June 21st is National Dog Party Day, and more pet parents than ever are throwing birthday bashes for their pooch. Before you bust out the treats and toys and let the dogs loose, there are a few things you should consider to create a successful, safe, and fun event!

It’s no secret that dogs are sociable creatures who are happiest being with others and having something to do. Not to get overly philosophical, but everyone needs a purpose.

Plus, dogs are like toddlers. If you don’t give them a constructive focus, they’ll find ways to entertain themselves, such as pulling all of the stuffing out of each cushion on your new couch, or enjoying four or five shoes -- each from a different pair. Not that we’ve had any experience with such things…

Now that the long winter is finally over, the dog parks are coming alive with the sounds of frolicking pups. For many dogs, these off-leash parks are an important part of sociability, not to mention exercise.

Are you trying to convince your place of work to go pet-friendly? A 2015 Society for Human Resource Management survey found 8 percent of American workplaces allow employees to bring their furry loved ones to work, up from 5 percent in 2013. (Source)

It may seem like having your pet around is just going to be fun and games, but with the right considerations, more and more companies may want to consider the benefits.

Have you ever wondered why your dog eats grass like it’s a delicacy? It is a little perplexing really, your dog goes outside and gulps the curd down maybe only to throw it up later. 

You may have heard that dogs eat grass to stimulate vomiting when they have an upset tummy. That is probably true with some dogs though it is not the majority. Others do it because they are bored...or even… because they like the taste.

It turns out there is a technical term for eating grass and other things that are not food. It’s called “Pica.”

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than 4.5 million dog bites occur in the U.S every single year. The majority of dog bite victims are children. In addition, children are most often bitten during everyday interaction with dogs that they know. As responsible pet owners, and to those who are parents to small children, it is important to take every preventative measure possible to avoid anyone from being harmed.

At most veterinary hospitals, puppy visits generally end around 4 months of age, and for many dogs this means that we will not be examining them or reviewing their health care needs until they are 12-16 months old. Dogs that come from shelters or rescue groups often have been surgically altered before they are adopted.