Dogs

Yes, dogs can eat dandelions—as long as they’re clean, unsprayed, and pesticide-free. That means no herbicides, lawn chemicals, or mystery mulch.   But are dandelions safe for dogs in all forms? Unlike some plants that are only partially safe, dogs can eat all parts of the dandelion: the flowers, leaves, and roots, according to Samuel Varon, DVM, owner of Broadway Veterinary Hospital, in Sacramento, California.  That said, your dog doesn’t need dandelions in their diet. A complete and balanced dog food provides all the essential nutrients your pup needs. But small amounts of dandelion can be a fun, enriching treat, as long as you don’t overdo it.  Some pre-made dog treats have dandelion as a listed ingredient, like these pet-parent favorites:,Dandelions are one of the most common backyard plants, and if your dog tends to nibble on grass or leaves, there’s a good chance they’ve taken a bite out of a dandelion. But can dogs eat dandelions safely?  The short answer is yes—in the right amount and prepared the right way, dandelions can be a safe and even beneficial treat for some dogs. But there are a few important things to know before adding them to your pup’s bowl.  Before introducing any new food into your dog’s diet, always check with your veterinarian. 

“Dogs may shake or shiver for various reasons,” explains Dr. Julie Cappel, DVM, a veterinarian and veterinarian life coach based in Warren, Michigan. “Some may be normal, and some may indicate underlying disease.” Common reasons dogs shake, according to our experts, include:,My dog is shaking, and I’m worried because I’m not sure what could be causing him to do this. Why do dogs shake? Is this normal?

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Known as a companion dog, the Peekapoo — which is a cross between a Pekingese and a Poodle — loves nothing more than sitting in its owner’s lap or next to them on the floor. The breed is loyal and fun, but there are a few things you should know ahead of time before deciding to bring one home.

When the weather’s nice and the pool calls your name, will your dog be up for a dip? If your dog takes the plunge without urging, swimming may be in his genes. In fact, many dogs are considered “water dogs”—aka, dog breeds purposefully bred to be avid swimmers. Here are the best water dogs that’ll join you for a swim.

WRITTEN BY Victoria Schade, CPDT-KA Animal Trainer,Image via iStock.com/stevecoleimages By Victoria Schade Admit it—you’re reluctant to have friends over because your dog’s greeting behavior is a bit embarrassing. She jumps so high that she’s nearly eye-to-eye with your guests, which might be okay with your kid’s friends, but it’s a hazard when your great aunt visits. This can leave pet parents in a tight spot when company comes over; it’s difficult to balance being a good host and a dog trainer at the same time. So, what causes jumpy greetings, and what can be done to stop them—aside from banishing your dog to the yard or their dog crate when people come over? While training a dog not to jump starts in puppyhood, it’s never too late to teach your dog how to be a good host! Why Do Dogs Jump? Leaping greeting habits typically start when the behavior is cute. Your excited puppy leaps at you any time you walk in the room, and you naturally reach down to pet her when she does it. After all, she’s adorable—how could you not? It’s a totally unconscious behavior on your part. The same jumping response happens when your pup meets new friends, and in some greeting scenarios, people even invite your pup to jump up to say hello. It doesn’t take long for your puppy to figure out that jumping up gets them attention. It’s fine when your puppy is small, but the behavior becomes less adorable as she starts to grow. But, by that point, your puppy has probably already had months of positive reinforcement for jumping up, and trying to put a stop to it isn’t easy. Couple that strong reward history with your pup’s sheer joy of greeting  friends and family, and you’ve got an entrenched jumping habit.  

Looking to add a little extra flavor to your dog’s meal? You might be wondering, “What seasonings can dogs have?” While many herbs and spices are off-limits, there are plenty of options that can enhance the flavor of your dog’s food without harming their health. However, it’s important to know which ones are safe, as well as the right quantities to use. If you want to add spices to your dog’s food or to your very own homemade treats, Stephanie Howe, DVM, a pet health representative at Chewy, suggests working with a pet nutritionist or a pet nutrition company to help ensure well-balanced recipes. They can recommend spice ingredients and amounts that are both safe and tasty. That said, here are 14 spices and herbs safe for dogs—and 23 they should avoid. Before introducing any new food into your dog’s diet, always check with your veterinarian.

Sure, it sounds like a good idea. After all, that extra hair can’t be a good thing when temperatures hit the 90s, right? Unfortunately, that is not the case. Shaving your pet during warm-weather months is usually unnecessary, for three reasons: It can make them more prone to sunburn. It can interfere with their natural body temperature regulation. Dogs with undercoats, like German Shepherds, Huskies, Pomeranians, and Chows, among others, are very efficient at trapping air within their undercoat, which helps keep them cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It can damage the hair follicles, causing the coat to grow back dull or sometimes patchy in places. Instead, remove any excess undercoat by brushing regularly. For long and curly-haired breeds, like the Shih Tzu or Bichon Frise, a short cut is OK as long as there is enough hair to provide protection from the sun.,Is your dog in need of a haircut or bath? While there are many good reasons to groom your pet regularly, a well-meaning but inexperienced pet parent who decides to give at-home grooming a try can do damage if they aren’t careful. We spoke to pet grooming experts about six common dog grooming mistakes that may sound like a good idea when it comes to grooming but should be avoided at all costs.

Unfortunately, it’s extremely common for dogs to get fleas. And they can contract fleas in more than one way, says Michael Kearley, DVM, a veterinarian in Tampa, Florida. “Long story short, they get fleas from the environment, like in the grass and wooded areas,” he says. Dogs can also get fleas from: Your yard: You might not think of your backyard as the “great outdoors,” but there are still plenty of opportunities for a flea to jump on your doggo directly from your grass. Flea eggs often drop into your yard from other animals. After the eggs hatch and mature into larvae and adult fleas, the fleas are waiting in the grass, ready to jump on your dog. Wild or stray animals: If your dog has a brush with local wildlife (such as raccoons, rabbits, or squirrels,) or stray cats or dogs, they might catch live fleas that hop onto them directly from that animal. Other dogs: Ditto for other dogs—it’s easy for your pup to be exposed to fleas when playing with (or just being in close contact with) another canine pal. You: Sorry to say but yes, you can give fleas to your fur baby, too. If you’re outside and a flea jumps on you, your clothing, or your shoes and then you come inside to greet your dog, the flea can then jump onto them to feed.,Jump to section How Do Dogs Get Fleas? How To Tell If Your Dog Has Fleas How Do You Get Rid of Fleas on a Dog?

4. How Do You Check for Ticks on Dogs? The best way to check your dog for ticks is to brush your fingers through your dog’s fur, applying enough pressure to feel any small bumps. If you feel a bump, pull the fur apart to identify it. An embedded tick will vary in size, from as tiny as a pinhead to as big as a dime. They are usually black, gray, or brown. Depending on the size and location of the tick, its legs may also be visible. Because ticks are actually arachnids (not insects), they have four pairs of legs as adults.,5. How Do You Remove a Tick From a Dog? If you’ve discovered a tick on your dog, it should be removed immediately to avoid a skin reaction and to reduce the likelihood of developing a tick-borne infectious disease. Diseases can be transmitted to your dog in as quickly as a few hours. Follow these tips to safely remove a tick from a dog: Grasp the tick as close to your dog’s skin as possible with a pair of flat or curved forceps or tweezers. They should be held as close to the skin of your dog as possible. Avoid squeezing the tick! Using steady, gentle pressure, pull the head of the tick away from the skin without twisting. The site of the bite should be cleaned with soap and water. You can also use a tick-removal tool, such as the ZenPet Tick Tornado, that’s specifically designed for removing ticks on dogs. Save the tick in a container filled with isopropyl alcohol with a tight-fitting lid if you would like your veterinarian to identify it.,Fleas get their share of attention and awareness as nuisances that can plague dogs, but ticks shouldn’t be overlooked. Unlike biting insects, ticks don’t bite and fly away; they remain on their hosts, feeding for days before they crawl off. Here’s what you need to know about ticks on dogs, their bites, and how to handle and remove them.