Learning how to train a kitten isn’t hard when you realize that consistency, kindness, patience and the right training methods are key!
In this post, we’ll discuss:
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It may not seem like it, but your puppy’s first year will fly by, and that tiny pup will grow into an adult dog in the blink of an eye.
Transitioning from three to two meals a day is one of the biggest milestones in your pup’s life and has a huge impact on their overall health.
Knowing when to switch a puppy to two meals a day will put your pup on the right track to becoming a happy and healthy adult.
When my dog was still a puppy, I heard different advice about how often and how much he should eat. Some said once a day, others advised twice a day.
I was even told to keep the bowl full at all times and let my pup eat at will (we did this with our first puppy, Linus because he lied to graze).
To be honest, none of this made any sense, and I wasn’t willing to risk my pup’s health and well-being based on other people’s opinions.
I’ve come to find that puppies are a lot like human babies: They need several smaller meals throughout the day and do best on a strict schedule.
While all dogs are individuals, all puppies should start at four meals a day and gradually transition to two meals a day during their first year of life.
In this article, I’ll tell you why a regular feeding schedule is so important and when to feed a puppy two meals a day. Keep on reading to learn everything you should know about your puppy’s nutritional needs.
QUICK RECOMMENDATION: Our guide dog puppies are currently eating Purina Pro Plan Puppy Large Breed Formula. Remember our guide pups are mostly larger breed dogs – Labs, Goldens, and German Shepherds. This dog food may not be best for your pup.
Bringing a new puppy home is a huge responsibility! Not only do you need to survive the puppy’s first night at home, but you also have to create and stick to a regular feeding schedule from the get-go.
A good feeding schedule and high-quality food are essential for your puppy’s growth and development and have a huge influence on how healthy your pooch will be when they grow up.
Free feeding and low-quality puppy food put your puppy at risk of becoming overweight and developing serious health problems such as diabetes and musculoskeletal conditions.
Therefore, it’s vital that you know what the best feeding schedule is for your puppy, based on their life stage.
All puppies go through the same developmental stages during their first year of life, but some pups can transition to two meals a day sooner than others.
This largely depends on your pup’s breed and size. Smaller breeds need less time to develop and grow than larger and giant dogs.
Consequently, a small breed dog such as a Chihuahua may start eating two meals a day way sooner than a giant Great Dane puppy.
Generally speaking, you should switch a puppy to two meals a day when they hit the six-month mark. This is a general rule of thumb.
As you know, all dogs are individuals, and you should always talk with your breeder or veterinarian before changing your puppy’s food or feeding schedule.
With that said, I’ll give you a general timeline for what your puppy’s feeding schedule should look like during the first year of its life.
QUICK RECOMMENDATION: We’ve found the best bowls to use with our puppies are simple no-tip stainless steel dog bowls. We’ve had these exact same bowls since our first puppy Linus who we rescued from the shelter back in January 2005!
Very young puppies, like human babies, need to eat several times throughout the day to stay energized and grow properly. Most puppies are already weaned from their mothers by the age of eight weeks when they are sent to their new owners and forever homes.
Whether you purchased or adopted your puppy, the breeder or the staff from the shelter should have told you the brand of puppy food your pup is used to eating.
If there is no dire need to change your puppy’s food to another formula, you should continue feeding the same food after you bring the pup home.
At this stage, puppies grow fast and need a lot of food and frequent meals to grow and develop properly. You should feed four equally spaced meals and make it a point that meals are always given at the same times of the day.
Sticking to a regular feeding schedule will help you immensely in potty training your puppy, since they need to eliminate 10 to 15 minutes after eating a meal.
By keeping a strict feeding schedule, you can predict when your puppy will need to go outside and give them an opportunity to relieve themselves in the designated potty area.
From six to 12 weeks of age, you should be feeding a complete and balanced puppy food that is specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of a developing puppy.
When eating commercial puppy food, puppies can transition to unmoistened, dry puppy food by the age of nine to 10 weeks for large breed pups and by 12 to 13 weeks for small breeds.
If you are considering a homemade or raw diet, talk with your vet or canine nutritionist first. Preparing your pup’s food takes a lot of time and planning to get it right, and your pooch may be better off eating commercial puppy food.
QUICK RECOMMENDATION: If you are considering a different type of food for your puppy you might want to consider fresh dog food. Our current favorite is The Farmer’s Dog.
At the three-month mark, you should consider cutting your puppy’s meals from four to three meals a day. Ideally, aim for feeding your puppy equally spaced breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the same times every day.
While your growing puppy will be eating significantly larger meals than when you first brought them home, it will still need high-calorie puppy food.
Most dogs start to lose their trademark chubby puppy appearance when they are around 12 weeks old. This is one of the signs you should look for when decreasing your pup’s feedings from four to three meals a day.
If your pup still has a potbelly and looks chubby at this stage, continue feeding four meals until its body starts to lose its puppy pudge.
And if you think that your pup is too chubby or, by contrast, too lanky, schedule an appointment with your vet and have your pooch examined. The solution may be as simple as tweaking your pup’s portion sizes and feeding more or less food for each meal.
When they reach six months of age, puppies enter an adolescent stage, and their nutritional needs change. So, if you were wondering when you should switch your puppy to two meals a day, now is the right time!
By the time puppies reach six months of age, they stop growing and developing at a rapid pace, and they no longer need as much food.
However, most will continue eating puppy food. Still, you should talk to your vet and see what the best food would be for your pup based on their individual nutritional needs.
Bear in mind, that most veterinarians recommend spaying and neutering puppies at this age (although we tend to wait longer based on this recent study for spaying and neutering), since this is the time most males become sexually mature.
If you decide to spay or neuter your pup, know that the procedure affects your dog’s nutritional needs.
Desexed puppies and dogs have lower energy requirements than their intact counterparts and need a different type of food. Consult your vet about switching your pooch from puppy food to adult maintenance formula.
Feeding a nutrient- and calorie-dense puppy food to a desexed dog can lead to obesity, so don’t wait long to transition your pooch to a new food.
You should also know that most smaller breeds can make a switch from three to two meals a day when they are around seven or nine months old.
Small dogs need less time to grow up and reach adulthood than larger breeds and consequently have different nutritional needs. If you have a toy or small-breed dog, feed them with small-breed puppy food.
Small-breed dog foods generally have more calories and are specially formulated to meet the higher energy needs of a small dog.
You should keep this in mind when picking out food for your pup since feeding an inappropriate diet can have an adverse effect on your pup’s growth, energy levels, and overall health.
Large and giant breed puppies, on the other hand, can continue eating three meals a day until they are 12 and in some cases even 14 months old.
Larger dogs need more time to fully grow and reach adulthood and have completely different nutritional needs than their smaller counterparts.
When it comes to large breeds, getting the nutrition right is of utmost importance. Overfeeding a large breed puppy can cause rapid growth, which can lead to serious health problems.
Eating too many calories can cause musculoskeletal disorders in large and giant breed puppies, so pay close attention to how much food you are feeding your pup.
Another important consideration when it comes to large-breed puppies is the calcium-phosphorus ratio. An ideal calcium-phosphorus ratio for large and giant breeds is 1.2:1 and should ideally come from your pup’s diet.
Large puppies that are eating a complete and balanced food that contains recommended amounts of calcium shouldn’t take any calcium supplements.
There are a lot of things that can go wrong if you aren’t sticking to a regular feeding schedule or feeding complete and balanced food to your large breed puppy.
When it comes to bigger dogs, it’s better to err on the side of caution and continue feeding puppy food three times a day rather than switching to a large breed adult dog food too soon.
Remember, giant breeds such as the Great Dane may take two years to reach adulthood and their full size. Switching your pup to adult formula or cutting their meals too soon can deprive your pooch of essential nutrients and jeopardize their health.
On the other hand, feeding a puppy formula for too long isn’t a good option since it can lead to obesity and joint problems.
When it comes to your puppy’s diet and nutrition, you should have your vet involved every step of the way.
Knowing when to switch a puppy to two meals a day gives you enough time to schedule an exam with your vet and discuss your pup’s mealtimes and feeding schedule before making any changes.
Even though most puppies do well following these feeding guidelines and meal schedules, know that every dog is an individual. This means that your pup may need a specific feeding schedule and meal plan that will cater to their unique dietary needs.
Don’t hesitate to talk with your vet or your breeder whenever you have some questions or doubts. In the end, it’s their job to help you raise a happy and healthy puppy.
QUICK RECOMMENDATION: We feed most of our puppies dry dog food sometimes mixed with fresh dog food. Over the years we’ve found the easiest way is to use an airtight storage container like the Iris Pet Food Container.
The best time to switch your puppy from three to two meals a day is when they are between six and 12 months old. Keep in mind that most toy and small breed dogs can make the switch to two meals a day when they are between seven and nine months old.
Large and giant breeds, on the other hand, can continue eating three meals a day until they are between 12 and 14 months old.
There are many factors that affect your dog’s nutritional needs and the number of meals they should have during the day.
Spayed and neutered puppies, for example, are less energetic than their intact counterparts and therefore need less nutrient-dense food and fewer meals.
Generally, you can transition a spayed or neutered puppy to adult maintenance food, to lower their calorie intake and prevent obesity.
A two-month-old puppy should be fed four small meals a day spread evenly throughout the day and always at the same times.
An eight-week-old puppy will still only eat canned puppy food, which means that you will need to feed larger amounts to account for your pup’s daily nutritional needs.
At this time, you may also want to try adding a few bits of dry kibble into your pup’s wet food to start getting them used to the feel and texture of kibble.
Since your pup should transition fully to dry puppy food by the age of 10 weeks, now is the perfect time to start introducing them to it.
Even when you start feeding kibble, your puppy will still need to have four equally spaced meals a day until they reach three months.
Ideally, your puppy’s last meal for the day should be around 5 P.M., followed by a potty break and a playing session. Feeding your pup around this time will give them enough time to properly digest the entire meal and eliminate one last time before going to bed.
Wait two or three hours to take your puppy for a final walk for the day, making sure they have plenty of time to empty their bowel and bladder completely before heading back home.
Making sure that you stick to a regular feeding and potty schedule is the best way to housetrain and keep your pup energized throughout the day.
Most puppies can switch to two meals a day when they are between six and 12 months old and should continue eating that way for the rest of their lives.
But, while most dogs do well on a two-meal-a-day schedule, adding a third meal can also be a good option.
Dogs that have digestive issues may have less trouble digesting smaller meals and do better when eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Either way, you choose, make sure the meals are no more than 12 hours apart since your dog’s stomach can become too acidic leading to vomiting and nausea.
As long as you are feeding your dog the appropriate amount of food for their age, size, and activity level, feeding one meal a day isn’t cruel.
However, feeding an adult dog one meal a day for a long time can lead to some serious health problems such as bloat and hyperglycemia.
It’s far healthier for your dog to eat at least two smaller meals a day. Having breakfast and dinner will also help keep your pooch energized throughout the day and support proper digestion and bowel movements.
When I first started raising guide dog puppies back in 2006 we transitioned our puppies to once-a-day feedings at about 15 months old.
I was not a fan of feeding our dogs only once a day and apparently, the school decided it wasn’t a good idea either. By the time I raised my second puppy, they went back to twice-a-day feeding for our older pups.
We are not veterinarians but over the years we’ve fed our dogs many different types of food. Here are a few we’ve given our dogs that you might want to consider feeding your pups.
Over the years the guide dog program has changed the food we feed our puppies in training. Here’s a look at the foods we’ve fed our guide pups:
Over the years we’ve fed our new pups all different kinds of food. It will vary depending on what breeders, shelters, and rescues recommend and use with their puppies. Here’s a list of the foods we’ve fed our puppies that we like:
Dehydrated Dog Food
Fresh Dog Food
Hopefully, you can find food your dog loves. These are some of our favorites and worth checking out if you haven’t found something for your dog or puppy.
Knowing when a puppy should go from three meals to two meals a day is important for your pup’s overall health and development.
Making sure that your pup is getting all the right nutrients they need based on their life stage will ensure that they grow into a happy, healthy, and strong adult dog.
When it comes to a puppy’s feeding schedule here’s what you need to remember:
In the end, while most puppies can start having two meals a day when they are between six and 12 months old, ask your breeder or rescue center for their guidelines on feeding your puppy.
Also, talk to your vet and see if cutting your pup’s meals is the right thing to do.
That all being said these are general guidelines that you can apply to most puppies. However, as mentioned earlier every puppy will have his own individual needs based on size, breed, etc.
We’ve raised dozens of puppies and every breeder will have their own set of guidelines that are important to follow. After all your breeder will know her puppies better than anyone.
When we brought home our 8-week-old guide dog puppy, Stetson the school recommended soaking his kibble (Canidae All Life Stages) in warm water for 10 minutes and feeding him three times a day.
When he reached 4 months old they asked us to transition him to eating twice a day.
On the other hand, when we adopted a Labrador puppy from our local breeder their recommendation was to feed FROMM Gold three times a day without soaking then transitioning to twice a day when she was 6 months old.
I’ll say it again…every puppy is different.
How about you?
How old is your puppy and how often do you feed him/her?
Tell us about your experiences in the comment section below.
UPDATE: This post was originally published on March 25, 2022. We periodically update blog posts with new experiences and information to keep them as relevant as possible.
Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist.
Lola’s Journey Home
As Giving Tuesday comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on why I’m an avid supporter of Homeward Pet. It goes back to the summer of 2020 when I took in an acquaintance’s dog after she’d escaped from their home twice in the short time they’d had her. They asked me for help when they realized they couldn’t give Lola what she needed. Lola really needed a home with another dog to help her cope with anxiety. After fostering 60+ dogs, I was sure that my friendly dogs would boost Lola’s confidence and help her “learn how to dog” until she was ready to be adopted.
Lola was comfortable around other dogs but fearful and avoided contact with people. She was not at all aggressive, but didn’t like to be touched, wouldn’t eat with people in the room, and wouldn’t move around the house or go outside without a doggy helper to keep her company. Additionally, from what I knew about Lola’s background, it didn’t appear she’d ever had any vet care.
After another shelter wouldn’t accept Lola as an owner surrender, I reached out to Homeward Pet. Lola needed vet care and I needed support from dog behavior experts. Within 24 hours, Homeward Pet had agreed to take her in as an owner surrender and accepted me as a new foster volunteer. Homeward Pet’s Vet Clinic examined her, administered vaccinations, and spayed her. The Behavior Team consulted with me on Lola’s behavior and gave me pointers for monitoring body language, letting her make good choices, made suggestions about introducing her to other people, how to address her mild separation anxiety, and how to approach training at a pace that would build her confidence and not increase her anxiety.
Everything Homeward Pet did during this time was individually tailored to Lola’s specific needs. The shelter modified their normal intake, foster and adoption processes in ways that served Lola best and minimized her anxiety.
I fostered Lola for six months and, in that time, I became a Homeward Pet supporter for life. They truly “live their commitment” to give every animal the individual time and care needed to be ready for their adoptive home. It was no surprise to anyone when Lola and my other dogs decided she was already home, and I ended up adopting her. Today Lola still has some quirks that will probably be with her for life, but she’s relaxed and comfortable with people once she gets to know them and brings smiles to people we see on walks with her goofy grin and exuberant full body rolls.
I decided to give back by serving on Homeward Pet’s Board, fostering dogs when I can, and digging deep to donate to the programs that make Homeward Pet so special. There are many deserving animal welfare organizations in the area, but none, in my mind, more deserving than Homeward Pet.
Since I started volunteering for Homeward Pet, I’ve witnessed the shelter’s same commitment to many other dogs and cats that need medical care and behavior support so that they can live happy lives in adoptive homes.
Please join me in supporting Homeward Pet with a heartfelt donation during this holiday season. Every single donation makes a difference.
Sincerely,
Victoria Mabus
Board of Director Member and foster volunteer
Homeward Pet Adoption Center
Transforming Fear to Trust: Bowie’s Journey and why your support matters
How do you help an animal that won’t interact? That was the problem we faced when Bowie and his brother Magnet came to Homeward Pet. Here were two beautiful, healthy dogs who had spent their lives outdoors, away from human contact, and had developed no trust in people. When they came to Homeward Pet, these boys kept to the back of their kennel whenever anyone approached.
Homeward Pet’s Behavior Senior Manager, Jenny Black, evaluated both dogs as individuals even though they came in together. She saw what these boys needed, and the persistence and patience it would require. She engaged the Behavior Team, a group of experienced volunteers, which I am proud to be part of. We worked with both dogs multiple times a day. At first, we would sit outside their kennel, talking to them and tossing them treats to help them build confidence and trust.
We knew the care plan would take time – weeks or even months. While this is problematic at many shelters, Homeward Pet has the unique combination of trained staff, dedicated volunteers, and the ability to invest time in individual animals to prepare them for success in their future home.
Eventually, we were able to be inside the kennel with them. I remember the breakthrough day when Bowie stayed with me and let me pat him for the first time. I knew we were getting through! After deciding to train the brothers separately, we were able to acclimatize Bowie to his harness and leash, eventually taking him on walks.
Bowie began to thrive. He became more curious, more adventurous, and more engaging. It wasn’t long after that I took him for a walk and thought “finally – he’s just a normal dog!”
Bowie was adopted almost a year ago and continues to thrive in a loving home. Your dedication and support is why Homeward Pet can say yes to animals that may need more support in learning to be a well-adjusted household pet.
This dedication is one of the many reasons I support Homeward Pet, with my time as a Board Member and Behavior Modification Volunteer, and financially as a donor.
Today, on Giving Tuesday, I ask you to join me, and donate to support all the future Bowie’s that Homeward Pet will say yes to.
Sincerely,
Peter Bergler
Board of Director Member
Homeward Pet Adoption Center
Meet Sophie: Resilient, Loving, and the power of second chances
You know those cats that are always happy to see you, no matter the circumstance? That is Sophie. Sophie is a gorgeous 12-year-old tortoiseshell cat. Torties are usually considered the “divas” of the cat world, so you’d think she’d have some sass in her. But she ended up being one of the sweetest cats I ever encountered at Homeward Pet.
When Sophie first arrived at Homeward Pet, she was lethargic, wasn’t eating well, and was bit timid. After the clinic ran multiple tests, Sophie was diagnosed with both thyroid and kidney disease. Sophie was immediately started on meds to treat the symptoms and help her feel better.
I was fortunate to visit her on numerous occasions. At first, she was very shy and scared. But slowly she blossomed and started feeling better! During the last few times I visited her, she came out of her cat cave, purring and happy to see me. I learned that she loves head and chin scratches and is the ultimate lap cat. Once she started feeling better medically and less shy in her environment, she became the same way with everyone at the shelter.
Homeward Pet gifts their residents with whatever amount of time it takes for them to be ready to open up to the possibilities of a new home. Sophie took a little longer than many, but, for those of us who love the animals we get to interact with during their stay, that is often a bonus – for both us and them.
Sophie exemplifies why I chose to volunteer at Homeward Pet. Cats come to us from all over Washington State and have pasts that represent many circumstances. The older cats can be overlooked because it is hard to resist an adorable kitten. However older cats, like Sophie, are very special too and have so much love to give. Homeward Pet allowed Sophie time to showcase that she is a sweet and loving companion. And this time allowed her to select the perfect next home.
I hope we can count on your support for cats like Sophie that need a little extra time.
Sincerely,
Shannon Kilpatrick
Member of the 2023 HPAC Board of Directors and Volunteer
Homeward Pet Adoption Center
Finding Joy in Shelter Pets: Scarlett’s Journey and how you can help
When I tell people I volunteer at an animal shelter, a response I receive far too often is, “ohhh…that must be hard.”
Which is funny, because when I think of the time I spend with the dogs and cats at Homeward Pet, it’s the easiest thing in the world. And only one word truly captures my experience:
Soul-bursting, beaming, ear-to-ear-grinning joy.
The kind of joy that sticks with you no matter how much fur ends up all over your clothes. How much poop you clean up on a particularly messy morning. How much drool ends up all over your face from a rambunctious 125+ pound pit mix who is quite convinced that, yes, she IS a lap dog.
It’s this joy that keeps me coming back week after week.
Currently, I have a favorite little pint-sized snuggle buddy. When we first met, Scarlett was so shy and under-socialized that just sitting in front of her kennel was a Big Deal for her to grapple with. Was that hard to see? Absolutely. But, at Homeward Pet, devoting time, love, patience, and the invaluable expertise of our staff and volunteers to transform hard beginnings into happy endings is what we’re all about. Every little blossoming of confidence, every tentative step toward a piece of tossed cheese, every tiny tail wag when a familiar face approached? Now, that’s the stuff we live for. That’s the joy. Watching Scarlett transform from an anxious new arrival to a rambunctious, acrobatic ball-of-bounce who will gladly jump several feet in the air to lick your face has been priceless. Scarlett has brought us so much joy at the shelter, and I know that when she finds her family, they’ll adore her as much as we do.
This Giving Tuesday, I urge you to think about joy—how much pets have brought into your life, and how little they’ve asked of you in return. And I implore you to celebrate and honor that joy by joining us in making life better for the homeless dogs and cats in our community.
I hope we can count on your support.
Joyfully yours,
Samantha Robertson
Member of the 2023 HPAC Board of Directors, and Volunteer since 2012
Homeward Pet Adoption Center
Introducing the stars of this year’s Giving Tuesday Stories
As the biggest giving day of the year approaches, I’d like to highlight Homeward Pet Adoption Center. Homeward Pet has been serving our communities for 33 years, bringing together thousands of loving homes and the pets that need those homes.
In addition to making happy pet matches, Homeward Pet is a local leader in offering the community services needed to give a bit of extra assistance to help families keep pets in their homes when difficulties arise. Our in-house Vet Clinic provides spay and neuter services to the public 4 times a month, our animal behavior specialists provide support and referrals to the public in addition to the animals in our care, we operate a pet food bank, and our Home to Home team helps families that need to rehome a pet with tools to do so without putting their pet through a shelter stay.
This week you’ll get to hear the stories of some of the pets whose lives Homeward Pet has transformed — from the volunteers who worked with them while they stayed with us.
You’ll hear from …
Sam, who will share the story of Scarlett, a skittish pup, who is still looking for her forever home.
Shannon who will share a story about Sophie, a cat who needed a little extra time to learn to trust.
And Peter, who will share about Bowie, a dog who spent almost a year at Homeward Pet working through some challenging behaviors before finding someone who would love him and his anxiety.
And you’ll hear my girl Lola’s pandemic story.
If you love animals, I know you’ll enjoy hearing their stories. And if you’re moved by their stories, please join the Board of Directors for Homeward Pet and other supporters by donating to Homeward Pet this Giving Tuesday. Your donations are critical so we can continue to provide the programs that truly transform pets’ lives.
With gratitude,
Victoria Mabus
Dog Lover, Foster Volunteer, Board Member
Homeward Pet Adoption Center
P.S. Check back in on this post throughout the day on Tuesday and Wednesday to read the individual stories of the featured Giving Tuesday pets.
Before you decide to take on any kind of pet you need to understand that different breeds of cat are susceptible to different health issues. Even if it seems like you have a healthy cat in the beginning it is possible that they will be diagnosed with some sort of disease or health related issue as they get older.
You need to make sure that you read the label on the food that you are getting for your cat. Although it may seem strange because your cat is a pet, their nutrition is still just as important as yours is which is why you should read the ingredients so that you are aware of what is in the food you are giving your cat. You also need to pay attention to what formula of cat food that you are purchasing. They have food for adult cats, kittens, aging cats, cats on diets, and everything in between. You don’t want to be feeding your kitten the wrong kind of food.
After picking up the right food for your cat, there is a matter of where to feed your cat, when to feed your cat, and how much to feed them. If you have never owned a cat before this can be quite a tricky process to figure out all on your own. First and foremost, you need to find a place that is ideal for your cat to eat at.
Think about it from your cat’s perspective, you really wouldn’t want to eat while adults and kids are running all around you and being loud. This is why you need to find a place that is quiet and accessible for your cat to have their food and water bowl. Once you decide on a particular place, don’t keep changing it around because cats don’t always deal well with that type of change.
Keep in mind that your cat might make a bit of a mess when they are drinking and eating so it may not be wise to put the food and water in an area that is going to be ruined by the mess. You also need to make sure that you are keeping the bowls clean and changing the water out on a regular basis in order to avoid your cat getting sick.
If you are not a cat owner yet, or you are becoming one for the first time and want to be prepared for the commitment, you might find very useful the following entry: Owning A Domestic Cat 101: Important Tips, And What Supplies To Get. In this previous chapter we explain What you need to check before getting a new cat, how to deal with your new kitten, and more.
As far as when you should feed your cat, it is good to get your cat into the habit of eating at a particular time each day. Just as humans eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at certain times, so should your cat. Of course this might not be quite so easy if you are away from the house during the day, but there is a solution. If the cat is eating dry cat food you can simply put the entire day’s ration into the food bowl and your cat can eat from it throughout the day.
If you aren’t sure you want to put it all in, you can choose to be half of it in the bowl. It’s really up to you and your schedule as to what a regular and convenient feeding schedule will be, but it is wise to get a regular pattern started. Listed below will give you some ideas as to how to coordinate your feeding schedule:
You can also look on the package of cat food that you buy for what they suggest you feed your cat.
Just as there are certain things that you need to keep in mind when feeding your cat, there are also certain thing that you shouldn’t do when feeding your cat:
You shouldn’t give your cat bones; this is a good rule for any pet whether they are a cat or a dog. Chicken bones, pork bones, and fish bones are a big no because they can cause quite a bit of damage to your cats tummy and throat that could lead to a trip to the veterinarian or worse.
Again a good tip for any animal, don’t give your cat leftovers from the table. Although you think that you are doing them a favor by giving them a treat, you could be making a bigger problem when your cat begins to avoid their cat food.
Cats can’t eat two foods in particular, the first being chocolate and the second being onions. Both of these foods are considered a toxic food to your cat.
Despite what you may have seen on television or in the movies, cats do not need to drink milk. What more, if you give milk to your cat you might find yourself cleaning up after an icky mess since it can cause diarrhea.
The last tip is not to feed your cat any other animal’s food. They need the nutrients that are in their cat food and dog food won’t quite give them what they need.
As time goes on and you have your cat, you will find out what foods or pet foods your cat can tolerate.
Cats are very similar to people in many ways. Just as it is important to watch what is going into your cat’s tummy, you also need to keep an eye on how much is going into your cat’s tummy. When people eat too much food, over time they become overweight.
Cats are the same, if they become used to eating however much they want, when they want, it is a sure bet that you will have a pretty fat cat on your hands after a while. This is especially true as your cat gets older and less active. If you aren’t sure if your cat is fat or not, there are a few telling signs that you can look for that are pretty similar as to when you can tell if a person is overweight.
A double chin is always a telling sign of a weight problem. If you find that your cat has a bunch of fat underneath their chin, they might have a weight problem.
A big stomach is another sign, if their stomach is hanging, they might have a weight problem.
Another is whether or not you can feel your cat’s ribs. On a healthy cat you should be able to feel their rib cage, if you cannot feel your cat’s rib cage then your cat is definitely overweight.
Just as people think that their weight might not be a big deal, many cat owners might not feel it too distressing that their cat is a little overweight. The reality is that being overweight can cause many health problems in your cat. The more weight your cat has on their body, the more weight and pressure they have to carry around on a daily basis. This is why it is so important to pay attention to what and how much your cat is eating. If you do find that your cat is overweight you should probably speak to your veterinarian about it and look into buying a specially formulated cat food for overweight cats.
Are you still looking for the perfect feline companion for you and your family? Choosing a cat is a serious matter you need to pay attention to when you’ve taken the decision to be a proud cat owner. Different cat breeds have different needs and personality traits you must be aware of before bringing home a new kitten. Take a look at this: Owning A Domestic Cat 101: Selecting A New Cat Or Kitten. This article will help you realize what kind of cat is best for you.
Whether you have an overweight cat or not, it’s important to make sure that your cat gets the exercise they need. If your cat isn’t overweight then the exercise will help keep them active and avoid such a predicament, but if your cat is overweight then the exercise will help them to trim off a few pounds.
The great thing is that exercising with your cat doesn’t have to be a tedious activity; it can be a lot of fun. Below are a few ideas that will help you get an exercise program started with your cat:
Important Note:
Just because you like to switch your food around because something was cheaper at the store, or a new product looked better, doesn’t mean that your cat should jump around from one cat food to another. Once your cat becomes used to a certain type of food, switching to another brand because it was on sale doesn’t always agree with their stomachs.
If it happens that you want to switch your cat’s food then you need to do it slowly. Do not just decide to replace cat food A with cat food B the next day, if so you might find you have a cat with a very upset stomach. In order to switch your cat’s food without all of the digestion trouble you will need to put just a bit more into each meal, this process can take a few weeks before the switch is complete.
Dealing with a kitten is completely different than feeding a grown cat. A kitten is essentially a baby in every way and needs the right amount of nutrition in order to go from being a kitten to a healthy grown cat. Kittens are just like babies in that they need to eat right in order to have strong bones, muscles, and a nervous system. You can’t feed a kitten the same things that a full grown cat eats; they need their own special food until they are old enough to move onto the next step
It’s always smart to consult with your doctor before you start a regular feeding routine for your kitten, but you do need to recognize that because they have such high energy, they need the proper food to fuel their bodies. You will find that your kitten will nibble throughout the day because they have a smaller stomach than a full grown cat.
Just as with human babies, there are going to be times that your kitten doesn’t seem particularly interested in food such as when they are teething or have lost a baby tooth. In the same instance your kitten may eat a little more during growth spurts and such. Even when you kitten begins to look and act like an adult cat, don’t rush out and buy adult cat food, they need to stick with the kitten cat food until they are a year old because of their need for a lot of calories.
There might also come instances that you need to consult with your veterinarian about your cat’s food needs such as if your female feline becomes pregnant or if your cat has health problems that are related to what they eat.
Before you decide to take on any kind of pet you need to understand that different breeds of cat are susceptible to different health issues. Even if it seems like you have a healthy cat in the beginning it is possible that they will be diagnosed with some sort of disease or health related issue as they get older.
There are also certain that you need to do a little bit of research in order to be aware of the benefits and side effects. Also there are precautions that you can take as a cat owner in order to protect your cats health and well being.
Make sure that all harmful plants are removed from the area in which your cat lives. Some plants can be poisonous when a cat chews on them.
Cats can suffer from diabetes. Some might find it strange that humans and cats can share the same illnesses, but it is quite common for a cat to be diagnosed with diabetes. If you suspect this from your cat you should definitely call your veterinarian for further measures.
If there is anything that sparks your concern such as if you cat acts listless, has yucky stuff coming from their eyes or nose, or if they look like they aren’t eating, even though you know they are, you should trust your instincts and contact your veterinarian with your concerns.
Do not let your cat play with yarn or string. All can be fun and games until your cat swallows it and then it becomes a serious matter. If such an instance occurs you need to contact your veterinarian, but it might help to know that white petroleum jelly might help to coat the stomach so that the string or yarn can get out of your cat’s tummy with little harm.
Taking care of a pet is a serious matter, as a pet owner you must be informed of what is best for your beloved companion. In this entry you will find useful resources: The Best Homemade Pet Food According To Our Pet Food Advisor. Here you will learn about pet nutrition and homemade natural pet food.
If you aren’t sure what to expect with your cat here are a few bits of information that will help prepare you as your cat grows from a kitten to a full grown cat. Within the first month your kitten will begin getting its baby teeth. At two months old a kitten can be fully weaned from their mother who is why it is important not to purchase a kitten until they are six to eight weeks old.
Between six and twelve weeks you will need to take your kitten into the veterinarian for their vaccinations, other shots, and regular checkups to make sure the kitten is doing well. At three months you can look forward to taking your kitten to the veterinarian for their rabies shot in certain states.
After that, anywhere between three and seven months your kitten will begin to get their permanent teeth. The next step will depend largely on whether or not you have a male or female kitten. For females the time to spay is anywhere between six and eight months.
For Males you are looking to neuter them between eight to twelve months. Between four and twelve months you will need to get your kitten in for their rabies shot. Between six months and two years old, your cat will need various booster shots to keep them current with regulations and for health reasons. Once your kitten hits the twelve month mark, they stop being a kitten and become a grown cat.
Just as with humans, there are certain viruses that can attack a cat’s system if they are not properly protected. Even if your cat never goes outside, they still interact with whoever comes into your home and whatever germs that they are carrying. It is really easier to take your cat to the veterinarian for their vaccinations instead of dealing with all of the bills that come from a sick cat. Ask your doctor about any vaccinations that your cat may need and have them explain them to you if you have any concerns.
Another major decision when having a cat is the question of whether or not you are going to have your cat spayed or neutered. For those who plan on breeding their cats, this is not a major concern, but for those who don’t have any plans on breeding should strongly consider these options in order to avoid a lot of complications down the road.
Not only are you protecting your cat from contributing to a litter of kittens that weren’t exactly in the cards, but you might avoid a lot of behaviors that occur when a male or female is fertile. AWhen a male or female cat is not spayed or neutered they may demonstrate such behaviors as urination, spraying their spent, and having to deal with a female’s heat cycles.
Spaying refers to a female cat in which the cat’s reproductive organs are removed in order to eliminate any chance of having kittens. By spaying your female cat you will have a more relaxed, active, and happy cat. Neutering refers to the removal of a male cat’s reproductive organs. Again, they will not be able to reproduce but you will find that they are not as aggressive as when they are unneutered.
Part of having a cat involves keeping an eye on their general health and well being. This is why it’s important to have a good veterinarian that you can go to when you have any questions or concerns. You need to be able to ask questions and receive helpful answers; after all you need to keep in mind that your cat’s health is at stake.
After many question and answer sessions with your veterinarian as you become accustomed to your cat, you will begin to be able to decipher when something is wrong with your cat. It won’t hurt if you make it a regular habit to check out your cat for any indicators that they may have a health problem. Below are the main characteristics you need to look for:
If there is any cause for concern you should speak to your veterinarian immediately. Even if you keep your cat clean, well fed, and vaccinated there is a good chance that your cat is going to be sick at one time or another in their life. This is similar to people, no matter how hard you try, eventually you get sick.
As with people, there are things that you need to look for in your cat to recognize if they are sick or not. Below is a list of symptoms that might trigger some concern:
If any of these behaviors catch your attention you should take your cat to the veterinarian.
No matter how clean you keep your cat there is always the chance that some little parasite is going to call your cat’s body its home. If you are keeping a good eye on the health and well being of your cat, you might be able to determine when one of these pesky parasites are moving in.
Ticks or Lice: Ticks and lice can be a very annoying problem for you and your cat. In order to determine if your cat is suffering from ticks and lice; you need to check your cat’s body. You can decipher a tick because you will either see the parasite or will feel it like a bump on your cat’s skin. You can actually remove these yourself if you know what you are doing. You just have to pull the tick out with tweezers, but don’t break the body while doing so.
After the tick is removed you should clean the area with an antiseptic. Lice are much easier to remove; you might notice your cat scratching a lot and find that these pests are the cause, just use a spray or powder to send these parasites packing.
Fleas: Fleas are a common problem with cats. Again, you can find these parasites with a quick examination of your cat’s body, this can even be done while grooming your cat. Fleas are not something that you can get rid of on your own; you will need your veterinarian’s assistance for this.
You may also need to look over your cat’s environment to see if there is a particular reason they contracted the flea infestation. Make sure that after you have treated your cat that you do a thorough cleaning of your cat, wash beds, vacuum, and use other flea killing products to help clear these pests out of your home and away from your cat.
Ear Mites: Ear mites have been mentioned earlier in this book because they are quite common in cats and can lead to many other health problems. This is why it is recommended to clean your cat’s ears on a monthly basis. If your cat’s ears begin to look a bit questionable and are not pink and clean, but waxy and icky smelling, your cat might have ear mites. You should take this concern to your veterinarian and have your cat treated right away.
Mange: Mange can be transmitted by a variety of different mites, but you should be wary because this is something that humans can be affected by as well. If your cat begins to lose fur in patches, bleeds, or has issues around the ears, nose, and ears, your cat might have mange. You need to get your cat to your veterinarian right away if this is a concern for your feline friend.
Please feel encouraged to say hello – we’ll be happy to help with any questions you might have, and if you’d like to comment on our site, products or service, we’d love to hear from you!
Lea-Ann Germinder With Lola
“Love Your Pet Day and all the many pet holidays were in the distant future. It was the age of the .coms (as in pets.com). Goodnewsforpets’ parent company, Germinder & Associates, managed the traditional newsroom for WVC and concurrently launched a virtual newsroom. It’s hard to believe now, but he buzz about launching websites was very much like the buzz about AI today, although the pace was not quite as fast, it was still very exciting,” says Editor + Publisher Lea-Ann Germinder.
Original Goodnewsforpets.com Logo
The 2000 site included the Cat Writers’ Association of America (CWA) as the first media partner courtesy of CWA president emeritus Amy Shojai. The Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) signed up courtesy of Mordecai Siegal. Steve Dale was the first featured columnist. Later columnists included the late legendaries Mordecai Siegal and Ranny Green. Julie Lux also contributed her talents as an editor in later years. The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, Fort Dodge Animal Health, the American Animal Hospital Association, and Addison Laboratories were featured on the site. Other exhibitors at the conference could post their news in addition to “.com” companies from the Discovery Zone.
“We’ve attended dozens of veterinary conferences since, written thousands of articles, and posted an equal number of press releases. My special favorite still is the guest column interview. Now, most of my time is focused on responsible AI research, but I have learned so much from building a website with an incredible team from scratch. In particular, I thank the incomparable Shelli Manning and Amy Davis, the team who helped launch the site with me,” said Germinder.
Today, the core mission of providing “good news” for pets remains unchanged. Some content is sponsored, some are labeled Chewy affiliate content, and some is posted as a service to the veterinary community and pet-owning public.
“Before I launched Germinder + Associates, my team and I at another agency had launched a pet dental website for the “Pets Need Dental Care, Too” campaign for Hill’s Pet Nutrition, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the dental groups. The news hook at the time was we had a website. When I launched Germinder & Associates in 1998, we had several animal health clients, so it made sense to launch a website. However, I could never have imagined all the incredible experts I’ve had the honor to interview and the stories we’ve been able to share. I hope to share many more as our 25th anniversary year unfolds, “said Germinder.
Thank you to our Goodnewsforpets.com community, the sponsors and partner organizations, and our columnists and writers over the years. We share this celebratory day and year with you. #Goodnewsforpets25
Make Your Pet a Billboard Star and help Homeward Pet get more visibility!
Billboard model, Luna, loved her time in the spotlight and is inviting you to consider making your own pet our next billboard star!
For a donation of just $2500, we will coordinate a professional photoshoot for your pet and schedule them for placement on a local billboard for a month during the coming year – maybe to celebrate their birthday/adoption month/your birthday/other special occasion.
Billboard placement gifts Homeward Pet with new eyes to adopt the animals in our shelter, new hands to volunteer to provide love and care, new hearts to expand our own out into the community.
Thank you to Pup Shoot Dog Photography for the photoshoot that made Luna (pictured here) a star.
This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
Have you ever tried to close the door to the bathroom, only to realize your dog followed you and wants to come in?
To be honest, the first time my dog tried to do this, I thought that he was the clingiest dog in the world.
Wanting to find the cause of my dog’s needy behavior, I stumbled upon the term Velcro Dog Breeds.
Velcro – noun – trademark a fastening consisting of two strips of nylon fabric, one having tiny hooked threads and the other a coarse surface, that form a strong bond when pressed together
Dog – noun – a domesticated canid, Canis familiaris, bred in many varieties.
Velcro Dog is used to describe dogs who like to follow their owners everywhere and are always clinging close by. And while this dependency is bred into many breeds, dogs can become suddenly clingy for a number of different reasons.
Clingy dogs take love and devotion to a whole other level, and it’s really nice to have a dog shadow your every move.
However, if your pooch has become clingy all of a sudden, you should talk with your vet and schedule a checkup to be on the safe side.
Some dogs become overly attached to their owners as they get older and start to have trouble seeing and hearing.
Below, you will find a list of super clingy dog breeds that will follow and enjoy spending time with you all day every day!
We have two clingy dogs at home. I’m talking about you, Elsa and Raven!
Elsa is a 3-year-old black Labrador Retriever and I sometimes think she wants to be attached to me because she nuzzles so closely.
Raven is a 9-year-old Golden Retriever. She’s a typical Golden and if her head is not on your lap then it’s on my wife’s lap or she’s snuggling with my kids.
Goldens and Labs (Honorable Mention) are definitely velcro breeds but there are others that will cling to you.
So without further adieu…
If you are looking for a dog that will follow you around and never leave your side, you came to the right place!
However, before you decide to bring an extra clingy dog into your home, ask yourself whether you are comfortable having a shadow 24/7.
If you don’t mind relinquishing your privacy for the foreseeable future, consider any one of the following super clingy velcro dog breeds!
There is no better way of kick-starting the list of the clingiest dog breeds than with the Vizsla dog breed.
Nicknamed the “Velcro Vizsla,” this athletic medium-sized dog breed forms extremely strong bonds with its owners. The Vizsla’s Velcro dog nature has a lot to do with the breed’s hunting origins.
Developed in Hungary as a pointer and retriever, this breed had to stay close to the hunter, never straying too far from its handler.
The years of working closely with people are evident in the breed today. Most Vizslas are always close to their owners, never leaving their sight and acting like shadows.
Despite their clingy nature, Vizslas are very active and hardworking dogs that need regular exercise to stay in good shape.
When properly exercised and trained from an early age, the Vizsla will make an affectionate, gentle, and obedient companion.
Please note, when left to its own devices, your Vizsla will easily become bored and destructive and may even become a barker.
If you look into dog breeds that never leave your side, you will hardly find a better candidate than a Vizsla!
This breed will follow you everywhere, bathroom included, and will cling to your side at all hours of the day and night.
On the other hand, if having a dog hot on your heels isn’t your cup of tea, choose another dog breed.
Created in England as a companion dog, the French bulldog is a very clingy breed that craves a lot of human affection and attention.
The bat-eared, small, but powerfully built Frenchie is an excellent choice for first-time owners and adapts well to apartment living.
Like all other clingy dog breeds, the French bulldog seeks constant companionship and thrives when provided with affection.
When not provided with the attention it needs, your Frenchie will outright demand it! Bear in mind, that the French bulldog might be small but has a larger-than-life personality and a stubborn streak.
Frenchies don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time and some even develop separation anxiety.
If you have long working hours and can’t interact with your Frenchie much, consider getting another dog breed.
On the other hand, if you have enough time and are looking for an affectionate lap dog, the Frenchie is a great choice.
Originally bred to be a lap dog, the pug craves human companionship and is a true velcro dog.
Sturdy, compact, and small, pugs have larger-than-life personalities and aren’t afraid to show their clownish nature just to get attention.
Affectionate and friendly, this breed adapts well to apartment living, although they don’t appreciate being left at home alone.
This breed has a happy-go-lucky approach to life and makes a great addition to families with children, singles, or seniors when provided with lots of attention.
However, when left to their own devices, or ignored, pugs can become very unhappy. Like a true companion dog, your pug will crave your affection and cling to your lap as if his life depended on it.
And while they are content spending their days being petted and adored, pugs are also comical dogs that enjoy silly antics.
Bear in mind, that pugs are very smart, but they can also be very stubborn, which can make housetraining challenging.
However, if you have time to spend time and train your dog every day from an early age, the pug will be an ideal companion.
Chihuahua, the smallest dog breed in the world, is also one of the clingiest Velcro dog breeds.
Fun-loving, agile, and smart, the chihuahua likes nothing more than to be close to its people and the sole focus of their attention. Due to their clannish nature, chihuahuas don’t get along very well with other breeds and prefer to be the only pet.
This tiny dog will shadow your every move and will eagerly jump in a carrier and behave just to stay close by wherever you are.
Although they demand attention from anyone they meet, chihuahuas form strong bonds with a single person. If by any chance you become this special someone, forget about looking at any other dog again!
Chihuahuas indeed demand a lot of attention, but they also worship their owners and make loyal companions and great watchdogs.
My old roommate’s girlfriend had a Chihuahua. Unfortunately, he wasn’t the friendliest of dogs. However, not all Chi’s are like this. If you do get a chihuahua, start training and socialization early on to help your puppy grow into a well-behaved and obedient dog.
The German shepherd dog is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, and probably the one dog breed everyone recognizes on the spot.
Developed in Germany for herding sheep, the German shepherd is a working dog breed that is used to perform a wide range of tasks.
Highly intelligent, obedient, and trainable, German shepherds are valuable members of police and military units, but they are also amazing companions.
While it’s hard to imagine that such a big dog can be clingy, German shepherds are extremely loyal and will always be by your side.
Smart and active, your German shepherd will need daily exercise to stay in good shape and will excel at agility courses.
And while they are completely devoted to their families, German shepherd dogs are aloof toward strangers! To raise a friendly and well-mannered dog, start training and socializing your GSD puppy from an early age.
Please note, that this breed needs companionship and contact with its owner and can easily develop separation anxiety when left alone a lot.
An anxious German shepherd will resort to barking, digging, chewing, and other forms of destructive behavior to ease their worry. So, if you have long working hours or travel a lot, you should consider a less clingy dog breed.
The Italian greyhound is a slender, agile, and elegant-looking dog bred to hunt by sight and chase small game.
And while they were used for hunting, Italian greyhounds were prized companion dogs due to their gentle and highly affectionate nature. Kind and loving, this breed is an amazing family companion that seeks attention and affection.
The Italian greyhound loves to spend time with its human family and will be the happiest spending all day snuggling with you on the sofa.
Sensitive and affectionate, your Italian greyhound will shadow your every move and won’t mind following you to the bathroom or waiting until you finish showering.
While Italian greyhounds are playful, curious, and affectionate with their owners, they are shy and reserved towards strangers. However, when properly socialized from an early age, your dog will be willing to be petted or held by visitors.
Remember that although highly intelligent, this breed has a short attention span.
This makes training difficult and you will have to find a high reward treat that will motivate your pooch to train. Furthermore, even when motivated, Italian greyhounds can be extremely difficult to house-train.
If you are looking into clingy dog breeds, the Italian Greyhound is an excellent choice! They need a lot of love and affection and will follow you all day long and seek cuddles.
However, if you value your privacy and your “me time,” this breed isn’t the right dog for you.
The Golden retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds and an amazing family dog. Originally bred to be a gun dog, the golden retriever is still a capable working breed that excels at many tasks.
Smart, gentle, and easy to train, this breed can adapt to any home and makes a great companion to people of all ages.
While they might not seem clingy, goldens were bred to work with people and have a strong urge to stay close to their owners at all times.
They seek constant companionship and should live indoors with their human family. Golden retrievers get along with everyone, including children and other pets, and like to be involved in all family activities.
Since they are hard-wired to please, you won’t have any trouble training and socializing your golden from a young age.
Unlike other Velcro dog breeds, your golden might not follow your every move, but he will snuggle with you on the sofa and watch TV.
At first glance, the Doberman Pinscher looks intimidating, but underneath all that muscle hides a cuddly, affectionate, and loving dog.
Bred as guard dogs, Doberman Pinchers are highly energetic and intelligent dogs. They are used by the military and police but are also great family companions and guard dogs.
While they may look scary and vicious to those who don’t know them, Dobermans have a sweet personality and like to spend time with their family.
Similar to a chihuahua, Dobermans form strong bonds with a single family member. And while they like to interact with the whole family, they will seek their special human above everyone else.
Since they thrive on praise and human companionship, Dobermans like to be involved in all family activities and should live indoors.
Fun-loving, protective, and affectionate, Dobermans won’t hesitate to defend their people. A properly trained and socialized Doberman Pinscher isn’t aggressive or vicious without reason.
Often known as Sheltie, the Shetland sheepdog was originally used as a herding dog. Nowadays, Shelties are popular family companions due to their affectionate, gentle, and loyal nature.
Although they aren’t lap dogs, Shelties like to spend time with their people and will do anything to get your attention.
Highly intelligent and trainable, this breed will pick on new tricks with ease and gladly perform just to spend more time interacting with you. Like another famous herder the Border collie, the Sheltie is naturally reserved towards strangers.
However, with early socialization, your dog will learn to be more trusting of visitors and show how affectionate and clingy they can really be.
A Velcro dog is a dog that wants to be close to its owner at all times. Often described as being super clingy, Velcro dogs like to follow their owners’ every move and are always close by.
If your dog is following your every move and is always hot on your heels, he is probably a Velcro dog.
While Velcro dogs might seem very needy, they just have a strong urge to be close to their owner and feel more comfortable that way.
Furthermore, certain breeds are predisposed to become clingy since they were bred to work closely with people. Ultimately, all dogs that were bred for companionship, work, or hunting have the potential to become Velcro dogs.
Owning a Velcro dog is not a big problem for the most part. However, there might be times when you would like to maintain some distance and have privacy.
The right training techniques can help your dog to be more independent and curb their neediness.
Teaching your dog the stay command can be of great help if you want to go to the bathroom alone for a change.
Instead of letting your dog follow you, use the stay command to keep them at a distance. Start with short distances and gradually move further away until your dog learns how to stay put even when you are out of their sight.
The poodle is a very affectionate and faithful companion dog that forms strong bonds with its owners.
Poodles often show this affection by staying close to their owner or never leaving their side, so it’s safe to say they are Velcro dogs. However, while very affectionate, some poodles become very clingy as they get older.
It’s completely normal for older poodles to become more dependent on their owners, since they may experience hearing loss and vision problems.
If this is the case, don’t be annoyed by your dog’s clingy behavior. Instead, try to make them feel comfortable and reassure them that you are there by their side.
There are several reasons why your dog follows you everywhere and never leaves your side.
Working breeds were bred for centuries to be close by and work with people, so they are more likely to stay by your side. On the other hand, many dogs like to have company and prefer to be close to their people at all times.
Your dog pawing at you is a sign that they want to communicate something and can be interpreted in several ways.
In most cases, dogs will paw at their owners as a way of showing love and affection. However, this act can also be a sign that your dog is feeling insecure and wants your attention.
Although Velcro dog breeds come in all shapes and sizes, they have one thing in common – they will follow your every move!
If you don’t mind having a canine shadow and don’t need privacy to go to the bathroom, a Velcro dog can be an ideal companion. Here are some extra clingy dog breeds:
In the end, while Velcro dogs may seem overly needy, there’s nothing wrong with owning a dog who wants to spend every second by your side.
Do you have a Velcro dog? If so, what breed of dog do you own?
Tell us about your experiences in the comment section below.
Related Articles:
UPDATE: This post was originally published on December 23rd, 2022. We periodically update blog posts with new experiences and information to keep them as relevant as possible.
Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist.
Lea-Ann Germinder at WVC 2018, 18 years after the launch of Goodnewsforpets.com at the Conference
Today is not just any day—it’s Love Your Pet Day, dedicated to cherishing our furry friends. But for me, it’s even more special. Today marks the official 25th Anniversary of Goodnewsforpets.com. This milestone gives me great “paws” but also fills me with immense pride and gratitude and the desire to spread love to all who have supported this journey.
The official launch date of Goodnewsforpets.com was February 20, 2000, at Viticus Group’s Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) in Las Vegas, but this was an entrepreneurial adventure from the start. In true entrepreneurial form, the concept for Goodnewsforpets as a portal site for pet news was developed after many discussions with technical experts. Concepts were scratched out on notepads during my many airplane travels when internet access on the plane was also a faraway reality. There were also many sleepless nights well before that inaugural launch day.
Back then, the world was buzzing about the rise of the internet, much like today’s conversations surrounding AI. Websites were the news, and social media platforms were still a few years away. The launch of Goodnewsforpets.com at WVC was a leap into the future—a time of excitement and innovation, but I had no idea what was to come.
Amy Shojai and Lea-Ann Germinder in 2020, 20 years after the launch of Goodnewsforpets.com
When we first started, Goodnewsforpets.com was fortunate to have the support of the Cat Writers’ Association of America (CWA) as our first media organization sponsor, thanks to Amy Shojai’s vision. Soon after, the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA), with the legendary Mordecai Siegal at the helm, joined us after I met him in the Westminster Kennel Club press room at Madison Square Garden.
Steve Dale had already signed on as our very first featured columnist (I had told him about the idea, and he quickly and gratefully for us said – I’m in), and over the years, we had the privilege of working with Ranny Green, Mordecai Siegal, and Julie Lux as editor, and so many CWA leaders like Deb Barnes. Also, there are so many DWAA leaders, including past president Jen Reeder, who was installed into the DWAA Hall of Fame and who I recently interviewed. I have warm memories of these associations and the many companies and associations we have been proud to work with for sponsored content and pro bono educational purposes.
My focus the last few years has been on responsible AI research, and I am now entering a new chapter of focusing some of this research on veterinary medicine, which I hope will include sharing those insights with you. Through the years, we’ve covered countless stories, attended veterinary conferences, and published thousands of articles and press releases. I hope I can also bring some of those highlights to your attention in the coming months.
I am grateful that Goodnewsforpets.com remains a trusted resource for pet owners and the veterinary community.
So, as we kick off our 25th Anniversary Year, I invite you to celebrate with us! Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or just discovered us, thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to celebrating our 25th anniversary year. It feels pretty darn good.
Spreading the love, another look at my recent guest interview with Jen Reeder:
A Big Round of Paws for Super Star Writer Jen Reeder, 2025 DWAA Hall of Fame Inductee
The basis of training any animal is winning its trust, confidence and respect. True training cannot begin until the animal has accepted you as its leader, respects you and entrusted you with his or her confidence.
The mistake many puppy owners make is mistaking love and affection for respect and confidence. While it is certainly important to love your new puppy, it is also very important that the puppy respect you and see you as his leader. Dogs are naturally pack animals, and every dog looks to the lead dog for advice and direction. Making you the pack leader is vital to the success of training any dog.
Failure to gain the respect of the dog can create a dog that is disobedient, out of control and even dangerous. Problem dogs are dangerous, whether they are created through bad breeding, owner ignorance or improper training. It is important to train the dog right from the start, since retraining a problem dog is much more difficult than training a puppy right the first time.
If you are reading this series of entries for the first time, you might want to start at the beginning: Time for puppy preschool: Get the basics for positive dog training
Coming when called is a vital skill that every dog must learn, both for its own safety and that of those around it. A disobedient dog that refuses to come when called could easily be hit by a car, get into a fight with another dog, or suffer a variety of other bad experiences. A well trained dog that comes when called can safely be taken out to play in the local park, at the beach, on the hiking trail, or anywhere else the owner and dog may wish to go.
Basic training to come when called is relatively easy and straightforward, and involves providing praise, treats and other perks when the dog does as his owner wants. After these basic “come when called” training exercises are mastered, there are a number of fun exercises that can be introduced to challenge the dog and pique its interest.
Making training into a fun game is one of the best ways to motivate dogs and handlers alike. It is easy for training sessions to become routine and boring, and it is important to keep them from degenerating into this state.
Before beginning any food based training exercise, it is important to make sure that the dog is properly motivated and ready to respond to treat based training. Testing the dog is simply a matter of taking a piece of his regular food and waving it in front of the dog’s nose. If the dog shows great enthusiasm for the food, it is ready to start the training. If not, it is best to wait until the dog is in a more receptive mood.
The treats that work best for treat based training games like hide and seek are small pieces of chicken, cheese or liver. In other words, something your dog will love. It is best to use very small pieces to avoid over-feeding the dog during the training sessions.
One great game for you and another family member or friend to play with your dog is simply back and forth recall. This is a great exercise for teaching your dog to come whenever it is called by a member of the family. Dogs often learn to only respond to one person, and this can be a problem when other people are watching the dog. That is one reason why professional dog trainers always insist on working with the owner as well as the dog. A well trained dog must learn to respond to whoever is in charge, not just the owner or usual handler.
In the back and forth recall game, two or more people stand approximately ten yards apart, in a safe place like a fenced in yard. One person calls the dog and asks him to sit and wait until another person asks the dog to come. When the dog responds to the command to come, it is rewarded with a treat. Most dogs respond wonderfully to this exercise and love playing this game. When playing the back and forth recall game, it is important that only the person who called the dog be allowed to give the dog a treat.
After the dog has mastered the back and forth recall game, the humans in the game can start to spread further out, thus turning the back and forth recall game into a fun game of hide and seek. The hide and seek game starts with two or more people in the center room of the house. Every time they call the dog to come, they spread out further away from where they started. As the game continues, one person will be at one end of the house, while another may be at the opposite end. What makes the hide and seek game so much fun for the dog is that he must seek out the person to get the treat, instead of simply running up to a person in plain sight. This type of seeking behavior appeals to many of the dog’s natural instincts. After all, dogs are naturally hunting animals, and seeking out food is second nature to them.
Keep the attention of a dog while training is not always easy. Dogs can be easily distracted, and it is important to not allow the training sessions to be sabotaged by boredom. Making training fun for the dog and the human alike is vital to creating a happy, well-adjusted and well trained dog.
Providing random positive stimuli during the day is a great way to keep the interest of the dog. Doing things the dog enjoys, like walking in the park, riding in the car, and playing with other dogs, is a great way to keep the dog’s attention and reward him for small successes.
For instance, in order to reward the dog for coming to you, for instance, ask the dog to come to you, without giving any clues about a walk, a car ride, or other treats. After the dog has come to you and obediently sat down, attach the leash and start the reward. This can be either the aforementioned walk in the park, ride in the car, or anything else the dog likes to do.
Providing some kind of reward, whether a treat, a special outing or just a scratch behind the ears during each time the dog does something you want is a great way to keep your dog motivated. If the dog knows something great is going to happen every time he obeys your command, he will be motivated to please you every time.
When training any dog, it is important to not let distractions disrupt the training. The dog must be taught to ignore distractions, such as other people, other dogs, other animals and loud noises, and focus on what is being taught. These types of distractions can even be used as rewards when training the dog to come when called.
For instance, if your dog enjoys playing with other dogs whether in a local dog park or with the neighbor’s dogs, let him play freely with those other dogs. Then go into the park or yard and call your dog. When he comes to you, provide lots of praise, treats and other rewards, then immediately allow the dog to go back to playing with his friends. Repeat this several times and praise the dog each time he comes to you. The dog will quickly learn that coming to you means good things (treats and praise) and not bad ones (being taken away from the park).
If the dog does not master this particular type of training right away, try not to get discouraged. So called distraction training is one of the most difficult things to teach. Dogs are naturally social animals, and breaking away from the pack is one of the most difficult things you can ask your dog to do. Most dogs will be understandably reluctant to leave their canine companions, but it is important to persist.
Training the dog to come to you may require some creativity on your part at first. For instance, waving a favorite toy, or a lure, is a great way to get your dog’s attention and put the focus back on you. If your dog has been clicker trained, a quick click can be a good motivator as well.
Once the dog begins to get the hang of coming when called, you can begin to reduce and eliminate the visual cues and focus on getting the dog to respond to your voice alone. It is important that the dog respond to voice commands alone, since you will not always have the availability of a toy or other lure.
If you want to learn the basics of dog training, say no more, here you go: Puppy 101: A beautiful journey through dog training
Separation anxiety, also known in the dog training world as owner absent misbehavior, is one of the most frequently encountered problems in the world of dog training. Separation anxiety can manifest itself in many different ways, including chewing, destroying the owner’s property, excessive barking, self-destructive behavior and inappropriate urination and defecation.
Dogs suffering from separation anxiety often whine, bark, cry, howl, dig, chew and scratch at the door the entire time their family members are away. Well-meaning owners often unwittingly encourage this misbehavior by rushing home to reassure the dog, but it is important for the well-being of both dog and owner that the dog learns to deal with extended periods of separation.
How the owner leaves the house can often contribute to separation anxiety issues. A long and drawn out period of farewell can make matters worse by making the dog feel even more isolated when the owner finally leaves. These long types of farewells can get the dog excited, and then leave him with lots of excess energy and no way to work it off. These excited, isolated dogs often work off their excess energy in the most destructive of ways, such as chewing up a favorite rug or piece of furniture.
Excess energy is often mistaken for separation anxiety, since results are often the same. If you think that excess amounts of energy may be the problem, try giving your dog more exercise to see if that eliminates the problem.
If separation anxiety is truly the problem, it is important to address the root causes of that anxiety. In order to prevent separation anxiety from occurring, it is important for the dog to feel happy, safe, secure and comfortable while the owner is away for the day. It is important, for instance, to give the dog plenty of things to keep it busy while you are away. This means providing it with lots of toys, such as balls or chew toys. A pet companion is often effective at relieving separation anxiety as well. Giving the dog a playmate, such as another dog or a cat, is a great way for busy pet parents and pets alike to cope with the stress of being left alone.
Setting aside scheduled play times, during which the pet is given your undivided attention, is another great way to alleviate boredom and separation anxiety. Playing with the dog, and providing it with sufficient attention and exercise is a proven way to avoid a stressed and anxious dog. A happy dog that has been well exercised and well-conditioned will generally sleep the day away happily and patiently wait for the return of its owner. It is important to schedule one of these daily play sessions before you leave the house each day. It is important to give the dog a few minutes to settle down after playtime before you leave.
For dogs that are already experiencing separation anxiety and associated misbehaviors, it is important to get them accustomed to your leaving gradually. Be sure to practice leaving and returning at irregular intervals, several times during the day. Doing so will get your dog accustomed to your departures and help them realize that you are not leaving them forever; Dogs that have been previously lost, or those that have been surrendered to shelters and readopted, often have the worst problems with separation anxiety. Part of treating this problem is teaching the dog that you’re leaving is not permanent.
Dogs often urinate when they become overly excited, and dogs that are otherwise perfectly housebroken sometimes show their excitement by dribbling urine when greeting you excitedly. It is normal for some dogs to urinate when they get excited, and this can be a particular problem for many older dogs.
A lot of excitement induced urination occurs in young puppies, and it is caused by a lack of bladder control. The puppy may not even know he is urinating, and punishment will simply confuse him. Becoming angry with the puppy will quickly cause excitement urination to morph into submissive urination, thus compounding the problem. As the puppy gets older and develops better bladder control, this type of excitement urination should disappear.
The best cure for excitement urination is prevention. Preventing your dog from becoming over excited is the best way to control this problem behavior. If your dog is excited by a particular stimulus or situation, it is important to repeatedly expose him to that situation until it no longer causes excessive excitement.
Submissive urination is a natural part of pack behavior among animals like dogs and wolves. The submissive member of the pack shows his or her submissiveness by lowering itself and urinating. Since dogs are pack animals, they may show their submissiveness to their owner, who they regard as the pack leader, by exhibiting this submissive urination.
Dogs who exhibit submissive urination are usually showing their insecurity. Previously abused dogs often exhibit submissive urination. These dogs need to be shown that there are more appropriate ways to express their submissive status, such as shaking hands or licking the owner’s hand.
The best way to deal with submissive urination problems is often to ignore the urination. Trying to reassure the dog can give the mistaken impression that you approve of the behavior, while scolding the dog can make the submissive urination worse.
Correcting problems with submissive urination should be directed at building the dog’s confidence and teaching him other ways to show his respect. Teaching the dog to lift his paw, sit on command, or similar obedience commands, is a great way to direct the dog’s respect in a more appropriate direction.
Problems with urination are not always easy to deal with, but it is important to be consistent, and to always reward acceptable behavior on the part of the dog. When urination problems do occur, it is always a good idea to first rule out any medical conditions that could be causing those problems. Medical issues like bladder infections can be the root cause of problems with unwanted urination.
After any medical problems have been ruled out, it is important to determine what is causing the problem, and treat it appropriately. While it can be tempting to punish the dog for inappropriate elimination, doing so will only confuse and further intimidate him.
Are you still deciding whether to adopt a new puppy or not? You might this entry interesting: Welcome Home Buddy: Tips For Adopting A New Puppy Or Dog
Dogs by nature are predatory animals, and all predatory animals share the motivation to chase fleeing objects. While this may be a natural instinct, it is not appropriate when those fleeing objects are joggers, bicyclists or the mailman.
Training the dog not to chase people and bicycles is an important thing to do, and it is best to start that training as early as possible. Starting when the dog is still small and non-threatening is important, particularly with breeds that grow very large, or with breeds that have a reputation for being very aggressive. Many people respond to being chased by a dog, especially a large dog, with understandable fear, and it is best for yourself and your dog that he be trained not to chase before he reaches a threatening size.
Some dogs are easier to train away from chasing than others. Breeds that have been used for hunting or herding often retain much more of their chasing instincts than other types of dogs, for instance.
No matter what breed of dog you are working with, however, it is important to not allow him off the leash until his chasing behavior has been curbed. Allowing an untrained dog off the leash is dangerous, irresponsible and illegal.
Before you expose your dog to a situation where he will want to chase someone or something, be sure to train him in a safe, controlled area like a fenced yard. It is important for the dog to be able to focus and concentrate on you, and for him to understand what behavior you want. The dog must be given the opportunity to repeatedly perform the behavior you want while in this controlled setting.
The training session should be started indoors in the dog’s home. The dog should be put on a leash at one end of a hallway or room, and the owner should stand at the other end. The owner then waves a tennis ball in front of the dog but does not allow him to touch it. After that, the tennis ball is rolled to the other end of the hallway or the room, and the command “Off” is used to tell the dog not to chase the ball. If the dog starts out after the ball, use the command “Off” once again and give a firm tug on the leash.
When doing this type of training, it is vital that the dog not be allowed to touch the ball. If he actually reaches the ball, he may think that “Off” means to get the ball. This exercise should be repeated several times, until the dog has learned the meaning of the “Off” command. When the dog responds correctly by not chasing the ball, he should be rewarded with a special treat.
After the dog seems to understand his new game, move to another room and try the same thing. Repeat the exercise in several rooms of the house, in the garage, etc. After the dog has seemingly mastered the game and learned the meaning of the “Off” command, you can work with him without the leash, but still only in a safe area like your own home or a fenced in yard. It may take some time for the dog to fully master control of his chasing instinct, and it is important not to rush the process, or to leave the dog off leash until you are sure he is fully trained.
To test the training in the real world, enlist the assistance of a friend to pose as a jogger. It is important that the dog does not see and recognize this person; he has to assume that it is a stranger in order for the test to be valid. Stand with the dog on his leash and have your friend jog by a couple of times while you do the “Off” exercise. If the dog does as he is asked, be sure to provide lots of praise and treats. If he starts after the “jogger”, give a firm reminder by tugging on the leash.
Loud noises, such as fireworks, thunder and traffic, are one of the most frequently cited fears given by dog owners. It is natural for some dogs to be fearful of loud noises, but some dogs are so traumatized by thunder, fireworks and other loud noises that they are completely unable to function.
Dogs that display excessive fears or phobias such as these can be a danger to themselves and those around them. Dogs may manifest their fear in self-destructive ways, like slinking under the couch or the bed and getting stuck, for instance. They may also react in ways that are destructive to the home, such as urinating or defecating on the carpet, chewing up favorite items, or barking incessantly. These reactions are often worse when the owner is not at home.
One thing that is hard for many dog owners to understand is that soothing or stroking a dog that is displaying fear is exactly the wrong thing to do. While it is natural to try to calm a fearful dog, to the dog you are rewarding it for being afraid. The dog likes the sound of your voice, likes your petting, and concludes that he has done the right thing by acting afraid. This only makes a bad situation worse.
The best strategy when the dog displays fear when there is a thunderstorm or a fireworks display is to simply ignore the dog. It is of course important to watch the dog to make sure he does not hurt himself, but otherwise just ignore him and let him work through the fear on his own. When you go away, be sure to make sure there is nothing the dog can get stuck under, since fireworks or a thunderstorm can pop up at any time.
A dog that is severely afraid of thunderstorms and other loud noises may need to be confined to a single room, or even a crate, for a period of time. After the dog feels safe in his “den”, he may be able to deal with his fears a little better. It can be quite a struggle to teach a dog not to be afraid of thunderstorms, firecrackers and other such noises, but it is important that the dog at least be able to control his fears without being destructive to himself or his environment.
Much as magicians use sleight of hand to hide their tricks, so dog owners practice the art of distraction to take their dog’s mind off of their fear. For instance, if your dog is afraid of thunderstorms and you know one is on the way, gather some of your dog’s favorite toys and get ready for the misdirection.
Of course, your dog will probably know the thunderstorm is on the way before you do. When you see your dog start to display fear, take a few of his favorite toys and try to get him to play. Very fearful dogs may be reluctant to play, but it is important to try nevertheless. Often a few treats can be a good distraction as well. Try buying one of those balls that you can fill with treats or biscuits, and encourage your dog to chase it.
Try playing with your dog every time a thunderstorm is in the forecast. This can start to implant good memories, and these can sometimes replace the fear memories that caused the dog to be afraid of thunderstorms in the first place.
Desensitization is a highly effective way to deal with phobias and fears in humans, and it can be very effective for dogs and other animals as well. Desensitization involves introducing the dog to small amounts of whatever noises frighten him. For instance, if the dog is afraid of thunder, try tape recording your next thunderstorm and play it back slowly when the dog is relaxed. Reward the dog for not showing fear responses.
This kind of desensitization training can be remarkably effective for some dogs, but it will take lots of patience and hard work. Fears of thunder and fireworks are not always easy to cure.
Are you also a cat person? Owning A Domestic Cat 101: Important Tips, And What Supplies To Get
Chewing is something that comes naturally to every dog. Every dog feels the instinctual need to sharpen its teeth and hone his biting skills. Chewing on the right things, like specially designed chew toys for instance, can even help the dog clean his teeth and remove plaque.
Even though chewing is natural and healthy, that does not mean that the dog should be given carte blanche and allowed to chew everything in sight. It is vital for every dog to learn the difference between the things it is OK to chew on, like toys and ropes, and the things that are off limits, such as carpets, shoes and other items.
When working with a new puppy, it is advisable to keep the puppy in a small, puppy proofed room for at least a few weeks. This is important not only to prevent chewing but to properly house train the puppy as well.
Older dogs should also be confined to a small area at first. Doing this allows the dog to slowly acquaint him or herself to the smells and sights of the new household.
When you set up this small, confined area, be sure to provide the puppy or dog with a few good quality chew toys to keep him entertained while you are not able to supervise him. Of course the dog should also be provided with a warm place to sleep and plenty of fresh clean water.
As the dog is slowly moved to larger and larger portions of the home, there may be more opportunities to chew inappropriate items. As the dog is given freer access to the home, it is important to keep any items that the dog or puppy should not chew, things like throw rugs, shoes, etc. up off of the floor. If you forget to move something and come home to find that the dog has chewed it, resist the urge to punish or yell at the dog. Instead, distract the dog with one of its favorite toys and remove the inappropriate item from its mouth.
The dog should then be provided with one of its favorite toys. Praise the dog extensively when it picks up and begins to chew its toy. This will help to teach the dog that it gets rewarded when it chews certain items, but not when it chews other items.
Teaching the dog what is appropriate to chew is very important, not only for the safety of your expensive furniture and rugs, but for the safety of the dog as well. Many dogs have chewed through dangerous items like extension cords and the like. This of course can injure the dog severely or even spark a fire.
Most dogs learn what to chew and what not to chew fairly quickly, but others are obviously going to be faster learners than others. Some dogs chew because they are bored, so providing the dog with lots of toys and solo activities is very important. It is also a good idea to schedule several play times every day, with one taking place right before you leave every day. If the dog is thoroughly tired after his or her play session, chances are he or she will sleep the day away.
With this, we conclude our “Time For Puppy Preschool” series. We hope these entries helped you in the process to adapt yourself and your new puppy to your new life together. Please feel encouraged to say hello – we’ll be happy to help with any questions you might have, and if you’d like to comment on our site, products or service, we’d love to hear from you!
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