Blog Posts by vetstreet.com

Dog swimming in poolLiving with a dog has many perks, but one of the best has to be the impetus to get off the couch and out the door so you can both get some exercise. Exercise is as important for your dog as it is for you!

See Also: Match Your Dog Breed to the Right Size of Exercise

Exercise isn't just a nicety; it's a necessity for maintaining optimal physical and mental wellbeing. As with people, obesity is becoming a major health problem in today's dogs. Between 20 and 40 percent of all dogs seen by veterinarians in the United States are considered overweight, and many are clinically obese. Obesity prevents dogs from enjoying many physical activities; it also decreases speed and stamina and makes it more difficult for dogs to deal with heat. Obesity is also associated with certain medical problems, including arthritic changes in overly burdened joints, increased risk of torn ligaments, back problems, cardiac problems, difficulty breathing, increased surgical risks,

By Dr. Patty Khuly

I want to get to know youIt seems gross. And it's embarrassing. But the gesture is a common (if poorly mannered) canine version of the "getting to know you" routine.

Dogs often greet one another by sniffing - which makes sense when your ability to smell is 10,000 times better than a human's. We all get that. But why does it have to be the butt, you ask?

Well, even the least smell-sensitive human can tell you that's where a dog's most intense aromas reside. In fact, there's a pair of anal glands back there that secrete perhaps the most foul-smelling stuff you might occasionally have the displeasure to experience. So it's perfectly normal.

See Also: Why Does My Dog... Kick Grass After Pooping?

Problem is, dogs often engage in this behavior enthusiastically, which can get them into trouble with other dogs who'd rather not have their butts smell tested. And, of course, it can also get them into trouble with humans who'd prefer that a dog not get so fresh with them. If your dog is

By Laura Cross

Summertime, and the living is easy - especially if you're a dog. For the next few glorious months, our canine friends will get to play on the beach, paddle in the water and bask in the sun without a care in the world.

To celebrate the start of longer days and warmer weather, we rounded up our favorite pups dressed up in summer attire. From hula skirts and board shorts to sunglasses and straw hats, we can't get enough of these chic (and adorable) canine outfits.

CarlyLight the tiki torches, don your leis and get ready to hula - Carly the Norwich Terrier is throwing a luau and she's inviting every pup in town. So bring your appetites for the best party of the summer.

PJPJ the German Shepherd puppy thinks that the beach towel wrapped around his head would be really fun to chew on. After all, he had a blast trying to devour flip-flops last week. He can't help it if the corner of the towel just happens to keep falling directly into his mouth. It's the wind's

By Amy Sinatra Ayres

Pete Souza via TwitterWhen you come home from a tough day at work, do you regroup by taking a moment to greet your dog? In that case, you're no different from the President. Yes, that President.

On Tuesday, Official White House photographer Pete Souza shared a photo of First Dog Bo Obama waiting for a serious-looking president as he arrived at the Oval Office.

"Photo of Bo today," Souza Tweeted. "Oh yeah, Pres Obama is in the photo too!"

[ See Also: Meet Bo and Other Presidential Pets -- Ponies, Birds and Raccoons ]

Later in the day, he followed it up with the image above, of President Obama stopping to kneel down and have a sweet moment with his 4-year-old Portuguese Water Dog, scratching his dog's neck.

"POTUS greets Bo," Souza wrote. "Back by popular demand."

After dealing with a devastating natural disaster in Oklahoma and the recent controversies over surveillance programs and the IRS (among other things) we can't think of a better way for the

By Mikkel Becker

Fido expressing himself through his barkQ. My dog barks at anything and everything when we're out on walks. He's friendly, but he gets so excited. What are some ways to keep him calm?

A. Walks are often the highlight of a dog's day. But a dog can get so excited and worked up about his walk that he becomes almost uncontrollable, forgetting about the person attached to the other end of the leash as he pulls and strains forward. When a dog gets especially worked up, he can start barking in excitement. This can look threatening to an outsider and gives the handler a sense of being out of control. A few simple changes in the way you conduct walks can make a major difference in the way your dog behaves.

Video: Teach Your Dog to Stop Barking

Barking can be a symptom of a deeper issue. Sometimes a dog on leash will feel threatened because he can't get away from whatever it is that is upsetting him; this dog barks as a way to warn others away and protect himself. Assess whether there

By Vetstreet.com

Carly should never eat onions and garlic.A number of human foods are dangerous to pets. Many of these foods may seem tasty to them but can prove deadly if eaten. We know it can be tempting to offer your favorite four-legged friends food from the table, but pets should not be given human food unless recommended by your veterinarian.

See Also: How to Keep Your Pet's Food Safe (and Recognize When It's Not)

If you suspect your pet may have eaten a dangerous food, contact your veterinarian immediately. In many cases, early recognition and treatment are critical.

1. & 2. Garlic and Onions

Garlic and onions contain chemicals that damage red blood cells in cats and dogs. Affected red blood cells can rupture or lose their ability to carry oxygen effectively. Cooking these foods does not reduce their potential toxicity. Fresh, cooked, and/or powdered garlic and/or onions are commonly found in baby food, which is sometimes given to animals when they are sick, so be sure to read food labels

By Linda Lombardi | vetstreet.com

Firefly lighting it upMost people aren't fond of insects, but we make an exception for fireflies. All over the world their magical display inspires devotion, from entire Japanese towns that hold festivals to a solitary kid catching one to watch it glow in her hand.

Different species of fireflies have different flash patterns. In your own backyard you may be able to see that some flash once and some twice. There are species in Southeast Asia and in the Smoky Mountains where the males all gather and flash in unison, attracting tourists to see the show. But a subtler part of the signal is also very important to some of our native fireflies.

See Also: 10 Insects and Creatures Dangerous to Your Cats & Dogs

Fireflies use flash patterns to locate a mate of the same species, but looking for love can be risky. Two similarly named families of fireflies - the PhotuRIS and the PhotuNIS - have a particularly dangerous courting ritual. The female

ZSL London ZooHere in America, the most famous predictor of the seasons is, of course, Punxsutawney Phil. But across the pond in England, some prognosticating penguins are ready to give the groundhog a run for his money.

The 50 residents of the ZSL London Zoo's Penguin Beach - England's largest penguin pool - have started packing on the pounds in preparation for their annual summer molt.

"While most people put themselves on a strict diet in preparation for a summer on the beach, penguins are the exact opposite and do everything they can to fatten themselves up," said Adrian Walls, the zoo's head of birds, in a release.

Once a week, the penguins each hop onto a scale before hitting the pool for their morning swim. And lately, their more plump shape is a definite sign that warmer weather is coming in England - and that the penguins will shed their old feathers and grow a new set, just in time for summer.

More on Vetstreet.com:
* 6 Cool Facts About Penguins
* 20 Dog Breeds Sadly