Dr. Libby Guise 
Key Takeaways: Xylitol is extremely toxic for dogs, even in small doses. If your pup eats anything containing xylitol, you should call your veterinarian and get immediate emergency care whether or not you see signs of poisoning. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to reverse the effects of xylitol on the body. You accidentally dropped … Read more
Key Takeaways: Grapes are toxic to some but not all dogs. If a dog is sensitive to grapes, the poison can cause acute kidney failure and death. If you know or suspect that your dog ate grapes, you should contact your veterinarian or the pet poison hotline as soon as possible. Grapes are a sweet, … Read more
Key Takeaways: Ibuprofen is extremely dangerous for dogs and toxic in small doses. Signs of poisoning may take a few days to appear. Any time you see or suspect that your dog ingested ibuprofen, call your veterinarian. Treatment and recovery vary depending on the brand, the dose ingested, and the timing of veterinary care. If … Read more
You get up in the morning and notice a smelly, brown, oily stain where your pup slept last night. What is this, and what caused it? Sometimes, I would get a call from a dog parent asking why they had a brown discharge at night. Based on the description and a follow-up exam, I could … Read more
People tend to go crazy for pumpkin, especially during harvest time. They’ll add pumpkin flavoring to lattes and use pumpkin in pancakes, ice cream, and other foods. But can you feed pumpkin to your dog? Yes, and as a matter of fact, pumpkin is an excellent supplemental food for your pooch. It’s packed with fiber … Read more
You’re enjoying a relaxing evening when your dog comes in, plops his butt on the floor, and starts dragging it across the carpet. Gross! Why is he scooting, and what can you do about it? In my clinic, we’d get occasional calls from owners because their pup started scooting. For first-time pet parents, this behavior … Read more
Why is My Dog Itchy and Scratching After a Bath? We pamper our furbabies and strive to take the best possible care of them. That includes regular bathing. So what happens if you give your furbaby a bath and he starts scratching? What’s making him itchy? Sometimes in practice, we’d get a call from a … Read more
It’s a special treat to let the groomer deal with bathing and clipping your pooch. But when your pup comes home smelling fresh and clean, he also starts to itch and scratch. Is this normal? When I got calls from frantic pet parents because their dog started scratching after a trip to the groomer, I … Read more
It’s morning, and when you get out of bed, your dog stretches, yawns, and starts to scratch himself crazily. Should you be concerned? When my pup parents called with questions about morning itching in their dogs, I would reassure them that it’s usually normal but there’s probably a reason. We’d go over possible explanations and … Read more
It’s heartbreaking to see your furbaby suffering. And when he’s itching non-stop, you want to find a way to relieve his discomfort. What’s more, continual scratching can be self-perpetuating. The more your pup itches, the more he irritates his skin and causes it to release histamines. With repeated pawing, your pup could also damage his … Read more
Your dog can’t stop scratching, and it’s making both of you miserable. What can be done? Below, we’ll discuss 12 homemade remedies you can use on your dog to help relieve itching. Because every dog is different, these natural options can have varying effects. That’s why you should talk to your veterinarian before you apply … Read more
You’ve probably heard about some of the benefits of coconut oil for skin issues people, but did you know it can also help your canine companion? Naturally, in practice, I had my share of itchy dogs. When owners asked if there were any natural remedies they could use to help their pooch find relief from … Read more
Your dog is itching…a lot, and you want to help ease his misery. Will it help to bathe him? When I’d get a call from clients asking if they could give their dog a bath to help ease itchiness, I would tell them it’s usually a good idea. Then I’d recommend a checkup to help … Read more
One day, you notice your pup hunched over and straining to poop. As he works to get the fecal matter out, he looks like he’s in pain. This often happens when dogs are constipated. Fortunately, it’s not usually a serious condition, but if it continues, you should treat it to prevent other health problems. When … Read more
Let’s face it. Most dogs are indiscriminate eaters. Sometimes they digest things that disagree with them and give them diarrhea. Unless you’re dealing with an emergency, there are foods you probably have in your pantry that you can feed your pup to help firm up his poop and heal his gut. Sometimes I got a … Read more
Most dogs shed. It’s more often more pronounced during the transitional seasons of spring and fall when our furbabies lose hair from their undercoats to prepare for temperature changes. For some breeds like Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Huskies, the hair may come out in large clumps. This can make it more difficult to keep … Read more
You’re hosting a dinner party in an hour, and your dog comes in streaked in mud. There’s no time for a messy bath. What do you do? This is where dry waterless dog shampoo comes in handy. While these formulas usually aren’t as effective at cleaning your pup as a full bath, they can quickly … Read more
It seems like allergies are more common these days, and not just for humans. Our furbabies seem to be spending more time licking, biting, and scratching dry, irritated skin. Fortunately for many pups, we can provide some relief by bathing them with oatmeal shampoo. Itchy skin was a common complaint from dog owners in our … Read more
It’s spring, and you want to include your furbaby in your spring cleaning routine. But you know Fido has sensitive skin. You don’t want to use anything that will make him break out in hives or develop dry, itchy skin. How can you find a shampoo that won’t irritate him? When dog parents came to … Read more
Some dogs seem to get dirty all the time, and others stink constantly because they’re active outdoor pups. When your pooch picks up grime and odor, it’s time for a bath. But frequently shampooing Fido might dry out his skin. When I was in practice and pup parents asked me for advice about how to … Read more
You’re a good dog owner. You give your pup plenty of attention, take him for daily walks, and you make sure he gets enough sleep. But when it comes to bath time, you might be making one big mistake: using the wrong shampoo on your pooch. The chemicals in shampoo with soap can be too … Read more
You want the best for your furbaby, and that includes their shampoo. While many people believe that all dog shampoos are the same, it’s not true. Some shampoos contain toxic chemicals that can harm your pooch’s skin and irritate his eyes, and that’s no fun at bath time. On occasion, I would get a call … Read more
You choose a dog-safe shampoo to protect your pooch. But what happens if you accidentally get some of the soap in your pal’s eyes when you’re bathing her? Is shampoo also safe for your dog’s eyes? Sometimes in practice, I’d get a call from pet parents who were concerned because shampoo got in their pups’ … Read more
You just brought home a new puppy as a companion for your older dog. After playing and wrestling in the yard, your furbabies come inside caked with dirt. All you have is regular dog shampoo. Does it really matter if you wash your puppy with your older pal’s formula? When I counseled new puppy owners … Read more
It’s a beautiful spring day, and you decide to go hiking through the woods with your furbaby. Naturally, she finds a dead animal in the underbrush. Doing what comes naturally, your pooch rolls in the remains to mask her own scent. Eww! When you return home, you remember you’re out of dog shampoo. Now what? … Read more
Nobody likes fleas. They make your dog miserable and can transmit diseases. What’s more, sometimes they jump on and bite you! When you find fleas on your furbaby, you want to get rid of them as soon as possible. But what if you discover the pesky pests on Fido and only have cat flea shampoo … Read more
It’s 4:00 pm, and your guests should arrive around 5:00. Your dog comes in from the yard smeared with something that smells like death warmed over. There’s not enough time to draw a bath, lather, rinse, and dry Fido. What should you do? Most human dry shampoos aren’t safe for dogs, as they might contain … Read more
It was a great day at the dog park, and your furbaby came home caked with mud. As you prepare a bath, you reach for the dog shampoo. Looking at the label, you discover it’s past the product’s expiration date. Does it really matter that much? Sadly, using expired grooming products is one reason we … Read more
You just spent time at the dog park, and your furbaby splashed through muddy water and needs a bath now. But when you get home, all you have on the shelf is your cat’s shampoo. Is it safe to use on your dog or not? In practice, we had many pet parents with dogs and … Read more
Baby shampoos might seem handy, especially if you ran out of dog shampoo and your dog has been a naughty boy and needs an immediate shower. But is it safe? In my 12 years of veterinary practice, I had my share of dogs with dry, irritated skin. Some problems could be directly traced to the … Read more
You come home from a restful vacation and retrieve your precious Maltese pooch from the kennel. When you get home, you notice her coat is dingy and has grass stains. The groomer is booked out for weeks. What do you do? When owners called me with this type of dilemma, I would point them to … Read more
Have you walked down the dog shampoo aisle at your local pet store? The choices can be overwhelming. But you know you need to keep your furbaby clean. Proper pet hygiene contributes to your pup’s overall health and wellbeing. When you use a product that’s designed to meet your pup’s needs, it helps to cleanse … Read more
Occasionally in my 12 years of veterinary experience, I’d see a dog with an overpowering odor that troubled the pet parent. After ruling out common issues like abscesses, sores, and flatulence, my focus would turn to pet grooming issues. Sometimes I would learn the owner was bathing their pooch either too often, not often enough, … Read more
Who says homeowners have to sacrifice their landscaping to keep their dogs safe? While it’s true that many commercial products contain toxic or cancer-causing chemicals, there are organic and natural alternatives. I used my experience as a retired veterinarian to research pet-safe weed control products to help you find the best dog safe weed killer. … Read more
Do you have a messy eater or a dog who likes to play with his water? Maybe your pooch is getting older and experiencing joint or back pain? These are some of the reasons that dog parents turn to elevated dog bowls. Raised feeders offer many benefits for dogs, and they can help you keep … Read more
For some dogs, jumping onto furniture or into the car can be either daunting or dangerous. Whether their size, age, or health limits their abilities, they need help to reach their destination. That’s where dog ramps come in handy. A comfortable incline can make a huge difference in your pal’s mobility and confidence. I used … Read more
You may have heard that it’s okay to express your dog’s anal glands manually if they’re impacted, but it’s not advisable without veterinary supervision. Dogs should be able to empty their sacs naturally. Sometimes we can help the process by adding some high-fiber foods to their diet. Impacted anal glands are a common occurrence in … Read more
You may be thinking that dogs don’t need fruits and vegetables in their diets because they’re descendants of wolves. But think again. Today’s domestic canines can benefit from the dietary fiber and other valuable nutrients these foods add to their daily intake. In practice, whenever I had to treat dogs with digestive upset, dietary fiber … Read more
We love our furbabies and would move heaven and earth to keep them safe. But the reality is that millions of pets go missing every year. That’s why a GPS tracker can be invaluable. With the right device, you can set up an invisible safe zone for your pooch, track his movement and location in … Read more
Dogs love to play and explore outside, and that means they can get dirty… a lot. We don’t want stinky messes in our homes, so we need to bathe our pups from time to time. The problem is that bathtime can be a chore that leaves us soaked. After evaluating more than 30 grooming dog … Read more
For dog parents of longer-haired pups, grooming is a big deal. Keeping your furbaby looking his best can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. If you’re contemplating grooming your pooch at home, you’ll need a quality set of clippers. But how do you know what you should look for in grooming … Read more
Our furbabies are family, and we like to bring them with us everywhere we go. But when we’re traveling, we also need to make sure they stay safe and secure. Not all travel crates are designed the same. When you’re transporting your pooch in a car, you need a kennel that’s secure and crash-tested. But … Read more
Some dogs seem to have boundless energy, and you may not be able to provide them with enough playtime and walks to burn off their edge. Therefore, dog treadmills can be a wonderful tool to help your dog get the exercise he needs. After evaluating more than 20 Dog treadmills, we chose the “GOPET PetRun … Read more
Maintaining a lush lawn with dogs can be a real challenge. If your pooch likes to dig or has strong urine, you may be constantly dealing with brown spots and holes. That’s why some people are turning to artificial turf for their pups. Quality products maintain a well-groomed appearance all year long. And there are … Read more
High temperatures can be a challenge for our furbabies. They don’t have the liberty of wearing less clothing, and they don’t sweat as we do. So, as pet parents, we need to help our pups stay cool. Cooling dog beds offer an excellent way to keep your dog cool and comfortable when the temperatures rise. … Read more
We want the best for our furry friends, and that includes their beds. Poor mattresses can interfere with your pooch’s ability to get restful sleep. Rather than letting your special pal toss and turn all night, why not consider a new bed. If you have a pooch that needs extra support, a quality memory foam … Read more
Where I live, the winters can be frigid, so we rely on electric blankets to stay warm at night. Like us, our furbabies like to feel comfortable when it’s cold outside. Whether you have a pooch that has trouble keeping warm or a senior dog, using a warming bed could help him stay comfortable. I … Read more
When dogs get anxious or stressed, they may turn to destructive behaviors or have accidents in the house. They need to find a sense of security to help them calm down. While not a cure-all, calming beds may help your pooch relax and get needed rest. But not all products are equal. When choosing a … Read more
We want our furbabies to enjoy all the comforts of home. For some of us, that includes letting them sleep with us. But if your pooch likes to sprawl or is larger than a Chihuahua, the bed can get crowded. Fortunately, there’s a way to have the best of both worlds. You can invest in … Read more
Organic and Natural dog foods can be a great way to reduce the number of chemicals exposed to your dog. However, some dog foods advertise themselves as natural but contain the same ingredients as their peers. I used my 12 years of Veterinary experience to review over 100 dog food products to find the best … Read more