Pet Health

The connection between people and dogs is the stuff of legend. Greece, India, Sumatra, Egypt, Scotland, Turkey, China: cultures around the world abound in cynocephalic heroes or gods, individuals with the body of a human and the head of a dog (or sometimes a jackal). The existence of a word to describe such phenomena speaks to how common they are. Though other mythical human/animal chimeras are known—the centaur and minotaur, for example—none are as widespread as those involving canines. This depiction of creatures with the traits of both humans and dogs attests to the longstanding idea that we are connected. We are, it seems, naturally predisposed to form deep connections with dogs. Chemical systems responsible for the most powerful feelings between humans are also activated by our interactions with dogs. This means that physiologically speaking, we bond with our dogs in the same way we do with our children: through a positive feedback loop involving oxytocin, a hormone ...

Dog who knew over 1000 words has died The dog community has lost someone special this week. Chaser, the Border Collie who knew over 1000 words, has died at the age of 15 . She outlived the man who trained her, John Pilley, who was a Professor Emeritus in Psychology at Wofford College. Pilley began training her at age 75 after receiving the dog as a gift from his wife Sally, and passed away a year ago at the age of 89. Pilley’s training of Chaser revealed that dogs’ language abilities are so much more extensive than previously realized. Tags:  people who matter training news blog from The Bark https://ift.tt/2YjLkTD

Guardians, companions, zodiac animal—canines are a constant in Japanese culture. From delicate Japanese Chins and foxlike Shibas to large and dignified Akitas, dogs—or inu — abound in Japan’s daily life, so it’s no surprise that they have also made many appearances in its art across the centuries. In Empire of Dogs , author Aaron Herald Skabelund observes that dogs’ “physical mobility creates symbolic ambiguity, positioning canines between culture and nature,” a characteristic that fits neatly within the Japanese artistic tradition of showing animals in a natural context and often in association with people. Factor in the country’s bedrock belief system, Shintoism—as old as Japan itself—with its many animals serving as messengers to the kami , or divine beings, and the prevalence of dogs is easy to understand. In fact, it’s not uncommon to find a pair of lion dog statues guarding an entrance to a Shinto shrine, where their job is to ward off evil spirits. Tags:...

In my opinion, it takes a team to properly take care of a paralyzed dog or cat. That team consists of a dedicated pet owner, rehabilitation specialists and a knowledgeable and compassionate veterinarian. Pet parents are responsible for daily care, canine rehab professionals work to get your dog strong, and the vet oversees your animal’s medical needs. But before you assemble your team, ask your vet these important questions about your paralyzed pet. We assembled two videos to help you determine if your vet has the right experience to give your disabled dog the best life possible.  Two videos with the questions to ask your veterinarian We’ve put together two videos to help you navigate the tough questions you need to ask and the answers you want to hear. Each of the questions came from a survey we sent to pet parents. We asked them to share the most question they asked or wish they had asked their dog’s veterinarian when their pup first became paralyzed.   Our video seri...

Depending on the size and breed of a cat, each one has a specific weight requirement that is best for a long, healthy life. For pet parents with overweight or obese cats, finding the right diet is paramount. We have partnered with NomNomNow , who have provided us with some helpful information about reaching and maintaining your cat’s weight goals. What Causes Obesity In Cats? Even a regular feeding schedule can result in an overweight cat. Things such as treats and an unbalanced diet can lead to cat obesity. To determine the best diet for weight loss in cats, it is important to understand the leading causes of feline obesity. Free Feeding For those who have a busy schedule, allowing their cats to graze on a large amount of food throughout the day is a tempting option. However, when a cat is allowed to free feed, she tends to eat more than she needs. Cat Treats It is hard for a cat to turn down a tasty treat. Since cat treats tend to be small, many pet parents do not realize...

Nemo in the Arctic The dog Nemo was on the boat as an experiment. We were 27 artists on a residency in the Arctic, sailing on a tall ship 500 miles from the North Pole to observe, learn and make art. Nemo’s owner, one of our guides/ guards, had asked if he could come along. At least, that’s what I think happened. Fifteen years earlier, I had been to Antarctica on another ship, and this trip was on the path to being an equally amazing and inspiring experience. “You’re so brave!” people say to me. “To go to the ends of the Earth and explore must be exhilarating and terrifying.” I’ve even been asked if I was the first woman to go to Antarctica (by a fifth-grader during one of my presentations). Answer—not by a long shot, although with the exception of one or two women, this history is fairly recent. Tags:  dog culture art from The Bark https://ift.tt/2YqI8kf

Notes from a Dog Walker: Back to Their Nature Hiking with a pack  of dogs can be a path to self-discovery.  I don’t think I’m overreaching  by speculating that when we’re moving confidently and gracefully in unison along an ancient path in the deep woods, something primal kicks in, for both me and my dogs. The feeling is overwhelming and hard to describe, and maybe can’t be accurately, but has something to do with movement and position relative to each other. A sense of well-being comes over me and my little legion, the kind of contentment that comes with being in a place and time with no desire to  be in any others because all is as it should be. I’m a firm believer, after many such outings, in the theory that prehistoric hominids first befriended wolves, not around villages where some say garbage heaps attracted them, but on the great hunting highways where we learned from each other—us more from them, I suspect—long before humans became sedentary...

A couple of days ago, I shared a post highlighting the dog food brand I feed Diego and Gigi. It’s called The Farmer’s Dog and it’s a fresh food subscription service that cooks up human-grade dog food with your canine companion in mind. Before transitioning to The Farmer’s Dog , I was home-cooking. And before that, I fed kibble. Since ditching processed kibble and filling up my pups’ food bowls with real meats, vegetables, and other nutrient-rich ingredients, I’ve noticed a few major changes. Keep reading to find out the top reasons why I’m a huge advocate for feeding fresh! Not As Thirsty Dogs who eat dry kibble tend to become excessively thirsty and will likely need more water because of the lack of moisture in their food. Rewind the clock to a time where I used to fill my dogs’ food bowl with processed brown pellets. Back then, my dogs used to drink A LOT of water. I even had to keep a bowl on my bedroom nightstand so my Chihuahua, Diego, could have access around the clock. No ...

You may recognize the adage in our title: “If you don’t use it, you lose it.” It usually relates to a skill that a human possesses. For example, if you don’t regularly use the algebra you learned in 9th grade, chances are you’ve completely forgotten it. This is because when you learn something, a connection is formed in your brain. When you revisit that same topic again later, you’re accessing that same connection — and strengthening it each time. But if you don’t revisit it, the connection becomes weak. This also applies to dogs. Read more: Homemade Brain Games For Dogs (If You Don’t Use It, You Lose It!) from Dog Guide https://ift.tt/2YjXE1a

Hearing the latest dog food recalls and warnings about certain pet foods liked to canine heart disease can be scary. Very scary! Since it seems like there’s been an uptick of alerts surrounding the pet food industry, I’m constantly asked: “What food do you feed your dog?” I get this question almost daily. And my answer is always the same: Fresh is best. But, up until this point, I haven’t shared what brand I personally use. Today, I’m changing that. Drumroll, please … The Farmer’s Dog! In this video, I shared some exciting news. I reached out to the company and snagged you guys 50% off your first 2-week trial order! Just click HERE and you’ll get your 50% off! What Is The Farmer’s Dog The Farmer’s Dog is a real food subscription service that cooks fresh, human-grade dog food with your canine companion in mind. Here’s how it works: On their website, you answer a few simple questions about your dog (like name, age, breed, weight, etc.). You’ll be offered 3 formulas: beef, turkey,...

  Euthanasia is the worst word in the English language if you’re an animal lover. But if you’ve ever waited too long to say goodbye to your dog or cat, you have to read this story. Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice has developed a Quality of Life Scale to help you evaluate your pet’s health as they age and get sick. Part of the reality of having a paralyzed dog is knowing their health is compromised. Their wheelchairs, harnesses and diapers are a constant reminder of that fact. But with the Quality of Life scoring tools, you’ll have a better understanding about the final stages of your dog’s life. Who is Lap of Love Founded by Dani McVety, DVM and Mary Gardner, DVM, Lap of Love is the largest network of veterinarians dedicated to end of life veterinary care. All of their services are given in your home. They provide medically supervised hospice care and at home euthanasia for terminally ill and senior pets. Dr. McVety and Dr. Gardner explained their role isn’t easy, but they...

Dog's name and age: Harry, 4 years old Adoption story:  Over the holidays, I had to say goodbye to my senior dog after spending almost 17 years together. The loss was profound and I planned to wait at least six months before adopting again to let myself heal. I sorely missed the daily routine of life with dogs, so when a local foster group put out a request for volunteers, I signed up. I was assigned a terrier mix, Terry. Soon after, it was obvious—Terry (Harry) and I were not destined for the adoption fair circuit. We had found each other, and I was ready to commit! More about Harry: Clicker training was new to Harry—but he caught on quickly and he absolutely loves it. It’s so much fun for both of us and we've really bonded over it. Harry is not a morning dog, so he enjoys a slow start to the day with lots of snuggles. Tags:  smiling dogs from The Bark https://ift.tt/2JVFLSx

Q&A with interior design legend A century-old townhouse on New York City’s Upper East Side was the setting for this year’s Kips Bay Decorator Show House, a fundraising event for the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club, which serves more than 10,000 young people throughout the Bronx. The top interior designers selected to participate had 30 days to transform a randomly assigned room as they saw fit. Sheila Bridges, whose work has been showcased in exhibits and museums nationally and internationally and who was named “America’s Best Interior Designer” by CNN and Time Magazine , was given a small ground-floor reception room that looked out onto the street. Adding to the challenge was that the house’s public bathroom could only be accessed by passing through this room. By the end of the month, however, Bridges was ready to unveil her Salon des Chiens, a place for canine care and enjoyment. Why, we wondered, had she chosen that theme? So we asked her. Tags:  art l...

Claudia Kawczynska Michael Brandow Michael Brandow has been walking New York City pooches for a long time, more than 20 years and counting. He has also been commenting on cultural matters during that time along with writing several books, including A Matter of Breeding , a takedown of the AKC, and New York’s Poop Scoop Law (a title that clearly defines its topic). In his newest, with the charming, aptly phrased title Gone Walkabout: Confessions of a New York City Dog Walker , he muses on all things canine, sprinkling nuggets of self-reflection, especially about two decades of change in NYC. Brandow gave up a 16-year corporate gig because not only does he adore dogs and loves doting on and getting to know them, but also because he generally bonds well with their furless halves too. Besides that, shedding business suits gave him time and inspiration to follow his writing muse. The author is not one of those “multiple walkers,” as he calls them, people who navigate ...

Our dog, Vector, is alive by the scarred skin of his mauled-off tail and the saint-like kindness of an organization, the Sato Project, that rescues strays from Puerto Rico’s infamous Dead Dog Beach. He endured that hellish environment for about three years, competing with fellow canines for scraps and shelter from Caribbean heat and storms. In addition to his tail, he’s missing a toe and chunks of ear. A deep wound adorns his snout. Vector could easily be dead, feral or at the very least deeply traumatized. Instead, he can be trusted with the life of my two-year-old son—his human brother. And though miraculous, Vector’s story is commonplace: his transition from famine to family member is par for the course for canines. Tags:  behavior lifestyle life with dogs from The Bark https://ift.tt/310MAYF

Considering adding a new fur baby to your family? Before you welcome any pooch into your home, you’ll want to think about their unique needs. Sure — every dog requires fresh food, fresh water , adequate exercise , mental stimulation , comfortable bedding, medical care, etc. But some more high-maintenance dog breeds require a lot of extra time, attention, and energy. What Kinds Of Dogs Could Be Considered High-Maintenance? The fluffy puffy pooches that need lots of grooming can be very time consuming and high-maintenance. Super intelligent dogs can require lots of mental stimulation so they don’t get bored. Without it, they tend to get themselves into mischief. High energy dogs can require lots of daily exercising to relieve their excess energy needs. Otherwise, they can tend to become destructive. Some breeds are known to suffer from separation anxiety and have a hard time being left alone. They don’t do well without their human present. Not good with children or are aggressive...

Spider-man actor with adoptable superhero puppies Spider-man may be far from home in his latest film ( Spider-Man: Far From Home ), but the actor who plays the lead role doesn’t want puppies to be far from their homes. In fact, Tom Holland helped Stephen Colbert find homes for puppies when he appeared in “Rescue Dog Rescue.” Holland is not the first to partner with Colbert to find homes for dogs from North Shore Animal League America . Emma Stone, Nick Jonas, Bryan Cranston and Jim Parsons are among those who have participated, though Holland’s segment was the first Superhero Edition. Colbert correctly assumed that mixing super heroes with puppies would be a winning combination, and your friendly neighborhood dog adoption promoter did a good job. Tags:  shelters & rescues pop culture blog from The Bark https://ift.tt/2y86moy

The road is calling a new wave of nomads, and their travel mode of choice is a converted van, truck or camper. From baby boomers to millennials, people are dropping out and taking to the highway, leaving behind the nine-to-five grind for a life of freedom, adventure and self-discovery. These van dwellers lead stripped-down lives in tricked-out vehicles that combine technology with good old-fashioned ingenuity —tiny homes on wheels incorporating solar power, Wi-Fi, mini appliances and a surprising number of creature comforts. Tags:  lifestyle life with dogs travel from The Bark https://ift.tt/2M7dl9q