Help! My Dog Has Parvo
New puppies can be a fun addition to the family, bringing laughter and excitement. But along with a new puppy comes significant responsibility, including veterinary care. The most important basic medical care to provide for pups is vaccinations. This is because, despite widespread vaccination, diseases such as distemper and parvovirus are still present in the dog population. What is parvovirus? Parvovirus — a highly contagious virus — is spread by other dogs via the oral-fecal route. The virus is present in the feces and can...
Dogster’s Guide to Exercise
We know the importance of staying fit, but did you know fitness is also crucial for dogs? A fit dog is less likely to develop joint issues and behavioral problems. So how do you start your dog on the road to fitness? The answer depends on your dog’s age and current activity level. Here’s how to get your dog going on the path to physical fitness. First, look at his age and current fitness. ©AscentXmedia | Getty Images Puppy time: If your dog is a puppy — under 1 year of age for small to medium dogs and under 2 years...
7 Ways to Keep Walks Peaceful
Walking a dog is one of life’s pleasures and while my dogs and I look forward to our daily excursions, I am well aware that many people don’t feel the same. I have worked with countless dogs over the years who pull on the leash, bark at people, lunge at other dogs and generally make walking a chaotic and unpleasant experience. But with a bit of work and a whole lot of understanding, walks can become enjoyable again for both ends of the leash. Here are some ways to make walking your dog a walk in the park. Stop the pull The No. 1...
8 Telltale Signs Puppers Is Too Plump
Ugh — who wants to read more about weight loss, keeping weight off, what to eat, what not to eat? As painful as it is to you, it’s even more painful for pooches who carry unnecessary extra pounds. The following indicators mean it’s time to turn your pup from fat and frumpy to phat and fabulous. Someone asks when your dog will deliver her puppies Ouch! If your dog could understand language and conversation on that level, he (or she) would dig a deep, deep hole and crawl in it of shame. With a bone. Covered in meat. Whether...
Healthy Heart, Healthy Start
Rachel Phelps will never forget the urgent call she got from her veterinarian shortly after she dropped off her beloved Westie, named Preston, for minor surgery to remove a lump. “The vet was like, ‘Something happened. We put him under anesthesia, and suddenly his heartbeat plummeted,’” Rachel says. “I was in total shock. I felt like I couldn’t breathe.” The medical team immediately brought Preston out of anesthesia, but his heart rate remained low. Rachel and her husband raced Preston from their...
Dog Monthly and Daily Holidays
Celebrate your dog every day and every way but especially on these fun dog national holidays. Don’t see a dog holiday here? Just email us at dogstermag@belvoir.com and we will add it to the list! JANUARY dog holidays Walk Your Pet Month Train Your Dog Month January 1: New Year’s Day January 2: National Pet Travel Safety Day January 14: National Dress Up Your Pet Day January 18: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day FEBRUARY dog holidays ©Melissa L Kauffman Pet Dental Health Month Unchain a Dog Month Dog Training Education Month...
Dug Up at Dogster: 2022 Dog Events and Dog Holidays
Bring in the new year 2022 with these fun dog events and dog holidays. Don’t see your dog event on the list? Email us at dogstermag@belvoir.com and we will include your dog event. January 2022 Dog Holidays Walk Your pet month reminds us to get out and walk our dogs even if it is cold outside. ©Melissa L Kauffman Walk Your Pet Month Train Your Dog Month January 2, 2022: Pet Travel Safety Day January 14, 2022: Dress Up Your Pet Day January 24, 2022: Change a Pet’s Life Day (adoption) January 29,...
All Hail Jaqweenie!
Jaqweenie caught my eye after seeing his popular TikTok video, which showed his world being “rocked” by a cut on his foot. His human, Jean Mosher, says, “He was shaking, panting and licking his paw.” Thinking it was pretty serious, Jean rushed him to the vet but it turned out to be just a tiny cut. “Even though Jaqweenie was totally OK, I want to remind people that when in doubt, it’s really important to bring your dog to the vet. Excessive vocalizations, constant localized grooming, differences in...
New World Record for Longest Ears
Jackie Brown Pet expert Jackie Brown has spent 20 years following her passion for animals as a writer and editor in the pet publishing industry. She is contributing writer for National Geographic’s Complete Guide to Pet Health, Behavior, and Happiness: The Veterinarian’s Approach to At-Home Animal Care (April 2019) and author of the book It’s Raining Cats and Dogs: Making Sense of Animal Phrases (Lumina Press, 2006). Jackie is a regular contributor to pet and veterinary industry media and is the former editor of numerous pet...
Saving Guadalajara’s Street Dogs
Each year, millions of Americans travel to Mexico in search of warm and beautiful beaches, colorful little towns, shopping and, of course, delicious traditional Mexican cuisine. One of the best food destinations is Mexico’s second-largest city, Guadalajara, located in the tequila-rich state of Jalisco. But traversing through the city and surrounding rural towns reveals another group of hungry food seekers — Guadalajara’s street dogs. The National Institute of Statistics and Geography states that nearly 70% of Mexican...
