Heart Wisdom Animal Talk Blog
Dedicated to improved health, behavior and wellness for pets and the people who love them.
Teach your dog tricks for fun and bonding! Today I am so excited to be talking to world renowned professional stunt dog show performer Kyra Sundance. I first saw Kyra on the Animal Planet show Pet Stars with her champion, world famous dog Chalcy and I was just blown away! She and her dogs have performed on several TV shows, including The Tonight Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, E.T., Worldwide Fido Awards, Animal Planet’s Pet Star and more, as well as the NBA Halftime Show. Kyra has been nationally ranked in competitive dog sports and has also served as a trainer for dog actors on TV and movie sets. She is an author with several books about dog tricks and training under her belt, including international best seller “101 Dog Tricks” which has been translated into 15 languages! Her most recent (at the time of our interview) is “101 Ways […]
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Guest post courtesy of Dr. Jean Hofve. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and do not necessarily represent the views of Val Heart & Heart Communication Enterprises Inc. This article was previously published December 14, 2014 and was updated on May 13, 2022. Why do many cat owners “limit” their pets to lives as indoor cats? Cats are smart, and they naturally know everything they need to know about being a cat. However, they do not know about things like cars, dogs, infectious diseases, and other outdoor hazards. Like young children, cats need to be protected from dangers they can’t anticipate or handle. That’s why Little Big Cat recommends that cats be kept indoors, and not allowed to roam loose outside. (See our article “Indoors or Outdoors” for more information.) Now, many people think that this is cruel. They say that nature […]
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This article was previously published February 5, 2020, and was updated May 13, 2022 Keep it clean the safe, non-toxic way Having a clean home is one of the best ways to protect your household from illness and allergies. However, using toxic chemicals to do the job is the equivalent of cutting off your nose to spite your face. Making the switch to non-toxic cleaning can reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals. That being said, our furry friends are often sensitive even to natural cleaning products. Here are the best pet-safe non-toxic cleaning methods we love. Neem Oil for Floors Neem oil is a vegetable-based oil derived from neem plants in India. This natural oil is frequently used as a non-toxic cleaning product, as well as a recommended ingredient when figuring out how to beat bed bugs. This natural cleaning product is a common ingredient in flea prevention shampoos in pets […]
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Guest post courtesy of Tammi Avallone. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and do not necessarily represent the views of Val Heart & Heart Communication Enterprises Inc. Busy dogs are happy dogs, so how do you keep your dogs busy when you can’t be home? Work and social commitments mean that many dog owners have to leave their furry friends home alone sometimes. So, how do you ensure that your dog doesn’t get frustrated and lonely when you’re not around? Read this guide to discover our top 10 best tips, tricks, and toys to keep your dog busy when he’s alone. 1. Make Their Crate Comfortable Your dog is much more likely to settle down and sleep if he has a comfortable, well-equipped crate to relax in. It’s true that some dogs fret when confined inside a kennel, so they will need […]
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Guest post courtesy of Pat Raia: Keep Your Horse Safe From Toxic Plants. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and do not necessarily represent the views of Val Heart & Heart Communication Enterprises Inc. This article was previously published February 14, 2012 and was updated on May 9, 2022. Toxic plants don’t always show up where you expect them One spring a few years ago, four horses on a Colorado farm began losing weight and developed photosensitization (a condition characterized by sensitivity to sun exposure) and neurologic signs. A thorough physical exam and blood work helped veterinarians determine the horses had extensive chronic liver disease, and a liver biopsy confirmed typical signs of pyrrolizidine alkaloid poisoning. These alkaloids are typically found in groundsels such as tansy ragwort, fiddle neck, and rattle pod. However, none of these plants were present in the horses’ pasture. […]
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