A blog site offering sound pet advice, product reviews, and interesting tidbits about dogs.
Note: This article is part 2 of 2. You may read part 1 here. As I discussed in part one of this article, caring for your dog’s mental health will not only prevent issues between you and your four-legged companion, but on a larger scale, it will help to reduce the number of dogs [...]
As dog owners, we are aware of the importance of keeping our dogs in good physical health. We feed a high quality dog food, we keep them clean and free from parasites, and we visit the vet when we notice any signs of illness. But what about your dog’s mental and emotional health? Dogs [...]
Nutrition is a very important part of keeping your dog in good health. However, it may surprise you to learn that how and what you feed him can play a role in managing disease. One such disease that you’d be familiar with is diabetes. Diabetic dogs don’t produce enough insulin, so they cannot properly metabolise [...]
We’re all aware that our dog needs regular vaccinations. They’re a very important part of keeping him healthy. Vaccination works by stimulating his immune system to allow him to fight infection if he is ever exposed to it during his day to day activities. There are several types of vaccines available. Killed vaccines contain large amounts of actual [...]
There are approximately 62 million dogs in the United States (“Editorial,” 2007), of which an estimated 35-50 percent of pet dogs are overweight (Mindell, 2008). Some dog genetics (such as Labrador retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, Dachshunds, Basset Hounds, and Pugs) may be a contributing factor to obesity (Rainey, 2009). However, the primary cause for obesity [...]
One of the most common reasons that a dog visits their vet is because he has started limping. There are a number of reasons why dogs become lame, some of which will resolve with rest. Others need veterinary attention sooner rather than later. How do you know whether to rush off to your vet, or [...]
Why is my dog itchy? There are times when your dog just won’t stop scratching, and it can irritate both of you. He is uncomfortable because he is itchy, and you are annoyed by his constant scratching and chewing at his skin while you are relaxing together on the couch. The flea is a major [...]
Does your dog appear to be emptying his water bowl a little more frequently than usual? If so, you’ll find he’s probably urinating more as well. After all, what goes in must come out. If this behavior goes on for awhile, it can be sign there may be something medically wrong. That’s when it’s time [...]
When we talk about depression in dogs, we’re not referring to the same type of mental illness that occurs in people. Human depression is a specific condition with a specific set of diagnostic tools and treatment options. We say our dog is depressed when he doesn’t seem to have much energy, and he’s not interested [...]
It’s not pleasant for your dog when he has a cough, or for you. Apart from the obvious concern for his health, his coughing can keep you awake at night. If his cough causes retching and vomiting, you may have more cleaning to do! Although there are many reasons a dog may cough, let’s look [...]
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