Sally Jones

Owning a horse is a dream come true for any horse lover, but it’s an expensive venture. And you want to make sure you keep a tight rein on your emotional and financial investment. Can you afford astronomical veterinary bills if your horse falls ill or becomes injured? How do you protect yourself if your horse injures a rider? Fortunately, you can ease these concerns with equestrian insurance. There are many companies to consider, so we’ll help you figure out how best to compare horse insurance plans…

Is your pup a big-time chewer? If so, there is a chance you may have to face emergency surgery one of these days. All it takes is your dog ingesting one small toy or sock to cause a serious blockage in his gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which can lead to major surgery and astronomical medical bills…

Have you heard the latest catch-phrase, “Adopt, Don’t Shop?” If so, you might be wondering what it means. Adopt, Don’t Shop is a campaign slogan that a growing number of animal rights proponents are using to promote adopting pets from shelters, rather than buying them from pet stores. What’s behind the movement? Is it controversial? And how can you get involved? Read on for answers to all these questions and more…

We’re sure you’ve found yourself telling your dog to get that cold, wet nose out of your personal space at some point! But have you ever wondered, ‘why do dogs have wet noses?’ Our favorite canine companions differ from us humans and our beloved feline friends in a puzzling way. Their noses are normally wet — and normally should be. But why are dogs’ noses wet? And if they’re not, does that mean that something’s wrong? Can you do anything to help your pup if his nose is dry? If so, what’s the best dog dry nose treatment? Here, we’ll answer all of your questions to put you and your pup at ease…

What’s your dog to do when there’s a new kid in town? Dogs and newborns can become best buds, but it will take some work on your part to ensure everything goes smoothly. Of course, your newborn’s safety is your number one priority, but there are many other issues to consider when it comes to your pup — he’ll need to adjust to new routines, sounds, and very likely need some behavior modifications. We’ll help you think ahead so the transition can be as seamless as possible and keep all family members happy and healthy…

Yeah, not the most pleasant subject to discuss, but hey, you’ve surely dealt with your dog’s puke and potty accidents before. And this is for your beloved pup’s comfort — and ultimately his health. If your dog suffers from occasional anal gland issues, you’re in the right place. Read on to learn how to spot the signs of impacted glands, how to express dog’s anal glands and what you can do to help prevent frequent blockages. If not taken care of immediately, blocked anal glands can lead to a severe infection…

Have you noticed your furry family member having trouble getting around like she used to? She could be suffering from degenerative joint disease (DJD) — a pretty common problem in older dogs and among certain breeds. If you suffer from similar joint problems, you’ve likely heard of glucosamine supplements, but did you know similar supplements are available for dogs? Here, we’ll give you all the information you need about glucosamine for dogs to see if these supplements could help your pup remain active…

Having trouble finding a place to live because your dog is blacklisted as a “bad breed?” Can’t secure homeowner’s or renter’s insurance that covers your pooch? Many of the top insurance companies won’t provide dog liability insurance for certain breeds of dogs deemed “dangerous.” There are a number of lesser-known insurance companies that disagree with the concept of labeling dogs solely because of their breed. If you own or are thinking about getting a “bad breed” dog, this article is for you…

If you use common household cleaners, you could be slowly poisoning your dog without even knowing it. You could be putting your pooch at risk for developing cancer, kidney or liver damage down the road. In fact, studies have proven the toxic effects of such ingredients as ammonia, bleach, chlorine, gycol ethers and formaldehyde on humans and pets. And pets are even more vulnerable. Pets pick up residues from cleaning products and then groom themselves, spreading these toxic materials on their skin, coat, mouths, nose and eyes. As a responsible dog owner, it’s time to ditch your chemical-laden cleaners for pet safe cleaning products…

You might think it’s wise to wait until your very young puppy gets a little older to start socializing him. Take our advice — don’t wait! In fact, you have a pretty small window of opportunity to properly socialize your puppy, and ideally you should start when he’s only three weeks old. Puppies develop quickly, particularly when it comes to behavior. They’re most receptive to new experiences between the ages of three and 12 weeks old. After about four months old, it becomes much more difficult to introduce puppies to new situations. So, where do you start? What do you need to know? We’ll answer all your questions about how to socialize your puppy so he grows up to be a secure social butterfly…