PawBench Blog

Dog Gear Guides & Honest Reviews

Buying guides, product comparisons, and honest advice for dog owners.

Showing 37 posts tagged #health

Foxtails in Dogs: Where the Awns Actually End Up
Foxtails in Dogs: Where the Awns Actually End Up

Foxtails in Dogs: Where the Awns Actually End Up

Two case series 39 years apart put the ear canal ahead of the paw. Where foxtail awns lodge in dogs, which grass to scan for, what imaging misses.

Hilly Shore Labs
6 min read·August 21, 2026
Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? The Sick-Dog Theory Doesn't Fit
Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? The Sick-Dog Theory Doesn't Fit

Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? The Sick-Dog Theory Doesn't Fit

The sick-dog theory does not fit the UC Davis survey figures. Why dogs really eat grass, and the lawn risks that do have evidence behind them.

Hilly Shore Labs
6 min read·August 9, 2026
Can All Dogs Swim? Pool, Lake and Beach Water Safety
Can All Dogs Swim? Pool, Lake and Beach Water Safety

Can All Dogs Swim? Pool, Lake and Beach Water Safety

Not all dogs can swim — some build traits make it harder. Why no dog life jacket is Coast Guard certified, plus pool, lake, and ocean hazards compared.

Hilly Shore Labs
6 min read·August 7, 2026
How Often to Wash a Dog Bowl — and at What Temperature
How Often to Wash a Dog Bowl — and at What Temperature

How Often to Wash a Dog Bowl — and at What Temperature

Wash temperature matters more than stainless vs plastic. How often to wash a dog bowl, what the FDA actually says, and what the research supports.

Hilly Shore Labs
6 min read·August 6, 2026
Dog DNA Tests: Which Results Actually Change Anything
Dog DNA Tests: Which Results Actually Change Anything

Dog DNA Tests: Which Results Actually Change Anything

MDR1 drug sensitivity is the one dog DNA result that changes care. Why carrier does not mean affected, and why breed explains only 9% of behaviour.

Hilly Shore Labs
6 min read·August 4, 2026
Best Dog Ramps, Steps & Mobility Aids for Senior Dogs (2026)
Best Dog Ramps, Steps & Mobility Aids for Senior Dogs (2026)

Best Dog Ramps, Steps & Mobility Aids for Senior Dogs (2026)

Car ramps vs bed steps vs ToeGrips vs support slings: which senior dog mobility aid solves which problem, with sizing and training notes for 2026.

Hilly Shore Labs
6 min read·July 10, 2026
Best Cooling Mats for Dogs (2026): Gel vs. Water vs. Elevated
Best Cooling Mats for Dogs (2026): Gel vs. Water vs. Elevated

Best Cooling Mats for Dogs (2026): Gel vs. Water vs. Elevated

Gel vs water-fill vs elevated dog cooling mats: what each design can and cannot do, honest sizing and chew-safety notes, and the best mats for 2026.

Hilly Shore Labs
5 min read·July 4, 2026
How to Brush a Dog's Teeth (the Right Way, Without a Fight)
How to Brush a Dog's Teeth (the Right Way, Without a Fight)

How to Brush a Dog's Teeth (the Right Way, Without a Fight)

Brushing a dog's teeth takes 30 seconds per side once trained. The finger-to-brush desensitization ramp, and why dental chews alone are not enough.

Hilly Shore Labs
6 min read·June 24, 2026
How Much Should a Dog Sleep a Day? By Age + Red Flags
How Much Should a Dog Sleep a Day? By Age + Red Flags

How Much Should a Dog Sleep a Day? By Age + Red Flags

Dogs sleep more than people because they get less REM. Normal dog sleep hours by life stage, and the red flag that matters more than the raw total.

Hilly Shore Labs
5 min read·June 23, 2026
Are Your Floor Cleaners Safe for Dogs? What Matters
Are Your Floor Cleaners Safe for Dogs? What Matters

Are Your Floor Cleaners Safe for Dogs? What Matters

Most floor cleaners are safe around dogs once diluted, rinsed, and fully dry. The real hazards, an ingredient-risk chart, and a safe mopping routine.

Hilly Shore Labs
5 min read·June 22, 2026
Hot Pavement and Dog Paws: The 7-Second Test
Hot Pavement and Dog Paws: The 7-Second Test

Hot Pavement and Dog Paws: The 7-Second Test

Asphalt stores far more heat than the air temperature suggests. How to run the seven-second pavement test, spot paw burn signs, and give walk first aid.

Hilly Shore Labs
5 min read·June 19, 2026
How to Get Rid of Fleas in Your House (Not Just the Dog)
How to Get Rid of Fleas in Your House (Not Just the Dog)

How to Get Rid of Fleas in Your House (Not Just the Dog)

Most of a flea infestation lives in your house, not on the dog. The flea life cycle, why pupae survive treatment, and the wash-vacuum-spray plan.

Hilly Shore Labs
7 min read·June 17, 2026