According to State Farm’s national annual claims report, California has the most dog bite claims in the United States. Following California are Illinois, Ohio, Florida, Texas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, New York, and Indiana. Although most of our pets would never intentionally hurt someone, every dog, big and small, has the potential to bite. However, dog bites are highly preventable with proper education and care. The Center for Disease Control & Prevention provides various tips on how to stay safe around dogs - let’s take a look at some.

At Home

Having one or more dogs in your home increases your risk of being bit. Does this mean you shouldn’t welcome a dog into your family? Absolutely not! You just need to take appropriate precautions and train your dog.

At last, the most celebrated herald of spring has arrived! On this fine Saint Patrick’s Day, people around the world gather in the spirit of all things green, Irish, and foaming at the brim of a pint glass.  But the Emerald Isle has also produced some incredible dogs, including the following world renowned breeds:

Kerry Beagle

The Kerry Beagle is one of the most ancient Irish breeds.  They are extremely active dogs, originally bred as scent hounds for hunting in packs.  They are great with children and other dogs but without frequent exercise, can be destructive.  The breed nearly became extinct during the Irish famine but is believed to have been revived with the addition of the French Braque de l’Ariège.

Irish Terriers

Fleas and ticks are a very real problem not only for pets, but people as well.  Both fleas and ticks feed by biting and drinking the blood of their hosts and—being parasites—they can be passed on to other animals, including people. Unfortunately, they can also carry disease and the eggs of internal parasites such as worms, making them not only irritating but potentially harmful to the health of their host. Fortunately there are many flea and tick prevention tips for pets to help keep them safe.

Medicated Treatments & Prevention

The most effective method of flea and tick prevention is to use a medicated spot-on treatment. These are available from licensed pet shops, veterinary clinics and online pet stores.  Before you choose a medical treatment or preventative,

While your veterinarian is doubtless the best source for everything you need to know about heartworm medicine for dogs, it’s a good idea for every pet owner to stay informed about the essentials of their dog’s health. Heartworms can be deadly for both dogs and cats, and depending on where you live, the majority of viable hosts would contract it without protection. Symptoms of heartworm disease are often not apparent until the later stages, and even then, only those people who pay close attention to their pet’s behaviour may notice.  Your dog will likely develop a cough and become lethargic at which point is may already be too late to treat the dog.  For these reasons, preventative treatments are essential.

Methods of Prevention

Heartworms are relatively

Brrrrrrr, it’s cold out there...and we aren’t the only ones feeling the chill!  It is a common misconception that fur is ample defense against the cold, but our pets are also susceptible to the discomfort and potential dangers of cold winter temperatures.  Depending on the type of fur, build, and size of your pet, some cats and dogs are less prepared for winter than others.  Slender dogs with thin bones and fur like Chihuahuas and Greyhounds will need more protection than a Saint Bernard, bred to have a sturdy build and thick fur to withstand cold temperatures.  Likewise, some cats have thicker fur than others and are more equipped to spend time outdoors.

Regardless of what kind of pet you have, here are some tips to help you comfortably

Every pet owner knows the scenario. You've planned a tripwith friends, family and, of course, your pet. The only thing standing between you and your vacation is the car ride, airplane flight, boat ride or some combination of the three. For you this may not be much of an obstacle, but for your pet it may cause travel sickness. Travel sickness has a variety of causes including stress and anxiety. It is accompanied by a host of unpleasant symptoms. Luckily, there are a few remedies for cat and dog travel sickness that are relatively simple to administer.

Causes

As mentioned above, the stress and anxiety related to travel is one of the leading causes of travel sickness in cats and dogs. However, it is not the only cause. As with motion sickness in humans, dogs can get travel

The most common form of arthritis is “degenerative joint disease” which occurs when the connective tissue in the dog’s joints deteriorates to the point of causing pain, stiffness and often swelling. In advanced cases, direct fluid injections are used to lubricate the joint, reducing friction and pain. However, depending on the severity of your dog’s arthritis, one or a combination of non-prescription treatments may work as well.  Your veterinarian is the only person who can tell you if the top non-prescription arthritis treatments for dogs will work for your pet, but these are some options you can discuss at your next vet visit.

Glucosamine & Chondroitin

The top non-prescription arthritis treatments for dogs are dominated by supplements

When considering a new dog, most people think about puppies—they are just so irresistibly cute!  But when picking a good companion dog, it is important to consider just what you are looking for.  Before settling on a particular dog or breed, make sure the characteristics mesh well with your lifestyle.  How much time will you spend with your new pet? Are you an active person? Do you work from home or an office?  Sometimes an older dog is a better fit for people with a busy lifestyle and little time for consistent training.  To ensure you find the right companion, here are some good steps to follow:

Investigate Dog Breed Characteristics

It’s easy to get trapped in a pair of big brown eyes anddecide a Beagle is the only dog