Amy Shojai's Blog, page 2

Liver Disease In Cats: Know The Signs

Liver Disease In Cats: Know The Signs

Liver disease is any condition which impairs that organ's normal function. The liver is the body's metabolic headquarters. It serves a dual role both as a kind of factory, and as a filter. That makes the liver the first line of defense--and at risk from damage--when filtering out toxins and more. Here's what you need to know.

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Dog Ticks: All About Ehrlichiosis

Dog Ticks: All About Ehrlichiosis

This disease has been reported worldwide wherever these ticks are found. Most cases in the United States occur in dogs living in the Texas Gulf coast regions and other southern states. All dogs are susceptible, but those with greater exposure to ticks. Outdoor dogs, working dogs and hunting dogs are at highest risk. Here's what you need to know.

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Stressed Cats Overgrooming? Your Guide to Cat Hair Loss

Stressed Cats Overgrooming? Your Guide to Cat Hair Loss

Tabby doesn’t deal with office politics and gets to sleep 16 hours a day, but cats still suffer from feline stress. In fact, upset feelings can leave them biting their nails and pulling their hair. Literally...

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Fake Service Dogs: Scammers Hurt Legit Animal Partnerships

Fake Service Dogs: Scammers Hurt Legit Animal Partnerships

Recently, I received another request from an online company to post an article here about their service. I declined--as I have no way to vet such things to sift through legitimate services versus bogus ones. I wrote this post several years ago and am re-posting as the information remains valid.

Online companies are getting very good at meeting the letter of the law, if not the intent. They promote themselves as a way to relieve pet owners of unfair expenses (pet deposits, airline fees, no-pets-allowed housing or other services) -- oh, and sometimes as an afterthought, they add in the emotional aspect, too (insert #sarcasm).

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

How To Keep Outside Cats Safe

How To Keep Outside Cats Safe

Do your cats get to go outside? How do you keep them safe from harm, especially if they door dash and escape? How would you go about transitioning an exclusively INDOOR ONLY cat to life on the outside? What can you do to make certain your kitties are always safe? If you're concerned about indoor vs outdoor cats, read on to learn options for how to keep outside cats safe!

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

How to Keep Cats from Dashing Outside

How to Keep Cats from Dashing Outside

There is a saying, that a cat is “always on the wrong side of a door.” My cat Seren(dipity) faithfully adhered to this principle, although with age, her dash-for-the-door became more like a stroll. Karma-Kat these days waits for the dog's potty time, and makes a bee-line for the door. When you live with a cat, chances are you'll have a door dashing cat escape now and then. Here's what to do...

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Dog Bite Prevention: 9 Tips to Keep Everyone Safe

Dog Bite Prevention: 9 Tips to Keep Everyone Safe

In March 2011, I served as an expert witness in a dog bite case in which a child was mauled, and the child's grandmother who owned the home where the Pit Bull mix lived was prosecuted as responsible. I learned a lot during this trial, one of the biggest lessons having to do with the many misconceptions regarding dogs, dog language, and dog bites...

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

The Soft Chew Shadow-Pup Kept Pestering For (Our PetLab Co. Review)

The Soft Chew Shadow-Pup Kept Pestering For (Our PetLab Co. Review)

Being loving pawrents, we do all we can to keep Shadow’s coat shiny, his gut well-balanced, and his immune system functioning well. So, as Shadow grows into his middle years (where did that adorable itty bitty puppy go?!), we’ve been exploring the benefits of adding daily probiotics to his routine. Cue PetLab Co. Probiotic Chews...

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Nibble & Graze: How Cats Eat Their Food

Nibble & Graze: How Cats Eat Their Food

The cat that must hunt for his food typically catches small game like mice, rats, or rabbits, crouches over the kill, and swallows small prey headfirst, fur, feathers and all. If the cat is able to rarely nab a bird, it may be plucked first to remove obnoxious tail feathers. Rabbit-size prey are eaten more slowly...

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Gulp & Gorge: How Dogs Eat Their Food

Gulp & Gorge: How Dogs Eat Their Food

Dogs are passionate about food and that's reflected in how dogs eat and how they drink.  In fact, many dogs will eat anything that doesn't move faster than they do, and it's up to owners to ensure the canine diet is appropriate...

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing