Mabel’s cat body languagemakes you wonder why cats act out this way when a new human or pet enters their kingdom. Could it be the cat is mad at me for allowing this strange pet into her world? Or is her jealous-like behavior due to stress and cat anxiety? We asked cat behaviorists to unravel this meow mix of emotionsand help us better understand what to do about it.

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Do cats get jealous?

Cat behaviorists can’t be sure our little lions turn into green-eyed monsters and feel the jealousy emotion the way humans do, but cats are continually adapting to their surroundings, investigating and interpreting the underlying factors around them as being neutral, positive or aversive. So when cats act out by hissing, hiding or biting as a response to your friend’s dog visiting, it may look like jealousy, but they’re likely just feeling anxious or stressed.

Research found that when it comes to stress, felines have two common triggers: physical and psychological. Interestingly, psychological triggers (a change in routine or a new person in the house) are more potent than physical triggers, such as an illness. Psychological triggers are the most likely to cause jealousy.

“Cats are all about their space and their pecking order,” says Michael Thompson, DVM, lead veterinarian and cat behaviorist at Pets Food Safety. “Imagine they’re like little lion kings and queens ruling their indoor jungle. When a new pet or even a piece of furniture comes in, it’s like an unexpected guest in their kingdom, and they may act out to assert their royal authority.”

What do cats get jealous of?

Two things are certain with cats: They thrive on predictability, and they think they own everything in their kitty kingdom. In the cat’s mind, possession isn’t 9/10 of the law. It’s 10/10 of the law. They can get a royal cattitude and bring out their claws when something or someone threatens that.

“Cats are like little guardians of their own personal treasure chests, which include food, the perfect napping spot and, yeah, even you,” says Dr. Thompson. “They want to make sure they have first dibs and will do what it takes to stake their claim.” Your cat may guard their food or block another human from getting too close to you. But they’re basically saying, “Hey, this is mine!” Here are some things a kitty might become jealous of.

A new pet

There are cat breeds that get along with dogs. And cats can be chummy with other types of furry friends too. So do cats get jealous upon the arrival of a new pet? Likely. “Bringing another pet home is like throwing a curveball at your cat,” says Dr. Thompson. “They see the new guy as competition for food, space and your love.”

A new baby

Cats love baby talk when you speak to them, but how do they feel about an infant sharing your unique love language? When a new baby arrives, it’s the baby that takes center stage. Suddenly, humans are devoting every moment to the care of this new person in the housewho also cries and smells funny. “A new baby will soak up a lot of your attention, and your cat might feel a bit left out. It’s a big change for them too,” Dr. Thompson says.

A new piece of furniture

Do cats get jealous of inanimate things? As crazy as it sounds, it’s a weird cat fact that they can become jealous of a piece of furniture. “It’s kind of amusing when you think about it,” says Dr. Thompson. “You might not think your new coffee table is a big deal, but your cat might see it as an invader in their territory.”

The same does not apply to new cat scratching posts, cat condos and other feline furniture. However, once your cat has accepted their cat furniture, they may become possessive of it and get jealous, especially if you have multiple pets. “At that point, they might display behavior that we’d interpret as jealousy if another pet tries to use their beloved tree or bed,” says Dr. Thompson.

A new friend or partner

It’s not a stretch to see why a new baby could upset the kitty kingdom, but do cats get jealous of a new friend or partner that wants to be friends and treats the cat kindly? Even with the best intentions, a cat may still sense a disturbance in the force. “Cats can be little attention hogs. If you’re spending time with someone else, whether it’s a friend or a romantic partner, don’t be surprised if your cat tries to steal the spotlight,” Dr. Thompson says.

How do cats show jealousy?

Do cats get jealous and act out in obvious ways? Not always. Cats are notorious for sending mixed messages. One minute, they’re lovey-dovey, purring in your lap. Seconds later, they’re doing zoomies and knocking stuff off the coffee table. To figure out if your little lion is acting out in jealousy, you have to look closely at their behavior and check for emotional clues indicating jealousy.

“At the root, jealousy in cats is about their territory being threatened,” says Joey Lusvardi, a cat behaviorist and the owner of Class Act Cats in Minneapolis. “They worry that they may be cut off from an important resource like cat food, a litter box or even a human.” You might see jealousy in action when cats try to monopolize someone or attempt to get rid of rivals for affection, attention and resources. Here are some behavior clues to look for.

Swatting and blocking

Cats may voice their jealousy with an angry meow, while others prefer the silent kitty ninja approach. “Cats may swat at an invader in their space, or they may physically try to block off a resource by laying between another cat or animal and the resource,” says Lusvardi.

Showing more affection

Affectionate behaviors could be a sign of jealousy. “For example, your cat may rub up against you more to get their pheromones all up on you,” says Lusvardi. Or your cat may be uber-affectionate and snuggle up close to you when another animal or human is nearby. In reality, they could be just trying to squeeze out the competition.

Attention-seeking behaviors

“Cats are really, really smart, and they’ll figure out a way to get your attention,” says Lusvardi. They might start to jump onto counters, groom themselves more or become more vocal than usual. They may also act out in weird ways you haven’t witnessed before.

Peeing outside the litter box

Since jealousy stems from territorial issues, cats might mark outside of their litter box to send a clear message: This kingdom is mine. But there are many reasons cats don’t use their litter boxes. A new pet may have blocked access, the box is too close to another pet’s stuff or it could be a sign your cat is sick.

Are some cat breeds more jealous than others?

Do cats get jealous if they are of a particular breed? Not really. Although Siamese cats (known for being one of the friendliest cat breeds and notably super smart) tend to be very particular about their territory. “Siamese cats are some of my favorite cats, but they tend to be very attached to their humans, so they can see any invader into their space as a threat,” says Lusvardi. When it comes to degrees of envy, it’s more about how the cat was raised and if there have been enough resources to meet the cat’s needs. “For example, if a cat was living on the streets and didn’t have food for the first part of their life, they may be jealous when there is any threat to a food supply.”

How can you prevent jealousy in cats?

Don’t be surprised if you witness some stress-induced and resource-guarding behaviors, like hissing, swatting, hunching up their back or blocking. It’s normal for a cat to warn other animals and humans to back off by doing these things. Help prevent those jealous-like behaviors by providing stress-free access to fulfill their basic needs of scratching, climbing, lounging, eating and using the litter box. And since cats are creatures of habit, it’s a good idea to stick to their normal routine. Here are some steps to help cats adjust.

Set up the purr-fect environment

You might be inclined to give your cat their own private domain by putting all their resources (litter box, toys, food) in one location. But cats actually like their stuff spread around multiple locations, which can also help pave the way to more harmonious relationships. “Mixing their resources in with things that belong to other pets or humans is the way to go, as it will help the cats feel like their whole space is theirs,” says Lusvardi. If the source of jealousy is another cat, each cat should have their own set of resources, Lusvardi says.

Provide plenty of playtime

Routines are bound to change when a new human or pet enters the household. You may spend more time with the new person or pet, but it’s essential to maintain playtime and snuggle time with your cat. Predictability eases their anxiety. If you’re introducing a new pet, spend equal amounts of playtime with each cat a couple of times a day.

Teach voluntary sharing

“Voluntary sharing is a pattern game you play with your cat as an exercise to help them realize that others getting something is a good thing,” says Lusvardi. This activity is ideal for cats that have already had some cat training and learned some tricks, such as sitting up or a high five. Usually, the cat gets a treat when they perform a trick. But when you’re playing the voluntary sharing game, they don’tat least not immediately. Instead, you give the first treat to the other pet or person the cat is jealous of, and then you give the jealous cat their treat. “This teaches the cat that others getting something is a signal that they get something, so sharing is a good thing!”

Praise good behavior

“When they have any interaction with the object of their jealousy that you want, make sure they get praise and attention for doing so,” says Lusvardi. For example, when your cat encounters the source of their jealousy and ignores them instead of acting out, praise them with affection and/or a treat.

How long will it take to make your cat less jealous?

That depends on your cat and the circumstances. Once you set up the proper environment, it may take a week or two to adjust. However, suppose your cat developed a negative association with another cat or pet due to a heated clash. In that case, it may take longer to undo than if there were just a few minor spats. If you’re not seeing any improvements or there is a serious danger of biting and violence to humans or another pet, get in touch with a feline behaviorist right away. Or if you’re frazzled and at your wit’s end, reach out to a pro. “We can help make the process easier and help you get things right quickly,” says Lusvardi.

About the experts

• Michael Thompson, DVM, is the founder and lead veterinarian and cat behaviorist at Pets Food Safety in Austin, Texas. Dr. Thompson has a lifelong passion for animal health, specializing in pet nutrition. He created Pets Food Safety to help parents navigate the saturated pet food market by providing science-based and comprehensive guides on the safety of various food items for dogs and cats. He lives harmoniously with his cat Nimbus and dog Jax, a Jack Russell terrier.
• Joey Lusvardi is a certified cat behavior consultant and the owner of Class Act Cats in Minneapolis. He’s always been an animal lover, but when he faced cat behavior challenges with his adopted cat, Zoloft, he decided to become a cat behaviorist to help cats and their humans lead more harmonious lives. He also works as a psychiatric physician assistant and trains cats to become therapy animals. Sadly, Zoloft, the first chief purr officer, recently passed away. His successor, Prozac, is a former stray Siamese cat enjoying his new forever home and lots of love and treats.

Sources:

• Frontiers in Veterinary Science: “Dealing with Stress in Cats: What Is New About the Olfactory Strategy?”

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One of the many little-known facts about cats is that most of them are quite lactose intolerant. So does that mean even a tiny piece of Brie should be banned? Or that you can’t sneak Fluffy’s daily thyroid pill into a pinch of provolone? We asked the experts about the best diet for cats and whether it’s OK to treat your favorite feline to an occasional cheesy treat. The answers may surprise you!

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Why do cats like cheese?

Cats like cheese for much the same reasons humans do: It’s delicious. “They’re attracted to the creaminess of it,” says Ashlie Saffire, DVM, a veterinarian at the Faithful Friends Veterinary Clinic in Dublin, Ohio. “Cats don’t taste sugar the way we dothey don’t have the taste buds for sweet. But they do like things that are creamy, so [experts suspect] it’s the texture of cheese that they like. And they really love cream cheese.”

Can cats eat cheese?

Yes … but only in small amounts. While cheese isn’t toxic to cats, it can give them an upset belly if they consume too much of it. It’s the same reason cat’s shouldn’t really drink milk. “They don’t have the enzymes in their stomach to break down the lactose that’s in the milk and cheese,” says Dr. Saffire. “So if they have too much, you’re probably going to see some GI problems.”

Interestingly, young kittens do have those enzymes because they need them to digest their mother’s milk. But after they are weaned, cats stop producing them.

The reason for this lactose intolerance? Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they depend only on meat to survive. “In the wild, when they’re hunting, they’re mostly feeding on birds and miceso mostly protein,” says Dr. Saffire. “They may also be getting small amounts of grain, but they’re really not getting much dairy at all. So it’s just not something that they need by nature to be able to digest.”

What happens if cats eat too much cheese?

When people who are lactose intolerant consume dairy products, they get upset stomachs, gas or GI discomfort, and in cats, it’s a similar thing, says Dr. Saffire. Here are some of the symptoms cats can develop as a result of eating too much cheese:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Bloating
• Flatulence
• Constipation

“There might be a handful of cats where it doesn’t bother them at all, but [in most cases], it will probably cause some significant GI issues,” says Dr. Saffire. “For the most part, it’s best to just avoid large amounts of milk or cheese.”

How much cheese is too much for a cat?

For an average-size cat, the max should be a dime-size amount. “Just a little dollop,” says Dr. Saffire. “It’s enough to be a treat but not too much.”

Sometimes owners might want to hide a pill in a little piece of cheese and “that’s totally fine,” says Dr. Saffire. “It’s a great way to get medication into your cat. Even if it’s a pill you have to give every day, it should be fine as long as you use only a little piece of cheese.”

In fact, Dr. Saffire sometimes uses a dab of cream cheese when treating cats in her office. “I’ll smear it onto the exam table and it keeps them busy licking away at it, and they don’t even notice I’m doing an exam or giving a vaccine,” she says. “So it’s really helpful as a treat that way. It’s really all about moderation.”

Should certain cats avoid cheese altogether?

While most cats are fine with occasional cheese treats, it’s important to note that some cats can’t tolerate even small amounts. This is true of cats with a dairy allergy, whose skin breaks out anytime they consume cheese, milk or yogurt. In those cases, avoid cheese completely, says Dr. Saffire.

Owners of cats with weight issues might also want to avoid giving cheese as a treat because of its high fat content, but if it’s the only way to get the cat to take a pill, says Dr. Saffire, it’s worth the trade-off. “If you need to use something for an overweight cat that needs medication, it would probably be fine to use a small piece of cheese to get the medication in them,” she explains. “When you’re looking at what’s the bigger problem, it’s more important to get the medicine in them.”

Of course, if your cat has any chronic medical conditions, it’s best to talk to your vet before giving him anything not on his prescribed diet. “There’s not really any contraindication to cheese, but there are much safer treats out there, like the little crunchy Temptations,” says Dr. Saffire. “Or if you wanted to give your cat a human-food treat, something like canned green beans are an excellent choice. For some reason, cats really like them! Feeding a teaspoon of canned pumpkin would also be another good option. It’s safe to give, and it gives you the satisfaction of feeding them something fun.”

Which cheeses are better for your cat?

Although too much of any cheese is likely to cause stomach upset in a cat, some varieties of cheese have lower levels of lactose, which can make them easier for cats to digest. A general rule of thumb? Hard and semi-hard cheeses tend to be the way to go.

• Cheddar
• Swiss
• Provolone

FYI, Swiss cheese is also low in sodium and fat, so that may make it your top choice if your kitty is a fan.

Which cheeses are worse for your cat?

Experts suggest keeping your cat away from the following varieties of cheese, even in small amounts.

• Ricotta, mozzarella and burrata: These delicious Italian cheeses tend to be high in lactose. According to Dr. Saffire, they’re probably still fine in small doses, but you may run more of a risk here.
• Blue cheeses: That colorful veining in cheeses like Stilton, Gorgonzola and Roquefort is actually mold, which can be dangerous to cats. “You want to avoid anything that has cultures in it,” says Dr. Saffire.
• Raw milk cheeses: Some soft cheeses, like Brie and Camembert, are traditionally made with raw milk, which could contain bacteria and lead to GI problems and possibly even neurological issues like seizures. Though most varieties you see in U.S. supermarkets now contain pasteurized milk, it’s best to check before giving it to your cat.
• Cheeses blended with onions and garlic: While the cheese itself may be fine, onions and garlic are among the foods that can be toxic to catsand dogs as well.

What should you do if your cat has eaten too much cheese?

While you may be willing to limit the amount of cheese you give to your cat, odds are he won’t show the same restraint if he comes upon an open container of cream cheese on the counter. So what do you do if your cat eats too much cheese? First off, don’t panic. Some cats will digest the cheese just fine. Others may suffer a bout of gastric distress, but the symptoms should resolve themselves as the cheese passes through their system.

“I would expect to see some gas, some diarrhea and maybe some vomiting,” says Dr. Saffire. “But it wouldn’t be toxic. They’ll be OK.” Of course, if the symptoms continue, consult your vet.

About the expert

• Ashlie Saffire, DVM, DABVP, is a veterinarian and the co-owner of Faithful Friends Veterinary Clinic in Dublin, Ohio. She also serves as a director of the American Association of Feline Practitioners.

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It’s actually not to make themselves famous on YouTube. And it’s not just one of those weird quirks of dog behaviorlike the way dogs sniff butts, eat poop, hump pillows and put their nose in your crotch. “It’s usually a sign there’s something going on with your dog,” says Dr. Hawkins. That’s right: This seemingly silly behavior is usually telling you something important about the health of your pet.

We asked vets your dog-scooting questions: Why do dogs drag their butts? And most important, how can you stop it?

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Why do dogs drag their butts?

In short, dogs scoot because they’re uncomfortable. “They do it because their butt is itchy or sore, and it offers them a little bit of temporary relief to rub that area,” says Dr. Hawkins. “They’re telling you something is not quite right.”

But the trick is figuring why your dog is uncomfortable that way, and it usually comes down to a handful of issues.

There’s a problem with their anal sacs

Anal sac issues are by far the most common reason why dogs drag their butts. The anal sacs are two small glands on either side of a dog’s rectum that contain a foul-smelling fluid dogs use to mark territory and ward off predators when they feel threatened. Normally, the glands empty naturally when the dog defecates, but sometimes the fluid can thicken, and the glands become inflamed.

“The full, impacted anal glands act like hemorrhoids that are itchy and painful,” says Amy Tate, DVM, co-owner of Riverview Animal Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. “It causes the dog to drag its bottom in an attempt to alleviate the pressure.”

Left untreated, anal sacs can get so full or infected that they can rupture, which can cause your dog a lot of pain. So it’s important to visit your vet if you see your dog routinely dragging its butt on the floor.

What to do: If your dog’s anal sacs aren’t emptying on their own, your vet will need to express the sacs manually. Some animals need their anal sacs expressed routinely. “I usually tell people, If you notice your dog scooting every six weeks, go in every five weeks and ask a staff member to express the anal glands for you,” says Dr. Hawkins. “Or if you’re feeling really brave, you can ask the staff to teach you to do it yourself.”

They have allergies

Sometimes dogs drag their butts simply because they itch. Like humans, dogs can have allergic reactions to environmental factors, like grasses, pollen and foods. And in dogs, the reactions tend to manifest on the skin.

“Where we get sneezing or runny eyes, dogs get inflamed-feeling skin,” says Dr. Hawkins. “It’s why they sometimes chew at their toes and lick their bellies. And it can be a reason they drag their backsides too.”

What to do: “Wipe their skin down when they come back in from being outside to try to reduce the contact with allergens,” says Dr. Tate. “And discuss allergy-management options with your veterinary care team.” Your vet might want to prescribe antihistamines or other medication for your pet and may recommend a special dog food for allergies.

They’ve got a parasite

A tapeworm or other intestinal parasite might also cause your dog to drag its butt across the floor. “If they’re being passed in the feces or wriggling out of the rectum, it can be itchy,” says Dr. Hawkins. “The worm fragments can be small, and you don’t really notice them back there, but they can be a reason for some itching or discomfort.”

What to do: Bring a stool sample for your veterinarian so they can check for parasites.

Something else is bothering their backside

Why do dogs drag their butts if they’re not dealing with a medical issue? It may be a matter of irritation in the area.

For dogs that get groomed, “a recent shave can leave a little clipper irritation,” says Dr. Hawkins. “Or if they have loose stools or diarrhea, it can cause some irritation to the rectum. That can be another reason to drag or rub their bottom on the carpet.”

What to do: Most minor irritations will clear up on their own. Just keep an eye on the area and look out for other signs your dog might be sick or in pain.

When should I worry about dog scooting?

A dog dragging its butt across the floor isn’t always cause for concern, but you don’t want to overlook a potential health issue. So when should you bring your bum-scooting pet to the vet? “I encourage patients to be checked when the scooting behavior is consistent or there is pain associated with the activity,” says Dr. Tate. “So if your pet does not stop scooting or is repeatedly scooting, then it should be checked out.”

What can I do at home to stop dog scooting?

If your dog is routinely dragging its butt across the floor, it’s important to see a veterinarian to make sure you address any serious health issues, like allergies or anal sac problems. But there are also some things you can do at home.

Keep flea treatments up to date

“Ensuring that the pet is up-to-date on their flea and tick prevention protects against flea allergy dermatitis,” says Dr. Tate.

It can also help protect the dog against tapeworms. “Fleas are how dogs get tapeworms,” says Dr. Hawkins, “by digesting a flea that’s carrying part of the tapeworm lifecycle.”

Feed your dog a high-fiber diet

Some dogs that are prone to anal sac issues can benefit from a high-fiber diet. “Dog foods with a little more bulk can help make the stools a little more firm so they do their job and press on the anal sacs as it passes through,” says Dr. Hawkins.

Dog foods that contain probiotics might also be helpful. “If scooting is a recurring problem, something to discuss with your veterinary care team is the use of probiotics to manage any imbalance of gut bacterial flora,” says Dr. Tate. In fact, you’ll want to discuss the best diet for your dog with your vet.

Keep an eye on its behind

Dog parents should also make sure there is no physical obstacle preventing the anal glands from working normally. “If there is hair stuck to the rectum or feces stuck in the hair, then the rectal opening can become obstructed, preventing normal defecation behavior and, most important, the inability to express anal glands fully,” says Dr. Tate.

About the experts

• Jennifer Hawkins, DVM, is a veterinarian and the executive director of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association.
• Amy Tate, DVM, is the co-owner of Riverview Animal Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama.

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So why do cats put their butt in your face? As with so many other quirky aspects of cat behaviorlike why your cat licks you or rubs up against youthere is a reason cats do what they do. We asked a panel of veterinarians and cat behaviorists why cats seem to be so fond of flashing their rears, what’s behind this strange feline body language and if there’s a way to train your cat to stop doing it. Here’s what you need to know.

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Why do cats put their butt in your face?

There are actually a few reasons for your cat to put his backside in your faceand all of them indicate a strong bond between you and your furry friend. So yes, this behavior is actually a positive thing!

Your cat really likes you

It may seem off-putting, but when a cat puts his butt in your face, it’s actually a sign that he likes you. A lot. “Humans have some people we greet with a handshake, and others we greet with a hug,” says Dr. Hawkins. “This is a cat’s way of greeting you with a hug. It’s a warm greeting, like: ‘Here’s my backsidehere’s who I am.’ And they don’t do it with everybody. Cats only do it with their special people.”

Your cat trusts you

When a cat puts his butt in your face, he’s leaving a vulnerable area of his body exposed, says Amy Tate, DVM, co-owner of Riverview Animal Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. In short, it means your cat trusts you implicitly. “To turn their body in a way that is trusting and friendly is a sign your cat has accepted you into their social group,” she explains. “You should consider it high praise.”

Your cat wants attention

Aside from professing his love and trust, your cat is likely also looking for a little petting or some food. “Cats are smart,” says Dr. Hawkins. “They know we’re not cats, so they don’t expect us to respond like a cat would and put our nose in there, but they are looking for some love and attention in return.” It’s not just the most affectionate cat breeds that exhibit this behavior either.

It’s just what cats do among friends

“Cats that have a friendly relationship will often greet each other with nose-to-nose sniffing and then a round of anal sniffing,” says certified cat behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett. “When your cat walks up to you and presents their rear end, it’s a friendly gesture and an invitation. Of course, your cat will understand if you don’t want to follow [suit].”

Is there an evolutionary reason for this behavior?

Butt-sniffing is common behavior in the cat world, because cats use scent as a major form of communication. “Cats engage in sniffing to gather information about each other,” says Johnson-Bennett. Presenting their butts to another cator a humanis also a way they show they are not a threat.

Some experts think it may have something to do with the way very young kittens present their backsides to their mothers for cleaning. “When they’re brand-new babies, they don’t defecate on their own,” says Dr. Hawkins. “They have to get their bottom cleaned by their mother, so that is sort of a nurturing behavior that the mother does with the kittens. It could be part of what triggers this behavior, part of an affection that they show to each other.”

What does this behavior mean for your relationship with your cat?

If your cat regularly puts his butt in your face, you should consider it proof that the bond between you and your cat is strong. “It may seem insulting that kitty chooses to put their back end toward you, but it’s actually a compliment,” says Johnson-Bennett. “It means the cat feels comfortable and safe. This is a positive sign indicating a strong bond.” Chances are, it also means your cat is happy in that moment.

What should you do when your cat does this?

“You should be flattered!” says Dr. Hawkins. “When it happens, a lot of us kinda smile, like, Uh, OK. But it’s a warm greeting, and I would respond with a little scratch to the base of their tail or petting them along their spine.” It’s the perfect way to acknowledge the kitty honor and to give them a little affection in the process.

How can you get a cat to stop putting their butt in your face?

Of course even cat lovers might not actually want to be looking at cat butt all day. So how do you get a cat to stop putting his butt in your face? Well, a cat’s going to do what a cat’s going to do, but there are a few things you can do to minimize the behavior.

Head them off at the turn

Essentially you’ll just want to interrupt the positioning before the cat has completely turned his back to you. “When your cat starts to turn around you can just start petting,” says Johnson-Bennett. “It will let kitty know you have received and appreciate the gesture. Don’t push them away because that will create confusion and could damage the bond you share.”

Redirect their attention

Find something else to do together that you both enjoy. “Move to engaging your cat in play or petting/grooming activities,” says Dr. Tate. “Food can be the wrong reward at this time because we mistake the meowing that comes with this behavior as hunger cues when it is really a need for social interaction.”

Ignore it

“If you give them attention, you are encouraging the behavior,” says Dr. Hawkins, “so if it’s something that really annoys you, ignore it. Have you ever hugged somebody that didn’t hug back? It’s sorta awkward. But cats don’t get offended too terribly. They might just choose you a little less often.” Now that you know the real reason cats put their butt in your face, you might not mind it quite as much.

About the experts

• Jennifer Hawkins, DVM, is the executive director of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association.
• Pam Johnson-Bennett is a certified cat behaviorist and the owner of Cat Behavior Associates, a private veterinarian-referred behavior company in Nashville. She is the author of eight books on cat behavior and training, including Think Like a Cat.
• Amy Tate, DVM, is the co-owner of Riverview Animal Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama.

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As the fur on their faces starts to transition innocently to white and you perceive what seem to be signs of disorientation or confusion, maybe you’ve wondered whether dogs get dementia. Recent findings from North Carolina State University seem to hint that cognitive dysfunction can occur not only in our human loved ones but in our animal companions too. The research even suggests that dementia symptoms between these two tight-knit mammals might even show some similarities.

Identifying the markers of dog dementia

A dog’s behavioral shifts might indicate cognitive dysfunction, from aimless wandering to getting stuck in corners. A June 2023 study from NC State and published in Frontiers in Veterinary Sciencepresents an intriguing observation: The speed at which senior dogs walk might directly correlate with their brain health.

Natasha Olby, PhD, study author and Distinguished Chair in Gerontology at NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, notes in anews release: “Walking speed in people is strongly associated with cognitive decline. We hypothesized that the same might be true in dogs.”

The study involved measuring the gait speed off-leash in both adult dogs, serving as a control group, and senior dogs. These senior dogs underwent additional cognitive tests, and their owners completed a cognitive assessment questionnaire known as the “CADES questionnaire.”

Findings revealed that senior dogs that moved slower exhibited more pronounced cognitive decline, as gauged through the questionnaire and cognitive testing.

The science of gauging a dog’s gait speed

Measuring a dog’s gait speed isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. “The challenge with measuring gait speed is that dogs tend to match the speed of their handler when on leash,” Olby explains. This led researchers to test both on-leash and off-leash speeds. Olby adds, “We found that on-leash, size does correlate with gait speed, but off-leash it doesn’t make a difference. Capturing gait speed off-leash lets us see the effects of both physical ability and food motivation.”

What’s interesting is that size wasn’t a determining factor for speed among the senior dogs. Essentially, senior dogs in the last 25% of their expected lifespan were slower than adult dogs, irrespective of their size.

This decline, Olby says, mirrors human patterns, where walking speed remains fairly consistent before declining as we approach the latter part of our lives.

Walking speed and cognitive decline

Olby emphasizes the deep-seated connection between mobility and cognition, both pivotal morbidity markers in functional aging. “Mobility relies heavily on sensory input, central processing and motor outputin other words, the nervous systemand as a result, mobility and cognition are super interconnected,” she explains. Hence, reduced mobility leads to diminished input to the nervous system, establishing the link between walking speed and dementia.

For Olby and her team, the exciting takeaway from this research is twofold: The established correlation between gait speed and dementia in dogs mirrors that in humans, and the testing methodology’s simplicity, being food-motivated and short, can easily be replicated by veterinarians, potentially serving as a fundamental screening test for aging pets.

With these new findings from NC State, recognized changesparticularly in your aging dog’s walking speedcould be an early sign of cognitive decline. Consulting with your veterinarianand staying updated with the latest research ensures a more informed approach to your pet’s golden years, better empowering you to provide them with the best possible care.

Sources:

• American Kennel Club: “Aging in Dogs: Physical and Mental Signs Your Dog Is Getting Older”
• Frontiers in Veterinary Science: “Winning the race with aging: age-related changes in gait speed and its association with cognitive performance in dogs”
• NC State University News: “Slow Walking Could Be Sign of Dementia in Older Dogs”

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There are many dog behavior mysteries that puzzle us, including why dogs eat grass. But the question of why dogs roll in the grass is just plain itchy and dirty. Is it just because it feels good? Are they spreading a scent around? Or do they really just enjoy rolling around in dirt? We asked the experts about this particular dog behavior and whether pet parents should let their dogs continue to roll in the grass.

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Why do dogs roll in the grass?

There are many reasons dogs may roll in the grass, according to veterinarians. It might be out of happiness or pleasure, due to instincts hardwired in their DNA or because of a health issue. Here are some reasons.

It feels good

Have you ever used a back scratcher or rubbed up against a corner when you’ve had an itch you couldn’t quite reachand no one was around to scratch it? Dogs experience that same “aah” feeling when they roll on the grass.

They’re happy

Rolling in the grass may simply be a sign of playfulness, says Don LeHoullier, DVM, a veterinary expert for CareCredit Pet. Or maybe it’s how they express their delight at seeing you. “My dogs roll in the grass when I take them outside upon my return home,” says Kevin Puzycki, DVM, a spokesperson for Solid Gold pet food.

They’re itchy or allergic

More than just a little itch to scratch, persistent rolling in the grass may be a sign of allergies, says Dr. Puzycki. “I often advise clients that have dogs with allergies to envision a car covered in pollen during the spring. This film of pollen is similar to what happens on a dog’s coat. Countless allergens, invisible to our naked eye, stick on a dog’s fur, paws and more, causing consistent irritation to the skin,” he says. “Signs such as paw licking and rolling around are attempts at scratching that itch.”

They’re following their instincts

Your small breed dog or couch potato pup may seem far removed from their hunting dog ancestors, but rolling in the grass can also be instinctual hunting behavior. “Dogs may roll in the grass in order to mask their natural scent,” says Dr. LeHoullier, “with either the scent of the grass or that of another animal whose scent was present where the dog is rolling. This behavior would have assisted in hunting as the dog could then potentially get closer to their prey.”

They’re marking their territory

It’s also animal instinct to mark territory, and rolling in the grass is related to this behavior. “One of my dogs is particularly dominant,” says Dr. Puzycki, “and during walks, [they] occasionally attempt to roll in areas where another dog has marked their scent with urine or feces.”

Nasty stuff smells good to them

As much as it may repulse us, the smell of a stinky dead animal or another animal’s urine or feces might be a pleasant aroma for your dogso much so that they want to wear it like perfume! By rolling in a dead animal (gross, we know), they may be claiming it as their own and signaling other animals to stay away.

Should you let your dog roll in the grass?

Rolling in the grass is natural behavior for a dog, says Dr. Puzycki. “Unless they have allergies or constantly roll in undesirable odors, there’s no harm in it,” he says. Dr. LeHoullier concurs and says he doesn’t discourage the behavior “unless it involves some form of rolling in unpleasant odor.” But he adds that “frequent rolling may be a sign of allergies, fleas or another issue causing itchy skin. If this is the case, be sure to discuss with your veterinarian.”

How to train your dog not to roll in the grass

If your dog has a tendency to roll in nasty stuff, or you’re just concerned about them bringing grass or dirt into the house, you can work on discouraging rolling by redirecting the behavior and using positive reinforcement, says Dr. LeHoullier. “When the dog starts to roll, or you notice they are about to roll, redirect their attention then praise them to reinforce the desired behavior.”

Dr. Puzycki says that training your dog not to roll on the grass all boils down to training your dog in general and teaching them to be responsive to your calls and commands. You also have to remain vigilant when you take your dog for a walk, or even when they’re in the backyard. “If your dog is prone to rolling in unpleasant scents,” he says, “it’s also your responsibility to survey the surroundings for such things.” If the undesirable behavior persists, then it might be time to call a professional dog trainer.

About the experts

• Don LeHoullier, DVM, is a veterinarian and owner of Countryside Veterinary Clinic in Jefferson, Oregon. He is a veterinary expert for CareCredit Pet, a health and wellness credit card for pets.
• Kevin Puzycki, DVM, is a veterinarian at Low Cost Animal Medical Center in New Orleans and a spokesperson for Solid Gold pet food.

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We talked to experts to get to the bottom of dog behavior and cat behavior, and learned that often, like most relationships, whether dogs and cats get along comes down to communication. We also learned how to train a dog if you want to introduce a new cat or kitten into your home. There are a lot of things your dog hates, but if you want to find out if dogs hate cats or if it’s all fake between these household frenemies, read on.

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Why do dogs hate cats?

The truth is, dogs don’t hate cats, but they are two different species and misunderstandings are bound to happen. “Dogs and cats aren’t destined to be foes,” says Sara Ochoa, DVM, veterinarian and co-founder of How To Pets. “Like humans, they can form profound, enduring connections or experience conflict based on several factors.” Here’s why they may not get along.

A dog’s prey drive

The root of the myth of why dogs hate cats may stem from dogs’ instinctual need to chase and capture moving objects, inherited from their wolf ancestors. “This [prey drive] served an essential role in the survival of wolves and early dogs by ensuring they could secure food for themselves and their pack,” says Dr. Ochoa. Although domesticated dogs no longer need to hunt for their food, a cat’s quick movements can trigger this deeply ingrained instinct, making them think the cat is something that needs to be chased.

Different communication styles

While dogs bark, wag their tails and offer lots of dog kisses to express themselves, cat body language differs. Cats often communicate their feelings more subtly, which can cause misunderstandings on both sides. “For instance, a cat swishing its tail could signal irritation or a desire to be left alone, but a dog might interpret it as an invitation to play,” Dr. Ochoa says.

Different needs

Communication styles aren’t the only difference between cats and dogs. Personality differences can also come into play. Out of the two species, dogs are often the more outgoing, which is a nice way of saying they have no personal boundaries. Cats, on the other hand, value personal space and boundaries more. These differences in needs can sometimes lead to conflicts. “For example, a dog’s enthusiastic attempt to play might overwhelm a cat, leading to the cat feeling threatened or stressed,” says Dr. Ochoa.

Do cats hate dogs?

People often ask why do dogs hate cats, but what about the reverse? Do cats hate dogs? “No, cats do not inherently hate dogs,” says Karis Nafte, a certified dog behavior consultant and founder and owner of pet custody course Who Keeps the Dog. “Cats are both hunters and prey animals themselves,” says Nafte. “This means in any new situation or environment they find themselves in, they are always looking for potential danger to themselves as well as anything small enough for them to hunt.” Until cats are used to a dog, even a very playful one can seem like a threat.

Can dogs and cats learn to get along?

Believe it or not, not only are dogs and cats not destined to be mortal enemies, but nearly any dog and cat can learn to get along, as long as the owners are very patient and willing to go at the pace of their animals, says Nafte. Of course, there are certain affectionate dog breeds and adaptable personalities, such as golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers and poodles, that are considered cat-friendly dogs. But “the degree to which a dog and cat are [likely] to be friends is less about the breed [and more about] the individual temperament and socializing of each dog,” says Nafte. To help your dog socialize with cats, follow this plan.

1. Start slow

When introducing a new dog to a neighborhood cat or friend’s cat (or vice versa), do it gradually. Start with controlled meetings where both animals are on a leash. That way they can “observe each other without direct physical contact, reducing the risk of sudden reactions,” says Dr. Ochoa.

2. Don’t shout if your dog tries to chase the cat

Your instinct may be to yell “No!” when your dog thinks it’s time to play chase, but that can be more detrimental than beneficial. “When you shout, it sounds like you are barking along with your dog and you will also scare your cat in the process,” says Nafte. “Punishing your dog simply creates more stress and confusion.”

3. Use positive reinforcement

Reward your cat and dog with the best treats, affection and praise when they are near each other and exhibiting calm behavior. Dr. Ochoa says this helps them associate positive experiences with being in each other’s presence.

4. Keep your dog well-exercised

“Any dog that is bored or frustrated at home is much more likely to overreact to stimulus like cats,” says Nafte. But a tired dog that’s had good daily exerciseis much less threatening (and less enthusiastic) to a cat. Also, make sure you provide lots of appropriate chew toys to keep them entertained and give them other things to focus on besides the cat.

How should I introduce my dog to a new cat?

You’ve found the perfect feline addition to your family, but will Fido welcome him into the home? Here’s how to help both animals learn to loveinstead of loatheeach other.

1. Swap bedding

Before you introduce the two animals in person, first do a scent exchange by swapping bedding or toys between the two animals. “This helps them become familiar with each other’s scent before they physically meet,” says Dr. Ochoa.

2. Create a cat-safe room

Before you bring your cat home, make sure you have a space that the dog cannot access where the cat has everything they need: litter box, food and toys. “This room should have plenty of hiding places the cat can go to until they feel safe and ready to explore,” says Nafte. After a few days, when the cat seems comfortable in its new environment and you are close to supervise, open the door and place a baby gate on the door so the cat can see out of the room but the dog cannot get into the room, allowing the cat and dog to smell each other in person.

3. Keep your dog entertained

While you have the door to the cat room open (and baby gate closed) feed your dog near the door or give your dog a healthy chew item or puzzle toy so the dog has something more interesting to do than look at or stare at the cat. “Ideally, you want the cat to see the dog calmly chewing on something rather than looking at or staring at the cat,” says Nafte. Repeat this a few times a day for a few minutes.

4. Start to leave the door open

After a few days of the above routine, if your dog has not exhibited any aggression toward the cat, start to leave the door open so your cat can wander into the house. It’s important to keep your dog on a leash during this step to prevent them from chasing or spooking the cat, says Nafte. “Keep treats in your pocket, and if the dog looks at the cat, then looks back at you, reward them with a treat for staying calm,” she says.

5. Get professional help, if needed

If you feel your dog is acting dangerously or aggressively toward your cat, is showing signs it needs obedience training or seems to be staring, stalking or freezing when they see the cat, then seek out a qualified, professional animal trainer to help you.

About the experts

• Sara Ochoa, DVM, is a veterinarian who currently works at the Animal Hospital of West Monroe in Louisiana. She is the co-founder of How To Pets, a website dedicated to vet-approved content about pets.
• Karis Nafte, CDBC, is a certified dog behavior consultant and pet custody mediator whose company, Who Keeps the Dog, works online with clients around the world. She has been helping owners integrate dogs and cats (and fix other behavioral issues) for the past 25 years.

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This Starbucks drink checks the boxes of what dogs wantwhich is basically anything from the list of human foods dogs can eat, including occasional treats like ice cream and popcorn. But what’s in a Starbucks puppuccino? And is it safe for your pup?

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What is a puppuccino, exactly?

As you may have guessed, it’s a cleverly named, off-menu drink for your dog, and you can order it only at Starbucks. Though it’s a super-cute play on words, Starbucks’s puppuccino isn’t a canine version of a cappuccino. And thank goodness for that! The last thing your pup needs is to lap up a cup of coffee, since caffeine is toxic for dogs. The coffee giant’s puppuccino is actually just lightly flavored whipped cream, made from heavy whipping cream and vanilla syrup.

How do you order a puppuccino at Starbucks?

The puppuccino isn’t an official menu option, so you might wonder if you’ll be met with a blank stare when you try to order this secret Starbucks drink. Luckily, the baristas are in-the-know and shouldn’t bat an eye when you ask for a Starbucks puppuccino. Ask and you shall receive!

One important note, though: While it would be amazing to sit and sip (or, as your dog would say, sit and lick) your drinks together, pets aren’t allowed inside Starbucks unless they are service animals. However, you can order at the drive-thru window. Alternatively, you could pop inside and order it if the line isn’t too long and leave your dog outside with a friend or family member. Starbucks welcomes pets on its patios.

How much does a puppuccino cost?

Since the Starbucks puppuccino isn’t an official menu item, there is no set price. A spokesperson for Starbucks says, “All customers have the ability to order extra whipped cream for a beverage, and we’ve seen customers order this for their dogs at no extra charge.” If you’re already ordering something for yourself, you likely won’t be charged a fee, and chances are, if you’re just ordering a puppuccino for your dog and nothing for yourself, you’ll likely still get it for free.

Are puppuccinos safe for dogs?

We knowyour dog’s tail is wagging in suspense to find out if they can eat the Starbucks puppuccino. The short answer is yes, with some caveats. “Puppuccinos are not toxic to dogs, meaning many dogs can safely enjoy these in moderation,” says Ashley Ackley, a veterinarian at Western Veterinary Partners in Denver.

Typically, the Starbucks puppuccino is served in a three-ounce espresso cup, but Starbucks baristas might be extra generous and fill a larger-size cup. While a whipped-cream-covered muzzle is extra cute, you should consider the size of your dog and the size of the puppuccino before letting them dive in. That’s Dr. Ackley’s adorable dog, Tilly Terrier, in the opening image, by the way, and she notes that Tilly was not allowed to finish that oversized puppuccino.

How much is too much for a dog?

Dogs don’t understand the concept of having too much of a good thing, and most would wolf down a venti-size puppuccino if given the chance. But just because whipped cream is light and fluffy, that doesn’t make it a healthy dog treat. An espresso-size puppuccino is generally acceptable for most medium- to large-size dogs, but smaller dogs should definitely scale back. Think of it this way: A five-pound pupster may require about 200 calories daily. An espresso-size puppuccino is roughly 50 to 100 calories, so eating that in one sitting is essentially an entire mealand one that’s made primarily of fat and sugar.

“Puppuccinos are not very healthy for dogs, just like having a cup of whipped cream is not healthy for humans,” says Dr. Ackley. “That being said, we all like to spoil ourselves with whipped cream on our frappuccinos occasionally, so one for your dog may make their dayand yours.”

Should any dogs avoid puppuccinos?

You might not want to read this section out loud if your dog is snuggling next to you. Even though Starbucks’s puppuccino is a small treat, it can still cause trouble for some pups. “Dogs that have a history of a sensitive stomach in general, known lactose intolerance, pancreatitis or diabetes should avoid these,” says Dr. Ackley. “Also, if your vet has ever discussed that your dog needs to lose weight, this isn’t a great treat idea.” If you have any concerns at all, it’s best to check with your vet first.

Where else can you get treats for your pup?

Let’s be honest: You can get treats for your dog at any restaurant. A French fry here, a chicken nugget there, and they’ll be in heaven. Yet there are some restaurants that offer treats specifically for dogs. Some are official menu items, and others are “secret” and given at the discretion of the restaurant.

• Shake Shack offers Bag O’ Bones, which contains ShackBurger dog biscuits made by New York City’s Bocce’s Bakery. The biscuits are made with hormone-free, lean beef with cheddar cheese and power greens. Prices start at $8.09. For dessert seekers, there’s the Pooch-ini, vanilla custard topped with a couple of ShackBurger dog biscuits, starting at $4.19. On International Dog Day (Aug. 26), Shake Shack will be offering a BOGO offerbuy a shake, get a Pooch-ini for your pup.
• A&W offers dog treats, but since the restaurants are individually owned and operated, some will have them while others will not. An A&W spokesperson says the type of dog treats varies by location, so they recommend dog parents contact their local A&W to confirm availability.
• In-N-Out Burger offers a meat patty, dubbed the “pup patty” by customers. Pet parents can order it with or without salt. “A meat patty may be ordered individually at any of our locations for a little over a dollar,” says an In-N-Out spokesperson.

Now that you know the ins and outs of the Starbucks puppuccino and other doggy treats, find out what vets say is the very best diet for your dog.

About the expert

• Ashley Ackley, DVM, MS, cVMA, is a veterinarian at Western Veterinary Partners. She loves all creatures, especially senior canine companions, including her own senior dogs, Tilly Terrier and Dollar, and Dwight, her cat. She serves as a board member for The Grey Muzzle Organization, which improves the lives of at-risk senior dogs by providing funding and resources to nonprofit animal groups nationwide.

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If you’ve ever been through it yourself, you know that the loss of a beloved pet can be devastating. It’s a sad, painful experience that can make the bereaved feel lonely and isolated. If you’re in the orbit of grieving pet parents, you may struggle to know how to help or what to say when someone loses a petor may wonder if anything you say will even make a difference. But your presence and words of comfort are essential to helping them grieve and process their loss.

Whether they’re openly sharing their grief or suffering in silence, chances are, they’re going through a range of emotions, says animal chaplain and pet-loss counselor Kaleel Sakakeeny. “When our pets inevitably die, the physical bond is broken, and pet parents experience extreme distress and grief,” he says. “The loving, familiar shared reality [with their pet] is gone, leaving them and their homes bereft and empty.”

Guilt often plays a part, he says. “Maybe the veterinarian lacked the compassion the pet parent needed, or maybe the pet parent felt they acted too soon or too late to euthanize their sick and distressed pet.” If the pet died when the pet owner was not present, that grief and guilt are even more compounded.

And this is where you, as a friend, family member, neighbor or co-worker, come in. Knowing what to say when someone loses a pet helps validate their grief and provides much-needed comfort. Even if you can’t be present in person, your condolence messages after a beloved animal’s passing will be heard and, hopefully, appreciated. Here’s a look at the etiquette of comforting a grieving pet lover and what to say to someone who lost a pet.

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How do you comfort someone who lost their pet?

There are some concrete ways you can comfort someone who has lost their pet, but keep in mind that every pet lover handles the loss of their animal companion differently. “Some people are closed off and don’t want to talk about it,” says etiquette expert Jules Martinez Hirst. “Others can’t stop crying and sharing stories of their beloved pet.”

If you want to make sure you’re being a compassionate friend, try one (or more) of the methods below.

Visit in person

If circumstances allow, take the time to visit the grieving pet lover in person. “Be present,” says Sakakeeny. “Show up. Offer to take a walk, sit with them, let them feel your presence.”

He says the person may want to tell stories about their life with and love of their pet or maybe even recount the last days and hours of their pet’s life. “Take cues from your friend,” he says. “If they are comfortable talking about the love, the antics, the joy and the sadness of their pet, then listen and affirm.”

Offer your support

Martinez Hirst says you can offer concrete help during this difficult time. “Help around the house. Bring food over. Take out the trash,” she says. “Letting them know that you are there for them provides the comfort and security they need during this tough time.”

If the timing feels right, you might offer to wash the deceased pet’s bedding and tuck it away, or help the pet parent select a special place in the house to keep the late fur baby’s dog leash, collar or favorite toys.

Make a donation in their pet’s name

Donating money to a pet rescue organization is a lovely way to remember a deceased pet while helping other animals. The Humane Society of the United States, along with countless regional and local animal shelters and rescue groups, will put your donation to good use. Some will even send a note to the grieving pet owner to let them know a donation was made in their pet’s name.

Gift a special pet remembrance

Once you’ve gauged how your friend is taking the loss of their pet, you can consider a personalized sympathy gift that memorializes their cat, dog or other animal companion. It might be a framed photo, an engraved brick or stone for their garden, or some other item that recalls their pet.

Best Friends Animal Society offers several personalized items that can be sent to the pet parent’s home or installed at Angel’s Rest, their pet memorial park in Utah.

Say the right thing

Whether you’re comforting a bereaved pet parent in person or in writing, knowing what to say when someone loses a petand, just as important, what not to saywill ultimately help them grieve, process and overcome the loss of their furry companion.

What to say in person

It can be tough to figure out what to say to someone who’s grieving, but before spouting comforting words for the loss of a pet, focus on being a good listener and being present. “Providing a shoulder to cry on or being a listener of special memories will help the owner grieve,” says Martinez Hirst. “The empathy you provide will do wonders.”

Sakakeeny agrees. “Honestly, the less said, the better,” he notes. “The greatest comfort is to be there for your friend.”

When it’s time to speak, here are some suggestions:

1. I’m so sorry about the loss of your dear [pet’s name]. I know how much he meant to you.
2. [Pet’s name] was such a great [cat, dog, etc.]. I know how much you’ll miss her.
3. I know [pet’s name] was part of the family. Give yourself all the time you need to grieve.
4. The death of a pet is always a terrible loss. I want you to know that I’m here for you.
5. You gave [pet’s name] such a happy life. I hope you can find comfort in knowing that.
6. I know what a special bond you and [pet’s name] shared, and I understand how hard this is.
7. [Pet’s name] touched all our lives with his sweetness and antics. We’ll all miss him.
8. Losing a pet is like losing a family member. If you need to have a good cry, I’m here.
9. [Pet’s name] was the best. There’ll never be another like her.
10. I know how difficult things are right now. Be sure you remember to take care of yourself during this sad time.

What to say in a sympathy card

The etiquette around a pet’s passing isn’t quite the same as funeral etiquette for humans, but there are some best practices that’ll help you comfort without making any faux pas. Good manners involve knowing what to say when someone loses a pet and taking the appropriate steps to recognize the role the pet played in its owner’s life.

“Sending a sympathy card is a nice acknowledgment of the pet and the important bond the pet had with the owner,” says Martinez Hirst. “It is important to acknowledge this bond and let the owner know how important the pet was and that the pet will always be remembered. If possible, expressing your availability to talk or visit is a nice touch.”

Here are some ideas for what to write in a pet sympathy card:

1. We know dear [pet’s name] is at peace now, but we also know how much you loved and miss him. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
2. May the memories of all the happy years you shared with [pet’s name] offer you comfort at this difficult time.
3. In honor of your beloved [pet’s name] and the special bond you shared, I’ve made a donation to [pet charity name] in her name.
4. I’m so sorry to learn of [pet’s name’s] sad passing, and I want you to know I’m here whenever you need a hug or would like to talk.
5. I know how much joy [pet’s name] brought to your lives, and I hope your happy memories help you through your grief.
6. [Pet’s name] was just the best [dog, cat, etc.], and we know how special he was to you. Please accept our sincerest condolences at this sad time.
7. Pets hold a special place in our hearts, and [pet’s name] was such a sweet and loving companion. Please accept our sympathy for her loss.
8. We all loved [pet’s name], no one more than you. Please allow yourself time to grieve this sad loss, and let us know if there’s anything we can do to help or comfort you during this time.
9. I have the fondest memories of watching [pet’s name] play in your backyard. I will miss him, and I know you will too. Please accept my sympathies.
10. You gave [pet’s name] the best life, and she died knowing how much you loved her. I hope your happy memories with her will soon outweigh your sadness at her loss.

What to say over text

Martinez Hirst considers a “sympathy text” the last resort for conveying condolences. “Text messaging does not allow the reader to feel your emotion or tone,” she says, noting that, at worst, it may be misinterpreted. “The reader interprets the message in their own way, and it may not be in the way the sender intended.”

Still, if a drop-in visit is out of the question and you’d rather not mail out a card, sending a text is better than nothing. Here are a few suggestions for how to comfort someone who lost a pet over text. Note that most of these are conversation starters that invite a reply from the grieving owner, which helps show you care.

1. I heard about [pet’s name], and I’m so sorry. I’m here if you need me.
2. Hey, I’m so sorry about [pet’s name]. Can I call you later today and see how you’re holding up?
3. I heard about [pet’s name]. Are you doing OK? I know how much you loved him.
4. I’m just checking in. I know how hard it is to lose a pet, and I want you to know I’m here if you want to talk about [pet’s name] or anything else.
5. We all loved [pet’s name] so much and are so sorry to hear of her passing. Sending love and hugs to you and your family.
6. I’m so sorry about your dear [pet’s name]. I’d like to make a charitable donation in his memory. Do you have a favorite organization to which I could donate?
7. Losing a pet is just the saddest thing. If you want to talk (or have a good cry), please know that I’m here for you.
8. Hey, how are you holding up? I know how much you miss [pet’s name], and I hope you’re doing OK.
9. Just thinking of you. I know it’s hard right now, but please remember all the wonderful moments you shared with [pet’s name].
10. [Pet’s name] was such a sweetieand left us way too soon. We’re thinking of you and hope you’re managing with his loss.

What not to say when someone loses a pet

Like texts that can be misinterpreted, well-intentioned comments meant to help a grieving pet parent may actually make things worse. Comments that make light of the pain and grief the pet lover is experiencing can make the person feel “minimized and disenfranchised,” says Sakakeeny.

If your statement doesn’t provide empathy, support or understanding of what the owner is going through, adds Martinez Hirst, just skip it. And if you’ve accidentally said one of these things to a pal whose pet has recently died, be quick to apologize.

Topping the list of things not to say to a grieving pet lover are the following:

1. It’s just a dog/cat/hamster. Wrong. The deceased, dearly loved pet was a family member and possibly a best friend, never “just” an animal. We get that not everyone agrees with this sentiment, but minimizing a pet minimizes the person’s grief.
2. You can always get another one. Eventually, yes. But unless your friend has expressed interest in immediately getting another pet, save your breath. Or at most, offer this: “Whenever you think you’re ready, I’d be happy to visit the animal shelter with you.”
3. Don’t you think you’re taking this too hard? Sakakeeny calls this statement “seriously insensitive and deeply wounding.” Again, if you don’t understand the depth of the human-pet bond, it’s best to offer a simple “I’m sorry for your loss” and move on.
4. They had a good, long life. While the statement may be true, Martinez Hirst says it can still “be interpreted as shallow and dismissive. The same goes for “they’re in a better place now.”
5. When I lost my dog… Don’t start sharing your own pet-grief journey with your mourning friend or talk about how awful your experience was or how quickly you recovered from the loss of your pet. It’s not a competition.

About the experts

• Jules Martinez Hirst is an etiquette expert and co-author of the book Power of Civility. She offers modern manners classes and is dedicated to providing students and employees with tips and techniques to handle proper etiquette in today’s highly competitive, global marketplace.
• Kaleel Sakakeeny is an ordained animal chaplain, pet and loss counselor, nondenominational pastor and credentialed grief educator. He runs Animal Talks, a Boston-based nonprofit offering pet-loss support.

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Smartest dog breeds, ranked for intelligence

Dogs have been humankind’s faithful companion since as far back as the Stone Age, and it’s not just because they’re so dang cute. They’re intelligent in a way that’s ideal for humans, a state of affairs that was entirely intentional; over the millennia, humans bred dogs to be perfect canine companions. At any moment in history, the smartest dog breeds have served as more than man’s best friend: They’ve been navigators and field guides, wartime comrades, detectives, garbage collectors, movie stars, and security consultants, as renowned canine researcher and professor Stanley Coren, PhD, points out in his iconic book The Intelligence of Dogs. Dogs are among the few animals that have traveled to space, and they’ve saved countless lives, both literally and metaphorically.

“There are three types of dog intelligence,” says Coren, who defines canine smarts by the way dogs interact with humans. The first is “instinctive” and focuses on what the dog has been bred by humans to do. The second is “adaptive,” or how well the dog learns from its environment to solve problems. The third is “working and obedience,” or how hard the dog is willing to work to please its people and do its jobs. What underpins all three is the desire and ability to communicate effectively with humansboth by understanding its human’s signs, actions, and commands, and by expressing itself via barks, body movements, and actions.

The average dog can understand 160 words, according to Coren, and some dogs comprehend as many as 250 or more. But what may be even more fundamental to effective communication between dogs and humans is that dogs, as a general rule, actually care. “Dogs are very attentive to and responsive to us,” Alexandra Horowitz, head of the Dog Cognition Lab at Columbia University’s Barnard College, told the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Although this is true for all pooches, the smartest dog breeds have certain traits that put their intelligence a step above. Just as some of our furry friends are known for being affectionate dog breeds, small dog breeds, or dogs that don’t shed, others are known as the most intelligent dogs, at least according to Coren’s rubric. So, how smart are dogs exactly? The pups on our list may not be ready to challenge you to a game of cards, but they do their jobs, and well.

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Normal grooming

First things first. Why do dogs lick their paws? They may just be grooming themselves with their preferred paw, which is totally normal. Occasional paw licking, a few minutes a day, is far from unusual. While not as fastidious as cats, dogs do make some effort to keep themselves, particularly their paws, clean. It’s common for a dog to lick his paws briefly after coming in from a walk, especially if he might have gotten sand or dirt on them. If you’re wondering “Should I stop my dog from licking his paws?” and the behavior fits that description, then no. If your dog seems to be constantly licking his paws, however, read on.

Why do dogs excessively chew or lick their paws?

An injury

If your dog is chewing his paws, it may be a sign that he’s hurt. Stepping on glass or a thorn, breaking a claw, being stung by a bee or getting burned on hot asphalt are just a few things that may be causing this behavior. “For example, on the West Coast, there are little plants called foxtails,” says veterinarian Gary Richter, DVM, owner of Holistic Veterinary Care. “The seeds can actually burrow into the skin in between a dog’s toes.”

A boo-boo is especially likely to be the culprit if the licking starts out of nowhere. Take a good look at each nail, in between your dog’s toes and pads, and the top of his feet. Depending on what’s wrong, you may be able to take care of it yourself with a good canine first-aid kit. If you have any doubt, though, check in with your vet.

Pain

As a pet parent, you’ve probably noticed that dogs can come up with inventive ways to communicate. So you may be wondering what they’re trying to warn you about when they lick their paws. Dogs that are continuously licking their paws may be experiencing painbut not necessarily in the paw. Many dogs feeling pain anywhere in their body will lick a front paw as a means of coping with it.

It may take a while to figure this out, since dogs, like many animals, attempt to conceal their pain. Of all the potential answers to the question “Why do dogs lick their paws?” this possibility may be the most upsetting. If nothing else seems to make sense, contact your veterinarian to get to the bottom of your pup’s discomfort.

Parasites

Fleas, ticks and mange can irritate and itch like crazy anywhere on your dog’s body, including, of course, his feet. Especially during the summer months, parasites could be the cause of your dog licking his paws. Numerous treatment options are available for canine parasites, and your veterinarian can help you decide which is the best one for your dog’s particular situation. If your pet has a flea infestation, these home remedies for fleas are worth checking out.

A food allergy

It may not be intuitive, but food allergies are known to cause itchy paws in dogs. While it’s unclear exactly why the paws specifically seem to be affected, this is among the first things vets look to in cases of a dog constantly licking his paws.

What foods cause dogs to lick their paws? The answer isn’t the same for every dog and every situation. “In these cases, you should talk with your veterinarian about which type of food might be best for your dog,” advises Dr. Lobos. “Some pet parents find that a complete and balanced diet that is made with fewer ingredients or a single source of animal protein can help.” Here are the foods vets buy for their own dogs.

Dermatitis

You may think that itchy paws would be the obvious reason behind a dog’s biting and licking. Indeed, if you notice that your dog won’t stop licking his paws during only one season or weather pattern, dermatitis may be the cause. Dermatitis in dogs can be triggered by an allergic reaction to something in their environment.

For a dog, biting paws may be a sign that substances like lawn chemicals, rock salt and other de-icing products or weeds and plants are bothering him. “Dogs can be affected by pollens, grasses and molds just like we are,” notes Dr. Lobos. The dog-chewing-paws remedy may be as simple as cleaning his feet with a paw cleaner after every walk. “Regular bathing with an appropriate dog shampoo can also be very, very helpful,” adds Dr. Richter.

Behavioral issues

As boredom or anxiety takes hold in a dog, excessive licking can follow. Don’t go by appearances here. Even high-energy dogs can be bored, and pups that seem calm can be anxious under certain circumstances. In fact, here are a few unexpected things that can trigger dog anxiety. Consulting with a dog trainer or behaviorist on a treatment plan can solve the root cause of such licking. And the earlier you catch it, the easier it will be to correct.

A corn

If your dog happens to be a greyhound, this is a definite possibility. Greyhounds are virtually the only breed that gets corns, due to the unique way their feet are formed. Corns can be really uncomfortable for your dog, causing him to lick the affected paw. Special booties can alleviate them, as can avoiding walking your dog on pavement and other hard surfaces.

How to stop a dog from licking its paws

At the end of the day, knowing all the possible answers to the question “Why do dogs lick their paws?” is less important than figuring out how to get your dog to stop licking his paws. No matter the reason for a dog continuously licking and nibbling at his paws, the moisture can cause a bacterial or yeast infection. In other words, the licking itself becomes its own problem. So come up with a plan with your vet to stop the behavior sooner rather than later.

“I recommend visiting your vet if your dog continues to lick, chew or bite at the pad after trying to get them to stop or if your dog is guarding their paw,” says Dr. Lobos. If you have a light-colored dog, one sign of excessive licking is fur discoloration. “They get what’s called saliva staining on their fur,” says Dr. Richter. “The fur will actually turn a rusty color where they’re licking.”

Celebrity dog trainer Chrissy Joy echoes Dr. Richter’s advice: If you suspect the paw licking is something medical, consult your vet. However, if the paw licking is behavioral, she recommends trying the following strategies to thwart it:

1. Give your dog something to do

If your dog is licking their paws because they’re bored, Joy recommends giving them something enriching to do. Creating an engaging environment that promotes mental stimulation allows your pup to focus on something other than their paws. “The use of puzzle toys is an excellent option to help create an engaging environment for your dog,” she explains. “Many puzzle toys can be found online, including unique shapes and styles that offer unique challenges for your dog.” Somewhere to start: putting your dog’s meal into a puzzle toy and offering it to them when they start licking their paws.

2. Exercise your dog

This is another tip for the pup that’s licking their paws out of boredom. Joy says exercising your dog daily and tiring them out will help alleviate boredom behaviors, including excessive licking. “Long walks, hikes or even picking up canine sports can be a great way to bond with your dog and meet their physical demands,” she explains.

About the experts

• RuthAnn Lobos, DVM, is the lead veterinarian with Merrick Pet Care. She has more than 15 years of experience in the pet food industry and practices veterinary medicine in Boulder, Colorado, where she lives with her family and three dogs: Rigolets, Stella and Finn.
• Gary Richter, DVM, is an award-winning veterinarian and a veterinary health expert with Rover.com. He has owned and been the medical director of Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland, California, since 2002 and started Holistic Veterinary Care in 2009.
• Chrissy Joyis a celebrity dog trainer, live performer and International Trick Dog Champion who has been featured onPIX11andThe Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, as well as inUSA Today. Her goal is to inspire others to develop their bond with their pup through activities like trick training.

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Do cats like kisses?

Maybe you’ve never asked yourself whether or not cats like kisses, but it’s something to consider. Do cats like kisses, or are they thinking “Meow you doin’ with those lips?!”

“Kissing your cat with your lips is not something cats will understand, nor will they recognize it as a cat species-specific behavior,” says Stephen Quandt, founder of Stephen Quandt Feline Behavior Associates in New York City. Still, some cats may tolerate our kisses and possibly appreciate them, especially when your cat trusts you. They may pair kisses with other feel-good things, such as nuzzling, gently breathing warm air on them or offering your forehead for sniffing or nose touching, Quandt says. “Cats read our body language, and if we are soft and gentle with them when attempting a kiss, this may help them appreciate the attention.”

Ultimately, it depends on the cat and their personality. Some may like affection in the form of touching, petting, rubbing and even kissing, while other cats have more defined boundaries. Regardless, cats are notoriously fickle. They might be OK with a smooch in the morning but run for the hills when you attempt it later the same day.

What do cats think human kisses are?

“It depends on how the cat was socialized to humans when they were young, how comfortable they are with handling and their relationship to the person attempting to kiss them,” says Janna Skinner, a cat behavior manager at the Arizona Animal Welfare League in Phoenix.

Cats that received cuddling, kisses and other forms of socialization as kittens are more likely to tolerate kissing than a cat whose socialization didn’t include repeated up-close-and-personal contact. “Additionally, cats are more likely to accept kisses from people they know well or have a strong bond with,” says Skinner.

But how can cats know we love them, especially if they shy away from kisses? While cats can’t comprehend the emotions encompassing love the way humans do, they do know who provides their kitty meals, treats, affection and other comfort, which essentially conveys that lovin’ feeling. You’ll know your cat loves you by the things they do. “Cats primarily show affection to their humans by wanting to be near us and participate in whatever we are doing, whether it is watching television, working on a computer or doing other things around our homes,” says Skinner. Cats also show their affinity for their human much the same way they show affection to other catswith head bunting and rubbing against your face.

Do cats kiss one another?

No. At least not in the same way humans kiss. “Many people refer to the common feline behavior of touching noses as ‘kitty kisses,’ but this is actually a form of greeting and information exchange between cats that are friendly with each other,” says Skinner. Cats aren’t locking lips, but they do show affection by head bunting (rubbing their heads against each other), cheek rubbing and the oh-so-adorable walking with their tails entwined. Mutual grooming can also be a sign of affection between some cats.

What are some signs your cat doesn’t like being kissed?

Do cats like kisses, or are kisses one of the things you do that your cat hates? There are a few ways to find out. Some signs are more subtle, but if you watch for them, they are quite obvious. Does your cat pull away when you get close to their face and pull their ears down to the side? “A cat that doesn’t appreciate kissing will likely turn away or move away from you,” says Quandt. They might also swat at your face or hiss at you. Because cats are fickle, it could depend on their mood and cattitude of the moment. But if they consistently exhibit the signs mentioned, kissing is probably off the table. “Repeatedly kissing your cat when they are not comfortable getting kisses may lead to your cat avoiding you if they think you might want to kiss them,” says Skinner.

How can you show affection for your cat without kissing it?

You’re absolutely smitten with your kitten, but what if your cat isn’t enthusiastic about your smooches? You can try a kissing alternative. “Giving a finger-to-nose touch simulates a cat’s nose-to-nose ‘kiss’ or greeting,” says Quandt. “Different cats appreciate different approaches, but generally, gentle petting, nuzzling, giving ‘scritches’ on their cheeks or foreheads are well appreciated.”

You can also pet to show affection, just first find out where cats like to be petted. Cats generally have some favorite spots, but you can observe how they react when you pet them in specific areas. “Nuzzling, purring, trilling are all nice signs, as is gently meowing,” says Quandt. Alternatively, if they rub up against you or their tail is high or it is high and quivers gently, it’s a sign of affection. “Kneading (making biscuits) is always a good sign, as that is a kitten-to-mother behavior that stimulates lactation.”

You might want to avoid one area: the floofy belly. While some cats like belly rubs, others feel threatened or uncomfortable. This potentially sensitive area may be an evolutionary trait. Here’s a fascinating cat fact: “The ‘pouch’ of loose flesh that many cats have under their bellies contains no vital organs and serves as a way of distracting an attacker so they go after a different part of their body that won’t cause fatal or serious injury,” says Quandt.

About the experts

• Stephen Quandt is the founder of Stephen Quandt Feline Behavior Associates and is a feline training and behavior specialist certified through the Animal Behavior Institute. He is a professional cat behaviorist with more than 20 years of experience working with cats in private consultations, animal shelters and rescue work with the ASPCA and Animal Care Centers of NYC. He is the owner of two cats: Jenny and Cricket.
• Janna Skinner is the feline behavior manager at the Arizona Animal Welfare League (AAWL), Arizona’s largest and oldest no-kill shelter. Skinner is a certified cat trainer from the Animal Behavior College. At AAWL, she works as a cat behavioral expert, improving behavior modifications as well as creating behavioral guidelines for cats and kittens in their care. Skinner has seven cats of her own: Meep, Painted Lady, Peanut Butter, Taco, Fleetwood, Rudy and Chopstick.

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Because dogs will lick just about anything, the items in and around your home that aren’t safe for canine consumption are cause for concern. The last thing you want is for your four-legged friend to get sick on your watch. Luckily, if you know where the biggest risks hide, you can create a safer environment for your precious pal.

Not sure where to start? You’re in luck. In honor of National Dog Month, the expert question-and-answer website JustAnswer reviewed nearly 200,000 discussions between pet owners and JustAnswer veterinarians and pet experts. The sessions took place via online conversation between Jan. 1, 2022, and June 1, 2023. In the review, the team looked at the most popular answers to this question: “Help, my dog ate ___.”

These are the top nine answers, ranked by the total number of chats. (And no, “my homework” isn’t No. 1.)

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9. Gum

When your dog swallows gum, it’s worrisome for a couple of reasons. For starters, some types of gum contain the sugar substitute xylitol, which can cause liver damage and hypoglycemia, a health condition that occurs when blood glucose levels drop dangerously low. “If your dog’s hypoglycemia is left untreated, this can lead to seizures and even death,” says veterinarian Charles D. McMillan, DVM, owner at GoodVets in Atlanta. “The damage caused to the liver is usually reversible over time with proper therapy.”

Gum that doesn’t contain xylitol can still wreak havoc on your dog’s health. It might not be toxic, but it can give your pup an upset tummy or intestinal blockage.

What to do if your dog eats gum: Get your dog to a veterinarian, stat. Hypoglycemic seizures may occur quickly following xylitol ingestion. Your veterinarian will initiate decontamination by inducing vomiting, begin symptomatic treatment and monitor your dog’s blood glucose and liver values.

8. Cookies

“Cookies can be especially dangerous when they contain certain types of sugar alcohols and chocolate,” says Dr. McMillan. Pay especially close attention to the sugar alcohol xylitol. Aside from gum, it’s often found in sugar-free foods, and it’s the only sugar substitute known to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Chocolate contains methylxanthines, which dogs can’t metabolize the way humans can. They accumulate in the body, which may cause vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, hyperactivity or even more severe symptoms, such as seizures and irregular heart rhythms.

You’ll also want to keep cookies with raisins out of reach, as they are toxic to dogs too.

So what can you give your dog when he’s been a very good boy? Stick with dog treats or even whip up a dog-friendly cake instead.

What to do if your dog eats cookies: Call your veterinarian or pet poison hotline and share as many details as you know about how many cookies your dog ate, the ingredients in them and when the dog ate them. The ASPCA Poison Control number is 888-426-4435. A consultation fee may apply.

The first order of business when dogs eat xylitol and chocolate is to induce vomiting. Your vet might also use activated charcoal to bind the chocolate and keep it from being absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. And if the cookies contained xylitol, the doc may monitor your pet’s blood glucose and liver values for a few days.

7. Chicken

Chicken is actually one of the human foods dogs can eat. The danger lies in how it’s prepared. Raw or undercooked chicken (and any animal-sourced protein) may be contaminated with various pathogenic organisms, such as salmonella, Escherichia coli (aka E. coli) and Listeria, which can cause foodborne illnesses. And then there’s the issue of secondary transmission: Dogs can transmit foodborne pathogens to humans.

Cooked chicken with no sauce or seasoning may be OK under the guidance of your veterinarian. But it’s very risky to give your dog chicken bones. “Pet owners should refrain from feeding chicken with bones because ingestion of bones can cause upper and lower gastrointestinal disturbances or injuries and may become a choking hazard,” says Dr. McMillan.

What to do if your dog eats chicken: Some dogs may tolerate raw chicken, while other dogs show signs of sickness. If your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea, call your veterinarian. “It becomes a public safety issue if pet parents are consistently feeding raw or undercooked chicken due to pathogens being shed in the environment through the pet’s feces,” he says. “Some dogs that are chronically fed raw diets can also shed pathogens in their hair coat.”

6. Bottles

No, this isn’t about dogs eating bottles, although it wouldn’t be beyond the realm of weird dog behaviors for your pup to chew up a plastic bottleespecially since some dogs eat dirt and munch on grass.

Instead, panicked pet parents regularly exclaimed, “My dog ate a bottle of___!” What they’re trying to convey is that their dog ate a significant quantity of a specific drug.

“Any bottle of these drugs would be a huge risk, with the exception of some less-toxic issues. Vitamins, joint supplements, etc., could fall into less-concerning status, depending on the type and the amount,” says Grant Little, DVM, a veterinarian with JustAnswer.

What to do if your dog eats a whole bottle of something: Call the pet poison hotline or your veterinarian with all the information you can gather about the contents so they can advise you on the next steps for treating your dog.

5. Raisins

One thing veterinarians would never do? Give a dog raisins. Of course, that doesn’t mean your enterprising little pup won’t help itself. And whether your dog gets into those tiny boxes of raisins you toss into your kid’s lunch box or gobbles up an oatmeal raisin cookie, you may be looking at a trip to the vet. Raisins are toxic to dogs.

“Some dogs may develop symptoms after ingesting raisins (or grapes), while others may not,” says Dr. McMillan. Experts still don’t know why some dogs skate by with minor symptoms while others experience serious illness, but research suggests a possible connection between tartaric acid and its salt, potassium bitartrate, which are found in higher concentrations in grapes.

“Tartaric acid contents vary depending on the ripeness of certain fruits and could explain the inconsistencies of the development of signs following grape and raisin ingestion,” says Dr. McMillan.

What to do if your dog eats raisins: Take your dog to the veterinarian right away so the doctor can induce vomiting. Beyond that, your vet will provide supportive care and likely measure and monitor kidney values for several days. “The good news is the overwhelming majority of dogs that ingest grapes or raisins don’t develop any clinical signs,” says Dr. McMillan.

4. Grapes

Dogs are more likely to eat grapes than raisins because people drop them on the floor or little kids pluck a few off to share with the dog, not knowing that certain fruits and veggies are toxic to dogs. Currently, veterinarians don’t have a toxic dose for the fruit. Various reports provide a range of potential toxic doses for a dog, from a single grape to dozens.

“Because of this vast range in dosing, it’s been determined that the process that causes this toxicity is an ‘idiosyncratic reaction,’ which is an unknown reaction that appears to be more associated with the individual pet as opposed to the dose itself,” says Dr. Little. In other words: You shouldn’t test how your dog handles grapes by feeding it “just a few.”

What to do if your dog eats grapes: Call your veterinarian or pet poison hotline as soon as possible. “Most dogs don’t seem to get toxicity from it, but the toxicity can cause severe acute kidney injury and be life-threatening,” says Dr. Little. Depending on the severity, treatment might include anything from decontamination therapy with induced vomiting to hospitalization with aggressive fluid therapy.

3. Medications

Oops! You spilled a few pills on the floor while trying to pry the lid off the bottle. And because your dog follows you everywhere, it’s quick to snatch one up and eat it. The scenario plays out more often than you might think.

“Any drug that would be commonly used in people to treat common diseases, especially chronic issues, is a common drug to be ingested by a pet,” says Dr. Little. Usually, the meds are the ones that people use daily, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Bayer, Motrin and Aleve; blood pressure medications; thyroid medications; and vitamins, especially vitamin D.

“These drugs have more noticeable toxic windows in pets because the dose is much stronger for them, or their ability to clear these medications is not as effective as in people,” says Dr. Little. For instance, medication meant to manage human hypothyroidism would provide an excessive amount of thyroid hormone for a dog.

As marijuana has become a popular alternative to traditional medication for treating diseases and illnesses (and now that it’s been legalized in more states for recreational and medicinal use), more and more pet parents are worrying about their furry friends accidentally eating marijuana and CBD gummies and edibles. In fact, questions on the topic have tripled since 2019, according to the JustAnswer report.

What to do if your dog eats your medicine: Whether your dog got into your stash of cannabis edibles (or canine CBD), baby aspirin or prescription cholesterol-lowering medicine, any small dose could be life-threatening. Call your veterinarian or pet poison control immediately and give them all the information you can about the medication. That includes the name, dosage, strength, how much your dog ingested and how long ago it ate the drugs. “This will help them determine the next appropriate step, and in some cases, the dose may not be an issue at all, depending on the amount ingested,” says Dr. Little.

2. Rat or other household poison

Dogs tend to be attracted to the things we find revolting (dog poop, remember?), so it’s plausible that they may find the scent of certain poisons tempting. At the very least, they may be curious about the container and ingest it. But considering the label contains the word poison, it’s probably no surprise this is a bad thing.

The toxicity from pesticides used to repel and kill insects and control plants or animals such as rats and mice can range from mild to life-threatening, depending on the substance and how much your doggo ate. “This is a broad classification that can include poisons that cause bleeding disorders, neurologic destruction of the brain, vitamin D toxicity leading to kidney disease and others as well,” says Dr. Little. “Pets can come in having seizures, they can be in complete kidney failure, or we can see pets bleeding into their chest or abdomen and completely in collapse.”

What to do if your dog eats rat or household poison: If possible, grab the label from the poison container so the poison control hotline or your veterinarian can analyze it. It’s also very helpful if you know how much your dog ingested to determine the level of toxicity. Early diagnosis and immediate medical care are essential and can save your dog’s life. Your veterinarian may be able to treat the illness with a decontamination process, but if your dog ingested a lot and the poison is particularly toxic, your sick pup may need to be hospitalized and treated with IVs and other medications.

1. Chocolate

You would be hard-pressed to find an American household without even a little bit of chocolate hidden somewhere. But given dogs’ propensity for sweetsand getting into things they shouldn’tthere’s a good chance your four-legged companion is stealing your stash for itself. We get it: Chocolate is one of life’s greatest pleasures. But it’s also dangerous for dogs.

Chocolate contains compounds called methylxanthines, specifically theobromine and caffeine, which aren’t dog friendly. Your pup can’t metabolize them as effectively as you do. “Theobromine causes an overall stimulation of the central nervous system, leading to rapid and strong contractions of the heart, increased gastric secretions [vomiting and diarrhea], drinking and urinating, seizures and eventually death at a high enough dose,” says Dr. Little.

Its toxicity isn’t exclusive to dogsit can be poisonous for all kinds of critters. Still, chocolate is one of the most common foods that are toxic for dogs, so it’s important to store yours out of your pet’s reach and pick up any spills right away.

What to do if your dog eats chocolate: Call your veterinarian or pet poison control immediately, as your dog will likely need to begin a decontamination process as soon as possible. Treatments vary depending on the size of your dog and how much chocolate it woofed down. Your vet may want to treat your pup at the clinic, but if the illness isn’t too severe, the doctor may give you options for treating your dog at home.

About the experts

• Charles D. McMillan, DVM, is a veterinarian and the medical director and owner of GoodVets in Atlanta.
• Grant Little, DVM, is a veterinarian with JustAnswer. He answers pet owners’ questions about their dogs and cats, along with other veterinary questions.

Source:

• ASPCA: “Animal Poison Control”

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We’ve all been there: We’re saying hello to an adorable puppy whenboom!its nose is in a place we’d rather it not be. Or just as embarrassing, we watch in horror as our dog’s smell-seeking missile gets up close and personal with someone’s crotch. Cute as a dog’s facial expression may be just before it goes for the goods, this isn’t a behavior you really want to witness.

So why exactly do dogs do thisand can dog training help curb the behavior? We talked to veterinarians and canine behavior experts to find out.

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Why do dogs sniff your crotch?

Dogs are curious by nature, and they use their noses to gather all kinds of intel on humans, animals and their environment. “For them, it’s a way of life,” says Vernard Hodges, DVM, a veterinarian at Critter Fixer Veterinary Hospital in Bonaire, Georgia. “Dogs have a phenomenal sense of smell, and that crotch sniff is just another tool they use to get to know us.”

But why do dogs sniff your crotch area specifically? Simply put, it’s the most accessible location for a dog. They detect pheromones, which are chemical signals produced by apocrine (sweat) glands located primarily in the groin and armpits of humans. Both areas of the body convey an abundance of information, such as your age, sex, mood and health issues, but the crotch just happens to be a lot easier for our four-legged friends to access than the armpit.

Still, the inner workings of the nose are quite impressive, thanks to Jacobson’s organ. It’s located on the roof of the mouth, with ducts that open to both the nose and the mouth, allowing for optimal sniffing abilities.

“Jacobson’s organ contains millions of special olfactory receptors, which capture odorants, allowing for enhanced scent detection,” says veterinarian Hilary Wheeler, DVM, medical director of the Street Dog Coalition in the San Francisco Bay Area. “A dog’s nose is anywhere from 100,000 to 1 million times more sensitive than a human nose, but some breeds, such as Bloodhounds, have noses that are 10 to 100 million times more sensitive than ours.”

Can dogs smell pregnancy and other health issues?

Pregnancy-sniffing dogs probably won’t be replacing pregnancy tests anytime soon. “Dogs can’t smell pregnancy, per se. What they can smell is a change in our bodies that can be due to hormones,” says Deianira Smith, DVM, a veterinarian at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. “Pregnancy, or perhaps other health issues, can alter the smell of someone, so that may be the cause of the excessive sniffing in an area of the human body.”

Your dog doesn’t single out a particular health issue, but it does pick up on the change in pheromones and the change in odors that occur during ovulation, a monthly period, pregnancy and even recent childbirth. Still, a diagnosis-sniffing dog isn’t a far-fetched prospect. “There have been some isolated studies researching dogs’ ability to be trained to detect specific health conditions, including the imminent onset of a seizure, blood glucose or blood pressure changes, and the presence of certain types of cancer,” adds Dr. Wheeler.

Is crotch sniffing normal for dogs?

You’ve asked “Why do dogs sniff your crotch?” Veterinarians have provided perfectly reasonable answers. And yet …

Well, it’s still an awkward thing to experience, and kind of embarrassing if your dog is doing the sniffing. We’ll forgive you for wondering whether your pup (or your crotch) is normal. The good news: Crotch sniffing is a 100% natural behavior.

When you think about it, crotch sniffing isn’t all that different from dogs sniffing one another’s butts to say hello and gather information about their age, gender and reproductive status. Since dogs consider humans part of their pack, the urge to sniff crotches is likely an instinctual way to greet humans.

“When a dog sniffs a person’s crotch, they are simply trying to gather information about that person and communicate with them in their own way,” says Bradley Phifer, a certified professional dog trainer and behavior consultant in Indianapolis.

When does crotch sniffing signify a problem?

Rarely. Most of the time, dogs use their noses to get information: I smell hamburgers! My human is feeling blue. The neighbor’s dog is in heat.

That said, occasionally, crotch sniffing could signify an issue. “At times, sniffing may indicate that the dog is stressed or unsure of a situation,” says Heidi Meinzer, a certified professional dog trainer and certified nose work instructor in Alexandria, Virginia.

A more likely scenario is that your dog learned that crotch sniffing is acceptable behavior. “If you continually allow your dog to greet houseguests with a crotch sniff, you may be inadvertently reinforcing the behavior,” she says. “An easy way to ensure that your dog greets guests more appropriately is to teach your dog an incompatible behavior, like sitting politely to greet people.”

How do you stop a dog from sniffing your crotch?

Now that you know the reasons dogs sniff your crotch, how can you convince them to stop doing it? The goal is to interrupt the dog the moment before the crotch sniffing starts.

“The authentic approach is to recreate your dog’s triggers in order to have rehearsals of a successful outcome,” says certified dog trainer Ivan Petersel, founder of Dog Wizardry in New York City. “For example, if guests coming over is a trigger, then you’ll need to recreate that experience in order to give the dog repetitions. Dogs need repetition in order to learn.”

As Meinzer mentioned, you can train your dog to do something else, such as “sit” or “leave it,” when they zone in on the crotch area. But that might not work for all dogs, especially if crotch sniffing is an established habit or they are easily excited and enthusiastic to greet you or your visitors.

“From the dog’s perspective, sniffing a crotch is either rewarding or not rewarding. I use many ways to communicate to a dog that sniffing a crotch is not appropriate,” says Petersel. You don’t have to decide on a single method. In many cases, all the methods may work, depending on whether you’re at home or on a dog walk.

Use the “place” command

1. Set up a mat, dog bed or elevated cot so your dog has somewhere to go when you use the “place” dog command.
2. Lure your dog to the mat with a treat.
3. Say “place” as soon as your dog puts its paws on the mat, and mark the action with a click, or say “yes!” Immediately reward your pup with a treat placed on the mat to establish an association between the treat and the mat.
4. Say your release wordlike “free” or “OK”and lure your dog off the mat by tossing a treat or dog toy away from the mat.
5. When you know guests are coming over, do a trial run. Attach a 5-foot drag leash (a leash without a handle) to your dog’s collar so your pup can easily drag it around before your guests arrive. This allows your dog to still have some freedom.
6. When your dog tries to sniff inappropriately, use the “place” command. If your dog breaks the command, gently lead it back to its place with the leash.
7. Acknowledge appropriate behavior by saying “good place.” Continue saying “good place” or bringing treats to lengthen the amount of time your dog stays in its place. When your dog has calmed down, you can say “free” or “OK.” You can also give it something long lasting (like a bully stick) to gnaw on while it’s sitting or lying in its place.

Redirect your dog

1. When you see that your dog is sniffing the air or about to make direct contact with the crotch area, toss high-value treats onto the ground, away from the person.
2. Repeat until your dog makes a new association that it’s treat timenot sniffing timewhen it’s looking at the crotch.
3. If treats aren’t doing the trick, give your pup a new yummy little something, like a fresh marrow bone or bully stick that it hasn’t already been chewing on. It’ll lure your dog away from the crotch area.

Try a sound distraction

1. Look for signs that your dog is about to sniff your crotch.
2. As your pup leans in, turn around abruptly while simultaneously making a hissing sound. (It should sound like compressed air in a can you spray your keyboard with.) You can also say “eh” or “nope.”
3. Reward your dog for responding to the sound. Repeat as necessary.

Keep it moving

1. Tell your guests to keep moving when they come in. Typically, guests freeze once they get through the doorway, but this may feel like an invitation for your furry pal to sniff.
2. If your guests are OK with it, ask them to present their hands, coats, hats, gloves or shoes to your dogwhile they’re moving away from the entrywayso your pup can sniff those items instead of their crotches. This trick will teach your dog that sniffing everywhere except for the crotch area is rewarding.

At this point, you should be able to easily answer “Why do dogs sniff your crotch?” Ready for more dog-behavior info from experts? Learn why your dog licks your feet and other fascinating facts about dogs.

About the experts

• Vernard Hodges, DVM, is a veterinarian and fish biologist who practices on all types of animals, from koi to camel, at Critter Fixer Veterinary Hospital in Bonaire, Georgia. He’s the star of Critter Fixers: Country Vets, a National Geographic Wild and Disney+ TV show that chronicles his veterinary life. Dr. Hodges is a proud dog dad to Bane, Koi and Ghost.
• Hilary Wheeler, DVM, is the medical director of The Street Dog Coalition in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she focuses on improving animal health-care options. Dr. Wheeler has two dogs, Posey and Tikka, and enjoys working with the rescue groups The Dancing Cat and Humane Society Silicon Valley.
• Deianira Smith, DVM, is a veterinarian at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. Her focus is client education, community outreach and small-animal emergency medicine and surgery. She lives with her golden retriever, Addison West.
• Heidi Meinzer is the interim chair for the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, a certified professional dog trainer, certified nose work instructor and animal law attorney in Alexandria, Virginia. She lives with her favorite canine companions, Hannah and Arwen.
• Bradley Phifer is a certified professional dog trainer and behavior consultant with 17 years of experience, owner of Bradley Phifer Dog Training and executive director of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. He lives in the Indianapolis area with his dogs Wren, Liv, Dharma and Harper.
• Ivan Petersel is a certified professional dog trainer, canine behavior consultant and founder of Dog Wizardry in New York City. He specializes in training service dogs for autism assistance, PTSD and seizure response, as well as diabetes alert dogs. He also trains in advanced obedience and dog sports.

Why Do Dogs Chase Their Tails?

Can Dogs See Color?

Why Do Dogs Bark?

The post Why Do Dogs Sniff Your Crotch? Experts Explain This Awkward Canine Behavior appeared first on Reader's Digest.

That’s right, dogs get hiccups, just like virtually all mammals. But while a dog’s facial expression (like when its nose wrinkles) and body language (like when your dog shakes) can convey emotions and conditions such as happiness, fear and aggression, hiccups are more of a physical reaction. But what, exactly, makes your little pup hiccup? To find out, we went straight to veterinary experts, who filled us in on the reasons dogs get hiccups, the ways to stop dog hiccups and the situations in which pet lovers should be concerned.

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What are dog hiccups?

Anatomically, the hiccups that dogs experience are the same involuntary reaction that humans experience when they hiccup. Angela Topf, DVM, a veterinarian with home-based veterinary service The Vets, explains that hiccups are caused by a spasm or contraction of the diaphragm.

“The diaphragm usually moves smoothly as mammals inhale and exhale,” she says. “But when it contracts suddenly, [it causes] the glottis, or the opening of the airway in the larynx, to briefly close, which causes that classic ‘hic’ sound of a hiccup.”

Why do dogs get hiccups?

If you’re a pup parent, you probably don’t have to ask “Can dogs get hiccups?” The silly sounds coming from your four-legged friend are answer enough. But why on earth is your tiny fur ball hiccuping like, well, a human? There are a number of likely reasons, say the experts, and the three below top the list.

Eating and drinking too fast

Like the human version, dog hiccups come from eating and drinking too quickly, says Dr. Topf. While inhaling their food and water, dogs end up swallowing too much air. Hiccups are the body’s natural reaction.

This isn’t a random phenomenon, though. Some studies suggest that hiccups are the body’s purposeful reflex, aimed at removing excess air from the stomach, which is especially necessary in suckling mammals.

Normal brain development

Scientists have long been studying the whys behind hiccups and have found that they may be an essential part of brain development. Dr. Topf points to a 2019 study that suggests hiccups play a role in regulating breathing in newbornsincluding puppies. “Just like human babies,” she says, “puppies also experience hiccups much more frequently than adult dogs.”

Overexcitement

When a dog is stressed out or scared (such as by a thunderstorm or fireworks), overstimulated or playing robustly, it may get hiccups. “This is due to a change in breathing patterns, which leads to an increased amount of air in the stomach,” says Dr. Topf. Dogs that are already prone to breathing problems are more likely to get hiccups when overstimulated.

How to get rid of dog hiccups

Your dog’s hiccups will typically last a few seconds to a few minutes, says Texas-based veterinarian Hunter Finn, DVM. But if you want to help your dog get rid of its hiccups, you can try the following pet-care tips.

Go for a walk

Taking your furry friend for a walk may be just the thing you need to distract it long enough for the hiccups to go away, says Dr. Topf. Your dog’s brain will be stimulated and concentrating on something other than its hiccups, which may help alleviate them.

Offer some water

You probably can’t get your dog to try most of the potential remedies for human hiccupsgood luck getting Rover to hold his breath or breathe into a paper bagbut you can offer your pup a drink. Cold water may calm the nerves that are stimulating hiccups.

Try a massage

“Helping to relax the muscles and keep the dog calm seems to be effective at reducing the hiccup episodes,” says Dr. Finn. Dr. Topf suggests a gentle chest rub or massage to calm the hiccup spasms.

When should I be concerned about my dog’s hiccups?

Most of the time, dog hiccups are harmless and will pass within a few minutes. But there are a couple instances in which you should be concernedand talk to your vet.

The hiccups last a long time

Dr. Finn says that if hiccups “are happening more frequently or becoming longer in duration, especially in an older dog,” you should contact your veterinarian to figure out what’s causing this change.

Dr. Topf agrees. “Hiccups lasting over an hour may be an indication of a potential health issue, including gastrointestinal problems, like an upset stomach and intestinal parasites, or respiratory diseases, like bronchitis or pneumonia,” she says. Dr. Finn adds that, while rare, other causes for hiccups may include neurologic diseases that involve the vagus nerve, brain stem, cervical spinal cord or phrenic nerve.

There are other symptoms

Be sure to note any other symptoms your dog is exhibiting along with the hiccups, including coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, wheezing or sneezing. Dr. Topf adds that if your dog’s symptoms aren’t consistent, try taking a video during a hiccuping episode to show to your vet. “This can be extremely helpful in helping to differentiate between something harmless and a sign of a more serious illness in your dog.”

How can you prevent your dog from getting hiccups?

Sometimes dog hiccups just happen, despite your best efforts. Dr. Finn says that unless your dog has a medical disorder that can be treated with medication or special dog food, you can’t really prevent it from getting hiccups. But you can reduce the likelihood of hiccups if you can slow down its eating.

“Dogs that eat more conservatively and do not inhale their food may be less prone to hiccups,” he says. Dr. Topf suggests feeding your dog several small meals a day versus two large meals.

Both of our experts suggest slow-feeder dog bowls or interactive food puzzle toys for slowing down pups who like to gobble their meals. These tools are also a fantastic source of mental stimulation for a bored dog, says Dr. Topf.

Here are a few of our picks:

• Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl comes in several styles, sizes and colors, and makes it just a wee bit more challenging for your dog to get at its food, thus slowing down the feeding process.
• Pet Dream House Spin Tricky Level UFO Maze will keep your clever dog engaged while it eats, as it has to push the spinner with its snout to get food to distribute.
• Kong Classic Dog Toy is a nearly indestructible dog toy into which you can insert treats for extended stimulation and play.
• Starmark Bob-a-Lot Interactive Dog Toy holds up to three cups of food but dispenses just a piece or two of kibble at a time.

About the experts

• Angela Topf, DVM, is a veterinarian with The Vets, a mobile pet-care service in the United States. She lives with two dogs: a Labrador-mastiff mix named Tucker and a Labrador named Brody.
• Hunter Finn, DVM, is a companion animal veterinarian at Pet Method Animal Hospital in Mckinney, Texas. A fitness enthusiast, he advocates for strengthening the human and animal bond through health and fitness.

Source:

• Clinical Neurophysiology: “Event-related potentials following contraction of respiratory muscles in pre-term and full-term infants”

Signs Your Dog Is Depressed

Why Are Dog Noses Wet?

Do Dogs Smile? Vets Explain

The post Dog Hiccups: Why They Get Them, and Should You Be Worried? appeared first on Reader's Digest.

It’s pretty cute when your feisty fido excavates sand on your beach stroll, but not so much when they make potholes on your lush lawn, trail mud through your clean kitchen or scrabble on your sofa enough to leave scratch marks. Plus, determined diggers can land themselves in trouble if they create a yard escape route or unearth poisonous plant bulbs.

We asked an expert about why dogs tend to digand what savvy strategies might keep you from patching up your grass every week. You already know how to train a dog and how to train a puppy. But it’s not always about the training when it comes to digging. Offering alternative outlets and addressing your dog’s needs can curb inappropriate digging while satisfying their bug to burrow.

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Why do dogs dig?

While it might be a habit that’s driving you to distraction, for some dogs, digging comes as naturally as barking or sniffing. It’s rare for dogs to dig for no reason. So rather than concentrating on stopping your dog from digging, it’s better to ask yourself why do dogs dig holes? Getting to the root of it will help you tackle the problem and keep your hound happy. Here are some common reasons behind dog digging.

It’s fun, and they are bored

One of the main reasons dogs dig is because it’s fun, and if your dog is bored, it’s a great way to stay entertained. Certified dog trainer Maddie Messina says this is a common habit when you aren’t meeting your dog’s natural mental and physical requirements. She recommends keeping your dog busy and offering other enrichment. Some activities Messina suggests include long, sniffy walks outdoors; body conditioning skills, such as sit, stand or push up; dog tricks; shredding paper; playing with a flirt pole; and practicing nose work, which gives your dog challenges to locate specific scents.

To hunt

“Many dogs, like terriers and smaller hounds, were bred to hunt small animals,” Messina says. This hard-wired drive and a sophisticated sense of smell means it can be hard for them to resist the urge to dig. Especially if a mole, gopher or groundhog creates an underground den in your yard. Getting rid of rodents with humane, pet-safe strategies can help douse your dog’s desire to dig.

To cool down (or stay warm)

“Many dogs will dig to unearth a cooler resting spot,” Messina says. You’re more likely to see this in the Nordic breeds, such as Siberian huskies, as they naturally use ground dens to keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter. If your dog only digs on a hot day, it’s a sign that you need to help them stay cool. Dogs can’t regulate their temperature as easily as people, and dog heatstroke is no joke. Some summer safety tips include:

• Offering lots of shady spots
• Introducing a pet-safe paddling pool
• Using dog cooling vests or cooling beds
• Keeping your dog indoors on scorching hot days or when the temperature plummets

Because of anxiety

“I have noticed anecdotally that my dog digs as a displacement behavior,” Messina says. “He is prone to doing this in new environments and especially in new cars when he’s having a hard time calming himself.” If your dog is sound-sensitive and your yard is near a busy road, or they hate being left, they might dig to relieve stress.

Watch your dog’s body language. Signs of dog anxiety include a tucked tail, flattened ears, excessive panting, shaking, drooling, scratching or subtle movements, such as lip-licking or yawning.

Sometimes, it’s obvious what’s making your dog anxious and you can remove the triggers to keep them happy. If you’re unsure what’s causing your dog’s anxiety or how to tackle it, contact a certified behaviorist. They can provide tools and tips to identify triggers and help your dog feel more relaxed around them.

To get comfy

Messina says another reason dogs dig is to help them settle down for a nap. “I think they are just using their paws to manipulate their resting spot and make it as comfortable as possible,” she says.

This denning behavior might seem cute at first, but if you have a new sofa, you probably don’t want it to end up torn or tattered. If you don’t want to cast your dog off the couch permanently, you can cover it with a secure doggy blanket. “I’ve been working on rewarding my dog for getting on the couch and laying down without any digging,” Messina says.

To escape

Your frisky fido might dig under the yard fence to reach friends, the local snack bar or, in the case of unneutered males, a favorite lady dog. Once your dog is rewarded with nice things on the other side, they’ll want to keep doing it. Dogs that have separation anxiety or are fearful in the yard might also try to find an escape route.

This is one reason for digging you don’t want to delay dealing with. The best strategy is to not leave your dog unsupervised in the yard. But if they are a hairy Houdini that makes a bid for freedom every time you turn your back, you might need to reinforce the base of your fence.

To hide things

Dogs like to bury bones. So if you can’t find the juicy one you gave your dog 15 minutes ago, there’s a good chance they’ve dug a hole for this high-value item. That way, they can keep it safe until they’re ready to return to it. Only offer these prized possessions when you’re around to supervise.

Should you let your dog dig?

Studies show that redirecting and rewarding a dog for digging in a designated digging spot is a savvy strategy. Your dog can still partake in a behavior that makes them happy while reducing the chance of them digging up your lawn or damaging your sofa.

“If you have yard access, this could be a sandpit,” Messina says. “If you don’t, I’m a fan of using a lightweight kiddie pool or even a flexible pen to build an indoor digging pit with scraps of old fabric and toys.” If your dog isn’t digging it at first, Messina suggests encouraging them by burying some treats.

“I would even go as far as to reinforce the dog every time I see them digging in their new legal digging spot,” she says.

How to train your dog not to dig

If you don’t address the reason behind the behavior, it will be tricky to train your dog not to dig. Offering an alternative digging outlet, ensuring your dog is getting enough exercise and enrichment, and putting suitable management strategies, like the ones below, in place will best set you up for success. Here are some other tips.

• Don’t leave your dog in the yard unsupervised.
• Reinforce your fence.
• Set up a gate or pen to keep your dog out of the area they are digging up.
• Make the spots you don’t want your dog to dig up unattractive.

Messina says you can also teach your dog a positive interruption cue. “This is a cue that gets your dog to stop what they are doing and look at you,” she says. Always reward them for stopping the unwanted behavior by offering a tasty treat or favorite toy.

What not to do when training your dog not to dig

Set your dog up for success by avoiding these techniques when trying to quash inappropriate digging.

• Don’t punish your dog. “The digging won’t go away if you punish your dog,” Messina says. “They will just become sneakier about when and where they dig.” Punishing your dog can also damage your bond and make a dog that’s digging because of anxiety even more fearful.
• Don’t use deterrents. Sprinkling things like cayenne pepper means your dog will likely move their digging to a new spot, and ingesting it isn’t pleasant and can build a negative association with the yard. Plus, reapplying it after every rain shower isn’t a good long-term strategy.
• Don’t leave your dog tied up. It’s not safe or fair to tether your dog unsupervised for long periods.

About the expert

• Maddie Messina, MA, CPDT-KA, is a certified dog trainer and applied animal behaviorist. She owns Paws for Thought dog training in New York City and has a master’s degree in animal behavior and conservation.

Sources:

• Animals: “Challenges and solutions surrounding environmental enrichment for dogs and cats”

How to Keep Dogs Out of the Yard

Why Dogs Hump, and How to Stop It

Here's Why Dogs Sploot

The post Why Do Dogs Dig—and How Can You Stop It? appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Still, there are times when splooting could be a sign that something is amiss, which is why learning more facts about dogs can help us understand them better. Once you’re in the know about the hot topic of splooting, you may also want to know more about why dogs pant and dog illness symptoms too.

What is splooting?

“Splooting, or ‘frogging,’ is defined as the posture a dog takes when their belly is flat against the ground and their hind legs are stretched out behind them,” says Jamie Whittenburg, DVM, veterinarian director at Senior Tail Waggers. While frogging is also an accurate description, sploot and splooting just sound cuter. But where did the word sploot come from?

Who coined the word is a mystery, but Dictionary.com says that lexicographer Grant Barrett suspects sploot may stem from “splat,” to describe the appearance of the pose. The word sploot may be part of a growing vocabulary of doggy slang that uses cute, deliberate misspellings to lovingly describe our dogs’ quirks, physical appearance and more. We sub in chonky for chunky and floof for fluffy, for example.

Why might a dog sploot?

Most dogs lie on the ground this way to feel good. While it’s not common, a splooting dog may have certain medical conditions too. Here are a few reasons why dogs do it.

To stretch and relax

Dogs know splooting feels good, but you might be wondering why it does. This cute doggy pose can relieve tension or pressure on their lower back and hips and stretch and help align their spine. “Splooting requires flexibility of the hip joints as well as the muscles in the hind legs,” says Dr. Whittenburg. “Dogs tend to [go into] this position when they are relaxed and comfortable.” Usually, puppies and younger dogs have an easier time sprawling out into a sploot, but you might see older dogs doing it too.

To cool off

Though panting is the primary way to cool down after a lightning round of dog zoomies or a long walk on a hot day, some dogs may sploot to drop their body temperature. “Dogs cool their bellies on the floor, since they don’t sweat like humans do,” says Marla Beach, DVM, lead veterinarian at CityVet Flower Mound.

Woofers who sploot may seek out surfaces like cold tile, wood flooring or a grassy area in the shade. “The dog stretches out and gets more of their abdomen in contact with cooler ground in an effort to dissipate more heat,” says Dr. Simon. If your hot pup doesn’t have access to a cool floor, then a cooling dog bed or other dog cooling products can help your dog feel more comfortable.

The dog has short legs

Various dog breeds can do the dog sploot, but the adorable short-leg dog breeds naturally ease into this yoga-esque pose more comfortably than other breeds. For example, the body of corgis, dachshunds and French bulldogs allow for a greater range of movement in the hip joints, making it easier to stretch their hind legs. “The anatomical structure of their hips and joints may be more flexible, enabling them to adopt positions like splooting more effortlessly compared with breeds with different body proportions,” says Dr. Beach. Still, even if you have a dog breed known for splooting, each dog has their favorite stretch, and splooting may not be one of their go-to moves.

The dog has hip dysplasia

It’s rare, but joint problems such as hip dysplasia, a deformity of the ball and socket joint of the hip, may lead to splooting in some cases. But there should be other signs that the dog has hip dysplasia too. “When splooting is associated with hip dysplasia, we may notice a ‘bunny hop’ run, stiff walking or reluctance to play,” says Dr. Simon.

Hip dysplasia is typically seen in larger dog breeds. During puppyhood, the ball and joint should grow at equal rates. When they don’t, the joint has too much laxity, which causes pain that may lead to degenerative joint osteoarthritis or joint disease. Treatment options include medicine, supplements, physical therapy or surgery.

The dog has arthritis

If your older dog has never splooted before, they’re probably not doing it to relax or cool down. “Splooting would not be an expected new behavior in an older dog,” says Dr. Simon. “Rather, when the behavior starts in their senior years, this would be a sign of an emerging medical issue such as arthritis.” Arthritis is a common health issue that can severely limit your dog’s quality of life as they get older. It can cause the bones and joints to rub together due to tissue damage or cartilage loss.

Since dogs can’t speak to us to say they’re hurting, pet owners have to look for warning signs that they are in pain. Dogs may have difficulty getting up after sleeping or napping, have less interest in walking or playing or have a limp or overall stiffness. When your dog is in pain, they might not want to be touched or petted and be a bit cranky. Speak to your vet right away if you notice any of these symptoms. With arthritis, the most effective pain management for dogs begins sooner rather than later.

Is splooting OK for dogs?

Overall, splooting is harmless and doesn’t cause pain. Though it’s important to know that every dog is different, and while splooting may be the ultimate way to stretch and relax for one dog, it might not ever be another dog’s thing. “Certain dogs may have physical limitations or conditions that make splooting uncomfortable or even painful for them,” says Dr. Beach. Additionally, dogs with joint issues, muscle strains or injuries may find certain positions, including splooting, uncomfortable.

When should I worry about a dog splooting?

Generally, dog splooting is nothing to worry about, but if you have an older dog that has never splooted before and begins to do so, this should sound an alarm bell. “Older dogs are more prone to certain musculoskeletal diseases, including arthritis and ruptured knee ligaments,” says Dr. Simon.

For dogs of any age that have never splooted before, have difficulty getting up, appear to be in pain or are showing signs of heat stroke in dogs, seek veterinary care right way, adds Dr. Whittenburg.

Next, find out what a yellow ribbon on a dog’s collar really means.

Sources:

• Linda Simon, MVB, MRCVS, veterinarian at Senior Tail Waggers
• Jamie Whittenburg, DVM, veterinarian director at Senior Tail Waggers
• Marla Beach, DVM, lead veterinarian at CityVet Flower Mound
• Dictionary.com: “Sploot”

Why Dogs Twitch in Their Sleep

Do Dogs Cry? Experts Explain

How Many Hours a Day Dogs Sleep

The post Why Do Dogs Sploot? Veterinarians Explain the Cute Canine Behavior appeared first on Reader's Digest.

It’s one of the many mysteries of cat behavior (along with why cats hate water so much). But no matter how hot it is, cats are never going to let you see them sweat. Which may make you wonder: Do cats sweat? And if they don’t, how do cats cool off on super hot days? We consulted the experts about these questions and other heat-related cat facts, like proper cat body temperature, so your kitty can stay safe and cool all summer and beyond.

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Do cats get hot?

They dojust not at the same temperature that we do. “Cats have a high tolerance for heat,” says Jennifer Hawkins, DVM, executive director of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association. “It’s why you’ll often find them lounging in a sunbeam or sunbathing on the hot concrete.”

Cats have a normal body temperature of about 99.5 degrees, slightly higher than the 98.6 for humans. And that extra degree explains why temperatures that make us wilt seem to be just fine with our feline friends. “Our air-conditioned houses can be cold for a cat,” says Ashlie Saffire, DVM, co-owner of Faithful Friends Veterinary Clinic in Dublin, Ohio. “Cats love to be warm. They can certainly overheat just like people and dogs, but it is not very common.”

What causes cats to overheat?

Most instances of cats overheating seem to be caused by something out of their controli.e., we put them in a carrier in a hot car or they get themselves locked in a metal shed on a summer afternoon. “Cats don’t usually place themselves in the kinds of scenarios that dogs do,” says Dr. Hawkins. “They’re not out chasing a ball in the heat of the day or running after their owner.”

Under normal circumstances, cats seem to instinctively know just how much heat they can tolerate and when they need to cool off. “Cats are pretty good at self-regulating,” says Amy Tate, DVM, co-owner of Riverview Animal Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. “If they feel their body temperature start to creep above 104, they’ll move to the shade or somewhere cooler.”

Do cats sweat?

Well, yes and no. “They don’t sweat the way we think of people sweating,” says Dr. Hawkins. “They manage their temperature in different ways.”

Unlike humans, who have sweat glands all over our bodies, cats’ sweat glands are confined to a few specific fur-free areas, including their paws, lips and chin. That’s why you’ll never feel your cat’s fur damp with sweat, but you might occasionally see a few damp paw prints on the floor or the table at the vet’s office.

“When a cat is nervous, their toe beans get a little sweaty,” says Dr. Saffire. “Otherwise, nocats cannot sweat to cool themselves down like humans do.”

Is cat sweat smelly?

Not to worryyour cat will never have to fret about B.O. “The smell we associate with body odor is kind of a bacterial thing,” says Dr. Hawkins. “I’ve never noticed a cat to smell from sweat or [have] any odors associated with cat sweating.”

Do cats pant?

While dogs often pant to cool themselves off and cats can too, cats are more likely to pant when they’re feeling stressedsay, when they’re in the car on the way to the vet. “Panting can sometimes be a nervous response,” says Dr. Tate. It can also be a sign of something more serious, like asthma or respiratory inflammation.

“Panting from heat or stress should be intermittent, and temporary,” she says. “It might be there, but then it will settle back down and come back again. If it’s consistent over hours, you should definitely seek help.”

How else do cats cool down?

A cat’s best strategy for cooling down is simple: They lounge. When the temperature rises, they will often spread out on a cool floor, or if outdoors, bed down in a shady patch of dirt. The more they can spread out, the better they are able to exchange the heat in their body for the coolness of the ground.

“You’ll notice in the summertime they’ll tend to stretch out and open up their body and put their belly up to the sky,” says Dr. Hawkins. “They release heat that way. And they also groom themselves with their saliva, and that saliva kind of evaporates off of them and helps them stay a little bit cool too.”

How can you tell if your cat is too hot?

Because cats don’t really sweat, the best way to tell if a cat is overheating is to watch their body language. “If they are trying to sprawl out on a cold floor, it could indicate they are trying to cool down,” says Dr. Saffire. “Sometimes their ears will get very pink and warm to the touch. Knowing what normal feels like with your cat can help you detect an elevation in body temperature.”

Once in a cooler area, your cat will usually be able to cool down on his own, but it’s important to know the signs of heat exhaustion in a cat:

• Lethargy
• Disorientation
• Increased breathing rate
• Problems with coordination (i.e., wobbling when trying to walk)
• Trembling
• Drooling
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Serious cases of heat exhaustion in a cat may lead to heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. “Overheating can lead to dehydration and brain damage,” says Dr. Saffire. “Therefore, it is very important to seek medical care right away if you think your cat is at risk for heat stroke.”

What should you do if your cat has heat exhaustion?

If your cat is showing any of the signs of heat exhaustion, contact your vet immediately. “I always recommend calling your veterinarian and letting them know the symptoms you’re seeing at the time. They can help you determine whether your cat needs to go to the veterinarian or not,” says Dr. Hawkins. “Sometimes they need hospitalization to cool their body and make sure their organs are all functioning appropriately.”

In other cases, a trip to the hospital may not be necessary. “If it’s just a little heat exhaustion, they can usually recover quickly if placed in a cool, calm room and given some cool water and a little bit of time,” says Dr. Hawkins. Your vet may suggest surrounding the cat with ice packs, or dabbing a little water or alcohol on his paws can speed the cool-down process. But don’t douse your cat with water or do anything else that might increase stress.

Fortunately, serious cases of heat stroke in cats are rare. “The cases where I’ve seen heat stroke occur have been cats who were inadvertently stuck in an attic or garage in the summertime for several hours, or left in a car with the windows closed and the AC off,” says Dr. Saffire.

So unless your cat finds himself in a similarly dangerous situation, he’s likely to weather the hottest days of summer just fine. As Dr. Hawkins notes, “Thankfully, cats are very resilient.”

About the experts

• Jennifer Hawkins, DVM, is the executive director of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association.
• Ashlie Saffire, DVM, DABVP, is the co-owner of Faithful Friends Veterinary Clinic in Dublin, Ohio. She also serves as a director of the American Association of Feline Practitioners.
• Amy Tate, DVM, is the co-owner of Riverview Animal Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama.

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The post Do Cats Sweat? How Cats Cool Off in the Dog Days of Summer, According to Vets appeared first on Reader's Digest.

If they’re not humping another dog, it’s your friend’s leg or your favorite pillow. But is it normal? We talked to veterinarians and canine behavior experts to get the answers to this awkward doggy-style dilemmaand how to get them to stop.

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Why do dogs hump?

Dogs are social animals that communicate in a variety of ways. Some include subtle facial expressions, such as yawning (which could mean they are tired or stressed) or lip licking (which could convey they are anxious or dehydrated). Other communication methods are blatantly obvious, like humping.

Humping (also known as mounting) is completely natural, but it’s not a canine behavior you can easily ignore. “It’s important to note that all behaviors in dogs have a function and reason why they are taking place,” says Darris Cooper, a certified dog behavior specialist at Petco. “There can be many reasons that both male and female dogs engage in humping, and it’s not always for reproduction.” Here are some common explanations.

Displacement behavior

Displacement behavior is swapping out one behavior for another. It can occur when your dog is frustrated, tired, anxious or afraid. “Humping can be a displacement behavior, meaning they engage in it when suppressing another behavior, such as jumping on guests when they walk into the home,” Cooper says. In other situations, displacement behavior is a welcome thing. For example, when a child is hugging and kissing a dog’s face, the dog may start to yawn and lick the child (or themselves) instead of getting up and walking away or biting or nipping them.

Attention-seeking behavior

Dogs sure know how to push our buttons to get our attention. They might bark, whine, beg or steal something and run off. They might gently paw when you stop petting them or bring you their toys to play with. It generally doesn’t matter if the resulting attention is positive (“Good girl!”) or negative (“Bad girl! Give me back my slipper!”), it’s rewarding to the dog, so they keep doing it. The same is true with humping.

“As humping typically gets a reaction from pet parents, the attention may be rewarding enough for a dog to continue the behavior,” Cooper says.

Anxiety or stress

“Some dogs may use humping as a default behavior or coping mechanism if they don’t know how to calm themselves and self-settle in certain situations,” Cooper says. For example, if a new dog or person comes to your house, your dog might hump them or nearby inanimate objects like pillows or stuffed animals to soothe their stress or anxiety. Either way, humping is one way your dog is asking for help. “We humans have yoga, meditation and therapy, but dogs? They’ve got humping,” says Matthew McCarthy, DVM, a veterinarian and the founder of Juniper Valley Animal Hospital in Queens, New York.

Excitement

Why do dogs hump when they are excited? Humping is sometimes a sign of energy arousal. A dog may get pumped up to see other dogs at the dog park, sending dog park etiquette out the window. Or they might be reveling in the excitement of playing a rousing game of fetch, and when you stop, they may redirect their efforts by humping a nearby pillow (or your leg) to relieve themselves of pent-up energy.

Arousal

It’s hard to fathom your sweet and lovable dog as part of the birds-and-bees equation. Puppies just appear in a cute basket with a bow on top, right? Aside from humping to make more puppies, dogs of both sexes might hump just because it feels good. Humping behavior can occur in both male and female dogs, regardless of whether they have been spayed or neutered. In some cases, it may be a sexual behavior, but neutered and spayed dogs are less likely to hump than intact dogs.

When does humping signify a problem?

Occasionally, humping can be a sign your dog is sick, especially if humping comes out of nowhere and is more frequent than usual. So why do dogs hump when they are sick? Humping is a way to self-medicate and soothe symptoms. For example, when constipation or bladder stones are the issues, humping may be more of a mechanical effort to push out the stool or stones.

Interestingly, medical-related humping typically occurs in older dogs. “The medical conditions behind the humping often take a few years to develop and, as such, would not be expected to occur in young dogs,” says Dr. McCarthy. That’s not to say younger pups are exempt, but it’s just not as common.

When mature dogs start humping out of the blue, a trip to the vet is necessary to identify the cause. “As humping is a behavior involving the rear part of a dog’s body, in terms of medical issues, we are looking for things that can occur in the rear,” saysDr. McCarthy. “Unless the dog is named Elvis, in which case his pelvis is naturally prone to gyration!” All kidding aside, Dr. McCarthy says he would address medical-related humping by reviewing the dog’s history and performing a thorough physical exam, specifically focusing on their orthopedic, reproductive and neurologic health, as well as performing a general bloodwork screening with urinalysis. Common health issues related to humping include:

• Hip dysplasia
• Fused vertebrae
• Pinched nerves
• Urinary tract infections
• Bladder stones or bladder inflammation
• Constipation
• Transdermal testosterone cream exposure. If a pet parent is using this cream on their skin and dogs continue to lick and ingest it, it can cause an increased prostate in males and humping behavior in both sexes.

How do you stop a dog from humping?

While humping is a natural behavior, you certainly don’t want your leg, or someone else’s, to become an unwilling participant. Plus, not all dogs are keen to be mounted and might growl or bite. Before you attempt to train your dog to stop excessive humping, it’s essential for a veterinarian to rule out medical causes.

“Stopping them from expressing themselves may cause you to miss clues as to how they are feeling or cause mental distress,” says Renee Rhoades, a multi-certified dog behaviorist and the founder of R+Dogs, a virtual dog behavior consultancy. The key to this type of dog training is to prevent the behavior and replace it with something more appropriate.

How to stop a dog from humping people

Have you noticed a correlation between your dog’s humping and new people stopping by your home? This could be a sign that your dog is either excited or stressed when meeting new people and humps to soothe. The first step to help your dog stop humping people would include managing your dog’s environment to prevent, or at least reduce the behavior.

Your first instinct may be to clap and yell, “Stop it!” That might work in the moment, but it’s not likely to work long term. “Rather than depending on something like verbal cues, harsh words or body blocking, it is better to manage the situation so the dog does not get to practice the behavior in the first place,” says Heidi Meinzer, a professional dog trainer.

Ensure your pup’s mental stimulation and exercise needs are met before guests arrive, which may help your dog feel more content and relaxed. You can keep your dog crated or on a leash when you have guests. If you use a leash, place a yummy treat on the floor when the guest approaches. The treat gives your dog nose work and helps decrease stress or excitement by redirecting your dog’s focus to the ground. But old habits die hard, so don’t be surprised if, even on the leash, your dog makes a beeline for guests. “If your dog does start to mount your guest, call their name to get their attention and reward them for coming away from the person,” says Rhoades.

Meanwhile, before the next set of guests shows up, start practicing a more appropriate behavior with people in the household and then move to people you know before new guests arrive. “I would work with the dog on leash and doing incompatible behaviors like ‘sit’ or ‘down’ with lots and lots of reinforcement before you try any scenarios working off leash,” says Meinzer.

How to stop a dog from humping other dogs

Just like with humans, the key is to manage your pup’s environment. When you catch your dog humping another dog, gently remove your dog from the other dog. “I like to do this by holding on to their harness at the back then gently lifting them and move them to the side. I will calmly talk to the dog and let them know I am going to move them off,” says Rhoades. As mortifying as it is, it is best to keep your emotions in check and not get angry or hastily yank your dog from the other dog.

If you assess that your dog is humping because they are nervous around other dogs, it’s probably not a good idea to take them to the dog park or other places where dogs are congregating. If you have no choice but to be around other dogs, you can keep your distance by keeping your pup on a leash. “Keeping your dog on a leash and away from the other dogs is a great way to prevent the behavior from happening in the first place so you don’t have to assess the mounting,” says Rhoades. That doesn’t mean your hope of doggy playdates is lost. “You may be able to work slowly up to play with an appropriate dog, but you need to be prepared to continually manage the situation so that your dog does not practice the behavior,” adds Meinzer. Start slowly with cues that will keep your dog calm and focused with other dogs present.

How to stop a dog from humping pillows

When your dog humps a stuffed animal or your favorite pillow from the sofa, it’s so bizarre and gross you have to wonder why do dogs hump inanimate objectsand is it normal? “It is absolutely fine if your dog mounts inanimate objects like toys, beds and pillows,” says Rhoades.

Still, you should be concerned if the humping is excessive or your dog seems stressed. “If mounting becomes a daily event and your vet has ruled out medical causes, there is a possibility that your dog is mounting items out of boredom or hyper-arousal. In these circumstances, it would be advisable to look at what your dog is doing during the day,” says Rhoades. Are they getting enough exercise and mental stimulation? Are they allowed to do doggy-specific things like sniffing on walks? “There could be an underlying concern that your dog is mounting because they do not feel enough fulfillment in their life.” You can also remove the items your dog regularly humps to help prevent the behavior. Then redirect their attention by playing a brain game or offering a treat puzzle.

“If you can’t figure out the missing piece yourself, a qualified behaviorist will be able to do thatand probably a lot faster,” says Rhoades.

About the experts

• Darris Cooper, CPDT-KA, FFCP, serves as national dog training manager at Petco. He holds certifications as a Fear-Free Animal Trainer, American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and the Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). He has trained animals at zoological facilities in Southern California, working with both domestic and exotic animals, and has his own “zoo” at home with three red-eared slider turtlesLeonardo, Michelangelo and Donatelloand two dogs, Zakai, a golden retriever, and Kalea, a German shepherd mix.
• Matthew McCarthy, DVM, has been practicing veterinary medicine for 25 years and founded Juniper Valley Animal Hospital, an animal practice in Queens, New York. Growing up, he spent summers tending to farm animals on his uncle’s farm in Kerry, Ireland. When he’s not busy in the animal hospital, you might find him watching his favorite animal movie, Best in Show, with his four cats, Floofy, Jeffy, Marble and Pumpkin, and his Weimaraner named Norbert.
• Heidi Meinzer, JD, CPDT-KSA, CNWI, is the interim chair for the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. In addition to being a certified professional dog trainer and certified nose work instructor, Heidi is an animal law attorney in Alexandria, Virginia. She resides with her favorite canine companions, Hannah, a Labrador retriever, and Arwen, a German shepherd.
• Renee Rhoades is an award-winning, multi-certified dog behaviorist with a master’s degree in animal welfare science and ethics. She is the founder of R+Dogs, a virtual dog behavior consultancy offering private coaching and online courses. She specializes in coaching dog guardians to help fearful and fired-up dogs overcome aggression, reactivity, anxiety and hyperactivity. She also co-hosts Doglogical, a podcast on dog behavior. Renee is a dog mom to Nero, a whippet/border collie, and Lycan, a German shepherd.

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The post Why Do Dogs Hump—and How Can You Stop It? appeared first on Reader's Digest.

But can dogs eat watermelon? Any good pet parent knows there are lots of human foods that dogs can eat … and almost as many foods dogs can’t eat. And when it comes to fruits and vegetables dogs can and can’t eat, the answers aren’t always obvious. Can dogs eat bananas? Yes. Can they have grapes? Definitely not. So what does that mean for watermelon? We asked the experts why dogs seem to love watermelon so muchand whether or not it’s safe to share it with them.

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Why do dogs like watermelon?

Dogs love watermelon for the same reasons we do. “It’s sweet and refreshing,” says Amy Tate, DVM, co-owner of the Riverview Animal Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. “On a hot summer day, it’s hydrating and it cools the body.” But there’s also something about the texture of watermelon that seems especially appealing to our canine friends, says Dr. Hawkins. “It has a little bit of crunch with the sweetness.”

Can dogs eat watermelon?

With a couple of precautions, yes! Watermelon is perfectly safe to give to dogs and can actually be a healthy treat for them. “It’s got a lot of antioxidants and other beneficial substances in there,” says Dr. Tate. “It’s also fairly low in calories (about 46 calories a cup) and has a lot of fiber, so if you have a dog that’s trying to lose some weight, it’s a good go-to treat.”

But while the red watermelon flesh is fine for dogs, it’s important to know that the fruit’s hard seeds and fibrous rind can be dangerous. “I always recommend seedless watermelon,” says Dr. Hawkins. “Sometimes seeds can cause a little tummy upset, and in some dogs, it can even cause a slowdown or an obstruction of the gut.” Note: Those little fibrous white seeds you often find in seedless watermelon are fine; it’s the large, harder seeds you need to watch out for.

Watermelon rinds can also be troublesome. “While some dogs might be able to tolerate it, I can’t tell you how many dogs will eat the whole rind in one piece, and then we see that as an obstruction that doesn’t pass,” says Dr. Hawkins. “It becomes a very expensive watermelon when we have to go in surgically to remove it.”

How to feed your dog watermelon

The best way to feed your dog watermelon is to remove the rind and any hard seeds, then cut the flesh into bite-sized pieces. “Some dogs inhale without actually chewing,” says Dr. Hawkins, “so I try to keep them small. I think of the small pieces I used to have to cut for my child.”

Of course, some dogs have been known to take matters into their own paws and steal a piece of watermelon when their owners aren’t looking. If you find that your dog just wolfed down an entire slice of watermelonrind, seeds and alldon’t panic. In most cases, it will all pass through his digestive tract just fine. “Dogs’ stomach acid is much higher than ours,” says Dr. Tate. But if you notice that your dog is not eating, is vomiting or is showing any other signs of gastrointestinal distress, consult your vet.

How much watermelon can dogs eat?

While dogs can eat watermelon, eating too much watermelon can be a different story. “Just like anything, you want to try not to overdo it,” says Dr. Tate. “If they eat more watermelon than they should, they can get diarrhea from the excess fluid. There can also be a lot of sugar in watermelon, and it can change the pH of the gastrointestinal tract.”

So how much is too much? As a rule of thumb, Dr. Tate suggests no more than 2 to 3 cups for larger-breed dogs, 1 to 2 cups for medium-breed dogsand 1 cup for small breeds. “You want to keep it within reasonable limits,” she says.

Are there any fruits dogs can’t eat?

Some fruits, like bananas, cantaloupes and apples, are vitamin-packed treats for humans and dogs alikebut other fruits can actually be dangerous for our canine pals. Among the fruits dogs shouldn’t eat:

• Grapes. “Both red and green grapes, as well as raisins, have a compound in them that in certain quantities can cause acute renal injury and kidney disease in dogs,” says Dr. Tate. “I just tell people to stay away from them.”
• Cherries. Cherry stems and leaves contain cyanide compounds, which can be deadly if consumed in large quantities. But the real danger is the pits. “I advise people to avoid any fruit with pits, which can cause intestinal blockages if eaten,” says Dr. Hawkins. (And no, maraschino cherries aren’t appropriate dog treats either. Although their pits are removed, they are high in sugar.)
• Avocados. The skin, pits and flesh of avocados contain the toxin persin, which, while not harmful to humans, can cause stomach upset in dogs, says Dr. Hawkins.
• Citrus fruits. While slipping your dog an occasional slice of a peeled orange is probably fine, orange peels and seeds can also cause gastrointestinal upset. Plus, according to Dr. Tate, “citrus fruits also tend to be high in sugar, and they can cause calcium deposits in certain dogs.” Why is the extra calcium concerning? It may lead to the production of urine crystals and potentially cause stones in the bladder.
• Mangoes. “Mangoes tend to have a high sugar content,” says Dr. Tate. “They can also have some excess copper, which gets stored in the liver and can trigger cellular damage over time.”

In general, even when dogs can eat fruits like watermelon and the others listed above, keep in mind that “any time you’re giving your dog a food that’s not their normal diet, there can always be a risk of a little tummy upset,” says Dr. Hawkins. “And different dogs respond to things differently. I always recommend checking with your vet about your particular dog.”

For a quick yes or no, however, check out these stories on whether it’s safe for pups to eat hot dogs, eggs, ice cream and popcorn.

About the experts

• Jennifer Hawkins, DVM, is the executive director of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association in Cypress, California.
• Amy Tate, DVM, is the co-owner and managing partner of Riverview Animal Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama.

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When Bissell offered to send me the new Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet for review, I knew my sister’s home was the perfect place to test it out. So, I did what any good sister would do: I packed the machine into my car and headed over to rescue her rugs. My instincts proved correct. Between marker stains and puppy pee, this carpet cleaner really had its work cut out for it!

Spoiler alert: The HydroSteam Pet performed even better than expected on my sister’s stain-laden living room. Here’s what to know about this carpet cleaning superhero.

What is the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet?

Bissell is a household name in cleaning. Between a huge selection of great vacuums, plus reliable performance and generous warranties, it’s no wonder customers keep coming back. The Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet is the brand’s newest addition to its carpet cleaner lineup. Featuring Bissell’s first-ever foray into steam technology, the HydroSteam Pet uses a blast of hot air to lift out set-in stains in seconds.

Not only does this carpet scrubber remove pet stains, but it also uses two rows of brushes to lift debris out from deep within carpets. This, coupled with powerful suction, is a surefire way to rid floors of both sticky spills and pet hair alike. Each unit arrives with a collection of attachments for upholstery, stairs and spot treatments, plus two trial-size bottles of floor and upholstery cleaning solution.

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How we tested it

Upon entering my sister’s home, Porkchop was happy to greet me at the door. Maybe a little too happy, considering he had an accident mere minutes after my arrival. Normally, I would be reaching for a generic carpet stain remover, but this was a perfect first test for the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet.

I assembled it by sliding the handle into the body of the machine, then filling the tank with water and solution using the handy fill lines. Once the tank was snapped in place and the machine heated up, I was ready to remedy Porkchop’s mishap. I used the steam setting to pretreat the stain, then I tested out the quick dry function by switching modes using the button on the handle.

Amazingly, the stain took mere seconds to remove, and the carpet didn’t even feel wet after treating it. As a bonus, it did double duty and pulled up a bit of pet hair that was stuck deep in the carpet. Win!

Next up was a constellation of set-in marker stains. We didn’t have high hopes since the stains were there for years, but amazingly the Bissell machine pulled up aton of pigment. For reference, these tough stains were still plaguing my sister after countless carpet treatments. While we weren’t able to entirely remove the stains with one round of the spot tool, they were seriously lightened. With a few more treatments they won’t be nearly as noticeable!

While not a replacement for a pet hair vacuum, the carpet cleaner does pick up a lot of hair and debris as it sucks up solution. We vacuumed the entire living room prior to treatment and still found that the HydroSteam Pet pulled up an alarming amount of leftover dirt.

Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet product features

• Steam technology to release set-in stains
• Two trial-size formulas included
• Pet upholstery tool
• Stair tool
• EZ Clean brush roll cover
• Hose attachment
• Five-year limited warranty

Pros

• Steam technology that pretreats tough stains
• Quick dry mode
• Sleek design
• Controls on handle for easy access
• LED display
• Picks up pet hair
• Two rows of brushes for deep penetration

Cons

• Relatively small tank size
• Took some time to learn the controls
• A bit heavy at 22 pounds

FAQ

Which Bissell pet stain remover is best?

It’s hard to go wrong with any of Bissell’s pet stain products. For set-in stains and larger areas, consider the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet. Those who have less frequent stains, a smaller apartment or fewer pets should invest in the much more portable Pet Stain Eraser.

What is HydroSteam technology?

The Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet uses steam technology to pull up tough stains. Superheated steam penetrates carpet fibers easier than water, while heat helps draw out residue. Those looking for something that focuses less on stains and more on dirt may have more luck with the editor-tested Bissell Pet Hair Eraser.

What is the difference between the Bissell Revolution products?

Bissell’s Revolution line offers an assortment of carpet cleaners that offer distinct benefits. The Revolution HydroSteam Pet is best for sticky messes that require a steam pretreatment to pull up. It’s also perfect for older stains and frequent deep cleanings since it offers strong suction and additional precision using the included attachments.

The ProHeat 2X Revolution machine comes with similar attachments and performance to the Revolution HydroSteam. However, it doesn’t use any steam while pulling up stains. It’s preferable for infrequent pet messes, smaller spills and smaller areas. Plus, it’s nearly $130 less than the Revolution HydroSteam Petperfect for those on a budget.

What other reviewers are saying

Reviewers on Amazon praise the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet for its ease of use and incredible cleaning power.

“This machine is the best,” writes verified purchaser Jackie S. “I was going to have my carpet professionally cleaned and the company was charging $275 for upstairs, downstairs and staircase. I bought this machine instead and it does a better job than the professionals did the last time I had my carpet cleaned. Now I can keep my carpet clean myself so this machine is well worth the money.”

Reviewer Victor E. loves his Revolution so much that he switched brands after trying one. “All my life Ive been a Hoover guy this Bissell has changed the game. The steam function is amazing. And the steam with clean function cannot be beat. I would recommend this 1000 times over. Its by far the easiest steam cleaner that I have ever used. The water changing function is also very, very easy, much easier than any Hoover that Ive ever owned.”

Final verdict

Anyone who suffers with subpar carpets will absolutely love the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet. Between simple controls and superior stain-fighting power, cat puke and puppy pee have met their match.While the machine itself is pretty heavy at 22 pounds, it’s not made to be a portable carpet cleaner. Those looking for something travel-friendly would be happier with the popular Little Green machine.

However, families with large stains or sticky messes won’t regret splurging on the Revolution HydroSteam. It’s so handy that I was afraid my sister wouldn’t want to part with it. At least I have a good idea of what she wants for Christmas this year!

Where to buy the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet

The Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Petis available on Bissell.com and Amazon. It’s a bit pricey at around $400, but if that’s the price of stain-free floors, we can’t complain. After all, that’s less than the cost of a whole new carpet! Pet owners, take note: While Bissell cleaners can be costly, the peace-of-mind they give you is 100% priceless.

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Hard-to-pronounce dog breeds

If you would love to know more about that Kooikerhondje at the dog park, but you don’t have the confidence to pronounce the breed correctly, you’re not alone. Dog breed pronunciation can be tricky. After all, some of the most popular dog breeds hail from foreign countries, and as beautiful as our favoriteGerman dog breeds are, pronouncing dachshund is not that simple.

So, instead of taking a chance and mispronouncing the Italian dog breedat the vet, thehairless dog your neighbor walks or your friend’s bigfluffy dog, gain confidence in your pronunciation first. We’ve rounded up a dozen tricky-to-say dog breeds, along with the correct pronunciationand some fun facts too. And if all else fails, fall back on those nicknames, because “wiener dog” is here to stay.

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What is the happiest animal in the world?

While there’s no formal research on the topic, the happiest-animal-in-the-world title most often goes to the crazy-cute wallaby known as the quokka. Found exclusively in southwestern Australiaand mainly on the country’s remote Rottnest Islandquokkas are small, cat-size marsupials known for their curious natures and cheerful facial expressions. “They always look like they are smiling,” say Sally Hollis, corporate engagement officer for the nonprofit Rottnest Foundation, “so they’ve been referred to as ‘the happiest animal on earth.'”

Upping the cuteness quotient: Quokkas have plush, gray-brown fur, black button noses and round fluffy ears, which make them look a little like stuffed toys. Like their kangaroo cousins, they get around by hopping and bounding, and mama quokkas carry their babies in a pouch.

The earliest reference to the quokka’s status as the happiest animal in the world seems to date back to a 2013 story in the Huffington Post. But it was a 2019 Instagram post by Australian actor Chris Hemsworth posing with a quokka smiling that spawned a slew of quokka selfies and turned the species into a social media phenomenon.

Is the quokka actually happy?

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Well, it certainly seems that wayalthough experts admit that quokka “smiles” may have more to do with their facial structure than how they’re really feeling. That adorable quokka grin “is really just their resting face,” concedes Hollis. The quokka’s mouth is shaped in such a way that it just always looks like it’s smiling. And when quokkas stick out their tongues while grinning? They’re really just trying to cool off. Still, says Hollis, “they do also look pretty happy when they’re getting petted by tourists, so maybe they are actually happy!”

Are quokkas friendly?

Definitely. “The quokkas on Rottnest Island are very friendly and inquisitive, as they are used to people and don’t feel threatened,” says Hollis. “They are gentle and hop over to you to say hi.” Naturally curious, quokkas even sometimes pop into tourist selfies on their own because they’re intrigued by the camera. With no natural predators on Rottnest island, quokkas feel safe to mingle with humans as they please.

Can you keep a quokka as a pet?

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That’s a hard no. “Quokkas are a protected species,” says Hollis. Once abundant on the Australian mainland, quokkas were almost extinct by the 20th century, wiped out by predators like dingoes and foxes. (The lack of predators on Rottnest is what kept the quokkas there from dying out too.) The quokka is currently listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, with a population of about 15,000 worldwide, including the more than 12,000 quokkas on Rottnest Island. But thanks to conservation efforts, their numbers seem to be rising again.

What other animals always seem happy?

If quokkas are the happiest animals in the world, one can’t help but wonder what the second-happiest animal in the world might be. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been any extensive research into the question, but plenty of other species have been found to display delight in the world around them.

Dogs

All that tail wagging has to mean something! With their puppy-like enthusiasm for new adventures and their hold-no-grudges hearts, dogs seems to understand the secrets to happy living. Wondering if your dog is feeling the joy? Check out these signs your dog is happy. That full-body wag is a very good sign!

Goats

Known for being social creatures, goats are happiest in the company of others (whether human or goat!), and they love to play. A recent study even suggested that they can recognize the difference between happy and unhappy human faces, choosing the happy ones most of the time. Judge for yourself how happy these goats lookthey’re certainly adorable!

Monkeys

Humankind’s closest siblings in the animal world share our love of laughing and play. Studies of various types of apes suggest that they laugh while engaging in tickling and social play, much the way humans do.

Cats

While finicky felines may not initially come to mind as the world’s happiest animals, especially compared with smiling quokkas, cats are famously curious and find wonder in just about everything. And anyone who has ever known a kitten has seen the pure joy they find in play. If you’re wondering whether your cat is happy, just look out for purrs, slow blinks and the way they knead your favorite blanket in pure bliss.

About the expert

• Sally Hollis is the corporate engagement officer for the Rottnest Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving Australia’s Rottnest Island, home to the world’s largest population of quokkas. The foundation’s Adopt-a-Quokka program helps support quokka conservation projects on the island.

Sources:

• HuffPost: “Meet the Quokka, the Happiest Animal in the World”
• Royal Society Open Science: “Goats prefer positive human emotional facial expressions”
• Current Biology: “Reconstructing the evolution of laughter in great apes and humans”

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Best overall small breed dog food

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

This well-reviewed dog food for small breeds features chicken as the primary ingredient along with ingredients rich in omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It’s free of filler ingredients like corn, wheat, soy and byproducts, and the kibbles are tiny to accommodate small jaws. Bonus: The food helps promote good dental health and includes glucosamine to encourage joint health, mobility and a healthy coat.

Pros

• Protein-rich
• Includes ingredients infused with essential fatty acids, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants
• Free of filler ingredients
• Small-bite kibble

Cons

• Light fishy smell

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If you have a dog, it’s safe to assume you already have a food and water dish. But the pet industry is always enticing us with new and innovative ways to serve our pets at mealtime. And now, Yetithe trusted brand known for its durable coolers and drinkwarehas entered the market with Boomer, the Yeti dog bowl.

Amazon shoppers have already snagged this trending dog dish and given it more than 5,000 five-star ratings. But its heftier price tag has left many wondering if it’s worth the hype (and therefore, doggy bowl upgrade). My dog and I wondered the same thing, so we decided to put it to the test.

What is the Yeti dog bowl?

The Yeti Boomer dog bowl stands outs from traditional bowls thanks to its durable, non-slip and dent-resistant design. This promises to withstand everything from rust to roughhousing. Mimicking the popular Yeti Rambler drinkware line, the Boomer features the same kitchen-grade, double-wall, stainless steel material.

It’s also dishwasher safe (which is important, as a dirty pet bowl can result in illness). Plus, it’s available in two sizes4 cups and 8 cupsand a variety of fun colors making it hard to choose just one (you can always purchase a second!).

I chose the Seafoam color, based solely on the fact that my dog and I would now have matching Yeti gear for camping and other adventures.

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Yeti dog bowl features

The Yeti Boomer comes with a five-year warranty and several impressive features that differentiate it from your average dog bowl:

Size, color and customization

The Boomer comes in two sizes. The 4-cup bowl weighs 1.2 pounds and the 8-cup bowl weighs 1.9 poundsstrategically designed to be heavier than your average dish. For reference, my current go-to dog dish only weighs half a pound.

The bowl is available in 13 stylish colors on Amazonor six colors on Yeti’s website with the option for customization. That’s rightyou can personalize this already adorable bowl with your dog’s name, a monogram or a graphic of your choice.

Dent and rust-resistant

The bowl features double-wall, 18/8 stainless steel, making it durable, easy to clean and resistant to dents and rust. However, the Boomer bowl is non-insulated, unlike Yeti’s drinkware line.

BearFoot non-slip ring

The bottom of this weighted dog bowl features a non-slip ring to help keep the dish in place. This is great if you don’t have an elevated dog bowl or if you have a large dog that eats enthusiastically (Ernie and I fall into this category). The Yeti Boomer promises not to budge.

Food and dishwasher-safe

This BPA-free bowl is food-safe and dishwasher-safe, making it easier than ever to maintain a sanitary environment for your dog.

Five-year warranty

Like most Yeti products, the Boomer dog bowl comes with a five-year warranty when purchased through the Yeti website, store or authorized dealer.

How we tested it

I tested the Yeti dog bowl with my 50-pound pit bull mix, Ernie. He’s a fast eater, so he admittedly uses an elevated, slow-feeder bowl at home. But for travel and camping, I use two regular, stainless steel dog bowls for his food and water.

Given his enthusiasm at mealtime, he often pushes his dish all across the floor. And during camping, I constantly find his empty dish overturned and covered in dirt. I was eager to see if the Yeti dog bowl would provide the durability and weight (even when empty) that his current dishes did not.

Food test

When the 8-cup bowl arrived, I was slightly taken aback by how large it was and wondered if the 4-cup bowl would have sufficed, especially for travel. I placed some kibble in Ernie’s regular dog bowl and watched as it skirted across the kitchen floorsomething I had witnessed all too often at our family cabin. Next, I placed some kibble in the Boomer dog bowl and watched in satisfaction as it did not budge (Ernie also enjoyed the fact that the dog bowl did not put up a fight).

Water test

I next filled the bowl with fresh water and watched as Ernie drank away. While he’s not a water bowl snob, I am. I appreciated the added dish depth and fewer spills at my feet. Given that we live in the Arizona desert, and keeping my dog cool and hydrated is crucial, I retracted my previous concerns and decided that the 8-cup bowl size was in fact the way to go.

The Boomer is non-insulated and therefore does not keep water cool like their Yeti insulated cups. But I still wanted to test this out, and I placed ice water in both the Boomer and Ernie’s regular dish and set them outside.

I found no difference in how quickly the ice cubes melted in each dish. But our Associate Shopping Editor, Mary Hennwho also did a comparison test with a thermometerfound that the Boomer did in fact keep the water cooler when compared to a ceramic bowl (and several Amazon reviewers also agreed).

I have now had my Yeti Boomer for a few months and it has stood up to travel and multiple rounds in the dishwasher, with no dents or rust in sight.

Pros

• Durable, double-wall stainless steel construction
• Variety of stylish colors with customization options on Yeti’s website
• Weighted, with a non-slip grip on the bottom (perfect for puppies or enthusiastic eaters)
• BPA-free
• Dent- and rust-resistant
• Dishwasher safe
• Five-year warranty

Cons

• Pricey (but its durable construction means it will withstand the test of time)
• Non-insulated (meaning it will not keep water cool, although several reviewers felt that it did)
• Not travel-friendly (heavier than your average bowl)
• No slow feeder option for fast eaters

What other reviewers had to say

The Yeti Boomer dog bowl receives high praise with a 4.9-star average on Amazon.

Five-star reviewer Kenny says it is “the best dog bowl ever,” and purchased two. “At first I felt like I paid too much for just dog bowls but let me tell you these things are made from great materials! ]They are sturdy and they have been so easy to clean. Other cheap dog bowls Ive bought started getting smelly and [accumulated] dog food junk,” he says. “All you need to do to clean these is use a wet paper towel and they clean right away, just like new. My dog loves them and I do feel it keeps the water colder. I use one for water and another for food. They definitely have paid for themselves.”

Another verified Amazon reviewer, Erin Fanning, found this bowl to be the solution to her puppy’s playful antics. “My puppy would grab his water bowl and fling the water everywhere. I bought this bowl because it is large (plenty of room for freeboard), tough (stands up to puppy teeth), and hefty (hard for him to set his teeth on it or lift it).”

Satisfied purchaser, J Dubs, is also a fan: “We have a large dog who has flipped a few bowls in the past and even slid into and broke his last one while running to get dinner. So I went for the Yeti one and I have zero complaints. It is sturdy, the pup has yet to flip this one after several months, it has a gripping ring on the bottom so it doesn’t slide on our hardwood floors, and washes easily in the dishwasher.”

Product comparison

Compared to my current dog dishwhich weighs a little over half a poundthe Yeti dog bowl is heavier, weighing just under two pounds. The Yeti dog bowl is also taller at 3.5 inches, compared to my food and water dishes which are only 2.5 and 3 inches tall. As mentioned previously, I prefer the added depth for keeping Ernie hydrated while preventing spills.

While there are other non-slip dog bowls for a fraction of the price, the Yeti Boomer’s high-quality construction and long-standing durability put it in a class of its own, making it worthy of the investment.

Final verdict

While I’ll admit the Yeti Boomer is larger and heavier than I would like for travel, I found that it held up better than Ernie’s regular dishes, which were already experiencing a few mysterious dents and rust spots. The Yeti dog bowl is also dishwasher safe, making it one less dog item to hand clean after trips, so it is definitely one of the main dog essentials I pack in my car. In my opinion, the perks greatly outweigh the minor travel inconvenience (not to mention this will by far outlast several cheaper options over the years).

And for instances where I’m really pressed for packing space, I can always pack a collapsible dog dish or portable dog water bottle, but Ernie prefers lapping in luxury. For pets that do not require an elevated station or slow feeder like Ernie does, I strongly believe the Yeti Boomer would be the ideal solution for a long-lasting, durable and stylish at-home bowl. And for new rambunctious puppy owners, this is a worthy investment that will prove useful for Fido from crate training days into their adult years.

Where to buy the Yeti dog bowl

You can purchase the Boomer dog bowl for $40 or $50 directly from Yeti with the option for customization. For more color options and added shopping convenience (but without the option to customize), you can also purchase the Yeti dog bowl from Amazon.

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Plus, training a dog to do these types of dog tricks is a great way to provide much-need mental stimulation, says Erin Askeland, a professional dog trainer. It keeps your dog’s brain active, builds problem-solving skills and “can help a dog learn more body control and awareness,” Askeland says.

Want to impress your guests with this classically cute trick? With the help of the experts, we’ve created step-by-step instructions so you can train your puppy, adult dog or senior pooch to make rolling over rewarding for both of you.

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What is the best age to teach a dog to roll over?

While a dog is never too old to learn, Askeland does point out that rolling over can be hard on their bodies. Age, mobility levels and health all influence how safe the trick is for a dog to tackle. Askeland says that dogs with long bony spines, large chests or arthritis can find this trick particularly challenging. “If a dog has known health issues or is not willing to roll over, it may be best to try a different trick,” she recommends.

If in doubt, consult with your veterinarian or a certified canine rehabilitation therapist before adding roll over to your dog’s repertoire.

What you’ll need to teach a dog to roll over

Fortunately, you don’t need a ton of dog-training items when learning how to teach a dog to roll over, just a few puppy essentials. The list below is all you’ll need to get started.

• A quiet, familiar and enclosed space
• High-value dog training treats
• A ball or other motivating dog toy (if your dog isn’t food motivated)
• Patience, enthusiasm and time

How to teach a dog to roll over

While the exact process will vary depending on your dog and how quickly it offers certain dog behaviors, following these simple steps can set you both up for success.

Step 1: Select a suitable space

The goal is to limit distractions. While your dog may love getting exercise at a dog park, teaching a dog to roll over in front of other pups or in a room full of kids isn’t a sensible strategy. Make sure to choose a quiet room or peaceful fenced-in yard that’s familiar to them.

Pro tip: Consider the flooring. “Choose a soft floorgrass, carpet, rug, yoga matto teach roll over, so that your dog is comfortable and not slipping,” Askeland says.

Step 2: Teach a reliable “down”

If your dog doesn’t already lie down on command, you’ll need to master that first. Once your dog is sitting, hold a treat to their nose, moving it slowly down to their chest. As your dog follows the treat with their nose, bring it down to the ground, away from their paws and toward you. The idea is to lure them into a down position.

As soon as they are lying down, reward them with a treat. Repeat the process until your dog reliably offers the desired position. Then, introduce the “down” verbal cue, and gradually phase out the hand signals and treats.

Pro tip: Reward heavily. Neer emphasizes the importance of rewards during all stages of teaching. Both treats and verbal praise keep dogs motivated and help them understand when they are offering a behavior you are looking for.

Step 3: Lure your dog onto their side

From the down position, work on luring your dog onto their side. Once again, hold a tasty treat right in front of their nose. Encourage them to follow the treat by slowly moving it toward their shoulder. If your dog isn’t moving onto their side, break things down further by repeatedly rewarding their head turn first.

If your dog favors resting on one hip in the down position, lure them in that direction as they will more naturally fall onto their side from this position. Repeat the process multiple times, rewarding immediately every time your dog rolls onto their side. And remember: Always hold the treat close to their nose and take things slowly.

Pro tip: Take it one step at a time. Askeland says that breaking down this complex trick into baby steps helps you move at the dog’s learning pace. You’re more likely to confuse your dog by asking for too much at once.

Step 4: Work toward a full roll over

Now that your dog is reliably rolling onto its side, progress to luring them over further onto their back and over to the other side. Do this by slowly moving the treat from their shoulder toward their backbone, and then the floor.

Repeat the process with lots of praise, enthusiasm and well-timed, tasty treats until your dog is reliably rolling right over.

Pro tip: Pay attention to your dog’s facial expressions and behavior and look for any signs of discomfort. Askeland points out that rolling onto the back can be a vulnerable position for dogs. Always ensure they are comfortable and stop the session immediately if they show any signs of anxiety or discomfort.

Step 5: Introduce the “roll over” cue

Once your dog reliably offers a full body roll, it’s time to introduce a verbal cue. When you start the luring action, pair it with an enthusiastic and clear “roll over.” Combine this cue with the lures and rewards for a few more sessions.

Pro tip: Askeland says that you should be able to fade out the luring hand signals and rely on the verbal cue after a few sessions. But don’t make a common dog training mistake by forgetting to praise and reward them for their efforts.

Step 6: Practice the trick in new places

Once your dog has mastered the trick in a quiet and familiar space, it’s time to up the ante to generalize the behavior. Maybe ask them to roll over in the backyard for the next few sessions before moving to a familiar dog park.

Pro tip: Want to really test their new skill? Have a friend ask your dog to roll over and put their new trick to the test.

What to do if your dog isn’t rolling over

Some dogs are easy to train and pick up rolling effortlessly. For others, it might not come so naturallyeven if they are some of the smartest dogs. If you’re struggling to get your dog to go from lying on their side to rolling over (or if they don’t seem to understand what you’re asking for), don’t panic. Stop for the day and use these tips to strategize your next session.

• Be patient. “Regardless of the way you teach it, you need to be sure to go at your dog’s pace and not expect too much too soon,” Askeland says.
• Get it right with rewards. Pick treats or toys your dog can’t resist. This helps keep them motivated and happy to train. Pieces of dry kibble likely aren’t going to cut it.
• End on a high note. Keep sessions short, enthusiastic and fun, always aiming to end with a win. Training a bored, frustrated or tired dog isn’t a recipe for success.

What not to do when teaching your dog to roll over

• Don’t force a position. “Never force the dog to roll over by grabbing their legs or flipping them over,” Askeland says. “This can be scary and even hurt a dog.” Neer advises against any modeling, a technique in which the trainer physically positions the dog to do what is desired. She also advises against corrections of any kind, including slip leads, prong collars or e-collars.
• Don’t train when tetchy. Learning how to teach a dog to roll over should be fun for you both. “Make sure you’re training when you are feeling calm and patient,” she says. “Otherwise, walk away and try again later.”
• Don’t continue if your dog isn’t comfortable. This isn’t an essential skill. If your dog shows signs of pain or isn’t enjoying the sessions, stop and try something else instead.

About the experts

• Erin Askeland is an animal health and behavior expert and certified professional dog trainer at Camp Bow Wow. She is an animal welfare professional with an MSc in Clinical Animal Behavior and is also a Certified Behavior Consultant Canine and Fear Free Certified Professional.
• Blythe Neer, CPDT-KA, ADT, CCUI, is the founder and head trainer at Delta Tails. She is multi-certified, with credentials from the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Fear Free Pets, Association of Professional Dog Trainers and Leslie McDevitt.

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While some cats will happily welcome a new feline roommate into the fold, others view the arrival of a second cat as nothing short of an invasion. Suddenly there are hisses, growls and surprise attacks on the way to the litter box. What causes an otherwise sweet-natured kitty to suddenly become angry and stalk, attack and torment its new roomie? And how do you stop your cat from bullying your other cat?

Experts say that answering those questions requires a close look at the dynamics of your kitty family. “A bully cat’s aggression is born out of fear,” says Dr. Saffire. “He’s trying to protect his territory. And the cat that’s being bullied is also afraid. They’re hissing and screaming and making all the sounds because they’re scared and they’re trying to act big and scary to protect themselves.”

Fortunately, there are tricks to help stop a cat from bullying. By learning to understand cat behavior and read a cat’s body language, you can train your cats to get along and restore peace to your feline family. “You can’t force cats to be best friends,” says Dr. Saffire, “but you can help them to live together peacefully.”

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Why does a cat bully another cat?

There can be any number of reasons for friction between cats, but they usually center around one cat feeling like it’s in danger of losing the things it considers its most valuable assets: its food, water, litter box, sleeping space or even its humans. “What people label as bullying is really a cat feeling threatened,” says certified cat behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett.

It’s protecting its resources

Cats are sociable animals but only if they feel there are enough resources for everyone. And to a cat, resources means easy access to food, water and the litter box.

“That’s the No. 1 issue I see in multi-cat households where they call me about having a bully cat or cats who fight,” says Johnson-Bennett. “If a cat’s path to the litter box is blocked by another cat, or the only way for a cat to get to the food or water bowl is to cross enemy lines, that creates a lot of stress, and that’s where you end up with fighting.”

It’s defending its space

Cats have sleeping areas and lounging areas that they think of as theirs, sometimes including their humans’ laps. And when they see another cat in what they consider their spots, they view it as an incursion.

“Cats are territorial,” says Dr. Saffire. “It’s in their DNA. In the wild, cats will claim huge amounts of territory. So what happens when we bring them inside and force them to live together in a very small space? It can be a trigger for bullying.”

Their personalities clash

Just like people, cats have different personalities, and one cat may be naturally more dominant than the other. “If you have one cat who’s very outgoing and one cat who’s quiet and anxious, that’s going to [be] a factor,” says Dr. Saffire.

Cats that weren’t raised together may also have different social skills. “One cat may be doing a play posture but the other cat is misreading it and feeling threatened,” says Johnson-Bennett. “And there are some cats, just like people, that are clearly more comfortable not having roommates.”

They were never properly introduced

When you bring a new cat into a home where there is already a cat or multiple cats, how you introduce them sets the stage for their future behavior. “The biggest mistake I see is rushing that introduction and expecting the cats to just work it out,” says Johnson-Bennett. “You have to take baby steps and do it gradually, helping everyone feel comfortable and safe. Rushing that introduction puts everyone into survival mode, and everyone feels threatened.”

Signs a cat is bullying another cat

Before you learn how to stop a cat from bullying another cat, you need to figure out whether bullying is actually happening. It’s not as obvious as you may think.

Sometimes cats will get into all-out brawls, but often, the signs that one cat is bullying another are less conspicuous. “You may not see actual fighting,” says Johnson-Bennett. “It could be a lot of posturing and guarding of resources. There are a lot of subtle things you can see as you watch your cat.”

Aggressive body language

It’s actually quite easy to spot an angry cat if you pay attention to the cat’s body language. “When cats are happy, their whiskers are relaxed, their ears are forward, their eyes are relaxed,” says Dr. Saffire. “But when a cat is feeling fearful or aggressive, their ears will flatten, their whiskers get really straight and their pupils become dilated. Those are signs that there’s an issue.”

One-sided play

“When cats play, sometimes it can look like they’re fighting, but it should be mutual, where they take turns doing the chasing,” says Johnson-Bennett. “If you see one cat is repeatedly the one getting chased and there’s hissing or the body posture seems as if it’s not friendly, that’s not play. Then you have a situation where one cat is feeling threatened by the other cat.”

Guarding behavior

What may look like a cat casually lounging outside the door to the room with the litter box may actually be him positioning himself there to keep other cats out. “Cats can interpret that body language better and see that there’s a guarding behavior,” says Johnson-Bennett. “It’s not a relaxed posture. It’s more of a dare or a threat.”

That’s especially true if the lounging cat is trying to stare down the other. “Direct eye contact is one of the most intimidating things a cat does,” says Dr. Saffire. “When a cat locks eyes with the other cat, that is a sign this cat is blocking or trying to claim his territory.”

Hiding

“A cat who feels threatened or who has been attacked may hide a lot,” says Johnson-Bennett. “They know there’s a threat, and they don’t want to be visible. They may tend to walk more on the perimeter of the room because they don’t feel comfortable walking right down the middle.”

Stress behaviors

Cats that feel threatened often become anxious and engage in behaviors tied to stress, like scratching the furniture, peeing on the carpet or over-grooming. “They may groom themselves so much they create a bald patch,” says Johnson-Bennett.

How to stop your cat from bullying another cat

You’ve seen the signs, and it’s pretty clear you have a feline bully on your hands. You’ve no doubt taken to the internet with the query “how to stop my cat from bullying my other cat.” And right about now, you’re probably at your wit’s end. Don’t worrythe experts are here to help.

As with other undesirable cat behaviors, the key to solving the problem is figuring out what’s triggering it. “Is it that there aren’t enough resources? Is it that I didn’t introduce them properly? Is it that one cat is misreading another cat? The key to solving a behavior problem, whatever it is, is to identify the cause,” says Johnson-Bennett.

Step 1: Rule out any medical issues

Sometimes cats can lash out because they’re uncomfortable, so it’s wise to make sure a medical issue isn’t causing your cat’s aggression. “I always tell clients to go to the vet first,” says Johnson-Bennett. “Many times, they’ll email back and say, ‘Oh my gosh! You were right. He was attacking because he was in pain.'”

Step 2: Assess your situation

To figure out what the cats’ issues are, it can be helpful to draw a floor plan of your home, marking out where your cats’ food, water, litter boxes and favorite lounging areas are, as well as the spots where their skirmishes usually occur. The trouble zones are likely related to one cat crossing into what another considers its territory. “A lot of times, we can then figure out where the friction is coming from,” says Dr. Saffire.

Step 3: Spread out their resources

Place food and water bowls in different areas of your home. “It’s not just about having multiple food bowls; it’s where you place them,” says Dr. Saffire. “If all the bowls are in the kitchen, you’re forcing the cats to eat together or for one to cross into the other’s space in order to get food. But if you separate the food sources around the house, there’s no reason to fight.”

The same goes for litter boxes: Put them in different rooms, so if one cat is blocking access to one box, the second cat has an option.

Step 4: Increase their territory

You can’t make your home bigger, but you can add vertical space inside it. “The best way you can increase the vertical space in your home is with cat treesand more than one of them because if you just have one cat tree and you have two cats, only one of them gets to go to the top of it,” says Dr. Saffire. “There are also really cool shelves that look like normal shelves but are built for cats, so a cat can climb up on it and be up high.”

Step 5: Give them some alone time

“Maybe at night you separate the cats and leave them in different parts of the house to give the anxious cat some time where he doesn’t have to worry that someone is going to pounce on him or he’s not going to have access to food,” says Dr. Saffire. “It doesn’t have to be a forever thing. It’s just a way of getting the cats more comfortable and reducing the stress level in the house.”

And if it’s a person the cat is territorial over, try separating the cats and then spending some one-on-one time with each of them. “Sometimes that means I’m going to put Cat A away for an hour, and I’m going to sit on the couch and play and pet or groom Cat B,” says Dr. Saffire. “Just spend one-on-one time with each cat so they’re getting that predictable human interaction that they want. They see ‘OK, he’s not a threat because my owner loves me and is going to spend time with me too.'”

Step 6: Head off problems before they happen

If trouble does start to brew, the best solution is to stop it before it becomes a full-fledged fight. “If you can catch it before it escalates, distracting both of them is the biggest thing,” says Dr. Saffire. “Food, treats, a toywhatever. Just try to distract them both so they’re not fixated on each other. But you still have to figure out what was the reason they were about to go at it so you can prevent it in the future.”

And while you do, it might be a good idea to give the attacking cat a collar with a bell on it. “That way, when he comes into the room, he’s jing-jingling his little collar so the other cat has a warning to be able to get up and get away,” says Dr. Saffire. “So there’s no surprise attacks!”

Step 7: Reinforce good behavior

When the cats are getting along, praise them for it. “I say anytime the cat is doing a behavior that you want them to dothey’re both in the same room together not killing each otherthat’s when you give them all the positive reinforcement, the praise, the treats,” says Dr. Saffire. “Any time the cat comes in the room and he doesn’t care that the other cat is sitting in there, that’s when you praise them. Cats are so responsive to positive reinforcement. That’s the best way to really solidify that that’s the behavior you want.”

Step 8: Create a calming environment

For some warring cats, a pheromone diffuser like the one from Feliway, made specifically for multi-cat homes, can help keep the peace. It releases a synthetic pheromone that helps the cats think they are part of the same litter, says Dr. Saffire.

“Put it in the room where they spend the most time,” she says. “You want them basking in it, so when they do come across each other, they smell this pheromone and think, ‘Oh, you’re my littermate. I’m supposed to like you.'”

She also recommends over-the-counter calming treats from Composure to help stop a cat from bullying. “It’s not a drug, but it has things like tryptophan and milk casein protein, which we know are naturally calming,” she says. “They’re safe for pretty much any cat, and it can help just chill everybody out.”

How not to handle cat bullying

While it can be stressful for cat parents to see their cats fighting, there are definitely some things you should not do when it happens.

Don’t punish the cat

“No yelling, no hitting, no squirting with water bottles,” says Johnson-Bennett. “All that does is make the cats hate each other more. The cat who was being terrorized doesn’t know who you’re yelling at, so now they’re even more afraid. And the cat that was displaying the aggression now has no reason to ever like the other cat because now they have a negative association with his presence.”

Don’t jump into the fray

If you put your hands between fighting cats, you’re likely to get injured yourself. Instead, you can break it up by throwing a blanket on one of the cats. “It completely distracts them,” says Dr. Saffire. “You’ll have time to pick up one of the cats or shoo him out of the room, but you’re not touching them and potentially going to get bit.”

Don’t ignore it

If they haven’t already worked it out on their own, the cats likely won’t be able to, and the stress of dealing with it could cause health issues in both the bully cat and its victim. “Don’t just live with it,” says Johnson-Bennett. “Don’t resign yourself to the fact that the cats will never get along, because it’s very stressful for them. No one wants to live under stress, and it can affect them medically.”

What to do if the cat bullying won’t stop

If you can’t figure out the cause for the bullying or how to stop one cat from bullying the other cat, or if either cat is getting injured, it’s likely time to call in a pro. “That’s where people like me come in,” says Johnson-Bennett. “Sometimes, someone who is looking at it from a non-emotional standpoint can pick out where the shortcomings are.”

In some cases, vets will also prescribe medication to help calm cats suffering from anxiety. But if you’ve tried everythingfrom googling “how to stop my cat from bullying my other cat” to giving your furry friend calming treats, de-stressing cat toys and medicationand the cats still can’t coexist peacefully, it may mean that you will need to set up one of the cats in its own living space. “Again, that’s where an expert can help you,” adds Johnson-Bennett. “If all other options have been exhausted, sometimes the least stressful thing to do is to keep the cats separate.”

Fortunately, it doesn’t usually come to that. Most cats, when all their needs are met and they’ve had time to get to know each other, can coexist quite happily together. “The most important thing is everyone should feel safe in the home,” says Johnson-Bennett. “They don’t have to be best friends, but they have to be safe.”

About the experts

• Ashlie Saffire, DVM, DABVP, is a veterinarian with Faithful Friends Veterinary Clinic in Dublin, Ohio, and a member of the board of directors for the American Association of Feline Practitioners.
• Pam Johnson-Bennett is a certified cat behaviorist, author of Cat vs. Cat and owner of the private veterinarianreferred behavior company Cat Behavior Associates in Nashville.

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The fact is, a pup yapping excessively each time another dog walks by your yard or enters the dog park can be annoying, embarrassing and potentially disruptive to your neighbors. With that in mind, we asked a dog-training pro to answer our burning question: Why do dogs bark at other dogs in the first place? Once you understand that, you can put this expert advice into practice to stop your dog from barking.

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Why do dogs bark at other dogs?

According to Trevor Smith, a certified dog trainer with Pupford, dogs bark at each other for a variety of reasons. “But mainly,” he says, “dogs use barking as their primary communication tool to express their needs. When dogs bark at other dogs, it is often an attempt to fulfill their desires or provoke a response.”

Feel like you need a decoder ring to translate canine chitter-chatter? In the face of another dog, your furry pals may be barking for one or more of the following reasons.

They’re being playful

A dog on a leash may bark at other dogs to try to engage in play. He’s essentially calling the other dog, trying to get it to join in the fun. If you’re at the dog park and know your dog generally plays well with others, now’s the time to let him off-leash so he can engage in some positive playtime.

They’re being defensive

A dog barking at another dog may not be all fun and games. If your loyal companion senses a (real or imagined) threat to either himself or his family members (human, canine or otherwise), he may emit a bark that essentially says, “Back off, buddy.”

They’re being aggressive

Is your dog the playground bully? A dog that aggressively barks at other dogs may or may not ever get to the point where he can play with other dogs. For some pups, the aggression is based on fear. Others just aren’t friendly with other dogs.

They want to join the pack

Dogs are pack animals, and your little furball may want to join his fellow canines when he encounters them. If your dog comes upon a new group of dogssay, at the dog park or in some other social settinghe may bark or even howl to get their attention. It’s his way of asking to join the pack.

They’re feeling anxious

Your dog may be anxious by nature, and being around other dogs, especially barking dogs, may heighten his sensitivity. And he may respond with his primary communication tool: barking. These tips for calming an anxious dog will help.

How to stop your dog from barking at other dogs

There’s a reason so many pet parents take to the internet wondering (and maybe pleading) “Why do dogs bark at other dogs?” Dealing with a dog whose barking develops into a persistent and negative behavior pattern can be frustrating, says Smith. But with time and patience, most dog-barking issues can be managed and modified.

“In the context of barking training,” he says, “it is crucial to acknowledge that at its core, a dog is merely responding to a stimulus that has caught its attention. When the dog sees another dog, it captures his attention, and he communicates by barking.” Over time, a pattern is formed. “To change this pattern, pet parents must address it in the same manner.”

At your wit’s end? Whether your dogs are some of the hardest or easiest breeds to train, the tactics below will help stop them from barking at their canine counterparts.

Expose them to other dogs

Smith suggests exposing your dog to situations in which he encounters the stimulus, such as another dog. But do it in a way that sets your pup up for success.

“For instance, if you observe your dog barking at another dog in the park from a distance of 10 feet, take a step back to a distance of 30 feet, or an appropriate distance that allows your dog to remain calm without barking while still being exposed to the stimuli,” he says. “Reward them with high-value treats when they don’t bark, and do not reprimand them when they bark. Repeat this process and gradually decrease the distance while adjusting accordingly, until the barking response is minimal. You can practice this during walks, at the dog park or wherever your dog constantly barks at others.”

Remove them from the situation

We’re all for letting dogs be dogs. Who doesn’t want man’s best friend to be a happy, well-socialized animal? But if the dog park or the regular route you walk your pooch becomes fraught with stress for both of you, it’s time to change courseliterally. Take a different route, one you know has fewer dogs. And if need be, skip the dog park altogether.

Learn to decode your dog’s barks

Understanding your dog’s behavior means translating his barks and body language so you can determine what he’s “asking” for. If your dog’s facial expression, tail position and barking indicate he’s feeling playful or wants to join the pack, the solution to stopping him from barking may be to let him play or socialize with other pups in an environment where he feels safe.

In contrast, Smith says that if your dog barks out of extreme fear of other dogs, you should give him more distance from them. “Training should be conducted with ample patience,” he says. “By consistently providing love and positive reinforcement, your furry friend will learn which behaviors are rewarded, avoid those that receive no rewards and become comfortable in situations where they encounter the disrupting stimuli.”

Distract and keep moving

If you’re out for a walk and your dog starts to bark at another dog, a simple solution may be your best bet: Pick up your pace. Keep control of your dog, and swiftly walk past or away from the other dogs, calling your puppy’s name and praising him as he complies. As the saying goes, out of sight, out of mind!

Consider a doggy training class

Your dog’s barking issues may call for professional intervention in the form of one-on-one obedience training or a group dog-training class. Group classes are a great way to get him used to being around other dogs. If you can’t do in-person classes, online behavioral courses, like those offered by Smith at Pupford, can help you and your pooch prepare for the dog park and other social settings.

What to do if your dog won’t stop barking at other dogs

If your furry friend just won’t quit barking at other doggos, Smith offers the following pro tips:

• Check with your vet. Your dog may be in pain, or there may be some other underlying health issues causing him to bark. “Check for any medical causes with a trip to the vet,” says Smith. “Better safe than sorry!”
• Keep your cool. If you get anxious when your dog won’t stop barking, he’s going to sense your anxiety and probably bark even more. “Stay cool as a cucumber,” says Smith, “and create some distance from those other pups to ease [your dog’s] excitement.”
• Stick to a plan. Oftentimes, DIY dog training fails because owners don’t stick with it. The same is true for training a nuisance barker. “Keep the training game strong, using those cool commands and positive reinforcement, like a treat ninja,” Smith says.
• Call a trainer. “If the barking bug still won’t buzz off, call in the pros,” he says. “A certified trainer or behaviorist can work magic and guide you through the ‘ruff’ patches. Remember, patience and love will help you and your pup win the battle of the barks!”

By now, you should be able to confidently answer “Why do dogs bark at each other?” But do you know why your dog is munching on your lawn? Don’t worrywe won’t leave you hanging. Here are seven reasons your dog is eating grass.

About the expert

• Trevor Smith is a passionate dog lover, pet parent and dog trainer with Pupford. He’s the owner of Doggie Dojo, an online educational dog-training platform. As a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Certified Canine Fitness Trainer, he has been educating and training dogs for more than two decades.

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“Heat stroke is not always obvious and can be life-threatening if not addressed promptly,” says Mondrian Contreras, DVM, a veterinary expert with Pumpkin Pet Insurance. That’s why it’s crucial to monitor your dog’s behavior, regularly check for signs of illness and be aware of the dog dangers in your own backyardwhich, yes, includes the sun. It’s also important to know the symptoms of heat stroke in dogs so you can identify the issue right away and treat it. If you don’t know what to look for, don’t worry; we consulted doggy experts to learn about heat stroke in dogs, how to spot it and the summer safety tips that can prevent it from happening.

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What is heat stroke in dogs?

Heat stroke occurs when a dog’s body temperature is above 105 degrees after they have been exposed to high heat, without previous signs of illness. Normally, a dog’s body temperature falls between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees, and it’s considered “elevated” once it hits 103 degrees.

Now, it’s worth noting that their body temperature rises when they’re fighting off an illness or infection, similar to humans, but there’s a difference between a dog that has a fever and a dog that’s suffering from heat stroke. If a dog’s temperature hits that 105-degree mark after they’ve been exposed to heat and weren’t sick beforehand, they’re entering heat-stroke territory.

What causes heat stroke in dogs?

Heat stroke in dogs happens when pups can’t cool themselves down after becoming too hot. When humans are hot, we sweat to regulate our body temperature, but dogs can’t sweat the way we can. While humans sweat pretty much anywhere on their bodies, dogs only sweat through their paw pads and nose. That small sweat space doesn’t do much service for hot canines, which is why they also pant to expel excess heat and cool down.

But sometimes panting and sweating just don’t cut itespecially when dogs are exposed to hot temperatures. Their organs can become severely damaged if they can’t properly regulate their body temperature, which is why heat stroke can be fatal if it’s not addressed quickly.

Dr. Contreras says there are several situations that can lead to heat stroke in pups, but some of the most common ones include:

• Leaving a dog in a car on a hot day
• Leaving a dog outside without water or proper shade
• Exercising a dog that is predisposed to developing heat stroke on a hot day; predisposing factors may include brachycephaly, obesity, tracheal collapse (a narrowing windpipe) and arthritis

What makes a dog more susceptible to heat stroke?

Technically speaking, all dogs are susceptible to heat strokebut some dogs do have a higher risk of developing it. According to Zach Lovatt, a research fellow on animal behavior and an expert in pet care, short-headed and short-muzzled dogs, overweight pups, dogs with cardiac issues and very young or very old dogs fall in the more vulnerable category. Dogs with thick, dark coats could also have a higher risk of overheating.

Which dog breeds are more likely to suffer from heat stroke?

Dr. Contreras says brachycephalic breeds (aka flat-faced dog breeds) have a higher risk of suffering from heat stroke due to their anatomy. “Their shorter, narrower nares, elongated soft palate and a smaller-diameter trachea all make breathing more difficult, ” he explains. These breeds include:

• French and English Bulldog
• Boston Terrier
• Pug
• Bull Mastiff
• Boxer
• Pekingese
• Chinese Shar-Pei
• Chow Chow
• Lhasa Apso
• Shih Tzu

While Dr. Contreras says he’s seen heat stroke most often in Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Chow Chows and French Mastiffs, he’s seen it in non-flat-faced breeds as well, including Greyhounds and Golden Retrievers.

What are the signs of heat stroke in a dog?

Signs of heat stroke in dogs include:

• Excessive panting
• Gum discoloration
• Dry gums
• Excessive drooling
• Thick drool
• Increased heart rate
• Muscle tremors
• Gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting, diarrhea and black tarry stool
• Disorientation
• Lethargy
• Prolonged loss of appetite

How do you treat heat stroke in dogs?

If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke, Dr. Contreras advises you to take them to the vet immediately for treatment. However, there are actions that can help your canine right away, including:

• Getting your dog into a cool and shaded area
• Wetting your dog with cool (not cold) water; if the water is too cold, it could send them into shock
• Giving your dog small amounts of cool water to drink

One thing Lovatt says not to do in this situation: shave your dog’s fur. Your pup’s fur actually acts as an insulator, keeping them cool in the summer and warm in the winter, so getting rid of it will throw off their natural body regulation process.

Once you get to the vet, Dr. Contreras says the staff can cool your dog down by pouring water on them and putting them in front of a fan to create convective cooling. Staff can also use IV fluids, a light sedative and oxygen to help with heat stroke, in addition to wrapping your pup in ice packs to gradually lower their temperature.

How do you prevent heat stroke in dogs?

You can prevent your dog from developing heat stroke by doing the following:

• Never leave your dog alone in your car or outside.
• Avoid exercising your dog during the hottest time of the day; instead, exercise them in the early morning or late evening, when it tends to be cooler.
• Keep your dog inside on extremely hot and humid days; limit your dog’s outdoor activity when the temperature is above 80 degrees and humidity is above 70%.
• Always have water available for your dog; if you’re on the go with them a lot, consider getting a portable dog water bottle to keep them hydrated.
• Understand your dog’s breed risks or other predisposing factors that could put them at a higher risk for heat stroke.
• Pay close attention to your pup at the dog park; dogs can get extremely excited when playing with other dogs and overheat if left unattended.

Dogs deserve to enjoy the nice summer weather, and they can safely do so with the help of their humans. Knowing the risks associated with heat stroke and the warning signs it’s happening to your dog will help Fido lead a healthier, happier life in the warmer months.

Now, grab your pup’s favorite toy and head outside to enjoy the sunshine responsibly!

About the experts

• Mondrian Contreras, DVM, is a veterinary expert with Pumpkin Pet Insurance. He also owns Carol Stream Animal Hospital in Illinois and is the founder of the VetBros Pet Education Charitable Fund, which helps pets in need of lifesaving procedures.
• Zach Lovatt is the founder of The Pampered Pup, a website dedicated to dog care and dog wellness. He is also a research fellow on animal behavior, a pet advocate and an expert in pet care and everything pet-related.

Sources:

• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: “Heatstroke: A medical emergency”
• RSPCA: “Heatstroke in dogs”

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Are bananas good for dogs?

Open to sharing your daily banana? Here’s some good news: Dogs can enjoy bananas in moderation, according to Jennifer Bruns, DVM, MPVM, vice president of business development at PetSmart Veterinary Services. And a banana isn’t just a sweet, healthy treatit also provides some essential vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to dogs. “Bananas are a good source of potassium, vitamins, biotin and fiber,” says Dr. Bruns. These are the key nutrients in bananas that can help your pup’s health.

• Potassium: This nutrient is essential for all animal and human life. In dogs, potassium regulates electrical charges to the heart, muscles and nerves.
• Fiber: Just like humans, dogs need their daily dose of fiber to stay regular. For dogs suffering from gastrointestinal issues, adding banana to their diet may help firm up their stool and get them back to their regular selves.
• Magnesium: The American Kennel Club (AKC) says that magnesium is an important mineral for dogs. It promotes bone growth and helps the absorption of vitamins.
• Biotin: This essential B vitamin helps your dog’s body convert food to energy. It also promotes healthy skin, fur and nails.
• Vitamin C: According to the AKC, this antioxidant helps slow your dog’s cognitive decline and reduces inflammation.

How much banana can you give a dog each day?

The same adage is true for pets as it is for humans: There can always be too much of a good thing. Thanks to their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a once-in-a-while treat, and they should not be part of a dog’s main diet, says Dr. Bruns. And while a little bit of banana can help balance your dog’s gastrointestinal system, “feeding a dog too much banana could upset their stomach.”

Dr. Bruns recommends consulting your veterinarian on any treats specific to your dog, but she says that generally, “a small portion of a banana sliced, chopped or mixed in with other foods is a healthy way to feed a dog this potassium-rich treat.”

What are the best ways to feed your dog bananas?

Dr. Bruns says there are several easy ways to serve up bananas to your furry friends. Since bananas have a shelf life of only a few days, consider freezing slices to keep handy before using several of these methods.

Sliced

One simple way to serve up banana for your dogs is to give them a slice or two while you’re enjoying a banana. Just be sure not to share too much at one time. For a small dog, a small slice is sufficient.

Mashed up in kibble

Is your pup a picky eater? Mashing up a small amount of banana in your dog’s food will give the kibble an appealing aroma, instill more flavor and provide a nice nutrient boost.

Mixed with peanut butter

Can dogs eat bananas with peanut butter? Dr. Bruns says that mixing a small amount of banana with dog-safe peanut butter is a tail-waggingly tasty snack for an extra good girl or boy. Just make sure the peanut butter doesn’t contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that’s extremely dangerous for dogs. Or better yet, buy peanut butter or expert-approved treats made specifically for dogs.

With puzzle toys

Freeze banana bits and put them into a feeding puzzle for extra mental stimulation, suggests Dr. Bruns. Have a smart dog? See if your pup can solve a puzzle toy before the banana thaws into a mushy mess.

For hiding pills

Bananas are a good alternative for hiding medications that dogs might otherwise spit out. “This allows pet parents to avoid treats that are high in fat or salt when giving medication,” Dr. Bruns says.

Can dogs eat banana peels?

Can and should are two different things. “While the peel isn’t toxic to dogs, it is hard for them to digest,” says Dr. Bruns. That’s because it contains so much fiber. An upset stomach will be the likely result, and vomiting, constipation or diarrhea are also potential consequences. But in the worst-case scenario, and especially with a small dog, a blockage could occur, resulting in a dangerous situation for your pup and some expensive veterinary bills for you.

If your dog accidentally ingests all or part of a banana peel, it’s a good idea to call your veterinarian and get their advice. Most likely, they’ll advise you to monitor for any changes in your dog’s behavior, including lethargy, loss of appetite, constipation or other changes in bathroom habits.

About the expert

• Jennifer Bruns, DVM, MPVM, is a veterinarian and the vice president of business development at PetSmart Veterinary Services.

Sources:

• American Kennel Club: “Fruits and vegetables dogs can or can’t eat”
• American Kennel Club: “7 vitamins your dog needs for a healthy life”

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