Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:
Your dog has a pelvic floor, same as you do. These are the muscles between his anus and genitals that support the organs in his lower body. A rupture in these muscles can lead to a perineal hernia – this is when the organs protrude through the rupture, appearing as a swollen area between his tail and scrotum. This happens most often in older dogs who weren’t neutered. A perineal hernia can affect your dog’s ability to “go,” and may … Read more
While stationed in Guam on board the USS Frank Cable AS-40, Michael, a Navy machinist, was nearly killed when a boiler tank exploded. Two of his shipmates died in the blast. Michael endured fifty surgeries and countless hours of therapy as a result of the injuries he sustained in the explosion. He lives with visible scars as well as those we cannot see, including PTSD and Depression. On April 28, Michael joined three other disabled veterans at a very special … Read more
We all slow down as we age, and that includes our beloved pets. The most difficult part of having pets is that they don’t live nearly long enough. So of course, we want to do everything we can to improve and extend their quality of life, and hopefully we can squeeze in one or two more happy years with them. If your dog is already slowing down, it’s not too late to start implementing things that can help improve their … Read more
An inflammation of the bone or bone marrow can be caused by bacterial or fungal contamination from a wound or fracture, or spread through the bloodstream from another part of the body. Bone infection is very serious and your dog should be taken to a vet immediately. Symptoms of Bone Infection in Dogs Symptoms can vary depending on where the infection is. Some of the first signs you may notice are: – Pain – Swelling – Fever – Lethargy … Read more
Dog diabetes can be a frightening diagnosis, and up to 1% of domestic dogs will face it in their lifetime. Managing the disease can be complicated. However, with love and vigilance, you can ensure your diabetic dog lives a full, happy life. The key to a positive outcome is twofold. First, it is essential to pick up on the signs and symptoms early, to prevent a life-threatening emergency. And second, careful monitoring and long-term treatment adjustments will help ensure your … Read more
Pirate was rescued with two of her own puppies from a Michigan hoarder in June of last year. After she had weaned her own babies, she spontaneously started producing milk for the foster puppies her mom brought home from the Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center, where she serves as a public information coordinator. Since then, Pirate has nursed more than 9 puppies – and now she’s added a kitten to her current crop of foster pups! Pirate’s owner, Gabi Vannini, … Read more
Has a friend ever confided in you that the loss of their dog caused more grief than the death of a close relative? Have you ever felt this way yourself? Society has conditioned us to feel ashamed of such emotions, but research suggests we are more than justified when we deeply mourn the loss of a furry friend. When our first family dog, Spike passed away, my father suffered terribly. He would come home from work and just sit in … Read more
Cheech the rescue pup is the hottest commodity to come out of Texas since Dr. Pepper! The adorable pooch was brought into the City of Waller Animal Shelter and Rescue on Friday and his heart-melting dog smile was shared via Facebook. The new shelter is not yet open to the public, but nevertheless, inquiries and adoption applications poured in for Cheech. By Monday, he was off to his forever home! At first, volunteers mistook Cheech’s display of pearly whites for … Read more
Your dog’s blood glucose level could change for several reasons – diet, stress, medications, etc. Moderately elevated blood glucose can be indicative of an infection, hormonal imbalances, or inflammatory conditions. Persistent high glucose levels can mean Diabetes Mellitus. The normal blood glucose level for a healthy dog falls between 75 mg to 120 mg. Anything above that is considered hyperglycemia. It could be temporary, stress-induced, or a sign of a serious underlying disease like diabetes. It’s more common in female … Read more
Poor dental care can cause plaque to build up on your dog’s teeth. If it’s not removed with regular brushing, the plaque will harden into tartar. Tartar is porous, and can harbor bacteria that can cause pain, inflammation and redness in your dog’s gums – gingivitis. Gingivitis is only the first step down the very painful road that is dental disease. Eventually, toxins and bacteria entering the bloodstream could cause complications with organs like the heart and liver, and more … Read more
Your dog’s renal system removes waste from his blood and helps produce red blood cells. Kidney cancer can lead to acute renal failure, so early detection and treatment is important and will lead to a better prognosis. Kidney tumors are not often found in dogs, but when they are, they’re usually found in middle-aged and older dogs and require the affected kidney to be removed. Malignant renal tumors can be found in one or both kidneys, either developing in the … Read more
The word hyperlipidemia means “excessive fats,” and is a condition in which your dog has higher levels of fats in his blood than he ought. Fats like cholesterol and triglyceride are commonly found in the blood, but in excessive amounts can be dangerous to your dog’s overall health and longevity. Hyperlipidemia is pretty common in dogs. After a meal the triglycerides and cholesterol levels in your dog’s blood rise, but come back down to normal after a few hours (3 … Read more
There is a dog personality for just about every lifestyle, and if you’re a person who enjoys going out and meeting new people, you may want to consider a pup who’d love to tag along. (Just know that this means they’re going to hate being left alone!) Or, perhaps you’re looking for a friend for the shy or anxious dog that you already have at home. An outgoing companion may be just the friend she needs to get her out of her shell! If you … Read more
Some of us sail right through the spring and summer without so much as a sniffle only to break into sneezing fits come autumn. Fall allergies in humans are typically caused by ragweed, dust mites, and mold. These same culprits can also affect our dogs, but the symptoms tend to manifest quite differently in our canine companions. Some dogs have respiratory symptoms like sneezing and watery eyes, but itchy/inflamed skin is far more common. Many dogs have a genetic predisposition … Read more
We’ve all heard of “puppy dog eyes,” and if you’re a pup parent, you just know that they wear their feelings on their adorable faces. Now recent research suggests that our hunch is correct: dogs do use facial expressions to communicate with us! In a study conducted by the University of Portsmouth, 24 dogs of all types of breeds (including mutts) were observed when looking at a human. The person in the study would turn toward a wall, then look back at the … Read more
All marine oils are not created equal. While supplements derived from salmon and cod oils are rich in essential fatty acids, they lack natural antioxidants and are at risk for contamination. Krill supplements for dogs are a safer, highly renewable way to deliver the Omega-3 fatty acids your dog needs to maintain healthy skin, a shiny coat, strong joints, and a powerful immune system. Here are 7 important reasons you should be giving your dog a krill supplement. 1. Krill … Read more
Not only do senior citizens tend to have more time and attention to devote to the care of their pets; those who own a dog have been shown to have lower blood pressure, increased social interactions and healthier exercise habits. Several lifestyle factors should be considered before choosing a dog. Take into account your activity level, living situation and the amount of care you are able to provide. The following 10 breeds are excellent choices for seniors, but they certainly … Read more
If you are anything like me, you melt into a puddle of useless, blubbering mush in the presence of an adorable puppy. But if you want to be a paw-renting pro, you must resist the urge to give your new addition everything her fluffy little heart desires. Puppies need lots of love, but they also need rules, consistency, socialization and plenty of boundaries to make sure they grow into well-adjusted members of canine society. While there is no perfect way … Read more
Are you thinking about getting a dog for your family, but you’re worried about getting one that won’t tolerate your children? While larger dogs are less fragile and less likely to be accidentally injured, there are some small breeds that do well with children. Keeping in mind that dogs don’t come with guarantees and any dog needs training, here are 10 small dog breeds that do well with kids. #1 – Beagle The Beagle is a friendly, happy dog with … Read more
Your vet may refer to your dog’s unusually low body temperature as “hypothermia.” At a temperature below normal, your dog’s physiologic and metabolic systems will function much slower. He may experience an irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, and impaired consciousness, even to the point of a coma. Because hypothermia is a progressive condition, your dog’s body will have less ability to bring itself back to normal temperatures the longer it persists. Symptoms of Low Body Temperature in Dogs Hypothermia will become … Read more
On Friday, October 13, California Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 485 banning pet store operators from selling dogs, cats, or rabbits unless they are obtained from a shelter or rescue. The law, that some argue will put pet stores out of business, is set to go into effect January 1, 2019. Supporters hope that closing off the pet store sales outlet will discourage the irresponsible breeders who operate puppy mills. Stores that violate the legislation by selling non-rescue animals will face … Read more
What your vet might call pulmonary edema is just another term for fluid in your dog’s lungs. Fluid may accumulate over time in the air sacs (alveoli) of your dog’s lungs, making it seem as though he only has a breathing problem when he exerts himself. Or it may accumulate quickly, causing acute respiratory distress. If the air sacs are filled with fluid instead of air, they will not be able to function properly and his breathing will be less … Read more
Caitlyn the dog has put her 2015 near-death ordeal behind her. She spends her days barking out against animal cruelty and accepting praise from her many fans. When the local celebri-dog isn’t appearing as the unofficial mascot of the Charleston Animal Society, she enjoys a rich home life where she is showered with love, treats and toys. Caitlyn may have put her past behind her, but her abuser will not have the same luxury. William Dodson appeared in front of … Read more
Toxoplasmosis is an aggressive disease that can affect both humans and animals, and is caused by a parasitic single celled organism (protozoa). It is dangerous, highly contagious, and can be found all over the world. The protozoa that causes toxoplamosis, Toxoplama gondii, can affect both dogs and humans, and is spread through the feces of infected cats, or by eating undercooked, infected meats. Once they’re consumed, the protozoa invade the lining of the stomach and lower intestine, then spread quickly … Read more
Your dog’s vestibular system is what’s responsible for maintaining and stabilizing the position of his head, and stabilizing his body and eyes during head movements. Vestibular Disease will interfere with this system, causing disorientation, head tilt, and loss of balance. It’s important to take your dog to the vet to correctly diagnose, since other conditions like a stroke or hyperthyroidism can look similar. Depending on the cause, your dog may experience disorientation only once or twice, or it may develop … Read more
The world has changed a lot in the last hundred years. Usually, laws are updated to reflect current living conditions, but sometimes nobody notices silly laws that don’t make a lot of sense in today’s world. Of course, some places like to make mountains out of molehills, so some of these laws may be more recent. We found these on the internet and not a law library, so it’s hard to say how current or misunderstood these laws may be. … 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. Even Chance Pit Bull Rescue in St. Louis is just one of the many shelters that benefit from food donations through iHeartDogs and Rescue Bank. Good nutrition is important, especially for shelter dogs like Orion: “We don’t know Orion’s backstory, except that someone found his as a stray, and that he desperately … Read more
Itchy, irritated skin is one of the most common problems dogs face. To keep them comfortable and healthy, veterinarians recommend a combination of proper nutrition and sometimes natural supplements. In a market saturated with thousands of products promising dramatic results, how do you know which supplements will actually deliver on their claims and give you the most bang for your buck? The very first thing you should do when considering a particular supplement is review the ingredients list. The following … Read more
November 11, 2017 will mark the 99th anniversary of the American holiday known as Veteran’s Day, which was originally set to commemorate the end of World War I. This week, Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza announced that animal shelters across the state will honor their veterans by waiving adoption fees on all available dogs and cats for servicemen and women on Saturday, November 11. Congratulations to this special senior pup on finding a home today! We couldn’t be happier for you … Read more
I had an eye opening conversation recently with a friend that really enlightened my perspective on the aging process in dogs. It went like this: ME: Is my dog aging too fast?(I was totally skeptical when my friend dropped this one on me but I was intrigued). Aging too fast – as in faster than they should? “Yes.” He went on to explain it like this. FRIEND: Have you ever seen a human that looked way older than they were? What about mentally, … Read more
You may have noticed our Project Paws® Omega-3 Select chews have been out of stock for some time now. We’d like to apologize for any inconvenience and tell you that it was for a really good reason! We’ve been working on the recipe in order to make our omega chews even better and we believe we really hit it out of the park with what we’ve come up with. Introducing our improved Project Paws® Omega 3-6-9 Select Chews! With the … Read more
Canine dental treats have become very popular. The reason? Concerned pup parents want to keep their dog’s teeth clean and healthy. Dogs love them! Dental chews claim to supplement dog’s dental care by cleaning teeth, freshening breath, and helping to reduce plaque buildup and tartar. And you pay for that promise: some dental treats are more than $2 each. If you are feeding your dog one a day that’s $730 a year in just chews. But do these dental treats actually … Read more
Pup parents love to spoil their dogs, and sometimes, that means too many treats… and a little extra weight gain! And since the only thing more important than their happiness is their health (which results in overall happiness, of course!), we try to help them stay fit so they can live the longest, fullest lives possible. We at iHeartDogs asked Dr. Michel Selmer, DVM, CTCVMP, for some pointers on how to get chubby pups to trim down. Also known as “The … Read more
Cities like San Francisco, Denver and Chicago have long-standing reputations as pet-friendly destinations. Recently even more municipalities have passed legislation to allow doggy dining on restaurant patios. In honor of National Dog Week and the upcoming Adopt-a-Shelter-Pet Month in October, the online restaurant reservation service, Open Table has released their choices for the most dog-friendly eateries across the nation. The 15 restaurants on this list go far above-and-beyond simply allowing pups on their patios. They feature decadent doggy menus, … Read more
Many of us are affected by the changing seasons, especially if it includes a sudden and drastic change in temperature. One of the most common symptoms we get is dry, itchy skin – and it can happen to our dogs, too! Our poor pups can’t slather on lotion or tell us that they’re uncomfortable, so it’s up to us to watch for the signs. Maybe you’ve noticed your dog excessively itching, or seen white flakes on their skin. Perhaps their … Read more
There are several reasons you may want or need to change your dog’s diet throughout his lifetime. Whether your pooch has developed an aversion or allergy to his current diet, the time has come to switch from adult to senior food, or you simply feel that an upgrade is in order, there are certain steps you should take to ensure that the process does not upset your pup’s delicate digestive system. While some dogs seem to have steel traps for stomachs, … Read more
Witnessing a fight between two dogs is a terrifying experience for any pawrent, especially if one or both of the dogs are your own. The first instinct tends to include screaming and rushing towards the brawlers, but excited behavior may only escalate the situation and put you at risk. Rather than reacting on impulse, you should first determine if it is safe and completely necessary to intervene. If you do decide to break it up, try one of the six … Read more
We’ve all heard the phrase “adopt, don’t shop” because we know good breeders are hard to find. As we humans have technology doing more and more for us, we’ve gone from breeding dogs for jobs to breeding them for appearances. But as we do this, we’ve caused them to have all kinds of problems. They look cute, but even just breathing or eating can be difficult for them. One of the more severe outcomes of irresponsible breeding is a double-merle. … Read more
Are you the type of pup-parent who scans the list of ingredients on your dog’s food to make sure you know exactly what’s in it? If so, we’ll bet that you’ve heard about the movement around raw feeding through social media groups or even mainstream media. For example the viral documentary Pet Fooled. A raw diet, once snubbed by almost every vet, is now gradually gaining acceptance in holistic veterinarian circles and beyond. The raw movement makes sense to a lot of … Read more
Natural disasters of Hurricane Harvey’s magnitude cause nearly as much chaos as they do property damage. Luckily for the animals of Houston, there have been countless volunteers working day and night to get them out of harm’s way and into the safety of shelters across the country. Due to the overcrowding and confusion left in Harvey’s wake, a pup named Katana has embarked on quite a journey – from Beaumont, Texas to Phoenix, Arizona and back to Texas again! Katana … Read more
Your dog wants to be by your side always. He has kisses for you. He’s the perfect cuddle buddy. He’s always excited to see you. He wants you to take him everywhere you go. But is it love? Or is it just that you’re the one who puts the food in his bowl? It wasn’t an easy question to answer, but Dr. Gregory Berns was dedicated to finding out. So dedicated, that he and his team took the time to … Read more
We’ve seen several cat cafés open their doors for business, but the world has been long overdue for a canine counterpart. A place where dog people can sip coffee and chat with pals in the company of our beloved pooches. The wait is almost over, dog lovers! New York City is getting a truly dog-friendly café, expected to open in December of this year! Father-daughter team Coppy and Logan Holtzman are opening Boris and Horton in New York’s East Village. … Read more
We all like to take our dogs with use on outings, but it can be confusing trying to figure out where they are welcome. Beware of “dog friendly” lists online. While doing research, I found many companies that other sites claim are dog friendly, are not! For example, one site even claimed Bed, Bath, & Beyond had special dog shopping carts. I contacted the company and they had no idea what I was talking about regarding the carts, and said … Read more
New genetic research has shown some surprising connections in the ways dog breeds are related to each other. Genetic information from 1346 dogs representing 161 breeds was compiled over 20 years to put together a new “family tree” showing what dog breeds are related to each other and how closely they are related. Almost all of the dog breeds fell into 23 groups, or clades. Each clade, while grouped by genetic similarities, also shared similar characteristics within the breeds represented in … 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. The Golden Retriever Club of Greater Los Angeles Rescue is one of the shelters that benefits from your donations through Greater Good’s Rescue Bank. They shared with us this story about Tahoe, a dog whose life was changed because of your help. “In a car versus dog battle, the dog usually comes out … Read more
When it comes to lap dogs, most people think of a dog that fits comfortably in the shape of your lap. Not too heavy, not taking up too much space, just fitting snugly right in. If you ask dogs, however, you’re going to get some different answers. Size doesn’t matter, these gentle giants say–because they want nothing more than to be big lap dogs. They’re ready to snuggle into your lap, or onto your entire couch, at the drop of … Read more
Your donations through iHeartDogs and iHeartCats have provided much needed support to groups in the areas affected by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma. The impact has been incredible! We’ve been overwhelmed by your generosity, and we’re incredibly thankful to have the support of fantastic people like you! Greater Good is the same organization we partnered with to provide much needed food and supplies for shelter dogs. When disaster struck, we knew that they would do everything they could to make … 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. Tishomingo Animal Shelter is a rural animal shelter located near Texoma Lake and about an hour north of the Texas border. All animal shelters have many struggles, but rural shelters have more than most. Due to location and community population, they don’t have as many potential adopters, donations, volunteers, and opportunities. So … Read more
Rescuing a homeless dog is one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have. In order to provide the best care for your family’s new addition, it is important to determine their age – or at least an approximate range. Vaccination schedules, testing for common diseases like heartworms, and optimal diet are all dependent on age. Your veterinarian can assist you with this estimation and these five tips will help you narrow down your pup’s age range. 1. Study … Read more
Deanna Salas-Solano, a 58 year old woman from Colorado is suing Starbucks for injuries and the death of her dog. While ordering a grande hot tea through the drive thru window of a Starbucks in Denver, Solano claims that her dog, Alexander, was in her passenger seat as the employee handed the drink off. The lid was not put on properly and came loose, and as the drink spilled over the top, it caused second degree burns to her legs … Read more
You do everything you can to show your dog how much you love them. Would you be surprised if I said you might be doing things that make your dog feel unloved without even realizing it? We all know life just gets in the way sometimes, but with a little bit of effort, your dog will finally realize and appreciate the full extent of your love for them. Here are 6 things you might be doing that can make your … Read more
Toledo, United States.