When you selected your last dog, did you consider why his breed came into existence? 

When breeds were developed, great importance was put on their ability to do certain work — hunting, guarding, herding and draft work, for example. So the purebred dog comes with instincts that can predict some of his behavior.

If you're truly interested in the holistic approach, then giving your pet massages in addition to high quality, nutrient rich food and nutritional supplements can help keep your pet in mint condition. Not only is massage a great way to spot situations on your pet's body that you wouldn't have caught otherwise, but it's a great way to bond with your pet. 

Can secondhand smoke harm my pets?

Not surprisingly, the answer is yes. 
Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemical compounds, 43 of which are known to be carcinogens. While many studies have shown that exposure to these chemicals can increase people's chances of heart disease, lung cancer, and other cancers, some recent studies have shown that these chemicals also increase the risk of these diseases to pets.

It's true--animals can get bloated too. It's a little different than with people, though, and a lot more dangerous. If your veterinarian says that your dog has bloat, she means that your dog's stomach is full of excess gas, fluid, or foam. Bloat can be caused by a number of things. Most often dogs and cats get bloat because they swallow excess air. It can also occur when the valve at the bottom of the stomach is blocked and the gas and other material produced by the digestive process can't exit the stomach.