(Polka Dot) There are many dangers in pet homes that well-meaning owners don’t recognize. Below are 15 of the most common problems. Be aware of them and prevent problems in your pet. 1.Unsecured medications - Pets are innately curious and may be interested in human medications or inhalers. These can be very dangerous. Make sure you keep all medications out of the reach of pets and off tables that can be knocked over. This includes pet medications! Do not leave...

(Thinkstock) For pets, summer’s long days bring an even longer list of dangers, from sizzling asphalt to dog-park bullies to pesticides to drowning. Happily, many perils can be avoided with planning, says Dr. Tony Johnson, an emergency-care specialist at Purdue University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Cats, he says, “sometimes have more common sense than dogs” but are prone to high-rise syndrome—falling from apartment windows—and find poisonous ethylene glycol from car-cooling systems irresistible. So do dogs. Both species need fresh drinking water,...

With spring's arrival, you may take your cat outside with you, or allow your cat to go out more often. Now is the time to prepare him for the outdoors so that both of you can enjoy the spring and summer seasons more safely. By taking note of the following information, you can prevent or catch problems before they become serious. Of course, taking care of your cat is a lifelong, year round responsibility. You should keep a detailed medical...

(Thinkstock | Martin Poole) Sometimes our pets may urinate inside the house and removing the odor of urine from carpet, furniture or clothing can be difficult. To make matters worse, once the odor of urine becomes associated with an area, more urination in that area is likely. There are several methods you can try to reduce the smell of urine in your home: 1. Wash the area with carbonated soda water or with soapy water and rinse well. Sometimes, all...

(Comstock) Canine heart worm disease is a serious parasitic disease caused by a long, thin worm that lives in the blood vessels and heart of infected dogs. The disease is spread from dog to dog (and to cat) by mosquitoes. The mosquito bites a dog with heart worm infection, collects some of the microscopic heart worm offspring and then, after a couple of weeks, passes these on to another dog or cat. Inside the dog, the microscopic heart worm can...

At the first clap of thunder, your dog beloved dog is suddenly missing in action, and you're likely to find him in the far corner of the darkest closet or under the bed. Even if your pooch could be one of the so-called “meanest breeds”, he may sit trembling on your lap or at your feet when the thunder rolls. This is not uncommon in pets. A phobia is a persistent excessive and irrational fear response. Fears and phobias can...

(Photodisc) Heat stroke is a dangerous condition that takes the lives of many animals every year. While working up a good sweat in the hot summer months may be a great way for you to exercise, it can lead to heat stroke in your dog and kill him in a matter of minutes. Your dog's normal body temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If it rises to 105 or 106 degrees, the dog is at risk for developing heat...

"She is sure is packing on the pounds!" "Yeah, she always gains weight over the holidays." If you overheard this conversation, you might think the people talking were being rude. But what if you found out they were referring to a family pet? Keep Those Winter Pounds off your Pet People aren't the only ones susceptible to gaining weight over the holidays. Extra treats, table scraps, and a lack of exercise due to winter weather can all attribute to your...

Get Outside and Play With Your Pet (iWitness contributor DonL) Believe it or not, our pets aren't that much different from us. When it is cold and wet outside, they would much rather stay indoors. But when that springtime warmth comes with plenty of sunshine, you'd better believe that they want to get outside and play! We browsed through our Pets section of iWitness and found some of our favorite pictures of cats and dogs enjoying an array of outdoor...

It's the holiday season, and it seems that just about everyone is getting in the spirit - including pets! Our iWitness Weather users love their pets, and it shows. Over the years they have submitted pictures of their cats, dogs, and a few other animals, wearing holiday garments, enjoying presents and the festive decor. This slideshow showcases some of our favorite pictures that help us further enjoy the season. Have some cute pictures of your pet? Click here to upload...

In the summer, many children love to spend time in the sandbox. It can be an enjoyable playtime experience for them, and can be an hours long diversion that many parents welcome. Likewise, many adults enjoy the peace and tranquility of gardening. You and your children can easily make a whole day outdoors enjoying these activities. If your household includes a cat that also enjoys time outside as well, a sandbox or garden is often considered an attractive outdoor litter...

(patty_c/iStockPhoto) Healthy and eco-friendly Your favorite Fido no longer has to settle for treats loaded with animal byproducts, preservatives -- and certainly not salmonella and melamine. A new crop of eco-friendly dog treats not only boasts healthy, organic ingredients, but they're also something your dog will enjoy! Here's our guide to the best canine confections. (barkwheats.com) Barkwheats dog biscuits Barkwheats makes wholesome dog biscuits with ingredients like parsley, sea vegetables, chamomile, eggs and honey that help treat some common dog...