How to Spot Dog Obesity Before it Becomes a Bigger Problem
Obesity in dogs is not always obvious. Weight gain can happen gradually, making changes in a dog’s body shape, energy levels, and daily habits surprisingly easy to overlook. By the time the extra weight becomes noticeable, it may already be affecting how comfortably a dog moves and plays. A dog’s ideal weight is not simply a numbers game. Body shape, the feel of the ribs, and changes in normal behavior can all offer useful clues. Paying attention to those details can make it easier to recognize when a dog may be carrying more...
How cat purring heals the body
A cat’s purr may help support bone repair, lower stress, and improve heart health through therapeutic healing frequencies and rhythms. It begins with a rumble. Before the sound reaches your ears, you feel it. A soft, steady vibration presses against your ribcage and slows your breathing. Your cat is snuggled on your chest, purring. Domestic cats sleep nearly 70% of the time. In most mammals, this level of inactivity triggers muscle atrophy and rapid bone loss. Yet cats remain structurally strong. The answer lies in the feline...
Cracking the Window Won’t Cut It: AKC Backs Its New Rule With Fines Up to $10,000
Reign was two years old, accomplished in the show ring, and still had her whole life ahead of her. Instead, she died inside a parked vehicle in Chester County, Pennsylvania, after her handler returned home to help her own dog whelp a litter and, according to investigators, forgot Reign was still in the vehicle. The handler now faces animal cruelty and neglect charges. At its July 2026 meeting, the American Kennel Club responded with a policy that makes the responsibility of exhibitors much more explicit: the new Unattended Dogs in Vehicles...
Is Your Cat Refusing New Foods?
If you’ve ever tried to introduce your cat to a new food, you already know the struggle. One sniff, a turned-up nose, and they walk away like you’ve personally offended them. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Cats are notoriously picky eaters, and getting them to accept new foods — even healthy ones — can feel like a real challenge. Why Are Cats So Picky? Cats are creatures of habit. They become very comfortable with the foods they know, and anything new can feel like a threat. This behavior is actually rooted in...
Dogs & Data webcast series
Data can be an invaluable tool in animal sheltering, especially for improving outcomes for animals. “Dogs & Data,” is a three-part webcast series from PEDIGREE Foundation, Adopt a Pet, Outcomes for Pets Consulting and Shelter Animals Count. It’s designed to give shelter and rescue partners practical insights and actionable strategies they can put to work in their organizations. Participants will learn how to make data easier for staff and volunteers to understand, identify why some dogs stay in care longer than others...
Ask Dr. Paola – HELP! At What Age Should My Labrador Be Spayed? (August 24, 2026)
Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our readers better understand their dog’s health and well-being. Whether you’re a new pet parent or a seasoned dog lover, Dr. Paola is here to provide answers to your most pressing questions. From nutrition tips and preventive care to troubleshooting common behavioral issues, Dr. Paola is ready to offer insights that will keep your furry friend happy and healthy. Stay tuned for expert guidance...
Dutch Online Vet Review 2026: Our Expert’s Opinion
:first-child]:mt-0! [&>:last-child]:mb-0! [&_p]:my-2! [&_p]:text-[0.938rem]! md:[&_p]:text-base! [&_ol]:mt-1! [&_ol]:mb-0! [&_ol]:pl-[1.2rem]! [&_ul]:mt-1! [&_ul]:mb-0! [&_ul]:list-disc! [&_ul]:pl-[1.2rem]! [&_li]:my-[0.35rem]! [&_li]:pl-[0.15rem]! [&_li]:text-[0.938rem]! md:[&_li]:text-base! [&_li]:marker:text-[var(–tiptap-info-box-color)]” readability=”31.28125″> This article was created in sponsorship with Dutch, which helps make content like this...
10 Human Foods That Are Toxic to Dogs
As a dog parent, you want the best for your furry family member. But did you know that some of the foods sitting in your kitchen right now could seriously harm your dog? Here is a breakdown of the most dangerous human foods to keep away from your dog. 1. Chocolate Chocolate contains two toxic compounds — caffeine and theobromine — that dogs cannot break down the way humans can. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, seizures, and heart problems. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. 2. Grapes and Raisins...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Rehoming data, Rural Humane job posting and more!
Happy Monday. Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. 10 questions to ask when developing a marketing strategy plan for your animal organizationDoes your organization have a marketing strategy plan? Marketing is an essential part of any organization, but coming up with a strategy can feel daunting for many. Whether you’re starting from scratch or just want to give your current plan a little lift, we’ve got you covered.… Learn More What the data says about rehoming (and why it might ease some fears)If...
Pharmacoequity Advocacy for Animals: Therapyequity for Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, and Others
Pharmacoequity/Therapyequity is an important term to know for the animals we care for. The idea pharmacoequity advocacy for animals is simple yet powerful: every dog, cat, or companion deserves fair access to essential medications/therapy, regardless of location, income, or social circumstances. What Pharmacoequity Means for Animals Definition: Equal access to veterinary drugs and therapies across all communities and shelters. Core Goal: Prevent situations where advanced treatments are available only to affluent households, while...
Integrative treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs
Support your dog’s heart health with integrative care for DCM, including nutrition, supplements, and holistic therapies. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs is a serious heart condition. It primarily affects large and giant breeds. It can also occur in other breeds due to a variety of factors. These include taurine deficiency, unbalanced diets, metabolic or endocrine disorders, chronic myocarditis, or exposure to cardiotoxic substances. This article examines the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and both conventional and integrative...
Dietary Changes You Can Make Today to Counter Your Cat’s Dry Skin
If you’ve noticed your cat scratching more than usual, or if their coat looks dull and flaky, dry skin could be the culprit. The good news is that what your cat eats plays a big role in the health of their skin and coat. Here are some cat dry skin diet remedies you can consider to help fight dry skin from the inside out. 1. Prioritize High-Quality Protein Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need animal-based protein to thrive. A diet rich in quality protein — like chicken, turkey, or fish — helps build and repair...
The Little Chihuahua Who Walked Into Our Lives When We Needed Her Most
There are moments in life that divide everything into “before” and “after.” For Crystal and me, losing our Dachshund, Dooney, was one of those moments. When Dooney passed away in May of 2025, we lost far more than a pet. We lost the little dog who had been part of our everyday life for over 17 years. She greeted us at the door, followed us from room to room, slept with us, and made our house feel like home. Anyone who’s experienced that kind of loss knows the feeling. Their toys are still there. Their bed is...
Bacteria for Cancer Therapy For Dogs and Cats
Think of the immune system like a security team. Sometimes cancer cells are sneaky and find ways to hide from that security team. Certain bacteria, when introduced into the body in a controlled and safe way, can essentially “sound the alarm,” waking up the immune system and pointing it directly at the cancer. Why Bacteria? Researchers have discovered that some bacteria have a natural ability to: Seek out and grow inside tumors, since tumors often have low oxygen environments where certain bacteria thrive Trigger a strong immune...
Caring for an Emotional Support Animal
A companion animal does something simple but powerful. They show up, every single day, without conditions or judgment. For pet parents managing anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health conditions, that steady presence becomes part of their care. An emotional support animal (ESA) carries a role that goes beyond companionship. Their presence is recognized as part of a person’s mental health treatment. That distinction shapes how they need to be cared for, and what responsibilities a pet parent takes on in return. This guide...
The Vacation Is Over…So Why Is the Dog Still Acting Strange?
It’s pretty normal to feel a bit down when your vacation comes to an end – no more breakfast buffet, no more room service, and no more poolside cocktails. But one of the best parts of coming home is seeing your dog losing its mind with excitement at the door. Except sometimes the reunion does not go quite as expected. The dog seems flat, or clingy, or oddly subdued, almost as though they’ve forgotten how to be themselves. This is more common than most owners realize, and in most cases it has a straightforward explanation....
The Algorithm in the Exam Room: Who’s To Blame When AI Misdiagnosis Turns Deadly?
It’s the moment all pet parents dread: you run a hand along your dog’s neck during a Sunday cuddle and feel a lump that wasn’t there last week. You get an appointment fast. The vet takes a sample, and instead of waiting days for a lab across the country to call back, the clinic runs it through software that promises an answer in minutes. That lightning-fast speed is why the use of artificial intelligence is increasing in veterinary diagnostics, and it’s exactly what a Belgian Tervuren‘s family was counting on at...
Canine hip dysplasia: symptoms and treatment
Understand the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for canine hip dysplasia, plus ways to improve your dog’s comfort and mobility. Canine hip dysplasia affects dogs of all shapes and sizes. Over time, it can severely impact a dog’s quality of life. But early intervention, proper management, and advancements in veterinary medicine means affected dogs can lead long, happy, comfortable lives. What causes hip dysplasia? Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is a developmental orthopedic condition of the coxofemoral (hip) joint....
Entropion in Cats: Causes, Signs, and Treatment
If you’ve ever noticed your cat squinting, tearing up, or rubbing at their eyes frequently, there could be more going on than a simple irritation. One possible cause is a condition called entropion — a problem that affects the eyelids and can cause real discomfort for your feline companion. What Is Entropion? Entropion is a condition where the eyelid folds or rolls inward toward the eye. When this happens, the fur and skin along the eyelid edge rub directly against the surface of the eye. As you can imagine, this...
What the data says about rehoming (and why it might ease some fears)
If your organization has ever debated whether to recommend or partner with a rehoming program, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common points of hesitation we hear from shelters and rescues, usually rooted in a few specific fears: that the community won’t accept it, that it could increase intake or that it’s simply an unknown risk not worth taking. Home to Home – a nonprofit, online interactive pet placement platform that helps pet owners find new homes (permanent or temporary) for their pets –...
