The joy a dog can bring to your family is priceless, but the reality is that owning a dog comes with ongoing costs for years that many don’t consider when they first adopt. Can you afford a dog for the long haul? We’ll help give you an idea of what expenses you can expect…
In humans, malignant melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, but can dogs get melanoma? The unfortunate answer is yes — however, just like with humans, there are varying types of melanoma that affect different parts of a dog’s body. Some variations are more serious than others. But with any type of cancer, an early diagnosis is key to catching this potential killer before it’s too late…
It’s important to find service professionals in your life you like and can trust. There’s nothing worse than having an appointment with a doctor or meeting with your lawyer and they don’t remember you or any of the information you’ve provided them with in the past. Similarly, you want an empathetic vet you trust and get along with because they are ultimately responsible for taking care of your furry friend in good times and in bad. But what attributes make up a good vet exactly? Read on to learn how to find a good vet and what to look for when seeking high-quality veterinary care…
If you have a dog, then they may be like one of your children: you spoil them rotten and care for them deeply. Since your pet is that important to you, then their health should be just as important! And we don’t mean just taking them out on walks, feeding them a balanced diet and pampering good dogs with toys and treats, although those are all important too! We’re talking about being proactive and taking them to the vet regularly for checkups. Read on to learn why checkups for dogs are important, how frequently you should schedule them, what you get out of a dog health check and how much you can expect to spend (spoiler alert: it’s less than you think!)…
Canine distemper is a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease that is 100% preventable. That’s why it’s so important to get your dog vaccinated as soon as possible. Canine distemper can be contracted easily from other dogs at various places, like the park, groomer or kennel. Find out how you can prevent your dog from contracting this terrible disease…
Are you the proud parent of an adorable little puppy? This is a new realm for you and you’re probably unsure what normal puppy behavior should look like. Puppies (like people) obtain bad habits by being given love and affection constantly, which they need, but can also keep them from learning good habits. Similar to a baby when she cries, she may need feeding or changed, but other times she may just want to be held. Which makes you feel great, but doesn’t always help your baby grow and become social with other people. Puppies are similar and need to learn how to behave properly so they can grow into the great dogs we know they can be! So, let’s nip these puppy behavior problems in the bud before they get out of control!
You might think it’s wise to wait until your very young puppy gets a little older to start socializing him. Take our advice — don’t wait! In fact, you have a pretty small window of opportunity to properly socialize your puppy, and ideally you should start when he’s only three weeks old. Puppies develop quickly, particularly when it comes to behavior. They’re most receptive to new experiences between the ages of three and 12 weeks old. After about four months old, it becomes much more difficult to introduce puppies to new situations. So, where do you start? What do you need to know? We’ll answer all your questions about how to socialize your puppy so he grows up to be a secure social butterfly…
If you haven’t heard, a canine flu outbreak is spreading across the nation leaving plenty of pups feeling down in the dumps. But what is all the bark about, what are the symptoms and can you catch it from your dog? Learn more about this contagious outbreak…
Is your dog coughing more than usual? If they are making a hacking sounds (like they have a hairball stuck in their throat) and your dog recently spent a lot of time around other pups (or a common place like the groomer, dog park or pet store) and is showing signs of respiratory distress, they may have picked up a curable illness of Kennel cough…
No two dogs are alike. Likewise, no two dog breeds are alike, especially when it comes to their health. Dog health problems range from infections to cancers, and it’s up to the pet parents to keep their companions happy and healthy by understanding some common dog illnesses and diseases…