Managing Your Dog’s Cholesterol
Just like humans, dogs can experience elevated cholesterol levels that may impact their overall health. Understanding how to keep your dog’s cholesterol in check is an important part of providing comprehensive care for your canine companion. Understanding Canine Cholesterol Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in your dog’s blood. While dogs naturally have some cholesterol, too much can lead to health concerns. High cholesterol in dogs, called hyperlipidemia, can sometimes occur without obvious symptoms, making regular...
Understanding Your Cat’s Pulse Rate
As a cat guardian, understanding your feline companion’s heart rate is an important part of monitoring their overall health. Just like humans, cats have normal pulse ranges that can indicate wellness or signal potential health concerns. What’s a Normal Heart Rate for Cats? A healthy adult cat typically has a resting heart rate between 140 and 220 beats per minute. This is significantly faster than a human’s heart rate, which might surprise first-time cat guardians. Kittens usually have even faster heart rates, while older or...
Interdigital Cysts in Dogs
If you’ve noticed painful bumps forming between your dog’s toes, you might be dealing with interdigital cysts (also called interdigital nodules or furuncles). These frustrating skin problems can make walking uncomfortable for your furry friend and require attention to prevent them from becoming worse. What Are Interdigital Cysts? Interdigital cysts appear as red, swollen bumps between a dog’s toes. Despite their name, they’re not actually true cysts. These painful lumps develop when hair follicles become irritated or...
What you need to know about cat whiskers
Cat whiskers are vital for navigation, communication, and health. Find out what they reveal about your kitty and how to care for them safely. Your cat’s whiskers are more than a cute facial feature! They help your cat sense the world, move with confidence, and express how she’s feeling. From finding her way in the dark to judging whether she can squeeze through narrow spaces, whiskers are essential to her safety and comfort. Here’s what you need to know about cat whiskers. What are whiskers and why are they important?...
Safe Cat-Friendly Plant Selection for Your Home
Why Plant Safety Matters Cats are naturally curious creatures who love to nibble, chew, and explore everything in their environment. Unfortunately, many popular houseplants contain toxic substances that can harm cats. Some plants, like lilies, are extremely dangerous and can cause severe kidney damage even from small exposures. Other plants may cause uncomfortable symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or mouth irritation. This is why choosing the right greenery is so important for cat guardians. Safe Plant Options for Your Home Thankfully, there...
Come see us at Animal Care Expo next month!
The countdown to Pittsburgh, PA is on! In just a few short weeks, professionals from the animal well-being space will gather in Pittsburgh from April 7-10 for Animal Care Expo. Maddie’s Fund® is a proud sponsor of the conference, hosted by Humane World for Animals (formerly Humane Society of the United States). As always, be sure to stop by our booth for fun engagement activities, and opportunities to win grants! Access to veterinary and behavioral care is increasingly important to us. We want to hear about what is important to you...
Understanding UV-Triggered Autoimmune Skin Conditions in Dogs
Does your furry companion’s nose or ears seem to worsen with sun exposure? Some dogs develop autoimmune skin conditions that are triggered or made worse by ultraviolet (UV) light. Understanding these conditions can help you protect your canine family member. What Are UV-Triggered Autoimmune Skin Conditions? These are skin problems where the dog’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy skin cells, particularly when exposed to sunlight. The nose and ears are commonly affected because they have less hair protection and...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Navigating dog adoption outcomes, new national study and more!
Happy Monday. Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Beyond our Safety Net: Navigating Returns, Risk and Humane Outcomes in Dog AdoptionsJoin us on March 26th for the next Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection call: Beyond our Safety Net: Navigating Returns, Risk and Humane Outcomes in Dog Adoptions. This session will explore the complex realities of accepting adoption returns for dogs exhibiting challenging or dangerous behavior. While our goal is always to keep adopted animals in homes, there are times...
Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Dogs
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a group of inherited eye conditions that can affect your canine companion. Understanding this disease and the available treatment options can help you provide the best care for your four-legged family member. What is PRA? PRA refers to several genetic disorders that cause the retina to gradually break down over time. The retina is the part of the eye that detects light and helps your dog see. With PRA, dogs experience progressive vision loss that develops over months or years. The age when symptoms start...
Why Cats Knock Things Off Counters and Shelves
If you share your home with a cat, you’ve probably watched in disbelief as they deliberately push your phone, keys, or favorite mug right off the counter. This behavior is actually quite common among our feline companions, and understanding why they do it can help you manage the situation better. Natural Hunting Instincts Cats are natural-born hunters, even when they’re well-fed and living comfortably indoors. When your cat paws at objects on counters or shelves, they’re engaging their prey drive. In the wild, cats would bat...
