20 Questions to Ask Before Adopting a Dog from a Shelter: Due Diligence Explained
Adopting a dog is a wonderful thing to do. It can save that dog’s life and provide it with a loving, forever home, while also making room for the shelter to take in another dog in need. It’s also less expensive than buying from a breeder. But, unless you’re lucky, you’ll find it difficult to adopt a puppy. Puppies tend to have long waiting lists and are much more difficult to find in shelters. As such, you will be more likely to find adult dogs. Before taking any dog home from a rescue, there are some questions you...
Are Small Dogs Better Behaved Than Large Dogs? Behavior & Facts Explained
Click to Skip Ahead We have a lot of rumors flying around the pet world—dogs are better than cats, cats are better than dogs. Small dogs are needy, big dogs are protective. All dogs hate cats. All dogs stink. Some dogs despise men, some dogs bite kids—the list goes on and on. When it comes to the hot debate about big dogs versus small dogs and their behavior, is there any truth to the tales? Are smaller dogs better behaved? Are bigger dogs easier to potty train? Is there really any real difference at all? We are about to find out!...
Boston Terrier Pit Mix: Dog Breed Info, Pictures, Care, & Facts
Click Below to Skip Ahead The Boston Terrier Pit mix isn’t always going to look like the same dog. The first parent of the hybrid is easy to discern, but the second parent breed is the conundrum. The term “Pitbull” doesn’t describe a specific breed. Instead, people use it as an umbrella term to describe dogs with a certain look including the American Bully, American Staffordshire Terrier, and others since they all have some similar characteristics. Let’s learn a bit more about this unique hybrid below. Also, for...
Penny the Passive Pooch: Addressing Chihuahua Stereotypes
Hi, I’m Savanna! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my spunky Chihuahua mix, Penny. I’m just going to be honest: I never imagined owning a Chihuahua. You hear all these dog stereotypes such as Chihuahuas being aggressive, having “small dog syndrome”, etc., and I thought that would be way too much for me to deal with. I’d also never had a small dog as a pet. My family always had larger dogs when I was growing up. But you all know the story if you’ve been following along with me all...
Bullboxer Staff Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care, & Facts
Click Below to Skip Ahead Choosing the right dog to adopt can be challenging, as there are simply so many breeds to choose from. If you’ve been searching for a medium-sized breed, though, you may want to consider the Bullboxer Staff. This hybrid dog breed is known for their high energy, affectionate nature, and protectiveness of their people. They make wonderful companions for most active people; however, they may not be the right fit for everybody. Determining whether a dog is right for you requires knowing all you can about them, so...
Keeping Your Dog and Family Safe: Understanding and Preventing Zoonotic Diseases
Let’s talk about something important that affects both our canine friends and us – zoonotic diseases. These are infections that can pass between animals and humans. While our dogs bring us joy and companionship, they can sometimes carry diseases that might make us sick. But don’t worry! With the right knowledge and precautions, we can keep everyone healthy and tail-wagging. Leptospirosis: Sneaky Water-Lover First on our list is leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that dogs can pick up from contaminated water or soil....
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Safety net programming, foster-to-adopt and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Does your animal organization have a successful foster-to-adopt program?Does your animal organization have a successful foster-to-adopt program for individuals who want to “foster” an animal before committing to adoption, to ensure it’s the right fit for their home? Or are you looking to start one? Kelli Jordan of Tallahassee Animal Services recently shared on Maddie’s® Pet Forum that they’re looking to start one,… Learn More...
My Dog Ate Saran Wrap: 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 There are some dogs who will get into and eat anything. I’ve met dogs who have swallowed socks, tinfoil, and even an entire stuffed animal. Even if your dog is not the type of dog who gets into things, sometimes the temptation is too great. This is especially true if there is something your dog can grab that has food in it, or even just smells like food. One of these common household items...
11 Common Guide Dog Breeds: Pictures, Info & Facts
Guide dogs play a vital role in the lives of their handlers. Beyond providing companionship, they give their owners the independence they need to live normal and productive lives. However, not all dog breeds make suitable guide dogs. For example, a six-pound Chihuahua is incapable of performing the duties required of pups in such roles. Read on to find 11 of the most common guide dog breeds and discover more about what makes them good at their jobs. How Are Guide Dog Breeds Classified? Many different dog breeds can find work as guide dogs....
Can Dogs Eat Soy? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts & Info
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Soy has gotten a bad reputation for being a cheap filler without any nutritional value. However, this isn’t always true. Soy can be a nutritious ingredient in dog food and can even be therapeutic for some health conditions. While many people believe it can cause food allergies in pups, soy is actually often a main ingredient in hypoallergenic pet foods. So, can dogs eat soy? Absolutely, they...
Can Dogs Eat Cookies? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts & Info
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Cookies are often the first food we reach for when we crave something sweet or need comfort. So, if you find yourself whipping up a batch of grandma’s chocolate chip cookies this week, you might wonder if you can give your dog a little taste. Unfortunately, dogs should not eat cookies—at least not cookies traditionally meant for human consumption. Read on to learn more about why you...
Can Dogs Eat Licorice? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Info
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Our pets can eat all sorts of goodies that we can prepare from the comfort of our own kitchens. However, when it comes to sweets, it isn’t always the best idea to share with our four-legged friends. Licorice is not healthy for dogs and shouldn’t be given as a regular snack. Licorice root itself is not toxic, however, side effects can occur with prolonged exposure. Why Dogs...
Can Dogs Eat Cabbage? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts & Info
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Cabbage is considered a healthy vegetable for humans, and one that we are encouraged to eat regularly as part of a balanced diet. It is also non-toxic to dogs, and, when fed in moderation, can make a beneficial addition to your dog’s diet, too. However, it does produce gas, which can be unpleasant for everybody, not just your dog, and too much gas-producing food may be an issue for some dogs....
Can Dogs Eat Oregano? Our Vet Explains Nutrition Facts & Info
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an herb commonly found in fresh and cooked salsa, pizza, and pasta sauces. Its slightly bitter and pungent flavor is very bold and makes a dramatic impact on whatever recipe it’s found in. With a taste so intense, you might wonder if oregano is a dog-friendly herb you can share with your pup. Oregano is toxic to dogs. While tiny amounts of oregano probably...
Can Dogs Eat Tortillas? Vet-Verfied Nutrition Facts & Better Alternatives
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead If you occasionally feed your dog from your plate or your pup is sneaky and gets into any food left out for more than two seconds, you’re not alone. Many of our canine companions eat people food every now and then, and a lot of our food is safe for them to consume (though this isn’t the case for all our food). However, even many safe foods aren’t particularly healthy for our dogs....
Can Dogs Eat Peppermint Candy? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts & Concerns
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Our dogs can have many of the foods that we eat—but most of these options involve fresh lean meats, fruits, and veggies. But what about when it comes to candy? Dogs should not eat any candy. While peppermint candy is certainly a delicious treat for us humans, our dogs should not eat peppermint candy due to the potentially harmful, and even toxic ingredients that it may contain, such as...
How Old Is 16 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 A familiar adage states that a 1-year-old dog is 7 in human years, but unfortunately, that’s an oversimplification of what the science tells us. Depending on the dog’s size, a 16-year-old dog would be roughly 80 in human years. Remember that, except for large and giant breeds, most canines are sexually mature around 6-9 months old, so saying that every 1 year for dogs equates to 7 human...
How Old Is 6 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 Have you ever wondered how old your dog is in human years? Most people have wondered about this and utilized the standard “one year of a dog’s life equals seven years of a human’s life” to figure it out. However, the age you might’ve come up with using this equation isn’t correct, as this is more of an urban myth than a legitimate way to determine a dog’s...
Why Does My Dog Sit Alone in Another Room? Interesting Facts & FAQ
Try as we might, we may never fully understand all of our dog’s behaviors. One bizarre issue you may stumble across as a dog owner is when your pup chooses to sit alone in another room instead of hanging out with you. It can be hard not to take offense to that, especially since dogs are supposed to be man’s best friend, right? Well, don’t take it to heart. Dogs self-isolate for a number of reasons, and most of them have nothing to do with you. Read on to learn more about why your pup is sitting alone in a different room and...
Ned the Helpless: Dr. Karyn’s Quintessential Chihuahua
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. Although most dog breeds have long been retired from the roles they were originally bred to fulfill, our modern-day companions still share many of the physical traits and temperaments that served them well in their former employment. The Dachshund, with its tube-like body and...
