Shelter Spotlight: Pet Peace of Mind

by Kate Barrington

Published: November 9th, 2016

A non-profit that helps palliative patients who have pets, Pet Peace of Mind fills a much-needed gap that’s been created by an aging generation.

We all enjoy a limited number of years on this earth and, for many people, pets are one of the things that truly makes life enjoyable. When you come to the end of your years, your pet may play a crucial supportive role, but what happens to your pet when your time comes? Pet Peace of Mind (PPOM) is a non-profit organization that helps hospices and palliative care organizations meet the unique needs of patients who have pets.

The Story Behind Pet Peace of Mind

While some people are lucky to have close friends and family to support them in their final years, many come to depend on their pets as their primary companion. According to the organization’s website, their goal is to enrich the well-being and quality of life for hospice and palliative care patients by creating and maintaining a national support network to help care for their beloved pets.

Dianne McGill, the president of Pet Peace of Mind, says that “pets are great medicine for coping with the anxiety that comes from dealing with a serious medical condition” and, for many patients, finding a home for their pet once they have passed is extremely important.

What the PPOM program does is two-fold. They help to educate non-profit hospices and palliative care organizations about the importance of pets to their patients. As well, PPOM also teaches how to support the needs of those pets in practical ways including finding a home for the pet once they have moved on.

The Pet Peace of Mind program helps hospices and palliative care organizations train their volunteers to provide for patients with pet care needs. In addition to training volunteers, this organization also helps the program secure funding and provides ongoing support.

How Can You Support the Pet Peace of Mind Organization?

The Pet Peace of Mind organization is volunteer-driven, so one of their most-needed resources is people who can dedicate some of their time to providing services to vulnerable pet owners at hospices and palliative care organizations. In addition to volunteering with local and regional programs, you can also volunteer at the national program office, providing services in the areas of research, fundraising, or administrative services.

You can even volunteer without ever leaving your home! Simply visit the Pet Peace of Mind website to learn more about how you can contribute. You can also support this wonderful organization with monetary donations or by becoming an advocate for patients and their pets by spreading the word about the Pet Peace of Mind organization.

Think about how much your pet means to you and then think about what would happen to your pet if you were no longer able to care for him. Does this thought break your heart? If so, you can understand the important work being done by the Pet Peace of Mind organization and you may even be inspired to give this organization your support.

Kate Barrington

Kate Barrington is the loving owner of two cats (Bagel and Munchkin) and a noisy herd of guinea pigs. Having grown up with golden retrievers, Kate has a great deal of experience with dogs but labels herself a lover of all pets. Having received a Bachelor's degree in English, Kate has combined her love for pets and her passion for writing to create her own freelance writing business, specializing in the pet niche.

More by Kate Barrington

The Latest Pet Industry Trends from Global Pet Expo 2024

View Article

Terminally Ill Patients Able to Keep Pets Thanks to Pet Peace of Mind

Best friends until the end! The Pet Peace of Mind program allows patients who are terminally ill to keep their beloved pet by their side. When you or someone you know is diagnosed with an illness, it’s absolutely devastating. It’s worse when there can nothing to be done to extend their life, but only to make them more comfortable as the days go by. Unfortunately, diseases such as cancer can slowly make a person’s life more and more challenging, making it difficult to not only take care of oneself, but also the pets that rely on you for survival. Take Donna Sarner for instance. She is a Cornerstone Hospice patient who was diagnosed with late-stage cancer, which causes her a great amount of pain and limits her physical movements. This makes going outside to feed her cats and dogs difficult, and taking them to veterinary appointments nearly impossible. Many people in this kind of situation arrange for their pets to be rehomed by a friend or family member, or surrender them to a shelter. But for Donna, separating her from her pets is definitely not part of the plan yet and so, she got some much-needed help from the folks at Pet Peace of Mind. Related: Tips to Follow When Rehoming a Dog Based out of Salem, Oregon, Pet Peace of Mind is a volunteer program at Cornerstone Hospice that has helped thousands of patients care for their furry children as they go through their end-of-life journey. Kristine Murtz is the volunteer services manager and Pet Peace of Mind program coordinator at Cornerstone Hospice. She helps Donna in her home by assisting her feed and take care of the animals in her home, including her four large dogs who absolutely shower her with unbridled love and affection. The Pet Peace of Mind program not only helps Donna care for her animals by delivering food and transporting the animals to the vet when they need it, but they also arranged to have the cats spayed, neutered and vaccinated. Talk about a helping hand when you need one! Related: Reasons Why You Should Spay or Neuter Your Cat Situations such as Donna’s are what makes these programs so valuable and important to the community it serves, especially if the person being helped doesn’t have any immediate family or friends to help out. To see how you can help, be sure to visit P et Peace of Mind’s website.

Peace of Mind Program Keeps Palliative Patients and Their Pets Togethe

Pet Peace of Mind allows pets and their owners in hospice or palliative care for terminal illnesses to stay together for as long as possible. A program called Pet Peace of Mind operates solely to enrich the quality of life of hospice and palliative care patients by ensuring they are not separated from their furry family members. Knowing that more and more research shows the bond between humans and pets is not just good for physical but mental health as well, they work to support patients and their pets wherever the need exists. Related: Cats on Laps Shelter Animals Bring Senior Citizens Special Love Pet Peace of Mind is a program that works with 120 hospice and palliative care organizations in 40 states. According to founder and president Dianne McGille, they help approximately 3000 terminal patients and their pets annually. Volunteers do things like feeding and walking pets, or taking them to appointments for health care or grooming. Often, the organization will cover expenses for pet food and other essentials for a patient who simply cannot do so anymore. As well, collaborative organizations often help place pets with new families, even after the owners pass, giving a sense of peace in knowing their loved animals will be cared for. McGill is a longtime animal welfare worker, and recognized the need for pet care for dying patients about a decade ago when she saw firsthand how a friend was worried about how to take care of her pets while alive and what to do about them when she passed. Many times, surviving family members will put animals down because they can’t take care of them or don’t want the responsibility, and that leaves a huge burden on the heart of a patient already plagued with physical ailment. When McGill realized that hospices typically could not help, though they said that was a common issue with their clients, she knew that something needed to be done and she started Pet Peace of Mind in Oklahoma as a trial program. In 2015, Pet Peace of Mind became an individual charity that helps palliative care and hospice patients throughout the country. Related: Terminally Ill Patients Able to Keep Pets Thanks to Pet Peace of Mind For their parts, caregivers see tremendous benefits to patients. According to Director of Volunteer Services with Columbus Hospice of Georgia and Alabama Terri Roberts, patients’ pets are often the only reason they get up in the morning and keep fighting. Some patients love and worry about their pets so much that they forsake their medical needs for their pets’–sometimes even feeding food meant for them from charity organizations to their pets. The services that are needed vary, and Pet Peace of Mind works with volunteers to meet whatever needs exist. Sometimes it’s as simple as cleaning a litter box, but others require fostering pets until an owner passes. Patients say that the service gives them a peace of mind they don’t otherwise feel in an end-of-life situation, and they are grateful. Pet Peace of Mind services can be found on its website, and you can also see if there may be a way you can volunteer to help as well. It’s said it takes a village, and that doesn’t change just because our family members have fur.

New Airplane Pet Monitoring System Gives Pet Parents Peace of Mind

Following the death of a puppy on a United Airlines flight, a new pet monitoring system ensures that furry family members are safe when they fly. The death of a 10-week-old French Bulldog puppy on a United Airlines flight has highlighted the concern many pet owners have when they transport their dogs via airplanes–will their pet be safe? A new pet monitoring system that’s been released may help answer that question. Though airlines obviously have standards and regulations. as was recently the case on that fateful trip, those protocols are not always followed, and death can ensue. Pet owners who rely on air transportation that involves being held in cargo whatever reason are now more worried than ever about their safety in air. Related: U.S. Senators Introduce Legislation To Protect Pets In Air Which is where the Digi-Pet System from Unisys may help make the process a bit less anxious for pet owners and pets alike. Unisys introduced the system at the Cargo World Congress of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and showed how the system uses sensors to monitor and keep pets safe while they are being transported as cargo. When monitoring, Digi-Pet automatically sends alerts to both pet owners and airline staff about issues with things like temperature, oxygen levels, light and vibration. If pet owners like, they can buy the subscription service that goes with Digi-Pet and allows pet owners to receive live video streaming, pictures and even ‘voice exchanges’ on their smartphones and tablets.Unisys spokesperson Venkatesh Pazhyanur says that they understand that being separated from pets while traveling by air is distressing. No matter whether a pet is accompanied or not, large pets always have to travel in the cargo hold–which is not known for its most comfortable of accommodations. The Digi-Pet uses Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to give pet parents full visibility of their pet while in hold–and can even allow them to talk to their pet and help soothe both pet and owner. Related: United Airlines Flubs Again; Mistakenly Sends Family Dog To Japan The Digi-Pet System will first be launched in the Asia-Pacific area, according to Pazhyanur, with the plan for other regions to soon follow. Seems like that can’t happen soon enough!

Shelter Spotlight: Don Cherry’s Pet Rescue Foundation

Best known for his loud suits and as a no-hold-barred NHL hockey commentator, Don Cherry also has a soft spot for pets – that’s why he started Don Cherry’s Pet Rescue Foundation. Pet rescues and shelter organizations all over the world take in abused and abandoned pets, giving them a new home and a new lease on life. Don Cherry’s Pet Rescue Foundation exists to make it possible for those organizations to keep doing what they are doing by providing financial assistance and by educating the public about animal welfare topics. What is Don Cherry’s Pet Rescue Foundation? Don Cherry, a Canadian pet lover, believes that there is no greater cause than giving time and resources to pets in need. Cherry is a firm believer that you can tell a lot about a person by the way they treat animals and he has made it his mission to support the good work of animal lovers in Canada. Related: American Dog Rescue Foundation Don Cherry’s Rescue Foundation is not another animal shelter or rescue operation – it exists to raise support and awareness for those who make it their life’s mission to support animals in need. The foundation’s mission statement says it all – “Don Cherry’s Pet Rescue Foundation will provide financial assistance to registered pet rescue organizations and educate the public on animal welfare across Canada”. The foundation is supported by proceeds from the sale of Simply Pets products. While providing financial assistance for pet rescue organization is the foundation’s main goal, they also take seriously the task of raising awareness for animal welfare as well. The Don Cherry’s Pet Rescue Foundation website provides detailed information about adopting rescue pets and on the importance of having your pet spayed or neutered. Related: Pet Peace of Mind The website offers a warning about the horrors of puppy mills and about the advantages of fostering pets in need. By providing all of these resources, the Don Cherry Pet Rescue Foundation does more than just support rescue organizations – it helps to empower pet lovers all over Canada to take their own actions in support of animal welfare. How Can You Help Out? If you believe in the mission of Don Cherry’s Pet Rescue Foundation, there are many ways in which you can help. You can make a monetary donation to the foundation or to one of the organization it supports, or you can go the extra mile to host a fundraising event. The foundation’s website provides all of the information you need to plan and execute your event to ensure that the event is run smoothly and legally. You can find application forms on the foundation’s website and you can contact them directly by email if you have further questions. The application is a two-step process that the foundation takes very seriously to ensure that their money goes where it is needed most and they are very open and honest about where the funds they receive go so the foundation’s integrity is never called into question. There are countless homeless and helpless pets out there and Don Cherry’s Pet Rescue Foundation is doing their part to provide what help they can. If you support the foundation’s mission, consider making a donation of time or money to this great cause.

PBS’ ‘Shelter Me’ Puts The Spotlight On At-Risk Pets

We all know the statistics are grim: millions of dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters every year. Filmmaker Steve Latham is hoping to change that with his PBS series ‘Shelter Me’. ‘Shelter Me’, which is set to air its 4th episode on October 8, documents the personal stories of shelter animals, particularly those that are running are out of time in high-kill shelters. October’s episode is entitled “New Beginnings” and features volunteers in Idaho welcoming a packed plane full of California shelter pooches, as well as a trainer teaching shelters how to hold play groups for shelter dogs. The next episode, set to air in February 2015, will tell the stories of shelter-pups-turned-police-dogs at East Coast police departments. Filming the show really impressed upon filmmaker Steve Latham the urgency behind shelter pets getting adopted; he started a website, ShelterMe.com, that helps set up adoption events and coordinates flights full of pooches (like the one described above) to other states and cities where they’re placed with rescue groups or no-kill shelters and are more likely to be adopted. There is often intense competition between public shelter and the no-kill movement to get these animals adopted; Latham hopes to bring the two sides together for the benefit of shelter animals everywhere. The pets featured on the Shelter Me website come from twenty-five different shelters in California, Idaho, Massachusetts, New York and North Carolina. To date, thousands of animals facing euthanasia have been profiled on the site and most of them have been adopted or taken in by a rescue. You can also search for a pet by size, age, sex and personality, so you’ll be able to find the furry friend who’s just right for you. So if you’re looking for a rescue animal, now you’ve got a great place to start. And don’t forget — “Shelter Me: New Beginnings” airs October 8 on PBS. We’ll be watching and you should, too! [Source: ABC News]

Felix Cat Insurance Will Pay Your Engagement Ring – On One Condition

If you're ready to tie the knot, you should know that there’s a way to make this special occasion even more memorable – by including your furball in the proposal. Not only is it an adorable way to ask for someone’s hand in  marriage, but thanks to Felix Cat Insurance, it can also be a way to get a gorgeous ring for free! This company is launching “A Purr-fect Proposal” campaign, aiming to help one couple of cat lovers celebrate that special moment in their lives. The aim of the campaign is to cover the costs of an engagement ring and the only requirement is to include your cat in the proposal!December is truly a magical month, so it doesn’t surprise that it’s also the most popular month to get engaged – which is why Felix Cat Insurance chose this month to bring their plan to fruition. The contest is open until December 19th, and the company will choose one lucky winner whose kitty-centered proposal plan sounds the best three days after that, on December 22nd. The winner will be gifted $4,750 or have the cost of an engagement ring covered. Not only that, but they will also receive a package of cat treats, festive toys, and even elegant cat clothes for their furry helper – to wear on the special occasion, of course. "Our felines are family members and just like your closest friends and family, we want to include them in celebrating meaningful moments like this," said Jamie Maxfield, Marketing Director and Brand Expert at Felix Cat Insurance. "Planning for the future can also bring challenges, which is why we're spreading holiday cheer by easing the expense of this life milestone as you, your partner, and your furry friend embark on your new life together. Not only is Felix here to ease the expense of this core life event, but we can also be there every step of the way afterwards."Here are the contest details as laid out by the company:Prize:$4,750 to put toward an engagement ring. A curated kit of treats and surprises so your furry friend can join in on the celebration. Dates: The contest opens on November 28th, 2023 at 12:01 a.m. EST and ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on December 19, 2023. The winner will be selected on December 22, 2023. Eligibility & Rules: You must live in the United States.You must be 18+ in age. The proposal must take place within the month of December. This contest is not available in Washington or Puerto Rico. For more information on the "Purr-fect Proposal" contest, including terms and conditions, visit  FelixPurrfectProposal.com. Good luck – and congrats on the engagement to be!

Study Reveals Older Dogs Who Sleep Badly May Have Dementia

It’s hard to watch a beloved dog get old, as it seems like only yesterday your senior pooch was a teething puppy with a penchant for chewing your slippers. The American Kennel Club, the expert on all doggy things, says that most small breeds become seniors between the ages of seven and 10. Larger breeds age faster than their small counterparts and are considered old when they are six years old. Like old people, senior dogs can get dementia.As they age, dogs can develop canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS), a condition that is very similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans. Scientists have long known that people with dementia can find it harder to get to sleep. Now, researchers from North Carolina State University have discovered that senior dogs with dementia experience the same sleep problems as people with dementia. “Just like humans with Alzheimer's disease, dogs with CCDS, experience sleep disruptions, such as insomnia, and sleep fragmentation,” said senior study author Dr. Natasha Olby, a professor of veterinary neurology, neurosurgery, and gerontology at North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine. To discover whether sleep problems are a sign of early dementia in dogs, as they are in people, Dr. Olby and her team used a group of senior dogs who were part of an ongoing trial testing antiaging supplements. Scientists selected 28 dogs between the ages of 10 and 16 to participate in the new sleep study. To be included in the antiaging study, the dog must have lived more than 75% of the expected lifespan for their breed. The dogs also couldn’t suffer from arthritis or be blind, as they needed to complete tasks designed to test their cognitive abilities. Scientists evaluated each dog’s cognitive abilities by having them perform a series of tests and asking their owners to fill out a list of questions, known as the Canine Dementia Scale Questionnaire.In the new study, researchers used polysomnography, a form of electroencephalogram (EEG) used to diagnose sleep problems in people. The researchers affixed electrodes on the dogs’ skulls using a water-soluble gel and recorded brain activity during a two-hour nap. “Past sleep studies in dogs often involved surgically implanted electrodes,” said Alejandra Mondino, a postdoctoral researcher at North Carolina State University. “Non-invasive studies are relatively new. We are one of a handful of groups doing this work.”When results from cognitive testing were compared to sleeping brain waves, researchers discovered that dogs with more advanced dementia took longer to fall asleep and spent less time sleeping. “These dogs have dementia and sleep disruption is a part of that,” said Mondino. “In addition to the shorter time spent sleeping, when we look at the EEG, we saw their brain activity during sleep was more akin to wakefulness. In other words, when they do manage to sleep, their brains aren’t really sleeping.”These results don’t explain the link between sleep and dementia, but studies like this one may help scientists to better understand the process and find ways to treat it. “There’s a possibility we might be able to identify an early signature of change on the EEG that can tell us ‘Hey, things are starting to slide’. Because with a chronic neurodegenerative process, of course, we’d love to be able to intervene sooner rather than later,” said Olby according to CNN Health.Until that happens, veterinarians can prescribe medications for anxiety and melatonin for sleep to senior dogs with cognitive decline. Diet and exercise also appear to be a factor. Studies have shown that diets rich in flavonoids, antioxidants, and medium-chain fatty acids could potentially slow the development of dementia in dogs. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

10 Foods That Are Bad for Dogs

View Gallery

Is A Wet Dog's Nose Good or Bad?

A dog’s nose is their tool for discovering the world around them through scent, but dog noses are important for much more than sniffing – the state of your pet’s nose can sometimes be indicative of their health. It can be dry and flaky or wet and soft, so what is better? Is a dry nose a bad sign? Or a wet one? Or are they both normal? These are the questions that are often proving to be troubling for dog owners. So let’s try and answer them once and for all!Is A Wet Dog's Nose Good or Bad?A wet dog's nose is usually a sign of good health. Most often, the nose is wet because the doggo is licking it! They do this frequently in order to keep them clean and to enhance their sense of smell. In fact, a moist nose helps them trap scent particles more effectively. The moisture on their nose captures scent molecules from the air, allowing them to better identify and track smells. This ability is crucial for tasks such as hunting, tracking, and even detecting certain medical conditions in humans. 

The Season of Giving Begins With A Leap

We're excited to announce a special initiative in celebration of the season of thankfulness and November's Senior Pet Adoption Month. Starting today, Leap Years is offering a free bottle of its daily chewable supplement to anyone who adopts a senior dog (over 5 years old) from a shelter or rescue. All you need is proof of adoption, and while supplies last, your senior pup can start benefiting from Leap Years' formula that has already changed the lives of dogs across the country.

Why is My Dog Vomiting White Foam?

Sometimes, our dogs can exhibit behavior that can cause great panic in any owner. After all, they can’t talk to us and tell when something is hurting them, or when they feel ill, scared, or angry. So they let their bodies do the talking. One of these scary behaviors is vomiting white foam. It can happen all of a sudden, and frighten you to no end. But is it really a reason to panic? And what causes a dog to vomit white foam in the first place? Let’s find out more.Why Do Dogs Vomit White Foam?The reasons for white foam vomiting can be many, and the cause might not be clear to you immediately. What’s even more frustrating, there are several possible causes for this occurrence. In some cases, the reason for the vomiting can be complex, but often enough it is super simple. It could end up being a sensitive tummy irritated by a new brand of food on the menu, or just a passing belly ache that’s nothing to stress over. However, you should always consult with a vet to eliminate any underlying health issues, as there are many conditions whose symptom is vomiting. One of the conditions that manifests as vomiting foam is bilious vomiting, which is caused when a dog's stomach is empty for an extended period. This leads to the production of gastric acid, so the stomach contents may include a foamy, white substance. Feeding smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day may help prevent this.  Gastritis, or the inflammation of the stomach lining can also cause vomiting. This condition may be triggered by various factors, such as dietary indiscretion, changes in diet, ingesting foreign objects, or infections. The vomit can likewise be white and foamy. The same can happen in the case of gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, which is often caused by infections, dietary changes, or the ingestion of inappropriate or spoiled food. Be careful of the expiration dates and the quality of food you give to your dog, as an innocent mistake can cause a lot of digestive issues for your four-legged bestie. Another possible reason for white foam vomit can be the  ingestion of foreign bodies. Dogs may ingest non-food items that can cause irritation or blockages in the digestive tract, leading to vomiting. If you notice them dry heaving, this could be the reason why. The same goes for the ingestion of  toxic materials. Ingesting toxic substances can lead to white foamy vomiting. Common toxins include certain plants, human foods (like chocolate, xylitol, or onions), and household chemicals.

“One-of-a-Kind” Cat With Two Noses Searches for Her Forever Home

As rescue cat parents and rescue advocates, we know firsthand that every cat has a unique story to tell. But some cats truly stand out and make their mark on the world. Nanny McPhee, a rescue cat who recently came into the care of the Cats Protection Warrington Adoption Centre. It’s not the way this sweet girl came into the shelter or her life before that has everyone talking… It’s a VERY unique physical feature – her nose, or “noses,” in her case! The sweet kitty lived in a loving home for the first four years of her life. Unfortunately, her previous owner had to make the difficult decision to contact a rescue due to health and financial reasons. When Nanny McPhee first arrived at the rescue, volunteers and rescue workers noticed a few things about the tuxedo kitty. First, she was a very gentle lady with a love for attention.“She has proven to be a gentle lady who adores a fuss and a cuddle, and we are hopeful her new-found fame will mean she will have no shortage of potential adopters,” shared shelter manager Lindsay Kerr. “She really does deserve a home where she can settle down and become the center of a loving family.” Second, they noticed she had a surprisingly large nose. It was this unique feature that led to her being named after the popular children’s character. But that signature sniffer was hiding an even bigger secret. A check-up with a local veterinarian revealed that the cat had not one but TWO noses, creating the appearance of one large snout. When asked about the discovery, senior field veterinary officer Fiona Brockbank explained that it was the first time they had seen this but that the cat’s unique appearance resulted from a congenital malformation. Other more common examples of this include cleft palates or cleft lips. These conditions can be inherited or caused by an incident during development in utero.

Top 10 Dumbest Dog Breeds

View Gallery

Can Cats Suffer From Depression?

Does your otherwise playful and friendly cat no longer seem interested in their favorite toys? It’s natural to worry when you notice a change in your best friend’s behavior. Changes in your cat’s mood or activity level may signal that something more serious is happening. We often watch for the warning signs of physical illness, but what about depression? Did you know that your cat can also struggle with their mental health? This article will examine the very real risk of feline depression, including the warning signs, what to do if you suspect your cat may be struggling, and prevention tips. Discover helpful strategies to boost your cat’s mental health and help them get back to their usual playful, purring self today. Can Cats Get Depressed? Cats are known for their independence and aloof attitude, but this doesn’t mean they don’t feel things – sometimes very intensely. Just like people, your cat can suffer from mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression. Not only does depression impact them mentally and emotionally, but it can also affect their physical health and well-being. This is why it’s important for us to acknowledge the risks, identify signs that something is “off,” and seek help for our cats when needed. How Can I Tell if My Cat is Depressed? We all know cats are masters of hiding when they aren’t feeling well. This is why physical illnesses and sicknesses can be so difficult to spot. The same is true for cats who are facing challenges with their mental health. The signs are often subtle, meaning we, as cat parents, must be hyper-vigilant. Some of the more common warning signs to watch out for include: Increased vocalization (constant meowing, yowling)Loss of appetite Unexplained weight loss Sleeping more than usual or at times they’d typically be active Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyedDecreased grooming or attention to hygieneDull, matted coat No longer seeking attention or interaction Out-of-character aggression or irritability Hiding or isolating themselves Many of these signs can also be associated with physical illnesses or diseases. If you notice any of these changes, make an appointment with your veterinarian. They will run tests to rule out any physical health problems before discussing recommendations to help manage your cat’s mental health.

What Should I Do If My Dog is Afraid of Nail Trims?

The dreaded nail clippers – a source of stress and occasional doggy drama in our home as well as for many dog parents. You see, our youngest pup, Lucifer, and I have been on quite the journey to conquer his fear of nail trimming. If you’ve ever found yourself in a similar situation, you know the struggle all too well!But fear not, because in this article, I’m sharing our personal tale of progress and a toolkit of tips we’ve picked up along the way to help overcome your dog’s fear of nail clipping.So, let’s swap nail-trimming anxiety for confidence and cooperation, one paw at a time.Why Does My Dog Hate Nail Trims?The first step to overcoming a fear of nail trims is understanding why the sight of nail clippers is a source of anxiety for your dog. After all, the clippers themselves aren’t frightening or intimidating.For many dogs, the fear of having their nails cut is rooted in a desire to protect their paws. This is a survival instinct, as they need their paws to survive in the wild, both to escape predators and be able to catch food. They haven’t been taught that the process of having their nails cut or their paws handled isn’t going to cause harm.If your dog was previously okay with having their nails trimmed and suddenly changes their mind and lashes out when you try, this is a sign of trouble. Have you recently cut your dog`s nail and accidentally nicked the quick of the nail? If so, your dog may associate the experience with the pain and discomfort they felt at that moment.This could also indicate that your dog feels pain in their leg or paw. Watch for other signs of distress or discomfort, like lameness, limping, or excessively licking the area. If you suspect your dog is in pain or if your dog has shown a behavior change that you can’t otherwise explain, contact your veterinarian. They can run the tests necessary to help diagnose the problem and recommend ways to provide effective pain relief.For us, with Lucifer, we are overcoming a reaction due to previous pain. He suffered injuries to his front paws before he was rescued and adopted out to us as a puppy. While we have worked with specialists to help him heal and move on from these injuries, he is still more protective of his paws and dislikes having them handled. What Happens if You Wait Too Long to Cut Dog Nails?Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed and cared for is an integral part of grooming. How often you need to trim their nails will vary, depending on their breed, age, and lifestyle. Some dogs will naturally wear down their nails from walking and running on rough surfaces, as they would in the wild, while others don’t engage in these activities frequently enough to keep up with nail growth.When a dog’s nails become overgrown, they interfere with their ability to stand and walk properly, reducing traction and potentially causing injuries in their feet and tendons. This is because the nails contact the floor before their paw pads. Over time, this can also lead to long-term injuries, deformities in the paw or leg, or arthritis. This can also cause older dogs to slip and fall due to losing traction and unsteadiness on their feet.

FDA Approves New Treatment for Anxiety and Fear in Cats

It’s no secret that most cats get really stressed out when they have to leave the house, especially for a trip to the veterinarian. And the anxiety and fear that your pet experiences can certainly affect you as a pet parent as well, making you feel awful about having to put your cat through such a scary experience.The good news is there are things you can try to help reduce the stress your kitty feels, and one of the latest solutions is a new treatment recently approved by the FDA.Bonqat for CatsIn November 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pregabalin, also known as Bonqat, for cats.The oral solution is not a sedative; instead, it affects the neurotransmitters that are involved in acute anxiety and fear. Therefore, it can be used to reduce the stress experienced by cats who are being transported for any reason, and it can be helpful for those who get frightened when they go to the vet.To determine if this medicine would be effective, cats were given either a placebo or Bonqat before being transported by car and examined by a veterinarian (the cats had a history of being fearful and/or anxious under those circumstances). The results? While roughly one-third of the kitties who got the placebo had a positive response, just over half of those given the medicine did better while being transported and examined. Also, over the course of two examinations, 77% of the kitties who took Bonqat had less fear and anxiety, while 46% of those given the placebo exhibited an improvement in their fear and anxiety levels.Discuss Bonqat with Your VeterinarianYou can only get Bonqat with a prescription from your veterinarian, so discuss its pros and cons to determine if this medicine would be right for your cat based on factors like age and medical conditions. And bear in mind that side effects, such as ataxia, vomiting, and lethargy, might occur with Bonqat.To reap the benefits of Bonqat, you simply give it to your cat about 1.5 hours prior to transporting them or taking them to the vet. This medicine is a liquid, and it can be given to your pet with a bit of food.Also, there are some precautions that need to be taken while administering this medicine to your cat. For example, it shouldn’t make contact with your eyes, mucous membranes, or skin. So, in addition to talking to your vet about how to use it correctly to ensure your cat gets the best results, you also want to be well-informed about how to handle this medicine safely.For more information about Bonqat and how it works, click here.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

A Dog is Adopted After 7 Years in Shelter After An Emotional Discovery

One pet shelter in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, has been the home of a darling rescue dog named Ella for 7 long years. But the long wait for a happy ending is finally over – as Ella was recently adopted, and under very special circumstances at that. The staff at  Bloomsburg Animal Resource Center have titled this “an extremely special adoption”, and advised readers that “they might want to grab a tissue real quick for this one”.Ella had been at the shelter for the last seven years, making her the center’s longest resident. But recently, things took a turn for the better, when Ella was spotted by Kaitlyn, a resident who quickly fell in love with the rescue pooch. When coming to the center, Kaitlyn said that her long-time furry friend, Jo, recently passed away, and now she was ready to meet a new dog.And as soon as the two met, the match was made. It was obvious that they were meant for each other. Ella quickly made everyone know that Kaitlyn was her “human”. Usually, it wasn’t so. Ella was a victim of abuse and had a long history of fear and aggression. It would take several visits for her to get relaxed around strangers. But with Kaitlyn, this was not the case. The bond was near-instant. “She immediately walked over to Kaitlyn with no hesitation, allowing her to give Ella scratches and pets right away,” the staff of the adoption center said.At the end of the adoption meeting, when Kaitlyn was about to leave, she suddenly noticed something that made her overwhelmingly emotional. What she spotted was the bandana that Ella was wearing around her neck. Her eyes welling with tears, Kaitlyn said to the staff that it was the exact bandana that belonged to her recently passed away dog, Jo. She said that after the passing, she donated all the bandanas to the center. “This bandana that Ella is wearing, it’s Jo’s. I donated them all here when he passed,” Kaitlyn said, quickly showing a picture of Jo wearing it. The symbolism and the connection were incredible. It was a sign that the two were meant to be together. When they realized what happened, the staff was moved to tears: “Out of the 20 dogs in our shelter right now, this bandana. This specific bandana. Jo’s bandana. It was on Ella.”Later, Kaitlyn said that the bandana is a sign: “I like to think of it as Jo’s stamp of approval.”And so it was, that after 7 long years of waiting, the kind and gentle Ella found her new forever home, and a human friend who would treat her right.“Every morning, Ella used to pop up off her bed and greet you at the door of her kennel right away,” the staff at the Animal Resource Center said. “We’ll miss that tomorrow, it’ll be such a bittersweet moment realizing that as we pause to reflect on a few of our favorites times with Ella — but my goodness the amount of pure happiness we will feel every day knowing Ella finally got what she deserved: ELLA GOT ADOPTED.”

This Revolutionary Drug Could Help Extend the Lifespan of Dogs

In a groundbreaking trial that is set to launch in the United States, around 1,000 elderly dogs will be given a pill – in the form of a sweet treat – in the hope that their lives will be extended because of it. Behind this innovative work stands Loyal, a startup company based in Silicon Valley. They are currently gathering a number of senior dogs through a well-developed network of veterinary practices in all US states. The tests are set to launch before the end of 2023, after four years of complex studies.In this case, all dogs must be over 10 years old in order to be included in the study. The study itself is set to be a “randomized double-blind placebo trial”. The director of veterinary medicine at Loyal, the company behind this trial, Dr. Brennen McKenzie, said for  Telegraph that this will “probably be the largest clinical trial in veterinary medical history”.“We’re hoping to show that we can both increase the length of life and, more importantly, the length of time these dogs live healthy and happy and functional lives,” McKenzie states. “We’re looking at the length of time that dogs live on the drug and the placebo, hoping to show that we can extend their lifespan and also hoping to show that they develop less disease.”What the study will potentially show is that dogs who receive the drug will live one year longer - on average compared to those who are taking the “placebo” drug. Still, the length of life gained is only one aspect, Dr McKenzie said at the North American Veterinary Community’s Veterinary Innovation Summit in Kansas City. McKenzie also added that increasing health was their number one priority.“We think of lifespan as the amount of time that you live but healthspan is the amount of time that you have good health, good function, good quality of life,” Dr McKenzie said. “That’s clearly the most important thing”.All of this sounds quite “larger than life”, no pun intended. And, of course, with such advanced propositions, the trial drug and its contents are a closely guarded secret, especially due to commercial reasons. This will be the situation until the trial of the drug is finished. And if the drug happens to be as efficient as hoped, Loyal plans to place it on the market immediately, offering an affordable daily supplement that can extend the lives of dogs. “If we get through this four-year trial and we achieve our endpoints, the FDA will license us to sell this as a prescription medication and it will be the first medication ever to extend lifespan in any species,” Dr McKenzie said. “We are absolutely interested in a product that is accessible to the majority of pet owners.”It is worth noting that the drug in question was already proven to be safe for consumption, and there is a low risk of this potential supplement causing any unwanted side effects. Loyal is a company that has two other products in the works, and they are also scheduled to undergo extensive tests. However, work is not yet finished, and one of the two is expected to go on trial around 2026. 

Top stories

Shelter Spotlight: Pet Peace of Mind

The Latest Pet Industry Trends from Global Pet Expo 2024

BARK Air Introduces a New Flight Tailored for Dogs

Top stories

Shelter Spotlight: Pet Peace of Mind

Related articles