EVERYDAY DOGCARE

“Some dogs, you put on the leash and they happily run right up the ramp and into the back of the SUV,” says Tufts animal behaviorist Stephanie Borns-Weil, DVM. “Or you put a treat at the top of the ramp, and they immediately get the hang of it. Others have to learn how to use […]

Even though many people give their dogs rawhide, it can prove a significant safety hazard. If a pet lazily tugs at the rawhide little by little, there’s no danger. But if she is an aggressive chewer who swallows chunks with gusto, they can become stuck somewhere between her throat and the other end of her […]

What looks like an open wound on your dog’s skin is causing an itch that won’t quit. She keeps scratching, licking, chewing, or biting to relieve it, and the area just keeps becoming redder and more inflamed. There’s a patch of hair loss, too, and it all looks very wet. What’s going on? She has […]

As a dog lover, you’ve no doubt experienced that tug on your heart — and your conscience — when you’ve spotted a dog roaming the streets, running around a parking lot, or wandering alongside a busy strip small. But perhaps you’ve kept walking or driven by because a) there was too much traffic to stop […]

Back in December 2019, before anyone had ever heard the term “social distancing,” telemedicine remained largely at the margins of veterinary care. The concept of providing medical services to a pet without an in-person visit was out there, to be sure. The American Veterinary Medical Association even had guidelines for the use of technology such […]

About half of Americans with dogs have mixed breeds, aka mutts. But for the half of dog lovers who adopt purebred pets, the number one breed — for the 29th year in a row — remains the Labrador retriever. So reports the American Kennel Club. It’s no surprise. Labs tend to be friendly, outgoing, high-spirited, […]

If the phrase “dog yoga” brings to mind a calendar image of a golden retriever holding an adorable but unlikely yoga pose, think again. Combining dogs and yoga  for a “doga” session integrates the centuries-old Hindu discipline of meditation, stretching, and breathing with a canine companion who is treated to massage, manipulation of his body […]

The crabgrass and dandelions just won’t quit, marring an otherwise lovely lawn. You’d like to use weed killer but hesitate because you’ve heard — and observed on lawn sign warnings — that the pesticides and herbicides applied to grass are not safe for dogs. For traditional commercial weed killers, it’s often true. Some products have […]

When the temperatures soar, boys get buzz cuts to keep cool, and girls pull their hair into ponytails. With their dogs’ comfort in mind, many people have their pets’ locks shorn for summer, too. But while it makes sense intuitively, it’s a bad idea. A dog’s hair actually insulates the animal from the heat. The […]

Knowing it’s not safe to let your dog wander around the car during road trips, you buckle her into a harness before taking off....

You’ve been running with your dog for 3 years, and she has always loved it — couldn’t wait to get out there. But lately,...

“In the pink” isn’t just a figure of speech when it comes to your dog’s good health. Check his tongue and gums. Just about all...