Author: Ashley Davidson

Can dogs eat broccoli? Yes, they can! In small quantities, this cruciferous vegetable is not only safe for dogs, but it’s also a yummy superfood with lots of health benefits.  We spoke with Alex Crow, DVM, MRCVS, a veterinary surgeon at Buttercross Veterinary Centre in Nottinghamshire, U.K., and a writer for SeniorTailWaggers.com, to learn everything you need to know about feeding your dog broccoli, including how much they can eat and how to know if your dog is allergic to broccoli.  Before introducing any new food into your dog’s diet, always check with your veterinarian. 

It’s that time of year again—the season when your Instagram feed is flooded with pets in cute holiday costumes and sitting pretty with St. Nick. Pet pictures with Santa make for a great keepsake or holiday card, but if your pet isn’t accustomed to being around crowds of people and other animals, wearing a costume, or sitting still next to a big, bearded stranger, it can be a stressful time for your pup or kitty. (And you.) Whether it’s your first time attempting pet photos with Santa or you’re looking for some tips to make it a fuss-free event, we have you covered.

Packed with vitamin A and soluble and insoluble fibers—which help support vision, heart health and digestion, respectively—this simple carrot recipe makes a delicious and nutritious dog treat or food topper. Place a handful of sliced carrots in a steamer basket over boiling water, cover, and in eight to 10 minutes mash ’em up. Done and done!,Comfort food dishes for dogs are not only warm, inviting and tasty (like those for humans), but they also feature ingredients that are good for them—like carrots and sweet potatoes. Plus, some pup-friendly comfort food recipes are so simple to make, they require just one ingredient. From hamburger casserole to silky-smooth bone broth to a pet-safe play on hot chocolate, here are some of our favorite comfort food recipes for dogs, starting with the easiest. Remember, pet parents looking to incorporate new foods in their dog’s diet should consult with their veterinarian beforehand.

Sweet potatoes are often considered a human superfood, but can dogs eat sweet potato safely? Yes, as long as it’s plain, unseasoned, and fully cooked. (Sorry, pups, no sweet potato fries for you!)  Here’s everything you need to know about the benefits and risks of giving your dog sweet potatoes, plus tips on how to safely prepare and serve them.  Before introducing any new food into your dog’s diet, always check with your veterinarian. 

This Disney classic is about a Golden Retriever named Buddy who has the uncanny ability to play basketball. And he’s good at it, too. Sure, we’d love to know why some dogs never learn to “stay” while Buddy is a natural basketball star, but we’re not asking questions. It’s also one of our favorite dog movies for kids, so don’t be surprised if, after watching “Air Bud,” your kiddo suddenly takes an interest in teaching the family dog to slam dunk.,Let’s be honest: As a pooch parent, there is nothing worse than settling in for a cozy movie night with your furry BFF only to be totally surprised when the cutie-pie pup in the flick crosses the Rainbow Bridge. Suddenly, you’re sobbing into your dog’s fur, wondering why no one has yet to normalize a disclaimer at the beginning of a film warning us that this is one of those movies where the dog dies. Not cool, movie producers. Not. Cool. To save us the heartache of accidentally picking the wrong flick for doggy-and-me date night, we turned to the website DoesTheDogDie, which tells you (you guessed it!) whether the dog dies in a movie. From there, we pulled our favorite 10 flicks where the dogs gets to live their best life.

Every fall, cranberries reach their peak and are ready for harvesting. This Thanksgiving staple is a key ingredient in so many holiday meals and desserts, making its way into succulent pies, savory stuffing, and seasonal sauces. They’re often considered a superfood for humans because they’re high in antioxidants, prebiotic fibers—which are dietary fibers that feed the healthy bacteria in your gut—and other vitamins. But can dogs eat cranberries? Yes! Dogs can eat cranberries. We spoke with a veterinarian and a pet nutritionist to get the full scoop on cranberries, including the many health benefits, how to safely feed cranberries to your dog, and more. Before introducing any new food into your dog’s diet, always check with your veterinarian.

While slicing into a fresh, juicy pineapple, you might be looking down at those puppy dog eyes wondering, “Can dogs eat pineapple too?” They sure can! Whether fresh or frozen, pineapple is chock-full of water, antioxidants, fiber, and beneficial vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy treat in moderation for your pup. We spoke with Amanda Williams, DVM, a veterinarian at Indian Street Animal Clinic in Stuart, Florida, for tips and advice on how to include pineapple in your dog’s diet. Before introducing any new food into your dog’s diet, always check with your veterinarian.

I never thought I’d be a person who needed a digital detox. But cut to me, explaining to friends how I was going to turn off my phone and laptop for an entire weekend—beginning Friday evening and continuing through Sunday night—so I could spend more time with my pets. Their responses were pretty much all the same: “Really?” and “Do you think you can do it?” and even a resounding “HA!” It was safe to say that even though I didn’t think I was on my phone that much, the people who know me best seemed to see me as somewhat of a technology addict. But I’m not alone. A July 2019 Pew Research Center study found that approximately 80 percent of U.S. adults go online at least daily. What’s more, 48 percent of those ages 18-29 are online “almost constantly.” In my age group, 30-49, it’s 36 percent. As everything in our lives has shifted online—how we receive the news, connect with family and friends, and watch TV shows—it’s not surprising that the amount of time we spend on the internet is so high and continues to rise. Americans are becoming “obsessed with technology,” and that’s a problem, says Renee Solomon, Ph.D., a Los Angeles-based clinical psychologist and CEO/owner of Forward Recovery. “When people become obsessed with their phones and social media, they are not present in their lives with people and even their pets,” she says. “Everything aside from a digital outlet becomes secondary in terms of importance.” Which brings me back to what inspired my own tech-free weekend: my two dogs.