Road trips make for great dog-friendly travel because chances are you and your pup have already hit the road together. You may not have traveled much with your cat yet, but take a few warm-up rides before you go and increase the distance gradually.
     Shop for cat or dog car seats far enough in advance that you can both get used to the one you pick. For small dogs, puppies and cats, look for basket-style seats with a comfortable harness. Never let your dog hang his head out the window—the debris could scratch his eyes or damage his throat.
     Stop frequently for leg-stretching and bathroom breaks and bring along dry food as snacks or treats. If you leave your pet in a car seat alone for a few minutes, make sure the temperature is comfortable and provide appropriate ventilation. The temperature in a parked car in warmer months or climates can kill your pet in a matter of minutes.

These stickers are essential for every dog owner. They are designed to alert firemen, policemen, and your neighbours that you have pet(s) inside in case of an emergency. We made it super easy for you to use too! All you need to do is download the PDF in the link below and open the file in either Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat to fill out the spaces, then print them out on adhesive paper. Don't worry, if you don't have Adobe Reader or Acrobat you can still hand-fill them in! Available layouts include one dog or multiple dogs.
Click here to download the sticker template if you have one dog  
Click here to download the sticker template if you have more than one dog 
Click here to download the sticker template if you have multiple dogs and cats

We recently received a user comment from a user named “Willy Wonka,” who while impersonating the great candy maker – asked us "why dogs can’t eat chocolate?" He might not be the real Willy Wonka, but this is a great question! 
Let’s take a look:  Chocolate (cocoa) is dangerous for dogs because it contains high amounts of  methylxanthines, specifically one called theobromine which is toxic to dogs. As a general rule the darker the chocolate (higher percentage of cocoa), the more theobromine it will contain. 
Why is it toxic?  Theobromine is found in products of the cocoa tree. It affects humans similarly to a light dose of caffeine and is metabolized by the body to half levels within 6-10 hours.  Dogs and other domestic animals are not able to metabolize theobromine as quickly as humans meaning it can put greater strain on the animal’s nervous system and kidneys. 
How dangerous is chocolate for my dog?  Chocolate in any form is extremely dangerous for dogs and the results of eating it can be life threatening.  The size of your dog in combination with the type of chocolate (dark, milk, white) as well as the quality (amount/strength of cocoa) of chocolate consumed, can greatly affect how much your dog can eat without side effects. If you believe chocolate has been consumed in any amount, it is best to take action and get your dog medical attention.
How can I tell if my dog has been poisoned by chocolate?  Signs of theobromine poisoning in dogs can start with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, and possibly incontinence and can become as serious as cardiac arrhythmias and seizures. 
What can I do if my dog eats chocolate? If chocolate has been consumed, call your veterinarian immediately. It will be important to make your dog throw up to remove the toxins from the body as quickly as possible.  
You can make your dog throw up by giving him teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide.  Your veterinarian can provide further instructions regarding the correct amount for your dog and can assist with additional methods such decontamination with charcoal or stomach flushing. 
Is white chocolate dangerous for my dog?  White chocolate is technically not “chocolate,” but can still be dangerous to your dog if consumed in large quantities. Made with cocoa butter rather than cocoa solids (like dark or milk chocolate) it does not contain the same dangerous levels of theobromin. It does contain a higher amount of sugar and fat than other types of chocolate however, making it detrimental to a dog’s pancreas. 
I really want to share my love of chocolate with my dog- is there anything that is safe? Carob is a safe alternative as it looks like chocolate, but does not contain any theobromine and is low in sugar and fat. Bakeries that specialize in dog goodies will often use this as an alternative. There are also many “white chocolate” look-a-likes that do not contain any chocolate at all. Often known as “coatings,” these can be safe for dogs in small
quantities. If you are unsure about the ingredients or what will be safe to feed your dogs- it is always best to check with your veterinarian. 
In conclusion  People love chocolate and well, if dogs ate chocolate – they would probably like it too. But until the Umpa Lumpas can create chocolate that is safe for dogs – PAWS OFF!

    Recently DogTipper interviewed Dr. Karen “Doc” Halligan, the Director of Veterinary Services at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Los Angeles (spcaLA). You might recognize Dr. Halligan from Animal Planet where she’s often a guest on several series; the veterinarian is also the author of Doc Halligan’s What Every Pet Owner Should Know: Prescriptions for Happy, Healthy Cats and Dogs.
    As you know, we’re always on the lookout for ways to save money on pet care while, at the same time, providing a healthy and happy life for your dog. We talked with Dr. Halligan about a new, less expensive flea preventative called PetArmor, a generic version of Frontline. PetArmor™ offers the same active ingredient
(fipronil), in the same concentration as Frontline. The fipronil patent (U.S. Patent # 5,232,940) expired, clearing the way for generic products to be available.
    In addition, PetArmor Plus contains S-methoprene, just like Frontline Plus, which prevents flea eggs from hatching and maturing, and then laying more eggs.
    In our interview with Dr. Halligan, she talks about the safety of PetArmor for puppies and senior dogs and also using the new preventative if you have already had your dog on another preventative product.

    Nearly 40 percent of U.S. households have a dog, and for some, shedding is a constant concern, especially during the steamy, summer months. But not to worry, pet parents, you can help prevent excessive shedding—and save your home from furry tumbleweeds—with regular grooming sessions. 
    Dr. Kat Miller, ASPCA Director of Applied Science and Research, notes that regular grooming sessions will help remove dirt, prevent tangles and keep your pet’s skin clean and irritant-free. Plus, grooming time is a great time to check for fleas and flea dirt, those little black specks that indicate a pet is playing
host to a flea family.   
     In support of the ASPCA, Dyson, makers of pet-friendly vacuums, have donated products and funding to help pets in need. Together with Dyson, we’re pleased to present additional grooming tips below.
* We recommend bathing your dog at least once every three months. Your pet may  require more frequent baths if she spends a lot of time outdoors.
* Using a shampoo formulated for pets is best. Human shampoos aren't toxic to  pets, but some may contain
fragrances or other substances that can irritate  pets' skin.
* If your pet is shedding excessively, please check with your veterinarian to  determine if your dog’s hair loss is part of the normal shedding process or is a  symptom of an underlying disorder.
* If your dog has a long, luxurious coat, she’ll need daily attention to  remove tangles.
    The Dyson Groom tool, a self-cleaning vacuum accessory designed to capture a dog’s hair before it spreads around the house, is made for use on medium to long-haired dogs. The Dyson Groom has stainless steel bristles and removes loose hair from your dog, and then hygienically transfers the captured hair and allergens to the vacuum.
     The Dyson Groom joins a full range of pet hair solutions by Dyson, including the Dyson Animal vacuum, designed to remove dirt and pet hair from the home and car.  For more pet hair care hints, please visit our Grooming FAQ.

This month we’ve been covering disaster preparedness for keeping your dog safe in a natural disaster. The best time to prepare for a natural disaster is, of course, before one strikes. It only takes a moment to assemble an emergency evacuation kit for your dog but it can mean so much if you have to leave your home in a hurry.
 VCA veterinarian Donna J. Spector has assembled a packing list of items you should consider for your pet’s emergency evacuation kit, many which you’ll already have on hand. Toss them in a bag that’s easy to find in an emergency and you’ll have made an important first step in keeping your dog safe in case of a hurricane,
tornado, flood, wildfire, or other natural disaster!
-  Leash
- Collapsible water/food bowl
- Canned dog/cat food
- Pet toy
- Pet blanket
- Cloth towel
- Basic roll of bandaging material
- All-purpose nail clipper
- Flashlight with batteries
- Doggy bags (can also be used for cat litter clean-up)
- Disposable latex Gloves
- Emergency ice/heat pack
- Camera to take current photos of your pet and include in the kit
- Folder with list of types of vaccination records & medical history to get from vet