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Have you ever considered feeding your dog or cat a grape or its dried counterpart, the raisin? It’s not a good idea. It turns out that grapes and raisins can actually prove toxic to our animal friends. These humble fruits can cause poisoning and even death in the most extreme cases. Read on as your local veterinarian tells you more about grape and raisin poisoning in pets. Why are grapes and raisins poisonous? You might … Read More
You’ve probably heard about grain-free or gluten-free products over the past few years. They’ve gained a lot of popularity recently, and grain-free products have found their way into the pet food world, too. But is a grain-free diet right for your dog? Let’s take a closer look at what grain-free means and whether or not it’s the right choice for your pet. What is grain-free dog food? Grain-free dog food is just what it sounds … Read More
Just like you, your dog sneezes sometimes. Most often, it’s simply because small particles of dust, dirt, grass, or other materials make their way into the nasal passages—your dog uses their nose to explore the world, after all. But what happens if your dog sneezes frequently, or won’t stop sneezing? Here are some of the most common reasons that dogs sneeze: Play Sneezing Did you know that most dogs sneeze when they’re playing? Whether your … Read More
Just the word “rabies” tends to conjure up some frightening images in the mind’s eye. And because rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be transmitted from animals to humans, it’s particularly dangerous. Luckily, rabies has been all but eliminated in the United States and many other parts of the world thanks to modern vaccination and wild animal control measures. Still, you’ll want to take the proper precautions to make sure your pet … Read More
If you’ve recently adopted a new dog, one of the first things you’ll need to purchase for your pet is a collar. Every dog needs a good collar, and it’s up to you to find the right one. The question is, how do you know what to choose? There are certainly a lot of options out there. Read on to find out more about choosing the right collar for your canine companion. The Importance of … Read More
Aside from protecting the sofa legs from your puppy’s incessant chewing, there’s not a whole lot to do while your new pet is going through the teething process. Knowing the details of teething is a good idea, though. That way, you know what your puppy is going through and when, and you can let your vet know right away if something seems amiss. Newborn Puppies Just like human babies, puppies are born with no teeth. … Read More
Do you enjoy skiing? Is your canine buddy super active and athletic? If so, you may be able to take him out on the trail with you. No, we’re not suggesting strapping skis on Fido. Instead, you may want to train him in skiijouring. A local vet offers some tips on this below. Basics Skijoring originated in Scandinavia. The word itself actually translates into ‘ski driving’ in Norwegian. Though it’s now mostly practiced as a … Read More
Have you ever heard your dog howl? It’s something that many of our canine friends do, especially certain breeds like Beagles, Bloodhounds, Coonhounds, Foxhounds, Alaskan Malamutes, Dachshunds, and Huskies. But what’s behind this unique behavior? Read on to learn more about your dog’s howling and whether or not it’s a cause for concern. When Howling is Normal Your dog’s ancient ancestor, the wild wolf, used howling as a way of communicating with other pack members … Read More
Do you like making things? Are you an animal lover? If the answer to both of those questions is yes, then put a pawprint on your calendar for July 21st. It’s National Craft for Your Local Shelters Day! This is a great way to do something to help the sweet dogs and cats that are languishing in shelters, desperately hoping someone will adopt them. It can also be a great rainy-day project for kids! Read … Read More
The human body cools itself down during hot weather or vigorous exercise using one method: sweating. As the sweat on your skin evaporates, it cools you down. But your dog, of course, is covered in fur. So how do our canine companions’ bodies cool themselves in the summer months? Panting Panting is your dog’s primary way of cooling off. When your pup pants, moisture starts to evaporate from their tongue, as well as from the … Read More