Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:
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
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
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
“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
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
When your fur family member suddenly decides to start acting more like a hairy, sullen teenager, it may cause you to be concerned. But don’t worry – you probably didn’t do anything wrong and it’s probably not just a phase, Mom. Instead, your dog may be trying to tell you something, and as the person who knows him best, it’s up to you to figure it out. 1. Needs Aren’t Being Met Imagine going all day on no sleep, no … Read more
Last year, the Dogs Trust rehoming centers in Glasgow and West Calder, Scotland received 703 calls from pet owners looking to surrender their dogs in the weeks immediately following the holidays. Staff members fielded excuses such as “I got him as a secret Santa present” and “She wags her tail far too much.” The owners were clearly unmoved by the rescue’s slogan “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas.” Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest canine rescue organization with a … Read more
Scientific research has helped us understand the complex thoughts and emotions our beloved dogs are capable of. They may feel, interpret and express love differently than humans, but they definitely understand the sentiment. Dr. Brian Hare is an associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke University and founder of the Duke Canine Cognition Center. When asked by People Pets whether dogs realize how much we love them, he answered: “Yes, your dog knows how much you love him! Dogs and … Read more
For women who adore dogs, certain gifts are just going to be more meaningful to them than others. We’d venture to say that for this special lady gifts that do double duty by also giving back are going to mean a whole lot more to her. She’ll probably love knowing that the gifts you’ve picked out for her have helped pups and individuals in need! We’re pretty sure that any of the following top 10 gifts for women who love … Read more
If you’ve ever had a rescue dog, you’ve probably wondered if your dog remembers their previous owner. Dog memory doesn’t work the same as human memory, and it’s impossible to know for sure how much of what types of things dogs do remember throughout their lives. Still, there is evidence to suggest that dogs can remember previous owners, particularly if their experience with that owner was strikingly good or terribly abusive. Humans have “episodic memory,” which helps us understand past … Read more
Wagging tails and slobbery kisses are always signs of a happy and healthy pup. You want that tail to wag as often as possible, but deciphering your dog’s specific needs isn’t always easy. They can’t tell you what they want, and you haven’t quite mastered those doggy mind-reading skills. If you’re worried your dog isn’t feeling as good as he should, there are steps you can take to improve their quality of life. Here are a few easy ideas that … Read more
In February of 2012, Kathryn Jennings and her family were becoming overwhelmed by the stress of managing the chronic or terminal health conditions of their 3 Miniature Schnauzers: Pookie Poo, Hallie Boo, and Sallie Lou. Kathryn knew her family needed emotional support during this trying time as they continued to make difficult decisions regarding their beloved pets’ care and found that nothing appropriate existed. Kathryn decided she needed to create a place where families like hers could get the support they … Read more
Winter is rapidly approaching. In fact, for some areas of the world, it’s already here! Whether you are snowed in, housebound due to chilly rain, or simply feeling under the weather, these 13 activities will keep your pooch entertained when heading outside isn’t an option. 1. Play nosework games. Nosework is a wonderful bonding exercise and a fun alternative to basic fetch – plus your dog gets delicious snacks as a reward! If your pooch is new to nosework, you’ll … Read more
We know – and love – how every single pooch has his or her own unique personality. However, most people can agree that their dog’s general disposition falls into one (or more) major categories. Shopping for your pup and considering his or her personality can be fun for you and Fido/Fifi! Is your canine companion strong and independent? Mellow and low-key? A little high-strung? (This article explains 5 major personality types in more detail.) No matter how your purebred or mutt … Read more
Our Brite Bite Brushing Stick has been a huge success. The most wonderful thing about this is that it means many dog parents are taking charge of their pup’s dental health! We partnered with Brite Bite’s inventor to make an impact in this exact way and we could not be more pleased to find out just how many paw-rents are motivated to keep their dog’s dental hygiene in check. We thought we’d make some things about the Brite Bite clear, … Read more
‘Tis the season for giving, and your furry best friend deserves a top spot on your shopping list. Our noble pups ask nothing more from us than our love and affection – that’s why they deserve so much more. These 5 stocking stuffers will show your pooch how much you care and spread some joy to shelter dogs in need! For every toy you purchase from iHeartDogs, a durable toy – perfect for all sizes and breed mixes – will be donated … Read more
The holidays are about family, friends, and food. Unfortunately, they are also a top time for visits to the emergency vet due to holiday hazards in the home. Sometimes bad things happen to good pets, but there are steps you can take to keep your fur children safe this holiday season. Here are the top 3 categories of hidden health hazards so that you can be better prepared to prevent disasters from striking. #1 – Decorations Christmas trees in particular … Read more
Dog people and cat people have long argued about which species is more intelligent. Scientists from Vanderbilt University believe that their latest research may settle the matter once and for all. They compared the number of cortical neurons – the “little gray cells” associated with thinking, planning and complex behavior – in the brains of several carnivores. When it came to dogs and cats, the pups won in a landslide! Their cortical neuron count was found to be more than double … Read more
Dogs depend on a reliable routine in order to feel secure. Unfortunately, chaos tends to rule when the holidays roll around, leaving many pups feeling anxious and confused. We spend our spare seasonal hours cooking, cleaning, entertaining guests, wrapping gifts and decorating the home with strange objects (including a baffling indoor tree). All that holiday hullabaloo is enough to put any pooch into an emotional tailspin! Unfortunately, with the extra demands on our time, it can be easy to overlook … Read more
Part of each sale through the iHeartDogs store is donated to Greater Good, which helps support various charities. Thanks to customers like you, happy endings, like the one below, are made possible. Pia entered San Diego Humane Society’s care in May 2016 after being rescued from a Korean dog meat farm. San Diego Humane Society staff immediately noted Pia’s curiosity about humans, but she remains shy and fearful around people and is working on her socialization. Pia is available for adoption at the San Diego … Read more
Part of each sale through the iHeartDogs store is donated to Greater Good, which helps support various charities. Thanks to customers like you, happy endings, like the one below, are made possible. Samba entered San Diego Humane Society’s care in February 2016 after being rescued from a Korean dog meat farm. When Samba first arrived at San Diego Humane Society, he avoided all contact with humans and did not allow handling. Slowly but surely, and with a lot of patience and compassion, behavior staff worked … Read more
Dog lovers know the danger of leaving their pups in a hot vehicle. But there are other potential hazards that come along with unattended pooches in parked cars. For example, public shaming. The disgruntled doggo in this video is sick and tired of waiting for his humans to return. Perhaps he was promised a trip to the park or a puppaccino after the day’s errands. Whatever the case, he is done waiting! Facebooker, Elizabeth Herman posted this short video, taken … Read more
You’ve probably heard the term “separation anxiety” before, but what does that really mean? Could your dog be suffering from separation anxiety? What are some of the factors that may lead dogs to develop it? Separation anxiety is the result of dogs becoming upset over their humans leaving them home alone. Severe separation anxiety can cause dogs to try to escape, leading to potentially serious injuries to your dog, not to mention destruction of your home. Some of the life … Read more
At iHeartDogs, it’s all about the dogs. We put them first with everything we do, because every dog matters. It’s the reason behind our promotion through Giving Tuesday, November 28th – 0% off and double meal donations. While Black Friday is the day of the year to expect deals and discounts, we believe we can do better. We know our customers look for value in their purchases, that’s why they shop with us! They know we’ve put our stamp … Read more
Dogs are incredible. Truly, they are. Not only do they recognize when we smile and gaze at them, they know that these are expressions of our love and affection! Our pups make us so happy, we can’t help but grin and look lovingly at them. And according to new research, our dogs understand the sentiment. (If you have a dog, you probably already had a hunch!) According to Medical News Today: “Every time you gaze lovingly into your dogs’ … Read more
This Year, The Cyber Monday Deals Go To The Shelter Dogs! – Dear Supporters, I know what you’re thinking. “Today is Cyber Monday, and you’re giving 0% off?!” That is correct. Please let me explain. Since our founding in 2014, our mission has been to raise awareness and funding for the millions of homeless pets across the country. Today, we are doubling down on that mission. Instead of giving discounts, between now and Tuesday, we’re doubling the amount of meals donated … Read more
Many pup parents know all too well: it’s not just humans who can suffer from seasonal allergies. Our dogs’ health and happiness is our top concern, and seeing them uncomfortable – from gnawing at itchy paws to bouts of sneezing – breaks our hearts. Luckily, once the allergies are identified, they can be easily remedied; but we do need to know a little bit about the cause and treatment in order to help our loyal friends. We at iHeartDogs asked Dr. … Read more
If you’re a dog lover, you know that having a pup isn’t just owning a pet; it’s a lifestyle! Being a “dog person” means you simply couldn’t imagine spending a day without a canine by your side. If you have fellow pup parents on your gift list this holiday season, show them you care by getting them a gift that reflects their love of all things dog! Below are 10 gifts for the doting pooch parents in your life, including … Read more
The apple of your eye. The light of your life. Your whole world. These are strong words with which to describe our dogs, but make no mistake – we mean it every time we say them. There’s a certain sense of pride we feel when we look at our dogs. Each and every one is a unique individual and there are just as many different dogs as there are reasons to love them. Some of us boast about how smart … Read more
Dog training has changed a lot over the years. Unfortunately, myths and outdated training techniques still abound, and misinformation could wind up causing more problems than what you were trying to fix in the first place. In some cases, outdated information can actually injure your dog. Luckily, researchers are constantly helping us understand dogs better and how they think, so we can better understand how to train them. Here are 6 common training myths debunked. Related: Online Dog Training Classes … Read more
Looking for the PERFECT gift for someone you care about who loves dogs? From hilarious tops to high-quality jewelry, this list has you covered. The following products are not only made for dog lovers, they help dog lovers help shelter pups! Each item has a unique donation value that helps shelter dogs in some way. So your gift is more than just a thoughtful present – it has a positive impact on dogs’ lives, the gift recipient is going to … Read more
You know that person who would rather get their exercise at the dog park than the gym? The one who wears the dog fur clinging to their shirt with pride and throws birthday parties for their pup? Lucky you! If you’re looking for that perfect gift to surprise your favorite crazy-dog person, iHeartDogs has you covered! Bonus: doing your holiday shopping through iHeartDogs supports shelter dogs with food and toys through Greater Good! And while you’re at it, no reason not … Read more
I spent nearly half my life working as a veterinary technician. During that time I helped many dogs cross the Rainbow Bridge and witnessed others coping with the loss of a beloved human or a fellow pet. While they absolutely understand the concepts of pain and illness, do dogs grasp the finality of death? And if so, do they know when that moment is approaching and adjust their behavior accordingly? Scientific research on the subject is scarce since it is … Read more
There was a time when dogs were thought to be completely colorblind, unable to see anything but shades of grey. While their range is limited compared to the spectrum we see, our pups do perceive color. Basically, dogs are able to distinguish between yellows, blues, and violets; but cannot distinguish between reds, greens, and oranges. These colors appear somewhere on their yellow to blue spectrum. A new study conducted by Italian researchers at the University of Bari’s Department of Veterinary Medicine sought to … Read more
Ear plucking. It’s one of those things that nobody can seem to agree on. If you have a dog breed with hair that grows inside its ear canal, you may be wondering whether or not you should be plucking that ear hair. Maybe you’ve received conflicting advice. A quick Google search for “Should I pluck my dog’s ear hair” pulls up results ranging from always to never. What’s a new dog owner supposed to do? It used to be thought … Read more
78 French and English bulldogs were recently found in a hoarding situation at a home in Westminster, California. Instead of living the lives of pampered pets, the poor dogs were neglected and spending their days in filth. Police were told that the homeowner ran a puppy mill operation out of there home and sold the dogs on Instagram. Many of the female dogs showed signs of having given birth to multiple litters, and some were found to have infected C-section … Read more
Everyone worries when their dog has any type of surgery, even if it’s as routine as a spay, neuter or teeth cleaning. Just like with humans, vets put our pups under general anesthesia in order to relax their muscles and prevent them from experiencing pain during the procedure. While giving dogs anesthesia is commonplace in veterinary hospitals, there are still some things that pet parents should know in order to help avoid complications. So while administering the medication should be … Read more
A task force convened by the Pet Food Institute (PFI) has been working for more than two years on a comprehensive project to improve the current pet food labeling system. They were inspired by 2013 consumer research conducted by Mars Petcare showing that pet owners find several sections of the current label confusing – and ignore other sections alltogether. The PFI task force is divided into four sub-groups, one for each of the areas identified by Mars research and chosen by … Read more
Whoever said diamonds are a girl’s best friend clearly never had a dog. I love diamonds too, after all, they do sparkle, but there is nothing better than the feeling you get inside when you are with your dog. They understand you, they love you just as much as you love them, and they are always there for you after you’ve had a long day and just want to crash, watching guilty pleasure television on the couch. So basically they’re … Read more
In the late hours of November 2, Fenland Animal Rescue in Cambridgeshire, England received a call from the local police. A homeowner had discovered a Chihuahua/Terrier mix in active labor abandoned on their doorstep. The dog and the single puppy she birthed were exposed to the near-freezing elements in an uncovered wire crate. The mama dog was crying out in agony and distress. Joshua Flanagan of Fenland Animal Rescue described the situation as “absolutely tragic”. “She was in all this … Read more
Not all supplements are created equal, and unlike the pharmaceutical industry, their safety and efficacy are not regulated by the FDA. How do you know which supplements actually make good on their claims? And more importantly, which ones are safe to give to your best friend? Unfortunately, when it comes to many of the supplements on the market, there is simply no way for a pet owner – or even a veterinarian – to tell if they will promote positive … Read more
An umbilical hernia occurs when the lining, fat, or organs of the abdomen pass through an opening in the abdominal wall. It’s seen in newborn pups, as it’s caused by a failure of the umbilical ring to close after birth. Genetic conditions are often to blame but there are other causes. They’re often found in Airedale Terriers, Pekinese, and Basenji breeds. Symptoms of Umbilical Hernia in Dogs The hernia will be visible on the dog’s abdomen, and looks like … Read more
Safety should always be a concern when heading to the dog park. Pups are at risk for anything from parasites to injuries and over-exertion. But visitors to Bicentennial Park in Ormond Beach, Florida had no idea their dogs could also be in danger of intentional sabbotage. This Tuesday, two park-goers discovered several fish hooks embedded in raw meatballs when one of their dogs ingested part of the tainted meat. The woman, identified only as Rita, rushed the pooch to Tomoka Pines … Read more
Anal gland cancer is fairly uncommon, but is very serious when it occurs as it produces malignant tumors. Should your dog have an issue with his behind, it’s more likely to be a blockage, infection or impaction of his anal sac. Regular yearly check ups with your vet will include a rectal examination, which can detect a tumor early on. Your dog’s anal glands are small sacs that are found on either side of his anus. They produce a little … Read more
Learned behavior allows dogs to figure out the cause and effect of their actions. For example, some pups learn that pawing the backdoor will result in being let outside. It’s quite useful for training, but certain savvy pups – like Kennady Longhurst’s pooch, Sullivan – learn to use it for more devious purposes. A post shared by Kennady Longhurst (@kennaughty) on Oct 7, 2017 at 11:19am PDT Sullivan – Sully for short – is admittedly quite spoiled according to Longhurst … Read more
You may have heard of Aadya – the 2 ½ year old starving pup who made headlines when she was found abandoned with a corn cob lodged in her intestine. Since her rescue, Aadya’s story has taken a bizarre twist, but she and her foster family have managed to take the bad and turn it into something good. Good Samaritan Vincent Currie heard the cries of a dog coming from the alley behind his house in early October. He happened to … Read more
Have you ever noticed that your pup prefers to nap on your discarded sweater rather than his own dog bed? Does he enjoy romping with one of your dirty socks more than an expensive toy? There are several reasons why dogs enjoy playing and snuggling with our personal effects. While it may not seem like a major problem, keep in mind that pups who ingest clothing could be at risk for serious, life-threatening illnesses. Socks, underwear, and pantyhose are among … Read more
A fresh haircut and a relaxing mani-pedi is a welcome change from the stresses of our day-to-day lives, but grooming services can have the opposite effect on our dogs. There are several reasons why a dog may experience fear and anxiety during grooming. The pet salon is full of strange sights, sounds, and smells, not to mention other animals giving off their own auras of stress. Some dogs may have had a negative experience in the past such as a … Read more
Walking is something all dog owners do (or at least should do), regardless of the breed or size of dog they have. While it used to be that walking the dog was seen more as a chore for some, more and more people are looking forward to taking their dogs out longer and more often. But not all walks are equal and some owners seem to have a much harder time enjoying the exercise and quality time together with their … Read more
Is your dog possessive of his toys, bones, treats, beds, or even his favorite humans? Behaviorists refer to this as resource guarding and it can be very a serious problem. Some dogs are so intent on protecting an item that they become aggressive towards other pets or people in the home. Although the reasons behind this behavior are unclear, professional trainers have methods that can help you prevent accidental bites and rehabilitate your possessive pup. Robin Bennett is a knowledge assessed … Read more
The first few months your new puppy or rescue dog spends in your home will set the tone for your life together. It is important to establish rules and provide plenty of socialization during this time. Although the following 5 steps can help you raise a well-rounded, friendly pooch, some dogs require more training than others. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a trainer or behaviorist for help! 1. Do not take a dog from its mother and … Read more
Toledo, United States.