Tony Avisato's Blog (18)

We've all seen pets that seem to drive themselves crazy with dry skin. Our poor dogs and cats don't know that constant scratching, clawing, and biting of their itchy skin is only making it worse. It's up you to help them get rid of dry and irritated skin. How do you do that? Well you try one these helpful tips for healthier skin and coats: …

Are you thinking about adopting a cute puppy? There are a few things to consider before making such an important decision. One of these is where you live. Do you own a home or live in an apartment building? Is your neighborhood or apartment complex dog-friendly? These are all important questions that need to be answered if you want to give your puppy a happy and comfortable…

Do you know what to look for in cat food? Is your cat food meeting all your kitty’s nutritional needs? While you are looking at all the selections in the pet-supply or grocery store, consider the various…

Just like any you and I, your dog can gain unhealthy levels of weight and suffer from low energy levels due to being too inactive, especially in the winter. There are ways, however, to combat this with a few simple exercises and everyday physical activities for your dog. Some of these will even work great…

Choosing the best cat food for your kitty is one of the most important cat owner decisions you can make. Here are some key points to help you decide which cuisine is the right one. Making sure your cat gets adequate nutrition is the primary concern, so feeding foods that meet AAFCO guidelines is generally recommended.…

As much as I disagree about giving pets as gifts during the holidays, I know it is going to happen. I only hope that everyone remembers that a new puppy is no ordinary gift; it isn't something that can be put in a closet or the attic when your attention for it runs out. Puppies are loving companions and need to be shown that same amount of unconditional love for the rest of…

Winter is quickly approaching and while the winter months can be lots of fun for you and your dog, there are a few precautions you should take to make sure your dog is healthy and happy all season long.

Here are seven of the biggest dangers your dog will face this winter season:

Cold - Don't think the cold just hurts people; it can hurt dogs too. Don't…

Dogs are den animals. It's their nature. Knowing this, it is important to create a safe area in the home where your dog can call its own little den. I recommend dog crates. They provide a safe, personal area where your dog can curl up to take a quick nap or to distress with a good rope…

Did you know that cat food allergies represent roughly 10% of all the allergies in cats and 57% of the causes for itching and scratching? Food allergies are actually quite common among cats. They can sometimes manifest as young as five months old; other times they can take years to develop. Odds…

Very few diseases instill fear in a pet owner as quickly as rabies. As soon as I hear the word I immediately think of the movie "Old Yeller" and how much it traumatized me as a little kid. The sight of his dog frothing at the mouth and behaving in such an aggressive manner was downright scary. I couldn't imagine my own dog behaving in that way!

Rabies, also known as…

We share a personal connection with our dogs. When I’m upset, my dog feels that same sense of depression and will do everything and anything to help. Dogs are quite emotional and attached to us; they understand both our joys and our sorrows. It is easy to see why they are members of our family. All this underscores just how important it is that you and I show our dogs that…

I’d like to remind everyone about the importance of spaying or neutering their cat or dog. Lately, I’ve been noticing an increasing number of feral cats hanging out around the neighborhood. Now I haven’t seen any dogs roaming about the message of spaying and neutering their dog is still the same – get it done! Believe it or not, your dog or cat will be better off for…

Now normally I’m a dog guy but I thought I would show some love to the cat lovers out there. I was recently speaking to a friend who is a HUGE cat person. She owns two cats and fosters three more kittens that are up for adoption. She was online looking for new cat beds. We were amazed at some of the fun, new and exciting styles available.

Cat beds aren’t as boring as…

I was doing some of the usual pet community surfing when I came across some information that August 30^th is National Holistic Pet Day. How did this new holiday slip by me? It sounds like a pretty cool idea. I’m always up for natural ways to improve my pet’s health. This is even more exciting than Talk Like a Pirate Day!

I was wondering what was involved…

I’m not exactly a city person; I admit it. I grew up in more of a rural area with occasional trips to suburbia if we ever felt like going shopping. That all changed when I went away to college. It wasn’t a major metropolitan area but it was a lot busier than anything I was used to experiencing. 

The one thing I missed most about moving to the city was the company of my dog. Now I know many city dwellers have dogs and their pets couldn’t be happier. I’m just worried that Conway (my…

My brother's dog suffers from a squeaky stomach. You know those crazy noises that come from the dog’s belly after it eats? He didn’t give it much thought at first but after a recent trip to the vet, he discovered it was my dog’s food. After some research and tests with different types of dog food, he finally found a brand that doesn’t bother her stomach.

I’m hoping…

Two more days…that’s all I have to get through before vacation starts! I’m planning on visiting my parents in North Carolina this year. I can’t wait too for some delicious southern cooking, rest, relaxation and some more southern cooking. The one question I seemed to be asked more than any other by my coworkers has been what I plan on doing with my dogs while I’m away. Without a though, I tell them they are coming with me. Duh!

I know some people wouldn’t consider talking…

It’s fair to say that dogs hate loud noises. Anyone who has experienced trying to calm their dog during a thunderstorm or fireworks display can attest to this fact. They can be terrifying and uncomfortable for both for the pet and the owner. For many dogs, their fear causes them to lose control their reactions to loud noises. Often this leads to destructive behavior, in the…