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It’s finally fall, which means winter is just around the corner. If you’re the doting parent of a senior dog, you may know that the chilly temperatures can be hard on him, and wonder what you can do to help. We at iHeartDogs asked Dr. Michel Selmer, DVM, CTCVMP, for some ideas on how to make life easier for your senior pup this winter. Also known as “The Caring Vet,” Dr. Selmer is a Certified Veterinary Food Therapist (CVFT) who uses … Read more
As winter creeps closer, you may notice your dog starting to become less active, more lethargic, and slower to rise. While it is possible for dogs to suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, the more likely reason for your dog’s cold-weather change in activity level is osteoarthritis. Arthritis is a painful condition involving deterioration of the cartilage in joints. Luckily, there are several things you can do to help your dog through the pain and stiffness that cold weather can bring … Read more
As much of the country is in a deep freeze right now, it’s the perfect time to talk about how to keep your dog safe this winter. Winter poses a lot of hidden hazards that you may not have considered before, so it’s good to be aware of the extra things you need to pay attention to this time of year. Here are our top 5 tips to keep your furry friends cozy and safe this winter. #1 – Keep … Read more
When winter hits full force, walking the dog gets a little more complicated. You can’t leave the house without first shoving your feet into warm boots and grabbing a coat, and the temperature might even call for gloves, a hat, and a scarf. You risk freezing if you don’t bundle up, but what about your fur-covered walking partner? The stores are full of dog coats, sweaters, boots, and even full-on snow suits. The advertisements say they keep dogs warm in … Read more
In January, a pregnant dog needed a place to have her litter of puppies. All she had was a snowdrift to lie in, and that’s where she had 6 pups. Soon, the poor malnourished mama stopped producing sufficient milk to feed her little babies. Fortunately, a concerned family discovered the hungry, huddled family and drove all of the dogs to Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue. Located on the Red Lake Indian Reservation in northwestern Minnesota, Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue (RLRR) sees a … Read more
Even if you’re not familiar with the term “cuffing season,” you’re probably familiar with the concept. As the weather gets colder and everyone heads inside, most have no desire to go out. Most prefer to have someone special to come home to and stay warm inside with every night. “Cuffing season” represents those winter months we all just want a cuddle buddy who won’t leave us even when the snow thaws. Coors Light wants to let everyone who doesn’t have … Read more
Just because the temperature drops doesn’t mean the fun has to end! iHeartDogs has plenty of indoor activities and cozy cuddling options for you and your dog during the colder time of year. Stock up on warm clothes and rich, delicious coffee for you and lots of tempting treats and attention-grabbing toys for your pup before the cold creeps in. We’ve got everything you need! For You: Coffee for a Cause There’s nothing like a hot cup of coffee on … Read more
It’s here, and I hope you’re ready! WELCOME, COLD WEATHER! We missed you! We missed the hot chocolate and crackling fires! Watching holiday specials with our pups and the smell of baking goodies from the oven! And we missed the layers! The layers and layers of warm, cozy clothing that we get to swaddle ourselves in while we do all the fun cold-weather stuff we’ve been looking forward to all year. If there’s any downside to the layers, it’s that … Read more
They may resemble innocent ladybugs, but Asian lady beetles have several significant differences. They vary in color, have more spots, and are far more aggressive than the ladybugs we know and love. According to experts, their powerful survival instincts may even make them a risk to your dog. Asian lady beetles search for warm, humid locations to ride out the winter. And every now and then, they seek refuge inside a dog’s mouth. “Humidity is their normal environment,” Mikal Shamsi of … Read more
Half the United States is currently shivering under temperatures and wind chills that are below normal for this time of year, and authorities are warning people to bring their pets inside to prevent them from freezing to death. Sadly, there have already been reports of dogs dying due to exposure. Kristina Rinaldi, the executive director of the Detroit Dog Rescue, told Fox2: “We are seeing a lot of dogs frozen to death right now.” How cold is too cold to leave your … Read more
While winter wouldn’t be complete without a good snowfall, snowy scenes always come with a fair share of headaches. Keeping roads, driveways, and garden paths clear of snow and ice is an important safety measure, but it also poses potential problems for your dog. Many de-icer products contain hazardous chemicals. For your dog, it’s enough to make them seriously ill, injured, and uncomfortable. The Problem With De-icer The de-icer you depend on each winter does its magic by lowering the … Read more
A new portion of Pennsylvania’s Libre’s Law mandates that pet owners cannot leave animals outside in freezing temperatures without adequate shelter for more than 30 minutes. Area shelters are doing their best to warn citizens of the changes as temperatures begin to drop. Violations could result in fines and even jail time. Possible penalties include fines ranging from $50 to $750, and up to 90 days in jail for minor offenses. More serious cases involving neglect and abuse could result … Read more
Have you gotten your first puppy over the last few months, and now you’re wondering if you should buy them booties to protect their feet this winter? Wolves don’t need booties, but have our domesticated dogs lost some ability to protect their feet from the snow and cold? The truth is that most dogs are just fine without booties, but there are some situations where booties are recommended to protect your pup’s paws. Consider investing in some quality booties for … Read more
Winter is upon us and when the weather gets cold, we tend to hunker down with our families and loved ones – both two- and four-legged. Our dogs are just as much a part of our families, and we want them there with us; that’s why we them as have companions! While we can get them material things like toys and treats, there are other ways we can treat our pups this season that’ll leave them fulfilled. 1. Take A Day Trip Day trips … Read more
Does your dog love to play in the snow? We’ve seen dogs who go absolutely nuts when their humans take them out to play in the snow. We’ve seen them dive into it, we’ve seen them running around in excitement, and we’ve seen them sledding on it. But have you seen a dog trying to make snow angels? If not, then you’re about to! The dog in the video below loves snow, so when he sees some snow on the … Read more
An 11-month-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever was missing for 43 days after being hit by a drunk driver…but has now been reunited with his owner! On December 13th, police officers in Orange, Massachusetts witnessed Chessie get hit by a driver who was under the influence of alcohol. The dog was in his own driveway, and the car was on the wrong side of the road. Luckily, the driver was caught and charged; but the hurt and frightened pup disappeared into the … Read more
As your dog gets older, winter months get harder for them to handle. Cold, wet weather can make every day a little more painful for your senior dog, and can even be hazardous to his health. The following tips can help you make sure your senior dog stays comfortable all winter long. #1 – Add glucosamine and chondroitin to their diet Talk to your vet about adding these to your senior dog’s diet. They help lubricate their joints, which get … Read more
Winter is coming and we know we need to prepare for our pets. Cold temperatures and all the winter time accompaniments offer unique challenges to all living things trying to survive. Indoor pet dogs have needs akin to ours. These pets need (and probably get) regular health care. Winter is a rough time for older pets, underweight pets and those dealing with osteoarthritis. Your veterinary team should be included in “winterizing” your dog and making sure any special individual needs … Read more
Toledo, United States.