When Benjamin Franklin said that there were only two things that are certain in life - death and taxes - he forgot about winter. Love it or hate it, it’s comin’ in hot...er, cold. And while you know what you need to keep yourself safe and warm, do you know how your dog feels out in the cold? The truth is, you don’t. And as veterinarians, it’s our job to remind you of that. Because you don’t know what your dog feels, it’s important to consider the winter implications for them.

CBD (cannabidiol) has been around for thousands of years, but suddenly the term is ubiquitous. It seems like it might be worth trying for your achy pup or anxious kitty, right? Like most things, it's a bit more complex than that, so let’s delve into some factors to consider before choosing a CBD product, or really, any medication for your pet.

July 4th gets a bad rap for being the worst holiday for pets, but Halloween brings some concerns of its own. We’re not trying to be the Debbie Downers of the season (you’re welcome for the costume idea, BTW) but, as veterinarians, our job is to keep your fur friends safe. So as you’re carving those pumpkins and getting your wee witches and warlocks ready for the big day, set aside some time to make sure you’re keeping your furry felines and hairy hounds safe, too.

With Halloween mere days away, kids are already formulating their trick or treat routes. This includes strategizing based on the knowledge from former years on the houses that give out the full candy bars, as everyone knows those are prime targets for those of us that love chocolate. In other words, all of us. Do you know who else seems to be immune to the irresistible draw of chocolate? Doggos. And, as just about everyone knows, dogs and chocolate are a bad combination. But just how dangerous is chocolate for dogs and pets in general? We explore that below.

The sun is starting to set earlier and earlier and the temperature is getting cooler. Some parts of the U.S. have begun to see blankets of snow that seemingly showed up overnight. Our minds have turned to thoughts of fireplaces and mugs of hot cocoa. We see our sleeping pets curled up and content on their bed when, all a sudden, their head pops up and they start to chew on their hip. “It can’t be a flea!” you think, noting the time of year and the chill in the air.

Ever wonder why there are so many older dogs found in shelters? Most people assume they were left there due to the dog misbehaving, are aggressive, or untrainable. Contrary to popular belief, most of the time, these notions are false.

Your puppy is cute right now and can do no wrong in your eyes, but later, the cuteness may wear off if he is not well behaved and trained correctly. The number one cause of death for family pets is euthanasia because of behavioral problems. Many people discard pets because they didn’t take the time to train them properly. As your puppy ages, behaviors become quickly ingrained, and some actions become more difficult to change.

October is Pet Wellness Month and today we’re going to discuss dog wellness. Even as veterinarians, we know how tempting it is to avoid the costs and hassle of wellness visits. We also know, however, how much your fur babies mean to you, and regular wellness exams and healthy habits will most definitely prolong the life of your devoted doggo. We’ve rounded up some FAQs on dog wellness, the answers to those questions, and some tips to keep your hounds as healthy as possible and shared them below.