Health

A new study says that pets who live in certain U.S. states may outlive pets who live in other states, according to USA Today. Banfield Pet Hospital, the world's largest veterinary practice, released its 2013 State of Pet Health Report, ranking the U.S. both in terms of dog and cat populations in each state, as well as dog and cat lifespans in each state. Interestingly, cats and dogs fared differently in different states. The fives states with the longest-lived dogs are South Dakota, Montana, Oregon, New Mexico and Colorado. Dogs lived the ...

At first glance, feeding cats seems like it should be a relatively simple endeavor. An owner picks out the best cat food that offers balanced nutrition made from quality ingredients and places it in front of the cat. He or she promptly eats it and all is well. However, making sure that a cat's nutritional needs are met depends on three interconnected variables: the animal, the diet and the environment. RELATED: Pet Food Recalls And Safety If you own a healthy, adult cat, use the MyBowl tool to make sure that the diet you've selected is balanced and made from quality ingredients. If your cat has a medical condition, talk to your veterinarian about appropriate dietary options. Once you have ...

There's nothing more frustrating than seeing your pet scratching, knowing he's uncomfortable, and feeling unable to do anything to help. So, let's talk about some of the things that you and your veterinarian can do to help. Itchiness is referred to in veterinary circles as pruritis. Other symptoms you might see in a pruritic cat include hair loss, scabs and inflammation of the skin, and even bleeding skin lesions. Skin problems like this can also make your cat irritable and some cats will lose their appetite. There are many different things that can make a cat itchy. Allergies are a frequent cause of itchiness in cats. Allergy to fleas, commonly known as flea allergy dermatitis or FAD, is ...