Dogs

A soft, shiny coat is evidence of your pet’s overall health and well-being. Luckily, it’s easy to help your furry friend keep his coat in great shape. Look for these ingredients in your pet’s food or treats, or find them in supplement form to give your pet’s coat a visible boost. As always, consult your pal’s veterinarian before adding supplements or introducing new foods into your pal’s diet.

You can’t go wrong with the classic peanut butter and jelly duo. They make for an easy-to-whip-up lunch or after-school snack. And while dogs can’t have jelly (it’s loaded with sugar and other harmful ingredients, after all), they can have blueberries. Blueberries are a healthful, hydrating treat high in fiber, vitamin C and vitamin K—and they’re one of the stars of this no-bake peanut butter and “jelly” dog treat. Requiring just five ingredients, this homemade peanut butter dog treat is packed with protein and so easy to make. But what we love most about this recipe is it’s safe for humans, too. That’s right, they’re just as tasty for doggie and dog mom to enjoy—and that’s according to the recipe developer herself Brittany Mullins, creator of Eating Bird Food. “They taste so good just as the recipe suggests making them, so no tweaks are needed,” Mullins says. “I also love that the recipe makes a large batch, so there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy!” Gather your supplies (including dog paw and/or dog bone cookie cutters) and your fur babies (every chef needs a sous chef), and let’s make dog treats! As with any human food, pet parents looking to incorporate new foods in their dog’s diet should consult with their veterinarian beforehand.

Pneumonia in dogs isn’t just a bad cough—it’s a serious respiratory condition that can make it hard for your pup to breathe and, if untreated, may even become life-threatening.   Because pneumonia can progress quickly, any dog with severe coughing, labored breathing, or extreme lethargy should be taken to a veterinarian right away.  While the condition can be scary, many dogs recover with timely treatment by their vet and proper care at home.   Here’s what you need to know about pneumonia in dogs, including signs to watch for, how it’s treated, and what you can do to help keep your pup healthy. 

Christmas is a time for eating and as a much-loved member of the family, there is no reason your dog should miss out on a fun indulgence. Between Christmas gatherings, events, work and everything else, I rarely have much extra time to bake, so I wanted to create a healthy, easy, no-bake dog treat. This is what I came up with. According to my dog they are nothing short of genius!

The best joint supplement for dogs can help keep your dog active and mobile well into their senior years. Older dogs or pups who are at risk for degenerative joint diseases like osteoarthritis can especially benefit from a dog supplement for joints. But with long, hard-to-pronounce ingredients like methylsulfonylmethane and chondroitin, choosing a joint health supplement can be a little intimidating. Don’t be discouraged! We’re here to help. We’ve rounded up the best dog hip and joint supplements, as rated and reviewed by dog parents like you. These top-selling picks have been tried and tested by Chewy pup parents so you can rest assured your dog is getting high-quality ingredients to support a long, active and healthy life. Just be sure to choose one in a form that is easy to feed to your particular pup. And as with any dietary supplement, consult with your veterinarian before adding any joint supplements for dogs to your pup’s diet.

WRITTEN BYAmanda Ardente, DVM, PhD Veterinarian Dr. Amanda Ardente founded Ardente Veterinary Nutrition LLC in August 2017, based on a long-term goal of combining her passion for…,Welcoming a puppy into your home isn’t as simple as bringing your new family member home—you have to puppy-proof your space, start crate training and potty training, and find the best puppy food to help her grow. Feeding your puppy an appropriate diet that supports her growth and optimizes her health is not as hard as you might think. As long as you keep a few key things in mind when selecting your puppy’s diet, picking good food for a puppy is simple. Why Puppy Food? Growing puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, which is what makes feeding them a “puppy food” essential. The most important step in choosing a food for your new friend is to select one that is specifically labeled for puppies or one that’s “formulated for growth.” A quality puppy food will provide the following in amounts that will support your pup as she grows:   Protein Fat   Carbohydrates Calcium Phosphorous Copper Amino acids—specifically arginine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine A puppy’s digestive tract is still maturing, so a good puppy food should also be highly digestible to reduce gastrointestinal discomfort or upset. What To Look For in a Good Puppy Food There are a lot of puppy food brands and formulations on the market, and not all are created equal. When you’re choosing the best puppy food, here’s what to consider: 1. Expected Adult Size For large- and giant-breed puppies (those expected to weigh over 50 pounds as an adult), consider using a puppy food formulated especially for large- or giant-breed dogs. The biggest concern with feeding large- or giant-breed puppies is providing too many calories and nutrients, which can cause your puppy to grow too quickly. This rapid growth causes abnormal bone remodeling and skeletal abnormalities, affecting the dog’s ability to walk and exercise normally later in life. Puppy foods specifically formulated for larger dogs provide fewer calories and less calcium than other options, which helps regulate the puppy’s skeletal and muscle growth. 2. Breed There are various dog foods that are marketed as “breed-specific food.” These diets are not truly necessary for your growing puppy, but they can help by offering a preferable kibble size for your puppy and a more specific nutrient profile for your dog’s breed. For example: Breeds with longer coats may benefit from a growth formula with added fat and greater essential fatty acids, to support a healthier haircoat and skin. Large-breed formulas tend to incorporate more fiber to help improve stool quality/firmness. Additional ingredients may be added to help combat common breed-related concerns, such as with Eukanuba’s Boxer formula, which supplies additional omega-3 fatty acids, L-carnitine, and taurine—all nutrients beneficial for heart health. So, while not necessary, a breed-specific puppy food may provide some added nutritional benefit for your dog. 3. Ingredient Profile There are no specific ingredients to look for when choosing the best puppy food, but pet parents must ensure the food is made by a reputable company and contains high-quality ingredients. It’s not recommended to feed puppies grain-free diets because of their connection to the development of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The issue may not simply be the lack of grains, but more so the ingredients added in place of the grains that may alter metabolism of nutrients necessary for proper heart development and function. There also may be some breed-specific differences that precipitate this condition, in relation to the diet. Research on this topic is ongoing and conflicting. But for now, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid grain-free diets, particularly in your growing puppy, whose vital organs are still maturing.

WRITTEN BYBrittany Grenus, DVM Veterinarian Dr. Brittany Grenus graduated from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2018 with her doctorate in veterinary medicine and a…,Having a new puppy at home is exciting, but it can also come with challenges. One of the biggest hurdles: house-training your puppy. Fortunately, many dogs want nothing more than to please their human—this means they actually want to learn to be house-trained. But if you’ve been working on potty training for what feels like ages and your pup is still having accidents, you’re probably desperate to learn how to stop your puppy from peeing in the house. Here’s what to know. How Often Should Puppies Go Out to Pee? When puppies are little, they don’t have great control of their bladder—just like human babies. But as they get older, bladder control in puppies improves and they’re able to hold their urine for much longer. When you first bring home a puppy, usually at around 8 weeks old, take her out every 30–60 minutes for the first week or two. This will help to prevent the puppy from peeing in the house and also help her get used to going to the bathroom outside. In general, the number of hours puppies can hold their urine is equal to their age (in months) plus one. So, a 2-month-old puppy can theoretically hold her bladder for about three hours. Puppy Bladder Control Chart Age Frequency of Potty Breaks 2 months old Every 2–3 hours 3 months old Every 3–4 hours 4 months old Every 4–5 hours   In general, by the time your puppy is 4-6 months old, she should have full control of her bladder (which means you can finally start sleeping through the night again!). Once your puppy has bladder control, she should still go out several times a day (three to five total) for bathroom breaks.

A wagging tail, a lick on the face, and an enthusiastic greeting at the door all seem like sure signs your dog adores you. But even with all that affection, you may still find yourself wondering: Does my dog love me?   We talked to two experts to find out what your dog’s behavior really means and how to tell if it’s love. 

Your senior dog might be less willing to get off the couch than before, but he still needs new experiences to enrich his daily life and keep his brain active. The latest way to connect with dogs of any age is through touch screen games, and since app games for dogs don’t require much movement, they’re fantastic for senior dogs dealing with aches and pains. While low-impact games and basic training will always be the best way to connect with your older pooch, occasional screen time is a unique way to have fun together while keeping your dog’s mind sharp. App Games for Dogs Not every touch screen game is a fit for our furry friends. The best touch screen games for dogs only require simple taps or nuzzles to play and can be divided into four basic categories: Creating Art: These apps use nose or paw input on the screen to create one-of-a-kind designs. Noise-Makers: These basic games encourage your dog to touch the screen to make a variety of sounds, like squeaks and animal noises. Chase: One of the most popular uses of technology for pets, these apps tempt your dog with a scurrying creature that he has to try to catch. Question and Answer: This straightforward but adorable app allows dogs to “answer” simple questions by touching a yes or no button on the device. Pet parents looking to entertain their senior pets can also check out apps designed to encourage motor skill development in young children for similar basic touch features.

Pet parents might consider mixing wet food and dry kibble for a number of reasons. Here are some benefits of mixing wet and dry pet food:,Is it safe to mix wet and dry food for your dog? Is it even worth mixing the two? Yes and yes! Read on to learn more about the benefits of mixing wet and dry dog food, when it makes sense to mix them, and how to do it properly.