Wellness

As much as we’d like, we can’t turn back the paws of time, so there are some things we just can’t change about our senior dogs:

John is a dog trainer with many years’ experience in training companion dogs. Sometimes when it comes to training a dog, especially for those food orientated dogs, we can often wonder how the amount of treats we use in their typical training sessions are adding to the calories they eat on a daily basis.

Data collected in 2018 suggests that nearly 100 million pets in the US are overweight or obese which includes a whopping 54% of all dogs in the states.  Not only does obesity shorten lives, but it is associated with a range of other health conditions including arthritis, bladder issues, liver disease, heart failure and high blood pressure.  If you are considering swapping out the treats you use for more healthy, low calorie ones, we have put together our top 5 healthy treats which you can prepare at home.

Just like people, many dogs live with feelings of anxiety. Some dogs have anxiety due to past experiences, and others may have anxiety related to their breed. Some animals may have been anxiety-free their whole life and then develop anxious tendencies in their old age. Whether your dog has always been anxious or is just now developing symptoms, there may be some natural ways to treat it.

Affectionate, gentle, energetic and built for long days in the field.  Vizslas are known to be an athletic breed - eager and graceful trotters possessing great stamina and making them ideal jogging or biking companions.

Picture Annie:  a Heartworm positive two-year-old Vizsla who is currently on restricted activity during treatment. 

We all know that we should regularly groom our canine companions at home; whether this is bathing, brushing or giving them a good check over their eyes, ears and teeth.  With some dogs, this is easier said than done, especially for long haired active breeds, here we have put together an ultimate guide for grooming your dog at home.

You’ve likely seen enough terrifying stats, commercials, and warnings about texting while driving that you broke that habit and now drive hands-free. What about other distractions, though? While it may be fun to have your dog entertain you as you drive, it’s unsafe for you, your pet, and the other drivers on the road. There’s even a proposed bill that could make it illegal for you to pet your dog while driving. Whether it becomes the law or not, it highlights the importance of practicing safer driving when your dog is in tow.

Recently, a member of The Grey Muzzle family, encountered two separate instances of dogs fighting while travelling. According to our Vice-President Jessica Rothfuss:

If you have a dog who's getting along in years, chances are you've seen some of the changes associated with old age. Like us humans, old dogs tend to suffer from age-related conditions such as arthritis and decreased stamina. But, this doesn't mean playtime should stop!

The way dogs watch television is different than the way humans do. When we sit down to watch a program, and it’s one we like, our attention is raptly held by the images on the screen as well as the story unfolding before us. Our dogs benefit from the audio visual programming that DOGTV provides, but he may not curl up on the couch and stare at the screen.

In honor of National Pet Dental Health Month, we're pleased to share this article by our Advisory Board member Dr. Heidi Lobprise on common questions you may have regarding your senior pet's dental care.