Pet Health

“Dog’s lives are too short. Their only fault, really.” No matter how long our dogs are with us, their life spans aren’t nearly as long as we wish they would be. But, there are some breeds that have longer lifespans than others. Read on for 11 breeds that live the longest! A Look At Life Spans As you skim through this list, you’ll probably notice that smaller dogs tend to have longer lifespans than larger dogs. I actually remember as a child growing up, our family had one Yorkie who managed to outlive two Great Danes. He was enjoying his senior years with our third Great Dane when old age finally called him to cross over the rainbow bridge! Another quick note before we dive into our list: A breed’s life expectancy isn’t the only measure of how many amazing years your pooch will have with you. Genetics are a contributing factor. Plus, good nutrition, exercise, and preventive wellness care are key when striving for a longer life for any breed. 1. Chihuahua Known as the smallest bree...

Big cat, BasePaws , is now swimming with not one, but two sharks. Basepaws recently appeared on ABC’s “Shark Tank” where they made a deal with two heavy-hitting Sharks, Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec. They announced the great news in a press release that they had received a $250,000 investment after several Sharks vied for a piece of the hugely promising biotech company. According to the release, “Investors Robert Herjavec and Kevin O’Leary ultimately agreed to a joint investment, with each contributing $125,000 in exchange for a 5% ownership share each. The lively show aired Sunday night, April 28.” “I’m not a cat guy, but I know a successful business when I see one. There’s real intellectual property here — this company will be huge.” – Kevin O’Leary Well, Mr. O’Leary may not be a “cat guy,” but he obviously knows a good idea when he sees one. Backed By Science! The BasePaws Cat Kit  is the first ever home-based genetics test for cats that allows cat lovers to d...

There’s more than one way to enjoy fleece toys “He pulls the stuffing out in less than a minute!” It’s a common lament among dog guardians that fleece toys don’t last. That’s because so many dogs unleash their inner beast on these unsuspecting soft balls of fluff. Sure, they have a good time destroying them, but the fun is over too quickly considering the price tag on these items. People whose dogs are fleece toy killers surely envy the dogs who are not just gentle but actually loving towards stuffed animals. Stella, shown here with a pink stuffed poodle, is one such dog. She treats this toy much like a child treats a teddy bear. She loves this stuffed animal and seems to draw comfort from it. My family was taking care for Stella for a few days due to a death in her family that necessitated traveling out of state. At first she was a little nervous in our house, but her guardian had wisely sent the stuffed poodle along with her, which helped. Tags:  behavior l...

Should these types of collars be banned in favor of force-free alternatives? "Collars are a vital part of dog ownership. They allow pet parents to walk their pup on a leash and they provide a place to hang ID and vaccination tags. However, if used in the wrong way, collars can lead to serious or even fatal injury."  —Lindsay Lowe, " 5 Ways Collars Can Harm Your Dog " Tags:  training blog from The Bark http://bit.ly/2IIYd0W

Cuddle aficionada, treat enthusiast, charming canine. At an estimated age of three years, Honey is ready to live her best life. She’s past the puppy stage, past chewing on the next best thing. She’s a young adult now, giving off an air of sophistication and confidence. She knows what she wants in life, and she’s going after it: a forever home. Honey is currently residing at her local animal shelter, through which she has been able to add some worldly experience to her curriculum vitae. She has met four-leggers from all over the county, has heard many different barks and howls and has even been exposed to feline culture. Her stay has taught her to see things from different perspectives, and she feels she would enrich her new family’s everyday lives with her free-spirited personality. Tags:  smiling dogs from The Bark http://bit.ly/2IIYalM

Who should Fido fear? As states around the country move to stiffen punishments for animal cruelty, Michigan State University researchers have found a correlation between the types of animal abuse committed and the perpetrator’s relationship to an animal and its owner. For example, the animal’s owner tends to perpetrate animal-neglect crimes (i.e. withholding food and water). On the other hand, with crimes that involve kicking or stabbing, the suspect is usually an owner’s family member or intimate partner, says Laura Reese, professor of urban and regional planning at Michigan State University. Reese and Cassie Richard, a master’s of public policy student who now works for the Oregon Commission for the Blind, studied more than 300 animal cruelty police reports in Detroit between 2007 and 2015. They categorized abuse into eight types including dog fighting, shooting, poisoning, stabbing, and neglect. Tags:  research blog from The Bark http://bit.ly/2IIFMK6...

​ In 2019, Britain's most ​favored names for our ​four​-legged friends are names we​'d​ give to our children, like Charlie, Max, Bella and Luna. But go back hundreds of years and things are radically different. Why call your dog Max when you could go with Magastomo, meaning big mouth? ​We explore how names have changed over time and what this says about our relationship with them... Tags:  dog culture dogpatch infographic blog from The Bark http://bit.ly/2WdCSzO

Okay, dog mommas … bikini season is among us. I don’t know about you, but the thought of parading around the beach in my bathing suit is definitely getting me in the mood to workout. If you dread working up a sweat at your local gym and would rather get moving with your dog by your side (I’m raising my hand here) then read on. This list is filled with fun activities that will help you get fit with your dog! 1. Paddle Boarding At first sight, standup paddle boarding may not seem like a sport that requires all that much effort. But, once you try it, you’ll realize it’s actually a great complete body workout. It targets nearly every muscle in the body, with an emphasis on your core and arms. Here in Charlotte, NC, there’s a place called the U.S. National White Water Center. They offer paddle boarding and you would be amazed at how many people are accompanied by canine co-pilots! My advice? Go a few times on your own before bringing your pooch … just to make sure you get the hang...

Are you harming your dog by feeding them the wrong food? We all love our dogs and many consider them our best friends. Many of us even treat them better than our own family members. There are 3 dangerous ingredients that no dog should ever eat, and if you are giving them to your dog then you might be slowly harming her/him. Click here to find out these harmful ingredients. Tags:  Paid Advertising from The Bark http://bit.ly/2GtHECS

Part science, part artful guesswork “How old do you think my dog is?” It’s so natural for guardians to ask this question, but it is equally natural for veterinarians to dread having to answer it. While it is a simple query, it is decidedly complex to offer a reliable response. There are a number of clues that can be used to estimate a dog’s age, but unless the dog is still a puppy, the accuracy of the guess may be anywhere from close to the truth to wildly off. Tags:  blog health care from The Bark http://bit.ly/2W2nh6a

Sponsored by: Carlson Pet Products Rewind to exactly one year ago. I was on the hunt for a quality playpen for my Chihuahua, Diego, and toy Poodle, Gigi. I needed a collapsible pen that would easily fit in my car for afternoon trips to the park. And I also wanted the freedom to use it indoors. That’s when I stumbled across Carlson Pet Products . After using their 6-panel pet pen for an entire year, I’m beyond excited to be teaming up with the company to introduce their deluxe version! *Plus, we’re giving away a 6-Panel Deluxe Pet Pen to one lucky winner! Keep reading to find out how you can enter for a chance to win. A Look At Carlson Pet Products’ Deluxe Pet Pen My Favorite Features Easy Setup & Takedown – This packable and portable pet pen is a cinch to set up. Seriously, it takes about two seconds. Just get a good grip on the side panels, spread your arms to pop it open, and step on the footbar to secure! Strong and Sturdy – The Carlson Pet Products Pet Pen is made w...

Hoppy Easter! We’re just a couple of days away from holiday egg hunts, all the chocolate we could hope for, sugary treats, and a scrumptious dinner. We’ll all have a blast … but what about our dogs? As you plan for the upcoming holiday, there are a few things us pet parents should keep in mind. Read on for seven ways to keep your dogs safe this Easter! via GIPHY Keep The Chocolate Away If you have a dog then you probably already know that chocolate is a no-no. But, do you know why? The answer is theobromine and caffeine. Those are the two compounds in chocolate that stimulate our dogs’ nervous systems, which can cause serious symptoms. The amount of theobromine varies with the type of chocolate — the darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more dangerous it is to dogs. Still, your dogs should stay clear of ALL chocolate. While the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center receives calls about dogs consuming chocolate on a daily basis, numbers spike on holidays such as Easter, Hallowe...

We really don't know, but they're surely not unconditional "love muffins." "Yesterday, at my local dog park, I said that my dog, Tommy, holds grudges, but other people told me I'm wrong, that it's all about me and my reading into the situations, rather than about Tommy, and that dogs don't hold grudges." Tags:  behavior research blog from The Bark http://bit.ly/2ItBhmm

It only makes me love them more Many dogs that I meet, know and work with are somewhat predictable. That even applies to the aggressive ones who make up a large portion of my practice, and that is a good thing. There are common patterns in canine behavior that keep surprises to a minimum: Most dogs who are fearful are more afraid of men than of women. Play is often more effective at improving dogs’ emotional state than treats are. Once a dog has been upset by something on a walk, that dog will be more likely to react to other stimuli while on that walk. A dog who has just had a lot of exercise will tend to be calmer and more content than a dog who has not recently been physically active. Tags:  behavior blog from The Bark http://bit.ly/2XqGJtR

Dog. It’s the first word many of us learn and the first friend many of us have. Dogs are an integral part of our communities and lives; they represent a feeling of warmth, home and comfort to so many. While pets often become members of the family, many don’t know as much as they could about their furry friends. If you really want to get to know your pup, try a dog DNA test . Yes, it’s a thing! The test will give you insights on your dog’s breed, family tree, and even relatives. More importantly, a quick cheek swab could give you the ability to add years to your fur baby’s life. Here are the top four reasons to get your pup’s DNA checked right away: from The Bark http://bit.ly/2ItpEvB

Delightful book of canine portraits Every so often a book crosses our desk that makes us sit up and savor the pure deliciousness of its content. A new pocket-size collection of dog portraits by artist Sally Muir has done just that. A Dog A Day by Sally Muir (HarperCollins) features 365 charming portraits of Muir’s favorite four-legged companions drawn from the artist’s popular “Dog a Day” Facebook page. Sally Muir’s debuted her “Dog a Day” project on Facebook in 2013: “My name is Sally Muir and this is a new gallery where I will add a dog drawing/painting every day, adding up to a massive 365-day dogfest.” The world soon fell in love with these beautiful portraits, depicted in a range of mediums—from loosely worked sketches, prints, and charcoal drawings to oil paintings and lithographs. The artwork is accompanied by short anecdotes throughout, reflecting on the dogs’ goofy, loyal and spunky dispositions. Tags:  art dog culture blog bark likes this ...

Nomadic canine frequently runs 25 miles in a day Dogs often join people in their activities even when those people are strangers, but few dogs would be capable of doing what a dog nicknamed Cactus did when he joined several hundred people competing in the Marathon des Sables in the Sahara Desert of Morocco. This race is 156 miles long and is run over a six-day period, covering a distance equivalent to six regular marathons over challenging terrain. Tags:  activities & sports blog from The Bark http://bit.ly/2V0qd5Z

Our dog, Tenor, has such a thick and luscious coat of fur. (He’s part Black Lab, part Great Pyrenees , but he mostly just looks like your average Labrador Retriever.) His skin and coat weren’t always in such great shape, though. In fact, a few months ago he had dry, flaky, itchy skin so bad that we thought he had an incurable skin disease. Here’s what the vet recommended… and it worked like a charm!   Read more: Does Your Dog Have Dry, Flaky Skin? Here’s The Home Remedy Our Veterinarian Recommends from Dog Guide http://bit.ly/2IvDz3t

Leisl-the-Dachshund, one of the dogs I had growing up, was a HUGE barker. Anytime anyone came into the house or left the house she’d stand at the door and bark and bark and bark. It was rough. Our neighbors hated it and we struggled for a long time with the behavior. If only I had this video then! Excessive barking is incredibly common and it’s the #1 issue that my readers have with their dogs. This case study from Doggy Dan shows a simple technique that helps to stop dog barking simply. If you want more in depth video training on WHY dogs bark and WHAT to do about excessive barking – Doggy Dan has an excellent free video and trial offer for my readers here. The Problem: “My Dog Barks When Visitors Leave” Video Case Study Whenever you’re trying to correct a dog behavior, the first thing you need to do is correctly identify the problem. In this case the little Bichon barked every single time visitors left the house. This is excited barking and to correct it, the first thing ...

That dogs are world-class sniffers is old news, but a recent study has revealed a new application for their olfactory superpower: identifying cancer from blood samples. Heather Junqueira, lead researcher at BioScent Dx, used a form of clicker-training to teach four Beagles to distinguish between normal blood serum—a clear, yellowish fluid separated from clotted blood and containing neither white nor red cells—and serum samples from individuals who had been diagnosed with malignant lung cancer. One of the dogs—a cutie named Snuggles—declined to participate, but the other three correctly identified the samples from lung-cancer patients almost 97 percent of the time. Their success rate for identifying those from people who were cancer-free was 97.5 percent. Tags:  work of dogs blog news research from The Bark http://bit.ly/2Z8nzdC