Have you ever wondered: why does my dog lick my feet? For some owners, this behavior may seem odd. And for those with ticklish feet, it can be downright unpleasant, especially if your pup's licking becomes a regular occurrence. But licking is a perfectly normal behavior for dogs. They lick to communicate and to take […]

The recent proliferation of natural disasters made one thing very clear to me: my family needed a disaster plan in place for our dogs. In September 2017, my spouse spent Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean with one of our dogs. When Irma went from a Category 3 to a Category 5 overnight, she was unable […]

Most dogs love spending time outside, and backyards provide a space for their favorite activities, like playtime and training sessions — not to mention the joys of fresh air, sunshine, and rolling around in the grass. But can dogs get all the exercise they need in the yard? Dogs Need More Than a Yard for […]

Is there anything more comforting than the reassuring touch of a dog? Scientists have discovered that interacting with animals boosts levels of oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin in our brains, and can even improve our immune system. These findings prove that dogs bring comfort to the people they interact with, but what exactly is a comfort […]

Today, April 28, marks World Veterinary Day. It honors the work performed by veterinarians all over the world and gives us the perfect opportunity to speak with Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the AKC, about some of his experiences over his more than 35 years of practice. AKC: What made you want to […]

We've all heard the expression "licking our wounds." Wound licking is a common practice among animals, as well as humans. You may even have heard that dog saliva has healing properties. The idea that dogs need to lick their wounds in order for them to heal is so pervasive that many people, including ancient societies, […]

Preparing your dog for surgery is stressful, whether it's a dental cleaning or something more complex, like a hip replacement. There is a lot of information to remember. Is your dog allowed to eat? Are there any medications he needs to take? Is there additional testing that needs to be done before the surgery? Your […]

The smell of roasting garlic is one of those scents that immediately makes most of us hungry. It's featured in cuisines around the globe and is found in many of our favorite foods. Scientific evidence even suggests that garlic has medicinal benefits for humans, so it's perfectly natural for you to wonder: Can dogs eat […]

Most dog owners would probably tell you that a cold, wet nose on their canine companion signals a healthy pup. Likewise, many believe a dog is sick when his nose is dry — but is this true? Before we get into that debate, we first need to understand why dogs have wet noses. The answer […]

Few things are as alarming for dog owners as witnessing your pup having a seizure. These situations can make us feel helpless and out of control, but there are steps you can take to help your dog recover safely. We spoke with AKC's Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Jerry Klein about seizures in dogs to find […]