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Vegan Diets Good for Dog, Cats and the Planet
A new study finds removing meat, eggs and dairy from dog and cat diets could spare billions of animals and help save the planet.
People who Adopt Shelter Dogs “Highly Satisfied” Despite Some Behavioral Issues, New Study Finds
Shelter dogs may experience behavioral changes during the first 6 months after adoption, but most owners say the dogs adjust extremely well to their new homes.
Pets Do Not Improve the Well-Being of People with Severe Mental Health Disorders, Study Finds
A new study counteracts the long-held belief that owning a pet improves mental health.
Al igual que los humanos, los perros con demencia pueden sufrir graves trastornos del sueño
Un nuevo estudio revela que los perros con esta forma canina de demencia experimentan cambios en su ciclo de sueño al igual que las personas con Alzheimer.
Just Like Humans, Dogs with Dementia May Suffer Serious Sleep Disruptions
A new study finds dogs with the canine form of dementia experience changes in their sleep cycle like people with Alzheimer’s.
Health News Results - 246
Pets Are Passing Drug-Resistant 'Superbugs' to Their Owners
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- April 15, 2024
- Full Page
Dogs and cats can pass antibiotic-resistant bacteria to their owners, raising concerns that household pets could be contributing to the world’s antibiotics crisis, a new study says.
Cases of these “superbugs” being passed between sick dogs and cats and their health...
Rare Fungal Infection Reported in Two Cats, Vet Tech
- Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
- April 11, 2024
- Full Page
A rare fungal infection has been diagnosed in two cats and a vet tech who treated one of the animals, a new report warns.
The three cases -- discovered in Kansas in late 2022 and early 2023 -- were caused by a fungus called Sporothrix schenckii, researchers from...
Playtime, Being Social Helps a Dog's Aging Brain, Study Finds
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- April 2, 2024
- Full Page
As their aging brains shrink, older dogs can suffer the same memory and thinking problems as many older humans do.
But dogs are just like humans in another way -- playtime and social activities can help preserve their brain function, a new study finds.
Exercising, ...
Animals Catch More Viruses From Us Than We Do From Them
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- March 27, 2024
- Full Page
People worry about deadly viruses leaping from animals into humans, but a new study suggests that wildlife is more at risk than humans are.
Roughly twice as many viruses pass from humans to animals than the other way around, researchers report March 25 in the journal
Your Dog May Understand Words for Certain Objects
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- March 25, 2024
- Full Page
It's well-known that dogs can learn words for spoken commands like “sit,” “stand” and “heel.”
But a new study has found they also can tell their “ball-ball” from their “dolly,” “teddy,” “chewy” or “squeaky squeak.”
Brain scans reveal...
Can I Get Sick From My Pet?
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- March 22, 2024
- Full Page
Cuddly, friendly, fun: Your pet brings so much to your life, but experts warn that, in rare cases, they can also bring illness.
The health benefits of pet ownership are many, noted Dr. Stacey Rose, an asso...
FDA Approves First Drug to Treat Yeast Ear Infections in Dogs
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- March 19, 2024
- Full Page
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first drug to treat yeast ear infections in dogs.
DuOtic is also the first ear infection medication that does not contain an antibiotic, the FDA said in its
Waterborne Parasite That Can Kill Dogs Is Spreading to U.S. West
- Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay Reporter
- March 15, 2024
- Full Page
A parasite that can kill dogs has been found in a portion of the Colorado River that runs through Southern California.
Heterobilharzia americana is a flatworm usually referred as liver fluke. It has never been reported this far west, according to scientists at ...
Pooch Power: 'Relax' Brainwaves Begin When Folks Play With Dogs
- Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay Reporter
- March 15, 2024
- Full Page
Playing fetch or grooming Fido isn't just good for your precious pooch -- it also benefits your brain.
Such interactions appear to strengthen brain waves associated with rest and relaxation, South Korean researchers report in the March 13 issue of the journal
Many Labradors Become Obese and Research Shows Why
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- March 7, 2024
- Full Page
Nearly a quarter of Labrador retrievers are more likely to be obese due to a genetic “double-whammy,” a new study finds.
This gene mutation causes Labradors to both feel hungry all the time and also burn fewer calories, British researchers report.
The mutation ...
Pets Bring People Big Mental Health Boost: Poll
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- March 4, 2024
- Full Page
The vast majority (84%) of Americans with pets say their animal companion brings a positive mental health impact to their lives, a new poll shows.
The poll of more than 2,200 adults conducted early last month also found about two-thirds of respondents calling their pet ...
Service Dogs May Lessen Seizure Frequency in Folks With Epilepsy
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- February 29, 2024
- Full Page
Perhaps by reducing anxiety, a service dog can help reduce seizures in people with tough-to-treat epilepsy, a new study finds.
A group of 25 study participants had an average 31% fewer seizures after months of owning a service dog trained to help people with epilepsy.
What Helps the Homeless Who Have Pets? Study Has Answers
- Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay Reporter
- February 19, 2024
- Full Page
One in 10 homeless people has a pet, and one-stop health clinics where both can get health care would benefit both, a new study suggests.
The study, published Feb. 19 in the journal Human-Animal Interactions, found that joint people-pet clinics, free veterinary...
Leaving Pets Behind Adds to Trauma, Danger for People in Crisis
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- January 29, 2024
- Full Page
Imagine being subjected to domestic violence in your home, wanting to escape -- but there's no place you can go that will accept a beloved pet.
That's the gut-wrenching situation facing too many victims of domestic abuse, according to a new data review spanning 27 years....
Probiotics Might Help Portly Pooches Shed Pounds
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- January 26, 2024
- Full Page
If your dog is looking like he needs to drop some weight, a new study shows probiotics might do the trick.
Researchers identified two strains of probiotics that helped obese canines shed pounds.
“The strains we carefully selected demonstrated remarkable success i...
Turns Out Dogs Have Fave Things to Watch on TV
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- January 23, 2024
- Full Page
Ever wonder what your dog most likes to watch on TV?
Think nature documentaries, Lassie or good old Scooby-Doo, a new study suggests.
Dogs are most engaged when watching videos that feature other animals, according to a new study published recently in the journal <...
Chihuahua or Great Dane: Your Dog's Size May Affect Their Disease Risk
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- January 17, 2024
- Full Page
The average size of your dog's breed plays a role in which diseases your pet is more apt to develop, a new study has found.
It turns out that larger dogs are more prone to a different set of diseases than small dogs are.
Prior research has found that smaller dogs t...
Your New Year's Eve Safety Checklist
- Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay Reporter
- December 30, 2023
- Full Page
Millions of revelers hit the road after New Year's Eve celebrations and the inevitability of impaired drivers make the holiday one of the nation's deadliest.
High blood-alcohol levels are a factor in more than 50% of crashes on New Year's Day, the American Safety Council...
Pets Bring Health Boost to Single Seniors' Brains: Study
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- December 27, 2023
- Full Page
For the growing number of American seniors who live alone, having a beloved dog or cat by their side could help them maintain a healthy brain.
New research on more than 7,900 people averaging 66 years of age found that those who lived alone were able to stave off losses ...
Anti-Vaxxers More Likely to Skip Vaccinating Their Pets, Survey Finds
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- December 27, 2023
- Full Page
People whose beliefs or concerns make them hesitant to get vaccinated are also likely to forgo vaccinating their pets, new research shows.
That could threaten the health of people and their four-legged friends, researchers said.
“Decreasing pet vaccination rates ...
Blue Ridge Beef Raw Pet Food Recalled Due to Salmonella Risk
- Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
- December 27, 2023
- Full Page
Blue Ridge Beef, a maker of raw pet foods, has announced it is recalling some of its products for kittens and puppies because of possible contamination with salmonella and listeria.
After being notified earlier this month by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture a...
Holiday Foods You Need to Keep Away From Your Pets
- Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
- December 23, 2023
- Full Page
The holidays are all about treats and most pets are thrilled to partake in the indulging, but some foods you might give them could make them sick or worse.
"Pets tend to get more treats at holiday time -- from their owners or from houseguests -- which can put them at ris...
Fatigued 'Frenchies': Flat-Faced Dogs Get Worse Sleep
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- December 18, 2023
- Full Page
French Bulldogs might be the most widespread breed in the world, but the fancy, flat-faced pooches pay a high price for their popularity, a new study warns.
The shortened skulls and large, round heads that make Frenchies so cute also leads to worse sleep, thanks to breed...
Clues to Mysterious New Sickness Affecting Dogs
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- November 22, 2023
- Full Page
A new type of bacterial infection could be the culprit behind a mysterious canine respiratory illness that has been infecting dogs from coast to coast, New Hampshire researchers say.
Genetic sequencing of samples from 70 infected dogs from New Hampshire, Rhode Island and...
Hate Driving Your Cat to the Vet? FDA Just Approved a Drug for That
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- November 21, 2023
- Full Page
If you belong to one of the 46 million American households with a cat, you already know how stressful a trip to the vet can be for your feline -- and you.
Rescue might be on the way: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved a new medicine to help calm cat...
Babies Are Contracting Salmonella After Handling Pet Food, FDA Warns
- Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
- November 10, 2023
- Full Page
FRIDAY, Nov. 10, 2023 (Healthday News) -- Two federal health agencies are investigating a salmonella outbreak linked to dog food that has sickened seven people in seven states, nearly all of them infants.
Gene Discovery Could Mean Longer Lives for Golden Retrievers, Maybe Humans
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- October 26, 2023
- Full Page
New research is shedding light on why one of man's best friends -- the golden retriever -- has high odds for cancer death, although some end up living much longer than average.
This popular dog breed has an up to 65% chance of dying from cancer.
“We assume that t...
A Tropical Skin Infection Spread by Sand Flies Is Spreading in the U.S.
- Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
- October 20, 2023
- Full Page
Climate change is bringing diseases once considered tropical afflictions to the United States, and new research warns that a parasite spread by sand flies may be the latest to join this growing list.
The Leishmania parasite causes several forms of the disease le...
Aging, Mental Health in Dogs: Size Matters
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- October 16, 2023
- Full Page
For dogs, body size matters.
That's true in terms of how quickly they age, but also in their mental health, according to a new study comparing big and lit...
Scientists Discover Secrets of the Cat's Purr
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- October 9, 2023
- Full Page
Anyone with a cat knows the calm, low rumble of purring, but how does such a small animal make such a low sound?
New research suggests it boils down to a pad embedded in feline vocal cord folds.
That's different than previously thought, which was that purring happ...
A Wolf's Gut Bug Might Boost Health of Domestic Dogs
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- October 9, 2023
- Full Page
A type of gut bacteria found in wild wolves could help treat domestic dogs who have a common, debilitating gastrointestinal condition.
New research in an Oregon wolf discovered a novel strain of Paenibacillus bacteria that displays the characteristics of a prob...
Going Vegan Healthy for Dogs, Cats -- and the Planet
- Sarah D. Collins HealthDay Reporter
- October 5, 2023
- Full Page
Should Fluffy and Fido go vegan?
A new study says yes -- for the environment.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization est...
Anti-Vax Trend May Harm Pet Dogs, With Half of Owners Against Immunization
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- September 7, 2023
- Full Page
Some people mistrust the safety and effectiveness of human vaccines for COVID-19 and other diseases, a fact that became abundantly clear during the pandemic.
Now, a new survey of 2,200 dog owners shows this mistrust may often extend to canine vaccinations.
The fin...
For Dogs, Gastro & Respiratory Ills Often Connected, Study Suggests
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- August 29, 2023
- Full Page
Does your dog struggle to breathe, especially at mealtime?
New research suggests the two might often be connected.
The University of Missouri researchers discovered that about 75% of dogs who had respiratory disease and were participating in a swallowing study were...
Shelter Dogs Vulnerable to Diseases Spread by Ticks, Mosquitoes
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- August 25, 2023
- Full Page
Warming temperatures may be bringing a new risk for shelter dogs: the spread of tick- and mosquito-borne disease in a broader geographic area, according to a new study.
Bites from these pests can cause serious illness in dogs, including heartworm and Lyme disease.
...
Dogs Can Tell When You're Talking to Them, and Might Prefer Female Voices
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- August 24, 2023
- Full Page
Mothers use sing-song language to talk to their infants. Their dogs respond to it, too, according to a new study.
Researchers in Hungary also found that dogs have greater brain sensitivity to the speech directed at them than to adult-directed speech, especially if the w...
Even If Issues Emerge, Folks 'Highly Satisfied' With Shelter Rescue Dogs
- Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
- August 17, 2023
- Full Page
When Daniel Cooney and his husband Patrick Key adopted Rothko, a coonhound mix, from a shelter eight years ago, it took time to get used to his quirks.
Rothko doesn't always jell with other pups, which means the dog park is often out of the question.
"There are sev...
Who's Got COVID? Dogs Can Quickly Tell
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- August 16, 2023
- Full Page
Do you have COVID-19? With a little training, your dog might be more effective at figuring that out than even at-home antigen or sophisticated hospital tests.
Pets Don't Help Those With Severe Mental Illness Fare Better
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- July 17, 2023
- Full Page
It's commonly thought that having a companion animal — be it a dog, cat or bird — is good for the owner's mental health.
A new study suggests that's not so, at least for people with severe mental illness and for pets that aren't trained therapy animals. Pets may, how...
U.S. Livestock, Pet Industries Pose Disease Threat to People
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- July 7, 2023
- Full Page
American industry engages in some of the same high-risk practices as other countries in keeping and selling commercial animals that have the potential for triggering outbreaks of disease among humans, a new
Slowed Walking Could Be Sign of Dementia in Dogs
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- July 5, 2023
- Full Page
Like people, dogs slow down as they age.
Researchers wondered whether slowed walking could also signal mental decline. To learn more, they did a series of experiments that included measuring the dogs' speed both on and off leash as well as cognitive testing.
“Wal...
The Vet Says Your Dog Has Cushing's Disease: What Is It?
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- July 4, 2023
- Full Page
Like humans, older dogs can be prone to a variety of health issues.
Among the maladies that middle-aged and older dogs experience is Cushing's disease, when the body produces too much of a hormone called cortisol.
Fortunately, it is possible to test for and treat t...
Air Polluted With Wildfire Smoke Can Harm Animals, Too
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- June 30, 2023
- Full Page
The Canadian wildfires that are burning out of control have brought hazy skies and polluted air to parts of the United States unprepared for it -- and that's affecting not just the people, but their pets and livestock, too.
An animal welfare expert from the University ...
Combo Therapy Could Treat Oral Melanomas in Dogs
- Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
- June 27, 2023
- Full Page
Could a treatment combo that improves the odds against melanoma for humans work in dogs?
Yes, claims a new study that found radiotherapy followed by immunotherapy extended survival in canine melanoma patients.
Melanomas in dogs are similar to human melanomas. An e...
Stray Cats Shed Toxoplasmosis Parasites in Cities, Especially in Warm Weather
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- June 22, 2023
- Full Page
Wild and feral cats appear to release more toxoplasmosis parasites in places densely populated with people, new research suggests.
These cats also "shed" more when the temperature is warmer, a significant finding given climate change, according to the report published o...
PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Found in Blood of Pet Dogs, Horses
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- June 21, 2023
- Full Page
New research on horses and dogs found elevated levels of PFAS “forever chemicals,” establishing horses as sentinel species.
Sentinel species provide advance warning of a danger to people.
The work also advanced knowledge about PFAS exposure and liver and kidney...
Dog Bites More Common on Hot, Hazy Days
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- June 16, 2023
- Full Page
Just like their humans, dogs get cranky when temperatures and air pollution levels surge.
Heat and air pollution have previously been linked to human aggression. Now, researchers say it also appears that there are more dog bites on hot, polluted days.
More research...
What Factors Keep Your Dog Healthier Longer? Major Study Has Answers
- Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
- June 14, 2023
- Full Page
Fido really needs a friend.
That's the main takeaway from a new survey that included more than 21,400 dogs and their owners, and showed that pups who have companions (whether furry or human) live healthier, longer lives than those who don't.
The strength of a ...
Injected Birth Control Could Be Game-Changer to Curb Stray Cat Populations
- Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
- June 6, 2023
- Full Page
Millions of stray cats roam the world over, and surgical sterilization has long been the primary method of population control.
But a small new study shows promising results for a one-and-done contraceptive injection.
Researchers say this first-of-its-kind appr...
When Does 'Saving' Animals Become Unhealthy Hoarding?
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- May 18, 2023
- Full Page
It's a wonderful thing to try to save stray animals, but for some people it can turn into a form of hoarding thats dangerous for pets and humans alike.
People who “hoard” animals may feel like they're saving them, but caring for many pets may take a toll on their wel...