Rewriting the Story for “Behavior” Dogs
Jun 06, 2026 Rewriting the Story for “Behavior” Dogs In 2012, APA! set out to save the last group of pets who weren’t making it out of our city’s shelter alive — big dogs and dogs with behavior modification needs. To do that, we partnered with Dogs Playing for Life, an organization specializing in shelter dog playgroups and enrichment. Playgroup would soon become the foundation of our Dog Behavior program. Too often, dogs are labeled as “behavior” dogs based on what they show in a kennel — a...
Sedation vs anesthesia in dogs and cats
Having your dog or cat undergo sedation or anesthesia can be scary. But it’s often important to her medical care. Veterinarians use both to keep animals calm, pain-free, and safe during procedures ranging from surgery to dental work. The main difference between sedation vs anesthesia in dogs and cats is how deeply they affect consciousness. “Very light sedation may look like a sleepy pet that’s still sitting up and responding to you,” explains Dr. Courtney Baetge. She’s the clinical associate professor at the...
Spay/neuter age by dog breed and size
Timing matters when spaying or neutering your dog. See how age, breed, and hormones can influence cancer risk, joint health, and long-term well-being. Spaying and neutering help prevent dog overpopulation, especially in shelters. However, having these procedures done at the wrong age can impact your dog’s long-term health. Research shows that spay/neuter age by dog breed and size plays a key role in the risk of certain cancers and joint disorders. Study shows link between spay/neuter, cancer and joint disorders As dog population control...
5 Top Supplements for Cognitive Health in Senior Dogs
As your dog gets older, you may start to notice some changes in their behavior. Maybe they seem confused in familiar places, or they’re wandering the house at night. These can be signs of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) — a condition similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans. The good news is that there are steps you can take to help support your senior dog’s brain health, and supplements are one piece of that puzzle. Here are five supplements that veterinary experts suggest may help support cognitive health...
Herbal tinctures for dogs and cats
Find out how herbal tinctures can help your dog or cat with anxiety, pain, and digestion. Expert insights on safety, sourcing, and specific herbs. Tinctures are liquid herbal extracts designed to deliver concentrated doses of bioactive compounds. They’re made using alcohol or glycerin. Herbal tinctures for dogs and cats are gaining in popularity. They offer a natural, gentle, fast-acting remedy for conditions like anxiety, joint pain, and digestive issues. Defining and understanding tinctures Veterinarian Dr. Kathryn...
Heat Stroke in Cats: Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment
As summer temperatures climb, it’s important for cat parents to understand one of the season’s most serious health risks: heat stroke. This condition can become life-threatening very quickly, so knowing what to look for — and what to do — could save your cat’s life. What Is Heat Stroke? Heat stroke happens when a cat’s body temperature rises too high and the body can no longer cool itself down. Unlike humans, cats have very limited ways to release heat. They rely mostly on panting and grooming to stay cool,...
How to Help Your Dog or Cat Overcome Grooming Anxiety
Many dogs and cats experience grooming anxiety because of stress, sensitivity, or past experiences. Learn the causes, common mistakes, and calming solutions. For some dogs and cats, grooming is far from a relaxing spa experience. From unfamiliar tools and sensitive skin to past negative experiences, many animals feel stressed or fearful during brushing, bathing, nail trims, and other grooming routines. Understanding what causes grooming anxiety is the first step toward helping your furry friend feel more comfortable. In this article,...
Want to learn how to set up a microchip scanning station in your community?
Do you know how to set up a microchip scanning station in your community? One in three pets go missing in their lifetime, amounting to about 10 million lost animals each year, according to Petco Love. Microchip scanning can help reunite lost pets with their families faster and help keep more pets from needing to enter the shelter system. In fact, research shows that dogs with microchips are more than twice as likely to be returned to their owners, while microchipped cats are more than twenty times as likely to be returned to their owners!...
Understanding your dog’s personality with Five Element theory
Learn more about your dog’s personality through TCM’s Five Element theory. Uncover how Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water archetypes shape behavior, emotional balance, and your bond. Do you sometimes wish you had x-ray vision so you could see into the deep recesses of your dog’s behavior and personality? Understanding your dog’s personality with the Five Element theory is like having x-ray vision. It’s a fun way to learn “why your dog does what they do.” The Five Element theory comes from...
Organ-Specific Care for Your Dog: A Guide to Keeping Every Part of Your Pup Healthy
The Liver The liver is one of the hardest-working organs in your dog’s body. It helps with digestion, filters toxins from the blood, produces important proteins, and stores energy. Because the liver has many jobs, problems with it can affect your dog’s overall health in a big way. Common liver problems in dogs include: Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) Liver shunts (abnormal blood flow around the liver, more common in certain breeds) Fatty liver disease, often linked to obesity Toxic damage from certain...
Camping with your dog checklist
Camping with your dog this spring? Use this complete checklist to pack essential gear, prepare for health and safety needs, and ensure a smooth, stress-free outdoor getaway. Camping with your dog is a great way for you to bond while having fun. Like all new experiences, it pays to be prepared. Take a look at this camping with your dog checklist. It’ll help ensure you’re prepared for a safe and relaxing adventure together. Pack essential gear for your dog When camping, your dog’s gear is as important as your own....
Holistic Approach to Cystitis in Dogs
If your dog has ever had a bladder infection, you know how uncomfortable it can be for them — and how stressful it can be for you. Cystitis, which is inflammation of the bladder often caused by a bacterial infection, is one of the more common health issues seen in dogs. While traditional veterinary treatment is always the first line of defense, many dog parents are curious about natural and holistic approaches that may help support their dog’s urinary health. First, Know the Signs Before exploring holistic support, it’s...
How to Make Litter Box Care a Breeze in Homes with Multiple Cats!
Discover how modern technology can help you simplify litter box care, cleaning, and maintenance with multiple cats! Living with multiple cats means more cuddles, more zoomies, and more personalities. But it also means more litter box maintenance because in most multi-cat homes, each cat should ideally have their own litter box, plus one extra for the house. Sharing can lead to litter box avoidance, accidents in the house, territorial disputes, and other challenges. However, with the advent of modern self-cleaning litter boxes, pet parents in...
How to bond with a new cat
Adopting a new cat? Bond with her using trust-building tips, body language cues and playtime strategies to help her feel safe and secure. Our cats are more than just furry presences. They are the graceful, constant heartbeat of our homes. If you’ve recently adopted a new kitty companion, start building a strong bond with her right away. When you give her understanding, time and space, she can form a deep, meaningful connection with you. Here’s how to bond with a new cat. 1. Start by giving her safety and security When you...
Animal Biomechanical Medicine: A Whole-Body Approach to Your Dog or Cat’s Health
If you’ve ever watched your dog struggle to get up in the morning, or noticed your cat moving a little slower than usual, you already know how important movement is to quality of life. That’s where Animal Biomechanical Medicine (ABM) comes in — a growing field that combines chiropractic care, osteopathic medicine, and physical rehabilitation to support the way your animal’s body moves and functions. What Is Animal Biomechanical Medicine? Think of ABM as a complete toolkit for your animal’s musculoskeletal...
Mobility, Comfort, and Nutrition: The Power of Plasma for Senior Dog Mobility
Incorporating plasma for senior dog mobility supports a healthy inflammatory response, helping improve comfort, energy, and overall quality of life. The signs of aging in dogs often begin with small, easy-to-miss changes, like a pause before jumping into the car, taking the stairs more slowly, hesitating before getting up, or becoming less eager to run and play. At first, it’s usually hard to tell if anything is truly wrong. But over time, these moments become more frequent, and it becomes clear your pup is struggling. It’s...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Shelter rehoming survey, low-barrier foster program and more!
Happy Monday. Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How one foster-based organization is implementing a low-barrier foster programLowering barriers is a key element to attracting and keeping foster caregivers. Kelly Duer, Senior Community Solutions Specialist, here at Maddie’s Fund® spoke with Becky Costner, Executive Director of Let Love Live, a foster-based rescue organization in Wadena, Minnesota, to ask her about their low-barrier foster program. Using a… Learn More Shelter rehoming surveyHome To...
Veterinary acupuncture for skin allergies in dogs and cats
Help relieve your dog or cat’s skin allergies with acupuncture. As a part of an integrative treatment plan, it supports immune balance, calms itch signals, and improves comfort. If you have a dog or cat who struggles with allergies, you know how disruptive it can be. The constant scratching and late-night licking. The red ears and inflamed skin. Repeated trips to the veterinarian for secondary infections. While modern medications can be incredibly helpful, they don’t always bring complete or lasting relief. An integrative...
How Much Water Should Your Dog or Cat Drink Each Day?
We’ve all heard the advice: drink eight glasses of water a day to stay healthy. But what about the furry companions sharing your home? Just like humans, dogs and cats need proper hydration to stay healthy and feel their best. The answer, however, looks a little different for our four-legged friends. Why Water Matters for Dogs and Cats Water is essential for life. It helps the body digest food, move nutrients through the bloodstream, regulate body temperature, and flush out waste through the kidneys. Without enough water, both dogs and...
Your Guide to Dog Toy Materials
Discover how to choose dog toy materials for your canine friend based on their habits, behaviors, and preferences! Most of us don’t spend a huge amount of time thinking about what dog toys are actually made from. We tend to go by feel: Does it seem sturdy, does the dog like it, does it say something reassuring on the packaging? But the material itself matters quite a lot. Not just in terms of how long a toy lasts, but also how it behaves when it’s chewed, pulled apart, or used daily. While there isn’t one perfect substance,...
