Kinship

Whistle 101

We’re releasing the most significant update ever for the Whistle app on Android! Download a faster, sleeker, and more intuitive Whistle experience that will take your pet monitoring to the next level.

Tips & Tricks

If your holiday adventures include taking your pet on any plane, train, or automobile, these 4 tips from your friends at Whistle will help reduce stress and anxiety for you and your pet.

Health & Nutrition

You have to spell w-a-l-k and the seeing the leash makes your dog race to the door. Daily walks around the neighborhood are the best parts of your dog’s day and they make sure to stop and smell all of the roses (and the trees and fire hydrants) along the route.

Vet Insights

Discover how to spot seasonal allergies in dogs during the Fall and explore effective treatments. Learn to recognize symptoms and the latest treatment options available.

Health & Nutrition

The real opportunity lies in identifying the subtle early signs of discomfort or illness. Innovative health monitoring technologies like Whistle can be helpful in this process.

Health & Nutrition

Getting fit and being healthy doesn’t mean you need to push through loads of planks and push-ups all alone. Your best bud is eager to join in.

Tips & Tricks

Fireworks might be as American as apple pie on the 4th of July but the loud noises and bright lights can be super stressful for your pup. Having a plan to keep your dog calm when the fireworks begin is important to maintaining their wellbeing.

Whistle 101

How do you know if your dog is healthy? Monitoring their eating, drinking, exercise and sleeping habits and changes to behaviors like licking and scratching, and provide important clues.

Tips & Tricks

How to make sure your copilot really enjoys the ride.

Vet Insights

When trying to sort out how to best help your dog's anxiety, having a solid record of what behaviors they are showing and the situations they present them is invaluable.

Health & Nutrition

As the buds bloom and the world reawakens, spring brings with it not just beauty but challenges for dogs with atopic dermatitis. Commonly known as atopy, this chronic condition affects an estimated 10-15% of the dog population and can significantly impact their quality of life. With no cure currently available, understanding and managing atopy is crucial for ensuring that affected dogs enjoy spring without suffering.  Understanding Atopic Dermatitis Atopic dermatitis in dogs is an inflammatory condition triggered by environmental allergens such as pollens, molds, and dust mites. When these allergens contact the weakened skin barrier of atopic dogs, they cause an intense allergic response. This condition is often rooted in genetics, with certain breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Bulldogs being more predisposed. Mixed breeds are also affected depending on what they inherited from their parents. Symptoms and Diagnosis The primary symptom of atopy is excessive itchiness, leading to behaviors like scratching, licking, and rubbing. This can cause hair loss, redness, and secondary skin infections that exacerbate the dog's discomfort. Diagnosing atopy involves a detailed clinical examination and a careful review of the dog's medical history, as there is no definitive test for the condition. Managing Atopic Dermatitis During Spring Minimizing exposure to known allergens is crucial. This can involve: • Keeping windows closed during high pollen days. • Using air purifiers to reduce indoor allergens. • Regularly wash your dog’s bedding and toys with hypoallergenic soap. Medical Treatments Treatment for atopy is tailored to the individual dog and may include: • Topical Therapies: Medicated shampoos and creams help soothe irritated skin and reduce inflammation. • Oral and Injectable Medications: These can control the immune response and alleviate itching. Options include corticosteroids, cyclosporine, and newer treatments like Apoquel or Cytopoint. • Allergen-specific Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots): This involves gradually exposing the dog to small amounts of allergens to desensitize their immune system. • Don't forget flea control: Fleas also enjoy spring in most areas and can hatch in great numbers quickly. If you are using increased bathing to help your dog stay comfortable, make sure you are using an oral flea prevention. Technological Aids Devices like the Whistle are invaluable for early detection and management of atopy. They track a dog’s behavior, alerting owners to increased scratching or licking, which can indicate a flare-up. Intervening before the increasing itching leads to further damaged skin can help prevent secondary infections. Springtime Tips for Dogs with Atopy • Dietary Considerations: There are special diets that have been tested and have shown to strengthen the skin’s barrier and support overall skin health. • Bathing Routines: Use hypoallergenic or medicated shampoos to wash away allergens and soothe irritated skin. • Vet Visits: Keep up with regular check-ups to adjust treatment plans as needed and catch any secondary infections early. Managing atopic dermatitis in dogs requires a comprehensive approach that includes veterinary care, environmental management, and the strategic use of medications and technology. With the right strategies, dogs with atopy can enjoy the spring season with minimal discomfort, maintaining a joyful and active lifestyle. References: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/atopic-dermatitis-atopy https://www.royalcanin.com/us/dogs/health-and-wellbeing/how-your-dogs-diet-affects-their-skin

Health & Nutrition

Looking to improve your pup’s gut health? Learn about signs of poor gut health and discover effective ways to improve your dog’s digestive well-being.

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition isn't just about filling your dog's bowl; it's about fueling their body and supporting their overall health. But amidst the flashy packaging and catchy slogans, how do you separate fact from fiction?

Health & Nutrition

Our friends at Get Joy have cracked the code when it comes to a complete dog wellness ecosystem with gut-healthy nutrition at their core that prioritizes your companion’s health as much as you do our own.

Health & Nutrition

Start 2024 off right with a resolution for your pets in the hopes of helping them have the happiest, healthiest and most paw-some new year.

Vet Insights

Our priority is ensuring that our four-legged family members live their "best possible life," and that's why it's crucial to keep an eye on their weight.

Whistle 101

Looking for the best way to track your dog? Microchips and GPS trackers are both common tools used by dog owners. Both options offer their own unique benefits, find out which is best for you.

Whistle 101

When senior Chihuahua Beep Beep Jeep was adopted, he was 10 pounds overweight. Then his pet parents used Whistle’s activity and weight-tracking features to create a personalized weight loss plan. Nine months later, BBJ achieved his goal weight and a whole new lease on life.

Vet Insights

Now that we’ve made it to summer, we have something else we have to contend with besides the heat and humidity: ticks.

Health & Nutrition

You probably wear an activity tracker, set a daily step count goal and monitor essentials like calories, heart rate and sleep. You can do the same thing for your dog.

Whistle 101

Whistle is back with a new feature, your pup's very own food pantry. Now you can keep tabs on what their eating to better understand how diet changes affect health and weight.

Vet Insights

it isn’t always so easy to know what your pet is up to all hours of the day and night. This is where technology can help to make being a pet parent easier!

Vet Insights

Because of how common skin and coat issues are, and because of the impact on quality of life, we’ve been hard at work figuring out how to interpret your dog’s scratching and itching patterns with the goal of empowering you with information about your dog’s skin health.

Vet Insights

We sat down with Dr. Aletha Carson, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine to discuss how to tell the difference between seasonal scratching and a chronic skin problem.

Whistle 101

Your dog’s companionship might be priceless but their vet care can come at a cost. Even if you have savings to cover unexpected vet bills, treatment for emergencies or serious illnesses like cancer can take a major toll on your bank account. Pet insurance can help.

Vet Insights

Scratching. Every dog does it. But, did you know that it can be seasonal, meaning your dog may be more affected in the warmer months? That’s right. Your dog may have allergies.

Whistle 101

Identifying patterns in your dog’s behavior can provide important clues about their health—and that’s where Whistle comes in.Back in the fall of 2022, Whistle introduced journaling in the Whistle app to allow you to rate how your pet is feeling and log information about their daily mood; you can even leave optional notes with more information.

Vet Insights

Scratching. Every dog does it. But, did you know that it can be seasonal, meaning your dog may be more affected in the warmer months? That’s right. Your dog may have allergies.

Whistle 101

Learn how to spot the signs of an ear infection, what may be causing it, and how modern technology like Whistle and QSM at-home tests are helping pets feel better faster.

Whistle 101

Whether you've had your pet for two weeks or 12 years, staying ahead of routine pet care and planning for the growing expenses as much as possible is always the goal. By pairing modern tools like a Whistle smart device with a Wagmo Wellness Plan you can do just that.

Whistle 101

You depend on your Whistle device to provide accurate information about all aspects of pet health from eating, drinking and sleep habits to changes in licking and scratching behaviors. The information isn’t just helpful for tracking dog habits; the dog health tracker also provides valuable information about pet health to your veterinarian.

Health & Nutrition

There is no denying that your pup has packed on the pounds. You love your dog regardless of the number on the scale but know that obesity in dogs could put them at risk for serious health problems.

Tips & Tricks

New Year’s resolutions don’t last long, but Whistle is ready to help you make things stick for your pet. Explore dog friendly places and events for New Year's.

Tips & Tricks

Your dog is eager to get outside and explore the neighborhood but frigid temperatures, icy sidewalks and steep snowbanks can make it challenging to take daily walks in the winter.

Vet Insights

From the “fresh from the salon” smell to those big puppy eyes, there is nothing cuter than a freshly groomed pup, but professional grooming is not just for looks (and smells!) Grooming with a pro also helps reduce licking and scratching. And the pros do it best.

Tips & Tricks

Whether you’re making them a special feast, shopping for the best presents, taking them on your vacation, or making sure the festivities aren’t causing extra stress, follow these tips for a very merry holiday season.

Whistle 101

Dogs are living, breathing, feeling creatures, with changing emotions and moods just like us. To help you better understand how different factors affect their emotional and physical health Whistle has launched a new daily check-in feature.

Tips & Tricks

You might think a fat rotund Rottweiler, chubby Chihuahua or plump Poodle are adorable but pet obesity is a big problem.

Health & Nutrition

As your dog ages, their joints may start to feel stiffer and creakier than they used to. The good news is that Whistle is here to help.

Tips & Tricks

Whether you leash up your pup for a walk around the block or go off road and explore local trails, there are some doggone big benefits to walking your dog.

Vet Insights

Whistle knows that small devices can deliver big insights.

Kinship

Though paw licking is a common behavior in dogs, a history of excessive licking could be an indication of a more serious problem.

Tips & Tricks

Whether you already share your life with a dog or want to adopt, here are seven ideas for how to celebrate National Dog Day 2022.

Kinship

When it comes to gross behaviors, your dog scooting their butt across the floor (or on your new rug), definitely tops the list.

Kinship

If your dog loses their sh*t over anything from a squirrel to a guest, dog behaviorist Trish King has some tips.

Whistle 101

You asked, we listened: Whistle’s Find My Pet feature is now even more comprehensive and easy to use than before, so you can find your pet faster, whether you’re at home or out on an adventure.

Kinship

Your dog probably isn’t stopping to itch just so they can ignore you when you tell them to “come” or “sit.” There is a chance this is exactly what they are doing, but most likely, your dog actually has itchy skin.

Whistle 101

We’ve teamed up with IAMS™ to help pet parents discover actionable ways to help their pets live their healthiest life.

Kinship

That strange honking noise is called reverse sneezing, and it’s usually harmless. It happens to many dogs and rarely requires medical treatment. Still nervous? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know.

Kinship

It’s called sleep startle reflex — and there are easy ways to deal with it.

Kinship

What’s behind the desire and whether it’s safe to do.

Kinship

Now that summer is officially here, it’s important to review the signs so you can get your pup to the vet as soon as possible.

Health & Nutrition

Worried about your dog sleeping all day? Learn more about what is healthy and what to watch for. Track your dog’s sleeping habits with Whistle Health.

Health & Nutrition

You know water is important and keep the water bowl full but wonder, “Is my dog drinking too much water?” or “Is my dog drinking too little water?” Whistle can help.

Kinship

Don’t stress — it’s not at all unusual for puppies to resist going on walks! The good news is most dogs get more enthusiastic about them as they get older. In the meantime, here are some things you can do to get your puppy moving.

Health & Nutrition

Worried about why your dog isn’t eating? Use Whistle to track how much your dog is eating and learn how to get them to eat.

Kinship

If your pup's exuberant tail wagging has led to injury, they could have this condition.

Health & Nutrition

Excessive dog licking may be a cause of health issues or boredom. Learn how to track, control, and prevent excessive dog licking with Whistle Health.

Health & Nutrition

Your dog has been scratching a lot more often: You’ve noticed him rubbing his front paw across his nose and using his back paw to scratch behind his ears. So, what’s causing all of the dog itching?