Dogs

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This content was reviewed by a veterinary professional to answer your most common questions about this topic. This content shouldn’t take the place of advice by your vet. No writer or qualified reviewer has received any compensation from the manufacturer of any medication as part of creating this article.  Benadryl is a go-to, over-the-counter antihistamine for many pet parents when we’re suffering from pesky seasonal allergies, but did you know you can give your dog this human medication too?  Learn the ins and outs of Benadryl for dogs, including when it’s appropriate to give a dog Benadryl, how it can help your pet, how much you can safely give your pup, and more.  Consult your veterinarian before giving your pet Benadryl or any other medication. Your vet can assist with appropriate dosage amounts and provide guidance on managing your dog’s symptoms. 

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While we wish our pets could live forever, the day they leave us is something we can’t avoid. Pets hold such a special place in our hearts as life companions with never-ending love to give. When they pass, that grief can be felt heavier than you may think. Whether you recently lost a pet or know someone who has, here are some pet memorial ideas that can help keep a furry friend’s memory close.

Honey is often touted as a natural remedy for allergies and coughs in humans, but can dogs have honey too? And does it provide the same benefits to dogs as it does to people? While its health benefits are still being studied, honey is non-toxic to dogs and safe in small quantities. Here’s the scoop (or perhaps spoonful) on dogs and honey, including its potential benefits, risks, and guidelines for safely offering this golden nectar to your pup. Before introducing any new food into your dog’s diet, always check with your veterinarian.

Spooky Dog Names   Banshee In Irish folklore, this screaming spirit announces the death of family members. Bat Ideal for a dog with bat-like ears (and/or a batty personality). Beast While fitting for big-boned breeds, we like this one even better for petite fluffballs. Beelzebub Of all of Satan’s aliases, this one is the most fun to say—and Bub makes for an angelic nickname! Bigfoot Perfect for the pup who leaves big muddy footprints everywhere. Bones As in skeleton bones (as well as the bones your dog loves to chew). Boo This Halloween expression of surprise doubles as a sweet nickname for your new dog. Bram In honor of “Dracula” author, Bram Stoker. Casper The friendliest ghost is a natural namesake for white dogs. Cobweb Our spidey-sense is tingling with this one. Count If Dracula is a little too on-the-nose, Count has a certain sophistication. Cryptkeeper Your dog can host his own horror show, “Tails from the Cryptkeeper”! Dante In honor of 14th-century poet Dante Alighieri, who penned “Inferno.” Davy Jones Shiver our timbers! This “Pirates of the Caribbean” character is part squid, part crab. Devil Who doesn’t love a good devil dog? Eerie A synonym for strange and frightening, this name perfectly sums up the Halloween experience. Fangs If your pup has prominent canines, consider this vampire-inspired name. Gargoyle Don’t take this the wrong way, Frenchies, but we do see the resemblance. Ghost An ideal name for all-white pups. Goblin These creatures are typically small and mischievous. Sound like anyone you know? Gomez The beloved Addams family patriarch is the master of all things macabre. Gorey A nod to gothic writer and illustrator Edward Gorey. Halloweenie Calling all Dachshund pet parents! Haunt For the four-legged friend with hauntingly cute puppy eyes. Howler This one speaks—or rather howls—for itself! Ichabod Giddy-up! Ichabod Crane is essential to the tale of the Headless Horseman. Jack Fresh-picked from the pumpkin patch! Lucifer When spooky season is over, you can simply call your four-legged friend Lucy. Luna Meaning “moon,” this popular dog name has an otherworldly air. Lurch You rang? For giant breeds, the Addams family’s butler is at your service. Midnight A certified classic for black dogs. Medusa A monstrously fun choice for female dogs with wild hair. Monster As “Sesame Street” proved, some monsters are dear furry friends. Mr. Hyde Or should it be Dr. Jekyll? Munster Similar to “The Addams Family,” “The Munsters” was a 1960s family sitcom with a supernatural twist. Noir The French word for “black” has a certain je ne sais quoi. Omen Not all omens are bad, after all! Ouija Ouija boards can allegedly summon spirits. Phantom If your dog has mask-like markings, this name is scary good. Poe In honor of Edgar Allen Poe, the poet laureate of Halloween. Pugsley If you have a Pug, the Addams family has a name for you! Raven Edgar Allen Poe’s favorite flier has iconic spooky vibes. Reaper No one wants to meet the Grim Reaper. But a dog named Reaper’s another story! Severus Severus Snape haunts the “Harry Potter” franchise like a dog with a bone. Shadow Appropriate for gray or black pups—or for dogs who are always at your side. Shelley In honor of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, author of “Frankenstein.” Spider Is your pup small and black? Try Spider on for size. Spirit At Halloween, the name Spirit sounds spooky; for the rest of the year, it’s an apt name for an energetic pup. Sookie “True Blood” fans will appreciate this vampy name. Tarot A fortune-telling name with plenty of paranormal possibilities. Twilight Whether referring to the movie franchise or the time of day, Twilight conjures vampire visions. Voldemort For a nickname, “He Who Must Not Be Named” will make the muggles giggle. Yeti The mythical monster is perfect for white pups with shaggy fur. Yoda This is a popular character at Halloween—and a great name for dogs with big ears.,Finding the right inspiration for naming your new dog can sometimes be quite a challenge. If you have a pup who was born or adopted in October, or if you just happen to really love spooky season, a Halloween dog name may be the perfect fit. Whether you’re looking for black dog names with a side of scary, dog names from movies like “Beetlejuice” or “Psycho,” or sweet-and-spooky names inspired by trick-or-treat foods, these Halloween-themed dog names are festive treats!

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Can Hernias be Treated? As a hernia is essentially a hole in the body wall that shouldn’t be there, surgery is indicated to replace the contents of the abdomen and repair the defect so the organs remain where they are supposed to be. The success of the repair depends on the size of the defect, whether or not the organs sustained damage when they were herniated, and the overall health of the pet. In the cases of small umbilical hernias where only fat is protruding, your veterinarian may recommend repairing the hernia at the time of spay or neuter. If the hernia is large or contains abdominal organs, surgery should take place as soon as possible to avoid organ damage or even death. Your veterinarian can assess your pet if you suspect he or she is suffering from a hernia and determine the best course of action.,Are Hernias Preventable? In many cases of congenital hernias, it’s impossible to predict when and where they will occur, though some breeds are considered predisposed to various types of hernias. For example, while Shar-pei and English bulldogs are more likely to have hiatal hernias, Weimaraners are overrepresented in cases of peritoneopericardial hernias. Pets who have any form of congenital hernia should not be bred as they may pass the defect onto their offspring. Although hernias can be distressing and sometimes even life-threatening, the majority of pets with a hernia who receive prompt diagnosis are successfully treated and go on to live long and happy lives. If you find an unexpected swelling or mass on your pet, even if it doesn’t seem to be bothering them at the moment, don’t wait to get it assessed. Early diagnosis is the key to excellent outcomes.  ,By Jessica Vogelsang, DVM As part of every puppy physical exam, I feel the dog’s belly to check for all sorts of things, like pain, enlarged organs and masses. I run my fingers down the center near their belly button feeling for the telltale blob of an umbilical hernia and near the groin checking for inguinal lumps and we find them quite a bit. Hernias are not uncommon in puppies, and occur in a variety of ways. The good news is most are easily treatable and often caught early. Here’s what you need to know: What is a Hernia? A hernia occurs when abdominal organs or fatty tissue protrude through a weak spot in the muscle or connective tissue. The severity of the hernia depends on the size of the defect in the abdominal wall. In its most benign form, a small amount of abdominal fat may intermittently protrude from the hole and be easily placed back through with a little pressure. In its most severe form, intestines or other abdominal organs may pass through the the hole, compressing blood supply and essentially strangling the organ. In these worst-case scenarios hernias can become life threatening in a short period of time. Amazingly, even large hernias can often be successfully treated if the diagnosis is made before the herniated organ is compromised.

Known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, turmeric has a long history of medicinal use in humans. But what about turmeric for dogs? Early research suggests this golden spice may be a boon for your pup. But before you sprinkle it on your dog’s food, it’s important to understand the potential benefits and the risks.