Fear Free Happy Homes
Reading Time: 3 minutesParrots can be a lot of fun. But sometimes they do things humans find annoying. This can include refusing to go back into their enclosures, biting, and vocalizing for attention. Parrots aren’t hatched with behavior problems. They learn through experience to do certain things to get desired outcomes. For example, if a scream causes people […]
Reading Time: 5 minutesWhen it comes to sleeping, cats have famously made it an art form. However, while sleeping cats may look peaceful, not all feline sleep is serene. Cats know how to fake it, especially when they are stressed and trying to hide anxiety. And, if that’s the case, what are they dreaming about? Your Cat’s Sleep […]
Reading Time: < 1 minuteWhen dogs scratch, it’s disturbing to them and to us. It’s noisy, and it’s clear that something is wrong. An irritating itch can be caused by allergies, parasites, or infections. Our handout offers tips on recognizing causes of itching and ways to help bring it under control.
Reading Time: 4 minutesIt’s an immense privilege to have loved my Lab mix, Rio, for over 12 years. My husband and I adopted him from an animal shelter when he was just a few months old, and we’ve enjoyed each life stage – curious puppy, athletic adult, and now, sweet senior. But it’s concerning to watch the dog […]
Reading Time: 4 minutesMy 80-pound Labrador, Logan, was quivering in excitement to meet his new little brother. “Little” was not an exaggeration. My new Papillon puppy, Finian, weighed a scant 1.2 pounds. Was the size difference between the two a big deal? Yes! Planning ahead, I had prepared everything for a safe, positive introduction. I sat on the […]
Reading Time: 6 minutesIt’s been said that you are what you eat. But perhaps when applied to dogs, it’s more accurate to say, “You are how you eat.” The way dogs are fed, starting in the formative time of puppyhood, has monumental effects on their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing and has power to change their internal state […]
Reading Time: < 1 minuteYou take your dog or cat to the vet or groomer, and when they come back, your other pets growl or hiss at them, as if they’ve suddenly become the enemy. That’s because your pet smells different, maybe even scary, thanks to the scents they bring back from the clinic or salon, where they’ve been […]
Reading Time: < 1 minuteIt’s spooky season! And while that might be fun for you, your pet doesn’t always feel the same way about ghostly decorations or sinister costumes, let alone kids knocking at the door demanding candy. Our handout offers tips on keeping your pet’s scare levels low and ways to help them enjoy the festivities, either in […]
Reading Time: 3 minutesAs a baseball fan and dog nut, I was delighted a few years ago when the Colorado Rockies announced tickets were on sale for a dog-friendly event called Bark at the Park. Rockies fans could bring their socialized, vaccinated dogs to Coors Field to watch an actual MLB game. I bought tickets, submitted my dogs’ […]
Reading Time: 3 minutesWhat simple behavior could save your parrot’s life? Scale training! Sounds silly but getting and recording regular weights on your parrot can be a life saver. One of the things we know about parrots is that they have a tendency to mask signs of illness. The theory behind this is that in the wild, a […]