During the week of May 4-10, 2025, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) sponsors National Pet Week. AVMA suggests a few lifecycle themes to focus on:
Choose Well: Commit for Life
Behavioral Health: Good Habits
Nutrition & Exercise Matter
Love Your Pet? See Your Vet!
Planning for Senior Care
National Pet Week from AVMA: Choose Well to Commit for Life
The first step to happiness and good health is to choose the right pet for your family and to commit to caring for the animal for its years of life. Consider these questions before bringing a new pet home.
Will this pet fit with your family’s lifestyle? Cats, dogs and other pet species all have different needs, temperaments, hardiness and health considerations. For instance, a bunny does best in a quiet, calm home. Many dog breeds need lots of physical exercise and active play. Cats need a home free from the many houseplants that are toxic to them.
Do the adults in your family have time to care for this pet? Each and every day, your pet will need basic care like feeding, elimination, cleaning, exercise and more. And for a happy life, your pet will need socialization and enrichment. Children are quick to promise responsibility, but the adults are truly responsible for family members. Also, consider how long the pet will need to spend time alone, such as when you’re at work.
Are you comfortable with the costs of caring for this pet throughout its life? Food, housing, veterinary care, gear, toys, petsitting, grooming and more really add up. AVMA offers this guide: Money Tips for Caring Pet Owners
Will a new pet thrive with any existing pets? If you already have one or more pets in your home, you’ll want to consider if the new pet will be welcomed by them.
National Pet Week from AVMA: Behavioral Health with Good Habits
For dogs and cats, socialization and training are critical to enjoying these animals throughout their lifetimes. Shelters are full of unfortunate pets who were allowed to develop bad habits. Watch this socialization video from AVMA, and check out the resource Socialization of Dogs and Cats.
National Pet Week from AVMA: Nutrition & Exercise Matter
For today’s pet, maintaining a healthy weight is a top consideration. It’s easy to feed a pet more than is healthy for them (treats are so much fun!). AVMA shares a helpful guide for how to tell if your pet’s weight is healthy.
National Pet Week from AVMA: Love Your Pet? See Your Vet!
Regular wellness exams are so important for promoting your pet’s long, healthy life. Preventive care keeps your pet safe from dangerous illnesses through immunization and heartworm/flea/tick protection. And the earlier your veterinarian can catch and treat disease, the better the outcomes will be.
National Pet Week from AVMA: Planning for Senior Care
Cats are usually considered senior at 10 years old, while senior status for dogs varies by breed and size. (from six to 11 years old). Companion Care Animal Hospital has several Senior Pet Resources we recommend you look into. AVMA also offers a Caring for Senior Cats and Dogs feature with more information.
We want to emphasize that senior pets have many benefits over younger pets, so it’s not all about extra veterinary care. These pets are usually more relaxed and have fewer unwanted behaviors.
As you celebrate National Pet Week, we hope these lifecyle tips have been helpful. If you want to learn more about pets and their care, browse through our blog.
Heartworm disease is spread through parasites that live in mosquitos. When a mosquito carrying heartworm larvae bites your unprotected pet, they are in danger of contracting the illness. Here’s what to know about these irritating pests:
She’s tough: Mosquitos survive and thrive in a variety of climates and environments
She’s mobile: Mosquitos live indoors and outdoors and are willing to relocate
She’s hungry: Mosquitos drink three times their body weight in blood, spreading heartworm larvae as they feed
She’s sneaky: Mosquito “season” is impossible to predict. Mosquitos can emerge in early spring or late fall. Pets need to be protected year-round
Protect your pet from heartworms 12 months-a-year, and we recommend testing for heartworm infection once a year.
More Heartworm Prevention Resources
We mark Heartworm Awareness month each April. Here is additional information to help you prevent infection in your pet:
Companion Care Animal Hospital includes heartworm prevention as part of our wellness care for dogs and cats. Contact us if your pet needs a wellness check and preventative recommendation.
35,000+ Ohio Dogs Tested Positive for this Tick-Borne Disease in 2024
Last year saw 35,425 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in Ohio dogs, which represents 5.36% of total dogs tested. Our state has a higher-than-average risk of Lyme disease in dogs compared to the rest of the US.
This data is shared by the Companion Animal Parasite Council, which tracks parasite prevalence, along with making recommendations to prevent and treat parasite infections that affect pets and/or humans. Let’s take a look at Lyme disease data over time.
Year
Number of Lyme-Disease Positive Dogs in Ohio
Number of Ohio Dogs Tested for Lyme Disease
Percent Positive Tests
2021
17,888
518,634
3.45%
2022
20,578
557,337
3.69%
2023
27,201
620,041
4.39%
2024
35,425
661,274
5.36%
Lyme Disease is a Growing Concern for Ohio Dogs
Ohio residents need to be aware of the risk to their dogs. Data show both:
Absolute numbers of Lyme disease cases are growing in Ohio dogs
Percentage of positive tests are also increasing
In four years, reported Lyme disease cases have almost doubled in Ohio dogs. But there’s good news: this parasite infection is preventable.
“Lyme disease is a bacterial disease spread by certain tick bites. It’s zoonotic, meaning it affects both people and animals, especially dogs. Fortunately for cats, they don’t seem to be affected.”
Although it’s the most common vector-borne disease in the US, it’s not terribly hard to prevent infection in your dog.
Preventing Lyme Disease in Dogs
There are three steps to keeping your dog safe from tick-borne diseases:
Most importantly, keep your dog on flea and tick preventive medicines year-round. Ohio DNR reports that blacklegged ticks are active year-round in Ohio, so there’s no true “safe” season.
Regularly check your dog for ticks, especially if you’re been in a forest, field or other “wild” area. Top places to check are in and around the ears, around the eyelids, under the collar, in the “arm pits” of the legs, around the tail and between the toes.
We truly hate to see a dog that has contracted Lyme disease. Symptoms take two to five months to develop, and by that time the bacteria has spread. Eventually, without treatment, kidney disease and failure develop. Let’s work together to reduce the risk for our Ohio dogs.
Let’s work together to promote safe and healthy environments for our pets! Many top toxins and poisons overlap for dogs and cats, but there are some differences. Here are the top 10 for each.
Top 10 Toxins and Poisons for Dogs
These are the most common toxins that affects dogs. Please keep these items where your dog cannot get to them.
Chocolate
Mouse and rat poisons
Vitamins and minerals
Human and veterinary pain relievers
Heart medications, e.g., beta blockers
Cold and allergy medications
Antidepressants
Xylitol
Acetaminophen
Caffeine pills
Top 10 Toxins and Poisons for Cats
Cats are most commonly-affected by these 10 toxins. Use this knowledge to keep your cats safe and healthy.
Topical, spot-on insecticides
Household cleaners
Antidepressants
Lilies
Insoluble oxalate plants, e.g., philodendron
Human and veterinary pain relievers
Acetaminophen, e.g., Tylenol
Glow sticks
ADD/ADHD medications/amphetamines
Mouse and rat poisons
Top 8 Toxic Plants
Many common plants are toxic to pets, especially cats. It’s safest to keep these top plants out of your home:
Pet Sitters International is an educational organization for professional pet sitters, and they created Professional Pet Sitters Week the first week of March. In-home pet care is growing in popularity, so we wanted to highlight this option. Pet sitters come to your home to care for your pet, including walks and playtime.
Pet Sitting Might Be a Great Option for Your Pet
If you travel or work long hours away from home, you may board your pet or ask friends/family to take them in. These options are usually just fine, but engaging a trusted pet sitter could be a great experience for your pet. Pet Sitters International (PSI) shares these benefits:
• Pets are happier and experience less stress at home.
• Diet and exercise routines are uninterrupted.
• Travel trauma for both owner and pet is eliminated.
• Pet’s exposure to illness is minimized.
• Untrained or unwilling friends/family/neighbors need not be called.
• In-home professional pet care provides added peace of mind.
You may be interested in finding pet sitters in our area, so we suggest checking out PSI’s Pet Sitter Locator. We found five pet sitters in the Cincinnati area. Choosing a certified pet sitter can add confidence to the decision to allow someone into your home to care for your pet.
How Can You Tell a Pet Sitter is Professional?
When interviewing a pet sitter, ask these questions to make sure you’re hiring a professional:
Do you have a business license? This means they have registered their business with the Ohio Secretary of State, instead of running a casual side gig.
What business insurance do you carry?
What pet care training, education and certification have you achieved?
How long have you been a professional pet sitter?
What kinds of pets do you sit for?
Can you provide references?
How Much Does a Professional Pet Sitter Cost?
PSI offers national average for pet sitting services. Here’s the chart.
Is Professional Pet Sitting the Career for You?
PSI’s goal is to help professional pet sitters provide excellent pet care and build a successful business. The organization offers a free guide titled, “How to Start a Pet-Sitting Business.” Here are our favorite tips from the guide, to help determine if professional pet sitting might be the right career for you:
Evaluate your experience with animals and pet care. Have you cared for your own pets– for how long, and what species/breeds? Have you volunteered with animal organizations, like shelters?
Know the education and training that you will need. Pet first aid, animal behavior and pet health education are all important.
What experience do you have in any service industry? A large part of pet sitting is interacting with pet owners with friendliness and professionalism.
Would you like to specialize or generalize? For instance, there’s the most opportunity for a pet sitter who can care for cats and dogs. However, if you have much experience with an exotic pet, that could be a good niche.
It’s likely important that a background check shows a clear criminal history.
Pet sitting can be both a great career and great for pet owners. We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about this pet care option!
Dental health is an essential part of a pet’s well-being. By taking proactive measures to care for their pet’s teeth, owners can help prevent dental problems and ensure their furry companions live long, healthy lives.
Heart Health
It is important that every dog and cat owner is empowered to recognize signs of heart disease in their companion animals. Regular veterinary check-ups are a key component in keeping your pet’s heart healthy.
6 Million Cats Are Diagnosed with Cancer Each Year
No one wants to imagine their precious kitty being diagnosed with cancer, but it’s important to know the signs, just in case. February is National Cat Health Month, so we’re highlighting this one aspect of cat health now. PetCure Oncology reports that over six million cats are diagnosed every year. They also share these facts:
Some cancers are more likely in cats aged two to six
Cats with FeLV are at higher risk of cancer
Purebred cats may suffer from cancer at higher rates
10 Early Signs of Cancer in Cats
The Pet Cancer Foundation provides a helpful guide to learn the symptoms of cancer in cats. Take a look at the signs, although you’ll probably notice that many of these symptoms are common to several different illnesses.
Cancer in Cats: Behavior Symptoms
Hiding more than usual and for longer than expected
Pain and discomfort that results in irritability, wincing or lashing out when touched
Unexpected or unexplained weight loss or weight gain
Urinating more or less often than usual
Constipation or diarrhea
Cancer in Cats: Coat and Face Symptoms
Nose: Changes to the color or texture of your cats nose, or nosebleeds
Mouth: If you notice a strange odor, sores or wounds in the mouth. Also, if you cat is scratching their mouth
Skin: Be aware of any lumps, bumps, rashes or lesions
Cancer in Cats: Illness Symptoms
Unexpected discharge from any body orifice, such as eyes, nose, ears, etc.
Seizures, which can present as champing, chewing, shaking or foaming at the mouth
As always, if you notice any these symptoms– or if your cat’s behavior changes unexpectedly, reach out to your veterinarian. Because cats are so skilled at hiding illnesses, it’s especially important to take them in for wellness visits.
Keep You and Your Dog Fit (and Safe) on Winter Walks
In keeping with many New Year’s Resolutions to get healthier, January is National Walk Your Dog Month. It may seem like the worst time to get out into the great outdoors with your pet, but following these 8 steps will keep you both safe and warm.
Make sure you, the human, are properly outfitted for the cold. Gloves are especially important when holding a leash!
Put a jacket on your dog. This step is especially important for puppies, senior dogs, small breeds and short-haired dogs.
Protect paws from ice and de-icing chemicals with dog booties or pet-safe gels like Musher’s Secret.
Use a secure, front-clip harness to prevent your dog from pulling. This is safer for everyone in slippery conditions.
Walk your dog with a fixed leash, not a retractible one. Consider a jogger’s leash, which stays hooked to you, if you fall and lose your grip.
Make sure your dog’s clothing stays dry. Or cut your walk short if it becomes damp or wet.
Avoid hazards like frozen ponds. Dogs can fall through thin ice into freezing water. They may suffer hypothermia or even drown.
When you get back, wash your dog’s paws. This keeps them from licking toxic chemicals like ice melts and salts off of their paws.
Have fun exploring the winter scenery with your dog! But remember, if the weather is particularly nasty, wait until another day. Cuddling by the fire with your dog doesn’t burn calories, but it is good for the soul.
During January’s Cold, Spend Some Quality Time with Your Dog!
January is National Train Your Dog Month, and we can’t think of a better way to spend these cold winter days than indoors helping your dog become more social, well-adjusted and welcome anywhere they go.
And you know how they say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? That’s not true! Obedience training is great for any age. In fact, most animal shelters are able to ready adult dogs for forever families through training.
Local Classes for National Train Your Dog Month
The best way to train your dog is with expert help. A professional dog trainer has experience with hundreds (thousands?) of dogs and will help personalize a program for you and your pup.
To get you started on your research, here are some places to check out. While these organizations have been recommended to us and/or have positive reviews, please use your own judgement about if a given trainer will be a good fit for your family.
At-Home Resources for National Train Your Dog Month
If you’re just getting started and want to try some training at home, check out these resources.
The AKC suggests a dog training app like Zigzag. After you take a quick survey, the app suggests a program, along with a subscription plan.
AKC also provides training guidelines with its AKC STAR Puppy and AKC Canine Good Citizen programs. These programs are open to purebred and mixed breed dogs.
Animal Friends Humane Society partners with GoodPup, a virtual training app.
From Foods to Decorations to Guests, Follow These Tips this Season
Christmas, New Years and all the winter holidays can pose some challenges for keeping your pet safe. Keep these simple tips in mind for happy holidays.
Holiday No-No Foods
These foods are dangerous for pets and need to be kept away from them.
Chocolate
Alcohol
Bones
Onions
Garlic
Grapes/raisins
Candy
Cooked bones
Poisonous Plants
Festive Christmas plants can also be dangerous for curious pets. Consider artificial replacements for:
Poinsettias
Holly
Mistletoe
Lilies
Decoration Safety
Everyone loves beautiful holiday decorations! Follow these guidelines for decor that both people and animals can enjoy.
Put out candles if you are leaving the room
Tape down any electrical cords
Avoid tinsel
Cover the water pan under the Christmas tree
Managing Your Pet Around Guests
Help help your pets successfully interact with guests takes a little planning. Here are some ideas.
Make sure their ID tags are up-to-date
Hold onto your pet as people enter the house
Introduce your guests to your pet
Teach kids the proper way to treat a pet
Make sure nobody feeds them from the table
Give your pets a safe place to get away and have quiet time
Cold Weather Safety
For outdoor pets, make sure to offer fresh (unfrozen) water, warm bedding and wind-free shelter
Keep your pet away from antifreeze and other cold-weather chemicals like de-icers
Remember that elderly and infant pets are the most vulnerable to cold
