Dogs

Contributed by Dr. Diana Drogan, DVM. You’re not the only one who wants a strong, bathing suit-ready body. Your pets need to maintain a healthy weight and body condition for their age, gender, and breed, too. Unfortunately, though, as obesity trends in the United States increase for us, the same is occurring in our furry companions. Studies have shown that for every pound your pet is overweight, that’s equivalent to 10 pounds on a person. This can be significant, especially if your pet is overweight by five or more pounds, because just as with people, overweight pets are prone to joint disease, and extra pounds can exacerbate arthritis and make other age-related disease conditions more painful and difficult to live with.

A “Cat” singing a love song about a dog—oh, the irony! Cat Stevens knows how special dogs are—just look at these lyrics: “All he asks from me is the food to give him strength/All he ever needs is love and that he knows he’ll get.”,Dogs have been the muses for musicians for ages. We’ve rounded up 22 of the best dog-titled and dog-inspired tunes and made a doggie playlist of our favorites. From country to pop, and punk to R&B, there’s something for every dog lover—and music lover!—here.

Ah, do you smell that? That’s the smell of fresh-baked cookies—and it wouldn’t be the holidays without them. For some, they’re perfectly spiced gingerbread cookies; for others, they’re frosting-slathered sugar cookies. For the queen of baking herself, Martha Stewart, they’re her homemade holiday dog cookies made especially for her four pups: French Bulldogs Creme Brulee and Bete Noire, and Chow Chows Emperor Han and Empress Qin. And lucky for us all, Stewart’s sharing her dog-approved recipe exclusively with Chewy.  “My pets get into the holiday spirit just like I do,” Stewart says. “They sense the excitement and definitely take note of all the great smells coming out of the kitchen.” Break out the Christmas cookie cutters, and put on your aprons (one for you and your dog, of course). It’s time to bake.  This recipe was reviewed by a veterinarian. It is intended as a treat or snack. As with any human food, pet parents looking to incorporate new foods into their dog’s diet should consult with their veterinarian beforehand. 

Those nasty stains on his beard could be caused by the oxidation of his saliva, artificial coloration within his food and dog treats, or a yeast infection called Ptyrosporin or “red yeast,” the very same culprit that causes unsightly tear stains in many breeds. Dog food that is heavy in grains and cereals also contributes to this problem, so feeding a diet with low or no grains or cereals may help, as will using stainless steel or crockery dog dishes instead of plastic and keeping them scrupulously clean. That said, the best solution I have found for facial stains in dogs is a product called Angels’ Eyes. I am not a chemist, but somehow it ties up the circulating compounds in the pet’s system that react with light to produce those ugly stains. In other words, it changes his chemistry. Administered in powdered form, it is sprinkled on your dog’s food with every meal, a teaspoon each time for a dog the size of your Bichon. If dogs balk at the taste, you may add it to their water instead. You will see a difference within a few weeks. As the stains diminish, you can cut back to using it about four times a week. In the meantime, have your groomer trim out the stained hair so the clean white hair can grow in. The company also makes a cleaning kit called Eye Envy that contains liquid, powder, and pads for follow-up care, but in my own dog’s case, just the Angels’ Eyes itself and a daily wash with witch hazel did the trick for his staining problem. Some of my clients also swear by Pampers fragrance-free baby wipes to clean the under-eye and beard areas, and there are pet wipes on the market as well for such daily cleanups. I would also recommend using a whitening dog shampoo to wash his face — and his whole body while you’re at it! Just be careful not to get the lather in his eyes or you might end up with another problem on your hands. The show dog folks have all sorts of secret remedies to combat eye and beard stains on their bright white beauties, but many contain bleach or dyes so I would not advise using them on your little guy. Good luck getting him back to his snow-white splendor! Posted by: Chewy Editorial Featured Image: DusanManic/iStock/Thinkstock,Q.

Your Senior Dog’s Well-Being During your pup’s golden years, it is important to provide them with a routine each day that gives them familiarity and makes them feel secure. This routine should include feeding them and giving them potty breaks at the same time each day, keeping daily activities predictable, and sticking to a consistent bedtime. It’s essential to feed them a high-quality, AAFCO-approved dog food every day. And make sure you are not feeding them table scraps or too many treats, as this can lead to unwanted weight gain and strain on an older dog’s joints. Senior dogs also benefit from mental stimulation throughout the day to keep their brain sharp and prevent boredom. Enrichment toys, such as a stuffed Kong®, new stuffed animals, and puzzle toys, can help keep them engaged. When selecting toys, opt for those that are appropriate for senior dogs. Choose soft toys, which are gentle on their gums or teeth, rather than hard balls or plastic toys. Daily walks and spending time outdoors in the fresh air are also highly beneficial for older dogs.,Senior dogs are wonderful companions, but their care and keeping require careful consideration. Working closely with a veterinarian can help you better understand the needs of an older dog and make informed decisions to ensure they enjoy a high quality of life.

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Q: Whenever there’s a block party in my neighborhood with fireworks, my dogs freak out as soon as they hear them. It’s so pitiful to watch them hide and whine! Why are dogs scared of fireworks, and how can I help my pups overcome this fear?  A: The loud booms of fireworks can be really scary for our four-legged friends. The good news? There’s plenty you can do to help keep your dogs calm, including some expert-approved techniques that will help your dogs cope better come Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve.  We spoke to veterinarians to learn more about why fireworks spook dogs, if it’s normal for dogs to be afraid of fireworks, how to help alleviate your dog’s fear of fireworks, and more. 

So, how exactly do we define a reactive dog? According to Houpt, a reactive dog is one who overreacts to situations a typical dog might ignore. That overreaction commonly takes the form of barking hysterically, pulling on their leash, or lunging at another dog or person. How does a dog become reactive? Houpt says it primarily comes down to nurture. Some dogs have had bad experiences that cause them to overreact in certain situations. For example, if you’ve adopted a rescue dog who was rescued from an abusive owner, it’s understandable your dog would be scared when a stranger approaches on your daily walk. For other dogs, a lack of socialization is to blame. This occurs when a dog isn’t routinely exposed to new, positive experiences in a safe and stress-free way, so they learn not to trust new pets, places and people. Does a dog’s breed matter? Not really. Reactivity typically has very little to do with a dog’s breed, and much more to do with their history and experiences. Any dog of any breed can become reactive if they have had a traumatic experience, and many so-called “reactive breed” dogs show no signs of reactivity if they are properly raised and socialized. However, Houpt says research indicates that some types of dogs tend to be more reactive than others. Smaller dogs, for example, might be more prone to reactivity because everyone around them is so large, which may be frightening for them. That doesn’t mean every Chihuahua will bark uncontrollably—again, it’s all about nurture—but it may increase the likelihood. Are you looking for a dog breed less prone to reactive behavior? Houpt recommends: Golden Retrievers Labradors Beagles Brittany Spaniels Greyhounds Great Danes Whippets However, keep in mind that any dog can become reactive, including the breeds above.,Jump to section What is a Reactive Dog? How to Calm a Reactive Dog Tips for Training a Reactive Dog How to Socialize a Reactive Dog Frequently Asked Questions About Reactive Dogs

If you live in an area where there is plenty of snow and space to run — and hopefully someplace to go — and you have at least two big, energetic dogs and a sled, there is an outdoor activity made just for you: mushing!  We’re not talking “mush” like the stuff you eat for breakfast. This “mush” is based on the French word for marche. Or to put it simply, “Go!” Mushing can be for practical purposes, like getting from here to there (and back again), in which case you need only a team of dogs big enough to haul the loads they are pulling. If you are interested in mushing for sport, well, that’s a whole ‘nother ballgame, and you’re going to need a bigger team for that. And then you have the choice between going pro and joining a competitive racing association, or just staying casual and racing around with your dogs alone, or against your friends and neighbors. Either way, it’s a great way to stay healthy and have fun all winter long. If you live in a location that is not snowy all year long, you can even continue to mush in the warm season with a rig. In fact, mushing is not confined to sledding; it can also include skijoring, weight pulling, sled racing, and almost anything that involves harnessing a dog to a vehicle for the purpose of pulling it. Meet the Dog Sled Team Dog sledding requires a sled, a team of dogs, and a musher — the person driving the sled. Almost any breed of dog can be used on a sled team, so long as it is a medium to large sized dog (between 45-90 pounds is best). The most common breeds are the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Canadian Eskimo and Samoyed, but other breeds and mixed breeds are also used. Pulling breeds like American Bulldogs, mastiffs, American bull terriers and Staffordshire terriers can also benefit from this sport. In cold environments, it does help tremendously if the dogs are heavy coated, but the main components for a successful mushing dog is speed, strength and stamina to spare. The dogs are set up in groups of two, running side by side — think of how Santa’s reindeer sled team is organized. The team is positioned based on the dogs’ abilities to perform certain roles. The Lead dogs set the pace and steer the rest of the team. They are usually chosen based on their intelligence, since they have to be smart and able to find trails even under tough conditions. The Swing dogs follow the lead dogs and help guide the dogs behind them through the tough turns.  The Team dogs are usually found on larger teams. They provide the main power in the team and are positioned based on their strength. The Wheel dogs are the dogs closest to the sled. They are positioned based on their ability to stay calm under pressure, especially with a moving vehicle right behind them. And because they are directly hitched to the sled, they have to be the strongest; making turns and maneuvers smoothly enough that the sled will not be overturned and pulling the sled out of ruts.  Finally, the Musher rides right behind the sled, giving commands and steering the sled team. The Musher often will participate by running along with the dogs to help speed the team along.

Can dogs eat bananas? They sure can! While they shouldn’t be eating any of that banana bread you’ve been making recently, fresh bananas are both nutritious and delicious for dogs.  We spoke with two veterinarians to give you the full story on bananas and dogs. Our guide will explain the nutritional benefits of bananas and how to introduce them into your dog’s diet.  Before introducing any new food into your dog’s diet, always check with your veterinarian.