Dogs

In This Article Summary View 5 More +

Fiber plays an intricate and necessary role in a dog’s diet. Not only is fiber an essential nutrient that supports the proper function of the digestive system, but it can provide other surprising health benefits for your pup as well. With the right balance, you can avoid having to deal with dog diarrhea or ending up with a constipated dog.

And once you hit the trails, remember to follow leash laws, respect trail rules and always use a dog poop bag to pick up after your pup.,If you have an adventurous or energetic pup, taking a hike with your dog is one of the best ways to spend some quality time together. And with hiking trails all over the country that range from easy jaunts to challenging routes, you can find the best hike for you and your dog on pet-friendly trails near you. To get you started, we’ve rounded up some of the best routes in each state for dog-friendly hiking trails. And though this list is far from exhaustive, these dog-friendly hikes vary in distance and difficulty and have a little something special for you to see (waterfalls, viewpoints, canyons, rivers, fall colors) while still being suitable for your four-legged hiking buddy (shaded, not too rocky, good smells, water to cool off in). Whether you’re looking to plan your next outdoor adventure or just want to look at some dreamy landscapes, these tail-wagging hikes are sure to spark your imagination.

The most important ingredient in any recipe is love. The good news is that it’s the easiest step for any pet parent when they are making homemade dog treats. And to make it even easier, we’ve come up with the most delicious no-bake DIY dog treats that your pup will go crazy for! These paw-ssibly addicting homemade dog treats have high-quality ingredients that provide your pupper with the nutrition boost he deserves. We’ve tried several different types of TruFood products for our ingredients, including trays, freeze-dried and toppers—and they were all pup-approved.

Unlike heartworms, ringworm (which is medically referred to as dermatophytosis) isn’t actually a worm or worms; it’s a fungal infection that, in dogs, can affect the skin, hair follicles and nails. It’s caused by dermatophytes, pathogenic fungi that can be highly contagious. Most cases of ringworm, or around 70 percent, are caused by a specific fungus named Microsporum canis, while about 20 percent are caused by Microsporum gypseum. The remaining 10 percent are caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes.,Jump to section What Is Ringworm in Dogs? How Do Dogs Get Ringworm? Symptoms and Signs of Ringworm in Dogs How Vets Diagnose Ringworm in Dogs How To Treat Ringworm in a Dog How To Prevent Ringworm in Dogs FAQs About Ringworm in Dogs

You might just think of it as waste, but the color of your dog’s stool tells a story. Normal dog poop is chocolate brown, and a bit squishy (although it comes out in solid, log-like pieces). If you’re seeing any other colors, it may be time to pay closer attention to what your dog’s bowel movements are trying to tell you. To help clue you in to your pooch’s overall health, we’ve rounded up some of the most common colors you may see in your dog’s feces, and what they mean. We also put together a handy dog poop color chart that you can quickly reference whenever you’re asking yourself the question, “Why is my dog’s poop [insert color here]?”

Choosing a Name for Your Dog It’s often recommended that you name your dog something simple that will quickly catch their attention. Names that are one or two syllables are often most conducive to the most efficient training. If you do choose a long, complex name for your dog, it might be best to use a shorter, simpler nickname when calling or speaking to them, as this will help reduce confusion and make it much easier for them to learn their name. It’s also best that a dog’s name not be similar to a command. For example, “Kit” can be confused with “sit,” and “Bo” with “no.” Featured Image: Adobe/standret,WRITTEN BYBarri J. Morrison, DVM Veterinarian Barri Morrison was born and raised and currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She went to University of Florida for her…,Have you ever wondered if your dog truly understands you when you speak to them? Most pet parents agree that their dog understands basic commands such as “sit,” “stay,” and “down,” leading us to believe that they associate words with actions or objects. But do dogs know their name? Dogs have been part of human society longer than any other domestic species, and research indicates that dogs understand human emotions and words—including their own name—better than you might think.

In This Article What Do Fleas Look Like? View 4 More +

3. You believe in dog math, which calculates that one dog equals three dog beds. Your precious fluffster needs options for sleeping accommodations, which is why there’s a comfy dog bed or mat in every room of the house, plus an outdoor cot on the patio—and a travel bed in the car, too. Each indoor bed is a different style to suit your dog’s mood for the day.,How do you know you’re a dog person? Think back to the last time you were in a group of people sharing cute photos of their little (human) bundles of joy. You probably didn’t hesitate to pull out your phone and scroll through pages of candid shots of your little angel—which happens to be a dog (or several). It’s not hard to see why dog people have so much love for these loyal creatures—dogs and people have been BFFs for thousands of years. Here are some surefire ways that you can tell that you’re a bone-a-fide dog person:

Calcium phosphate Bladder stones made of calcium phosphate are not very common in dogs. Surgical removal of the stones is usually necessary. Silica Silica bladder stones are rare in dogs and cannot be dissolved. They must be removed by surgery, lithotripsy, or urohydropropulsion. How Special Diets Can Prevent Bladder Stones in Dogs Dogs that develop bladder stones once are at risk for getting them again, but preventive measures are available. Changing dog food is one of the most effective ways of preventing bladder stones. This is because to a large degree, a dog’s diet determines what ends up in their urine. By feeding a special food, pet parents can reduce the building blocks needed to create bladder stones. Struvite Struvite stones are a partial exception to the rule because they are almost always caused by bacterial infections. Therefore, the best way to prevent the return of struvite stones is to focus on preventing bladder infections. A long-term diet change is not always necessary, but ensuring that the urine remains dilute and slightly acidic can help. A veterinarian may recommend these foods to help prevent the return of struvite stones:,Bladder stones in dogs develop when substances that are normally dissolved in urine form crystals that link, and over time combine to form one or more stones. They can become so big that they can’t pass through the dog’s urethra, which traps them in the bladder. Different types of bladder stones require different treatments, and unfortunately, once a dog has had bladder stones, there’s a good chance they could come back, especially if no preventive measures are in place. Diet can play a big role in the treatment and prevention of bladder stones. Here’s what you need to know about feeding a dog with bladder stones. Can You Use Food to Treat Dogs With Bladder Stones? Some bladder stones can be dissolved using a special prescription food or medicine. When you create the right conditions in the urine, the stones gradually dissolve. Other bladder stones have to be physically removed, either through surgery or techniques like lithotripsy (using sound waves or a laser to break stones into small pieces) or urohydropropulsion (placing a special catheter into the bladder to flush out small stones). Your veterinarian can recommend the best treatment for your dog’s bladder stones based on: The type (or types) of stones Their quantity and size Your dog’s overall condition Treatment Plans Based on Type of Bladder Stone Let’s take a look at the options for getting rid of different bladder stones. Struvite Struvite stones (also called magnesium ammonium phosphate) are quite common in dogs and can usually be dissolved with food or medicine. Antibiotics are also necessary, because struvite stones in dogs are almost always associated with bacterial infections in the bladder. Dissolving stones takes anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on their size and other factors. Surgery and other methods of physical removal can be considered if necessary. Diets used to dissolve struvite stones have the following characteristics: Reduced levels of protein, magnesium, and phosphorus Increased levels of salt Creates acidic urine (urine with a lower pH than normal) Good options include: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Urinary SO Hill’s Prescription Diet s/d or c/d Multicare Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary Ox/St