What if Your Dog or Cat Is Expecting?
Parenthood brings a unique blend of excitement and nervous anticipation. For those who share their lives with dogs and cats, the prospect of new life can evoke a heartwarming sense of joy. Recognizing the signs of pregnancy in a companion animal forms the first step in this beautiful adventure. Let’s explore the key indicators that signal your furry friend is expecting, along with the common reasons for pregnancy loss. Recognizing the Symptoms of Pregnancy A noticeable shift in behavior serves as a primary indicator of potential...
What to Expect When Expecting Kittens
Apr 01, 2025 Cat carrier after cat carrier of tiny little mews arriving for intake. Streams of fosters coming and going as they bring kittens for exams or pick up a new litter to take home. Volunteers bustling around the nursery, doing chores and keeping kittens fed. That’s a typical spring day at the Neonatal Program nursery at Austin Pets Alive!. APA!, which pioneers innovative lifesaving programs designed to save the animals most at risk of euthanasia, accepts over 2,000 kittens into its program each year. Kittens come from...
Your Animal Care Expo 2025 discount code
We hope to see you at the Animal Care Expo 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada, from April 15-18! Maddie’s Fund® is a proud sponsor of this annual event. Be sure to stop by our booth for say hi, play our new 30th anniversary game and win prizes! Still haven’t registered? Use the code: ThanksToMaddie25 for a $25 discount. This year, people from all facets of animal welfare around the globe will join together to learn about the latest programs, share best practices, gain inspiration, and build lasting connections. Animal...
Nighttime dog walking visibility gear
As winter brings longer nights, keep your dog safe with nighttime dog walking visibility gear such as light-up harnesses and reflective coats. Now that winter’s here, nights are a lot longer. For many people, this means they walk their dogs when it’s dark out. Whether you live on a city street or rural road, factor safety into your nocturnal outings. You need to invest in nighttime dog walking visibility gear. Here’s what you need to ensure motorists and others can clearly see your dog. Light-up collars and harnesses: the...
Doggy Couch Wars: The Battle for Comfort
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Hi, I’m Dr. Maja! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two crossbreed dogs, Lava and Hela. Having dogs is pretty much giving up your personal space. Well, any space, for that matter. They will try and sit everywhere, including in your lap, despite their less-than-small body weight. And then there’s the couch. You may well say goodbye to enjoying a peaceful night in front of the TV or having...
Ask Dr. Paola: Monday March 31, 2025
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » 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...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Building an engaged foster community, pet-inclusive housing and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Learn how to build an engaged foster communityWhether you’re just starting out with your animal organization’s foster program or looking to grow, the next Maddie’s® Monthly Foster Connection is for you! In this presentation on April 3rd at 12pm PT (3pm ET), Stephanie Jackson, Public Information Officer, Louisville Metro Animal Services, will share insights on how she got the #FosterMeLouisville dog foster… Learn More New fact sheet on...
Top 10 dental health foods and supplements for dogs and cats
Keep his teeth and gums in tiptop condition with the top 10 dental health foods and supplements for dogs and cats. Dogs and cats are as prone to dental problems as we are. Oral health needs to be part of every animal’s wellness regimen, and includes veterinary checkups, regular home brushing, and a proper diet. This article focuses on the best dental health foods for dogsand cats. 1. Bee propolis Also known as “bee glue,” bee propolis has so much to offer. Studies have shown it has a variety of applications in veterinary...
Fecal microbiota transplants for drug-resistant epilepsy in dogs
Managing epilepsy in dogs can be challenging, especially when it resists medication. Many of these dogs suffer not only from seizures, but also anxiety and ADHD-like symptoms. Recently, researchers from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) and the Center for Systems Neuroscience in Hannover, Germany made a fascinating discovery. They found that fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) for drug-resistant epilepsy in dogs can help reduce negative mental health symptoms. FMT is a non-invasive treatment...
Dealing with Chihuahua Abscesses: Ned’s Bummer of a Week
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred. Last week, I was talking about the Ned-shaped lump on Kodah’s rear end, but this week, Ned’s little derriere has been under the microscope. Not literally, but it has certainly been poked, prodded, and scrutinized more than he felt was appropriate. It all started with...
Muscle Maintenance in Senior Dogs
As our cherished canine companions cross into their golden years, the vitality they once exhibited can begin to dwindle. While aging is a natural process, it doesn’t have to translate into muscle deterioration. Muscle maintenance in senior dogs is crucial to their quality of life, and there are effective strategies to help them stay active and healthy in this phase of their lives. The Importance of Protein Protein plays a critical role in muscle health, particularly for senior dogs. As dogs age, their muscle mass naturally declines,...
Dogster Photo Contest: Dogs of the Week Winners (Mar 27, 2025)
Click to Skip Ahead This Week’s Winner Name: Scout Breed: Lab Fun Fact: “He is a rescue who has the most expressive eyes and infectious smile.Everybody loves Scoutty.” Cutest Name: Sadie Breed: American bully Fun Fact: Sadie loves being outside playing catch Most Expressive Name: Pepita Breed: Toy Goldendoodle Fun Fact: Pepita’s name translates to pumpkin seed in Spanish. Best Action Shot Name: Frieda Breed: Kromfohrländer-Jack Russell Mix Most Dignified Name: Stella Breed: Beagle Fun Fact: “Stella is one of...
Heart Health Matters: Preventing Neglect in Dogs
When considering the health of furry friends, heart health often slips to the bottom of the priority list. As reliable companions, dogs need attentive care, particularly in areas like cardiovascular well-being. This often-overlooked aspect of canine health deserves a spotlight. After all, a joyful bark or enthusiastic wag can be stifled by unseen heart issues. The Silent Struggles of Canine Hearts Heart disease in dogs frequently goes unnoticed until it becomes critical. Early signs, such as fatigue or trouble breathing, can be subtle. Many...
Learn how to build an engaged foster community
Whether you’re just starting out with your animal organization’s foster program or looking to grow, the next Maddie’s® Monthly Foster Connection is for you! In this presentation on April 3rd at 12pm PT (3pm ET), Stephanie Jackson, Public Information Officer, Louisville Metro Animal Services, will share insights on how she got the #FosterMeLouisville dog foster program off the ground, built a thriving online community and engaged foster caregivers. Jackson will also dive into the impact of their field trip program,...
Joyride Summer Mesh Harness Review 2025: Walk Your Dog with Comfort & Control
Click to Skip Ahead Our Final Verdict We give Summer Mesh Harness a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. Quality: 5/5 Variety: 5/5 Durability: 5/5 Breathability: 5/5 Value: 5/5 If your pup has a tendency to pull on walks, you know how valuable a harness can be. Along with being a fun (and stylish) walking accessory, a harness keeps your dog safe while giving you more control over your best bud. I’ve tried out several harnesses for my dog over the years, and Joyride has by far been one of my favorites. Joyride Harness is a dog company that...
Instapainting Custom Oil Painting Review 2025: Turning Your Pet’s Photo Into a Work Of Art
Click to Skip Ahead Our Final Verdict We give Instapainting Custom Oil Painting a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. Quality: 5/5 Variety: 5/5 Process: 4.8/5 Communication: 5/5 Turn Around Time: 5/5 Shipping Time: 4.7/5 My dog is my entire world. I adore anything that has my pup Lorelei’s face on it! When Instapainting came across my radar, the idea of getting a custom-painted portrait of her sweet bug-eyed face was really appealing. Acquiring a custom painting has been challenging in the past, as it involves finding an artist and finding...
EasyDNA Dog Allergy Test Review 2025: A Comprehensive Allergen Test for Dogs
Click to Skip Ahead Our Final Verdict We give EasyDNA Dog Allergy Test a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. Ease of Use: 4.5/5 Scope: 4.9/5 Result Transparency: 5/5 Value: 4.8/5 Caring for a dog who suffers from allergies can be difficult, both physically and emotionally. This process is made infinitely harder when you don’t know what your dog is allergic to. And that’s exactly where EasyDNA’s Dog Allergy Test comes in. Unlike so many canine “allergy” tests out there, this option uses blood serum and IgE antibodies to...
The Brothers Apothecary Calming K-9 CBD Oil Review 2025: Affordable & Effective Tincture for Dogs
Click to Skip Ahead Our Final Verdict We give The Brothers Apothecary Calming K-9 CBD Oil a rating of 4.85 out of 5 stars. Quality: 4.9/5 Effectiveness: 4.8/5 Ingredients: 4.8/5 Value: 4.9/5 If you’re hoping to take advantage of CBD’s many benefits for dogs, including its calming power, but don’t have a fortune to spend, The Brothers Apothecary K-9 Calming CBD Oil is a promising option. This family-owned, locally sourced hemp tea company is well-known for their quality, all-natural CBD products. Their K-9 Calming CBD Oil for...
Unleashing the Fun: Why Rosa & Mac Live for Doggy Daycare
Welcome to the Wednesday Dogs of Dogster! Every Wednesday, we share a story from one of our Dogsters. This week is about Nicole and her two rescue dogs, Mac and Rosa. From the moment we wake up on my daughter’s swimming lesson day, the dogs go crazy. It makes sense that they would know when they saw the swimming bag, but I swear they have a secret calendar somewhere that lets them know before we wake up. Usually, they’re the last to wake, but on swimming day, they’re waking us. Why? Because it’s doggy daycare day. Our...
Pet poisoning risks: accidental ingestion of human medications on the rise
Heads up to dog and cat parents who take medications for depression, anxiety, or ADD/ADHD. Calls to the Pet Poison Helpline involving accidental exposures to antidepressants and antianxiety medication rose a dramatic 84.9% between 2019 and 2022. They then fell by just 3.2% in 2023. Toxicology experts at the Pet Poison Helpline reported an 81.2% rise in calls about ADD/ADHD medications over the same time period. There was a small drop of 1% in 2023. In short, accidental ingestion of human medications, including those for ADD/ADHD and...
