With Thanksgiving just three weeks away, I thought this would be an appropriate message to share.

Which table foods are dangerous to cats and dogs? ‘Today’ pet contributor Tamar Geller discusses what you shouldn’t feed your four-legged friends

By Tamar Geller
Contributor
TODAY
Updated: 10:55 a.m. MT Dec 23, 2005

The holidays are a time to enjoy the company of loved ones, including your pets. Inform your guests about all pet rules: no feeding bones or other table scraps; candy and alcoholic beverages should be kept out of reach; keep gates and outside doors securely closed. Many of us will indulge ourselves with a big holiday meal, but we must remember to be very careful about what we feed our pets.

Rich fatty foods can be a cause for concern

Read more »

Everyone is getting older … including our pets. In the United States, it’s estimated that more than 18 million dogs and 22 million cats are considered “senior citizens.”

What’s considered “old” for a pet? Generally, a dog or cat older than seven years is considered middle-aged because our pets age seven times faster than we do. In other words, an eight-year-old cat would be 56 years old in “people years.” That’s why we might not easily notice our pet is beginning to show the signs of growing older.

All pet owners need to be aware of the signs of aging. Common ailments affecting older pets include arthritis, cancer, diabetes, kidney and liver diseases, and thyroid problems.

Unfortunately, our pets can’t tell us if their limbs are aching, their teeth are hurting, or their appetite is waning because they just don’t feel well. That’s why veterinarians strongly recommend that “senior” pets get twice-a-year checkups to detect any problems before they become serious. Early detection is the easiest way to treat canine or feline ailments and diseases.

Read more »