Paw Nation Staff

By Dr. Marty Becker, via Vetstreet

Q. My 11-year-old daughter desperately wants a cat. She's a good student and a responsible kid, and we're running out of reasons to say no. But her stepdad is allergic to cats, and her dad is making an issue of it. Any advice?

A. Yes, I do have advice: The adults need to stop fighting with one another and set a good example for the child. Or did you mean advice about getting a pet? Yes, I can help you there too.

SEE ALSO: 5 Ways to Control Allergies to Pets

While those with severe, potentially life-threatening allergies should probably not adopt a cat or dog, most people with mild to moderate allergies can tolerate life with these animals, even if their allergists would rather they didn't. Depending on how severe your husband's allergies are and how well controlled they can be by working with an allergist, it's possible to minimize the health impact of a cat.

By Mikkel Becker, via Vetstreet

Q: My dog performs well when he's with his training instructor in class, but I can't get him to listen to me at home. What should I do?

A: Dogs often do well in a classroom setting because they're consistently interacting with their owners - plus they get multiple hours of practice working on certain behaviors, along with predictable rewards for performing the tasks. At home, the interaction between a dog and his owner is often less practiced or rewarding.

Why Home Training Can Be Unpredictable
Whether it's interruptions from kids or dishes that need to be washed, the home environment is full of distractions for both dogs and owners. This is why many people sign up for a training class in the first place - it's simply too difficult to really focus at home.

SEE ALSO: Teach Your Dog to Stop Begging

And although canines may learn to perform given behaviors in the classroom, owners often don't invest enough time to follow up with the training at home, so their dogs may not comprehend what's being asked of them outside the classroom.

Via Vetstreet

February is Dental Health Month, which means it's time to lavish some attention on your pet's teeth. It's important to take proper care of canine and feline teeth, because if left untreated, plaque and tartar buildup can progress to painful periodontal disease. The bacteria from periodontal disease can spread to other organs and cause illnesses. More than 85 percent of cats and dogs over four years old are affected by periodontal disease - you don't want your four-legged companion to become part of that alarming statistic.

Here are five steps to help your pet's teeth and gums remain healthy:

1. Beware of Bad Breath
If a musky scent is coming from Fluffy's mouth, don't ignore it. This could be a warning sign that she has periodontal disease or another oral disease such as stomatitis, a common feline condition that causes painful inflammation of the gums and mouth tissues.

SEE ALSO: Warning Signs Your Pet Has Gum & Teeth Issues

Other dental-health warning signs include bleeding gums, yellow or brown teeth, pawing at the mouth, and loose or missing teeth.

By Dr. Ernie Ward, via Vetstreet

Try this little experiment: Ask a four-year-old to lie very still in a room by himself for six to nine hours, with no games, no books and no human interaction. Sure, he can look outside and watch other kids play - but he has to stay indoors.

When you return home, tell that child he can walk outside for 10 minutes, but then it's back in for the night. Repeat this routine daily.

SEE ALSO: Sights, Smells and Sounds That Stress Out Pets

Ridiculous, you say? Of course it is. Yet this is often exactly what we ask of our pets, causing them undue emotional stress in the process.

Pets on the Brink of Boredom
Believe it or not, one of the chief stressors for many homebound animals is idle time. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for indoors-only pets. My two dogs and cats live inside, but they also go outside for an hour or more every day. Not only do my cats have access to a screened-in porch, I've also trained them to explore the backyard during supervised "walk-n-stalks."

February is National Pet Dental Health Month - an ideal time to get your pets started on healthy oral care routines, or to improve their existing ones. For pets, neglecting dental health carries similar risks to those for humans, such as periodontal complications - not to mention corrosive kitty and canine breath.

If you're ready to overhaul your pet's dental health, your vet can help with advice on proper at-home care, as well as products to take the hassle out of daily cleanings. Our friends at Zootoo rounded up some of their favorite oral care products for pets to help your four-legged friends keep their smiles healthy.

Helpful for tackling bad breath as well as plaque and tartar buildup, GoodBites Oral Care Dog Treats from Pedigree also feature a nutritionally balanced formula, packed with vitamins and minerals. Our tester canine flipped for the meaty taste, and the treats had a beneficial effect on his doggie breath.


An interactive toy that also promotes good dental hygiene, the Fresh Breath Mint Stick for Cats from Petstages uses an innovative design to help keep your feline's teeth clean. The exterior's mesh netting helps to remove soft tartar as your cat plays with the stick, and the interior - stuffed with catnip and crinkly material - kept our tester cats engaged for extended playtimes.


If your pet resists brushings with a regular toothbrush designed for animals, try the EZDOG Finger Brush from Triple Pet. This easy-to-use product fits over your finger for better control and less gagging. And the EZDOG Finger Brush features soft rubber bristles to clean your canine's canines effectively while gently massaging his gums.


A convenient, simple way to clean your cat's mouth while controlling bad breath, Dental Fresh for Cats helps to reduce plaque and tartar without subjecting skittish felines to cleanings with a toothbrush. A daily dose in our tester cat's bowl helped to reduce his previous bad breath, and he didn't seem to notice any change in the taste of the water.


Reward your dog while helping to improve his breath with Spot's Chew Dog Dental Treats from Halo. These snacks feature natural ingredients such as whole oats and apples to help freshen your dog's breath, and the stick-shaped design helps to clean your dog's teeth while keeping him occupied.