BreedQuestStoriesDogsHealth & care

Dog health & safety

Vet-checkable guides to keeping cats and dogs well — litter, parasites, hidden hazards, travel and the warning signs worth knowing.

Dried golden foxtail grass seed heads backlit in a summer field, barbed arrow-shaped tips in sharp focus
Care guide

Foxtails: The Summer Grass Seed That Burrows Into Pets

Foxtail grass seeds catch in fur and travel one way—inward. Here's how to spot them on a cat or dog, and stop them.

6 min read
Owner parting a dog's fur to check the skin for ticks and fleas outdoors after a walk
Care guide

Fleas, ticks and worms: the parasite basics

The parasites every cat and dog owner meets, what they actually do, and why prevention beats treatment every time.

7 min read
A dog having its teeth brushed with a pet toothbrush, gums and teeth visible close up
Care guide

Pet dental care: the health problem owners miss

The most common health problem in adult pets is also the most missed. Here's what dental disease really looks like, and how to actually prevent it.

6 min read
A panting dog resting in the shade on a hot summer day, tongue out, beside a bowl of water
Care guide

Dog heatstroke: signs, first aid and prevention

Dogs cool themselves by panting, not sweating, so summer heat overwhelms them fast. Here's how to spot heatstroke and act in the minutes that matter.

6 min read