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…
So your pet is happily spinning around chasing her tail. Looks hilarious, right? At first, even I’d dismiss it as one of those canine quirks that we don’t quite get but find endearing all the same. It was only when I noticed that my rescued GSD did this almost compulsively in certain situations that I…
Owning your first dog is thrilling but it is also a long-term commitment to some serious responsibility. As a long-time dog mom, I’ve learned that choosing the right breed can make or break the experience. Now, what is the right breed for a first-time prospective pet-parent? Well, the best dog breeds for beginners are ones…
Fresh, clean water is vital for your dog’s health. Proper hydration is the cornerstone of good health, aiding digestion, nutrient absorption, and healthy kidney function. However, making sure that your pet has access to fresh, clean water isn’t enough. You also need to maintain your pet’s water bowl properly. After all, you wouldn’t reuse your…