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If your dog is constantly licking or chewing their paws, you may be wondering: “Is this normal?” While the occasional paw lick is completely normal, frequent licking can be a sign that something is bothering your dog. Many pet parents assume it’s just a habit, but persistent paw licking may point to irritation, allergies, yeast overgrowth, fungal issues, or another underlying problem. Your dog can’t tell you their paws hurt or feel uncomfortable — but they can show you throug

Have you ever looked down and realized your dog has been following you from room to room all day? If you've ever wished for just 30 seconds of privacy, you're not alone. My Pomeranian, Santi, follows me everywhere. And I mean everywhere. Walking to the kitchen? Santi's right behind me. Heading to the garage? He's already waiting at the door. Going outside to check the mail? Yep, he's coming too. And don't even get me started on the bathroom. Apparently, that's a two-person ac

If you've ever walked into another room only to find your sock missing, your TV remote covered in teeth marks, or your favorite shoe being proudly paraded around the house, you're definitely not alone. Many dogs love stealing household items, but the good news is that they're usually not doing it out of spite. In fact, there's almost always a reason behind the behavior. Understanding why your dog steals things is the first step toward stopping it. Why Dogs Steal Things They'r

Nova showing off her beautiful smile - what a happy girl! As a Certified Pet Nutrition Coach and lifelong dog lover, I know how quickly a dog's health can change. One condition that has always stayed with me is bloat. When I was growing up, my family lost one of our beloved dogs to bloat. He was a Shar-Pei who had been part of our family long before I was born and lived a wonderful 13 years. We never knew exactly what caused it, and everything happened so quickly. Losing him

If you've ever caught your dog staring at a wall, zooming through the house at full speed, or proudly rolling in something disgusting, you're not alone. Dogs do a lot of things that leave us scratching our heads. While some behaviors seem completely random, most have roots in instinct, communication, or habits passed down from their wild ancestors. Let's take a look at some of the weirdest—and grossest—things dogs do and what they might mean. 1. Getting the Zoomies One minute

Have you ever looked outside and caught your dog happily munching on grass like a tiny lawnmower? If so, you're not alone. We call our Pomeranians little cows, because they all love to eat grass. Eating grass is one of the most common behaviors dog owners notice, and it often leads to the same question: Why does my dog eat grass? The good news is that in most cases, grass-eating is completely normal. However, there are a few situations where it could signal an underlying issu

Walk down any pet store aisle and you'll see bags covered in words like "natural," "premium," "holistic," and "human-grade." But what do those labels actually mean? The truth is that the ingredient panel tells you far more about a dog food than the marketing on the front of the bag. As a Certified Pet Nutrition Coach, I always encourage pet parents to flip the bag over and look at the ingredients first. Here's what you should know. Start With the First Five Ingredients Ingred

If you’ve ever picked up your dog’s paws and thought, “why do these smell like corn chips?” - you are definitely not alone. Dog parents everywhere joke about “Frito paws,” but there’s actually a real reason behind that weirdly comforting snack-like smell. And once you notice it… you can’t un-smell it. So… what is Frito paws? “Frito paws” is the nickname for the slightly corn-chip smell that comes from a dog’s feet. It’s most commonly noticed on their paw pads, especially afte

If you’ve ever watched your dog grab a bite of kibble, walk a few steps away from their bowl, drop it on the floor, and then eat it… you might have paused and thought: “Why are they doing that?” Or maybe your dog takes it even further—carrying food across the room like it’s a mission. This behavior actually has a name: caching. And it’s far more common (and normal) than most dog owners realize. 🐶 What is caching in dogs? Caching is when a dog: Picks up food or treats Moves t

On December 29, 2021, a tiny puppy entered the world and immediately changed our lives. MJ was part of the very first litter our Pomeranian, Mozzi, ever had. Unfortunately, things didn't go quite as planned. Mozzi rejected the puppies and wanted nothing to do with them. Suddenly, my husband and I found ourselves stepping into the role of round-the-clock puppy parents. We transformed our bedroom into a puppy nursery. We had an electric fireplace running constantly, keeping the

A comfortable harness helps make walks safer and more enjoyable - for both dogs and their humans. I know Raph loves his harness! If you've ever walked a small dog, you've probably experienced the classic standstill: your dog suddenly stops walking and refuses to budge. Recently, I watched a video of a Pomeranian wearing a collar who didn't want to continue their walk. The owner wasn't doing anything wrong—they were simply giving a gentle tug on the leash to encourage the dog

Mozzi reminding us that one quick jump on the counter can turn into a whole lot of curiosity… and a good reminder that not everything within reach is safe for our pups. We know those puppy eyes can make it almost impossible not to share a bite of your favorite snack. But while some human foods seem harmless, certain everyday ingredients can actually be toxic - and even dangerous - for our furry best friends. Before slipping your pup a quick treat from the kitchen, here are so

Raph eating his ProDen Dental Chew! Dental chews are one of the most popular products for dogs — and for good reason. Many pet parents want an easy way to help support their dog’s dental health between brushing and vet visits. But are dental chews actually safe for dogs? The short answer: some can be a great addition to your dog’s routine, while others may contain ingredients or textures that aren’t ideal for every pup. Why Dental Health Matters Dental health is about more th

Cats are beloved family members—but when they stare at your plate, it’s natural to wonder: what human foods can cats eat safely? The truth is, cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies are designed to thrive on animal-based protein, not human food or plant-heavy diets. Before sharing food with your cat, it helps to understand how their body works differently from ours. 🐱 Are Cats Carnivores? Why It Matters for Their Diet Yes - cats are obligate carnivores, which mea

Mozzi did NOT want daddy to leave to work this morning! When Your Dog Notices Every Little “Leaving Cue” If you have a dog with separation anxiety, you know how heartbreaking it can be. Some dogs become anxious the second they notice signs that you’re about to leave — even before you touch the door handle. My eldest Pomeranian, Mozzi, has struggled with separation anxiety her whole life. She’s incredibly smart, which honestly makes it harder sometimes because she notices ever

Understanding the Pet Product Landscape Everywhere I go now, there’s a pet aisle. Big box stores, grocery stores, and even home stores have shelves full of treats, toys, chews, supplements, toppers, and foods. It can feel overwhelming fast. When pet products are sold everywhere, especially in stores that aren’t traditional pet stores, I wonder how much education is behind the products being stocked. Are these stores focused on helping pet parents understand ingredients and nu

Me and Mozzi I’ve never known life without dogs. They’ve been part of every chapter of my story, from childhood all the way into adulthood, shaping who I am and ultimately inspiring Pure Paws. My Childhood Dogs Growing up, my home was always full of dogs and life. Two of my earliest companions were my Shar Peis, Ming and China. They were a big part of my childhood and my first real understanding of how deeply a dog can become family. China eventually developed cancer, and los

When I first started paying closer attention to pet food labels, I quickly realized how overwhelming the pet industry can feel. Packaging can look healthy and wholesome on the outside, while the ingredient list tells a completely different story. MJ is suspicious about these "Natural" treats! As a pet parent, I know how easy it is to stand in the pet aisle wondering: “Is this actually good for my dog?” That’s one of the reasons I started Pure Paws — I wanted a place where pet

If you’ve ever watched a dog become completely obsessed with a toy, you’ve already seen enrichment in action. The other day, one of our dogs brought a toy outside while everyone was hanging out in the yard. Within minutes, all of the dogs were barking, chasing each other, and trying to claim the prize for themselves. It instantly became the most exciting thing in the world. My husband eventually took the toy away and slipped it into his pocket, thinking the fun was over. MJ h

What your dog and/or cat eats every day impacts far more than just their weight — nutrition affects their energy, skin and coat health, digestion, immune system, behavior, and even lifespan. Proper nutrition plays a vital role in the health and happiness of your dogs and cats. Feeding them the right diet supports their growth, energy, immune system, and overall well-being. Many pet owners underestimate how much nutrition affects their pets’ quality of life. This post explains