Scooting a bottom across the floor is a common dog behavior often indicative of an anal sac issue.
Anal sacs may become clogged or injured for a variety of reasons, which can lead to scooting.
Visiting your vet is recommended to ensure scooting isn’t due to a serious issue like allergies or parasites.
Many dog owners can recall a certain dreaded scenario. You’re sitting around your living room with a few guests when suddenly, your dog starts scooting their bottom brazenly across the floor in
You’re likely aware that certain foods, like chocolate or grapes, are toxic to dogs. But can dogs eat salt? As an electrolyte, salt is an essential part of your dog’s health. It helps keep body fluids in balance and plays a role in muscle and nerve function.
But too much salt is dangerous for dogs and can lead to salt toxicosis. How do you know if your dog has had consumed excessive amounts of salt? And are there certain foods you should prevent your dog from eating? Read on to learn more abo
If you get close enough to your dog’s feet, you might have noticed that they smell a bit like corn chips or Fritos. Some dog owners don’t mind the aroma. Others might find the smell unpleasant and perhaps even wonder if it’s a sign of poor health. Since dogs can’t tell us what’s wrong, it’s our job to learn what smells are normal and when it might be time to intervene and seek veterinary care.
What Causes the Fritos Smell?
At any given time, dogs have some level of bacteria and fungi on th
Whether you’re using commercially prepared dog food like kibble or making your own dog food at home, feeding high-quality ingredients can help improve your dog’s health and longevity. To make things easier you can consider dog meal prep by preparing portions or big batches of cooked food for the week.
After you’ve put some thought into choosing the right diet for your pet, it makes sense that you’d want the food to stay fresh for as long as possible. Food that isn’t stored properly can lose i
Have you ever felt overcome with emotion at the sight of a cute and fuzzy animal? Does seeing a picture of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy smiling make you want to pinch their cheeks? If you said yes to either question, you might be experiencing a response known as cute aggression, also known as playful aggression. Despite how the name might sound, this superficially aggressive response doesn’t mean you want to hurt anyone, only that you have an urge to squish them because they’re just so adorable.
If you’re a nature lover, there’s nothing more exciting than an outdoor adventure, and hiking with your dog is a great way to explore and get some exercise in the process. Some breeds are naturally perfect hiking companions, but as long as you tailor the distance and terrain to your pet’s abilities, almost any dog can join you on the trail. However, to ensure a successful hike, it’s important to train your dog before you head out.
Basic obedience, as well as trail-specific skills, will keep y
For a lot of Americans, salads are a popular meal option. But can dogs eat lettuce? In general, yes. Lettuce of the romaine, arugula, and iceberg varieties do not contain ingredients that can really harm your dog. After all, lettuce is 90 percent water and is also a low-calorie snack that could be a good training treat for an overweight dog. Plus, there’s just something about that crunch that dogs love!
Is Lettuce Safe for Dogs?
While you can feed your pup greens, there are possible risks.
We’ve all heard the phrase “give a dog a bone,” but the literal action might not be as harmless as we believe. There was a time when families didn’t think twice about treating your pup to the pork chop bones left over from Sunday dinner. Today, we are much more knowledgeable about canine nutrition and realize that the watchword about dog bones is: caution.
Bones are a good source of minerals and other nutrients and help satisfy your dog’s appetite. Chewing stimulates saliva enzymes and helps
Does your dog sleep upside down with its paws in the air, head buried in the couch cushions, and body twisted like a pretzel? While they make for hilarious pictures on your camera roll, you might be wondering if this topsy-turvey position is healthy and if they’re still able to breathe.
When dogs snooze at funny angles, it’s not only by choice. It’s all about their health, comfort, and ancestry.
Can Dogs Breathe When They Sleep On Their Backs?
“Dogs are smart,” says AKC Chief Veterinar
There might be a lot of questions swirling around your head if you’re planning for your first litter of puppies. Being a first-time breeder can be overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect. But we tapped Margaret V. Root Kustritz, DVM, Ph.D., DACT, professor of small animal reproduction at the University of Minnesota, to answer some of the most asked questions that breeders have when breeding that promising next litter.
How Often Do Dogs Go Into Heat?
Bitches should have an obvious hea
As dogs get older and are living longer, some of them may experience some sort of loss of hearing and/or vision. While our dogs have other senses they can rely on, it can be disorienting to dogs and stressful and overwhelming for owners. If you have a dog that is aging, it’s important to support your dog to safely navigate their home and continue to do the things they enjoy most.
There are some lifestyle changes that can be adopted to help dogs adjust to their decreased hearing or sight and b
One of the most popular foods around the world is rice. But can dogs eat rice? The answer is yes. Rice is an ingredient sometimes found in commercial dog foods.
Many pet owners feed white rice to their sick dog. One of the reasons white rice is the chosen grain for a dog with an upset stomach is that it’s easy to digest, quick to prepare, and low in fiber.
“We use rice as a carb source when dogs are on a bland diet after a GI upset,” says Dr. Steve Weinberg, DVM and medical director/CEO of
Participating in dog sports with your dog can provide mental and physical exercise, the thrill of competition, and a chance for you both to have fun. If you’re the owner of a senior dog, you might think your dog sports days are behind you. Fortunately, there are many sports that are suited to dogs of any age (if your veterinarian approves, of course). In fact, many senior dogs are still top ranking in their respective sport.
Scent Work
No matter their age, dogs experience the world through
Finally, it’s the exciting day you’ve been anticipating for months, maybe even years. Your new puppy is ready to come home with you. You’ve gotten your crate, food, and other supplies, you’ve chosen a place for training and socialization, and you’re ready to start an amazing adventure with a little ball of fluff who is going to become your best friend.
Whether your pup is coming from champion show lines or from a local shelter, the first vet visit is a crucial step.
Breeders generally incl
Onions can cause more damage to your dog than just bad breath. This pungent culinary favorite might add flavor to your dishes, but it contains a toxin that can cause serious complications for dogs.
Are Onions Toxic to Dogs?
Yes. Onions contain a toxic principle known as N-propyl disulfide. This compound causes a breakdown of red blood cells, leading to anemia in dogs.
The toxin causes oxidative damage to your dog’s red blood cells by attaching to the oxygen molecules in those cells. Thi
Kale appears in health foods, smoothies, and salads, and is believed to have numerous health benefits for people. But is kale safe for dogs?
Is Kale Safe for Dogs?
Kale can cause medical problems for dogs. The leafy green contains several potentially harmful natural compounds, including calcium oxalate and isothiocyanates.
Calcium oxalate can cause health issues such as kidney and bladder stones. These issues usually resolve with veterinary treatment, but are a good argument against fee
The Internet can offer a wealth of tips and facts on dog food. Unfortunately, it provides even more dog food myths and misinformation. Here’s a sampling of urban legends populating the Web and the actual truths behind them.
Myth: Don’t Feed Dogs Pork
But then I started to wonder why so few commercial foods contained pork. Some rumors include suggestions that pork’s high fat content will cause pancreatitis in dogs (yet pork contains a little over one-third the fat content of beef), that it
Insects like biting flies and cockroaches are not likely to spread the agent of COVID-19 to humans, according to a recently published article. View the source article
A new analysis dives into the use of service dogs by U.S. veterans who have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), illuminating factors and mechanisms that may underlie the mental health effects of these relationships. View the source article
You’ve probably seen Agility on television or perhaps you’ve been lucky enough to attend a local agility trial in person. No doubt you thought it looked like a fun activity to do with your dog. Well, it is! Dog agility is one of the fastest-growing canine sports in the United States because it’s exciting, challenging, and a whole lot of fun.
Of course, Agility classes are a great place to get started in the sport. But perhaps your dog is still a puppy, you’re still training basic obedience, o
New research has revealed an association between the feeding of raw meat to pet dogs and the presence of bacteria resistant to critically important antibiotics. View the source article
Researchers have developed a protocol for using robotic pets with older adults with dementia. The protocol uses a low-cost robotic pet, establishes ideal session lengths, and identifies common participant responses to the 'pets' to aid in future research. View the source article
Researchers have provided the first documentation that dogs' sense of smell is integrated with their vision and other unique parts of the brain, shedding new light on how dogs experience and navigate the world. View the source article