When is it time to euthanize?

Part Two: My Personal Decision As the pet parent to six beloved dogs and cats over the last 18 years, the most heart-wrenching decisions I’ve had to make revolved around my cat Eliot and my dog Hans. Eliot suffered a stroke almost five years ago due to a careless medication error on the part of a new vet. Another vet was able to get him past the worst of it, and a few days in a large university animal hospital...

How will I know when it’s time to euthanize my pet?

Part One: The Options When your beloved dog or cat becomes seriously ill, you’ll probably have to make many choices concerning care. One of the most painful decisions you’ll have to make is this: When is the right time to euthanize? How will I know when it’s time? Euthanasia–also called putting to sleep or putting down–is a common practice which helps a sick or injured animal to pass...

Human foods that could be poisonous to pets

I keep a compost pile—actually two—in my back yard. They’re very basic and simple, but they work for me: four sturdy metal fence posts wrapped twice in fine mesh fencing. The wire mesh is sunk six inches below the ground, and it’s three feet high and about three feet wide in any direction. One compost pile is within the bounds of my garden, which is also fenced in, but the other is close to the...

Pumpkin for constipation or diarrhea in dogs and cats

Constipation? Diarrhea? Maybe your veterinarian has suggested that you increase the fiber in your pet’s diet by giving pureed pumpkin to either bulk up the stool or loosen it. Both cats and dogs usually love it, plus it’s inexpensive and a natural, healthy choice. In either case, you probably went to the grocery store, searched around, and finally found a big can of 100% pure pumpkin—not pie...

How to give a cat a pill

Even the most dedicated cat lover may find that “pilling” a cat is trying, at best. A few cats are agreeable, but most of us learn just how sharp a cat’s teeth and claws actually are when we try to give him a pill. No matter what technique you use, here are some helpful tips: Do check with your veterinarian on all aspects of your cat’s care. Do make pill-time a positive experience. Pick a...