Safety

(Picture Credit: skynesher/Getty Images) May is Chip Your Pet Month, and it’s a perfect time to spread knowledge about microchips for dogs. When it comes to statistics about lost pets, the numbers may concern and shock you. The American Humane Association estimates that one in three pets will get lost or stolen during their lifetime.

(Picture Credit: Picnote/Getty Images) If your dog gets lost or strays from home, your first instinct is probably to panic. But you need to keep your wits about you and take immediate action if you hope to reunite with your pet. Ten million dogs and cats go missing every year. It’s one of the most

(Picture Credit: rgbspace/Getty Images) Let’s be honest. Marijuana legalization is becoming a thing. No judgment here. If you use it, that’s your decision. However, it’s imperative that you do so responsibly. You must make sure to at least keep the weed out of reach of those who can get hurt by it, including dogs. That being

(Picture Credit: smrm1977/Getty Images) April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month — a month we dedicate to teaching fellow pet parents about providing emergency care to their animals. In general, it’s always a good idea to see your veterinarian if your pet gets hurt or sick. However, you may need to give your furry

(Picture Credit: Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images) Your yard and gardens are wonderful for relaxing, playing, and entertaining. However, they can also be dangerous for your pets. It’s our job as pet parents to make sure the places where our dogs play, explore, and go potty are as safe as possible. Dogs and

(Picture Credit: Stephen Barnes/Getty Images) You might have heard your fellow dog parents talking about blue-green algae and how it can be a danger to dogs. But what is blue-green algae? And how dangerous to dogs is it really? Well, the short answer is that blue-green algae can be found in bodies of water. It

(Picture Credit: Getty Images) As humans spread into coyote habitats with their pets more and more, the odds of encounters between dogs and coyotes skyrocket. These encounters can be deadly, especially for small dogs who make for easy prey. Humans are good sources of garbage and food, which can attract coyotes, too. February is mating

(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Shamrocks, parades, pots o’ gold, green beer — Saint Patrick’s Day is a great way to welcome spring and celebrate one of Ireland’s most revered saints. But there are a few hazards all dog parents should keep in mind before taking part in their Saint Paddy’s Day festivities — and we

(Image Credit: Getty Images/Bernard Van Berg/EyeEm) If you have a dog, you probably have one or more dog gates — unless, like me, you have a dog who can jump higher than you are tall. Never fear, however, as there are still some ways to keep your Olympic-high-jump-qualifying pooch out of trouble. Dog gates and

(Image Credit: Getty Images/kandypix) Peanut butter is a healthy sometimes-snack for humans. However, this is not necessarily the case for dogs. Not all, but many types of peanut butter have an ingredient called xylitol. Xylitol is a substance often used in place of natural sweeteners, and it is highly toxic for dogs. It’s usually extracted

Picture Credit: Peter Cade / Getty Images Dogs are our friends, family, and sometimes even our coworkers. However, they’re still animals, and we cannot speak to them the way we talk to our human companions. We need to understand what they’re saying in their language — through their tail wags, barks, and growls. Many of

(Picture Credit: Robert Chai / EyeEm/Getty Images) February 14th isn’t just Valentine’s Day. It’s also Pet Theft Awareness Day — a day to make sure dog parents know the dangers dognappers present to their pooches. In honor of this day, we’re spreading the word to help dog lovers make good decisions and reduce the risk

(Picture Credit: Cavan Images/Getty Images) It’s happened to all dog lovers. You’re out and about, you come across a cute looking dog, and you just want to go and say hello! But do you know the correct and safe way to approach the dog? If you don’t greet a new dog in the correct way,

(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Valentine’s Day is more than just the most romantic holiday of the year. From accessories, chocolates, jewelry, flowers, to — yes — undergarments, pets will likely enjoy your Valentine’s gifts and treats just as much as you do, but with some potentially serious health consequences. Nobody wants to spend Valentine’s Day

(Picture Credit: Elizabethsalleebauer/Getty Images) Subzero temperatures can be tough — not just physically, but also mentally. Staying cooped up indoors has its downsides, and the same can be said for our dogs. However, we all need to take precautions in this weather, and that means spending more time inside. With the extreme cold brought on

(Picture Credit: Daniel Webb – www.PhotoWebb.co.uk/Getty Images) Super Bowl Sunday is on the way again! However, this year might be a bit different. With the ongoing pandemic, you’re probably — hopefully — not having any major parties this year. But you may still have your own, private viewing session with your family, and that can

(Image Credit: Shaw Photography Co./Getty Images) It’s hard to imagine a more picture-perfect family image than children and their beloved dogs. It’s so iconic you can almost imagine a Norman Rockwell painting of it. But the truth of the matter is that children and dogs don’t necessarily get along automatically. Like all cohabiting animals, they

(Picture Credit: ROMAOSLO/Getty Images) For those of us living in places where winter means snow, walking dogs outside becomes a big challenge. Snow presents new obstacles that make things difficult — and sometimes dangerous — for dogs. As the winter season approaches, make sure you’re keeping your dog safe and as comfortable as possible on cold, snowy

(Picture Credit: K_Thalhofer/Getty Images) Winter can be a dangerous time for our dogs. As dog parents, we need to watch out for our pups and make sure they don’t get hurt. Winter starts on December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere and lasts until March 19th. Each season presents a new set of challenges, but winter

(Image Credit: Getty Images) In our “Gold Souls, Gray Faces” series, we focus on the needs of senior pets and what you can do to ensure that their golden years stay golden, and you can continue to enjoy their company for as long as possible. We can do a lot to help our senior dogs

(Picture Credit: Corey Jenkins/Getty Images) Pet parent instincts seem to activate the moment we sense our dogs in any danger. We rush in to stop them from eating anything toxic or getting into an accident. However, when it comes to your dog falling into icy waters, jumping in after them should never be your first

(Picture Credit: Sasha_Suzi/Getty Images) As we finish up our Thanksgiving leftovers and plunge deeper into the cold, dry months of winter, we have to remember to take extra care for our best furry friends. There are plenty of myths about dogs and their abilities to get through winter, but these myths can be misleading and

(Image Credit: Getty Images) Walking your dog at night can be challenging, and those challenges might change with the weather and the area where you’re walking. But with a few tips, you can keep yourself and your pup safe on your night time walks. Depending on where you live, some of the following tips may

(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Before your family wakes up to see what trinkets Santa left under the tree Christmas morning, be sure that you have taken all of the proper precautions to keep your dogs and cats safe this holiday season. While the holidays are fun for us humans, they can present a lot of

(Picture Credit: AleksandarNakic/Getty Images) Forget about witches and zombies; a seemingly innocuous bag of candy can be one of the scariest things that enters a dog parent’s home on Halloween. Calls to the Pet Poison Hotline increase twelve percent during the week of Halloween, making it the center’s busiest time of the year. We all

(Image Credit: Getty Images) September marks the beginning of Responsible Dog Ownership Month! While we certainly all like to believe that we’re responsible pet parents, the truth of the matter is that we all make mistakes. We are human, after all. Unfortunately, those mistakes can often hinder your relationship with your best friend or, worse,

(Picture Credit: Getty Images) No matter where you stand when it comes to the gun control debate, we can all agree that there should never be a situation where a dog could accidentally discharge a firearm. Most responsible gun owners know this and would never leave a loaded weapon with the safety off in an

(Picture Credit: THOMAS B. SHEA/AFP/Getty Images) Hurricane season in the United States usually lasts from June to November, and it’s especially important during this time to prepared for an emergency and possible evacuation with a plan that includes your pets. If you live in an area where hurricanes are known to hit land or you’re

(Picture Credit: DLILLC/Corbis via Getty Images) Going for a walk with your dog is a great way to experience nature, but wild animal encounters can make nature dangerous. It’s important to know how to avoid wild animal attacks while walking your dog and what to do if an attack is unavoidable. In general, making noise

(Picture Credit: Angelika Rózanecka / EyeEm/Getty Images) Summer is great for spending more time outside, for both you and your dog. Unfortunately, some uninvited guests will also likely show up to your summer outings. Citronella is a common deterrent for pests like mosquitoes. But do you need to worry about it negatively affecting your dog?