Seasons & Gifts
Holidays and cold snaps change the routine, and pets notice. In October, Halloween safety tips for dogs plans the doorbell, the candy and the first dark walk. Through the winter, how cold is too cold to walk a dog shows the signs it is time to head home.
Shopping for someone with a dog? Practical gifts for dog owners sticks to things that make a daily chore easier, and cat owners will find Christmas gift and tree guides here too. If your pet eats something it shouldn't, call your veterinarian or a pet poison line right away. For chilly walks, see our coats for small dogs.
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How-to
How to Keep a Dog Cool in the Car, and Why a Parked Car Is Never Safe
A summer drive with a dog starts with one rule: never leave them in a parked car, even briefly. Then pre-cool the car, shade the rear windows, get cold air to the back seat, plan shaded water stops and know the overheating signs that mean pulling over and calling a vet.
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How-to
How to Keep a Cat Cool in Summer: Cool Spots, Water and Heat Signs
A hot-day plan for indoor cats: why panting is a red flag, heatstroke first aid, blinds and safe airflow, extra water, a cool floor or gel mat, brushing instead of shaving, play at the cool ends of the day, and leaving your cat home in the heat.
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Guide
How Hot Is Too Hot to Walk a Dog? Pavement, Timing and Warning Signs
The AKC says the ground may be too hot to walk a dog at 85°F or above when the pavement hasn’t cooled. Learn the ten-second hand test, which dogs struggle first, how to plan cooler walks, and the overheating signs that mean it’s time to stop.
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How-to
How to Get a Dog Used to Wearing a Coat, With or Without a Harness
A step-by-step plan for a dog who freezes, scoots or rolls in a new coat: start at home with treats, fasten one closure at a time and build up wearing time. Plus how a coat goes on with a harness, drying and washing after wet walks, and when to take it off.
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Checklist
Fall Safety Tips for Dogs: Acorns, Mushrooms, Antifreeze and More
A fall checklist for dog owners: acorns and fallen nuts, wild mushrooms after rain, antifreeze in the garage, mouse and rat bait, leaf piles, burrs and muddy paws, chilly mornings for small dogs, and who to call if your dog eats something.
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Comparison
Dog Coat vs Sweater: Which One Your Dog Needs Outdoors and Indoors
A coat is the outdoor layer for wind, wet snow and longer walks; a sweater is a lighter knit for cool, dry days and a chilly house. Compare warmth, rain protection, closures and leash access, see which dogs benefit most, and learn the signs your dog is too warm.
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Comparison
Cooling Mat vs Elevated Dog Bed: Which Keeps a Dog Cooler?
A gel cooling mat gives a warm dog a cool surface indoors, in a crate or in the car; a raised mesh cot keeps them off hot ground outside and lets air move underneath. Compare the two side by side, see where each works, and learn what neither can do in a heat wave.
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Checklist
Christmas Dog Safety Checklist: Tree, Gifts, Food and Guests
A dog-proof Christmas in one checklist: anchoring the tree and covering its water, ornaments, tinsel and cords, food gifts and batteries under the tree, toxic sweets and plants, guests’ bags and the front door, a calm plan for the day and what to do if your dog eats something.
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How-to
Back-to-School Routine for Dogs: Helping Your Dog Adjust
A two-week plan for families whose dog got used to company all summer: move wake-up, walks and meals early, give a real morning walk and a breakfast that takes time, cover the empty midday, keep departures calm, and know the signs that call for a veterinarian or trainer.
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Guide
How Cold Is Too Cold to Walk a Dog? Signs to Head Home and a Winter Walk Plan
The AKC says dogs are at risk of frostbite below 32°F, and small and short-haired dogs, puppies and seniors feel it first. Learn the signs it’s time to head home, a shorter winter walk plan, who needs a coat, how to handle ice and road salt, and how to stay visible after the clocks change.
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Guide
How to Keep a Cat Out of the Christmas Tree: Setup, Deterrents and Better Distractions
Cats climb Christmas trees because they are tall, new and full of things that swing. Here's where to place and anchor the tree, what to hang and what to skip, how to cover the tree water, which deterrents are worth trying, and how to give your cat better places to climb, scratch and play.
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Guide
Thanksgiving Dog Safety: A Host’s Plan for the Kitchen, the Guests and the Leftovers
Tire your dog out in the morning, gate off the kitchen, brief guests on scraps and the front door, serve your dog a slow dinner of their own and get the turkey carcass out of reach. The day step by step, for hosts and for guests bringing a dog.
