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AKC: Health

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Are Tennis Balls Safe for Dogs?

Tennis balls are the quintessential modern dog toy. My dog can sniff them out of roadside ditches, and nothing gives her as much joy as chasing after them in a wide open field. However, tennis balls are a special toy in our household, reserved for supervised playtime. This is because, while they are undeniably one of the most beloved dog toys out there, tennis balls can pose health risks for dogs. Choking Hazard My dog loves chomping on tennis balls until they pop. Dogs with powerful jaws lik

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Are Tennis Balls Safe for Dogs?

Tennis balls are the quintessential modern dog toy. My dog can sniff them out of roadside ditches, and nothing gives her as much joy as chasing after them in a wide open field. However, tennis balls are a special toy in our household, reserved for supervised playtime. This is because, while they are undeniably one of the most beloved dog toys out there, tennis balls can pose health risks for dogs. Choking Hazard My dog loves chomping on tennis balls until they pop. Dogs with powerful jaws lik

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Hearing Loss in Senior Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, and Management

Many senior dogs suffer from hearing impairment as they age and become less responsive to you and the world around them. Your ability to communicate with your dog becomes hampered when he can’t hear what you have to say, which can be frustrating for you and stressful for your dog. But there are steps you can take to help your senior dog cope with hearing loss. Dog Hearing Loss: Causes and Symptoms There are many causes of hearing loss in dogs, but for elderly dogs, the cause is often degenerat

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How to Clean Your Dog’s Paws: 7 Helpful Tips

Whether it’s raining, snowing, or just plain dirty out, nothing will stop your dog from wanting to frolic outdoors. This means you need to be prepared to clean off whatever your pup picks up on their paws before it comes back inside with them, or worse, causes them harm. 1. Booties One of the easiest ways to protect your dog’s paws from the elements is investing in a pair of dog booties. Northern breeds like Siberian Huskies wear these while mushing on the trail to protect their feet from ice

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Why Do Dogs Have Whiskers?

Dogs have a set of stiff hairs protruding from the sides of their muzzles that are popularly called “whiskers.” These are not at all like the nonfunctional whiskers that men sometimes grow on their faces. Technically, these special hairs are called vibrissae. But a better name for them is “feelers” because vibrissae really are sophisticated devices that help the dog feel its way through the world. They are quite different from most other hairs on the dog’s body. To begin with, they are conside

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Why Do Dogs Have Whiskers?

Dogs have a set of stiff hairs protruding from the sides of their muzzles that are popularly called “whiskers.” These are not at all like the nonfunctional whiskers that men sometimes grow on their faces. Technically, these special hairs are called vibrissae. But a better name for them is “feelers” because vibrissae really are sophisticated devices that help the dog feel its way through the world. They are quite different from most other hairs on the dog’s body. To begin with, they are conside

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Dog Vision Loss: Signs, Symptoms, and Management

Just as our eyesight can become impaired as we age, dogs can also suffer from vision loss as they enter their senior years. However, unlike humans, dogs do not rely on vision as their most important sense. Their noses and ears allow them to adapt quite well to changes in their eyesight. Here are the signs of potential vision impairment and some steps you can take to help your senior dog cope with any loss of sight. Vision Loss: Causes and Symptoms There are many causes of vision loss in older

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Fruits and Vegetables Dogs Can or Can’t Eat

It’s not uncommon to want to spoil your dog by sharing table scraps or your favorite people food snack instead of a dog treat. After all, if it is safe for you to eat, it must be OK for your dog to eat, right? Not necessarily. While many people foods are perfectly safe for dogs, some are very unhealthy and downright dangerous, so it’s critical to learn which fruits and vegetables dogs can eat. Dogs digest foods differently than humans do, and eating the wrong foods can lead dogs to long-term he

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How Do Dog Agility Competitions Work?

Many people may not be familiar with agility competitions, where dogs navigate through an obstacle course while racing against the clock. Even for those who have heard of the sport, acting as a simple spectator can be a little intimidating. We are here to fill you in on the basics of watching an agility event — including a breakdown of each obstacle and how scoring works. Who knows, you may just be inspired to start training your pup after this mini introduction. Agility Course Obstacles Cour

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Puppy Growth Chart: When Does My Puppy Finish Growing?

Puppies seem to grow up so fast. One day, they’re little balls of furry cuteness and, in what seems like the blink of an eye, they’re fully grown into loving canine companions. But not all dogs grow at the same rate, with smaller breed dogs growing up much faster than their larger counterparts. That’s because those bigger bones and joints need a bit more time to grow and develop. Puppies, especially those of a larger breed, have special dietary and exercise requirements to consider while they a

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Senior Dog Nutrition and Supplement Tips

As dogs age, they undergo specific internal and external changes. Some are obvious, such as greying fur, weight gain, or hip or elbow dysplasia. Others may be harder to spot, such as slower metabolism or decreased immune function. By the time your dog is a senior, one of these key changes is a new set of nutritional requirements. For example, a healthy senior dog requires higher quality protein levels in his food than a younger adult dog. For various reasons such as dental disease and other med

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Raw Dog Food May Be Fueling Rise in Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

While the world focuses on the pandemic, another public-health crisis is brewing: antibiotic resistance. According to the UN, illnesses that are resistant to human medications could cause up to 10 million deaths a year by 2050 — that’s three times as many as were caused by Covid-19 in 2020. And our beloved dogs’ food could be contributing to the crisis. Testing Dog Food for Dangerous Bacteria Researchers in Portugal recently tested 55 dog foods — including dry, wet, and raw-frozen varieties —

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Orthopedic Problems in Dogs

Orthopedic issues in dogs, like hip dysplasia and cruciate ligament ruptures, can be painful and costly to treat. But when detected early and given proper veterinary attention, affected dogs have a high chance of a successful outcome. Also, proper testing by breeders helps to prevent these problems in offspring. Hip Dysplasia in Dogs Jennie led her 5-month-old Golden Retriever puppy into my examination room, and I observed that Chester was showing wobbliness in his back legs. Jennie thought he

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How to Make Your Dog Eat More Slowly

Some dogs are slow eaters, taking their time to chew every little piece and enjoy each bite. Others seem to swallow their food whole without even bothering to consider what it is they’re eating. They eat so fast you can barely blink an eye before the entire meal is gone. These dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and breeds. Unfortunately, eating so quickly can be quite dangerous for our dogs. First, they can choke, which is obviously life-threatening. Gagging on their food will often result in vomi

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6 Tips for Giving Your Dog Pills

A spoonful of sugar might help our medicine go down, but dogs typically pose a bit more of a challenge. While some canine companions dutifully eat their pills with dinner, most tend to need a little encouragement. These tips for giving your dog a pill will make the process more pleasant for everyone involved. Pill Pockets Not all medication can be given with food. But if it can, putting the pill in a pill pocket or wrapping it in a piece of cheese makes it easy to slip into your dog’s system.

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How Do Wildfires and Smoke Affect Dogs?

When wildfires ravage an area, both humans and pets are at risk of being displaced and inhaling dangerous amounts of smoke. Remember — if you feel the effects of smoke, your pets probably do, too. And if you ever have to evacuate your home, your pets should always go with you. If you’re in an area impacted by wildfires or smoke, don’t panic. Here’s how to prepare for an emergency, protect your pup from dangerous air quality, and evacuate safely. What To Do With Your Pets When the Air Is Smoky

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What to Do When Your Dog Gets Sprayed by a Skunk

So, your dog just had an encounter with a skunk and got sprayed for his troubles. Although your first instinct may be to let him in the house to wash him off, don’t. Keep him outside. The skunk oil on his coat lingers in the air until he’s clean, and we all know how noxious that smell is. What is skunk spray? The spray is produced by the anal glands of the skunk to defend against predators and contains sulfurous chemicals called thiols. Since skunks can spray this liquid as far as 15 feet, it’s

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Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds: Best Breeds for People With Allergies

So, you want a dog but you seem to have an allergy attack whenever you’re around one? You’re not alone! According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, as much as 10% of the population in the U.S. is allergic to dogs, causing many prospective owners to wonder: which dogs are hypoallergenic? While no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, it’s possible to find less-allergenic dog breeds that are better suited for allergy-sufferers. These dogs have a predictable, non-shedding coat that

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Does a Completely Hypoallergenic Dog Exist?

Do you or a member of your family suffer from allergies when around dogs? Perhaps you sneeze, get itchy or watery eyes, hives on your skin, or even more serious respiratory issues. If you are a dog lover, you may have avoided owning one because of this problem, especially if the allergy symptoms are extreme. In recent years, several breeds have gained the “hypoallergenic” label. Given that up to 20% of western country populations are allergic to dogs, it’s no surprise that this label has grown

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What to Do If Your Dog Accidentally Eats Gum

You’re walking your dog through the neighborhood, and he’s suddenly chewing away on a piece of gum like a teenager. Oh well. No worries, right? Wrong! Most dog owners are aware of how dangerous chocolate can be to our dogs. But you may not know that sugar-free gum, which contains xylitol, is just as dangerous. What Is Xylitol? Xylitol is a low-calorie sugar substitute used to improve the taste of products that don’t contain sugar. You can find it in gum and candy, peanut butter, and sugar-free

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Do Small Dogs Have More Dental Problems Than Large Dogs?

When dentists advertise dental services for people, it’s all about creating pretty smiles. But for dogs, the veterinary reminders prompt a different story, as canine dental problems go deeper than a toothy grin. Small and large dogs experience different types of dental issues—all beginning with the size of their mouths. Adult dogs have 42 teeth—20 on the top, 22 on the bottom. Puppies have 28—14 on the upper jaw, 14 on the lower jaw. While the mouths of large dogs can accommodate all these teeth

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How to Get Rid of Stinky Dog Breath

There are many reasons your dog may have bad breath, including diet and disease Talk to your vet to see if your dog is a candidate for a dental cleaning Get rid of bad dog breath with our top product picks Few smells are as unpleasant as a dog with bad breath. Your dog might think that you appreciate his kisses, but if he has bad breath, then getting up close and personal is the last thing that you want to do. Bad dog breath isn’t just gross – it could also be a sign of a health problem. Be

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12 Dog-Friendly Summer Activities

Summertime is perfect for outdoor fun. And it’s even better if your dog can join in. There are oodles of activities to try, from old standbys like fetch to more adventurous pursuits like hitting the trail for a hike. Consider your dog’s personality, activity level, and interests to be certain you find the perfect match. If you’re looking for some inspiration, the following list is sure to contain some ideas both you and your dog will enjoy. Have a Pet Portrait Session Summer makes a beautiful

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​Can Pumpkin Help With Dog Diarrhea?

Every dog suffers from diarrhea at least once in his lifetime. And every dog owner knows how messy, smelly, and uncomfortable it is — for the dog and for everyone. Here is the scoop on the health benefits of feeding pumpkin to dogs with diarrhea, so that you can help get your dog back on track. What Causes Dog Diarrhea? Before you reach for that can of pumpkin, you first need to figure out the cause of your dog’s diarrhea. Diarrhea is one of those symptoms that pops up for all kinds of disea

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My Dog Ate My Pills! 10 Most Dangerous Human Medications for Pets

One of the most dangerous rooms of the house with regard to accidental poisonings is the bedroom, on account of the nightstand next to the bed. Many adult dogs and teething puppies sleep in the bed with their humans, and thus have easy access to the drugs on that nightstand. Medications left on counters in kitchens and bathrooms find their way into the stomachs of bored dogs, too. If your dog ever does happen to ingest human medication, bring the original container to the veterinarian. The orig

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