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Your daily dose of doggy goodness!
Every day, we celebrate our shared love of dogs and hopefully brighten your day. Enjoy!
Dog of the Day:
Rascal!
Meme of the day: It’s true!
Myth: Pet insurance doesn’t cover everything
Many pet owners worry that insurance won’t cover everything, especially routine care or pre-existing conditions. While that’s true in many cases, most insurers now offer wellness add-ons for preventive care like vaccines, dental cleanings, and check-ups, giving you more complete coverage. View Money’s pet insurance list to find plans for as low as $10 a month.
The Glorious Full-Body Shake: Why Your Dog Shakes It Off After a Nap
It’s one of those uniquely charming dog behaviors: Your beloved canine companion is curled up, deep in a contented slumber. Then, they decide it’s time to rise. They stretch with an enormous, satisfying yawn, and then—whoosh!—a vigorous, full-body shake ripples from nose to tail, often ending with a satisfied wiggle.
This "shake-off," as it's often called, is a canine ritual that's much more than just a cute habit. It's a wonderful, multi-purpose tool in your dog's behavioral arsenal, serving to reset their body and mind..
The Post-Nap 'Cup of Coffee'
The most common reason for a shake-off after resting is quite simple: to wake up and warm up the muscles.
Think of it as your dog's version of you stretching and rolling your shoulders after you've been sitting in one position for a while. During a long nap or a night’s sleep, your dog's muscles can stiffen slightly. The sudden, forceful shake serves as a full-body reboot:
Muscle Activation: It quickly gets the blood flowing and shakes off the grogginess of sleep, preparing the body for movement.
A Grand Stretch: It’s often accompanied by a big, deep stretch (the classic "bow" pose), combining to loosen joints and muscles.
It's a burst of energy to move from a state of relaxation to a state of readiness for action—perfectly normal, healthy, and happy behavior.
A Total Emotional Reset
Beyond the physical, the full-body shake is a key piece of canine communication and a brilliant self-calming mechanism. Dogs often use this behavior to literally "shake off" stress, tension, or any uncomfortable feelings.
While we humans take a deep breath to de-stress, dogs often shake. When your dog wakes up, the shake can be:
Releasing Built-Up Tension: Your dog might have been having an intense dream, dealing with mild discomfort, or simply on high alert waiting for you to finish your own morning routine. The shake-off is a fantastic way to release any residual mental tension or anxiety.
Signaling a Shift: In social situations, a shake-off often signals a "break" or a return to a neutral, calmer state. When they get up, it signals, "Nap time is over, I'm ready for the next thing!"
All About the Fur
Let's not forget the most obvious and original function of a shake: to redistribute and regulate their coat.
Whether your dog was sleeping outside, on a dusty floor, or simply had their fur pressed down from lying in one position, the shake-off helps:
Readjust the Coat: It fluffs the fur back up, allowing for better insulation to regulate body temperature.
Get Rid of Debris: If they were sleeping on the grass or dirt, the quick movement works like a natural dust-buster to shake off any loose dirt, dust, or stray hairs.
When to Look a Little Closer
For most dogs, the post-nap shake is a sign of a healthy, well-adjusted pet. However, it's always wise to pay attention to context.
If your dog is shaking intensely, for a prolonged period, or if the shaking seems like a tremor (a less powerful, continuous vibration) that doesn't stop once they are up and moving, it could occasionally be a sign of:
Pain or Discomfort: If the shake seems tied to a specific movement or is accompanied by reluctance to walk.
Cold: A full-body shiver can be their way of generating heat.
An Underlying Medical Issue: Though rare for a routine wake-up shake, persistent, uncontrollable tremors should be a cue to consult your vet.
For the vast majority of our furry friends, that vigorous, noisy, full-body vibration is nothing more than a spectacular demonstration of them hitting the 'Reset' button. It's a joyful, energetic way to transition from dreamland back to the wonderful reality of life with you! So next time you see it, just smile—your dog is simply ready to embrace the day.
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Dog Food and Supplement Recalls
Here are the recent recalls and advisories:
Raw Bistro - Frozen Beef Dog Food for potential Salmonella contamination.
Foodynamics - Freeze Dried Pet Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
Nature’s Own - Pet Chews Bully Bites Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
Viva - Ground Beef for Dogs and Ground Chicken for Dogs and Cats for potential Salmonella and Listeria contamination.
The Smile Section
Family Photo of the Day:
Melly!
We want to feature your pup!
We want to share your pup with our pack. Email us your favorite doggy pic or video with your pup’s name, and we'll try to feature it as a family photo in one of our upcoming newsletters or on our Facebook page.
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Meme of the day: itsme.tommy.to
