Pet Digest

🕓 Helping Your Pet Cope With the Time Change Twice a year, humans change their clocks — but try explaining that to your dog or cat! When daylight saving time begins or ends, our schedules shift an hour forward or back, but our pets’ internal clocks don’t get the memo. For them, breakfast, walks, and bedtime should all happen right now , not an hour later. Understanding how the time change affects your pet — and how to help them adjust — can make the transition smoother for everyone. A consistent morning routine helps your pet adapt faster. 🐾 Why the Time Change Can Be Confusing for Pets Animals thrive on consistency. Their routines for eating, sleeping, walking, and even bathroom breaks are guided by predictable patterns. When daylight saving time kicks in or ends, a sudden hour shift can throw those patterns off balance. Common reactions include: Waking up earlier or begging for food before their usual time Restlessness or whining at night ...

  Understanding Coprophagia in Dogs: Causes, Risks, and Solutions Coprophagia, the act of dogs eating feces, is a behavior that often perplexes pet owners. While it may seem repulsive, it's a relatively common issue that can stem from various causes, including medical conditions, nutritional deficiencies, and behavioral factors. Addressing this behavior requires a comprehensive understanding of its underlying causes and appropriate interventions. --- What Is Coprophagia? Coprophagia is the consumption of feces, and it's observed in both puppies and adult dogs. While it's a natural behavior in some contexts—such as mothers cleaning up after their puppies—it's generally considered undesirable when exhibited by adult dogs. --- Common Causes of Coprophagia 1. Medical Conditions Several medical issues can lead to coprophagia: Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI): A condition where the pancreas produces insufficient digestive enzymes, leading to malabsorption of nutrients ...

  Veggies Your Dog Should Eat Vegetables aren’t just good for people—they can also be a safe, nutritious, and tasty addition to your dog’s diet. From crunchy snacks to fiber-rich meal toppers, veggies provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and hydration without the extra calories. Here’s a comprehensive guide to dog-friendly vegetables and how to serve them safely. --- 🥕 Root Vegetables Carrots Benefits: Great source of beta-carotene (for eye and immune health), fiber, and a satisfying crunch. How to serve: Raw as a chew, grated over meals, or lightly steamed for easy digestion. Beets (cooked) Benefits: Contain folate, manganese, potassium, and support liver health. How to serve: Cooked and chopped into small pieces—raw beets can be too hard on digestion. Turnips & Rutabagas Benefits: Provide vitamin C and fiber; good occasional treat. How to serve: Cooked and mashed or chopped, plain and unsalted. --- 🥦 Cruciferous Vegetables (Moderation is Key) Broccoli Benefits: Fiber, ...

  Why Puppy Food Can Be a Smart Choice for Growing Dogs When it comes to feeding a growing dog, owners are often confronted with a bewildering array of kibble, canned food, and homemade options. One category consistently recommended by veterinarians and canine nutritionists is puppy food. While it’s designed for puppies, there are clear reasons it may be the best choice during early life stages — and even in certain special cases beyond puppyhood. Understanding why puppy food works, what it provides, and how it differs from adult dog food helps pet parents make informed decisions that promote lifelong health. --- Nutrient Density Matters Puppy food is formulated to be nutrient-dense, meaning it provides more protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals per cup than typical adult dog food. Puppies grow quickly — they’re building bones, muscles, skin, and organs — and require more calories and nutrients than adult dogs. Think of it like infant formula for humans. Babies require precise nutri...

  Feeding Pregnant and Lactating Dogs: Nutrition for Motherhood and Beyond When a dog becomes pregnant, her body undergoes profound changes. She’s not only sustaining her own health, but also supporting the growth and development of her puppies. Later, when lactation begins, the demands on her body rise even higher. Feeding during this period isn’t simply a matter of increasing food—it’s about supplying the right balance of calories, nutrients, and supplements to ensure both mother and pups thrive. For many owners, it helps to think of canine pregnancy the same way we think of human pregnancy. Expectant mothers often adjust their diets, take prenatal vitamins, and eat more frequent meals to support their developing babies. Dogs require similar adjustments, though their nutritional needs are met differently. Let’s explore how feeding changes from pregnancy through lactation, the role of supplements, and why puppy food is often the go-to diet for mothers during this stage. --- Pregna...

🐾 Why Puppies Eat So Much & How Puppy Food Differs from Adult Food Bringing home a new puppy can feel a little like moving in with a toddler on four legs. One moment they’re bouncing around with endless energy, and the next they’re collapsed in a nap as though their batteries suddenly ran out. But in between play and sleep, there’s one thing new puppy parents notice quickly: the seemingly insatiable appetite. Puppies eat a lot, and they often seem hungry again not long after finishing a meal. Feeding is one of the most important aspects of raising a healthy puppy, and also one of the most confusing. Pet food companies all make claims, bags of kibble are covered in charts, and advice varies depending on who you ask. Should you leave food down all day so your puppy can eat as needed? Or stick to strict meal times? Can puppies eat adult food? And when is it time to make the switch? This guide takes the confusion out of the process. We’ll look at why puppies need to eat so much mor...

  Keeping Your Dog Safe During Halloween: Candy, Costumes, and Chaos Halloween is one of the most colorful and fun times of year — glowing pumpkins, costumes, and the excitement of trick-or-treaters filling the streets. For humans, it’s a holiday of candy and creativity, but for dogs, it can be overwhelming, stressful, and even dangerous. From chocolate and sugary treats to costumes and decorations, there are numerous hidden hazards that dog owners need to navigate to ensure a safe, happy holiday. With proper planning, understanding, and some preparation, you can keep your furry family members safe while still enjoying the fun of the season. This guide explores common Halloween dangers for dogs, practical strategies for avoiding accidents, and creative ways to include your dog in the festivities safely. --- Candy and Treat Hazards: What’s Toxic and Why Dogs are notorious for scavenging, sniffing out anything edible. Unfortunately, many traditional Halloween treats are toxic to dogs...