Dog Hiccups: 5 Causes and What to Do

Hiccups are annoying, both for humans and dogs. They come out of seemingly nowhere, and while they don’t hurt us, they can be a nuisance. There’s also a bit of uncertainty about where they come from and how to get rid of them, so many of us just power through them. Our dogs are no …

Dog Dewclaw Injury: What They Are and What to Do

It’s a normal day, and your dog is running around having fun as usual. Then suddenly they yelp, and you can tell something’s terribly wrong. There’s blood everywhere coming from their paw, they’re limping, and a nail you probably don’t even think about on the inner or upper paw is broken. If this happens, you’re …

Spider Bite on Dog: Symptoms, Treatments, and Preventatives

Spiders are scary. A lot of us fear them and kill them on sight. They can crawl out of the tiniest spaces and scare us. While they generally aren’t as scary as we make them out to be, they can bite. And while many of them are harmless, a few spider bites are as scary …

My Dog Wakes Up Too Early? 8 Causes and What to Do

You finally get a day to sleep in a little, and you’re just hoping to get a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, you and your dog have different ideas about sleeping in. Instead of waking up at 8:00 AM, your companion is telling you to wake up at 6:30 AM. If this has happened to you, …

Dog Paw Pad Yeast Infection: Causes, Treatments, and Preventatives

Yeast infections are annoying. They thankfully aren’t life-threatening for humans or our animal friends, but they cause significant irritation and can even indicate other health problems. Unlike humans, dogs can also get these infections on their paws, causing itchiness and redness. A dog paw pad yeast infection occurs because of an explosion of the fungus …

Mango Worms in Dogs: Causes, Preventatives and Treatments

Parasites are one of the worst experiences you and your pet can have, and mango worms are no exception. They invade the skin and cause all kinds of health problems and pain. While they aren’t as well known as fleas or ticks, they can still be problematic. Dog owners will want to be careful of …

Why is My Dog’s Stomach Hard? Causes and What to Do

Concerned about your dog’s hard stomach? Our informative article explains potential causes, from simple bloating to more serious health conditions. Gain insight into signs, symptoms, and when to seek veterinary advice. Educate yourself about canine health and ensure your pet gets the care they need. Normally, if you touch your dog’s stomach, it should be …

Why is My Dog Coughing and Gagging? Causes and What to Do

A coughing and gagging dog can be scary. It could just be allergies or some small particle your pup picked up, or something serious. You can’t always tell and your mind may immediately go to the worst-case scenario. And it’s not like your furry friend can verbally tell you what’s going on. It’s up to …

Can You Use Neosporin on Dogs? Is It Safe + Pros and Cons

Can You Use Neosporin on Dogs? Whether playing in the park or running around the house, your furry friend, when not being careful (most of the time they aren’t) is prone to scratches here and there. And like every careful and concerned dog owner, you get alarmed at even the minor cuts. And your first …

My Dog Sounds Congested? Dog Breathing Problems and What to Do

We’ve all had days where we’re congested and can’t breathe well. Our noses may be clogged, we may be suffering from a cold, or the weather may be making us suffer. Congestion and a respiratory issue here and there is just a part of life. But we sometimes forget that dogs can just as easily …

Why Your Dog Pees While Sleeping – Common Causes and Solutions 

You wake up in the wee hours of the morning and happen to glance over at your dog. You’re happy to see that your sweet furry friend is cuddled up near you on the bed, but then you notice something else – a wet spot right beside him on your comforter. But your dog is …

24 Signs of Heat Stroke in Dogs You Must Pay Attention To

Now that the summer has finally arrived, it’s time to get outside with the dog and have some fun. However, most dogs are susceptible to heatstroke, and you’ll need to watch out for the signs so you can get your canine family to the vet as soon as possible. Here are 24 signs of heat …

Bland Diet for Dogs with Diarrhea or Upset Stomach

Diarrhea is a symptom and not a disease. When your dog has any type of diarrhea, a bland diet and fasting for 24-hours is always the best next step. Often a vet appointment is necessary if you see blood in your dog’s stool or your buddy is lethargic and just not acting like himself. Gastrointestinal …

How To Help My Dog Lose Weight – Managing Obesity In Dogs 

Canine obesity is a serious problem in roughly half of the dogs living in the United States. That’s why we’re glad you’re here looking into “how to help my dog lose weight”. As dog parents ourselves, we understand how difficult it can be to ignore those puppy eyes when your dog is begging for extra …

How To Make A Dog Throw Up Safely 

Oh no! Your dog just ingested something he shouldn’t have, and now you’re in a panic trying to figure out how to make a dog throw up safely. It’s happened to the best of us. If you’ve already spoken with your vet and have gotten the greenlight to go ahead and make your dog throw …

The Incredible Function Of Dog Paws And Tips on Keeping Them Healthy 

If you’re like me, then your dog’s paws might just be one of your favorite doggy features. They are warm, squishy, and smell just like chips. But dog paws are so much more than just the cutest part of your dog’s foot. And unless you have an incredible amount of time on your hands, chances …

Worried About a Dog Skin Tag? 5 Things You Should Know

If you’re a pet parent, you’ve undoubtedly encountered an unexpected lump or bump on your beloved companion at one time or another (or if you haven’t yet, you probably will!) Perhaps you found a small bump while you were grooming your dog, or noticed an unusual growth on his belly or one of his limbs. …

What is the Best Home Remedy for Dog Mange? – 7 Safe Home Remedies 

When you hear the word “mange,” you automatically think of stray dogs with scabby skin. What you may not realize, though, is that any dog can get mange, even the ones that stay indoors most of the time. Mange may look bad, but fortunately it is a treatable condition. While vet-prescribed medication should be your …

How To Remove A Tick From A Dog – Your Step by Step Guide

Are you wondering how to remove a tick from a dog? There are plenty of myths and misconceptions when it comes to tick removal, with many guides giving incorrect or even harmful advice. So today, we’re going to clear it up and help you learn how to remove a tick from a dog safely, effectively …

How To Get Rid Of Fleas Naturally On Your Dog

Fleas are nasty pests that nearly all pet owners have to contend with at one point or another. Unfortunately, there are not too many options for dog parents who want to know how to get rid of fleas naturally. And that’s where we come in. We’ve done the research and found the best all natural …

How Much Exercise Should a Dog Get

Making sure your dog gets enough exercise is important both for their mental and physical health. But how do you know what the “right” amount of exercise is? While there is no one right answer to the question “how much exercise does a dog need every day?” there are some steps you can take to …

Doxycycline for Dogs: What to Know About this Common Antibiotic

If you’ve had dogs or other small animals sharing your household for any significant amount of time, odds are, one of them has been prescribed doxycycline at some point in their lives. This common antibiotic is effective against a wide range of pathogens, making it a go-to for many vets. Still, even though this drug …

Can Dogs Take Pepto Bismol? The Best Canine Tummy Treatments

Every dog owner has experienced it. Frequent trips to the yard. Slimy, grass-laced throw up on the carpet. And restless nights. All the telltale signs of a dog with an upset tummy. More often than not, these short bouts of stomach trouble are caused by something minor and resolve themselves in a matter of days. …

Pedialyte for Dogs – Should You Give This to Your Dog?

Like humans, dogs can suffer from occasional dehydration, either from repeated episodes of vomiting or diarrhea, exercising vigorously in hot temperatures, or an illness that causes a fever. Diabetic dogs may also become dehydrated due to hyperglycemia (too much sugar in the blood), which causes them to urinate excessively. Even heavy panting (usually caused by …

Is Tramadol Safe for Dogs?

Just like their human counterparts, dogs sometimes need help managing their pain. Dogs — like people– may have acute pain from an injury or a surgical or dental procedure. Or they may suffer from pain that is more chronic in nature, such as pain from arthritis or hip dysplasia, both of which can cause discomfort …

When and How to Give Your Dog Eye Drops 

Any problem involving the eye has the potential to be quite serious. This is true in humans and doubly so in dogs. Since our canine companions can’t tell us what happened to them or give us a list of symptoms, it’s important that we take any changes in a dog’s eyes seriously. That means all …

Best Dog Itching Remedies

Dogs, much like humans, can have itchy dry skin. Some of the reasons that may itch are because of food allergies, fleas, ticks, or just plain dry skin. With the dry skin and itchy fur, there are a variety of ways that one helps keep their dogs skin from itching. From dry shampoo to sprays, …

What Is The Parvo Vaccine And Does Your Dog Need It?

When I became an official dog mom several years ago, I was tormented by thoughts of something bad happening to my new little fur child on my watch. She was, afterall, so small and helpless. “She may be out of sorts for the next few days, so if she doesn’t eat or doesn’t have an …

Is Benadryl Safe for Dogs? (Plus Eira’s First-Ever Benadryl Experience)

A few days ago, it was so cold here in Alaska that Eira’s eyelashes, eyebrows, and whiskers frosted over within minutes of being outside to go potty. But today, the temperatures have risen to almost 40 degrees, and it’s windy. Eira has been having bursts of extra face-itchiness and discomfort during windy spells in this …

Struggling With Dry Skin On Dogs? Try These Products

Guess what temperature it was here in the Anchorage area of Alaska yesterday? 0 degrees Fahrenheit. When I let Eira out in the morning to go potty, the clip on her lead was frozen. I had to rub it between my hands to melt the ice keeping it stuck together. I put water out for …

Should You Give Your Dog Temaril-P?

If you’re the owner of a dog with allergies or itchy skin from any cause, you probably know how frustrating and difficult managing the problem can be. First, there are trips to the vet to determine the underlying cause of the itching, which can be anything from canine eczema to ringworm to sarcoptic mange. Then, …

The Best (Safest) OTC Pain Meds for Dogs

There’s nothing worse than seeing your fur-baby in pain. And because they can’t explain to us how they’re feeling, we aren’t sure how, exactly, to help. Once, when my German shepherd, Bella, was about four, she howled in pain while chasing a ball. She stopped abruptly and began to limp. I ran to her, picked …

Is Apoquel Safe for Dogs?

Anyone who has ever cared for a dog with atopic dermatitis knows how heartbreaking and frustrating the condition can be. Also known as canine eczema, it manifests as severe itchiness accompanied by red, irritated, inflamed skin. Severely affected dogs will often bite, chew, rub and lick these itchy areas incessantly, sometimes until they bleed. What’s …

8 Signs You Have a Sick Puppy

There is nothing worse than seeing your beautiful pooch in pain or seeing them act differently to normal. When their head and ears hang low, their puppy dog eyes are more apparent than usual and they seem unhappy, you just know there must be something wrong. Sometimes it is hard to tell whether or not …

The Best Flea Treatment for Dogs

Two dog afflictions always loomed in my consciousness when I lived in the lower 48 states: flea medicine and heartworm medicine. Each is costly but oh so necessary. Now that I live in Alaska, though, fleas aren’t as much of a problem to guard against as they were in California or Oklahoma. (Especially Oklahoma! So …

How to Treat Dog Allergies

Have you ever noticed your dog obsessively licking or scratching his skin, biting or chewing his paws, or dragging his butt across the carpet or floors as you desperately try to redirect your dinner guests’ attention? These behaviors are nothing to sneeze at.  If your dog has shown any of these symptoms, chances are good …

7 Things You Need To Know About Dog Warts

Have you ever seen a cauliflower wart-like growth on the skin of your dog? Yes, it is exactly what it looks like. If you didn’t know, dogs can get warts just like humans. Okay, don’t panic! The good news; it’s not that serious and it can be controlled or subdued. However, if you want to …

Pet Emergency Funds: Why You Need One and How to Get Started

One of my closest friends is an avid animal lover. At one point she had 3 dogs, and her routine vet bills were already stretching her tight budget. Then the unthinkable happened – she was out ice fishing with her husband and their dogs when her oldest dog Dexter cut his paw open on a …

6 Tips for Less Stressful Vet Visits

How many of us own dogs that get stressed out at vet visits? Recently, a study by the American Veterinary Medical Association showed that over an alarming 20% of the nearly 60 million households in the U.S. that own dogs, do not take their animals to the vet. While there are a variety of reasons …

How to Treat Your Dog’s Injured Paw Pad

What dog doesn’t love the outdoors!? My cocker spaniel Alfie certainly does. There is nothing he loves more than running through the countryside as fast as he can without a care in the world. A member of the gun dog family, spaniels are well-known for needing large amounts of exercise, up to two hours a …

Do Dogs Get Colds?

As humans, we’re prone to getting colds once in a while. The sniffles, stuffy noses, sneezing, and all-around feeling of malaise that come with colds is certainly not pleasant. And we all know that colds are highly contagious and can easily be spread from one person to another. That is, after all, how people get …

How to Perform an Elimination Diet for Dogs with Food Allergies

Itchy, flaky skin. Gas and runny stools. Ear infections and hot spots. While these symptoms may seem unrelated, they can all be caused by the same thing: a food allergy. If your dog has ever suffered from that constant itch or the red, irritated skin that comes with it, you probably already know that an …

How to Manage IBD in Dogs

Nothing frustrates a dog parent more than arriving home and being greeted with a smelly wrecked living room or kitchen, courtesy of your pooch. Like humans, dogs don’t mean to make gastrointestinal messes. The main culprit is IBD – Inflammatory Bowel Disease. IBD leads to unpredictable and uncontrollable bouts of diarrhea and vomiting. If your …

Kidney Failure in Dogs: Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Did you find out that your canine companion is suffering from kidney failure? As a dog ages, kidney failure becomes more prevalent. Like humans, a dog’s kidneys maintain an average concentration of salt and water in his body. They balance substances in the dog’s blood and filters body waste as urine. Dog kidneys also aid …

13 Things You Should Know About Dog Incontinence

You’ve spent a lot of time and effort training your dog to pee outside or on a pee pad in the house in order to avoid having to clean up any unsightly messes. And after a good stretch of time with no accidents, you’ve decided that she’s in the clear and is officially house trained. …

How to Get Your Dog to Take Medicine

Have you ever tried to give your dog a pill and ended up with a handful of doggy slobber and a pill rolling on the floor and under the stove? When it comes to taking medicine, some dogs are fairly good at outsmarting their owners. While my English Cream Golden Retriever Jake will pretty much …

5 Ways to Save on Vet Costs

Owning a dog can be both incredibly rewarding and shockingly expensive. As a Financial Planner, I often help my pet-parent clients budget for regular dog expenses and plan for the unexpected ones. Vet care can be one of the most expensive parts of owning a dog, accounting for more than 25% of the total annual …

What To Do If Your Dog Is Stung By A Bee

Dogs are naturally innocent and curious creatures, and these are some of their best traits. Unfortunately, these cute and endearing traits can also make the dogs we love vulnerable to injury, sickness, fleas, ticks, and even bee stings. A bee sting can happen anywhere – on a camping trip, at the dog park, on routine …

7  Common Skin Problems in Dogs and How to Manage Them

There are few issues that plague dogs (and their caretakers) more persistently than problems with the skin. Although some breeds are more prone to skin problems than others (my shih-tzu, for example), all dogs are susceptible to a wide array of skin conditions ranging from a simple flea allergy to a full-fledged case of sarcoptic …