Up until recently, I used the terms “spaying” and “neutering” interchangeably to describe the process of sterilization for male and female dogs. The truth is, “neutering” can be used to refer to the removal of reproductive organs in both male and female dogs. Spaying, however, is generally reserved for females.  To be honest, it really doesn’t …

Poisonous plants for dogs are present year-round. Your garden, public parks, the neighbor’s house, and your friends, might have one or two plants that are particularly toxic to dogs if ingested. Thankfully, most adult dogs generally aren’t lured to poisonous or toxic plants. Unless your begonias taste like bacon, your adult dog is not likely going …

When you consider the multitude of things that are poisonous for dogs, it’s amazing there aren’t huge lineups at the veterinarian clinic. Dogs just don’t care what they eat and some dogs are worse than others. No matter how careful you are, it just takes that one time for your dog to end up in …

updated February 24, 2023 Just about every dog owner understands that chocolate is bad for dogs. How it affects a dog depends on a few things, including the size of the dog, the type of chocolate, and how much chocolate the dog ate. Let’s face it, some dogs are quick to swallow things they shouldn’t. …

It’s that time of year when pet owners are questioning whether acorns are bad for dogs. You go out to enjoy a walk with your pooch and the next thing you know he/she has swallowed an acorn. The quick answer is that acorns are toxins to dogs. However, dogs eating acorns isn’t necessarily a black …

If you’re anything like me, the mere thought of a tick makes you itch. They’re disgusting! Unfortunately, they’re also endemic in many regions across North America and beyond. The best defense you have against disease-carrying ticks is to avoid their bite. This post covers all your questions about ticks and tick-borne diseases. In order to …

Reviewed by: Sara Ochoa, DVM Dogs are very good at hiding pain until it starts to become too much to bear. A dog’s tooth abscess is very painful for dogs. Have you noticed your dog pawing at his or her face more often? Has your dog been trying to push food to one side of …

Dog fur loss is alarming when it happens. Dogs are supposed to be soft and furry. It’s one way to identify a healthy dog. Sometimes, however, underlying conditions of dog fur loss aren’t immediately obvious. It’s not until we actually see bald patches that we sit up and take notice. #1 Cushing’s Disease Research seems …

updated: October 24, 201 Did you know that dogs can receive the same benefits of massage as people do? You don’t need to hire an expensive dog massage therapist either! This post will give you the absolute do’s and don’ts necessary to give your dog a relaxing and safe massage. We’ll cover everything from whether …

Are you noticing signs of depression in your dog? As pet owners, we may not realize that dogs can suffer from the same type of depression that we as people do. Any sudden change in mood, appetite, or sleep patterns should always be brought to the attention of a veterinarian. Major life changes can bring …