Ask Dr. Paola: Monday March 3, 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...
Emotional Support Dog Toys? Lajka and the Hedgehog
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. Every dog I had prior to Lava wasn’t super keen on toys. They would play with the ball or sticks and dig holes in the garden, and that was it. During the puppy stage, well, for the first 2 years of her life, Lava loved playing with toys. Chewing and destroying them was one of the highs of her day. Hela...
Natural Approaches to Paw Care in Dogs
Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being. Source: Animal Wellness...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Kitten season guidance, Instructor-Led Courses and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Maddie’s® Insights: Helping the Helpers – Improving Shelter Staff Well-BeingShelters and foster-based organizations have shown great resilience, finding innovative ways to save animals despite major challenges. However, many workers face burnout and compassion fatigue, leading some to leave the field. In 2023, Best Friends conducted the largest U.S. survey on shelter staff well-being. Nearly half of respondents reported high compassion...
Dog Crates Are For Lying On: Kodah in the Window
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. It has been well established – at least, I think it has – that I am a huge fan of dog crates. Whether it’s just in the early stages of puppy training, or as a long-term retreat for your dog to chill out in, I think providing your puppy or dog with a safe space that is...
Do Chihuahuas Shed? Vet-Verified Facts & Info
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Chihuahuas are some of the most popular small breeds to exist. Their compact bodies and their hilarious personalities are just a few of the things that make them so attractive to potential owners. However, if you’re a person who looks for a low shedding dog, or even one that is hypoallergenic, you might wonder if a Chihuahua fits the bill. If they do shed, you might wonder exactly how much so...
Are Chihuahuas Smart? Vet-Approved Intelligence Explanation
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Chihuahuas are notorious for being the ‘handbag dogs’ of the early 2000s – if Paris Hilton had one, everyone else in the world wanted one, too. Their popularity soared, making them one of the most sought-after little dogs of all time. However, when more and more families bring these dogs into their homes, they realize the certain challenges that come along with them. While...
Protecting Your Cat: Skin Issues from Chemical Products
Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being. Source: Animal Wellness...
Dogster Photo Contest: Dogs of the Week Winners (Feb 27, 2025)
Click to Skip Ahead This Week’s Winner Name: Baby Boy Ritter Breed: Chihuahua/ Jack Russell Terrier mix Fun Fact: “My name is Babyboy. I’m 3 months old. Mom named me after my sister“”Babygirl”” ,i never got to meet her cuz she was killed by a bad pit bull,I’ve heard she was pretty amazing. I love to play with my other sister,play outside, & play with my toys. & i really love my mom & dad. Mom, shelikes to put clothes on me. it’s ok i let her; it makes her happy. did imention i...
GI problems are prevalent in pooches but a new study shows the growing potential of ashwagandha for gut health in dogs
Superherb ashwagandha supports gut health in dogs, according to a new study. Explore how this adaptogenic herb helps with digestive issues, with research-backed benefits and the power of KSM-66 Ashwagandha. According to a recent report, more than 10% of new dog and cat patients visit the veterinarian because of gastrointestinal (GI) issues. Fortunately, a new study using KSM-66 Ashwagandha root extract shows this superherb can do more than address stress and inflammation in our canine companions. Researchers demonstrated the potential...
Maddie’s Insights: Helping the Helpers – Improving Shelter Staff Well-Being
Shelters and rescue groups have shown great resilience, finding innovative ways to save animals despite major challenges. However, many workers face burnout and compassion fatigue, leading some to leave the field. In 2023, Best Friends conducted the largest U.S. survey on shelter staff well-being. Nearly half of respondents reported high compassion satisfaction, and most plan to stay in their roles. Yet, over half showed high burnout, and over 90% had high compassion fatigue, raising concerns about staff well-being and the sustainability of...
HASS Embarks on Clearing More Kennels by Launching the “MAP” project: the Modern Adoption Process
The project seeks to simplify the complicated adoption journey through customer care services, encouraging families seeking pets to adopt instead of shop (AUSTIN, TX) February 26, 2025–Human Animal Support Services (HASS), an international project bridging the gap between human and animal welfare, today launches the Modern Adoption Process (MAP) project. MAP will address functional challenges of the adoption journey by implementing strategies from for-profit business models. The emphasis will be on fostering connections, meeting...
The Art of Nicknaming Your Dog: Tales from the Wednesday Dogs of Dogster (with Video)
Click to Skip Ahead Welcome to the Wednesday Dogs of Dogster! Every month, we ask our Dogsters to weigh in on a new topic. This week, we asked them: What Do You Call Your Dogs, Other Than Their Real Names? Here’s what they had to say: Amanda & Subi Some of my favorite things are the nicknames given to pets by their humans and usually tagged with a cutesy voice and a bit of backstory. Sometimes, they’re completely random. Regardless, it’s usually funny, adorable, and entirely fitting. Subi has several nicknames,...
Holistic Approaches to Joint Health in Young Dogs
Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being. Source: Animal Wellness...
Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Bones? Our Vet Explains Nutrition Facts & Info
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead What’s more classic than the image of a dog with a bone? Given this idea, it would be understandable to assume that feeding bones to your dog is a perfectly safe and natural practice. However, this isn’t always the case. In fact, giving your dog a bone can be downright dangerous. So, what about chicken bones? Chicken is a bit tricky when it comes to feeding it to our dogs because cooked...
Bond with your cat using Tui na – a 10-minute session
Tui Na, also known as acupressure-massage, is an effective way to connect to your feline friend. Learn how to bond with your cat using Tui na. Cats delight and mystify us. Their furry bodies and wily ways are so appealing, and their expressive meows beckon us to satisfy their needs. As cat guardians, we want to connect with our feline friends. An acupressure-massage technique called Tui na is an effective way to do it. Find out how to bond with your cat using Tui na in a simple ten-minute session. Understanding feline nature ...
10 Best Wipes for Dog Paws in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks
Taking your dog for a walk can be a pleasurable moment in your day unless the weather isn’t nice. Part of walking in bad weather includes the mess your dog brings home on their paws. Dog wipes are ideal instead of using towels and don’t add to your laundry. However, you might not have the time to shop for wipes that will work best for you and your dog, so we researched and developed reviews for the best dog wipes for your pup’s paws. The buyer’s guide includes tips for picking the best wipes, so read on! Click to Skip...
How to Clean Dog Paws: 8 Vet-Approved Steps (With Infographic)
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Part of taking care of a dog means going Image By for regular walks. Going for regular walks means coming home with a dog that likely has mucky feet, which means they need regular cleaning. In some cases, cleaning your dog’s paws is essential for your dog’s health—not only to remove potential hazards like salt or foreign bodies but also to check for any issues with their pads....
How to Keep Dogs From Tracking in Dirt Through the House: 8 Simple Tips
Click to Skip Ahead Your dog probably loves to run around in the rain, dirt, and mud. It’s an absolute blast for them and an absolute mess for us. While we don’t mind our pups getting messy occasionally, we would like to keep the mess outside instead of cleaning our home from top to bottom every time they step indoors. We understand the frustration it causes, and it is why we took the time to highlight some tried and true methods to keep your dog from tracking dirt throughout your home, no matter how messy they get while...
One Year Free From Cruelty: Beagle Freedom Project Celebrates Anniversary of Closing Animal Testing Laboratory
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » When most of us picture a Beagle, we think of a floppy-eared, waggy-tailed, sniffing machine, merrily exploring their world, nose first. Sadly, their compact size and docile temperament have made these sweet-natured dogs a popular subject for animal experimentation, a process that is still used by many major pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies around the world. Thanks to the tireless work of the dedicated team at...
