Links We Love
It takes a village, or maybe a world wide web, to be a pet parent these days. Nothing stays the same out there, so please let us know if any of the links are broken.
Ticks
Ticks are on the rise, and bringing more and more diseases with them every year. A threat to both people and animals, we want you to be well-educated about this little non-friend. They can be as small as a poppy seed or as big as raisin but not every tick carries disease. In our area, the concerns are Lyme and Anaplasma but Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is unfortunately emerging in the Long Point area.
Wildlife
Even here in the city, we have an amazing variety of large wildlife species - we share our little corner of the park with coyotes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, bats, rabbits, squirrels, mice, rats, bees, birds, snakes and even snapping turtles. Sometimes co-existing can be a challenge, but mostly we think it is an incredible privilege.
Toronto Wildlife Centre is a the GTA's go to hospital for wildlife. We are incredibly lucky to have them nearby. Answers to common questions can be found here.
Rabies
Rabies vaccination for all cats and dogs is required by law. Even condo cats are at risk because bats can easily enter homes, even those far above ground. Tragically, a boy died from the Brantford area died from exposure to an infected bat in 2024.
Parasites
Un-wanted hitchhikers can lead to chronic illnesses. Fortunately, testing has gotten more accurate and treatments have gotten more effective.
Information specifically about cats compiled by the Companion Animal Parasite Council - veterinary parasitologists focused on protecting pets and people from parasitic diseases
Information specifically about dogs compiled by the Companion Animal Parasite Council - veterinary parasitologists focused on protecting pets and people from parasitic diseases
Nutrition
Let food be thy medicine! Here's to staying healthy and a lifetime of enjoyable meals.
Oral Health
Dogs and cats don't actually need teeth, but as long as they have them we want you to know how to take care of them.
VOHC.org
scroll down to see the cat section
Cat Behaviour
Cats are not little dogs. They are true carnivores, obligate nasal breathers, solitary predators, seasonally polyestrous induced ovulators and have barbs on their penises, they purr and head butt and land on their feet, have retractable claws, groom themselves and sometimes bring up hairballs. Hmm, what do cats and dogs actually have in common other than humans?
Dog Behaviour
They come in so many sizes and shapes and colours and coats, it's hard to believe they are all the same species. And yet, when it comes down to the basics, they are not that different at all, just stretched and compressed variations of the same model.