Melatonin, a naturally occurring neurohormone, has long been thought to work as a sleeping aid in humans. Now there’s some evidence it may be useful for several canine conditions. Its sedative properties have been helpful in treating separation anxiety in dogs, as well as stress from noise like fireworks, thunderstorms or other noise phobias. According to Linda Aronson, DVM, who published a study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, she has seen successful results in ab
Diabetes is a chronic disease that can affect dogs and cats and other animals (including apes, pigs, and horses) as well as humans. Although diabetes can’t be cured, it can be managed very successfully.
Diabetes mellitus, or “sugar diabetes,” is the type of diabetes seen most often in dogs. It is a metabolism disorder. Metabolism refers to how the body converts food to energy.
To understand what diabetes is, it helps to understand some of this process.
The Glucose–Insulin Connection
When it comes to communication, dogs are significantly better at interpreting our body language than we are theirs. Humans rely on verbal language more heavily than body language, whereas dogs are just the opposite.
Unfortunately, this often means we are left scratching our heads, wondering what our dogs are trying to tell us. Shaking is one of these potentially confusing behaviors.
They’re Wet
You may have wondered why dogs feel the need to shake when they are wet. That shaking, howeve
Summer is a time when the lure of the great outdoors calls to us and our family pets. Unfortunately, it also rings in the full-blown season of fleas and ticks.
Whatever we do to keep our dogs healthy and protect them, it is impossible to keep them from meeting up with ticks and fleas when they go outside. And unfortunately, these parasites can have a serious effect on your dog’s health. There are big benefits to being consistent when protecting our dogs against these pesky parasites.
Pleth
The flea circus your grandfather told you about was cute. Fleas on your dog are not. If your home feels like it is turning into your very own flea circus, you definitely need to take some action.
You’ve probably heard someone in your life mention flea pills for dogs. These pills can be a very effective method for getting rid of fleas on dogs, and there are more options available today than ever before. Here is what you need to know about flea pills to help you choose the best option for your
A new analysis suggests that most U.S. dog owners are unaware of -- and do not follow -- guidelines on safe pet food and dish handling from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but that better education and implementation of the guidelines could reduce contamination. View the source article
When you’re playing with your puppy and she starts chewing on your hand, chances are she is teething. Puppies that are teething have a developmental issue, not a behavioral issue. It’s the same as when human babies teethe. Tiny needlelike teeth begin to appear when puppies are two to four weeks old. Then, when they’re about three months old, puppies start getting their permanent teeth. This process continues until the puppy is about eight months old. AKC’s Canine Good Citizen® Director Mary
When it comes to plants and pets, both can bring a lot of love and light into your life. Unfortunately, the two don’t always mix so well. In fact, some plants can be downright deadly for pets. The good news is that many plants are safe for dogs, and if you choose your plants wisely, the two can coexist beautifully, says Justin Hancock, garden expert at Costa Farms in Miami.
Here are expert picks on the best plants for pet owners.
RNEDDEER/Getty
It’s important to protect your canine best friend from plants that are poisonous to dogs. Whether you’re an avid gardener or have a few potted plants on your front stoop, you should be aware that some plants might not be your dog’s friend. In fact, many shrubs, trees, and flowers commonly found in the garden and in the wild are dangerous if your dog eats them. Some can cause discomfort, some will make your dog miserable, and some can even be fatal if ingested.
Shrubs That Are Poisonous to Dog
Dogs and cats may be exposed in their homes to a potentially toxic group of chemicals, with their discovery in the pets' stool being a sign of health issues for humans living with them, a new study shows. View the source article
With the change in seasons comes warmer weather and longer days. Unfortunately, pesky bugs also come out. Critters are not only irritating for your dog but they can be very harmful too. In fact, the deadly parasite heartworm is transmitted only by mosquitos. Here are a few tips to keep your dog safe:
1. Preventative Medicine
The American Heartworm Society and many veterinarians recommend year-round preventative medication due to heartworm being found in all 50 states.
While the prevalen
Thanks to avocados' rise to superfood stardom, there are now more avocado-derived products in the supply chain than ever. In a unique study, researchers looked at the possibility of using avocado meal -- the ground, dried, and defatted pulp, seed, and skin left over after avocado oil processing -- as a fiber source in dry dog food. View the source article
In an emergency knowing how to conduct CPR on your dog could save their life. Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer in American Kennel Club, demonstrates how to give CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to dogs until they can reach a veterinary.
What is CPR For Dogs?
CPR involves chest compressions with or without artificial respiration. It is ONLY used on dogs when you cannot feel or hear the dog’s heartbeat and the dog is NOT breathing. This can occur for a few reasons: trauma, chokin
An itching, scratching dog conjures up nightmarish images of fleas hopping everywhere—especially onto our furniture, beds, and carpets. Fleas are prime suspects if your dog is scratching without any apparent reason, but before you can blame fleas for your dog’s discomfort you need to do a little more investigating.
The best way to find out if your dog has fleas is to look for symptoms of flea bites on dogs.
What Are Fleas?
Fleas are tiny parasites that feed off of the blood of their hos
It’s that time of year again. Flea and tick season is upon us, and nothing annoys a dog more than those pesky pests. Responsible dog owners know that their canine companion’s warm body and soft fur is a personal paradise for these insects. But once they move in — and begin feeding on your pet’s blood — they can cause a wide range of health problems, from skin infections to Lyme disease.
Your best bet for effective and safe solutions is to ask your veterinarian, who is the most up-to-date on fle
Researchers have developed a gene therapy that restores dim-light vision in dogs with a congenital form of night blindness, offering hope for treating a similar condition in people. View the source article
Mastitis in dogs is not as common as in other species, such as cattle, but if left unchecked, the condition can lead to life-threatening consequences. To ensure the health of nursing dogs, breeders should be aware of the signs and management options.
Karen Von Dollen, DVM, of NC State College of Veterinary Medicine offers suggestions on what to look for in your bitches after whelping to catch and treat mastitis early for the quickest resolution.
What is Mastitis?
Mastitis is an infectio
Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is a bacterial illness that can be transmitted to humans, dogs, and other animals by certain species of ticks. It is caused by the spiral-shaped bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi that is carried inside a tick and gets into a dog or person’s bloodstream through a tick bite. Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria can travel to different parts of the body and cause problems in specific organs or locations, such as joints, as well as overall illness.
Give
German shepherds are predisposed to congenital idiopathic megaesophagus (CIM), an inherited disorder where a puppy develops an enlarged esophagus that fails to move food into their stomachs. Puppies with the condition regurgitate their food and fail to thrive, often leading to euthanasia. Researchers have now developed a genetic test for the disease that German shepherd dog breeders can use to reduce the risk that puppies in future litters will develop the disease. View the source article
Have you ever taken your dog out for a potty break and turned your back, only to discover your canine pal chomping on a large mouthful of grass? While you might panic and think about the vomit you’ll be cleaning off the carpet later, this behavior is not always cause for alarm. But why do they do it, and how do you know when it’s a problem? And are there ways to get dogs to stop eating grass?
Reasons Dogs Eat Grass
There are a variety of reasons why dogs find grass to be a delicacy. These
Blood belongs in blood vessels, so when it makes an appearance anywhere else on or around our pets, we worry — and with good reason. Blood in dog stool is a symptom of a wide range of conditions. Some are more serious than others, but knowing what you’re looking at can help you communicate more clearly with your veterinarian.
Blood in Dog Stool
The first thing you should do if you find blood in your dog’s stool, whether the stool is formed or loose (like diarrhea), is to call your veterina
Taking care of a senior dog can present a lot of challenges for pet owners. Your canine companion is moving more slowly. His coordination and eyesight aren’t what they used to be — and neither are his bones. To help your aging dog get around better, here are some ways you can make your home more accessible.
High Places
One of the first things you’ll notice as your dog gets older is that he’ll have trouble jumping or climbing onto things that used to be a breeze for him. Couches, beds, chai