Dogs

A stroke—defined as when brain function is suddenly disrupted by a clot or a bleed—can be frightening, whether it happens to a person or a pet.   The good news is that strokes in dogs are relatively uncommon. Still, it’s important to understand what a stroke is, what stroke symptoms look like in a dog, and what might increase your dog’s risk. 

Dog crates should be safe, comfy places for your canine companion to relax. That’s why it’s so important to choose dog supplies for your dog’s crate that turn it into the ultimate doggy den. When a dog crate is thoughtfully outfitted with the right crate accessories (like cozy crate mats!) it can feel like a restful retreat. Create a Secure and Tranquil Crating Experience “When crate training is done properly, most dogs enjoy spending time in their crates and actually view the crate as their own special place. The most important thing is to make the crate a pleasant experience from day one,” says Kelly Armour, a certified trainer and behavior analysis specialist and owner of The Virtuous Dog LLC in Reading, Pennsylvania. She says that for the first few days with a new dog, if possible, you should plan to be at home, giving your new companion the reassurance of your presence and spending time on positive training. “While keeping the crate door open, toss dog treats into the back and let your pet discover them at his own pace.” Animal behaviorist Alice Moon-Fanelli, PhD, CAAB, of the Brooklyn Veterinary Hospital in Brooklyn, Connecticut, cautions, “Some individual dogs and some breeds of dogs are more prone to resisting being crated than others. Proper introduction to crating greatly influences whether a dog not only accepts but is comfortable being crated.”   Armour emphasizes that, “Crating should never be viewed as punishment. Keeping a new pet safe and out of trouble while you are getting familiar with each other and adapting to new routines is good for both the pet and pet parent.”

Whether your pup prefers cozy cuddles or watching the screen as intently as you do, a festive movie night is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween together. We’ve rounded up 10 Halloween dog movies featuring brave, goofy, and downright spooky canine characters. Grab the popcorn (and some dog treats), and get ready for these frightfully fun films. 

When it comes to keeping our dogs healthy, we think a lot about heart health, joint health and skin health, but how much do we think about liver health for dogs? It might not seem like the liver is doing a lot, but liver function impacts most systems in the body, and even mild liver problems can cause a big fuss. One way of protecting your dog’s liver health is with liver support supplements.

Vaccinations are a vital part of keeping your pet healthy—but does pet insurance cover vaccines? The answer depends on the type of plan you have.  Standard pet insurance plans—which cover accidents and illnesses—generally do not include coverage for vaccines. However, many providers offer wellness plans or preventive care add-ons that do help cover the cost of vaccines and other routine care. These optional packages can be a smart way to manage predictable vet expenses.  Let’s break down what’s covered, what’s not, and how to find the right pet insurance that covers vaccines. 

Fans know Henry Winkler best from his iconic character “The Fonz” from the popular 70s and 80s sitcom “Happy Days.” But his dogs see him in a completely different role—actually, a few different roles. In their world, Winkler is a go-to playmate, designated poop picker-upper and their own personal executive chef who keeps their bowls filled to accommodate their dietary requests. Winkler, who has been a dog lover all his life, currently lives with his two pups, Sadie and Linus. But he jokes that he’s typically the kennel of choice for the other pups in his family, and at any given time, he and his wife, Stacey Weitzman, might be housing up to five pooches at once! “It’s a fun group!” Winkler proclaims. BeChewy caught up with Henry Winkler, who stars in HBO’s new dark comedy “Barry,” to discuss life with his rotating menagerie of pups, his favorite way to keep them entertained, and which of his furry friends has eaten one of his acting contracts.

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By Carol McCarthy The word quarantine might conjure images of plague, with warnings to “keep away” hastily slapped on the homes of the infected. But there are times when your pet needs to be quarantined — that is, kept confined and secluded — for his health and the health of the animals and people around him. Quarantine orders are not common, but when they are given, they should be taken seriously. Learn more about when, and how to quarantine your pet, below. What diseases or conditions require a pet to be quarantined? Suspected exposure to rabies, a fatal virus, is the most common reason that your pet will be ordered under quarantine, says Dr. Mary Labato, an internist at Tufts University’s Foster Hospital for Small Animals in Massachusetts. Quarantine is a legal requirement, ordered by an animal control officer under the direction of your state, she says.   Other illnesses that can warrant quarantine recommendations from your veterinarian, rather than orders from your local government, include canine or avian influenza, bordetella — commonly known as kennel cough — parvovirus and giardia, Labato, said. These infectious diseases are easily transmitted from animal to animal, which is why it is important to sequester your sick pet. Signs of influenza are similar to those in people: coughing, sneezing, fever, nasal discharge and lethargy. Dogs with bordetella will have a persistent hacking cough; while pets with giardia and parvovirus will have diarrhea and vomiting (although not all pets with giardia show clinical signs and can appear completely healthy while being infected).

WRITTEN BYBrittany Grenus, DVM Veterinarian Dr. Brittany Grenus graduated from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2018 with her doctorate in veterinary medicine and a…,In 2022, the French Bulldog officially surpassed the Labrador Retriever as the most popular dog breed in the U.S., according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). While their short, stocky stature and “smush-nose” face make Frenchies adorable, they don’t come without drawbacks. In fact, one study found that French Bulldogs are more likely to develop over 20 common health disorders compared with other dog breeds. While many of these health issues can be treated, they often require surgery or are chronic (requiring lifelong management), and tend to come with expensive vet bills. While pet insurance is now recommended for most pets, it’s especially helpful in managing the medical costs that typically come with French Bulldogs.

Do you have a VIP dog mama in your life? All year round, dog moms work hard making sure their four-legged fur kids are happy, healthy and loved (… some may even say spoiled). We think—and we bet you’d agree with us—they deserve some special recognition with Mother’s Day dog gifts that are as unique as they are. That’s why we’ve curated a list of great gift ideas for all different types of dog moms. Whether she’s a gardener or a baker, a homebody or a globetrotter, these gift ideas for dog moms are (almost) as sweet as puppy snuggles.