Category: Best Dog Blogs

Science Explains The Fascinating Reason Why Dogs Range So Dramatically In Size

Posted on by Orla O'Keefe

Science Explains The Fascinating Reason Why Dogs Range So Dramatically In Size

Ever wonder why there is such a drastic size range among dogs? Science has the answer.

The same species of animals typically have the similar characteristics – like size, features, and markings. This is how people know what species they are based on their appearance. But with dogs, it’s a little different.

Think of all the different breeds – and sizes – of dogs. To someone who has never seen one before, they may be confused if they see a Great Dane sitting next to a Chihuahua. That person may have trouble believing they are from the same species. In fact, dogs have the largest size range among any mammal – but why?

The University of Utah’s research team believes they found the answer.

The research team found a piece of DNA that regulates growth to keep small dogs small.

Researchers tested the DNA of Portuguese Water Dogs because they have the widest size range among dogs – weighing anywhere from 25 and 75 pounds. The study took DNA samples and body-size measurements of the pups. What they found was a piece of genetic material that highly correlated with a dog’s size.

Specifically, it was a regulatory sequence next to a gene that controls a growth-inducing protein hormone. This particular hormone is found in humans as well as other mammals and helps them grow.

So what does this have to do with dogs?

Well, in small dogs, there “are mutations in the sequence that stress the gene’s activity, limiting the amount of growth hormone is produces.” There are no mutations in the sequence in medium and large dogs, though, so they are able to grow to their normal size.

And, to make sure it wasn’t Portuguese Water Dog specific, researchers examined 3,241 dogs spanning 143 different breeds. This included, of course, a wide range of breeds from small dogs to large dogs.

As they suspected, all of the small dogs in the study had the same mutated regulatory sequence as the Portuguese Water Dog. But, like most studies, there was one outlier – the Rottweiler.

Researchers aren’t sure why Rottweilers are the outliers, but they have the same genetic sequence as small dogs. They believe it is due to other genetic factors that allow the breed to grow to full its full size.

No one is sure why the mutation occurs, but researchers think it first showed up when small dogs were domesticated or from a species of small wolves. There is no evidence, however, that wolves have this mutation.

Though strange, we are not complaining about the mutation. Besides – what would life be like without small dogs?

3 Ways You’re Comforting Your Dog That Teaches Them Bad Habits

Posted on by Orla O'Keefe

3 Ways You’re Comforting Your Dog That Teaches Them Bad Habits

Who wants to see their dog in pain or nervous? We certainly don’t. So when our furry friend is nervous our first reaction is to comfort them, right? Well, you’re actually doing more harm than good. And it doesn’t always have to be when they’re hurt or scared – coddling or overfeeding them can also be harmful. Here are three ways your teaching your dog bad habits when comforting them.

Coddling Your Pup When They’re Nervous

We get it, seeing your dog shaking and nervous is heartbreaking. And although our initial reaction may be to pick them up, that’s not necessarily a good thing. When you pick your dog up during a bout of nervousness, you’re teaching them that it’s okay to be scared. You’re essentially reinforcing that behavior – making them more inclined to act nervous or scared any time they want to be held or coddled.

Treating Them With Extra Food or Treats

It’s hard to deny those puppy eyes staring at you while you’re cooking dinner in the kitchen cooking. And since they’re sitting so politely, you throw them a scrap of food or a dog treat. While the occasional treat here and there is okay, constantly spoiling your pup with food and treats is not good.

Dogs are beyond smart, and they know exactly what they need to do in order to get a treat from you. Even though they may act starving all the time, they’re really just tricking you into giving them a treat. And over-feeding can lead to serious health issues, like obesity or heart complications.

Always Picking Up or Carrying Your Pup

This may not be an issue for owners of larger breeds, but for small pup parents, constantly picking up or carrying dog is actually doing more harm than good. You may think always carrying them keeps them from getting hurt, but in reality, it can cause behavioral or obesity problems.

For starters, dogs who are constantly held don’t get as much exercise, which can lead to weight problems. Furthermore, their socialization skills may take a hit as they aren’t able to interact with other dogs or humans.

We want nothing but the best for our pets, and that typically involves doing at least one of these three comforting habits. But what may seem like a good habit, actually does more harm than good.

Why, Unlike Dogs, You Will Never Hear A Wolf Bark?

Posted on by Orla O'Keefe

Why, Unlike Dogs, You Will Never Hear A Wolf Bark?

It’s no secret dogs are descendants of wolves. Their mannerisms and behaviors are reminiscent of their ancestors – the howling, digging, and sniffing out scents. But there’s one trait that wasn’t passed down from a wolf. Can you guess what it is?

Barking.

That’s right, adult wolves in the wild do not bark like domestic dogs do.

Interestingly, barking is a trait exclusive to cubs and adolescent wolves.

But why?

A wolf doesn’t bark in the wild because they know that if they are in danger, the best and safest thing to do is to stay as quiet as possible. Rather than bark at the threat, they’ll hide from it until it has passed.

So how come dogs bark and wolves don’t?

Some research states that dogs learned to bark thanks to their close relationship with humans. Since we are vocal creatures by nature, dog’s learned rather quickly that we aren’t the best when it comes to picking up non-verbal cues. So in an effort to get our attention and communicate with us, domestic dogs learned to bark.

On the other hand, some researchers think that dog’s learned to bark after years of selective breeding. In general, humans like dogs that are friendly and gentle, not timid and aggressive. So, over the years, the barking in juvenile wolves was bred into domestic dogs.

No matter the reason, barking is a normal, natural behavior that we’ve come to accept in dogs. Though it can be annoying at times, we couldn’t imagine our pups without this annoyingly lovable trait

Best Female Dog Names

Posted on by Orla O'Keefe

Best Female Dog Names

Most people place lots of thought into brainstorming the perfect female dog names. Our dog’s name is an excellent way of showing a bit of personality. Just like human names, dog names rise a fall in popularity.

Pop culture is very influential after the film Frozen came out, there was a 900 percent increase in dogs named after the characters. Names from Star Wars and The Twilight films have also been popular.

Since your dog’s name will be heavily used for training here are some tips to avoid confusion.

  • Select a name with hard consonants and 1 or 2 syllables. These are short enough to get your dog’s focus and the simplest to say
  • Stay away from dog names that sound like an order, names like Kit, which sounds like sit, or Bo, which seems like no.

Here is a list of the top 100 female dog names for some inspiration.

  • Abby
  • Allie
  • Angel
  • Annie
  • Athena
  • Baby
  • Bailey
  • Bella
  • Belle
  • Bonnie
  • Brandy
  • Cali
  • Callie
  • Casey
  • Charlie
  • Chloe
  • Cleo
  • Coco
  • Cocoa
  • Cookie
  • Daisy
  • Dakota
  • Dixie
  • Ella
  • Ellie
  • Emma
  • Gigi
  • Ginger
  • Grace
  • Gracie
  • Hannah
  • Harley
  • Hazel
  • Heidi
  • Holly
  • Honey
  • Izzy
  • Jasmine
  • Josie
  • Katie
  • Kona
  • Lacey
  • Lady
  • Layla
  • Lexi
  • Lexie
  • Lilly
  • Lily
  • Lola
  • Lucky
  • Lucy
  • Lulu
  • Luna
  • Macy
  • Maddie
  • Madison
  • Maggie
  • Marley
  • Maya
  • Mia
  • Millie
  • Mimi
  • Minnie
  • Missy
  • Misty
  • Mocha
  • Molly
  • Nala
  • Nikki
  • Olive
  • Peanut
  • Pebbles
  • Penny
  • Pepper
  • Phoebe
  • Piper
  • Princess
  • Riley
  • Rosie
  • Roxie
  • Roxy
  • Ruby
  • Sadie
  • Sally
  • Sandy
  • Sasha
  • Sassy
  • Scout
  • Shadow
  • Shelby
  • Sierra
  • Sophie
  • Stella
  • Sugar
  • Sydney
  • Trixie
  • Willow
  • Winnie
  • Zoe
  • Zoey

Still didn’t find the perfect name?  Check out our full list of the 50 Greatest Dog Names.

Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?

Posted on by Orla O'Keefe

Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?

We love our dogs, but even we have to admit, sometimes they can be pretty disgusting. Drinking from the toilet, dining in the trash, licking their rears… some of their habits really have us asking “why” with a look of repulsion. However, there is nothing to make us cringe and ask “WHY” more than when we see our dear dog…eat their own poop.

No, they’re not hungry, and no it isn’t to gross us out–the reasons why dogs may eat their own poop is both psychological and and behavioral. One reason dog’s eat their own poop may be sheer instinctive. In other words, back before we took them in our comfortable homes, dogs were often scavengers and ate food where it was found, poop included.

A second reason dog’s often dine with their own dung can be due to psychological problems such as anxiety, isolation or they’re seeking attention.

If you think your dog is alone in this habit, you’re wrong. In fact, a 2012 study showed that 16% of dogs are serious “stool eaters” while 24% are more casual.

If your dog is a dung diner, speak to their vet regarding correction methods such as: vitamin supplementation, taste-aversion products, training, etc.

4 Ways to Keep Your Senior Dog Healthy

Posted on by Orla O'Keefe

4 Ways to Keep Your Senior Dog Healthy

A question we get a lot is how do I keep my senior dog healthy? We want to answer that but first we must address the issues that many senior dogs face. The recent drives to promote the adoption of senior rescue dogs is a huge step in the right direction. Every day, thousands of older dogs are placed in shelters. They are abandoned and have little chance for escape. We want to  Even puppies can have trouble finding a home, and it’s much harder for the seniors because:

  • Many deem older dogs as being “lazy” or “not as fun as a puppy”
  • Others believe they’re little more than a walking collection of health problems

The reality is that senior dogs deserve a second chance at life. Whatever their circumstances for ending up on death row, they deserve the opportunity to get out and flourish in a rescue home.

If you’ve decided to adopt an adult or senior dog, congratulations. You are making a huge difference in that dog’s life.

Here are 4 things you can do to make sure you keep your senior dog healthy, active, and living her new life to the fullest:

How To Keep Your Senior Dog Healthy

  1. Senior Blood Panel

All breeds are different in when they enter their senior years, but no matter what, after age 4, all dogs should begin getting yearly or twice-yearly blood tests.

A senior blood panel test is a great idea. It tests:

  • Complete blood count
  • White blood cell count
  • Red blood cell count
  • Kidney and liver function
  • Electrolytes
  • Cancer
  • Pancreatic function

And much more. Catching problems in these areas can literally add years to your new buddy’s life.

  1. Dental Work

Having dental done for senior can be tricky. If they have to be put under, this can be dangerous, depending on your dog’s health. But, having your regular vet monitor the state of their teeth and gums is important. So is brushing their teeth regularly. Many health problems start in the mouth. Tartar and bad breath are signs that something could be going wrong.

  1. Check Their Eyes

Despite common belief, dogs of all ages should have bright, clear eyes. Cloudiness is a sign of internal problems. If your senior is healthy, their eyes should be clear.

  1. Best Diet Possible

What you feed your dog is a highly personal choice. Whether it’s bones and raw food, high-end kibble, or home made meals, the important thing is to focus on giving your senior the maximum nutrition possible at each meal. If they are overweight, a consistent walking routine and good diet will slim them down, and take the stress off of their joints and internal organs. This alone can extend their life, and give them back some of that long-forgotten puppy energy.

Need To Get More Exercise? There’s A Dog For That

Posted on by Orla O'Keefe

Need To Get More Exercise? There’s A Dog For That

We Don’t Have Time To Exercise!”

We hear it all the time: “Get up and get moving,” “Just thirty minutes a day is all it takes,” and “Exercise does the body good.”


We’re constantly bombarded by the media with quotes and imagery and reasons for why we need to incorporate exercise into our daily routines. If you’re anything like us, that’s easier said than done.

What about the laundry and bills? They’re not going to handle themselves…and that book you picked up last week. It’ll never get read. You can’t forget the countless friends and family you made plans with.

We come up with countless excuses for why we “just can’t make time for exercising!” in our already busy schedules. But what if there’s a reason that’s fun, furry, and already exists?

Have A Dog? Then You’re Half Way There!

According to Medical Daily, studies show that having a dog not only increases your chances of walking daily, but also increases the likelihood that you’ll get your entire daily amount of recommended exercise.

“We Love Fetch, But What’s The Catch?”

Okay, okay…so owning a dog isn’t exactly the solution. (We only said you’re half way there!) There are all kinds of factors that play into the “reasons to exercise with my dog” equation.

Another study done this year revealed two crucial parts to this equation.

First, dog owners are more likely to walk their dog if the dog himself is enthusiastic about the activity. Translation: Fido’s favorite activities include napping, eating, and more napping? It shouldn’t come as a surprise, then, that you won’t be reeling to get out for his daily walk.

Second, our beliefs about dogs, along with their genetic makeup, drastically affects the probability of dog-walking. If you don’t feel attached to your pup, or he isn’t known for being an active breed, you’re going to be much less likely to take him out for a stroll. Alternatively, if you feel that he calms down from exercise, or he’s an active and energetic breed, you’ll be much more likely to take him out.

What Are The Take-Aways?

If you already are active with your dog, that’s fantastic! If you’re both more inclined to be couch potatoes, that’s okay too.

Make time to exercise yourself, and your dog. It is extremely important for his health, as well as your own. The way we see it, it’s a win-win.

(Not to mention that’s added bonding time you get to spend with your four-legged friend)

Do You Know How Healthy Your Dog Really Is?

Posted on by Orla O'Keefe

Do You Know How Healthy Your Dog Really Is?

A healthy dog is a happy dog. But do you really know how healthy they are? Sure they may seem like it, but there is more to a dog’s health than meets the eye. Read on for some tips to make sure your dog is a healthy and happy one.

Nutrition

Nutrition is a huge factor when it comes to your dog’s health. Ensuring they eat the right food, drink enough water, and receive the proper nutrients is the key to a well-balanced dog. For starters, dogs need a complete and balanced diet. They require protein, fats, water, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates. Proteins help increase nitrogenous components in their body, fats keep their skin and hair healthy, vitamins are necessary for their body’s chemical reactions, minerals provide structural building and chemical reactions, and carbohydrates give your pup energy.

If you feed your furry friend dog food labeled as “complete” and “balanced”, they are most likely receiving all the necessary nutrients needed to keep them healthy.

One tip is to add garlic powder to your dog food as an added benefit. Garlic powder helps repel fleas and ticks, boosts their immune system and helps with respiratory problems, fatigue, and ear problems/ ear mite infestations.

Some foods your dog should never eat are alcohol, caffeinated drinks, chocolate, avocados, and bread dough.

Exercise

A healthy dog may be a happy dog but do you know what else is true? An exercised dog is a happy dog. If your dog receives at least one to two hours of exercise per day, they’ll be in great shape – both physically and mentally.

Lack of exercise can result in boredom leading to destructive chewing or scratching, raiding the garbage, hyperactivity, rough play/play biting, excessive barking or whining and unruliness.

The benefits of exercise include the elimination of common behavior problems, added agility and limberness, more confidence and trust in timid or fearful dogs, reduced digestive problems and constipation, a healthy weight, and reduced barking and hyperactivity.

Grooming

Not just for the fancy breeds, grooming is a necessity when it comes to your dog’s health. Frequent bathing and brushing will help remove dirt from their coat, distribute skin oils, any flea or tick sightings, and helps you see the condition your dog’s skin.

Dogs with long or thick coats should ideally have a daily brushing while dogs with less hair can be groomed weekly.

A proper grooming session will include brushing your pup’s hair carefully, followed by a bath with a mild dog shampoo. Then, repeat the brushing with a finishing tool (this will remove the loose hair and dirt brought up by the first brush). Finally, check your pups ears. They should be pale in color, cool to touch, and odorless. Ear drops can help keep them clean.

Furthermore, your dog’s nails should be trimmed regularly. Only cut the white part to avoid hitting the “quick”, which will cause the dog to bleed.

Dental Care

Dental care is neglected by many pet owners. Lack of proper dental care results in nearly 80% of dogs having symptoms of oral disease by the age of three!

To avoid dental problems, consider brushing their teeth and gums at least three times per week with special dog tooth paste called Ozoil tooth powder. Also, try feeding them dry kibble as the abrasiveness helps keep their teeth clean. Make sure to schedule regular veterinary checkups and give your dog bones specifically made for teeth cleaning.

Keep an eye on your dogs teeth. If they are generally white with little to no plaque, they are healthy. If you notice any tarter or plaque buildup around their gums, you should contact your veterinarian to come up with a dental plan.

These four categories are the key to keeping your dog healthy. If you find your dog is lacking in any of these areas, talk to your veterinarian to come up with a plan to get your dog back on track. And remember, yearly veterinary checkups are important. Just because your dog seems healthy, doesn’t always mean they are!

Understanding And Treating Diabetes In Dogs

Posted on by Orla O'Keefe

Understanding And Treating Diabetes In Dogs

We can’t stand to see our dogs in pain so we do everything we can to keep them happy and healthy. But despite all our efforts, some dogs end up developing diseases or becoming ill. Similar to humans, a common disease among dogs is diabetes. Let’s look at what this disease is and how to treat it.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is caused either by a lack of insulin or an insufficient response to insulin. When a pup eats, their digestive system breaks the food into different components. One of those components is glucose, which is carried into their cells by insulin – the hormone secreted by their pancreas.

If a dog cannot produce insulin or they can’t use it correctly, their blood sugar levels will increase, resulting in hyperglycemia. If left untreated, hyperglycemia can cause health problems for dogs.

Types

There are two types of diabetes – type 1 and type II. Type 1 is categorized as a lack of insulin production and type II is an insufficient response to insulin. Dogs typically suffer from type 1 diabetes. With this type, dogs require insulin in order to survive. Type II is typically found in cats.

Causes

Though the exact cause of this disease is unknown, some autoimmune diseases, genetics, obesity, and chronic pancreatitis can play a factor in the development of diabetes.

Furthermore, obese dogs and females dogs are at a greater risk for developing this disease.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of diabetes include change in appetite, weight loss, increased water drinking and excessive thirst, increased urination, exhaustion, dehydration, sweet-smelling breath, vomiting, urinary tract infections, cataracts, and chronic skin infections.

Treatment Options

Diabetes is a manageable disease and treatment depends on how severe the symptoms are. If a dog is very sick when diagnosed, they may require hospitalization to stabilize their blood sugar. If they are stable when diagnosed, oral medication or a high-fiber diet may be necessary to stabilize glucose levels.

Most dogs will need insulin injections to maintain their blood sugar levels. Veterinarians will show you how to give your dog insulin injections at home once the treatment plan is established.

If left untreated, diabetes can ultimately be fatal.

Prevention

One form of diabetes is inherited – the type that is found in dogs that are less than one-year-old – but other forms of diabetes could be prevented with regular exercise and a proper diet.

If you suspect your dog is showing any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

VETARY.COM

Although this disease can be scary, if caught early enough it is a manageable disease. To make sure your dog stays safe, happy, and healthy, get them the Nuzzle collar. With GPS technology and activity monitoring, you’ll always know where your pup is and what they are doing.

How To Recognize And Treat A Skin Infection In Your Dog

Posted on by Orla O'Keefe

How To Recognize And Treat A Skin Infection In Your Dog

If you’ve ever had the unfortunate experience of having a skin infection, you know how painful and downright pleasant they can be. And just like us, dogs can also develop skin infections – often with similar symptoms. Read on for a complete guide on how to recognize and treat a skin infection in your dog.

What are Skin Infections?

Skin infections are caused by either yeast or bacteria. Yeast infections are quite common in the warmer months and can sometimes be misdiagnosed as regular allergies. Bacterial infections are typically caused by secondary infection from allergies. This type of infection occurs when the dog cuts open their skin from excessive itching.

Thankfully, both yeast and bacteria infections are treatable.

Causes

A skin infection often appears in dogs that are already suffering from allergies or pups that lick or scratch their skin a lot. They are also found in dogs with floppy ears and breeds with a lot of skin folds like Bulldogs or Shar-Peis.

Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors or enjoys swimming tend to be more at risk for bacterial or fungal skin infections as they spend more time being dirty and damp.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a bacterial skin infection including open sores, yeast, pimples, or bumps as well as constant licking at the infection. It also causes head shaking, ear scratching, and holding the head to one side. Dogs may also exhibit green or yellow discharge from their ears.

Yeast infection symptoms include greasy and smelly skin as well as head shaking, ear scratching, and holding the head to a particular side. These infections are often in moist areas on the dog like the armpits, ears, feeds, or skin folds. Dogs may also exhibit a brown, waxy discharge in the ears.

Treatment

One form of treatment for skin infections is a bath with medicated shampoo. Just make sure the medicated shampoo contains an antibacterial agent as they are most effective.

Veterinarians may also prescribe antibiotics or ear-drops if the skin infection is more severe.

TRUECARNIVORES.COM

Although skin infections can be painful and quite simply annoying, they are treatable. If you suspect your dog is showing any of these symptoms, make sure to contact your veterinarian immediately.

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    Most of my day is spent playing with dogs. When they nap, I’m here working on my blog. You’re welcome to reach out and connect with me.

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