Dogs

The 2025 holiday season is officially going to the pets—and their parents couldn’t be happier about it. This year’s Chewy survey shows that our furry friends aren’t just part of the celebration; they’re the heart of it.

“Also known as castration, neutering means removing the testicles in male dogs in order to make them reproductively ineffective,” says Dr. Ivana Crnec, DVM, of Veterinarians.org. “Today, with the advances in veterinary medicine, neutering is considered a routine procedure.” As Dr. Crnec points out, it is an extremely common procedure, with the American Kennel Club (AKC) estimating 80 percent of US dogs to be fixed—either neutered or spayed depending on the dog’s gender.,Jump to section What Is Involved in Dog Neutering? When Are Dogs Neutered? Benefits of Neutering All About Dog Neutering Surgery Neutering a Dog: FAQ

When I adopted my dog, she was plagued with allergies. From green gook that poured out of her eyes to her incredibly dry skin, she was constantly itching and uncomfortable. We made dozens of trips to the vet to get antibiotics and medicine to treat the symptoms, but the allergies just would not go away. Frustrated, I sought out a holistic veterinarian to get a second opinion. She looked at my pet and recommended a different approach; instead of trying more pills, she said I should switch up my dog’s diet and add supplements to her dog food. I was skeptical, but I diligently measured out the fish oil and Vitamin E and poured it over my pup’s kibble. Within a few days, the eye issues cleared up. Her coat became softer, and she stopped scratching so much. After a few weeks, her skin was soft and moisturized. I was convinced. Pet seasonal allergies can make them miserable. Allergies can cause different symptoms, but the most common are skin irritation, respiratory issues and ear infections. When you pet seems overwhelmed and uncomfortable, you may be able to help him by addressing the symptoms with supplements. If your pet is experiencing some allergy symptoms check in with your vet and decide if these supplements are worth a try: Fish oil: For dogs with dry skin or coat, fish oil with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may be helpful. Available in both capsule and liquid forms, the fish oil will help increase the skin’s moisture and encourage healthy shedding. Seasonal allergy support supplement: Vet’s Best Seasonal Allergy Support Dog Supplements is a calming blend that gently supports skin health after it reacts to aggressors like exposure to pollens and flea bites. Nettle leaf: Supplement containing nettle leaf, an herb used to control histamine levels, may help your dog or cat’s allergy symptoms. For pets who are sensitive to pollen, nettle leaf has been found to help control their respiratory and skin issues. Laxatone: Laxatone and chamomile are two natural supplements that may help soothe your pet’s stomach and calm intestinal issues resulting from allergies. Yeast: Yeast and garlic supplements may help boost your pet’s immune system and boost their resistance to allergens, such as flea bites or other skin irritants. The supplements may also help prevent hot spots and other allergy symptoms. Supplements can be very helpful in treating your pet’s symptoms, but only if you use the right ones and in the proper amounts. Some supplements may react negatively when used with other medications or exacerbate certain underlying conditions. Always check with your veterinarian before incorporating supplements into your dog or cat’s diet. Work together to develop the approach that’s best for your pet.

In This Article Are Hand Warmers Toxic to Dogs? View 5 More +

In This Article What Is Dock Diving? View 4 More +

There’s a dog out there for every lifestyle, and that includes avid swimmers! If you enjoy spending your days in the water, these high-energy, water-loving dogs are more than happy to join you. They’ll gladly spend hours by the poolside, cruising on the lake, and splashing on the beach right beside you.

Behavior chains are a hot topic among trainers who compete with their dogs in agility, freestyle heeling and other pet athletic sports. The use of long behavior chains is an advanced clicker training technique. I usually don’t teach behavior chains to my dog training clients because most people who want to train their dogs are focused on individual behaviors, such as teaching your dog to sit. That said, behavior chains can be fun to practice and are a good way to reduce how much dog food you use in training. Let’s start by discussing the term “behavior chain.”

In This Article Summary View 6 More +

Upgrade your dog’s claws—and give yourself a pair for the night—with the cutest couples costume idea: lobsters. Fido’s and your Halloween costume doesn’t have to be trendy to be adorable, and this one certainly checks the adorable matching costume box.,Pet costumes are fun (have you seen these funny Halloween costumes for dogs?), but do you know what’s even better than a Halloween costume for your four-legged BFF? Matching costumes for you and your furry friend! Take the idea of a couples costume, but make it a dog/pet parent couple. From Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” to a pair of sweet-as-honey bumble bees, we’ve rounded up some super Halloween costume ideas for you and your sidekick. While we love a good DIY project, these are ready-to-go Halloween costumes for your pooch, no work required. Prepare to win the “Best Matching Costumes Duo Ever” award in the annual Halloween party costume contest.

4. Golden Retriever Photo credit: iStock/VYCHEGZHANINA With training, Golden Retrievers can excel in various tasks such as hunting, retrieving, obedience, and even service and therapy work. These intelligent sporting dogs have a notoriously gentle nature. Their ability to learn quickly and respond well to commands means they’re relatively easy to train with a pocket full of dog treats to reward their food-motivated minds.,All dogs are known for their loyalty and companionship, but many breeds are celebrated for their intelligence, too. The smartest dogs can quickly learn and understand new cues, exhibit problem-solving skills, and show their independent side. But earning a spot on the list of smartest dog breeds is more than just how fast a pup can learn new tricks. Experts say signs of dog intelligence are a combination of various factors, not just how trainable they are. In fact, some smart pups show their intelligence in ways that can be frustrating for first-time dog parents. Clever dogs with high cognitive abilities may be more likely to show off their creative problem-solving skills, like how to steal snacks off the counter or unlock a gate. Wondering if your pooch makes the list of most intelligent dog breeds? Here are some of the smartest dogs by breed and the features that make them so clever.