Collars vs. harnesses for dogs
A properly-fitted harness is safer and more comfortable for your dog than a collar. Learn why and discover tips for choosing the best harness for your dog. Collars are synonymous with dogs. They often carry an ID tag, and you can choose one to accentuate your dog’s coat color or reflect your personal style. However, a harness is often a better and safer choice than a traditional dog collar, for several important reasons. Let’s compare collars vs. harnesses for dogs. The downsides of collars As common as they are, collars can...
Nutritional therapy for dogs with skin disease
Explore how nutritional therapy for dogs with skin disease can enhance skin health and promote healing with the right balance of nutrients. Skin diseases are common in dogs, and can result in discomfort, itching, inflammation, secondary infections, and hair loss. Proper nutrition plays an important role in maintaining healthy skin and hair in our canine companions. Nutritional therapy for dogs with skin disease can also help manage and treat a variety of skin conditions. Nutrients essential for skin health To maintain healthy...
Effective dog training with food rewards — 9 tips for success
Master effective dog training with food rewards! Learn expert tips for using treats to encourage desirable behaviors and build a better bond. If you’ve ever trained a dog, you’ve probably noticed that food and treats tend to get the best and quickest results. This article explores effective dog training with food rewards. You’ll find nine tips on how professional trainers use food rewards to encourage desirable behaviors from their canine students. Tip #1: Know that dogs don’t get addicted to food rewards ...
Mmm, Feet… Why Do My Dogs Like Licking Me? The Attraction & Whether It’s Normal
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. I don’t think there’s any doubt that, despite having many shared food interests, dogs and humans do not always see eye to eye about what should go in one’s mouth. There are dogs that enjoy partaking in poop (or in Fred’s case, picking bits of carrot out of...
Postbiotics for dog gut health
Support your dog’s digestion, enhance immunity, and promote a balanced microbiome with this innovative approach. Explore the benefits of postbiotics for dog gut health. A “new kid on the block”, postbiotics play a range of roles and offer numerous benefits for your dog’s gut health. By now, most of us are familiar with probiotics and prebiotics. These compounds offer significant health benefits for both humans and dogs. More recently, the term “postbiotics” has been coming into view. You may be...
Insights from the Field
Shelters with High Return-to-Home Rates for Dogs While many animal shelters continue to face challenges in successfully reuniting lost pets with their owners, some have developed innovative strategies and are making significant strides in this crucial area. With current trends in technology, data sharing, and community outreach, many shelters are achieving impressive return-to-home rates. British Columbia SPCA and HASS Partner Organization, Wisconsin Humane Society, are two shelters who are achieving dog return-to-home rates as high as 80% by...
Holistic Approaches to Managing Feline Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a prevalent condition affecting many cats, particularly those in their senior years. As a cat parent, understanding holistic approaches to managing CKD can significantly improve your feline companion’s quality of life. Understanding Feline Chronic Kidney Disease CKD is a progressive disease characterized by the gradual loss of kidney function, which can lead to a buildup of waste products in the bloodstream. It affects 30-40% of senior cats, making awareness and proactive management essential. While...
Maddie’s Fund is hiring a Marketing and Communications Project Manager
Maddie’s Fund is looking for an experienced Marketing and Communications Project Manager to enhance and collaborate with its existing team. If you are looking for an opportunity to work within a dynamic environment and an established group, please submit your cover letter, sharing how your experiences are applicable for the role along with your resume to employment@maddiesfund.org. Accepted applications for the position will close on Friday, January 31, 2025. For questions about the role, please feel free to...
Dogster Photo Contest: Dogs of the Week Winners (Jan 9, 2025)
Click to Skip Ahead This Week’s Winner Name: Minnie Breed: Cairn Terrier Fun Fact: We have only had Minnie 5 weeks and are over the moon with her puppy energy and love. She came to us a bit timid but became her outgoing self quickly. Ball and tug toys are her favorite 🤩 Cutest Name: Midge Breed: shichi 1/2 shihtzu 1/2 chihuahua Fun Fact: Midge is 5 yrs old. 6 lbs. She is very quiet. Only barks at my husband. Very loveable. She loves to pose like this for pictures. She most always has her tongue stuck out a little bit. Most...
How to protect your dog or cat during power outages
Ensure your pets stay safe and stress-free during severe weather events. Learn how to protect your dog or cat during power outages. Hurricanes, tornadoes, and other severe storms are becoming fiercer and more frequent. As a result, widespread power outages are common. According to Climate Central, weather-related events caused 80% of power outages in the US over the past 23 years. It’s important to prepare for a prolonged power outage by making a plan that covers both your animal and human family. Read on to learn how to protect your...
Boosting Your Cat’s Immune Function with Spirulina
Cats are beloved companions, and their health is a top priority for those who cherish them. As cat parents, finding natural ways to enhance your feline friend’s immune system can lead to a happier, healthier life. One promising option is spirulina, a nutrient-dense blue-green algae known for its remarkable health benefits. Spirulina is packed with essential nutrients, including proteins, vitamins, and minerals that contribute to overall well-being. Its unique composition includes phycocyanin, an antioxidant that combats oxidative stress...
Winter Wienerland: Draper and Rue’s Snowy Adventures
Welcome to the Wednesday Dogs of Dogster! Every Wednesday, we share a story from one of our Dogsters. This week is about Meagan and her dynamic duo of dachshunds, Draper and Rue. Winter in Canada can be a beautiful season, a time for snow-covered landscapes, warm, yummy drinks, and cozy times indoors, with endless debates over whether snow is a gift from the heavens or a frosty curse. In our household, this seasonal debate is personified (or puppified) perfectly by our dogs, Draper and Rue. These two pups, like in all things, could not be...
Tractive Unveils Next-Generation Dog Tracker with Health and Behavior Monitoring
A Game-Changer for Pet Health Technology Debuting at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Tractive, the global leader in pet GPS and health tracking, has officially launched its advanced GPS and Health Tracker for dogs in North America. With over 1.3 million customers already, Tractive is excited to share this cutting-edge device packed with innovative features that aim to revolutionize pet monitoring and enhance dogs’ safety, health, and well-being. Revolutionary Features for Dog Health and Happiness If you’re a dog owner, you’ll likely...
New year, Same Pets.
Jan 07, 2025 The term “long stay” is one that has many different interpretations within the sheltering system, but when examined closely, each interpretation can be whittled down to this: a pet that has found itself in the shelter for an undesired period of time. Over the last decade, thanks to some deep data keeping by a particularly involved volunteer, we’ve gleaned that January happens to be a month of promise for long stay pets. While we don’t know the “why,” historically at APA!, January typically sees...
Are Home Remedies Effective for Fleas on Dogs? Our Vet Explains
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’re fighting a battle against fleas (because, let’s face it, a battle is what it might feel like), you’re probably wondering what you can do to help your dog. A quick online search yields mixed results. Should you try treating fleas at home? What home remedy will kill fleas on my dog and is it effective? The answer is no, home remedies are ineffective and other safe options...
10 Best Flea & Tick Treatments and Prevention for Dogs in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Dogs love being outside to sniff out scents and play a game of fetch in the yard. Unfortunately, our playful pooches can come into contact with nasty pests while exploring the wilderness. Flea and tick treatments and prevention help stop your best friend from bringing back unwanted guests along with their favorite ball. These come in various options, from shampoos and sprays to topical treatments, collars, and...
Two-faced and chimera cats – what causes this striking phenomenon?
Two-faced and chimera cats may look photoshopped, but they’re real! Find out what causes this rare phenomenon, from chimerism to genetic variations. Social media is full of cat videos and photos. These famous felines often have distinctive physical appearances (think Lil Bub) or humorous facial expressions (like Grumpy Cat). “Two-faced” cats such as Venus, Quimera, Narnia and Queen Domiino are particularly eye-catching. These striking felines have sharply delineated and symmetrical facial markings that make them look...
Ayurvedic Dosha Balancing in Dogs
Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being. Source: Animal Wellness...
The behavioral and physiological effects of single- or pair-housing shelter dogs
Maddie’s® Insights is our ongoing webcast series with practical tips based on current research to help pets and people. Join us on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 12PM PT/3PM ET for “Benefits of Pair-Housing Dogs on Welfare Measures and Length of Stay.” Dr. Erica Feuerbacher, Associate Professor in the School of Animal Sciences at Virginia Tech and director of the Applied Animal Behavior & Welfare Lab will present. Dr. Feuerbacher and her team investigated the behavioral and physiological effects of single- or...
The 20 most popular dog breeds
Discover the 20 most popular dog breeds, including French Bulldogs, Labrador Retrievers, and more. Find out which breeds are trending. For the second year in a row, the French Bulldog tops the list of most popular dog breeds. Whether your canine companion is a purebred or a mix, it’s always fun to discover the most popular breeds. Dog lovers are always curious about which breeds are currently trending. Each year, the American Kennel Club ranks the most popular dog breeds. They use registration statistics to determine the rankings....
