Category: Health & Care

People take probiotics for their intestinal health, but dogs can benefit from them, too. When the right types are given in the right amounts, these helpful microorganisms can keep your dog’s intestinal microbiome healthy. The question is—can dogs take human probiotics? The short answer is yes. However, there are distinct advantages to giving your dog… Read More

Dogs can get an upset stomach and start vomiting or having diarrhea for what seems like no reason. Maybe the dog got into the neighbor’s garbage or started a new dog food that doesn’t agree with his stomach. The most common cause of canine stomach upset is gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach lining and… Read More

When the weather changes, it may seem like your dog’s shedding goes into overdrive. That’s not too far from the truth. Dogs have a normal hair cycle that includes periods of higher hair growth and shedding than at other times. If you’re a pet parent to cold weather or water breeds like Malamutes or Labrador… Read More

Dry, flaky, itchy skin does more than irritate your dog. It could lead to an infection or be associated with another serious medical condition. Part of putting a stop to the itching is identifying the cause of the dry skin. From there, you can work through potential solutions that will (most likely) include consulting a… Read More

Getting a sick cat to eat can be extremely challenging. Cats can be very finicky eaters, and they can be even more finicky when they are sick. As a veterinarian, I often have to entice sick cats to eat again. This article will cover a few tips and tricks that I have learned during my… Read More

If your cat has been sneezing, scratching, or coughing, this may be a sign that they have allergies. While it can be tempting to reach into the medicine cabinet to relieve their symptoms, it is always a good idea to speak with your veterinarian before giving your cat any human medications. In this article, I… Read More

When you have a new kitten in your home, it can be an exciting time, but you might not be sure how to take care of a kitten. Kittens are naturally curious and playful little beings. However, learning how to care for them can be stressful for first-time owners. Before adopting a kitten, it helps… Read More

Cats can be a wonderful addition to your home. They are playful and active, yet they enjoy a good cuddle on the sofa from time to time. Best of all, no two cats are alike. Each seems to have its own unique personality and traits. There are plenty of rescues and shelters that offer up… Read More

Dogs have physical, mental, and emotional needs that, when consistently met, result in a furry, four-footed companion who happily lives life alongside you. Those needs include the obvious like food and shelter and somethings that could be forgotten, like regular grooming and time spent with his favorite people. A little rundown on the basics with… Read More

As dogs age, they become prone to various diseases and conditions. One of the most common conditions that aging dogs experience is arthritis.  This leads to decreased mobility, less activity, stiff and sore joints, and a general decrease in the activities that the dog normally enjoyed with enthusiasm. Arthritis in dogs is a general term… Read More

A dog’s hair coat is one of the first things that another person may notice about a dog. If your canine companion has a healthy, shiny coat, you’ve probably received lots of compliments from strangers or from the staff at your vet’s office. But what happens when your dog starts to lose hair in some… Read More

Moving house is no one’s idea of fun. From packing to organizing movers, there’s certainly a lot to think about. And if you’re a dog owner? You’ll have even more to consider to ensure a successful move for both you and your dog. So how can you help your dog move houses without a hitch?… Read More

If you are a first time dog owner, there is a lot to learn. Getting a dog is a very exciting time, but it can also be very overwhelming at first. As a veterinarian, I often get questions from new pet owners about how to best care for a new dog. These are the 12… Read More

You want your new puppy to grow into a healthy, well mannered, and loveable constant companion, but it’s not something that just happens without effort. Raising a puppy is hard work, takes time and patience, and is also well worth the effort you put in. If you’re not sure where to start or are having… Read More

Providing appropriate exercise for your dog is a crucial component of being a responsible pet owner. However, it can be confusing to know if your dog is getting enough exercise, and what exactly constitutes a healthy amount of exercise for dogs. Many dog owners assume that a short daily walk is adequate to keep their… Read More

Until we figure out how to keep our beloved pups from aging, it’s something that we’ll have to deal with as a dog parent. Fortunately, thanks to advancements in nutrition and medicine, our canine companions are living longer than ever before. How we care for them as they get older will determine how healthy, comfortable,… Read More

Playing games with your dog isn’t just a great excuse to spend quality time together. Play is very beneficial for your dog in a number of ways, from contributing to their physical health, to addressing their social needs, to reducing the incidence of problem behaviors. Play has also been found to help establish emotional bonds between… Read More

Do you dread bathing your dog? You’re certainly not alone. It’s a task that many dog owners, as well as their dogs, would rather avoid. However, baths can help maintain your dog’s health, so it is important to bathe them when they’re due for a good cleaning. One of the reasons doggie bathtimes can feel… Read More

Whether your pup is a mile-a-minute, hyperactive Energizer battery on four legs or they just can’t handle those car rides or unexpected visitors, getting them to calm down is an invaluable skill. Keeping or getting your dog calm has many benefits, such as preventing possible accidents, fear-related behaviors, and reducing blood pressure. When a dog… Read More

With all of the information floating around out there about CBD and dogs, it’s easy to get confused or to know what is correct or inaccurate. After all, you don’t want to give anything to your canine companion that could possibly do harm in anyway. So, rather than cover what CBD is, let’s instead focus… Read More

I’m a relative newcomer to the world of veterinary hemp or CBD products. We weren’t versed on it in veterinary school and I work in a clinic that leans more towards the traditional side. However, I also happen to have an “old lady” dog and a one-year old that wants nothing more than to frenzy… Read More

In recent years, CBD has become popular as a natural supplement that can be used to treat and manage a wide range of health issues in humans. Many pet parents are also discovering that it can help improve the lives of their companion animals. CBD oil is made by extracting CBD (cannabidiol) from the cannabis… Read More

CBD (cannabidiol) is a liquid extract derived from the cannabis plant. It interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), leading to a wide range of beneficial effects. Although more research is needed into the effects of CBD on animals, anecdotal evidence suggests that it helps ease anxiety, pain, and inflammation in pets. It is also… Read More

Joint pain can seriously infringe on your dog’s quality of life so, naturally, you want to do everything you can to reduce it. If you’ve tried anti-inflammatories and basic painkillers with little improvement, and don’t yet want to commit to strong opioid painkillers, it’s worth trying CBD dog treats for joint pain. The active ingredient,… Read More

Cats can be sensitive animals and even a small change in your daily routine can cause anxiety in some felines. Other cats are more resilient, but large upheavals such as a house move or a new baby can throw them into a tailspin. CBD oil is extracted from cannabis or hemp plants, offering calming benefits… Read More

The hemp plant has some excellent medicinal and wellness properties that can benefit dogs, but for the uninitiated, it’s tough to know where to start. Is hemp oil the same as CBD oil? And what about cannabis? Is that the same thing as hemp? We’ll answer all these questions and more as we investigate hemp… Read More

You’ve probably heard of CBD, or Cannabidiol, but what can it do for dogs and how much should you give them? CBD is an active ingredient from the marijuana plant, which seems to have medical benefits and is non-psychoactive, so won’t leave your dog feeling stoned. One concern some pet parents have is over the… Read More

You love your dog and can’t stand to see her suffering from anxiety, so what now? Prescription medications, such as Prozac, are available for dogs, but can leave them lethargic and cause a range of side effects that can occasionally be worse than the anxiety itself. CBD oil is an all-natural derivative of cannabis that… Read More