A victory for animal rights activists.
The Massachusetts House has voted overwhelmingly to ban the surgical “debarking” or silencing of dogs or cats.
By a 150-1 vote, the House approved the bill which prohibits the devocalization of dogs and cats unless a licensed veterinarian certifies that the procedure is medically necessary to relieve an illness, disease or injury.
The bill now heads to the Senate.

(NECN) – People in New England are among the top consumers of ice cream in the country.

So of course, we want frozen desserts for our dogs too.

And we’ve got it.

It’s called Yoghund and it’s a totally organic, frozen yogurt for your dog.

Joining Vicki Croke with more is Jody Rodgers, the creator of Yoghund.

(NECN) – On the Secret Life of Animals, we continue our focus on food with the secret to baking up your own delicious dog treats.

Lisa Makrinikolas is the owner of My Dog Ate it Catering, but you can also find her behind the bakery counter at the Especially for Pets store in Newton Massachusetts.

Lisa helps Vicki cook up some treats

(NECN) – So how do you go about reading between the lines of the nutrition label on pet foods?

Dr. Martha Smith of the Animal Rescue League of Boston joins Vicki Croke on the Secret Life of Animals with some tips.

(NECN) – You’re not going to want to miss a word of this next segment.

Just as many of us scrutinize the nutrition labels on our food — a veterinarian and nutritionist here in new england is doing the same for pet food.

Dr. Lisa Freeman of the Cummings School of veterinary medicine at Tufts University is the author of a new study on pet foods labeled “light” or *low-calorie.*

And her findings, may shock you.
There is huge variation in the calorie content of these foods and get this: some would even cause your dog or cat to gain weight if you dished it out according the package’s instructions.

Considering that 50 % of American pets may be overweight, and that extra pounds can cause a cascade of health problems.

Dr. Freeman joins the Secret Life of Animals to tell Vicki more about these findings and how you as consumers can choose a good, low-calorie food for our pets.

(NECN) – Do you ever feel a little uncomfortable at a vet hospital when your dog or cat is taken from you and brought to a back room for a procedure like a blood draw?

Do you wish you could curl up next to them in the cage when they have to spend the night?

As more and more human hospitals allow family members to stay with patients through medical procedures and hospitalizations, should we be thinking along the same lines for our pets?

Joining the Secret Life of Animals with more on that issue is our own Dr. Martha Smith of the Animal Rescue League of Boston.

Take your daily walk in a new direction – and check out a new way to keep Fido fit in 2010. Running the Pack offers dog running services designed to get your pooch’s heart pumping.

Forget about Santa’s mailbag! Dog trainer Scott Dunmore is reaching into our “Secret Life” mailbag to answer some of your most troubling training questions.

Don’t forget about our regular advice segment, “Ask Dr. Smithie!” Each month, Dr. Martha Smith of the Animal Rescue League of Boston answers your e-mail questions.

You can send your questions to thesecretlifeofanimals@necn.com.

Poinsettias may not be the only problem when it comes to protecting your pet during the holidays. Vicki Croke runs down a list of some common hazards and takes a look at treats designed to keep pets away from the Christmas tree.

Looking for more information on these products?

You can find all of the items at Especially for Pets stores!

Buddy Bristle Bone
Dental chew toy
Everlasting treat ball
Antler chew toy
Bully stick
Raw beef marrow bones
My Dog Ate It Catering Carob & P.B. Cups
Fat Murray’s Treats
My Dog Ate It gift baskets

It seems like people are seeing more and more skin ailments and hot spots in dogs.

If your dog has ever suffered through the agony of constant itching, you won’t want to miss a word from Dr. Martha Smith.

From flea problems to food allergies, the Secret Life of Animals is covering the most common problems seen by vets with Dr. Martha Smith of the Animal Rescue League of Boston.