My wife and I have been trying to feed our dogs more whole foods and home-cooked meals. The simple reason for this is that most dog foods are full of junk ingredients. For example, the first three ingredients in Purina Dog Chow – one of the most popular commercial dog foods – are: whole grain corn, meat and bone meal, and corn gluten meal. In other words, it's basically … [Read more...] about Why You Shouldn’t Feed Your Dog Canned Beans (But Dried Beans Are OK)
Is Cumin Good for Dogs?
My wife and I frequently use ground cumin in our cooking – it's actually her favorite spice. So that got us wondering: is cumin good for dogs? Even though cumin is safe for dogs in small amounts, it doesn't appear to have any health benefits. On the other hand, in large amounts, it can upset their stomach and cause digestive issues. If you're looking for herbs and spices … [Read more...] about Is Cumin Good for Dogs?
Are Labradoodles Protective? (Typically Not, but They Might Learn to Be)
If you're looking for a great family dog that loves to play with kids and other animals, then a Labradoodle might be just the dog for you. However, if you're looking for a guard dog that will fiercely protect you and your home, you may want to consider another breed. Labradoodles are not protective dogs by nature. They are bred to be gentle and friendly, even towards … [Read more...] about Are Labradoodles Protective? (Typically Not, but They Might Learn to Be)
What to Do if Your Dog Swallows a Hair Tie
Some dogs will literally eat anything and everything. It doesn’t matter how much you spoil them, or how much love and money goes into preparing their favorite food; they just can’t resist sampling any number of random things, and hair ties are no exception. In May 2019, a Goldendoodle from Texas, US, had to have surgery to remove over 100 hair ties from his stomach. This is … [Read more...] about What to Do if Your Dog Swallows a Hair Tie
Are Pomeranians Easy to Train? (Yes, but there are some things you should know)
Pomeranians are best known for being picture-perfect little cuties, but they are also well known for a much less desirable characteristic: they're little misfits if not properly trained. When it comes to training a Pomeranian, there is good news and bad news: The good news is, they are very smart dogs, so training them can be rather easy. The bad news is, they require a lot … [Read more...] about Are Pomeranians Easy to Train? (Yes, but there are some things you should know)
What to Do if Your Dog Has Eaten Vaseline (Symptoms and Treatment)
Vaseline, which is a brand name petroleum jelly, is a common household product with many uses. But, did you know vets also use and recommend petroleum jelly to treat dogs in various ways? For example, one of the most common ways petroleum jelly is used for dogs is to put a little bit on their paws when they go outside in the winter. The petroleum jelly acts as a water … [Read more...] about What to Do if Your Dog Has Eaten Vaseline (Symptoms and Treatment)
What to Do if Your Dog Kills a Cat
As pet owners, we love seeing dogs and cats get along like the best of friends. Sadly, that's not typically how things work out between these two animals. While some breeds, like the Havanese, get along exceptionally well with cats, they are the exception, not the rule. Many years ago, my mother had two young cats that jumped the neighbor's fence. Unfortunately, the … [Read more...] about What to Do if Your Dog Kills a Cat
What to Do If Your Dog Has No Energy
As dog owners, we're used to our furry friends energetically greeting us when we walk through the door; getting excited any time we mention going for a walk or car ride; and buzzing around like little bees when they're bored and restless... But what if your dog stops behaving this way for no apparent reason? What if one day, out of the blue, they just don't seem interested … [Read more...] about What to Do If Your Dog Has No Energy
What to Do if Your Dog Swallows a Sock
My Pit bull-mix, Morty has chewed up and scarfed down plenty of garments over the years. Everything from t-shirts to underwear to socks. In fact, socks are one of the most common items dogs like to swallow. Thankfully, this hasn't caused him any serious problems, but that's not always the case for every pup that snacks on a sock. While it's not exactly clear why this … [Read more...] about What to Do if Your Dog Swallows a Sock
What to Do if Your Dog Swallows a Ziploc Bag
Some dogs will swallow anything they can fit in their mouth, including Ziploc bags. Though, it's worth noting dogs don't have brand loyalty – any plastic bag will do. In fact, I was once friends with a guy who's Boxer loved to eat plastic bottles. If your dog swallowed a Ziploc bag, don't panic. Wait two hours to see if your dog throws up the bag. If it has been more than … [Read more...] about What to Do if Your Dog Swallows a Ziploc Bag
