Author: Lauren Joskowitz

Certain compounds found in onions can cause toxicity or poisoning in dogs. When consumed, these toxic compounds are absorbed into the bloodstream and cause your dog’s red blood cells to break down—a process known as hemolysis—which can result in a condition called hemolytic anemia. Hemolytic anemia occurs when red blood cells are destroyed faster than your dog’s body can produce new ones, resulting in a low red blood cell count. Red blood cells are essential because they carry oxygen in the bloodstream. When this process is compromised, your dog may show symptoms such as weakness, lethargy, an elevated heart rate, or even collapse.,Jump to section Why Are Onions Unsafe for Dogs? How Much and What Kind of Onions Are Bad for Dogs? What Will Happen to My Dog If They Eat Onions? Uh, Oh—My Dog Ate Onions, What Do I Do? How Do I Prevent My Dog From Eating Onions? FAQs About Onions and Dogs

Before we get into the nitty gritty about pet DNA tests, let’s do a quick, brush-up science lesson. DNA is the acronym for deoxyribonucleic acid. “DNA is the molecule [that exists] in most of the body’s cells that carries the genetic code for the individual,” says Dr. Brown. Basically, DNA is like IKEA assembly instructions for all living organisms. It dictates how all living organisms create proteins that help us develop, function and grow.,Jump to section What is DNA? What Are Pet DNA Tests? Do Pet DNA Tests Successfully Identify Breeds? What Are the Benefits of Pet DNA Tests? What Are the Disadvantages of Pet DNA Tests? How Do Dog DNA Tests Differ From Cat DNA Tests? How Reliable Are Pet DNA Tests? Which Pet DNA Tests Are Most Accurate? How Can Pet Parents Choose the Right Pet DNA Tests? How Should Pet Parents Interpret Pet DNA Test Results? What Is the Best Way to Collect Pet DNA? How Often Do Cat or Dog DNA Tests Need to Be Done?

Hosting with a pet this year? Here’s what you should know.,Jump to section Holiday Petiquette For Hosts Do… Prep your home. Do create a Plan B for in-laws who love feeding pets human food. Know it’s OK to decline other furry guests. Don’t… Forget to tell your guests that you have pets. Let your pet be a distraction during mealtime. Assume everyone will love your pet. Holiday Petiquette For Guests Do… Express when you’re uncomfortable or afraid. Bring your pet as a plus one—but only with permission and asking the house rules. Acknowledge when damage is done (and fix it!). Don’t… Bring furniture-loving pets to another person’s home without a plan. Correct or handle another person’s animals without asking. Correct or handle another person’s animals without asking.

Ah, fall: The time of year where we sip our pumpkin spice lattes (or, more commonly known as PSLs) on the way to work and spend our weekends carving pumpkins and baking pumpkin seeds. But before you clean out some pumpkins and treat your pup to the seeds, there are some safety tips you should know. Because, while raw pumpkin seeds are safe in moderation, they’re not as healthful as you might think. We spoke with Sarah J. Wooten, DVM, a veterinarian in Silverthorne, Colorado, to get the facts about pumpkin seeds for dogs. Turns out, not all the health benefits touted on the internet—including parasite prevention, allergy relief, and anti-inflammatory benefits—are true. Before introducing any new food into your dog’s diet, always check with your veterinarian.

An important part of creating your vision board is knowing what you’ll put on it—and for pet vision boards, that includes the goals you want to achieve with your pet. Here are some ideas.,Jump to section What Do I Put on a Pet Vision Board? How to Make a Vision Board How Vision Boards Work

Dog buttons (also referred to as talking pet buttons or speech buttons) are interactive communication buttons that, when pressed by the pet, audibly repeat a word that’s been pre-recorded by the pet parent.,Jump to section How Do Dog Buttons Work? How Do I Teach My Dog to Use Talking Pet Buttons? Dog Button Training Tips What Are the Benefits of Dog Buttons? Do Dog Buttons Work for All Dogs? Can Cats Learn to Use Talking Pet Buttons?