The Purina® Pet Institute's
Health and Wellness Guide

A step-by-step care guide to responsible dog ownership, for all life stages and levels of experience.

Guide

Checklist

They always run to greet us. Always wait patiently for us to return. But caring for a dog is about love, compassion and ultimately, responsibility. Dogs are the friends we can only aspire to be... That’s why Purina science is dedicated to creating dog care products and providing insights that enrich their lives.

Dog Care Articles

What increases a dog’s risk of an ACL injury? My dog is going to have puppies. What happens during a normal delivery? Facts about Melamine Contamination in Wheat Gluten and the 2007 Pet Food Recall Is Lyme Disease a risk throughout the U.S. or only in certain areas? How Can I Keep My Child Safe Around the Family Dog? Common Parasites & Diseases I want to celebrate my pets’ birthdays. What are some creative ideas for things I can do? How can I help my child cope with the loss of our family pet? Is pet ownership good for peoples' health? What breeds tend to make the best agility dogs? Vaccinations Traveling With Your Dog We're Expecting a Baby. How can we Prepare our pet for the New Arrival? Caring For Your Older Dog How Does My Dog Stay Cool During the Hot Summer Months? What should I consider when choosing a name for my dog? My dog has diarrhea. What should I consider in terms of his food and water intake? Why might a veterinarian recommend feeding a senior dog glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements? What are some tips for safely rollerblading with my dog? What is Von Willebrand disease?

I’m thinking about taking my dog to visit people in a nearby nursing home. What can I do to prepare him to be a good therapy dog? When I play tug-of-war with my dog, he often tries to hang by his teeth? Is this dangerous? Are pets given anesthesia more frequently than humans? Why? Can cats and dogs live together peacefully? Do dogs and cats suffer from hypertension? What is Ringworm and How do I Know if my Pet Has it? I’d like to work with animals, but I don’t want to become a Veterinarian or Veterinary Technician. What are some other options? What can my dog’s tail posture tell me about his state of mind? What role do X-Rays, MRI's and Ultrasounds play in pet healthcare? How did dogs assist with the search and recovery efforts after the September 11th world trade center disaster? What is a hot spot and what causes it? How do dog years really compare to human years? How Can I Get My Dog to Stop Licking Me? What is the record for the tallest dog? Can MRSA infections pass from me to my pet and vice versa? During the holidays, how can I keep my dog from being stressed out by all of the visitors and activity? What are some reasons dogs get black spots on their bellies? I love animals. What are some volunteer opportunities that would allow me to help pets? What are some of the different reasons why dogs bark? What is a Veterinary Behaviorist?