- StyleKate Mendonca
Get your furry friends ready for Halloween with these affordable pet costumes
They're adorably spooky.
- StyleRachel Grumman Bender
Woman fights to keep her 3 emotional support monkeys: ‘They are not dangerous animals’
A Missouri woman, Texanne McBride-Teahan, faces losing her emotional support animals because they are monkeys.
- StyleAdrianna Barrionuevo
'Best cat toy ever': This unique toy pet owners and felines love is on sale for just $8
Thousands of Chewy shoppers (and their furry friends) are obsessed with this cat toy — on sale for 20 percent off today!
- StyleCBC
'I cherished her': Owner grieving after possible dog poisoning in east end park
Toronto police are warning dog owners in the east end about a potentially harmful substance that may have been left in a park, poisoning several dogs. In a release, police said they responded to several reports on Saturday about dogs possibly being poisoned in Joel Weeks Parkette at 10 Thompson Street, near Queen Street East and Broadview Avenue."As a result of the investigation police are concerned that an undetermined poison may have been left within the park area and has the potential to harm children and small animals," the release said. It's unclear how the poison was delivered to the dogs, or whether someone is leaving a harmful substance to intentionally harm the animals.The public safety alert was issued after reports that one dog had died and one had fallen ill, Const. Victor Kwong told CBC Toronto.Kwong said city parks workers had found meat scattered around the park two weeks ago, but they only came forward after hearing about the sick dogs. The meat was not tested for poison."Right now we have no evidence to link it ... we have nothing to point to what exactly it is," he said. Local resident Robert Poizner believes his dog Honey was a victim of the poisonings. Poizner took the small, 16-pound pug/Chihuahua/Jack Russel mix to Joel Weeks Parkette almost every day, as it is just 100 meters from his business, Cannonball Coffee and Bar.Honey became sick on Friday Aug. 16 and by Monday, just before a scheduled vet appointment, she died."I cherished her," Poizner told CBC Toronto."She was the very light of my life."Poizner suspected Honey may have died of something other than natural causes after a customer came into his bar and told him about two other dogs who died of possible poisonings.He contacted police at 55 Division and told his story.'Everybody's watching out for each other'Ben Marchal walks his dog Andy in the parkette almost every day. He said the rumours of the poisonings are swirling around the dog community."People are kind of freaked out, everybody's worried about it," he said while out walking his dog on Monday.The tight-knit group of dog people are keeping up with the news on social media and sending out daily updates. "Everybody's watching out for each other," Marchal said. Poizner said he's frustrated the police alert didn't go out sooner."The story was moving around for a week before I heard about it and during that time any number of other people are going through that park," he said.For now, Poizner is still grieving the loss of his dog. He described Honey as "a non-prescription antidepressant" and a "24-hour therapist."He found her three years ago among garbage in a pet carrier beside a Don Valley Parkway guardrail. As a single, 55-year-old man, Poizner said Honey was a "blessing" in his life. The two quickly became best friends and relied on each other for companionship."I figured she probably had ten years left, and not to be silly or maudlin, but I kind of felt we were going to grow old together."
- StyleTanya Edwards
Vets wants you to stop giving your dog people food and table scraps — here's why
Beyond not having the proper nutrients for your companion animals, some people food can actually be quite harmful.
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'We are gutted': Couple issues warning after all three of their dogs die from toxic algae
How to spot deadly blue-green algae.
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10 weird (but brilliant) gadgets that'll make your life easier — including this pet owner must-have
Eat better, clean more easily, organize your closet — these inexpensive gadgets, all under $30, will improve your life.
StyleSummer CartwrightThis non-toxic candle can eliminate the worst pet odors: 'A must-have for a pet-friendly home!'
This candle will get rid of the toughest odors in your home.
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Woman’s arms, legs partially amputated after infection from dog saliva: ‘It was just a random and rare occurrence’
An Ohio woman, Marie Trainer, ended up having her arms and legs partially amputated after becoming infected with bacteria found in dog saliva. Here's what you need to know.
- StyleAOL.com editors
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas' dog Waldo killed in 'freak accident' in New York City
Newlyweds Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner are mourning the loss of their dog WaldoPicasso after he was hit and killed by a car in New York City on Wednesday
- StyleKate Mendonca
Didn't get the Furbo Dog Camera on Prime Day? You can still snag one on major sale
"It's a great peace of mind for me.”
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'It's great peace of mind for me': Pet lovers can save $100 on this popular pet product on Prime Day
A pet-lover shares what's in her cart this Prime Day.
StyleAdrianna BarrionuevoAmazon is having a pre-Prime Day sale on the best-selling Embark dog DNA test kit right now
There's a big sale on Embark Dog DNA test kits for a limited time!
- StyleCBC
FDA names 16 dog-food brands with potential link to canine heart disease
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has identified 16 brands of dog foods — the majority of them labelled "grain free" — that it says are most frequently associated with a potentially deadly canine heart condition.Canine dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a disease that causes the muscle wall of a dog's heart to thin, weakening the organ and making it harder to pump blood. Congestive heart failure, a buildup of fluid in the chest and abdomen, can result. Affected dogs may seem tired, lose weight and suddenly collapse.The FDA's ongoing investigation into a "potential connection between certain diets and cases of canine heart disease" focused on 515 reports of DCM in dogs received between Jan. 1, 2014 and April 30.Of the dog-food brands on the FDA's list, 91 per cent of the products were labelled grain-free (did not contain corn, soy, wheat, rice, barley or other grains), while 93 per cent contained peas, lentils (including chickpeas and beans), or potatoes (including sweet potatoes).The brands identified include: * Acana. * Zignature. * Taste of the Wild. * 4Health. * Earthborn Holistic. * Blue Buffalo. * Nature's Domain. * Fromm. * Merrick. * California Natural. * Natural Balance. * Orijen. * Nature's Variety. * NutriSource. * Nutro. * Rachael Ray Nutrish. The products are sold online and many are available in stores in Canada. The FDA first alerted the public it was probing a potential link between diet and DCM in July 2018, noting that the agency was receiving reports associated with breeds not typically prone to the disease.Genetic predisposition The underlying cause of DCM isn't known, though it is thought to have a genetic component. Large and giant breeds, such as Great Danes, Doberman pinschers or Irish wolfhounds, are typically more frequently at risk. But in the FDA's report, smaller breeds, such as Shih Tzu, Jack Russell terrier and pug, were also among those with more than one reported case of DCM.Dr. Ted Morris, a veterinarian with the Toronto-based Bloor Animal Hospital, says he's had more concerned dog owners calling since the findings were released. "It's a lot of people just terrified of what they're feeding their dog," he said. "[They're asking] 'Am I killing my dog?'"Many of the signs of heart disease in dogs match those of a canine that is hot, such as panting and looking tired, said Morris. The FDA's findings also coincide with the summer's rising temperatures.Morris believes the popularity of grain-free feed for dogs comes from people who want their dogs to eat like they do."A lot of people trends will end up moving over into the animal world," he said. "So all the low-carb diets… [People think] 'Oh if it's good for me, it's got to be good for my dog.'"Dr. Sarah Dodd, a veterinarian and researcher at the University of Guelph, studies the suitability of plant-based dog food given to animals for maintenance. The only regulation we have in Canada around pet food relates to labelling, she said, as opposed to rules around nutrient content."You could put anything in a bag and call it dog food, as long as your manufacturing and contact details are on the bag," she said.While industry regulations for the nutrition of pet food in Canada is voluntary, Dodd said feed sold in the U.S. must meet American standards. Exact link between diet, DCM unclearIn its latest report, the FDA said it doesn't yet know how certain diets may be associated with DCM in dogs."In the case of DCM, the agency has an obligation to be transparent with the pet-owning public regarding the frequency with which certain brands have been reported," the U.S. agency said.Two of the brands on the FDA's list, Acana and Orijen, are manufactured in both Canada and the U.S. by Champion Petfoods. In a FAQ posted to its website, the company said that the FDA "provides no causative scientific link between DCM and our products, ingredients or grain-free diets as a whole.""We think it is misleading for the FDA to post the names of brands, while at the same time fully stating that they have no scientific evidence linking diet to DCM," Champion also said.At a dog park in Toronto, Alex Richardson learned he's been feeding a grain-free product on the FDA list to his dog, Rocket, a Bernese mountain-Rottweiler mix."I haven't seen any trouble with him," Richardson said. "The food that they gave us from the OSPCA, where we adopted him, we switched it out because it was full of grains."Richardson said he thought he was doing the right thing, but said he plans to look into his dog's diet some more.Both Morris and Dodd advise pet owners to talk to a veterinarian about their dogs' diets, saying owners should be giving dogs a balanced diet suited to the individual animal."One of the things that I've always told clients … if you're concerned about what you're feeding your dog, mix it up," Morris said. That way, he said, the chance of facing a nutritional imbalance is reduced.The FDA also received nine reports of DCM in cats, but noted in its report that cats "are generally more likely" to develop heart disease.
- StyleElizabeth Di Filippo
Rare tick that causes meat allergy in humans found in Ontario
"This tick showed up today. She caused quite a stir."
- StyleThe Daily Beast
Why Do the Kardashians’ Pets Keep Mysteriously Disappearing?
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/social mediaKim Kardashian West is many things—a reality TV icon, multimillionaire entrepreneur, prison reform activist, aspiring lawyer—but animal lover is nowhere on the list. A recent episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians showed the mother of four dealing with the inconvenience of the death of her daughter North’s beloved hamster. The hamster, complete with a pink castle cage, was a gift from Aunt Khloé, who’d failed to impress her niece with the special day of limousine rides and ice cream she planned. The only thing that would make North happy was a tiny rodent, much to her mother’s chagrin. Disaster soon struck when one of Kim’s assistants delivered the grim news that the hamster, named Blacktail, hadn’t moved in a while. “It’s, like, stiff,” the assistant said monotonously, urging his boss to check on Blacktail. With the swish of a sleek black ponytail, Kim stood up from the kitchen table, sighing, “I don’t have time for a dead hamster.” She spent the rest of the episode fluctuating between anger toward her sister for getting North a pet without permission and emotional distress over how to teach her daughter about the circle of life. Kim decided instead to take the classic lie-to-your-children-to-protect-them route and find an identical replacement. North’s pet was a fancy bear hamster (which I learned today is the actual name of a hamster breed and not something made up by a child), dubbed the “unicorn of hamsters” by Khloé because of its rare pedigree. They found a match, successfully hoodwinked a 6-year-old, and learned they’ve been spelling “hamster” wrong their whole lives. (Hint: there is no ‘p’.) The Dangerous Kardashian Effect and the Profound Impact of the SuperficialKim Kardashian Confesses She Can’t ‘Babysit’ Kanye West Any LongerGiven the family’s track record with pets, it is not all that surprising that poor Blacktail met an early end. There have been numerous articles over the years outlining the lengthy list of Kardashian-Jenner pets, including several who mysteriously disappeared after a few Instagram posts or cameos on the show. Back in 2016, Kim herself even made a post on her now-nonexistent app, a sort of “where are they now” piece detailing the fates of all of the family’s pets—or at least the ones she could remember. She was careful to clarify that she remembered “almost” all of them, meaning there have been so many that some have been forgotten. Perhaps she was going for transparency, but she mostly just succeeded at raising eyebrows over just how many pets they have seemingly abandoned. (The Kardashian team did not respond to requests for comment.) Based on Kim’s list, Keeping Up with the Kardashians clips, and years of Snapchat stories and Instagram posts, I was able to determine that since Kardashian clan hurtled into the spotlight just over a decade ago, they have owned approximately 40 pets. The extensive menagerie has included nearly two dozen dogs, a couple of cats, chickens, a peacock, and maybe a pig. According to a KUWTK deleted scene, Wilbur the teacup pig was a gift from Kris to her favorite and youngest daughter, Kylie. It is unclear if she kept Wilbur, but he did go on to be a Vine star when the hilarious clip of the makeup mogul mistaking him for a chicken went viral. The Wilbur anecdote is one of the more harmless of the unsolved pet mysteries, since it was never officially confirmed whether or not he became a permanent part of the family. In addition to Blacktail, at least three other family pets have died. Kim’s white Persian kitten Mercy, a gift from Kanye West, died unexpectedly in 2012 of something Kim vaguely described as a “cancer-like virus.” Dolce the Chihuahua, one of the OG Kar-Jenner pets, was killed by a coyote. He is now immortalized in the form of a beige Kylie Cosmetics lip kit bearing his name. Some of the dogs that are still alive became casualties of break-ups, lost in “custody” disputes or given away after the relationships went south. And then there are the ones who vanished with no explanation: bunnies who haven’t been featured on Instagram in years, a dog who seemed to exist solely as a prop in sponsored ads for the Wag dog-walking app. It should be noted that Kylie Jenner seems to be the only devoted pet parent of the bunch, recently confirming on Twitter that she still owns all of her pets and sharing videos of them playing with her 1-year-old daughter Stormi. Disposing of pets as if they are material goods, like Kourtney giving away her pricey Bengal kitten when she gave birth to Reign or Kendall presumably parting with her Great Dane puppy because it pooped too much, is not entirely off-brand for a family as wealthy as the Kardashians. It should not have come as a surprise to Kris that Kendall, the world’s highest-paid supermodel, did not want to pick up giant dog turds. And the KUWTK producers were really underestimating their viewers when they expected us to believe that Kris, all-powerful momager that she may be, donned rubber cleaning gloves and scrubbed the black-and-white tile floor of her laundry room when Kendall wouldn’t do it. Not everyone has to be a pet person. So, given their pristine houses full of expensive white furniture and their jet-setting schedules of modelling gigs, meetings with the president, and vacations with baby daddies, why do the Kardashian-Jenners keep trying to convince the world that they are? Read more at The Daily Beast.Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
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'It literally saved our lawn': The $17 foolproof solution to save your grass from unsightly yellow spots
A crash course in lawn care that doesn't break the bank.
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Keep pets safe from summer heat with this $28 top-rated cooling mat
"This is neat- it really is cool to the touch!"
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Outbreak of deadly dog virus prompts warning from SPCA: What is parvo?
At least six dogs in the downtown Vancouver area have been diagnosed with the highly-contagious parvovirus.
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'This bed is perfect': Save nearly 70% on the memory foam dog bed pet owners are raving about
"I wish I would have found this bed a long time ago..."
StyleEllen ManningThis is why we love dogs so much, according to an expert
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This interactive toy keeps dogs 'entertained for hours' and pet owners say it's a 'sanity saver'
Dogs owners love this clever toy with 900 near-perfect reviews—here's why.
StyleSarah RohomanThis $43 tool is the no. 1 pet grooming product on Amazon Canada
"AMAZING is the only word I could came up with after using only once," raved one reviewer.
StyleElizabeth Di FilippoDangerous canine disease quarantines dogs in Iowa — and it can spread to humans
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StyleGail JohnsonFloodwater can pose a risk to pets' health: What you need to know
The flooding that continues to wreak havoc across Eastern Canada, Quebec and Ontario has many pet owners wondering what to do with their furry friends in case of a flood. A veterinarian in Moncton, N.B. has already treated several animals for flood-related injuries and illnesses this season. Dogs have stepped on sharp objects including nails and are at risk of gastrointestinal infections if they have been exposed to floodwater that could be contaminated with fecal matter, oil, or bacteria like Cryptosporidium or Giardia, Brett Tremble told Global News.
