Author: Yvonne Villasenor

As you’re petting your canine companion to give them some extra love after a long day at work, you feel what seems to be a lump near their neck. You go over the area again. Is it a cyst? A tumor? Their salivary glands? If the enlarged lump feels firm and warm, it’s likely to be swollen lymph nodes. More than anything, we want our four-legged friends to live a long, healthy, happy life. Symptoms like swollen lymph nodes in dogs can undoubtedly be concerning, as they may indicate a benign condition at best or a serious disease at worst. We spoke with veterinarians to learn more about dog lymph nodes, from where they’re located and what they look like, to the possible causes for why they can become swollen and the most common treatments.

And is sourdough bread safe for dogs? Plain sourdough bread isn’t toxic to dogs when fully baked, much like other types of bread. It’s safe to give your dog an occasional, small piece of baked sourdough bread made without toxic ingredients like raisins, onions, garlic, chocolate, or xylitol, says Shalsee Vigeant, DVM, medical director of Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) in Sugar Land, Texas. Serving sourdough to your dog only in small amounts and in moderation may help prevent your pup from getting an upset stomach. However, there are several serious problems associated with uncooked, yeasted bread.,Jump to section Can Dogs Have Sourdough Bread? Why Is Sourdough Bread Bad for Dogs? My Dog Ate Raw Sourdough—What Do I Do? How To Prevent Dogs From Eating Sourdough Bread Treats To Give Your Dog Instead FAQs About Dogs and Sourdough Bread

Q: I take a ton of pictures of my dog all day, every day. (My camera roll is basically dedicated to her!) Sometimes, though, I notice that her eyes look like they have a green glow. It’s kind of spooky. Why do my dog’s eyes look weird in photos? Is this normal?  A: Yes, it’s totally normal. That eerie glow is due to a part of your dog’s eye called the tapetum lucidum, which reflects light.  If your dog’s eyes seem to glow in pictures, don’t worry—it’s harmless. We asked the experts why it happens, how it differs from red-eye in humans, and how to reduce the glow in your next photo session. 

As pet parents, we know that our canine companions will smell from time to time. (And with their superior sense of smell, it’s clear they love us even with our morning breath and post-gym stink.) While their smelliness is more obvious in instances where they’ve had a heyday romping and rolling around in mud, there are other times when you can’t help but wonder why your precious pup is so stinky. Like us, the longer a dog goes without a bath, the more their normal bacteria breaks down natural oils, causing smells to be released, build up and linger on their skin and coat. But that’s just one of the ways a dog can get smelly, says Dr. Kari Murdoch, DVM, a veterinarian with The Vets in the greater Chicago area, Illinois. Common causes of a stinky dog odor include: Skin infections (e.g., bacterial or yeast infections) and allergies Ear infections (otitis externa) Dental problems (e.g., periodontal disease or infected teeth) Anal gland problems Each of these conditions can cause a distinct, foul smell that ranges from fishy to yeasty coming from either your dog’s skin, ears, mouth or bottom, depending on the cause. Other causes for dog odor can include systemic problems, such as metabolic diseases like kidney disease and liver failure, or certain tumors, Dr. Murdoch adds. If you notice that your dog has a persistent or unusual smell, consult with a vet to rule out underlying health problems and treat any symptoms.,Not sure why your dog smells like Fritos, fish, or is just flat-out stinky? You’re not alone. We love our smelly dogs unconditionally. Funky odors on the other hand? Not so much. We spoke to a veterinarian to learn more about the common reasons for dog odor, when it’s time to go to the vet and how to get rid of the smell on your dog and in your home.

Excited peeing in dogs is an involuntary response to overstimulation, and the level of stimulation varies by dog, says Erin Askeland, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, a certified dog trainer in the Atlanta area and Camp Bow Wow’s animal health and behavior expert.   She adds that this behavior should be addressed through veterinary care, managing greetings and play to reduce stimulation levels, and using positive training methods.  Here are some common reasons why your pooch might urinate when excited: ,Q: Sometimes, my puppy is so happy when I come home from work that I notice a puddle of pee on the floor as I walk through the door and greet him. Is it normal that my dog pees when excited, or should I be concerned?  A: While this behavior can be common in puppies younger than 6 months old, it isn’t considered normal if it happens persistently, because it can often indicate unresolved anxiety and training gaps. In some cases, this can be a sign of an underlying health issue, particularly in adult or senior dogs.   We spoke to experts to learn why dogs pee when excited, how to prevent this behavior, and when there may be a potential cause for concern.