Woof Tales

Among other things, June is recognized as National Foster a Pet Month. The goal is to encourage individuals and families to open their homes to shelter pets temporarily.  This month-long observance aims to highlight the absolutely critical role foster care plays in easing overcrowding in shelters and helping animals find their forever families.  Benefits of fostering: You’re providing a safe and loving home for animals in need, which allows them to decompress from the stressful shelter environment, and lets their real personalities shine which increases their chances of adoption. Some pets have manageable behavior challenges that require some time and the right environment to work through in order to be…

The following is a guest post by Rita Hogan, a renowned herbalist and author of a new book, “The Herbal Dog.” She will be having a Q & A at The Big Bad Woof on Sunday 6/15. Tickets are free. If your dog is constantly scratching, licking, developing ear infections, or reacting to more and more foods, you’re not alone. Many dogs today struggle with what dog owners call ”allergies.” But the truth is, most of these cases aren’t true allergies.   A true allergy causes an immediate and severe immune response, like anaphylaxis. That reaction requires urgent veterinary attention, and an epinephrine shot to stabilize your dog’s body.  Anaphylaxis…

Below is a guest blog post by renowned pet nutritionist and Annamaet founder, Rob Downey. Tickets to his upcoming seminar at The Big Bad Woof can be acquired here. Preparing homemade or raw meals for your dog allows you to tailor their diet to specific preferences and needs. However, ensuring these diets provide all essential nutrients is crucial for your pet’s health. Studies have shown that approximately 60% of home-prepared diets are deficient in at least one nutrient, which can lead to health issues over time. Why Supplementing is Essential Even with careful selection of ingredients, homemade and raw diets may lack certain essential vitamins and minerals:​ Deficiencies in these…

We can hardly believe that 20 years have passed since we first opened our doors. From our first location across the street to the Hyattsville store to where we are now has been quite a journey, and we’ve made so many friends along the way. We are so grateful to be a part of this vibrant, inclusive, compassionate community and we try to give back however we can. Over the years The Big Bad Woof has participated in hundreds of adoption events and hosted dozens of health and grooming clinics, donated untold amounts of pet food and supplies to local rescues and individuals in need, and guided our customers on…

With the holidays freshly behind us you’re probably pooped from all the traveling you did and, hopefully, you’re settling into the new year ready for what’s to come. Fittingly, National Pet Travel Safety Day falls right after the holiday season on January 2. As it turns out there is a lot to keeping pets safe when traveling. First things first. Research the requirements of your destination as they vary from state to state, so read first and then take them to the veterinarian and get the necessary work done and documented. Are they healthy enough to travel? Are they up to date on their shots? If your destination is the…

National Pet Travel Safety Day falls right after the holiday season on January 2. As it turns out there is a lot to keeping pets safe when traveling, especially when flying. First things first, it’s best to begin at the beginning and research the requirements of your destination. They vary from state to state and country to country, so read up first and then take them to their vet to get them evaluated. Are they up to date on their shots? Are they healthy enough to travel? And that’s just the beginning! There’s even more to consider when traveling by plane.  Having said all this, it’s important to note that…