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5. Savings of Time and Money Healing a sick dog is still costly and time-consuming, even if it is ultimately successful. If you have a dog with Cushing’s disease, for example, there are the costs and time associated with trips to the veterinarian, adrenal hormone level tests, and often the long-term administration of prescription medications. If a dog needs surgery, chemotherapy or other intensive care, these treatments can easily set you back thousands of dollars. This doesn’t take into consideration the time you’d need to take off from work or other obligations. It also doesn’t calculate the high level of stress and discomfort your pup may experience from frequent trips to the veterinarian and unpleasant procedures. Healthy dogs typically require less veterinary care. “Maintaining a healthy weight will mean fewer trips for medical care other than preventative therapy, and less or no medications to treat obesity-related problems,” says Dr. Bartges. A longer life, increased energy, decreased risk for health issues and better joint health are all benefits that can result from dogs losing weight. Committing to a balanced diet and exercise—with the help of your veterinarian—is an important part of maintaining your dog’s health and is well worth the effort. By: Paula Fitzsimmons Featured Image: iStock.com/Przemyslaw Iciak,Reviewed for accuracy on March 14, 2019, by Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM Veterinarians have been raising concerns about the issue of pet obesity, and with good reason. Overweight dogs are at risk for conditions like heart disease, arthritis, Cushing’s disease, and some types of skin disease and cancer as well as a shorter lifespan and decreased quality of life. Helping your dog lose weight can result in a host of health benefits for her, including a reduced risk of disease along with better joint health and overall vitality. An added benefit is that with a healthy dog, you’ll likely be making fewer trips to the veterinarian. How You Can Help Your Dog Lose Weight While certain health conditions—like low thyroid hormone levels—can result in an overweight dog, a poor diet and lack of exercise are often key contributors to weight gain in dogs. “We’re seeing dogs who are increasingly being overfed and not exercised enough. They are also increasingly considered members of the family, with pet owners using treats as a form of communication and love,” says Dr. David Dilmore, medical editor at Vancouver, Washington-based Banfield Pet Hospital. The good news, says Dr. Dilmore, is that even small changes can have a big impact over the long term. “Instead of resolving to run with your dog 3 miles a day, start with walking a few extra blocks each day. Cutting down on ‘people food’ and limiting treats to no more than 10 percent of the dog’s daily calories are also small changes you can make.” Another easy change is to use dog interactive toys for mealtime rather than a dog bowl. Some interactive toys encourage dogs to increase their activity levels, says Dr. Angela Witzel, clinical assistant professor at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville. The Busy Buddy Kibble Nibble dog toy and Starmark treat-dispensing Bob-a-Lot dog toy, for example, are designed to make your pup work for her dog food or dog treats. Partner with your veterinarian to design a balanced diet that ensures that your dog is losing weight properly. Additionally, “Consulting with your veterinarian before starting an exercise plan for your pet is a good idea, as it may be best to start slow to build up your pet’s endurance,” says Dr. Dilmore. Getting fit can actually be fun, too. You can use technology to help monitor the progress your pet is making and set daily goals for her. A dog activity tracker, like the FitBark 2 waterdog activity and sleep monitor, can help you meet those fitness goals, monitor your pup’s movements and track progress. It even has an option that lets you synchronize the monitor to your phone so you can get in shape together. If you need a little extra motivation in helping your dog lose weight, consider the following benefits.

Jump to section What Is Cerenia®, and How Is It Used in Dogs? How Does Cerenia® Work? How Do You Give Your Dog Cerenia®? What Are the Side Effects of Cerenia® for Dogs? What To Do If Your Dog Takes Too Much Cerenia® FAQs about Cerenia® for Dogs

What’s more rewarding than being a pet parent to a sweet senior dog?   Not much! But it can also be tough to see the changes that come with age. Here’s what to expect as your pup gets older, how to stay ahead of any issues, and how to help them age gracefully.  

My dogs, Millie and Olive, are scared of thunder and fireworks. Unfortunately, my neighbors love to find any reason to break out the pyrotechnics, so I frequently have to help my dogs through their nervous reactions. The best solution I’ve found to alleviate my dogs’ anxiety is to create their own doggy Zen spaces. Dogs who feel stressed or overwhelmed might react in several ways. There’s the well-known “fight or flight” response. Or a stressed dog may display appeasement behaviors, known as “calming signals,” such as yawning and lip licking. Or your dog might even shut down completely and become so afraid that she won’t respond when you try to interact with her. As our pups’ advocates, it’s our responsibility to help reduce the stressors in our best friends’ lives. There are various ways to decrease stress in dogs, but sometimes all they need is the perfect space to relax in. If your dog has anxiety, you can create a special Zen space built to her preferences to help calm her down.

No, dogs should not eat almonds. While almonds aren’t toxic to dogs, says explains Dr. Richard Goldstein, chief medical officer at the Animal Medical Center in NYC, they can pose potential health problems for dogs and should be avoided. Let’s crack open everything you need to know about dogs eating almonds.

Glaucoma in dogs is a serious medical condition that can cause pain and permanent vision loss if left untreated. Some dogs develop cataracts suddenly, while others show subtle changes over time.   Spotting the warning signs early and getting prompt veterinary care can make all the difference.  Here’s everything you need to know about canine glaucoma: what causes it, how veterinarians manage it, and steps you can take to protect your dog’s eye health and keep them comfortable.  

Not all dogs have the same nutritional needs. A puppy, for example, needs more DHA in her dog food to boost her nervous system development, while a senior dog often needs more fiber and fewer calories. But your furball’s life stage isn’t the only factor that determines dog nutrition. Different size dogs also have varied nutritional needs. And if you’re the proud owner of a toy or small dog—that would be any pup under 25 pounds—you may have wondered, “What is the best dog food for small dogs?” Here, according to experts, is what to keep in mind when picking food for your petite pooch: