Pet Digest

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 Day 14: Holiday Guests & Pet Manners — Boundaries, Safety & Happy Greetings Having guests over during the holidays is joyful, but it’s an environment where boundaries matter for everyone’s safety and comfort. This post covers preparing your dog, teaching polite greetings, and tips for kids around pets. 🏡 Clear Boundaries Designate where your dog can greet guests and where they should not go (e.g., kitchen during serving). Use baby gates or closed doors to limit access when needed. 👋 Teaching Polite Greetings Ask guests to ignore dogs until the dog sits calmly—reward calm approaches. Practice “sit” and “place” in short sessions before gatherings. 👶 Kids & Dogs ...

  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 ...

  Limit Treats: Why Treats and Table Scraps Shouldn’t Exceed 10% of Your Dog’s Daily Calories When it comes to spoiling our furry friends, treats and table scraps are often at the top of the list. A little piece of chicken here, a crunchy biscuit there—it all feels harmless. But did you know that treats and extras should never exceed 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake? That rule might sound strict, but it’s one of the simplest ways to keep your dog healthy, at a good weight, and nutritionally balanced. --- Why the 10% Rule Matters Prevents weight gain: Extra calories from treats add up quickly. Even a small dog biscuit can equal the same percentage of calories as a candy bar for us. Over time, this can lead to overweight or obese dogs. Keeps meals balanced: Your dog’s main meals are carefully formulated to meet their daily nutrient needs. Too many extras can “unbalance” their diet, crowding out essential nutrients. Avoids bad habits: Feeding scraps from the table en...

Supporting a Calm Eater: How to Manage Anxiety & Feeding Behavior in Dogs If your dog eats like their life depends on it, there may be more going on than just hunger. Many “scarf and barf” dogs eat quickly because they’re anxious, overstimulated, or not confident around food. The good news? You can help. This post explores long-term ways to create a calm, safe feeding environment for your dog—and support their emotional health at the same time. --- 😟 How Anxiety Affects Mealtime Dogs with anxiety may: Obsess over food Gobble before they can relax Guard their food bowl Get fixated or overstimulated at mealtime These behaviors can stem from past trauma, high-energy environments, or just a naturally nervous temperament. --- 🌿 Creating a Calm Feeding Routine Calmness starts before the food hits the bowl. 🧘‍♂️ Pre-Meal Calm Take a short walk Do 5–10 minutes of scent work or training Use a quiet, distraction-free feeding area 🐕‍🦺 Training Tools Ask for a “sit” and “wait” before givi...