Having your favorite canine join you while you’re out and about is a great time, but in most places, your pup will have to be on a leash while accompanying you. Leashes aren’t always our dogs’ favorite things, though, so it’s helpful to know where the off-leash areas in your city are. After all, you want your pet to have the chance to romp and play somewhere bigger than your backyard!
If you live in Austin, Texas, you’re in luck because this city has plenty of off-leash areas you can take your dog—particularly parks. Whether you’re in the mood for some hiking, prefer to laze by a river or creek, or just want a dog park where you can grab a drink, Austin has you covered. Below are 15 great off-leash dog parks in Austin, Texas, that you can visit today!
The 15 Beautiful Off-Leash Dog Parks in Austin, Texas
45-acre area of the 350-acre Zilker Metro Park is designated off-leash
Huge area of grass for dogs to run and play
Dog area is not fenced in, though, and is near busy roads, so be cautious
Rest of the park dogs must be leashed while you explore trails, lakes, springs, and more
Conclusion
As dog parents, we love spending time with our canine pals. And Austin, Texas, seems to be a pretty dog-friendly place, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding great spots to visit with your favorite pup. If parks are your thing, though, you can visit any of the 15 parks listed here and have a wonderful time with your pet!
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Wonderdog: The Science of Dogs and Their Unique Friendships with Humans
Wildlife expert, zoology correspondent and science writer Jules Howard presents this celebration of dogs and the scientists who have lived alongside them. Our relationship with dogs has considerably evolved, and this book takes a look at the historical paths we’ve walked together and how psychologists and animal behaviorists have built upon the study of dogs with important results. With the help of veterinarians, ethologists, neurologists, historians and the author’s own dogs, this book reveals the study of dogs to be key in the advancement of compassion in scientific research — and crucial to making life on Earth better for all species.
Since the beginning of his career, dogs were integral to Norman Rockwell’s art, often conveying the emotion of a scene (like the family dog bounding forward to greet a soldier returning from war). He sometimes used his own dogs as models: Raleigh the German Shepherd, Butch the Springer Spaniel and Pitter the Beagle mix. Written by Margaret Rockwell (the artist’s granddaughter by marriage), this book reproduces 50 of Rockwell’s best paintings with canine characters, along with his drawings and reference photos of dogs, and rarely seen Rockwell family photos. The text takes us inside Rockwell’s home and studio, illuminating his life with dogs.
Sit, Stay, Heal: What Dogs Can Teach Us About Living Well
For more than two decades, esteemed veterinary oncologist Dr. Renee Alsarraf has treated cancer in canine patients. But when she was diagnosed with cancer herself, the disease she dedicated her professional life to fighting left her afraid and unsure. But in receiving her diagnosis, she realized that the empathy she had for animals went both ways. Those furry, four-legged friends seemed to understand her own difficult journey and showed her the true power of unconditional love and positivity. The book is an unforgettable and moving testament to both the healing nature of dogs and the resilience of the human spirit.
Sometimes a dog’s journey to his forever home isn’t a simple, straight line. Behind every dog featured in this touching photo series by photographer Traer Scott is a heartwarming tale of resilience and love. Scott, a Rhode Island-based photographer, whose earlier books include Finding Home and Shelter Dogs, chronicles their journeys to their forever homes with full-color, close-up portraits, along with their adoption stories. Whether you’re a new puppy parent or simply an animal lover, this celebration of pet rescue and adoption in all its forms is the ideal tribute to our canine friends.
The post Best Books for Dog Lovers to Read in the New Year by Annie Butler Shirreffs appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
If there’s one so-called superfood that’s made a big splash in the last few years, it’s Goji Berries. Known for their sour flavor and bright-red color, goji berries are a popular addition to salads, smoothies, or a super snack right out of the bag. Goji berries are also known for their nutritive benefits and, in fact, have been used for centuries in traditional recuperation remedies. If you’re a dog parent, one question you might have about goji berries is whether your furry friend can eat them and whether these nutritious berries are safe for your pet. Goji berries are a safe snack for your dog, but like many fruits, they should be given to your pet in moderation.
The Health Benefits of Goji Berries for Your Dog?
Image Credit: Valeria Boltneva, Pexels
The good news about goji berries as a canine snack is that they’re loaded with nutrients. You’ll find vitamins A, B, C, and E in these potent red berries, as well as beta-carotene. They also contain a decent amount of zinc, phosphorus, calcium, and a considerable quantity of fiber. Below we’ve broken down some of the potential health benefits your dog will get from eating goji berries based on specific nutrients found in goji berries.
Selenium
As an antioxidant, selenium can slow down your dog’s aging process by reducing oxidation and can help a dog suffering from several conditions, including heart disease, IBS, skin problems, and even seizures.
Zinc
Zinc is excellent for improving your dog’s immunity and helps your dog heal because it helps its body replicate cells during the healing process.
Calcium
Calcium is a vital mineral that dogs need for strong bones and teeth as well as nerves and muscles. The calcium and vitamins in goji berries also can help prevent a condition called rickets that can make your dog’s bones soft and weak.
Iron
The iron in goji berries is vital for your dog’s overall health as it helps create new, healthy red blood cells. These cells allow your dog’s body to transport oxygen, preventing anemia and keeping them strong and full of energy.
How Many Goji Berries Can Your Dog Safely Eat?
Goji berries and other non-traditional snacks shouldn’t comprise more than 10% of your pup’s daily diet. For example, if your dog eats a pound of kibble a day, you can give them about 1.6 ounces of snacks (1 pound = 16 ounces x 10% = 1.6 ounces).
That’s a little less than 2 tablespoons of goji berries. Of course, a dog that eats 1 pound of kibble daily is usually a big dog, so smaller dogs and toy dogs should eat far fewer goji berries. Nutrition experts recommend that, if you’re not exactly sure, about eight goji berries served two or three times a week should suffice without going overboard.
How Should You Feed Goji Berries to Your Dog?
You can safely give fresh or dried goji berries to your dog. You should remove the goji berries from their stems if they’re still attached. Also, if they’re fresh, a good washing to remove any residue is a good idea, just like any fruit or vegetable.
Image Credit: apolo12, Pixabay
Do some Dogs have an Allergy to Goji Berries?
The good news about goji berries is that they aren’t toxic to dogs. However, the occasional dog might have an allergy to goji berries. If yours does, you’ll notice a few signs after they eat a few berries, including the following:
Hives
Ear infections
Swelling of their face
Upset stomach
Vomiting
Itching and scratching more than usual
If you see your dog displaying any of the above signs, stop feeding them goji berries and contact your vet.
Do Goji Berries Interact with any Dog Medications?
While goji aren’t a problem for your dog, they could cause a problem if he or she takes various medications. For example, if your dog is on an antihypertensive for high blood pressure, the goji berries may further lower blood pressure. To be safe, if your dog is on any type of medication, check with your vet to be sure that feeding it goji berries is OK before you start.
Image Credit; SeventyFour, Shutterstock
Can Your Dog Eat Other Superfoods?
Goji berries are a superfood, one that is packed with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are beneficial to a dog’s health. As such, feeding them goji occasionally is a good idea. But what about other superfoods? Below is a list of several superfoods your dog can eat safely and get their nutritional benefits.
Carrots
Image Credit: ElenVik, Shutterstock
Many dogs love carrots because they’re tasty, crunchy, and fun to eat. Carrots are also packed with vitamins like C, an antioxidant, and K, which is great for fast healing.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of beta-carotene and have 150% more antioxidants than one of the top superfoods, blueberries. These tubers also have a lot of vitamin A to help your pup’s heart and immunity-boosting vitamin C.
Blueberries
Blueberries are a fantastic snack for your dog, thanks to their potent phytochemicals and fiber. You can feed your dog fresh blueberries, but many seem to like them better frozen.
Chia Seeds
Image Credit: ValeriaLu, Pixabay
The beauty of chia seeds is that they’re packed with nutrients, including essential omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and protein, but they’re so small you can add them directly to your dog’s kibble. Sprinkle them on to effortlessly give your dog a superfood boost.
Yogurt
A healthy GI tract and gut are critical to your dog’s well-being and overall health. The active cultures found in high-quality yogurt give your pup’s gut something to cheer about, thanks to many essential nutrients like potassium, protein, iodine, and zinc.
Quinoa
Image Credit: pictavio, Pixabay
Quinoa has all 8 essential amino acids and plenty of fiber. It’s also one of the few grains in the world that can claim to be a complete protein with powerful antioxidants.
Which Berries are Toxic for Dogs?
Some berries, like blueberries, strawberries, and cranberries, all make great dog snacks. However, there are quite a few berries that aren’t a good snack choice and can cause a toxic reaction if you feed them to your pup.
You should avoid feeding them the following:
Mistletoe berries
Gooseberries
Salmonberries
Holly berries
Baneberries
Pokeberries
Juniper berries
Dogwood berries
Conclusion
Goji berries offer many nutritional benefits to dogs, but like all non-traditional snacks, they should be given following the 90/10 rule. Nutrition experts recommend no more than 8 goji berries every few days for your dog, but larger dogs should be able to eat a few more with no problem. A few goji berries here and there, along with a nutritious kibble recipe, will help your favorite dog stay in excellent health.
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