Dogs

Can dogs eat potatoes? Yes, they can—so long as the potatoes are well-cooked, not green, and served plain. (Sorry, pups, no fries for you!) Your dog can enjoy potatoes boiled, mashed, steamed, or baked. And potatoes can also be a healthy treat in moderation. We spoke with Amanda Williams, DVM, a veterinarian at Indian Street Animal Clinic in Stuart, Florida, for tips and advice on how to include potatoes in your pup’s diet. Before introducing any new food into your dog’s diet, always check with your veterinarian.

Who doesn’t love some relaxing time spent on the couch? It’s comfortable and a great way to unwind— perhaps even take a quick nap. Why wouldn’t we want that kind of relaxation for our pups? You can create a tranquil, cozy nook for your furry loved ones without spending a small fortune. To help your fur friend become a pup of leisure, pick up a cozy dog bed for him to unwind and take naps on. The Frisco pillow pet bed, which retails for $21.99, is a budget-friendly option to pamper your dog without burning through your paycheck. To provide additional comfort and snuggle-y warmth, add a Smart Pet Love pet blanket. For smaller pups who prefer a hideout for some peace and quiet, an Armarkat pet bed cave might be the perfect sanctuary for your tiny pupper to curl up in for a restful respite.,Are you looking to spoil your pup but your wallet is a little lighter than you hoped? Well, fear not! This compilation of fun and, most importantly, budget-friendly pet supplies allows you to pamper your dog and make him feel like “the goodest boy.”

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Reverse sneezing, known more formally as pharyngeal gag reflex and paroxysmal respiration, is exactly what it sounds like it is, says Dr. Kelly Diehl, DVM, MS, senior director of science communications at Morris Animal Foundation based in Denver, Colorado. Unlike a regular sneeze, a reverse sneeze pulls in air quickly with force instead of expelling air out. It usually doesn’t last longer than a minute. “Dogs can make odd sounds during an episode of reverse sneezing, and, for many dog owners, it can be scary watching a dog reverse sneezing,” Dr. Diehl says. The good news? The act of reverse sneezing isn’t harmful to the dog. “While it can be quite concerning for pet parents seeing it for the first time, reverse sneezing usually isn’t serious and is quite common,” says Dr. Kristan Riley, DVM, a Heal House Call Veterinarian vet in North Carolina specializing in hospice care for pets. However, it’s important not to confuse reverse sneezing with coughing or choking, as these are considered emergencies and require immediate attention.,Q: I notice that my dog will make loud snorting or honking sounds from time to time, almost as if something is irritating the back of his throat. It sounds kind of like what a backward sneeze would sound like, but it is deeper and more guttural. Is this normal? Should I be concerned?

You’re in the middle of slicing a fresh, juicy tomato when you catch your pup staring at you, just waiting for you to drop a slice. But can dogs eat tomatoes?   Ripe tomatoes are safe for dogs, but there are some parts of the tomato plant that should stay off limits. Additionally, unripe tomatoes contain compounds that can lead to toxicity.   Before you toss your dog a piece of tomato, here’s everything you need to know to keep your pup safe.  Before introducing any new food into your dog’s diet, always check with your veterinarian. 

Teaching your dog to put away his toys is a combination of good manners and impressive skill. The trick taps into a dog’s innate desire to fetch and retrieve, and shapes those two drives into the finished product. This charming bit of housekeeping is easiest to teach with a dog that is toy-driven, meaning, he loves playing games like fetch and tug with you, but can be mastered by less toy-crazy dogs as well.

Ear mites are parasites that feed off skin oils and ear wax, along with other materials found in and around a dog’s ears. Though tiny, mites can cause quite a bit of discomfort and irritation for your pup. Dog ear mites are related to ticks and spiders; they are all arachnids. By far, the most common type of ear mite in dogs is Otodectes cynotis.,Jump to section What Are Ear Mites in Dogs? How Do Dogs Get Ear Mites? Signs Your Dog Has Ear Mites What Do Dog Ear Mites Look Like? How To Get Rid of Ear Mites in Dogs Home Remedies for Ear Mites in Dogs How to Prevent Ear Mites in Dogs Dog Ear Mites FAQs

Cat Café: Several years ago, the municipal shelter in Oakland, California, was having a hard time finding homes for all of its abandoned cats. “It put to sleep more than 40% of the cats,” says Ann Dunn, who volunteered for the shelter at the time. “A lot of cats don’t do well in a shelter with barking dogs, and can seem unfriendly to visitors because they’re scared.” In 2011, Ann started a rescue, Cat Town, specifically for these vulnerable cats. And three years later, she launched Cat Café, a place where patrons can sip their lattes alongside 15 to 20 cats who are allowed to roam freely. “We bring in the cats on Sunday night, let them get used to their surroundings on Monday and Tuesday, and open for business the rest of the week,” says Dunn. Customers can go online to book an hour at the cat café for $10; they also pay for whatever drinks or food they buy. In the early days, Dunn’s team handled the food service aspect themselves, but have since partnered with a vendor so they can focus solely on the animals. “We’ve found homes for 600 hard-to-adopt cats since it started,” she says. “And now the municipal shelter puts to sleep less than 15% of its cats.”,More than 7 million dogs and cats enter animal shelters every year. It’s hard for rescue organizations to find homes for all of them—not to mention the money it takes to pay for their care. So they’ve had to get super creative! Check out these clever (and successful) pet adoption events they’ve held, and feel free to bring them to the attention of your local shelter.

When shopping for dog food, you’ve probably noticed formulas that have “senior” on the label. While you might assume these foods contain specific nutrients for older dogs, that’s not necessarily the case. According to Joseph Wakshlag, DVM, PhD, DACVSMR, DACVIM (Nutrition), professor of clinical nutrition at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York, there are no defined nutrient requirements for senior dogs, so manufacturers aren’t required to follow a standardized nutrient list. As a result, senior dog foods can vary significantly in their ingredients and nutritional content, and can be quite similar to adult dog formulas. That said, senior dog foods often differ from adult formulas in a couple of ways: They offer lower calories. They include targeted supplements. Some popular vet-recommended senior diets are Purina ONE SmartBlend Vibrant Maturity 7+ and Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+.,Jump to section What Is a Senior Dog Diet? What Do Senior Dogs Need in Their Diet? Types of Senior Dog Food Dog Food for Common Health Issues in Senior Dogs When To Switch To Senior Dog Food How Much To Feed Senior Dogs Supplements for Senior Dogs

Jump to section 4 Reasons Dogs Tilt Their Heads Why Do Puppies Tilt Their Heads? When Is Head Tilting Considered a Concern? FAQs About Dog Head Tilting