Collagen for Your Canine
As a dog parent, you’ve probably heard about collagen supplements becoming popular for our furry friends. But what exactly is collagen, and should you consider it for your dog? What Is Collagen? Collagen is a protein that acts like the “glue” holding your dog’s body together. It’s found in their skin, joints, bones, muscles, and connective tissues. Think of it as the scaffolding that keeps everything strong and flexible. As dogs age, their bodies naturally produce less collagen, which can lead to joint...
Telehealth for cats with arthritis
Telehealth may improve care for cats with arthritis by reducing clinic stress and offering personalized advice for home management and comfort. Arthritis is common in cats. It can affect up to 30% of felines under the age of ten, and 64% to 92% of those older than ten. Because taking a cat to the vet is often stressful and challenging, many may not be getting the care they need. However, telehealth for cats with arthritis may improve care, according to a recent study from the University of California, Davis. Researchers worked with 106...
Natural Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Supporting Dogs with Chronic Conditions
When your dog is dealing with chronic health issues like arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or skin problems, you want to help them feel better in every way possible. While medication is often necessary, certain foods can provide natural anti-inflammatory support when approved by your veterinarian. Understanding Inflammation in Dogs Inflammation is your dog’s natural response to injury or illness. However, when it becomes chronic, it can worsen conditions like joint pain, digestive issues, and skin problems. The right foods can help...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: End-of-year fundraising, Animal Welfare Assessment Grid and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Spark your end-of-year fundraising: Inspiration from Maddie’s Pet ForumAs the year winds down, nonprofits everywhere are gearing up for one of the most important fundraising seasons. From Giving Tuesday to holiday drives, animal shelters and foster-based organizations are finding new, heartfelt ways to engage their communities – and they’re sharing their best ideas in the “October + November 2025 Giveaway: Share your...
Mental health in dogs and cats
Support your dog or cat’s mental and emotional well-being by recognizing behavioral issues, reducing stress, and promoting a happy, balanced life with enrichment, routine, and nutrition. Mental health in dogs and cats is just as important as their physical health. These intelligent, emotional beings experience stress, fear, joy, and sadness much as we do. Understanding your dog or cat’s mental and emotional needs helps you ensure she leads a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life. Signs of mental and emotional problems in dogs...
Are glandular supplements safe for cats?
Explore the pros and cons of glandulars for feline health — including liver, kidney, and thyroid support. Are glandular supplements safe for cats? Many tout glandulars for their potential health benefits, including supporting liver, kidney, and thyroid function. In certain cases, they can help heal damaged organs. But they’re not always recommended, so it’s important to understand both the pros and cons of glandular supplements for feline health. Defining and understanding glandulars “Glandulars” have a...
The Benefits of High-Quality, Whole Food Diets for Your Dog
One of the most important decisions dog parents make daily is what to feed their dogs. High-quality, whole food diets can make a huge difference in your dog’s health, energy, and overall well-being. What Are Whole Food Diets? Whole food diets focus on natural, minimally processed ingredients. These diets typically include fresh meats, vegetables, and whole grains rather than heavily processed food with artificial additives. Think of it as the difference between a home-cooked meal and fast food for your pup. Better Nutrition Means Better...
The #1 Ingredient to Help Fur Loss in Dogs and Cats
Managing fur loss in dogs and cats can include medications, diet changes, and other treatments. And sialic acid is a key component that should always be included in a care regimen for dogs and cats with alopecia. Abnormal fur loss in dogs and cats, also called alopecia, can have many underlying causes. From allergies to parasites to hormones and beyond, it’s important to get your companion animal to the veterinarian to get to the bottom of fur loss. Treatments vary depending on the cause, but sialic acid should always be part of your...
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation to Help Your Feline Friend Move Better
Cat parents want their furry companions to live their best lives. When cats face mobility challenges due to injury, surgery, or conditions like arthritis, physical therapy and rehabilitation can make a huge difference in their comfort and quality of life. What is Feline Physical Therapy? Physical therapy for cats involves specific exercises and treatments designed to help them regain strength, improve mobility, and manage pain. Just like humans, cats can benefit from structured rehabilitation programs that help their bodies heal and function...
Spark your end-of-year fundraising: Inspiration from Maddie’s Pet ForumÂ
As the year winds down, nonprofits everywhere are gearing up for one of the most important fundraising seasons. From Giving Tuesday to holiday drives, animal shelters and foster-based organizations are finding new, heartfelt ways to engage their communities – and they’re sharing their best ideas in the “October + November 2025 Giveaway: Share your end-of-year fundraising strategies!” thread on Maddie’s Pet Forum. Here are just a few fundraising ideas being discussed: Make it personal. Organizations...
Supplements to help dogs and cats live longer
Support your aging dog or cat with targeted supplements that promote joint health, digestion, cognitive function, and overall vitality — helping them stay happy and active in their golden years. As our beloved dogs and cats get older, their health needs change and evolve. A nutritious diet, regular exercise, and veterinary care form the foundation of wellness. Supplements can add an extra layer of support, especially as animals age. Thoughtfully chosen supplements can ease age-related challenges and boost vitality. With the right...
When Allergies Lead to Ear Problems in Dogs — Scratching and Infections
You’ve probably noticed your canine friend scratching their ears from time to time. While occasional scratching is normal, frequent ear scratching can signal a bigger problem that needs your attention. The Allergy Connection When veterinary experts are asked about the main cause of ear scratching in dogs, the answer is clear: “Allergies. Allergies. Allergies!” This isn’t an exaggeration – allergies are truly the number one reason dogs develop itchy ears. Here’s how it works: When your dog is allergic to...
Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs and Cats
November is Pet Diabetes Month, making it the perfect time to learn about this serious but manageable condition affecting our furry family members. Understanding diabetes can help you spot early warning signs and give your dog or cat the best possible care. Diabetes in Dogs and Cats Diabetes mellitus happens when your furry companion’s body cannot properly control blood sugar levels. This occurs because the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin, or the body doesn’t respond to insulin correctly. Insulin is like a key that...
7 Ways to Prevent Skin Problems in Dogs
Skin problems in dogs are no match for regular grooming with natural botanical healing and grooming products. Check out these seven tips and say hello to skin and coat health! One of the most common challenges for dogs is skin and hair coat problems, like itching, hot spots, redness, dandruff, irritation, and hair coat loss. Allergies, infections, stress, nutrition, and other things can wreak havoc on a dog’s body. To address skin problems in dogs, you must treat the root cause and adopt a regular grooming routine. Today, we’ll...
Learn all about the Animal Welfare Assessment Grid
Join us on November 13 at 12PM PT/3PM ET for the next webcast in the Maddie’s® Insights series, “The Animal Welfare Assessment Grid.” This one hour event will be presented by Drs. Sarah Wolfensohn and Rachel Malkani. They will introduce you to an cloud-based tool designed to track and visualize the well-being and lifetime experiences of animals. The Animal Welfare Assessment Grid (AWAG) turns complex well-being data into compelling visual evidence, making it easier to communicate with decision makers, support strategies...
How to help a newly adopted senior dog adjust
Discover ways to help your senior dog adjust to his new home with tips on building trust, easing anxiety, creating routines, and supporting age-related needs. Adopting an older dog is very rewarding. Whether his soulful eyes or gentle energy drew you in, you’re giving him the chance to live out his life surrounded by love. After you bring him home, the next step is to adapt him to his new circumstances. Let’s explore how to help a newly adopted senior dog adjust and what this transition involves. You’ll also learn how to...
Keeping Your Dog Safe and Healthy During Cold Weather
It’s quite important for dog parents to understand how cold weather can affect their furry family members. Just like people, dogs can face serious health risks when temperatures drop. Being aware of these concerns and taking the right steps can help keep your dog safe all winter long. Who’s Most at Risk? Not all dogs handle cold weather the same way. Small dogs have a harder time staying warm than larger breeds because they lose body heat faster. Puppies are especially vulnerable since they can’t control their body...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Preventing lost cats, Foster 50 Challenge and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The September Weekly Community Conversations grant giveaway winners are…Earlier this month, Maddie’s Fund® gave four organizations at random a $2,500 grant for attending the September Weekly Community Conversations for a total of $10,000 in grants. In fact, the call was jam-packed with prizes. Join us in congratulating the four people who won a grant for their organization: Kris Holland, IndyHumane (Indianapolis, IN)...
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Nose smart – how [your dog’s] nose knows
Your dog’s sense of smell is nothing short of a superpower. The following book excerpt offers fascinating details on how canine olfaction works and why our dogs’ odor-detecting abilities are so amazingly sharp. If you pay close attention to your dog’s nose when he’s intent on a scent, you’ll see it do that cute little wiggle and hear the staccato beats of its work. As a tool, a dog’s nose is a triumph of natural selection: a complex set of cogs and wheels we rarely think about. When a dog inhales, the...
Cat Breed Health Guide: Common Conditions by Breed
Understanding which health conditions your feline friend might be prone to can help you provide better care. While any cat can develop health issues, certain breeds have higher risks for specific conditions due to their genetics and physical traits. Persian and Flat-Faced Breeds Persian cats and other flat-faced breeds like Himalayans often struggle with breathing problems. Their shortened airways can make breathing difficult, especially during hot weather or exercise. These cats also commonly develop eye problems due to their facial...
