Blog Posts by vetstreet.com

By Dr. Patty Khuly

Barking DogDogs bark for all kinds of reasons. They may be alerting you to something noteworthy; making a request (or a demand, depending on your point of view); aggressively warding off (or confronting) prey, predator, or interloper; communicating stress or discomfort; or engaging in play.

Barking might be a response to a howl heard from half a mile away. Or because a squirrel just chattered in the backyard. Or because your dog wants dinner. Or because you walked in the door and life is just! so! good! In any case, barking is a perfectly normal canine behavior.

See Also: Want a Dog That Doesn't Bark? This Could Be Breed for You

Behaviorists categorize barking into these categories:

• territorial barking
• alarm barking
• attention-seeking barking
• greeting barking
• socially facilitated barking
• frustration-induced barking
• illness or injury barking
• separation-anxiety barking

But some dogs bark excessively, seemingly at the drop

Read More »from Why Does My Dog... Bark at Nothing?

By Dr. Marty Becker

Secret Lives of CatsMost dog owners come into the veterinary office with their canine companions devotedly following them. Tails wagging, the dogs look up at their people with adoring eyes. Most cat owners, on the other hand, wrestle a cardboard box into the exam room, reach in like a magician and pull out not a rabbit, but an angry feline. For their efforts they get covered with furry shrapnel and sometimes raked with claws until their face and arms look like so many tic-tac-toe games. (It doesn't have to be like that, by the way.)

See Also: Looking for a sweet, gentle lap cat? Then this breed is NOT for you

As a lifetime pet lover and practicing veterinarian of more than 30 years, I've noticed a few things about cats. And so for all you cat owners, here's the Secret Code of Cat Behavior (or What Cats Know but Won't Tell You).

• Strategically place your hairball. If you have to hack up a hairball, toss it like a trophy onto something visible and valuable, like the new

Read More »from 9 Rules of Being a Feline: Secret Code of Cat Behavior

May the force be with youA long while ago in a litter box not close at all, Ol' Bengal Catoby, Duke Mousepouncer, See 3-Meow, and Boop Boop Beep Boop are stopped by some Poop Scoopers who are looking for some missing toys that they appear to have. Funny chaos ensues.

May the force be with you in your Roomba Landspeeder, kitties!





More Stories on Vetstreet.com :
* 4 Everyday Items That Work Wonders on Pet-Stained Carpets
* How Old Is My Pet in People Years? Cats Age Differently Then Dogs
* Why Does My Cat... Head Butt Me?
* The Smallest of All Cat Breeds Is Only 4-7 PoundsRead More »from Rescue Cats Star in “Star Wars” Parody

By Amy Sinatra Ayres

BeagleA new study due to be published in July in the journal Science of the Total Environment finds that dogs are ingesting, inhaling and otherwise being exposed to garden and lawn chemicals that have been associated with bladder cancer. Dogs "could directly ingest the chemicals from the plant, or they could lick their paws or fur and ingest chemicals that have been picked up on their feet, legs or body," said lead author Deborah Knapp of Purdue University's Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. The dogs could also transfer the chemicals to their owners, researchers said. They suggested that Scottish Terriers, West Highland White Terriers, Shetland Sheepdogs, Beagles and Wire Fox Terriers are at more risk because they already have a high genetic tendency to get bladder cancer. - Read it at Discovery News

More Stories You'll Like on Vetstreet.com:

* How to Keep Your Lawn and Garden, Green, Bug-Free and Pet Safe
* 12 Best Couch Potato Dog Breeds
*

Read More »from Lawn Chemicals Linked to Cancer in Dogs

By Shayna Meliker

Kevin Spacey and BostonWe've loved seeing all the touching tributes to the city of Boston since the Marathon attack last month, and here's yet another to warm our hearts: Kevin Spacey's new puppy.

The House of Cards actor tweeted a photo over the weekend of his new little lady, adopted from the North Shore Animal League. "New member of my family. Her name is Boston in honor of the city," he added.

Spacey flew to Boston after the bombings to visit and pose for photos with doctors, nurses and the first responders who helped at the finish line. "Real heroes," he wrote.

Soon, Boston the puppy will join Spacey's other dog, Mini, who he said is "15 & still acting like a puppy. Be a week or so before she can meet Boston. I'm definitely in dog heaven!"

More Stories You'll Like on Vetstreet.com:
* 11 Top Celebrity Animal Activists
* What Do Animals See in the Mirror?
* 5 Once- Popular Dog Breeds This Veterinarian Misses

Read More »from Kevin Spacey Names His New Puppy for Boston

By Dr. Patty Khuly

Giant African Land SnailA fellow veterinarian recently remarked on the unique ecosystem we enjoy down here in South Florida. As a lifelong Northeasterner, she couldn't seem to fathom the biological extremes our weather makes possible, a list that has grown from alligator-eating snakes to include - get this - giant African land snails.

"Have you seen any of those giant snails?" she asked. "Jeez, it's like South Florida is some kind of biosphere gone awry!"

See Also: 10 Surprising Things About How Animals Sleep

Yes, I happen to have seen my share of these. Luckily, however, none have thus far seen fit to invade my personal space. In fact, I've only ever witnessed these things in the context of a "what'll-this-thing-do-to-my-dog?" vet visit.

Which is bad enough. Because in case you haven't yet heard tell of these strange invertebrates, let me describe: They look like fist-size slugs encased in a crunchy striped shell. Think escargot in the Land of the Lost, where

Read More »from Giant African Land Snails Invade Florida

By Amy Sinatra Ayres

Red Panda showing off gymnastic skills.If you ask us, this little girl is ready for the Olympics! A red panda from the Panda World reserve in China has no problem on the gymnastic rings.

Watch more funny animal videos.

More Stories You'll Like on Vetstreet.com:
* Baby Panda Wants Mom's Attention
* Want a Dog That Stays Puppylike for Life? Here Is a Breed You Will Like
* 5 Once- Popular Dog Breeds This Veterinarian Misses

Read More »from Red Panda Does Pull-Ups

By Mikkel Becker

TheGiantVermin via FlickrQ. When my dog first greets someone, she shows all of her teeth and "smiles." Some visitors mistake this for aggressive behavior, but she's just very excited and happy. What is she doing and how can I explain it to people who visit?

A. It sounds like your dog is displaying an appeasement gesture, called a submissive grin, to show you and others that she's no threat. Submissive grins are a way for a dog to show deference to another individual.

Usually submissive grins are associated with increased movement and a body posture that is lower than the dog's normal stance. There are other signals your dog likely uses, along with her submissive grin, to show deference, such as lowering her tail, lifting a paw, licking you, licking her lips and looking away or squinting her eyes.

See Also: Why Does My Dog... Stare at Me?

Say Cheese!

The submissive grin is a tactic dogs use to shut off aggression from another individual, either human or canine. This

Read More »from My Dog Smiles when She Greets People — is This Normal?