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...
Be Prepared: Common Emergencies Every Dog Parent Should Know
Dog parents see their fair share of emergency cases. But here’s the good news: being informed about common emergencies can help you stay calm and take the right actions when your dog needs you most. Here are some situations you should be aware of. When Your Dog’s Belly Becomes a Ticking Time Bomb Bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is a life-threatening condition in which a dog’s stomach fills with gas and potentially twists on itself. Large, deep-chested breeds are especially prone. Watch for symptoms like a...
6 Miniature Dachshund Health Problems: Our Vet Discusses Causes, Signs & Prevention
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Miniature Dachshunds, sometimes affectionately referred to as Wiener Dogs or Doxies, are a smart and vibrant breed. While they are smaller than their Standard Dachshund counterparts, they have the same (but smaller) body type with very short legs and a long-bodied torso. Like most specific dog breeds, Mini Doxies have various frequent health conditions that they are more prone to getting. For each of the individual...
Can Chihuahuas Swim? Vet-Verified 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 Chihuahuas are well known for being the world’s smallest dogs. They are also known for being plucky little dogs with big characters. But, can they swim? Although they have little legs, Chihuahuas are generally small dogs, which means they don’t have to propel a lot of weight through the water. As such, Chihuahuas can typically swim. However, just because they can swim, doesn’t...
Can Dogs Eat Apricots? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Precautions
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Dogs are facultative carnivores meaning like omnivores they can eat some plant matter as well as meat. Many like eating sweet foods and can be found eating windfall fruit. If your dog has a sweet tooth, consider feeding them fruit, as it’s much healthier than sugary baked goods. Dogs can eat a variety of fruits, and apricots seem to be a popular choice for them. The pit must always be removed...
My Dog Ate an Earring: Potential Risks, Signs & Next Steps (Vet Answer)
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Let’s say you’re getting ready for a night out. You’ve laid out your outfit and gotten ready. All that’s left is the jewelry, but you find yourself missing an earring and a guilty-looking pup sorting by the bed. Do you panic? What Do You Do if Your Dog Ate an Earring If your dog might have eaten an earring, the safest thing to do is call your veterinarian. While a small stud...
My Dog Ate Sunscreen: What Should I Do Next? (Vet Answer)
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 own a dog, you’ve probably figured out that they love to consume the most unlikely of items or products. One such potential product is sunscreen, a substance applied to the skin to protect you from the sun’s rays! If your dog happens to get into your summer stash of sunscreen or lick it off of you, what will happen? Is it an emergency? In this article, we’ll learn a little...
Common German Shepherd Health Issues to Be Aware Of (Vet Answer)
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Brave, loyal, obedient, and affectionate are words that are often associated with the German Shepherd dog (GSD). As their name suggests, these striking dogs were originally bred in the late 1800s for the purpose of herding livestock. As the demand for herding dogs reduced over the 20th Century, these highly intelligent and trainable dogs became popular family pets, guard dogs, and the top breed of...
