Food allergies in dogs are responsible for 10-15 percent of all allergic skin disease, yet 60 percent of owners misdiagnose their dog’s symptoms as food allergies when the real cause is environmental allergies (atopic dermatitis), fleas, or contact dermatitis. The result: owners spend 50-80 dollars per month on “grain-free” or “limited ingredient” foods that do … Read more

Flea and tick prevention is a 3 billion dollar industry built on fear — fear of fleas infesting your home, fear of tick-borne disease, fear of your dog suffering. The fear is justified: a single flea can lay 50 eggs per day, and a single tick can transmit Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, or anaplasmosis. But the … Read more

Heartworm disease is one of the most devastating — and most preventable — diseases in dogs. Treatment costs 1,000-1,500 dollars and requires 3 months of strict cage rest. Untreated heartworm disease causes heart failure and death. Yet prevention costs just 4-12 dollars per month — a 100x return on investment. Despite this, 30 percent of … Read more

Dog diarrhea is messy, stressful, and one of the most common reasons for unnecessary vet visits. A single loose stool sends many owners to the clinic, spending 150-400 dollars for what is often dietary indiscretion that resolves in 24-48 hours. But diarrhea can also signal serious conditions — parvovirus, intestinal parasites, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease … Read more

Dog vomiting is one of the most frightening things a owner can witness, and one of the most common reasons for unnecessary emergency vet visits. A single vomiting episode sends many owners rushing to the clinic, spending 200-500 dollars for what is often a minor stomach upset that resolves on its own. But vomiting can … Read more

Constipation is uncomfortable for your dog and stressful for you — especially when your dog strains for 10 minutes on a walk and produces nothing. A vet visit for constipation costs 80-200 dollars, and severe cases requiring enemas or manual extraction cost 300-800 dollars. But most cases of constipation can be treated at home for … Read more

Kennel cough is one of the most common respiratory infections in dogs, affecting millions each year. The good news: 90 percent of cases resolve on their own in 1-3 weeks without treatment. The bad news: many vets prescribe 50-100 dollars of antibiotics and cough suppressants that are unnecessary for most cases. Knowing when kennel cough … Read more

Chocolate toxicity is the number one cause of poisoning in dogs — over 90 percent of vets report treating chocolate ingestion annually. A single dark chocolate bar can kill a 10-pound dog. Treatment costs 300-2,500 dollars depending on severity. But not all chocolate is equally dangerous, and not every chocolate ingestion requires a 500 dollar … Read more

Joint health is one of the most profitable categories in pet supplements — a 2 billion dollar industry built on the promise of keeping dogs mobile and pain-free. But 70 percent of joint supplements on the market are overpriced, under-dosed, or backed by no scientific evidence. Some contain the right ingredients at the right dose … Read more