Scratchings-and-Sniffings

Exercising Your Dog: A Scratchings & Sniffings PodCast

Today, Dr. Larry and Dr. Grace share some insight into the best ways to exercise with your dog. Including the ever favorite frisbee toss and the "hey, let's run up and down the stairs!" (that's for rainy days...)

Seems simple enough, but remember - your dog isn't MY dog. And My dog isn't...my neighbors dog. All dogs are not built alike. I loved the stories Dr Grace and Dr Larry told in this Scratchings and Sniffings Out Loud podcast.

And, I learned some interesting facts. I'm betting you will, too.

Healthy Pet Treats: A Scratchings & Sniffings Out Loud

We all love giving our dogs treats. But, how often do we think about those treats?

What constitutes a "good" treat? A "healthy" treat? Pizza? (maybe, in limited amounts) Dog bones? Maybe...if you read the label carefully. That's key - reading the label. In this Scratchings & Sniffings Out Loud podcast with Dr. Grace and Dr. Larry, we learn more about healthy dog treats.

Old Dogs and Old Cats: Moving A Bit Slower

This week's Scratchings and Sniffings Out Loud podcast with Dr. Grace and Dr. Larry revolves around arthritis in our dogs. And, somewhat in our cats. Both animals are much like humans in the way they age - old age brings creaky bones with it.

In our podcast, we learn that exercise and diet go a LOOOooonnggg way to heading this off at the pass. While arthritis is not preventable, we can "treat" it - at least make ourselves and our pets more comfortable. Better yet, with the proper diet and exercise, old age doesn't have to make us old.

Listen up as Dr. Grace and Dr. Larry tell us how to keep our dogs and cats young, for as long as possible:

Scratchings and Sniffings Out Loud: How Much Do I Feed My Dog or Cat?

In this week's Scratchings and Sniffings Out Loud we learn about diet amounts - how much food should we be feeding our dog or cat? The amount on pet food lables is just a guideline. Dr. Larry and Dr. Grace help us understand the pets' needs according to size and activity. It's definitely comparable to how we feed ourselves - sometimes less is more.

Dr. Larry did a post about Ideal Body Condition just the other day, which plays into this podcast. He also shared the Purina Ideal Body Condition chart with folks, and I hope you'll hop over to that page, today, too. But, first listen up...

Colostrum or Mother's Milk - How Important is it? A New Scratchings and Sniffings Out Loud

In this session of Scratchings and Sniffings Out Loud, Dr. Larry and Dr. Grace educate us on colostrum - or "mother's milk" as many of us know it. I found this discussion interesting and informative, as usual, but the main thing that really makes it worthwhile for anyone is the announcement that there is a pet food with colostrum in it, now. An important ingredient that provides great health benefits to not only puppies and kittens, but dogs and cats with dietary issues.

Let's let Dr. Grace and Dr. Larry explain it - they do a better job than I do! 

Pet Dental Health Month: A Scratchings & Sniffings Out Loud - Home Care

In this, our second session of Scratchings & Sniffings Out Loud with Dr. Grace and Dr. Larry, we discuss homecare for pet dental health month. Yes, you can and should be brushing your dog and cat's teeth at home. There are a number of ways to do this, and you should be using a pet dental care toothpaste, not people toothpaste. (the first session can be located here: Pet Dental Health Month: Part I.)

Listen up: 

Pet Dental Health Month- A Scratchings and Sniffings Out Loud Podcast

By now most of you know that February is Pet Dental Health month. It's being talked about all over the net. Here at Scratchings & Sniffings, we have Dr. Grace and Dr. Larry to give us not only the health reasons we should pay attention to our cat's and dog's teeth here in Part I, but some simple ways to brush their teeth at home, in Part II.

Listen up. And watch for Part II later this week. (as usual, even I learned something!) 

Scratchings & Sniffings Out Loud: Senior Cats - Diet and Pain Management

Concluding our Scratchings & Sniffings Out Loud podcast with Dr. Grace and Dr. Larry on Senior Cats, today we're talking about diet and pain management. We discussed the overview of what makes a cat a 'senior' in Part 1 of this podcast, hop over and listen to that, too.

We also have a terrific brochure in the sidebar (on the right), "Friends for Life" that discusses Senior cat care. Download a copy for yourself, today by clicking the picture here, or clicking the icon in the sidebar.

Back to our podcast. I was fascinated by the way we cat people tend to think our cats can take care of themselves - they're just so darned independent! But, they need us to pay attention to their eating habits, their daily behavior, and how the get around. Because...guess what...cats get arthritis, too! Listen to Dr. Larry explain and heed his caution (do not give cats tylenol or aspirin!):