Dogs

Trimming the tree is one of those essential holiday traditions that makes the holiday season special. Unfortunately, dogs and Christmas trees are not always the best—or safest—combination.   “Depending on the size of the tree and the weight of a dog, a tree can get knocked over on the dog,” says Arden Moore, founder of The Pet Health and Safety Coach in Dallas, Texas. “There could be a limb injury, sprain, or a fracture. If you have a little Shih Tzu and an 8-foot tree, who’s going to win?”  Add breakable ornaments, gifts, and even tree water that can pose a risk to dogs, and you’ve got a dangerous situation on your hands. So, how do you dog-proof a Christmas tree?  Keep the magic in Christmas by using dog-friendly decorations (those fragile ornaments must go!), physical barriers, and training cues to keep your furry best friend away from the tree.  

In This Article What Are Probiotics for Dogs? View 5 More +

In This Article Before You Leave View 2 More +

Jump to section Why Do Dogs Stare at You? 3 Possible Reasons How To Figure Out Why a Dog Is Staring at You How To Respond to a Dog Staring at You FAQs About Dog Staring

The Shiba Inu and Akita are two of the most recognizable members of the Nihon Ken—a group of six native Japanese dog breeds. These dogs share a common origin as compact but capable hunters. Over the centuries, regional breeding produced dogs of different sizes, resulting in the six highly prized Japanese dog breeds that make up the Nihon Ken. The Akita is the largest of these breeds; the Shiba Inu is the smallest. Along with hunting, Akitas worked as guardian dogs. Shibas, after nearly going extinct during World War II, were bred as companions.,With a face like a fox and a curly tail, the Shiba Inu is a popular small dog breed with a reputation for being independent and catlike. But it’s not the only Japanese dog that should be on your radar—the Akita shares many similarities to the Shiba Inu, albeit in a larger package. Here’s what to know when comparing Shiba Inu versus Akita dogs.

Based on their natural instincts, pups associate food with positivity, satisfaction and survival. When it comes to treats, we condition our pets to link these tasty rewards to good behavior, a job well done or simple, pleasant bonding time. For these reasons, dogs love treats. After all, who wouldn’t want to be given a tasty surprise every now and then? But traditional treats can be filled with unnecessary calories and questionable fillers. So why not opt for a yummy dog treat that has the wholesome ingredients necessary for proper pet nutrition and an overall healthy lifestyle? Dog treats come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and are not always in food form—treats can be praise or affection used as positive reinforcement. But edible dog treats are the most common and popular form of reward for our furry companions. Most animals are naturally food-driven, so giving your pet healthy dog treats is a great way to obtain your pooch’s attention during training, or to provide a tasty snack for exemplary behavior. With the multitude of options available today, knowing how to spot the best type of treat for your four-legged best friend’s specific needs can be tough. Here are some tips, tricks and general rules to follow to ensure your pet receives the dog nutrition they need when snacking on natural dog treats that will keep both pet—and pet parent—happy.

Can dogs eat seafood? Yes, they can! Whether it’s salmon, trout or even lobster, as long as seafood is deshelled, deboned and properly cooked, dogs can enjoy many types. We spoke with Dr. Gary Richter, DVM, owner and medical director of Holistic Veterinary Care in Oakland, California, and founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition, for tips and advice on how to include seafood in your pup’s diet, as well as what to know about seafood allergies in dogs.

Probiotics may be hard to pronounce (you try saying lactobacillus acidophilus five times fast!), but these dog supplements serve as an important part of your dog’s daily diet and can help to keep him healthy from the inside out. They might have funny names, but probiotics have serious benefits when it comes to your dog’s well-being. Probiotics, also known as “good bugs,” are types of bacteria that not only help to ease digestion and boost immunity, but also can contribute to your dog’s happiness. “The link between probiotics and mood improvement in dogs is an emerging area of research already producing encouraging results,” says Dr. Stephanie Liff, DVM, of Pure Paws Veterinary Care in New York City. “Some studies have shown that probiotics may help decrease stress behaviors in anxious dogs.” Exactly how probiotics work to maintain a happy dog is still being studied, but scientists think they’re on to a promising theory.

Can I Give My Dog Cough Medicine?   Chronic coughing in dogs is never normal and always needs to be checked out by your vet. Common causes of coughing in dogs include: Heartworm disease Kennel cough Congestive heart failure Tracheal collapse Chronic bronchitis Cancer Over-the-counter human cough medications should never be given to dogs. Many of these products contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs. Cough suppressants may also include other medications like acetaminophen that can be dangerous for dogs.,Can You Give Dogs an Antacid? They should only be used with the recommendation of your veterinarian. Antacids such as famotidine (Pepcid) and omeprazole (Prilosec) are commonly recommended by veterinarians for GI ulceration and for preventing GI ulceration while on steroids. Studies are being conducted to evaluate the long-term side effects of these medications.,If you have any concerns about dosing and ingestion of human medications in pets, or if your pet is having adverse side effects (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea, behavioral changes), please contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian, or call Pet Poison Hotline at (855) 764-7661. Although we treat and love our dogs like children, dogs are not small people. The same medications that safely work in children or adults are not necessarily safe in dogs. While it’s true that vets may prescribe human medications for dogs, there are important differences in drug tolerances, side effects, dose ranges, and applications. For example, veterinary medicines are dosed based on your dog’s weight, while human medications are often dosed based on age. Even if you think it’s safe to give your dog a human medication, you should always ask your vet first. This might seem inconvenient, but giving your dog an over-the-counter (OTC) medication can cause more harm than good or even make your dog’s existing health condition worse. Your dog may also have a specific condition or reason that means it’s not okay to give them a medication that might be okay for another dog. Are There Any Safe Over-the-Counter Human Medications for Dogs?   Yes, there are some OTC human medications that veterinarians recommend for certain conditions, but it’s never a good idea to assume it’s okay to use any medication in your dog without a vet’s advice. This is true even for common medications without dose restrictions, like artificial tears, which have minimal side effects for dogs. Generally, artificial tears can help lubricate a dog’s eye if they have dry eye or help remove dust particles or other foreign bodies from their eye. However, artificial tears aren’t useful for all eye conditions, and some foreign material may need to be flushed out by a veterinarian, who would then evaluate your dog’s eye to ensure that a scratch or ulcer hasn’t formed.

By Elizabeth Xu Adding a cat or dog to your family is a big decision, and these days there are many ways for you to do so. Adoption is an option for folks looking to possibly save a little money—and more importantly, save a life. Adopting a cat or dog shouldn’t be taken lightly—after all, you’ll hopefully have this pet in your home for years to come. Luckily, when it comes to pet adoption, you’ll have plenty of good options when deciding on the best pet for your household. “I think that people don’t realize the great variety and quality of animals that are available for adoption,” says Carol Novello, president of the Humane Society Silicon Valley. “I think there’s the perception that there’s something wrong with shelter animals, and in many cases they’ve just found themselves in circumstances where the cards haven’t fallen in their favor.” There are multiple things to consider before you adopt, including what kind of pet you’re seeking, where you might find that pet, how much your new furry friend will cost up front and in the long run, and more. Read on to learn everything you need to know about responsible pet adoption. Pet Adoption: Picking the Right Family Member You might already have your ideal pet in mind, based on what you know about certain breeds or your interactions with them in the past. While that’s perfectly fine, you should realize that you might change your mind once you meet a few cats or dogs. “While certain breeds do tend to have certain characteristics, there is a lot of variation of personality within individual dogs or cats within a breed, so it’s much more useful to focus on [your] lifestyle and expectations, and then to think about the individual pet,” says Aimee Gilbreath, executive director of the Michelson Found Animals Foundation. Think about how a pet will fit into your life and your schedule. Do you want a dog that’s good with children? Do you have the time to devote to training a puppy? Do you have the space to accommodate a larger dog? Figuring out those types of questions will be more important than honing in on a specific breed or being swayed by an adorable face. “Knowing what you’re looking for in terms of activity level, play level, all of those types of things are really important,” says Jim Hanophy, CEO of Operation Kindness, a no-kill shelter in Texas. He says that some breeds come with special considerations like high exercise, mental stimulation, or grooming needs, and it’s important to keep such things in mind when picking out a cat or dog. You can narrow down your options if you know whether you’re looking for a cat or a puppy or an older dog. Looking closely and honestly at your lifestyle can help determine if you have time to put the work into a puppy. “A lot of people love to adopt puppies because they’re cute,” Novello says. “Puppies are also a ton of work. You’ve really got to invest in training and it’s a huge time commitment versus lots of great older dogs.” And while cats, and especially kittens, do require your attention, giving them the care they need generally takes less time and effort than with dogs.