Red_Room.

No, boy. Not food. slava, Flickr Owners fill bowls with nutritious food to keep dogs healthy. So why do dogs eat weird, disgusting and even dangerous stuff? Dogs use their mouths the way we use our hands. They pick up objects and explore their world by mouthing, tasting, and chewing. That sometimes gets them into trouble if they swallow something they shouldn't. Eating Grass As omnivores, dogs benefit from eating vegetables or fruits. Even coyotes and wolves eat vegetable matter found in the stomach of prey, as well as roots, grasses and fruit. Dogs often beg for and enjoy snacks of raw vegetables like lettuce, green beans and carrots. Most pet dogs occasionally eat grass, which may ...

A dog getting tested for heartworms. Ikayama, Flickr The thought of our canine companions having worms is more than disgusting, especially when the parasite is deadly. It becomes even more scary if treatments to keep dogs safe don't work, or become unavailable. Heartworm, a type of roundworm parasite, was first identified in 1922 and are found all around the world. Although they can affect cats, they are particularly fond of dogs. This parasite Dirofilaria immitis lives in the right heart chambers and lungs and causes severe damage and even death. Heartworm Life Cycle The complete life cycle of heartworms lasts approximately seven months and requires the help of another ugly parasite. A ...

Shelley Bueche Roxie, Coco, Carley, Mocha, Skeem, Moby and Pearl are all pit bull terrier rescues and crucial members of the Pit Crew, an all-pit-bull therapy group associated with Love-A-Bull, a non-profit pit-bull-advocacy group based in Austin, Texas. These spunky dogs belong to a breed believed by many to be misunderstood and misrepresented, a breed with as many detractors as defenders. Love-A-Bull was formed as a spin-off from the Austin American Pit Bull Terrier Meet-Up Group that started in 2003. Lydia Zaidman, an attorney and pit-bull rescuer in Austin, began Love-A-Bull to educate the public about the breed, dispel rumors about pit bulls, advocate against Breed Specific ...

The author's dog, wearing her emergency vest. Patti Lawson Hurricane season is upon us once again, and all dog owners should have a disaster plan in place for their pets. I've never been through a hurricane with my dog, but I did experience a house fire with her, and it was horrific. I'd never even considered having a plan in place in case of a fire, let alone a hurricane or other natural disaster, but that night I vowed to never be without one again. If you are the victim of a natural disaster or a house fire and don't have a plan, you may not have a chance to escape without some tragedy. Get ready before disaster strikes. Pay attention to weather reports, and don't take chances with your ...

tv42, Flickr There are few things in life as rewarding as giving a homeless animal a second chance at life. Some have never had a proper home, many have never had a good home and some have lost their home because of their owner's life circumstances, often the death of the owner or the birth of a child who is dangerous allergic to pets. One question that often arises is whether or not to give your new dog a new name. This may sound frivolous to some but it's a serious question and a real consideration. Here's my "rule of thumb" for renaming a dog. If the dog has been in a loving home and has only positive associations with his name, I advise keeping the name. He has already lost so much in ...

Sébastien GARNIER, Flickr Whether you're an expectant parent or grandparent, a new baby can bring joy into your life. But what does a newborn mean for the animals you've lived with for years? Dogs used to adults may not recognize babies as the same species. Newborns and toddlers sound scary, smell funny, and seem to evict pets from your lap because they divert a favorite human's attention. Here are tips to help you persuade your dogs to welcome babies as part of their family. Before the Baby Comes Home - Prepare in advance. Expectant parents have nine months to get the pets ready for the new arrival. Dogs don't appreciate sudden change so figure out how the baby will affect routine and ...