AhaBulbStuff Everyone Should Know

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Stuff Every Dog Owner Should Know

Dog care basics: health, food, safety, training and what's toxic.

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⏱ Timed practice exam

AhaBulb practice exam: 50 questions, 50 minutes, pass with 40 right (80%).

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  1. Which of these is a core vaccine that is recommended for every dog?
    Show the answer

    Rabies. Core vaccines protect against the most serious diseases, so vets recommend them for all dogs. Rabies, distemper, parvovirus and adenovirus are on that list.

  2. Which of these is a traditionally non-core dog vaccine, given based on lifestyle risk?
    Show the answer

    Bordetella. Non-core vaccines are given when a dog's lifestyle or home area raises its risk, such as boarding or daycare. Distemper and parvovirus are core for all dogs.

  3. Why do puppies need repeated vaccine doses until about 16 weeks old?
    Show the answer

    Antibodies from the mother can block the vaccine. Puppies get antibodies from their mother, and those can interfere with a vaccine. Nobody knows exactly when they fade for each puppy, so doses repeat until after 16 weeks.

All 110 practice questions

The first 50 are free, with the answer, why it's right and the official sources. The other 60 (🔒) are for AhaBulb members. Or play them as a game and track what you've learned.

Show all 110 questions
  1. Which of these is a core vaccine that is recommended for every dog?
  2. Which of these is a traditionally non-core dog vaccine, given based on lifestyle risk?
  3. Why do puppies need repeated vaccine doses until about 16 weeks old?
  4. After the puppy series, how often are core vaccines like parvovirus usually boosted?
  5. Where should you check to learn which vaccines your dog is legally required to have?
  6. How do dogs get heartworm?
  7. How often should dogs be tested for heartworm, per the American Heartworm Society?
  8. How many months a year should dogs get heartworm preventive?
  9. Do indoor-only dogs need heartworm prevention?
  10. In how many US states has heartworm disease been diagnosed?
  11. How long do heartworm larvae take to grow into adult worms?
  12. Where do adult heartworms live in a dog?
  13. Where does most of a flea population live?
  14. Dogs can get which parasite from fleas?
  15. Many dogs are allergic to what part of a flea bite?
  16. By age 3, about how many dogs and cats show signs of dental disease?
  17. How many adult teeth does a dog have?
  18. What is a normal body temperature for a dog?
  19. Bloat (GDV) in dogs is what kind of problem?
  20. Which of these is a sign of bloat in a dog?
  21. Bloat mainly affects what kind of dog?
  22. At what body temperature is a dog in heatstroke territory?
  23. ASPCA Animal Poison Control is available when?
  24. At least how often should a healthy adult dog see the vet?
  25. Per AAHA, about how often should senior dogs see the vet?
  26. Per AAHA, a dog becomes a senior when it enters which part of its estimated lifespan?
  27. Which of these can be a sign of dementia in a senior dog?
  28. Which kind of chocolate is generally the most dangerous for a dog?
  29. Chocolate, coffee and caffeine are risky for dogs because they all contain what?
  30. Grapes and raisins can cause damage to which part of a dog's body?
  31. Xylitol, a sweetener in some gum and baked goods, can cause what in dogs?
  32. Onions, garlic and chives can harm a dog by damaging what?
  33. Macadamia nuts can cause which signs in dogs?
  34. After a dog swallows alcohol, how fast is it absorbed?
  35. Why is raw yeast dough a danger if a dog eats it?
  36. The ASPCA warns raw meat and raw eggs can carry bacteria that harm whom?
  37. Why does the ASPCA caution against giving dogs bones?
  38. What can milk and other dairy products cause in many dogs?
  39. Fatty foods and some nuts can cause what in some pets, besides vomiting and diarrhea?
  40. Too much salt can make a dog show what?
  41. The ASPCA says avocado's biggest concern is for which animals?
  42. A dog food label says 'complete and balanced.' What does the FDA say that means?
  43. Which is one way a dog food can back up a 'complete and balanced' claim, per the FDA?
  44. How many meals a day does the ASPCA say puppies 8 to 12 weeks old need?
  45. Why can pets easily be drawn to drink antifreeze?
  46. Which ingredient do pet-safer antifreezes use instead of ethylene glycol?
  47. You drop a pill on the floor. What does the ASPCA say dogs are notorious for?
  48. Per the AVMA, how much can the temperature inside a parked car rise in just 10 minutes?
  49. Does cracking the windows keep a parked car safe for a dog, per the AVMA?
  50. Why are flat-faced dogs like Pugs more prone to heatstroke?
  51. What is a dog's primary way of getting rid of extra body heat? 🔒
  52. Cornell's vet school says to test pavement for a dog by holding what on it for about 10 seconds? 🔒
  53. What does the ASPCA say about letting a dog ride with its head out the car window? 🔒
  54. As a rule of thumb, when should a dog's nails be trimmed, per the ASPCA? 🔒
  55. What does the ASPCA say about putting things in a dog's ear canal when cleaning? 🔒
  56. How can hookworm larvae from dog feces get into a person? 🔒
  57. In Los Angeles County, which dogs must have a license? 🔒
  58. What is a simple way to check whether a chew toy is too hard for your dog's teeth? 🔒
  59. Philadelphia requires dogs in its parks to be on a leash no longer than how many feet? 🔒
  60. What is the average lifespan of a dog, per the Merck Veterinary Manual? 🔒
  61. In general, which dogs tend to live longer? 🔒
  62. Which dogs especially need an active "job" to stay happy, per Humane World? 🔒
  63. Which year of owning a dog usually costs the most? 🔒
  64. Why does skipping your dog's yearly exam to save money usually backfire? 🔒
  65. If a surprise vet bill would strain your family, when does the ASPCA suggest getting pet insurance? 🔒
  66. Where does University of Illinois Extension suggest looking first for a dog? 🔒
  67. To teach "sit," where do you move the treat? 🔒
  68. Why is "come" called one of the most important commands? 🔒
  69. Your dog pulls hard on the leash. What should you do? 🔒
  70. About how long should a daily training lesson for a dog be, per Humane World? 🔒
  71. With the owner's OK, where is the best place to pet a dog you do not know? 🔒
  72. A child sees a loose dog wearing ID tags. What should the child do about the tags? 🔒
  73. When does the ASPCA suggest starting to prepare your dog for a new baby? 🔒
  74. A dog seems nervous around a toddler. What does the ASPCA say? 🔒
  75. What simple home change helps an older dog on slippery floors? 🔒
  76. Should an elderly dog with stiff joints still get gentle exercise? 🔒
  77. Is chaining a dog to a post a good way to keep it in the yard? 🔒
  78. Neutering a male dog cuts down roaming in about how many cases? 🔒
  79. Your dog is lost. How does the ASPCA say to check local shelters? 🔒
  80. About how long can a 3-month-old puppy usually hold its pee? 🔒
  81. About how long does house training a puppy usually take? 🔒
  82. Your puppy pees on the rug. What should you do? 🔒
  83. If everyone is away more than 4 or 5 hours a day, what may suit better than a puppy? 🔒
  84. A puppy under 6 months old should stay in a crate for no more than about how long at a time? 🔒
  85. How soon should a newly adopted dog see a vet? 🔒
  86. When is the best time to bring a new dog home? 🔒
  87. Your newly adopted adult dog was house trained before. What should you assume at first? 🔒
  88. Before a new dog arrives, what should the whole household decide together? 🔒
  89. How do most dogs get over a fence? 🔒
  90. What is the traditional age for neutering a dog, per the ASPCA? 🔒
  91. When does spaying a female dog give the best protection against breast tumors? 🔒
  92. Can spaying or neutering raise a dog's risk of becoming overweight? 🔒
  93. After spay or neuter surgery, what should you prevent for up to two weeks? 🔒
  94. Why should a microchipped dog still wear a collar with an ID tag? 🔒
  95. What is the safest way for a dog to ride on a long car trip? 🔒
  96. What record does ASPCA advise bringing when driving across state lines with your dog? 🔒
  97. What does the ASPCA advise about flying with a dog too big to ride under the seat? 🔒
  98. A dog with separation anxiety usually starts barking and fretting how soon after you leave? 🔒
  99. You come home to a mess from a dog with separation anxiety. Should you punish it? 🔒
  100. What can you give a dog each time you leave to help it link alone time with good things? 🔒
  101. Will crating a dog cure its separation anxiety? 🔒
  102. Your dog barks at you to get attention. What works best? 🔒
  103. How do you teach a dog what "Quiet" means? 🔒
  104. Puppies chew extra hard while teething. About when does that phase usually end? 🔒
  105. You find a chewed shoe hours later. Will scolding your dog now teach it anything? 🔒
  106. Your puppy bites too hard in play. What does the ASPCA suggest first? 🔒
  107. When a puppy keeps nipping, how long a time-out does the ASPCA suggest? 🔒
  108. How should you pick up a puppy or small dog? 🔒
  109. How often do most dogs need a bath, per the ASPCA? 🔒
  110. Why should you not brush a dog's teeth with people toothpaste? 🔒