Pet Health News Round Up, May 6, 2025

by Jon Scaccia May 6, 2025

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5 easy methods pet owners can use to ‘calm a dog’s anxiety’

During Dog Anxiety Awareness Week, dog owners are encouraged to recognize anxiety symptoms in their pets, such as destructive behavior and excessive barking, and explore strategies like creating a calm space and providing regular exercise to alleviate their distress. Pet insurance specialists at Purely Pets emphasize the importance of seeking professional veterinary help if anxiety persists, ensuring a happier and healthier life for dogs.

Bear suspected of fatally mauling Fla. homeowner, 89, and pet dog on man’s property

A tragic incident in Florida, where an elderly homeowner and his dog were believed to have been mauled to death by a bear, highlights the importance of vigilance for residents in bear-populated areas. Pet owners should be aware of the increasing bear presence in Florida and follow safety guidelines, such as remaining calm, backing away slowly during an encounter, and fighting back if attacked.

Bird Populations Are Declining Across North America

New research indicates that bird populations across North America are declining rapidly in areas where they were once abundant, especially in grasslands, drylands, and the Arctic, raising concerns about significant ecological changes. This study, utilizing citizen science data from eBird, demonstrates the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts and highlights birds as indicators of broader environmental shifts that could impact ecosystems relied upon by pets and humans alike.

Giving back is a family affair for Hinsdale residents and their therapy dogs

The article highlights the rewarding and impactful role therapy dogs, like Dawn McGrath’s Ginger and Bailey, play in providing emotional support across various community settings, while also emphasizing the potential for other family pets with calm, obedient temperaments to become therapy dogs. For pet owners, this underscores the therapeutic benefits of training pets for therapy work and suggests reaching out to local organizations, like the Hinsdale Humane Society, to explore involvement in therapy programs.