Blog Posts by vetstreet.com

By Dr. Donna Spector | vetstreet.com

ThinkstockDo you ever wonder how much your pet sees, or if they see the same things with the same detail that you do? Although it seems like a relatively simple question, the answer is quite complex. When compared to human vision, dogs and cats see both better and worse… just a little differently than we do.

In general, dogs and cats are much more sensitive to light and motion than people are, but they cannot see as accurately or in the same immense color spectrum that we can.

See Also: 9 Cat Breeds That Crave Affection

If you have ever wondered how your dog is able to go outside in the pitch black and make his way safely around, or how your cat can move so stealthily through a dark house at 1 a.m., it is because their eyes have amazing adaptations for nighttime - or nocturnal - vision.

Pets owe these abilities to their amazing light sensitivity. Both dogs and cats can detect very low levels of light and are far

By Amy Shojai

Barbara O'Brien, Animal PhotographyCats are living longer than ever before - it's not unusual for felines to reach their mid-to-late teens or even early twenties. A longer lifespan, however, can leave felines frazzled if their once-spry brains aren't properly stimulated. In fact, cats over the age of 15 can develop feline cognitive dysfunction (FCD), a cat version of Alzheimer's disease in which a starchlike, waxy protein (beta amyloid) collects in the brain.

The symptoms of FCD can frustrate owners because they often mimic other behavior problems. In addition to acting disoriented, cats with the condition may cry and pace, get lost in the house or even stuck in corners. They can also act scared and have trouble sleeping. Most felines with FCD develop hit-or-miss litter box tendencies - yuck! - and even when they do find the box, they may not know what to do with it. Perhaps most heartbreaking: Some senile kitties tend to shun petting, ignore people and other companion

By Arden Moore | vetstreet.com

ThinkstockThe sight of a puppy trotting off with a sock in her mouth might seem adorable, but if your dog is a chronic object stealer, it's not all that cute. Having Fido make off with the roast you cooked for Sunday dinner or your toddler's favorite toy can be stressful for you - and dangerous for your dog.

Certain breeds - including Golden Retrievers, Yorkshire Terriers and Papillons - are more likely than their canine peers to steal your things. But no matter what breed your pooch is, it is important that you put a stop to her thefts before she winds up at the vet's office with a tummy ache - or worse.

See Also: Why Does My Dog... Bark at Nothing?

When your dog steals something, she wants to take possession of the object for any number of reasons. She may want to play with it, because she views the object as a toy. Clothing, shoes and children's toys are favorite items for canine kleptomaniacs. These dogs may enjoy chewing

By Vetstreet Staff | March 20, 2013

March Madness is upon us, and it's time to stand up for our favorite teams. How do we decide who to cheer for? By who has the best mascot, of course!

From beloved Bulldogs to horses and tigers who might be too big for the basketball court, we've rounded up our eight favorites who made it to the Big Dance - many of them from revered lineages and steeped in decades of rich university tradition. We're betting these cuties will go all the way!

Liz Lynch, HuggyDuggy.com1. Jack and Jack Jr., Georgetown University

Georgetown University's mascot, Jack the Bulldog, was joined last spring by a new mascot trainee, Bulldog puppy Jack Jr. The university has a long tradition of Bulldog mascots; the first Jack, an English Bulldog, was purchased by students in 1964. He was meant to be called Hoya (after the school's rallying cry of "Hoya Saxa!"), but refused to respond to any name but Jack.

The elder Jack's favorite pastimes include tearing up cardboard boxes (usually

By Dr. Carrie La Jeunesse | vetstreet.com

ThinkstockOccasionally, the decision making that surrounds euthanizing a pet is pretty straightforward. In cases of massive trauma, severe illness or unrelenting pain that cannot be managed, the path seems clear. In other cases, however, it can be hard to know what to do.

The feeling that "it's time" can be more obvious in some situations than in others. But no matter how clear-cut the case may seem, a decision to euthanize a beloved pet often still involves a slew of conflicting thoughts and emotions. Making reasoned choices for our pets in such situations is often agonizing - and maybe that is as it should be. It is no small thing to end a life, and each instance must be approached with care and deep respect.

See Also: When Is the Right Time to Say Goodbye to Your Cat or Dog?

Clients often talk about their struggle to find the "right" time. (Veterinarians face this same issue themselves with regard to their own

By Samantha Thornton | vetstreet.com

Thousands of animal species are listed in the Endangered Species Act, but we found a few that you wouldn't expect to find on the brink of extinction. From household pets to garden pests, here are animals currently listed as endangered or threatened in the United States and around the world.

More on Vetstreet.com:

-- 10 Irish Animals to Love

-- Toys That Are Safe & Dangerous for Kittens

-- 5 Best Dogs for Your Golden Years

By Dr. Marty Becker l vetstreet.com

iStockPhoto -- Dog in HarnessFor decades, the standard advice about what you needed when you brought home a dog seemed never to change. From dog-care books from before World War II to Looney Tunes cartoons to Disney movies of the 1960s, such as Lady and the Tramp and 101 Dalmatians, the must-haves for a new dog stayed pretty much the same.

There was a doghouse, preferably homemade by Dad and the kids, with the dog's name roughly painted over the arched doorway and a chain attached to an adjacent eye bolt. Two bowls - one for food, one for water. A leather collar and license. A chain leash with a plastic looped handle. And if the dog was to be allowed inside, a wicker basket with a simple cushion - ideally situated, of course, next to the fireplace. What more could a dog want?

No one from those simpler times could ever have imagined the tens of thousands of products

By Amy Sinatra Ayres | vetstreet.com

WhiteHouse.gov -- Bo poses with his Easter eggs in front of the White House.First Dog Hunts for East Eggs

It's still two weeks before the kids arrive at the White House for the annual Easter Egg Roll, but someone is already hunting for eggs on the South Lawn: Bo! The Portuguese Water Dog, who often helps kick off holiday celebrations, looks for the colorful eggs in an adorable new video. (Who can forget last year, when he donned those bunny ears?) The official eggs feature the signatures of the first lady and the president. This year, a special Collector's Egg Set includes a teal colored egg with the first dog's paw print. More than 35,000 people will join the Obamas at the White House on April 1 for the 135 th annual egg roll. - Watch it from the White House

More on Vetstreet.com:
* Want a Large Dog That Is Gentle? Then This Breed Is For You
* 5 Dog Breeds Sadly Losing Popularity
* 6 Myths About Cats and Dogs