Thanksgiving has a way of leaving the entire family feeling stuffed and sluggish, but if your dog or cat is also experiencing these signs (or others, such as vomiting or diarrhea) this holiday season, don’t ignore it.

What Is Cushing’s Disease?

Cushing’s disease, also known as hyperadrenocorticism, occurs when the adrenal gland produces too much of the naturally occurring steroid hormones, primarily cortisol. It is one of the most commonly occurring hormonal disorders in dogs. Excessive levels of cortisol can have widespread effects on the body, including the skin, kidneys, bladder, immune system, nervous system, and musculoskeletal system.

When your pet suddenly loses his appetite, it can be concerning—particularly if you’ve got a regular chowhound on your hands.

As many of you may have heard or seen on social media recently, the FDA put out a warning advising dog owners that there appears to be a link between grain-free, exotic ingredient or boutique diets and a dangerous heart condition called Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). Given how many people feed their dogs these foods, this has the potential to be a VERY big issue!

Dogs may be man’s best friend, but that doesn’t mean we’re not occasionally embarrassed or downright disgusted by some of their habits. From rear-sniffing to rolling in anything with a repulsive smell, nothing seems to be quite as offensive to dog lovers as coprophagia—that is, eating poop.

It’s a fact: pets are expensive. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), it is estimated that pet owners will spend $72 billion on their pets in 2018. That number includes expenses such as food, medication, supplies, and veterinary care—and if your pet is insured, you could get a significant portion of those out-of-pocket costs covered.

What’s that SMELL? Many pet owners are stumped the first time they notice the pungent, fishy odor coming from their pet. While dogs have the most problems with their anal glands, even cats can have issues.

Did you know dogs are at risk of heatstroke? As the weather heats up, human bodies’ sweat as a way to regulate our body temperature, but our pups are at greater risk. If a dog gets overheated, this can lead to heat stroke and severe health issues -- even death. Even worse, it can happen in minutes.