Health & Wellness

Do not under any circumstances administer human pain relievers to your dog. They could be fatal — and while over-the-counter medications for dogs may be lacking at the local pharmacy, there’s plenty you can do to help your dog feel better, faster.

Noticing any cloudiness in your dog’s eyes? Do they seem to be having trouble seeing things? This could be a sign of cataracts. The good news is that cataracts can be easily treated with surgery, and some dogs can live a long and happy life without having these cataracts removed. 

Constipation is characterized by hard, pebble-like stool — frequently paired with crouching and straining during defecation attempts, blood in the stool, and a day or two without bowel movements. However, while straining may be due to constipation, it could also be a sign of urinary tract issues or other internal complications.

When you have multiple furry friends in one household, it’s not uncommon for one to get a hold of another’s toys and treats. Luckily, the curiosity is relatively harmless, and if your dog eats catnip they should be fine. In fact, a small amount of catnip may even have some health benefits for your canine friend.

Doxycycline. A mouthful to say, but much more common than it sounds. As a routinely prescribed antibiotic used in veterinary medicine mainly to fight off or prevent infections, chances are you’ll encounter doxycycline at some point in your dog’s life.

If you’re reading this article because you’re currently having an emergency with your dog, please call your vet immediately. If it’s after hours, try calling Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or your local emergency veterinary facility. 

Lipomas— or fatty tumors — are those soft moveable lumps we sometimes discover under the skin of our pups. These benign, non-cancerous growths appear on dogs of all shapes and sizes, especially as they age. The good news is, most of the time they’re painless and don’t pose any health issues.

Discovering a lump on your beloved best friend can quickly sound some alarms. While it might feel like that lump came out of nowhere, it’s important to remember that lumps on dogs aren’t as rare as you think — nor are they necessarily dangerous.

Dogs can suffer from many different allergic diseases that often manifest as skin or gastrointestinal issues. There are many nutrients and ingredients out there that might benefit canine allergy symptoms, read about them in this article.

Summer has always been a great time to get out and play, splash around in the water or set out on a hike with our pets. And those wide, open spaces are even more enticing right now. If you’re ready for some fun in the sun, make sure your dog or cat is good to go too.