There has been a lot of discussion about social distancing in the past few weeks. Because this is a new concept for many of us, here is a brief discussion of what social distancing is, why epidemiologists recommend it as a way of slowing the spread of an infection, and what current efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 might mean for pet parents.
You may have seen in the news that a dog in Hong Kong—the pet of a patient who had Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)—tested “weak positive” for the virus. This story has worried a lot of pet parents and brought up questions about whether dogs and cats can become infected with COVID-19. We want to reassure you: at this time there is no evidence that dogs or cats can transmit the new coronavirus to humans or to other animals. Here’s what we know so far.
Bad dog breath is a common condition that can make some pet parents hesitate when getting close to their dog. The American Veterinary Medical Association named February as National Pet Dental Health month; we’re creating awareness about it by talking about causes of bad dog breath, many of which are connected to dental health. Some causes are rather harmless, such as your dog just ate some cat poop, while others causes could be a sign of a serious underlying health condition. While smaller breeds, older dogs, and breeds with short snouts are more prone to having bad breath, a healthy dog shouldn’t have chronic bad breath. In this article, we will explain the common causes of stinky dog breath, the connection between poor oral health and disease, prevention tips, and available treatment options.
Dog breath! If it’s stinky, it could mean gum disease. In fact, 80% of dogs have some degree of gum disease by the age of three. Daily toothbrushing can help, but for many dogs that’s easier said than done. Luckily, there are new, oral microbiome-based approaches to keeping your dog’s mouth healthy. We’ll explain why oral health is such a huge factor in overall health, and we’ll tell you how the new approaches can help you add years to your dog’s life.
There are thousands of pet parents out there who are frustrated in finding a solution to their pet’s digestive or skin conditions. They’ve switched food, researched extensively, and administered prescribed medications or supplements. And while many dogs and cats will positively respond to changes in diet or treatments, other pets experience only minor improvement (if at all) or their symptoms recur. A key factor that may impact how a pet responds to treatment may reside in the status of their gut microbiome. For those frustrated pet parents, there is a growing body of research evidence that fecal transplants can help improve several different gastrointestinal disorders (as well as many other conditions) by changing the gut microbiome. Here we answer some common questions about fecal transplants and what options are available for your cat or dog.
Are you interested in helping animals in need, but don’t know where to begin? Keep reading to learn about some of the paw-esome organizations we supported in 2019 and other Bay Area groups who are making a big difference. We’d love to mention every single rescue and shelter on this list, but that would be one long list. Just because you don’t see them here, doesn’t mean they aren’t awesome. We encourage you to look up your local rescues and shelters to find out how you can get involved.
My name is Hahnbee Choi, and I am 16 years old. I am the youngest Raw Dog Food Nutrition Specialist certified by Dogs Naturally University (DNU). With my 5-year-old female German Shepherd/Blue Heeler mix, I have an Instagram and blog centered on raw feeding. One of my many goals is to spread knowledge and continue to learn everything and anything about balanced raw dog food. I hope I never come off as a “know-it-all” because all I do know is that I have so much more to learn about raw feeding, canine nutrition, and well … life itself!
We’re bringing awareness to pet diabetes a disease that affects roughly one out of every 230 cats and one out of every 310 dogs (according to published studies). Many pet parents are surprised to learn that cats and dogs can get diabetes, which is similar to diabetes in humans. There are many great resources available to you to learn about diabetes in pets, and this article is a great place to start.
One of the greatest influences on your dog’s health is made up of something you can’t even see. That’s right - the trillions of tiny bacteria, fungi and viruses that live inside the intestines of your dog make up its ‘gut microbiome’ and play an essential role in your dog’s health. These bacteria do so much more than break down food; they also contribute directly to your dogs mental health, metabolism, brain health, and immune system. Your dog’s gut bacterial community is an active system that changes in response to many factors in your dog’s day to day life. Learn how the choices you make about your dog’s diet, health, and environment are connected to your dog’s gut bacteria and ways you can promote your dog’s gut health.
In a city animal shelter, shy or fearful cats are often considered “unadoptable” and are at high risk for euthanasia, but Oakland nonprofit Cat Town gives these vulnerable shelter cats a second chance. By transforming cat rescue in the San Francisco Bay Area community, this unique organization aims to lower euthanasia rates nationwide. AnimalBiome is excited to support Cat Town’s work by covering all adoption fees for the month of September. Find out what makes Cat Town different from other rescue organizations. And then stop in and see for yourself: if you take home a new feline friend this month, your adoption fee is waived!
