It’s a scene many dog owners know too well—an ambulance or fire truck passes by, sirens blaring, and suddenly your dog throws back his head and howls in response. As a mom to a very vocal German Shepherd, I’ve experienced this too many times to count. So, why do dogs howl at sirens? Is it…
Watching a dog discover a mirror is always a laugh riot. When my first German Shepherd saw himself in the mirror for the first time, he spent ten minutes barking at his twin in the glass and trying to attack the “intruder.” As I have learned over the years, this behavior is not uncommon. Dogs…
It’s a scene I’ve seen countless times as a pet mom: one paw down, eyes fixed on that spot, and my dog licking his paws, oblivious to the world around him. Through the years, I’ve learned that paw licking causes can range from itchy allergies to tiny cuts, something stuck in your pet’s paws, a…
I have seen first hand how dehydration in dogs sneaks up on you when you least expect it. A dog rescued by a shelter I volunteer at refused to move indoors on a hot afternoon, and his handlers noticed that he was lethargic, stopped drinking or eating, and was generally disinterested in his surroundings. The…
It’s a sight all too common in homes with dogs: one minute your pup is calm, the next they’re going around in goofy circles. These episodes of high-octane play are commonly called dog zoomies. Veterinarians have a formal name for them: FRAPs (frenetic random activity periods). Of course, its adorable and hilarious to watch your…
Dog ear mites can be a real pain to deal with, especially because they’re so hard to diagnose. Picture this: your pet is scratching at his ear incessantly, shaking his head like crazy, and you begin to notice foul smelling waxy debris building up more than usual. Is it a case of ear mites or…
We all know the old tale that a wet nose means a healthy dog and a dry nose means sickness. But it’s just an old wives tale. In reality, dogs’ noses naturally cycle between wet and dry. A dry nose in dogs, on its own, say, right after sleeping or playing outside, is usually harmless….
If you’ve been around dogs, you’ve likely seen them erupt into a sneezing fit, usually when they’re sniffing something or mid-play. I’ve seen it with my GSDs all too often. There they are rolling on grass, chasing leaves, or even chasing a toy, and suddenly, they need to pause to sneeze. More often than not,…
As a dog mom, I’m all too familiar with the crusty eye goop my pet often wakes up with. If you have a pet at home, I’m sure so are you. While it might look gross and you may not enjoy cleaning off dog eye boogers part of the grooming routine (I know, I don’t),…
Can dogs get hiccups? Yes, they can and they often do. If you’ve had a pet long enough, I’m sure you’d have noticed an occasional case of dog hiccups. The first few times it happens is surely puzzling. You might find yourself wondering, “What is the strange noise my pet is making?” “Why does it…