Do You Have an Over-Grooming Cat Companion?
If you’ve noticed your cat constantly licking the same spot or found bald patches on their belly or legs, you’re dealing with a problem called over-grooming. This behavior is more common than many cat parents realize, and understanding it is the first step toward helping your feline friend feel better. What Is Over-Grooming? Over-grooming happens when cats take their natural cleaning habits too far. While all cats groom themselves daily, some develop excessive licking, chewing, or scratching behaviors that damage their skin and...
Content approved for continuing education credits on Maddie’s University
Looking for continuing education credits for your animal well-being role? We’ve got you! Maddie’s® University now has 15 self-paced courses and 90 on-demand presentations approved for RACE-approved credit. These courses and presentations have been approved for credit in jurisdictions which recognize the American Association of Veterinary State Board’s (AAVSB’s) Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE). Below are a few of the self-paced courses available for RACE credit: Below are some examples of...
Lion’s Mane mushroom for brain health in dogs and cats
Find out how Lion’s Mane mushroom supports cognitive function, nerve repair, and overall brain health in dogs and cats. Explore its proven benefits and uses in holistic veterinary care. As our dogs and cats age, maintaining sharp minds and healthy nerves becomes increasingly important. One powerful natural remedy gaining attention is Lion’s Mane mushroom for brain health in dogs and cats. This remarkable medicinal mushroom, long valued in Eastern cultures, contains compounds that support nerve regeneration, cognitive...
Closing the Healthspan vs Lifespan Gap in Dogs and Cats
Modern veterinary medicine has achieved something remarkable: our canine and feline companions are living longer than ever before. However, there’s a growing concern that deserves attention—are those extra years truly golden, or are they marked by discomfort and declining quality of life? Understanding the Gap Lifespan refers to how long your dog or cat lives, while healthspan describes the years they remain truly healthy, active, and comfortable. The gap between healthspan vs lifespan in senior pets is widening. Dogs and cats may...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Foster recruitment, Animal Care Expo and more!
Happy Monday. Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. 6 tips for recruiting fosters for pets with behavioral needs Finding foster caregivers for pets who have behavioral needs can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are six strategies animal welfare organizations across the country are using to do just this! 1. Prioritize “unicorn” fosters who have ideal home set-ups for some of your more challenging pets (people who don’t… Learn More Come see us at Animal Care Expo...
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...
Beyond our Safety Net: Navigating Returns, Risk and Humane Outcomes in Dog Adoptions
Join 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 when a return is requested and the shelter environment may not be in the dog’s best interest—or safe for staff and volunteers....
Indoor obstacle course for dogs
Keep your dog active indoors with a fun DIY obstacle course. Try these easy ideas to challenge his mind and body when winter weather keeps you inside. For many active and high energy dogs, spending the day inside can be boring. Typical indoor activities might not be engaging enough to keep your pup happy. Get creative this winter and use objects in your home to build a fun new game – an indoor obstacle course for dogs! 5 crafty indoor obstacles for dogs Building an indoor obstacle course for your dog doesn’t have to be...
Healing with light: laser therapy for dogs and cats
Low level laser therapy uses violet, green, red, and infrared wavelengths to reduce pain, support healing, and enhance cellular function in dogs and cats. Veterinarians use low level laser therapy (LLLT) in dogs and cats to reduce pain, inflammation, and edema. LLLT also promotes wound and nerve healing and prevents cell death and tissue damage. Over 40 years of research prove laser therapy’s efficacy. Yet LLLT remains underutilized in mainstream veterinary medicine. This is likely due to the wide variety of lasers on the...
Is Your Dog Vomiting?
If your dog throws up once a week, it’s a warning sign that something is wrong with your dog’s health. Digestive system is something that is continuously being exposed to foreign introductions. Anomalies are bound to happen. Animals however can make it look like everything is fine. Why Regular Vomiting Matters Dogs sometimes vomit after eating too fast or getting into something they shouldn’t have. However, when vomiting happens regularly—even just once a week—it often points to an underlying health problem...
8 Things Cats Hate in 9 Lives
According to folklore, cats have nine lives. And throughout each of those lives, there are certain things they will always dislike. Living with a feline companion comes with responsibilities, and while we all strive to do things the right way, we sometimes unknowingly cause them stress. Cat feelings are hard to decipher, so you might not realize these common behaviors are bothering your furry friend. 1. Forced Affection While you might love cuddling your cat, forcing physical contact when they’re not interested can create stress. Cats...
