Why Dogs Smell Butts

Since handshakes are out of the question, dogs need a way to introduce themselves to one another. Dogs get to know each other by sniffing each other’s butts.  It is the chemical trail from a dog’s anal sacs that create a dog’s signature scent. Why is smell so important to a dog? It is because a dog’s nose is 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than a humans, due to the dog’s large olfactory membrane that holds more than 225 million scent receptors. It only makes sense that their nose would play such a crucial role. Dogs that smell each other’s butts are able to gather valuable information about the… Read More Continue Reading

Dogs and Extreme Heat Emergencies

More dogs are lost to heat-related situations than any other cause. Preventing these emergencies before going out to the field is key to keeping your dog out of trouble. When your dog begins to display signals of overheating, knowing what to do can be the difference between something alarming and a heartbreak. Being properly hydrated ahead of time is crucial. You should be giving your dog every chance that you can for them to drink lots of water early in the day. Also be sure that you are bringing as much water as you can with you, for however long you will be away from home. This alone may be… Read More Continue Reading

Dogs Are More Social with Oxytocin

About Oxytocin Produced naturally by the brain, oxytocin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. It has been given many different names. It is called the love hormone, cuddle chemical, bliss hormone and trust hormone. The production of oxytocin causes several effects in the body, including affecting the uterus and breast milk. It is also released into different parts of the brain which are associated with emotional, cognitive and social behaviors. Researchers are beginning to discover how oxytocin affects behavior, including how it affects love. Thus far, scientific research has shown that oxytocin has the ability to affect how mothers bond with their children, how couples bond with each… Read More Continue Reading

Top 5 Restaurants for People with Dogs in New York

Looking for a great place to dine with your dog? Let’s take a look at 5 of the best-quality dog-friendly restaurants that New York City has to offer. Cornelia Street Café New York City’s Cornelia Street Café is also open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This hot spot has won many local awards including Time Out’s “Top 100 Restaurants” and Village Voice’s “Best of New York Food.” This dog-friendly restaurant has also won for its looks in Where Magazine for “Best Neighborhood Ambiance.” It also was rated as “excellent” by 100 travelers by Trip Advisor. The restaurants displays fine art from local artists and hosts a variety of top-notch performances… Read More Continue Reading

The World’s Richest Animals

Gunther, the world’s richest dog which has a fortune that is valued over $300 million. A German Shepherd, Gunther inherited his fortune from Gunther III, who received an inheritance from Karlotta Liebenstein after she died. His fortune continues to grow, as his money is invested in trust funds. Gunther has estates in the Bahamas, Germany and Italy and even owns a home in Miami that was once owned by Madonna. Gunther has his own servants, maids, a chauffeur and a personal chef. Second on the list of richest animals is Keiko, the whale. He is worth a whopping $36 million. Unlike the others on the list, Keiko earned his money… Read More Continue Reading

Beware of Sago Palms

Naturally found in tropical or subtropical environments, Sago Palms are used as outdoor and indoor plants. Warning: If you have Sago Palms in or around your home, you must keep your dogs and cats away from them. According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, all parts of the Sago Palm are poisonous. The seeds are the most toxic part of the plant. They contain a toxic element known as cycasin. When ingested, severe liver failure in dogs may occur. If your dog ingests cycasin, acute gastrointestinal signs such as drooling, vomiting and diarrhea will occur within 15 minutes to several hours afterward. Two to three days later, severe liver… Read More Continue Reading

Summer tips for your dogs

Summertime brings lots of fun and adventure for you and your dog. Even still, the heat of the summer can cause your dog to become uncomfortable at best and their health in danger at worst. The best thing you can do in the summertime months is to take these special steps to keep Fido feeling his best. Dogs in Parked Cars Your dog can get a heat stroke when his body temperature gets too high. This commonly happens when a dog gets left in a car for too long. As a general rule, you should never leave your dog in a parked car, even for just a minute. Don’t think… Read More Continue Reading

Swimming with Your Dog

If you have a swimming pool at home, you may wonder if your dog can go swimming with you. According to the American Kennel Club, dogs are natural swimmers and do not need to be taught. With that being said, there are several breeds which are physically unable to swim. These include Pugs, Bulldogs, Dachshunds, and Basset Hounds. Cesar Milan says that swimming is one of the best physical exercises for a dog and as a bonus, it is also calming to their psyche. You need to help your dog build confidence around the pool. Take it slowly and be sure to give your dog a lot of praise along… Read More Continue Reading

List of the Top Dog Hacks

If you have a dog at home, you surely can benefit from learning about ways to make your life easier. Let’s take a look at some of the top dog hacks designed to do just this. If your dog has a habit of eating too quickly, place a ball in his food bowl. Use a plastic pitcher to store your dog’s food as it is easy to pour and keeps the food fresh. For a cool treat on a hot day, slice up some apples, mix them with low sodium chicken broth and freeze them in an ice cube tray. Voila! If your dog isn’t feeling well, put some of… Read More Continue Reading

Do Dogs Really Hate Cats?

We all have heard it before, how dogs hate cats, but is this really true? Why do cats hate dogs? It seems that the main issue that dogs and cats have with each other lies in their communication methods. Think about this. When a dog wants attention, you will see his ears up, tail wagging, wide eyes and an open mouth. Now imagine if a cat were to look this same way. These mannerisms in a cat would show a completely different situation going on. This is the way that a cat would behave if she wanted you to go away. When a cat greets another cat, they move carefully past… Read More Continue Reading