Understanding Feline Acne: What Cat Parents Need to Know
If you’ve noticed small, black spots on your cat’s chin that look like tiny blackheads, your feline friend might have feline acne. While this condition might sound concerning, it’s actually quite common and usually manageable with proper care. What Is Feline Acne? Feline acne is a skin condition that affects cats of all ages and breeds. It appears as small, dark spots or bumps, usually on the chin and sometimes around the lips. These spots look similar to blackheads that humans get. The medical term for these spots is...
How Field Officers are addressing pet transport barriers directly in the community
Access to pet care isn’t always as simple as scheduling an appointment. For many families, transportation is one of the biggest barriers standing between their pets and the care they need. If you haven’t already done so, we recommend watching the webcast recording, “How Field Officers are addressing transport barriers directly in the community.” In this webcast, animal well-being specialists shared how animal control officers are integrating pet transport into their work to keep pets with their families. Speakers...
Antimicrobial resistance in dogs and cats
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat to dogs and cats. Understand the risks, how it develops, and practical steps to protect your animal’s health Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in dogs and cats is an urgent and growing concern. It threatens the effectiveness of treatments for common infections. AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites resist drugs designed to kill them, making illnesses harder to treat and increasing the risk of complications. Our dogs and cats can be affected just as humans are, especially...
9 Ways Dog Parents Confuse Their Dogs
As loving dog parents, we sometimes do things that confuse our furry friends without even knowing it. Effective dog communication depends on clarity and consistency. When we send mixed signals, it can stress them out and make training harder. Here are nine common ways dog parents accidentally confuse their dogs. 1. Being Inconsistent with Rules One day you let your dog on the couch, the next day you don’t. This flip-flopping confuses dogs who need clear, steady rules. Pick your house rules and stick to them every day. 2. Using Too Many...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Using social media for foster placements, anxiety medications for shelter pets and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Shelter practices & barriers in the use of anxiety medications and alternativesJoin us on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 12PM ET/3PM ET for the next installment of “Maddie’s® Insights: Shelter Practices & Barriers in the Use of Anxiety Medications & Alternatives,” presented by Bailey Eagan, PhD, MSc., Director of Research with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Fear, anxiety and stress… Learn...
Can cats suffer from separation anxiety?
Like dogs, some cats develop separation anxiety — especially those deeply bonded with their humans. Learn the signs, causes, and how to help your cat feel calm and secure when left alone. We most often associate separation anxiety with dogs. But can cats suffer from separation anxiety too? The answer is yes, and it’s especially true for kitties who have a very strong bond with their humans. Separation anxiety can also occur in cats who have never spent time alone for long periods. If you recognize the signs of separation...
A Fur Parent’s Guide to the Ultimate Adventure—Space Travel? Yes!
Space travel is getting a bit common. Well, not for the commoners yet. But while space travel with our furry friends might sound like science fiction, let’s imagine what it would take to keep our Fantastic Furs safe on the ultimate journey around Earth or to the Moon! Pre-Flight Health Checks Before any space adventure, your furry friends would need extensive health screenings. Just like human astronauts, dogs and cats would require perfect health to handle the stress of space travel. Your veterinarian would need to conduct thorough...
Nighttime dog walking safety tips
Stay safe during after-dark dog walks this fall with practical tips on visibility, gear, route planning, and avoiding nighttime hazards. If you’re like a lot of people, you often end up walking your dog early in the morning or late in the evening, when it’s dark or dusky. This is especially the case now that fall is here and the days are getting shorter. When visibility is low, you have to take your dog’s safety, and your own, into a little more consideration. Here are some nighttime dog walking safety tips to ensure...
Dogs and Cats and Daylight Saving
Twice a year, we adjust our clocks for daylight saving time. While we humans might feel a bit groggy for a few days, you might wonder if this time change affects your furry family members too. The answer is yes – dogs and cats can be impacted by daylight saving time changes. How Dogs and Cats Experience Time Changes Unlike humans who rely heavily on clocks, dogs and cats are guided by natural light patterns and established routines. Your furry companions have internal body clocks, called circadian rhythms, just like we do. These...
Shelter practices & barriers in the use of anxiety medications and alternatives
Join us on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 12PM ET/3PM ET for the next installment of “Maddie’s® Insights: Shelter Practices & Barriers in the Use of Anxiety Medications & Alternatives,” presented by Bailey Eagan, PhD, MSc., Director of Research with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Fear, anxiety and stress are common challenges for cats and dogs in shelter environments, yet little is known about how shelters use psychoactive medications and non-medication alternatives to...
Can Pool Water Be Bad for Dogs?
Many dog parents wonder if it’s safe for their furry friends to take a dip in the pool. While swimming can be great exercise for dogs, pool water does come with some risks that every pet owner should understand. The Good News About Pool Water Most of the time, properly maintained pool water is safe for dogs. Once pool chemicals like chlorine are diluted in water, they usually won’t harm your pet if they drink small amounts while swimming. Many dogs enjoy splashing around in pools without any problems. When Pool Water Becomes...
Heal unwanted dog and cat behaviors with Emotional Freedom Technique
Get to the root of unwanted pet behaviors with animal communication and EFT! Does your dog or cat vocalize excessively? Resource guard? Destroy furniture? Often, unwanted behaviors stem from an underlying cause that must be addressed before the behavior will stop. With a combination of animal communication and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), you can discover and address the emotions at the root of the problem. Let’s explore EFT with the help of Joan Ranquet, one of the world’s leading animal communicators! Why we see unwanted...
Ready Your Dog’s Immune System to Nip Cancer in the Bud
Dog parents want to do everything possible to keep their furry family members healthy. While we can’t prevent all health problems, we can take steps to support our dog’s immune system in its natural fight against cancer. Understanding Your Dog’s Natural Defense System Your dog’s immune system works around the clock, recognizing and destroying abnormal cells every day. A healthy immune system can often catch cancer cells before they become a problem. However, sometimes cancer cells multiply too quickly or hide from the...
4 Powerful Ways Adaptogens Benefit Dogs and Cats (and the #1 Herb for Them!)
Adaptogens benefit dogs and cats in many ways. Here’s a look at four of the most important advantages and why it’s smart to include KSM-66 Ashwagandha in their diet! Adaptogens are natural substances like herbs that help the body resist stress. They’re becoming increasingly popular among dog and cat parents, especially as science begins to learn about additional ways they naturally support pet health. One of the most powerful adaptogens is an ancient herb called ashwagandha. The most clinically studied...
Social media that delivers — how digital engagement boosts foster placementsÂ
Let’s face it: people spend hours scrolling social feeds. Why not turn that scroll into a shelter-to-home journey? Our 2024 National Foster Survey spotlights social media as a powerhouse for foster recruitment. Here’s how to post smarter—and fill more foster homes faster. Shelters that ramp up their social media activity see real results: high activity organizations posting 10 or more times per week place a median of 350 pets in foster care, while low activity shelters posting just 0–4 times manage only 151...
Laser Play for Cats: Fun or Hidden Danger?
As a cat parent, you’ve probably watched your feline friend chase that tiny red dot around the room with pure joy. Laser pointers seem like the perfect toy – they’re cheap, easy to use, and cats absolutely love them. But is laser play always safe for our furry companions? The Appeal of Laser Play Laser pointers tap into your cat’s natural hunting instincts. The quick, unpredictable movements of the red dot trigger their prey drive, providing excellent exercise and mental stimulation. For indoor cats especially, laser...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Programs for neonatal kittens, addressing gaps in veterinary care and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. We’re also excited to announce the new Community Conversations host for October: Rachel Rae Williams, Board Member of Spay Neuter Network. Below is the call lineup for next month so you can plan ahead: 10/6: Keeping Families and Pets Together 10/20: Experiencing Domestic Violence 10/27:Beyond the Binary: Intersections for Community-Centered Animal Control and Shelter Operations Learn how to build one-of-a-kind programs for neonatal kittensNeonatal kittens may...
Evolution of dog training methods
Take a look at the evolution of dog training — from dominance-based methods to science-backed positive reinforcement. Find out how modern techniques prioritize respect, trust, and effective communication. Humans and dogs have lived together for millennia. Yet one of the most significant changes in the human-canine relationship occurred just 40 years ago. In the 1980s, dog training shifted towards more scientific and humane approaches. This article traces the evolution of dog training methods, and how we’ve moved from punishment to...
How to support dog rescues
Find out how dog rescues work and the many ways you can support their lifesaving efforts — from fostering to fundraising. Dog rescues play a vital role in the animal community. They help transition dogs from dangerous situations to “fur-ever” homes. Read on for details on how to support dog rescues, and what they do to save and find home for canines in need. Do rescue organizations differ from shelters? Unlike a shelter, most dog rescue organizations don’t have a physical location. Volunteer networks typically make up...
Caring for a Dog With a Broken Jaw
Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being. Source: Animal Wellness...
