health topics

What’s better than a walk in the woods with your dog? It awakens all your senses. The gentle wind blows against your back. The brilliant blue sky is breathtaking to behold. You hear the steady sniffing sound of your pup’s nose as she investigates everything around her. It is all wonderful…that is, until she stops, drops and rolls. All of sudden, your sense of smell takes over, and it’s not a pleasant whiff. “Oh no, Lucy! Don’t roll in that! It stinks!”

It is a truth universally acknowledged by dog owners everywhere: dogs love smelly stuff. Discarded food, swampy water, mud, feces or dead animals – we can’t stand the smell or sight of it, but many dogs seek it out. Some dogs like to sniff it, roll in it, paw at it and sometimes pick it up and eat it. It’s one of the less pleasant parts of being a dog parent.

Why do dogs display this behavior? We’ve done a little digging ourselves to come up with some theories. We’ve also pulled together some tips on how to manage this behavior, potential dangers to look out for, and how best to clean up after a particular malodorous episode.
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A dog’s paws are tough – they run over rocks, skate along the ice, stand up to the summer heat and dig through sand and dirt. These paw pads see a lot during a dog’s lifetime, so do your canine best buddy a favor. Check out our seasonal guide to paw health, and help him keep those feet running safely and comfortably all year ’round!
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It’s almost Thanksgiving, and folks around the country are preparing for their annual feast to be shared with family and loved ones. Of course, your dog is included among your loved ones. Should he be included in the meal as well?

While we don’t suggest saving a spot at the table for Fido, there are a number of Thanksgiving foods that you can share with your furry family member. Dog Tails has compiled a list of good and bad Thanksgiving foods for dogs, to help you put together that special bowl for your pup. These tips will also help you keep an eye out for dangerous foods that dogs should NOT eat on Thanksgiving (or any other day). Pay attention to ingredients, keep servings of the “good” people foods small, and don’t leave the food or trash unattended – these are some of the steps to making this a safe and healthy Thanksgiving for your dog!
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Fleas. Even saying the word makes us itch. These tiny creatures can make your pet miserable, and in turn make you miserable. Plus, once they latch on to your pet and make a home in your house, they are very hard to get rid of. Bottom line, fleas are a pain. Here are some tips to help you avoid this pain and avoid flea infestations in the future.
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