While...
Maddie’s Fund is hiring a Marketing and Communications Project Manager
Maddie’s Fund is looking for an experienced Marketing and Communications Project Manager to enhance and collaborate with its existing team. If you are looking for an opportunity to work within a dynamic environment and an established group, please submit your cover letter, sharing how your experiences are applicable for the role along with your resume to employment@maddiesfund.org. Accepted applications for the position will close on Friday, January 31, 2025. For questions about the role, please feel free to...