The Power of Pets and Volunteering: Enhancing Emotional Resilience and Well-Being
Oct 10, 2024 In today’s fast-paced world, mental health is vital, and two impactful ways to enhance emotional well-being are through pets and volunteering. Both can foster resilience, improve overall well-being, and promote a positive outlook on life. Companionship and Social Connections Pets provide unconditional companionship, lifting spirits and alleviating loneliness. Interacting with animals boosts oxytocin and lowers cortisol, contributing to emotional health. Similarly, volunteering helps build social connections, leading to...
Tooth Resorption in Senior Dogs: A Guide for Caring Dog Parents
As our faithful companions age, they may face various health challenges, including tooth resorption. This condition occurs when the body begins to break down and absorb the structures of the tooth, causing discomfort and affecing your dog’s quality of life. While veterinary intervention is often necessary, natural approaches can complement traditional treatments and support your senior dog’s oral health. Early Detection is Key Tooth resorption can be tricky to spot, but attentiveness can make a difference. Watch for signs like...
Learn how to advocate for and design programs to support pet-inclusive ​housing ​solutions
Homelessness is a growing epidemic in the United States. According to the State of Homelessness: 2024 Edition report released by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, a record-high 653,104 people experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2023. More people than ever are experiencing homelessness for the first time and severe housing cost burden is on the rise. A growing body of evidence also shows that housing and homelessness has significant impacts on the surrender of animals to animal shelters, with...
What Kind of Dog Is Mackenzie from Bluey? Breed Facts & Explanation
Click to Skip Ahead If you have a child right now, you will know all about Bluey! It’s all the craze these days, competing with predecessors like Blue’s Clues and Dora the Explorer. If you’ve watched it with your children, you may be able to pinpoint that Bluey and Bingo are Australian Cattle Dogs. But how about the other dogs, like Mackenzie? What kind of dog is Mackenzie? We have all the information you could want about Mackenzie’s breed! What Dog Breed Is Mackenzie? Mackenzie is a Border Collie. Mackenzie came in...
Abyssinian Sand Terrier Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Origin & History
Click to Skip Ahead The Abyssinian Sand Terrier is one of the rarest and most mysterious dog breeds. They only sport hair on the top of their head and the very tip of their tails. Some Abyssinian Sand Terriers are completely hairless. That makes them highly unique. They are also incredibly rare. Abyssinian Sand Terriers have not been seen in modern society for decades leading some to wonder if they’ve gone extinct. All of this intrigue fuels one of the most interesting dog breeds in the world. Breed Overview Height: 15–20 inches...
What Is the External Extraction Technique (XXT) & Why It Could Save Your Dog’s Life
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’ve ever witnessed your dog choking, you know how terrifying and traumatizing it can be. Learning the proper techniques to help your pup in a choking event can be the difference between life and death. The external extraction technique (XXT) is a safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment for choking dogs, but we’re willing to bet you’ve never heard of it. If you’re...
Can Dogs Get Bug Bites? Vet-Verified Identification & Care
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Even though they have a fairly protective covering of hair, dogs are still vulnerable to bug bites. This is because they tend to investigate everything with their noses and spend a lot of time close to the ground. Below, we’ll discuss some of the most common types of bug bites on dogs, as well as signs to look for and what you should do about the bites. Common Bug Bites Some bugs, like fleas,...
Why an integrative approach for asthma in cats is the best optionÂ
Feline asthma is caused by allergic inflammation. An integrative approach for asthma in cats that combines conventional medications, alternative therapies, and environmental modifications is often the most successful. Did you know that up to 5% of all cats will be affected by asthma in their lifetimes? The most common reason for coughing in cats, this condition is also referred to as allergic bronchitis, which names its root cause — allergic inflammation. Symptoms often first appear in young to middle-aged cats, and are triggered by...
How to Take an Integrative or Holistic Approach to Feline Diabetes: A Comprehensive Guide for Cat Parents
If your feline friend has been diagnosed with diabetes, you’re not alone. This condition affects many cats, but with proper care and a holistic approach, your whiskered companion can lead a happy, healthy life. Let’s explore how integrating natural methods with conventional treatments can help manage feline diabetes effectively. Understanding Feline Diabetes Feline diabetes occurs when your cat’s body can’t properly regulate blood sugar levels. While insulin therapy is often necessary, a holistic approach can...
20 Dog Breeds With Blue Tongues (With Pictures)
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » You may have heard that some pets have unusual tongue colors. So, what dog breed has a blue tongue? Well, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes over 200 different dog breeds. Of these, we’ve identified 20 breeds with blue somewhere on their tongues, but only four of those have true blue or blue-black tongues, meaning the other 16 breeds on this list may have similarly colored spots. Interestingly, some...
Hope for Chornobyl’s Feral Dogs: Shelter Provided as War-Torn Ukrainian Winter Looms
Click to Skip Ahead As the bitter Ukrainian winter approaches, over 300 stray dogs—descendants of those left behind after the Chornobyl nuclear disaster—are about to receive critical help.These animals, already survivors of radiation exposure and the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, will soon be sheltered from the harsh elements, thanks to an inspiring partnership between Farm & Yard, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International (SPCAI), and the Clean Futures Fund (CFF). A Desperate Need for Shelter Hiding in...
Veterinary behaviorists – How can they help your dog?
You’ve probably heard about veterinary behaviorists, but may not be sure what they do. Learn more about these professionals and how they can help dogs with behavior problems. If your dog is having behavioral problems, your first port of call for answers and assistance might be your veterinarian or a dog trainer. But there’s another category of veterinary professionals who can lend a hand – the veterinary behaviorist. These individuals help you better understand animal behavior, thereby enhancing your ability to...
10 Brown Dog Breeds With Short Hair (With Pictures)
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » We all have preferences. From the food we eat to the people we date, we have a strict set of likes and dislikes. It’s no different when it comes to our pets. As much as we want to choose the dog that has the best personality, you can’t help but to be more drawn to certain breeds. If you love the sharp, classic look of a brown dog with short hair, you might wonder what dog breeds come in this color and hair...
Can Dogs Hear a Fetal Heartbeat: Vet-Verified Canine Hearing Explained
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 a very strong connection between certain dogs and pregnancy. You hear anecdotal stories all day long of dogs ‘knowing’ their owners were pregnant before they even took the test. So, what exactly gives? Can your dog detect a fetal heartbeat? Or is there more to it than that? Let’s dig in. Dogs May Certainly Detect Fetal Heartbeat If you are just looking for a quick answer...
Understanding Neurodiversity in Our Dogs: The Sensory Diet
You’re probably heard the term “neurodiversity,” but what exactly does it mean? Neurodiversity is a concept that recognizes the unique ways different nervous systems function – in our dogs as well as ourselves. Just like us, dogs have individual nervous systems that can exhibit various sensitivities and behaviors. Recognizing these differences allows us to shift our approach from frustration to compassion when dealing with unwanted behaviors in our dogs. There’s no right or wrong way, or normal versus disordered...
Are Rats Smarter Than Dogs? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Rats have a bad reputation, and many dog breeds were even bred to hunt them. Despite all this, rats are actually extremely intelligent animals. Some studies even allude to rats being more intelligent than both dogs and humans. It’s tempting to jump to conclusions, but it’s important to carefully read through the data. Rats are certainly smart, but it’s unfair to compare their...
Are Monsteras Toxic to Dogs? Vet-Verified Facts, Info & Poison Help
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Having house plants and dogs together in the same space can be quite a challenge. You want to keep both alive and healthy, but it seems that one is always trying to kill the other. Our dogs can get into just about anything and some of our plants can be toxic to them. But what about the common houseplant Monstera? Is it toxic to dogs? Unfortunately, the Monstera plant is considered toxic to dogs....
Do Dogs and Guinea Pigs Get Along? 6 Vet-Approved Tips on Living With Them Both
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Animals of the oddest pairings can sometimes come up on your social media feed. Sometimes, a snake and a mouse will seem to become friends, a coyote and a common canine, you name it! However, as cute as you might think these situations are in theory, animals’ lives can be in danger in these scenarios, even if it seems like all is well. Canines have been used for a millennia to weed out...
Can Dogs Eat Hearts of Palm? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Considerations
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Hearts of palm are literally exactly what they sound like—the very internal parts of certain species of palm tree. These tender veggies can serve in a variety of recipes and so many people can reap the long list of benefits this plant has to offer. Many use hearts of palm as a meat replacement thanks to its incredible texture and subtle flavor. This versatile plant is also fine for your pup...
8 Vet-Reviewed Signs a Dog Will Attack a Baby & Tips to Prevent It
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Expectant parents who are dog owners often wonder how they should introduce their new baby and dog, and whether they should be concerned about their dog attacking the baby at any point. The good news is that most canines will be fine around infants1 after the initial adjustment period, where they are mostly curious about the new tiny being. But there are rare incidences of dogs biting babies, so you want to know what...
