The Grow-Old-Together Type of Friendship Between a Woman and Her Loving Tortoise
A person will meet a lot of people that will play a significant role in their lives. Some are for temporary purposes, while others will permanently stay. The latter are your different versions of soulmates. That someone could be a romantic partner, a parent, a relative, a best friend, and most fascinatingly, an animal. People and animals magically meet each other and form a heartfelt connection. They could meet at adoption events, rescue missions, rehabilitation centers, or when the animal suddenly appears near their house. That first...
Should You Separate Your Puppy and Older Dog?
Bringing a new puppy home is exciting for you, but can be stressful for an older dog. Be thoughtful about your dogs’ interactions. In the past, the general advice was to introduce new puppies to older dogs in the home right away. Now we know that isn’t always the best approach. How to introduce a puppy to an older dog: Follow these 5 steps Step 1: Create space Giving puppies and older dogs their own space before introducing them encourages positive interactions in the future. There’s no reason to rush greetings and...
The Importance of Environmental Enrichment for Cats and Dogs
Submission Guidelines Thank you for your interest in writing for Animal Wellness. As the #1 natural health magazine for pets in North America, we take pride in providing our readers with the information they need to make wise health care choices for their animal companions. Our publication embraces the entire holistic spectrum, from physical health issues to the emotional and spiritual well being of our animals. We welcome unsolicited articles and story outlines as long as they focus on holistic healing, whether physical, emotional or...
Urinary Tract Disease and Your Cat
One of the most common health problems to afflict cats is lower urinary tract disease. Understanding the various causes and symptoms are key to ensuring prompt treatment. Our feline companions are prone to lower urinary tract problems. There are a number of reasons for this, some of which can be addressed by making a few lifestyle changes. It’s important to have an understanding of why and how urinary tract problems manifest, and what the signs and symptoms are. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be obstructive or non-obstructive. In...
Lion’s Mane mushroom offers healing properties to both people and dogs
A popular mushroom in North America, Lion’s Mane features a range of medicinal benefits for both people and their dogs — from calming anxiety to supporting the gut. As we learned How Your Dog Can Benefit from Medicinal Mushrooms, many mushroom species are rich in healing properties. Exploring the medicinal benefits they can offer our dogs gives us another powerful tool for treating certain ailments and maintaining wellness. In this article, we’ll focus on Lion’s Mane, and how it can be used to help dogs with anxiety. A...
Disc Dog Sport
The popular canine sport of disc dog requires a human and canine to work as a team. The dog relies on the human for accurate throws of a flying disc and the human relies on the dog’s athleticism to catch each throw. Maryland dog trainer Gabby Scott competes in disc dog events. However, the initial reasons as to why she started training for the event was just happenstance. “I arrived early for a dog-training class I was attending with my Aussie-mix eight years ago,” says Gabby. “The instructor was practicing tricks with...
The Battle for Survival Commenced as This Bird Steals Food Away from Its Friend
Birds are given the ability to conquer freedom with their wings. Life seems so easy for them, but they still have to fight for survival. Hunting food and finding a home safe from lurking predators is their everyday life. But as the world advances, a bird’s strategy also changes. Since they can go anywhere, there are birds accustomed to city life. Instead of searching for food in the wild, they hunt food from the streets. In some instances, humans would provide the free-roaming birds with food such as bird feed or bread. Other people...
Cat Gets Locked in an Empty Business for More Than a Week
The following story was a finalist in the Pawsitively Picture Perfect photo contest. The top three finishers received $500 in cash, as well as $2,000 in cash and supplies for their favorite shelter. To read more stories, click here! Zeus was found behind a business in the shopping center where I work. He somehow had gotten himself locked in an empty business that was being renovated. We think he was in there between 10 and 11 days, no food or water at all. Then when workers went back in, they found him and just threw him out behind the...
Nine Health Benefits of Having a Cat
June is National Adopt a Cat Month. The month was so chosen because it coincides with the height of kitten season, when shelters need even more help than usual. When you adopt a cat, you help save a life, but did you know in return, that rescue cat can do some things to prolong your life? Here are just a few of the health benefits of bringing home that sweet shelter cat who reached their paw out to you. Long-Term Pet Ownership is Good for Brain Health PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK / AFRICA STUDIO Sometimes your cat may drive you a little crazy, but...
American Pit Bull Terrier Puppy, Spotify, Needs a Forever Home to Heal In
Say hello to sweet little Spotify, a 4-month-old American Pit Bull Terrier that weighs approximately 25 pounds. Spotify is currently a guest of the San Diego Humane Society, where he has been recuperating from a neck injury. A model guest so far, the shelter would very much like to find a safe, secure forever home for this adorable young puppy. This is what the shelter staff at SDHS has said about Spotify so far. Photo: San Diego Humane Society Why this Pet is the One for You Meet Spotify, an adorable and lively young puppy that is looking...
Sweet, Adoptable Smokey Just Can’t Seem to Catch a Break
Meet Smokey! By all accounts, Smokey is a great dog, but he hasn’t even received one adoption application yet, which has staff and volunteers at the Nebraska Humane Society baffled. The 2-year-old Boxer mix has even graduated from the organization’s Diamond Dog program for fearful pups. Armed with his new diploma, Smokey is said to have an improved sense of self-confidence and perhaps some swagger in his step these days. He’s also the perfect size at approximately 40 pounds with a compact body that’s described as...
Crocodile in Costa Rican Zoo Impregnated Itself, a First Ever Recorded
The first known case of a crocodile that became pregnant without ever having mated has been identified at a Costa Rican zoo. How do we know that? The semiaquatic reptile produced a foetus that was 99.9 percent genetically identical to itself! The phenomenon is often referred to as a “virgin birth” and has been reported in various species of fish, birds, and reptiles. It has not, however, been seen in crocodiles before — but was anybody checking? Apparently not, but we’ll get to that in a minute. The egg was laid back...
Keepers at Kazkova Dibrova Zoo Risk Lives to Protect Animals After Flood Kills Hundreds
In the past year, the keepers at Kazkova Dibrova zoo in southern Ukraine have faced incredible challenges while protecting their animals under Russian occupation. Even as access routes to the zoo were blocked, making it impossible to evacuate the animals, workers risked their lives to feed the animals each day, dodging bullets fired by Russian troops across the Dnieper River, the Washington Post reports. Over the winter, one volunteer brought home some of the smaller animals that would have perished in the cold. Farmers and residents also...
Scientific Survey Reveals Promising Conservation Efforts for the World’s Most Endangered Marine Mammal
The vaquita, a small porpoise and the world’s most endangered marine mammal, is teetering on the edge of existence. However, the latest scientific survey of the species reveals that new conservation efforts are showing promise, providing a glimmer of hope for their survival. María Luisa Albores González, Mexico’s secretary of environment and natural resources, shared the survey results at a news conference, conveying a sense of optimism. “Today, we have good news, hopeful news,” González said....
Food Allergies in Pets – Signs, Sources, & Solutions
Think your pet has food allergies? Maybe. Maybe not. Research shows that just one in 10 pets suffering from allergies can attribute their troubles to food. Your pet could be suffering from environmental, flea, skin or contact allergies. Or it might be a reaction to impure, unnatural ingredients in their food. Or, yes, it could be a food allergy. Any way you look at it, feeding your pet the best possible food – using all natural, human-grade, carefully sourced ingredients – is sure to improve their lives by leaps and bounds. So,...
Organ Meat for Dogs: Safety and Preparation Tips
Feeding your dog organ meat, as opposed to muscle meat, is a treat, not a balanced meal, says Dr. Jessica Taylor, vice president of veterinary medicine at Petfolk Veterinary and Urgent Care, which has locations in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. Organ meat for dogs typically includes chicken, duck and turkey liver, heart and gizzards, but encompasses other internal organs and entrails from larger farm animals, such as cattle and sheep. Is organ meat safe for dogs? Dr. Taylor says that organ meat is high in vitamins dogs need like iron,...
A Family of Foxes Regularly Visits Grandma’s House to Play and Spread Happiness
Having animals around makes the place happier and more exciting. It’s fascinating to see how they express themselves most adorably. Every little thing about them can immediately make someone smile — even during mischief. For this reason, cute animal content quickly goes viral on the internet. A bunny simply eating a strawberry can gain millions of engagements. Sometimes the videos can get extra random, such as a cat acting like an electrician. You’ll even see various stories of animal encounters that are entertaining,...
Hairless, Skinny Dog Rescued From the Streets, Becomes the Jokester of His Forever Family
The following story was a finalist in the Pawsitively Picture Perfect photo contest. The top three finishers received $500 in cash, as well as $2,000 in cash and supplies for their favorite shelter. To read more stories, click here! We adopted Finnegan at the beginning of the pandemic in March of 2020. Although we already had two cats and a dog, we were working from home, and it was an ideal time to help a new family member settle into our home. PHOTO: DEBORAH CATES We had previously adopted a dog from a wonderful rescue called Compassion...
Dog Loses His Eyes Due to Neglect, But He Doesn’t Hold a Grudge
The following story was a finalist in the Pawsitively Picture Perfect photo contest. The top three finishers received $500 in cash, as well as $2,000 in cash and supplies for their favorite shelter. To read more stories, click here! I rescued him two years ago. He was collapsed in the street suffering from heat stroke. I brought him home and tried to find owners. He had cataracts really badly at the time. When we couldn’t find the owners, a friend asked if they could have him. Since the shelters were full, I agreed but kept in contact....
Here’s How to Effectively Handle Problematic Behaviors of a Newly-Adopted Stray Dog
First, what is a stray dog? Not a simple term to define, according to a report of the World Society for the Protection of Animals & The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International, and that’s because countries differ in their interpretation of “stray” with many of them having national and local regulations for stray animals such as dogs and cats. Photo: YouTube/The Dodo However, out of the necessity to conduct an investigation of stray dog and cat population control practices across Europe, the...
