The 12 Days of Christmas If Written by Dogs
Welcome to the Wednesday Dogs of Dogster! Every Wednesday, we share a story from one of our Dogsters. This week is about Amanda and her sweet Chihuahua, Subi. Christmas songs are the tree toppers of holiday parties. It is impossible not to feel joy or the Christmas spirit when the classics are buzzing in the background of a holiday party. The 12 Days of Christmas is an especially fun one that sparks impromptu singalongs, usually ending in a debate about the number of geese-a-laying or maids-a-milking. A quintessential tune that’s bound...
292 Neutering and Spay Successes in One Day: Dogster’s Dr. Paola Volunteers in Panama
On Saturday, December 14, 2024, Nueva Gorgona, Panama, experienced a significant milestone in animal welfare as 360 cats and 292 dogs were spayed and neutered over the course of the weekend, totaling 652 animals. This incredible effort addressed both stray and roaming populations, significantly reducing the number of animals at risk in the community. This incredible effort addressed pet, stray, and roaming populations, significantly reducing the number of animals at risk in the community. Over the two days, veterinarians and volunteers worked...
A holiday message from APA! CEO Dr. Ellen Jefferson
Dec 24, 2024 APA! Supporters, I’m ending this year thinking about miracle workers like you — and the difference you make for pets like Furby, a 6-pound puppy who recently came through our doors at Austin Pets Alive!. We took this golden doodle puppy in from Austin Animal Center, because of his urgent medical state. He arrived with bruising on his abdomen and serious neurological issues, possibly caused by blunt force trauma. The tiny dog couldn’t even sit up on his own, though he kept trying — Furby’s...
Dogs And Christmas: Is Lava a Grinch?
Hi, I’m Dr. Maja! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two crossbreed dogs, Lava and Hela. Christmas time finally! Filled with joy, family traditions, great food, and laughter. Or if you ask my dogs, tasty treats, new toys, and long walks. And then it begins. With social media madness, you can’t avoid seeing pictures of other people’s pets in various festive costumes around the tree and the like. They all look so happy and content! And I had to wonder, what would Lava think of this? Well, I should have known...
Ask Dr. Paola: Monday December 23, 2024
Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our readers better understand their dog’s health and well-being. Whether you’re a new pet parent or a seasoned dog lover, Dr. Paola is here to provide answers to your most pressing questions. From nutrition tips and preventive care to troubleshooting common behavioral issues, Dr. Paola is ready to offer insights that will keep your furry friend happy and healthy. Stay tuned for expert guidance...
Want Quality Pet Supplements? Look for These 7 Things!
As a dog or cat parent and consumer, you want only high-quality pet supplements. But what exactly does that mean? Here are seven things you can look for to identify the best supplements! Supplements are supposed to help your dog live the best and healthiest life, but that doesn’t mean they’re all up to the task. Similarly, while finding quality supplements that are worth the price can make all the difference for companion animals, not all pet parents know what to look for. And with so many supplements out there, it can be tough to...
Why Using Ashwagandha for Arthritic Dogs in Winter Can Help Relieve Pain and Inflammation as well as Skin Issues and Stress
Relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and calm stress with ashwagandha for arthritic dogs in winter. Support their health naturally! As the seasons change, so do the challenges faced by our canine companions. While we humans might enjoy cozying up with a cup of tea during the winter months, our dogs can struggle with the colder weather, changes in routine, and the potential for seasonal health issues. From joint pain and respiratory infections to anxiety and dry skin, these challenges can be tough on our furry companions. Fortunately, adding an...
All I Want For Christmas Is Food: Dr. Karyn’s Dogs Enjoy Turkey & Stuffing
Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred. For many, this time of year is full of excitement and joy, but for others, it can be a time of feeling stressed and overwhelmed. And Ned is one of the latter. The comings and goings of relatives and friends, the sudden appearance of a large tree in the house, and most worrying of all, a constant parade of mouth-watering food that no one seems willing to share with him. Just as he should be, Ned is...
Ancient Chinese Five Element Sound Therapy for Your Dog
In our fast-paced lives, ensuring the well-being of our furry friends can sometimes feel overwhelming. As caregivers, we often seek holistic approaches to enhance their health and happiness. One such method is Ancient Chinese Five Element Sound Therapy, a practice that not only promotes physical wellness but also nurtures emotional balance. Understanding the Five Elements Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Five Elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—represent various aspects of nature. Each element is associated...
Dogster Photo Contest: Dogs of the Week Winners (December 19, 2024)
Click to Skip Ahead This Week’s Winner Name: Dakota Breed: German Shepherd/Husky mix Fun Fact: Dakota is 1 year old and loves to go on adventures, especially hiking in new places. I took this photo while hiking in Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Missouri. Cutest Most Expressive Name: Emma Breed: Cattledog Fun Fact: This is Emma and her pouting watching me as I am getting ready to leave. Sleepiest Silliest Name: Stevie Breed: Yorkshire Terrier Fun Fact: Stevie acting silly Most Dignified Name: Lenny Breed: Pug Fun Fact: Lenny is a charismatic...
Dog and Cat Allergy Symptoms and Solutions: Understanding Allergies and Inflammatory Responses
Learn how to manage dog and cat allergy symptoms with insights on allergies and inflammatory responses to improve pet health. You’ve probably seen a cat or dog scratching up a storm at some point. Unfortunately, allergies commonly affect both dogs and cats, and often lead to an inflammatory response that can significantly affect their health. According to a study published by the American College of Veterinary Dermatology, approximately 10% to 15% of dogs and 5% to 10% of cats suffer from allergies1. Understanding how they work, though,...
Wishing you joy and peace this holiday season
Happy holidays from all of us at Maddie’s Fund®! We deeply appreciate your tireless efforts throughout the year to help keep pets and people together. The work is not always easy, but the compassion and kindness you and your organizations have shown leave a lasting impact on the lives you touch, both animal and human. May the unconditional love of the animals in your life—whether it’s your family pets, foster animals, shelter and rescue companions, or the community cats finding warmth in insulated straw boxes you put...
A Pup Above Dog Food Review 2024: Why This Food Has Won Over My Pups
Click to Skip Ahead Our Final Verdict We give A Pup Above brand an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. Quality: 4.9/5 Variety: 4.7/5 Ingredients: 4.8/5 Value: 4.9/5 In the world of fresh dog food, there are more choices than ever. From custom-preportioned meals to grocery store brands, all these choices present a problem for owners who just want the best for their pups. After all, how do you know which brands deliver on their promises and which are just good at marketing themselves? I recently had the opportunity to test four recipes from A...
Merry Woof-Mas! How the Wednesday Dogs of Dogster Celebrate Christmas
Click to Skip Ahead Welcome to the Wednesday Dogs of Dogster! Every month, we ask our Dogsters to weigh in on a new topic. This week, we asked them: How Do You Celebrate Christmas With Your Dog(s)? Here’s what they had to say: Amanda & Subi In the days leading up to Christmas, we are a busy household. Coming from a big family, we’re constantly on the go – holiday parties, casual catchups, baking, skating, Christmas light walks, you name it. Subi gets to partake in almost all of our visits over the holidays, which is...
Unlocking the Healing Power of Gemmotherapy for 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...
Greyhound Racing Banned in New Zealand – A Win For Animal Welfare
Click to Skip Ahead Last week, New Zealand announced plans to ban greyhound racing, a move that has been described as both “monumental” and “devastating,” depending on whom you ask. If you ask us here at Dogster, the only thing devastating about it is the fact that it has taken so long to be banned in the first place. But this is a huge step in the right direction that will hopefully begin the snowball effect of global change in the sport. The decision, driven by persistent animal welfare concerns, marks the end of an...
Benadryl Overdose In Dogs: Our Vet Discussed 5 Signs & What To Do Next
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead You may be aware that there are a few human medications that can be given to dogs, however, this should NEVER be done without first checking the safety and dosage with your vet. Dogs metabolize medications very differently to humans, which can mean that they are a lot more sensitive to some, and need higher doses of others. Benedryl is one such medication that can be given to dogs to help with...
Boost Your Dog’s Lymphatic Health with These Powerful Herbs
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...
How animal shelters can overcome barriers when building their community programming
This post was originally published in 2020. Below is the third and final post in a series featuring Gateway Pet Guardians and their progressive approach to reimagining the future of animal sheltering aimed at keeping people and pets together. In the first post in this series, we shared an overview of how they operate and how they’ve pivoted since COVID-19 hit. The second post focused on tactical ways your organization can build community programming, and this post shares ways to overcome common barriers when trying to implement...
Dogs and Sandy Beaches: Lava’s Visit to Jersey
Hi, I’m Dr. Maja! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two crossbreed dogs, Lava and Hela. Lava was born and raised in the countryside. Always running around after cattle and other dogs, rolling in fresh hay, trying to run off into the woods, and often succeeding. But I never thought of her as being a secret beach bum. She wasn’t big on chasing the ball, and would rather find the longest available stick or log, or would try to dig a decent-sized hole and tear through roots and weeds in the process. Until I took her...