By Sandee LaMotte, CNN
Need an excellent reason to add a dog to your life? How about living longer?
“Our analysis found having a dog is actually protective against dying of any cause,” said Mount Sinai endocrinologist Dr. Caroline Kramer, lead author of a new systematic review of nearly 70 years of global research published Tuesday in “Circulation,” a journal of the American Heart Association.
The review of the health benefits of man’s best friend analyzed research involving nearly 4 million people in the United States, Canada, Scandinavia, New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom.
“Dog ownership was associated with a 24% reduction in all cause mortality,” said Kramer, an assistant professor in the division of endocrinology and metabolism at the University of Toronto. The meta-analysis found an even bigger benefit for people who had already had a heart attack or stroke.
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Chronic vs. Acute Pain in Dogs
Pet PainBy Dr. Joyce A. Login | Featured on Zoetis Pet Care
Pain can be a tricky thing to identify in your dog. Pet owners often think of their dog’s pain as their inability to move or activity level – lower activity levels may equate to more pain. Although true, pain may be present in many other forms other than movement, like behavior. Dogs tend to hide their pain, often showing only subtle physical and behavioral signs. This makes it difficult for you to notice they’re suffering and potentially prolonging their discomfort.
There are two primary types of pain in dogs— acute and chronic. Here is some more information on each.
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How to Make Your Own Dog Obstacle Course
Trainingby Erin Ollila | Featured on Hillspet
You love spending time with your dogs, and as fun as a dog obstacle course would be, it can seem unattainable. Luckily, you may already have the materials and equipment for a homemade course around the house. It doesn’t matter if your dog has no practice or if you have no experience training. So many simple tricks are easy for you to teach on your own. Start your course with simple jumps, weave poles, and tunnels, and you’ll both look like professionals in no time.
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Owning a dog tied to lowering your risk of dying early by 24%, says science
Pets & HumansBy Sandee LaMotte, CNN
Need an excellent reason to add a dog to your life? How about living longer?
“Our analysis found having a dog is actually protective against dying of any cause,” said Mount Sinai endocrinologist Dr. Caroline Kramer, lead author of a new systematic review of nearly 70 years of global research published Tuesday in “Circulation,” a journal of the American Heart Association.
The review of the health benefits of man’s best friend analyzed research involving nearly 4 million people in the United States, Canada, Scandinavia, New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom.
“Dog ownership was associated with a 24% reduction in all cause mortality,” said Kramer, an assistant professor in the division of endocrinology and metabolism at the University of Toronto. The meta-analysis found an even bigger benefit for people who had already had a heart attack or stroke.
Read more
Causes of Skin Conditions in Dogs
dogsArticle Featured on Hillspet
Environmental Allergies
Skin problems in dogs are sometimes the result of environmental allergens. Dog skin allergies tend to show up in very specific areas of your dog including: face, ears, paws, base of the tail, under elbows and in the groin area. Allergies typically appear between ages of 3 months and 6 years. Be sure to ask your veterinarian if an allergy test is right for your dog.
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Health Tip: 7 Ways to Keep Your Pet Healthy
Overall pet healthArticle Featured on US News
For the 85 million families who own pets in the United States, your furry friends can feel like family. An important part of ownership is investing in your pet’s health, says the American Veterinary Medical Association.
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Why Is My Dog Eating Dirt?
dogsPublished by Jean Marie Bauhaus | Featured on Hillspet
Dog’s will eat all sorts of things, but eating dirt might be one that gives you cause for concern. However, eating dirt is a fairly common behavior among dogs. When pooches eat non-food items, whether dirt, grass, rocks, sticks or garbage, they may be diagnosed with a condition called pica, which just means that your dog is eating non-food items. If the only non-food item they eat is dirt, then they might have what is referred to as geophagia, according to Wag! But is your dog’s dirt eating just a strange habit or should you be concerned?
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Overcoming Obesity in Small Dogs
dogs, nutrition, Overall pet health, Overweight PetsArticle Featured on Hillspet.com
Because of their little and darling, or small and scrappy, stature small dogs are experts at inspiring the most coddling. They can especially excel at eliciting more treats out of their pet parents. This means that parents have to be on their because small and miniature dogs are just as likely to be overweight or obese as their larger-breed counterparts.
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Puppy Timeline: How Puppies Grow up to Be Dogs
dogs, PuppiesArticle Featured on Hillspet.com | By Jean Marie Bauhaus
Puppy development involves a lot of stages and milestones as puppies grow into adulthood. Whether you’ve adopted a puppy and you’re wondering when he’ll calm down and stop chewing on everything — or you’re simply curious about what puppies go through to become full-fledged dogs — this puppy timeline has the answers you’re looking for.
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How to Know if a Cat Had a Stroke
catsArticle Featured on The Nest
Strokes are caused when blood flow to the brain is blocked. The lack of oxygen that occurs causes symptoms including disorientation, imbalance, seizures and blindness. If your cat suffers a stroke, you may observe one or more of these symptoms. Your cat requires medical treatment, stat.
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5 Games to Play with Your Dog
dogsArticle Featured on Purina.com
Finding fun and constructive ways to play with your dog is one of the best parts of being a dog owner. The best games for dogs not only provide physical exercise but also offer mental stimulation. Below are five games to play with your dog to keep him excited, engaged and stimulated.
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