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Survey: 49% of Dog Owners Are Giving Their Dog a Joint Supplement

In a recent survey administered to 1,640 iHeartDogs readers, 49% reported that they currently give their dog(s) a joint care supplement. What are the reasons for this, what does the research say, and do they really work? Glucosamine has been one of the most recommended supplements by veterinarians for the last two decades, and thousands of dog owners swear by it. And although more research is needed, many randomized, double-blinded studies have shown tangible benefits to dogs with osteoarthritis and … Read more

Dog Grandpa Sends Adorable Update Texts While He Babysits His Daughter’s Pooch

Some dads are just destined to become legendary grandpas! Meghan Specksgoor’s father proved his phenomenal gramp-ing skills this holiday season when his daughter traveled to New York City, leaving her beloved pup Chance in his capable hands. Meghan is exclusively a dog mom at this point, but should she ever want tiny humans, she can rest assured that her dad will be ready! It all started shortly into Meghan’s trip when she received the following text/selfie combo: It seems the … Read more

Dog Trainer Hopes To Ban Prong, Choke, & Shock Collars In Her City

Prong, choke, shock. Boulder, Colorado dog trainer Mary Angilly does not believe these types of collars have any place in her chosen profession. While she acknowledges that negative-reinforcement can certainly work, she wants to educate the public that there are more humane and effective ways to train dogs. She has begun a campaign to impose a citywide ban on fear- or pain-based training collars, and hopes the issue will reach Boulder’s 2018 ballot. “A lot of people will say, ‘Oh, … Read more

Hat-Wearing Rescue Dog Celebrates the Holidays With a Special Surprise

Best Friends Animal Society is a national leader when it comes to animal welfare. They’re the largest no-kill animal shelter in the country, and they’re working hard to lower the number of animals killed in shelters each year. It’s a long process, but 2017 was another year closer to a better future for America’s companion animals. One of the pets they saved this year is Skully. Diagnosed with cancer, sweet Skully wouldn’t have had a chance in most shelters. But … Read more

How Common Types Of De-Icer Can Hurt Your Dog

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

After His Dog Died of Oral Disease, This Man Invented Something That Could Save Thousands of Dogs’ Lives

When Petros lost his first dog to canine oral disease, he was inspired to not let his rescued pit bull suffer the same fate. Watch his inspiring story and learn about the invention that might just revolutionize canine dental care. When we met Petros, we were inspired by his story and his passion for canine dental care. Sadly, Petros’ story isn’t unique, as nearly 80% of dogs over the age of 5 suffer from some kind periodontal disease. Advanced cases … Read more

How The Olympics In South Korea May Impact The Dog Meat Trade

The 2018 Olympics set to be in South Korea may bring about some changes in the country’s dog meat trade. The controversial practice–which is deeply upsetting to many Western cultures–may have to come to a halt in order for the country to drum up support for this year’s Olympic games. More and more farmers are responding to opposition by agreeing to shut their farms down, a movement that is often funded by advocacy groups who also provide them with a … Read more

Senior Rescue Dog Lives Life To The Fullest Thanks To Compassionate Child

At only nine years old, there was no question in Raven’s mind about what kind of dog she wanted to add to her family. There were plenty of puppies with bright eyes and wagging tails, but the compassionate child wanted to make a real difference for an animal that desperately needed a second chance. She told her mother, Melissa, “I want to adopt an old dog. One that no one else wants.” Skeptical at first, Melissa explained to her child … Read more

Cop Crawls Across Thin Ice To Rescue Dog From Half-Frozen Pond

Nisel the dog is lucky to be alive this Christmas after being pulled out of a half-frozen pond by New Jersey Police Officers Robert Voorhees and George Peterson and Specialist Dave VanDoren. After Hopewell Township NJ Police received the call that Nisel couldn’t get out of the pond alone, Voorhees offered to be tied to a rope and crawled out onto the ice. When Nisel swam toward Voorhees, he grabbed her collar and Peterson and VanDoren then pulled Voorhees and Nisel to safety. … Read more

Veteran Gets His Christmas Wish When He’s Reunited With Stolen Service Dog

When Army veteran Geoff Hoffman came home from work on Wednesday, December 20, he was alarmed to see his front gate and front door wide open. While he had been at work, robbers had entered his home, apparently interested in his valuables at first; but in the end, all they took was his 3-year-old pit bull, Bridget. In an interview with KFOR that Hoffman did in his house, he said: “I just want her back. I put a sign here. Take … Read more

Impatient Dog Begs Mom To Open His Christmas Stocking Early

Can’t wait for Christmas? Neither can Bodie! In the video, Bodie the dog realizes that his stocking contains some tempting surprises — and begs his mom to let him get his gifts early! The pup almost has a full-blown tantrum as he whines and pleads to get his special holiday treat. Watch the video below:  Poor Bodie! With those big eyes and that sweet face, we bet this persistent pup was able to get his paws on at least one … Read more

Veteran Wants His Dog Back After She Was Adopted While He Was Overseas

Army veteran and military contractor Michael Takacs was working overseas in Kuwait when the unthinkable happened. A friend was watching his dog, Precious, who Takacs said has gotten him through many tough times, including his mother’s passing. But instead of looking forward to a happy homecoming, the veteran is now fighting to get his companion back. He recently learned that his friend’s new girlfriend dropped the pup off at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay as a “stray.” Precious has … Read more

Pet Food Company Recalls 5 Varieties Of Dog & Cat Food

Primal Pet Foods is voluntarily recalling 5 of its freeze-dried dog and cat foods due to their grind size. According to an announcement from the company: “Through a recent product quality review process, we have determined that 5 specific Primal Canine and Feline Freeze-Dried Poultry Formulas were produced outside of our grind size specification of 1/8” which we have determined is the ideal size of ground bone to be fed to dogs and cats. The products in question were ground … Read more

Little Boy In Need Of A Service Dog Gets A Christmas Miracle

Many children ask for dogs for Christmas, but few parents plead for a dog on their child’s behalf. But Nate Feola’s parents did. At only 9 years old, Nate Feola has already been through hardships many of us are lucky to never experience. He was born prematurely, weighing less than two pounds, and spent the first five months of his life living in a hospital. When he could finally go home, it was to parents who abused him so badly, … Read more

1,000 L.A. Shelter Pets Receive A Special Holiday Surprise

From December 12-17 of this year, more than 1,000 dogs and cats currently living in Los Angeles animal shelters received a special holiday meal thanks to Marc Ching, his team at the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation, and dozens of volunteers. The meals, plus new bedding and blankets for the cold, are part of the foundation’s 3rd Annual Hope for the Holidays shelter feeding initiative. The meals were all made from Ching’s line of PetStaurant pet foods. They featured combinations of organic rice, beef … Read more

New Legislation Hopes To Crack Down On Puppy Mills

The idea of a puppy mill makes dog lovers shudder because we know the horrific conditions that these innocent animals face for the sake of profit. Now, two US Representatives are trying to pass laws that would make it more difficult for irresponsible breeders to continue their practices. Just a couple days ago, Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Charlie Crist (D-FL) unveiled two bills to make waves in this widely under-regulated industry. The Welfare of Our Friends (WOOF) Act (H.R. 4691), would … Read more

Dog Dad Builds Santa Sleigh Stairlift For Arthritic Senior Pup

Timmie is a 16-year-old Jack Russell Terrier and the faithful companion of graphic designer, Duncan Evans. The spirited pooch suffers from arthritis and other ailments that limit his mobility. After Timmie took a tumble down their home’s steep stairs, Evans decided to build him a stairlift. With Christmas just around the corner, he designed the lift to look just like Santa’s sleigh!   “Timmie has to take lots of medication for his enlarged heart and problems with his lungs, so … Read more

Why Are Some Dogs “Early Birds”?

Did you know that, depending on your dog’s age and breed, he needs 12 to 14 hours of sleep a night? It can be hard to believe when your dog is nudging his cold, wet nose in your face at 4 AM, but it’s a fact. Your dog needs his sleep just as much (if not more) than you do – so why does he feel the need to wake you up before your alarm can do the job? According … Read more

This Nativity Scene Starring Dogs Will Get You Into The Christmas Spirit

The nativity story is a classic tale told all over the world at Christmas time. We set up our little nativities in our yards or on our mantles, and even watch school children perform their nativity plays at this time of year. These scenes usually feature a few animals – sheep, sometimes camel, but dogs aren’t often included. It’s even more rare to see dogs starring in a nativity! The people at Wags to Riches Pet Services in Mountsorrel, UK … Read more

A Sweet Senior Dog Is This College’s Unofficial Mascot

When the students at Massey University in New Zealand think about their mascot, it may not be a sprinting wildcat or a mythical creature. Instead, what comes to many of the kids’ minds is Richie McPaw (presumably named after rugby player Richie McCaw), a 15-year-old yellow Lab that loves to traipse around campus! Campus chaplain Jill Shaw is Richie’s mom, and he accompanies her at least once a week. The pup loves making the rounds, visiting students to ease stress … Read more

Montreal Suspends Breed Ban On “Pit Bull-Type Dogs”

In 2016, a controversial bylaw was passed in Montreal, Canada that required Pit Bulls to be muzzled when walked, charged existing owners to keep their dogs, and forbade Pit Bull-type dogs from being adopted. Today, that breed-specific legislation has been struck down by the Project Montreal administration. Existing dangerous dog laws remain in place and a new bylaw is expected to be passed early in 2018 after extensive consultation with animal behavior experts, dog owners, and non-dog owners in order … Read more

Why Does My Dog Roll Over To Show Me His Belly?

Your dog does a lot of cute things to get your attention, and rolling onto their back to show you their tummy is a prime example of why you can never be mad at them for long. Whether that tummy is pudgy, skinny, furry, or hairless, having your dog roll over at your feet is an invitation you’re powerless to refuse. Once the rubbing starts, it’s obvious your dog enjoys it, but have you ever thought about why? Dogs expose … Read more

11 Ways You Know You’re A Crazy Dog Parent

Our dogs are our babies. We consider them family from day 1, we care for them, and they become a vital part of our lives. From the way we spoil and gush about our dogs, some people may think we’re nuts. But we don’t care, because we know our pooches make us happier, healthier, and overall better people. Here are 11 signs that you’re a crazy pup parent, and that’s okay; because if anyone understands your canine-loving quirks, it’s definitely us. 1. You consider yourself a dog parent … Read more

The 5 Different Types Of Dog Growls

Most people assume a growling dog is bad news, but that isn’t always the case. Dogs vocalize their thoughts and feelings in several different ways. They bark and whine, and the low rumbling we call growling can mean multiple things. There’s the basic aggressive growl most people know to watch out for, but a growling dog isn’t always an angry dog. Knowing the different situations where a dog might let out a growl will help you better communicate with your … Read more

How The Winter Solstice Might Affect Your Pet

The Winter Solstice is upon us, and with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it typically comes and goes without notice. On this day, those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere will be as far away from the sun as we have been all year. It’s also the official first day of winter, and the day with the least amount of sunlight. Although we may not mark the occasion with a party or give it much … Read more

If You’ve Noticed Your Mastiff Is Slower to Get Up, Begin This Routine Immediately!

Is your mastiff beginning to have trouble with everyday activities like rising after sleeping, climbing stairs, and hopping in and out of the car? Pain caused by the degeneration of joint tissue is very common in aging dogs. Sadly, in some larger breeds joint destress can begin at a very young age. While pharmaceutical drugs can offer relief, they also carry the risk of serious side effects leading many vets and pet parents to seek out natural supplements like Glucosamine, … Read more

If You’ve Noticed Your Pit Bull Is Slower to Get Up, Begin This Routine Immediately!

Is your pit bull beginning to have trouble with everyday activities like rising after sleeping, climbing stairs, and hopping in and out of the car? Pain caused by the degeneration of joint tissue is very common in aging dogs. Sadly, in some larger breeds joint destress can begin at a very young age. While pharmaceutical drugs can offer relief, they also carry the risk of serious side effects leading many vets and pet parents to seek out natural supplements like … Read more

If You’ve Noticed Your Boxer Is Slower to Get Up, Begin This Routine Immediately!

Is your boxer beginning to have trouble with everyday activities like rising after sleeping, climbing stairs, and hopping in and out of the car? Pain caused by the degeneration of joint tissue is very common in aging dogs. Sadly, in some larger breeds joint destress can begin at a very young age. While pharmaceutical drugs can offer relief, they also carry the risk of serious side effects leading many vets and pet parents to seek out natural canine supplements like … Read more

If You’ve Noticed Your St. Bernard Is Slower to Get Up, Begin This Routine Immediately!

Is your st bernard beginning to have trouble with everyday activities like rising after sleeping, climbing stairs, and hopping in and out of the car? Pain caused by the degeneration of joint tissue is very common in aging dogs. Sadly, in some larger breeds joint destress can begin at a very young age. While pharmaceutical drugs can offer relief, they also carry the risk of serious side effects leading many vets and pet parents to seek out natural supplements like … Read more

If You’ve Noticed Your Newfoundland Is Slower to Get Up, Begin This Routine Immediately!

Is your newfoundland beginning to have trouble with everyday activities like rising after sleeping, climbing stairs, and hopping in and out of the car? Pain caused by the degeneration of joint tissue is very common in aging dogs. Sadly, in some larger breeds joint destress can begin at a very young age. While pharmaceutical drugs can offer relief, they also carry the risk of serious side effects leading many vets and pet parents to seek out natural supplements like Glucosamine, … Read more

If You’ve Noticed Your Dachshund Is Slower to Get Up, Begin This Routine Immediately!

Is your dachshund beginning to have trouble with everyday activities like rising after sleeping, climbing stairs, and hopping in and out of the car? Pain caused by the degeneration of joint tissue is very common in aging dogs. Sadly, in some larger breeds joint destress can begin at a very young age. While pharmaceutical drugs can offer relief, they also carry the risk of serious side effects leading many vets and pet parents to seek out natural supplements like Glucosamine, … Read more

If You’ve Noticed Your Golden Retriever Is Slower to Get Up, Begin This Routine Immediately!

Is your golden retriever beginning to have trouble with everyday activities like rising after sleeping, climbing stairs, and hopping in and out of the car? Pain caused by the degeneration of joint tissue is very common in aging dogs. Sadly, in some larger breeds joint destress can begin at a very young age. While pharmaceutical drugs can offer relief, they also carry the risk of serious side effects leading many vets and pet parents to seek out natural supplements like … Read more

If You’ve Noticed Your Lab Is Slower to Get Up, Begin This Routine Immediately!

Is your lab beginning to have trouble with everyday activities like rising after sleeping, climbing stairs, and hopping in and out of the car? Pain caused by the degeneration of joint tissue is very common in aging dogs. Sadly, in some larger breeds joint destress can begin at a very young age. While pharmaceutical drugs can offer relief, they also carry the risk of serious side effects leading many vets and pet parents to seek out natural supplements like Glucosamine, … Read more

If You’ve Noticed Your Rottweiler Is Slower to Get Up, Begin This Routine Immediately!

Is your rottweiler beginning to have trouble with everyday activities like rising after sleeping, climbing stairs, and hopping in and out of the car? Pain caused by the degeneration of joint tissue is very common in aging dogs. Sadly, in some larger breeds joint destress can begin at a very young age. While pharmaceutical drugs can offer relief, they also carry the risk of serious side effects leading many vets and pet parents to seek out natural supplements like Glucosamine, … Read more

If You’ve Noticed Your Great Dane Is Slower to Get Up, Begin This Routine Immediately!

Is your great dane beginning to have trouble with everyday activities like rising after sleeping, climbing stairs, and hopping in and out of the car? Pain caused by the degeneration of joint tissue is very common in aging dogs. Sadly, in some larger breeds joint destress can begin at a very young age. While pharmaceutical drugs can offer relief, they also carry the risk of serious side effects leading many vets and pet parents to seek out natural dog supplements … Read more

If You’ve Noticed Your German Shepherd Is Slower to Get Up, Begin This Routine Immediately!

Is your german shepherd beginning to have trouble with everyday activities like rising after sleeping, climbing stairs, and hopping in and out of the car? Pain caused by the degeneration of joint tissue is very common in aging dogs. Sadly, in some larger breeds joint destress can begin at a very young age. While pharmaceutical drugs can offer relief, they also carry the risk of serious side effects leading many vets and pet parents to seek out natural supplements like … Read more

Forgot a Gift? We’ve Got You Covered

You’ve just realized that you don’t have a present for your great-aunt Martha or her little maltese mix that travels with her everywhere she goes – and it’s too late to go shopping now. It happens! And, hey, we’ve got you covered. This year, give those who are dear to you and love dogs this (last minute) gift. It’s a heart-felt gift and no one will be the wiser that you’ve just printed it off for them! An iHeartDogs Digital … Read more

Jolly Newfies Deliver Christmas Trees By Sled At This Family Farm

Lillie Bell, Stella and Matilda may not look like your typical sled dogs, but they are certainly strong enough to do the job. Bonus: They love it! The three “gentle giants” belong to the Eshelman family of Plow Farms in Plowville, Pennsylvania. Last year, they hosted a Newfoundland Meet-Up Day where the pups pulled Christmas tree-laden sleighs for customers. The event was such a hit, they decided to make it an annual occurrence! Newfies were bred to pull fishing nets and … Read more

Shelter Makes Controversial Decision To Halt Adoptions Until After The Holidays

Dogs Trust is the largest canine welfare charity in Ireland and the UK. The organization has been rescuing and rehoming pups since 1891 with their now-famous motto, “A dog is for life.” In keeping with this philosophy, the Dublin rehoming center has suspended all adoptions until after the New Year in an effort to discourage people from bringing home pets on a whim. The charity took to the streets in order to demonstrate the message of their Paws For Thought campaign. Using … Read more

Why Do Dogs That Weren’t Abused Develop Fear / Anxiety?

When a rescue dog is afraid of certain people or objects, it is often assumed that he was traumatized by a similar thing in his past. While this could very well be true, there are other dogs who’ve been raised from puppyhood and still develop irrational fears, despite being loved their entire lives. This can get pet parents upset and frustrated, wondering, “Did I do something wrong?” If this sounds like you, don’t be hard on yourself. The fact is, having … Read more

A Dying Man’s Last Wish Is To Find A Home For His Beloved Senior Dog

For the past eight years, the Woodward dog park in Fresno, California has been like a second home for a 10-year-old Beagle mix named Rowdy. Her owner, Harold, has been taking her every day so she can enjoy the socialization and exercise.  The pair’s regular trips, however, came to an end when Harold’s cancer prevented him from taking care of his dog. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155964501857328&set=pcb.10155964510812328&type=3&theater He was diagnosed with esophagus cancer, and it has since spread to his liver and lungs. The … Read more

College Grad Receives Diploma Alongside Service Dog Who Made It All Possible

On Saturday, December 16, Taylor Dearman crossed the commencement stage at Texas A & M University in Corpus Christi to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in Reading Education. By her side – as she has been for the past four years – was Skittles, Dearman’s service dog. The joyous day marked an occasion Dearman may never have experienced if not for the mixed breed pup. “At my last university, I started experiencing anxiety, severe depression and seizures,” Dearman shared … Read more

Terminally Ill Pup Brings Youthful Spark To Senior Dog Retirement Home

At just 18-months-old, Trigger is by far the youngest resident at Vintage Pet Rescue. The Rhode Island “retirement home” is designed to give senior shelter dogs a place to live out their final days in comfort. Sadly, young Trigger has more in common with his elderly housemates than meets the eye. He is in stage four renal failure and likely has just months to live. The boisterous, happy-go-lucky pooch is blissfully unaware of his condition, and his vibrant presence is breathing … Read more

The Last Minute Gift Your Dog-Loving Loved Ones Will Love

It’s the final hours before the presents are all unwrapped and you’ve realized that one (or more) gifts still have yet to be purchased. Panic has set in and you’re trying to figure out what to do. We’ve been there, you’re not alone! In fact, it may have been one of the reasons why we started offering printable gift certificates in the first place. Our iHeartDogs printable gift certificates make for perfect gifts for any dog lover. They also happen … Read more

Man Wants To Re-Adopt Surrendered Dog After Donors Paid For His Care

On December 13, a man brought his 10-year-old Chihuahua, Boris, to the Humane Society after the pooch suffered a broken jaw during an altercation with another dog. Boris was in extreme pain, but his owner did not have the funds to pay for X-rays and surgery. He made the decision to surrender Boris to the shelter. Now that he is in recovery, Boris’s owner hopes to re-adopt him, leading to mixed emotions among pet lovers and the animal rescue community. … Read more

Doggy Butt-Sniffing – It’s More Than Just A Personal Greeting

“Why do dogs sniff each other’s butts?” is one of the most commonly asked questions among pup parents. While this behavior would make us extremely uncomfortable, it is a perfectly acceptable greeting among dogs. Many refer to it as the “canine handshake”, but it turns out dogs can actually intuit far more information than a mere “how-do-you-do” with this custom.   The key to understanding doggy butt-sniffing behavior lies within the anal glands – two sacs of pungent, chemical-packed fluid … Read more

Perfectly Practical Reasons Why Dogs Eat Their Own Vomit

If you spend enough time around dogs, eventually you will witness one of their most dreaded behaviors. Whether they eat too quickly or simply swallow something that doesn’t agree with them, dogs occasionally vomit. And when they do, some of them choose to eat it. As disgusting as it may seem, scarfing down their own barf is a normal canine behavior with some remarkably reasonable explanations. A warm, foamy pile of fresh vomit may make our stomachs turn, but to dogs … Read more

Stylish Dog Loves To Drive In His Luxury Cars

Luigi Maestro is a five-year-old Shih-Tzu who loves treats, attention, and cruising down the streets of New York in one of his many luxury cars. Most humans consider themselves lucky to buy even one luxury car in their lifetime, but Luigi has a Bentley, a Porche, a Ferrari, and a Beemer. And no, these aren’t his mom’s cars – these cars are all his. His size, remote-controlled, and each has a trunk that holds his food and water bowls so … Read more

Welfare Groups: Popularity Of Bulldogs & Pugs In Ads Is Harmful To The Breeds

Breathing difficulties, recurring skin infections, eye diseases and spinal problems are among the issues faced by flat-faced or brachycephalic dog breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs. Despite these problems, they continue to grow in popularity. UK Animal welfare groups believe the appeal of short-muzzled breeds is encouraged by their frequent use in advertising, resulting in a “welfare crisis” for dogs. “There is a real concern that the use of French Bulldogs, Bulldogs and Pugs in adverts is fueling the popularity of these breeds, … Read more

Kansas’ First Pit Bull Officer Takes On Police Work AND Breed Stereotypes

Kano is a regal, full-blooded Red-Nosed Pit Bull. He has one soulful hazel eye and one that is a stunning icy blue. For most of his life, Kano has trained for the distinguished title he holds today: Kansas’ very first Pit Bull narcotics K9. Representing an often-misunderstood breed, Kano will be judged on more than just his policework; but his handler Officer Mason Paden says they are up for the challenge. “Just like people dogs are individuals too!” Paden said … Read more

Ask A Vet: Should My Dog Wear A Coat In Winter?

There are two camps of people in the world, dog people and… everyone else! I am only kidding, but there are people that think dogs are “only animals” and do not need all that we provide them with. For those people I have a thought: our dogs are not wolves and not even wild animals at all. We have taken them into human society and they have adapted to it. This process is domestication. Domestic pets, especially indoor dwelling ones … Read more