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What’s life without a little treat now and then, right? That goes for all kinds of dogs (as well as all kinds of people!)—but how many is too many for the best dog nutrition? It’s fun to see our dog’s excitement when we reach for the treat bag, but it can be easy to hand over too much of a good thing. Treats—even the healthy variety, to a lesser extent—can add sneaky calories that soon show themselves on your now overweight dog. As Dr. Michel Selmer, “The Caring Vet” and the owner of Advanced Care for Pets in Huntington Station, New York, emphasizes, “We are what we eat—literally—and that goes for our pets as well.” You can have the best of both worlds—allowing your fur baby to enjoy treats while maintaining a healthy dog—by keeping these guidelines in mind.

When meeting a dog for the first time, it’s important to take things slow. Instead of rushing over to introduce yourself, let the dog approach you on their own timeline, advises Kate LaSala, a certified dog behavior consultant and owner of Rescued by Training, in Rocky Point, North Carolina.   “Always let the dog come to you,” says LaSala. “Dogs are social creatures, and if they want an interaction, they will let us know.” ,So, you want to make friends with man’s best friend? It’s not always as easy as it seems. Every dog is unique, and some are friendlier than others. Either way, it helps to have some canine know-how.   That’s why we asked the experts for tips on how to get a dog to like you, from first impressions to daily play sessions. Read on for everything you need to know. 

Managing incontinence in a dog can be frustrating. You keep finding and having to clean up dog pee in the house, and you may even start to feel angry or upset. But here’s the good news: Understanding the causes and seeking treatment can lead to the best outcome for your pet. Here’s the information you need on what causes dog incontinence and what you can do about it. What Is Incontinence in a Dog? Incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine. So if your dog is incontinent, it means that they are not even aware of the fact that they are urinating. This incontinence occurs often in places where pets are resting (like in their bed or on the couch), and it tends to be a normal or large amount of urine.

Prescription and over-the-counter flea treatments remain the most effective way to kill and prevent fleas on dogs and cats. But if your pet is too young for flea medications—or if you’re looking for additional ways to protect your home—you might consider natural flea remedies. The question is, which natural flea remedies for pets actually work?  “Most natural flea remedies do not have a large body of scientific evidence behind them, and while many may have some positive effect, none are likely to be enough in the face of a flea infestation,” says Dr. Daniel Dixon, veterinarian and founder of North Keller Animal Hospital in Keller, Texas.   Still, there are natural ways to help keep your home and yard clean, reducing the risk of fleas and aiding in combating an infestation. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the most effective strategy for flea control is a combination of consistent flea medication and environmental management. Be sure to include your veterinarian in any conversation about flea control and prevention.  

Younger dogs wag their tails to indicate a variety of emotional states, from happiness to tension, but a dog’s most beloved communication aid can suffer the effects of aging as well.,As our dogs age, we need to be aware of the changes they experience. Our dog’s body language can provide clues into how they are feeling. But while dog body language has some universal hallmarks, and many body language postures remain the same throughout a dog’s life, senior dogs experience both physical and mental shifts that can impact how they communicate with us. Understanding dog body language in senior dogs can help you stay vigilant over the health and happiness of your aging pet. By understanding your senior dog’s body language, you can better understand what they are trying to communicate and if the response is a natural part of the aging process or indicates an underlying health problem.

As the end of the year draws closer, you might be counting down the days until your big holiday vacation. If you’re traveling with a dog, though, he cannot possibly anticipate the adventure that awaits him. Long car rides, bustling airports and strange hotel rooms can cause a lot of stress for pets, making it tough for them to enjoy the holidays. For a stress-free trip, consult these tips long before you begin packing your luggage.