Recognizing Signs of Stress in Dogs and Cats (And 6 Steps to Alleviate It)
Stress in companion animals can cause health problems and unwanted behaviors, but it’s not always easy to spot. Here are the most common signs of stress in dogs and cats and six ways to help your fur baby. Dogs and cats can experience stress just like humans. Common sources of stress for them include changes in their environment, sudden loud noises like fireworks or sirens, new family members, medical issues, or even your stress. Recognizing stressors is a good step toward helping your animal companion feel more comfortable and secure....
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Maddie’s Fund celebrates 30 years, $3 million in grants from the ASPCA, and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The fulfillment of a promise to a miniature schnauzer celebrates 30 years, thanks to Dave and Cheryl DuffieldMaddie’s Fund®, a family foundation established in 1994 by Dave and Cheryl Duffield as the fulfillment of a promise to their Miniature Schnauzer, Maddie, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Maddie’s Fund was created by a family who has a history – in work and philanthropy – of finding innovative solutions to tough...
My Dog Ate a Wasp: Our Vet Explains the Risks, Signs & Next Steps
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead All of us are likely aware of people who have serious allergies to bees and/or wasps and become worried that the same thing can happen to our dog. Oftentimes we notice our dogs lying in the sun, minding their own business, only to be interrupted by a buzzing wasp around them. If your dog is anything like mine, they will also be bothered by the noise of a buzzing wasp and try to grab them in their...
10 Tips for Engagement Photos With Your Dog (2024)
Engagement photos are beautiful keepsakes that capture the feelings of excitement and anticipation that are present during the moments before your wedding. Including your dog in your engagement photos is a great way to involve the ones you love as you try to gather and collect beautiful moments. Of course, bringing a dog to your engagement photo session comes with a unique set of challenges. Our tips are here to help you prepare and inspire ideas for your engagement photoshoot with your dog. The 10 Tips for Engagement Photos With Your Dog 1....
How Do Dogs Fall Asleep So Fast? Exploring the Canine’s Sleep Cycle
Click to Skip Ahead Dogs have a plethora of skills and talents, but their ability to fall asleep in seconds flat is truly jealousy-inducing. How is it that your pup can nod off into slumber the moment their bodies settle in for a nap? Their unique sleep cycles and lifestyle factors can influence how quickly dogs can fall asleep. Read on to learn more. How Do Dogs Fall Asleep So Fast? 1. Unique Sleep Cycles Dogs sleep a lot, but their sleep cycles are different from ours. They don’t typically crawl into bed for the night at 10 pm and...
How Old Is 3 in Dog Years? Vet-Approved Guide to Each Size of Dog
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead While the “one year for Rufus equals seven years for you” rule was widely accepted as truth for many years, it’s more of a generalization rather than completely accurate. Depending on a dog’s breed and size, a three-year-old dog could be anywhere between 28 and 31 in human years. Read on to learn more about calculating dog years to human years and the science behind this...
How Old Is 9 in Dog Years? Vet-Approved Guide to Each Size of Dog
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead The vast majority of people will equate 1 year of human life to 7 years of life for dogs, but it’s actually a little more complex than that. Other factors like breed and size affect a dog’s lifespan, and a 9-year-old dog can be between 52 and 71 years old depending on their size. Size: Age in human years: Small breed (<20 lbs or less): 52 years Medium breed (21 to 50 lbs): 56 years...
How Old Is 7 in Dog Years? Vet-Approved Guide to Each Size of Dog
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead There is an old urban legend that says one year of a human’s life is equivalent to seven dog years, and as simple as that calculation is (Dogs Age x 7 = Human Equivalent), it’s not entirely accurate. Depending on its breed and size, a 7-year-old dog would be 44–56 in human years, but determining a dog’s age in human years isn’t quite that simple. Read on to learn how...
How Old Is 4 in Dog Years? Vet-Approved Guide to Each Size of Dog
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead While the “one human year for every seven dog years” has been a convenient way to correlate a dog’s age to that of a human, this standard falls apart for early ages. Following that rule, a 4-year-old dog would be roughly 28 in human years, a significant underestimation for some dog breeds. The truth is that these dogs are older than expected, with 4 human years equal to...
My Dog Ate Glass: Our Vet Explains the Potential Risks, Signs & Next Steps
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Dogs eating glass is a risky situation. Shards of glass can damage the gastrointestinal tract or even perforate it, which can be a life-threatening situation. However, the risk depends on what the glass is like. You need to take your dog to the vet, but we will give you a quick rundown of what you should know. What Happens If a Dog Eats Glass? There are a few possible consequences of your dog...
How Can I Tell If My Dog’s Leg is Broken or Sprained? Our Vet Explains the Signs & What to Do
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Dog owners never want to see their canine companions in pain. Unfortunately, there’s only so much we can do to supervise our dogs and prevent injuries. Accidents happen to us, and they can happen to our dogs too. Dogs are known for their energetic demeanor and love for exercise, and these two factors may predispose them to injuries. If your dog has injured a leg, you’ve probably noticed...
Are Basset Hounds Lazy? Our Vet Explains the Breed’s Activity Levels
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead You might be looking into getting a new dog and wonder if the laid-back Basset Hound is right for you. Are these loveable hound dogs lazy, or are they just tricking us into doing their bidding? Generally, Basset Hounds have low energy and typically only need a bit of exercise daily. Let’s dive into the activity levels of a Basset Hound. So, Are Basset Hounds Lazy? Basset Hounds are among the...
Pheromone Therapy for Stressed Pups
Whether it’s caused by thunderstorms, fireworks, or just the anxiety of being left alone, our dogs can experience stress at times. But did you know there’s a natural, odorless solution that can help calm your canine companion? In this blog, we take a look at pheromone therapy for dogs and how it can bring peace to your pup’s world. What Are Pheromones? Nature’s Calming Signals Pheromones are chemical signals that animals release to communicate with each other. In the canine world, mother dogs naturally release calming...
Kodah and the Sneaky Chicken: The Challenge of Feeding an Itchy Dog
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred. Until I had a dog with food allergies, I admit that I underestimated how difficult it was to watch your dog struggling to get comfortable, how challenging it was to work out that their food was the problem, and how incredibly frustrating it is to find a good dog food that is...
RAWZ Celebrates 8 Incredible Ways Service Dogs Support People
September is National Service Dog Month, and RAWZ Natural Pet Food wants to say “Thank You” to all the service dogs who enhance the quality of life and independence for the people they help! Service dogs assist hundreds of thousands of Americans every year, and each September, National Service Dog Month is a time to honor and recognize their invaluable contributions. Service dogs receive special training and certification to perform specific tasks for an individual with disabilities. Depending on the needs of the person, a service...
A Guide to Avoiding Unhealthy Dog Food Additives
Good nutrition is a crucial aspect of canine health. Just like us, our dogs benefit from a diet free of unnecessary artificial ingredients, so today we’ll be talking about the downsides of dog food additives and preservatives. Let’s explore how to ensure your pup’s bowl is filled with just the good stuff! Decoding Labels First things first: become a pro at reading dog food labels. Look for foods that list real, whole ingredients at the top of the list. Be wary of vague terms like “meat by-products” or...
The fulfillment of a promise to a miniature schnauzer celebrates 30 years, thanks to Dave and Cheryl Duffield
Maddie’s Fund®, a family foundation established in 1994 by Dave and Cheryl Duffield as the fulfillment of a promise to their Miniature Schnauzer, Maddie, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Maddie’s Fund was created by a family who has a history – in work and philanthropy – of finding innovative solutions to tough problems and trying new things. They’re known for investing in leadership, putting people at the center, setting high goals and measuring impact. Through this particular promise,...
How Much Should a French Bulldog Eat? Vet Explained Puppy to Adult Feeding Guide
Click to Skip Ahead Getting a new puppy is always so exciting! You have this little bundle of fur just wanting to eat, sleep, and play with you. As a veterinarian, we often get asked how much food is appropriate to be feeding a specific dog, in this case, a French Bulldog. This, of course, is not an easy question to answer, as each puppy and grown dog are different — just as a baby, toddler, and 40-year-old person will have different nutritional needs. However, there are some general guidelines that can be followed for knowing how much...
My Dog Swallowed a Squeaker: Our Vet Discusses Potential Risks, Signs & Next Steps
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Most dogs have a favorite type of toy, and it’s usually one that squeaks. This type of toy is typically either plush or plastic and includes a device that makes a high-pitched noise when squeezed. While sometimes irritating, these noises tend to become background music in your home. However, it can be a big problem if your dog manages to remove and eat the toy’s squeaker. If your pup...
Can Dogs Get Car Sick? Vet-Approved Tips to Help
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead When people envision dogs and cars, they’ll often think of a happy dog poking their head out the window and enjoying the breeze. However, not all dogs will enjoy car rides, and they can even get car sick. Dogs can experience car sickness for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, it’s a physical reaction, while some dogs may feel car sick due to psychological reasons. Understanding why dogs...
