Sadie Cornelius

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  • in reply to: Does anyone else’s dog try to eat snow? #135815
    Sadie Cornelius
    Moderator

    My Cavalier does this too! He loves eating ice so it’s not surprising he likes eating snow too! I try not to let him do it often though and of course monitor to make sure it’s clean. No advice other than that! I hope that helps…

    Sadie Cornelius
    Moderator

    Yes, it’s normal for some dogs to bark at their own reflection in a mirror. Dogs don’t have the same self-awareness as humans, so they might not realize they’re looking at themselves. Instead, they see the reflection as another dog in their territory and may react with barking or curiosity. If the barking becomes excessive or obsessive, you may want to redirect their attention with toys, treats, or online training exercises.

    in reply to: Can you floss a dog’s teeth? #135187
    Sadie Cornelius
    Moderator

    It’s great that you’re being proactive about your dog’s dental health! Taking care of their teeth can prevent painful issues like gum disease and tooth decay, and it can save you money on costly dental cleanings or procedures down the road.

    But flossing your dog’s teeth isn’t typically necessary or practical. While humans floss to clean between teeth, dogs’ teeth are spaced farther apart, so food and plaque don’t accumulate in the same way. Instead, brushing is the best thing you can do for maintaining their dental health.

    Here are some tips to make brushing easier and to further improve your dog’s dental care: https://www.caninejournal.com/bad-dog-breath/

    in reply to: Benefits of a low salt diet for dogs? #134107
    Sadie Cornelius
    Moderator

    Yes, Fire Dan, lowering sodium can be beneficial for dogs with heart conditions such as congestive heart failure, as it reduces fluid retention and the strain on the heart. Dogs with kidney disease may benefit from a reduced-sodium diet to prevent additional stress on their kidneys. A low-sodium diet can help manage or prevent high blood pressure in susceptible dogs too!

    If your dog is relatively healthy, there’s generally no need to modify their sodium intake unless a medical condition warrants it. However, if you’re considering dietary changes, consult your veterinarian to ensure your dog’s nutritional needs are fully met.

    Check out our top picks for low sodium diets for dogs.

    in reply to: Most popular dog names in 2025? #133097
    Sadie Cornelius
    Moderator

    Funny you should ask, the AKC just released their most popular names of 2024 this week!

    According to their registration statistics from partners enrollments, Luna is the the top girl’s name and Milo moved into 1st place from 5th in 2023. Last year’s number 1 boy’s name, Max, comes in at number 2 this year. Full list below…

    The top 10 boy and girl dog names for 2024:

    GIRL NAMES BOY NAMES
    1. Luna 1. Milo
    2. Bella 2. Max
    3. Daisy 3. Teddy
    4. Lucy 4. Charlie
    5. Willow 5. Cooper
    6. Stella 6. Bear
    7. Maggie 7. Toby
    8. Sadie 8. Finn
    9. Lola 9. Tucker
    10. Rosie 10. Ollie
    in reply to: Best vitamins for dogs #133094
    Sadie Cornelius
    Moderator

    When considering vitamins or supplements for your dog, it’s always best to consult with your veterinarian to ensure they’re appropriate for your pet’s specific needs. However, we have an article about the best vitamins and supplements for dogs that has some options that might be a good starting point to reference.

    Sadie Cornelius
    Moderator

    Both Rottweilers and German Shepherds can be great with kids, but their temperament and behavior can vary based on individual training and socialization.

    German Shepherd Dogs are often very protective and loyal, making them good family dogs. They’re typically friendly and gentle with children when properly socialized from a young age.

    Rottweilers, while sometimes viewed as intimidating, can also be incredibly loving and protective of their families. They often form strong bonds with children, especially if they are raised with them.

    In both cases, early socialization and training are crucial. It’s also important to supervise interactions between any dog and young children to ensure safety for both parties. Ultimately, the right individual dog and their upbringing can make a significant difference.

    in reply to: Best probiotics for dogs with itchy skin #133044
    Sadie Cornelius
    Moderator

    Itching can be so frustrating for both you and your pup! Sorry to hear you are experiencing this. Probiotics can be helpful for some dogs, especially if the itching is related to an imbalance in their gut health or if allergies are at play. I’d recommend checking out this article on the Best Probiotics for Dogs. It goes over some great options that could be worth a try.

    However, if your dog’s itching is more related to environmental or skin-specific issues, you might want to explore other supplements or remedies first. Omega-3 fatty acids (like fish oil) are known to support healthy skin and reduce inflammation, which could also help with itching. You can also look into some natural home remedies, like oatmeal baths, which can soothe the skin. Here’s a helpful guide with some Dog Itchy Skin Home Remedies.

    Hopefully, one of these solutions will give your pup some relief!

    in reply to: I need some help grooming my poodle mix. #133054
    Sadie Cornelius
    Moderator

    For wiry coats, like your poodle mix’s, it’s important to use the right tools and techniques to keep your pup mat-free without cutting their beautiful curly coat too short. Start with a slicker brush, which is great for removing tangles and loosening mats, especially in longer fur. You can also use a dematting comb or rake for more stubborn mats. Work slowly and gently to avoid pulling on your dog’s skin.

    To prevent mats in the future, regular brushing is key. Aim for at least a few times a week, if not daily, depending on your pup’s activity level. Bathing with a quality detangling shampoo can also help keep the coat soft and easier to manage. We have a Cavalier with a long coat that mats easily and bathe him weekly and brush a few times a week.

    Check out this helpful guide for more detailed advice on the: Best Brushes for Poodles. It has some great recommendations tailored to your dog’s coat type. Good luck with keeping your pup looking his best! 🙂

    in reply to: Here’s why I chose Pets Best to insure my dog #132985
    Sadie Cornelius
    Moderator

    I have Pets Best for my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who is 4 years old now but has been insured since he was 1. I’ve filed nearly a dozen claims over the 3 years we’ve had it and yes the reimbursement time can take up to 30 days in my experience, depending on the claim. We had Embrace with our previous Cavalier and they were very quick to turn around reimbursement (less than 24 hours). Overall though we’ve been super happy with both plans, no issues with customer service or complaints. It really just comes down to what’s important to you and who offers the best coverage given your specific dog’s needs and your situation. You can read about my claims process from both Embrace and Pets Best and how it saved me thousands of dollars in pet bills. Hope that helps!

    in reply to: How do I know how long my mutt will live? #133031
    Sadie Cornelius
    Moderator

    What an adorable mix! And so glad to hear you love him so much, dogs are the best and wish they could live forever (or at least as long as humans do!). Beagle-dachshund mixes, often called “Doxles,” generally have a life expectancy of around 12 to 15 years, depending on various factors like genetics, lifestyle, and overall health. Both beagles and dachshunds tend to be relatively long-lived breeds, so your pup may have a great chance of living a long life with proper care!

    in reply to: Can dogs eat Canes Chicken? #133020
    Sadie Cornelius
    Moderator

    It’s understandable why your dog would be so interested in Canes Chicken—it smells and tastes great! However, it’s best to avoid sharing it with your dog for a few reasons:

    • Seasoning and Frying: Canes Chicken is deep-fried and seasoned with salt and possibly other spices. Dogs have sensitive digestive systems, and fried, salty, or seasoned foods can lead to stomach upset, vomiting, or diarrhea. In some cases, excessive salt can even cause dehydration or more serious health issues like sodium ion poisoning.
    • Grease and Fat: Fried foods are high in fat, which isn’t healthy for dogs. Eating fatty foods regularly can lead to pancreatitis, a painful and potentially dangerous condition.
    • Sauces: If the chicken is paired with Canes sauce, avoid giving it to your dog, as the sauce can contain ingredients like garlic or onion powder, which are toxic to dogs.

    If you want to treat your dog to some chicken, it’s safer to give him plain, unseasoned, and fully cooked chicken. Just make sure it’s free of bones, skin, and any added oils or spices!

    in reply to: What to do if a dog is barking at nothing? #133010
    Sadie Cornelius
    Moderator

    Agree with @dogshabit you should not bark like a dog to your dog, and treats are a good distraction to help them to stop. My friend’s dog does the same thing in the middle of the night and is concerned too so you’re not alone! If your dog seems agitated, pacing, or showing other signs of distress, it could be helpful to look for environmental triggers, or even speak to a vet in case there’s something deeper going on with their mental or physical health.

    in reply to: Looking for spooky or Halloween-inspired dog names? #132988
    Sadie Cornelius
    Moderator

    Here are some inspiration. You could try a wolf, viking, cartoon, Marvel, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Disney, or candy name. Or perhaps German name since Halloween is in the same month as Oktoberfest? Hope those are some ideas to get you started!

    in reply to: I have a (very) wet dog!! #132974
    Sadie Cornelius
    Moderator

    Yes dog raincoats can definitely help! That and lots of patience. Ha! We keep a towel by the door to wipe off paws after muddy walks. There is also a paw cleaning foam we tried once to get some of the muddy paws between baths. Booties might be a good option too you could try! Hope that helps and stay dry!

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 45 total)