Dogs

Dog Calming Treats To help calm your nervous dog, calming chews such as NaturVet® Quite Moments calming aid  can be given during times of stress. These products are intended to be aids, not a solution. Dr. Basko explains that these products may help reduce anxiety but won’t eliminate a dog’s “triggers.” Dr. Basko goes on to say, “Different dogs will respond differently because each is ‘wired’ differently. It’s all about finding what works for your dog and being cautious not to overdo it.”,If you have a nervous dog, you may not always have to resort to pet behavior meds or dog supplements with artificial ingredients to keep him calm. Sometimes, an all-natural treatment can do the trick. But before you can figure out how to calm a nervous dog, you will first need to determine the cause of the nervousness.

Fresh dog food is made with whole ingredients—such as meat, veggies, and grains—and is cooked rather than heavily processed, like traditional kibble. Unlike traditional kibble, which is heavily processed to be shelf-stable, fresh food is often gently cooked and refrigerated or frozen to preserve its nutritional value. It’s formulated to meet your dog’s dietary needs while offering a taste and texture that many dogs prefer. Fresh food is often recommended by veterinarians for dogs who benefit from a more natural, wholesome diet.,Australian Shepherds are energetic, eager-to-please, and smart dogs originally bred for herding. These pups are known for their striking coat and boundless enthusiasm, which means they thrive when both their mind and body are well-nourished. So, feeding your Australian Shepherd a high-quality, balanced diet is essential for supporting their active lifestyle and maintaining their health. One excellent option for pet parents looking to provide nutritious, minimally processed meals is fresh dog food.

If you have a highly active dog—a working dog, a canine athlete, or an everyday trailblazer—a high-protein dog food can help “build the necessary muscles and repair them after an intense workout,” says Dr. Coates. Higher protein levels also can be a source of energy for active dogs. “Once all of a dog’s protein needs are met, excess protein gets converted into energy,” Dr. Coates adds. When adult dogs are active, they experience protein turnover. The body builds up and breaks down muscle protein during and after exercise, so dogs rely on dietary protein to meet their metabolic needs. Active dogs who do not receive adequate dietary protein can become fatigued and suffer from muscle loss. If your dog isn’t exercising regularly, however, Dr. Coates warns that those extra calories from protein can get converted into fat. For active dogs, try the high-protein Purina® Pro Plan® Sport Performance dog food. This AAFCO-balanced diet provides 30% protein and 20% fat to fuel metabolic needs and maintain healthy lean muscle. It also contains EPA, an omega-3 fatty acid, and glucosamine to help support healthy joints and mobility. Or give the Eukanuba™ Premium Performance 30/20 Sport a shot. It’s formulated for sporting, tracking, and working dogs with a nutrient ratio of 30% protein and 20% fat.,You know that getting enough protein is part of eating a well-balanced diet for humans. But did you know the same applies to your dog? When you feed your dog the proper amount and type of protein, they can make and maintain all the protein-containing tissues and molecules in their body, which include muscle, skin, hair, antibodies, and hormones, explains Jennifer Coates, DVM, a veterinary consultant in Fort Collins, Colorado. So, how much protein does your dog need to reap these benefits? Would a high-protein dog food be the answer? Every dog’s dietary needs are unique. Because of this, Dr. Coates stresses that your veterinarian is your go-to authority when determining which dog food is best for your specific dog. That said, in general, Dr. Coates says three types of dogs usually need a high-protein dog food highly active dogs (such as working dogs or agility dogs), certain puppy breeds, and some senior dogs with muscle wasting.

Several viruses and bacteria can cause kennel cough, often at the same time. The group of organisms that causes kennel cough affects the upper respiratory tract of dogs and is characterized by inflammation of the trachea and bronchi. Canine infectious tracheobronchitis is the scientific and more accurate term for kennel cough. The term tracheobronchitis describes the location of the infection in the windpipe, aka the trachea and bronchial tubes. Signs of kennel cough are: Persistent honking cough Nasal discharge (runny nose) Reduced appetite Mild lethargy Like a cold in humans, it is very contagious and spreads from dog to dog. It is found in places where dogs come in contact with one another. All it takes is one infected dog to sneeze, bark or cough, and the surrounding air and environment will be flooded with thousands of infectious kennel cough “bugs.” The most common places your dog might contract this upper respiratory infection include: boarding facilities shelters doggy daycare training facilities dog parks Because the infection spreads when dogs are in close contact with one another, it is often seen soon after dogs have been in kennels—hence the name “kennel cough.” While kennel cough is not a fatal disease, tracheobronchitis is very uncomfortable for dogs (and their pet parents, who must endure the loud, persistent, honking cough that comes with it).,Jump to section What Is Kennel Cough? What Is Bordetella? What Is the Bordetella Vaccine for Dogs? Does My Dog Need the Bordetella Vaccine? Bordetella Vaccination Schedule Bordetella Vaccine Side Effects Frequently Asked Questions

Have you seen your pup scratching more? How about hair loss? What you might be seeing your poor pup suffer through are allergies, which are fairly common in dogs and can manifest in many ways, from skin and ear infections to itchy and red skin.  Fortunately, there are many options for treating a dog’s allergies, including topical therapy, medications, prescriptions, and nutritional management.  Talk to your veterinarian before starting any treatment for allergies. 

Jump to section What Is Dog Constipation? What Causes It? OK, So What Are the Signs of Constipation in Dogs? It’s Official, My Dog Is Constipated. What Do I Do? How Can I Prevent Constipation in My Pup? FAQs About Dog Constipation

In This Article What Are Extreme Sports for Dogs? View 3 More +

Jump to section Can Dogs Eat Cabbage? What Kind of Cabbage Can I Feed My Dog? How Do I Feed Cabbage to My Dog? And How Much? Benefits of Cabbage for Dogs Risks of Feeding Cabbage to Dogs

Image via Javier Brosch/Shutterstock By Russell Hartstein, CDBC, CPDT and owner of Fun Paw Care in Los Angeles People often seek immediate gratification and find it difficult to invest in relationships and outcomes that take a while. How to teach a dog to sit no matter where you are is an exercise to practice with your dog for the long-term. It doesn’t take a day, but it doesn’t take a lifetime, either. Dog Training Is a Process That Starts at Home It helps to remember that dog training and behavior is not an event but a process. Learning is different for every animal, it is progressive and takes repetition and conditioning to ensure reliability. In dog obedience trials, we don’t say a dog knows a behavior until after tens of thousands of iterations. That may seem daunting at first, but when you work your dog’s daily allocation of dog food into everyday training and in all areas of life, like compound interest, the trials add up very quickly. As pet parents with busy schedules, we may have doubts as to whether a teaching or technique will work, and we feel a sense of urgency to get something accomplished quickly. However, learning occurs most naturally and efficiently in a slow, progressive and repetitive manner, in an environment where an animal is the least stressed and distracted. Dogs are most comfortable in their own home, with their family. This is why we usually begin dog training at home, with the whole family involved. 

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.