Written for Nom Nom “Why do they do that?” It is the age-old query that pet parents ask when they see their dogs and cats happily eating grass. There are old wives’ tales and myths and theories, but no one has established the exact reason why grass is so attractive to our pets. Scientists, researchers, and veterinarians are still working to determine the answer to this question, but in the meantime, here are a few plausible hypotheses that we can examine. Dogs Eat Grass to Ea

Excerpt by Shannon Cuts on The Happy Puppy Site Choosing between the Cavachon vs Cavapoo can often feel like trying to choose between cuteness and more cuteness! How will you ever make up your mind? Trying to pick the cuter dog is not a good strategy – they are both just too precious! A better approach is to learn everything you can about each breed, from size and temperament to trainability and health issues. This side-by-side comparison can be much more helpful in identifyi

Written for The Humane Society of The United States Here's a list of six techniques that can help reduce your dog or puppy’s barking. While all can be successful, you shouldn't expect miraculous results overnight and what might work for your pup may not work for another. The longer your dog has been practicing the barking behavior, the longer it will take for them to develop other means of communication or to become desensitized to the things that cause their barking now. Und

Written by Mara Bovsun for AKC Learning how to potty train puppies at the right time and place is one of the most important first steps you can take for a long, happy life together. House soiling is among the top reasons why dogs lose their homes or end up in shelters. Few people are willing to put up with a dog who destroys rugs and flooring, or who leaves a stinky mess that you have to clean after a hard day at work. That’s why it’s so important to make sure that you do som

Written by Victoria Schade, CPDT-KA for PetMD Fireworks might be awe-inspiring for some people, but many dogs are scared of fireworks and find the sound and spectacle terrifying. Dog fireworks anxiety can leave your pets in a panicked state. It should go without saying that anxious dogs don’t belong at fireworks displays. But even dogs at home can be overwhelmed by the noise, especially if the neighbors are setting off their own fireworks. That’s why it is so important to hel

Written by Chewy Editorial Many of us have been stung by bees. No one likes it. When a bee comes by, people often flail and scream and run like Godzilla is attacking the city. Luckily a bee sting is generally not too bad. It might be a little painful and then it turns itchy, but that’s about it, unless of course you are allergic (in which case, please do run and scream). While dog’s don’t have the same fear reaction that humans have, they physical reaction to a bee sting is n

Listed on Cavachon Breed Thank you for your kind words, Aaron. "Tinker Pups truly understand the needs of a four-leg family member for families. Their mission is to provide high-quality pups to families. If you are looking for a small hypoallergenic dog, this is the right place for you. These are specialized in Bichon, Cavapoo, Cavalier, Cavachon, Maltipoo, Aussiedoodle, Maltichons, and Aussiechons. Their love of animals started in 2003 when they brought their first dog home

Written by Kelli Bender for People.com We recently learned that your dog most likely lovingly dreams of you, so it should be no surprise that you are on their mind almost all of the time. To get an idea of just how your pup thinks and feels, Dr. Brian Hare has dedicated his life to studying canine cognition and its eccentricities. He has recently teamed up with Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind, a dog food dedicated to improving your pet's cognitive function, to help owners figure

Written by Stephanie Gibeault, MSc, CPDT for AKC What Is an Emotional Support Dog? Although all dogs offer an emotional connection with their owner, to legally be considered an emotional support dog, also called an emotional support animal (ESA), the pet needs to be prescribed by a licensed mental health professional to a person with a disabling mental illness. A therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist must determine that the presence of the animal is needed for the mental h

Written for Johns Hopkins Medicine Adopting a pet may seem like a selfless act, but there are plenty of selfish reasons to embrace pet ownership. Research has shown that owning a pet provides an amazing array of health benefits, says Jeremy Barron, M.D., medical director of the Beacham Center for Geriatric Medicine at Johns Hopkins. Not ready for a full-time furry friend in your home? Offer to walk a neighbor’s dog, cat-sit for a friend, or donate time at a local animal shelt

Written by Anna Burke for AKC As a dog owner, I frequently come across the 10-percent rule. It sounds simple. “Treats should not make up more than 10 percent of your dog’s diet,” say veterinarians everywhere. I’ve quoted this so many times I’ve lost count, but then, as I was in the middle of a training session with my dog, treat bag full of tiny treats, I had a crisis of faith. What does 10 percent of a dog’s daily diet actually mean? It’s All About Calories It is easy to mak

Written by AKC Staff Dogs do get food poisoning, an illness usually involving gastrointestinal upset caused by bacteria or toxins in food. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose since there are a variety of causes for tummy upset in dogs, including viruses or other medical conditions, anxiety, consuming people foods that are toxic to dogs, or eating garbage and spoiled food. Bacterial causes of food poisoning, like Staphylococcus, have a short incubation period between ingesti

Written by Ranny Green for AKC eroy, a 17-pound Coton de Tulear, should be the poster dog for why microchipping your dog is so important. Assumed permanently lost—or even dead—Leroy was reunited with his family in Daphne, Alabama, after being missing for nearly two years. “Microchipping was part of the price we paid when we purchased Leroy from Jaco Kennel in Hulbert, Oklahoma, in 2014,” said Karen Elleard. “It will probably turn out to be the best insurance policy we will ev

Written By Harriet Meyers for AKC Ticks are a problem for dogs (and for humans) throughout the United States during all seasons of the year. When temperatures rise, and you and your dog are spending more time outside, these bloodsucking pests become a larger threat. Ticks sit themselves on tall grasses and shrubs, waiting for your dog to walk by, so they can attach themselves to him. Tick prevention should be taken seriously, and not just because these arachnids make many peo

On one side of the room sits the cutest life-size stuffed animal you’ve ever seen. On the other side rests a real dog — same size, shape and even the same name as the stuffed version. You get to sit next to both of these fluffy friends and pet their fur. Guess which one will make your brain light up? If you guessed the real dog, you’re right. Stuffed animals, as cute and cuddly as they may be, just don’t supercharge our frontal cortex, the part of the brain overseeing how we

Study finds stress response changes people’s ‘odour profile’ – which dogs can sniff out Written by Nicola Davis for The Guardian Whether it’s a tricky maths problem or an unexpected bill, daily life is full of stressful experiences. Now researchers have found that humans produce a different odour when under pressure – and dogs can sniff it out. While previous studies have suggested canines might pick up on human emotions, possibly through smell, questions remained over whethe

Written by Nicola Davis for The Guardian Dr Lucy Asher, co-author of the research, with her dog Martha. Photograph: Glen Asher-Gordon/PAMoody, unpredictable and with a striking disregard for the rules, teenagers can be hard to handle. Now it turns out the same is true for adolescent dogs. Researchers say they have found that pooches become less responsive to instructions from their carer during adolescence. And the parallels go further. “Generally teenagers that have a less s

Written for Rover.com by Didi Kader If someone in your life is gushing over a new puppy, odds are it might be one of the popular doodle dogs, such as a labradoodle or goldendoodle. How did these muppet-like dogs become so popular? Their origin story takes us from Hawaii to Australia and starts with a husband’s allergy to fur. In the 1980s, Wally Conron, a breeder at the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia, received a letter from a woman in Hawaii who needed a hypoallerge

Written for AKC.com by Jan Reisen This gentle, affectionate breed won over royal hearts as early as the 17th century. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels combine the lovable traits of a companion dog with the lively sporting instincts of their ancestors and are beloved, popular pets today. Not convinced? Check out some of the things Cav owners would tell you. 1. Cavs are toy-sized bundles of love. They are one of the friendliest breeds, showering affection on their family and happ

Written for Purina.com Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time, and it’s important to make sure you’re prepared. You’ll need puppy food, a leash and collar, and a strategy for potty training. Doing that prep work will make your first week together a fun one. You’ll spend time getting to know each other and your new puppy will explore his new space, learn where he should go potty and more. Before Bringing Home a New Puppy Prepare for your new puppy’s first week home by