Dogs

Canines are known for their many odors—but when your dog’s paws smell like Fritos, and no one opened a bag of corn chips (because surely your dog would have alerted you to the exciting sound of a plastic food bag opening), the Frito-feet scent can be puzzling. Three culprits can cause or contribute to that corn chip smell. “Frito feet are a potpourri of bacteria, yeast, and, sometimes, sweat,” says Brian Collins, DVM, a veterinarian at the Cornell University Riney Canine Health Center, in Ithaca, New York. Let’s break down this smelly trifecta.,Jump to section What Causes a Dog’s Feet To Smell Like Fritos When To Call the Vet Should You Get Rid of the Corn Chip Smell? Dog Frito-Feet Treatment Don’t Fret About Fritos Corn Chip Feet

Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea One of the best things you can do for vomiting and diarrhea is to withhold food and water for four to six hours, according to Osborne.  Another great diarrhea remedy to keep in your cat or dog first-aid kit is slippery elm, which can be purchased in powdered form at many health stores. “I make slippery elm sludge using 1 teaspoon powder in one cup warm water,” Morgan explains. “Then just give your pet one teaspoon per 20 pounds of body weight, three times a day.” You can also find slippery elm in pill form, which Fleck prefers. “Slippery Elm is a good across-the-board remedy in that it can aid irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea and constipation,” Fleck explains. ,Stress and Shock Bach’s Rescue Remedy is a homeopathic product that helps pets address stressful situations. “It is great to use at the time of trauma, including accidents, a trip to the vet, surgery, and thunderstorms,” according to Morgan. Made from a combination of five flower essences—including Star of Bethlehem, Rock Rose, Cherry Plum, Impatiens, and Clematis—Rescue Remedy can be used as a first-aid helper to calm down your pet so he’s more receptive to accepting help. “To use, simply place a few drops in your dog’s mouth, food or water bowl,” says Osborne. “Alternately, rub onto your dog’s pressure points: inner ear and groin areas, where your pet is hairless.” ,Having a pet first aid kit handy is a smart idea for all pet parents and can help save our furry friends during unexpected injuries. For those that want to take a natural approach, there are homeopathic and herbal remedies to consider adding to your kit that can help with everything from cuts and burns to nausea and stress. “Homeopathy embraces the notion that the body can heal itself and that symptoms are a sign that the body is in a state of repair attempting to restore its own health,” explains Denise Fleck, a certified pet first-aid and CPR speaker and the current Career Technical Education Animal Care Instructor for the Burbank Unified School District. “Homeopathic remedies can even be administered along with other traditional treatments for better results.” Homeopathic remedies for pets are often administered in the form of tinctures, a liquid extract made from herbs, and sugar pills, where just a drop of the remedy is placed on the pill and then given to a dog or cat, according to Fleck. Putting together a homeopathic and natural first-aid kit requires some planning, but it can be a great option to help treat small injuries until you’re able to get to the vet. “I usually reach for the natural remedies first and have had great results,” says Dr. Judy Morgan, DVM, who uses a combination of traditional Western medicine and holistic practices, such as herbal therapy and acupuncture, to treat her four-legged patients. Here are some basic homeopathic and herbal remedies every natural first-aid kit should contain. Make sure to consult your veterinarian before administering any new remedy to your pets. Bruises and Muscle Strains Arnica is a great homeopathic remedy for muscle aches, spasms, pain, and bruising in pets, according to Morgan. “It can be given orally or applied topically as a diluted oil or cream,” Morgan says. “For oral treatment, I use 30C pellets—one or two given every four hours for 48 hours initially, then dropping to every eight hours.” Arnica is a very useful first aid addition because it not only relieves pain, but also helps reduce associated swelling, according to Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM, an integrative veterinarian and the first veterinarian in the U.S. to be certified as a Diplomat of the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine for humans. “Give two pellets every hour for up to four hours to help with swelling,” Osborne says. The plant-based remedy is also a good option for pets with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), says Morgan. “Owners can give [the pills] if they suspect the pet is having an episode of pain from IVDD while waiting to get into their veterinarian,” she explains.

As part of its Pets are Welcome (P.A.W.) program, the W Austin Hotel allows dogs and cats weighing 40 pounds or less. In case you forgot your dog backpack at home, the W’s amenities include a custom W pet bed, food and water bowl with floor mat, pet-in-room door sign and a special treat at turndown. The pet fee is $25 per night plus a $100 non-refundable cleaning fee. The downtown hotel’s restaurant, Trace at the W, even serves canine guests homemade doggy treats and doggy ice cream on the outdoor patio.,From Austin’s downtown high-rises to Zilker Park, dogs abound in this vibrant Southwestern city. The city’s no-kill animal shelter policy reflects Austin’s fierce commitment to its four-legged friends, as does the abundance of dog-friendly patios, breweries and walking paths. Whether jogging, hiking, kayaking or drinking under the stars, Austinites love outdoor activities, often with their furry companions in tow, making it one of the best places for a vacation with your dog. So, pack your dog backpack and your dog travel bowl as we explore Texas’ capital city.

Your pup will need dog food right away. Find out what your new dog has been eating and decide if you want to continue that food or start transitioning them to a new food. Check with your veterinarian to confirm that the food you use meets your dog’s individual nutritional needs. Different ages or stages can benefit from specific nutrients to help your animal thrive. Read our guide to feeding dog food at different life stages.,You’ve taken the plunge and you’re bringing a new dog home. While welcoming a new pup into your home is exciting, it also can be a little daunting at first—especially for first-time dog owners. Any time you are bringing a new dog home, whether a puppy or an adult dog, it’s best to prepare ahead of time and get an idea of what to expect. Here are 10 things first-time dog owners, or existing dog owners getting a second dog, can do to make the transition easier.

My dog licks my hands and face a lot. They will also lick the water off my legs when I get out of the shower and try to lick the lotion off my skin. Is this licking behavior normal?

Jump to section Winter Supplements for Dogs Winter Supplements for Cats Not all Pets Need Supplements

Your dog climbs up for their nightly snuggle, and you suddenly notice that their breath is bad enough to knock you out! You know gum disease can be a common issue for dogs, but you don’t know what to look for or what’s normal when it comes to dog gums. Here are all the details of what to check, from the way your dog’s gums should feel to what color they should be. Signs of Healthy Gums in Dogs Healthy dog gums look a lot like healthy people gums. For the most part, a healthy dog has gums that are bubble-gum pink, or even salmon pink. Some other dog breeds have naturally dark-colored or spotted gums, and this can be normal for your pet. However, if their gum color changes over time, that may be concerning. Normal gums are moist and slippery. There should be no odor when you get near your dog’s mouth, and you shouldn’t see any swelling, lumps, or bumps. Healthy, pink gums on a dog (Photo Credit: Sandra Mitchell, DVM)

Cancer in dogs refers to a broad group of diseases that share a common feature: the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. In a healthy dog’s body, genes regulate cell growth, signaling when to start and stop dividing. However, cancerous cells ignore these instructions—and multiply unchecked. How fast cancer grows and where it spreads depends on the type of cancer. Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs, accounting for 27% of all deaths and more than 30% of deaths in dogs over one year of age. In fact, nearly 50% of dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).,Jump to section What Is Cancer in Dogs? What Are the Most Common Types? What Are the Signs of Cancer in Dogs? What Causes Cancer in Dogs? When Should I Take My Dog to the Vet? How Can I Help My Dog Feel More Comfortable? What Can I Do To Help Prevent Cancer in My Dog? FAQs About Cancer in Dogs

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The summer is finally here! Get those bathing suits out, get the sunblock ready, and dust off the barbecue grill. Everyone loves the summertime, especially our pets; the fresh warm air, the open fields of grass to run on, the swimming and splashing, and of course all the fun “people food” that is common during summer months. However, some of our favorite summertime BBQ foods are dangerous foods for dogs to eat. While some “people food” is safe to share with your pet—in moderation— others can be toxic for our pets. As a small animal veterinarian, I see an influx of food toxicities and upset bellies during the summer months. So before cookout season gets into full swing, lets talk about some common dangerous foods for dogs to keep out of reach or off the menu.