Blog Posts by Webvet

By WebVet.com
Dog in rainThe arrival of Hurricane Isaac is a stark reminder that hurricane season is upon us. For pet owners who live along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, this is a good time to give some thought to hurricane preparedness. And even for those pet owners who live outside these areas, many of the same preparedness tips apply to other natural disasters, such as floods, tornados, and wildfires.

Katrina: Lessons learned

Amid the terrible human suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina, the heart-wrenching images of lost and abandoned pets also stand out as a vivid reminder of that calamity. In Katrina's wake came recognition that when disaster strikes, pet owners need to have a plan in place not only for themselves and their human family members, but also for their pets.

Since Katrina, animal welfare groups as well as local, state, and federal disaster management agencies, have worked conscientiously to develop specific recommendations to enable pet owners to include their pets

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By Pam Johnson-Bennett for WebVet.com
Is that comfortable?Question: Why do cats sit in different positions? It seems like all cats sit differently -- some with both legs out to the side, some with legs sticking out in the back like a frog, and others with their paws crossed. What's the reason behind this and which way is the most comfortable?

Answer: Cats are as individual as people so for the most part, different positions are based on an individual cat's comfort. Here are some things can influence particular positions:

Physical Comfort

An elderly cat with arthritis may sit in a particular way to minimize pain. He may stick a leg out or crouch in a way to relieve joint discomfort. He may sit favoring one side all of the time.

WebVet: 4 Reasons Your Cat Tips Over The Water Bowl

A cat with an injury may change the way he sits to relieve pain.

For some cats, temperature can play a part in how they sit as well. How they sit on a cool floor may differ from how they might sit on a carpet. If you notice

Read More »from 3 Explanations for Your Cat's Weird Positions

By WebVet.com

Has your dog ever done something to make you mad? Like, really mad? So mad you wish you could retaliate?

Now you can. Enter, the new trend of dogshaming. If only your pup could navigate the internet . . . read . . . and understand the concept of public humiliation -- you'd so get back at Bailey or Bella for eating your underwear and knocking over your favorite plant.

Dogshaming is exactly what it sounds like: shaming your dog. How do you do it? By detailing your pup's bad behavior on a piece of paper, and snapping a picture of him or her next to the note of admission.

A new dogshaming Tumblr site has been flooded with entries -- and here are a few of our favorites:







Check out more from WebVet!

Smelly Cats! Couple Sues Neighbor With 20 Felines
Does Your Cat Have Mental Problems?
7% Of Dogs Are On Facebook

Read More »from Pet Owners Retaliate Against Naughty Pups by 'Dogshaming'

By WebVet.com
Too many cats?A Chicago couple is suing their downstairs neighbor over the woman's 20 smelly cats. Johanna Torres and her husband, Matthew Greenberg claim that they can't breathe -- much less sell their condo -- because Rossana Ioppolo keeps 20 cats in the one-bedroom unit below theirs.

Another side effect they're experiencing on account of the cat stench? The couple's doctor told them they should not even try to get pregnant, lest they expose a fetus to the odor.

How Many Cats Are Too Many? | Webvet

Despite the severity of the situation, legal action wasn't their immediate response to the problem. Torres and Greenberg have complained to the condo board for a year, papered up their vents and refused to turn on their air conditioner for the past two years. They've also spent thousands of dollars to clean and replace their belongings which had become infected with the odor.

Their attorney Michael J. Zink, told the Sun Times of the odor, "It's something else. Especially when the Read More »from Smelly Cats! Couple Sues Neighbor with 20 Felines

By WebVet.com
What's wrong?Do you have a cat who begs for food more intently than a dog? If you've thought the behavior was crazy -- you're right. Your cat might actually be teetering on the brink of insanity.

According to The Telegraph, a group of veterinarians found that cats who are too eager for food could be suffering from the newly-diagnosed condition of "psychogenic abnormal feeding behavior." Symptoms of this condition include taking food from other cats' bowls and jumping on the table to eat from their owner's plate.

The vets discovered the affliction after studying an eight-month-old Siamese named Otto who would jump on his owner and grab at his food container as meals were prepared. They determined there was no medical explanation for the behavior and reasoned it had to be a psychological condition.

The vets addressed it as such, treating Otto with behavioral tactics, such as feeding and stroking him only at certain times of day, and ignoring it at other times. Their methods "cured"

Read More »from Does Your Cat Have Mental Problems?

By WebVet.com
Just updating my statusWe've seen dogs get reunited with their owners thanks to Facebook and cats tweeting about their playtime -- so it should come as no surprise that the number of pets "using" social media has soared over the past year.

According to a new study by pet insurer Petplan, there's been a 36% increase in the number of pet owners creating Facebook and Twitter accounts for their animals in the last 12 months. Facebook is the more popular destination, with 7% of dogs on the site, compared to 4% of cats.

Tweet for a Treat! Dog Fed Through Twitter Account | Webvet

And if owners aren't letting their pets bark and meow on their own -- they're certainly talking about them on their own profile pages, as 42% of pet owners upload pictures of their pets (that's it?). Meanwhile, 37% of pet parents most status updates on behalf of their furry children.

Even though cats are the dominant Internet animal when it comes to memes, its the dogs people want to talk about. Petplan noted that man's

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By WebVet.com
Brush your dog's teethIt's hard enough convincing pet owners to take their dogs for regular dental checkups, but a growing number of pet parents are seeking out vets who will give their dogs perfect smiles and "kissable breath."

Australia's Courier Mail reported that there's a growing trend of owners who will shell out big bucks for cosmetic dentistry procedures -- for their dogs. "There is a big shift in how pet owners look after their pets," said veterinary surgeon Kevin Cruickshank, who runs a specialist dental suite. "They want them to fit in with the family, and many are treated like children."

WebVet: Caring for your pet's dental health

"I have come across pet-owners who have braces put on their dogs because the teeth are crooked, or get teeth fixed for cosmetic reasons to avoid gaps," he revealed. "Those cases are referred to specialists, but the majority of people who bring their animals to the dental suite simply want their pets to live a long life and be pain free."

Despite the

Read More »from Trend Alert: Cosmetic Dentistry for Dogs

By WebVet.com

Americans are adopting fewer pets than ever, but those who do find homes are certainly being spoiled -- if their parents can afford it. Enter, the D Pet Hotel in Manhattan. For dog owners who wouldn't dream of putting their precious pups in a kennel, this posh alternative provides luxury accommodations for dogs while mom and dad are away.

The 10,000-square-foot property has 40 standard suites -- just for the dog -- that come complete with designer Kuranda dog beds ($79 a night). If that isn't good enough for your pooch, try one of eight "sensational suites" that are fixed with feature flat-screen TVs with DVD players ready to roll canine faves like "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" and "Fox and the Hound."

If your eyes aren't bugging out of your head yet, listen to this: There are two $200-a-night "ubersuites" feature a queen-size bed, 19-foot ceilings and 42-inch TVs with cable.

The price-per-night also gets your pup house kibble and unrestricted playtime in three doggy

Read More »from Extreme Pampering: Luxury Hotel for Dogs