dogs

Dog Heat Cycle Stages: What Each Week Looks Like

If you are living with an unspayed female dog, her heat cycle can feel confusing at first. One week she is clingy, the next she is spotting, and suddenly every male dog in the neighborhood seems very interested. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have walked many families through...

Dog Shivering at Night: Causes and What Helps

It’s scary when your dog shivers at night, especially when everything is quiet and you are not sure what changed. The good news is that many nighttime shivers are caused by something simple like being cold, feeling anxious, or even dreaming. But shaking can also be a sign of pain or illness, so...

Kennel Cough Home Care, Isolation, and Recovery

Kennel cough can sound scary, especially when your dog suddenly develops that dry, honking cough that seems to come out of nowhere. The good news is that most otherwise-healthy dogs recover well with supportive home care. The not-so-good news is that kennel cough is very contagious, so isolation...

Dog Gagging After Drinking Water Causes Explained

It can be startling when your dog drinks normally, then suddenly starts gagging, retching, or coughing like something went down the “wrong pipe.” In many cases, it is harmless and short-lived. Still, gagging after water can also be your dog’s early way of saying, “Something’s not quite...

Dog Eye Discharge: Home Care and When to Go

Seeing “gunk” in your dog’s eyes can be unsettling, especially when it seems to show up overnight. The good news is that many cases of mild eye discharge are simple and temporary, like normal sleep crust or a little irritation from dust. But because eyes are delicate, it also helps to know...

Dog Hospice Care Checklist for the Final Week

The final week with a beloved dog can feel like time speeds up and slows down all at once. Hospice care is about comfort, dignity, and love, while also giving you a clear plan so you are not making every decision in the middle of the night while you are exhausted and worried. Below is a practical...

Saying Goodbye: Planning a Peaceful Home Euthanasia

Saying goodbye to a beloved dog is one of the hardest decisions we ever make. As a veterinary assistant, I have seen how much comfort a peaceful, planned goodbye can bring, both for pets and for the people who love them. Home euthanasia is not “giving up.” For many families, it is a gentle,...

How to Know Your Dog Is in Pain at End of Life

One of the hardest parts of loving a dog is realizing they cannot tell us, in words, when something hurts. At end of life, pain can be subtle, and it often shows up as changes in movement, breathing, sleep, appetite, and personality. The goal is not to “guess perfectly.” It is to notice...

Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potato Skin? Safe Serving Sizes

Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite “bridge foods” for dogs, meaning they are simple, whole-food add-ins that can help with transitions (like a picky phase, a new kibble, or hiding a supplement). They are often gentle and easy to digest when cooked, and they bring real nutrition to the bowl....

Dog-Safe Fruits: Portions, Prep, and Warnings

Fruit can be a wonderful “sometimes” treat for dogs. It adds hydration, fiber, and phytonutrients, and many dogs genuinely love the taste. The key is portion size and smart prep , because some fruits are unsafe and even safe ones can cause tummy upset if we overdo it. As a veterinary assistant...

Can Dogs Eat Peas? DCM and Safety Tips

Yes, most dogs can eat peas in normal food amounts, and many pups genuinely love them. Peas have become a hot topic because they are common in some boutique, grain-free foods that have been investigated for a possible association with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) , a serious heart disease. As a...

Slow Cooker Homemade Dog Food Time Saving Guide

If you have ever looked at homemade dog food and thought, “I love this idea, but I do not have time,” I hear you. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I meet a lot of caring dog parents who want to feed better but feel stuck between busy schedules and the confusing pet food aisle. A...

Can Dogs Eat Green Beans for Weight Loss?

If you are looking for a simple, low-calorie treat that still feels “snacky” to your dog, green beans are one of my favorite go-to options as a veterinary assistant. They are crunchy, hydrating, and usually very well tolerated when served plain and unseasoned. The best part is that green beans...

Can Dogs Eat Carrots Daily?

Yes, most dogs can eat carrots daily, and it can be a wonderful, crunchy habit when the portion is right. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I love carrots because they are simple, affordable, and often gentle on the stomach. But like any treat, the benefits depend on the dose, your...

Best Carbs for Dogs: Rice, Potatoes, and Oats

Carbs are not “bad” for dogs. In the right form and the right portion, they can be a gentle source of energy, fiber, and key nutrients. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I see a lot of well-meaning pet parents swing from one extreme to the other, either loading up on starchy...

Can Dogs Eat Broccoli?

Yes, most dogs can eat broccoli, and it can be a nutritious, low-calorie add-on to a balanced diet. The key is portion size and how it is prepared . As a veterinary assistant, I love recommending simple whole foods, but I also see the not-so-fun side when dogs overdo it and end up with gas,...

Instant Pot Homemade Dog Food

If you are a busy dog parent, you are not alone. In our clinic in North Texas, I hear the same worry all the time: “I want to feed better, but I do not have hours to cook.” The Instant Pot can be a game changer because it lets you cook real, whole ingredients with minimal hands-on time, then...

Homemade Dog Food Storage, Freezing, and Thawing

One of the biggest “aha” moments for families switching to homemade dog food is this: you do not have to cook every day. With a few smart storage habits, you can batch-cook once or twice a week, portion it out, freeze what you will not use right away, and thaw safely as you go. That is how you...

If you are making homemade dog food, the protein you choose matters a lot. It supplies essential amino acids, the building blocks for muscle, skin, immune function, and overall vitality. As a veterinary assistant in Frisco, Texas, I also see something practical every day: when we improve protein...

Balanced Homemade Dog Food Without Supplements

If you are drawn to homemade dog food because you want real ingredients you can recognize, you are in good company. I am a veterinary assistant in Frisco, Texas, and I love seeing dogs thrive on thoughtfully prepared meals made from human-food ingredients. One quick note before we begin: this is...