Blue-Green Algae & Dogs: Is it Toxic and How to Treat
You may have heard horror stories of dogs dying after swimming in or drinking from a pond with an alga cover. This is a true danger that can be avoided. The term blue-green algae is a misnomer, as this organism is, in fact, a single-celled organism called cyanobacteria. This toxic organism can live in a variety of water types and uses photosynthesis to make food. Cyanobacteria can affect humans, wildlife, pets and livestock, however, dogs appear to be more sensitive to the cyanobacteria toxins. Where can my dog encounter toxic algae?...
How Do Your Dog’s Hormones Affect Their Health and Behavior?
From estrogen and testosterone to adrenaline and cortisol, your dog’s hormones have a profound impact on their well-being — physically, mentally and emotionally. Most people know that hormones are important for regulating body systems. These natural chemicals impact systems and metabolism on almost every level of the body, and also have a significant influence on behavior and mood — not only in ourselves, but in our dogs as well. Read on for a discussion of the most common hormones and how they affect your dog’s health...
Dog Ate Coffee Grounds: What to Do
The danger of coffee toxicity depends on the amount of grounds eaten versus the weight of your dog, says Dr. Natalie Isaza DVM, owner of Access Veterinary Services in Florida. Knowing this information saves valuable time. Regardless of your dog’s size, a dog eating coffee grounds is an emergency, whether your dog rummaged through the garbage or swiped chocolate-coated coffee beans off the counter. “The first thing to do is to call your veterinarian, or if after hours, call the pet poison control hotline,” Dr. Isaza says....
Cat Who Isn’t Expected to Have a Long Life is Making the Most of His Time
The following story was a finalist in the Pawsitively Picture Perfect photo contest. The top three finishers received $500 in cash, as well as $2,000 in cash and supplies for their favorite shelter. To read more stories, click here! Norman and his siblings were found as abandoned kittens and in need of lots of medical care. The wonderful staff at the Animal Refuge Center got them healthy and quickly showed them that people can be trusted and loved! Norman was the most lovable and outgoing of his litter, but he was diagnosed with a severe...
Havanese With Very Long Legs Earns Nickname ‘Havanese Giantus’
The following story was a finalist in the Pawsitively Picture Perfect photo contest. The top three finishers received $500 in cash, as well as $2,000 in cash and supplies for their favorite shelter. To read more stories, click here! Ollie is a shy boy, but packed with personality. PHOTO: DIANE BARTON He’s a 4-year-old Havanese with longer legs than most of his breed. We call him a Havanese giantus. He’s a snuggler who’s always close by, preferably on your lap. SHARE YOUR OWN RESCUE STORY He loves chasing toys and going on...
A True Gentle Giant, Adoptable Cue Just Wants to Be Loved
Meet Cue! Mr. Cue is an incredibly handsome fella with a sweet, friendly disposition. He came to the San Diego Humane Society as a stray, and they are still learning new things about him. While in their care, Cue has had some dental treatments, and his new forever family will need to keep up with his future care, as needed. Photo: San Diego Humane Society He has been very wiggly and enjoying all of the treats, attention, and back scratches he can get since he was rescued. Like so many puppers, Cue is very food motivated, and staff at SDHS...
What to Do If Your Dog Is Choking
Any dog of any age or size can choke on almost anything. It can be a pet parent’s worst nightmare. An object can get stuck in a dog’s throat, block an airway, and render the dog unconscious. And it can happen quickly and unexpectedly. Just ask Ryan Shaw, a certified professional dog trainer at What A Great Dog training center in Frisco, Texas. She was conducting an agility class when one of her students was holding her small terrier named Calli in one hand while encouraging Calli to nibble on the end of a hotdog held in her other...
Dogs Sniff Out Pepper Weevils in Commercial Greenhouses
Submission Guidelines Thank you for your interest in writing for Animal Wellness. As the #1 natural health magazine for pets in North America, we take pride in providing our readers with the information they need to make wise health care choices for their animal companions. Our publication embraces the entire holistic spectrum, from physical health issues to the emotional and spiritual well being of our animals. We welcome unsolicited articles and story outlines as long as they focus on holistic healing, whether physical, emotional or...
Cat Goes From Angry, Scared Stray to Loving Protector of Adopted Family’s Baby Girl
The following story is a finalist in the Pawsitively Picture Perfect photo contest. The top three finishers will receive $500 in cash, as well as $2,000 in cash and supplies for their favorite shelter. Voting runs through June 1. To read more stories and cast your vote, click here! A huge long-haired gray male cat started sleeping on my back deck during the day, but he was always gone in the evening. I thought he was beautiful, but every time I tried to get near him, he would run away. After a couple weeks, I thought I’d feed him and...
Dog Prone to ‘Crazy Antics’ Helps Family Heal After the Loss of Their Beloved Pooch
The following story is a finalist in the Pawsitively Picture Perfect photo contest. The top three finishers will receive $500 in cash, as well as $2,000 in cash and supplies for their favorite shelter. Voting runs through June 1. To read more stories and cast your vote, click here! Our family was heartbroken when we lost one of our dogs last year to age-related illness. It left a void in our heart that was slow to heal, and we were really not looking for another dog. Then we saw Odie on the Facebook page for The American Belgian Malinois...
Wrinkle The Duck Demonstrates How You Can Easily Pick Up A Duck
How do you pick up a duck? Did you know that ducks tend to bite people if they’re threatened, and they become immediately wary of you if you approach them suddenly? So how can you successfully hold a duck? Just to clarify, you shouldn’t just randomly pick up any ducks, okay? They may be adorable, but they’re still wild animals. Unless, of course, you own one and you’re just here for a tutorial. (But I doubt that’s the case if you’re reading this here.) PHOTO: Unsplash/Hussain Badshah In a video posted by...
You’ve Helped Rescued Wildlife Get Formula, Other Necessities to Heal Up
Caring for injured wildlife can be very rewarding, but the financial costs associated with it are often quite high, particularly when you’re dealing with babies. Formula can quickly drive up the costs of care, but it’s necessary for these animals, as it contains the essential nutrients needed to grow and thrive. Thanks to your clicks, shopping for a cause, and contributions, young wildlife in Kansas recently received these life-saving nutrients. Greater Good Charities’ GOODS program recently donated formula, pet blankets,...
Will Australia’s Dingo-Proof Fence Lead to Evolutionary Differences in Kangaroos?
A fence in Australia designed to keep dingos out has unintentionally created an ecological boundary, with some creatures thriving and others reportedly struggling to survive. Over eons, one could potentially expect a division like this to lead to species evolving on separate paths. But recent evidence is suggesting that what was once thought to be a slow, gradual process might be occurring in just a matter of decades. Photo: Pixabay/PeterKraayvanger The fence in question spans more than 3,107 miles across Australia, creating the world’s...
Baby “Moon” Has Been Found Alive & Returned to Her Frantic Mother!
A sweet little baby donkey not yet weaned from his mother was abducted in mid-May from a farm in England known as Miller’s Ark Animals. The theft of the foal set off a worldwide outcry for the return of the infant to its distressed mother, who had been crying nonstop since the senseless kidnapping. Now, news has just arrived that Moon has been rescued from her abductors and reunited with her frantic mom after a two-week separation. Two-month-old Moon was snatched from her home at Miller’s Ark on May 15, leaving her owners beside...
Bowel Obstruction in Dogs: Signs, Causes, Treatment and Prevention Tips
If your dog has a habit of eating foreign objects from around the house, you’re not alone. This is a common behavior in many dogs, with serious consequences. Bowel obstruction in dogs can quickly escalate to a life-threatening emergency. Know the signs and causes, so you can get the best treatment, plus learn how to prevent this emergency. What is a bowel obstruction? Bowel obstructions occur when a dog’s stomach becomes partially or fully blocked, so food or water cannot pass through your pup. As a result, dogs become dehydrated...
Japanese Study Points to Benefits of Dogs for Children’s Wellbeing in Hospital Settings
If you’ve ever owned a dog, you know firsthand how beneficial their company can be when you’re feeling down. They are so calming and comforting that they are known for their ability at reducing blood pressure in humans. The expression “man’s best friend” didn’t get coined for nothing. Now, a study, undertaken at the Shizuoka Children’s Hospital in Japan, investigating the use of facility dogs as one of the best ways to help children in hospital settings has come to the same conclusion. Photo:...
Stray Dog With Painful Skin Disease Needs Your Help To Get Care He Needs
Mange is an extremely painful skin condition caused by mites and can cause serious damage to a dog’s skin and health. It is highly contagious and fast growing, so immediate veterinary treatment is necessary. Sadly, countless homeless dogs suffer with this disease, like Mosi. The sweet boy was spotted at a business center in Tanzania searching for food. He stayed in the area after several kind people offered him something to eat. Photo: Tanzania Animal Welfare Society They noticed he was missing fur and had sores on his back, so one...
Water Cremation: A Green Funeral Option for Pet Parents
Submission Guidelines Thank you for your interest in writing for Animal Wellness. As the #1 natural health magazine for pets in North America, we take pride in providing our readers with the information they need to make wise health care choices for their animal companions. Our publication embraces the entire holistic spectrum, from physical health issues to the emotional and spiritual well being of our animals. We welcome unsolicited articles and story outlines as long as they focus on holistic healing, whether physical, emotional or...
Dug Up at Dogster: June 2023 Dog Events and Dog Holidays
It’s officially summer and here in Northern California that means hot, dry weather, lots of pool and ice cream time — and the start of fire season. Over the past couple of years, devastating fires have destroyed homes and millions of acres of land, displacing families, pets and wild animals. Although, it’s not pleasant to think about, having an emergency preparedness plan for your family, including your pets, makes split decisions easier when disaster strikes. June is National Pet Preparedness month and an ideal time...
78 Sandra Murphy How Shelters Are Dealing with Returned “Pandemic Pets”
Dog and cat adoptions skyrocketed during the pandemic, but now that life is going back to “normal”, a lot of these animals are being returned to shelters and rescues. How are these organizations dealing with the problem? For most of us, dogs and cats are for life. Sadly, not everyone feels the same way. Others may be forced by circumstance to give up their animals. This has become especially apparent in the wake of the pandemic, when a lot of the dogs and cats adopted during the early months of lockdown are being returned as...
