Dog Care

Massage can be a useful tool for easing a dog’s pain without drugs. Credit: electravk | Getty Images Like their human companions, dogs and puppies hurt when they’re injured or when an illness or surgery causes discomfort. Whether a dog’s pain is acute (sharp and recent) or chronic (continuous or frequently recurring), there are natural

In addition to being painful for the dog, broken or split nails can lead to infection. Credit: Petra Richli | Getty Images The most common problem for dog claws is lack of proper trimming, but it is possible to have truly unhealthy dog nails. Signs that your dog needs a veterinary visit include brittle nails

Beware of sidewalks that may have been treated with traditional ice melt or rock salt. Products that are specifically “pet-friendly” are safer choices for your dog. Credit: Ekaterina Goncharova | Getty Images While winter can be a wonderland for both humans and our dogs, with picturesque snow-covered walks and hikes, it can also be a

With human help (and not all at once, of course!), our tester dogs tried out six different dog shampoos to find out which one worked best for reducing odor. Credit: Jae Thomas Even if you personally love smelling their Frito feet, there’s no denying that dogs sometimes stink. Whether your dog rolled in something smelly

Before using colloidal silver on your dog, research available products carefully and consult your veterinarian. Credit: varchiklena | Getty Images Silver has been used in medicine for at least 6,000 years. According to “History of the Medical Uses of Silver” by J. Alexander in the June 2009 issue of Surgical Infections, silver was the most

Note the area of swelling (see arrow) on the flap of the dog’s ear. This is an aural hematoma. Credit: Carol Thacker | Getty Images You can treat a small aural (ear) hematoma on your dog at home, if necessary, but you run a real risk of ending up with an unsightly cauliflower ear (more

: If your dog is bitten by a black fly, you can be pretty sure the reaction will be painful and itchy. Credit Douglas Rissing | Getty Images Fly bites are annoying, but black fly bites on dogs are painful and itchy! Fortunately, they can usually be treated at home with some basic care. The

Usually associated with aging, sundowners in dogs causes symptoms such as disorientation, anxiety, and disordered sleep/wake cycles. Credit: Catherine Falls Commercial | Getty Images Sundowners syndrome in dogs is officially called canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, and may be abbreviated CCD or CDS. This is a degenerative disease, meaning that it will steadily get worse over

A lot of factors that go into determining when exactly a dog reaches senior status, but there are some simple things dog owners can do to help an aging dog stay happy and healthy. Credit: Bread and Butter Productions | Getty Images “There is not a ‘one size fits all’ schedule for senior status, as

Double-coated dogs, like the Border Collie pictured here, require regular grooming to keep their coats and skin healthy. Credit: Bigandt_Photography | Getty Images A dog with a double coat essentially has two types of hair: a smoother, protective topcoat and a dense, rough undercoat. Double-coated dog breeds come in all shapes, sizes, and temperaments. There

The cost of getting a dog professionally groomed depends a lot on what services you are looking for. The more complex the haircut, the more expensive it will likely be. Credit: photokool | Getty Images Some dogs look great and stay healthy with a good brushing and occasional bath while others need regular professional help.

Swollen, runny eyes can be a sign that your dog is having an allergic reaction. Credit: Hugo1313 | Getty Images Dogs can experience allergic reactions just like humans do. Often these are low-grade, chronic problems such as a food or pollen allergy, but dogs can have severe or anaphylactic reactions too. Any time your dog

Cute as this photo is, the potential Christmas hazards to this puppy are numerous. Christmas trees are not safe for an unattended dog. Credit: Stefan Cristian Cioata | Getty Images Chewing on Christmas tree branches can hurt your dog. While touching the tree here and there won’t harm him, ingesting the branches, needles, and/or sap

Fleas can withstand cold winter temperatures, waiting to catch a ride on your unsuspecting dog. Credit: Roberto Machado Noa | Getty Images Yes, dogs can get fleas in the winter. With the right conditions, dogs can still pick up fleas outside even in the winter. Freezing temperatures will slow down their life cycle, but there

Most dogs prefer fresh, cool water in a clean dish. Changing water every day and cleaning the water bowl are important to ensuring he drinks well. Credit: Alexei Tn | Getty Images Whether your dog is sick, feeling a little off, or has an acute or chronic illness that makes him avoid water, he still

A dog’s whiskers serve important sensory and protective functions for your dog. Credit: Boy Anupong | Getty Images When you think of whiskers, you probably picture cats, but dogs also possess a set of whiskers on their muzzle, cheeks, and above their eyes that serve important specific purposes. Whiskers, also known as vibrissae, play a

Some dogs think going to the groomer is great fun! Others do not. If your dog is in the latter category, consider time and training whenever possible instead of sedation. In some cases, a dog may need to be sedated for grooming. For example, if you have a new rescue dog who is badly matted,

Cleanliness and being sure the puppies are nursing all the teats can help prevent mastitis. Credit: Fabio Filzi | Getty Images Breeding and raising a litter of puppies can be an extremely rewarding experience. It can also be fraught with complications for the puppies and for the mother herself. One of those complications is mastitis.