Dogs

After your dog or cat undergoes surgery, the recovery period begins. A big factor of your pet’s recovery is caring for their incision. When you pick up your pet from the veterinarian’s office, ask your vet or veterinary staff to show you your pet’s incision. This will give you a baseline for what the incision looks like and help you to identify when something looks unusual. Take a picture of the incision on day one and each day after to track the healing process. The veterinary team will give you discharge instructions to follow, such as restricting your pet’s activity, when to return for rechecks, and when or if the sutures (aka stitches; many vets use these words interchangeably) need to be removed. Depending on the incision type and location, your veterinarian may have used a single type of suture or a combination of products to close your pet’s skin incision, including absorbable sutures, nonabsorbable sutures, staples, or tissue glue. Be sure to ask which type your vet used so you can know what to expect and look for during recovery. Types of Sutures Internal Stitches (Absorbable) Internal stitches are placed underneath the skin. They are (generally speaking) absorbable, meaning that over time, the stitches will break down on their own and dissolve. Unless complications occur, internal stitches do not need to be removed. If your dog has only internal stitches and you notice visible stitches or any openings in the skin, reach out to your veterinarian for care recommendations. External Stitches External stitches are placed on the outside of the skin. These stitches will need to be removed after the skin heals, typically 10-14 days after surgery. A veterinary professional will assess the incision to ensure that it’s fully healed before the external stitches are removed. Staples Surgical staples are generally made from surgical steel and placed as the outermost layer in a surgical incision. Staples are a fast and secure way to close a portion of an incision. They are removed once healing is complete, typically 10-14 days after surgery. Removal requires a special staple-removal clamp. Removal of surgical staples is just as easy and pain-free as the removal of sutures. Staples on a pet’s abdomen after surgery (Photo credit: Sandra Mitchell, DVM) Glue Tissue glue, sometimes called liquid stitches, may be used on its own to close a very small incision or as an additional measure to help close a larger incision. Glue does not need to be removed.

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When the weather starts to heat up, it’s only natural to want to get outside and enjoy it with your pup. But dogs don’t handle heat the same way humans do, and they can overheat pretty quickly if you’re not paying attention. So how hot is too hot for dogs, exactly?  There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are some temperature thresholds and signs to watch for. Here’s what you should know to help keep your dog safe all summer long. 

There is nothing prettier than a Golden Retriever, with their gleaming coat flowing as they move—that is, as long as the dog is well groomed. Thankfully, Golden Retriever grooming does not have to be an arduous task. With some simple tools and 20-30 minutes a week of brushing, your canine companion can show off their good looks wherever you go. Golden Retrievers are known as a “wash and wear” breed, meaning they do not have the extensive grooming needs that many other breeds have. But that doesn’t mean you can slack on grooming. By keeping their coat brushed and combed several times a week, with a bath as needed, shedding will be kept under control, and the development of mats and tangles kept at bay. And regular grooming is not just important for appearance’s sake. A dirty, tangled coat is not only unattractive, but it can be uncomfortable for your dog. Tangles pull on sensitive skin and invite sores and irritations to develop. Even if you know how to groom a Golden Retriever under ideal circumstances, if your pet currently has mats and tangles, it is best to have a professional pet groomer remove them for you, then start fresh with regular home care to prevent any future problems. Follow our guide on how to groom a Golden Retriever to keep your Golden looking and feeling their best.

It’s time to spoil your dogs with a completely human-grade DIY dog treat recipe. These homemade dog biscuits are high in dietary fiber from sweet potato and apples to ensure digestive system health in an easy dog treat recipe. Mixed with The Honest Kitchen Marvel Grain-Free Dehydrated Dog Food and ingredients you’d find at your own local grocery store, this dog cookie recipe is a great way to introduce new foods to a dog that’s on a limited ingredient diet. Give your furry friend a unique reward with this easy dog treat recipe!

How To Stop Dog Aggression Preventing dog aggression requires thorough dog-centric socialization and training in early puppyhood and ongoing training throughout a dog’s life. But some aggression in dogs, like redirected aggression, can develop even though careful attention has been paid to all of these things. The best plan is to seek the help of a qualified, science-backed positive reinforcement trainer who can guide you through a behavioral modification plan. There are many ways to deal with dog aggression based on the situation, triggers, and your specific dog. A trainer may teach you to use management techniques, like putting your dog in a quiet room if certain kinds of guests make them nervous, instead of allowing them to mingle and feel stressed. Or they may recommend training protocols like desensitization and counterconditioning. Certain forms of aggression might require a veterinary workup and anti-anxiety medication to help treat them. It’s easy to assume that dogs always use aggression to threaten and intimidate, but aggression can be either a defensive or an offensive reaction. Getting to the core reason for aggressive responses and then addressing the behavior with the right strategy will help restore harmony in your household. Featured Image: iStock.com/alexei_tm,WRITTEN BY Victoria Schade, CPDT-KA Animal Trainer,It’s a concept that strikes fear in pet parents: canine aggression. The idea that our best friends can be anything other than delightful, loving companions is a frightening one. But the reality is that some forms of aggression are normal communication tools in the dog world. Aggression is the innate response to a variety of situations for a number of reasons, from pain to fear to confusion, and it isn’t always an offensive reaction. Understanding dog aggression in its many forms makes it easier to find the appropriate solution for the behavior. It can also help you be a better advocate for your dog, so you can get them out of harm’s way or to a vet if your dog is reacting with fear or pain aggression. What Are the Signs of Aggression in Dogs? “Aggression” is a catch-all phrase that encompasses a great deal of canine communication that humans don’t necessarily understand and tend to misinterpret. It’s easy to assume that frightening behaviors like growling and snapping are the primary examples of canine aggression, but the behavior exists on a spectrum. Some aggressive behaviors are subtle, to the point that many pet parents miss them and don’t recognize the signals that our dogs are giving us until it escalates into more obvious responses. In other words, what we assume to be typical aggressive reactions are not always a dog’s first response to a stressful or uncomfortable situation. We don’t always see the early, subtle signs of discomfort that dogs exhibit before an escalated response occurs. Behaviors that can be classified as aggressive responses, including early behaviors intended to preempt a full aggressive display, include: Yawning Freezing Hard staring Lip curling Lip licking Baring teeth Nose bumping a person or another dog (the dog equivalent of a light punch; an “almost bite”) Air snapping Growling Lunging Mouthing with no pressure and quick release Biting with enough pressure to cause bruising or torn skin

Yes, dogs can have corn, but not all forms are created equal when it comes to your dog’s safety.   The best kinds of corn for dogs are plain, cooked corn kernels, either fresh or frozen (with no added salt or butter). Plain, air-popped popcorn can also be safe as a treat, in small amounts.  Avoid feeding your dog:  Corn on the cob: The cob can be a choking hazard and pose a risk of intestinal blockage.  Canned corn: Canned corn usually contains added sodium, which isn’t great for some dogs.  Creamed corn: Creamed corn is often made with dairy and sugar, which aren’t the most healthful choices for your pup.  Seasoned corn: Butter, salt, pepper, and other spices may cause stomach upset and some, like garlic and onion, can even be toxic to dogs. ,Corn is a summertime staple. From backyard barbecues to buttery cobs at the dinner table, it shows up just about everywhere this time of year. But can dogs eat corn too?   The answer is yes! Corn is not only safe for most dogs, but it can also be a nutritious part of their diet when prepared and served correctly. Here are the benefits, potential risks, and best ways to feed corn to your pup.  Before introducing any new food into your dog’s diet, always check with your veterinarian. 

WRITTEN BYKatie Grzyb, DVM Veterinarian Dr. Katie Grzyb received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University in 2009. She continued her clinical training at…,Storms can put a damper on anyone’s day, even for our canine companions. The rainy weather leads to wet walks, decreased exercise, and no outdoor playtime. But it’s not just that our dogs get damp—rainstorms can also lead to unforeseen dangers and issues for our four-legged friends. Here’s what pet parents need to be aware of when taking their pup out in the rain, and why it’s important to shorten playtime and walks during inclement weather. 1. Low Visibility, Lightning, and Thunder Rainstorms often bring fog, downpours, thunder, and lightning—all of which lead to decreased visibility and sudden, unexpected noise. Loud claps of thunder can spook many pooches, causing them to react and run away. This can lead to missing dogs and accidents, because cars have difficulty seeing through the inclement weather. It can be a deadly combination.     Thunder can cause dogs a great deal of anxiety. This stress can cause pets to hurt themselves as they try to chew or scratch their way into or out of rooms and crates (a common thunder phobia response). It’s important to discuss possible storm phobias with your primary care veterinarian, as there are many great options (both holistic and medication) to help calm dogs in storms.    Lightning strikes are also possible, though rare, and are usually fatal. Always avoid long walks during rainstorms, as lightning is attracted to metal (including umbrellas). 

Jump to section What To Feed a Dog With Diarrhea How To Switch Back to Your Dog’s Normal Diet When Is Dog Diarrhea Considered an Emergency? FAQs About What To Feed a Dog With Diarrhea

Your pup might feel a bit heftier than usual, but how do you know for sure whether they need to drop some pounds?    According to Carly Fox, DVM, a senior veterinarian at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC), in New York City, clear signs your dog is overweight or obese include:    Not having a waist  Not having their ribs be visible  Not having what’s called an “abdominal tuck”   “Additional physical signs include difficulty with exercise, panting excessively, and if they are unable to groom or lick themselves,” Dr. Fox says. ,Maybe you just visited the veterinarian and they said your pup is a little on the chonky side. Or perhaps you’ve noticed your pet has put on some excess weight in recent months. Whatever the case, learning how to help a dog lose weight is one of the most important endeavors you can undertake.   That’s because pets at a healthy weight are more likely to live longer, happier lives. In fact, maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce your dog’s risk of chronic diseases—such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart issues—and can even boost their energy and mood on a day-to-day basis.   We’ll help you identify whether your pup is overweight and provide you with veterinarian guidance on how to help your dog lose weight.