Prosthetics for amputee dogs
Modern prosthetics give amputee dogs the ability to walk, run, and play again. This guide covers types of artificial limbs, fitting, care tips, and more. In the past, injury or illness sometimes forced dogs to have limbs amputated, condemning them to a lifetime of immobility. People often chose euthanasia instead. Nowadays, major technological and engineering advances make it possible to fit these dogs with prosthetics. The devices allow them to lead full, happy, and active lives. Let’s take a look at today’s prosthetics for...
Merits of Canine DNA Testing: A Guide for Dog Parents
As a dog parent, you want to give your furry friend the best care possible. One helpful tool that’s becoming more popular is canine DNA testing. This simple test can provide valuable information about your dog’s health, breed makeup, and behavior traits. What is Canine DNA Testing? Canine DNA testing involves taking a cheek swab from your dog and sending it to a laboratory. Scientists then analyze your dog’s genetic material to learn about their background and health risks. Think of it as a family tree test for your pup, but...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Learning Paths, transport barriers and more!
Happy Tuesday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Find your perfect fit: Choose your Learning Path on Maddie’s UniversityWhether you’re just starting out in animal well-being or looking to level up your skills, our updated Learning Paths page on Maddie’s University® takes all the guesswork out of what to learn and sets you up for success. Each path contains content that covers a single topic so you can discover what you need and… Learn More How Field Officers are addressing pet...
Alternative treatments for liver disease in dogs and cats
Explore alternative treatments for liver disease in dogs and cats, including ozone, milk thistle, vitamin C, nutrition, and other therapies. Liver disease is common in dogs and cats, especially as they age. Conventional therapies are important, especially in acute cases. But options like ozone therapy, vitamin C, herbal support, and targeted nutrition can also be beneficial. These alternative treatments for liver disease in dogs and cats complement traditional care and may also improve outcomes and quality of life. Conventional therapies for...
Understanding Types of Seizures in Dogs
If you’ve ever witnessed your dog having a seizure, you know how scary and overwhelming it can be. As a caring dog parent, understanding the different types of seizures can help you better support your furry friend and communicate effectively with your veterinarian. What Exactly Is a Seizure? A seizure happens when there’s abnormal electrical activity in your dog’s brain. Think of it like a power surge that causes the brain’s normal functions to go haywire temporarily. These episodes can look very different depending...
Best scratching posts and cat trees
Find out what to look for in scratching posts, cat trees, and condos to keep your cat happy and your furniture safe. Includes tips on styles, materials, placement, and multi-cat household needs. Scratching is quintessential feline behavior. Satisfying this natural instinct means providing a selection of surfaces for your cat to scratch without resorting to your furniture. The ideal feline environment includes both horizontal and vertical surfaces, especially in a multi-cat household. Here’s what to consider for the best scratching posts...
How to Deal with Your Dog’s Escape Attempts
If you’ve ever come home to find an empty yard and a heart-stopping panic, you’re not alone. Many dog parents face the challenge of keeping their four-legged Houdinis safely contained. Why Dogs Become Escape Artists Dogs don’t escape just to make our lives difficult. Understanding the why dogs do that is key to solving the problem. Some dogs escape because they’re bored and looking for adventure. Others may be anxious when left alone or trying to find their family members. Certain breeds have strong instincts to roam,...
Keeping Your Dog Active Indoors: Fun Exercise Ideas for Any Weather
When the weather outside isn’t cooperating, or you’re stuck at home, keeping your dog physically and mentally active can be challenging. Don’t worry – there are plenty of ways to help your furry friend burn energy and stay happy right inside your home! Mental Exercise is Just as Important Before diving into physical activities, remember that mental exercise can tire out your dog just as much as a long walk. Food puzzle toys are excellent for this. Hide treats around the house or use puzzle feeders during meal time....
Find your perfect fit: Choose your Learning Path on Maddie’s University
Whether you’re just starting out in animal well-being or looking to level up your skills, our updated Learning Paths page on Maddie’s University® takes all the guesswork out of what to learn and sets you up for success. Each path contains content that covers a single topic so you can discover what you need and get on with your day. BehaviorEverything you wanted to know about behavior! A series of collections with self-paced courses and resources on dog and cat behavior, body language, training, shelter care, program...
Slippery elm for dogs and cats
Slippery elm is an herb that helps ease digestive issues in dogs and cats, including diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. Get safe usage tips, dosing guidelines, and veterinary advice. Digestive upsets in dogs and cats have many causes. If they’re persistent or recur often, it’s important to take your animal to the vet for a proper evaluation. For occasional short-term upsets, home remedies like slippery elm for dogs and cats can help relieve symptoms. Here’s what you should know about this herb and its benefits. What...
A Dissection of Why and How Dogs Protect Their Humans
Do you think guardian angels are for real? Do you know what’s undeniable? Guard dogs are real, and they mean business. Dogs have been loyal companions to humans for thousands of years. We have a time-tested link with dogs. Dogs have on numerous occasions put aside their survival instincts to save their human family. So, here are some intriguing questions: how do dogs perceive that their human is in danger, and how far will a specific dog go to protect his bipedal companion? How Dogs Sense Danger Dogs are incredibly good at reading...
Understanding Feline Acne: What Cat Parents Need to Know
If you’ve noticed small, black spots on your cat’s chin that look like tiny blackheads, your feline friend might have feline acne. While this condition might sound concerning, it’s actually quite common and usually manageable with proper care. What Is Feline Acne? Feline acne is a skin condition that affects cats of all ages and breeds. It appears as small, dark spots or bumps, usually on the chin and sometimes around the lips. These spots look similar to blackheads that humans get. The medical term for these spots is...
How Field Officers are addressing pet transport barriers directly in the community
Access to pet care isn’t always as simple as scheduling an appointment. For many families, transportation is one of the biggest barriers standing between their pets and the care they need. If you haven’t already done so, we recommend watching the webcast recording, “How Field Officers are addressing transport barriers directly in the community.” In this webcast, animal well-being specialists shared how animal control officers are integrating pet transport into their work to keep pets with their families. Speakers...
Antimicrobial resistance in dogs and cats
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat to dogs and cats. Understand the risks, how it develops, and practical steps to protect your animal’s health Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in dogs and cats is an urgent and growing concern. It threatens the effectiveness of treatments for common infections. AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites resist drugs designed to kill them, making illnesses harder to treat and increasing the risk of complications. Our dogs and cats can be affected just as humans are, especially...
9 Ways Dog Parents Confuse Their Dogs
As loving dog parents, we sometimes do things that confuse our furry friends without even knowing it. Effective dog communication depends on clarity and consistency. When we send mixed signals, it can stress them out and make training harder. Here are nine common ways dog parents accidentally confuse their dogs. 1. Being Inconsistent with Rules One day you let your dog on the couch, the next day you don’t. This flip-flopping confuses dogs who need clear, steady rules. Pick your house rules and stick to them every day. 2. Using Too Many...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Using social media for foster placements, anxiety medications for shelter pets and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Shelter practices & barriers in the use of anxiety medications and alternativesJoin us on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 12PM ET/3PM ET for the next installment of “Maddie’s® Insights: Shelter Practices & Barriers in the Use of Anxiety Medications & Alternatives,” presented by Bailey Eagan, PhD, MSc., Director of Research with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Fear, anxiety and stress… Learn...
Can cats suffer from separation anxiety?
Like dogs, some cats develop separation anxiety — especially those deeply bonded with their humans. Learn the signs, causes, and how to help your cat feel calm and secure when left alone. We most often associate separation anxiety with dogs. But can cats suffer from separation anxiety too? The answer is yes, and it’s especially true for kitties who have a very strong bond with their humans. Separation anxiety can also occur in cats who have never spent time alone for long periods. If you recognize the signs of separation...
A Fur Parent’s Guide to the Ultimate Adventure—Space Travel? Yes!
Space travel is getting a bit common. Well, not for the commoners yet. But while space travel with our furry friends might sound like science fiction, let’s imagine what it would take to keep our Fantastic Furs safe on the ultimate journey around Earth or to the Moon! Pre-Flight Health Checks Before any space adventure, your furry friends would need extensive health screenings. Just like human astronauts, dogs and cats would require perfect health to handle the stress of space travel. Your veterinarian would need to conduct thorough...
Nighttime dog walking safety tips
Stay safe during after-dark dog walks this fall with practical tips on visibility, gear, route planning, and avoiding nighttime hazards. If you’re like a lot of people, you often end up walking your dog early in the morning or late in the evening, when it’s dark or dusky. This is especially the case now that fall is here and the days are getting shorter. When visibility is low, you have to take your dog’s safety, and your own, into a little more consideration. Here are some nighttime dog walking safety tips to ensure...
Dogs and Cats and Daylight Saving
Twice a year, we adjust our clocks for daylight saving time. While we humans might feel a bit groggy for a few days, you might wonder if this time change affects your furry family members too. The answer is yes – dogs and cats can be impacted by daylight saving time changes. How Dogs and Cats Experience Time Changes Unlike humans who rely heavily on clocks, dogs and cats are guided by natural light patterns and established routines. Your furry companions have internal body clocks, called circadian rhythms, just like we do. These...
