Tag: dog’
Paris Hilton in heartbreaking plea for help to find her dog after it escapes family home
Celebrate National Cat DNA Day and National Dog Week with 20% off Wisdom Panel’s cat and dog DNA tests
Save 20%: Dog and cat lovers alike can celebrate this week. As of Sept. 19, Wisdom Panel is offering up to $31 off their Premium and Essential dog DNA tests and their cat DNA test in honor of National Cat DNA Day and National Dog Week.
Anyone with a pet is familiar with the very basic and very strong need to know everything about the most perfect creature in your life.
Which is why this National Cat DNA Day and National Dog Week is a great time to take advantage of Wisdom Panel’s pet DNA kit deals, available for both dogs and cats. As of Sept. 19, you can grab the Complete for Cats kit, the Essential dog DNA kit, or the Premium dog DNA kit, all for 20% off. The cat DNA kit will be sale through the end of the day, while the dog kits will hold their discounted prices through Sept. 27.
Wisdom Panel’s DNA kits are some of our favorite out there, so these deals are definitely worth jumping on. Plus, while knowing this info about your pet is cute, it can also be super useful for taking care of any current or potential health concerns. And all you have to do once you receive the kit is register the kit, spend 15 seconds taking a sample, send it in, and wait two to three weeks to get the results.
If you need some help deciding which to get, here’s a breakdown of each available kit:
Wisdom Panel Complete for Cats — $104 $129.99 (save $26)
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Why we like it
Price wise, this kit is fairly comparable to other cat DNA tests on the market. But when Wisdom Panel says complete, they mean it. This test will screen for over 70 breeds and populations, 45 genetic health conditions, and test for over 25 physical traits. It’ll also identify your cat’s blood type and allow you to see a multi-generational family tree, so you can see if your black and white baby comes from a long line of tuxedo cats. Just remember to act quick if you’re interested — this deal only lasts through the end of Sept. 19.
Wisdom Panel Essential for dogs — $80 $99.99 (save $20)
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Why we like it
Want to have a more specific answer than “he’s a terrier mix” when people ask about your goodest boy? The Essential kit has got you covered, and at only $80, it’s definitely one of the most affordable pet kits out there. It’s got all the basic covered, scanning for over 350 breeds and testing for medication sensitivities, over 25 genetic health conditions, and over 35 physical traits. And you’ll potentially get to find your doggo’s relatives. Imagine the family reunion potential.
Wisdom Panel Premium for dogs — $128 $159.99 (save $31)
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Why we like it
Take everything from the Essential kit, and add on 185 more health tests. That’s what makes the Premium our top pick dog DNA test for in-depth medical testing. It won’t be a necessity for everyone (the more aptly named Essential kit is Wisdom Panel’s most popular pick for a reason), but for those most interested in the health potential of DNA testing, $128 is a pretty solid deals. And you can you can discuss the findings with your vet, to get even more insight.
Spy x Family’s Next Arc Has a Cute Dog Who’s Even Weirder Than the Forgers
Tetsuya Endo’s Spy x Family is a very good anime that happens to feature an eclectic cast of characters. Loid Forger and Yor Briar are respectively a spy and assassin pretending to be husband and wife, and their adoptive daughter Anya is the only one who knows their secrets, as she has telepathic powers. The show…
Everything you need to go hiking with your dog
Now that the weather is warm, folks are flocking to the outdoors. Between visiting a national park, state parks, and local trails, there are tons of places to get out and enjoy nature. If you’re a pet owner, hiking with a dog is a great way to get some exercise in for both you and your furry friend.
But before we can say happy trails to you and your pups, read up on some common pre-hike precautions to take, and learn more about the best dog hiking gear we’ve tested and approved ahead of your next outdoor adventure.
How to go hiking with your dog
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Check the trail or park website for dog restrictions. Many national and state parks have strict rules on where dogs can be. Some only allow pups on paved roads, in campsites or in parking lots, while others have designated trails that dogs can be on. Trails that allow dogs usually have a six foot leash rule, so don’t show up without a lead or with a long line, even if your pup is trained.
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Check the weather and prepare accordingly. If it’s going to be over 85 degrees Fahrenheit, plan to bring dog boots. The ground gets significantly hotter than the air temperature, so your pup can burn their paws on almost any surface — even dirt — during the summer months. You’ll also want to pack enough water for you and your pup to stay hydrated, and bring sunscreen for both of you if you’ll be in direct sun. Dogs can get sunburn too!
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Bring plenty of water, treats, and food if you’ll be out for a long time. This one is pretty self-explanatory, but be sure to bring plenty of dog treats, food, and water to keep your hiking buddy going for the full hike.
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Get your dog accustomed to their gear ahead of time. If you’ll be using boots, a new harness, or a dog backpack, make sure you get your dog used to their gear in the weeks leading up to your hike. Practice positive association games with tasty treats so they learn to love their boots and backpack.
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Start out slow. If your dog has never hiked before, plan to do an easy, short hike for your first go. You’ll be able to build up length and difficulty the more you hike together, but don’t go too hard the first time, or you might end up carrying a tired pup back to the car.
Does my dog need boots to go hiking?
As we noted in our Best Camping Gear for Dogs roundup, your pooch doesn’t need boots to head out on the trail, but they can help greatly reduce the risk of paw injuries and help with traction on slippery sections of the hike. For dog owners who want to hike during the summer, remember that if the air temperature is over 85 degrees Fahrenheit, most surfaces, even dirt, will be too hot for your dog’s paw pads. Hot ground temperatures can cause blisters on dog’s paws if exposed for too long, so play it safe and opt for a pair of dog boots.
A pair of boots will also protect from paw injuries that are common for outdoorsy dogs. Pups can rip paw pads, step on sharp sticks, rocks, or stray glass, and can even break their nails while hiking, so protecting their feet with boots will save you the stress of dealing with a paw injury later on.
Don’t plan on busting out the dog boots for the first time before a long hike, though. Not all dogs take to boots quickly, and your pup may refuse to walk or try to take their boots off the first time you try them out. Practice wearing the boots in the weeks leading up to your first outdoor outing, and be sure to bribe, I mean, desensitize your dog to boots with lots of tasty snacks.
Leave no trace when hiking with a dog
This might be a no-brainer, but adhering to leave no trace principles is of utmost importance when you’re in the outdoors with a dog. Every dog owner needs to remember that dogs can disrupt the natural flow of nature, so be sure to pick up any dog poop, keep your pup away from wildlife, and don’t allow them to dig anywhere on the trail. Following leave no trace and being a responsible pet owner keeps outdoor recreation spots beautiful and accessible for future generations of pets and hikers.
How we came up with this list
As an avid hiker, Miso (that’s my dog) helped me test every single piece of dog hiking gear in our list of the best hiking gear for dogs. Read on to get our gear review for each and see what we have loved the most after hitting the trail again and again:
The best GPS dog trackers to help you keep tabs on your pet around the clock
If you’re like us, you get slight separation anxiety when you see your dog run off to who knows where. We don’t blame you. Fortunately, there are products on the market designed to keep your pets safe and give you a little more peace of mind: GPS collars.
What are the benefits of GPS pet trackers and collars?
The American Humane Association estimates over 10 million dogs and cats are lost and stolen in the U.S. every year. Equipping pets with ID tags or microchips is one way to ensure your pets’ safe return in case they get lost while on vacation or stray away from home, but you can take your dog’s safety to another level — with wearable tech. Pet wearables, such as GPS collars, are making it possible for pet parents to track their dog’s location (and even monitor their activity) wherever they are.
How do GPS pet trackers work?
A GPS chip in the tracker acquires your pet’s position and sends the info to your smartphone primarily via cell coverage. Usually, an app is used to display your pet’s location on a map. Base stations are commonly used to establish the link between the tracker, which is attached to your dog’s collar, and your smartphone via WiFi or Bluetooth.
What to look for in a GPS pet collar
Some smart collars can do more than simply track your fur baby’s location. If you’re looking for additional features, pick a tracker that monitors activity and sleeping patterns, like a Fitbit for pets. Note, however, that a GPS tracker is not a substitute for a microchip implant. Use a GPS collar or tracker in conjunction with a microchip, which stores your pet’s info and is still the best way to ensure you’re reunited with them if they get lost. Most pet shelters and veterinary clinics have scanners for microchips.
Here’s a look at some of the best GPG dog collars and trackers you can buy
Whether you’re searching for something simple with long battery life, or something more complex with additional features, there’s something for every furry friend and pet parent duo out there.
A Borderlands Cover Was Once Chosen by a Very Good Dog
Fantasy art in Last of Us Part 1 sparks speculation of a new Naughty Dog IP
The Last of Us Part 1 is out and firmly in the hands of players across the world. A great overhaul of an already brilliant game (as per our review), many are jumping in and scouring the world in Joel’s shoes once again. However, a secret recently found in this new version of the Naughty Dog 3rd person classic has some curious about the next big IP from the studio.
In the new game, players can track down and take a look at pin boards inside a pitch-black building. With the help of a flashlight, you can see several pieces of fantastical art featuring dragons, a variety of fantasy characters, and other mystical creatures and settings.
Now, there’s been no word on what the team at Naughty Dog are working on next, aside from the Last of Us multiplayer title they teased earlier this year. However, the studio has a history if littering their games with hints towards future titles. Uncharted 3 famously featured an easter egg pointing towards The Last of Us before its official reveal, so the likelihood that this is a similar situation isn’t nil.