Tag: Dog Health
Healthy dogs are happy dogs. They are alert and engaged, have shiny coats, fresh breath, and lean weight. We invite you to browse BarxBuddy’s collection of dog health articles.
Dog health articles include topics like nutrition, food, and exercises. They also include topics like signs and symptoms to watch out for (and when to call the vet).
Dogs can act differently or display negative behaviors for a number of reasons. Sometimes it’s as simple as improving their basic care, nutrition, exercise, and socialization. Other times, dogs have underlying canine health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, or dental problems.
As a pet parent, you are your dog’s first line of defense against poor health. A proper diet, plenty of exercise, and life-long socialization are key to a happy and healthy dog. You also should learn about dog health-related issues, especially those specific to your dog’s breed. Always relay questions and concerns about your dog’s well-being and behavior to your veterinarian.
For information on dogs and their health, explore our ever-growing collection of resource guides and blog articles. If you are interested in healthy dog treats, training tools, toys, and more, browse the BarxBuddy Shop.
National Lost Pet Prevention Month: 9 Ways to Keep Your Pets Safe
'I Lost My Dog, What Do I Do?' July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month, but it's always the right time to learn how you can prevent your pets from becoming a statistic. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), "about 710,000 pets that enter shelters as strays each year are returned to their owners; of those, 620,000 are dogs and 90,000 are cats". In an effort to stop...Read more
Best Charities for Animals and Other Ways to Give Back to Pets
Our List of Pet Charities and Other Non-Monetary Ways You Can Help Animals As pet parents and animal lovers, our team here at BarxBuddy is always looking for ways to give back. You, too, can make a HUGE difference in the lives of animals in your community and across the globe, not only by making donations but by doing the right thing when it comes to caring for animals. In this post, we list charities...Read more
How to Foster a Dog: New to Pet Fostering 101
New to fostering dogs or considering opening your home to foster dogs? Congratulations and kudos to you! If you are new to pet fostering, we have some tips on how to foster a dog until you or the rescue organization finds its forever home.Welcoming a shelter dog into your home and providing temporary care is a true labor of love. There are several reasons to become a foster parent to dogs and cats in your...Read more
Dog Dehydration: Signs, Symptoms, Preventions, and Treatments
Summertime means outdoor fun! However, the warmer months can quickly take a toll on humans and animals. Depending on many factors like temperatures, humidity, your attire, and health, it could be mere minutes before you're sweating puddles. As humans, we know the importance of dressing appropriately for the outdoors, seeking shade when necessary, and staying hydrated. On the other hand, our pets rely on us to ensure they stay cool and hydrated when outside. Because...Read more
Why Does My Dog … 8 Interesting Questions People Ask Google About Dogs
Y'ever look at what Google suggests when you ask a question about a dog? We do! Here are eight of the most "interesting" suggestions, along with our best answers to dog questions. Related: Why Is My Dog Barking at Me? 7 Reasons Dogs Bark Do Dogs Have Belly Buttons? While in utero, all mammals, including humans and dogs, are attached to their mothers' placentas by an umbilical cord. After birth, the umbilical is no longer...Read more
Is Your Dog Happy? 6 Signs of Happiness in Dogs
Does your dog smile at you? Do you see the joy in your dog's face? Pet parents often wonder if their dogs are happy and whether they can feel emotions like people do. Yes, it would be great if we could speak dog or read their minds to learn how their day is going. However, an easier, more realistic approach to gauging a dog's happiness is to watch their body language. Here are five signs...Read more
7 Common Dog Nail Problems, Symptoms and What to Do
Your dog relies on his nails for a host of activities such as digging and grasping his favorite toy, and maintaining his balance when he walks and runs. Healthy dog nails don't extend past the pads of your dog's paw and they are unbroken and unsplit. Unhealthy dog nails can become discolored, dry, split, and peel. As dog owners, we need to be able to recognize those symptoms so we know when to call the...Read more
How Does Scent Training for Dogs Work? And Why Would You Need It?
You’ve seen the crime shows where a dog sniffs an article of clothing and leads the police to a missing person. Or perhaps you’ve been in an airport and seen police use dogs to sniff travelers and wondered, what are they looking for? These dogs are actually detection trained. While not every dog can become a detection dog, scent training can benefit your pet. You might be surprised to learn that scent training for dogs...Read more
What Are the Best Pet Care, Dog Sitting, and Dog Walking Apps?
Looking for someone to walk your dog while you're busy at work? Need a pet sitter while you take a much-needed vacation? Or do you have a special needs pet that can't be left alone? There's an app for that ... and more. Read on to learn about popular dog walking apps and online matchmaking services that connect pet owners with pet care-givers. Before you choose a service, here are a few tips: Ask family...Read more
Can Dogs Get Coronavirus? Answers to FAQs About Pets and COVID-Related Diseases
As COVID-19 continues to ravage communities worldwide, people still have plenty of questions about the virus. Pet parents are no different as their concerns about COVID-19 and animal companions don't make the news nearly as often as the pandemic's human side. To help you navigate this time, BarxBuddy gathered information on this topic from expert websites, including the CDC and the FDA. We hope that the following will answer some of your questions, like can...Read more
February is Responsible Pet Ownership Month. What Exactly Does That Mean?
February is Responsible Pet Owner Month, which is a nice way to remind current and soon-to-be pet owners to think about what that means. From nose to tail, cradle to grave, here is our list of what responsible pet ownership means. Pick the Right Pet As a responsible pet owner, your first task is to ensure you select the right pet for your home and lifestyle. We know it's difficult looking at all the adorable...Read more
Weird Things Dogs Do and What They Mean — Interpreting Dog Body Language
They may be man's best friend, but that doesn't mean we understand all the weird things dogs do and what they mean. You know what we're talking about: butt scooting, butt sniffing, and well … how do we put this … humping. These typical dog behaviors have humans scratching their heads and, sometimes, cringing. Chances are, if your dog is doing something weird, there’s a reason. First, figure out why your dog is doing the weird...Read more
How Much Exercise Do Dogs Need? Dog Exercise Needs By Breed Types
You'll hear us often recommend that a first step in calming a high-energy dog is to give him an outlet to burn off energy. A tired dog is a good dog. But, how much exercise do dogs need? How much exercise is too much? The amount of exercise dogs need depends on your dog's age, size, breed, and overall health. Younger dogs and puppies tend to require more physical activities; as dogs age, their activity...Read more
Fat Dogs — How to Prevent and Treat Obesity in Dogs
Fat dogs. They might seem happy and look cute with their rolly poly bodies, but that’s as far as “benefits” of extra weight go. Fat dogs live shorter lives, and they are more likely to get other diseases: DiabetesHeart diseaseJoint problems and arthritisLiver problemsBreathing difficultiesDigestive disordersCancer Approximately 25% to 30% of dogs in North America are obese, according to VCA Hospitals. Other experts estimate the dog obesity rate is even higher. The Association for Pet...Read more
How to Trim Dog Nails That Are Overgrown
Overgrown dog nails can lead to tendon problems and pain. Here, we explore how to trim dog nails that are overgrown. First, however, we take a few minutes to nibble some candy corn and explain the structure of dogs' nails, so you can learn how to safely trim them. Anatomy of Dog Nails Dogs' nails are made of three basic parts: the outer protective shell, the fleshy quick that protects the bones, and the bone....Read more
How to Create a First-Aid Kit for Dogs (Checklist)
Every home should have first aid supplies for humans and pets, because they are part of the household too! Readiness begins with a first aid kit for dogs, and we've got your checklist below. Tuck away your supplies in an easily accessible place so everyone in your household (including dog sitters) can find it. First item on the list for your first-aid kit for dogs: a duffel bag, backpack, or even a tackle box to...Read more
New Year’s Dog Resolution for 2021
Contemplating your New Year’s resolutions already? Thinking about changes you want to make to help you live a happier, healthier dog life? We have five New Years dog resolutions for 2021 to help you get started. Learn New Dog Tricks Hoping to learn a new skill or interested in taking some classes in the coming year? Teach your dog one new trick every month, using positive reinforcement dog training. Here are two to get you...Read more
Storm Anxiety: How to Calm a Dog During Thunder, Lightning and Loud Noises
Do you have astraphobia? Does your dog? Astraphobia, which can affect humans and animals, is the abnormal fear of thunder and lightning. One small study reported in the International Journal of Animal Health Development suggests that the majority of dogs suffer to some extent from astraphobia -- 66.66% of dogs in the study showed abnormal fears of thunder and lightning. For most people, the news of an impending storm may cause them to rethink outdoor...Read more
Healthy Dog Treat Recipes: Simple Homemade Dog Treats
Homemade dog treats ... they sound like SUCH a great idea, but surely that would be costly and require way too much time and effort, right? Wrong. Healthy dog treat recipes don't need a list of obscure essentials or a culinary degree. With some simple ingredients and a few minutes of your time, you can score major points with your furry BFF and maybe earn you a bit more room on the couch or bed....Read more
4 Examples of Nose Work Games for Dogs (Exercise Their Brains!)
Looking for engaging activities for your dog while stuck inside because of coronavirus quarantines or chilly winter weather? Try some nose work games for dogs. These fun, smelly activities help your dog refine their olfactory skills and exercise their brains, which is important to dog health. Did you know: Dogs’ can smell 1,000 to 10,000 times better than people, depending on the breed. Hounddogs, for example, have very high senses of smell. (Source: VCAHospitals.com) Dogs...Read more