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If you’ve ever wondered why so many Chihuahuas celebrate their 16th, 18th, or even 20th birthdays while Great Danes are considered seniors before they reach 10, you’re not alone. It’s one of the biggest mysteries in canine biology, and one that veterinarians and researchers continue to study. In most animal species, larger animals tend to live longer than smaller ones. Mice live only a few years, while elephants and whales can live for decades. Dogs, however, are a fascinating exception. … Read more

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Let’s face it, dogs fart. But why do some dogs clear the room with their gas all the time? It comes down to where gas in the intestinal tract comes from. Extra air can come from the mouth and be swallowed with food. Sometimes it will exit the other end, but with a lovely added aroma that … Read more

Chewing is a great thing for dogs. Chew toys can exercise the mouth, help keep the teeth healthy, and entertain a dog or puppy for a long time. They can save your personal property, home, and furniture a lot of unwanted gnawing, too, if you have a dog that you can’t keep an eye on 24/7. But I choose not give my own dogs rawhide chew toys and here are 5 reasons why: 1. The knots can be a choking … Read more

If you’ve ever seen viral memes of dogs trembling in cars or refusing to enter a veterinary office, you’ve probably laughed and then immediately felt a little guilty. While those moments can seem funny online, the reality is far more serious. Regular veterinary visits are one of the most important parts of keeping your dog healthy, comfortable, and living a long life. When a dog fears the vet, everyone involved—pet, owner, and veterinarian—faces unnecessary stress. The good news? A dog’s … Read more

Dog owners often ask, “Are vaccines safe for my dog?” It’s a valid question, and the answer is more complex than a simple yes or no. While some pet parents worry about vaccine side effects, the truth is that the benefits of vaccinating your dog far outweigh the risks, especially when it comes to deadly diseases like rabies, parvovirus, and distemper. Understanding Rabies: A 100% Fatal, 100% Preventable Disease If you’ve seen Old Yeller, you already know how terrifying rabies … Read more

Thump, thump, thump. Jingle, jingle, jingle. No, it’s not Santa and his sleigh—it’s the soundtrack of summer: the rhythmic thumping of paws against the floor and tags jingling as your dog scratches that same itchy spot… again. If your dog becomes noticeably itchier as the weather heats up, you’re not alone. Summer itching in dogs is a very common seasonal concern, and it can be incredibly frustrating for both pets and their people. But why does it happen? And more … Read more

Why Does My Dog Turn His Butt Toward Me? 2026 Vet-Explained Guide Your dog just walked over, did a full 180, and planted his rear end right in your face. You’re sitting there wondering if you should be offended or just go with it. Don’t be offended. Seriously. Your dog just gave you one of the greatest compliments in the canine world. This behavior — turning their butt toward you — is actually packed with meaning from a dog’s perspective. … Read more

We love our dogs. We live with them every day. The destructiveness of a dog behavior issue cannot be emphasized enough. When a dog is damaging furnishings while you are away, vocalizing excessively, showing signs of anxiety, or becoming aggressive toward people or other animals, the impact can be overwhelming. These behaviors don’t just disrupt daily life; they can cause significant stress, fear, and strain on the human–animal bond. Behavior problems are the unspoken emergency. When you search the web … Read more

Most dog owners know that they need to do something for their dog’s dental health these days, but not many know what the most significant thing really is. For a long time, people thought that teeth were not important. After all, animals in the wild get no dental care at all and they seem fine, right? Perhaps animals without dental care SEEM fine, but we do not know if they are suffering from severe pain. Vets have tried to spread … Read more

Owners will invariably notice if their dogs urinate in odd places like a spare room, kitchen or in their beds. It makes for a stressful morning when your pillow or bed linens are soiled, and no one wants to be getting ready for sleep at night only to find that they have to strip the whole bed before they can rest. Unfortunately, there is no one answer to why a dog might urinate in odd places. There are a myriad of … Read more

As a veterinarian, I’ve seen countless cases of parasitic infections in puppies that could have been prevented with the right care and knowledge. Parasites may seem like an unpleasant topic, but understanding them is critical to ensuring your pet’s health and happiness. Here’s everything you need to know about worms and other parasites, their impact on your dog, and how to safeguard your furry friend. 1. All Puppies Have Worms It may be surprising, but all puppies are born with … Read more

Dog lovers know that most dogs need to have their nails trimmed. It is a matter of hygiene (and sometimes safety, if your dog steps on your toes or claws at your legs). Long nails can bruise skin and damage floors. Eventually, nail overgrowth can harm your dog, too, by forcing him to walk abnormally or growing into the skin. Ouch! But most dog owners (and their dogs) hate nail trimming. To learn more, see Why Does My Dog Hate ... Read more

When choosing a dog, many people are drawn to purebred breeds for their predictable traits, such as appearance, temperament, and behavior. However, alongside these benefits comes a lesser-known downside: an increased risk of genetic conditions. This article delves into why purebred dogs are more prone to genetic health issues, what it means for pet owners, and why adopting shelter dogs can be a great alternative to buying a purebred dog. Why Purebred Dogs Are More Prone to Genetic Conditions The … Read more

I tell pet owners often about the risk of fraudulent products purchased online.  Sometimes I think that they look at me skeptically, like I am exaggerating the risk for my own benefit. Even with the advent of the A.W.A.R.E. program from FDA to help consumers protect themselves, I had no personal experience with counterfeit products… until now. I recently acquired a phony flea control product purchased from a large well-known online retailer. The client was frustrated that the product did … Read more

Have you ever been excited to give your dog an extra special treat or chew and when you hand it over she grabs it and slinks away like she thinks that you are going to steal it back? You are not alone. Many dogs have this custom and it can seem like a personal insult to you as the bearer of wonderful things, right? But don’t take it too personally. Let’s look at why a dog might behave in this … Read more

Parasite products are not created equal, but if you don’t know to ask the right questions, you might assume you are getting something that you are not. Very often in my hospital, clients come in with over-the-counter flea products that they are not happy with, and even some of the ones I sell can be a poor fit if the expectations are mismatched. It is important that pet owners know the ways that these products work and how they can … Read more

Hearing loss in dogs is a common concern among pet owners, particularly as their furry companions grow older. Just like humans, dogs can experience Age-Related Hearing Loss (ARHL). While it may feel distressing to notice your dog not responding to your voice or commands, understanding the possible causes and ways to support them can make a significant difference in their quality of life. Why Do Dogs Lose Their Hearing? According to Dr. Elizabeth Shull, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology), DACVB, the most … Read more

Any living thing with bones and joints can get arthritis. Osteoarthritis is irritation of the joints and is a painful and common disease among dogs. I usually diagnose it in middle-aged to older dogs or even in younger dogs that have sustained an orthopedic injury earlier in life. Osteoarthritis can occur from normal wear and tear on the joints, excessive repetitive motion (like racing Greyhounds), or an old injury. Active dogs and working dogs are certainly at risk, but any … Read more

We know that dogs have ears and in fact, the ears are sometimes the cutest part of their whole head. Some dogs have darling curly and fluffy ears. Some dogs’ ears stand up and some dogs even have one that stands and the other that flops over! Let’s face it, dogs’ ears are really endearing (hehe). But they serve an important purpose for our dogs and there are some things that all dog lovers really need to know. 1. Normal … Read more

Is your dog throwing up? Dogs vomit frequently, and not all causes warrant medical intervention. Some will be self-limiting and not life-threatening, but some are dangerous, and it is important to know which causes can be an emergency and which can tolerate a “wait and see” attitude. Here are some of the common reasons that dogs throw up. Foreign Body Ingestion When your dog eats something that is not a food item, like a ball or a toy, you may … Read more

My dogs watch me frequently. Sometimes the stare is somewhat piercing and searching, and I wonder what is really going through their minds. We know that dogs communicate with each other by gazing. In fact, an article in PLOS One looks into the idea of gaze communication in grey wolves (canis lupis), a close relative of dogs. My research indicates that dogs are trying to communicate several things when they stare. Your dog is trying to read your body language … Read more

What is Spondylosis? Spondylosis deformans is a term for when the body attempts to form a bony bridge over a vertebral space. It is visible on the ventral (bottom) surface of the spinal column as a solid bar linking two vertebral bodies and spanning the space between them. Spondylosis is a very common disease in middle-aged to older dogs. It is sometimes an incidental finding on radiographs taken for a separate reason, but I usually have a suspicion of osteoarthritis … Read more

Every dog lover has had to give medications to their dog. Sometimes, the meds are flavored and appealing, and sometimes, they aren’t. Many dog owners and vets alike have hidden pills in peanut butter. Peanut butter is excellent camouflage to hide bitterness and is very popular among dogs. Recently, certain food manufacturers have started to add xylitol to peanut butter to try to make it a lower calorie choice for those people watching calorie intake. Xylitol is a sugar substitute found … Read more

All living things need to move. It is a fundamental of life science that “form follows function”. It is a scientific way of saying “use it or lose it”. Walking your dog is a great idea for you both. But what if you want to walk and your dog doesn’t? First, make sure that there is no medical reason that your dog refuses to walk. Diseases, like heart problems or arthritis, (among others) can make your dog reluctant to go … Read more

Bath time can be a stressful experience for both dogs and their owners. Many dogs dislike water, the noise of running faucets, or the sensation of being wet. However, with the right approach, patience, and positive reinforcement, bath time can become a more enjoyable and even rewarding activity. I recommend gradual training, the use of positive associations, and dog-specific products designed to make bathing and drying easier. These tips will help you turn bath time into a stress-free experience for … Read more

It is the time of year when I start to see lots of skin issues. One of those is Pyotraumatic Dermatitis or Hot Spot. A hot spot is an area of the skin that is inflamed and excoriated. The hair is often missing in the center and all the hair around the lesion is caked together with moist, smelly crusts. It is extremely uncomfortable for the dog and smelling the odor is not pleasant for you. Why do hot spots … Read more

Dogs cough for a variety of reasons. Just like people, they can cough to clear their airways of debris or mucous, but a persistent cough should be checked out by a vet. All dogs cough sometimes, but only a veterinarian can help you rule out some of these causes, pinpoint why your particular dog is coughing, and give you a plan for treatment. Whenever I see a coughing patient, I think through these possibilities and then apply what I know … Read more

Heatstroke in dogs is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate action. As a veterinarian, I’ve seen too many cases where quick intervention could have saved a dog’s life. If you think your dog has heatstroke, don’t wait—act now. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the signs, symptoms, and urgent steps you need to take before heading to the vet. What To Do If Your Dog Has Heatstroke When a dog’s body temperature rises dangerously high (above 104°F), it can … Read more

As our society ages and Baby Boomers reach their senior years, everyone is more likely to be touched by Alzheimer’s disease. It seems like everyone knows someone who has been affected by this diagnosis, whether it is a friend or a family member or just someone they know. According to alz.org, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia affect 1 in 3 human seniors. Our dogs age faster than we do and many people with senior dogs wonder if their dogs can … Read more

If your vet tells you that your dog has an auto-immune disease, don’t panic. While it can sound scary, understanding what’s happening inside your dog’s body is the first step toward helping them feel better. Let’s dive into what immune-mediated disorders are, how they affect dogs, and what you can do. Understanding the Immune System Your dog’s immune system is a remarkable defense mechanism, designed to recognize and eliminate threats like bacteria, viruses, and even cancer cells. It does this … Read more

Dog lovers (me included) like to make our dogs happy and do things that they enjoy. We all know that if our dog hates the trip to the vet, we are less likely to prioritize it. The dogs that have to be dragged in our door are the ones that we see the least. And when we do finally see them, it is more likely to be when they are very sick, so our chances for an ideal outcome are … Read more