Sweaters for Dogs – Are They Ever Necessary?

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Filed under: Dogs, Ask A Vet, Animal Sites We Love

Q. How do I know if my dog needs a sweater or coat this winter?

A. I feel safe in saying that if you have a healthy, young Siberian Husky or Alaskan Malamute who's acclimated to the cold and has the glorious coat common in the Northern breeds, you likely won't have to invest in canine clothing for walks in the snow. In general there are three kinds of dogs who benefit from the insulation provided by a sweater or coat, as well as the protection afforded by life as a pampered house pet:

- Small dogs.
- Dogs who are elderly, chronically ill or both.
- Greyhounds, Whippets and dogs of a similar thin body type, especially those with short fur.

SEE ALSO: People Foods Pets Can and (Can't Eat)

What these dogs have in common is that they have a more difficult time generating and retaining enough body heat on their own. For these dogs, a little help keeping dry and warm is always a good thing. Though protection from the elements is the biggest reason to put clothes on dogs headed outside, it doesn't hurt to leave a sweater on these dogs inside if you're keeping the heat down to save energy and money.

At our house, our two little Heinz 57s, Quixote and Quora, get jackets when they go out in the snow, as do our two thin-coated grand Pugs, Bruce and Willy. Our big dogs, Gracie (Labrador Retriever-Pit Bull mix) and Shakira (Golden Retriever), do just fine without sweaters or coats. In fact, they love the snow.

If you have a dog with arthritis, protective clothing is just one thing you can do to make winters more comfortable. Pet-safe heated orthopedic beds are a great idea; you can also talk to your veterinarian about neutraceuticals, such as glucosamine and Omega-3 oils that are clinically proven to ease joint pain. Other dogs may benefit additionally from the use of pain-control medication, typically nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

SEE ALSO: Beware These Winter Hazards for Your Dog

Even if your dog doesn't need a coat, having one certainly won't hurt him. I know many people who put slickers on their pets before taking a walk in the rain or snow because it saves them the trouble of cleaning a wet dog at the door before coming inside, for example. Boots help keep things neater, too, and where de-icing solutions are used, they can protect your pet from licking toxic chemicals off his paws.

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Zootoo Review – 5 Great Products for New Puppies

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Filed under: Dogs, Pet Product Reviews

During the holiday season, some families choose to bring a new pet into the household before the New Year begins. And as with all four-legged friends, these furry additions need lots of attention, lots of love - and lots of pet gear.

For new puppy owners, the amount of products necessary to keep that wriggling ball of fur happy might seem overwhelming at first. To help first-time pet parents navigate the store aisles, our friends at Zootoo rounded up some of their favorite products for new puppies.

Featuring soft but sturdy rubber and a special size for smaller pooches, the Puppy Flyer from Kong introduces your dog to the classic game of fetch without overwhelming him. The easy-to-grasp material is formulated with puppies in mind, but is durable enough to keep this interactive toy intact throughout your canine's early years.


A no-fuss way to care for your young dog's skin and coat, My FURst Waterless Puppy Shampoo from FURminator uses natural components such as chamomile, papaya leaf, and aloe vera to help prevent irritation while keeping your puppy smelling and looking as clean as he is cute. And the waterless formula also cuts down on grooming messes.


A sturdy, well-designed feeder, the 3-Piece Bowl Set for Dogs from Martha Stewart Pets combines a non-skid plastic base, stainless steel bowl, and small rubber lid to keep your puppy's chow and water from ending up all over the floor during mealtime. And the set is durable and dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a snap.


Start your puppy's diet off right with Natural Choice Slices in Gravy Puppy Food from Nutro. This single-serving offering combines vegetables such as peas and carrots with vitamin supplements that are ideal for growing canines. And our tester puppy found the meaty beef and chicken flavors irresistible.


Informative and knowledgeable, Puppies for Dummies, 2nd Edition by Sarah Hodgson is a comprehensive reference book covering just about every topic related to puppies - from selecting a puppy to bringing your four-legged family member home. And the book's behavior and training tips are particularly useful for first-time dog owners.

Continue reading Zootoo Review - 5 Great Products for New Puppies

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Trained Chinchilla Performs Tricks

This article is from Paw Nation

Filed under: Exotic Pets, Pet Training, Funny Animal Videos

Have you ever asked yourself if chinchillas are trainable? You may be surprised to learn that they are. So if you can manage to stop cuddling yours for even a second, try training it to dance for a treat or climb on top of a bed like Cannonball.

Incidentally, the music in this video is from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for Sega Genesis. If you think I didn't log enough hours in the Sky Chase Zone as a kid to remember that, you're crazy. TheMoreYouKnow=✰

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Cat and Dog Snugglefest

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Filed under: Dogs, Cats, Funny Animal Videos

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OK, that last video was intense. Even though it was nonviolent, maybe an angry standoff between an irritated Rottweiler and a Napoleonic kitten wasn't the best way to start the morning. So here's a cuddly video of a cat and a dog who love each other. We hope this takes the edge off. And who knows? Maybe the kitten and the Rottie from that other video will end up like this someday.

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Tiny Kitten Stands Up to Barking Rottweiler

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Filed under: Dogs, Cats, Funny Animal Videos

It's hard to overstate this kitten's bravery. It's what, 8 weeks old or so? It'd be brave to stand up to a Yorkie, let alone an angry Rottweiler, a breed that--when it's snarling and snapping and pulling at its chain like that--could make a crown man wet his pants. But the kitten not only stands its ground, it even charges the big dog once or twice! Luckily, Bowser is all bark and no bite (literally). He doesn't seem truly angry or aggressive--he's not interested in harming the little guy--but he's probably frustrated by his inability to intimidate even a wee little kitten. Luckily, both animals walk away from the confrontation unscathed.

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Sneezing Dogs Supercut

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Filed under: Dogs, Pet Health, Funny Animal Videos

We hate to see you uncomfortable, doggies. Unfortunately, sneezing is one of the cutest things you can do.

Here's a compilation video of dogs sneezing.

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Prevent Holiday Weight Gain in Pets

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Filed under: Pet Health, Animal Nutrition

How to Ward Off Holiday Weight Gain in Pets
By Dr. Ernie Ward via Vetstreet

We're in the final stretch of that terrible trifecta of weight gain: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. The 39 days in between these holidays offer a multitude of meals for your family to gorge upon. The trouble is that we also share these food celebrations with our pets, resulting in the accumulation of unwanted pounds for all of us.

By the time the last bit of confetti has fallen, many of us are in desperate need of a fresh start - and a diet. So what's an animal lover to do? How can we share the holidays with our pets in a more healthful manner?

SEE ALSO: Few Cat Lovers Know Risks of Obese Felines

The good news is that, with a little planning, we can party with our pets without feeding them unhealthy and fattening foods. Here are some cardinal tips for keeping your pets in fighting shape this holiday season.

1. Obey People Food Rules
Let's get one thing clear: I know the majority of you are going to feed your pets from the table. Guess what? Me, too. Perhaps the biggest myth hoisted upon pet owners is that "people food" is bad for pets.

With very few exceptions - grapes, raisins, some nuts and chocolate come to mind - if you're eating healthy fare, chances are that you can share some of it with your pet. My no-no's: anything fried, breaded, glazed or enhanced with extra fat and goodness, as well as bread, fatty meats and decadent sweets that tend to populate party plates.

Just bear in mind that any sudden change in a pet's diet can cause gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Fatty and rich foods can also lead to pancreatitis.

Continue reading Prevent Holiday Weight Gain in Pets

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Puppy Swarm

This article is from Paw Nation

Filed under: Dogs, Funny Animal Videos

The title of this video on YouTube is "Puppies Go Into Attack Mode." That's fairly tongue-in-cheek, of course. These puppies aren't really attacking, unless you can attack something with kisses. But we'll tell you this: if this really was an attack, it's exactly how we want to die.

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Baby Rhinos Strike Up a Conversation

This article is from Paw Nation

Filed under: Exotic Pets, Funny Animal Videos

Sometimes you can surprise yourself with how little you actually know about animals. For example, have you ever said to yourself, "Hey, I wonder what rhinos sound like. I've known about rhinos ever since I was a toddler, and yet I don't think I've ever heard the sound that a rhino makes!" Wonder no more, stalwart reader. This video holds the answer to that very question. How do rhinos sound? Very, very annoying.

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Pug Naps in a Hammock

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Filed under: Dogs, Funny Animal Videos

Good night, Paw Nation. Get home safe, and see if you can manage to relax this hard. See you tomorrow!

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