What will happen to your pet if you're no longer able to care for them? The current COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized how crucial it is that pet owners take the time to plan out their cat or dog's care plan in case you become ill or are no longer able to care for them. Our pets are counting on us to have a backup plan.

In this episode of Paws and Play, we talk with Debra Hamilton of Hamilton Law & Mediation, about why it's important to have a plan in place in case you get sick, injured, or pass away. She also shares with us tips for deciding who to choose as your pet's caregiver, who needs to know about the emergency pet care plan (your chosen caretaker, your lawyer, and your veterinarian), and how much money you should consider setting aside to provide for your pet's long-term care.

From pet trusts, to living wills, and final wills, Debra has created an amazing program called the MAAP Pet Care Planning Blueprint. And, as Debra says, "I'm not dead yet!" It isn't just about planning for what will happen to our pets when we aren't around anymore. Things like broken ankles, hospitalization, transitioning into a long-term adult healthcare or hospice facility, or accidents that happen while traveling can also affect your pet's situation. In an uncertain time, having a plan in place to protect our beloved pets will give you some peace of mind.

For some people, one of the most frustrating things about raising a puppy is dealing with nipping and biting. The good news is that it’s entirely normal for your puppy to want to nip and chew on any and everything they see — the bad news is that their needle-sharp puppy teeth can really hurt! You don’t want your puppy’s nipping turning into a lifelong habit. But, with consistent training and redirection, you can nip your puppy’s biting in the bud!

Beyond just nipping at you or other people, puppy mouths can get them in a lot of trouble. Puppies live as if nothing is off limits and want to put everything in their mouths. Besides working on nipping behavior as outlined below, make sure you start off with puppy proofing your home to help keep them out of danger.

Read on for tips on curbing puppy nipping, how to keep it from developing into a habit, and how to teach your puppy proper bite inhibition and impulse control.

Welcoming a new cat into your home can be a wonderful experience — it also has the potential to stir up some drama.

On today’s show, certified feline trainer and behavior consultant, Dr. Marci Koski, from Feline Behavior Solutions, is back and talking about how to add another cat to your family in a way that makes your new cat and your established cat feel safe and comfortable.

We go over things to consider on behalf of your existing cat before choosing your new kitty, Marci’s preferred method for introductions step by step, how ease into it, and what to do if things aren’t going as well as you hoped.

The current coronavirus pandemic means that children are being homeschooled and many parents are working from home. The entire family, including your dog, is spending non-stop quality time together.

Does your dog seem more stressed with all the extra hubbub going on all day? Are you wondering what you can do to make sure the kids and dogs both stay safe while you get some work done in the office? Want to learn how to get your kids involved with caring for and training the family dog?

We know many pet owners have questions about whether the coronavirus affects their dogs and cats — and are also worried about the implications of veterinary clinics needing to change the way they provide care due to social distancing rules.

There's also a lot of new puppy owners left scratching their heads wondering how to socialize their puppies while social distancing.

I sat down (virtually, of course) with Paws & Play host, Mia, to talk about what pet owners need to know about coronavirus and their cats and dogs, including awareness around everyday hazards that are potentially even more dangerous now that everyone is home all the time. Listen to the podcast below and let us know what questions you have in the comments!

Are you thinking of adding a second dog to your family?

Whether you're getting a puppy or adopting an older dog, adding another furry friend to your life means a lot of change — especially for your current dog.

In this episode we walk through what you should consider when wanting to add another pup, along with how to find the right fit for your first dog.

Separation anxiety is a heartbreaking condition that effects 1 in 7 dogs (that's 13 million dogs in the United States alone).

My own dogs suffer from separation anxiety and it has made it very difficult for me to leave the house. When I am away, I stress out thinking about how they're doing, which makes me a lot less fun to be with at social gatherings. Heck, it's even put the kibosh on most vacation dreams.

Thankfully, there is hope! On today's show, Preventive Vet's own certified dog trainer and behavior consultant, Cathy Madson, and I are joined by special guest, Dr. Judy Korman, veterinarian and Chief Business Officer for Assisi Animal Health. Dr. Korman is a part of the development team, along with engineers and neurobiologists, that created a breakthrough drug-free therapy to help dogs with separation anxiety.

Winter hasn't even technically begun but the temperatures are dropping and some places around the U.S. have already seen some heavy snow. While it's easy for us to bundle up and ensure our comfort and safety, our dogs and cats are relying on us to help do the same for them.

On this episode of the Paws & Play with Dr. J podcast, we talk about the different steps you can easily take to help keep your pets healthy and safe. Check out the resources below for tips and tricks for 

After recording the first podcast in our senior pet series, on the benefits of senior pet adoption, my wife and I went ahead and dove headfirst into that challenge and picked up our newest 10 year old family member just a month or so later.

Before picking up, Mabel (formerly Peanut, who you will hear more about on a future episode), we knew she was dealing with a few health issues, including Pug Myelopathy (weak rear) and we would have to be making some adjustments around the house to ensure her safety.

Our French Bulldog, Marshall, while blessed with very few serious issues, has developed some IVDD over his 11 ½ years, so we had already made some adjustments to the house prior to her arrival.

Unfortunately, Marshall's sight isn't what it used to be and it's hard to tell whether they are both hearing impaired or just ignoring me (I think a combo of both), but it's safe to assume there will need to be more adjustments in the near future.

This episode I ask Dr. J and certified dog trainer and behavior consultant Cathy Madson for advice, tips, and tricks for making sure I am doing everything I can to provide my senior pups, and my cat who will eventually be a senior, with the best quality of life as they grow older and their needs change.

We're back with certified feline trainer and behavior consultant, Dr. Marci Koski, to do a deeper dive into cat spraying.

We know cat spraying is one of the most frustrating — and stinky — issues cat owners deal with, and it's also a major contributor to cat relinquishment, and even euthanasia.

So, to avoid the stress and anything else that may potentially come with it, Marci provides some great ideas for doing your own sleuthing to figure out the underlying issues as to why your cat is spraying, and then gives some great suggestions for helping stop this unwanted behavior.