Is Your Dog Moving a Little Slower? It Could Be Early Joint Stiffness
Early joint stiffness is a real and often overlooked health concern, especially in senior dogs and large breeds. The good news? There are some supportive steps you can take to help keep your dog comfortable and moving well. What Is Early Joint Stiffness? Before full arthritis develops, many dogs go through a stage where their joints are quietly losing flexibility and comfort. This is sometimes called pre-arthritis, and it can be easy to miss. Your dog may not yelp in pain or show obvious limping. Instead, the signs are subtle — a...
What we learned about access to care at Animal Care Expo 2026
At this year’s Animal Care Expo, Maddie’s Fund partnered with the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation to present an interactive booth centered around access to veterinary and behavior care. As a result, hundreds of attendees shared their experiences, perspectives and ideas of both the challenges and opportunities facing animal well-being organizations across the country. Survey note: These responses were collected from Animal Care Expo 2026 attendees who chose to participate and are intended to provide a snapshot of perspectives...
Heatstroke in Dogs: Approaches to Summer Safety
When summer temperatures rise, one of the biggest threats to your dog’s health is heatstroke. This is a life-threatening emergency that needs your full attention. Let’s explore how you can support your dog’s well-being during hot weather. Here’s what you need to know. Understanding the Risk Dogs don’t sweat the way humans do. They rely mostly on panting to cool down, which makes them much more vulnerable to overheating. Brachycephalic breeds — like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boxers — are especially...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Dr. Lila Miller Shelter Medicine Day, Community Conversations is moving and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. July 10 was Dr. Lila Miller Shelter Medicine Day!July 10 is Dr. Lila Miller Shelter Medicine Day. Dr. Miller is known for her trailblazing leadership and purposeful dedication to the field of veterinary shelter medicine. If you are one of the millions of people that have adopted a dog or cat over the last three decades, you have Dr. Miller to thank.… Learn More Weekly Community ConversationsWe’re taking July off. See you Wednesday, August 5!Register now...
Recurrent Ear Infection in Dogs and the Yeast Connection
If your dog is constantly shaking their head, scratching at their ears, or leaving behind a funky smell, you already know how frustrating ear problems can be. What many dog parents don’t realize is that what’s happening inside your dog’s body may be just as important as what’s going on inside their ears. The Yeast Connection Yeast naturally lives on your dog’s skin and in their ears. Under normal conditions, it stays balanced and causes no harm. But when the body’s internal environment shifts —...
Retinal Degeneration: Is Your Cat’s Diet Stealing Their Vision?
Most cat parents spend a lot of time thinking about what goes into their cat’s food bowl. But did you know that poor nutrition can actually cause your cat to slowly lose their vision? It’s true — and it’s one of the most overlooked connections in feline health. What Is Retinal Degeneration? The retina is the part of the eye that receives light and sends visual signals to the brain. When the retina begins to break down, cats can experience serious vision loss — and eventually go blind. While some forms of retinal...
Is Your Dog Spinning, Licking, or Pacing? It Could Be More Than a Quirk
If you’ve ever watched your dog chase their tail for the fifth time in a row, lick the same spot on their leg until it’s raw, or snap at invisible flies — you may have laughed it off as a funny personality trait. But what if these canine obsessive compulsive behaviors are actually a signal that your dog is struggling? Obsessive Compulsive Behaviors (OCBs) in dogs are more common than most people realize — and they deserve your attention. What Are Canine Obsessive Compulsive Behaviors? OCBs are repetitive behaviors that...
What Is Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)?
If you share your home with a cat, you may have heard the term Feline Infectious Peritonitis, or FIP. It sounds scary — and it can be. Here’s what you need to know about this serious disease. What Is FIP? FIP is a severe and potentially fatal disease in cats. It begins with a very common virus called Feline Enteric Coronavirus (FCoV). This virus is widespread and, on its own, usually causes little to no harm. Many cats carry it without ever getting seriously ill — it may only cause mild stomach upset or no signs at...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Community Conversations is moving, lost pet prevention courses and more!
Happy Tuesday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Community Conversations is moving to Wednesdays!Mark your calendars! We’re excited to share that Maddie’s® Community Conversations will now be held on Wednesdays at 11am PT/ 2pm PT starting August 5! These webcasts will continue to be a collaborative place to connect with peers in the animal well-being industry, share exciting new programs and research on a variety of topics including foster, access… Learn More Lost pet prevention...
Fascia and Connective Tissue Health Is the Hidden Key to Your Dog’s Mobility
When dog parents think about keeping their dog moving well, they think about joints. Joint supplements line the shelves at pet stores, and arthritis is a common topic at the vet’s office. But there’s another important part of your dog’s body that rarely gets talked about — fascia — and it may play a bigger role in how your dog moves than you might think. What Is Fascia? Fascia is a thin layer of connective tissue that wraps around and connects muscles, organs, nerves, and bones throughout the entire body. Think...
Nutritional and Herbal Support Strategies for Hormonal Imbalances in Dogs
If your dog has been diagnosed with a hormonal imbalance, you may feel overwhelmed. While your veterinarian will guide your dog’s medical treatment, there are natural and nutritional strategies that may help support your dog’s overall health alongside conventional care. Understanding Hormonal Imbalances in Dogs Hormonal imbalances in dogs can involve several glands and systems in the body. Common conditions include hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone), Cushing’s disease (too much cortisol), Addison’s disease (too...
5 Considerations That Matter When It Comes to Your Dog’s Diet
If you’ve ever stood in the dog food aisle feeling completely overwhelmed, you’re not alone. With hundreds of options lining the shelves, choosing the right food for your dog can feel like a guessing game. The truth is, what your dog needs depends on several key factors. Let’s break them down. 1. Size and Weight Matter A Great Dane and a Chihuahua are both dogs, but their nutritional needs couldn’t be more different. Larger dogs need more total calories, but they also have different metabolic rates and joint health...
Community Conversations is moving to Wednesdays!
Mark your calendars! We’re excited to share that Maddie’s® Community Conversations will now be held on Wednesdays at 11am PT/ 2pm PT starting August 5! These webcasts will continue to be a collaborative place to connect with peers in the animal well-being industry, share exciting new programs and research on a variety of topics including foster, access to veterinary and behavior care, community partnerships and more. Plus, each webcast you attend (live or on-demand) gives you a chance to win up to $10,000...
Keep Pets Safe During Fireworks
Jul 01, 2026 Many pets go missing on July 4th — fireworks can be scary for dogs and cats! Here are some easy steps you can take before and during the festivities to ensure your pet is safe and comfortable as you celebrate the Fourth of July. Because fireworks are so scary, your chances of finding a lost pet will be higher during the holiday. If you find or lose a pet this holiday, there are a few things you can do BEFORE going to the shelter. How to Prepare for Fireworks: Ensure your pet has a microchip and collar with an ID...
Safe Exercise Practices for Your Dog
When it comes to keeping your dog healthy, exercise is one of the most important gifts you can give them. But just like with people, more is not always better. Finding the right balance between activity and rest is key to supporting your dog’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The Hidden Dangers of Over-Exercise Many dog guardians are surprised to learn that too much exercise can actually cause harm. Over-exercising puts unnecessary stress on muscles, joints, and soft tissue. This is especially true during high-energy games...
Humane Prevention and Management of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Shelter and Rescue Dogs and Cats
Jun 30, 2026 A few weeks ago, Austin Pets Alive! leadership hosted a meeting, inviting national animal welfare leaders and veterinary leaders within higher education to discuss the harmful domino effect that New World Screwworm will have on shelter pets in Texas and beyond. This meeting resulted in action! One outcome of this meeting was a University-backed letter advocating at state levels for the responsible and safe transport of shelter pets across state borders. The below is the letter that is helping to fight for the safety of shelter...
Natural Support for Arthritis and Cognitive Decline in Aging Cats
As cats grow older, many begin to slow down, seem confused, or struggle to jump onto their favorite spots. These changes can be signs of two very common conditions in senior cats: osteoarthritis and cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). The good news is that there are several natural ways you can help support your aging cat’s comfort and brain health. Understanding the Changes Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage in your cat’s joints breaks down over time. This can cause stiffness, reluctance to move, and changes in behavior....
Lost pet prevention courses
Fourth of July is a popular time for pets to go missing. Fireworks can sometimes cause even the calmest of pets to escape. We have two lost pet prevention courses to help minimize lost dogs and cats, not only on the summer holiday but all year long. In “Lost Dog Prevention,” a self-paced course on Maddie’s® University, you’ll learn about keeping a dog safe in new environments as well as during frightening or exciting situations. All videos and infographics in the course can be utilized by animal welfare...
How Early Puppy Socialization Saves You Years of Dog Behavior Problems
If you have a dog, you’ve probably heard the word “socialization.” But what does it really mean, and why does it matter so much? Simply put, socialization is the process of helping your dog feel comfortable and confident around other dogs, people, and new experiences. When this process goes well early in life, it sets the stage for a happy, well-adjusted dog. When it doesn’t, the challenges can be significant — for both you and your dog. The Critical Window Dogs have a key socialization window that typically...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Healing emotionally after an animal bite, veterinary guides from Open Door and more!
Happy Monday. Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Healing emotionally after an animal biteAnimal bites are an expected risk and emotionally impactful part of shelter work. Beyond the physical injury, a bite can trigger fear, shame, guilt, loss of confidence and even long-term avoidance of certain animals or situations. A new course authored by Valerie Bogie, “After the Bite: Healing Emotionally,” on Maddie’s® University, aims to help. This… Learn More Increase access to veterinary care...
