Understanding the Benefits of Horse Liniments
In This Article What Is Horse Liniment? View 6 More +
5 Stretches for Senior Dogs
By Monica Weymouth If you’ve ever gone to a yoga class, you know how good a proper stretching session can be for your body. The stiffness melts away, the aches mysteriously dissolve and, over time, your joints become stronger and healthier. While your pup might not be up for a vinyassa flow, he could benefit from a dog stretching routine—especially if he’s approaching his golden years. “Stretching can be a great tool to help pets maintain mobility and comfort as they age,” says veterinarian Christina Fuoco, medical director at Philadelphia’s Whole Animal Gym. “An arthritic joint can stiffen up and some range of motion exercises can help preserve function, as well as decrease pain.” As always, if you suspect your dog has arthritis or is experiencing any discomfort, a visit to your veterinarian is in order. Once you understand your senior dog’s needs and limitations and have discussed a dog stretching regimen with your veterinarian, try these therapeutic stretches with your canine companion. The Bicycle Don’t tell the Instagram yogis, but a stretch doesn’t have to be elaborate to be beneficial—in fact, it barely has to stretch. “One of the best ‘stretches’ is actually just moving the joint through range of motion and not putting significant tension on the muscles,” Fuoco says. For aging dogs, she recommends gently “bicycling” the hind legs, a motion that warms the joint fluid and improves blood flow to help joints and muscles feel more comfortable. This passive stretch also helps improve the gait of senior pets, allowing them to stay active.
10 Summer Dog Walking Tips
4. Choose Shaded Paths Find walking paths that offer shade to minimize your dog’s exposure to direct sunlight. Trees, buildings, or covered trails can provide relief from the scorching sun and help prevent overheating. Plan your route accordingly to ensure there are shaded areas along the way in case your dog wants to rest or cool down.,5. Take Frequent Breaks During hot walks, allow your dog to take breaks and rest in shady spots as often as they need. Avoid overexertion and listen to your dog’s cues. Signs of overheating include excessive panting, drooling, stumbling, or bright red gums. If you notice any of these signs, find a cool place to rest and offer your dog water immediately.,During the summer season, it’s critical to take extra precautions when walking your dog. Dogs can be subject to heatstroke and other related illnesses including dehydration, paw pad burns, and even sunburn. Therefore, it’s important to keep them safe and comfortable during your walks.
My Horse Is Easily Spooked—Is This Normal?
Q: My new, 6-year-old gelding has big, dramatic reactions to things my older horse hardly notices. It seems like any little change in the arena triggers a big spook. Is this normal? A: Maybe. Some horses spook more readily than others, due to their genetic makeup, age, and/or level of training. However, excessive reactivity that doesn’t change with training or desensitization could be a sign of a health issue. To learn more about fear in horses, we spoke with Katherine Houpt, VMD, PhD, professor emeritus of behavior medicine at Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York, and Natalie Lord, DVM, a large and small animal veterinarian at Four Paws – Cuatro Patas, in Austin, Texas.
Frostbite in Dogs
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Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?
In addition to being a tasty summer treat, there are several health benefits of watermelon for dogs. Watermelon is: High in vitamins A, B1, B5, B6, and C, which are helpful for immune function, reducing inflammation, and regulating energy High in minerals, including potassium and magnesium—all of which are important for electrolyte balance and nutrient absorption and metabolism High in antioxidant carotenoids, including beta-carotene and lycopene, which help support immune health Low in calories to fill your pup without weight gain High in water content for helpful hydration And, it’s fun to eat!,Jump to section Is Watermelon Good for Dogs? Is Watermelon Bad for Dogs? How Much Watermelon Can I Give My Dog? How To Safely Feed Watermelon to Your Dog My Dog Ate Too Much Watermelon—What Do I Do? What Other Fruits Can Dogs Eat? FAQs About Watermelon for Dogs
Why Do I Love My Dog So Much?
You’ve seen the T-shirts (or own one yourself) that say “I’d rather be with my dog,” and it’s funny because, well, it’s true. The bond we share with our dogs is special. It’s unlike even our closest human-to-human connections—to the point where you may find yourself asking, “Why do I love my dog so much?” And, “Is it normal to love my dog so much?” The short answer is yes, and for lots of reasons. They don’t call dogs (wo)man’s best friend for nothing. Here, both people and dog behavior experts share more about why we love our dogs.
How To Choose the Best Dog Food
In This Article Store-Bought vs. Homemade Dog Food View 5 More +
What Should My Cat’s Poop Look Like?
As gross as it might seem, keeping close tabs on what your kitty’s stool looks like may actually help you catch health problems early. While most of us try to clean out the litter box as quickly as possible and be done with it, taking just a few seconds to learn what’s normal for your cat and noting when there are changes is actually very important—and extremely helpful for your veterinarian. Read on to learn what is considered “normal” for most cats and what some of the changes in your cat’s poop might mean. Monitoring Your Cat’s Poop There are a number of things to look to when trying to determine if your cat’s poop is normal. The most important factor is getting a feel for what the stool usually looks and smells like when your cat is not having any issues. The first factors to consider include the color and consistency of the stool. Although a cat’s stool is often covered in cat litter, simply breaking it in half as you scoop it will help you get a good look at the color and a feel for the texture without any extra effort. A quick look at the surface of the stool will help you to determine what’s a normal amount of mucus (that shiny coating on the surface of the poop) for your kitty. You should also check for any unusual objects (like hair ties or milk jug rings!) in your cat’s poop. Next, try to determine approximately how often your kitty defecates. Are you finding stool in the box once a day? Twice? More than that? If the frequency changes over time, that’s very important to note. And perhaps the last factor to take daily note of is the hardest to miss—what is the normal smell for your pet’s stool? This may vary from day to day, but if it suddenly becomes much more pungent, there may be some cause for concern. Changes in one or more of these parameters, especially if they’re combined with alterations in your cat’s attitude or appetite, can be critical in diagnosing an illness early. If you are noticing any changes, ask these questions: Is there a reasonable explanation? Did you change your cat’s food or treats? Is there something that could have caused your cat stress (recent move, new people or guests in the house, construction noise, stray cats, or different schedules)? Is your cat not acting normally? What is “normal” will also be different for each animal and can depend on things like age, exercise level, or diet.
8 Petiquette Faux Pas You’re Probably Making
While most dog lovers would be happy to interact with practically any dog, there are a lot of people out there who don’t feel the same way, explains Irith Bloom, a certified dog behavior consultant and the director of training at The Sophisticated Dog, a Los Angeles-based dog training company. “Some of them may have been attacked or bitten by a dog in the past and others may not like animals at all,” she says. “There are also people who are allergic to dogs, and in some cases, people just don’t want fur or drool on their clothes.” Whatever the reason, strangers have the right to their space and privacy. Bloom says it’s a good idea to teach your dog to wait for a signal from you before greeting people. “Instead of letting your dog rush up to, or drag you over to, every new person the dog sees, teach your dog that greetings only happen after you give a certain [physical or verbal] signal, such as the words ‘Say hello,’” says Bloom.,Think your dog is behaving badly? You may want to hold off on placing all the blame on your four-legged family member. Because when it comes to poor canine manners, pet parents are often the cause of unwanted behavior. Here are eight pet etiquette mistakes you might not even realize you’re making—and how to fix them.
