Home Authors Posts by Rika Silva, MSc

Rika Silva, MSc

44 POSTS 0 COMMENTS
Rita has a Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences and has worked in many different research laboratories. As a long-time dog owner, she's been trying to apply her skills, expertise and experience in the scientific field to writing about dogs and providing science-based information for other dog owners.

Therapy Dogs Reduce ADHD Symptoms in Kids, Study Shows

Most kids with ADHD get by with medication but having a therapy dog might be better solution, according to researchers from the University of...

Do Loving Dogs Still Feel Jealousy? Science Says Yes

There’s a green-eyed monster lurking inside your furry best friend but the situation is not as complicated as you might think. While dogs are famous...

Stressed Dogs with Anxiety Show Premature Graying Hair

Scientists looked into why dogs younger than four years old have graying hair around their muzzle, and the results surprised them. Gray hair is part...

Empathetic Dogs Rush to Help Their Distressed Humans

Dogs who are calmer and who have stronger ties to their humans are more likely to successfully rescue the owners if they are in...

CKD Risk In Dogs Increases With Tick Exposure

Dogs have no way of telling their owners about a tick infection, and if there are no tests done, prevention or treatment might be...

More Scientific Proof That Dogs Can Read Our Emotions

Yet another study reports that dogs are capable of processing a person's negative and positive emotions based on facial expressions. It's something we've all been...

Grain-Free Foods for Dogs Cause Heart Disease, FDA Warns

FDA found evidence of grain free foods causing dogs to suffer from canine dilated cardiomyopathy even when their breed isn't predisposed to the condition. Grain-free...

Could the Next Deadly Flu Pandemic Start With Dogs?

Scientists discovered new dog flu virus strains that might affect dog owners severely in the future. Could man's best friend trigger the next flu pandemic...

Do Rescue Dogs Have Memories Of Their Past?

It’s a question that many experts, animal behaviorists, and psychologists have been debating for decades. Do you own a rescue dog? Have you ever wondered...

Study: Dogs Born in Summer Are at Higher Risk of Heart...

These new findings support a similar previous study in humans about the increased risks of heart problems during gestation. Scientists now say that a dog's...

Science Determines the Exact Age When Puppies Are Their Most Adorable

For many animal lovers, dogs are cute at any age, but scientists managed to zero in on the exact age of when they're at...

Human Encouragement Boosts Problem-solving Skills In Dogs, Study Says

New research explains how important our encouragement is to our pets. Nine dogs were able to complete the task better because they got some...

LATEST FEATURES

How to Prepare Pets for Daylight Saving Time

6 Ways to Prepare Pets for Daylight Saving Time

Pets might not understand the concept of minutes and hours the way we do, but they have a sense of time based on biological...
Fall Allergies in Dogs Featured Image

Fall Allergies in Dogs: Signs, Prevention, and Treatments

Amber leaves, cooler temperatures, pumpkin spice in the air... only a few things we love about the fall season. But apart from the good...
Small Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed Or Bark

Top 15 Medium & Small Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed Or...

Whatever the size and breed of dog is, one thing is sure: all of them bark and shed to a certain extent. If the noise...
human medication for dogs

15 Safe Human Medications for Dogs

In most cases, you should only give your dog medicines that are manufactured specifically for them. According to a study, one of the leading causes...
Dog Thanksgiving Costumes, Clothes, and Outfits - Featured Image

17 Best Dog Thanksgiving Clothes, Costumes & Outfits

Whether your dog needs a warm jacket to join your family for football or you’d like to snap a few pictures of him dressed...

20 Most-Asked Questions from Dog Owners in 2025

We're in the last quarter of 2025, and we thought it's best to round up all the popular and most-asked questions from dog owners...
Fall and Winter Dog Clothes - Fall Pet Safety tips

11 Large Dog Clothes Your Big Pet Needs This Fall and...

Dog fashion is not limited to small dogs that fit inside purses. Now, there's plenty of stylish large dog clothes for big dogs! While some...
10 Pet-Friendly Fall Home Decor Featured Image

10 Pet-Friendly Fall Home Decor Safe for Dogs and Cats

Pumpkins, candles, throws, and a simmer pot in the kitchen... fall home decor sets the perfect mood for this cozy season. Unfortunately for us pet...
Halloween Dog Statue Featured

8 Best Halloween Dog Statues for Your Spooky Decoration

Now that Halloween is almost upon us, we're finalizing every set of decorations in our houses, costumes, and treats. Whether you're planning to join a...
Halloween Bandana for Dogs

10 Best Halloween Bandana for Dogs Who Don’t Like Costumes

One of the best parts of Halloween is dressing up! The costumes and decorations are everything when celebrating the spooky season. However—and I'm sure most...