Category Archives: Pet Connection

Low thyroid, or hypothyroidism, can cause troubling symptoms in dogs who suffer from the condition. Here’s how I explained it to a reader. Q: My dog has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. What can you tell me about this disease? A: Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of certain important hormones. Usually it […]

A reader asked about one of the mysteries of the universe: Why do dogs like to lick us? There are multiple reasons for this behavior, including one that might save your life! Q: My dog is constantly licking me. She likes to lick my legs, my hands, my face — any place she can get […]

Does your dog get car sick? This problem is more complicated than you might think. Here’s how I explained it to a reader. Q: We’re going on a road trip next month. We’d like to bring our dog, but she gets carsick. Do you have any tips to help her be more comfortable? A: Motion […]

A cat’s sense of smell is 15 times stronger than that of a human. Cats may even have a better sense of smell than dogs, with better ability to discriminate among more scents, although they probably won’t be doing search and rescue or bomb detection anytime soon. It’s no wonder, then, that cats dislike strong-scented […]

Are sunglasses for dogs a fashion statement or a necessity? A little bit of both, it turns out. Dogs who spend a lot of time on boats, running through brushy areas, or hanging their heads out the car window need protection from flying debris, sand, prickly foliage, and sun glare. Other dogs who can benefit […]