Dog Health & Care

The rib cage of a dog serves the function of protecting the internal chest organs, particularly the lungs and heart. That speaks to its importance as the original body armor. It also defines the animal’s form and width. Variations exist between different species and breeds, though. For example, horses have 18 pairs of ribs, pigs

The Adam’s Apple is a piece of cartilage that protrudes from and surrounds the larynx. The larynx is the area at the top of the windpipe that contains the vocal folds. The cartilages found in this upper part of the neck are designed to protect the larynx. In humans, men and women develop Adam’s Apples

The first thing most of us learn about raising a dog is that chocolate is harmful, regardless of the format. As tasty as it may be for us on a hot day, chocolate ice cream is one treat that dogs should never eat. How bad is this popular frozen dairy dessert? Let’s find out as

Dogs have a lymphatic system which is part of their immune system. Tonsils are a part of this lymphatic system, and they can be found at the back of the throat. When their tonsils are healthy and functioning properly, they’ll help defend your dog’s nose and mouth from harmful bacteria and viruses. Sometimes, the tonsils

French Bulldogs are adorable pups, especially with those overly large ears of theirs! But as cute as this breed’s bat ears are, their ear canals are narrow and prone to wax buildup and ear infections. So, it’s vital to know how to clean your French Bulldog’s ears to keep them healthy. It might seem like

Humans and dogs have a lot more in common than you may realize. After all, we all share 84% of our DNA. We have many common illnesses, including some mental health conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). One thing we probably don’t have in common, though, is Tourette syndrome (TS). TS is a kind of tic

A lot of the time, when a dog starts scratching away, it’s because they’ve gotten fleas. As horrible as that is, it’s fairly easily resolved with flea medication and lots of vacuuming and cleaning. But what if your dog is itching a lot, and there are no fleas to be found? What does that mean?

Dogs lick themselves; it’s just a fact of life. But why do they lick themselves so much? After all, it’s a bit of a gross habit! There are actually a few normal reasons dogs lick themselves, which we’ll look at below. Perhaps a better question, though, is whether you should ever be concerned about your

Rottweilers are highly intelligent, confident, and courageous dogs whose size and appearance often make them intimidating. However, any owner will tell you just how sweet, affectionate, and playful they are. If you’re considering welcoming a Rottweiler into your home, you’re probably curious about what to expect in terms of lifespan. Since Rotties are large dogs,

Dogs don’t naturally have a taste for alcohol, but some sweet alcoholic drinks or those made with milk or cream can be particularly appealing for them. Some dogs are just curious and others might end up accidentally consuming an alcoholic beverage in their rush to steal food from your dining table. Dogs are very sensitive

Our pups can do some pretty cute (and kind of weird) things when they’re asleep. Whether it’s twitching paws while they dream about chasing critters or hilarious sleep positions, dogs can be awfully funny while resting. Sometimes, though, they do things that dog parents find concerning, like sleeping with their tongue out. Why do dogs

A dog’s tail is a powerful communication tool, but it is also used to help keep insects away, spread their scent, and balance. The tail is an extension of your dog’s spine, and it does contain bones—typically around 20 of them in a typical dog. There are various injuries and ailments that can affect your

Peanut butter is considered a healthy, tasty treat for dogs, although it should only be fed in moderation and owners should avoid sweetened or salted peanut butter. The nuts themselves are not considered toxic, either, but their high-fat content means you should really avoid feeding peanuts to dogs regularly. But, for some owners, that leaves

Staying hydrated is one of the most fundamental factors in a dog’s immediate and long-term health, and sometimes our pets don’t drink enough water throughout the day. An underlying health condition might be at fault, but other times we don’t offer water in a way that appeals to our dogs. In either case, owners have

Scientists have discovered several genes that affect coat and nose color in canines, although more research is needed. Most dogs have either a brown or black nose, although some dogs may have pink noses or even white in the case of albinism in rare cases. However, the color usually doesn’t change much until a dog

Dogs are always doing the silliest things! While it’s not uncommon for them to have their tongue hanging out, such as when panting, it may seem a bit more peculiar when they stick just the tip of their tongue out. In this article, we’re going to explore several reasons why this might happen. Most of

The Bulldog is probably one of the first breeds that comes to mind when you think of a dog with wrinkles. The dog’s appearance has undoubtedly struck a chord with many pet owners, with the breed ranking 7th on the American Kennel Club (AKC) list of the most popular canines.1 The Bulldog has quite the

All dogs have their quirks, some of which bring a smile to our faces and some make us concerned about a medical issue. One of those quirks, or differences in behavior is walking sideways. Some reasons for this sideways walk are benign and not of concern. It could also be a one-off occurrence. However, other

Every human woman knows just how uncomfortable and painful periods can be. Leading up to a period, women can experience bloating, cramping, gastrointestinal upset, as well as emotional or behavioral changes. When a dog enters a heat cycle, is it comparable to what we experience? Is the pain the same? Do they have similar changes

We know our dogs well. We can tell when they’re ready to play, ready for a nap, ready for an adventure—so, it’s only natural to know when they need a little help. If you have noticed your dog grinding their teeth, it can be alarming. Often, this is an issue that needs to be addressed

There’s no better cure when you’re feeling ill than snuggling up with your dog for a good binge session on Netflix. And if you’ve ever had strep throat, you know how awful you feel and how comforting those canine cuddle parties are. However, what happens if you notice your dog exhibiting the same signs of

Sometimes, your beloved canine companion’s nose dries out, resulting in cracked skin and pain for your pup. If you have Vaseline sitting around your house like most people, you may decide to reach for it to put on your dog’s nose. After all, Vaseline helps people with dry, painful skin, so it should work for

Few things are more refreshing on a hot summer day than a tall glass of ice water. It lowers our core body temperature to make us feel more comfortable. Undoubtedly, seeing your dog pant with their mouth hanging wide open makes you want to offer your pup the same relief. After all, it will have

Dogs will eat almost anything they come across, which can be concerning for dog parents. While some of the items they end up eating are merely gross, others may be toxic or cause internal damage when ingested, so it’s important to know what’s safe and what isn’t. If you’re a plant person with a yard

Vaseline is a petroleum jelly-based topical ointment. It is convenient, readily available, and inexpensive to purchase. And, if your dog has dry skin or cracked paws or nose, it is safe to occasionally use Vaseline on your dog. However, it can cause an upset stomach and other complaints if your dog ingests too much of

Fish oil has been in the headlines for the past several years, not only for its purported benefits for human health but also for what it is said to achieve for our pets. Alaskan fish oil is an effective source of essential fatty acids (EFAs) that can support the general health of dogs of every

A dog’s world is driven by the animal’s sense of smell. Humans have just 6 million scent receptors compared to their 100 million. Bloodhounds have up to three times more! It’s something to pay close attention to if something is amiss with your pup’s nose. After all, a wet nose benefits our canine companions by