Dog News

Fun Fact Friday!

Posted on August 23, 2019 by Mike Moll

The average dog has the mental abilities of a two-year-old human.  How cool is that? 

A dog, like a two-year-old, understands about 165-250 words, depending on the intelligence of the dog (or human)  in question. 

When it comes to social intelligence, dogs are more advanced than the average toddler because their lives are slightly more complex - closer to that of a teenager. According to Live Science, dogs are mainly interested in social status (who’s the head of the pack) and mating (who’s sleeping with who). Sound familiar?

child playing with dog outside
Learn more here! https://www.livescience.com/5613-dogs-smart-2-year-kids.html

Posted in dog care, dog health, dogs, Fun Fact, pet care, pet health, summer, summer 2019

Help our Furry Friends Find their Forever Home

Posted on July 30, 2019 by Mike Moll

homeless puppy is sad and wants a forever home

Did you know that there are over 8 million homeless pets in North America? 

August 17 is International Homeless Animals Day, where people around the world come together in support of homeless animals. Put on by the International Society for Animal Rights, this day is dedicated to raising awareness for pet overpopulation and spaying/neutering.

In support, we’re dedicating this newsletter to a really cool program called Adopt A Shelter, which allows the shelter of your choice to earn money every time you shop on hundreds of different websites.

We wanted to feature this platform because it’s an easy way to help animals in need with money you’re already spending. Plus, you can handpick the shelters in your community, or a community who really needs some help. 

 

adopt a shelter website image


Check out the full website here.

Posted in adopt a pet, adopt a shelter, adopt dont shop, animal education, donate, homeless animal day, pet care, stray dog

10 Awesome Dog Parks in Toronto & Surrounding Area

Posted on July 05, 2019 by Mike Moll

Canada may be known for our winters, but we also have pretty epic summers! With rivers and lakes criss-crossing our nation, beautiful beaches and lush forests, it’s a doggy paradise. Although we have tons of places to explore in Ontario, most of us live in urban spaces where “off leash” isn’t always safe, practical or legal. So we’ve put together a list of the best dog parks in Toronto, where both you and your pet can stretch your legs. 


Cherry Beach 

Cherry St & Waterfront (Toronto)

One of the most beautiful beaches in Toronto with a quiet shoreline and dozens of acres of running space. Plus, lots of parking. 


Etobicoke Valley Park

Horner Ave & Browns Line (Etobicoke)

A huge off-leash area with a majestic creek for your dog to splash around in. Bonus: free parking.


Humber Bay Shores Park

Lakeshore Blvd W & Marine Parade Dr (Toronto)

A famous spot for dog walkers! It’s a bit secluded from the rest of the park at the tip of the peninsula, with big boulders lining the water. If you have a larger dog, this is the spot to hang.


High Park

Parkside Dr & High Park Blvd (Toronto)

One of the largest inner-city parks, with off leash trails and rivers and ponds.


Monarch Park

Coxwell Ave & Danforth Ave (Toronto)

A 12 acre community park with off-leash and small dog zones, featuring lovely trees and rolling hills. 


Jack Darling Memorial Park

Lorne Park Rd & Lakeshore Rd W (Oakville)

One of the biggest fully fenced parks in all of Ontario! During the week, this huge leafy space is off-leash friendly. 


Don Valley Brick Works

Bayview Ave & Pottery Rd (Toronto)

A playdate with a view! This park includes historic buildings, a beautiful panoramic lookout, and a wetland conservation habitat. 


Kew Gardens

Lee Ave & Waterfront (Toronto)

Often called the “Beaches Park,” Kew Gardens stretches across the water front. You’ll find it across from an ice cream and snack stand, so you can both cool off at once. 


King Road Dog Park

King Rd & North Service Road (Burlington)

Best fenced-in dog park in the Burlington area! Lots of shade to keep you humans cool, and a small dog zone to keep the little ones safe.


Riverdale Park West

River St & Bayview Ave (Toronto)

Can’t beat the city views you’ll find in this beautiful valley following the Don River. Features an off-leash dog park near the lower playing fields.



Okay, okay - here’s a few extra for good measure:


Thomson Memorial Park

Brimley Rd & Dorcot Ave (Scarborough)

For the East Enders - with both a big dog and little dog zone, with lots of seating so you can snap pics of your pup making friends.


Sunnybrook Park

Eglinton Ave E & Leslie St (Toronto)

Beautiful walking trails with an off-leash section. 


So there you are! Don’t forget to bring fresh water for you pup, and enjoy summer 2019!

 

Posted in dog health, dog park, Helpful Tips, off leash, pet care, summer, toronto

Dog Days of Summer: Keeping Your Pet Safe

Posted on June 04, 2019 by Mike Moll

surfing dog with sunglasses

We’re finally putting cold behind us as a summer heatwave is approaching, so we’re here to give you a couple of tips on how to keep your pet safe and healthy through the hot weather months.

  1. Start off by taking your pet in for a checkup. Warm weather means bugs and worms, so be sure to talk to your vet about preventative treatment for things like ticks and worms.
  2. Make water available at all times! If you’re out for a walk, be sure to bring water for your pet. You can purchase collapsable bowls that roll up nicely and fit into your pocket or bag. Some cool options can be found here. Your pet doesn’t even need to be running around to work up a sweat, so we cannot stress the importance of hydration enough!
  3. If your dog is super furry, take him or her in for a trim. Do NOT shave your pet, as fur protects their skin from sunburn.
  4. If you use insecticides on your plants or citronella candles and insect coils, keep them far out of reach of your pets. They are poisonous and can cause severe illness or even death. For more information visit https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/ or call (855) 764 7661. If you suspect your pet has consumed anything poisonous, take them to a pet hospital or vet clinic immediately.
  5. Fireworks are great but leave your dog at home when you go out to celebrate. Fireworks contain hazardous materials and are often unpredictable. More commonly, most dogs are terrified of them. Loud noises can disorient your dog and leave them traumatized. Sometimes, they’ll take drastic measures to get away from the sound like jumping fences, or taking off.  In fact, significantly more dogs go missing on Canada Day and the Fourth of July than any other day of the year.
  6. NEVER leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle, even for a short amount of time. We know you don’t want to leave your companion at home for long stretches, but it is healthier for them to be at home away from the sun and heat then it is to be locked in a hot car. It’s also ILLEGAL in many states and provinces.
  7. Know the signs of heatstroke. The major ones include excessive panting, difficulty breathing, weakness, disorientation - and sometimes even bloody diarrhea,  or seizures. For more information visit: https://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/common-emergencies/e_dg_heat_stroke
  8. Pavement or asphalt gets very hot in the summer. Avoid making your dog walk on it as the pads of their paws will overheat and could even burn. Walk on the grass where possible or keep them inside on extremely hot days.

So there you have it! By following these guidelines and keeping these points in mind, you can keep your pet safe and happy.

 

dog and owner playing on the beach

Posted in dog care, dog health, dogs, heatstroke, hot weather, hydration, pet care, pet health, summer, summer 2019

Fun Fact Friday

Posted on May 24, 2019 by Mike Moll

If you’ve ever been on the fence about neutering or spaying your pet, here’s a little known fact for you:

Between one unspayed female dog, her mate and their puppies … they could produce 67,000 puppies in six years.


SIXTY-SEVEN THOUSAND homeless puppies.

Now, book that appointment and spay/neuter your pet.

Read more here:

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/spayneuter-your-pet

Posted in dog health, dogs, Fun Fact, Helpful Tips, neuter, pet health, Raising Awareness, spaying, vet

How to Choose the Right Veterinarian

Posted on April 23, 2019 by Bold Apps

On April 27th we celebrate World Vet Day, in honor of the men and women who dedicate their lives to helping us keep our pets and animals healthy, happy and safe.  

Are you in search of a new vet? Maybe you’re thinking of adopting a pet - or recently did!? If you google “vet” you’ll probably find a ton of options at your fingertips. Choosing the right one is a little harder.  So, we thought we’d share with you a little about the process of finding the right veterinarian for your pet.

The best way to assess the suitability of a vet or vet clinic for your pet is by going there yourself. Bring your pet so they can get a feel for the place, and for them to meet their potential new veterinarian. Below are the five things you should consider when choosing a veterinarian for your pet:

1. Environment

From the first call you make to book an appointment to when you and your pet walk in the door, feel out the environment. Start with reading online reviews of the facility - and then use your own judgment.  Are the staff friendly? Informed? Professional? Does your pet get stressed meeting strangers? Consider how calm or boisterous the staff is. Is the vibe right for your pet?

2. Philosophy

There are some touchy subjects when it comes to pet health that can set people on edge, like euthanasia, chronic disease planning, to spaying and neutering. It’s important to make sure your philosophies are in sync, or you’re willing to hear altering perspectives. Asking your vet questions about these things can be difficult, but are a necessary part of choosing the right vet for your pet.

3. Availability

While a quiet clinic may mean free openings for all, it might not be a good sign. Empty clinics can suggest poor quality of care - so we’d opt for a busier clinic with a strong reputation. Usually, busy clinics have extra staff on-call for emergencies, so your pet won’t be unable to get care - it just means planning ahead for general check-ups or scheduling procedures.

4. Pricing

While every pet deserves the best care, not all of us can afford exuberant pricing. Ask your vet for general pricing or a price list, and inquire about payment plans. Of course, always be sure to purchase pet insurance in case of an emergency.

5. Your Pet

Don’t forget the most important consideration: does your pet like this vet? Introduce them and let them hang out for a little bit. Pets are usually a great judge of whether this new human is right for them or not. If they get along and meet the criteria above, you may just have found the person who’s going to help you keep them happy and healthy for the rest of their life.

 

veterinarian listening to dogs heart

Posted in Helpful Tips, Raising Awareness

Have You Heard?

Posted on April 19, 2019 by Bold Apps

Did you know dogs have eighteen different muscles controlling the movement of their ears? - and cats beat that number with thirty-two! By comparison, humans have only six. All of these muscles let their ears rotate and tilt, which helps them pick up more sound waves, more efficiently. They can even swivel independently of each other!


Speaking of ears, have you heard puppies are born deaf? They don’t gain the ability to hear until they’re about three weeks old.


Read more here!

dog listening intently

Posted in dogs, Fun Fact

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