5 Perfect Holiday Gifts for Pet Lovers

Best Holiday Gifts for Pet Lovers

It’s been a year, so we feel we’re all pretty much in agreement: we need gifts. And not just any gifts because we’re not just any people. We’re pet lovers–parents, grandparents and the like. We love all things pets and we want our gifts to reflect that quality in us. Luckily, these gifts will fit the bill. Go ahead, pick them all and then send them appropriately. We’ll wait…but not long.

5 Tips to Stop Puppies From Chewing Everything in Sight

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but many new dog owners are quickly reminded that puppies have a natural tendency to chew anything within reach—shoes, furniture, cords, and sometimes even your hands. While chewing is a normal behavior that helps with teething, exploration, and stress relief, it can become destructive if it’s not managed properly. The good news is that with the right guidance and consistency, you can redirect this behavior and protect your belongings. Here are five effective tips to stop puppies from chewing everything in sight.Disclosure: PetGuide may receive a small affiliate commission from purchases made via links in this article but at no cost to you.

7-7-7 Rule for Puppies is a Sleep Saver for Pet Parents

Want to know how to get your little guy to sleep through the night? Use this quick guideline to help familiarize him with his new surroundings.

Dogs Are Helping People Deal With Stress More Than Expected

If you’ve ever found your shoulders unknotted simply by petting your dog after a long day, you’re definitely not alone. But now science at the University of Denver is showing just how powerful that furry comfort can be.A new study led by the University of Denver’s Institute for Human‑Animal Connection (IHAC) has uncovered something pretty remarkable: pet dogs don’t just reduce stress, they actually help regulate it in a more nuanced, biological way than researchers expected.Researchers recruited 44 dog‑owning participants and randomly assigned them to two groups. One group brought their dog to a mildly stressful lab test, and the other group faced it alone. The test involved giving a job‑interview style speech and doing mental math under pressure.During the study, researchers measured heart rate, salivary cortisol, and alpha‑amylase (a stress enzyme), and had participants rate their anxiety. What they found was pretty fascinating! Although both groups saw increases in stress, those with their dogs present had significantly lower spikes in heart rate and cortisol. Heart rate rose about 14.6% with dogs present vs. 26.7% without. And cortisol responses were more than 50% lower when a dog was by your side.What surprised researchers is that salivary alpha‑amylase actually only rose in the dog group, by 97.6%, suggesting not just suppression of stress, but a healthy, balanced response. Participants in the dog‑present group sometimes ended with cortisol levels even lower after recovery than when they first arrived. A sign of faster stress recovery.According to IHAC communicators, “dogs may be able to support a balanced, intermediate stress response. Instead of just reducing the stress response, a dog can actually help to maintain regular stress levels”.Although participants didn’t report significantly less anxiety in self‑ratings (that metric was about the same whether the dog was present or not), the physiological signs tell a different story. It turns out our heart, our hormones, and even specific enzymes respond better when our dogs are with us, even if our minds think otherwise.This study breaks ground by measuring several biological systems at once, something previous research lacked. IHAC hopes to expand this work, exploring whether dogs might help with chronic stress, anxiety disorders, or recovery from trauma. In fact, upcoming work from DU researchers will look at service dogs with veterans dealing with PTSD, mapping long‑term hormone changes and even protein biomarkers over months of pairing.The goal is ambitious yet relatable: uncovering how dogs, our partners, confidants, and fluffy overlords shape our bodies’ stress responses, not just our minds.So what’s the practical takeaway? Even on hectic days, carve out a few minutes to connect with your dog. Sit on the couch together, take a short walk, or let them curl up beside you while you breathe deeply. It’s not just sweet, it might actually cut your cortisol and keep your heart rate steadier.And if someone ever downplays your pup’s value beyond fetch games or cuteness? Share the facts. Dogs are scientifically shown to be better at regulating stress than parents, partners, or close friends in some respects, and just as helpful on our toughest days.So next time someone says your dog is just a pet, smile knowingly. You're not only living with a furry companion, you might be living with your best therapist yet.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

3 Things That Might Be Causing Your Dog To Dig Up Your Yard

If you’re a dog owner who’s ever walked outside to find craters scattered across your lawn, you’re not alone. Digging is a natural behavior for dogs, but it can quickly become frustrating. Before you can put a stop to the behavior, it helps to understand why your dog might be digging. Here are three of the most common reasons.Disclosure: PetGuide may receive a small affiliate commission from purchases made via links in this article but at no cost to you.

Signs of Illness in Pet Rats

Pet rats are super cute, loads of fun, and very smart, but like all pets, you need to be aware of the health problems they might develop, especially as they get older. Plus, many diseases are spread between rats or caused by improper housing conditions, so being aware of the potential infections they can develop will be useful in helping to keep them healthy.

Shelter Dog Adopted and Returned Twice for Being Too Playful

A North Carolina shelter dog was returned by potential new owners not once, but twice, because he was deemed too playful!DJ, believed to be one year old, was in a high-intake shelter in North Carolina earlier this year, before being transferred to the SPCA of Wake County. Although no one knows what happened to this pooch before, it’s clear DJ has a lot of love to give.According to Samantha Ranlet, communications manager at the SPCA of Wake County, DJ is an adorable goofball who has never had a negative thought about anybody. “DJ lives in a world full of rainbows and sunshine,” said Ranlet. “Our staff spends a lot of enrichment time with him outside in the kiddie pool or playing with the hose - not only to keep him cool in the heat but because he lights up when he gets to play in the water.”Finding DJ a home didn’t seem to be difficult since he was adopted fast. Unfortunately for DJ, his new owners returned him to the shelter because they couldn’t manage his energy and friendliness.It wasn’t long before DJ was adopted again, and the shelter’s staff believed he got a second chance at a good life. However, just two days after the adoption, DJ’s new owners returned him to the shelter.“He’d been in that home for two days during a trial adoption period, which gives families a chance to see how the pet fits into their home before finalizing anything. He was returned because he was trying to befriend their cats, and the cats didn’t appreciate his offers of friendship,” said Ranlet.The Wake County SPCA shared in a Facebook post that DJ was available for adoption after being returned for a second time by new owners.“DJ’s been returned twice for being too playful with other animals in the home. He wants to be friends sooooo badly, but unfortunately, his high energy, goofy antics, and in-your-face play style haven’t meshed well with calmer companions,” the shelter wrote, adding that this spirited pooch isn’t the right fit for everyone. “Now he’s back here with us, and we are on a mission - to find him a forever home and a dork-astic animal friend who can keep up with his little-legged zoomies,” the shelter added. After his second failed adoption, everyone at the shelter was heartbroken to see the energetic pooch back again. However, DJ didn’t dwell on the past and was back outside playing in the pool the same day.Soon after he arrived at the shelter, DJ was prescribed trazodone, an antidepressant medicine often given to people for anxiety and insomnia. The treatment was of great help for DJ, who has struggled with the unpredictability of shelter life.“DJ’s energy and anxiety were in overdrive when he first arrived at the shelter, but we’ve discovered that he’s much happier on a medication called trazodone. These meds help him go from a frightened fella that hunches and startles at the sound of the door opening to a lively, playful pup who loves flopping around in the pool.”While DJ future looked bleak, not all was lost. Following the shelter’s Facebook post, the pooch was adopted again, for the third time. The pup’s new owners renamed him Nova, and with three other dogs in their home, he has plenty of friends to play with.“We explained to his new family the reasons he’d been returned before, so they knew they were signing up for a playful, energetic dog, and that was just what they were looking for,” said Ranlet. Let’s hope the third time is the charm for this lively pup!Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

3 Fun Facts About Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers are known for their warm personalities and iconic golden coats, but there’s more to them than their friendly faces. Here are three interesting facts that show just how remarkable this breed really is.

5 Common Bunny Health Issues and How to Prevent Them

Rabbits are adorable, affectionate, and popular pets, but like any animal, they can face health challenges. Understanding common bunny health issues and taking steps to prevent them is key to keeping your furry friend happy and thriving. Here are five common health problems in rabbits and practical ways to prevent them.Disclosure: PetGuide may receive a small affiliate commission from purchases made via links in this article but at no cost to you.

5 Helpful Things to Donate to Animal Shelters This Fall

During fall, many animal shelters experience an increase in animals needing care. Whether you’re a lifelong animal lover or simply want to make a difference this season, your donations can have a meaningful impact. By giving even a few essential supplies, you’ll help shelters provide the best possible care for their furry residents. Here are five thoughtful items you can donate to your local animal shelter. Disclosure: PetGuide may receive a small affiliate commission from purchases made via links in this article but at no cost to you.

3 Unexpected Things Dog Owners Get In Trouble For

Most dog owners know the basic rules: keep your dog on a leash, clean up after them, and make sure they don’t bark too much. But there are other, less obvious ways you can get into trouble with your dog, too.In this article, we’ll take a quick look at three unexpected things dog owners often get in trouble for, even when they don’t mean to! 

Is a Degu a Good Pet for Children?

Furry, cuddly, fun... and you don't have to walk them. What could be easier?

How Pets Boost Your Immune System?

Living with pets offers many health benefits. From lower blood pressure and reduced risk of heart disease to better mental health, owning a pet can be a key to a healthier you. However, that’s not all; research has shown that living with a cat or a dog can enhance your immune system. One of the strongest scientific arguments that supports the idea that pets boost immunity is based on the “hygiene hypothesis.” Based on this theory, early exposure to a diverse range of microbes, often found on pets and in outdoor environments, helps the developing immune system to distinguish between harmful and harmless agents.  Some scientists believe that without this exposure, the immune system may become hyper-reactive, increasing the likelihood of allergies and autoimmune conditions. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that children who grew up on traditional farms or in households with multiple pets had lower rates of childhood asthma and allergies compared to children who grew up in petless urban settings.Another study has discovered that a child’s allergy risk at ages seven and nine lowers proportionally with the number of pets that were kept at home in early childhood. “It’s not a universal cure-all, and every time I give a lecture on this, someone goes ‘Well I grew up on a farm and I’ve got allergies’, but we know that if you grow up physically interacting with farm animals, you have about 50% reduction in your likelihood of developing asthma or allergies,” said Jack Gilbert, a professor at the University of California San Diego.Research also showed that some bacterial strains found on pets get transferred to their owners through proximity or touch. While this may seem unappealing to some people, it’s a type of natural microbiome exposure that can shape the immune system, particularly in early life. Dogs, more than cats, carry dirt and bacteria from the outside, broadening the household’s microbiome. Gilbert believes that our immune systems have evolved to be stimulated by the microbiome pets carry. Although these microbes are not with us all the time, our immune system recognizes the familiar signals as they come through, which helps the immune system develop in the right direction. “Over many millennia, the human immune system got used to seeing dog, horse, and cow bacteria. And so when it sees those things, it triggers beneficial immune development. It knows what to do,” said Gilbert.Another way pets may boost our immune systems is through stress regulation. Research has shown that chronic stress can undermine the immune system by elevating cortisol levels. In turn, a weakened immune system lowers the body’s ability to fight off diseases.  Numerous studies found that interacting with pets, whether it’s walking a dog or stroking a cat, lowers cortisol levels and boosts oxytocin. This improves mental health and also supports a better immune response.Owning a pet, especially a dog, often leads to increased physical activity. Adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, and dog owners are more likely to achieve or exceed this objective.Exercise, in turn, has a beneficial effect on your immune health. It’s well-documented that exercise improves circulation, reduces inflammation, and even slows age-related immune decline. This is amazing news for pet parents, and new research continues to show that living with pets throughout our lives can be beneficial for our immune health and overall well-being. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Clean-Up Hacks to Keep Your Dog's Best Face Forward

(photo credit: wedmoments.com / shutterstock.com)I have Schnoodles, and for those with bearded dogs, ‘nuff said, right?I mean those iconic little beards are adorable but they’re also a catch-all for errant bits of kibble, drying chunks of once-wet food, burrs, twigs… you get the picture.And while my furry threesome doesn’t always require a full body bath, those faces most definitely need a little extra care. And we’re talking daily extra care. From runny eyes that stain and crust to stinky ears, burred chins, the aforementioned beards and of course everyone’s favorite maintenance issue – teeth.Taking a few minutes each day to tackle the Big 5 – ears, face, beard, eyes and teeth – not only keeps your pet looking their best but allows you to spot any problem areas and stave off heavy matting and staining early on in the game. Now, we’re not talking about grooming or cutting your pet’s overgrowth of fur, just cleaning it up. And if you live with a Yorkie, Schnauzer, Poodle, Maltese, Bichon Frise, or any other breed with longer facial hair, read on.

The Best Hacks for Getting a Sick Dog to Eat

5 Dog Breeds Loved by Royalty

Throughout history, royalty has often shared a special bond with dogs, treating them not just as pets but as companions, confidants, and symbols of status. These canine companions frequently reflected the personality, tastes, and prestige of their royal owners. Here are five dog breeds historically adored by monarchs around the world.

3 Common Pet Risks to Watch Out For This Fall

Fall brings cooler weather, shorter days, and holiday celebrations. For pets, autumn can also mean new challenges that owners should be mindful of. From foods that can be harmful to outdoor hazards and seasonal allergies, here are three risks to keep an eye on this fall.

Which Cat Breeds Are The Most Expensive?

While many cats can be adopted from shelters for a small fee, some purebred cats command staggering prices due to their rarity, unique appearance, or specific breeding requirements. If you’re curious about the most expensive cat breeds, here’s a quick guide to some of the priciest felines in the world.