Steve Dale's Pet World

More than half of U.S. dogs and cats are overweight or obese—but the reasons go beyond table scraps and too many treats. Dr. Ernie Ward, founder and president of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, says the issue is far more complex, and in cats, the link between obesity and diabetes has reached epidemic levels. […]

Veterinary dentist Dr. Jan Bellows says when an older small dog or cat suddenly becomes picky about food, dental pain is often the real cause. He discusses new research on stomatitis — a painful condition in which a cat’s immune system attacks its own mouth — along with a new product called Yummy Combs, designed to […]

Actor Joey Luthman traveled from California to Maine on a one-wheel to raise money for cat health research benefiting the EveryCat Health Foundation. His one-of-a-kind journey inspired the documentary film CAT MAN, which is now appearing at film festivals across the country.  Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Animal Wellness Action and Center for a Humane Economy, led the effort to rescue […]

Dr. Debra Horwitz and Dr. Amy Pike, veterinary behaviorists and co-authors of Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Canine and Feline Behavior, 3rd Edition, explore topics in pet behavior. They discuss whether there is ever a justified use for shock collars—even as a last resort to protect a dog’s life—while addressing widespread misconceptions about how […]

Veterinary cardiologist Dr. Marisa Ames, Associate Professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and President of the American Heartworm Society, explains what heartworm disease is and why prevention is critical. She emphasizes that heartworm is completely preventable, yet still too common. In dogs, treatment can be costly and may leave lasting, permanent damage. In […]