Blog — Category_Health

How to Exercise Your Dog Mentally, Not Just Physically Have you ever asked yourself, how do I make sure I give my dog enough exercise, mentally and physically? In this article we talk about a couple of cool ways to make sure your beloved pup is well exercised! Chloe just LOVES to chase her ball around the yard or go for long walks, which are great ways for her to get much-needed physical activity. But what about exercise for mental stimulation? Dogs who don't get enough mental stimulation can display all types of unwanted and undesirable behaviors. Many agree that...

5 Strategies to Help Overweight Dogs Slim Down Here at Sparky Steps, we agree with most animal lovers: Dogs are adorable in ALL shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, excess weight can sometimes pose serious wellness risks for your pup. And it’s not always easy to spot. Sure, weight gain is pretty obvious in petite breeds like Yorkies. But depending on a canine’s height and heritage, surplus pounds can accumulate subtly. Wondering if Rover needs to go on a diet? Once your pet has reached full adulthood, ask your vet to recommend an optimal weight range. Then double-check how your dog measures...

Are You Feeding Your Dog the Correct Amount of Food? Take a walk down the pet food aisle of any pet store and you'll be overwhelmed by the number of different foods available to our canine family members. There is a lot of variance among types and brands--food for puppies, food for senior dogs and a wide range for dogs in between. Once you settle on the brand/type of choice, you simply need to follow the serving guidelines on the package and you're set, right? Well, not quite. There are some factors that need to be considered before you start...

Is Your Dog a Candidate for Chiropractic Care? Lower back tightness? Neck stiffness? Back pain? You might seek the attention of a chiropractor if you're suffering any of these symptoms. But what about ol' Duke (or Daisy)? You might notice that your fur baby, so often filled with seemingly endless energy and agility, has recently begun to get up more slowly, be reluctant to go for walks or has a change in gait. If your dog is having any of these issues, can such a holistic approach work for man's best friend as well as it might work for man...

Trimming Nails and Handling Cracked Pads: Taking Care of Your Dogs Paws Chicago weather can be rough on your dog’s feet. During the summer, any walks on the pavement during those 90-degree days are going to be at best uncomfortable, and at worst, your dog’s paw pads could suffer burns. When winter hits, you have to worry about frostbitten paws and the potential of painful burns caused by the salt scattered on nearly every outdoor surface. Tender paws will put a real damper on playtime and your dog’s overall wellbeing. Learn about some of the common paw issues and how...