In This Issue

● Head Pressing
● Reverse Sneezing
● An End To Shock Collars?
● Dogs Don’t Care About Faces
● Vet Terms You Should Know
● Recipe: Skeleton Bone Treats

Recent Food Recalls

9/22/20 – Billy+Margot Wild Kangaroo & Superfoods
9/03/20 – Family Pet, Heartland Farms, Paws Happy Life
8/24/20 – Nature’s Menu With Chicken & Quail
7/13/20 – Benyfit Natural Raw Dog Food
6/12/20 – Carnivora Fresh Frozen Patties

HEALTH ALERT #1

Head Pressing In Dogs: Why You Should Be Concerned

Every now and then the photo above and a few others make their way across social media with warnings to “rush your pet to the vet immediately” if you see this behavior.

While true head pressing is a major concern, you must be careful not to mistake it for normal canine behavior.

In this post, Dr. Kim Smyth, staff veterinarian and pet health writer at Petplan Pet Insurance, answers your most “pressing” questions.

A Tip From +THE HEALTHY HOUND

Halloween is second only to July 4 for days when the most pets get lost. Designate a safe, quiet room for your pup so she doesn’t get “spooked” by all the activity and noise.

HAPPY, HEALTHY MUST HAVES

A Special Offer To Help Your Pup Have A Happy Howl-O-Ween

If trick-or-treaters, new faces, and ringing doorbells make Halloween a real-life horror movie for your pup, Cannanine™ Organic Hemp Oil can help.

iHeartDogs’ Howl-O-Ween Calming Pack is available for a limited time and includes:

• A bottle of Cannanine™ Organic Hemp Oil in your choice of three sizes
• A bag of Happy, Healthy™ Pumpkin, Chia & Cinnamon Treats
• A cute Trick-or-Treat Bone Plush Toy, and
• A reusable Happy Howl-O-Ween Trick or Treat Bag!

Learn how Cannanine can help your dog battle situational anxiety this Halloween season and beyond.

QUIZ OF THE WEEK

What is the veterinary term for juvenile heartworm larvae?

1. Neonates
2. Newts
3. Microfilariae

Not sure? Read on to find the answer!

HEALTH ALERT #2

Reverse Sneezing: 3 Things You Need to Know

Pharyngeal gag reflex – or reverse sneezing – occurs when the soft palate and throat become irritated resulting in a spasm that looks and sounds a lot like the dog is inhaling (rather than expelling) sneezes.

Thankfully these dramatic episodes are almost always harmless unless they mask a more serious issue such as collapsing trachea.

Veterinarian Becky Lundgren discusses the common triggers of reverse sneezing, how you can help calm your dog during episodes, and when to seek treatment.

IN THE NEWS

Petco Is Rebranding & Their First Order Of Business Is Getting Rid Of “Shock” Collars

Petco announced this week that it will no longer sell human- and bark-activated electric collars in stores or online. They also launched a “Stop the Shock” campaign, to encourage other pet supply retailers to do the same.

“Shock collars have been shown to increase fear, anxiety and stress in dogs, and we believe there’s a better way – Positive Reinforcement Training,” Petco CEO Ron Coughlin said in a press release.

Learn more about Petco’s anti-shock campaign and their efforts to rebrand themselves as a health and wellness company for pets.

A Tip From +THE HEALTHY HOUND

Run a flea comb through your dog’s coat near her lower back and tail base. If you come away with black “dirt,” your pup may have fleas.

BEHAVIOR & TRAINING

When It Comes To A Dog’s Love, Looks Have Nothing To Do With It

One of the reasons we love dogs so much is that they never judge us. We can skip a shower (or two), get a bad haircut, or grow an unfortunate goatee, and they will love us just the same.

According to a new study in the Journal of Neuroscience dogs really don’t react to human faces. They prefer to focus on our smell, body language, and voice cues to gather the info they need from us.

Find out what this research says about dogs, evolution, and how our pups love.

VET CORNER

5 Dog Medical Terms Every Owner Should Know

by Dr. Kathryn Primm

Does it sometimes feel like your veterinarian is speaking another language? While it is definitely part of their job to make medical jargon understandable, there are certain terms every dog parent should learn and remember.

Dr. Kathrynn Primm breaks down 5 of the most important veterinary terms you should understand on your dog’s behalf.

TIS THE SEASON

Recipe: Halloween Skeleton Bone Dog Treats

Aimee of IrresistiblePets.net has a healthy, delicious Halloween dog treat recipe for you to try! With simple ingredients like flour, yogurt, and chicken bouillon cubes, you may already have everything you need in your pantry.

A few notes:

• The recipe calls for “non-bleached flour”, but you can substitute the flour of your choice if your dog is sensitive to wheat.
• Choose low-sodium bouillon cubes for healthier treats.
• Be sure to use unsweetened plain yogurt (regular or Greek) free from Xylitol.
• If you do not have a bone-shaped baking pan you can form this simple shape yourself.

Do you have a question or topic you’d like The Healthy Hound to address in an upcoming newsletter? Click here to let us know!

Quiz Answer:

3. Microfilariae. The prefix “micro” means tiny while “filaria” means worms.

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