Have you ever heard your dog howl? It’s something that many of our canine friends do, especially certain breeds like Beagles, Bloodhounds, Coonhounds, Foxhounds, Alaskan Malamutes, Dachshunds, and Huskies. But what’s behind this unique behavior? Read on to learn more about your dog’s howling and whether or not it’s a cause for concern. When Howling is Normal Your dog’s ancient ancestor, the wild wolf, used howling as a way of communicating with other pack members … Read More
Do you like making things? Are you an animal lover? If the answer to both of those questions is yes, then put a pawprint on your calendar for July 21st. It’s National Craft for Your Local Shelters Day! This is a great way to do something to help the sweet dogs and cats that are languishing in shelters, desperately hoping someone will adopt them. It can also be a great rainy-day project for kids! Read … Read More
The human body cools itself down during hot weather or vigorous exercise using one method: sweating. As the sweat on your skin evaporates, it cools you down. But your dog, of course, is covered in fur. So how do our canine companions’ bodies cool themselves in the summer months? Panting Panting is your dog’s primary way of cooling off. When your pup pants, moisture starts to evaporate from their tongue, as well as from the … Read More
As you know, your dog is susceptible to various diseases and infections. Have you ever wondered whether or not you could potentially catch any of those illnesses from your pooch? It’s a scary thought. And it’s true—it is possible for dogs to transmit certain illnesses to humans. The diseases in question are known as zoonotic diseases. Read on as your local veterinarian tells you more about zoonotic diseases and how to make sure both your … Read More
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month! Lyme disease is a serious disease that can afflict both people and pets. As you may know, the disease is spread through ticks, which are unfortunately spreading throughout North America. Left untreated, Lyme disease can cause some very serious—and potentially life-threatening—issues, such as kidney failure and heart trouble. A veterinarian offers some prevention tips below. Landscaping Ticks love to lurk in long grasses, leaf litter, and piles of debris, … Read More
For humans, one of the bad parts about spending time outside during warm weather is the risk of coming into contact with poison ivy, oak, or sumac. Did you know that these plants can also affect our pets? It’s not extremely common for pets to develop a reaction to poison ivy, but it’s entirely possible. Read on to find out more. How to Spot Poison Ivy When you know how to spot poison ivy, oak, … Read More
At some point or another, your dog will almost certainly meet another dog. It might be because you’re adopting a second pup to add to your family, or simply because you’re passing another dog during a walk. But in either case, you’ll want to know how to introduce two dogs properly so that everything goes smoothly. Here are a few guidelines: Take Things Slow Rule number one: take it slow. Tossing two dogs together and … Read More
You’ve definitely heard of antioxidants before. They’re found in many human foods and offer us many health benefits. The question is, do antioxidants offer those same benefits for our canine companions? The answer is yes—antioxidants are important for keeping your pup happy and healthy throughout their life. Let’s take a look at some of the major benefits of antioxidants for dogs. They Keep Food Fresh Antioxidants do just what their name suggests: battle oxidation. Oxidation … Read More
As you probably know, your dog or cat can be allergic to many things. Dust, dirt, fleas, mold, pollen, ingredients in their food, certain materials like rubber or plastic… the list goes on and on. But can dogs and cats themselves can be allergic to each other? And if they are, what do you do about it? Can Dogs and Cats Be Allergic to Each Other? Yes, dogs and cats can be allergic to each … Read More
The puparazzi are getting pretty excited. The Westminster Kennel Show starts February 10th! It’s always fun to see these pampered pooches strutting their stuff! As you may know, dog shows typically divide their furry contestants into breed groups. A veterinarian goes over the AKC’s official groups below. Sporting The sporting group contains some very popular pups, such as the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Irish Setter, and the Cocker Spaniel. Typically, these pooches were bred to … Read More