Pet Talk

Dr. Andrea Dennis discusses pet care during hot weather and heatwaves. She addresses common questions like whether or not you should shave your pet in the summer, offering her professional opinion. Dr. Dennis also explains how to recognize signs of heat stress and heat stroke in cats and dogs, and shares practical tips to help keep pets cool and safe during the hot months. Plus, she weighs in on h...

Laurie Fass covers a range of pet safety concerns, focusing first on the ongoing issue of fireworks from June through early September, which can cause extreme stress for pets and wildlife. She shares practical tips for keeping animals calm and safe, emphasizing that more dogs go missing during this time than any other due to fear from loud noises. Laurie also discusses the growing bear population...

Laurie Fass is joined by Lynn, owner of Intuition At Hand in Rocky Hill, to discuss an upcoming Greyhound adoption event hosted by the Connecticut Greyhound Association. They explore what makes Greyhounds unique, the adoption process, and why these gentle dogs can make wonderful pets. The event takes place Sunday, June 29, 2025, from 12–2 p.m. at Intuition At Hand and is open to anyone interested...

Summer is here, and Dr. Andrea Dennis shares tips on keeping pets safe during the hot months. She emphasizes the dangers of fireworks for dogs, especially those with anxiety, and urges pet owners to consider things from their pet's perspective. If a dog is anxious or being treated for anxiety, they should never be taken to a fireworks display. Dr. Dennis explains how to recognize signs of fear in...

Laurie Fass welcomes Liz Bennett, owner and wildlife rehabilitator at Bandit’s Place, to discuss the organization's history, mission, and the vital role of animal rescue. For more details, visit www.banditsplace.org.

Dr. Andrea Dennis discusses the vital role pet owners play as their pets best advocates, emphasizing that since pets can't speak for themselves, it's up to their owners to recognize and respond to health issues. She focuses on allergies in dogs, particularly atopic dermatitis, explaining the signs to watch for, which breeds are most prone, and options for testing and treatment. Dr. Dennis also ans...

Dr. Andrea Dennis shares expert advice on how to safely remove ticks from pets, what to be cautious about, and what to do afterward. She highlights the importance of using flea and tick preventatives and offers tips for helping animals cope with the effects of the recent Canadian wildfires. Dr. Dennis also takes calls from listeners, including a follow up about a dog's white blood cell count, a qu...

Dr. Andrea Dennis shares advice for pet owners on preparing their animals for Summer activities like picnics and fireworks, emphasizing the importance of contacting your vet early especially if your pet is on or may need medication. She also answers listener questions about a dog’s white blood cell count, protecting a small dog from a hawk, storage mite allergies in dogs, and helping a constipated...

Laurie Fass discusses the importance of discerning truth from misinformation on the internet, particularly when it comes to AI-generated images and videos involving animals. She emphasizes the need to verify the credibility of online content and urges caution when relying on internet sources for animal care advice. During the show, she takes a call from a listener seeking help with a rescue dog th...

Dr. Andrea Dennis discusses pet safety as the weather warms up, emphasizing the importance of protecting pets from Lyme disease and ticks, particularly in dogs. She explains the symptoms of Lyme disease, how to spot ticks on your dog, and offers tips for prevention, including regular examinations. She also highlights the risks of Avian Flu for pets and advises pet owners to be vigilant, notifying...

Dr. Andrea Dennis discusses National Dog Bite Prevention Week, offering valuable tips on how to avoid being bitten by animals, why bites happen in the first place, and the potential dangers involved. She takes calls from listeners with pet concerns, including a cat with dark pigmentation around its lip, a puppy that refuses to eat, and questions about cancer treatments. Dr. Dennis also dives into...

Laurie Fass discusses the risks of crossbreeding animal species, highlighting the recent buzz around the de-extinct Dire Wolf. She also warns viewers to be skeptical of viral animal rescue videos on YouTube, noting that many are staged for likes and followers. Laurie shares tips on how to spot fake videos and urges caution when watching them. She also takes listener calls on topics like adoption a...

Dr. Andrea Dennis discusses the process of microchipping pets, how it works when a stray animal is found, and the challenges that arise if a microchip company shuts down. She explains what pet owners should do if their registered microchip company goes missing and provides guidance on how to reconnect with a lost pet through proper microchip registration and tracking.

Laurie Fass discusses designer dogs and how the popularity of certain breeds changes over time, based on American Kennel Club (AKC) registration data. She notes that the data may be skewed since not all dogs are officially registered. A caller asks about registering his Staffordshire Terrier with the AKC, prompting Laurie to explain the challenges of the process, especially for show participation....

Laurie Fass discusses the rising popularity of designer dog breeds and how their unique names are created. She explains the distinction between designer breeds and hybrids, clarifying common misconceptions. Additionally, she explores the pros and cons of owning these mixed breeds, offering insights into what potential owners should expect and consider before purchasing one.

Dr. Andrea Dennis discusses how to care for pets as the seasons change, particularly addressing weight gain and the importance of managing obesity. She emphasizes the need to check calorie counts and offers diet tips to help pets maintain a healthy weight. Dr. Dennis also responds to a caller’s question about getting x-rays for an elderly dog with a heart condition and provides guidance on the iss...

Laurie Fass discusses the accuracy of animal weather prognosticators like Punxsutawney Phil and shares tips for pet owners on managing muddy yards after snow melts. She advises a caller on handling a dog's separation anxiety and offers suggestions for keeping dogs active during winter. Additionally, she explores the history of presidential pets, including a claim that Donald Trump has a robot dog.

Laurie Fass discusses how animals communicate, highlighting the book Why Animals Talk: The New Science of Animal Communication by Arik Kershenbaum. She focuses on how dogs and cats vocalize, with an emphasis on dogs, exploring why they vocalize, the meaning behind different vocalizations, and how pet owners should respond. Additionally, she takes a call from a listener seeking advice on integratin...

Laurie Fass celebrates the Chinese New Year of the Snake with Brian Kleinman, owner of Riverside Reptiles Education Center in Enfield, discussing snakes, reptiles, and their rescue work. They explore the pros and cons of owning reptiles as pets, what to expect when caring for them, and the unique features of the center, which focuses on education, conservation, and showcasing reptiles and amphibia...

A look back at past shows from 2024. A caller, who had called in before, had more questions about a Tom cat that has adopted him, and his 13 year old cat who is not always pleased about it.

Dr. Andrea Dennis explores a range of pet related topics, focusing on health, safety, and overall care. She addresses avian influenza (bird flu), offering valuable insights and precautions for those with backyard chickens to help prevent the spread of the disease. Additionally, she emphasizes the hazards of ice melts during winter and provides practical tips to protect pets. Dr. Dennis also answer...

Laurie Fass discusses how dogs react to colder temperatures, including tips on protecting their paws, getting them used to boots, and washing their feet after walks. She highlights how different breeds and coats handle the cold and provides advice for helping pets during winter months. Laurie also addresses a caller's question about a stray cat adopting their home and shares insights on the impact...

Dr. Andrea Dennis shares insights on enjoying a safe and happy holiday season with pets. She provides tips on keeping dogs and cats safe around Christmas trees, ornaments, lights, cords, and tinsel, as well as gift ideas for pets and their owners. Additionally, she offers advice on preparing for winter and potential disasters, ensuring pets are well cared for during the season.

Laurie Fass recaps her Thanksgiving and shares what she gave her pets, discussing which human foods are safe and unsafe for animals. She also addresses leash manners and dog walking, emphasizing the importance of training while offering tips and statistics. Laurie takes a call about introducing a new cat into a household with an existing cat, providing advice on the process. Additionally, she resp...