Dogs

When puppies are born, the mother of the puppies usually keeps them clean by licking and grooming them. But once the puppies start moving around or away from their mom, they may need a little extra help staying clean. From poop to dirt, it’s pretty easy for a puppy to get dirty. Most times, all you need to do is sponge them off with a warm moist washcloth or use disposable wipes. But sometimes, only a bath will do.

At the risk of stating the obvious, grain-free dog food does not contain grain. If you look at the ingredient list printed on the pet food label, you should not see wheat, corn, rice, oats, barley, or rye.  But grain-free is not the same as carbohydrate-free. Carbohydrates are an important source of energy for dogs and are a necessary part of dry dog foods. (They help hold the kibble together.) In grain-free dog foods, ingredients like potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, beans, and lentils are included as sources of carbohydrates.  Another common misconception is that grain-free dog food is also high-protein dog food. This isn’t necessarily the case. Other ingredients (meat and meat meals, for example) play a bigger role in determining a dog food’s protein content. To compare dog food protein levels, look at the guaranteed analysis printed on the pet food label. ,Providing good nutrition is essential if a dog is going to be healthy and happy. But with so many dog food options to pick from, how do you know if you’re making good choices?   Let’s look at the pros and cons of an increasingly popular dog diet: grain-free dog food.    Speak with your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet. 

‘Tis the season for twinning with your pets. What better way to celebrate the holidays and sweater weather than wearing matching Christmas sweaters with your dog or cat? Whether you’re hosting a party, unwrapping presents under the Christmas tree or hunkering down for a movie marathon on a snow day (with homemade gingerbread cookies within paw’s reach), we’ve got plenty of wardrobe inspiration for you and your furry besties. Take a look at these comfy pairings that will put the whole family in the Christmas spirit.

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One of the best ways to give your dog a long life is to make sure their food matches their life stage.      For puppies, that means food that supports their growing bones and gives them energy for all those games of fetch and tug-of-war.      But how long do puppies eat puppy food?     Always consult your veterinarian before making any changes in your dog’s diet.   

There’s a very simple reason why dogs pull on their leash: They haven’t been trained not to. Dogs don’t instinctively know leash manners, but they do have instincts that tell them to wander here and there to check out smells, sounds and other interesting things out in the world. Yanking the leash when they pull does nothing to overcome those urges, and probably also frustrates or upsets your dog. So how do we overcome those instincts? By offering them something even more enticing within leash’s length. Think of it this way: Leash training isn’t about punishing your dog for being in the wrong place. It’s about teaching your dog where to be.,Jump to section Why Is My Dog Pulling? Essential Leash Training Supplies How to Stop a Dog from Pulling Troubleshooting Tips

Has licking become your dog’s favorite activity? There are many reasons dogs enjoy licking you—or everything else around them. While some dogs lick things out of boredom, for other dogs, licking can be compulsive, providing a calming and soothing sensation. When licking is a self-stimulating activity, it could also be a sign of anxiousness or discomfort. Other dogs can lick to the point of causing secondary problems. Whether your dog is licking the floor after a messy meal or cleaning their best friend’s face, licking is very normal. However, you should monitor your dog’s licking behaviors because some instances can be a sign of a health or behavioral issue. Why Dogs Lick Everything Although licking can be harmless in some cases, it can also signal an issue, whether it’s heath or behavior related. Behavioral Issues If your pup doesn’t seem to favor licking just one thing, it’s likely a self-soothing behavior or a compulsive habit. This habit did not start overnight and will not go away quickly. It’s also important to realize that if your dog licks everything, they have also been using licking as a way to communicate to you. Some dogs lick habitually out of boredom. You can help prevent this type of habit from developing by providing your dog lots of stimulation and exercise throughout the day. Try playing fetch outside or going for a walk or run with your pup. Additionally, kennel-training your pup while you are away from home for brief periods can keep them from licking objects in your home that could lead to destructive behavior or ingestion of dangerous objects. If you are having other behavioral issues with your dog, seek assistance from your veterinarian to help rule out potential causes. If you feel your dog’s licking has become uncontrollable, it is important to recognize it early on to avoid other problems, as it can be a sign of separation anxiety. Because such behavior can lead to destructive or harmful outcomes, you and your veterinarian can discuss options such as reaching out to professional trainers or an animal behaviorist who can thoroughly evaluate your pet. Health Issues When a dog licks everything, it can also be a sign of infection or gastrointestinal upset. Having your dog checked out by your vet can help you determine if there is an underlying health issue. If you ignore your dog’s licking behavior, it can lead to self-trauma, secondary infections, or unwanted, destructive behaviors. Always speak with your veterinarian if you think your dog is showing signs of an infection, as they may need treatment.

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Recovery and Management of Edema in Dogs Many cases of edema will require hospital stays. Edema caused by inflammation is often the quickest and simplest to resolve, and can often be done while your pet is at home. Edema caused by organ failure or that affects the nervous system, however, can require multiple-day hospital stays. Almost all cases of edema will require care and medications at home after the office visit, while others—such as edema from heart failure—will likely require lifelong treatment. Any edema in dogs—other than that which affects a small area of the body, such as a single leg or ear—is usually considered serious, requiring thorough investigation and aggressive treatment. Once the underlying cause is found, however, it often becomes easier to develop an appropriate treatment plan. Featured Image: Adobe/Chlorophylle,WRITTEN BYSandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP Veterinarian Sandra Mitchell is a 1995 graduate of the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine. Since graduation, she has worked in many fields…,What Is Edema in Dogs? Edema is commonly thought of as swelling, but it’s actually more complicated than that. Edema is the accumulation of abnormally large amounts of fluids in the tissues between the body’s cells—and when this fluid accumulates, swelling is the visual result. This swelling occurs either because too much fluid moves from the blood vessels into the tissues or because not enough fluid moves from the tissues back into the blood vessels. Both scenarios result in a fluid imbalance. Edema also commonly occurs as a side effect of significant disease such as heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, or malnutrition. Simple swelling is also an abnormal fluid accumulation and imbalance. But traditionally, we think of swelling as caused by inflammation, such as from an injury, trauma, or tumor. Edema and swelling are often terms used interchangeably, and edema does cause swelling—but with edema, significant diseases are often involved.

Congrats on bringing home your new dog! When brainstorming names for your new pup, color is a good place to look for inspiration—especially if you have a black-coated dog! Chic, sleek and a tad mysterious, black is brimming with pup potential. From mythology to pop culture, spooky to silly, sweet to spicy, we compiled 200 of the best names for black dogs. Now sit, stay, and enjoy! Need more name inspo? Find thousands more options here.