When your pets' behavior threatens to destroy your house--and your relationship--Who you gonna call? Dr. Marty Becker, America's Veterinarian answers that question, and has joined the Behavior Tour, sponsored by Ceva Animal Health and American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. The tour travels across the country helping pet owners understand some of the most common pet behavior challenges and where they can find help to solve them, often in your own back yard! Listen to today's Pet Peeves show...
Sep 04, 2012•38 min
Service dogs offer aid and comfort to thousands of people around the world. And a service dog's duties encompass all sorts of work. They guide vision impaired partners or sniff out bombs, find lost people or rescuing individuals from disaster--and of course offer emotional support and nonjudgmental love along the way. Caring for their health can be pricey, though, so the 5th Annual ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam Event offers free exams in May 2012. Learn more from Dr. Bill Miller, a v...
Apr 09, 2012•27 min
There's no doubt that dogs bring smiles to our faces with happy wags. Some of these canine nurses could be furry angels when they become therapy dogs that visit with people in need of healing face licks and snuggles. But exactly what is a therapy dog and how are they trained? Can you and your dog become a therapy team? Learn all about the ANGEL ON A LEASH program from author David Frei's book of the same title. As the voice of Westminster David is known to millions of television viewers, but als...
Mar 20, 2012•35 min
Your old cat needs medicine for hyperthyroidism. The puppy burned his mouth chewing something "wrong." A veterinarian diagnoses and prescribes the best treatment for your fur-kids, parrots and other exotics--but what if your animal companion refuses to cooperate? How do you get that Rx down those snapping jaws? It becomes even more of a challenge with zoo animals who throw the sedative dart back at the veterinarian! Pet Peeves guest Chris Simmons is a pharmacist who specializes in prescriptive p...
Nov 10, 2011•26 min
You can find self-proclaimed experts all over the Internet, so it's refreshing to find a pair of debut authors who actually have the credentials for their topic. Join Pet Peeves today to learn how the book Cat Calls came about from co-authors Susan Logan (editor of Cat Fancy Magazine) and famous New York cat sitter and CatChannel.com columnist Jeanne Adlon. You'll not only hear some fun anecdotes from the diary of a 35-year-veteran of cat sitting, but get practical kitty advice. Those pursuing t...
Oct 21, 2011•37 min
I hate mosquitoes not only because they’re itchy aggravation, but these nasty vampires spread deadly heartworm disease. Heartworms are found all over the world, affect wildlife, dogs and cats. While it’s easy to prevent the disease there are concerns that some populations of heartworms have become resistant to the medication we give our pets. And the treatment used to cure dogs has become temporarily unavailable! The president of the American Heartworm Society, Dr. Wallace Graham, addresses thes...
Aug 28, 2011•31 min
Camilla Gray-Nelson trains women to train their dogs--and yes, it's a bit different than the male viewpoint. If you're a lady with a pet dog and at the end of your leash with Fido's antics, you'll want to learn the tips in this show. Camilla has been training dogs and solving problems for more than 20 years and today runs Dairydell Canine Center in Northern California. She and her staff have helped more than 9000 dogs and owners from all over the United States! More details on this episode MP3 P...
Aug 12, 2011•33 min
In our modern society where perfect bodies and youthful looks rule the media, it may be politically correct to "make allowances" for other-abled humans. But in the world of pets, where so many need homes, would you adopt a disabled animal? What would you do if the perfect pet turned out less than ideal? How do you decide when and where to draw the line, and is it fair to put your family through the process? Join author Natalie C. Markey, the Special Needs Dog Care columnist for Examiner.com, as ...
May 23, 2011•33 min
It’s called natural, holistic, complementary, and integrative-- bottom line, veterinary medicine has gone back to the past to treat and cure pets. What exactly is holistic healing? The natural vet, Dr. Shawn Messonnier, explains the concept and why he decided to expand his practice to include holistic treatments. In this show, learn how natural medicine can work alongside conventional Western therapies and offer pets the best of all possible worlds. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Pet Peeves En...
Apr 10, 2011•28 min
Alley Cat Rescue (ACR) sponsors the 2nd Annual "Free Feral Cat Spay Day" on April 27, 2011. But just what is a "feral cat" and why should you care? Feral cats are born and raised without human contact, and live life on the wild side. You might call them yowling nuisances when they potty in your garden or drive indoor cats crazy-- but they’re simply trying to survive. Louise Holton, founder and president of ACR, says TNR (trap-neuter-return) can solve a host of feral cat problems in a humane way....
Mar 26, 2011•35 min
Today the pet products industry appears to be one of those "bullet proof" endeavors even in the wake of economic downturn. That’s wonderful for the companies, of course. And a number of the big guys fund high-profile animal foundations -- Pet Peeves featured Morris Animal Foundation and Winn Feline Foundation to name two worthy organizations. But smaller organizations struggle to stretch every dollar, and aren’t always on the funding radar. Kristen Smith, Brand Ambassador for Planet Dog and the ...
Mar 12, 2011•26 min
About 4 million cats pass through United States shelters annually, and most never make it out alive. A top killer of cats in shelters might surprise you - it’s kitty colds! What can we do to stop this horrible situation? Join my guest Dr. Kate Hurley, director of the Koret Shelter Medicine Program at the University of California - Davis. She reveals some surprising results of shelter cat studies that can not only save cat lives, but also save shelters $3 million a year! More details on this epis...
Feb 24, 2011•33 min
Losing a beloved pet devastates owners, yet we don't always get the support we need, or know where to turn for help. Dr. Diane Pomerance is a certified Grief Recovery Specialist who serves as director of the Pet Grief counseling Program for the SPCA of Texas. She is also active in pet rescue--pets who have lost loves of another kind--and has written a lovely book Our Rescue Dog Family Album honoring these furry loves. Listen to Pet Peeves to learn more about how you can help support yourself or ...
Feb 06, 2011•34 min
Service dogs have become a very public and vital part of our society. But there’s another area that doesn’t get quite as much hand-waving. Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) includes companion animals as a part of the patient’s therapy in a treatment plan designed by a health care professional. For instance, a child might be more willing to toss a ball for the dog to fetch, than follow a human therapist’s instructions to rehab a painful injury. A pioneer in the field, Nancy Stanley first introduced "...
Jan 18, 2011•30 min
Today's guest, P.A. Woodburn, share the making of her mystery book CRIES IN THE DARK on today's show. It incorporates the world of animal research, and the "what if" of communicating with animals. As an animal lover who at one time worked for Green Peace, she brings an insider's perspective to this work of fiction, a thrilling story that's a perfect holiday gift for pet lovers. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Animal Research: Cries In The Dark with Amy Shojai on Pet Life Radio Become ...
Dec 10, 2010•32 min
Millions of homeless animals end up in shelters every year. Half of the pets that go into shelters die there, because time runs out before they can be adopted. How can caring pet lovers stem the furry tide? Janice Brown, Founder of Tails Magazine, has started a letter-writing campaign called "Letters for Pets," urging President Obama to declare April 30th National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day by Presidential Proclamation. Listen to the show to learn how you can add your vote to help shelter pets find...
Dec 01, 2010•25 min
November is Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month. Older dogs and cats offer many benefits as pets, compared to youngsters. It’s time that mature pets get the respect and attention they deserve! This show offers sneak peeks into updated and revised award-winning books Complete Care for Your Aging Cat and Complete Care for Your Aging Dog. You’ll hear some of the "Golden Moment" true stories that illustrate successful pet aging. Please check the "episode page" for direct links to find these books, as well as a...
Nov 11, 2010•36 min
There’s a reason such events are called a disaster -- but that word falls short when it comes to Katrina. The animal victims haunt pet lovers, especially those personally touched by the tragedy who did everything right -- and still lost so much. Karen O’Toole lived through the devastation, and was on the front lines as a rescuer and witness. She chronicles her experiences in a book, ORPHANS OF KATRINA, and in today’s show describes what it was like inside the world’s biggest animal rescue. For m...
Oct 07, 2010•35 min
The old adage "you are what you eat" applies to dogs just as it does people. And today, pet owners need a crystal ball to sift through the choices on the grocery aisle. Even if you home cook or raw feed, there are pitfalls that could leave your dog in trouble. Steve Brown offers answers for owners who home prepare food-- or buy it in the bag-- in his new book "Unlocking the Canine Ancestral Diet." Dogs may have moved from life on the wild side into the family room, but they still need food fit f...
Sep 04, 2010•31 min
Not all trainers believe in cookie power and clickers--they consider it lax or ineffective. But punishment-based training of some high-profile celebrity trainers is labeled unscientific and ineffective by others. Who’s right? Is there room for both? Would you shock your dog to get him to behave? Stephanie Smith, PhD has something to say on the matter--see if you agree with some of her surprising statements. You can read more about cat behavior in my cats.About.com columns. Want to know more abou...
Aug 14, 2010•33 min
Researchers have made amazing strides in specialized areas of veterinary medicine. These treatments can greatly improve a sick animal’s quality of life, and often cure or at least add months to years to the time the pet and owner can share together. Today’s guest explains all the details about veterinary specialties. Dr. Nancy Kay is a board certified specialist in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and published in several professional journals and textbooks, including the boo...
Aug 07, 2010•32 min
We’ve a bumper crop of kittens every year, with up to 4 million cats a year enter shelters. It hurts my heart to think of all the loving, needy felines that lose their homes--and their lives--every year. And it doesn’t have to happen! The American Humane designates June as the prime time for cat and kitten adoptions. But you don’t have to wait for June to find the kitty of your dreams. Join me on Pet Peeves as I speak with Debrah Schnackenberg of the American Humane, to talk about Adopt A Cat Mo...
Jul 23, 2010•34 min
A week doesn’t go by that I don’t read a cat story in the local or national news. It’s great we have news coverage of controversial feline issues such as declawing bans, cat collectors, mandatory spay/neuter, as well as the warm-and-fuzzy coverage. But it hisses me off when the writers don’t know a Tonkinese from a Tabby. My expert guest, Sue Ewing (president of the Cat Writers’ Association) explains just where folks can find expert cat writers, and offers details (de-tails?) about the writing c...
Jul 01, 2010•33 min
It's a national tragedy that a special month promoting cat adoptions is necessary. Felines get the short end of the adoption stick because of cat myth-perceptions. We’ll dispel some of those myths and offer listeners terrific free resources designed for cat owners, veterinarians and shelters. Dr. Patricia Olson of Morris Animal Foundation and the Happy Healthy Cat campaign describes the results of a pet perceptions survey, and how negatives can be turned around. And Dr. Diane Eigner, Chair of th...
Jun 11, 2010•31 min
Missing the litter box sends many cats to the shelter when owners can’t stand living with the mess. And while some cats do the dirty deed because of medical issues, there can be problems diagnosis-- or treating-- the problem even once it’s identified. I attended Dr. Jacqueline C. Neilson’s lecture at the Western Veterinary Conference on dealing with unwelcome feline PEE-mail, and she offers some great tips in this installment of Pet Peeves. Learn more about what can be done to establish litter b...
Apr 18, 2010•33 min
If you have a cat, you deal with claws. Learn all about ways to direct your cat’s natural inclinations in acceptable outlets. Dr. Jean Hofve offers tips on training, plus her unvarnished opinion of declaw surgery, laws against the practice and more. For more about declawing issues, tune into "Claws & Effect" on another Pet Peeves show. Need pet care articles and behavior tips? Wonder about links to past and future Pet Peeves radio episodes? Sign up for the free Pet Peeves E-newsletter from w...
Apr 01, 2010•37 min
Western Veterinary Conference provides continuing education to veterinary professionals with more than 800 hours of continuing education with world-renowned instructors, networking with 6000 veterinarians, and more than 430 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services. This year, the icing on my cake included interviewing legendary animal actress and animal advocate Betty White! In addition, you’ll hear from Catalyst Council members Dr. Jane Brunt and Steve Dale, and the president of M...
Mar 03, 2010•31 min
Talk about insurance raises hackles these days, and coverage for pets--furry family members--can be just as important. Last year people spent about $25 million on veterinary care. We want to take the best care of our pets as possible, but in trying economic times, that can be a challenge. Dr. David Goodnight with PurinaCare Pet Health Insurance educates us about how insurance for pets works, and why we should care. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Insuring Peace Of Mind with Amy Shojai...
Feb 15, 2010•33 min
Dog-loving owners can have unrealistic expectations, and can easily misunderstand normal dog behaviors. They believe dogs purposely act "bad" to get back at the owner, or blame problems on the dog’s stupidity. Too often, these socially inept canines end up in shelters! Yet dog training CAN be easy and fun-- and literally can save your dog’s life and your relationship. To counter this trend, the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APBT) has declared January to be National Train Your Dog Month, and M...
Jan 29, 2010•39 min
Studies have shown that pets lower our stress levels, and people remain healthier and live longer more fulfilled lives when they share it with a pet. Today we’re learning that if our animal companions can do this for otherwise healthy folks, as well as those with physical challenges, they also offer extraordinary benefits for emotional injuries! Join Pet Peeves guest, clinical psychotherapist and dog trainer Jane Miller as she discusses her new book, Healing Companions. Learn how psychiatric ser...
Jan 21, 2010•38 min
