The use and advocacy of cannabis-based therapies has been a hot topic in the world of human medicine for some time. We frequently hear reports of proposed legislation to legalize cannabis-based products for medicinal and/or recreational use. With the increase in interest and awareness about the medi...

One of the harmful consequences of the human use of illicit drugs is the unintentional exposure of pets. With the legalization of marijuana in some states, the reports of marijuana toxicity in pets has increased. A pet's exposure to marijuana can be deadly. Marijuana is a psychoactive (mind-alter...

Cat ownership offers plenty of little joys: you get a cute and entertaining snuggle buddy and playmate whose behavior is endlessly fascinating, with the added bonus of having a dedicated pest control specialist living in your home. But if your pet starts scratching up your furniture, you might find...

A pet with separation anxiety experiences recurrent distress in the absence or perceived absence of an attachment figure. An attachment figure could be its guardian, another human, or another animal. Separation anxiety is the second most common behavior problem of canines affecting an estimated 14%...

The health of a pet's hair coat can be affected by illness, stress, pregnancy, hormonal changes, and poor nutrition. These situations can result in slowed hair growth, a coat that appears dull, dry, or lusterless in appearance, and possibly hair loss. Hair loss (alopecia) can occur in dogs and cats...

Consider this situation ... your 6-year-old pet has been to the vet 3 times in the past 2 months for a chronic GI problem. There is no clear diagnosis nor improvement to anything that has been prescribed. You feel badly for your pet and are growing frustrated - at this point, you feel like you're sp...

Xylitol is a common and widely used sugar substitute. Coupled with its popularity in the human health and wellness space, accidental poisonings in pets (especially dogs) do occur as they are attracted to its sweet flavor. Xylitol is highly toxic to dogs and even very small amounts can lead to l...

Urine marking is a problem behavior in cats. Because some pet owners find this behavior unacceptable, it can ultimately lead to cat relinquishment, and in some cases, euthanasia. However, with some understanding of this common behavior and efforts to address the underlying issue(s), many of these ca...