Fourth of July Fireworks: Keeping Your Dog or Cat Safe This Holiday
The Fourth of July is a time for celebration, but for many dogs and cats, it can be one of the most frightening nights of the year. The loud bangs, bright flashes, and strange smells of fireworks can cause real fear and anxiety. Here is what you need to know — and what you can do about it. Why Fireworks Are So Scary Dogs and cats have much sharper hearing than humans. What sounds like a fun celebration to us can feel overwhelming and threatening to them. Some animals develop a true phobia, meaning their fear goes beyond just being...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Behavior assessments in shelters, veterinary guides from Open Door and more!
Happy Monday. Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Behavior Assessments in Shelters: Building Better Outcomes for DogsWe hope you can join our June Maddie’s® Monthly Behavior Connection webcast with Vanly Griffith, Dog Behavior Coordinator at SICSA in Dayton, OH. This call will be all about organizations developing a structured system to get to know the dogs in their care. Structured dog behavior assessments help shelters shift from reacting to behavior concerns after… Learn More 2 resources from...
Why do cats knock things off counters?
What makes cats push things off counters and shelves, plus simple ways to redirect this common feline behavior. Why do cats knock things off counters? If you share your home with a kitty, you’ve probably watched in disbelief as they deliberately pushed your phone, keys, or favorite mug right off the table or counter. Cats commonly engage in this behavior, and understanding why they do it can help you manage it better. Natural hunting instincts Even well-fed indoor cats are natural-born hunters. When your cat paws at objects on...
IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM DR. ELLEN JEFFERSON: Protecting Texas Pets from the New World Screwworm
Jun 14, 2026 As cases of New World Screwworm infestation grow, we want to keep our supporters informed as fast we can. We are very concerned about the lives of pets in Texas. What we see during disasters like this is that pets in shelters are often forgotten about or seen as “unfortunate casualties.” Our job has always been to ensure that doesn’t happen. Consequently, right now, Austin Pets Alive! is enacting emergency measures to deal with the growing disaster of the New World Screwworm infestation in parts of Texas and New...
Feeding schedule for dogs – making sure they eat at the right time
Consistent feeding schedules help dogs feel secure, support digestion, and reduce begging. Here’s how often to feed your dog and create a routine that works. Just like us, dogs thrive on routine. Knowing when meals are coming helps them feel secure and maintain good digestive health. Read on to learn why a consistent feeding schedule for dogs is so important. Why feeding times matter Regular feeding schedules help regulate your dog’s digestive system. They also make bathroom breaks more predictable. Feed your dog at the same...
Top dog food ingredients that cause allergies
Identify common dog food ingredients that can trigger allergies, including proteins, grains, and additives. Includes tips on elimination diets and safer feeding options. Caring for our dogs includes feeding them a diet that supports their health and well-being. A proper diet is even more important if your dog is prone to allergies, since many pet food ingredients can contribute to the problem. This article outlines the top dog food ingredients that cause allergies. The best way to determine if your dog is reacting to his food is to use an...
Environmental and Lifestyle Factors That Influence Cancer Risk in Dogs
Cancer is one of the most common health concerns in dogs today. According to veterinary experts, nearly 10% of all dogs in the U.S. will develop cancer in their lifetime. The good news is that some risk factors are within your control. Understanding what influences cancer development can help you make better choices for your dog’s long-term health. Sun Exposure Just like in humans, too much sun can be harmful to dogs — especially those with light-colored or thin coats. Areas like the nose, ears, and belly are particularly...
Settling the Debate: Wet or Dry Food for Cats?
Struggling with whether you should feed wet or dry food for cats? Fret no more! Here are the benefits of both and easy ways to feed a combination diet. Many cat parents struggle with choosing the right type of food. In reality, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to feline nutrition and feeding wet or dry food. But the good news is you don’t actually have to pick one over the other! When it comes to food types, each has its own advantages, and many cats benefit from a combination diet that includes both. Let’s...
Best 9 foods for eye health in dogs and cats
Discover the top 9 foods that support eye health and vision in dogs and cats, plus easy recipes to nourish your best friend’s eyes naturally. Eye problems in dogs and cats range from cataracts and glaucoma to uveitis and progressive retinal atrophy. Take steps to protect your best friend from these issues by feeding him the best nine foods for eye health in dogs and cats. Top nine foods to support eye health and vision 1. Blueberries contain two eye-healthy carotenoids: lutein and zeaxanthin, sometimes called...
Massage & Myofascial Therapy for Cats
If you share your home with a senior cat or one recovering from an injury, you may be looking for gentle ways to support their comfort and healing. Massage and myofascial therapy are two hands-on techniques that are gaining attention in the world of integrative veterinary care — and for good reason. What Is Myofascial Therapy? You may be familiar with the idea of massage, but myofascial therapy is a bit different. Fascia is the thin layer of connective tissue that surrounds muscles, organs, and joints throughout the body. When a cat...
Voices, Words, and Canine Minds: How Dogs Understand Us Beyond Speech
Voices Without Words One study demonstrated that humans can guide dogs using vocal cues alone, without relying on specific words. By adjusting pitch, rhythm, and emotional tone, people were able to influence canine behavior. This means that even if a person doesn’t use formal commands, their voice can still carry instruction. For families, it’s a reminder that everyday speech—whether playful, soothing, or firm—has a direct impact on how dogs respond. Wired for Voices Another fascinating discovery is that mammals,...
Deadline extended for this super short Rehoming Survey
Animal shelters and foster-based organizations across the country are navigating rehoming questions every day, and there is very little field-wide data to draw from. That is what the Rehoming Survey is designed to change. The deadline to take the survey has been extended to June 11! Home To Home is collecting responses from the animal welfare community to better understand how the field currently thinks about and uses rehoming programs. Whether your organization actively promotes rehoming, refers people to outside platforms, or takes a...
Raw Feeding for Hyperthyroid Cats
If your cat has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, you may already know how challenging this condition can be. Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common hormonal disorders in middle-aged and older cats. It happens when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, which can speed up nearly every system in the body. Some cat caregivers are turning to species-appropriate raw feeding as part of a holistic approach to supporting their hyperthyroid cats. Here’s what you should know. What Happens in a Hyperthyroid Cat? A hyperthyroid...
Behavior Assessments in Shelters: Building Better Outcomes for Dogs
We hope you can join our June Maddie’s® Monthly Behavior Connection webcast with Vanly Griffith, Dog Behavior Coordinator at SICSA in Dayton, OH. This call will be all about organizations developing a structured system to get to know the dogs in their care. Structured dog behavior assessments help shelters shift from reacting to behavior concerns after they escalate to proactively identifying needs early in a dog’s shelter stay. Although walks, enrichment, playgroups, and quiet time are important...
New campaign celebrates health benefits of companion animals
People are suffering from record levels of stress and loneliness. A new initiative reminds us that companion animals help us live healthier, more connected lives. In February, the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) introduced The Real Reason for Pets. This new national campaign celebrates the health benefits of companion animals. It connects decades of scientific research with the everyday moments that define life with dogs, cats and other animals. “We start with research that shows the measurable mental, physical...
Dog First Aid Basics: What to Do in an Emergency Before Reaching Your Vet
What to Pack in Your Dog’s First Aid Kit Being prepared for an emergency means having the right tools close at hand before you ever need them. A well-stocked canine first aid kit is essential for every dog guardian. Your kit should include basic medical supplies like sterile gauze pads, self-clinging bandages that won’t stick to fur, and adhesive tape to secure dressings. Blunt-nosed scissors are necessary for safely cutting away bandages or tangled debris, while tweezers can easily remove stingers or ticks. Keep an antiseptic...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Setting up a microchip scanning station, shelter rehoming survey and more!
Happy Monday. Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Want to learn how to set up a microchip scanning station in your community?Do you know how to set up a microchip scanning station in your community? One in three pets go missing in their lifetime, amounting to about 10 million lost animals each year, according to Petco Love. Microchip scanning can help reunite lost pets with their families faster and help keep more pets from needing to… Learn More Learn how to build one-of-a-kind programs for neonatal...
How FIP can help us better understand human coronaviruses
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, recently discovered new insights into feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Significantly, they found how FIP can help us better understand human coronaviruses. The study reveals how FIP spreads through a cat’s immune system and infects a wider range of immune cells than previously believed. This finding provides a valuable model for studying long-term coronavirus disease in humans. A mutated form of feline coronavirus causes FIP, one of the most devastating infectious diseases in...
Rewriting the Story for “Behavior” Dogs
Jun 06, 2026 Rewriting the Story for “Behavior” Dogs In 2012, APA! set out to save the last group of pets who weren’t making it out of our city’s shelter alive — big dogs and dogs with behavior modification needs. To do that, we partnered with Dogs Playing for Life, an organization specializing in shelter dog playgroups and enrichment. Playgroup would soon become the foundation of our Dog Behavior program. Too often, dogs are labeled as “behavior” dogs based on what they show in a kennel — a...
Sedation vs anesthesia in dogs and cats
Having your dog or cat undergo sedation or anesthesia can be scary. But it’s often important to her medical care. Veterinarians use both to keep animals calm, pain-free, and safe during procedures ranging from surgery to dental work. The main difference between sedation vs anesthesia in dogs and cats is how deeply they affect consciousness. “Very light sedation may look like a sleepy pet that’s still sitting up and responding to you,” explains Dr. Courtney Baetge. She’s the clinical associate professor at the...
