Dogs

Warm neutral tones. Rich natural materials. Cozy and luxe textures. Sophisticated, contemporary pieces. Organic modern design does not sound (or look!) pet-friendly whatsoever. But it can be. No, really! And Emily Wang—dog mom to 9-year-old Kokoro, 8-year-old Chibi and 20-month-old Kibo—and her home is proof of it.

Have you been dreaming of your next road trip? While traveling with your dog is always a fun and memorable adventure, longer road trips with a dog can also be challenging. Dogs can get restless and behave in ways that aren’t safe, like hanging out of the window or jumping into your lap when you’re cruising at highway speeds, and perhaps you’re wondering how to road trip with a dog. So, how can you make sure that both you and your dog stay safe and happy during long-haul road trips this holiday season? We rounded up experts’ top tips for car trips with dogs. Don’t hit the road without them!

WRITTEN BYVirginia LaMon, DVM Veterinarian Dr. Virginia LaMon graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2013. She completed her clinical year at Auburn…,On hot summer days or after a particularly long game of fetch, you might wonder: “Do dogs sweat like humans do?” It may not seem like it, but yes, dogs do sweat—they just sweat differently than us. Here’s what to know about dog sweat and how you can help your pup keep cool. How Do Dogs Sweat? Instead of sweat dripping down their face or underneath their limbs—common in overheated humans—most dog sweat is released through glands in the paw pads. And, unlike humans, sweating is not an effective way for dogs to cool themselves. Dogs have two types of sweat glands: Merocrine sweat glands are made of secretory cells and are mostly found in the paws. When a dog is hot or nervous, sweat is released—you might see your dog leave behind light, sweaty footprints as they walk. The sweat evaporates from the hairless paw pads and helps release a small amount of body heat. Apocrine sweat glands are throughout the dog’s body and are not used for cooling. Instead, these produce pheromones for dog-to-dog communication. The sweat from the merocrine sweat glands in a dog’s paw pads does not have the odor associated with human sweat. In fact, human body odor is the result of skin bacteria mixing with sweat. Sweat from the apocrine glands is also not an odor us humans can smell. However, the pheromones found in the sweat from the apocrine glands can be picked up by other dogs and are used to communicate.

In This Article When Is a Dog Considered a Senior? View 4 More +

While no dog should be left outside in the cold, snow dog breeds can easily adapt to low temperatures. So, what makes a dog suitable for snow? Think: thick fur, snowshoe-like paws with extra padding, and a bushy tail to keep them warm. Below are the best snow dog breeds that make the best companions for winter adventures.

One of the main benefits of spaying a dog is preventing pet overpopulation. A spayed female dog cannot reproduce because her uterus and ovaries have been removed. Unspayed female dogs usually have a period twice a year, which can be a bloody mess. Spaying a dog eliminates her period and the mess. Spaying a dog also has several behavioral benefits, including a reduction in unwanted conduct such as humping, roaming and inter-dog aggression. The dog spay surgery offers multiple health benefits as well, including greatly reducing the risk of breast cancer and erasing the risk of uterine cancer, ovarian cancer and pyometra, a deadly uterine infection.,Jump to section What are the Benefits of Spaying a Dog? What Is the Process of Spay Surgery? Is Spaying a Dog Painful? What Risks Are Associated with Spay Surgery? What Do I Need to Monitor After Spay Surgery? When Can My Spayed Dog Resume Normal Activity?

Jump to section What Is Glucosamine for Dogs? Common Signs Your Dog May Need Joint Support The Benefits of Glucosamine for Dogs Possible Side Effects of Glucosamine for Dogs How Much Glucosamine Can I Give My Dog? When to Call Your Vet How to Safely Give Your Dog Glucosamine Best Glucosamine Supplements for Dogs FAQs About Glucosamine for Dogs

The adorably, fluffy Goldendoodle has become a common sight over the years. This lovable dog breed was developed in the 1990s and is a combination of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. One reason this adorable cross breed dog skyrocketed into pupularity is because it requires less grooming compared to a regular Golden Retriever, thanks to its Poodle side, but has the wonderful laid-back personality for which goldies are known. Both Poodles and Golden Retrievers are intelligent dogs, so the Goldendoodle tends to be one smart pup, according to Goldendoodle Association of North America. Goldendoodles come in a variety of colors including, black, cream, chocolate and even red. “Doodles,” as they’re sometimes called, tend to weigh in at 50 pounds and up for a standard size dog, but they can be much smaller. Between its endearing personality and looks, this pup makes for one of the cutest mixed dog breeds ever.,Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but these days, dogs have become even more unique in appearance with the rise in popularity of mixed breed dogs. These hybrid dog breeds, also called designer dogs, are a cross of two or more purebred dogs. If you think about it, cross breed dogs are kind of like a ridiculously cute version of Frankenstein’s Monster, but on four legs! Check out our list of nine of the cutest and most weird dog mixes, and don’t miss our list of the 25 cutest dog breeds.

What to Look for in a Dog Toy “When choosing chew toys for dogs, there are many options, depending on your goals,” says Dr. Lubold. If your dog is an aggressive chewer and needs a hardier toy, he advises careful selection. “Toys that are too rigid can wear down the teeth over time or even break a tooth. A good general rule is for hard toys to be soft enough that you can press your fingernail into them and leave an indentation,” says Dr. Lubold. Dr. Lubold approves of West Paw’s Zogoflex Hurley, which is made from BPA-free, phthalate-free and latex-free food-grade plastic that is FDA-compliant—this is an extra assurance meaning the product meets FDA guidelines for a material that comes into contact with food. If your dog likes a squeak, try the Gnawsome squeaker football dog toy, which is made from plastic that follows those same guidelines. The Nerf Dog nylon flyer works well for more athletic dogs, and it’s likewise made with BPA-free, FDA-approved, tear-resistant nylon. While not all dog toy companies provide information behind their product labeling, it’s worth taking a moment to investigate companies’ websites for more dog toy safety information. For example, the company Planet Dog provides detailed information on its website about how its toys are made, explaining how they developed their special plastic with white olefinic oil instead of chemical softeners. Armed with a bit of information about labeling practices, chemicals and other potentially dangerous materials, you should find selecting a safe and environmentally friendly dog toy a bit easier. And don’t forget to consult your four-legged friends as well: your pup’s preferences and personality will go a long way in helping you make an appropriate choice. “There isn’t a one-size-fits-all,” Dr. Barrack says. “It is important to know your pet when selecting toys.”,Image via iStock.com/Alona Rjabceva By Maura McAndrews As pet lovers, we prioritize our pets’ safety—keeping them out of harmful situations, feeding them the proper food and taking them to the vet when they’re sick. But what about the toys we buy for our dogs—are we vigilant enough about safety hazards? “Toys are an important part of a pet’s life,” explains Dr. Rory Lubold, a veterinarian with Paion Veterinary in Scottsdale, Arizona. “They serve as an enrichment tool and source of mental stimulation to keep our pets active and engaged.” But because plastics and other materials can pose hidden dangers, he advises that you should “always monitor your pets after giving them a new toy.” Unlike with children’s toys, there is no body that regulates the safety of dog toys. “Pet toys do not fall under our jurisdiction,” explains Thaddeus Harrington, public affairs specialist with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, and he notes that the only time a pet toy might be recalled is if it poses a hazard to human consumers through its intended use. That means that the onus is on the consumer to sort the safe from the unsafe, and understanding the labels can help. Some dog toys feature labels like “BPA-free,” “phthalate-free” and “nontoxic,” but for those who are not scientifically inclined, these terms can be confusing. So, what should pet parents look for when purchasing toys, and what should we avoid? What Is BPA? The first step to understanding labels on dog toys is decoding the terms. BPA is short for bisphenol A, a chemical used in the manufacturing of polycarbonate plastics. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), BPA is found everywhere—from beverage containers and food can linings to car parts. Both humans and pets are generally exposed to it through food and drink containers.

What’s one of Bear’s favorite places in visit in the whole wide world? Naples, Florida. Since Bear can fly with me, he’s been able to dip his paws in the sand and chase lizards around the yard during a handful of successful dog-friendly vacations in Florida. Naples is known for high-end shopping, golf courses and miles of beaches with calm waters and white sand. But what many people don’t know is that it is also extremely dog-friendly with hotels, restaurants and beaches that allow dogs.