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Homemade Dog Food: Get Cooking For Your Good Looking Hound

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Dogs enjoy a good meal, and what better way to show your pup love than making him a big bowl of homemade dog food? Especially when it’s prepared by your hands and made in your very own kitchen. But be aware: making homemade dog food isn’t as simple as tossing a T-bone in your pup’s dish and … Read more

4 Breeds at Risk of Colitis – Learn How to Keep Your Dog Safe

sad dog

Unfortunately, it’s a common story. Your dog isn’t acting right. Something is off. And then it strikes. Diarrhea. This unpleasant affliction is common. An upset stomach is one of the most common reasons pups visit the doctor. Oftentimes, the gastrointestinal or stomach issue is colitis. People with dogs need to understand the differences between an upset tummy and colitis. For some dogs, the disease will evolve into chronic diarrhea. No fun. This is how to recognize the disease and what … Read more

7 Dog Breeds Prone To Serious Tummy Troubles

There are dogs that seem to be able to ingest just about anything with little to no trouble; then there are those that require special diets, feeding methods and medications just to maintain basic digestive function. Many dogs have “sensitive stomachs,” but the breeds on this list are predisposed to serious – sometimes life-threatening – gastrointestinal illnesses. 1. Irish Setter Irish Setters are genetically predisposed to gluten-sensitive enteropathy (GSE) which causes diarrhea, weight loss and chronic skin problems if wheat … Read more

3 Reasons Why Dogs Need a PREbiotic Just As Much As A PRObiotic

Keeping track of everything your pet needs to stay healthy can be tricky. There’s a lot to know and understand, and getting your facts straight is key to having a happy dog. One of the health-related topics pet owners often get confused about is the need for prebiotics. No, that wasn’t a typo. You’ve heard of probiotics, but prebiotics are different. Both prebiotics and probiotics are essential for canine gut health, but the majority of dogs in the U.S. are … Read more

Does Your Pup Have Greasy/Fatty Looking Poos? This Could Be Why…

Does your dog’s poop look different lately? Your dog’s feces are a huge indicator as to what’s going on with his overall health, so any change is important to note. While unusual poop or diarrhea should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian if it doesn’t clear up within a couple of days, poop that looks greasy or fatty may indicate that your dog isn’t digesting his food properly. What could be causing that, and what can you do … Read more

5 Ways Probiotics Can Help Your Dog

probiotics can help dogs

The idea of millions of tiny microbes living in your dog’s digestive system can turn your own stomach queasy, but those little organisms have a big job to do. They’re called probiotics, and they’re found in every animal—humans and dogs included. Probiotics are the “friendly’ bacteria and yeasts that balance the bad bacteria and help the body operate smoothly. We’ve known for generations that probiotics are important for human health, but research is now showing they’re just as important for … Read more

This Food Makes Your Dog Feel Like a Puppy Again

When it comes to dog food, we all want to make sure we are feeding our dogs all the goodness they need without any harmful ingredients or additives. I am one of those dog moms. That’s why I jumped at the opportunity to try Dr. Jeff’s Optimum freeze-dried dog food and Daily Canine Care supplement. My dog was so excited after eating this food that she celebrated with some zoomies! Meet Townes, the Lucky Taste Tester I adopted my female … Read more

How This Delicious Meal Topper Can Improve Your Dog’s Digestion

Did you know that you can improve your dog’s digestion without even changing her food? Many dogs suffer from poor digestion, and a big part of that is what they eat. So, we have created a new dog food topper to improve your dog’s digestion without the hassle of completely changing her diet. Happy, Healthy™️ Topper is a superfood blend you can pour right over your dog’s kibble. Dry dog food doesn’t have all the essential nutrients pups need, so … Read more

Heed Foods Review: Be A Picky Pup Parent By Putting Your Dog’s Health First

Your dog is so easy to love. You’re an expert cuddler. You know all the right places to scratch. But that doesn’t mean it’s all a walkie in the dog park. Some parts of being a pet parent are downright difficult. We know that making the best choices for your pet’s health can be hard, but we can all agree on one thing: a healthy pup starts with a healthy gut. Your dog’s health and well-being usually begins with what’s … Read more

“I and love and you” Breaks Kibble Boundaries

We know. There are about a million and three choices when it comes to feeding your dogs. You love them with all you’ve got. You want them to live the longest, happiest, healthiest lives possible. The best way you know how to do that is to give them an abundance of love and to feed them the highest quality food you can. But you’re not a holistic veterinarian. And the very last thing you have time to do is whip … Read more

Normal Dog Vomit or Danger Sign? Gastritis Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

All dogs throw up from time to time. They eat something they shouldn’t and BLECH, out it comes right back into the world, almost always on the rug. But what if the vomiting isn’t one and done? Should you worry or is your dog just doing a normal doggie thing? Gastritis may actually be to blame. What is Gastritis? Gastritis is inflammation of the walls of the stomach. The redness and swelling in the stomach can be acute and last for … Read more

The 5 Surprising Ways Olive Oil Benefits Your Dog

olive oil

Some human foods are known to be harmful to pups. Things like chocolate, gum, and salty snacks can cause all sorts of discomfort and illness (for pups and dog parents alike). But there are some foods that are safe and even advantageous for both humans and dogs. You may be surprised to learn olive oil benefits your dog. In fact, there are ways that this liquid fat promotes a healthy lifestyle for canines. With anything new, always consult with your … Read more

70% of dog owners are making this serious error with their dog’s food

What if I were to ask you the following question: What did you have for dinner last Tuesday? If you’re like most people, you’d have a hard time remembering. And that’s no surprise, because most people vary their diet significantly from day to day. However, what if I asked you this question: What did your dog have for dinner last Tuesday?  According to our research, most dog owners would easily know this because their dogs eat the same diet every … Read more

Dog’s Adorable Viral Gif Brings Awareness to a Bigger Issue

Daisy came into Grace and Doug Jones’ home as a young pup, and lived a happy life with an active family who loved her. She enjoyed hiking, kayaking, and camping with her people and got to experience the outdoors in a way some dogs never do with the people she loved most. At 9 years old Daisy became sick with pneumonia, and a trip to the veterinarian determined that the cause was Megaesophagus. Normally, the esophagus will move food from … Read more

The Scoop on Doggy Diarrhea: Keep Your Dog Safe & Healthy

When your beloved pooch comes down with a bout of diarrhea, it can certainly make life miserable for both of you. Many mild cases of diarrhea may resolve on their own, but others may be indicative of a more serious condition that requires treatment by your vet. Chronic, persistent diarrhea should always be investigated.  A study conducted at Freie Universität Berlin in Germany showed that 13% of such cases were serious enough that they either did not respond to treatment or contributed … Read more

4 Ways Your Dog Might Benefit from a Probiotic

Our bodies contain microorganisms that live in our stomachs and intestines, and our dogs have them too. They benefit our dogs by breaking down the food they eat into vitamins and minerals they can absorb. These microorganisms also keep their digestive tracts healthy and working properly. There are different kinds known commonly as “good” and “bad” microorganisms, but really, a healthy digestive tract will contain all of them in amounts that are balanced in a way that keeps everything running … Read more

5 Herbs To Help Soothe Your Dog’s Tummy Troubles

No one likes an upset tummy, and that includes your dog! While our four-legged friends can’t tell us if they have a belly ache, pet parents know when something isn’t right. Whether your pup vomits, has a bout of diarrhea, or just seems under the weather, loving pet parents will do just about anything to help. While you should consult with your vet if there are any noticeable changes in your dog’s health or habits (especially if they’re prolonged), sometimes … Read more

Does Your Dog Eat Their Own Waste? Try Adding This Popular Supplement Humans Are Taking Too

Catching your dog chowing down on their own waste is enough to make your stomach churn, especially when you think about the big slobbery kiss they’re bound to give you later. The technical term for consuming feces is coprophagia, and it’s a condition that almost always has to do with a problem in your dog’s digestive system. Related: Best Probiotics for Dogs It could be a general lack of nutrition that has your dog searching the yard for an unsanitary … Read more

How Digestive Enzymes Can Help Your Dog’s Tummy Troubles

Thanks to technological advances, pet parents have the option to conveniently feed their pups pre-packaged food rather than having them hunt for meals themselves. While this makes life easier for us and our domesticated friends, there’s one small issue: prepared foods don’t contain all the digestive enzymes that they need for a balanced and healthy gut. What are digestive enzymes? According to Dr. Karen Becker in an article by Mercola Healthy Pets, these are the four major digestive enzymes: Protease – … Read more

If You’re Not Feeding Your Dog A Raw Diet, They Are Likely Missing This Vital Nutrient

Commercial dog food companies would like you to believe that their food is nutritionally complete and provides everything your dog needs to be healthy. Sadly, the bar for a “nutritionally complete” meal for dogs is appallingly low. Sure, it will keep your dog alive, but it’s missing a variety of nutrients that are killed during the high heat processing and are, at best, sprayed down with synthetic vitamins at the end of the manufacturing process. If you aren’t feeding your … Read more

6 Surprising Issues A Probiotic Can Help Your Dog Cope With

Probiotics are popular among humans, but did you know they can also help your dog? To be clear, feeding your companion probiotics formulated for humans is not recommended — the healthy flora in the gut is different in humans and dogs. But with that said, the benefits of taking a species-specific probiotic supplement are very similar! How can probiotics help my pooch? Probiotics are known for supporting gut health, which starts a ripple effect: regular, solid bowel movements, happier tummies, … Read more

Traveling With Or Boarding Your Dog? This Cheap Supplement May Prevent Yucky Poops

If you frequently board or travel with your dog, you may have noticed that he’s prone to diarrhea during or immediately after these experiences. These stressful situations can easily upset your dog’s digestive system. Sure, you can add pumpkin to your dog’s diet for a few days to help get things back to normal, but wouldn’t you prefer to try to avoid your poor pup suffering from diarrhea in the first place? Luckily, there is a supplement you can give … Read more

The Easy (Natural) Trick To Helping Your Pup Overcome Diarrhea

Whether your dog’s bouts with diarrhea are frequent or limited to periods of stress, you want to help your dog feel better as quickly as possible. While chronic, unexplained, or mucous-covered diarrhea warrant trips to the vet, there is one thing you can do to help your dog overcome occasional diarrhea and recover more quickly. You may be taking probiotics yourself, but did you know they can be just as beneficial for your dog as they are for you? New … Read more

10 Ways A Probiotic Can Help Your Dog

Up to 80% of a dog’s immune system is located in the gastrointestinal tract, so maintaining digestive health means far more than just preventing upset bellies and loose stools. Probiotics replenish the levels of healthy bacterial flora in the GI tract and prevent the “bad” bacteria from taking over. Dogs with unbalanced flora levels experience digestive problems and are more susceptible to illness. In the following 10 circumstances, probiotics can be especially beneficial to your dog. All of these stressors … Read more

Can Probiotics Help My Dog’s Stinky Farts?

If your dog can clear an entire room with noxious flatulence, it’s time to do something about the stench. Their extreme gas assaults the senses, and it’s also giving your pup serious tummy troubles. The reason why your dog’s farts are especially nauseating could be due to diet or how fast they eat. Lucky for your sense of smell, dog probiotics are the secret weapon to help stop the stink. Probiotics are microorganisms also known as “good bacteria.” They’re essential … Read more

This Inexpensive Supplement Is Showing Promise for Dogs with Itchy Skin

More and more research is showing us the incredible impact that gut health has on all aspects of wellness. And although we don’t fully understand the mechanism, there does appear to be a link between the GI system and allergies or food intolerances in dogs. In 2015, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published by the NIH showed that the probiotic strain Lactobacillus sakei given for 2 months significantly reduced the disease severity of dogs diagnosed with canine atopic dermatitis.  (We’ve also … Read more

6 Things To Consider Before Buying a Canine Probiotic

If you’re reading this, you’ve likely heard the benefits of giving your dog a probiotic. Studies on both humans and animals have suggested that these healthy bacteria have countless benefits to dogs, including balancing an upset digestive tract, alleviating allergies and itchy skin, managing stress, and much more. Based on our research, we believe the following 6 considerations must be made when choosing a probiotic product for your dog: #1 – Choose A Product That Contains Multiple Strains Of Probiotics … Read more

10 Times Probiotics Are Especially Beneficial To Your Dog

Up to 80% of a dog’s immune system is located in the gastrointestinal tract, so maintaining digestive health means far more than just preventing upset bellies and loose stools. Related: iHeartDogs Rates the Best Probiotics for Dogs Probiotics replenish the levels of healthy bacterial flora in the GI tract and prevent the “bad” bacteria from taking over. Dogs with unbalanced flora levels experience digestive problems and are more susceptible to illness. In general, probiotics are a healthy addition to your … Read more

7 Common Causes And Cures For Doggy Diarrhea

There are a variety of causes for diarrhea in dogs. While some can be quite serious – like certain cancers and diseases of the liver, pancreas or heart – most are relatively harmless if treated promptly. The following 7 factors could account for your dog’s loose stools. Luckily, there are tried and true methods for treating each issue and restoring your pup to full health. Note: Holistic veterinarian, Dr. Ihor Basko recommends that all dogs with diarrhea undergo fecal testing prior … Read more

5 Home Remedies For Doggy Diarrhea

Diarrhea in dogs is a symptom of a larger problem like stress, sudden diet change, food allergies, dietary indiscretion (garbage grazing), parasites, viral or bacterial illness, even chronic disease. Although it is usually self-limiting, it’s uncomfortable for your pooch and messy for you. We’ll cover when to seek immediate veterinary care below, but in mild cases, certain home remedies may do the trick. A post shared by Ralph (@ralphstagramm) on Jan 6, 2017 at 7:09pm PST Dogs can’t tell us, … Read more

6 Ways Turmeric Can Benefit Your Dog’s Health

Turmeric (or Indian saffron) is the spice that gives curry it’s yellow color. Veterinary approved supplements for dogs often contain Curcumin – the active ingredient in Turmeric – because it acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Researchers and nutritionists are singing its praises as a medicinally effective herb for the mind and body of both people and pets. There is evidence that the Curcumin in Turmeric can provide the following 6 health benefits: 1. Reduce/Prevent Chronic Inflammation Short-term inflammation … Read more

This Disease Can Turn Mealtime Into A Nightmare For Your German Shepherd

If you have ever had the good fortune to love a German Shepherd then you know how much they enjoy a good meal. Sadly, they are one of a handful of breeds with a predisposition for a disorder called megaesophagus. (Remember this puppy with megaesophagus whose life was saved by a special high chair?) The condition develops when the esophagus – the tube connecting the throat and the stomach – becomes enlarged, making it difficult for the affected dog to … Read more