Tag Archives: dogs

Struvite, Calcium Oxalate, and More: Decoding Bladder Stones in Dogs

Bladder stones are a common medical problem in dogs. Some dogs are more prone to stones than others; some dogs are just unlucky. Bladder stones are made of mineral excreted in the urine. When the minerals reach high levels, they coalesce into stones. There are four main types of bladder stones, each with a different mineral composition: struvite, calcium oxalate, cysteine and urate. The University of Minnesota Urolith Center has nice photos of each of these different types of bladder stones. I’ll discuss bladder stones and their implications in today’s blogpost.

Kibble, Grain-Free, or Raw? What Your Dog’s Diet Says About You

A man feeding his dog
Puppy owners are overwhelmed by food choices available for their new family member, according to a recent survey. This feeling might be in part because dog owners have to make all the food decisions alone: dogs lack the ability to order their own food on UberEats or communicate their preferences in a helpful way! Several recent research publications highlight factors impacting dietary choices for dogs. I’ll discuss those findings in the blogpost below.

Top New Year’s Resolutions for You and Your Pets in 2025

A dog wearing a Happy New Year tiara
As the new year approached, my inbox filled with dozens of personalized suggestions for New Year’s resolutions. The American Veterinary Medical Association, for instance, sent me “New Year’s Resolutions for Veterinarians.” Google’s AI generated an eleven-point list of common resolutions in case I couldn’t think of any on my own! Even Blue Apron, my meal kit delivery service, sent a list of suggested resolutions. Well, now it’s my turn: I’ve curated the resolutions recommended to me and adapted them for pets and pet owners in the blogpost below.

AMC’s Holiday Gift Guide for Pets

A dog and cat asleep with holiday gifts
Thanksgiving is past, and the December holidays are rapidly approaching. We have some gift suggestions for the furry and feathery friends on your gift list. These products were chosen for a variety of features such as promoting exercise, weight management and environmental enrichment. Sustainable products also got high marks towards being selected for this list.

How Music Benefits Dogs: Exploring the Science Behind Species-Specific Music

A dog listening to a string quartet
AMC’s Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education recently hosted a Concert for Canines and Their Companions to celebrate the Human-Animal Bond. This en plein air concert with the Highline String Quartet was held in the 25th Street Plaza and attracted people and dogs for a musical respite from a damp and dreary afternoon. This concert gives me an opportunity to talk about how music impacts dogs.