Socializing your pup outdoors: Slow and steady is best policy

Socializing your pup is crucial to raising a well-adjusted, confident, and happy dog. It involves exposing the animal when still young and impressionable to different experiences, environments, people, and other animals in a positive and controlled manner. Outdoor socialization is particularly important, as it helps a pup to adapt to the sights, sounds, and smells of the world beyond its home. However, the process should be tailored to the puppy’s age and developmental stage, and...

NY’s Xmas gift: No more buying pups, kittens in pet shops

The retail sale of pet animals in shops will be prohibited by law throughout the state of New York, USA, from December 15, CBS News reported. The Puppy Mill Pipeline Act, which was passed by the state legislature in December 2022 and signed by Governor Kathy Hochul on December 16, applies to dogs, cats, and rabbits. It will still be legal to adopt pets through humane societies, animal rescues, and licensed breeders. On Thursday, the...

Socializing your pup at home: Instil confidence, positive behaviour

Bringing a new pup home is the start of an exciting journey. Among the essential first steps to raising a happy, well-behaved dog is socializing your pup, which involves exposing the newcomer to various sights, sounds, people, animals, and experiences in a positive, controlled way. Proper socialization will help your pup grow into a confident, friendly dog, comfortable in different environments and around various people and pets. Socializing your pup is critical for its emotional...

Control Kruse: USDA sued for licensing breeder’s cruelty

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, with the assistance of Holland & Knight, a well-known multinational law firm, has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture accusing it of acting contrary to law by issuing a dog dealer licence to an Iowa-based dealer with a decades-long history of animal welfare violations. The Animal Welfare Act was enacted to protect animals that are used in for-profit businesses, including high-volume...

Training a pet takes time: Setting early expectations

Training a new pet can be an exciting yet challenging experience, especially during the first week the pet comes home, when family expectations are often high. Setting realistic expectations from the start is crucial for your success as well as that of your pet. Let’s see what constitute realistic and unrealistic expectations for training your new pet within the first week. Realistic Expectations Adjustment Period: Your pet is likely to go through a significant adjustment...

ASPCA says U.S. House Farm Bill threatens local animal welfare laws

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has denounced the animal-related provisions in the $1.5 trillion Farm Bill unveiled by the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, which would directly affect millions of farm animals, dogs, cats, and horses. The ASPCA said in a press statement that the draft bill includes dangerous provisions that would overturn existing state and local animal welfare laws, with disastrous consequences for farm animals and higher-welfare farmers. Furthermore, it...

German pharma company introduces broad-spectrum tablet for parasite control in pet dogs

Boehringer Ingelheim, a German family-owned research-driven biopharmaceutical company and global leader in animal health, has announced the launch of NexGard SPECTRA® chewable tablets in India following its approval by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation. After the launch of NexGard X and L in 2020 and NexGard S and M (afoxolaner) in 2023, this represents an expansion of the NexGard product line for dogs aged at least two months and weighing 2 kg or more....

metaDog, a ‘pet’ for those who want but can’t have one

While a large section of the human population has an affinity for animals and loves to keep pets, there is another section that would love to have a pet but can’t, for a variety of reasons ranging from commitment phobia and living restrictions to opposition from family and allergies. For all such want-to-be-but-can’t pet owners, Elephant Robotics has come up with metaDog, a robotic companion. Designed to bridge the gap between technology and emotion, metaDog,...

National Puppy Day: Dedicated to the adorable bundles of joy

National Puppy Day, observed on March 23 every year in the USA, celebrates the love and affection puppies bring into the lives of their human companions. Their cuddles and wiggles make us smile. There are always squeals of delight when there are puppies around. The day, however, is also meant to raise awareness of the need to care for and find homes for orphaned pups and to educate people about the horrors of ‘puppy mills’...