Should Your Active Dog Use a Herding Ball?

If you have a dog with boundless energy, then you know the importance of finding activities that will captivate their attention and provide them with a healthy outlet. For some dogs, this can be as simple as a favorite bone to chew on or a toy they can toss around and thrash until they wear themselves out. However, for those of us with active herding breeds, that isn’t enough to meet their needs and natural desires. Herding balls are designed to tap into the instinct to “herd,” providing both mental and physical exercise. In this post, we will discuss how to use a herding ball, why they are such an enticing object for many dogs, and how they can benefit your dog’s health. Plus, I’ll share which specific herding ball has earned the title of “best of the best” in our house, as determined by our German Shepherd/Australian Cattle Dog Lucifer. So, let’s get into it…

How Do Cat Shelves Enhance Feline Enrichment?

Cats are natural-born climbers that love exploring their surroundings and discovering every nook and cranny. As a result, many cat lovers have seen their feline companions climbing on the fridge, bookshelves, and other furniture around the home. But what if you could offer a whole new vertical world specifically designed with them in mind? Cat shelves are not new – many cat lovers have used them over the years. However, they have recently seen an incredible rise in popularity. The more we learn about the enrichment needs of our furry friends, the better we can adapt our home to improve their lives. These raised perches and kitty jungle gyms are a great way to do precisely that. In this article, I will share the benefits of installing cat shelves in your home and the many types of cat shelves available. Plus, you can see how we have incorporated shelves into our new home for our two feline family members, Pippen and Jinx. Let’s get started…

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Should My Healthy, Active Dog Take Supplements?

As a devoted pet owner, providing your beloved dog with a happy, healthy life is a top priority. In today’s society, we are lucky to have a wide range of pet products available to us, making it easier than ever to overcome any challenges your dog may face regarding their health and well-being. Unfortunately, this can also make identifying the right products feel overwhelming. Does your dog need any supplements or vitamins? If so, what options should you consider? As a dog mom with three active hiking dogs, I am often asked why I include supplements with my dogs’ meals and whether they are necessary. In this article, we will look at some of the most common supplements on the market, what they can help with, and how to decide if it’s time to introduce supplements into your dog’s diet.

Does Your Senior Dog Need Anti-Slip Paw Pads?

If you share your heart and your home with a senior dog, then you know that with age can come some significant changes. Your once highly energetic dog may slow down, sleep more, or experience mobility challenges. In their golden years, dogs often struggle to navigate stairs, get up on furniture (like the couch or bed), or safely walk across slippery flooring.It can be hard to witness these changes, but you can still provide your beloved dog with an incredible quality of life. By understanding the unique struggles faced by senior dogs, you can take steps to make their lives a little easier and more comfortable.In this post, we will discuss why your dog may be slipping more when walking through your home, the options available to reduce this slipping, and which option I use with my 15-year-old German Shepherd mix, Daviana.Let’s get started!

Dog Theft is On the Rise: Keep Your Best Friend Safe

In recent years, there has been a concerning trend spotted by many pet professionals. As the demand for pets increased throughout the pandemic, so did the number of reported dog theft cases. As the world returned to normal, the dog-napping rates continued to rise. Beloved dogs are being taken from homes, yards, vehicles, or even on walks. But why is dog theft so common, and what can you do to keep your dog safe? How Many Dogs Are Stolen in the United States? There is no reliable number that accounts for all dog thefts across the United States because dogs are viewed as property in the eyes of the law. Dog theft cases are included in the greater property theft count. But animal experts and non-profit organizations estimate the number to be around two million dogs stolen in the United States every year. Dog Breeds That Are Most at Risk While any dog is at risk of being stolen, there are some factors that could increase the risk for your pup. Purebred dogs are the most popular targets as they are in higher demand and can be sold for a more significant profit than mixed breeds. The same logic can be applied to a dog’s age, with puppies being the most valuable. Smaller dogs are often targeted as they are easier to steal unnoticed and are seen as more adoptable than larger dogs. The American Kennel Club identified six breeds as being the highest risk for theft, including: French Bulldog German Shepherd Labrador Retriever Siberian HuskyYorkshire TerrierShih Tzu

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Is Your Favorite Pet App Leaking Your Personal Information?

As technology grows and evolves, we find ourselves relying on it in nearly every area of our lives, from smart home innovation to the testing of autonomous vehicles. It comes as no surprise that tech has also found its place in the pet industry! Pet cameras, automatic feeders, and GPS tracking devices can all help us to give our pets the best possible lifestyle. But at what cost? What are the potential risks?These questions are being raised in light of new findings from computer scientists at Newcastle University and Royal Holloway, University of London. Their study revealed that several popular pet tech apps and devices might be putting your privacy and safety at risk.The study involved a detailed analysis of 40 popular Android apps in the pet space. This includes not only apps associated with products like wearable pet monitoring devices and smart feeders but also apps designed to track and record pet health information and veterinary records. They investigated many safety-related aspects of these apps, including what information they tracked and stored, how this information is protected, and how vulnerable the apps are to hackers and other cyber threats. The findings were surprising.“Pet tech such as smart collars and GPS trackers for your cat or dog is a rapidly growing industry, and it brings with it new security, privacy, and safety risks to the pet owners. While owners might use these apps for peace of mind about the health of their dog or where their cat is, they may not be happy to find out about the risks the apps hold for their own cybersecurity,” explained Scott Harper, Newcastle Ph.D. student and lead author of the study.“We would urge anyone using these apps to take the time to ensure they are using a unique password, check the settings and ensure that they consider how much data they are sharing or willing to share.”

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Why Throwing Sticks for Your Dog Could Be Dangerous

Playing fetch with your dog is an age-old pastime that has brought joy to thousands of dog parents over the years. From throwing dog toys and frisbees to tennis balls and sticks, few activities are as closely associated with our canine companions. But many dog owners are unaware of the risks related to stick throwing. It may seem like a harmless game, but throwing sticks for your dog could lead to horrific or even life-threatening injuries. Stick-related injuries are surprisingly common, according to veterinarians and veterinary surgeons. While experts agree that playing with your dog is essential as a bonding opportunity and a source of physical exercise, they warn that you should swap out the stick for a dog-safe toy. Types of Stick Injuries in Dogs The first step to keeping our dogs safe is to recognize the risks so that we can take steps to avoid them. Unfortunately, stick injuries can come in several different forms, including: Injuries While Catching: If your dog can get ahead of the stick and catch it while it’s still in motion, there is always the risk that they will connect with it on the end instead of safely on the side. This can lead to sticks becoming lodged in their throat. Slivers or Splinters: Small pieces of wood can become lodged in your dog’s mouth or between their teeth. Not only are these small pieces of wood painful, but they may also lead to ongoing infections. If a wood splinter is eaten, it may cause a puncture, internal bleeding, or other damage to the digestive tract. Cut or Scrapes: As your dog catches or attempts to pick up the stick, there is a chance that they may suffer cuts or scrapes around the mouth, especially if the stick has sharp edges. Impalement: If your dog runs into a stick, there is the possibility that they may be impaled. This often occurs in the chest or throat, raising the risk of organ damage and significant blood loss. Impalement can also happen if a dog jumps to catch a stick and then lands on it. Choking Hazard: When your dog is chewing on a stick, they will often swallow small pieces of wood and bark that come off. These pieces pose a choking hazard. Intestinal Blockage: If swallowed without incident, those same pieces can still cause trouble later in the digestive process. They may lead to a blockage in the stomach or intestines, a potentially fatal condition.

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